Australians take their pubs very seriously, especially the Northern Beaches faithful. So, seven years ago, when passers-by of the hallowed turf a wisp beyond the nexus of Pittwater and Barrenjoey Roads first realised the iconic Mona Vale Hotel had been rebranded The Parkhouse, community outrage, righteous indignation and profound sadness promptly ensued. What the hell’s happened to the Mona?!
Ben Hanson didn’t know it then, in 2017 he was a high-flying Channel 9 cameraman in the midst of a storied career spanning 21 years in Sydney, the UK and North America, filming Yasser Arafat’s funeral, capturing the Athens Olympics and shooting Barack Obama in the White House library. A master lensman indeed, but the physical brunt of being a cameraman had finally taken its toll.
“My body basically just broke down,” says Ben. “Bulging discs, carpal tunnel, I needed to find something else to do.” Being a glutton for punishment, the choice of what to do was simple, become a publican!
With his wife and 1-year-old son, the Hanson family ventured north to Hawks Nest, John Howard’s favourite holiday destination, and with money Ben had put away over his career he took the plunge and became the proud owner and publican of The Tea Gardens Hotel.
“It was a baptism of fire,” says Ben. “But whatever it took, I was going to make it work, I had to make it work. I had no plan B.” Bull-headed Ben got busy, following his family mantra, “Work hard and you can succeed at anything.”
His father Peter a testament to this, the founder of Ben’s Bakery that first opened on the Corso in 1977, becoming a Beaches institution and giving a young Ben firsthand experience of tireless dedication. With a clear path forward and failure not an option, for five years, 80 hours a week, weekends, holidays, the cameraman became the publican.
“Tea Gardens is a small place, a 4,000 people town, I was scrutinised very heavily,” explains Ben. “Everything at the Hotel was broken down or breaking down. I’d be racing round like a chook with my head cut off, frantically fixing ATM’s, refrigeration systems, you name it, and the locals loved it! My commitment won their respect.”
Successfully transforming Tea Gardens Hotel into a thriving, family friendly, Myall River oasis, and with developments 18 months ago first taking shape that Arthur Laundy, Ben’s uncle and hotel industry powerhouse, was set to take back full control of The Parkhouse, who better to return to his Northern Beaches home and mastermind The Mona’s revamping?
“The Mona is an icon, and my role now is to bring back the love,” says Ben. “My ethos at Tea Gardens was to create an awesome, family-friendly venue for all ages to enjoy, and that’s exactly the same ethos I’m bringing to The Mona.”
That ethos is already clear. It starts with the Ben’s Bakery café overlooking the newest and biggest kids’ playground in a pub anywhere on the Beaches. It continues with striking murals, classic vintage photos, a commitment to showcasing live music from local bands, the cheapest schnitties on the Beaches, epic cocktail specials, a range of sponsorships of local sporting and community clubs, attracting dedicated staff who genuinely froth The Mona, and razor sharp schooie prices.
“Without doubt, this is by far the toughest job I’ve ever had,” smiles Ben. “I’m loving every minute of it.”
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Visit themona.com.au and follow @monavalehotel on socials.
Most importantly, get to The Mona in person.