Cheers to the champions of our community!

Fish with his beautiful wife Elyse accepting another award for The Middle pub.

The Middle Hotel is hosting an event for men’s mental health tonight (from 6pm), one of many fundraisers and events co-owners Fish and Elyse run throughout the year to support our community.

The support this young couple show to the community through sponsorships, fundraisers, events and love is second to none and their generosity is incomparable.

Korumburra Staying Strong grabbed Fish for a sit down to understand where it all began.

Q: How many people know that your first name is Ben?
A: I don't think anyone really knows it's Ben. I would only turn around if Mum said it, I reckon. Everyone just calls me Fish. I've always been known as Fish since I was a kid. My brother was known as Trout, and I'm Fish, so...

Q: You were born in Loch, right?
A: I was born in Melbourne, but I grew up in Loch. Mum and Dad moved down to Loch when I was about three. I was there until I was 18.

We were on a dairy farm. Mum's brother had a farm up the road, and Grandma lived across the road. Along that big straight in Loch, we had pretty much the whole family nearby.

I grew up there with my younger brother Adam and my sister Steph, who's eight years younger than me. Later, I moved down to San Remo when I was 18.

Q: You started off as an apprentice chef?
A: Yes. That’s how I got into the hotel industry. I was there for six or seven years.

The dynamic duo put the community at the heart of everything they do.

I did my apprenticeship for the first three to four years, then moved into the bar. I travelled back and forth, did some work interstate, and ended up mainly in front of house, with a few cameos in the kitchen here and there. I enjoyed meeting people and didn’t really enjoy being inside the four walls of a kitchen.

I do love the kitchen and what it offers, but it's not for me to be in full-time. We’re lucky to have Mark Smith running our show — he has massive passion for it.

Q: You’re in your 20s at this stage. How did the opportunity to get into a business like this come about?
A: I went and worked in Queensland doing construction. I really enjoyed the lifestyle — we were living at the beach, partying, surfing with mates, and enjoying ourselves. The money in construction was good.

Eventually, I realised I needed to settle down a bit and went to work in the mines as a chef. I also got a few tickets in construction. Whenever I came back to San Remo, I helped out during MotoGP weekends and busy times — whether it was back or front of house.

During those visits, I’d catch up with Elyse — back then we were good mates. We partied and worked together. We ended up getting together in about 2007.

Fish and Elyse run events all year to support the needs of the community.

Q: What work were you doing then?
A: I stayed in the construction industry. At one point, I was working on the pipeline for the desalination plant for around four years.

In 2012, Elyse had a car accident when she was six months pregnant with our second little one, Levi. She shattered her pelvis and her sacrum, and both were in hospital for four months. Levi was born at 1,100 grams.

We already had a 15-month-old at home. I left my job and went straight to the hospital with Elyse and Levi for that time.

Q: How did that lead to getting back into pubs?
A: While Elyse was in rehab, Peter and Colleen — the hotel owners we had worked with in San Remo — stayed in touch and visited us. They had just bought another hotel in Thornton around 2012 — the Rubicon Hotel.

They asked if we were interested in running the pub. Elyse might help with admin during her rehab, and I could be on deck. We thought it was an amazing opportunity. We both had worked there on and off for years and had a lot of love for the San Remo Hotel and the local community. We moved into the pub upstairs with the kids.

Q: You ran that pub for nine years?
A: Yes, and it was a fantastic time — we gained so much experience. In 2018, we got the opportunity to buy into this hotel in Korumburra alongside the San Remo owners.

We always wanted a chance to give it a go. The kids were doing well, Levi was thriving despite being born so early. We weren’t sure we’d get financing, but the bank and Peter and Colleen backed us. They’ve been amazing through our lives.

Eventually, we bought in and bought our good friends Troy and Julie out. We’ve been here at The Middle ever since.

Like all natural leaders Fish and Elyse focus on building their team and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to grow their careers.

Q: This is your pub now?
A: Yes, with Peter and Colleen. It’s unbelievable how it all came together. We’re very happy here.

Q: You mentioned playing junior footy at Bena?
A: Yes. I played my first game at Loch in about 1989, when we lived in Loch. Then, a couple of years later, they folded, so I was off to Bena. I knew a lot of people from the area — going back to that time. Many of the same faces are still around, just a bit older now. It’s been great to come back. We are lucky to have a lot of good people around.

Q: What’s it like putting so much on the line and receiving strong community support in return?
A: It means a lot, but we’ve always wanted the pub to be a community hub. It’s not about us. It’s about creating a space where staff enjoy their work and locals, along with passers-by, feel welcome. We don’t want it to feel like just a job. We enjoy it so much — it doesn’t feel like work.

Watch out! Fish still thinks he’s chance of a sporting comeback.

Q: You seem very grounded. Where does that humility come from?
A: Probably from working at the San Remo pub and the people I’ve met along the way. As long as people around me are happy, I’m happy.

None of this would be possible without Elyse. She handles a lot at home if she’s not here at the pub. We’ve got three young kids — Addison, 14; Levi, 13; and Stevie, about to hit 8. It can be a zoo at times, so we are very lucky to have Elyse, who just goes about it without a fuss. She’s planning to come back into the pub more now so we can balance things better.

Q: What’s managing pubs taught you about leadership?
A: I think we’re always learning. Good leadership starts with a positive attitude. If we’re positive, the staff are too — and that affects how the customers feel. It creates a ripple effect.

One of the best things is seeing former staff grow. Look at Jai Rapson, for example — he started out as a shy waiter/kitchen hand working with Troy and Julie, and then with us. Now he runs a pub in Drouin. That kind of growth is great to see.

Creating experiences for everyone involved and watching people grow over the years is nice. We are very lucky to have the staff and customers we do at The Middle.

Leadership has its ups and downs. You need to be looking at the future all the time, as things change quickly. We all need to be resilient and communicate well.

Q: What does Korumburra mean to you?
A: It’s always felt like a home away from home. We played our junior footy here, and my mum and sister were born here. Mum and Dad still live here, and it's nice to have the support of family.

Even when we lived in San Remo, we’d drive back through Loch and through the hills. I still do it now. Korumburra has a lot of good people.

There are exciting things happening — new shops, the brewery, more places to eat and drink. If we all work together, the whole town benefits.

I look forward to seeing big things happening soon — hopefully, it includes a premiership or two in the football and netball!

Q: What do you think Korumburra needs to take the next step?
A: Accommodation is a big one. We have Coal Creek Motel and some great Airbnbs, but something larger-scale would help. We’d love to add accommodation here at The Middle eventually. It’s something we’re thinking about seriously. We plan to stay here long term.

Q: What are your hopes for the future — for you, Elyse, and your family?
A: As long as we’re healthy and happy, that’s the main thing. Eventually, we’d love a little hobby farm. The kids love horses, and we have so many pets — we probably need more space. Right now, our focus is on the kids, the pub, and enjoying life.

Korumburra isn't getting rid of us!

Q: What’s something about owning a business that most people don’t realise?
A: It’s like a duck on water — everything looks calm on top, but underneath, there’s a lot of paddling going on. You’ve always got to present well in hospitality — first impressions last forever. If I’m stressed or negative, that can flow through to staff and customers.

Staying positive helps everyone. It can look busy from the outside, but the bills keep coming in too. Despite the challenges, we love it. We want it to succeed — so we make it work. We were very lucky to have some good role models through the years.

You need a good team, and we are lucky to have people in the right places. It can be challenging at times, but with Ash running front of house and Mark out the back, it's very strong. Pubs aren't just about pouring pots and serving parmas, that’s for sure.

Q: Is there anything that scares you?
A: Not really. We’re in a great town with a lot of good people. You hear stories about other places, but Korumburra is safe and supportive. Pubs are still places of community, and we’re lucky to be in this industry.

Going through a pandemic was interesting, but I think you have to take the whacks along the way — it’s all about how you respond.

If one thing did scare me, it would be not having the support of family. Elyse’s parents have been unbelievable along the way, with the help of many others — my family, friends, and of course, not having someone like Elyse by your side. That would make things a little scary, that’s for sure.

Q: How many hours a week do you reckon you work?
A: It varies. It feels like 24/7, because even at home I’m working — posting on social media, checking in with staff, trying to help with everything.

There’s a lot to manage both at work and home. Sometimes it’s a high-five at the door — Elyse goes out as I come in. We treat our staff like family too — it creates a good environment.

We are very lucky with the staff we have. They are very good at having things organised, and that helps a lot.

It has changed a little as the kids get bigger, and it's nice to be able to go to their sports and hobbies, etc.

Q: When you actually get some time to yourself, what do you like to do?
A: I like to go park at the beach and chill, or catch a local game of footy. Levi has started, so that's fun — along with Addison and the horse life, which can be relaxing to watch. Dropping the kids off at Newhaven School then going to the beach helps me reset.

Sometimes I’ll play a bit of golf or check out the Kangas — look out for those Kangas! I do love travelling. We’re here once in this life, so why wouldn’t you want to have a little fun along the way?

Q: You’re still quite young. Could you make a footy comeback?
A: I don’t know. The boys have been trying to get me to play veterans footy — over 35s. I gave it a go last year. There are rumours that Korumburra might start a veterans team — so if that happens, I might jump in. It would be great to get families involved and have a bit of fun.

Q: How old are you?
A: 43.

Q: You look young.
A: I don’t know about that — but if Korumburra starts a veterans side, I’d love to support it. It would be fun to see all us older blokes running around again. Maybe Elyse keeps me looking young, as she handles a lot of the stress — haha.