On April 10^th 1954, Hanmer and Bernadine (Corrie) Monk arrived at The Paroa Hotel from the Bealy Hotel with their first son Bernie who was 3 months old. Paroa Hotel was renowned around the West Coast for exceptional food and hospitality. The laws at the time meant that you had to be closed at 6pm Monday to Saturday and no trading on Sunday. Sometimes these rules were bent to accommodate West Coasters thirst, a secret knock at the door allowed you to enter, and often the local police would call ahead to ensure the premises was empty before they arrived. This legendary hospitality was continued by Bernie and his brother Winston until 2012 when Bernie’s children, Alan and Olivia carried over the tradition. Often you will see the whole family, Bernie, Kath, Olivia and Alan offering the genuine West Coast hospitality that Ham and Corrie offered 65 years ago.