WHO WE ARE
our story
Why Bennelong?
THE INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION
Stephen Thatcher, owner and founder of Bennelong Event Hire, deeply believes in the rights and recognition of this amazing country’s first people.
Woollaraware Bennelong was a senior man of the Eora people. Captured on the orders of Governor Philip, he was brought to Sydney Cove to establish communications with the indigenous people.
Having escaped smallpox and a host of other diseases, Bennelong learned to speak English, and travelled to England and allegedly meet the King George III. While not a successful trip by anyone’s account, Bennelong arrived back in Sydney and was granted a hut and some land on the present site of the Opera House.
AUSTRALIA ON SHOW
Bennelong is quintessentially a Sydney identified name and location.
Bennelong Lawn, an intimate and spectacular setting, in the Royal Botanic Gardens has been the location of so many of Stephen’s successes, from Bar Mitzvahs, birthdays, weddings and memorials, to product launches, activations and Christmas parties.
In 2019, Stephen pitched Bennelong lawn to the BBC in London as the location for a worldwide Q&A program, and they were thrilled they’d have a bespoke temporary studio in such a magnificent location.
During the 2000 Olympics, the late great event guru, David Grant, and Stephen worked together to present a unique Australian experience for UPS and USA Today on Bennelong Lawn. ‘It doesn’t get any better than this,’ were David’s words about what they’d achieved.
Stephen Thatcher, Company Founder
Having started his life as a chef, Stephen Thatcher returned from a working holiday in London in 1994 wanting a change. After glimpsing a small ad in the Sydney Morning Herald for a position in sales with Pages Hire Centre, Lidcombe, he decided he’d take the position until his future became clear.
It soon became clear this was his future.
TAKING PAGES HIRE TO ITS HEIGHTS
In 1998, Stephen and his business partner acquired 50% of Pages and took over the operation from its founder, Greg Page, focusing the business on corporate hospitality, events and major projects.
The turning point came when Pages was selected to provide 36,000 square metres of temporary structure for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. This was the start of an avalanche of major projects that was unprecedented in the event industry. Some of these include CHOGM, World Cup Rugby, Commonwealth Games, Australian Open Tennis, APEC and Australian Open Golf. Not to mention the legendary parties such as Cointreau Balls with event doyenne Deeta Colvin and being especially privileged to work at the start of the true ‘special event’ period of events with David Grant and the late and great caterers such as Norma Willis and Anders Ousback.
Having established a manufacturing department for the Olympics, Pages not only sold but also manufactured the first double story marquee in Australia for Louis Vuitton global store relaunch. This was a turning point in the industry. Australia was finally supplying world class event infrastructure, propelling Pages to the forefront of the industry.
The devastating pandemic of 2020 forced the company into liquidation.
BENNELONG EVENT HIRE AND THE FUTURE
Stephen and his team regrouped, re-prioritised and in mid-2020 launched his solo premium event hire company, Bennelong Event Hire.
Stephen’s enthusiasm for the industry is unwavering. He is one of the country’s most experienced and unique event professionals, due to his ability to communicate with the client and offer balanced opinion and exceptional outcomes.
Stephen is on the board of children’s charity, The Bestest Foundation, and regularly lends his event expertise to the non-profit sector.