President's Medal
Since 2006, Australia’s most unique and prestigious food and beverage award is the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s President’s Medal.
Finalists are all champions within their respective Sydney Royal competition classes. The President’s Medal celebrates truly inspirational, innovative agricultural food and beverage achievers.
Producers who prioritise sustainable environmental, economic and social practices throughout the production cycle from gate to plate, and whose contribution is beyond simply bringing a product to market, but also serves to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of the future of Australian agriculture—these are the winners who are recognised for the overall integrity of their production practices.
- 17th Annual President's Medal Finalists
- Key Dates
- Judging
- Previous Winners
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Congratulations to Pecora Dairy for claiming the prestigious 17th Annual President’s Medal
Pecora Dairy (Knights Hill, NSW)
Pecora Dairy is a Sheep dairy making Australian Benchmark cheeses in the rolling green hill at Roberston in the NSW Southern Highlands. Established in 2011 by Michael and Cressida Cains, Pecora Dairy aims to make benchmark Australian cheeses including Australia’s first raw milk cheese “Yarrawa”. Michael and Cressida believe that raw milk cheeses are the ultimate way to tell the story of their farm on a plate. The farm is set on 180 acres where paddocks are intertwined amongst nature, snaking through wetlands and rainforests. They take a multi-functional approach where habitat and soil, low carbon footprint, animal ethics and social/community contribution sit alongside as equal objectives to making delicious cheese and operating a sustainable business.
Since opening as a brewpub in Katoomba in 2019, Mountain Culture has gone on to become one of Australia’s fastest growing beer brands. Annual production has expanded from 60,000L to almost 14 million liters in four years, which is a testament to their uncompromising dedication to brew the best beer in the country. Constantly pushing their limits and challenging themselves to create beer for the adventurous, they are now nationally ranged through the majors as well as at over 1,000 independent venues and bottleshops.
Gumshire Pork stands as a pioneering family farm spanning two generations dedicated to high quality and welfare pork production. In the serene Northeast corner of the Barossa Valley, our family manages 300 sows and their offspring, within deep litter eco-shelters blending indoor and outdoor environments. Remarkably, we retain 80% of Australia's Hampshire pigs, a heritage breed renowned for its superior meat quality. Our family ethos underscores unwavering dedication to animal welfare and sustainable practices. As suppliers to diverse markets, Gumshire Pork Family’s commitment extends beyond the farm - active involvement in the Australian Pig Breeders Society and community initiatives highlights their leadership in ethical, eco-conscious farming and agricultural education. With a reputation for high-quality products, we take pride in delivering exceptional pork, aspiring to make it everyone’s preferred protein.
Meredith Dairy is a family enterprise, producing sheep and goat milk and manufacturing unique dairy products. Situated in Western Victoria, the farm was traditionally a sheep and beef enterprise, but after the collapse of the wool industry, the family chose to resist farming commodity produce and instead make niche products and sell direct to consumers. Today the Meredith Dairy enterprise employs 150 staff and sells in demand cheese and yoghurts nationally and to export markets. The Cameron family has a deep care and understanding of the land, a love of farming, and a vision “To Produce Food Sustainably”. Every decision is made through a long-term lens, including promoting natural resources, advancing the local community, and ensuring a future for the next generation of farmers.
Stockyard Beef began as one couple and small beginnings over 65 years ago, to a multi-generational family business dedicated to bringing people together over outstanding beef. The business breed, raise and feed premium grain-fed Wagyu and Angus cattle from its properties at Jondaryan, on the famous Darling Downs in Queensland and at Glen Innes, in northern New South Wales using a unique natural feeding program. Through strong alliances both up and down the supply chain, Stockyard branded beef can be found in award winning restaurants, leading hotels and amongst family and friends here in Australia and over 20 international markets.
Hannah and Tim from The Food Farm are changing the face of regenerative food in Australia.
As first-generation farmers an hour from Sydney, Hannah and Tim are taking farming to the next level by growing, butchering and supplying Australia’s best pasture-raised chicken, beef and eggs direct to consumers every week without owning a single patch of dirt.
With their strong passion for using ethical pasture raised poultry farming to facilitate healing of human connection and land, they have built a passionate community of consumers and farmers through transparent, heart centred storytelling.
17th Annual President's Medal Winner Announced
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Finalists undergo an independent review of their business model to assess their social, commerical and environmental integrity. It's this triple bottom line review that makes the President's Medal award the most unique and prestigious in the country.
Congratulations to Rice Culture for claiming the prestigious 16th Annual President’s Medal.
Rice Culture (Carrara, Queensland)
The President's Medal recognises the extraordinary businesses and people behind the medal winning products. The following Australian producers are the 16th Annual President's Medal finalists, visit each producers page to find out more on each one.
Congratulations to Rice Culture for claiming the prestigious 16th Annual President’s Medal.
Rice Culture - Carrara, QLD
Yumbah - Allestree, VIC
Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod- Griffith, NSW
The Little Big Dairy Company - Dubbo, NSW
Australia’s Oyster Coast - Millingandi, NSW
Newcastle’s Pudding Lady - Cardiff, NSW
Shottesbrooke Vineyard
Finalist and 15th President's Medal Winner
Adelaide, South Australia
Established in 1981, and founded on a solid tradition of hard work, dedication, and passion, Shottesbrooke produces award-winning wines that are distributed around the world. Now in the hands of the second generation, Shottesbrooke continues to grow and proudly produce premium world-class wines of style that truly reflect their origin.
Gumnut Patiserrie, Southern Highlands, NSW
Rhubarb & Strawberry Tart & Chocolate and Raspberry Bavrois
"We couldn't believe our ears when they announced Gumnut Patisserie as the winner of the 14th RAS of NSW President's Medal. To say we were honoured would be an understatement. The businesses we were up against were all awesome and we were pretty stunned that we had been named in the top six, but then to hear our little Patisserie in the Southern Highlands to be named as the winner was amazing. The reason we started the Gumnut Patisserie in the first place is so we as a couple could work together. Fast forward 26 years we have a team of 60+ including our four children, that we like to call our Gumnut Family. This is a whole team achievement, and we would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Gumnut Family, past and present. This prestigious award was such an honour to win, the Gumnut Patisserie will now forever be known as a President’s medal winner."
Tracy & Vicki Nickl, The Gumnut Patisserie - 14th Annual President's Medal Winner
Family owned and operated, the Gumnut Patisserie has an outstanding reputation for nurturing apprentices and remaining a wholly locally focussed business, with the benefit of attracting out-of-towners and tourists to their region. Following a philosophy of only using the finest of ingredients and never compromising on quality nor taste, Gumnut Patisserie is mindful of encouraging creativity whilst also honouring the time-honoured traditions a pastry chef must observe.
Meredith Dairy, VIC
Marinated Feta, Sheep Goat Blend
“Winning such a prestigious award has been an enormous honour. The President’s Medal win is acknowledgment of the enormous work and effort by our Meredith Dairy team... We are proud to be part of a growing enthusiasm for Australian Agribusiness, especially innovative food production from paddock to plate. Matching the growing demand for our specialty products with sustainability responsibilities has been challenging, so it is really fantastic to be recognised for meeting these challenges.”
Julie and Sandy Cameron, Meredith Dairy - 13th Annual President's Medal Winner
A family enterprise from Meredith, Victoria and the town's biggest private employer,
Meredith Dairy has a strong focus on local community development and agricultural innovation within the dairy industry.
Alongside producing highly regarded products, Meredith Dairy is constantly looking into sustainable farming practices, innovative manufacturing techniques and climate change mitigation.
Meredith Dairy is constantly looking into sustainable farming practices, innovative manufacturing techniques and climate change mitigation.
Brasserie Bread, NSW
Finders Rangers Sprouted Wheat Loaf
"We are thrilled to have been recognised as the first professional bakery and finalist to win both the RAS of NSW President’s Medal and the NSW Department of Primary Industries Innovation Award. Winning these Awards motivates us to continue with our pursuit of crafting products of high quality and integrity. This is not an individual Award but a collective recognition of the hard work and support from all our staff, farmers and industry partners who have been involved on this journey to celebrate the source. Because of their support, today we can now put a loaf of bread on the table and tell you what paddock it is from and that is extremely important!"
Michael Klausen, Brasserie Bread - 12th Annual President's Medal Winner
Brasserie Bread is the realisation of a dream that began back in 1995 when Founders Michael Klausen and Tony Pappas set out to bake their first loaf of sourdough.
For the past 22 years, we have built our business by incorporating the world's best thinking and honouring the values of artisan baking. Our drive for innovation led us to connect with farmers from renowned wheat districts of Australia to pioneer the use of single sourced grains in our continued pursuit of baking award-winning products of remarkable character.
Nowadays, our reputation is recognised across the Eastern seaboard of Australia by foodservice partners who place quality first and share the same passion for products of distinguished flavour.
Cobram Estate, VIC
Ultra Premium Hojiblanca Extra Virgin Olive Oil
"We are really humbled and honoured to win this prestigious award," said co-founder of Cobram Estate Rob McGavin.
"What we are especially proud of is that the quality of what we are able to produce at Cobram Estate is readily available to everyone in Australia at an affordable price,"
Rob McGavin, Cobram Estate - 11th Annual President's Medal Winner
Boundary Bend Estate, established in 1998, is the culmination of a dream for visionary horticulturists Rod McGavin and Paul Riordan.
With an unwavering focus on quality, innovation and customer satisfaction through all facets of their business, Boundary Bend, Cobram's parent company is rapidly developing a global reputation as one of the leading players in the modern olive industry.
Critical to their success has been their ability to consistently produce premium quality extra virgin olive oil in large and growing quantities.
The result is a business that is unsurpassed in the olive industry and is gaining recognition as a significant player in the international industry.
Pacific Reef Fisheries, QLD
Sashimi Grade Cobia
"When they announced we had won, I almost had to pinch myself. I believed in our product, but we were in such esteemed company that we never presumed we would take first place.
Publicity around the awards has been extremely helpful when dealing with new distributors, restaurants and chefs. They have either heard of our cobia because of our achievements or are keen to know more particularly because the President’s Medal is such a revered accolade and a known indicator of high-quality produce.
The win will help us continue to grow and ensure we are in the right market. We were just starting to gain a little exposure at prestige events such as the Spring Racing Carnival and Grand Prix in Melbourne, but the President’s Medal is opening more doors for us, creating a wider range of opportunities for our fine cobia to be featured and enjoyed."
Maria Mitris, Pacific Reef Fisheries - President's Medal winner 2015
The Mitris family started Pacific Reef Fisheries in 1998. Over the last 17 years they have built the business to a highly successful prawn and fish farming operation that produces around 1,000 tonnes of seafood per year. Pacific Reef North Queensland Cobia became a part of the business six years ago. This is a new aquaculture species in Australia and was started in partnership with the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. With this new species came many challenges and it has been a steep learning curve over the last six years. However, we are very proud of what has become a real success story that is the result of much hard work by a lot of people.
Pacific Reef Fisheries comment on their President's Medal win:
When they announced we had won, I almost had to pinch myself. I believed in our product, but we were in such esteemed company that we never presumed we would take first place.
Publicity around the awards has been extremely helpful when dealing with new distributors, restaurants and chefs. They have either heard of our cobia because of our achievements or are keen to know more particularly because the President's Medal is such a revered accolade and a known indicator of high-quality produce.
The win will help us continue to grow and ensure we are in the right market. We were just starting to gain a little exposure at prestige events such as the Spring Racing Carnival and Grand Prix in Melbourne but the President's Medal is opening more doors for us, creating a wider range of opportunities for our fine cobia to be featured and enjoyed.
Maria Mitris, Pacific Reef Fisheries - 2015 President's Medal winner
Watch the 2015 President's Medal winner as featured on ABC's Landline
Bulla Dairy Foods, VIC
35% Thick Cup Cream
Trusted and loved by Australian families since 1910, Bulla Dairy Foods is 100% Australian family owned and has been run by the same three families for five generations. The business prides itself on delivering a delicious, real dairy taste by producing products made from fresh milk, cream and other quality ingredients. Starting out as a small Melbourne cream company, Bulla now offers a broad range of chilled and frozen dairy products including cream, cottage cheese, yoghurt, dairy desserts, ice cream and frozen yoghurt. Bulla’s range of ‘Real Dairy’ products are all underpinned by traditional country values of family, pride, honesty, respect and integrity.
Tahbilk Winery, VIC
2008 Marsanne
Victoria’s oldest family owned winery – Tahbilk – has beaten some of Australia’s most famous farming dynasties to be awarded the Presidents’ Medal in 2013. They made the shortlist after claiming The Harry Davies Memorial Perpetual Trophy for their 2008 Marsanne. Chief winemaker Alan George said ‘When you’re given an award like this it’s very satisfying; it makes the job that much more worthwhile to do.” “Competing with producers beyond the wine industry puts the President’s Medal in a different league, and, for the team behind Tahbilk wines, winning it is more than a little exciting,” added Mr George. President’s Medal Judge – renowned food lover and Sydney ABC 702 Radio presenter Simon Marnie, said it soon became clear that the carbon neutral business was a natural contender. “So many times you see green wash – the practice of boasting about your environmental credentials without any real understanding – whereas they had a really deep understanding of not just their own environmental responsibilities but also up and down the chain. That’s such a rarity,” he said.
Milly Hill Lamb, NSW
Lamb – Grass Fed 20-23kg
Premium lamb producers Milly Hill Lamb were awarded the 2012 President’s Medal. The New England business, owned by Peter and Sally Strelitz, were recognised for their free-range, grass-fed lambs and commitment to the triple bottom line. “Through close relationships with growers…Peter and Sally encapsulate the dedication to craft skills, sustainable farm practices, financial responsibility and social fabric that are essential to being a President’s Medal winner,” said President’s Medal Judge Simon Marnie. Sally said they were thrilled with the win. “It validates what you are and what you’re doing, and has been a fantastic boost for the business.” The $10,000 prize money was used by Milly Hill to develop their brand and further build their customer base.
Yalumba, SA
FSW8B Botrytis Viognier (2009)
In awarding Yalumba the 2011 President’s Medal, the 163-year-old wine company was congratulated for showing that a producer can be at the leading edge of technology and production standards without compromising on its social and environmental responsibilities.
Yalumba took out the award with their Yalumba FSW8B Botrytis Viognier 2009. Fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill Smith said the team were thrilled to receive the award, particularly because it stemmed from the Viognier variety they had been working on for 30 years.
Yalumba winemaker Louisa Rose said good environmental practices are crucial for making excellent wines. “You couldn’t grow a good Botrytis wine if you didn’t have a sustainable vineyard,” she said. “You’ve got to have healthy conditions and healthy moulds in the atmosphere.”
Yalumba donated its $10,000 in prize money to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation’s rural scholarship program.
Holy Goat Cheese, VIC
La Luna Goat Cheese
When Carla Meurs and Ann-Marie Monda won the President’s Medal for their La Luna cheese, it did more than give their business the recognition it deserved.
“Winning was extraordinary because we are a very small producer,” said Carla. “To be so validated by a process that not only looked at the quality of our product but also the quality of our farming systems, that was a pretty wonderful acknowledgement and very encouraging for us.”
The pair had been running a dairy herd of 70 goats on 200 acres in Victoria’s Sutton Grange since 1999, fulfilling a long-held dream. They make 10 tonnes of organic goat’s cheese each year, now sold to some of Sydney and Melbourne’s finest restaurants and specialist delicatessens. They hope they President’s Medal win will inspire others to consider running a small farm.
Paringa Estate, VIC
Shiraz 2006
Paringa Estate’s 2006 Shiraz was the winner of the 4TH President’s Medal. “Winning the President’s Medal in 2009 was a great thrill,” winemaker Lindsay McCall said. “As a reward to my staff who helped in winning this award, I took them for lunch – a good investment of some of the $10,000 prize.”
McCall, who gave away his teaching job in 1994 to pursue his passion for winemaking, now produces multi-award-winning wine which is exported to the UK, Denmark and Asia, as well as having a strong presence in the Australian market.
Judge Simon Marnie said the wine company not only impressed the judges with all aspects of its triple bottom line impact, but also with its winemaker’s enthusiasm and skills for the craft: “Lindsay McCall pursues his passion from the soil to the bottle.”
Country Valley, NSW
Lush Traditional Handmade Natural Yoghurt
In 2008, the lush traditional handmade yoghurt made by John and Sally Fairley won over the hearts and tastebuds, of the 3rd President’s Medal judges.
Their Picton property in NSW has been home to generations of the Fairley family for 150 years. John Fairley took over the 300-acre dairy in 2001 and now runs 145 Freisian/Jersey crosses on its lush pastures.
John said winning the President’s Medal was “just like winning an Oscar” and produced a great opportunity for him to revisit Country Valley’s quality standards and triple bottom line. The win has done many things for his business, he said, not least the increased sales and opportunity to get the yoghurt onto Woolworths supermarket shelves.
"As for the $10,000 [prize money], it is always handy to get that sort of prize money but at the time we were in horrific drought and we spent it on feed for the cows!” he said.
Hardys, SA
2004 Eileen Hardy Chardonnay
Hardys wine has been around since 1853 but, in 2007, it produced a wine so outstanding that it was deemed worthy of the President’s Medal. The winning drop was the 2004 Eileen Hardy Chardonnay, a wine that brand ambassador Bill Hardy said the company is particularly proud of as it was released in honour of his grandmother Eileen Hardy.
Eileen Hardy played a pivotal role in the success of Hardys wines, he said, and was the first Australian woman to receive an OBE for services to the wine industry.
Hardys directed its $10,000 prize money into advertising. “The award has helped us communicate the rich heritage and passion associated with, not just this particular wine, but all Hardys wines,” Chief Winemaker Paul Lapsley said
1st President’s Medal & Finalist for 13th President's Medal
Tathra Oysters, NSW
Sydney Rock Oysters
For the past 20 years, Gary and Jo Rodely have been farming award-winning oysters in the pristine waters of Nelson Lake located in NSW’s Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the family business, with all oysters bred and grown on site and only eco-friendly materials used. Even wastewater is recycled to maintain local parks and gardens.
Winning the 2006 Inaugural President’s Medal generated some “amazing” press coverage, and Jo said being recognised as a quality producer who is also environmentally sensitive and socially responsible has brought their oysters to the attention of a far wider range of customers.
“Being a small business, the $10,000 prize was also especially significant for us,” Jo said. “We immediately turned the prize money into increased infrastructure which, six years later, is now having a significant ‘multiplier effect’ on our bottom line.”
Congratulations to Pecora Dairy for claiming the prestigious 17th Annual President’s Medal
Pecora Dairy is a Sheep dairy making Australian Benchmark cheeses in the rolling green hill at Roberston in the NSW Southern Highlands. Established in 2011 by Michael and Cressida Cains, Pecora Dairy aims to make benchmark Australian cheeses including Australia’s first raw milk cheese “Yarrawa”. Michael and Cressida believe that raw milk cheeses are the ultimate way to tell the story of their farm on a plate. The farm is set on 180 acres where paddocks are intertwined amongst nature, snaking through wetlands and rainforests. They take a multi-functional approach where habitat and soil, low carbon footprint, animal ethics and social/community contribution sit alongside as equal objectives to making delicious cheese and operating a sustainable business.
Wine, Dairy & Fine Food Events Manager
Phone: 02 9704 1350
1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127