President's Medal

Once upon a time (nearly 14 years ago) My wife and I embarked on a lifestyle change. The plan was to build a family and become tranquil oyster farmers. The plan rapidly changed and became a supercharged growth journey, as the time was very opportune to grow in the industry as many farmers were trying to exit and were more so at the retirement stage in their lives, so a succession plan was unnecessary for them.

4 children then followed, so obviously the oysters worked 😂🤣😂

We started to pave a pathway in doing things differently to the status quo. We were the 1st oyster farmers to become Certified Organic, then also the 1st to earn Sustainable Certification. On the back of this we started marketing our own oysters into direct markets, building our brand & reputation.

Our passion for clean & green took us to another level and we wanted to do more in this space to protect the environment we are farming in, and continue to lead the industry (Globally) in farming systems with minimal impact to the seafloor and waterways. This is how we developed the floating system - which is extremely efficient and extremely environmentally friendly.

Our passion and drive to deliver on growing a beautiful product that, in it's own right, has so many health and environmental benefits, whilst reducing our footprint throughout our farms, is an extreme standout for us and we will continue to strive to be our best.

From where we started to where we are today - Our first year in FY 2011 we sold 30k dozen oysters with 1 FTE compared to now - FY 2025 we will sell 2M dozen oysters with 110 FTE.

We have always worked hard to over achieve and hopefully with all the hard yards (& doing things right) we could also win the Annual RAS President's Medal.

Over the past 25 years, Cobram Estate has grown to become the clear market leader in the Australian olive industry and is a global leader in sustainable olive farming. At Cobram Estate our passion for quality inspires everything we do. We take a tree-to-table approach to create fresh, healthy, award winning Australian extra virgin olive oil.

Nestled in South Australia's Barossa region, Gumshire Pork is a family-owned and operated farm. Combining tradition with cutting-edge innovation, Gumshire prioritizes high animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Our deep-litter eco-shelters, circular farming practices, and partnerships with local businesses reflect a commitment to sustainability. By collaborating with universities, industry, and conservation groups, we champion progressive research in genetics, renewable energy, and biodiversity. Gumshire Pork's dedication to producing premium pork while fostering ethical farming practices exemplifies our passion for excellence and our vision for a resilient, sustainable future.

Inglewood Organic produces certified organic free-range chicken. Based in Queensland, Inglewood Organic uses organic agricultural practices to enrich soil health and foster biodiversity, ensuring good long-term environmental stewardship. The organic approach to animal welfare emphasises healthy, naturally raised chickens, resulting in superior taste and nutritional quality. Inglewood Organic is an Australian family farm with three generations involved in the business represented by eleven family members holding various roles. They are

committed to taking their deep agricultural roots into an innovative and sustainable future, prioritising the use of their resources to value and benefit their community.

Lord Howe Island Distilling Co. is a craft distillery inspired by the unique biodiversity and pristine beauty of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island. Founded by Anthony Riddle, a 6th generation Islander, and Christian Young who grew up on the Island each Summer with his family for over 20yrs, they have a passion for quality, sustainability, craftsmanship and a deep love for the Island. The distillery creates premium spirits using endemic and wild native locally foraged botanicals, capturing the essence of the island in every bottle. Known for its award-winning gin, including gold in the Australian Gin Awards, the company combines traditional techniques with innovative practices to produce exceptional small-batch spirits. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement, Lord Howe Island Distilling Co. proudly shares the island’s rich natural heritage with the world.

Mandolé Orchard is a family owned and sustainably operated almond orchard located in Griffith NSW. We are passionate and committed to growing and producing high quality Australian almonds and almond-based products with the simplest of ingredients. We produce Australia’s only award-winning single origin almond milk and almond butter – a clean, fresh and

delicious alternative incomparable to anything on the market. 2024 was the first year Mandolé Orchard entered the prestigious Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards, winning nine gold medals and one silver medal with every Mandolé Orchard product being awarded a medal. Our Unsalted Almond Butter was awarded Champion Plant Based Product, further highlighting the excellence of our almond-based products.

Based in Bathurst and dedicated to making simply the best beer possible, Reckless Brewing Co. is the brainchild of long-time friends Grace (Head Brewer), Jarrod, and Alice (Beer Approvers). Driven by a desire to craft the kinds of beers they each loved best, they’ve spent years chasing up the freshest ingredients, perfecting their brewing skills, and carving out a fanbase of fellow beer lovers all over Australia – from the regions to the inner reaches of our biggest cities – with their award-winning range of esky-fillers.

Made by best mates, for you to enjoy with yours.

Tathra Oysters is a family business, growing Sydney Rock Oysters in the beautiful Nelson Lagoon, nestled in the Mimosa Rocks National Park on the far south coast of NSW.

The Rodely family have been growing these luscious bivalves for over 36 years and are passionate about the Sydney Rock Oyster and committed for its cultivation to survive and thrive.They are also committed to the stewardship of the very special location in Mimosa Rocks National Park where they are privileged to farm.

Their solar powered farm produces around 1 million mature oysters each season and up to 10 million juvenile oysters for other farmers to grow to maturity.

Congratulations to Rice Culture for claiming the prestigious 16^th Annual President’s Medal.

Rice Culture - Carrara, QLD

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.

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

www.brasseriebread.com.au

"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 - 12^th 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

www.cobramestate.com.au

"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 - 11^th 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

www.pacificreef.com.au

"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

www.bulla.com.au

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

www.tahbilk.com.au

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

www.millyhill.com.au

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)

www.yalumba.com

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

www.holygoatcheese.com

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

www.paringaestate.com.au

 Paringa Estate’s 2006 Shiraz was the winner of the 4^TH  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

www.countryvalley.com.au

In 2008, the lush traditional handmade yoghurt made by John and Sally Fairley won over the hearts and tastebuds, of the  3^rd 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

www.hardyswines.com

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

1^st President’s Medal & Finalist for 13th President's Medal

Tathra Oysters, NSW

Sydney Rock Oysters 

www.tathraoysters.com.au

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.”