South coast oyster growers have taken home every gold medal at this year’s prestigious awards
The pristine waters of the south coast has helped produced winners across every category in a prestigious seafood competition.
The South Coast News
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South coast oyster producers have cleaned up gold medals at this year’s delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards in Sydney.
Tathra Oysters, Wapengo Rocks Wild Organic Oysters, Mimosa Rock Oysters and Australia’s Oyster Coast Appellation Oysters grown at Wagonga in Narooma all took home gold medals in the award’s From the Sea category.
Tathra Oysters’ Gary Rodely, who has been a prize winner at the awards since 2012, said the highlight of this year’s awards has been being featured on the back cover of the award magazine.
The awards are considered the country’s most prestigious food industry campaign, and local producers have gone through a testing year with drought, bushfires and business hurdles created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve got through the year okay, and I think it helped us having the shopfront at home,” he said.
“You really had to think outside the box this year and be flexible inyour approach, with a bit of a hit to the bottom line.
Mail order customers and locals have kept the business afloat, he said.
“The locals have really stepped up and bought our crop,” Mr Rodely said.
“We did extensive specials, but in the end we got them sold.
“Many producers didn’t sell all their products, so there will be farmers still moving last year’s oysters.
“So, there will be lovely oysters out there for everybody.”
The next season is set to kick off at the start of November.
Now in its 15th year, the awards acknowledge new, innovative, native and consistently outstanding Australian ingredients grown, caught, sourced or produced with dedication, passion, knowledge and regard for the environment.
