Dunalley farmer Matt Dunbabin snares 2015 Farmer of the Year Award

A DUNALLEY farmer’s decision to venture into agritourism has earned him a major award.

Dunalley farmer Matt Dunbabin from Bangor Property and Oyster producer Tom Gray announce recent government grants worth 225,00 dollars for a combined project in Dunalley

MATT Dunbabin’s decision to venture into agritourism in the wake of the devastating Dunalley bushfires has earned him the 2015 Farmer of the Year Award.

Tasmanian farmers did the state proud in this year’s awards, winning three of the nine category sections and the overall farmer of the year title.

Mr Dunbabin won the Diversification Farmer of the Year Award before being named the national winner.

For northern Tasmanian beekeeper Lindsay Bourke, it was a case of fourth time lucky when he was presented with the Biosecurity Farmer of the Year title after being a finalist on three previous occasions.

Mr Bourke is a passionate supporter of the Tasmanian honey industry and says biosecurity is one of his top priorities.

Honey producer Lindsay Bourke, left, pictured with Yuzan Sung, has finally won the Biosecurity Farmer of the Year title.

Meander dairy producers Brian and Michelle Lawrence’s work on their property Janefield earned them the Dairy Farmer of the Year award.

The couple took time out from the busy calving season to attend last night’s gala award dinner in Sydney.

They bought the 350ha property nine years ago and set about doing a highly successful dairy conversion.

Mr Dunbabin and his wife Vanessa run the 6000ha property Bangor, where they produce wine and also run a beef, sheep, wool and cropping operation.

Last year the couple joined forces with oyster producers Tom and Alice Grey to establish the Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed and are now also offering guest accommodation on the property.

Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed owners, from left, Alice and Tom Gray with Vanessa and Matt Dunbabin. Picture: KIM EISZELE

After opening in December, the oyster shed business has already welcomed about 20,000 visitors through the doors.

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Mr Dunbabin said getting involved with tourism had been a completely new experience, but one they had all enjoyed.

“After the fires, apart from having a well-these-things-can-happen type approach, we decided that we wanted to make the most of the natural resources that we have and to diversify more across the whole farm business,” he said.

“It has been a steep learning curve, but it’s good and as it turns out we’ve got a good product as well.

“It’s definitely a shift for us, but Tassie is really kicking some goals when it comes to our food and wine.

“People just love the products we are producing here and they love coming here as well.”

There were 26 finalists from across the country in this year’s awards in nine categories.

The last time Tasmania won the prestigious Farmer of the Year title was in 2013 when cherry producer Tim Reid took home the top gong.

“To say I was shocked is an understatement,” Mr Dunbabin said.

“We were thrilled just to have win our category, let alone the whole thing.

“When you look at the list of other farmers and see some of the things they’re doing, it’s quite an honour.”

Read more rural stories in tomorrow’s edition of Tasmanian Country