The Northern Daily Leader

Winners of the inaugural CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards was announced last night at the Tamworth Town Hall for nearly 200 guests from the region.

Entries were received from across the State including Riverina, Outback, Central NSW and New England.

The Banalasta Visitor Centre at Bendemeer was the only operator in the New England region to receive an award, which they won for their tourist attractions.

The centre continues to attract new customers for their wines, oils and personal care products.

Manager John Wynan said Banalasta’s organic eucalyptus oil in particular was recognised worldwide as a premium grade organic product.

“This is used for therapeutic purposes, cosmetic and aromatherapy and we export to France, Germany and the United States, he said.

The tourism awards recognise operators for their business excellence, customer survive, innovation and dedication.

Guests at last night’s event were entertained by country star Felicity Urquhart, while Shelly Craft, of The Great Outdoors program, hosted the evening. Winners were invited to attend a seminar with experts in the field of tourism and marketing.

AWARD WINNERS
The CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Award winners are:
John O’Brien (festival and events)
Shear Outback (eco-tourism, heritage and cultural tourism)
Compatriot Sydney Television Advertising Campaign (destination and product marketing)
Two Eight Two Eight (new tourism development)
McDonalds Mudgee Bakery and Cafe (restaurants and food)
The Mill Cellar Door (cellar door)
Canowindra Trading Post (tourism retailing)
Austin Tourist Park (accommodation, caravan parks)
Eldee Station Stays (accommodation, hosted)
Zoofari Lodge (accommodation, unique)
Wentworth Central Motor Inn (accommodation, standard)
Wilga Park Cottage (accommodation, deluxe)
Tri State Safaris (tour and transport operator)
Gilgandra Services Club Co Op Ltd (services club)
Dubbo Visitors Centre (outstanding visitor information centre)
Stephen Skyes (outstanding contribution by an individual)
McDonalds Mudgee Bakery and Cafe (innovative award)

The winners of the CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards have been announced.

“Over 250 guests attended the Gala Dinner and Presentation Night in Tamworth on Sunday 24 July HAVING travelled FROM across the state for the announcements”, said Ted Wilson, Chairman of the Inland NSW Tourism Awards Committee.

The evening was spectacular. Guests were delighted with the surprise when Felicity Urquhart, 2004 Australian Independent Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year, walked onto the stage. “Felicity played a number of her popular songs and set the beat as guests learned to line dance,” said Ted.

Special Guest and Master of Ceremonies Shelley Craft (presenter for The Great Outdoors (PRIME 7.30pm Monday) and Guinness World Records (PRIME 6.30pm Sunday)) took time out of her busy schedule to be with us on Sunday Night. Shelley enjoyed meeting all of the tourism operators and tourism staff FROM inland NSW and ended up with several invitations to visit some of our local tourism destinations!

The CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards recognises tourism operators for their business excellence, customer service, innovation and dedication.

Mr Wilson explained that entries for the awards were received FROM the tourism regions spanning the Riverina, Outback, Central NSW and New England North West with the judging panel HAVING to assess a very strong field of award submissions.

Tourism NSW Director General, John O’Neil and the General Manager of CountryLink Greg McLeod, our major sponsor, both spoke at the dinner giving their support to regional tourism and praising the efforts of our tourism operators and staff.

Winners of the CountryLink Inland Tourism NSW Awards 2005 will be promoted nationally and will receive an exclusive advertising package with Prime Television.

“Winners also win an invitation to a full day seminar with Tony Prentice and Carolyn Childs, experts in the field of tourism marketing and research. Carolyn Childs is the GROUP Managing Director for the Travel Research Centre and Tony Prentice is a founding Director of Leap Advertising,” said Ted.

A number of sponsors have generously supported these awards including our major sponsor CountryLink as well as PRIME, Country Energy, QantasLink, McGuigan Wines, AusIndustry and many more. Thank you to all of our sponsors, your support for regional tourism is much appreciated.

And the winners are:

Winners of the CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards include:

Tourist Attractions, Banalasta Visitor Centre
Festival and Events, John O’Brien Bush Festival
Eco-Tourism, Heritage and Cultural Tourism, Shear Outback
Destination and Product Marketing, Compatriot Sydney Television Advertising Campaign
New Tourism Development, Two Eight Two Eight
Restaurants and Food, McDonalds Mudgee Bakery & Cafe
Cellar Door, The Mill Cellar Door / Windowrie Estate
Tourism Retailing, Canowindra Trading Post
Accommodation – Caravan Parks, Austin Tourist Park
Accommodation – Hosted, Eldee Station Stays
Accommodation – Unique, Zoofari Lodge
Accommodation – Standard, Wentworth Central Motor Inn
Accommodation – Deluxe, Wilga Park Cottage
Tour and Transport Operator, Tri State Safaris
Registered Clubs, Gilgandra Services Club Co Op Ltd
Outstanding Visitor Information Centre, Dubbo Visitors Centre & Events Bureau
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, Stephen Sykes
Innovation Award, McDonalds Mudgee Bakery & Cafe

For further information, photos or interviews please contact:

Inland NSW Tourism Awards, Chair, Ted Wilson ph: 0408 637 468
Riverina Regional Tourism, Katie Ritchie ph: 0427 630 349
Central NSW Tourism, Monica Morse ph: 0413 241 835
New England North West Tourism, Bronwyn White ph: 0408 225 766
Outback NSW Tourism, Wincen Cuy ph: 0407 454 924
Tamworth Tourism, Bruce Korn ph: 0409 985 997