RAS News

Milly Hill Lamb Wins 2012 RAS President’s Medal

Milly Hill Lamb in Armidale New South Wales has beaten some of Australia’s most famous farming dynasties to be named the best agricultural producer in 2012 by the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW.

Milly Hill Lamb was presented with $10,000 in cash and the prestigious silver heritage President’s Medal at a gala dinner attended by Australia’s top food and wine aficionados at Sydney Showground.

Glenn Dudley, President of the RAS, congratulated Milly Hill Lamb proprietors Sally and Peter Strelitz on being named the ‘best of the best’ in Australian agricultural production. More >

Tathra Oysters Hosts Judges in 2012 President’s Medal

The journey to find Australia’s finest produce maker wraps up on the far South Coast of NSW on Tuesday 3 July, as judges make their final stop along the road to selecting the winner of the prestigious President’s Medal.

The judges will visit Tathra Oysters, located at Nelson's Lake in Mimosa Rocks National Park NSW, one of six award-winning dairy, food and wine producers competing for Australia’s highest produce accolade.

This is the second time the company has been selected as a finalist in the President's Medal competition, after winning the inaugural President’s Medal in 2006. > More.

Armidale’s Milly Hill Lamb Hosts Judges in 2012 President’s Medal

The journey to find Australia’s finest produce maker heads to the New England region of NSW on Tuesday 26th June, as judges make their fifth stop along the road to selecting the winner of the prestigious President’s Medal.

The judges will visit Milly Hill Lamb, located in Armidale, one of six award-winning dairy, food and wine producers competing for Australia’s highest produce accolade.

Renowned food lover and ABC Radio presenter Simon Marnie and Executive Director, Strategic Policy & Economics and Chief Economist for NSW Trade & Investment, Scott Davenport, will observe practices at the family owned Milly Hill farm and processor. > More.

Casella Wines Hosts Judges in President's Medal

The journey to find Australia’s finest produce maker continued on Tuesday 1st May as judges made their third stop along the road to selecting the winner of the prestigious President’s Medal.

The judges’ visited Casella Wines, a family-owned and run winery and home of the famous [yellow tail] wine brand, situated in Yenda, New South Wales. Casella is one of six award-winning dairy, food and wine producers competing for Australia’s highest produce accolade.

Renowned food lover and ABC Radio presenter Simon Marnie and Executive Director, Strategic Policy & Economics and Chief Economist for NSW Trade & Investment, Scott Davenport, travelled to the Riverina-based winery to observe production of the 2010 [yellow tail] Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

The President’s Medal is awarded annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales (RAS). It is Australia’s most prestigious food produce award and the only produce competition in Australia which pits award-winning winemakers, dairy and cheese farmers and gourmet fine food producers against each other in a thorough judging process, covering all aspects of running a farming business as well as the quality of the end product. > More.

Gresford equine dentist Prue Capp named 2012 Rural Achiever

Twenty-three-year-old Prue Capp of Gresford has been selected as the 2012 Rural Achiever Representative for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW after a number of judging sessions at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

On Saturday, April 14 - which also happened to be the Show’s annual Youth in Agriculture Day - eight Rural Achiever finalists from across the state were tasked to speak about the role of empathy in their local communities.

In front of a packed amphitheatre, Prue and the seven impressive finalists spoke with confidence and poise.

As part of the Rural Achiever Award, Prue will represent Gresford and the RAS at the Rural Achiever National Ambassador Awards in 2013.

Prue is the owner-operator of Essential Equine Dentistry, Gresford. She has worked on various thoroughbred studs where she was responsible for the preparation of yearlings for sales such as Magic Millions Yearling and Broodmare Sales, Inglis Easter and Melbourne and Classic Yearling Sales and Inglis Broodmare sales.

In this time Prue has worked at Vinery Stud, Kelso Bloodstock, Strawberry Hill Farm, Torryburn Stud, Bell River Thoroughbred Stud and Glastonbury Farms.

The Rural Achievers Award which began in 1990 and is a state-wide leadership program that aims to identify enthusiastic, skillful and industrious young people who are working to make a significant contribution to their rural communities.

President's Medal Judges make second stop at Grandvewe Cheesery

The journey to find Australia’s finest produce maker continues on Wednesday as judges make their second stop along the road to selecting the winner of the prestigious President’s Medal.

The Judges’ will visit Grandvewe Cheese, a sheep milk cheesery in Southern Tasmania, which is one of the top six of Australia’s finest dairy, food and wine producers competing for the country’s highest produce accolade.

Renowned food lover and ABC Radio presenter Simon Marnie and Executive Director, Strategic Policy & Economics and Chief Economist for NSW Trade & Investment, Scott Davenport, will travel to the Southern Tasmanian cheesery to observe production of Grandvewe’s award-winning Sapphire Blue Cheese. > More.

President's Medal Judging Journey Begins at King Island Dairy

The journey to find Australia’s finest produce maker begins on Monday, 16 April when a team of judges will hit the road to select the winner of the prestigious President’s Medal.

First stop will be the King Island Dairy Company, a Tasmanian dairy producer located on Bass Strait’s most remote island. Judges will assess the production of King Island’s award-winning Black Label Cloth Wrapped Cheddar.

Renowned food lover and ABC Radio presenter Simon Marnie and Executive Director, Strategic Policy and Economics and Chief Economist for NSW Trade & Investment, Scott Davenport, will travel to King Island to observe first-hand production of the King Island Dairy Company’s award-winning Black Label Cloth Wrapped Cheddar. > More.

Sydney Royal Easter Show Special in Anyone's Language

The growing success of the Sydney Royal Easter Show as a drawcard for international tourists is a great example of using a unique experience to differentiate Australia as a destination, according to peak national industry body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

TTF Chief Executive John Lee said the Show is an iconic event.

“The Sydney Royal Easter Show is an event dear to the heart of millions of Australians and it’s great to see it has increasing international appeal as well,” Mr Lee said. > More.

2012 President's Medal Finalists Announced

Six of Australia’s finest dairy, food and wine producers – covering premium cheese, lamb, oysters and wine, will compete for the 2012 President’s Medal, the country’s highest produce accolade.

Awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), the President’s Medal recognises Australian producers for their profitability, sustainability and high-quality produce. It is Australia’s only produce competition in which food and winemakers are judged against each other in a whole-of-company approach, incorporating all aspects of the business from production through to marketing and sustainability.

To reach this level, each product was firstly awarded Champion status in the 2011 Spring or 2012 Summer Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy Produce and Fine Food Shows. From 5,225 entries, two finalists from each of the three Shows were then selected to compete for the President’s Medal title. > More.

Sydney Royal Summer Fine Food Show Winners Announced

More than 850 products from around the country have been put through the paces at the 2012 Sydney Royal Summer Fine Food Show. Run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), the Summer Fine Food Show encompasses the Sydney Royal Beer, Bread, Cake and Pie, Pasta, Coffee and Aquaculture Competitions.

Everything from bread, cakes, pies and pasta, to prawns, oysters and smoked salmon were put under the microscope of some of Australia’s top food experts. Our country’s top brewers and beer experts tasted an impressive line-up of Australian draught and bottled varieties, while expert coffee connoisseurs sipped their way through hundreds of Australian coffee blends.

Twelve Sydney Royal Fine Food Champions were named and an impressive 453 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded to Australian producers. > More.

RAS Appoints New Chief Executive

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is pleased to annouce the appointment of Mr T Michael Kenny to the role of Chief Executive of the RAS.

An experience Chief Executive, Mr Kenny has a strong background in venue and financial management, business analysis and strategic planning.

Michael T Kenny is the former Chief Executive of the Sydney Turf Club, where he held the position for 10 years. >More.

RAS Launches Blue Ribbon Recipes

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is launching its first cookbook - Blue Ribbon Recipes: Prize-Winning Recipes from the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Many of us have memories of our mothers and grandmothers baking fresh scones, pikelets, sponge cakes and slices. It's the type of food that has graced our afternoon tables ad has become part of our collective memories. Blue Ribbon Recipes: Prize-Winning Recipes from the Sydney Royal Easter Show is a tribute to just that - a collection of recipes from our states best home cooks. >More.

Sydney Royal Easter Show Tickets on Sale Now!

Create life-long memories with family and friends at Australia's largest annual event - they Sydney Royal Easter Show, from 5 to 18 April, 2012. Discounted tickets and ride coupons are on sale now.

The Show's General Manager Michael Collins said with the Show falling across the two weeks of NSW school holidats, there's no better place for a value-packed, fun-filled, family day out. > More.

Media Invited: 2012 Sydney Royal Wine Show judging sessions

Wine experts are preparing to put more than 2200 of Australia's best drops under the microscope as part of the 2012 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show.

The Wine Show received 2241 entries, representing nearly every wine region in Australia ranging from the Margaret River in Western Australia to the King Valley in Victoria. Thirty-seven tropies and numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medals can be awarded to wines in a range of classes covering varietal and fortified wines and brandy.

Media represenatives have the opportunity to visit the Wine Show and see how judging sessions are conducted. Judging panels will be lead by wine industry expert and Sydney Royal Wine Show Chairman of Judges Iain Riggs > More

2012 Sydney Royal Cellar Tasting tickets on sale!

Wine lovers will have the chance to pick their favourite drop amongst the largest range of Australia’s best wines at the 2012 Sydney Royal Cellar Tasting.

More than 2200 new and established wines from across the country will be available for tasting as the Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show opens its doors on Saturday 18 February. > More.

RAS Appoints Head Turf Curator

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Terry O’Keeffe to the newly-created role of Head Turf Curator for the new Sydney Showground Stadium.

The RAS has embarked on a “turf journey” to provide a premium playing field for the AFL’s newest team – the Greater Western Sydney Giants’ (GWS). The team’s maiden home game kicks off in May 2012.

Peter Thorpe, Sydney Showground General Manager said the RAS is thrilled to welcome Mr O’Keeffe on board. > More

RAS Farewells Chief Executive Peter King

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) President Glenn Dudley has announced the resignation of Chief Executive Peter King.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Peter’s significant contribution to the RAS since his appointment in November 2007, and wish him all the very best in his new role,” Mr Dudley said. > More

RAS Announces 2012 Rural Achievers

A select group of leaders from across NSW have been named recipients of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s (RAS) 2012 Rural Achiever Award.

Eight young aspiring, rural-minded individuals from across NSW were selected for their contributions, achievements and leadership within the rural sector and their local communities. The successful candidates were chosen from a strong field of applicants in three separate judging sessions held in Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and Sydney. > More