Tathra Oysters becomes first second-time winner of the iconic President’s Medal

Renowned Australian Oyster Farmers, Tathra Oysters have taken home the prestigious 18^th Annual President’s Medal for the second time after claiming the award back in the inaugural year in 2006.

Grown in the beautiful Nelson Lagoon, nestled in the Mimosa Rocks National Coast on the far south coast of NSW, Tathra Oysters is a family run business that has thrived for over 36 years due to the Rodely’s commitment to innovation and development.

Judged on a triple bottom line assessment, that looks at a business’ social, economic, and environmental impact, the President’s Medal award celebrates businesses that are leading the charge in the Australian food and beverage sector.

Over the past four months, judges Simon Marnie and Kate Lorimer-Ward travelled 8000km across Australia, conducting interviews and site tours at the eight finalist’s farms before submitted their scores and identifying a winner.

According to the judges, it was Tathra Oysters unique innovative processes that came out on top, with the business managing to become one of the highest producing farms per hectare in Australia thanks to their uniquely innovative approaches.

Some of these include, putting multiple strategies in place to mitigate changing climatic conditions, installing remotely operated cameras and pumps to mitigate fire risk, their 36-year oyster selection broodstock program and rolling cages that can float.

The use of rolling cages enables sub-tidal and inter-tidal growing in one system which allows for a 50% increase in productivity by utilising areas traditional oyster farming leave fallow.

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

“19 years on and here we are again, I am absolutely overwhelmed,” said Gary Rodely, Owner of Tathra Oysters.

“To be recognised tonight, with this award, is incredible. This award is the pinnacle, the pinnacle of the RAS competitions and the pinnacle of our lives and our farm.

“We are so thankful for the RAS and we’re so happy that you had the foresight, those 20 years ago to bring this award forward and make it modern, by not only recognising excellent food, but also looking at how do you produce it? And how do you produce it in an excellent way? This award embraces all of those things and we are so grateful for the RAS recognising that.”

RAS President, John Bennett says the award is a true reflection of the innovation and contribution Tathra Oysters has made not only to the industry but also their wider community.

“The President’s Medal is an award that recognises extraordinary businesses and people behind them; the judging goes beyond their product, which they’ve already proven is excellent, and delves deeper into their business practices, innovation, and what they give back,” Mr Bennett said.

“A big congratulations to Tathra Oysters, I couldn’t think of a more deserving winner of the 18^th Annual President’s Medal and of a business to be our first-ever dual President’s Medal Winner.”

For further information or to enter please visit www.rasnsw.com.au.

For any interviews or media opportunities, please contact:

Nicola Dalby

Communications Manager

E: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au

P: 02 9704 1041 M: 0434 579 906