Established in 2006, the President’s Medal is the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s most prestigious award, recognising Australia’s leading food and beverage producers. Unlike traditional awards based solely on taste or presentation, the President’s Medal celebrates holistic excellence, rewarding enterprises that demonstrate outstanding performance across environmental, social, and financial sustainability, as well as resilience, governance, and industry leadership. The Medal honours producers who embody innovation, responsibility, and long-term vision in Australian agriculture and food production. It is this comprehensive, future-focused approach that makes the President’s Medal the most unique and prestigious award of its kind in Australia.
Brokenwood Wines was awarded the 2026 President’s Medal, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s most prestigious award recognising excellence across Australia’s food and beverage industry.
Having already established itself as one of Australia’s most respected wine producers, Brokenwood was recognised for its outstanding commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability and long-term business leadership. From its beginnings in the Hunter Valley in 1970, Brokenwood has built a reputation for producing benchmark Australian wines while continuing to evolve through strong governance, environmental stewardship and industry contribution.
Judges praised Brokenwood’s holistic business approach, highlighting its leadership in sustainable wine production, resilience to changing market and climate conditions, investment in people and community, and dedication to continuous improvement across all areas of the business.
The President’s Medal celebrates not only product excellence, but businesses that demonstrate vision, responsibility and a commitment to shaping the future of Australian agriculture and food production. Brokenwood Wines exemplifies these values and stands as a deserving recipient of the 19th Annual President’s Medal.
Being recognised as a President’s Medal finalist for a second year is an incredible honour and incredibly humbling for our family and our team. It not only reinforces the unquestionable quality of our products, it highlights the importance we place on integrating sustainable practices into every facet of our business. This only motivates us to continue innovating and delivering only the very best for our customers, both sustainably and ethically.
Mandolé Orchard is a family-owned and sustainably operated almond orchard located in Griffith NSW. We are passionate and committed to growing and producing high-quality Australian almonds and almond-based products with the simplest of ingredients. We produce Australia’s only award-winning single origin almond milk and almond butter. All our products are clean, fresh and sustainably made, each providing a delicious alternative incomparable to anything on the market.
This product is a testament to what can happen when distillers, farmers, and creatives work together to celebrate local produce and redefine what Australian liqueur can be. To top that off - it’s a joy to have been nominated for a product made for Australasia’s 2025 Best Bar (World’s 50 Best). Being named a President’s Medal Finalist recognises our belief that the best products come from strong roots; local fruit, local hands, and lasting relationships.
Since 2017, Marionette has brought real flavour to life through their range of multi-award winning Liqueurs. Championing Australia’s abundance of exceptional produce, sourced fresh from local farmers, their products sit at the sweet spot between classic, contemporary and sustainable. Less waste, less sugar, no essences — just all that incredible flavour from peak-season ingredients, pulled by hand and bottled in Melbourne. A three-time winner of Australia’s Best Liqueur, and proudly poured in the country’s best bars, the brand is making its mark as a versatile staple for professional bartenders, casual cocktail enthusiasts and discerning dinner party hosts alike. Complex in character, honest in flavour, Marionette Liqueur makes drinks and spirits dance.
Michael Hampson, Chief Executive Officer, Norco Co-op
Being named a President’s Medal Finalist is one of the highest honours in the New South Wales food industry. It recognises exceptional quality, innovation, and integrity — celebrating producers who set the standard for excellence and contribute to the future of Australian food.
Norco is Australia’s oldest and largest farmer-owned dairy co-operative, proudly operating since 1895. Our unique vertically integrated model ensures quality and consistency from farm to shelf. We manage every step of the journey — from milk supply sourced from our member farms, through processing and innovation, to commercialisation with leading retailers nationwide. This end-to-end approach allows us to deliver premium dairy products while supporting sustainable farming and regional communities. With a commitment to excellence and transparency, Norco continues to set the benchmark for quality, integrity, and innovation in the Australian dairy industry.
Stockyard is incredibly proud to be listed as one of six finalists in the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s 19th Annual President’s Medal - Australia’s most unique and prestigious food and beverage award.
This award is particularly special, because it’s not just about product attributes of flavour and presentation, but rather how our beef is produced and the care and craft that it takes in every aspect of our operations. From our environmental footprint to our animal stewardship, our social impact on our communities and the broader beef sector through to our financial sustainability and governance – every single Stockyard team member has contributed to this moment.
Awards that recognise holistic performance strengthen our team and bolster our collective and unwavering commitment to producing ethical, sustainable and truly exceptional beef - and that is what sets the President’s Medal apart from other accolades.
This is the third time Stockyard has been named a finalist, an honour given the calibre of past and present finalists – producers who embody innovation, resilience, care, and resourcefulness. We wish all 2025 finalists well as they embark on the final stages of judging and look forward to meeting with and celebrating with like-minded producers at the Awards event next year.
Stockyard breed, raise and feed premium grain-fed Wagyu and Angus cattle from their properties located at Jondaryan, on the famous Darling Downs and at Glen Innes, on the lush green pastures of the Northern Tablelands in New South Wales. Still 100% owned by the Hart family, Stockyard has been dedicated to bringing people together over outstanding beef since its inception in 1958. Stockyard branded beef can be found in award winning restaurants, leading hotels and amongst family and friends here in Australia and in over 18 international markets.
Simon Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer, The Yoghurt Shop
Being named a President’s Medal Finalist is an incredible honour. It recognises not just our product, but the people, values and community behind The Yoghurt Shop. From our very first stall at the Adelaide Central Market to where we are today, it’s a proud moment that reflects years of dedication to quality, craft and South Australian food culture.
Founded in 2003 by Simon Reynolds at the Adelaide Central Market, The Yoghurt Shop is a proudly family-owned South Australian business dedicated to crafting authentic, hand-strained yoghurt using traditional methods. What began as a single market stall has grown into an award-winning dairy producer supplying retailers and customers across Australia and internationally. Made with 100% South Australian milk and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, The Yoghurt Shop remains deeply connected to its community, supporting local suppliers and food charities. With a strong focus on quality, transparency and heritage, the business continues to balance growth with its original values: simple ingredients, honest production, and world-class yoghurt made by hand.
Finalists are drawn from Sydney Royal Champion and Trophy winners across the Wine, Beer & Cider, Distilled Spirits, Cheese & Dairy Produce, and Fine Food Shows. They are assessed on their integrity and impact across the entire production cycle — from gate to plate — with a strong emphasis on sustainable and responsible practices.
The judging process is rigorous, evaluating entrants against six key pillars: environmental sustainability; social sustainability; financial sustainability; climate and business shock resilience; succession and governance; and knowledge sharing and industry impact. This framework ensures that the President’s Medal recognises not only exceptional products, but also the people, processes, and principles that underpin them.
2025 | 18th President's Medal Winner | Tathra Oysters
Congratulations to Tathra Oysters for claiming the 18th Annual President's Medal
Sydney Royal Competitions are synonymous with agricultural excellence and underpin Australia’s growing agricultural performance and innovation. Competitions showcase producers from regional and rural communities, they create new markets, and establish industry benchmarks of excellence.
