The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW has announced the eight finalists who will are in in the running for its prestigious eighteenth Annual President’s Medal award.
The President’s Medal is awarded to Australian businesses that produce both local and quality products while showcasing excellence in production cycles, commercial success, environmental footprints and social impacts.
President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, John Bennett, said he was pleased with the performance of this year’s finalists.
“The President’s Medal Award is the pinnacle of our food and beverage competitions, and it is our privilege to be able to celebrate these talented producers and the positive impact they are having on the agricultural industry and its future direction,” Bennett said.
“The quality of entrants is getting stronger each year, and this year is no exception. I congratulate the finalists on their success and journey so far, and wish the judges luck in making, what I’m sure will be, a difficult decision.”
This year’s finalists include;
- Angel Oysters Australia – Port Lincoln,
- SA; Cobram Estate Olives – Boort, Victoria;
- Gumshire Pork – Keyneton, SA;
- Inglewood Organic – Inglewood, QLD;
- Lord Howe Island Distilling Co – Lord Howe Island, NSW;
- Mandolé Orchard – Lake Wyangan, NSW;
- Reckless Brewing Co – Bathurst, NSW;
- Tathra Oysters – Mimosa Rocks National Park, NSW.
To be an eligible finalist, entrants must have first won a champion medal or trophy in one of the Sydney Royal Wine, Beer & Cider, Distilled Spirits, Cheese and Dairy, or Fine Food competitions in 2024.
For the first time, the award’s finalists increased from six to eight, which Bennett said accounts for the increase in competition entrants under the Sydney Royal Banner. Last year saw the RAC introduce a new competition, the Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Competition.
The 2025 finalists will be assessed by judges Simon Marnie and Kate Lorimer-Ward. The pair will visit the production sites of each business and assess its operations, production processes, and societal role in its community.
“It is an honour to be part of a competition that not only rewards quality Australian products, but also acknowledges the overall integrity of their production practices and the innovative methods these businesses use to produce their food,” said Marnie.
“This year’s finalists have demonstrated exceptional products and production processes to get to this point and I’m looking forward to going out and meeting the producers at their place of operation and witnessing the good work they do.”
Site tours for the President’s Medal finalists will commence later this month, with the winner announced at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on 16 April.
Eighteenth President Medal Award finalists
- Angel Oysters Australia: Angel Seafood Whole Live Pacific Oysters – Bistro
- Cobram Estate Olives: Cobram Estate Ultra Premium Hojiblanca Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml
- Gumshire Pork: Gumshire Pork Hampshire Pork Loin
- Inglewood Organic: Inglewood Organic Chicken, Whole Bird
- Lord Howe Island Distilling Co: Wolfe Rock Gin
- Mandolé Orchard: Mandolé Orchard Smooth Unsalted Australian Almond Butter
- Reckless Brewing Co: BX Old
Tathra Oysters: Nelson Lagoon Cocktail Bag