Eco-certified tourism business Sydney Oyster Farm Tours was crowned Central Coast 2023 Business of the Year at a glitzy 20s-themed gala awards ceremony on Friday, October 6, attended by 320 business leaders.
The Mooney Mooney-based company also took out the award for Excellence in Sustainability.
Managing Director Sheridan Beaumont said the dual win was “incredibly encouraging”.
“My grandfather always had oyster leases and in 2006, my parents and I started our own oyster farm,” she said.
“In 2006 I tried to get a tourism initiative going but two weeks after I started, we were wiped out by the Norwalk virus.”
Beaumont re-launched the initiative in 2019 with a promotional event, with public bookings starting to come in for 2020.
“Then COVID hit and we faced another obstacle,” she said.
“We started coming up with ways to get around COVID restrictions such as secluded lunches at beaches in the middle of nowhere and social distancing on the oyster leases.
“We were constantly adapting as we overcame hurdle after hurdle.”
The independent judges praised Sydney Oyster Farm’s impressive regional vision which saw the business innovate to develop sustainable oyster and farming cultivation methods and create NSW’s first in-water dining experience.
“The win by Sydney Oyster Farm Tours highlights everything we love about our local business community – innovation, ingenuity, and resilience,” Business NSW Executive Director Regional NSW and Visitor Economy, Paula Martin, said.
“The ability for Sydney Oyster Farm Tours to compete successfully in an industry that is still in recovery mode is to be celebrated.”
Beaumont said the in-water dining experience had proved a hit with visitors.
“We take people out to the farm by boat and teach them about how oysters grow and so on,” she said.
“Then the guests put on waders and we take them to dining tables set-up in the water.
“They learn to open the oysters themselves and then enjoy them with prawns and champagne.
“People are learning a skill and also creating a memorable dining experience.”
Beaumont said the business had pushed through quite a few setbacks.
“Business NSW has been very helpful and supportive over the years,” she said.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have a great deal of support from the community and now we have international media coming almost weekly.
“It’s a good product and people really love it and come back.
“We have a lot of repeat business and referrals but the awareness really grew because of that initial support.”
Martin said it had been another tough year for many businesses due to rising business and energy costs and ongoing labour shortages.
“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on our amazing group of finalists from right across the region,” she said.
Taking out the Excellence in Large Business award was the Central Coast Mariners.
A spokesperson said it had been a huge 12 months for the organisation, the first full financial year with Chairman Richard Peil leading the club.
“Success was achieved both on and off the field, with the Mariners securing the A-League Championship with a dominant 6-1 win over Melbourne City,” he said.
“Off the field, the office staff have been working hard to achieve success for the club and its long-term future, ensuring that the Mariners continue to evolve and achieve.”
Other award winners were: Excellence in Small Business – LEP Digital; Excellence in Micro Business – Iris Lodge Alpacas; Outstanding Start Up – SecondLife Recrafted; Excellence in Innovation – Arc Ento Tech; Excellence in Visitor Experience – Broken Bay Pearl Farm; Employer of Choice (less than 20 employees) – Central Telecom; Outstanding Community Organisation – Pacific Link Housing; Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion – Koori Curriculum; Outstanding Employee – Melinda McCrone, LEP Digital; Outstanding Young Business Leader – Caitlin Vine, Australian Reptile Park; Outstanding Business Leader – Laura Prael, LEP Digital; Outstanding Local Chamber Award – Coastal Towns Business Chamber
Winners of the 2023 Central Coast Business Awards will now represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held on November 9 in Sydney.
Terry Collins