Eurobodalla picks up prestigious tourism awards

At a gala event held last night at The Shellharbour Club, Shellharbour, more than 260 people celebrated excellence in tourism as part of the 2013 South Coast Regional Tourism Awards. Eurobodalla tourism businesses picked up a number of the prestigious awards on offer including the Tourism Attraction Award.

This year's winner for Adventure Heritage and Cultural Tourism was The Original Gold Rush Colony at Mogo. And for the third year running, Mogo Zoo picked up the Tourism Attraction Award.

Bodalla Dairy Shed was also a winner again this year in the Tourism Café section and the event was the occasion for the Batemans Bay Visitor Centre to collect its Hall of Fame Award that was announced earlier this year.

Mayor Lindsay Brown was at the gala event and congratulated the Eurobodalla winners.

"The awards were an important recognition of their commitment to providing quality customer service and products," said Cr Brown.

"As a shire we are really proud that their hard work was recognised because this commitment to quality is what keeps our visitors coming back for more."

Cr Brown says council is very supportive of the tourism industry. "We are committed to working with this important industry because it delivers economic and social benefits, including jobs, for locals here in the Eurobodalla," he said. 

The Mayor was also delighted with last night's announcement that Eurobodalla councillor, Rob Pollock, was to receive the esteemed Chair's Award. "This award is given at the sole discretion of the Chair of the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation and recognised Cr Pollock's consistent work to advance south coast tourism over many years," said Cr Brown.

"I would like to congratulate him on this recognition. In the 17 year history of the South Coast Tourism Awards, the Chair's Award has only been given out twice," Cr Brown said.

2013 South Coast Tourism Awards – Eurobodalla winners Adventure, Heritage and Cultural Tourism Winner: The Original Gold Rush ColonyTourist Attraction Winner: Mogo ZooTourism Café Winner: The Bodalla Dairy ShedEvents and Festivals - Silver: Narooma Oyster FestivalHosted Accommodation - Silver: Batemans Bay Manor Bed and BreakfastUnique Accommodation - Silver: The Bower, Broulee Tourist and Caravan Parks 4 AAA rated and above - Bronze: Big 4, BrouleeTourist and Caravan Parks up to 3.5 AAA rating - Bronze: Murramarang ResortChair's Award: Councillor Rob Pollock