QANTASLINK
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2013 QANTASLINK HUNTER & CENTRAL COAST AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM
CONTENTS AWARD CATEGORIES
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CREDITS
5
MESSAGES
6–8
SPONSORS
9–10
DINNER MENU
11
BEVERAGES
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AWARDS
13
FINALISTS
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CATEGORIES & SPONSORS
15–20
MESSAGES FROM OUR SPONSORS
21–24
AWARD CATEGORIES Tourist Attractions Festivals and Events Ecotourism Heritage and Cultural Tourism Indigenous Tourism Specialised Tourism Services Visitor Information and Services Meetings and Business Tourism Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries Tourist and Caravan Parks Hosted Accommodation Unique Accommodation Standard Accommodation Deluxe Accommodation Luxury Accommodation New Tourism Development Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Tour and/or Transport Operators
Young Achiever in Tourism
Adventure Tourism
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Local Tourism
Destination Marketing Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
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CREDITS MASTER OF CEREMONIES Brett Lavaring CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDGING PANEL Dr Tamara Young PHOTOGRAPHY Arrow Photography arrowphotography.com.au
JUDGES Ms Leanne Anderson, Ms Natalie Bramble, Ms Lisa Campbell, Ms Leanne Cherry, Ms Cathy Dunn, Ms Fiona Ellis, Ms Juliet Hudson, Dr Patricia Johnson, Ms Shan Lawson, Mrs Nora McWilliam, Ms Julia McElhinny, Ms Juliette Myers, Ms Pennie Purcell, Dr Paul Stolk, Ms Adele Sims, Ms Rebecca Wilson, Dr Tamara Young.
ENTERTAINMENT Sponsored by Eclipse Media Morgan Evans Newcastle-based singer/ songwriter Morgan Evans has racked up more achievements in his short career than most artists manage in a lifetime. Evans has toured with international superstars like Taylor Swift, Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson, not to mention two fantastic EPs, both of which have yielded #1 singles and videos. His electrifying live performances around Australia have gained Morgan a passionate fan base.
Half Nelson
From gritty Billie Holiday, to the smooth stylings of Ella Fitzgerald. Add a shot of Louis Armstrong with a dash of Fats Waller and you have the energetic cocktail that is Half Nelson. Half Nelson deliver high energy, heartfelt jazz, that is equally suited to a sophisticated corporate function or an old basement speakeasy.
MESSAGE
FROM OUR CHAIR OF JUDGES
The Hunter and Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism gives organisations and individuals the opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate their success and contribution to our regional visitor economy. On behalf of the judges, I would like to congratulate all of the entrants in the 2013 Awards. We are so pleased to be witness to the broad scope of excellence in the Hunter and Central Coast regions. The outstanding quality of the submissions is testament to the commitment of our finalists to the delivery of high quality tourism products and services, as well as their dedication to high standards of professionalism in the tourism industry. We would like to acknowledge all of your fantastic efforts, and we hope that you found the process of evaluating and reporting on your successes to be worthwhile and of strategic benefit to your businesses. I would also like to thank the team of judges who committed their time to be involved in the judging of submissions. Your attention to detail and constructive feedback is certain to be appreciated by the entrants. Once again, congratulations to all of our finalists. We look forward to your continued support and wish you every success for the future.
Dr Tamara Young Chair of Judges 6
MESSAGE
FROM THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM
Welcome to the 2013 Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism. These annual Awards celebrate the best that the Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW have to offer international and domestic visitors. They also acknowledge the passion, hard work and professionalism of dedicated individuals and businesses in the region’s tourism industry. Last year, six winners of the Hunter & Central Coast Awards went on to achieve recognition at the prestigious NSW Tourism Awards and Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. These winners included the Hunter Valley's Wyndham Estate Cellar Door, which won Gold at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries category and Margan Restaurant, which won Gold in the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services category. Almost half of the 257,000 jobs in tourism in NSW are in regional areas, making tourism the lifeblood of many local and regional economies.
This is why the NSW Government is committed to supporting and growing regional NSW so that it can reach its full potential. Awards like this also go a long way in highlighting the efforts and achievements of those working in the sector. I would like to thank the sponsors for their support of the Awards and also commend all the finalists tonight. Congratulations to the Award winners and I wish you all the very best at the State and National Tourism Awards. To those attending tonight, I encourage you to stay a while, explore and enjoy the Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW.
George Souris Member for Upper Hunter Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, and Minister of the Arts
MESSAGE
FROM THE CHAIRS
The 2013 Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism provide an opportunity for tourism operators throughout these regions to showcase their achievements over the last 12 months. Our region continues to outperform other regional areas with another year of success at the State and National Awards. Tonight we celebrate with operators who have achieved excellence in their field. By competing and striving to be the best, we continue to receive the high standards that our visitors expect of our destination. Good luck to the finalists in each category – you are leading the way for a stronger united visitor economy in the Hunter and Central Coast.
Since partnering together Tourism Hunter and Central Coast Tourism have united two regions rich in tourism and cultural experience. The refreshed perspective of these Tourism Awards benchmarks the provision of quality service and demonstrates the cooperation and competition that raises the standards to increase visitation to our world class destinations. I congratulate all entrants and finalists for their superior efforts.
Bob Diaz Chairman Central Coast Tourism
Will Creedon Chairman Tourism Hunter
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SPONSORS NAMING SPONSOR
VENUE SPONSOR
THEMING SPONSOR
DESIGN & PRODUCTION SPONSOR
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR
EVENT PRODUCTION SPONSOR
PRINTING SPONSOR
ADVERTISING SPONSOR
PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR
WINE SPONSORS
BEER SPONSOR
CATEGORY SPONSORS HARRIS L a w y e r s
Faculty of Business and Law
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DINNER MENU ENTRﾃ右
DESSERT
Vietnamese Spiced Calamari Deep fried and served with a Vietnamese slaw and chilli jam
Passionfruit Crﾃｨme Brulee Served with thick country style cream and biscotti
Duck Confit Slow cooked duck leg served warm with a truffle scented rocket and kipfler potato salad
Death by Chocolate Individual death by chocolate served warm with thick country style cream and rich chocolate sauce (GF)
MAIN Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breast Served with kipfler potatoes, honey and sesame glazed carrots with a lemon, mint and cucumber yoghurt (GF) Beef Fillet Served with dauphinoise potatoes, baby spinach, braised field mushrooms and thyme jus
CHEFS' ACKNOWLEDGMENT Andrew Dickinson Sous Chef Mathew Skelton Tournant Chef Manager Jeremy Lawicki Tournant Chef Abe Cumberland Tournant Chef Tom Avard Tournant Chef
BEVERAGES SPARKLING
RED
BIMBADGEN
BIMBADGEN
Bimbadgen Sparkling NV Semillon
Bimbadgen Estate 2011 Shiraz
WHITE PEPPERTREE 2012 Limited Release Hunter Semillon WYNDHAM ESTATE Shepherds White 2012 Hunter Valley Semillon
HUNGERFORD HILL Classic NSW Shiraz BEER Coopers Pale Ale Coopers Mild Ale Coopers 62 Pilsner
MARGAN 2012 Margan Semillon 2009 Margan Botrytis Semillon SHEPHERDS WHITE 2012 Hunter Valley Semillon
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AWARDS
CO N GR ATU L ATIO NS TO TH E 2012 STATE & NATIO NAL WIN N ER S
2012 AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARD WINNERS Wyndham Estate (2012, 2010) Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries Margan Restaurant (2012) Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services 2012 NSW TOURISM AWARD WINNERS GOLD WINNERS Moonshadow Cruises Somewhere Unique Brand Hunter Margan Restaurant Hall of Fame Wyndham Estate Hall of Fame Scone Motor Inn Hall of Fame Belinda Stapleton Young Achiever Philip Hele Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an Individual Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast
SILVER WINNERS Newcastle Museum Bimbadgen The Vintry Bells at Killcare Hotel, Restaurant & Spa BRONZE WINNERS Shoal Bay Country Club Newcastle Airport TreeTop Adventure Park Winners of the 2013 Hunter and Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism become automatic finalists in the NSW Awards to be held in Sydney on Thursday 28th November 2013.
FINALISTS
G O O D L U C K TO A L L O F TO N I G H T ' S F I N A L I S T S
5 Lands Walk Inc. Aqua Fun on Avoca Lake Balloon Aloft Banjo’s Bushland Retreat Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa Bimbadgen Winery Blackbutt Reserve Budgewoi Holiday Park Central Coast Gateway VIC Central Coast Mariners Chateau Elan at the Vintage Chifley Apartments Newcastle
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures
Shoal Bay Holiday Park
Gosford Business Improvement District
Singleton Visitor Information & Enterprise Centre
Hermitage Lodge Lake Macquarie Tourism
Soldiers Point Holiday Park
Maitland Bay Information Centre
Somersby Gardens Estate Somewhere Unique
Margan Wines Mercure Kooindah Waters
State Forests of the Watagan Mountains
Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens
Stays in the Vines Strickland State Forest
Moonshadow Cruises
Stockton Beach Holiday Park
Hungerford Hill Wines
Newcastle Buses & Ferries
City Evolutions
Newcastle Museum
Contango Espresso Roasters
Noonaweena Norah Head Lighthouse
Convict Footprint on the Great Old North Road
Northern Highland Travel
East End Ghost Tour
Rustica Newcastle Beach
Eco Inn Warners Bay ESCA Bimbadgen
Shoal Bay Resort & Spa
Pepper Tree Wines Sand Dune Adventures Scone Motor Inn & Conference Centre
The Acreage Luxury B&B and Guesthouse The Sebel Kirkton Park The Springs Golf & Function Centre The Vintry Time Travellers Motorcycle Tours & Events Treetop Adventure Park
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CATEGORIES
AND SPONSORS
1. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS This category is open to attractions of state/territory importance which contribute to the tourism experience within their metropolitan or country region. Attractions may be developed in conjunction with a natural attraction or on their own.
2. FESTIVALS AND EVENTS This category is open to festivals or events (including exhibitions) that a) create economic impact within the local community, b) attract visitors from intrastate and/or interstate, c) generate regional media profile, and d) positively promote the destination. They may be one-off or recurring.
3. ECOTOURISM This category aims to recognise ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.
4. HERITAGE AND CULTURAL TOURISM This category aims to recognise tourism operations that foster a greater understanding of history, heritage and/or culture. Entrants should offer visitors an insight into Australia’s history and heritage and its contemporary culture.
5. INDIGENOUS TOURISM This category recognises tourism operations that foster a greater understanding of Indigenous culture, history and traditions.
HARRIS L a w y e r s
6. SPECIALISED TOURISM SERVICES This category is open to specialised tourism services, retailers or facilities that enhance the visitor experience and integrate with other tourism products. Entry is open – but not limited to – service providers, shopping precincts, retailers of souvenirs, artefacts and art, airports, computer information systems, member services, money exchange services, language and interpreter services.
7. VISITOR INFORMATION AND SERVICES This category is open to Visitor Information Centres, Regional Tourist Associations and Regional Tourism Organisations to recognise their integrated focus on the provision of services to the visitor e.g. reservation service, information delivery etc. This category is not designed for specific marketing and promotion campaigns.
8. MEETINGS AND BUSINESS TOURISM This category is open – but not limited to – conference facilities and other meetings industry operators, service providers and suppliers who maximise the tourism experience for meetings and business travellers.
9. MAJOR TOUR AND/OR TRANSPORT OPERATORS This category is open to tour and/or transport operators with 15 or more annual fulltime equivalent employees, and receives over 50,000 paid visitors per year. It is not a transport award but does recognise a major contribution to tourism through the provision of tour guiding services and transport services. Entrants must offer a tourism experience as a significant part of their operation.
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10. TOUR AND/OR TRANSPORT OPERATORS
FAC U LT Y O F BU S I N E S S A N D L AW
This category is open to tour and/or transport operators with fewer than 15 annual fulltime equivalent employees. It is not a transport award but does recognise a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of tour guiding services and transport services. Entrants must offer a tourism experience as a significant part of their operation.
11. ADVENTURE TOURISM This category is open to operators providing adventure tourism experiences that involve active customer participation. Examples could include – but are not limited to – rafting, ballooning, bushwalking, scuba diving, rock climbing, four-wheel driving, fishing, horse riding and abseiling.
12. DESTINATION MARKETING This category recognises creativity and innovation in a fully integrated destination marketing campaign that is proven to be successful in the marketplace. A campaign can be a single promotional activity or a series of related promotions conducted, during the course of the year. This category is open – but not limited to – Regional Tourism Organisations, Local Tourism Organisations and marketing alliances.
13. TOURISM RESTAURANTS AND CATERING SERVICES This category is open to all restaurants and catering services offering a tourism experience and/or servicing the tourism industry. It is not a food award but does recognise a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of food and beverage. Entry is open – but not limited to – hotel or stand-alone restaurants, event caterers, pubs and cafés.
14. TOURISM WINERIES, DISTILLERIES AND BOUTIQUE BREWERIES This category is open to all wineries, distilleries and breweries offering a tourism experience and who make a significant contribution to tourism. Entry is open – but not limited to – cellar door sales, tastings or tours.
15. TOURIST AND CARAVAN PARKS This category is open – but not limited to – all tourist and caravan parks offering a tourism experience. Entry is open – but not limited to – cabin, caravan and/or tenting accommodation providers.
16. HOSTED ACCOMMODATION This category is open to owner/operator accommodation providers offering a high degree of personal contact with guests. Entry is open – but not limited to – bed and breakfast, farm stay, cottage or other intimate, boutique, colonial or heritage accommodation.
17. UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION The focus of this award is on the way in which the nature of the accommodation and services enhance the tourism experience.
18. STANDARD ACCOMMODATION The winner of this category provides standard, quality accommodation to patrons with an excellent level of service.
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19. DELUXE ACCOMMODATION The winner of this category is the first class Superior Hotel that provides its guests with excellence in every aspect of service, in a high quality spacious and comfortable environment.
20. LUXURY ACCOMMODATION This category is open to – but not limited to – luxury hotels or resorts, with a focus on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
21. NEW TOURISM DEVELOPMENT This category recognises excellence in the planning of tourism infrastructure and/or services with a focus on entrepreneurial vision, harmonious integration with the environment, design and functionality and uniqueness of the service.
22. EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM This category is open to tourism operators that exemplify a strong commitment to sustainable and innovative business practices. The award will recognise and showcase successful tourism businesses that set out to minimise their environmental impact, conserve natural resources, respect local cultures and benefit local communities.
23. YOUNG ACHIEVER IN TOURISM This award recognises the accomplishments and achievements of an outstanding young achiever from the Hunter and Central Coast region tourism industry. The award not only highlights initiative, dedication and commitment to the industry, but it also nurtures and encourages young people to continue their outstanding work as ambassadors for tourism in New South Wales.
24. O UTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO LOCAL TOURISM This award recognises the extraordinary personal and professional achievement and contribution by an individual over many years to New South Wales regional tourism. Judges consider the particular activities and contribution of the nominee outside the expectations of normal employment.
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MESSAGES
FROM OUR SPONSORS
QantasLink is Australia's largest regional airline, operating over 2,000 flights each week to 58 destinations across Australia and Papua New Guinea. QantasLink have 16 return flights each week between Newcastle and Brisbane, and take advantage of the new Qantas codeshare services on Brindabella Airlines from Newcastle to Sydney. Fly QantasLink and you'll enjoy: ◆◆ Qantas Frequent Flyer points.^ ◆◆ Access to Qantas Club lounges.* ◆◆ Seamless connection to Qantas Domestic and International flights. ◆◆ Convenient 24/7 online booking. ◆◆ Easy online check-in.
To book your QantasLink flight, or for more information visit www.qantas.com or see your local travel agent. Contact Details Telephone: 13 13 13 Website: www.qantas.com ^You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem points. Join online now. A joining fee may apply. Membership and points are subject to the terms and conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. *To access lounges, the passenger’s next onward flight that day must be on a flight marked with a QF flight number on their ticket (or with another eligible partner airline’s code). See www.qantas.com/loungeaccess for lounge access rules. Membership and lounge access is subject to the Qantas Club terms and conditions, visit qantas.com/qantasclub for details.
The Newcastle Herald contributes to the health of the Hunter on a variety of levels. It plays an integral part in the Hunter community. The Herald’s reporting and commentary leads public debate in the region and its coverage of local issues, from business and politics through to sport and entertainment is second to none.
On another level, the Newcastle Herald is active in promoting community and charitable organisations. Most significantly, the Newcastle Herald is an investor in journalism. By investing in journalism, it is investing in the community. The investment, over 140 years, has made the Newcastle Herald the voice of the Hunter.
Over 118,000 people read the Newcastle Herald each day, Monday to Friday, and over 168,000 people look to the Newcastle Herald every Saturday. The Newcastle Herald is also a marketplace. Its classified advertisements help people find jobs and places to live.
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MESSAGE
FROM OUR SPONSORS
For over 20 years, The Event House has been designing, decorating and styling weddings throughout The Hunter and Port Stephens. The Event House is about creativity – if you have a vision, they will make it happen! Often imitated but never equalled, The Event House has consistently set new standards in service as well as style. The Event House has a complete wedding decorating and design service with a large range of accessories including vases, candelabra, mirrors, antique lanterns, sashes and different style chair covers to suit most chairs. All items come with real candles that will give your wedding a truly wonderful glow. We have styled many weddings that have featured in magazines such as Cosmo Bride and Hunter Valley Wedding Planner. Make your wedding a night to remember for you and your guests – make an appointment for a consultation with The Event House today.
THANK YOU The spectacular production of the 2013 Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism is proudly brought to you by: Big Bang Events, The Event House, OOTS and NCP Printing.
If you’re looking for Newcastle’s largest, most experienced and most reliable printing company – NCP is the answer. NCP have vast experience in pre-print, print and post-print solutions for companies and organisations of all shapes and sizes. Contact NCP today on 4926 1300 or email: david@ncpprinting.com.au www.ncp.com.au Proud to be a sponsor of the Hunter and Central Coast Tourism Awards.
Our services include: – Graphic Design – Commercial Printing – D igital Printing, including Variable Data – Packaging Printers, Cartons and Boutique Designs – Online Print Management/Ordering – Mailing and Distribution – Integrated Marketing – Print Warehousing and Storage
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THE 2013 QANTASLINK HUNTER AND CENTRAL COAST TOURISM AWARDS ARE PROUDLY PRESENTED BY: