• Jo Rodely, of Tathra Oysters adjusts the ‘oysterometer’ following the company’s recent success at the Sydney Fine Food Show.
Local oyster farmers are celebrating medal wins for their Sydney Rock Oysters across many categories of the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, including champion of the show.
The list of medallists reads like a geography lesson on the Far South Coast covering Bermagui to Wonboyn, with Tathra Oysters taking pride of place after being awarded the prize for Champion Sydney Rock Oyster exhibit (premium grade) and the only three gold medals of the competition.
Gary Rodely, of Tathra Oysters, was delighted with the results. He entered four categories and received gold medals for his bistro, premium and jewel grades and a silver medal for his supreme grade, the largest of the oysters.
Mr Rodely said that oysters were the canaries of our waterways. “They are products of their environment and in Nelson’s Lake where we grow Tathra Oysters, the water would be the same quality as when Captain Cook arrived.”
Behind the scenes oyster growers take an active interest in the environment, Mr Rodely said with all farmers involved in quality assurance programs and testing taking place, every two weeks for algae.
Hazelgrove Oysters, of Pambula picked up two silver awards for its Bee’s Dicks and plate of hatchery stock while Broadwater Oysters picked up a silver medal for its bistro oysters.
Buckley’s Oysters, of Wapengo, received five silver medals.
Merimbula Gourmet Oysters, of Pambula, received four bronze medals, Stirling Oysters, of Nethercote, received one bronze medal and Wonboyn Rock Oyster, of Wonboyn Lake, received two bronze medals.
Medals are only given for oysters which reach specific standards.
