Jackie Conroy of Gooree Park and Helen Harwood of Fairview ArtSpace at the 2014 Inland NSW Tourism Awards in Griffith, where both businesses won their categories.
Mudgee won both categories it contested at Saturday’s night’s Inland NSW Tourism Awards, with Gooree Park and Fairview ArtSpace each taking home trophies.
The victories continue Mudgee’s dominance in the awards over recent years – Gooree’s win was the third time in three years a local has led the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category, following victories for Lowe Wines and Mudgee Brewing Company, while Fairview ArtSpace retains the trophy it won last year for Specialised Tourism Services.
“It was fantastic – we had such a good night,” said Gooree’s Jackie Conroy.
“For Mudgee it was really good – Mudgee had a 100 per cent strike rate.”
The awards were presented this year in Griffith, at a Venetian-themed gala dinner.
Gooree had their first year as entrants and finalists when the awards were held in Mudgee in 2012.
The staff decided to enter for three years, so when the 2014 awards drew near, they felt sure this would be Gooree’s year.
Helen Harwood of Fairview ArtSpace and the Gooree team were seated together, along with local councillor and executive officer of Central NSW Tourism Lucy White, so Mudgee’s ambassadors were able to celebrate together.
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Ms Conroy said Ms Harwood had hardly returned to the table with her award when Gooree was named as a winner.
“I looked like a Cheshire cat – you just aren’t prepared for how overwhelmed you’ll be,” she said.
“I have to admit I was even a bit emotional.”
Despite Gooree’s original three year plan, Ms Conroy said she is now tempted to defend the title and “fly the flag for Mudgee” next year.
“I have to admit when I got up there and it was us, I thought, ‘We’re doing this again next year’,” she said.
She said Gooree was fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated staff who this year had made an extra effort to push the business to excellence.
Ms Conroy said it wouldn’t change the way things were done at Gooree, where the team would continue to do their best and strive for excellence, but said, “It’ll be really nice to have that trophy in the cellar door.”
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