All roads lead to Nundle in this year’s Tamworth Quality Business Awards, with the village dominating the service categories, particularly when it comes to food and accommodation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Four Nundle businesses have been named as award finalists, three of them across multiple categories in a big nod to the work being done by local business owners and residents, as well as the Nundle Business Tourism and Marketing Group (NBTMG).
The Peel Inn has been named a finalist in two Excellence in Customer Service categories, and while publican Nathan Schofield isn’t getting carried away, he does credit the town’s recent successes on the one-in-all-in outlook of local business owners and operators.
“The nominations are great for the town,” Mr Schofield said.
“A few years ago we got together and thought we would try and present ourselves and advertise as a community, rather than as individual businesses. We all compliment each other and look after each other – it is particularly good to see the new businesses get their foot in the door.”
One of those businesses is the Mount Misery Cafe, where former nurse and painter plasterer couple, Megan and Warren Carberry, have taken over operations of the venue for the last 12 months, after owning the heritage premises for over 12 years.
They have been named as a finalist in three categories, the equal most of any business in the region alongside Bakers Delight in Shoppingworld.
“It was a lovely surprise,” Mrs Carberry said.
“We have lived and worked here since June last year, and while there have been many sleepless nights we have really enjoyed it – Nundle has become a real destination and the NBTMG has been really good.”
While many of the Nundle businesses know what it is like to be nominated and named a finalist, Linda and Mark Floyd from Volcania Art Glass already know the sweet taste of victory after taking out Regional Business of the Year in both 2014 and 2016, as well as the Excellence in Tourism in 2016 as well.
The couple packed up their Edelweiss Gallery in Dungowan in 2013, “following the tourists down the road to Nundle,” and have never looked back.
“It is fantastic – we are just over the moon to be recognised again – it was an unbelievable night when we won the double last year,” Mrs Floyd said.
“The people here make the town what it is, the businesses support and respect each other because we all have the same goals and purpose.”
Across the road, Heath and Kim Atchison’s Fossickers Way Tourist Park has again been named as a finalist, and they, like the others are crediting their success on the local business community.
“It’s really good to get the nod as a finalist again,” Mr Atchison said. “Ten years ago the ball got rolling on us all working together, and since the NBTMG formed we have all really capitalised on promoting the town as one.”
