SARINA Sugar Shed has picked up three awards at this year’s Mackay Region Tourism Awards.
The event, which is an initiative of Mackay Tourism, was held in Clermont recently.
Sarina Sugar Shed collected gold in three award categories including the Tourist Attraction Award, The Daily Mercury Award for Excellence in Food Tourism and Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group.
Sarina Sugar Shed Coordinator Glenys Mansfield said she was thrilled with the result.
“This is the second year in a row we have been successful in the tourist attraction and excellence in food tourism award categories,” she said.
“We have worked really hard to continue to grow as both a tourism operator as well as expanding our product range.
“Winning these awards has reaffirmed that we are doing a good job and will help to boost our profile in the community.
Ms Mansfield said she was pleased that volunteers of Sarina Sugar Shed were recognised at this year’s awards.
“Our volunteers do a great job and we are delighted that they have been acknowledged for their work.
“This is the first time we have received this award and it means a lot to us as our facility would not be able to achieve half the things it has without our volunteers.”
Another Sarina tourist hot spot was recognised at this year’s awards for its hardworking volunteers, with The Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre picking up silver in the Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group award category.
Tourism and Economic Development portfolio councilor Greg Martin said attractions such as the Sarina Sugar Shed were vital to strengthening the local economy.
“The Sarina Sugar Shed is the only miniature sugar processing mill and distillery in Australia and attracts countless tourists to the region each year,” he said.
“Visitors of any age can enjoy a fully personalised guided tour of the entire facility and see firsthand how sugar is grown, processed, milled and distilled.
“If you haven’t done the tour I’d encourage you to pop down and take a look.
“It would make a great gift for Mother’s Day and they also sell a variety of gift baskets, liquors, sweets and their award-winning Sugar Shed Rum and rum liquor.”
Ms Mansfield said Sarina Sugar Shed now looked forward to applying for the Queensland Tourism Awards.
