The Nundle township was a big winner with The DAG Sheep Station to be inducted into the Inland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame after taking home another two Gold Awards, and winning Unique Accommodation for the third consecutive year.

The DAG also won Tourist Restaurants and Catering Services for the second year running.

Although owners Belinda and John Krsulja could not be in Griffith for the awards presentation on Saturday night, they read the happy news on social media.

Mr Krsulja said Nick Bradford from Nundle Woollen Mill accepted their awards on their behalf and shared the big news on Facebook.

Mr Bradford and his wife, Kylie, didn’t leave empty-handed, taking out silver in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category behind Yanga National Park in Balranald.

Mr Krsulja said people were starting to take the awards more seriously because they wanted the recognition within the tourism industry.

“It brings recognition to Nundle and The DAG links in with Nundle and it brings recognition within the tourism industry,” he said.

“When you’re a tourism operator, you want to be out there because it is competitive. It’s satisfaction that you can share with your customers and good for your customers to recognise you’re out there trying to win awards for your business. It’s a hard submission process and gives you an opportunity to look at your business.”

He was also proud of fellow Nundle resident, Mr Bradford, for his silver award.

“Nick, like me, is a sole trader and he can be proud of that achievement,” Mr Krsulja said.

“It’s must have been close to get a silver award.”

The Tamworth Country Music Festival also took out silver in the Festivals and Events category behind Canowindra’s Balloon Challenge.

Boggabri Drover’s Campfire Event got silver in the Community Festivals and Events behind Junee Rhythm ‘n’ Rail Festival, Moree Visitor Information Centre won the Visitor Information and Services section and Inverell’s Les Moulds won the Ted Wilson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an Individual.

All winners are now able to compete for finalist positions in the NSW Tourism Awards held in Sydney in November.