MEDIA RELEASE: Dungog Garden Centre Awarded Best in NSW
November 28, 2016
A local, family owned garden centre in the little country town of Dungog (population 3500) has been named the best retail nursery in NSW and the ACT.
Country Elegance Gardens & Gifts took out the Retailer of the Year Award (turnover $0-$1.5m) at the Nursery & Garden Industry, NSW & ACT (NGINA) Annual Awards over the weekend.
The award is an outstanding achievement for owners Janice and Stephen Bonamy, recognising their 17 years of service and excellence in the nursery and garden industry.
“I was a little shocked to be honest,” said Janice. “We entered the competition to compare our Garden Centre to the excellent industry standards that exist within the state and to keep ourselves accountable, but it turns out we are the nursery this year that is setting the standard!” she said.
Stephen and Janice designed and established the Garden Centre in Dungog in 1999. Together they have built Country Elegance to be stylish and respected with trained, caring and well informed staff.
“Our local staff, Patrick, Paul, Denise, Emily, Denise, Erika and James work very hard at what they do and we couldn't have achieved this without them! This achievement is a tribute to what a great little town Dungog is...now with an award winning Garden Centre!” said Janice.
Janice has always had a passion for the town of Dungog and as a leading business in the region she is passionate about restoring the town to the tourism centre that it once was. “This is a fantastic achievement for a Garden Centre in a small town with a population of 3500,” said Janice. “We hope that the award generates lots of interest across the country and we get a heap of visitors to our region coming to check us out,” she said. “The vision is to make Country Elegance “the place to go”, where customers enjoy an experience and keep coming back,” said Janice.
Country Elegance plays a major role in generating business and tourism for the Dungog Shire. Janice is well known for her involvement in the Dungog District Chamber of Commerce, mentoring and assisting other local businesses develop their business and marketing strategies and is regularly offering opportunities to other businesses for cross promotion and advertising opportunities.
Janice is also a member of the newly appointed Dungog tourism board and supports local events and activities in the community such as her involvement in and sponsorship of the Dungog Festival.
About Country Elegance:
Established in 1999, Country Elegance is one of the most extensive and well resourced retail garden centres in the Hunter Valley. Set within lovely landscaped grounds, you will find a great variety of indoor and outdoor plants to choose from as well as gifts and homewares, pots, statues, outdoor furniture, gardening supplies, fish and accessories, a florist and much more that will surely give you lots of inspiration for your new or existing garden. Visit www.countryelegancegardensgifts.com.au for more information.
About NGINA:
The NGINA is the peak representative body for the Nursery & Garden Industry in NSW & ACT and consists of members from many sectors of the industry. Visit www.ngina.com.au for more information.
For more information, interviews, photo’s or to organise a photo opportunity please email sales@countryelegancegardensgifts.com.au or call Amanda Marsh on 0428 540 187.