Industry leaders recognized for excellence

Winnebago* picked up a swag of awards at the NSW Caravan and Camping Industry Association's Awards of Excellence.

The family-owned Australian motorhome and campervan manufacturer took out the top gong for Best Manufacturer, Motorhomes, Campervans and Fifth Wheelers.

Long-serving Winnebago employee, Symmon Bruce also won Employee of the Year award, chosen from RV manufacturer and dealer staff, suppliers to the industry and other associated trade organisations. Bruce, worked her way up from being a motorhome detailer to the position of Inventory Manager at the Winnebago factory at Emu Plains in Sydney.

Winnebago also became the first trade organisation ever to receive the Silver Gumnut award for environmental excellence. Each candidate for the award is assessed by independent judges based on a written submission and a comprehensive onsite inspection.

The full list of Award winners are below:

Best of the Best NSW Park Business
BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park, Nelligen

Best of the Best NSW Trade Business
Trakka, Mt Kuring-gai

Excellence in Environmental Innovation - Park
Halifax Holiday Park, Nelson Bay
Commendation: Ulladulla Headland Tourist Park

Excellence in Environmental Innovation - Trade
Australian Motorhomes, Bennetts Green
Dept. of Lands Environmental Excellence Award of Holiday Park (on Crown Land)
Soldiers Point Holiday Park, Soldiers Point

Trainee of the Year - Park
Melissa and Rebecca Smith, Nepean River Holiday Village
Commendation: Wendy Ridgeway, Kincumber Nautical Village

Trainee of the Year - Trade
Greg Arthur, 7th Street Caravans
Commendation: Lynette Eggenhuizen, Tow-Ed

Best Manufacturer Home Village
Kincumber Nautical Village, Kincumber

Best Manufacturer Caravans, Camper Trailers and Tents
The Complete Campsite, West Gosford

Best Manufacturer Motorhomes, Campervans & 5th Wheelers
Winnebago Industries, Emu Plains
Commendation: Trakka, Mt Kuring-gai

Best Manufactured Home Builder
Timberline Builtsmart Homes, Lisarow

Best Dealer/Retailer/Wholesaler - Sydney
Trakka, Mt Kuring-gai
Commendation: Jayco Sydney, St Marys

Best Dealer/Retailer/Wholesaler - Regional
Watsons Caravans & RVs Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour

Best Product and/or Service Provider
Tow-Ed, Prospect
Commendation: K-Mac Powerheads, Geelong VIC

Best Hire Company
Gold Coast Tweed Camper & Caravan Hire, Tweed Heads

Best South Coast Park 31/2 - 4 Stars (less than 100 sites)
BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park, Nelligen

Best South Coast Park 31/2 - 4 Stars (more than 100 sites)
Nepean River Holiday Village, Emu Plains

Best North Coast Park 31/2 - 4 Stars (less than 100 sites)
Soldiers Point Holiday Park, Soldiers Point

Best North Coast Park 31/2 - 4 Stars (more than 100 sites)
Halifax Holiday Park, Nelson Bay

Best Inland Coast Park 31/2 - 4 Stars (less than 100 sites)
BIG4 Forbes Lachlan View Holiday Park, Forbes

Best Inland Coast Park 31/2 - 4 Stars (more than 100 sites)
Austin Tourist Park, Tamworth

Best Holiday Park/Resort 41/2 - 5 Stars (less than 100 sites)
BIG4 Deniliquin Paringa Holiday Park, Deniliquin

Best Holiday Park/Resort 41/2 - 5 Stars (more than 100 sites)
BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, North Narrabeen

Gumnut Award Recipients include:

Park Bronze Gumnut Awards
Toowoon Bay Holiday Park, Toowoon Bay
Budgewoi Holiday Park, Budgewoi
Surf Beach Holiday Park, Kiama
Kiama Harbour Cabins, Kiama
Easts Beach Holiday Park, Kiama
Red Rock Holiday Park, Red Rock

Trade Bronze Gumnut Awards
Gold Coast Tweed Camper & Caravan Hire, Tweed Heads
Australian Motorhomes, Bennetts Green
Ballina Campervan & Leisure Centre, Ballina
Sydney RV Centre, North Narrabeen

Park Silver Gumnut Awards
Shaws Bay Holiday Park, East Ballina
Ballina Central Holiday Park, Ballina
Flat Rock Tent Park, East Ballina
Lake Ainsworth Holiday Park, Lennox Head
Park Gold Gumnut Awards
Windang Beach Tourist Park, Windang

• The NSW manufacturer changed its name to Avida in 2013