JOHN and Annette McKay were among 300 business people who celebrated the best in tourism on the South Coast at the regional tourism awards in Nowra last week.

The Mackays were “over the moon” after taking out the award for luxury accommodation with their Mollymook apartment Aqua Shores against tough five-star competitors.

Last week’s win comes on the back of a state award won through the Hotel, Motel and Accommodation Association in July - quite a feat for a retired couple running one apartment in downtown Mollymook.

But Aqua Shores is not just any apartment!

Aqua Shores Mollymook Beach is of world class standard accommodation, which, thanks to the McKay’s tender loving care and eye for detail, offers all anyone would need for a perfect relaxing holiday.

Chairman of the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation, Rob Pollock, said last Wednesday night’s ceremony was a wonderful celebration of what the region has on offer for visitors.

“Noticeable and pleasing this year, was the high number of new entrants, some of whom went straight to the top by winning in their section, such as Aqua Shores.

“Additionally, this is the first year the South Coast Tourism Awards have covered from Helensburgh, north of Wollongong to Eden, near the Victorian border.

“This further increased the competition in each category, making it more difficult each year, and winners should be very proud of their success – they have done extremely well.”

The McKays said they were shocked to come out winners yet “always did believe we had something good”.

“This is a real learning curve for us – we’re new to this and are learning as we go along,” Mr McKay said.

“We set out hoping to do something for this area, with an aim to encourage tourists down here – we are just over the moon to have worked so hard, to have attained our goals and now to come out on top.”

Other winners at the awards included South Coast Leisure Times magazine and website, receiving an award of distinction for tourism marketing; Burrill Lake Tourist Park – gaining an award of distinction in the tourist and caravan parks category and Cupitt’s Winery, claiming and award of encouragement in the tourism winery category.