The information centre was nominated in the Visitor Information Services category, and received a commendation at the ceremony after Visit Canberra won the category. 

Yass Valley Economic Development and Tourism manager, Sean Haylan, said that he and the team were “absolutely delighted” to have received another commendation – which takes their tally to two wins and two commendations in the last four years. 

“Full credit to them,” Mr Haylan said, “[up against] very stiff and very tough competition.

“[We are] happy to pick up a commendation in that category.” 

Mr Haylan explained that it was the information centre’s “holistic” approach which sets it apart. 

“The approach we’ve taken here is quite a strategic approach to providing holistic service not just to the visitor but to the tourism industry,” he said. 

“We undertake a range of activities that a lot of other councils may not do in developing the industry, marketing the destination, participating in that broader regional approach for the benefit of the tourism industry locally and the community locally.”

Yass Valley Information Centre employee Georgia Patmore was also honoured on the night with a win in the Markus Gibson-Huck Young Achievers Award. 

“That is a huge achievement for local industry, for council with their traineeship program, and the industry at large,” Mr Haylan said. 

“We’re potentially looking at one of the future tourism leaders.”