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If there was ever a month that showcased the passion, people and momentum behind Australian oysters, May 2026 was it.
From festival celebrations and industry events to national storytelling opportunities and farm tours, every week brought another chance to shine a spotlight on the remarkable oysters, farmers and communities that make up our industry.
For Australia's Oyster Coast, it was a month that reinforced everything we love about oyster farming - the connection between people and place, the diversity of our estuaries and the growing appreciation for Australian oysters both at home and abroad.
Narooma Oyster Festival Kicks Things Off
The month began with one of the biggest celebrations of oysters on the Australian calendar – the Narooma Oyster Festival.
For the Australia's Oyster Coast team, it was a whirlwind in the very best way.
As proud sponsors of both the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships and Australia's Biggest Oyster Competition, we were thrilled to support two iconic festival events that celebrate the skill, passion and personality of the oyster industry.
Our very own "Big Banga" from the Shoalhaven made an appearance in Australia's Biggest Oyster Competition, proving once again that oysters can be every bit as impressive as the people who grow them.
Across the festival, we:
Hosted farm tours for trade guests, media and visiting chefs.
Welcomed a four-day trade famil from Merimbula to Narooma.
Supplied oysters across festival venues and events.
Showcased Appellation Oysters at the sold-out Seared & Salty dining experience.
Featured Oystersmiths in the VIP Rock Oyster Lounge.
Sold Rock and Pacific oysters with Yarra Valley Caviar in Oyster Farmers' Alley.
It was also fantastic to see Oyster Farmers' Alley buzzing with activity, with strong crowds supporting growers and many farmers selling out of oysters across the weekend.
A highlight for many was seeing Zoe from Yumbah crowned Australian Oyster Shucking Champion. It's fantastic to see women continuing to make their mark across all areas of the oyster industry, and we wish Zoe every success as she prepares to represent Australia on the world stage.
With thousands of oyster lovers descending on Narooma and countless oysters enjoyed across the weekend, the festival once again demonstrated the growing appetite for Australian oysters and the power of bringing industry and consumers together.
Taking Our Story to a National Audience
May also saw Australia's Oyster Coast featured in the launch of the Sustaining Australia TV 2026 series at the Food & Grocery Australia Conference in Brisbane.
The series highlights innovative Australian food and agriculture businesses, with Australia's Oyster Coast featured in the "Grown Here" category.
For us, it was a valuable opportunity to share the story behind Australia's largest vertically integrated oyster business from hatchery and farm through to processing, marketing and customer experience.
The episode captured the people, places and partnerships that sit behind our business and helped showcase the journey of Australian oysters from estuary to plate to a broader national audience.
As consumer interest in provenance, sustainability and local food production continues to grow, opportunities to tell the story of Australian oyster farming have never been more important.
View the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jAkRRdHIOo
Merimbula Hosts the NSW Oyster Industry Conference
The momentum continued with the 2026 NSW Oyster Industry Conference in beautiful Merimbula.
As a Gold Sponsor, Australia's Oyster Coast was proud to support one of the industry's most important annual gatherings.
The conference brought together farmers, researchers, suppliers, industry leaders and government representatives to discuss everything from breeding programs and hatchery innovation through to technology, agritourism, sustainability and future industry growth.
Congratulations to OceanWatch Australia and NSW Oysters for delivering what many attendees described as one of the strongest conference programs in recent years.
Beyond sponsorship, senior manager Gabrielle Cowley and Board member Warwick Anderson helped chair industry sessions and facilitate important conversations throughout the week.
The event highlighted the incredible depth of knowledge, innovation and collaboration that exists across the Australian oyster industry and reinforced the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Supporting Women in Oysters
One of the standout events of the conference was the Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) Oyster Industry Breakfast, proudly co-sponsored by Australia's Oyster Coast and the Narooma Oyster Festival.
The breakfast brought together women and men from across the industry for an honest and engaging discussion about leadership, opportunity and the future of oysters.
The all-female panel featured:
Jo Pocock, Smoky Bay Oysters and board member of Oysters Australia
Gabrielle Cowley, Australia's Oyster Coast
Jade Norris, The Oyster Shed
Sue McIntyre, Broadwater Oysters
Laura Stolenberg, Women in Seafood Australasia
The conversation explored leadership pathways, mentorship, agritourism, storytelling and the realities of working in the oyster industry, while also highlighting the opportunities available for the next generation of oyster growers and seafood leaders.
A strong theme emerged throughout the morning: the value of connection.
Creating spaces where people can share experiences, support one another and strengthen the future of the industry remains one of the most powerful investments we can make.
The event was a timely reminder that a strong and resilient oyster industry depends not only on great oysters, but also on creating opportunities for people to learn, lead and thrive.
Why We Love This Industry
Looking back across the month, what stands out most isn't simply the number of events.
It's the diversity of people involved.
Oysters bring together science and craft, innovation and tradition, hands-on farming and hospitality. They connect farmers, chefs, researchers, distributors, retailers, tourism operators and consumers through a product that naturally brings people together around a table.
Behind every festival, conference, tasting and industry event are the farmers who spend every day on the water producing exceptional oysters and caring for the estuaries they call home.
May was a reminder of just how much passion exists across every part of the supply chain and how much opportunity lies ahead for Australian oysters.
As Australia's Oyster Coast continues to grow, we're proud to play our part in supporting oyster farmers, strengthening regional communities and helping more people discover the remarkable quality and diversity of Australian oysters.
If May showed us anything, it's that the future of Australian oysters is full of opportunity.
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