The awards are presented annually for business excellence in the Cabonne Shire, with Yeoval taking out the trophies for Best Environmental Project and Best Event in the Shire for its Banjo Paterson Bush Park and Mulga Bill Festival.

It is the third successive year the festival has taken out the best event award, while the Banjo Paterson Bush Park has also previously won the best environmental project award, according to nominee Alf Cantrell.

“We have won both awards in the past, but it is the first time that we have won both the awards on the same night,” he said.

“I was pleasantly surprised. We were up against some stiff competition with the likes of the balloon festival at Canowindra and Little River Landcare.”

Adding to the excitement of winning was the fact that the award night was hosted by Scott McGregor of Better Homes and Gardens fame.

“I accepted the awards and got Dean and Matt who have been working on the park to accept it with me,” Mr Cantrell said.

“Both awards are worthwhile and worth striving for because it helps people from other towns take notice of what we are doing and in the long run will visit just to see these things.”