Ivona Rose, Coast Community News

Wyong’s Little Creek Cheese has collected a gold, two silver and two bronze awards at The Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show 2026, as the business celebrates its 15th anniversary.

The awards come from one of Australia’s most esteemed industry competitions, dating back to the 1870s.

Exhibitors gain expert feedback and benchmarking from independent industry panels including specialists, technologists, educators, retailers and chefs.

Business owner and cheesemaker Sue Parsons said the success would not have been possible without their loyal customers.

“We do want to really thank everyone for supporting us, because without them, we wouldn’t be surviving, and at the moment, we are doing it tough”, she said.

The gold medal-winning BBQ Cheese Haloumi was made by her son, second-generation cheesemaker Alex Nelson.

It’s exciting to keep up the winning streak and to continue to make award-winning cheeses for our family business,” he said.

Starting part-time while completing his HSC, Mr Nelson is now a full-time cheesemaker and business owner.

“From its first entry in the Sydney Royal competition, this cheese received a gold with a comment that this is how haloumi should taste,” Mrs Parsons said.

Taking out silver this year were the Labna as well as the Cumin Seed Club Cheddar.

The Garlic & Dill Fetta and the Smoked Club Cheddar both received bronze.

Mrs Parsons, her husband of 19 years Russell Parsons and son Alex operate out of an open-to-the-public cheesemaking factory and shop in the Wyong Milk Factory.

The venture started as a fun family hobby and branched into creating bespoke recipes. 

“Eventually, when we started taking the cheeses out, everyone loved them, and then we decided, how about we start a cheese factory?” Mrs Parsons said.

“The rest is pretty much history.”

During the 15 years of operation, the team has won more than 320 Dairy Industry Association of Australia awards.

Mr Parsons, who keeps the books, said this includes 58 since 2013 from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, which runs the Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Produce Show.

“Spending weeks throwing names around, we still hadn’t come up with anything we both liked,” Mrs Parsons said.

One rainy day, the little creek that runs through their property was flowing again and Mr Parsons called out “Little Creek”.

“We both loved it,” she said.

The local handmade gourmet cheeses can be found seven days a week within the Old Wyong Milk Factory, 141-145 Alison Rd, Wyong.

The team also showcases at weekly farmers’ markets in Hardys Bay and Terrigal, as well as the Central Coast Farmers Market in Showground Rd, Gosford, and at the monthly Mangrove Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market.

This article appeared on Coast Community News on 5 March 2026.