Skill. Speed. Plating.
The Australian Oyster Shucking Championships is one of the most unique races in the world.
Shuckers must be both fast and tidy – and it’s not just the Australian titles at stake – the winner is invited to compete at the World Oyster Opening Championships!
Heats determine the finalists, and each must shuck and present 30 specially grown Rock Oysters. Time penalties are added for shell grit, damaged oysters or imperfect presentation, and if the shucker cuts themselves and leaves blood on the oyster? Disqualification.
Introduced in 2023, the John Susman Medal recognises John’s longstanding support of the festival and his significant contribution to Australia’s oyster industry.
This event is proudly supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast, Australia’s largest producer of Sydney Rock Oysters. See Championship rules here.
2026: Zoe Jacobson, Yumbah Tasmania
2025: Greg Carton, Broadwater Oysters
2024: Gerard Dennis
2023: Gerard Dennis
2022: Jim Yiannaros, Batemans Bay Oysters
2021: Gerard Dennis, Australia’s Oyster Coast
2019: John Yiannaros, Batemans Bay Oysters
2026
Tasmanian shucker Zoe Jacobson has made festival history, becoming the first woman to be crowned the Narooma Oyster Festival Australian Oyster Shucking Champion.
Self-taught and already a multiple Tasmanian titleholder, Zoe topped an outstanding field of 17 competitors at the 2026 Australian Oyster Shucking Championships at the Narooma Oyster Festival on May 2. She will now represent Australia at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway on 26 September.
In the Women’s Final, Zoe shucked and presented 30 Rock Oysters in a total time of 2 minutes and 53 seconds, including penalties. Her performance set a benchmark that remained unbeaten through the Men’s final, securing her both the Women’s Championship title and the Australian title.
Thank you to Narooma Rocks Competition Official Renee Pearce (General Manager Narooma Rocks), MC John Susman AM (Chair of Judges Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition), judges Mike Huls (Sydney Fish Market) and James White (Olssons Salt).
2026 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Graeme Rush | Australia's Oyster Coast | 3:06 |
| Silver | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters | 3:14 |
| Bronze | Dom Boyton | Merimbula Gourmet Oysters | 3:27 |
2026 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Zoe Jacobson | Yumbah | 2:53 |
| Silver | Sally Mclean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 3:44 |
| Bronze | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters | 3:58 |
2025
Greg Carton, of Broadwater Oysters (Pambula Lake), was crowned the Australian Champion after emerging from an impressive field of 15 veteran shuckers. Carton delivered an outstanding ‘perfect plate’ achieving the rare feat of zero penalties.
He represented Australia at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland, in September facing the famously tricky native Galway Flat, a species far different from our native Rock Oyster. While he didn’t reach the top three, Greg embraced the global stage, using the experience to learn about different species and cultivation techniques while building new industry connections and friendships.
Thank you to Championship Official Cath Peachey (Chair Narooma Rocks), judges Simon Marnie (Food journalist) & Corey Costelloe (20Chapel); and timekeepers Joe Zappia (Sydney City Oysters), James White (Olsson’s Salt) and Jules Crocker (Joto Fresh Fish).
2025 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters | 2:52 |
| Silver | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters | 3:08 |
| Bronze | Doody | 3:12 |
2025 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 3:32 |
| Silver | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters | 3:34 |
| Bronze | Jade Norris | Oyster Shed on Wray | 3:40 |
2024
Gamilleroi and Walgett Man Gerard Doody Dennis, claimed his second national title in a row (his fourth overall) from a field of 22 along with the Men’s Championship.
Sue McIntyre of Broadwater Oysters Pambula claimed the Women’s Oyster Shucking Championships from a field of eight, including Sally McLean, Jade Norris, Pip Boyton, Vlasia Yiannaros, Zoe Jacobson, Charlotte Richard and Melanie Page.
The Men’s Championships included Jim Yiannaros, Lochie Bollard, Steven Connell, Gerard “Doody” Dennis, Greg Carton, Graeme “Rushy” Rush, Dominic Boyton, John Yiannaros, Jack Dawson, Marli Dunne, Sam Pinzone, Brad Singleton, Shane Russell, Braden Foy and Bodhi Hilton.
2024 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Gerard Doody Dennis | Independent | 2:49 |
| Silver | Graeme Rush | Pinnacle Oysters | 3:00 |
| Bronze | Greg Carton | Broadwater | 3:16 |
2024 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters, Sapphire Coast | 3:20 |
| Silver | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 3:24 |
| Bronze | Jade Norris | The Farm gate on Wray Street | 4:01 |
2023
2023 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Gerard Dennis | 2:41 | |
| Silver | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters | 2:54 |
| Bronze | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters | 3:00 |
2023 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 2:54 |
| Silver | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters | 3:13 |
| Bronze | Jade Norris | The Farm Gate on Wray | 3:48 |
2022
2022 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters | 2:390 |
| Silver | Gerard Dennis | 2:391 | |
| Bronze | John Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters | 2:43 |
2022 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sally Mclean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 3:04 |
| Silver | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters | 3:32 |
| Bronze | Jade Norris | The Farm Gate on Wray | 3:33 |
2021
2021 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Gerard Dennis | Australia's Oyster Coast |
| Silver | John Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters |
| Bronze | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters |
2021 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters |
| Silver | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters |
| Bronze | Pip Boyton | Merimbula Gourmet Oysters |
2019
2019 Men's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | John Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters |
| Silver | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters |
| Bronze | Gerard Dennis | Australia's Oyster Coast |
2019 Women's Championship
| Prize | Name | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters |
| Silver | Jade Norris | The Farm Gate on Wray |
| Bronze | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters |
Proudly supported by Australia's Oyster Coast
