2025 has been a truly remarkable year for us at Tambo Teddies. From exciting new product launches to industry recognition and warm community connections, it’s been a year of growth, reflection and pride. Throughout it all, we’ve stayed true to our roots in Tambo, where our story began and where our values continue to guide everything we do. Our community which we were proud to see celebrated and shared with the rest of Australia when Tambo was featured on ABC Back Roads this year.

We started the year by welcoming a very special new addition to our range, Tilly, our new large, jointed Tambo Ted. Tilly’s generous size, classic joints and timeless design quickly captured hearts and set the tone for a year focused on craftsmanship, storytelling and heritage.

Giving back to our community remains at the heart of what we do. In April, we partnered with the Tambo branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association to donate special edition teddy bears to an online auction supporting western Queensland communities affected by severe flooding. Each bear was named after an impacted town, becoming a symbol of hope, resilience and solidarity while helping raise much-needed funds.

One of the standout moments of the year for us was Australian Made Week in May. We were incredibly proud to stand alongside ambassadors and fellow Australian businesses to celebrate locally made products, backed by national advertising and PR. It was a powerful reminder of why Australian manufacturing matters, and the exposure brought renewed attention to our wool-crafted bears and the people who make them.

During the year, a well-publicised controversy involving a competitor (Flatout Bears) and a major retailer (Aldi) sparked widespread discussion about authenticity, intellectual property and the value of truly Australian-made products. In the wake of this, Tambo Teddies experienced an overwhelming show of support from our community, customers and supporters across the country. Messages of encouragement, social media support and increased interest in our bears reinforced just how strongly people feel about protecting genuine craftsmanship and regional businesses. The response was a powerful reminder that transparency, integrity and staying true to our values matter deeply to Australians, and it strengthened our resolve to continue telling our story with pride while championing locally made products and ethical manufacturing.

In September, we were delighted to be featured during Queensland Manufacturing Month, where we shared our journey from humble beginnings in the early 1990s to the thriving regional business we are today. A major highlight was celebrating the growth of our Regional Sewing Hub in Toowoomba, which has allowed more skilled makers to join the Tambo Teddies family and support local jobs.

2025 also brought special recognition for us personally, with Alison and Tammy named Regional Superstars at the 2025 Australian Ladies in Business Awards in Sydney in October. This acknowledgement of our leadership and contribution to rural enterprise was an incredible thrill.

We were also proud to join Business Chamber Queensland and to showcase Tambo Teddies at a major business event in Melbourne, where two handcrafted bears were given away, sharing our story and craftsmanship on a national stage.

It’s no secret we want to be part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics! We were pleased to have Bunji proudly represent Tambo Teddies at the procurement launch, where he helped spark important conversations about local manufacturing and the opportunity for Australian-made gifting for the Olympic Games. Attending alongside industry leaders and decision-makers, Bunji became a friendly yet powerful symbol of what regional businesses can offer on a global stage. The event provided a valuable platform to advocate for Olympic Games gifting that reflects Australia’s identity, craftsmanship and sustainability, with Tambo Teddies standing as a uniquely Australian keepsake and Australian Ambassador.

From community care to national recognition, 2025 has truly been a year to remember for us, stitched together with fun, challenges, triumphs and plenty of Aussie spirit.