As the Honey Month competitions for 2026 approach, excitement is buzzing within the beekeeping and honey-loving communities. This year, we are thrilled to have Gordon and Rubin as our judges, each bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for honey and wax. Their expertise spans the realms of beekeeping, culinary arts, and sensory analysis, ensuring that every entry receives the thoughtful consideration it deserves.
The Honey Month competitions are not just about crowning winners; they celebrate the dedication and craftsmanship involved in honey production. Our criteria for selecting judges ensure that only the most qualified individuals evaluate the entries based on colour, presentation, flavour, aroma, and purity (to name a few). In addition, we will share insights from the judges themselves, offering a glimpse into what participants can anticipate this year.
Meet our esteemed judges for the Honey Month competitions for 2026.
Gordon Carter
I began my beekeeping journey in 2007, starting with 4, full depth, 10 frame hives. I made mistakes along the way but was determined to learn from them. I joined WAAS a couple of years later in 2010, as I felt I needed to learn more and connect with other beekeepers. Every year I invested into my apairy and took pride in my bees and the delicious natural forest honeys my bees made. Being a Pastry Chef previously, I took great pride in making sure my honey was the best it could bee. Then in 2016, the WAAS tea lady offered all members the opportunity of entering a jar of honey into the Brunswick Show, which she collected and took down. To my delight, my honey won champion exhibit as well as first place for the Honey category, thus opening another enjoyable hobby involving my bees. My next competition was the 2017 Honey Festival, I recieved two 3rd placings in a much bigger competition. I learned a great deal about honey and what mistakes I made by reading my score sheets. I was determined to do better next time. Also in 2017 I won the WAAS Gold Medal for Best Honey, and at the Honey Festival - 4 first, 3 second and 4 third places. My first Honey Festival Champion Honey and Wax would follow in 2018. I also started entering other agricultural shows, such as the Canning and Wanneroo, with great success,
My total prizes since 2016 are
1 Gold medal
3 Perpetual overall Champion trophies
8 Champion trophies
48 First places
41 Second places
14 Third places
The competions have opened a whole new level of enjoyment with my hobby of beekeeping and pride in my abilities to produce the highest quality and standards in bee products. I love that after nearly 18 years, I am still learning new things, ideas, methods or products that can be made with bees. My busy bees keep me and my mind busy.
Rupert Phillips – Founder, The House of Honey
Rupert Phillips is the founder and driving force behind The House of Honey in Western Australia’s Swan Valley. A passionate beekeeper and agritourism pioneer, Rupert’s journey began at just eight years old when he became fascinated by a colony of bees, an experience that sparked a lifelong dedication to beekeeping and honey production.
In 2010, alongside his partner Kim, Rupert transformed that childhood passion into a thriving tourism destination. What began as a small operation with 50 hives and a modest café has grown into a leading visitor experience featuring hundreds of hives, Western Australia’s only on-site Meadery, immersive bee education programs, and a premium honey retail offering.
Rupert is known for his deep respect for bees, commitment to sustainability, and ability to share the story of honey in a way that connects people to nature. Under his leadership, The House of Honey has become a recognised leader in accessible, inclusive, and experience-driven tourism, earning industry awards and accreditation.
Driven by a simple vision, to create a place where people can taste honey and fall in love with the bees that make it, Rupert continues to innovate, educate, and inspire visitors from around the world.