Colonel Pulling / Bruce White Awards:
The stage is set!

This is a reminder that the ABA commemoration of Colonl Guy Pulling and recognition of Bruce White OAM through this competition is almost set.

I have written a quiz which should challenge some of the most experienced beekeepers amongst the clubs but still be a bit of fun for all.

Could I kindly ask that the clubs that wish to participate in this year’s competition please register with me so I know how many clubs will be vying for one/ or both of these prestigious awards.

The same as last year, all entries need to be lodged on the day at Tocal by 8:30am so that judging can commence at 9:00am.

Remember: photos are to be submitted to Fiona; editor@beekeepers.asn.au no later than Saturday 26th September, 2026. The topic is Honey Bees on Flowers.

Participating clubs can email me by Saturday 26th September, 2026: 

See you at Tocal – Alex Nelson

Cumberland.secretary@beekeepers.asn.au

As a reminder, here are the details for the entries.

2026 is the 40th Anniversary of the founding of of the Colonel Pulling Award 

The Col Pulling competition started 1986 in honour of Colonel Guy Pulling who called the meeting on 3rd December 1954 that led to the formation of the ABA.

Later the Bruce White Shield was introduced to give smaller clubs a better chance to win a trophy.

ELIGIBILITY

All ABA affiliated clubs can participate in the Col Pulling Competition.

The Bruce White Shield will be awarded to the highest scoring clubs within the group of 1/3 of affiliated clubs with least members as at the quarter end preceding the competition.

COMPONENTS OF COMPETITION

	sub group	total
1.  Honey
- Liquid and/or Creamed Honey	20
- Frame of Honey	10
		30
2.  Beeswax Products
- Beeswax block	10
- Candles	5
		15
3.  Honey Products
- Honey Cake	15
- Mead	10
		25
4.  Photography	10	10
5.  Quiz		20
Total		100

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES

Clubs are required to enter in at least three of the four groups (1. Honey, 2. Honey Products, 3. Beeswax Products, 4. Photography) and the Quiz. Scores will be calibrated to adjust for any category missed.

Honey, Honey Products, Beeswax Products

• To be dropped off at the ABA stall at the Field Day on Sat 10 Oct 2026 by 08:30 am

Photography

• To be sent to editor@beekeepers.asn.au by Sat 26 Sep 2026 Acknowledge receipt of the files will be sent to the club.

Quiz

• The Quiz will be held during the field day. Details to be announced on the day. At least one club member is to participate in the quiz.

ORIGIN OF ENTRIES

Clubs are encouraged to enter products from their club apiary and/or their members.

However, products from non-members (including purchased products) must not be entered into the competition.

JUDGING SCHEDULE

Honey – Liquid and/or Creamed Honey

Per class (liquid and/or creamed honey) two clear 500g / 375ml glass jars without any labels are to be provided.

If liquid and creamed honey are entered, the average of the combined score will be applied.

Liquid Honey	Points
Flavour	25
Density	25
Colour	25
Aroma	10
Clearness	10
Brightness	5
Total Points	100

Creamed Honey	Points
Evenness of Grain	30
Flavour	30
Firmness	30
Colour	10
Total Points	100

Frame of Honey

One Full Depth Frame of Honey. The frame will be totally enclosed within a sealed container / frame holder. Front and rear sides shall be clear to enable viewing of the comb. No trimmings of paper etc is to be added to the frame.

Frame of Honey	Points
Fullness	30
Colour of Capping	30
Evenness	20
General Appearance	20
Total Points	100

Beeswax Block

One block, square, rectangular or round, not less than 500 g and at least 25 mm thick of pure beeswax and contain NO paraffin or other additives. No fancy shapes are allowed.

Beeswax Block	Points
Colour	35
Clearness	25
General Appearance	30
Aroma	10
Total Points	100

Candles

Candles, moulds or tapers. Made from pure beeswax. Must be provided with a non-flammable support base.

Candles	Points
Appearance	25
Burn Response & Wick	35
Feel	10
Ease of Lighting	10
Cleanliness	20
Total Points	100

Honey Cake

A baked cake in which honey is used as the predominant sweetener and flavour. The cake must be submitted with the recipe. The source of the recipe should be noted.

Honey Cake	Points
Appearance (colour, symmetry, presentation, uniformity, cleanliness)	20
Aroma (warm, inviting smell — honey should be prominent)	20
Texture (moisture, crumbs, density)	20
Taste (honey flavour, sweetness, complexity, aftertaste)	20
Compliance (recipe and origin supplied)	10
Overall Impression	10
Total Points	100

Mead

Mead is an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits, spices, grains or hops. Mead can be sparkling (carbonated) or still. The defining characteristic of Mead is that the majority of the beverages fermentable sugar is derived from honey. Mead contains no products of distillation.

Style and/or flavouring components must be noted on the label.

2 bottles, 375ml, 500ml or 750ml, clear glass, screw top.

Mead	Points
Flavour	50
Aroma	20
Appearance	20
Mouthfeel	10
Total Points	100

Photography

Provide three (3) images taken by member(s) of the club submitting the images.

The photographs will be judged as a group or a series/collection of photographs.

All Photographs entered must be made with a camera. No synthetic or artificially generated images are allowed, and no use of artificially generated fill is allowed. Any use of generative AI will automatically disqualify the entry.

For each image, provide a phrase or one sentence description and the name of the photographer. For example: “West Coast club healthy brood, photo taken by Judy Smith”.

Theme: “Honey Bees on Flowers”

Condition of Entry: The copyright of submitted images is retained by individual photographers. However, it is a condition of entry that the photographer grants the ABA (Amateur Beekeepers Australia) free permission to use submitted images in print or digital products and/or publications produced by the ABA.

Photography	Points
Relevance to Theme	20
Scientific Accuracy (authenticity, clarity of data, no misleading edits)	25
Visual Quality (focus and resolution, contrast and colour, composition)	25
Communication Value (purpose, context)	20
Composition and Metadata (informative, concise caption, clear attribution)	10
Total Points	100

Amateur Beekeepers Australia is the operating name of Amateur Beekeepers Association of NSW Inc