Found on the picturesque
South Coast, Adleys Honey
is filled with family traditions
and a multigenerational love
of farming, nature and hard work.
It all began over 30 years ago on a heritage rich property in Bathurst when farm boy and shearer Geoff Rutherford, found himself determined to pave a career in Beekeeping.
It wasn’t long until his hard work, determination and can-do attitude transformed just a handful of beehives into a full-time apiary producing some of Australia’s very best honey.
Now in the hands of the next generation who are honouring the past, respecting the environment for future Beekeepers and making it their number one priority to always support Australian Beekeepers, Australian manufacturers and Australian consumers!
Adleys Honey is 100% Australian; Australian Made, Owned and proud of it!
WHY THE NAME CHANGE
PERFECT HONEY COMPANY – ADLEYS HONEY
Over the past few years, we have been striving to find a name that reflects where we have come from and where our future is heading.
As we leapt away from the Hospitality Industry in 2014 to join Chris’ father Geoff in the relaxing coastal town of Moruya, we purchased the business and name of Perfect Honey along with the honey label Blue Hills Apiary.
Multiple names have unfortunately caused confusion about our identity, and we feel the business name is a misrepresentation of pretentiousness. Nobody is perfect!
With Chris’s childhood memories filled of the Rutherford’s family property of Bathampton on the outskirts of Bathurst and the passion for Beekeeping beginning at this very same property over 30 years ago; it was an easy decision that our new name needed to honour the birthplace of our business.
Acknowledging the river crossing and swimming hole where joy filled moments were created for both Chris and multiple generations of the Rutherford family; we are so very excited to announce our new business name.
ADLEYS HONEY
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Nurturing nature
As avid nature lovers and being a couple who love the outdoors, one of our goals here at Adleys Honey is to protect, nurture and fight for the preservation of our environment.
With the ever-growing threat of climate change, deforestation and the mismanagement of our waterways it is so very important for us to create an environmentally responsible business.
Looking to the future
Driven by determination, optimism and often stubbornness it has always been a goal for us both to create a business that becomes a household name; one that Australians can be proud of.
This drive grew stronger in 2015 when we welcomed our first child into the World. It is our desire that one day Adleys Honey will be passed onto our children: hopefully creating a multi generational legacy and ensuring financial security for our boys.
A LOOK AT HISTORY – THE RUTHERFORD STORY
1860’s – The era of Cobb & Co.
American born James Rutherford purchases Cobb & Co stagecoaches with several partners after failed attempts at mining and timber milling.
With James as General Manager, his superb organisation, horsemanship skills and determination saw the expansion of Cobb & Co across the Country into one of Australia’s iconic brands.
With Cobb & Co headquarters relocated to Bathurst; James becomes involved in numerous Bathurst affairs including becoming Mayor.
1890’s – Bathampton
It was early 1800’s, Henry Lawson had crossed the Blue Mountains with Bathurst being declared as the first inland settlement. Leasing a government stocking and convict station just West of the township, referring to it as ‘Bathampton’.
Seven decades later and eldest son of James Rutherford marries Mary Gilmour; the daughter of John Newell Gilmour, the mastermind behind the building of the beautiful homestead and now the proud owner of the renowned Bathurst property ‘Bathampton’.
1920’s – Birthplace of the future
Carrying on with tradition the next 80 years paves the way for the following two generations of Rutherford families to experience a unique upbringing on this successful sheep and cattle station.
The main creek running through the property known as Adleys Crossing is often a source of fun and exploration for the younger generation.
Wisdom, knowledge and a passion for farming is passed onto each consecutive generation, fuelling a love for the environment, livestock and quality produce.
1989 – It all starts with a bee
Third son, wild child and shearer Geoff Rutherford, (Great, Great Grandson of iconic James Rutherford) is calling his inherited share of Bathampton home.
On the search for his forever career and desperate for change, a quick visit to a local Beekeeper prompted a spontaneous purchase of two beehives. Many long nights and lessons learnt transformed those two beehives into a full-time working Apiary: Blue Hills Apiary.
2014 – The next generation
After years of a nomadic lifestyle within the hospitality industry the opportunity for Chris & Victoria Rutherford to swap kitchen tools & linen changes to a life on the South Coast as honey packers is an offer too good to be missed.
Taking on the challenge of career change to become self employed honey packers takes place in late 2014; with endless hard-work, consistency and a dream for more the garage sized operation transforms into a large-scale industrial enterprise; what was once the Perfect Honey Company is now known as Adleys Honey to pay homage to where it all began.
Today – Looking ahead, honouring the past
Our three children have watched us every step of the way in the honey shed. Their lives began with taking naps in honey boxes and now they love nothing more than helping with labelling honey jars.
Our boys are the next generation of Adleys Honey; with the passing down of traditions and tales of the past we will always honour those who paved the way for our future.
WHAT ADLEYS MEANS TO US
TORI RUTHERFORD
“Adleys Honey is more than just honey, for me, it is about nurturing and growing a part of our family history.
Creating an Australian brand that positively impacts our industry and our environment for generations to come.”
– Victoria