This Season’s Last Course Success
We recently held the last of our beekeeping for beginners course on 7 May. It was fully booked with many new members learning the basics and getting their hands on some of our hives before extracting some honey to take home. Thanks to all the members who continually give their time to help out on these sessions. This was the last course for this season but we have already announced new courses for September and October 2016.
What We Did Last Month
Over the last few weeks, we have attended 4 local events getting our message out there and sampling our members honey. Thanks to all who helped out with these functions in particular Kay Matts who co-ordinated all of us.
It’s always important to keep your boxes and frames in good order so at our meetings last month, we were back to basics with box building and frame assembly, packing down hives for winter and some general inspections to make sure the colonies are strong for the winter months ahead.
New Members
We warmly welcome new members to our Illawarra branch including Mitchell Giles, Como; Belinda Giles, Como; John Hazlewood, Sutherland; Matthew Heffernan, Oatley; Robert McCarron, Kangaroo Valley and Stuart Ridgway, Como. New members are invited to attend our monthly meetings and make yourselves known to your fellow beekeepers.
Bee Shop: Trading Hours
Remember our beekeeping shop opening hours are on monthly Thursday night meetings and Sunday field days approx. 30 minutes before the meetings commence. If anyone needs supplies outside of these times please contact Ivan on 0419 254 831 to arrange another time.
Renovation in the Honey House
Our honey house is undergoing some major renovation to the floor and drainage system that will improve the honey house facility for members. We appreciate your patience as the honey house will be out of use for a few weeks as we hope to have the honey house fully operational again by the end of May.
Apiary Report
Along with our existing colonies, our apiary is now housing another colony recently acquired from a retiring beekeeper. All colonies have been recently been observed on a honey flow and had honey extracted then prepared for winter.
T&C's when Visiting
We are currently shooting footage for our short film on bees in our community. This means on field days and anytime you visit the apiary, we may be capturing more footage. Please be aware visitors and members to our apiary and museum are now subject to our terms and conditions. These terms are now published on our website and can be viewed here. You are advised to read and understand them completely before your next visit to our apiary and museum. If you have any questions relating to this, please contact us.
Open Day 29 May 2016: Help Needed
We are committed to conducting another Open Day at the apiary on Sunday 29 May, accordingly we need volunteers to assist in both the planning of the event and on the day to make this event another big hit on our calendar, last year we had in excess of 200 visitors to the apiary which was fantastic. So if you can spare a few hours to assist, please speak to Lamorna or someone on the committee at our next meeting. You can also email Lamorna on the email link below
Contact Us Here
Renew your Membership & Insurance Today!
If you are yet to to renew your membership and insurance please make sure you renew ASAP. When you renew your membership remember if you wish to take out our recommended beekeepers insurance policy you must make sure you add the insurance option to ensure you are covered. For your convenience, all this including payment can be done online at the link below.
Renew Your Membership TodayRecycle Your Wax
Our club is planning some candle making, training and production with beeswax so we need your wax. Members are invited to donate any unwanted washed beeswax to the club that will go towards these sessions. Donations can be left at the club house.
Beginners Beekeeping Courses: Book Your Place Today!
We have already announced 2 courses for Spring 2016. These dates usually book out very quick so if you want to ensure a spot in a course select the option on the beekeeping course page below!!
We are now on Twitter: Follow Us
Over the summer break, we have set up a new twitter account where you can see all the news and up to date info from our club. We will also feature an exciting live feed soon. More info will be released there when it’s finalised but in the meantime you can find us on twitter @illabees so check us out there and follow us please.
Follow us on Twitter
Emmanuel Farrugia [editor, the Buzz]
(Your local Branch of the Amateur Beekeepers Assoc. of NSW)
the Buzz by SaveOurBees.com.au
