Honey Land at the Sydney Royal Easter Show
We recently contributed some time at the Honey Land stand at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The stand is hosted by the NSW Apiarists Assoc. With the help of many volunteers who donate their time and skills to the effort. All reports are Honey Land was a great success with huge crowds sampling several honey varieties along with the sale of a great array of honey, bee pollen and other bee treats they also witnessed the live demonstration in the “Bee-zeebo”. Honey land was also awarded 2nd prize for the stands inside the Woolworths exhibition hall. Congratulations must also go to the winners in the apiarists competition including honey, pollen and honey comb frames. If you missed the show this year, make sure you go along in 2017 where it’s sure to be even bigger and better.
What We Did Last Month
At our evening meeting, Janice and Penny gave us a walkthrough of the correct methods for food handling and labeling our honey to make it compliant with the law. Our field day included a very informative presentation by Duncan McCleod on American Foul Brood [AFB]. Duncan brought in a frame affected by AFB, showed the symptoms then demonstrated how to use the AFB test kit. Thanks to all for sharing this valuable info. Remember, AFB test kits are available in our beekeeping shop for a very reasonable price. These are important to identify AFB and deal with it at the very first opportunity.
New Members
We warmly welcome new members to our Illawarra branch including Chris Arcoudis, Earlwood; Glenn Fitzpatrick, Maianbar; Alison Neesham, Kirawee; Stuart Ridgway, Como; Ben Selby, Bonnet Bay and Diane Webb, Padstow. 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 have returned to normal and will be open 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.
Honey Extractors
The committee have now agreed to reduce the hire fee for both the take out extractors and also for use of the honey house extractor to $10 however the deposit remains at $150 and in the case of the honey house extractor we reserve the right to withhold the deposit money to cover the cost of cleaning the premises.
Apiary Report
Our apiary officer has recently reported we currently have 9 spots for the bees with 7 current colonies. If weather permits, we will be opening the hives for a pre winter inspection this month at our field day so make sure you are there to see what you should be doing to prepare your hives too!
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.
Volunteers Needed
We are in need of members who are able to assist with some events planned over the next few weeks.
Thursday 14 April to Sunday 17 April 2016 Sutherland Citizen Heritage Festival Artisans Exhibition at Club on East at Sutherland where the beekeepers are exhibiting along with other groups.
Sunday 1st May 2016 10am - 4pm Fine Food Fare, Peace Park Sutherland
Saturday 7 May 2016 10am-4pm There will be a Artisan Exhibition at the Tradies Club.
Sunday 29 May 2016 Illawarra Beekeepers Open Day at our Apiary and Museum, Sutherland
So if you can spare a few hours to assist, please speak to Lamorna or someone on the committee at our next meetings.
Contact Us Here
Renew your Membership & Insurance Today!
We have noticed there are still a few members yet to renew their memberships and insurance, so if you haven’t already done so 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: A Few places left for May 2016
Due to popular demand, we have added 4 more places for our next Beekeeping Beginners Course for Sat 7 May 2016. This will be the last course before the current season ends, so if you want to reserve your spot in the 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
