Thanks to All who Helped at our Open Day
We recently held another Open Day at our Apiary and it was a huge success thanks to the many members and friends who lend a hand. Also a big thanks to Council for their on-going support plus the local newspaper, the Leader who featured our open day on the front page! This was a fantastic show of support from the local media and we appreciate this magnanimous gesture.
What We Did Last Month
Last month at our night meeting, we looked at the steps taken to wintering your bees. Our field day was an open invitation to the public to visit our apiary to celebrate national honey month.
The following is a note about our Open Day from our Secretary, Geoff Henning to the Editor of the Local Newspaper, The Leader. “On behalf of both the committee and members of the Amateur Beekeepers Illawarra Branch, Sutherland I would like to express our sincerest thank you to both you and also to John Veage, your distinguished photographer for the articles presented in the subject Leader Newspaper.
By way of feedback on your editorials I am very pleased to report that the public response to these articles covering our “Open Day” was simply fantastic and resulted in over 530 people visiting our Education Centre, Bee Garden and Museum last Sunday 29 May.
The visitors included many families with children of varying ages which was great to see as the children showed genuine interest in the science associated with bees and their hierarchy. Apart from that we also received many compliments about the overall facility that we cherish and care for.“ Geoff Henning, Secretary.
You can see some more images from our May 2016 Open Day here
New Members
We warmly welcome new members to our Illawarra branch including Piotr Fenik, Picnic Point; Nikolaos Lazarou, Longueville; Janice Warner, Woronora; Stephen Wilson, Oyster Bay. New members are invited to attend our monthly meetings and make yourselves known to your fellow beekeepers and the committee.
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 has been the subject of some major renovation to the floor and drainage system that will improve the honey house facility for members. We are pleased to report the concrete slab has been poured and is in the curing process. We expect to have to facility up and going again soon in time for our next courses and extraction days. We appreciate your patience during this process.
Apiary Report
All colonies have now been packed down for the winter season. We can expect to see more activity towards the end of July as things warm up again the Spring approaches.
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: A huge Turnout
May was National Honey Month and the Illawarra Beekeepers opened our doors to the community on Sunday 29 May providing information sessions on bees and honey tasting. The day was a big one with more than 500 visitors at the Waratah Park facility Sutherland with a wonderful insight into how honey can vary and how it’s influenced by what the bees feed on and it’s location. We also included hive inspections, honey extraction and tastings and talks covering pollination, the medical use of honey, beekeeping and the life of a worker bee. Visitors were also treated to a free sausage sizzle at lunch-time.
View Slides 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
