Topics: Discussions on Food Safety, Branch Elections
Presented by: Lamorna Osborne & others
Food safety is an important issue we must all adhere to when handling honey for sale or even giveaways to our friends and family. This is the perfect opportunity to learn what’s expected and requested when preparing your honey.
Our annual branch elections are also on the agenda this month. As usual, all positions on the committee will become available and we will take nominations and votes from the floor. We need your support for our branch to continue so it’s very important members attend the meeting to stand for a position and to cast a vote.
Agenda: Full Review of Hives, Bee Venom Collecting
Remember, this month’s field day will be a week earlier on 20 March due to Easter Sunday falling on the usual field day. We will conduct a full Review of hives, check for diseases, queens, broods, pests and extraction if needed. We are also hoping to collect some bee venom for use in studies at the University of Western Sydney.
Misleading headlines in a lead article in Sydney Morning Herald recently read, “Australian honey could be making us sick. Australian honeys are the most contaminated in the world with natural poisons linked to chronic disease including cancer”. Several ABA members have been contacted by the media to obtain comment and suitable video material. The advice of the ABA is for members not to be involved with the media since the debate is complex and technical. Any questions should be referred to Trevor Weatherhead from the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council Trevor Weatherhead AHBIC Executive Director can be contacted at ahbic@honeybee.org.au An excellent media report from AHBIC can be found by clicking below.
Read the media report from AHBIC HereLast month we had Andrew from swarmpatrol.com demonstrating his new web site aimed at collecting swarms. A great resource for the public and beekeepers around the world. We also had a visit from Ryan Leonard from USYD discussing his study into air pollution and bees. Many of us have participated in this study and we look forward to seeing the results soon, stay tuned. Bruce White also gave us a run down on plans for this year’s Honeyland display at the Royal Easter Show.
Our field day was a big one with many members and new faces in attendance. We included some demonstrations on splitting hives and the bright sunny day gave us all the opportunity to inspect our colonies.
February also featured another beekeeping beginners course. It was well attended as always in fact it was so popular we’ve added another course to the season in May so if you missed out on the last one, make sure you book your place to avoid disappointment.
We warmly welcome new members to our Illawarra branch. Lucy Abbott, Marrickville; Robert Edwards, Barden Ridge; Elissa Everitt, Cronulla; Erin Ireland, Yarrawarrah; Amanda Jones-O'Brien, Burraneer; Michael Mallah, Georges Hall; Dannielle Mulhem, Woonona; Suzanne Peers, Sutherland; and John Vetsikas, Ramsgate.
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.
We have recently purchased 2 more portable extractors for of our members to borrow giving you less waiting time and more convenience. These are always in high demand so if you want to borrow one please see Ivan in the bee shop to reserve your spot.
Our apiary officer has recently reported we currently have 9 spots for the bees with 7 current colonies as of 2nd March 2016. Hives 1,2,3,6 & 9 are production hives. Hives 4 & 5 are nucleus hives. All hives are at present doing well, with very few hive beetles and no sign of disease except hive number 6, which is recovering from chalkbrood. All hives have been re-queened this season with the exception of hive number 3 which was re-queened last April 2015. There have been two honey extractions this season (about 60kg?). Thanks Phillip for your comprehensive report.
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.
Thanks to the support from the Sutherland Shire Council, we have received a Community Services & Arts Grant to produce a short film on bees in our community and we are looking for contributions. We have begun shooting and we are hoping to include a young beekeeper or child from the age of 6 to 10 years old to feature in our short film. If you know a young child with a keen interest in bees and honey that would be willing to be a part of this project, with the consent of their parents or guardians, please contact us via email or speak to Emmanuel at one of our upcoming meetings.
Bee Film Contact
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 TodayOur 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:
We are now booked out for the next bee courses on 20 February and 2nd April 2016 however we have announced another course for May 2015. Places are now also opened for new courses in September and October 2016. To see more info and when our next course is due visit our beekeeping page below.
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.
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