DESPITE the increased burden of measures imposed to suppress the spread of varroa mite in NSW, the Mid North Coast Amateur Beekeepers Association recognises the value of a shared work-load as they team up to meet these challenges.

Their monthly meetings not only serve as workshops and updates on the latest apiculture information, but many hands make light work of newly imposed measures such as alcohol washes for varroa mites, one of the recommended methods recommended by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in the hopes of managing and suppressing the pests.

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The Association falls under the Amateur Beekeepers Australia umbrella and it meets formally on the second Sunday of each month at members’ houses.

Beekeeping is one of the oldest agricultural practices on earth, dating back to prehistoric times.

Images of Egyptian beekeepers are testament to the timelessness of this tradition.

To become a beekeeper is to commit to a lifetime of ongoing learning as bees face a range of diseases, pests and can be farmed in such varied ways.

Some of the club’s members keep European honeybees, others have the native Australian stingless species and some like Monica Rich, the Association’s Secretary, keep both.

However, Monica said, everyone is taking steps to keep their hives healthy, particularly now as they look to a future with the presence of varroa mites in Australia.

With Australia abandoning attempts to eradicate varroa mite in September, and moving to a management approach, there are increased checks and measures to be taken by beekeepers.

“Luckily for us, our current President also works at the NSW DPI so we get the latest information as soon as it is issued.

“The Association has about 80 paid-up members although numbers at meetups have dropped off since the mite incursion,” says Monica.

“The eldest member is in their eighties while the youngest is primary school age, occasionally attending with parents.”

Monica had the following advice to beekeepers not involved with the club.

“It’s important that everyone with a hive registers with the DPI and that they inform the DPI when they move hives across NSW.”

By Ned COWIE