VAA HiveMeet | Our New Streaming Platform 
Building Community Through Communication 

The VAA's Education Subcommittee is excited to announce a new communication channel where the association will provide education, news and information to our members and beekeepers across the state. The initiative is called VAA HiveMeet; an interactive livestreaming platform. Our aim is to deliver a VAA HiveMeet event with beekeeping experts on the first Thursday of every month. If you attend during the livestream, you'll be able to post questions and engage directly with our experts. Once the HiveMeet is over, we will post a recording on the VAA's YouTube channel. We'll also post links to the video here in the bulletin. 

We know that as varroa becomes more established, beekeepers across the state are going to seek insights and perspectives from industry experts and beekeepers who have already been managing the parasite to keep their apiaries healthy and productive. VAA HiveMeet is a forum were we aim to keep you connected to those very experts and experienced apiarists. 

Our first guest this coming 6th March is Dave Fairhall, VDO Extension & Engagement Coordinator from NSW. Dave will talk to us about being on the front line of varroa management. Invitations with links to the HiveMeet will be sent out closer to the date and will also be on our homepage. 

VAA Recreational Beekeeping Conference
Register Here! 
View program highlights here! 

The VAA, with assistance from the Honey Bee Industry Development Fund, has invested time and resources over the past several years into research to assist with the restoration of degraded forests. Some important work was completed by forestry experts, working together with the VAA. Due to a range of factors, including the Covid 19 pandemic and the devastating 2019/20 bushfires, momentum on the project slowed. On the recommendation of the Apiculture Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC), the remaining funding was withdrawn for the original project (HBCIDF18.01). 

There is however, a new round of grant applications opening in March 2025 through AgVic's Livestock Biosecurity Fund. The VAA Board has begun preliminary discussions with the forestry and apiculture experts who worked on the original project to determine the resources required to review, refine and update the scope of an Ironbark forest restoration project and to submit an application to the Livestock Biosecurity Fund for a grant to fund new research.  

VAA Advocating for Victorian Beekeepers

Press Release & Letter to the Victorian Government 

This week the VAA Board issued a press release to media outlets and government officials outlining the multiple adverse events that are impacting beekeepers across this state. These events range from severe bushfires, drought as well as the loss of an important channel of communication to government; the Apiculture on Public Lands Engagement Group (APLEG). 

In addition to issuing the press release, the VAA's president, John van Weeghel sent a letter directly to the Minister for Agriculture, The Honourable Ros Spence asking for a meeting to discuss these issues and support that the government can provide in response. 

We will keep our members informed on developments with these initiatives and welcome your input into the process with experiences, insights or perspectives on how these adverse conditions this season are affecting you and your apiary. 

Registration for these courses is now open.

Introduction to Beekeeping Online 3,10, 17 with practical 20 Oct 2024

Queen Rearing 16 and 17 Nov 2024

The VAA has a new logo following the rebranding exercise undertaken over the last  6 months.  After extensive workshops and stakeholder consultation, the VAA board was delighted to unveil our new look at the 2024 Annual Conference. There was overwhelming support from members for the project - which continues.....

The Bendigo Branch Field Day 2024 will be on Sunday October 13th at Harcourt Rec Reserve.  Details are available here.

A short message from Prof Cameron Jack, keynote speaker at the annual conference.

Exciting news for Bendigo beekeeping enthusiasts: Melbourne Polytechnic is bringing its Certificate III in Beekeeping (AHC31818) to you!

Location: Peppergreen Farm at 40-44 Thunder Street, North Bendigo.

We're rolling in with our state-of-the-art beekeeping truck

Get ready to dive into the world of bees, learn essential techniques and discover the crucial role these pollinators play in our ecosystem. This is your chance to gain hands-on experience and be part of something truly remarkable!

For more information visit https://melbpo.ly/Beekeeping today

Recordings from the conference are now available for viewing.  There is a site page here with details or you can go straight to the VAA YouTube channel here.