Dear Beekeeping Community of Victoria,

As we face the recent news of Varroa Mite being discovered in two locations in the northwest of the state, and the unfortunate spreading of this invasive pest through legal movements of hives, we want to express our solidarity and unwavering support for each one of you.

We understand that this news has caused concern, fear, and frustration. The presence of Varroa Mite in Victoria is a critical moment for all of us, but we must remember that this situation is a matter of time, not a matter of blame. These pests are an inevitability that has affected beekeepers across New South Wales, and they are now a challenge that we must face together. The nature of beekeeping means that pests like Varroa Mite can spread quickly, and despite our best efforts, they will inevitably reach areas previously unaffected.

While the spread of Varroa Mite is concerning, it is important to know that there are strategies in place to manage this situation. The Transition to Management (T2M) plan, which has been rolled out in response to the incursion in New South Wales, now extends to Victoria. The T2M plan recognises that eradication is no longer feasible and focuses on practical, collaborative measures to help beekeepers manage the pest and ensure the long-term health of our industry. The key components of this plan include ongoing support, education, and surveillance, all designed to equip us with the tools and knowledge needed to protect our hives.

The beekeeping community has always shown remarkable resilience and unity in the face of challenges. There are resources available to guide you through monitoring and management practices, and new opportunities for collaboration with experts and fellow beekeepers. The plan also emphasises the importance of surveillance and reporting, ensuring we all play a crucial role in tracking the pest’s spread and implementing effective management strategies.

As always, it is vital that we approach this situation with a spirit of compassion, understanding, and unity. The beekeeping community is a tight-knit, passionate group that has always looked out for one another. News travels fast, and while fear and frustration may be natural reactions, it is vital that we support each other through this challenging time. No one is at fault for the spread of this pest. It is a situation that, unfortunately, we all knew might come eventually, and now it is upon us.

In times like these, we must remember our shared purpose — to protect our bees and the critical role they play in pollination and the health of our environment. Together, with the support of the T2M plan, we can take the necessary steps to manage the situation, support one another, and continue to advocate for the well-being of our hives, our honey, and our shared future.  We encourage you to follow biosecurity measures, and share knowledge with your fellow beekeepers.

Sincerely, 

The VAA Board

Beekeeper Resources: Varroa Management  

National Varroa Mite Management Program 

Agriculture Victoria Varroa Mite Information

BeeMax Victorian Varroa Incursion Heat Map  

Beyond Blue & Lifeline

VAA Branches & VAA Affiliate Clubs 

VAA Melbourne Section                

VAA Bendigo Branch 

VAA Sunraysia 

Central Victorian Apiarists' Association 

Geelong Beekeepers Club

Gippsland Apiarists' Association

J Beekeepers Club (Sunbury)

LaTrobe Valley Beekeepers Club 

Melbourne Beekeepers Club

Moonee Valley Beekeepers Club

Mornington Peninsula Beekeepers Association 

North Eastern Apiarists' Association 

North West Bee Club 

South Gippsland Beekeepers 

Southside Beekeepers Club

Werribeeks

Woodend Bee Friendly Society 

The following is a newsletter from the National Varroa Mite Management Program. 

February 2025 Your hives need your health The incursion of Varroa mite in Australia has come with many challenges, not only faced with new ways of beekeeping it can also affect us emotionally, physically and mentally, all normal responses to change.   During times of change, it's common to face situations beyond our control. It’s completely natural to feel worried, anxious, or even angry when things get difficult. However, it’s crucial to prioritise your mental health and well-being and to reach out for help if needed. Maintaining good mental health is key to building resilience and for those impacted more intensely, aiding in your recovery.  Having engaged with thousands of beekeepers since the first detection of Varroa, our observations are that it is likely many beekeepers have or are experiencing varying levels of apprehension or concern.   Across the nation people will be at different stages of their Varroa journey, and each stage brings a fresh set of challenges. For example:  1. Pre-Varroa arrival Beekeepers are aware of the potential consequences of Varroa. They may have participated in workshops, webinars, and talks from VDOs, or agency apiary staff, but still feel unsure about handling Varroa once it reaches their apiary. This uncertainty is not due to a lack of understanding of the workshop material, chemical usage, or Varroa testing techniques, but rather stems from the emotional toll of anticipating its arrival.    2. Managing Varroa Beekeepers are now actively dealing with Varroa mite in their hives, learning how to manage this new and evolving situation. These beekeepers may also have participated in workshops, webinars, and talks from VDOs or agency apiary staff and are now putting into practice what they have learnt, some confidently, some unsure, feeling overwhelmed by the decisions they need to make to manage Varroa and some also, as with the group above, feeling they are unable to cope with this new situation.   3. (In NSW) Post-Varroa eradication Beekeepers have had experiences linked to the emergency response phase. It could involve the emotional impact of the loss of control of managing their hives during the response, the frequent changes to requirements on beekeepers during this time through to the trauma of having hives euthanised during the response to Varroa.    Remember, ff you're not well within yourself, you risk losing the motivation to manage your hives (amongst other things), so for your bee’s sake, take care of yourself!  Resilience is here to support beekeepers and to help you navigate this new situation

 

Resilience Support Resilience Officer, Jamie, is here to support you; all conversations are strictly confidential. Jamie is Mental Health First Aid accredited and trained to support you with all levels of support.   Contact Jamie on 0477 544 379 – jamie.perry-meijer@dpi.nsw.gov.au or www.varroa.org.au/resilience. Wellbeing Services There are many organisations and services you can reach out to for wellbeing resources, guidance and support. Many of these offer free counselling and support services and can be accessed online or via phone.   Some helpful places to start to find out more about the support available include:  Head to Health (www.headtohealth.gov.au) An Australian Government website that offers multiple ways of searching for digital mental health resources.  Lifeline Phone: 13 11 14   Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis can contact Lifeline's confidential crisis support service. Trained volunteers are available 24/7 to listen and provide support and referrals.   Mental Health Line Phone: 1800 011 511   The Mental Health Line is a 24/7 service operating across NSW which is staffed by mental health clinicians. Anyone, including carers or family members, can call the line to be directed to the most appropriate care. The mental health professionals operating the line will assess the urgency of the call and make recommendations for follow-up treatment.   Women’s Information & Referral Service Phone: 1300 888 529   A free and confidential telephone service for women in NSW. The WIRS can help you find information that you, your family or friends may need including information on many organisations and services available to women. The service operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.   Mensline Phone: 1300 789 978   Mensline Australia is a 24/7 telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men's issues.

 

Do you know of a fellow beekeeper who may be doing it tough but isn’t on our email listing? Encourage them to sign up at National Varroa Mite Management Program e-news or phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 to receive the latest in Varroa Resilience developments.  For more information from the National Varroa Mite Management Program visit varroa.org.au.

 

 

Is there a conversation you've been putting off? While time can change a lot, sometimes just a few minutes of honest talk can make a huge difference. Let's have that conversation.  Visit www.varroa.org.au/resilience

 

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. 

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