Annual General Meeting of the Yarra Valley Bee Group will be held online November 28th, 2021 at 1.30pm   Followed by our monthly meeting and guest speakers:  Alex Van Veen and Greg Huggins - Building a Long Langstroth Hive Alex Van Veen has been very busy refining his Long Langstroth design and has kindly agreed to come along and share his learnings with us all. Joined by Greg Huggins, they will talk about the pros and cons (mainly pros) of these horizontal hives and what to consider when building one yourself. You wont want to miss this.   In preparation for the AGM meeting, please view the following: AGM Minutes 2020 Agenda Committee Nomination Form Proxy form Presidents Report Treasurers Report All are welcome to attend the AGM. However, only financial members are entitled to vote.  If you are unsure of your financial status, please email us to check at yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com   Do you love your Bee Group? Do you want it to continue? Then we need your help! To allow this great club of ours to continue, we need nominations for the Office Bearers for the YVBG Committee. These include President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. You don't need to be an experienced beekeeper to nominate for these roles. Whether you're a Newbee or an Oldie, we'll look after you!  Like any club, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. However, the more help we have, the more we can grow. Please join our friendly and focused committee so that together we can help our YVBG group thrive. Did I mention that there are only four meetings a year! Click here for position descriptions or go ahead and fill out a Committee Nomination Form. Please return to us no later than the 26th November. Grab yourself a ticket and the day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On Sunday its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. With your link we'll also send you some further details on "how to" Zoom.  **Registrations close Saturday 27th November at 2pm. If you've missed out booking before Saturday 27th at 2pm please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com   

Ally Driessen is a Bee Biosecurity Officer at Agriculture Victoria. She was an amateur beekeeper and permaculture enthusiast during the Varroa scare in Victoria mid-2018. This drove her to swap a corporate career for a ‘bee-change’ and become part of the driving force in reducing the risks of exotic and established honey bee pests. At our October meeting she will be speaking about: BeeMAX – Agriculture Victoria’s bees online digital platform; Priorities for Apiary Inspectors at the moment; The Apiary Code of Practice; and The Australian Honey Bee Industry - Biosecurity Code of Practice and the Victorian Legislation Division 5—Bees.  Join us online to keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. Grab yourself a ticket and the day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On Sunday its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. With your link we'll also send you some further details on "how to" Zoom.  **Registrations close Saturday 30th October at 2pm. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com 

Dr Joe-Anthony Rotella - Beekeeping and Toxicology  Whilst bees are of great significance to humans and the environment, they must be treated with care. Anaphylaxis (a severe form of allergic reaction) is a significant concern and for the beekeeping industry, one that cannot be ignored.  Dr Joe-Anthony Rotella (Twitter @toxofthenorth) is a Clinical Toxicologist and Emergency Physician at Northern Health and leads the SPECTRE (Substance dependence, Psychiatry, Envenomation, Clinical Toxicology and Recreational substances) Unit there.  He will be discussing bees and some of the other creatures that beekeepers need to be mindful of. Join us online to keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On Sunday its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. With your link we'll also send you some further details on "how to" Zoom.  **Registrations close Saturday 25th September at 2pm. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com   

Speaker - Getting ready for Spring - Phil Godman Phil Godman, past club President, will be talking about what we should be looking for in our first inspections after Winter as well as what we should be doing in preparation for Spring. Come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On Sunday its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. With your link we'll also send you some further details on "how to" Zoom.  **Registrations close Saturday 28th August at 2pm. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com 

COVID has once again disrupted our plans to meet in person this Sunday 25th July for our usual meeting. However, we can all meet via zoom. To join us you will need to get a Free Ticket by clicking the link below. We've had to have a change of speakers due to lockdown. Rest assured that Michael Johnson from the Basin Backyard will be presenting as soon as we can arrange a face to face meeting. Janis from Beewise in Kallista will be our guest speaker this Sunday and will be talking about what we should be doing now and leading up to Spring. Join us to keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On Sunday its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. With your link we'll also send you some further details on "how to" Zoom. If you are unable to join us, we intend to put the recorded version on our website for you to view. **Registrations close Saturday 24th July at 2pm. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com 

YVBG is holding a Hive Building day for its members on Saturday 3rd July 10-3pm  Ben's shed will kindly provide us the space, tools and a few volunteers to help. Bec from Bec's Beehive supplies has partnered with us and developed some Hive Kits for you to purchase at a very special Club price.  Bec has also offered to deliver these to the venue so they will be waiting for you on the day.  To see details and to order from Bec, please click here Get in quick though, as orders close 20th June. On the day you can build your boxes, bases and lids as well as wire your frames and embed your wax. Great opportunity for new beekeepers to build their hives ready for Spring! Cost: $10 cash on the day Registrations essential. Please register your interest below.  Not sure if you're a member or cant log in?? please email membership.yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com

Due to the easing of COVID restrictions we are able to meet in person. Please bring a mask and remember to check in before entering the building. See you there! 1:30 - What's Hapening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting  Our very own Hineani Roberts, founder of the yarra valley bee group, will be paying us a visit. There is no specific topic - just Bees. Hineani is keen to leave room for free flowing conversations about bees in general. We are thrilled to have her back to share her wealth of knowledge. You can listen to Hineani here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djkR-sLCQ8Y speak about Mindful beekeeping at our club meeting in 2018. Come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. Monthly meetings are usually the last Sunday of the month. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom).

COVID has once again disrupted our plans to meet in person this Sunday 30th May for our usual meeting. However, we can all meet via zoom and Caroline has kindly offered to adapt to presenting online. To join us you will need to get a Free Ticket by clicking the link below. Guest speaker Caroline Hammond from Come Fly With Me Beekeeing. Come Fly With Me Beekeeping - how a little business emerged from a sense of community and a sharing of passions. Caroline Hammond is proud to say; “I’m a Beekeeper!” Not only has she found a passion for bees and beekeeping, but for the very meaning that beekeeping gives to her everyday life. Carolines says that Come Fly With Me Beekeeping is my little bee business which was born to celebrate the connections we have with each other and our environment through the meeting and mentoring of like-minded people. Carolines main focus is in mentoring beekeepers and helping them find their wings in this fascinating hobby. Through her techniques of adaptive teaching, she aims to empower confidence and understanding in the people around her who are willing to give things a go. Caroline also has around 30 honey production hives across the West Gippsland region. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with so many different people who I then have the pleasure of seeing grow with confidence and fascination through the activity of keeping bees. And that’s what has had me hooked from the beginning. So join us and let Caroline take you on a journey into how her business developed into what it is today. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On Sunday its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. With your link we'll also send you some further details on "how to" Zoom. If you are unable to join us, we intend to put the recorded version on our website for you to view. **Registrations close Saturday 29th May at midday. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com   

1:30 - What's Hapening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting  Speaker - Kathryn Goldsmith, Author of Mind your own beeswax Kathryn is a self professed time poor, middle-aged woman who became a newbee beekeeper a few years back. Together with running a business, raising two teenage kids and training a husband, caring for a recalcitrant dog and a flock of feathered friends on a suburban block in Melbourne, what could possibly go wrong with her new venture? In her spare time, she wrote a book about all the things that can go wrong. Take time out from your own hectic life, to have a laugh about someone else’s. Become immersed in the amazing world of bees, whilst at the same time following the journey of her garden revolution. Along the way Kathryn will re­flect on life, and in particular the lessons her grandmother and her children have taught her. She hopes to make you laugh, and probably make you cry too.   Come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. Monthly meetings are usually the last Sunday of the month. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom).

Cancelled due to clash with Ecotopia 1:30 - What's Hapening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting  Come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. Monthly meetings are usually the last Sunday of the month. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the newly renovated ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom).

ECOSS is holding their 2021 ECOTOPIA Festival. This is on the same day as our scheduled bee group meeting so there will be no March yvbg meeting. We will however, be having a stall at the festival wear we will be selling our honey and talking to everyone about the benefits of bees! If you're a member and you're interested in helping us with our stall, please contact secretary.yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com   Join in the Extravaganza of Earth Friendly demonstrations. Welcome to Country with Aunty Kim Wandin- Wurundjeri Elder Speech from Mayor Cr Fiona McAllister Silvertine BioDynamic Market Garden Tours Guided tours of ECOSS Yarra Valley Bee Group - Bee Talk Tiny Houses on Display ERL Storytime Clay Play at the Pottery Studio Permaculture Yarra Valley Talk Launch of ECOSS ‘Crops for Community’ program. Live Music on Solar Powered stage including the fabulous: Dr Jazz Neesy and the White Pearls The Dreaming Space Circus The Anecdote Yarra Valley Drummers And more! Eco Market including delicious healthy food and drinks. Local NFP information stalls. All proceeds will go to replacement of shed roof and new classroom for community use at ECOSS Adults $15, Concession and First Nations $10 Kids by donation Kindly Sponsored by Yarra Ranges Council, Cire Community Services, FRRR, and UYCE! https://www.facebook.com/events/258235792533264

1:30 - What's Hapening in my Hive? Followed by our speaker Associate Professor Lisa Palmer and Dr Balthasar Kehi Wild Honey: Caring for Bees in a Divided Land - Movie & Discussion. For more than a century, the island of Timor has been divided by a colonial border, which has displaced and separated the people of Lookeu, dividing their land, water & history. This film is the outcome of a long-term collaboration between these researchers and the people of Lookeu. Associate Professor Lisa Palmer teaches and researches on indigenous environmental knowledge and focuses on south-east Asia and indigenous Australia and this is her first film. Dr Balthasar Kehi is a researcher who lives in Melbourne and returns whenever he can to his homeland of Lookeu. Remember to bring your mask - current retrictions state that masks must be worn whilst indoors. Come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. Monthly meetings are usually the last Sunday of the month. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the newly renovated ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom).

We're back at ECOSS for our first meeting of 2021! We'll begin with What's Hapening in my Hive? at 1:30, followed by main meeting. Guest speaker - Jane Stormer who will be speaking about how to design your garden so you have all year round flowers that bees can forage from. I'm a wild gardener, landscape designer & consultant with a deep interest in the places like the Upper Yarra Valley where habitat and horticulture meet. I've always wanted bees, and as a horticulturalist asked myself the question: do I have enough forage in my garden to support a beehive and is it possible to design a Bee-longing Garden? We live in a relatively high rainfall area, and on rainy days bees cannot travel far to forage, so its important to provide opportunities close to bee hives. Luckily there are a number of Australian botanical scientists who have been researching what plants bees love and their nectar and pollen loads based on the observations of apiarists in their local areas who have told them which flowering plants and trees the bees forage from most frequently. Over the past year, I have identified, and with the support of ECOSS, have grown and gathered a range of perennial plants which will flourish in this area. In the interests of supporting local bee keepers I will be doing a talk with the Yarra Valley Bee Group on Sunday 31st January where I will talk about how to design your garden so you have all year round flowers that bees can forage from, and hope to learn more from local apiarists about even more local flowering plants that bees love. Please come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR MASK Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the newly renovated ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom). Everyone is welcome - gold coin donation appreciated.

Join us online on 29th November for our Yarra Valley Bee Group Annual General Meeting Beginning at 1:30 we will host our AGM, followed by our monthly meeting and guest speaker. Jay Hu from Organics Way in Mount Evelyn is coming to talk to us about Queens and Royal Jelly. Calling for nominations to our Committee Take your interest in bees to the next level. Join or friendly and focused committee to work together to help this group thrive. Put your skills and abilities to work with only four meetings a year. Nominations are still open for committee positions. Please use the below nomination form. Nominations close midday Friday 27th November. In preparation for the meeting, please view the following: AGM Minutes 2019 Agenda Committee Nomination Form Proxy form Presidents Report Treasurers Report All are welcome to attend the AGM. However, only financial members are entitled to vote.  If you are unsure of your financial status, please email us to check at yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com. Please register your attendance by clicking the link below to Get a Ticket **Registrations for the meeting close Saturday 28th November 2pm. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com

Join us online on 25th October for our Yarra Valley Bee Group Meeting We'll start with Whats happening in my hive? - hosted by our President Phil Godman. Followed by our guest speaker: Andrew Wootton - Electronic Hive Monitoring Andrew first started beekeeping assisting his father in the UK in the pre-varroa 1960’s.   He is a certified Master Beekeeper with the Eastern Apicultural Society of North America.  Over the last few years in Melbourne his beekeeping activities have mainly involved convening and running numerous teaching courses including beginners, Flow hive, intermediate and queen raising workshops. Andrew has presented his electronic hive monitoring projects at the Apimondia World Bee Congresses in Istanbul and Montreal as well as at the 3rd and 4th International Bee and Hive Monitoring Workshops. In his talk, Andrew will discuss his swarm trap monitor and show the electronic bee counter that he built during lockdown.  He will also review some highlights from the recent 4th International Hive Monitoring Workshop. Come along and keep up to date with local conditions that effect your hive, connect with other beekeepers, share resources, improve your apiary skills and learn more about honeybee ecology. **Registrations close Saturday 24th October at midday. If you've missed out please email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com **Our monthly meetings will continue online on the last Sunday of the month.