Join us online on 27th September 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 - Speaker Don Muir Don is the B-QUAL Director and program manager for the 'Australian Honey Assurance Project' in conjunction with the CRCHBP and University of WA.  He will be speaking about this subject, including the creation of an Australian Honey Library, Flora data base and Honey traceability. With the COVID-19 forcing us to change the way we stay connected, we are now holding our meetings via Zoom. To join us you will need to get a Free Ticket by registering below (link not avaiable yet). The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On the day its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. When you register 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 26th September 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.

Join us online on 30th August 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 Matt Lumalasi from Rooftop Honey With Spring nearly upon us, Matt will be talking to us all about swarms. He'll discuss why bees want to swarm; what to look out for and how to prevent it happening. Vanessa & Matt have been urban beekeepers for 10 years. Starting out with a hive in their garden, they have now expanded Rooftop Honey to over 130 hives in locations dotted across Melbourne’s CBD and suburbs. So, join Matt and the group online for this very relevant topic. A must for all newbees. With the COVID-19 forcing us to change the way we stay connected, we are now holding our meetings via Zoom. To join us you will need to get a Free Ticket by clicking the link below. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On the day its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. When you register 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 August 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.

Your invited to the July online Yarra Valley Bee Group Meeting We'll start with Whats happening in my hive? - hosted by our President Phil Godman. Follwed by: Ben Moore - Beekeeping in Fiji Ben is an apiarist, environmentalist, father, food-lover and the owner of Ben’s Bees. Exposed to nature and farming from an early age, Ben has kept bees for over 26 years started Ben’s Bees over ten years ago. Since then, his company has expanded to include beekeeping, honey production, the safe rehoming of bee colonies, wasp removal, international mentoring, media and education. With a focus on ethical and natural beekeeping practices, Ben is committed to educating the community about bees and their vital connection to the environment and our everyday lives. Ben will be talking about his travels, with a focus on Fiji, and how those abroad keep their bees. With the COVID-19 forcing us to change the way we stay connected, we are now holding our meetings via Zoom. To join us you will need to get a Free Ticket by clicking the link below. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On the day its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. When you register 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. **Our monthly meetings will continue online on the last Sunday of the month. Registrations end midday Saturday 25th July. If you missed out, please send us an email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com.

1:30 - What's Hapening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting Craig Castree will be talking about edible gardening, companion planting and how to keep it bee friendly without the use of chemicals.  He is the author of ‘Edible Gardens A Practical Guide’ available from his website www.craigcastree.com.au With the COVID-19 forcing us to change the way we stay connected, we are now holding our meetings via Zoom. To join us you will need to get a Free Ticket by clicking the link below. The day before the meeting, we'll send you a link via email. On the day its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. When you register 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. **Our monthly meetings will continue online on the last Sunday of the month. Registrations end Friday 26th June midnight. If you missed out, please send us an email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com.

Ally Driessen is one of the Bee Biosecurity Officers of the National Bee Biosecurity Program. In 2018 when the Varroa scare in Victoria occurred, Ally was inspired to make the change to a ‘bee-change’, in order to become part of the driving force helping to reduce the risks of exotic and established honey bee pests. Ally will be discussing the simple things every person can do to help keep the honey bees in Australia healthy. The honey bee industry, has developed the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice. The Code includes basic biosecurity practices that should be used by all beekeepers in Australia. These actions help to minimise the impact of pests and diseases on their own hives and those of other beekeepers. So, come along and hear Ally discuss this and more, including her dealings with the Almond pollination preparation.   With the COVID-19 forcing us to change the way we stay connected, we are now holding our meetings via Zoom. You are welcome to register your interest below and we'll send you a link to connect. On the day its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. When you register 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. **Our monthly meetings will continue online on the last Sunday of the month. Registrations end Friday 29th May midnight. If you missed out, please send us an email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com.

With the COVID-19 forcing us to change the way we stay connected, we are trialling a virtual April meeting. You are welcome to register your interest below and we'll send you a link to connect on the day. On the day its as simple as clicking the link to join using your computer, ipad or phone. When you register 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. **Our monthly meetings will continue online on the last Sunday of the month. Although Zoom has been questioned in the media lately, we believe it is the best platform for the April meeting. We'll include in our email some links to articles that you can read to make your own choices. Packing Down for Winter - Phil Godman Notwithstanding COVID-19 craziness, our responsibility to care for our bees continues. Our next seasonal task is preparing for Winter. We mustn't leave it too late as we can't guarantee good weather later on. In our April (online) meeting we will discuss Winter preparation.  Often referred to as 'Packdown'. We'll look at what should stay and what should go to leave hives in best possible shape to make it through to Spring. Send us your questions - Do you have any questions that you'd like to ask Phil about wintering your bees? Although you can type him questions on the day, send them to us now and Phil can come prepared to answer them. Please send to yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com Registrations end Thursday 23rd midnight. If you missed out, please send us an email yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com .

March Meeting has been cancelled due to COVID-19 health warnings.   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 in Timor. 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.   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).

This event has been cancelled due to the spread of Corona-virus. Ecotopia Earth Festival- Community Sustainability Festival Save the Date!  Sunday March 29th, 10am-4pm Yarra Junction Parklands. Prepare yourself for a plethora of great entertainment! All Free, All Accessible and Inclusive! YVBG will be holding a stall at this festival and would love your help to man it. Dont worry if you are new bee keeper, there will be others with you. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us.

Our Honey Co-op will hold an Extraction Day on 21st and 22nd March in Kilsyth. (venue to be advised) This is an opportunity for you to sell your honey to our Co-op. You will need to be a YVBG member to take part in this extraction day. You will be required to assist on the day with extracting, jarring & labelling your own honey, and in cleaning up afterwards. There will be club equipment avaialble for use on the day.  However, you can bring your own clean extracting gear if you have it.  Please let us know if you are interested in attending either day over this weekend and approximately how much honey you have to extract and bottle. As we will need to spread participants evenly over the weekend, please let us know what times you are available.If you plan to be involved, please email secretary.yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com. 

1:30 - What's Hapening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting  Beekeeping Then and Now Ian Brown started beekeeping in England and continued with his beekeeping when he arrived in Australia in 1964.  He was a commercial beekeeper with around 100 hives in the early days and is now a back-yard beekeeper with three hives.   He has seen many changes, but many things have stayed the same, so in this presentation he will be covering a number of aspects of beekeeping, including sharing some of his ideas. 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).

Welcome to 2020. Our first meeting of the year will be held Sunday 26th January.  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).

1:30 - What's Happening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting Making your own Mead - Phil Godman We will have a short session on how to begin making your own Mead. You can make this ancient honey-based drink  at home. There are many recipes & variations to suit your own personal tastes. We will focus on how to make it work using common household items & recycling, without having to spend much money on equipment. Get a bottle ready for the 2020 Lilydale Show Competition! If you have your own favourite tried-and-true recipes, please bring them along to share and if you have samples of previous brews, feel free to bring them along too! As this is our last meeting for the year we will be having a little festive fun. Please BYO plate of something you'd like to share for a late lunch/afternoon tea Christmas celebration. 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).

1:30 - What's Happening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting Bee Friendly Gardens - How do you go about increasing the bee forage opportunities in your own garden or landscape? Inspired by attending the Yarra Valley Bee Group meetings, local landscape designer Jane Stormer is keen to get a hive and has learnt that to have happy bees, you need to design and plant out your garden in particular ways. The CSIRO has done an extensive Australia wide report on what to plant in what regions to increase honey yields and bee populations. This talk focusses on the opportunities in cool temperate climates and her hope is to draw you out to share your local observations and learnings in your own garden/landscape. 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).

Honey Competition Click here to find out all about the honey competition. (run in conjunction with our YVbee group) Volunteers needed to man our Honey Stall We will also have a stall at the show so we'll bee looking for volunteers. email yvbeegroup@gmail.com if you're interested.   Visit their Website to find out whats on this year   ANIMALS     Horse Events all weekend on No. 2 Oval     Sheep Competitions and Sheering, Saturday in the David Wilkinson Pavilion     Poultry Competition , Saturday in the Chandler Pavilion     Alpacas - Young Handlers, Sunday in Chandler Pavilion     Yarra Valley Young Farmers, Sunday     Dairy Goat Display, Sunday     Animal Nursey all weekend in Melba Park     Reptile Display all weekend in Melba Park     Dog Obedience and Dog Agility Display, Saturday on the Main Arena     Dog Flyball Competition, Sunday on the Main Arena     Donkey Display and Rides all weekend in Melba Park     Sheep Dog Trials and Demonstrations all weekend in Melba Park ​​ ​ DISPLAYS FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY ALL WEEKEND     Educational Display, Youth Club     Lego Display, Youth Club     Meccano Display, Youth Club     Art Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Photography Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Cookery Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Wool Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Craft Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Needlework Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Horticulture Display, Horticulture Pavilion     Honey Display, Jean Eales Pavilion     Car Display, Briggs McDonnell Pavilion ​​ ENTERTAINMENT     Carnival Rides for young and old     Side Show Alley - step up and win a prize!     Free entertainment on the stage all weekend in Melba Park     Woodchop Events - outside the Youth Club     Showbag Vans - outside the Youth Club     Balmoral Highland Dancing, Saturday     Victorian Scottish Dancing, Sunday     Aussie Sports Activations, Main Arena all weekend     FIREWORKS - dusk Saturday, Main Arena    

1:30 - What's Happening in my Hive? Followed by main meeting Safe removal of Bees Shane Doran from Bee Removals Victoria will be presenting on how to do cutouts safely and the legal implications of relocating bees. Shane will share some videos of the more interesting relocations and also show some of the equipment they use in relocations. 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).