Events

1.30 for a 2pm start 2pm - Whats happening in my hive?  Followed by our speaker - Graham Abrey from Buzzbee Beekeeping. An in-depth discussion and demonstration on the use of oxalic acid in managing varroa. Many beekeepers are interested in using non-synthetic (organic) treatments in their hives.  Graham will be talking about varroa treatment options with a specific focus around the available Oxalic acid options available, the different types of Oxalic acid treatment products, the way that they are administered, the safety measures & precautions that are taken when using the products and the pros & cons of each. Graham will also have with him various items of equipment beekeepers use when administering the various treatments. Come along with all your questions and leave with a sense of confidence that managing varroa IS possible and with the  right education, knowing what to expect and knowing what best practice is, we can maintain our hives with happy bees & look forward to some exciting times ahead! Non members are welcome too. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom). Gold coin donation appreciated. 

YVBG will be having a stall at the 2 day Crank Up Festival 14th & 15th March 10am-4pm. Volunteers are desperately needed to man our bee group and honey sales stall. Please consider coming along and lending a hand for a few hours. Looks like a great day. Please email us at hello@yarravalleybeegroup.tidymail.co and let us know what times best suit you - Sat 14th or Sunday 15th - 7-9am / 9-12.30 / 12.30-4.  We'll then be in touch.  This is a great family outing in the beautiful Warburton Valley! Learn about heritage trades and vintage machines, browse through the Museum collections, and enjoy food and drinks while listening to some live music. ​Crank Up Heritage and Community Festival - organised since 1978 - takes place at the Upper Yarra Museum in Yarra Junction. This event showcases vintage machinery (moving and stationary) and vintage cars; live blacksmithing and heritage trades demonstrations; an exciting wood chop competition and working draught horses; live music and fun kids' activities as well as market and food stalls. ​Vintage car show takes place on Saturday and wood chop competition on Sunday. ​Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome! ​​​This is their biggest fundraising event of the year so do come along and support the museum!  Facebook  Website

1.30 for a 2pm start 2pm - Whats happening in my hive? Feel free to bring your questions for a group discussion. Followed by a discussion and demonstration on how to undertake an alcohol wash to test for Varroa and how to log your inspection on Bee Max. A must for every Beekeeper! Join us 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. Non members are welcome too. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom). Gold coin donation appreciated. 

Come and see the Yarra Valley Bee Group at the Kilsyth Festival - we will have a honey stall. The 2019 Kilsyth Festival (formerly the Kilsyth Chelodina Festival) will be held on Sunday 23rd November and is run by the Kilsyth Community Action Group in conjunction with the Friends of Elizabeth Bridge Reserve. The Festival is held at the beautiful Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in Durham Road. Its main aim is to engage our local communities by offering a wonderful environment for people of all ages to enjoy the natural setting. It is a fun way to promote environmentally sustainable businesses and activities from across the Yarra Ranges, and to encourage people to shop, play and eat locally.   Volunteers needed We also need volunteers to man our YVBG stall. Each year we have a stall to sell our honey, educate the community about beekeeping and the joys of beekeeping clubs. You don't have to be an expert on beekeeping, Newbees will be rostered on with more experienced people. 2 hour timeslots. All volunteers will now need a Working with Childrens Check. However, this is free and easy to complete online.  Please email your interest to volunteer to yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com.   

Join us on Friday 21st November for our end of year break up and Trivia Night. 6pm for drinks and a chat with our Trivia starting at 6.30!  Great Prizes to be won and raffle tickets for sale on the night to win a 2 box paradise hive! (dontated by Graham at BuzzBee!)  The best dressed bee themed outfit will win a $100 voucher from Bens Bees!  Please bring: a plate of food to share BYO drinks  a sense of humour! We look forward to seeing you there. Non members are welcome too. Meetings are held at ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, in the ‘Coop’ (past the old house, over the green, down the bottom). Gold coin donation appreciated.  There will be no meeting on the last Sunday of November or December.

**Entries close Sunday 9th November Honey Competition YVBG will be running the honey competition in conjunction with the show. Click here for the schedule and to find out how to enter your jarred honey, frame of honey, wax block, honeycomb and mead! CLASSES 1. Jar of Liquid Honey (H) 2. Jar of Creamed Honey (HCR) 3. Jar of Crystalised Honey (HCRY) 4. Capped Frame of Honey (F) 5. Wax Block (W) 6. Cut Honeycomb Block (CHB) 7. Home Made Mead (M)-Sub classes M1A Dry Mead, M1B Semi-sweet Mead and M1C Sweet Mead  Download the schedule for all the details To enter you need to purchase tickets and drop off your entries Monday between 2-8pm. Details are in the schedule. Visit the Lilydale Show Website to find out whats on this year Volunteers needed We also need volunteers to man our YVBG stall. Each year we have a stall to sell our honey, educate the community about beekeeping and the joys of beekeeping clubs. You don't have to be an expert on beekeeping, Newbees will be rostered on with more experienced people. 2 hour timeslots. All volunteers will now need a Working with Childrens Check. However, this is free and easy to complete online.  Please email your interest to volunteer to yarravalleybeegroup@mail.tidyhq.com.