As spring arrives, so do bees – meet the local club which keeps the buzz going
For 70 years the North Shore Beekeepers Association has been taking action to protect bees, rehome swarms and educate the local community about these important insects.
Based in Terrey Hills, the association runs beekeeping workshops – providing advice and assistance to both beginner and experienced beekeepers. They also help to improve and promote beekeeping practices.
Established in 1954, the association has more than 400 members. Michelle Blyme has been part of the club for many years and is now a volunteer member of its committee and has been working as a beekeeper for the last 18 months.
“It has literally become my life. I eat, sleep and dream bees,” she laughs. “This is a very social club. I’ve made so many friends from it, and I now work as a beekeeper. I just love it.”
Michelle explains that bees play an important role in our environment and it is crucial to take care of them.
Beekeeper Michelle Blyme
“Bees are the major pollinator of plants in the world. As beekeepers or bee enthusiasts, we all have a role to play to ensure a healthy bee population. About two-thirds of the food that we eat is pollinated by bees. So, without them, we’d be in big trouble,” Michelle adds.
Keith Pester, president of the association, has been a member of the club for five years, contributing to the survival of the bees. He also helps the community have a better understanding of their role.
As the months get warmer and spring approaches, Keith says that another important service the club offers to the community is removing bee swarms for free. Last spring, the collectors re- homed 68 swarms from local areas.
“Bee colonies split to form a new colony somewhere else. The swarm can gather on a tree or fence, and stay there for a few hours or days in the search for a new home. We’ve found them behind walls and old couches or abandoned furniture,” Keith explains.
“So we have a team that takes them to be re-homed. Usually, we give the bees to new members who want to have their colony at home. Some of them can even start producing honey and they can share it with family and friends or sell it.”
The association also runs courses such as the Spring Management Course, Queen Breeding and Mead-making courses.
Open days are held at the club on the second Sunday of the month, with anyone interested in bees welcome to attend. Open days are the perfect opportunity for those who want to learn more about bees and see the workings of the hive.
For more information about bee swarm re-homing and courses, visit nsbka.org.au
Club open field day
8 September, 10am to 1pm
Club Facility, 1C Myoora Road
Terrey Hills
Cost: Free
Two-day beginners’ beekeeping course
14 September, 9am
21 September, 4.30pm
Peninsular Firearm Academy
Terrey Hills
Cost: $395 per person
Visit: nsbka.org.au