Volunteers needed to help out at our events in May
Conference tickets. Now on sale to the public
Weekend in Yass 17 - 18 February
ABA 2017 Field Day, Leichhardt, Saturday October 28
ABA 2017 Inner West Field Day
Diary Date: ABA 2017 Field Day, 28 October – Leichhardt
2017 Tocal Beekeepers' Field Day
9am - 4pm, Saturday 14 October
Tocal College, Tocal Road, Paterson NSW
The Tocal Beekeepers Field Day has been running for 38 years, and is run by the ABA, NSW Apiarists Association, Department of Primary Industry and Tocal College.
As well as practical demonstrations of hiving a swarm, opening a native stingless hive, and building frames and boxes, there will be talks by talks throughout the day on subjects as diverse as Pollination and Medicinal Honey.
Admission is free, and the public are welcome, so come along and meet the beekeepers!
Guest Speakers
Bruce White OAM
Beekeeping around the world
Bruce White has been keeping bees for well over 60 years. Since his retirement as Principal Apiary Officer with the DPI, he has continued to work untiringly to pass on his extensive beekeeping knowledge.
Dr Doug Somerville
Honey bee pollination
Dr Doug Somerville is the technical specialist for honeybees within the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Dr Somerville has worked with honeybees in the DPI for over 25 years. Research publications in this role have included topics on pollination, supplementary feeding bees, honeybee nutrition, small hive beetle, bee collected pollens and floral resources
Elizabeth Frost
Beekeeping courses,
Qualifications and Traineeships
Elizabeth Frost is Honeybee Educator at Tocal College. She is particularly interested in queen bee breeding, and she is the author of the DPI AgGuide on Queen Bee Breeding.
Dr Diana Leemon
Small Hive Beetle research
Rod Burke
NSW Bee Biosecurity Officer
As NSW Bee Biosecurity Officer, Rod Burke is part of a joint industry–government initiative to look after Australia's honey bees. Her responsibilities include raising awareness of honeybee pests and diseases, and demonstrating best practice beekeeping, as well as promoting the National Bee Biosecurity Code of Practice.
2017 ABA AGM and Colonel Pulling Competition
ABA AGM and Colonel Pulling Competition
9am, Sunday 21 May 2017
Ballina RSL, River Street, Ballina NSW 2478
The 2017 ABA Annual General Meeting will be held at Ballina RSL.
Judging will also be conducted for the annual Colonel Pulling Inter-club Competition.
Pre-meeting Dinner
6.30pm, Saturday 20 May 2017
Ballina RSL Bistro, River Street, Ballina NSW 2478
As usual there will be an informal pre-meeting dinner the night before in the RSL's Boardwalk Bistro, for members, their families and friends.
Whilst we cannot book tables in the Bistro, members of the host club, Northern Rivers, will “reserve” tables at the eastern end of the Bistro. Wear your ABA Badge or Membership Card to help us identify each other!
This dinner provides a great opportunity to catch up with beekeepers from different parts of the state.
NSW Apiarists Association Field Day
9am - 4pm, Saturday 20 May 2017
Alstonville Showground, Alstonville
The North Coast Branch of the NSW Apiarists Association are hosting a Field Day at Alstonville Showground, the day before the ABA AGM.
The $5 admission charge includes a talk on Leptospermum species, with a supporting book being available for $28.
There will be numerous stallholders from the beekeeping industry. Stalls are still available - if you are interested, details can be found on the application form.
2016 Beekeepers Field Day
8.30am - 3.30pm, Sunday 9 October
Pittwater High School, Mona Vale
The 2016 ABA Beekeepers Field Day will be held on Sydney's Northern Beaches, and whether you are an experienced beekeeper or a complete novice, there's sure to be something to interest you.
As well as practical demonstrations of requeening and splitting hives, and building frames and boxes, we have three fantastic speakers covering a diverse range of subjects: the Flow hive, native bees, and biosecurity.
A fundraising sausage sizzle lunch will be offered by the students and staff of Pittwater High School.
Admission is free, and the public are welcome, so come along and meet the beekeepers!
Our Special Guest Speakers
Stuart Anderson
Co-inventor of the Flow Hive
Stuart Anderson is one half of the father-and-son team behind the Flow Hive, the invention which has captured the imagination of thousands of people worldwide. The Flow Hive has probably started more conversations about beekeeping than anyone thought possible since its launch just over 18 months ago.
Dr Megan Halcroft
Australian native bee expert
Dr Megan Halcroft is one of only a few PhD specialists on Australian native bees, and combines extensive experience in this field with a deep passion for the beauty and diversity of solitary native bees.
Hayley Pragert
NSW Bee Biosecurity Officer
As NSW Bee Biosecurity Officer, Hayley Pragert is part of a joint industry–government initiative to look after Australia's honey bees. Her responsibilities include raising awareness of honeybee pests and diseases, and demonstrating best practice beekeeping, as well as promoting the National Bee Biosecurity Code of Practice.