May 2026
Welcome to the April Bendigo Branch Report. This is being written as the weather cools down to single digits at night and the trees are well into Autumn shutdown, with a splash of colour. Brood size is shrinking in the hives and most of the drones are gone.
The last month has seen some changes in the Bendigo Branch with our annual committee elections taking place and Bendigo Branch taking on four donated hives from one of our members for the club to use as a training source. The hives have been located on the Bendigo Branch bee site at Golden Gully.
A working-bee to rehome and inspect the hives was conducted by the new Executive Committee. This proved to be very good training activity but also allowed the committee an opportunity to work together and get to know each other in preparation for a busy year to come.
The new committee has a diverse range of skills both in apiary activities and also in their professional sphere which can be leveraged for the Branch. Committee positions and new incumbents are:
- Vice chairman / Lead Varroa Specialist – Jamie Trimby;
- Chairman / VAA Rep – Stafford Kelly;
- Secretary – Peta Dawe;
- Assistant Secretary – Angelique Perry;
- Treasurer – Michael St Clair;
- Assistant Treasurer / Librarian – Ben Flood;
- Master Beekeeper / Education – Zac Long;
- Club Bee Manager – Doug Barrett;
- Events – Kris Barker;
- Media / Communication – Jessica Ruebin;
- Resources VAA Rep – Jacob Nixon.
Congratulations to all new incumbents and I am sure this will prove to be a dynamic committee.
Apart from the changeover of the committee, this previous month has been a busy one with our annual pack down activity conducted at Margie‟s in Huntly. The ability to have open hives, live extraction and running commentary by the instructors made for a very interesting and enlightening day. Well done Jamie for coordination.
The Branch has had some interesting presentations during April notably by Sandy from the Native Plant Group. Her presentation was both well presented and accompanied by numerous photos and other media. She held the attention of all the audience throughout and fielded many questions both during and after the presentation. Thanks Sandy and well done.
One of our members, Jo Griffiths, will be presenting at Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten in White Hills later in May. She will provide feedback next month how her presentation to the young children went. Our June information meeting will have Ag Vic proving us with an update and in July we will have our Make and Mend. This weekend proved one of the most popular on the calendar last year, giving the attendees the opportunity to construct their own bee equipment from boxes to frames to pollen patties and more. Tools (air guns, table saw and multiple hand and power tools) allowed attendees to construct flat packs and other equipment at considerable discount and learn from more advanced instructors.
The biggest activity on our calendar is the Bendigo Field Day on the 11 October 2026. The field day is conducted at the Harcourt Recreational Reserve. The recent fires that decimated that area also impinged on the area where the field day is conducted. The intent, if feasible and practical, is to conduct the field day in this location to show support for the community and encourage trade to help the Harcourt community to recover. Please save the date to support the Harcourt community.
In closing it is nearly time to put the bees to bed for winter and concentrate on “make and mend” activities. I hope that in reflection the “year that was” finishes with a good honey crop and bees in a good condition for over wintering before we start a new season.
Stafford Kelly