Events

1.30 for a 2pm start 2pm - Whats happening in my hive?  Followed by our Speaker - Bernhard Dichtl VarroaMate - Smart Varroa management for Australian beekeepers The arrival of Varroa in Victoria is fundamentally changing the way we are keeping bees. Beekeepers need to learn heaps about mites (and bees), how the two interact throughout the season and how treatments work. All of this can be quite overwhelming. To support beekeepers on this perilous journey, Yarra Valley Bee Group members Nena and Bernhard set out to design a WORLD FIRST digital tool: VarroaMate. VarroaMate works in any web-browser on desktop, tablet and phone and it supports you when you are dealing with the following questions: How do I record alcohol wash counts and what do those mean? What treatments are available? How do I know that my treatment works as it should? When do I treat and which treatment works best and in which season? How will my treatment impact bees and mites and the hive? How often do I treat to get my bees through the year? How can I establish a treatment plan for the season? – or, in case you already have a plan – how effective is my plan and can I improve it? VarroaMate enables you to give your hives the best chance to thrive. At the meeting the numerous functions of VarroaMate will be demonstrated. In case that you would like to have a look beforehand go to varroamate.com and set up an account. Basic functionality for up to 3 hives is absolutely free! ---------------- 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. 

1.30 for a 2pm start 2pm - Speaker - The Basin Backyard Followed by Whats happening in my Hive? - Bring your questions about preparing for Winter packdown. Speaker - The Basin Backyard is a small family business founded by Mike and his wife. They have been beekeepers since 2011 and have loads of hands on experience with over 150 beehives various locations throughout The Dandenongs, Eltham and Gippsland. At their shop in Knoxfiled they are authorised flow resellers as well as the HiveIQ and the Micro honey harvester. On Sunday, as part of his presentation, Mike will bring a HiveIQ and talk about the benefits of these hives, as well as demonstrate the Micro Honey Harvester. 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. 

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.