Victorian Apiarists' Association |
We can help youThe Victorian Apiarists' Association can help all beekeepers regardless of how many bee hives they own.Whether you are a hobbyist beekeeper with one hive in the backyard, a semi-commercial beekeeper wishing to take the next step towards becoming fully financially dependent on beekeeping, or a full time commercial beekeeper - we can help you. |
Recent News:120th Annual Conference June 2019. The VAA invites all Beekeepers to join us in Mildura for the 120th Annual Conference and AGM. This year’s venue is the Mildura Working Man’s Club, 100-110 Deakin Ave, Mildura, VIC, 3500. Starting Tuesday 4th at 7.30 for our welcoming evening followed by Conference and AGM Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th Concluding with the Annual Dinner and Auction on Thursday Evening. For early registration please click on the following link 2019 VAA Annual Conference Registration 
Victorian Adoption of the Australian Bee Biosecurity Code of Practice: Feedback due by Sunday 3rd MarchThe Victorian Government, through the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, is proposing some amendments to the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017 to make it compatible with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice. New regulations will come into effect on the 16th April 2019. Before this happens, “industry consultation” will occur. Individuals, groups and organisations are invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes. The closing date for this feedback was originally 5 pm on Sunday 3rd March 2019 but on 5th March it was extended to Sunday 17th March. For detailed information about the proposed changes and to submit feedback, go to engage.vic.gov.au/australian-bee-biosecurity-code-practice Autumn Hands-on Beekeeping CourseSunday 17th March 2019 (9am to 5pm). Conducted by VAA Melbourne Section at the Collingwood Children’s Farm apiary and the adjoining Abbotsford Convent. For contact details, further information, enrolment and payment click here.
The VAA Beekeepers’ AFL on-line footy tipping competition has been conducted by the VAA for the past six years. Its purpose is to encourage camaraderie amongst beekeepers, and over the years has proved a great tool for establishing casual conversations and non-beekeeping discussion amongst members. The competition has two parts, the Women’s competition which commences on Saturday 2nd February and the Men’s competition which commences on Thursday 21st March. Entry to both competitions is free. There are no monetary prizes, just the reward of bragging about how well you can tip. Previous years’ tipsters are automatically invited to join this year’s competitions. New tipsters need to join Footy Tips at www.footytips.com.au, then join the VAA competitions at www.footytips.com.au/comps/Beekeepers The password for the VAA competitions is apismellifera (all one word). Please direct any enquiries about the competitions to Barry Cooper at barrycooper7@bigpond.com
The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) and Plant Health Australia (PHA) now conduct an annual survey to find out how healthy Australian honey bees are, and what pests and diseases might be causing problems for beekeepers.The results from the surveys will be used to decide what help beekeepers might need to keep their bees healthy. It will also provide statistics for use by the industry.All Australian beekeepers were invited and encouraged to complete the 2018 survey by going to http://bit.ly/BeeHealthSurvey The survey closed on Monday 31st December 2018. It took about 10-12 minutes to complete and was done anonymously.Victoria concludes precautionary surveillance for varroa mite detection
Agriculture Victoria’s varroa mite surveillance has concluded six weeks after the bee parasite was detected in cargo at the Port of Melbourne that had been unloaded from a ship. The State Quarantine Response Team, comprising of members of the beekeeping community, worked alongside Agriculture Victoria’s Incident Management Team (IMT) to conduct bee hive surveillance following the detection. The team conducted four rounds of surveillance in every known hive within a two-kilometre radius of the Port of Melbourne detection. With no further detections of varroa mite, Agriculture Victoria has today stood down its IMT. Click here for a more detailed media release.
| Recently Added to Members only:2019 120th Annual Conference2019 USA Beekeeping Tour2018 proposed constitution
Template for pollination contract
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