May 2025

Looking out for each other over winter

Across much of the country the temperature has well and truly plunged ahead of the official start of winter. 

But as the weather cools down, so too can connections. 

However, a quick check-in can go a long way. 

Below are a few simple ways you can help support a fellow beekeeper: 
 

• Reach out – A quick message or phone call can help lift someone’s spirits

• Offer a hand – Whether it’s a hive check or just sharing some gear, a small offer of help can go a long way

• Share the knowledge – Pass on workshop notes, helpful articles, or updates from the National Varroa Mite Management Program

• Be a listening ear – Sometimes just being there for a chat cam make all the difference

• Keep people connected – Point others toward local beekeeping groups or events they might enjoy

Remember, while alone we may be strong, together we are stronger; and sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest impact. 

Taking time out to reflect

Winter is a great time for beekeepers to pause and reflect. 

We all know that beekeeping can be immensely rewarding but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. 

Things to consider may include: 
 

• What went well this year in your beekeeping practice?

• What challenges did you face, and how did you manage them?

• What did you learn about your bees, your environment and yourself?

• How are you feeling, and what support might you need?

Reflection isn’t just about looking back; it’s about looking after yourself so you can move forward with clarity and care.  

Take a moment and if needed, have a chat with someone who understands. 

To get in contact with Jamie, the National Varroa Mite Management Program’s Resilience Officer, visit varroa.org.au/resilience, phone 0477 544 379 or email jamie.perry-meijer@dpi.nsw.gov.au.   

Remember, your wellbeing matters just as much as the health of your bees. 

For more health tips, visit our Wellbeing page. 

The inspiration of beekeeping

Long-term apiarists will tell you there’s something profoundly inspiring and peaceful about the practice of beekeeping.  

It’s more than just a hobby or agricultural skill; it’s a daily relationship with one of nature’s most intricate and essential communities.  

Each time you open a hive, you’re witnessing a living system built on cooperation, rhythm and purpose.  

Bees teach us patience as we wait for seasons to shift, awareness as we read subtle changes in behaviour, and humility as we realise how much we can still learn from them. 

For many beekeepers, the connection runs deep.  

It’s in the quiet observation of foragers returning with pollen, the gentle buzz that fills the air on warm afternoons and the rewarding moment when you spot a healthy queen or a freshly drawn comb. 

Beekeeping keeps us grounded and reminds us to slow down, to work with nature rather than against it, and to find beauty in small, steady progress. 

And perhaps most of all, it reminds us that even the smallest creatures, working together, can shape ecosystems, support biodiversity and feed the world.  

That kind of quiet inspiration stays with you, season after season. 

Thank you - Ballina beekeepers!

A huge thank you to everyone who popped by to have a chat at last week’s first Advanced Varroa Mite Management Workshop in Ballina. 

Staff from the National Varroa Mite Management Program, including Jamie from the Resilience team, were on hand with tips and strategies to improve business decision-making plans to help combat the mite. 

Feedback has been resoundingly supportive. 

The team is now heading south to Hobart to deliver the next Advanced Varroa Mite Management Workshop on Thursday 29 May. 

Further workshops are also planned for Beechworth (VIC), Gold Coast (QLD), Port Macquarie (NSW), Midland (WA) and Murray Bridge (SA) in the weeks ahead. 

All Advanced Varroa Mite Management Workshops have been specifically designed for commercial operators.  

For more information, including venue and registration details for all free upcoming 2025 workshops delivered by the National Varroa Mite Management Program, including advanced and standard workshops, visit varroa.org.au/training. 

[From l to r] NVMMP team members Josh D'Ambrosio, Emma Gosper & Jamie Perry-Meijer at the Ballina Workshop

Do you know of a fellow beekeeper who may be doing it tough but isn’t on our email listing? Encourage them to sign up at National Varroa Mite Management Program e-news or phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 to receive the latest in Varroa Resilience developments. 

For more information from the National Varroa Mite Management Program visit varroa.org.au.   

Is there a conversation you've been putting off? While time can change a lot, sometimes just a few minutes of honest talk can make a huge difference.

Let's have that conversation. 

Visit www.varroa.org.au/resilience