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. 

In 2025 the club facilitated two very successful Mead making workshops. Here is your chance to be involved in 2026! If you missed out or you'd like to make another batch, let us know by emailing us at hello@yarravalleybeegroup.tidy.com The workshops will be begin in the month of June. Details of last years workshop are below and prices will be confirmed once we know its going ahead. This year members can use their own honey so prices will differ. Cost TBC - $145 Cost includes: - Initial workshop, and 2 follow up sessions TBA. [Timing of later sessions for decanting and bottling depends on fermentation progress, but will be on Sundays @ 2pm] - 2 x 5 litre glass demijohns, with swing clip, silicone bung and airlock - all required yeast, fruit, spices, yeast nutrients, Ph adjustment, etc.  - 12 x 375 ml clear glass bottles with stelvin closures. [Ideal for entering one into the Lilydale Show in November!] - Printed notes and recipe for "Joe's Ancient Orange Mead", so you can make your following batches at your leisure. *This is a members only event Enquiries - Greg Huggins hello@yarravalleybeegroup.tidy.com           

1.30 for a 2pm start 2pm - Whats happening in my hive?  Topics to be confirmed. 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.