Annual President Report From Penny Downy, Branch President

Another Year Bites the Dust
I would like to thank the committee and club volunteers for their support and encouragement, as I took on this roll of president with little experience and much trepidation. It has been challenging and rewarding and I’ve slowly gained confidence in the position. With still a lot to learn I look forward to the AGM and with my hand on my heart I hope I have been worthy.

The club has held 5 Beekeeping for Beginners courses with 86 participants the overall success of these courses is due to the wonderful volunteers that give their time and experience to help new members gain the hands on practical experience of handling bees and the theory and confidence to go home and start their own beehive.

During the October school holidays we held 6 children’s Pollinator courses. With close to 90 children attending and 15 club volunteers the children were able to learn about the important job Pollinators do in our ecosystem, some wonderful craft and of course the visit to the apiary to investigate inside a working beehive.

The Queen Rearing Course for advanced Beekeepers was held by Bruce White with 15 members and visitors from other clubs, very interesting and worthwhile, thank you Bruce.

Thank you to all the volunteers that have help with these courses, it would not be possible without you all, I know from my own experience it is always rewarding to help others and share your experiences.

The annual Open Day in May 2018 was bigger and better than previous years attended by close to 1,000 members of the public and around 35 club volunteers it was a huge success. With a raffle, BBQ, kids corner, informative talks, a honey extraction demonstration, honey stalls, club wax product stall, native bee demonstration and cake stall. Please look out for the volunteer notice going up soon.

The swarm collectors have had another busy year, I think I collected around 20 and I know a few others that did the same, thank you to everyone that had their name on the swarm collection website this does make the job a lot easier for the public to source a Beekeeper in their area.

The Apiary is going fairly well considering all the courses we run, it does upset the bees at times. We have had a honey from the apiary this year to sell although last year we did have to purchase some honey to sell in the club shop.
Our Christmas Party last year was an informal BBQ, refreshments and dessert, attended by approximately 100 members, always a lovely way to wrap up the year.

We have a few things to look forward to over the next couple of months with the Orange Road trip next weekend, the Easter Show Honeyland stall and the Open Day in May again.

Once again thank you to all looking forward to another year of Beekeeping.
Regards Penny
President