February 2026
On behalf of the Victorian Apiarists‘ Association, I acknowledge the Victorians impacted by recent bush-fires. Bushfires are an ongoing stress each summer and part of our beekeeping climate more than ever these days. To our fellow beekeepers, if you have been im-pacted by fires this summer, please reach out to us for assistance.
In my region near Bendigo, the Harcourt fire has hit close to home. Harcourt is more than bushland; it‘s orchards, local businesses, families, and a core part of our horticultural landscape. It is also where the Bendi-go Branch hosts its annual beekeepers field day, which thankfully managed to escape the fires unscathed and is now the central community hub for the 2026 bushfire recovery.
However, projects have been lost. Partnerships dis-rupted. Landscapes changed. Food security is a chain and when one link is stressed, we all feel it. Beekeepers understand resilience. We rebuild, adapt, and keep showing up for our bees, our fellow beekeepers, our communities, and the future of pollination and food production.
VAA Annual Conference and AGM 2026
We are stepping up.
The 2026 Conference will be held at the Novotel Mel-bourne Airport. It‘s a larger centrally located venue for an anticipated high-interest event.
Varroa has shifted the landscape, and demand for knowledge is rising. We‘re responding with scale, ac-cess, and serious expertise.
Why this venue?
- Capacity for our growing industry.
- Modern conference facilities.
- Easy central access for regional and metro bee-keepers.
- Walkable from Terminal 4.
- Strong public transport links.
- Plenty of parking.
Despite higher city venue costs, registration fees will remain unchanged.
Our Conference Keynote Speakers Announced!
Peter Neumann
President of COLOSS and global authority on bee health, parasite ecology, and colony loss. His work connects cutting-edge science with real-world biosecu-rity and pest management strategy.
Stephen Martin
A leading researcher in honeybee and Varroa interac-tions, Martin‘s work underpins global understanding of Varroa resistance and selective breeding for mite toler-ance. Critical science for sustainable mite management.
Cooper Schouten
An Australian bee health research leader specialising in invasive mite threats including Tropilaelaps, working at the interface of science, preparedness, and industry resilience.
Beechworth set records in 2025. Melbourne sets the direction for what comes next.
Industry Action Plan, Agricultural Chemicals
The VAA is actively working with Agriculture Victo-ria on developing an Industry Action Plan for chemi-cal use in beekeeping. This is a major piece of work, led by fellow VAA board member Matt Petersen, fo-cused on good agricultural practice, residue manage-ment, and long-term sustainability.
The key issue is balance. Current treatment settings allow broad, repeated use of high-residue synthetic products like pyrethroids, which drive Varroa resistance and leave long-lasting wax contamination. At the same time, lower-risk organic treatments like oxalic acid, thy-mol and formic acid all face heavy permit restrictions that limit efficacy and flexibility.
This imbalance can:
- accelerate Varroa resistance
- reduce colony health and fertility
- undermine consumer confidence
- reduce long-term industry sustainability.
The VAA is advocating for:
- greater flexibility and appropriate label settings for organic miticides
- advanced beekeeper education and chemical han-dling pathways
- stronger record-keeping and disposal practices
The goal is clear: effective Varroa control, zero resi-dues target, high consumer confidence, and long-term market protection.
VAA Elections 2026–27
This is your industry. Now it‘s your turn.
The VAA board has seen major renewal, brought fresh energy, but we need more members to step for-ward.
We‘re seeing highly capable beekeepers emerging, including a strong generation in their 40‘s and under, bringing business skill, science and modern thinking into the sector.
If you care about:
- biosecurity
- industry representation
- education
- commercial viability
- the future of bees in Victoria.
Please consider nominating this year.
Our Victorian Apiarists Association Returning Officer independently manages the election process and will call for nominations by 5 April ahead of the 5 June AGM. Details and timelines will be shared in upcoming VAA bulletins.
For election questions, contact the Returning Officer at returning_officer@vicbeekeepers.com.au.
Please keep an eye on VAA emails and make sure your membership profile email is up to date. If you need help, contact the VAA Secretary at vaa@vicbeekeepers.com.au.
Commercial Varroa & Biosecurity Workshop –Swanpool
Where: Swanpool. Date: Monday 9 March.
Time: 9am–5pm. Catering: Fully catered for and free, you just need to get online and register.
An advanced-level workshop for commercial beekeepers as Varroa becomes business-as-usual. Experts will deliver practical operational knowledge for commercial businesses adapting to the new normal. Hosted in the historic Swanpool Cinema in partnership with the local community, NEAA and finishing with a NEAA hosted BBQ.
Funded through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action livestock biosecurity education grant.
Varroa Specialists Workshop – May 2
Another Varroa Specialists Workshop is coming in May, building on the October program. More details soon as we continue strengthening industry capability.
Apiary Business Resilience Program – Phase 2
Working with Agriculture Victoria, Phase 2 will deliver:
- larger group sessions
- peer learning and networking
- practical resilience tools
- flexible pathways for those wanting to build on Phase 1.
Because the only certainty ahead is change and adaptability is now essential business practice.
Final Word
Bushfires. Varroa. Market pressure. Regulation. The challenges are real, but so is the capability in this industry.
We‘re seeing smart, capable beekeepers stepping up, stronger collaboration and a new generation ready to lead.
Beekeepers first!
Kind regards
Lindsay Callaway
President
Victorian Apiarists’ Association Inc