Winmalee Apiary

14/09/2026

If you like real honey, or want bees to pollinate your garden please support this petition.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19YzRZJ47n/

🐝 I’M CURIOUS… WHY?

With 50,000+ registered recreational beekeepers and around 1,300 commercial beekeepers across Australia — and tens of thousands of us connected through beekeeping groups online — you’d think getting 10,000 signatures to simply ask Parliament to talk about the future of Australian beekeeping would be… well… super doopy easy.

Edit
Well I stand corrected, super dooper easy when everyone gets involved. In just over 24hrs over 7,000 signatures have been added - that's incredible and very unexpected - Amazing and Thankyou from all beekeepers. Really hoping to see some action now and not just all talk as usual.

Thanks again for your support keep sharing and maybe in the next 24hrs we can break a record to 50,000 Aussies that care about our bees and farming future.🤞🤞🤞

3,300 signatures. Now 10,700 as I re-write this
1 day left.

So I genuinely want to ask:

If you didn’t sign… WHY?

I’m not angry.
I’m not judging.
I’m genuinely trying to understand.

Because if you think this petition doesn’t affect you, maybe these points will make you think again.

💰 THE COST

Treatments that seemingly cost recreational beekeeper a few dollars can quickly become expensive.

For example, OA strips can cost around **$127.50 + postage for 60 strips and have to be used within 24hrs of opening. **

Yet you could make around 150 strips for roughly the same cost, with the potential for them to last up to 12 months.

Formic treatment? Around $38 + postage for two treatments — compared with roughly $2 to make two treatments yourself.

These aren’t exotic ingredients. They’re products available here in Australia.

So why are beekeepers paying so much?

Why didn’t you sign?

⚠️ THE RULES

Did you know there are restrictions around how some registered treatments can be used?

OA strips are currently registered for one application per year, while OA va**ng is permitted on two occasions under the relevant permits.

And we are hearing that the enforcement side of DPI is preparing to increase warnings and fines for off-label use.

We already know of a beekeeper who has received a warning letter.

If you use treatments differently from the label — and then openly discuss it online — could you be putting yourself in the firing line?

Why didn’t you sign?

🐝 AND THEN THERE’S RESISTANCE

Resistant mites are here.

And our treatment toolbox is already limited.

For many beekeepers, there are only a handful of permitted treatment options remaining — with restrictions and limited coverage — and no clear long-term roadmap for what happens when those options stop working.

What happens then?

Why didn’t you sign?

This petition was never about one beekeeper.

It wasn’t about commercial versus recreational.

It wasn’t about Brisbane versus the rest of Australia.

It was about asking for our industry to be heard.

Because once the bees are gone…

Once the treatments stop working…

Once the costs become impossible…

Once beekeepers walk away…

you can’t simply flick a switch and rebuild the industry overnight.

So, if you didn’t sign — that’s okay.

But I’d honestly love to know why.

And to the 3,300 people who did sign, thank you.

And especially Jeff Wecker — thank you for making the effort to get this heard.

I just wish we’d been able to get it further.

🐝 Two days left.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence…

This is your chance.

Please sign.
Please share.
Please make your voice count.

Because the question isn’t just “What happens to beekeepers?”

It’s…

“What happens to Australia without them?” 🐝🇦🇺

https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN10425

10/07/2026

If you keep bees there is now in the US and Canada an mRNA treatment against Varroa. Basically stops them from breeding.

A video report about the actual Field Results of Norroa Mrna treatment for Varroa destructor management.

Thursday 16th July, 9am Sydney Time.

Join us for a livestream featuring three 15-minute presentations fr...

22/06/2026

On this day 4 years ago, the announcement was made that Varroa had been discovered in the sentinal hives at Newcastle. What a 4 years it has been. The situation still has not stabilised, though continuing to spread.

Many hives, including some of ours, have been lost as a result of this pest.

We will continue to endeavour to provide you with local, pure honey as best that we can.

05/05/2026

It is back!! Now that the weather has cooled we have created another batch of our delicious Soft Set Honey. Ideal for spreading on Crumpets, toast, croissants or anything similar, this smooth, buttery textured honey is ideal. It does not drip or run off the knife but holds its consistency. Still only $12 per jar.

30/04/2026

A sweet treat for Mothers Day.

30/04/2026

Would you like to give your Mum the SWEETEST gift of all. A special package of some of the products of our hard working bees.

Raw honey which is drained from the comb cappings we remove prior to extracting. This honey is special as it still contains the lighter fragrances that are lost in the extraction processseal. A unique flavour.

Our soft set honey. This firm, buttery sweet treat is wonderful for spreading on winter treats like crumpets, muffins and croissants. It wont drip off the knife and has a fabulous taste.

A Body Lotion Bar. This bar is made from our own pure, natural beeswax and other natural waxes. Perfect for rubbing on dry skin to seal the skin and allow the body to remoisturise those areas naturally. Honey scented.

All these items are provided in a gift bag for your convenience.

We only have a very limited quantity of this special Mothers Day gift so PM us early to ensure you have one for your Mum.

Only $30 each.