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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 
APIARISTS' SOCIETY


TRAINING


Training is an important element of WAAS's mission. All members are encouraged to complete our Introduction to Responsible Beekeeping course which is run in Spring and Summer.

Courses are run in Perth and include both a class-based component and a hands-on component, using our training apiary in South Perth. 

Training also takes place in our regional Chapter groups. The Margaret River Chapter has a training apiary in the grounds of the Margaret River Senior High School and runs regular hive inspections for members.

For information on upcoming training sessions please check our Events page, or contact us on info@waas.org.au. Spring Training will commence in September and course dates will also be advertised in our newsletter, Smoke Signals, and promoted at WAAS monthly meetings.

Please note that, with the exception of our Guardians of the Hive course, you must be financial members of WAAS to attend our training courses - click here to join us!

WAAS Training Courses


Upcoming training dates are listed in the calendar below:


Upcoming events

    • 06 Apr 2024
    • 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM
    • 3 Baron Hay Court, Kensington
    • 1
    Register

    Guardians of the Hive
    Ensuring Bee Health
    Proudly funded by beekeepers through the APC Beekeeper Producers’ Committee. 

    Saturday 6th April 2024 (AM)

    This is a new course for all beekeepers especially new beekeepers.

    The aim of the course is to assist the beekeeper gain a solid understanding of the current Biosecurity requirements and be confident in carrying out relevant tests to ensure the health of their hives.

    Prior to attending the course ALL participants must have completed the following online training:
    • Varroa mite online training – Tocal College, NSW
    • Biosecurity online training for beekeepers – Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Plant Health Australia

    Links to training will be sent on enrolment.  You will need to provide proof of completion (certificate) on the training day.

    This half day course will cover:

    Code of Practice for Beekeeping Biosecurity

     Bee Pests and Diseases

    Endemic Pests & Diseases

    Restricted  &  Exotic Pests

     Surveillance and Monitoring

    Hive Management Practices

    The Barrier System

    Reporting

    Practical Session in the Apiary will cover:

    Hive hygiene inspection

    Testing for AFB

    Testing for Varroa mite 

    Cost: $25 for members
    $50 non-members

    This course is subsidised by the Agricultural Products Commission (APC)

    Includes: Morning Tea and Presentation Notes.

    Please bring a clean (new or freshly laundered) suit. We do have suits to hire if you don't have a suit. See information below.

    This training is also available to non-members. 

    Enrol here: Biosecurity 8/2024


    More information training@waas.org.au 


    • 06 Apr 2024
    • 12:45 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3 Baron Hay Court, Kensington
    • 14
    Register

    Guardians of the Hive
    Ensuring Bee Health
    Proudly funded by beekeepers through the APC Beekeeper Producers’ Committee. 

    Saturday 6th April 2024 (PM)

    This is a new course for all beekeepers especially new beekeepers.

    The aim of the course is to assist the beekeeper gain a solid understanding of the current Biosecurity requirements and be confident in carrying out relevant tests to ensure the health of their hives.

    Prior to attending the course ALL participants must have completed the following online training:
    • Varroa mite online training – Tocal College, NSW
    • Biosecurity online training for beekeepers – Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Plant Health Australia

    Links to training will be sent on enrolment.  You will need to provide proof of completion (certificate) on the training day.

    This half day course will cover:

    Code of Practice for Beekeeping Biosecurity

     Bee Pests and Diseases

    Endemic Pests & Diseases

    Restricted  &  Exotic Pests

     Surveillance and Monitoring

    Hive Management Practices

    The Barrier System

    Reporting

    Practical Session in the Apiary will cover:

    Hive hygiene inspection

    Testing for AFB

    Testing for Varroa mite 

    Cost: $25 for members
    $50 non-members

    This course is subsidised by the Agricultural Products Commission (APC)

    Includes: Morning Tea and Presentation Notes.

    Please bring a clean (new or freshly laundered) suit. We do have suits to hire if you don't have a suit. See information below.

    This training is also available to non-members. 

    Enrol here: Biosecurity 9/2024


    More information training@waas.org.au 


    • 13 Apr 2024
    • 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • ECU Campus
    • 6
    Register

    Guardians of the Hive
    Ensuring Bee Health
    Proudly funded by beekeepers through the APC Beekeeper Producers’ Committee. 

    Bunbury-Saturday 13th April 2024

    This is a new course for all beekeepers especially new beekeepers.

    The aim of the course is to assist the beekeeper gain a solid understanding of the current Biosecurity requirements and be confident in carrying out relevant tests to ensure the health of their hives.

    Prior to attending the course ALL participants must have completed the following online training:
    • Varroa mite online training – Tocal College, NSW
    • Biosecurity online training for beekeepers – Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Plant Health Australia

    Links to training will be sent on enrolment.  You will need to provide proof of completion (certificate) on the training day.

    This half day course will cover:

    Code of Practice for Beekeeping Biosecurity

     Bee Pests and Diseases

    Endemic Pests & Diseases

    Restricted  &  Exotic Pests

     Surveillance and Monitoring

    Hive Management Practices

    The Barrier System

    Reporting

    Practical Session in the Apiary will cover:

    Hive hygiene inspection

    Testing for AFB

    Testing for Varroa mite 

    Cost: $25 members
    $50 Non-Members
    This course is subsidised by the Agricultural Products Commission (APC)

    Includes: Morning Tea and Presentation Notes.

    Please bring clean (new or freshly laundered) suit. We do have suit available for hire, please see information below.

    This training is also available to non-members. 

    Enrol here: Biosecurity Bunbury2/2024

    More information training@waas.org.au 


    • 13 Apr 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • beeyard Crawley WA
    • 2
    Register
    Queen Rearing

    with Tiffane Bates

    Saturday, 13 April

    10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Please complete the Expression of Interest form

    Expression of Interest Form


    Registration by invitation - once an EOI has been submitted

    You are one of a small group of WAAS members lucky to be able to attend Tiffane Bates' Workshop exclusively designed for more advanced WAAS beekeepers.

    Tiffane is the Apiary Manager at UWA and has many years of hands-on experience to share with you.

    This is a one-day course from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the cost is $189 per person.

    Lunch, afternoon tea and refreshments are included.

    The day will focus on the art of queen rearing and touch very lightly on the bigger picture that is queen breeding. 

    Most of the day will be practical allowing you to practice one or two methods of queen rearing for small numbers of queens. 

    We will cover and practice the tricks to successful cell production/grafting, including:

    • preparing a source colony or ‘breeder’,

    • setting up a host colony (focusing in particular on colony balance and nutrition),

    • transferring larvae into the cell cups,

    • checking cells,

    • handling cells and of course making splits.


      • 21 Apr 2024
      • 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM
      • 3 Baron Hay Court, Kensington
      • 14
      Register

      Guardians of the Hive
      Ensuring Bee Health
      Proudly funded by beekeepers through the APC Beekeeper Producers’ Committee. 

      Sunday 21st April 2024 (AM)

      This is a new course for all beekeepers especially new beekeepers.

      The aim of the course is to assist the beekeeper gain a solid understanding of the current Biosecurity requirements and be confident in carrying out relevant tests to ensure the health of their hives.

      Prior to attending the course ALL participants must have completed the following online training:
      • Varroa mite online training – Tocal College, NSW
      • Biosecurity online training for beekeepers – Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Plant Health Australia

      Links to training will be sent on enrolment.  You will need to provide proof of completion (certificate) on the training day.

      This half day course will cover:

      Code of Practice for Beekeeping Biosecurity

       Bee Pests and Diseases

      Endemic Pests & Diseases

      Restricted  &  Exotic Pests

       Surveillance and Monitoring

      Hive Management Practices

      The Barrier System

      Reporting

      Practical Session in the Apiary will cover:

      Hive hygiene inspection

      Testing for AFB

      Testing for Varroa mite 

      Cost: $25 for members
      $50 non-members

      This course is subsidised by the Agricultural Products Commission (APC)

      Includes: Morning Tea and Presentation Notes.

      Please bring a clean (new or freshly laundered) suit. We do have suits to hire if you don't have a suit. See information below.

      This training is also available to non-members. 

      Enrol here: Biosecurity 10/2024


      More information training@waas.org.au 


      • 27 Apr 2024
      • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      • beeyard Crawley
      • 3
      Register
      Queen Rearing

      with Tiffane Bates

      Saturday, 27 April

      10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

      Please complete the Expression of Interest Form

      Expression of Interest Form

      Registration by invitation - once an EOI has been submitted

      You are one of a small group of WAAS members lucky to be able to attend Tiffane Bates' Workshop exclusively designed for more advanced WAAS beekeepers.

      Tiffane is the Apiary Manager at UWA and has many years of hands-on experience to share with you.

      This is a one-day course from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the cost is $189 per person.

      Lunch, afternoon tea and refreshments are included.

      The day will focus on the art of queen rearing and touch very lightly on the bigger picture that is queen breeding. 

      Most of the day will be practical allowing you to practice one or two methods of queen rearing for small numbers of queens. 

      We will cover and practice the tricks to successful cell production/grafting, including:

      • preparing a source colony or ‘breeder’,

      • setting up a host colony (focusing in particular on colony balance and nutrition),

      • transferring larvae into the cell cups,

      • checking cells,

      • handling cells and of course making splits.


        • 28 Apr 2024
        • 7:50 AM - 3:00 PM
        • DPIRD Board Room, 3 Baron-Hay Court, Kensington
        • 0
        Join waitlist
        Learn all the 

        Basics of Responsible Beekeeping 

        Sunday 28th April 2024

        7:50 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

        Cost is $169 per head

        Note: you need to be a current member to access this course -

        you can join online now and then register for the course.

        Topics covered during the course include... 

        OHS
        Biosecurity and bee diseases
        Beekeeping equipment
        Assembling and maintaining hives
        Buying bees and bee equipment
        Selecting hive site
        Opening and inspection of hives
        Seasonal management of hives
        You’ll also do some hands-on inspecting of a hive and learn how best to light your smoker.


        What you need to bring:

        Boots and clean or new bee suits for the practical part of the course.*
        If you have a smoker, bring that along too and learn how to light it properly (mark with your name please)

        Light lunch and refreshments will be provided

        You will receive a Beekeeping handbook, course notes, additional useful information and a WAAS Certificate of Completion

        Spaces are limited!

        Please be aware that due to the "hands on" nature of this course, that
        it is dependant on suitable weather on the the day and may be subject to change.

        Register Here: Introduction to Responsible Beekeeping  4/2024

        using your Visa or MasterCard, by EFT/cheque/cash before the Course.

        Registrations will be processed strictly in order of payment

        * If you don't yet have  protective gear, please let us know and we can provide some for you on the day at a  hire fee of $10.00 cash payable on the day. 

        If you have any questions, contact us at  training@waas.org.au

        Contact

        Have any questions? Need more information? Have something to send us? Please visit our Contacts page. We are volunteer organisation so it is best to contact us by email. We will reply as soon as we can.

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        Join other hobby beekeepers across Western Australia and beyond - benefit from education, insurance, support and fellowship opportunities. 

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