Description
Great news. Our beekeeping workshops will be restarting soon. Keep an eye on our social media sites for more information.
Have you ever considered what it takes to become a beekeeper?
Are you or your family thinking about purchasing a Flow Hive and wondering if you can do a Flow Hive course?
The beekeeper for a day taster is a basic beekeeping course for people who have never handled live bees.
Tag along with an experienced beekeeper and ask anything you like before you take the plunge and buy expensive beekeeping tools and equipment.
The topics we cover are:
- Safety – personal protective equipment and bee stings.
- Legislation – what you need to do about complying with beekeeping bio-security requirements.
- Beekeeping tools and equipment – smokers, hive tools, beehive parts. Everything you will need and where to get it.
- Hands on experience – open a beehive and handle live bees. Find the queen and observe the life cycle of honeybees.
Cost $200.00 per person. Children must be 16 years and over and accompanied by an adult.
We require a 10% deposit prior to accepting your booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
Course times 9 am to 1 pm or noon to 4 pm.
Contact us about the beekeeper training – Taster.
Beekeeping Courses & Workshops for Beginners
FAQ
What makes our beekeeping courses and workshops different?
Mt. Coramba Apiculture’s beekeeping classes are hands-on and practical. As a participant, you have the full attention of our trainer. We run our courses with one to 5 participants.
Where are our workshops held?
Each session is run in the field at our apiaries and our property at Nana Glen. We don’t soak up hours of the day sitting in a classroom.
When are we running our next course?
Our beekeeping classes can be run at any time of the year and on any day that is mutually suitable to our trainer and yourself. Naturally, it is easier to run our classes in the warmer months as the days are longer and more conducive to beekeeping. A general rule of thumb would be from the start of August to the end of April.
Are the courses flexible regarding subject matter?
Yes most definitely. We can tailor your course (if you attend on an individual basis) to suit what you want to learn. For instance, if you have some experience and are comfortable with lighting a smoker and opening a hive, we can spend less time on those activities and more time on others such as splitting and merging beehives or managing small hive beetle.
What is included in our beekeeping courses?
Mt. Coramba Apiculture will supply personal protective equipment such as a beekeeping veil and gloves. Morning and afternoon tea are included (tea, coffee and a slice of fruitcake or a few biscuits). We will also supply cold water. You will need to bring your lunch. We can keep your food cold in our car fridge.
How much do your beekeeping courses and workshops cost?
Our one-day workshops are $200.00 per person.
Our half day workshops are $100.00 per person.
We require a 10% deposit prior to accepting your booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
We regret having to ask for a deposit however we are consistently let down by people who change their mind, cancel at short notice or simply don’t turn up.
Can I bring my children?
Yes, no problems at all. They must be at least 16 years of age & pay the full adult price.
Can I bring a friend or relative along?
Yes, observers are welcome provided they pay the full price of $100 for the half-day taster or $200 for the full day beginners workshop.
What do participants need to bring?
Participants at our beekeeping courses and workshops will need to wear covered footwear & long pants. A hat and sunscreen are essential as we will be outdoors most of the time. Bring your lunch if you are doing a one day workshop. Please don’t use too much deodorant or strong perfume before you attend as it gives the bees the gripes!
What fitness level do I need?
Beekeeping requires a moderate level of fitness. While our trainer is happy to assist with lifting bee boxes you should be able to lift 35 to 40-kilo honey supers. Inspecting hives involves lots of bending over and you will be on your feet and in the sun for most of the day. We often work on uneven ground and you should be able to get into and out of a 4wd vehicle. Think hard about committing to a one day workshop if you have mobility issues or a bad back.
Are our courses suitable for a person with a Flow hive?
Yes. We have a functioning Flow hive in our apiary and we are happy to structure our beekeeping classes with an emphasis on Flow hive management.
What qualifications does our trainer have?
The owner of Mt. Coramba Apiculture, Glenn Locke started beekeeping in the early 1980’s as a 14-year-old. This lead to a lifelong interest in bees and apiculture. After a career in the food industry, Glenn took up beekeeping again in 2009. Glenn has formal qualifications in pests and diseases of honey bees and queen bee breeding. Glenn also has a certificate IV in training and assessment. He also volunteers in the NSW Rural Fire Service and regularly assists with training and assessment of other volunteers in the Mid North Coast district. Glenn is a qualified first aider.
Is there any accommodation nearby?
If you are travelling to Nana Glen from a more distant location you may choose to stay in the Coffs Harbour area the night before the workshop. The Coffs and Mid North Coast area is a popular tourist area so there is no shortage of accommodation. We are close to Woolgoolga and there are numerous resorts and camping areas between there and Coffs Harbour.
If you have a caravan, camper or tent you may choose to stay at the Nana Glen Sport, Recreation & Equestrian Centre. This very popular facility is a couple of kilometres down the road from us. They have powered sites and hot showers. Cost is $15.00 per night.
Matilda’s Bedsit/Studio is located on the Orara Way between Nana Glen & Coramba. Our hives are on their property.
Is Mt. Coramba Apiculture a registered training organisation?
No. Mt. Coramba Apiculture is NOT a registered training organisation and we do NOT offer the Certificate III in Beekeeping.
Is Mt. Coramba Apiculture insured?
Yes. We are always insured for public liability and products liability to a total of $20 000 000.
