Talks · workshops · education
Out in the community
Saving bees is only half the work — the other half is helping people understand them. From early-learning centres and schools to garden clubs and a full house of fellow beekeepers, we love sharing the story of bees across South East Melbourne. Looking to book a visit? See our school incursions in Melbourne.
We love sharing what we’ve learned — with children, gardeners, community groups and beekeepers alike. Here’s some of where we’ve been invited to give bee talks across Melbourne’s south-east.
Presenting the Varroa Wash Project at The Beekeepers Club
2026
Back at The Beekeepers Club to a full house — this time to present our varroa mite wash project, the digital surveillance tool we built to help beekeepers track mite levels and act at the right threshold. Talking it through with a room full of fellow beekeepers, all facing the same varroa challenge, was exactly the audience it was made for. Their questions and feedback were invaluable.
World Bee Day at CSIRO Clayton
2026
Back in the main auditorium at CSIRO’s Clayton site to mark World Bee Day — sharing our stories, project updates and lessons learned, and talking honestly about the difficulties bees are facing. This year the focus turned to our new varroa mite wash project and the growing pressure of mites on hives. And, as always, we brought plenty to share over a cuppa: our honey and honeycomb, and an array of homemade honey cakes — with nuts, with almonds, a variety for everyone. Bringing all this to the staff and community at one of the country’s leading science organisations, year after year, has been a real privilege.
World Bee Day at Bunnings Hawthorn
2026
Invited to Bunnings Hawthorn to help mark World Bee Day — a lovely day meeting the local community and talking bees, pollination and why they matter. With thanks to the Bunnings Hawthorn team for having us.
World Bee Day at CSIRO Clayton
2025
A return to the main auditorium at CSIRO Clayton for World Bee Day — sharing our stories, project updates and lessons learned, and the challenges bees are facing, with the staff and community at Australia’s national science agency. And, as ever, honey, honeycomb and homemade honey cakes to enjoy over a cuppa. Another year of good questions and genuine interest in why pollinators matter.
Beaconsfield Primary School
2025
A bee incursion for the Grade 3 students at Beaconsfield Primary — around 85 curious young minds. We brought a sealed observation hive with clear sides, so the children could safely watch the bees at work up close. Their questions were wonderful, and there’s no better age to spark a love of pollinators.
Hippity Hop Early Learning, Berwick
2025
An education visit to the little ones at Hippity Hop Early Learning in Berwick — introducing the children to the world of bees, why they matter, and the wonder of the hive. Sparking that early curiosity about pollinators is some of the most rewarding work we do.
World Bee Day at CSIRO Clayton
2024
Our first World Bee Day in the main auditorium at CSIRO Clayton — the start of what’s become a yearly tradition. A wonderful chance to share our stories, project updates and lessons learned, to bring the challenges bees are facing to the staff and community at one of Australia’s leading science organisations — and to hand round honey, honeycomb and homemade honey cakes over a cuppa.
The Beekeepers Club — a full house of 120
2024
A real privilege to be invited to present our mission to 120 members of The Beekeepers Club — a full house. Talking bees with a room of fellow beekeepers, all as passionate about these creatures as we are, was a genuine highlight.
Bunnings Fountain Gate Gardening Club
2024
A lovely surprise to be invited to talk to gardening enthusiasts about our work with bees. Gardeners and beekeepers are natural allies — healthy gardens need pollinators, and pollinators need gardens — so the conversation flowed easily. Thank you to Bunnings for the opportunity.
Bunnings Pakenham
2024
Another warm invitation from Bunnings — this time at Pakenham — to talk about our work rescuing bees and why these little creatures matter so much. We brought local raw honey for tasting and plenty of colourful pictures, and enjoyed the genuine interest from everyone who came along.
Berwick Show
2024
A big day at the Berwick Show, taking turns with Peter Nyers from Casey Honey to talk about bees and why these beautiful creatures matter so much. We’ve rarely talked so much in a single day — and enjoyed every minute. A wonderfully organised event, with thanks to the team who helped us on the day.
Wonga Park Community Cottage Garden Club
2024
An intimate, warm session with the garden club at the Wonga Park Community Cottage, talking through the work of BeesFriend and the world of bees. Smaller groups make for the best conversations — plenty of good questions and genuine curiosity.
Good Food Emporium
2024
“Peace, love and honeybees” — the Good Food Emporium’s motto could hardly suit our mission better. It was a pleasure to be present, share our honey and beeswax products, and connect with their customers.
Myuna Farm Pollinators Week
2023
A joy to talk about the importance of honeybees with the younger generation — honey tasting, sensory touch-and-smell activities, and plenty of posters and close-up bee photos. The curiosity of young minds was the best part of the day.
Bunnings Clyde North Christmas Family Night
2023
A great evening connecting with other like-minded local organisations — and our little one even came along to lend a hand on the stand. Community at its warmest.
Berwick Community House Gardening
2023
An early and much-appreciated invitation to speak with the gardening members at Berwick Community House. It was wonderful to see the plants their community grows, and the natural synergy between those plants and their pollinators. With thanks to Kim Peterson for the invitation.
Book a school incursion or talk
If your school, garden club, community group or workplace would like a talk, workshop or a hands-on bee visit, we’d love to hear from you. For classroom visits, see our school incursions page. Sharing this work is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
You can also see where BeesFriend has been recognised — in Parliament, the press, and by leading chefs — or read the BeesFriend story.