Contact Us - Queensland

Varroa Development Officer

Growing up I always thought I’d be the one eating the honey, not working the bees. However that all changed when I got my first backyard hive around 10 years ago. Quickly immersing myself in the sector, I was committed to learning all I could. This led to me joining the National Varroa Mite Eradication Program back in 2016, where I was part of the team managing hive surveillance, eventually becoming team leader. My hands on experience included working with beekeepers to test for Varroa mite, using alcohol washes, sugar shakes, and drone uncapping – all things beekeepers large and small will be becoming more familiar with as we monitor for and manage Varroa. I look forward to supporting our Queensland keepers in my role as Varroa Development Officer.

Varroa Development Officer

With a 30-year background in farming, I transitioned to become an apiarist around 8 years ago. My experience with banana growing and general horticulture has given me a solid foundation and valuable experience with Integrated Pest Management and biosecurity controls. The lessons learned from shifting my farming operations to biodynamic and organic practices have also proven an essential grounding for my beekeeping practices.

Passionate about the bee industry, I deeply understand its contribution to our primary production industries, broader economy, and the overall health of our lands. As a Varroa Development Officer, I look forward to sharing critical knowledge with the community, as well as listening to your experiences and thoughts as we prepare to manage this new challenge.

I hold a Certificate lll in Beekeeping from Tocal Agricultural College and an Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Agronomy) from the University of Queensland.

Varroa Development Officer

I’ve been into bees ever since being stung at age 8.  These days I’m a small-scale beekeeper on the Gold Coast and I enjoy volunteering as President of my local bee association, providing hands-on training for new and experienced beekeepers.  As a leader in recreational beekeeping associations over the past 12 years, I’ve built strong networks with our local, state, and national beekeeping organizations.  I found that having an academic background in research and education, paired with recent professional roles as a commercial beekeeper and quality assurance manager with QLD producers and packers, has given me a breadth of experience across commercial operations of different sizes.  When the opportunity to become a Varroa Development Officer arose, I jumped at the chance to bring my connections with the recreational and commercial beekeeping sectors forward to support the industry that is my passion and livelihood.  My goal as a VDO for south-east Queensland is to build our resilience through skills and knowledge so we can face this challenge together as a community.

Varroa Development Officer

I grew up on farms in Northern Victoria in the 80s, before moving to Melbourne to study IT. Throughout my career in that sector, I’d always maintained a keen interest in life on the land, with a particular passion for honeybees. Having kept an eye on the impact of varroa internationally, I always knew it would hit us here one day. When the call came, I volunteered as a beekeeper in the early response in Newcastle doing active surveillance.

My own beekeeping operation is situated on the Gold Coast, where I produce honey and queen bees, along with providing education and contract beekeeping services. I look forward to bringing my experience to this Varroa Development Officer role, and supporting keepers with advice, education, and other help as the transition to varroa management unfolds.

Varroa Development Officer

Like many of you, I’ve been fascinated by bees from a young age, and have fond memories of my grandfather relishing the honey from his hives. When I learned that our modern bees were in trouble, my instinct was to help in any way I could. This has included building on my B.Sc. degree to focus on entomology and working with DAFF to undertake surveillance of our borders to detect exotic pests and diseases. Most recently, I’ve spent time in beautiful New Zealand working with a commercial beekeeper for a year to gain critical hands-on experience managing Varroa. What I’ve seen and learned there has reinforced my dedication to protecting bees, agriculture, and industry, with methods that are right for our environment and sector. I’m grateful for this opportunity to offer guidance and support to our sector as we navigate this next chapter of beekeeping in Australia.

Varroa Development Officer

When I first heard that varroa mite had hit Australia, let’s just say there were a few gasps followed by some 'choice words'. As a commercial beekeeper from New Zealand, having ten years of hands-on experience managing 2,000 hives and facing Varroa destructor on a daily basis, I knew that Australia’s honey and pollination industries had a serious challenge ahead, especially considering climatic conditions, migratory beekeeping and additional pests and diseases.  Motivated by a desire to assist, I joined the NSW Varroa Mite Emergency Response team in November 2022. Today, I serve as your Varroa Development Officer, committed to providing practical education and training for Queensland beekeepers so we as a sector can prepare for and effectively manage varroa mite.