Who We Are

Founded in 2015, the Urban Beekeepers of the Inner West connects passionate beekeepers in Sydney. We hold regular meetings, practical sessions, and events, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to beekeeping and education. Join us to learn and engage!

History of the Club

The Urban Beekeepers of the Inner West was established in 2015 by a group of dedicated beekeepers who shared a common passion for apiculture and a desire to promote sustainable beekeeping practices within their community. Recognizing the importance of bees in our ecosystem and the challenges they face, these founding members aimed to create a supportive network for beekeepers in the Inner West area of Sydney.

As interest in beekeeping grew, so did the club’s membership. By 2018, the Urban Beekeepers had expanded significantly, attracting a diverse group of individuals ranging from beginners to more experienced beekeepers. This growth enabled the club to achieve an important milestone: affiliation with the Amateur Beekeepers Association (ABA). This affiliation provided members with access to a broader range of resources, support, and education opportunities, enhancing their beekeeping knowledge and practices.

Since its inception, the Urban Beekeepers of the Inner West has focused on fostering a strong sense of community among its members. The club organizes regular meetings, workshops, and hands-on field days, allowing members to share their experiences, learn from one another, and deepen their understanding of bee biology, hive management, and sustainable practices. Through collaboration and shared knowledge, the club continues to thrive, contributing to the health and well-being of both bees and beekeepers in the region. For more information about the club and its activities, you can see more info about our club at the ABA website here.

Where We Meet

Member meetings are held twice a month – usually on the first Tuesday of the month and the third Sunday of the month. These meetings are theoretical in nature and sometimes feature a guest speaker or a specific topic, or sometimes we have general Q&A sessions.

Sunday meetings are practical, hands-on sessions at our apiary at Magpies Football Club in Croydon Park. At times, we also host these meetings elsewhere when there may be a local swarm site or special event.

The committee meets monthly before the Tuesday membership meeting.

To manage numbers for catering etc. we prefer you to register to attend meetings, field days and courses.

Committee

A committee of volunteers is elected every year to represent the club. If you are interested in sitting on the committee and being at the centre of the beekeeping action, get in touch with us.

The committee for 2024/2025:

President – Stephen Higgins
Vice President – Gavin Smith
Secretary – Peter Voysey
Treasurer – Jerry Riznyczok
Biosecurity Officer – Gavin Smith
Social Media Officer – Rochelle Polley
Web Admin – Emmanuel Farrugia