Bega High School is abuzz with exciting news, as its new apiary has been officially opened.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There are now two Langstroth hives filled with bees at the back on the school in its agricultural section, as well as a Kenyan top bar hive waiting to house bees in the future.
And the benefits of having bees has already been realised, with the first batch of honey being extracted this term.
Students and supporters gathered at the school on Wednesday, April 10 for the official opening.
Bega Rotary Club and Bega Valley Beekeepers volunteer Fay Steward said the project began in 2017 after a teacher from the school contacted her about educating students about bees.
Volunteers helped educate students about bees, such as why they are so important in food production, and volunteers from Bega Rotary and the Bega District Woodcraft Association helped construct and design the bees' hives.
As part of the project, a bee-inspired mural was also painted by students and placed in the school.
To set up the apiary, the Bega Valley Club Grants program provided $1500.
READ MORE: Increase of wasp infestations in Bega
Ms Steward said the project had been embraced by students so much that the families of some had taken up beekeeping in their own time.
"This is about giving kids an opportunity to develop more confidence and more skills," she said.
"This can become the basis for an ongoing program for kids to learn.
"It's so great the school is hosting this apiary, because it can become a learning centre."
The beekeeping project involves students from the school's support unit for now, but may include others in the future.
"[Beekeeping] is a very calming experience," Ms Steward said.
"There might be bees buzzing around everywhere, but what we found with some of these kids is they calm down and really enjoy it."
She said there were many opportunities for beekeepers in the Bega Valley.
"We call this the land of milk and honey; not just Bega Cheese," she laughed.
At the official opening of the apiary, school principal Linda Thurston acknowledged the community's support of the project.