24 Sep 2018
Classroom teacher Sue, recently became a Bee Ambassador after attending a three day workshop facilitated by the Wheen Bee Research Foundation.
Fifteen people from around the country including one from Norfolk Island attended the workshop to learn ways of communicating about bees. The job of a Bee Ambassador is to raise awareness of all things bees with the underlining message that ‘food security needs bee security’. One in every three mouthfuls of food we eat is dependent on bee pollination and bee populations around the world are declining.
The Wheen Bee foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes awareness of the importance of bees for food security and raises funds for research that addresses the national and global threats to bees.
The foundation engages with all levels of government, the apiculture industry, bee reliant food industries, universities, research organisations and community. Wheen Bee foundation funds vital strategic research and education initiatives that strengthen honey bees, improve pollination efficiency and increase food security.
Prior to teaching, Sue worked at the University of Western Sydney Apiary. Sue has continued to look after a few hives and now manages bees here at school where students have the opportunity to learn basic beekeeping skills.
There is an identified need for more young people to train as beekeepers. Beekeeping as a career is a real option for students who like to work outdoors. We are very lucky to have Sue sharing her expertise with us and our students.