Show Notes
Antony Adare from Natural Life is our featured guest on episode 103 of the Bees with Ben podcast.
Almost 30 years ago the chance discovery of a native beehive in a Sydney backyard developed into a
daily source of fascination for Antony, who soon established a hobby hive for himself. Then in 1994,
a Japanese scientist published a paper extolling the anticarcinogenic properties of propolis, which
resulted in booming sales in Japan, where a small bottle of propolis could sell for up to $800. Having
used propolis to treat cuts, abrasions and sore throats in his own family, Antony knew that it
worked. He began to talk to people in the industry, and eventually launched his first two products, a
propolis and manuka honey spray and a propolis tincture; so in 1996 the Natural Life brand was
born. Antony managed to get those first two products onto shelves in Sydney airport, which proved
a masterstroke, as a single Japanese tourist would often purchase all the stock, meaning there was
little need for marketing!
Over time, new products were added including royal jelly capsules, propolis candy and toothpaste
and Australian manuka honey. Natural Life now sells to Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE, Vietnam and
Kuwait, as well as to Japan, China and Korea. There is also a solid customer base in the Middle East,
and prior to the onset of Covid, Natural Life’s products were in all duty free stores and Asian markets
around Australia. Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations are amongst the
toughest in the world, and Natural Life works continuously with manufacturers, suppliers and
regulators to ensure the products remain of premium quality and potent activity.
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Retail closures due to Covid resulted in a 40% drop in sales.
Antony recalls that the whole travel industry ‘evaporated’ meaning that he had to push the online
side of the business. And although the airports have reopened, we are yet to see a real influx of
Asian tourists, who traditionally drive sales. Furthermore, Antony says whereas propolis is big in
pharmacies across Europe, he is banging his head against a wall trying to get propolis products into
health food stores in this country. Consequently, he has taken it upon himself to educate Australians
about the benefits of propolis, in the hope of generating a significant domestic market. Antony says
he would love see propolis in more stores, as this would increase demand, which in turn would
provide extra income for beekeepers. Just before Covid struck, Natural Life released their ‘Wild Bee’
skin care range, which is 100% Australian produced, and combines royal jelly, propolis from native
stingless bees, Australian manuka honey and botanicals collected by Aboriginal communities in the
Northern Territory.
www.naturallife.com.au
More from Bees With Ben
All good things must (sometimes) pause... and after an incredible journey of conversations, laughter, learning, and buzzing with brilliant guests, this is the final episode of Bees with Ben – at least for a while. In today’s episode, I reflect on the wild ride this podcast has been – from talking bees and biosecurity to sharing stories from the paddock, the lab, and everywhere in between. I’ve had the honour of chatting with amazing beekeepers, scientists, enthusiasts, and friends from around the world – and you, the listeners, have been a huge part of that journey. The truth is, life’s gotten very busy. Between the hives, the honey, the pest control, and being a dad (and sometimes a part-time tow-truck driver when I get bogged on avocado farms), something had to give. And for now, the podcast is taking a well-earned rest. This isn’t goodbye forever – just a little smoke break. So keep the mic warm for me, and who knows – a surprise episode might pop up when you least expect it. Thanks for every listen, share, message, and moment. Keep supporting your local bees, your local beekeepers, and stay curious. With gratitude and a sticky handshake, – Ben 🐝
Guest: Norm Collins – Seven Decades in Beekeeping In this special episode, I chat with Norm Collins, a true pioneer in Australian beekeeping. Once the largest beekeeper in Victoria, Norm recently turned 80, and he joins me to reflect on a lifetime of working with bees. We take a journey back to when Norm received his very first box of bees at just seven years old, and explore how much the world of beekeeping has changed over the past seventy years. From the way hives are managed, to shifting environmental pressures and evolving industry challenges, Norm shares his knowledge, experiences and a few great stories along the way. This episode is a tribute to the past, a nod to the resilience of beekeepers, and a reminder of how much we can learn from those who have spent a lifetime in the field. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your beekeeping community. https://collinshoney.com.au
🎙️ Episode 126 – I’m Back! (Yes, Really!) Welcome back to Bees with Ben – and yes, you heard right… I’M BACK! It’s been a buzzing 12 months since the last episode, and I want to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone who’s stayed subscribed, messaged, or asked, “Where’s the podcast, Ben?” Life got wild – as it often does when you’re juggling bees, business, family, and everything in between – but the mic is back on, and the hive mind is reactivating. In this short but heartfelt solo episode, I check in, catch up, and share what’s been happening behind the scenes. Plus, I give you a sneak peek into what’s coming over the winter months: incredible guests, fascinating beekeeping stories, and some brand-new topics I can’t wait to explore with you. Whether you’re a beekeeper, a bee-lover, or just someone who loves a good yarn – thanks for sticking around. Let’s get this hive humming again. 🐝 What’s Inside: Where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to
Join me on a unique episode of "Bees with Ben" as I take you on a journey to Shepparton!
In this episode, I chat with Sam and Nicholas, the dynamic father-son duo behind Meli Honey. Their journey is a testament to passion, family, and the pursuit of quality. We dive into their fascinating story of importing premium Greek honey to Australia, and how their love for this golden elixir has translated into a thriving business. Just after we wrapped up recording, Sam and Nicholas received the incredible news that Meli Honey had won gold at the London Honey Awards! This accolade is a significant milestone for them and a testament to the exceptional quality of their honey.