Show Notes
HELLO, NAME IS SIMON MCEVEDY
I'M THE FATHER OF TWO GIRLS
I'M INFANTRY BY TRADE & NURSE BY PROFESSION
I'M ALSO A VETERAN
WHO HAS FINALLY FOUND A HOBBY @ THE RIPE OLD AGE 49
AND IM ALSO KNOWN AS A NEWBEE BEE KEEEPER
I HAVE NAMED BOTH OF THE HIVES
ONE IS A CONBINATION OF MY DAUGHTERS NAMES ELLE & LEAH
AND JOYBELL IS NAMED AFTER MY MOTHER
AS YOU CAN SEE, I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE CREATIVE WITH THE SPRAY PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HIVE
BEE CREATIVE I SAY
AT THE START OF LOCKDOWN
I STARTED SEEING POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON FLOW HIVE AND GOT ME INTERESTED
BY CHANCE RSL ACTIVE PUT ON URBAN BEEKEEPING CSE AT BOX HILL RSL
WHERE KATRINA AND I FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MEET BEN & CHRIS GRAY
I HAD GENERAL INTEREST IN BEES BEFORE BUT HALFWAY THROUGH PRESENTATION
BENS CHARISMATIC PERSONALITLY & PASSION FOR ALL THINGS BEES
GOT ME HOOKED & HE HAS ONLY A POSITIVE INFLUENCE SINCE THEN
BEN TEACHER IN THE TRUEST SENCE OF THE WORD
HE PASSES ON HIS KNOWLEDGE FREELY – CALMING MANOR – GIVES CONFIDENCE IN ALL AREAS OF EXPERTISE.
HIS PROFESSIONALISM IS SECOND TO NONE
THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS MY BEES HAVE GIVEN ME
IN AUG 2021 RECEIVED FIRST TWO NUCLEUS HIVES
REGISTERED AS AN OFFICIAL BEEKEEPER WITH AG VICTORIA
YOU CAN HAVE UP TO 5 HIVES ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
FORTUNATELY, NEXTDOOR NEIGHBOUR IS A CARPENTER WITH VET CONSTRUCTIONS
AND HE SUPERCHARGED COFFEE TABLE – SIDE OF ROAD
TURNED INTO WORKABLE HIVE STAND
SO, WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MAIN BENEFITS
FIRSTLY, I FOUND A HOBBY
THIS HAS GIVEN ME PURPOSE
AND THIS PURPOSE GUIDED ME IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION OF LEARNING
LOTS OF YOUTUBE VIDEO, READING BOOKS, JOINING ONLINE BEEKEEPING GROUPS & ENABLED TO CONNECT WITH OTHER BEEKEEPERS
THESE CONNECTIONS ENABLED ME TO RE-ENGAGE WITH OTHERS
MAKING CONNECTIONS IS SOMETHING I HAVE FOUND VERY DIFFICULT.
AND ISOLATION IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS MANY VETERANS.
On Instagram veteran_bee_therapy
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.