As a kid growing up in South Africa, my parents went to great effort to expose my siblings and me to the beautiful creation of my homeland. I have always had a love for the earth, nature and animals as a result of these efforts, to the point where one of my career goals at the age of 10 was to be a Game Ranger in the Kruger National Park and protect the animals. In time, that goal faded, but never my love for the earth nor my desire to help look after it.

I know what you’re thinking, what does this have to do with a Bee Keeping movement in Australia?

Well, it’s this back story that leads us to where we are today.

Fast forward a few years. The 2010 South Africa World Cup is around the corner, and a teen hops off the plane at Melbourne International Airport with his family ready to start a new adventure. One thing I noticed in my first few years in Melbourne is that the Australian wildlife and environment was utterly different to South Africa’s. Stunning and beautiful in its brilliant way, but without the wild, chaotic life of the South African Veld ((Pronounced: Felt)known in Australia as the bush). My love for animals and nature never died, but the environment and animals in Australia, while facing significant challenges, need different solutions and help than what one young man could provide. I was at a bit of a loss as to what I could do to help in my new home.

Fast forward to 2013, and I find out that one of our new family friends, Andre, is a beekeeper. One day we met up and during the conversation I asked him about his hobbies. We spent the next two hours talking about bees and how much he enjoyed caring for them. By chance, I commented that it would be interesting to learn how to bee-keep, and he offered to show me.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. When I agreed to Andre's offer, I truly believed that he was going to take me out, with a suit, on one of his bee runs. As time has told, I had misunderstood his offer.

Two weeks later early on a Saturday morning, I was woken by a phone call from Andre. “I have the hive, and I’m on my way. See you soon.” He hung up before I had the chance to ask who I was talking to. I got dressed and waited, letting my parents know that there was a hive on the way. You can imagine their confusion. Twenty minutes later, Andre was at my house unloading a box full of bees.

As he placed them in a carefully considered spot in the backyard and prepared to open the hive and let the bees become familiar with their new home, I took a few steps back in caution. Of course, Andre was in a suit, by I was still in my Saturday shorts and T-shirt. He turned to me as he opened the hive and the bees came swarming out saying, “Don’t worry. These girls are pretty docile. They won't sting you; they are only interested in me." I believed him, for about 60 seconds. I was stung twice on the face and had to make a hasty withdraw.

“Don’t worry. These girls are pretty docile. They won't sting you; they are only interested in me."

Over time the bees settled into their new home and over time with Andre’s help, I learnt how to care for these beautiful creatures. It wasn’t long until I had to look after the bees myself.

My then Girlfriend (and now Wife) took me to an Apiarist supply store, and I was able to get a suite. Over time, I learnt from many beekeepers that I built relationships with. I roped in my best mate Jesse and got him beekeeping. I had success. I had failures. I grew, and so did my love and passion for bees and their well-bee-ing.

Since then I have come a long way, I now have far more than my original hive. I have many friends in the industry. I get to work with such beautiful and unique little creatures. And now and then, I get a little honey. I don’t know about you, but to me, with all that in context, those two stings at the very beginning, they were pretty sweet.