Open day abuzz with the benefits of beekeeping

A COMMUNITY enterprise aimed at showcasing the mental health benefits of beekeeping is set go on show during an open day next month.

With members at HiveMind Community Apiary set to introduce people to their pollinating friends on Sunday 15 October, secretary and co-founder Amanda Collins said the event is about reinforcing their mission statement.

“We want to reinvigorate and get awareness out there about mental illness and the role that complimentary therapeutic activities like beekeeping can help people,” she said.

“There’s a benefit for people who are socially isolated or struggling with depression. Beekeeping helps with mindfulness. When a person opens a beehive they’re 100 per cent focused on what’s happening.

“That capacity to take everything else leaves you in terms of thinking about other things or ruminating on problems. You’re 100 per cent there with the bees.”

With eight beehives located onsite, attendees will have the opportunity to suit up and learn the basics of beekeeping on the day.

Ms Collins will also host a talk on bee-friendly gardening while local honey sourced through the enterprise will be on sale during the event.

She said the open day will provide an opportunity to showcase one of HiveMind Community Apiary’s key offerings.

“During spring and summer, we run our Season of Beekeeping for around eight people for about three months,” she said.

“We teach people how to keep bees, and provide them with an introduction to beekeeping through Backyard Beekeeping Ballarat and we nurture and foster that interest for them.

“Afterwards, if people like to, they can come back as mentors and we encourage them to also join Ballarat Regional Beekeepers to foster that social connection.”

Taking place on the corner of Wallis and Elizabeth streets in Delacombe, the open day will run from 2pm to 4.30pm with registration required via bit.ly/3LyCZSq.