Christie Peters has always had a love for animals. When I visit, I’m greeted by a big, boofy bunny and seven Silkie chickens free-ranging in the front yard. Winnie, Christie’s rescue dog, comes to say hello before settling down onto a chair on the verandah.
But I’m really interested in what’s in the backyard. About a year ago, Christie added 5000 to 10,000 animals to her menagerie. They require very little care and are busy going back and forth, communicating amongst themselves, quietly pollinating the area.
Christie is the proud owner of a hive of native stingless bees (Tetragonula carbonaria or Sugarbag bees) and in October she will be hosting a workshop by renowned entomologist Dr Tim Heard for anyone interested in these important pollinators.
When people think of bees, they often think of the European honey bee, but did you know that Australia has more than 2000 species of native bees? Some of these species are solitary like the blue banded bee (sp. Amegilla) but the bees in Christie’s backyard are social bees and as we make our way into her garden, the sunlight catches their surprisingly small bodies as they buzz around. The great thing about stingless bees is that they’re, well, stingless and safe for children and pets. Winnie proves this point by wandering up to me and standing by the hive, waiting for pats and love.
Christie is no stranger to owning an odd pet or two. “When I was a kid I had white dove homing pigeons and I used to take them to school for 'show and tell' and let them out in front of the whole class,” she says, laughing. And while she initially got bees for their uniqueness, Christie now loves nothing more than grabbing a cup of tea and watching the hive.
“They are so interesting to watch and are quite relaxing," she says. "They are fascinating how they come and and go and sometimes swarm. All in this complex little hive structure with their role of either working bees, drones, queen bee and princesses in waiting.”
After many months of planning, Christie has secured Dr Heard – who wrote the book, literally, on native bees, The Australian Native Bee Book – to run a three-hour workshop in Thirroul on October 12. The session will include loads of information for would-be beekeepers or nature lovers, and will include a demonstration of how to split a hive – bees and all!
The workshop will also mark the launch of the Illawarra’s first branch of the Australian Native Bee Association (ANBA). Currently, the closest branch is in Sydney.
By starting a local branch, Christie hopes to take advantage of the knowledge already here, giving local native beekeepers a place to troubleshoot, network and even to share split hives. She also hopes to share the love for and benefits of native bees by sharing the actual bees themselves.
“What I would like to do eventually… through the ANBA Illawarra branch is to do some fundraising events and put them [stingless bee hives] into different schools, to gift them the bees as they are so safe,” she says.
After spending way too long watching the bees do their fascinating dance back and forth to the hive, I finally get ready to leave. Christie can clearly see that I'm very keen to get my own hive and gives me a little extra encouragement.
“I love how anyone can have these stingless bees in their backyards as pets and they are doing so much good for the environment in terms of pollination and biodiversity," she says. “And when you think of the enjoyment. You can have them forever. You don’t have to take them to the vets.
"They’re cheaper than a dog," she adds, laughing. We both look down at Winnie, who's gently wagging her tail. Sorry old girl, but she has a point.
The Native Bee Workshop & Illawarra ANBA branch launch will be on Saturday, October 12, from 9am-12pm in The Escarpment Room at Thirroul Community Centre. The workshop is for everyone from seasoned beekeepers to those looking to learn more about our native bees. To register, head here or call Christie on 0412 497 312.
