Those were the words of Government House’s beekeeper and former president of the Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW, Bruce White OAM, this week.

“It’s been very dry, so there aren’t a lot of flowers out there for the bees.”

Mr White joined His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of NSW, to open Yass and District Beekeeping Club’s new apiary at Cooma Cottage on Wednesday.

Amidst one of the worst droughts in Australian history and recent concerns over fake honey, His Excellency’s appearance couldn’t have been timed better. His Excellency is known to be an avid beekeeper, taking up the hobby four years ago when he recognised bees’ positive environmental impact.

“If we got rid of all our bees, mankind wouldn’t survive,” His Excellency told a crowd of over 40 people at the apiary opening. “This [apiary] is critical to people understanding bees, having an interest and to people wanting to protect bees locally.”

Government House is home to four honey-producing bee hives, looked after by His Excellency and Mr White.

Over the last few months, public attention has been brought to the case of fake honey in Australia.

Mr White said it’s a serious concern, explaining the issue came down to the current testing method, which doesn’t pick up on syrups added to honey. White hopes government will follow the bee industry’s push to adopt a new German test that can pick up on added syrups and would prevent fake honey labelled as honey.