The federal election wasn't the only event creating a hive of activity last weekend. Beekeepers across the country were also busy promoting World Bee Day (May 20).
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On Sunday, Win's Creek Meadery in Murrumbateman showcased the versatility of bees to visitors with workshops on painting and making candles, lip balm and food raps from wax.
Locals Michael and Maryanne Devey have owned and operated the meadery for around 15 years.
"Every day is world bee day for us. We are always promoting beekeeping and bees at the meadery," Mr Devey said.
Mr Devey is a former CSIRO scientist and became passionate about beekeeping when his wife bought him a beehive for Father's Day, 20 years ago.
Beekeepers help encourage and protect bee populations, but Mr Devey said many people think it's a difficult job.
"It's not complicated. I just learned as I was going. I didn't do a course, I don't even think I read anything. Now there are hours of video on beekeeping on Youtube," Mr Devey said.
There is a growing number of Yass Valley beekeepers. Yass and District Beekeepers Club, which sits under Amateur Beekeeper Association NSW, started with a dozen members three years ago and has 40 today.
Club president Joe Morrissey said most members keep their hives in their backyard, which benefits the growth of fruit and vegetables and is an "enjoyable hobby".
"Some fruit and vegetables, such as apples, avocados and almonds wouldn't exist without bee pollination," Mr Morrissey said.
The bees kept in hives by beekeepers are European honey bees, but there are just over 1700 native bees in Australia that largely live in solitude, according to Mr Morrissey.
Fortunately, Australia has been able to avoid the decline of its bee populations, unlike in Europe and America.
Varroa mites - a deadly parasite that attacks honey bees - is yet to spread to this country, although Mr Morrissey said it's only a matter of time.
World Bee Day was a concept coined by Slovenia and accepted by the United Nations on December 20, 2017. It aims to promote the importance of bees and beekeeping to keep populations growing.
Nearly ten per cent of bees is facing extinction in Europe, according to the 2015 IUCN report.
Bees not only provide food sources but also majorly contribute to biodiversity and subsequently the environment and climate change.
Locals Chris and Tara Inglis know all too well the benefits their bees have.
They began with just two hives on Mrs Inglis' parent's property in Boorowa. Their hives would help create a pollination corridor to encourage wildflowers, birds and bees onto the property.
It was hard to imagine then that they'd establish Queen of Hearts Honey Co. in 2012 and look after over 200 hives in Southern Tablelands today. It's a full-time job for Mr Inglis.
Mr and Mrs Inglis believe in sustainability and minimal migration. That means they try to put less stress on their bees by moving them less often.
Some producers, on the other hand, move their bees to bigger food sources - where more flowers are - from season to season.
Instead, Mr and Mrs Inglis search for paddocks with enough biodiversity to support the bees for longer periods.
The couple also works with local canola farmers to use their bees to assist with crops.
If Mr Inglis could tell anyone, anything about bees, it would be this: "We are trying to be sustainable in a commercial space. A lot of people are talking about fake honey and they want to support the industry, but they think by boycotting the supermarkets and not buying the big brands they're helping.
"There are a lot of commercial but sustainable brands. If you have a local beekeeper then support them, but if you're in the supermarket just buy smart: look at the label," Mr Inglis said.
