NNNorthern Valley News
Norcia • Regans Ford • Wannamal
GNH a social priority Page 7
Beekeeper’s life for Buzz’n Bear
February Dragons
23
March 2013
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Gingin • Muchea • Mooliabeenie • New
Page 15-17
Brendon Fewster (aka Buzz) and Brad Gresele (aka Bear) are Gingin beekeepers who you may spot on a hot February day, tucked away in the bush, dressed like astronauts, “robbing” honey. That’s the life of a beekeeper. It’s a sticky business and with around 200 plus stings on your hands a day, not for the faint hearted. Brendon Fewster, a fourth generation beekeeper was born into this life from a long line of beekeepers. Whilst he had a short break to kick some goals for the West Coast Eagles he has returned to beekeeping. When Brendon’s mate, Brad completed his apprenticeship as a mechanic he jumped at the chance to work with Brendon’s father, Max, to learn the beekeeping trade. Buzz and Bear now work together like a well oiled machine robbing their 1100 hives, music blaring and good aussie humour flowing while their employees, the bees are busy making honey. You have to wonder why this is a dying trade, as they make it look like so much fun. It typically takes them a day to harvest about 100 hives and each hive produces honey about 2-3 times per ‘honey flow’. Their hives are scattered across local farms and properties, with landowners offering them right of way, often in return for a tub of honey. The best locations for hives are those with redgum, jarrah, whitegum or banksia trees or fields of canola. Over the summer months they harvest the honey and every year sell some of their worker bees to Canada, who seek the disease free, W.A. bees for pollination. Along with around 14 other beekeepers, Buzz and Bear sell their honey to Wescobee, a WA beekeepers cooperative. Recently, the current Wescobee board accepted a $5 million offer from Capilano subject to approval by shareholders in the 89-year-old WA company.
Brad Gresele (aka Bear) and Brendon Fewster (aka Buzz)
chittering
$675,000
lennard brook
59 Egret Place
Magnificent Country Manor on 15 Acres
Imposing two-storey brick and iron home with three big bedrooms, two bathrooms, massive country kitchen, formal dining, lounge and study. 15-acre block with beautiful valley views. Incredibly well priced. For private inspection, call Craig Hyne on 0448 825 833.
44 Crest View Beautiful country home
$540,000
The ideal country lifestyle is yours with this 4 x 2 brick and iron home on 5 acres just outside Gingin. Large country kitchen, open plan living and activity room. Huge back patio, big shed, sauna and spa. Beautiful outlook over natural bushland. Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
4 Brockman Street, Gingin WA 6503
Ph: 08 9575 2566 Fax 08 9575 2568
Continued page 14
E: cabassirealty@bigpond.com W: www.cabassirealty.com
bindoon $445,000 3.9 acres 72 Ridgetop Ramble With commanding views over Bindoon and surrounds this 3x2 brick home is great value for money. Dble bedrooms, ducted a/c, wood fireplace, large living, alfresco, 9x7 shed and small paddock. Viewing is a must!
chittering $395,000 32 Heron Hill
5.6 acres
This brick and iron home in a quiet cul-desac offers a peaceful retreat from the busy world. 2 huge bedrooms/ 2 bathrooms and another 3rd large room, large kitchen/ living, wood heater, solar HWS, outdoor entertaining, carports and workshop.
Liz Connell Realty, 27B Binda Place, Bindoon, WA 6502
P: 08 9576 0626 M: 0428 836 856 E: liz@lizconnellrealty.com