Farmland since 1838
Annual Report 2011—2012
Who’s who on the Farm Farm Patron Mrs Elizabeth Chernov, Government House Farm Staff Alex Walker (Manager) Bridget Bainbridge Nick Karavokiris Toni Phillips Julia Smallwood Leonie Griener Susan Pittman Sam Imbrogno Elizabeth McPhee Ainslie Kissick Fran Zemunik
Suzi Bremner Roger Cassar Jacqui Linley Emma Kofoed Alison Wigglesworth Andrew Phillips Mia Sutherland Anita Stec Brodie Harrison Holly Heath Olivia Knowles
Committee of Management President Vice President Treasurer Secretary
Netta McArthur Greg Spark Cheryl Cameron Helen Semmler
Mikyla Hart Anne Halliwell Lachlan Fitch Richard Ginsberg Alex Walker (Farm Manager)
Lily O’Neill Amanda Stone (City of Yarra) Pip Hay Jane Ogilvie Andrew Phillips (Staff Rep.)
The Collingwood Children’s Farm are proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri of the Kulin Federation as the traditional owners of the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands: the land we respect, care for and farm on behalf of all Victorians. The Farm thanks all Wurundjeri Elders, past and present, for their guardianship of these lands.
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Farmland since 1838
OUR AIM To be a world-class city farm providing social, rural and environmental experiences for our communities. OUR OBJECTIVES To manage the Farm’s physical, financial and human resources in a sustainable way. To maintain a ‘country feel’ in the way the Farm looks and works, with people coming together around animals, chores and activities. To ensure accessibility of the Farm’s programs and activities to interested members of the community, with a particular emphasis on children, young adults and families. To provide a learning environment grounded in ‘hands on’ involvement, demonstration and observation. To enrich the community with activities, events and celebrations about the cycles of nature. To encourage environmental responsibility by involving people in land management and demonstrating sustainable agricultural practices. To provide a safe, supportive and stimulating environment for all children and young people to develop life skills.
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COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT REPORT On behalf of the Committee of Management (COM) and Farm staff it gives us great pleasure to present the 2011—2012 Annual Report. The year has been successful and the Farm has enjoyed an increase in the number of visitors, demonstrating that our efforts in making the Farm an interesting place to visit are proving successful. Visitors will notice our continuing improvements to amenities for both themselves and the animals; we believe this will make the Farm an even more attractive place to visit, especially when renovations to the Farm Café are completed. Governance The COM has continued to implement the Strategic Plan. We are delighted to report our Constitution and Rules of Incorporation were reviewed in accordance with the requirements, then signed off by the COM. These were then lodged with Consumer Affairs Victoria and as a result we have maintained our Charitable Not-For-Profit status. We thank Liz Harmsherry and Clayton Utz for the pro-bono work done on our behalf. Protecting the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands (APHF) The COM has continued to work with all stakeholders to have the entire remaining heritage paddocks of the APHF retained for use by the Farm as farmland. To this end we are in discussions with the Abbotsford Convent Foundation Board regarding the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding as we already have about the St Heliers Street carpark. The issue of St Mary’s Paddock and the outside walkway between classrooms of Sophia Mundi was positively resolved by a collaborative discussion process, which resulted in the return of open space for grazing land adjacent to St Mary’s Paddock (the same size as that occupied by the proposed walkway). The Farm animals did not therefore loose any grazing land—in fact the piece we inherited was slightly better grazing land. Reaching out to the local community Our long-term objective of reaching out to local disadvantaged children’s groups continues to be enacted in conjunction with assistance from the City of Yarra Children’s Services Department. Page 4
The garden plots A new committee has been set up to resolve issues between the Farm and the garden plotters; it is envisaged they will meet three times per year and a COM member will be in attendance. Finances and funding Financially the year ended in surplus, which is already earmarked for the Farm CafÊ upgrade and repairs and maintenance for our two heritage houses at the front of the Farm. The Farm acknowledges the continued support and funding from the State Government and City of Yarra. These funds, in addition to monies raised from the Farm’s day-to-day activities, form the core of our ongoing income. The Farm also receives funding and donations, both monetary and in-kind, from various sources for specific purposes. All donors are acknowledged at the back of this report. Thank you volunteers On behalf of the COM and the Farm staff we say thank to our volunteers and friends. The ongoing operations of the Farm are dependent upon the loyalty and tireless contributions of volunteers which ensure we are able to continue providing the educational programs and stimulating experiences for children and other members of the community. Without our volunteers’ valuable efforts many of the programs and fund-raising efforts would not run as effectively as they do. Thank you Farm staff The heart and soul of the Farm are the staff and for this we express our appreciation for their efforts in the past year. Staff members are called upon to demonstrate a wide range of skills and to perform many and varied tasks, often over and above the requirements of their employment, all of which are carried off with great skill and care. Page 5
Thanks to the Farm Manager, Alex, who once again has achieved so much this year: from building works, Farm CafÊ renovations, organising tractor loans and attending the many meetings which may have implications for the future of the Farm. Committee of Management changes and thank yous At the last Annual Meeting in 2011 the membership elected three new representatives to the COM, and so we welcomed Jane Ogilvie, Richard Ginsberg and Eleanor Fletcher. Unfortunately for the COM, Eleanor Fletcher’s husband was transferred on a work placement to Italy in 2012, and so she was unable to complete her term. Sincere thanks must also go to current COM representatives for their ongoing contributions and hard work on the various subcommittees and at COM meetings. Netta McArthur, President, Committee of Management
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MANAGER’S REPORT After a year of works across the Farm I am pleased to report that the Farm has slipped back into its ‘normal’ operational mode and is going from strength to strength with increased staffing levels, a wide and diverse community support base, broadening visitation demographic and a strong interest in Farm events and ‘happenings’. The new Reception building has allowed us to have greater connection to our visitors both on the way in and out. As an administration team it is great to see all the happy faces on the way home. Staff team All staff have worked very hard this year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the dedication and the flexibility they have shown in order to keep the Farm moving forward. Bridget and Nick have the task of overseeing the running of the daily programs for animals, the pastures, landcare and farm maintenance. Toni has once again worked hard at organising the Community Garden Plots along with her many other tasks. Leonie, Julia, Anita, Toni, Andrew and Susan make up the bulk of the team that supports both Bridget and Nick in the operation of the Farm. Our customer service area is a great team: Suzi and Alison look after Farm visitors as well as taking bookings for many activities that happen at the Farm. They get great support from Fran, Andrew and Ainslie. Because the Farm operates on a seven-day-a-week basis we depend on our casual workers to fill in when permanent staff are ill or on leave, to work at special events and functions and to help out during busy times such as school holidays. While working at the Farm we appreciate their energy, ideas, enthusiasm and willingness to take on any role required. Changes and achievements The Farmer’s Market will celebrate its tenth birthday this year and continues to be a major source of income for the Farm. We now have over 60 stallholders (with a waiting list) and regularly attract approximately 2,000 people each market. Farmer’s Markets in general have attracted a lot of publicity in recent years, and the Collingwood Children’s Farmers Page 7
Market has been regularly identified as one of the best and most popular in Melbourne. Our Pancake Stall is a great hit with the public, thanks to the great work of Helen Semmler and the Young Farmer’s parents who volunteer to run it. This same group also support the BBQ at our Family Days which have also been growing in popularity over the past year. The staff and Committee of Management once again did outstanding work in running the Winter Solstice Bonfire. There were many volunteers that put in a lot of time and effort in setting up the Bonfire and without their efforts the night would not have been a success. NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Day at the Farm in July saw the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria set up activities across the Farm and invite over 1,000 people to come and celebrate with them. It was a great day and is a much-enjoyed annual event on our calendar. Page 8
Future challenges Our major challenge in the short term is to finish the renovations on the Farm Café and get it up and running again with its positive reputation for great food and service for our customers. This then leads us to the long term future and working with the Convent and local community to make sure the farmlands on both sides of the bike track remain in perpetuity for use as heritage farmland. The precinct is unique as it is the last intact 19th Century rural landscape in Melbourne. It creates an ‘island’ surrounded by the Yarra River and indigenous bushland. It has an inseparable relationship with the pastures of the Collingwood Children's Farm, Abbotsford Convent and the Yarra River. The Farm is the guardian and protector of this unique environment, because without a healthy environment we won’t be farming very long! As the stewards of the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmland’s 174-year farming history, we take seriously our role to nurture and protect the soil to minimise our impact. Over 33 years, we have developed an Integrated Paddock Management Program using all the paddocks on both sides of the bike track. So like all good farmers we rest and feed our pastures, control the weeds, plant and develop native shelter-belts, and minimise and clean what flows into the Yarra River system. We must never take this farmland for granted and must work with the the Abbotsford Convent and local community to protect this land forever. I would like to thank the Committee of Management for their hard work and continued support during the past year, as well as all our volunteers and staff members. Alex Walker, Farm Manager Page 9
TEAM LEADERS’ REPORT The last year has been very busy with an ever-increasing amount of activity around the Farm. Twelve months ago, the Farm was just finishing the last buildings of our mammoth building project; and now we find ourselves building again, this time refurbishing the cafe, with the bike track being overhauled by the Council at the same time. The Farm is looking very different today. The Farm is also feeling very different, with a buzz of activity and a real sense of purpose in the air. We were wishing for these things only a few years ago. How things change! Fundamentally though, at its heart the Farm is the same: a community within a community, an extended family or village, call it what you will, for many of our volunteers, workers, members and others. A chance to renew, refresh and reinvent yourself. The three R’s.
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In 2011—2012, some of the groups we’ve had working on the Farm are: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Youth Now Job Co Individual placements Job Co Green Team Heatherwood Special School Sophia Mundi Steiner School Quinn House Carlton Corrections, Dept. of Justice Northern Support Services ANZ Bank NAB Bank OPTUS Pricewaterhouse Coopers NMIT TAFE Rossbourne School Sisters of the Good Shepherd Onemda
• •
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Citipower Alkira Adult Training Support Service New Start Inner Melbourne VET Cluster Burke & Beyond Interact Concord School Villa Maria Connections NEAMI Able Australia Bulleen Heights School Rosamond School Malparinka
These are some of the programs we have been running at the Farm: • • • • • • •
Job Co Green Team Young Farmers Program School Holiday Program Work Experience Program Volunteering Program Supported Volunteers Program Lantern Making Workshops
• • • • •
•
Gardening Club Farm School Experience Camp Landcare Planting Day E-train Supported Individual Work placement Australian Year of the Farmer
These are some of the organisations we have worked in conjunction with in the past year: • • • • • •
Fare Share Cultivating Communities City of Yarra Victorian Apiary Association Strong Wool Breeders Association Dairy Shorthorn Association
•
• • • •
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English Leicester Breeders Association Job Co Rat Fanciers Association Waler Horse Association Donkey Society of Victoria
• • • • • • •
RDA Collingwood and Victoria Citipower Organic Harvest Greengrocers Abbotsford Primary School The Abbotsford Convent Heidelberg Warringal Lions Club Gleadell Street Market
• • •
•
•
Down on the Farm Childcare Aboriginal Housing Victorian Handspinners and Weavers Guild Victorian Federation of Farmers Markets The Convent Bakery
Bridget Bainbridge and Nick Karavokiros, Team Leaders
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SUPPORTED VOLUNTEER PROGRAM This program continues to provide the opportunity for groups and individuals to learn work skills, develop social skills, work successfully in a team and feel they are valued within the Farm community. The groups involved have a wide range of abilities, both physical and intellectual. Many students are on the Autism Spectrum which has its unique challenges! We are also increasingly working with people with a range of mental illnesses whose difficulties in both work and social situations are not always obvious. Once again we welcomed back our regular weekly groups from schools and adult facilities, as well as a few new faces. This year we have continued to allocate set weekly tasks to give the groups a sense of ownership and responsibility. This approach develops more independence as the individuals learn the procedures and can set to work with minimal assistance from their staff. My role has changed to be a facilitator rather than physically working with every group. There are still some groups who prefer to do whatever is needed on the day, and that is great for us. Our participants are aged from 6 to 65, with varying abilities and mobility difficulties. The length of time spent at the Farm varies from half an hour to five hours, so tasks are allocated accordingly. Chores include cleaning animal pens, feeding animals, horticulture activities, cleaning and sweeping, paddock cleaning (known as poo pickup!), water troughs, making up feedbags, moving animals, rubbish collection, Farmers Market set-up and whatever else needs doing at the time. Each participant is considered in the same light as other volunteers, and makes an important contribution to the daily running of the Farm. The Heatherwood Year 10 group has again used their Farm work as part of the State government-funded Advance Program. In Terms 1 and 2 they worked with Nick building dividing fences in the Federation Pens to allow for sequential planting of chicken ‘greens’. For the second half of the year they will work with Toni doing horticultural tasks. Work experience placements are arranged as two-week blocks or one day a week over a period of time. One day a week gives the continuity of staff and Page 13
tasks that many of our students need for a positive outcome. As well as special schools we are working with integrated mainstream students who need a little more support. The following groups have been involved in the program over the past 12 months: Adult Groups
School Groups
Individuals* (weekly and work experience blocks)
ONEMDA Alkira Connections Burke & Beyond Interact Northern Support Services NEAMI Adult Options Able Australia Malparinka
Bulleen Special School Heatherwood Rosamond Ashwood Concorde Rossbourn House Villa Maria/St Paul’s
Kensington Community School Yooralla Crosslinks Employment NMIT TAFE Catholic Education Office Wesley Mission Inner Melbourne VET Cluster Various disability services * An average of 10-12 are involved each week
We are also being approached by post-school option services for young adults to work one day a week at the Farm as part of their individual program plans. This often means renewing acquaintance with many of our former school workers who have moved on into the TAFE sector or Adult Programs. A new initiative this year has been our weekly guinea pig cuddle session at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home. The Friday volunteers, Jenny and Deb, are now independently organising this program. The response from the residents has been very positive. Participation in this supported program does not involve any cost to groups or schools. In all there are in excess of 100 workers per week ‌ quite a workforce for the Farm. One of the main aims of this program has been to promote interaction and Page 14
acceptance within the general community for those with special needs. It has been rewarding to see visitors talking to the various groups as they go about their tasks, and our people communicating back in their own individual ways. Julia Smallwood, Disability Services Co-ordinator
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HORTICULTURE REPORT The philosophy and values of the Farm, which aims to bring people, animals and nature together in a rural environment are appropriately followed through by applying Landcare values and Permaculture ethics of care for the earth, care for the animals and care for the people. The Farm is in the fortunate position to be able to demonstrate this care and involve people in the integration of plants and farm animals within an easily accessible distance from the city. The landscaping and species selection, following heritage and sustainable values, determines the visual impact when entering the farm. Animals grazing in the paddocks and fruit trees planted along the bike track enhance this aspect by providing a quietly productive atmosphere even to those casually passing by. All of this is achieved with major involvement from members of the Farm community comprising our very dedicated volunteers, Community Garden plotholders and students. The Farm has a long history and ongoing commitment to encouraging biodiversity and maintaining an environment of sustainable Farm management. This is achieved by following sustainable principles and organic methods in all horticultural practices on the Farm. Horticultural biodiversity is maintained by: careful species selection within our endemic or indigenous Page 17
riparian corridors, planting heritage fruit species and landscaping, food and fibre production for human and animal consumption, weed barriers and beneficial interplanting. Sustainability is maintained by: considered planting, careful selection and design, and following sustainable farming management practices such as using only organic methods of pest and weed control in all propagation and plantings. People, plants and animals This past year has seen further commitment to providing the opportunity for people to be involved in horticultural activities at the Farm. Regular volunteers, corporate volunteers and students, from a range of special and general schools in our local area, work experience placements from most secondary schools in Melbourne (and some even from country areas!) all benefit from learning and working in the garden at the farm. Our horticultural programs encompass the practicalities of providing food and produce via participation and education. By matching the relevant depth of complexity to the participant we aim to promote an understanding of plant and animal systems, the links between them and the role of people within them.
These programs give equal importance to participant experience and pursuit of information as to the growing of plants, finding the balance between the work required and the needs and capabilities of the participant evolves into another growing system. Working in the garden provides the opportunity for people to experience a sense of nature while obtaining a variety of skills, not only limited to food production. Page 18
Physical capabilities such as coo r d i n a t i o n , dexterity and strength can be enhanced along with a state of wellbeing. At the same time social interaction, cooperation and valid work ethics are easily conveyed in a gardening context. Organic methods do not compromise the natural environment or the health and safety of people working in the gardens.
Horticultural activities on the Farm provide skills in: • producing a diverse range of fruit, nut and heritage fruit trees • producing food for the animals, including knowledge of which fodder, trees, crops and weeds can be suitable supplementary feed for particular animals • propagating plants, both edible and useful ornamentals which are planted or for sale at the Farm • growing, harvesting and presenting food that is sold at the Farm during school holidays, Family Days, Farmers Market, and other Farm events • managing weeds through appropriate plant selection and suitable use of weeds either as food, herbal medicine, bedding, mulch or compost material • producing compost and worm castings which are used on the Farm, and excess available for sale • planting, care for and using indigenous plants of this area through revegetation plantings • planting and managing diverse areas of interest eg Community Gardens, orchards, shelterbelts and edible landscaping Page 19
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM COMMUNITY GARDENS The Farm, with its animals and the rural river-flat setting, can give an impression of being somewhere else than Abbotsford or Collingwood, but the Community Gardens places the Farm right in the locality. People are what really give a place a sense of identity and in this case they reflect the richness and diversity that is found in Abbotsford. The ‘Plotters’ as they are affectionately known at the Farm are a community of people for whom the Farm is much more than simply a nice place to visit. For them, the Farm and garden plots are an important part of their daily nutrition, social activity, home and neighbourhood. The Farm’s Community Gardens (or ‘plots’) have been part of the Farm since it started in 1979. They are the third-oldest Community Gardens in Melbourne. Originally an initiative of the Greek Elderly Citizens and Turkish Welfare Group that approached the Farm for space for its members to produce their own vegetables as they had done before coming to Australia. There are still five of the original, double -sized plots and these ‘Plotters’ are usually seen working in their magnificent plots daily. There are a total of 70 plots available. We think that the plots here are the most popular in Melbourne, judging from the constant requests for a plot from people that live in suburbs all over the city. Plot holders who live close to the Community Garden are most likely to make the best use of the space to grow food, and reduce their food miles. Again, for them the gardens and the Farm is more than just a nice place to visit, it is an important part of connecting with their life and food source. Page 20
The Plotters are now a very diverse bunch, with Greek still the dominant flavour, however Italian, Spanish, English, Vietnamese and plain old Aussies have joined the group. The plots are available for residents of the City of Yarra with a higher preference given to those with no place for a garden at home and older residents, though there are also many younger families. The waiting list is so long it is temporarily closed! Plotters pay for Farm Membership and an annual fee which covers the cost of water (the plots have a separate water meter) and administration. Plotters are asked to maintain the pathway bordering their plot and to attend three of the monthly Working Bees to maintain the communal areas (or alternatively Plotters can assist at Farm events). Our water restrictions operate on the same odd and even plot-numbering system that applies to residential streets, with the same hours and methods of watering allowed under current legislation. Plots of education The Community Gardens are incorporated into many of the specialist food production tours (requests have increased dramatically) and general school Farm tours. Students and plotters enjoy the opportunity to interact and learn from each other. Students also learn to identify seasonal vegetables and discuss their uses in regional and local recipes. The Medicine Garden situated at the top of the plots forms a popular part of these educational tours. This garden was created by Leo Greogorc and Eleanor Tan, former herbal medicine teachers from the Southern School of Natural Therapies. The garden is thriving, although sometimes overgrown! The Medicine Garden is now maintained as part of the Working Bees. Toni Phillips, Farmhand (Horticulture and Community Gardens reports) Page 21
175 YEARS OF FARMING CELBRATIONS — WITH A TWIST Next year marks a very special point in the history of the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands (APHF), the land we farm and care for on behalf of all Victorians. It’s a big birthday event! We are asking the local and wider community to join with us to celebrate 175 years of formally recognised farming on this unique location, the oldest continually farmed land in the State. Soon after Batman’s Treaty of June 1835, squatters and their flocks of sheep arrived from Tasmania (then called Van Diemen’s Land), with the first formal land sales occurring in 1838. If farming is defined as ‘altering a landscape or ecosystem to develop an improved agricultural outcome’ eg deliberately using fire to manage grasslands and assist forest regrowth which in turn supports the lifecycles of animals (such as kangaroo), then by this definition the APHF have a far older and more profound ‘farming’ history that calls for greater appreciation and respect. It is therefore worth reflecting that the arrival of squatters and settlers was not without consequence for the traditional owners of the APHF, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Federation. Settlement brought disease, displacement and in many instances, the loss of traditional lands and sacred places for our First Nation people. In celebrating all elements of our local and national history in a balanced manner, we should take positive as well as negative reflections into account. And even though I’m a ‘whitefella’, I feel a strong connection (as hopefully all our visitors do) to this unique location and take the responsibility of its guardianship seriously. This connection shares a positive message for Wurundjeri that the land is celebrated, respected and cared for by people that feel deeply about it. The complete fluke of history that has seen the APHF preserved as working, heritage farmland for 175 years is unique on a Local, State, Page 22
National and World heritage level. Its paddocks are the only remaining element of Melbourne’s 19th-century agricultural landscape. The fact that the oldest continually farmed land in Victoria is located in the heart of its capital city of 4 million people and not in a rural area surely makes the unique heritage value of the APHF even greater. For 112 years, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd utilised the APHF to support their good works and social programs. It is doubly exciting to appreciate that 2013 also sees the Sisters of the Good Shepherd celebrate 150 years since the arrival of four nuns from France to found a convent farm on the APHF. Today, all of the remaining paddocks support the many socially positive programs offered by the Farm for the local community, continuing the spirit, intent and actions of the Sisters’ good works. This time last year, we had all just celebrated saving 1/3rd of the APHF from development plans by the Abbotsford Convent Foundation (ACF). The local and wider community rose up and strongly communicated to the ACF that none of the APHF farmlands should be developed away from their ongoing use as heritage farmland. As the ACF appeared to hear and understand this message, it was with much optimism that I read the draft 2013—2017 ACF Business Plan. I sincerely hoped that this document would provide a positive recognition of what was clearly communicated to the ACF. Everyone concerned for the Farm’s future should therefore be deeply worried that nowhere in this Business Plan is the 175-year farming history of the APHF valued, mentioned or any plans outlined for its preservation. In light of the community’s demand for it, the Collingwood Children’s Farm will continue to campaign for the permanent preservation of all the APHF and its ongoing, unique farming history that we all delight in experiencing. So please join with us in next year’s 175-year celebrations, as well as supporting us in working to save your Farm for the future. You have entrusted responsibility for the Farm to us, but, really it belongs to you! Andrew Phillips, Farmhand Page 23
FARM APIARY REPORT The Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary is part of the Collingwood Children’s Farm, Abbotsford. It is jointly managed by the Farm and the Melbourne section of the Victorian Apiarists’ Association Inc. (VAA) according to a mutually agreed ‘Memorandum of Understanding’. The apiary aims to educate the public about bees and beekeeping, and to provide beekeeping advice and practice to current and prospective beekeepers. It is open to the public from 10.30am to 3.30pm on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. The apiary consists of seven main hives, an equipment shed and educational display caravan. One of the hives is a "Bee Force" Varroa (Varroa destructor) detection hive. From the Display Caravan, visitors can safely watch the hives being opened as well as observe, close-up, the inside of a beehive through a small glasssided hive. The caravan also has a static display of beekeeping equipment, illustrative posters and free DPI brochures. If they wish, visitors can borrow protective clothing and join the beekeepers at the hives. Photos and descriptions of the apiary can be viewed at www.photoblog.com/collingwoodbees. Movies can also be viewed at www.youtube.com/collingwoodbees for movies. The apiary’s email address is: collingwoodbees@gmail.com. Visitors On Sunday openings over the last year, approximately 1,000 people inspected the Display Caravan and observed the hives through its observation windows. Approximately another 30 visitors borrowed protective clothing and inspected the hive close-up with the beekeepers. In addition, school groups visited the apiary during the week under supervision of Farm staff. Beekeeper visits Approximately ten new beekeepers attended the apiary for various lengths of time to receive instruction and support in managing their first hive. Several of these were formally assessed. A number of specific beekeeping Page 24
groups visited the apiary throughout the 2011—2012 year. These included: 13 November 2011: ‘Bee Force’ Varroa instruction by Joe Riordan, Victorian Apiary Inspector 15 December 2011: VAA Melbourne Section annual BBQ 22 January 2012: Southside Beekeepers Club 26 February 2012: City Rooftop Beekeepers 25 March 2012: Doncaster Beekeepers Club 27 May 2012: ‘Bee Force’ Project farewell BBQ On 17 July 2011 Gavin Jamieson conducted a Flora Identification tour of nearby Studley Park from where the apiary bees can collect nectar and pollen. On 4 March 2012 a photographic presentation of the apiary was presented at the ‘Jadran Bee Festival’ in Diggers Rest. Facilities maintenance Over the 2011—2012 year continued progress has been made in developing the “Bee Garden” and fitting out the Equipment Shed. The shed’s roof has been replaced, work benches constructed and tool display cabinets mounted on the walls. These improvements allow the apiary’s hives to be easily constructed and repaired as well as allowing new beekeepers to learn how to fabricate their own hives. Honey production totals 70kg of honey was extracted in late October 2011, 45kg in late December 2011 and 25kg in mid-March 2012 with approximately 10kg of cut honeycomb taken in late November 2011. In the previous year, 56kg of raw honey and no honeycomb was harvested. The honey Page 25
Inset, below: This young beekeeper found the queen bee
Inset, above: Joe Riordan, DPI Apiary Inspector, trains volunteer beekeepers to use the Varroa detection hive
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extracted in late December 2011 was awarded third prize in the VAA Incorporated (Melbourne Section) Annual Honey Competition. The honey and honeycomb were sold at Farm Reception and at the Farm’s monthly Farmer’s Market. Sales of both the honey and honeycomb were very brisk and the apiary was in no way able to meet the demand. VAA honey sales VAA honey, which was left unsold at the 2011 Royal Melbourne Show, was sold at the apiary. From October to June a total of 110kg was sold and the profits from these sales were used to buy woodworking tools and other fittings for the equipment shed. American Foulbrood (AFB) testing A sample from the late December 2011 honey extraction submitted to Gribbles Veterinary Pathology for testing on 14 March 2012 was returned negative for AFB spores. Varroa testing The ‘Bee Force’ Varroa detection hive which was installed in November 2011, was tested three times. All tests returned negative results. Expenses Total expenses for operating the apiary and the display caravan and paid by the Farm were $395, compared with $390 the previous year. This report was prepared by Barry Cooper in consultation with other volunteer beekeepers from the Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary Page 27
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Also thank ewe to: the late Erica Travers for her generous bequest allowing for construction of the combined Lambing/Hay Shed Kate Dwyer, professional photographer, for her lovely animal photographs and video creations Leonie Greiner, farmhand, for her fantastic photographs of the animals Judith Nilsson for Zac the Waler Angela Tiede for horse support Margaret for Smiths Gully agistment Marge Mercay at The Donkey Society for Donkey Day Ethel Stevenson and Kirsty Harker for help with sheep Brian and Helen Harker for shearing, support and accommodation Megg Miller for Chook Expo support Maree Williams and the Spinners and Weavers Guild for lots of things Fiona Chambers Bronwyn Cowan Andrea at 313 Vets Kathy, Kim, Andy and all the staff at North Warrandyte Vet Clinic for the endless advice, and their care for our animals Dee and Amanda at Tree Project Jane for WaterWatch Mike and Rhonda Perry for lots of cow stuff Page 29
Brodie Harrison for cow help, especially for sourcing Kasey and Hope our Ayshire calves Marilyn Mangione for sheep support Mark Burnell for horse dentistry Michael Scully for horse transport Fiona Kates for horse chiropractic treatment Mike, Barry, Bernie and Ian for running the bee hives Holy Goat for their ongoing support Annie Edney for her lovely bonfire lanterns and fire sculptures Australian Rat Fanciers Society Victoria Jack Pavey for poultry support Mandy Ord for weekly organic green waste Maggie Maguire from the Abbotsford Convent Marco and Nadine for their Coffee Cart and good humour Robert Stemp for making things work Miranda Sharp for Farmers Market stuff Sue Love and the Tussie-Mussie crew for tussy-mussies at the Farmers Market Farm stall Karen Doggett and Malcolm Douglas for finding us Biddy the Dairy Shorthorn Monica Morgan for worm farm help. Page 30
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