The Victorian Apiarist Association was founded over 125 years ago to support Victorian Beekeepers. Its role has been to deal with Federal, State and Local government over the years to ensure that beekeepers had a voice in decision making that would affect their livelihood and the right to keep bees.

The VAA created the first code of conduct for recreational beekeepers, that was put into state law so that recreational beekeepers could keep bees without having to deal with individual councils.

Bees and Pollinators are essential to our eco system, our food chain and indeed life itself. It has been calculated that one in every three mouthfuls we eat is totally dependant on bees and pollinators. David Attenborough describes the bee as the most important creature or being on the planet. Without them, our world and quality of life would be very different.

Volunteers run the organisation. This role is initially a volunteer role, with the potential to lead to paid work opportunities. The position could start three days a week, the intention with the right funding to increase this.

The Association has a number of projects that it is trying to run:

• Education
• Biosecurity
• Supporting recreational beekeepers and their clubs
• Government reviews of legislation on topics like access to Forests state and federal
• Logging and the effects on bee foraging areas
• Preparedness for Varroa.
• Conferences
• The Royal Melbourne show
• Fundraising (outside of the two areas above)

All of these areas are significant projects. The Association has 500 members and at various times calls on over 100 volunteers that give their time to support the VAA.

Our greatest weakness is being able to coordinate and drive these projects.

The Association is looking for a Melbourne-based person that has the drive and energy to manage and support the successful completion of projects.

Attributes needed:

• Organisational skills
• People skills
• Creativity
• Problem solver
• Result orientated
• Be able to generate funding

For enquiries about the role, please phone John on 0414 477 444 for a confidential discussion.