PRESENT: Andrew Beach (Vice Pres.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 24 members as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Frank & Mary Ann Lindsay, Bernard & Lynne Long, John Robson, John Wallace, Bob McGahan

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Minutes of meeting held 10 June 2002 were read and confirmed.

Varroa Mesh: Balance of cost of stainless steel mesh roll paid to importer and roll expected in NZ on 14 Aug. Cutting by guillotine into hive-sized pieces will still be required.

Varroa Update: Varroa has now been discovered at Haywards Hill also Marton and Mangaweka. The Haywards Hill infestation was in three of Frank Lindsay’s 34 hives at a site on the edge of Belmont Regional Park opposite the Mt Cecil Road junction, 5.1 km from Pauatahanui sawmill, site of the original log incident six months ago. Andrew Beach (contracting for AgriQuality) has today added Bayvarol to all other hives in the apiary and it is likely that all other apiaries within 5km will also require to be checked by AgriQuality to determine mite spread.

Wgton beekeepers must now accept that varroa has arrived in Wgton and decide on action to be taken. A co-ordinated approach was recommended and it was agreed that a varroa workshop/field day in late Sept/early Oct would be a good idea. Michelle Knight offered the club the use of her Te Horo property on which she had 5 hives and a building, which would suit for indoor discussions etc. It was agreed this would be an ideal venue and would allow both Manawatu and Wanganui beekeepers to be invited. Date agreed was Sun 29 Sept at 10am. Andrew Yung offered the use of his BBQ and James Scott a tea urn. To cover expenses cost would be $5 for Wgton club members and $10 for other beekeepers.

Paul Bolger (MAF’s varroa programme co-ordinator) and Byron Taylor (Apiary Advisory Officer) and Murray Reid (AgriQuality’s National Apiculture Manager) would be invited to attend and speak. This field day however was primarily a "hands-on" meeting with an emphasis on the contents of the Varroa Control Handbook and the demonstration/ construction of appropriate equipment. A sub-committee consisting of James Scott, Richard Hatfield, Michelle Knight and John Burnet would organise the field day.

NBA Conference: Richard Hatfield advised the whole levy issue was to be revisited – there will be no new levies in the meantime. The existing NBA funding will run out in Dec however Richard believes the funding basis for the future requires radical change.

General Business: Andrew Beach advised that NZPost were offering free postage for non-profit and charitable organisations – no specific projects or appeals were necessary. Andrew will apply for $300 to cover the Club’s annual postage.

Video: MAF’s varroa control video was shown to the meeting.