Baldragon Academy

A Visit from Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers

29 JUNE 2026

We were very pleased to give a warm welcome to the Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers team, representing Australia, on their recent visit.

From L to R:

Anita Long - founder of 'Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers'.

Josiah Dick - Representing Queensland.

Elan Myers - Representing Victoria.

Patrick Napper - from South Arm, Tasmania.

James Horan - a commercial beekeeper with 'Tasmanian Pollination Services' who regularly acts as an expert mentor and guest instructor for 'Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers'

This group are in Scotland before travelling to Belfast where they will represent their country - taking part in the annual International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB).

The day's schedule was for a brief catch-up meeting (Anita visited our association 3 years ago); a session in the 'bee shed' where 'Team Australia' were invited to transfer a colony from our observation hive into a full brood box; lunch; back in the 'bee shed' in the afternoon where the team met with newbie beekeeper pupils from Baldragon Academy; and then a meeting with Baldragon Head Teacher, Hugh McAninch.

Representing the Baldragon Beekeepers' Association were Fred Mollison, Julie Livingstone, Gwen Anderson (Webster's High School) and Simon Mortlock.

In the initial chat we discussed beekeeping from the different perspectives of Scotland and Australia. We talked about varroa mite, integrated pest management, sacrificial drone brood and the differences in our seasons. We were interested to learn that there have been surveys in Australia that have recognised a reduction of drones at Drone Congregation Areas and so as well as queen rearing, drone rearing is also on the menu and the sacrificing of drones is not to be taken lightly. Our seasons are also quite different. Whereas we may consider from October to March is a relatively quiet time for beekeeping in Scotland, in Brisbane their quiet time is limited to around two months e.g. May/June.

We wish Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers an exciting and informative experience during their trip away from home.

Pupils at Baldragon Academy in Dundee have been learning about beekeeping as part of a new project.

Click on this link to see the news item:

STV News Item 26 September 2023

Please see the attached link:

Dundee pupils buzzing as honey goes on sale in city shop

August 2023: We are pleased to announce that we have been accepted to teach National Progression Award level 5 (NPA 5) for Beekeeping.

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/80504.html

Anita Long visits the Baldragon Academy Apiary on 24th July 2023

Anita's family has a sheep farm in Tasmania and when Anita was introduced to beekeeping she loved it. But her instinct was to pass on the joy of beekeeping to the younger generations.

Anita is the Founder and President of Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers, a not-for-profit organisation which was formed in 2017 as a way of giving children access to free beekeeping in a safe and inclusive environment.

Anita was awarded a 2020 Churchill Fellowship to investigate development programmes for young beekeepers scalable to an Australian context. With this, Anita was given the opportunity to travel and spread the word and importantly learn what other nations are doing. Anita is traveling with her family for this purpose and has visited Poland, The Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, The Netherlands, England and Scotland.

We were absolutely delighted to invite and meet Anita, and her family, where we could hear from Anita about her experiences and endeavours, show Anita our bees and share the story of our association and realise we have similar aims.

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2023/05/anita-long-studying-beekeeper-programs-in-europe/

Our very best wishes to Anita Long and her family. We look forward to getting updates on your research.

UPDATE - See the attached report from Anita:

Anita's Project Report

Winner of the Cat 4 Environment and Sustainable Dundee City Council Award

Honey Processing 2023

Amelia and Lilly receiving an award for their contribution to #baldragongrows which includes beekeeping, gardening and drystone walling.

The school dream team and making up shallow frames

Some of the Participants attending the Baldragon Academy Beginners' Course 2023

Participation in the 2022

SBA Annual Convention.

"We had a very busy, exciting day at the Honey competition. We were very warmly welcomed to the show by a number of committee members and they provided delicious food for us. We were invited to informative lectures where myself and the pupils learned about a variety of topics from some special people, we were particularly excited by the research done on bees behaviour and watching the video clips of their reactions, it was spectacular. The competition was very exciting as we managed to place with our posters and honeycomb. Special mention to our own Joshua who placed with his delicious chutney. We were given hints and tips for next year by judges so are able to improve in some categories. It was a very wholesome and exciting day, both myself and the pupils cant wait for next year already!"

Megan Scott

The Scottish National Honey Show 2022

BBA Members & Baldragon Academy Pupils exhibited

Harvest Festival 06 October 2022

Setting up the BBA stall

An Inspection in July 2022

Pupils present Head Teacher with their 1st Frame of Honey.

June 2022

Beginners' Practical Session in the Bee Shed

Opening the hive and inspecting the colony

Our Facilities

Baldragon Facilities

Classrooms as required; Conference Room supporting online presentations; Bee shed complete with 3 colonies of local bees housed in national hives (hives made at Baldragon); Changing room shed for bee suits + beekeeping equipment.

Accent on Teaching

To Inspire and encourage pupils, teachers, and the general public about all things concerning the honeybee.

Friendly support

The Baldragon Beekeepers Association may be contacted to advise, and assist if appropriate, and answer all your beekeeping questions.

Practical & Theory

We have the facilities and breadth of knowledge and experience to support you in becoming a fully rounded beekeeper or simply for you to appreciate the world of the honeybee.