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• 2026 QBA State Conference & 122nd AGM

  • Start
    11 June 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • End
    12 June 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM
  • Location
    Brothers Sports Club, John Byrne Event Centre, 130 Takalvan St, Bundaberg QLD 4670
  • Spaces left
    34

  

  QBA 2026 State Conference & 122nd AGM

  The Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc. was founded in 1886, marking a proud history of advocacy and community. As we celebrate our 140th year in 2026, we are thrilled to announce that our 2026 State Conference & 122nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be heading to the Wide Bay region. Please save the date for June 11th and 12th, 2026, at the Brothers Sports Club in Bundaberg, Queensland.

  The Theme: Adapt and Thrive

  This year’s conference theme, 'Adapt and Thrive,' reflects the journey of our industry over the last 140 years. The program will focus on forward-looking practices, biosecurity resilience, and informed management strategies that support a sustainable future for Australian beekeeping.

  Guest Speakers

  Whilst the agenda is still being finalised, we are excited to confirm an exceptional lineup of guest speakers who will be travelling to Bundaberg to share their expertise:

  
  

  DR. GEOFF WILLIAMS

  Associate Professor & Director

  Auburn University Bee Centre

  Alabama (USA)

  
  

  DR. THIERRY BOGAERT

  CTO and Chairman

  Commercial Pollen Replacement Feed

  APIX Biosciences, Belgium (EUR)

  
  

  DR. FLEUR PONTON

  Associate Professor & Director 

  Head of School of Natural Sciences

  Macquarie University, Sydney NSW (AUS)

  
  

  LIZ FROST

  Technical Specialist Honey Bees

  Agriculture and Biosecurity

  Dept. of Primary Industries & Regional Development,

  Tocal NSW (AUS)

  JODIE GOLDSWORTHY AM

  Co-Founder and Director - Beechworth Honey Group

  Beechworth VIC (AUS)

  Oceania Vice President - Apimondia

  Board Member - Wheen Bee Foundation 

  Executive Member - HPMAA

  DR. JOHN ROBERTS

  Senior Research Scientist 

  Bee Pests and Pathogens

  CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, 

  Canberra ACT (AUS)

  
  

  DANNY LE FEUVRE 

  CEO - Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC)

  South Australia (AUS)

  Non-Executive Director - AgriFutures

  Co-founder - The Honey Alchemists

  
  

  DR. COOPER SCHOUTEN

  Senior Research Fellow

  Director - Bee Research and Extension Lab

  Faculty of Science and Engineering 

  Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW (AUS)

  Executive Member - AHBIC

  
  

  ROBERT STEPHENS

  Manager Projects – Varroa Mite Innovation and Resilience Initiative

  Biosecurity Queensland

  Dept. of Primary Industries, Townsville, QLD (AUS)

  
  

  LUKE EVANS

   Program Manager 

  Honey Bee and Pollination Program

  AgriFutures, Sydney NSW (AUS)

  BREE WATSON

   CEO|Company Secretary

  Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG)

  Bundaberg QLD (AUS)

  Event Highlights - *** Please note there has been a change of date to the Pollination Open Panel Discussion - now taking place at the Field Day on Sat 13th June ***

  All registrants with tickets to the Pollination Night previously being held on Thursday evening, the 11th of June, will automatically be transferred to the 'Meet the Sponsors' event. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

  
  

  Beyond the conference sessions, there are four key social and practical events not to be missed:

  
  

  1.  MEET THE SPONSORS - FREE EVENT***

  When: Thursday, 11th June

  Where: John Byrne Event Centre, Brothers Sports Club

  Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

  Hot platters/tea & coffee provided by QBA - drinks available to purchase at private bar

  
  2. FORMAL 3-COURSE DINNER - TICKETS $66.00 per head - TIME TO DRESS UP!

  When: Friday Night, 12th June

  Where: John Byrne Event Centre, Brothers Sports Club

  Time: 7:00 pm (Drinks on the deck from 6:00 pm)

  
  

  3. WIDE BAY BRANCH BEEKEEPING FIELD DAY - ENTRY $10.00

  When: Saturday, 13th June

  Where: Main Pavilion at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct (Showgrounds)

  Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

  Contact: widebaybeekeepers@gmail.com

  
  

  4. POLLINATION OPEN PANEL DISCUSSION (Beekeeper & Grower) FREE EVENT ***

  When: Saturday, 13th June

  Where:  Main Pavilion at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct (Showgrounds)

  Time: 10:00 am (an announcement will be made at the field day when it is due to commence)

  Sponsorship Opportunities Available

  We invite industry partners to support this milestone event via a sponsorship tier of your choice or conference advertising to promote your business. Our Sponsorship Prospectus is available for download. This document outlines venue details, the conference vision, and the sponsorship tiers available for the year starting 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2027 - QBA 2026 Sponsorship Prospectus

  Sponsors will be promoted extensively throughout the conference and at the venue.

  
  

  See you in Bundaberg!!

  Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc.

  
  

  LUKE EVANS

   Program Manager - Honey Bee and Pollination Program

  AgriFutures, Wagga Wagga NSW (AUS)

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