2022 Activities

Bee Journal Article written by Victoria Meng (Senior Leader)

Thank You from Rob Kerr

Thank you from the Bees

Rob Kerr
Victorian Apiarists’ Association Melbourne Section

Congratulations to the Jiayuan Studio on the 2022 Save the Bees charity concert. The musical performances were beautiful and inspiring, and the organisation and presentation by the students was done with great care and to great effect. And to top it off, there were wonderful donations to bee health through the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), and to bee education of young people through the Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary.

Doug and Sue, and Carol and I were incredibly impressed with the musicality and technical skills displayed by the young performers. It was a joy to be there. If I had grandchildren, I’d like one of these! (Yes, I’m that old). Although the performers were undoubtedly nervous, their composure reflected a permission to be ambitious for themselves, and an acceptance of imperfections that would be valued as learnings.

We recognise that the charity concerts, started by Mrs Yi Jia Jia, is a product of the strong co-operation among the students, their parents, the Jiayuan volunteers and Mrs Yi Jia Jia. Looking at the world and trying to make a difference is admirable and important. When you achieve, as you all have this year, it gives everyone a great model to make further changes in the world around them.

The leadership team showed strong commitment and had a plan to execute. From my experiences of the team at the apiary visit, the concert and the celebration lunch, the students were respectful and supportive of each other as well as ambitious for the charity cause. The specific division of responsibility among the team members required each of them to produce individually as well as learning to integrate each other’s work toward the larger goal. The results speak for themselves!

The Jiayuan volunteers’ and parents’ support was evident in their presence on the night and the quality of the performances: the presenters and performers must have had great support to have prepared and achieved what they demonstrated on the night. I also congratulate the Jiayuan community on allowing the children to choose their own cause, organise the concert, design and deliver the video, as well as perform and present the event itself. It is a developmental experience that will serve them well.

I acknowledge Mrs Yi Jia Jia for the outstanding quality of musician that she is nurturing at the Jiayuan Studio. The individuality of each student combined with the amazing technical facility shows what a treasure this community has in their teacher. I am sure that all the families touched by Mrs Yi Jia Jia’s school of “music and growing up” will always remember the wonderful music and performances and recognise the broader benefits in their children and their families.

It was a privilege to work with the Jiayuan Charity Concert leaders at the Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary. We look forward to the bees being cleared of Varroa in NSW and to the repair and purchase of bee suits for the Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary so that many more young people can learn about the importance of bees.

Vote of Thanks

Mike Love
Apiary volunteer

Back in September 2022 a group of young people and a few parents visited the Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary. These were representatives from the Jiayuan Charity, who had decided bees would be the focus of charitable work for 2022 and had organised to come to the apiary to learn more about bees and undertake a bee experience.

Rob Kerr had dealt with most of the apiary preparations for the visit, I was a late inclusion to assist with the bee experience. By the time I arrived there was much excitement with many of the participants already in bee suits. We parted company after all had participated in opening hives and the experiencing wonder of bees first hand.

These young people were some of the leaders from the children run Jiayuan Charity. All talented musicians who raise funds from an annual concert which they pass on to support a worthy cause of their choosing. For 2022 they chose bees, with Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary (CCFA) and the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) receiving generous donations.

The apiary volunteers who helped with the Jiayuan visit were invited guests to the annual concert, along with their partners. Unfortunately due to a prior commitment I was unable to attend. I did however hear glowing reports of the talents of these young maestros and from the generous donations made to CCFA and AHBIC it was obviously well supported.

Every successful campaign should be celebrated. And so it is for the Jiayuan Charity, they held a celebratory lunch recently, for which the apiary volunteers were again invited guests. This I could not miss: dress was reputed to be neat casual and I had new strides and a comfortable polo, so I thought I was set.

On arrival at the Jiayuan Studio I was confronted by wall of impeccably dressed young people, all looking ready to attend a Gala dinner rather than a buffet luncheon. In between meet and greets there were glimpses of a delectable spread of food on tables beyond.

Having been introduced to the senior team lenders (each around 14 or 15 years old) we were given a tour of the studio, after seeing various practice rooms, we all congregated in the grand piano room which likely doubles as a concert room.

We were treated to speeches from the senior leaders followed by the young leaders (the youngest possibly 6 years old). All showed confidence and maturity well beyond their years.

While it is always a treat to be invited to lunch, the real treat here was to be able to converse with these talented youngsters over tasty morsels. To hear of their hopes and aspirations and have bees included in those conversations.

The Jiayuan Charity’s focus on bees for their charitable work in 2022 has been a resounding success. Not only did their visit to the Collingwood Children’s Farm Apiary provide an opportunity for young people to learn about bees and support a worthy cause, but their generous donations to CCFA and AHBIC have made a significant impact.

Our apiary volunteers who assisted with the visit were honored to be invited guests at the Jiayuan Charity’s annual concert and celebratory lunch, and were impressed by the talent, maturity, and passion of the young leaders involved in the charity. We are grateful for the Jiayuan Charity’s dedication to promoting bees and environmental awareness, and look forward to seeing the positive impact of their continued efforts.