Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, your age etc

As the names suggests, I’m a 26 year old beekeeper from Bondi! I make honey, catch swarms and setup hives for friends in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

 

How does your work reference ‘sustainability’?

Beekeeping, by its nature, is a sustainable practice. According to the WWF, around 90% of wild plants and 75% of leading global crops depend on pollinators like honey bees. The little champs play a pivotal role in the functionality of our environment but they need our help! It’s no secret that the effects of climate change, pesticides and disease have had a huge impact on bee populations in recent years, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Recreational beekeeping has experienced an exponential increase in recent times, with more people keeping bees in their backyards and rooftops than ever before. My role as Bondi’s BEE BOY, is to keep breaking down the perceived barriers to entry when it comes to beekeeping. ANYONE can do it, you just have to care.

 

How did you start & Who inspires you and your work?

In 2019, I visited the organic farm at Mundo Nuevo - an ECO lodge in Minca, Colombia. Here, a quirky Dutch farmer and beekeeper called Pim gave us a tour of his apiary to teach us a bit about bees and their relationship to the environment. With a Marlboro red hanging from his lip throughout, Pim guided us through his apiary set in the stunning hills of Minca.  At the end, we got to taste some honey made all the more sweet by Pim’s enthusiasm and passion for keeping bees sustainably. I remember thinking to myself “this is the life”. And so my obsession with bees began.

More than anything, I’m inspired by my fellow Sydney beekeepers. I can’t express just how kind and nurturing the Sydney beekeeping community is. I truly believe that if you’re an aspiring beekeeper, there is no better place to learn the ropes.

 

Who is your dream collaboration and why?

That’s easy – Lauren Martin. I’ve been a big fan of her work for a few years now. Something about those cute little plants and foods with faces on ‘em just gets me.

 

Where can we find your designs?
IG: @beeboybondi

 

What do you plan to do in the future?
I want to use beekeeping as a tool to help people on the fringe of society, particularly at risk youth and victims of abuse. I’ve personally found beekeeping to be very therapeutic and I’d love the opportunity to share it with people in need.