Bernadette my saviour Virgin.

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Warning: I’m going to have a few unhappy customers!

Most friends probably realise that I don’t keep bees for the honey millions I could be making, but for pollination of my veggies and my neighbours veggies and, hell while I’m at it, for our future.

But even I admit it was a pretty disappointing harvest after over 3 months.

I had 3 of 4 hives swarm just pre-Covid.

Bernadette’s harvest. All Virgin supers are 8-frame Ideals; easier to manage for a chick with a busted shoulder!

And while 2 recoveries were successful, they only just got their honey supers.

Only Bernadette had any honey for me (note they all have more than sufficient honey stores).

Isn’t it a beauty!

A standard full super harvest is 15-17 kg. This harvest, 50%.

This is already SOLD to @theplantlounge for their lovely customers.

For anyone who doesn’t think we are still in drought, previous years harvest at this time of year, is around 75kg. Yesterday I got 8kg.

#theforgottendrought #backyardbees #indaburbs #whatchoogrowing?

New new but different

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When I started Virgin Honey, I decided to use my branding skills and branding buddies to help with my packaging.

It really is amazing the difference a stand out bottle can make but, as I learned the hard way, it can also lead to a lot of wasted time, frustration and headaches.

So in with the new. It took me a while to find an off the shelf model that worked, but I’m very happy with the results!

So presenting…..same deliciousness, same label, same sizes – new Virgin bottles!!!

Tamper proof and a little less sticky! Order via email or txt.

…. even after 20 years in the industry, the internet can take things out of context…

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Ok so really, the headline was going to read something less salubrious but I’m friends with my dad on Facebook.

You see, Virgin honey is pure, small batch honey from Virginia. Geddit? A (what I thought) clever play on words. Simple.

Being a part of the marketing industry, I thought I knew all the pitfalls of starting a brand. So ….URL bought, ABN done, business name registered. Google check that there weren’t others listed by that name (there is but not in Qld).

It wasn’t until I told a colleague what the name was that I found out my very big mistake.

Friends of you are looking for my website google word search … not google videos!

Coming to stockists near you!

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I’ll admit that I am somewhat a “gunna do it” kind of gal when it comes to kick starting some of my personal projects. Many friends are nodding as they read this.

And to be vaguely fair to myself, it’s tough trying to start a side project when you are working full time. So fast forward to now and I’m excited to be taking some me time to get Virgin Honey out there!

With the boot up the backside from my gorgeous neighbor Benita Orwell, I’ve now got a gig for Virgin Honey at Putia Pure Food Kitchen.

If you have or know of a fantastic cafe, deli or providore that’s Northside Brisbane and supports local produce, please email me or txt because I’d love to get it to as many locations as are convenient!

Sorry Masterchef contestant Bennie!

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My wonderful nearby neighbour and Masterchef 2017 contestant Benita Orwell has been a massive fan of Virgin Honey since I got my first hive.

Given our mutual passion for organic and local produce, good wine, good times and lots of laughs, it was a pleasure to be asked to supply sampler jars of Virgin honey for guests at  Bennie’s first Ladies Long Lunch.

Much to my dismay, Bennie’s first Ladies Long Lunch which will be held next Wednesday is on a day I simply cannot take off from work. If you are fortunate to have the day free for some awesome food, I highly recommend booking in.

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Another win for Virgin Honey

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Late June was the Redcliffe Show at which the Northside Beekeepers Association played host at the honey court. 
Past president Les in all his glory with Peter

A few of the entries in the honey judging 

Queen bee Norma manning the store 

Heaps of members turned up to lend a hand and talk to the public all about bees.

It was one year ago that I attended my first ever Bee club meeting, and I vividly recall the excitement as members received their prizes from the 2015 Redcliffe Show. 

So I was excited to be one of those lucky people last night receiving my first prize in the Novice category.  

Even more exciting was that the honey was from a single Flow Hive frame from Madonna’s hive. I think that’s a first!


First prize blue ribbon Novice 

Next stop is The Ekka!!

Winter wonderland 

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We live in a very lucky land and a very lucky city. In spite of grim grey skies over Brisbane, my garden insists on thriving. 

While not a whole lot of variety for the bees, my girls are still getting good pollen and nectar from lavender, Rosemary, cosmos, chilli, rocket and apricots (I know weird right). 


Brisbane – perfect place for a bee to be! 

Perfect gift for the beesotted

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I think all apiarists particularly when starting out, can’t help but tell anyone who will listen about “their girls” and the first flush of success. 

At least in the initial stages when the novelty of bee keeping has not worn thin, friends, neighbours and nearby shop keepers will hear the ‘how I started story’ multiple times. 

No one wants to think they are boring their audience, so I was delighted when I turned up for dinner with friends, who I haven’t seen since I started bee keeping but have been following my exploits online, to have received a beeutiful Alex Munroe bee necklace from long time school friend Yasmin tonight. 

Perfect gift for anyone a little beesotted with their girls