![A previous Open Day at the Sutherland Bee Garden.Picture: John Veage A previous Open Day at the Sutherland Bee Garden.Picture: John Veage](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/BVddEN2nVNCxFJ4aerD5vY/a5f7a934-c788-47b4-9bac-30c3679761ef.jpg/r0_0_5268_3543_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
After a break of over three years, caused by the pandemic, Illawarra Beekeepers, at Sutherland, are having an Open Day on Saturday September 23, from 10am to 3pm.
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The Bee Garden and Clubhouse is located behind Sutherland Basketball Stadium, in Eton Street south.
There will be information sessions, kids corner, honey tasting and sales, a sausage sizzle and opportunities to suit up and get close to the bees.
![A honey frame is examined at the Illawarra Beekeepers clubhouse. Picture: John Veage A honey frame is examined at the Illawarra Beekeepers clubhouse. Picture: John Veage](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/BVddEN2nVNCxFJ4aerD5vY/271876f2-68b1-43d0-a709-4212c674e234.jpg/r0_0_5315_3543_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
President of Illawarra Beekeepers, Neal Robinson, said protective suits were available for people of all ages, from toddlers to adults.
"We get a lot of inquiries about keeping bees in the backyard, and this is a good opportunity to see what's involved and have questions answered," he said.
![Protective suits are available for all ages. Picture by John Veage Protective suits are available for all ages. Picture by John Veage](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pLj4pq4ybq6tTvnKybAXAX/2d13c172-274f-41bb-bfa4-ba573721848e.jpg/r4500_1358_5008_2291_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Robinson estimates there are about 200 backyard bee keepers in Sutherland Shire and St George.
"Private beekeepers are most important for the bees," he said.
"There's a bit more involved these days with things like Varroa mite, but that's like a lot of things in life such as what's required in having a dog compared with the past."
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