On Wed 5th March '25 our environment committee organised a zoom presentation from Fiona Chambers, the CEO of the Wheen Bee Foundation.
Fiona has 30 years business experience in the production and marketing of agricultural and horticultural commodities both in Australia and overseas. She has delivered papers at numerous national and international conferences. The WBF is named after its founder Gretchen Wheen and is partly funded through a bequest from her estate.
Fiona gave an excellent presentation regarding the importance of bees and pollinators in food production and security and maintaining healthy ecosystems. She explained that whilst the honey industry is relatively small and lacks capital for expansion the value of bees to the agricultural economy is enormous and critical. Fiona outlined the significant activities and achievements of the WBF which include providing grants for bee habitat enhancement, research, education and events.
Fiona states that she has a “soft spot” for Rotary and the work we do. She has been a presenter at the defying the drift program and has worked with the Rotarians for Bees group.