Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2023

GIRLS GR A MM A R: the place to BEE ON WEEKDAY MORNINGS, VISITORS TO THE BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL SPRING HILL CAMPUS WILL FIND MORE THAN A THOUSAND BUSY WORKERS GOING ABOUT THEIR IMPORTANT LABOUR—AND THAT’S NOT INCLUDING STUDENTS!

F or more than five years, the Girls Grammar Spring Hill campus has been home to a hive of Tetragonula Hockingsi native bees. A collaboration between staff and students in the School’s Grammar Environmental and Conservation Organisation (GECO), the hive was placed on campus in 2018 to support an increase in local bee populations. Since its arrival, the hive has been tested in different locations and elevations, with its carers constantly seeking to optimise the bees’ comfort and productivity. It has found its ideal space on a raised platform in the garden on the Eastern side of Main Building, nestled amongst the camellias and azaleas. A SPECIES FIT FOR QUEENSLAND There are more than 600 species of stingless bees around the world, with 11 species discovered and described scientifically in Australia, and nine of these found in Queensland. Tetragonula Hockingsi native stingless bees are the most dominant species in Queensland, thriving in warmer climates. Slightly larger than most other native stingless bees, this species can be distinguished from others by their jet‑black body colour, and the fine, short hair that densely and evenly covers the side of the thorax (abdomen). Colonies can become quite large, including up to 10 000 worker bees and a single queen. Similar to European honeybees, stingless bees also make and store honey, and live in colonies with a queen, her worker daughters and some male drones. They nest in cavities such as tree hollows, underground irrigation boxes or purpose‑built hive boxes.

CITIZEN BEE SCIENTISTS

The study of stingless bees in Australia is still relatively undeveloped. In particular, researchers are unsure of how frequently stingless bee colonies reproduce, or if it typically happens at certain times of year. There are now tens of thousands of stingless bee colonies identified across the country, and researchers are seeking help to observe and record bee behaviour. Our Spring Hill hive joined The University of Queensland’s native bee citizen science project in November 2022. Not wanting to bee left behind, Marrapatta staff discovered a hive of native bees at this campus as well, and joined the citizen bee science project in April 2023. The School has committed to weekly monitoring to observe bees carrying resin, waste, or pollen, noting the location, and grouping of dead bees, and looking for signs that bees are establishing a new colony. The School’s hives are among 427 registered hives in Australia and 336 in Queensland (as at 1 March 2023). The Term 2 ‘BGGS Sustainability Challenge’ is to increase support for Containers for Change amongst staff and students, and all monies raised from this initiative will go towards the health check for our buzzy friends in October 2023. It is hoped that after the hive undergoes this check it will be able to be split, further encouraging growth of local bee populations and contributing to the health of our inner-city ecosystems.

MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL’S GECO STUDENT GROUP WAX LYRICAL ABOUT THEIR FAVOURITE LOCAL INSECTS: ‘WE LOVE BEES BECAUSE THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT THEY ARE SO ADORABLE. THE BEEHIVE ALSO ADDS EXTRA ENJOYMENT TO OUR GECO MEETINGS AS WE LOVE TO COUNT THEM WITH FRIENDS. THE MONEY RAISED FROM OUR CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE BINS GOES TO HELPING SUPPORT THEM, ENSURING THEY CONTINUE TO ENJOY THEIR BGGS HOME.’ FOR MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY—AND

Watch the Spring Hill bees in flight by scanning the QR code.

ABOVE THE SPRING HILL HIVE

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BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

GAZETTE • ISSUE 1, 2023 ISSUE 1, 2023