Left to Right: Patrick Napper, Elan Meyer and Josiah Dick will represent Australia at IMYB 2026 in Northern Ireland

A Global Opportunity for Australia’s Young Beekeepers Needs Your Support Now!

Australian Youth Beekeeping is preparing to send its 2026 team to the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Northern Ireland, with the journey also including educational opportunities in Scotland and the Netherlands.

Selected for the Australian Youth Beekeeping Team 2026 are Patrick Napper from Tasmania, Elan Meyer from Victoria and Josiah Dick from Queensland. Together, they will represent Australia at IMYB, recognised as the peak youth beekeeping event in the world.

Bringing together more than 100 young beekeepers from approximately 35 countries, IMYB offers something few other programs can. It places young people in an international environment shaped by practical beekeeping, knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange and connection. For those passionate about bees, it is one of the most significant opportunities available anywhere in the world, giving participants the chance to experience different beekeeping systems, floral environments and ideas while building friendships and perspective that will last for years.

This will be Australian Youth Beekeeping’s third international campaign, building on the strong success of previous teams that have represented Australia with pride and dedication. Those earlier campaigns showed the value of giving young Australians access to world-class opportunities in beekeeping and helped establish a pathway that is now gaining real momentum.

The 2026 team was selected through a national process that gave young beekeepers across Australia the chance to apply. Judging was carried out by an independent national panel made up of industry leaders, professional beekeepers and past participants, bringing a broad and well-rounded perspective to the final decision. Applications and interviews formed part of the process, with the panel considering not only beekeeping involvement, but also readiness, attitude, commitment and the ability to contribute positively as part of a team.

Representing Australia internationally calls for more than practical skill alone. It requires maturity, curiosity, adaptability and the willingness to step into a major learning experience with both confidence and humility. Patrick, Elan and Josiah each bring their own strengths and perspective, and together they form a team well placed to make the most of this opportunity.

Meet the Team

Patrick Napper, Elan Meyer and Josiah Dick, all coming from three different states, reflect the depth of young beekeeping talent emerging across Australia.

Patrick Napper, Tasmania: Patrick was introduced to beekeeping through Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers and has developed a strong interest in both the environmental and scientific sides of the craft. He especially enjoys queen raising and values the opportunity to mentor younger members within the organisation.

Elan Meyer, Victoria: Elan is 16 years old and from Victoria. His interest in bees began when his uncle started a colony, and it grew further when his father became a commercial beekeeper. Through the family business, he has gained valuable hands-on experience and a strong practical grounding in beekeeping.

Josiah Dick, Queensland: Josiah is currently undertaking his Certificate III in Beekeeping while also working with a commercial beekeeper in Queensland. With a farming background and strong work ethic, he brings practical experience and firsthand understanding of the challenges surrounding varroa mites.

The team also share another common thread through their involvement in Scouts at different levels, an experience that has helped build qualities such as teamwork, responsibility and leadership as they prepare to represent Australia overseas.

Preparation is already underway. In the coming months ahead, the team will take part in online meetings, education sessions and training with beekeeping mentors and other experienced beekeepers. This stage is designed to strengthen knowledge, build confidence and ensure the team arrives well prepared for the experience ahead.

Support is already beginning to show in meaningful ways. Elan has been invited by the Victorian Apiarists’ Association to attend their conference as a guest, a gesture that reflects both his potential and the importance of industry bodies actively backing the next generation.

Before arriving in Northern Ireland, the team will spend time in Scotland, which will serve as an important launch pad for the international program. Through connections developed during Anita Long’s Churchill Fellowship, and with support from members of the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association and other individual beekeepers, the team will undertake pre-event learning that adds real depth to the journey.

A key focus in Scotland will be varroa training. The team will meet beekeepers who have been managing varroa mites for decades, giving them the chance to hear directly from people with long-term practical experience. They will also learn about floral sources, honey and beekeeping across the UK. For young Australian beekeepers, that kind of exposure is especially valuable. It places current industry challenges into a real-world context and gives the team access to knowledge that can only come from lived experience.

From Scotland, the team will head to Northern Ireland for IMYB itself, where they will join young beekeepers from across the globe in a setting centred on skill, exchange and shared enthusiasm for bees. It is an opportunity to learn on an international stage and to represent Australian youth beekeeping in a meaningful and positive way.

The journey will then continue to the Netherlands, where the team will spend time connected with Platinum Sponsor Bejo. Their support is helping make this campaign possible while also adding an educational dimension through exposure to pollination, bee genetics and the role of bees within larger agricultural and food systems.

As with previous campaigns, support from industry, business and the wider community will be essential. Sending a national youth team overseas involves significant cost, and Australian Youth Beekeeping remains committed to ensuring that opportunities like this are shaped by merit and commitment, not financial position alone. Support is continuing to grow, with businesses, community members and industry supporters all helping open the door for the next generation of Australian beekeepers.

At the heart of it all are three young Australian beekeepers preparing to represent their country through hard work, curiosity and a genuine commitment to beekeeping. Patrick, Elan and Josiah will carry with them not only their own enthusiasm, but the support of a wider community that believes young people are worth investing in.

Become an IMYB team supporter or sponsor

Those wishing to assist can do so through the Australian Youth Beekeeping website, where supporters can contribute by direct deposit and learn more about the campaign. Sponsorship is also welcomed across the campaign’s support tiers, from Friends of the Team through to Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

For more information visit Australian Youth Beekeeping or download the PDF here