Workshops & events
Talking LandCare - Native Pollinators
Australian native bees, wasps, and flies play a vital role in pollinating not only our unique native plants but also many introduced crops. While their beauty and fascinating behaviours are gaining attention, their ecological importance often goes unrecognised.
I’ll be sharing my adventures native bee spotting in the Illawarra at this event organised by LandCare Illawarra.
This is a free event, with bookings required online through LandCare Illawarra.
Native Bee Themed Drop-in Station - Sydney Science Trail Family Community Day
Join in this family-friendly science festival at the Australian Museum on Saturday 9 August for National Science Week.
I’ll be at this event to spark curiosity about native bees with a native bee-themed drop-in station, in collaboration with Christie Peters from the Illawarra/Shoalhaven branch of the Australian Native Bee Association.
Stay tuned for more details and registrations opening in July 2025 on the Australian Museum website.
Not All Bees Are Yellow
As part of National Science Week, I’ll be guiding an adventure into the surprising diversity, ecology and behaviors of native bees with selected primary school students at Bundanon Art Museum on the Shoalhaven River.
Bookings are closed for this event.
'The Buzz Effect - Native Bees and Citizen Science in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven' - Bundanon Science Week 2025 Syposium
I’ll be delivering a 20 minute presentation on ‘The Buzz Effect - Native Bees and Citizen Science in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven’ at Bundanon’s Science Week 2025 Symposium ‘Hidden Messages from the Shoalhaven’s Ecologies.’
Stay tuned for the full program details and booking link from Bundanon coming soon.
Native Bee Themed Drop-in Station at Early Birds Event
The Australian Museum’s ‘Early Birds: Autism and Sensory-friendly Mornings’ provide a reduced sensory, relaxed and supportive environment prior to the Museum opening to the public for the day.
I’ll be at this Early Birds event to spark curiosity about native bees with a native bee-themed drop-in station.
This is a free event, with bookings required online through the Australian Museum.
PAST EVENT The Secret Lives of Kiama's Native Bees
From fluffy Teddy Bear Bees to crafty Leafcutter Bees and cheeky Domino Cuckoo Bees, Kiama is home to an incredible diversity of native bees.
Join native bee enthusiast Alison Mellor for a FREE talk on some of the fascinating insights into the secret lives of Kiama's wild native bees.
This talk organised by Kiama Library is designed for adults. Bookings essential through Trybooking.
PAST EVENT Wild Native Bees Walks and Buzzing about Native Bees Stall at Botanic Gardens Week event
Wollongong Botanic Garden is celebrating Botanic Gardens Week and have a fantastic program of free activities on Sunday 25 May between 11am and 3pm.
Alongside Lucy Loft from the Illawarra Ecosystems and Threatened Species team, I’ll be guiding three ‘Wild Native Bee’ walks starting at 11am, 12pm and 2pm.
At other times I will be chatting all things native bees at the Buzzing About Native Bees stall in partnership with the Illawarra/Shoalhaven branch of the Australian Native Bee Association.
Find out more about these free events on the Wollongong Botanic Gardens website.
PAST EVENT Native Bees - Wonders of the Woodlands - Treading Lightly Workshop
From cheeky Neon Cuckoo Bees to buzzing Blue Banded Bees and crafty Leafcutter Bees, Lowland Grassy Woodlands in the Shoalhaven are home to an incredible range of native bees.
This event is a special members only event for Habitat for Wildlife members of Treading Lightly Inc.
Members can join native bee enthusiasts Alison Mellor and Christie Peters from the Illawarra/Shoalhaven branch of the Australian Native Bee Association for a fascinating introduction into the lives of these important local pollinators and find out how you can attract them to your garden.
Limited capacity event for Habitat for Wildlife members only. Bookings available through Treading Lightly Inc. This activity is designed for adults and children 10 years+
PAST EVENT Native Bee Themed Drop-in Station at Night Owls Event
The Australian Museum's award-winning Night Owls provides an inclusive, fun and free night out for those who prefer to visit the Museum in a controlled sensory, relaxed and supportive environment. With a curated program designed for an adult audience (recommended ages 16+), Night Owls helps to make visiting the Museum easier for autistic people and for those who have other access requirements.
I’ll be at this Night Owls event to spark curiosity about native bees with a native bee-themed drop-in station and a short talk with a Q & A session.
This is a free event, with bookings required online through the Australian Museum.
PAST EVENT Native Bee Themed Drop-in Station at Stream Hill Community Day
The Stream Hill Community Day is a free family day with nature-based activities and entertainment for all ages.
I’ll be at this outdoor event to spark curiosity about native bees with a native bee-themed drop-in station.
Book your free tickets through Humanitix.
This event is organised by the Guardians of the Grassy Woodlands project, led by the Illawarra Ecosystems and Threatened Species Team (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), and is supported by Wollongong City Council and Landcare Illawarra.
PAST EVENT Native bee Themed Drop-in Station at Early Birds Event
The Australian Museum’s ‘Early Birds: Autism and Sensory-friendly Mornings’ provide a reduced sensory, relaxed and supportive environment prior to the Museum opening to the public for the day.
I’ll be at this Early Birds event to spark curiosity about native bees with a native bee-themed drop-in station.
This is a free event, with bookings required online through the Australian Museum.
PAST EVENT Nature Talks in the Library: Shellharbour Native Bees
From dazzling Golden-Green Carpenter Bees to clever Leafcutter Bees and cheeky Neon Cuckoo Bees, Shellharbour is home to an incredible diversity of native bees. Join native bee enthusiast Alison Mellor to get the buzz on local native bees and how you can attract them to your garden.
This talk organised by Shellharbour City Libraries is designed for adults. Bookings essential through Eventbrite.
PAST EVENT Wollongong’s Wild Native Bees
From brilliant blue and black Neon Cuckoo Bees to fluffy orange Teddy Bear Bees and crafty Resin Bees, Wollongong Botanic Garden is home to a surprising diversity of wild Australian native bees.
This event is a special members only event for the Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden.
Members can join local native bee enthusiast Alison Mellor for a fascinating introduction into the lives of these curious creatures in celebration of National Pollinator Week. Be guided around the garden looking for native bees, find plants bees love and discover helpful citizen science projects and resources to keep learning.
Limited capacity event for Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden only. Bookings available through the Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden.
PAST EVENT ‘BEE-utiful Nature Craft for kids’ at Eco Eats and Beats Street Festival
Children can enjoy learning about the beauty of Australian Native bees and make a Blue Banded Bee paper wristband and nature inspired craft with eco-friendly/upcycled materials.
This activity is aimed at children aged 4 - 10 years and their carers. Places limited and bookings essential through Humanitix. Sessions run 10:15am-10:45am, 11:00am-11:30am, 11:45am - 12:15pm, 12:30pm-1:00pm and 1:15pm-1:45pm.
This activity is part of the Eco Eats and Beats Street Festival, proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Shellharbour City Council.
PAST EVENT ‘Build A Native Bee Hotel’ at The Tinkerage
Join this fun and educational workshop where you can learn how to build your own native bee hotel!
Find out about the many kinds of native bees in your garden. Using recycled materials, this workshop will teach you how to make little homes to encourage these little pollinators into your garden.
This workshop is organised by Resource Recovery Australia.
PAST EVENT ‘Teddy Bear Bees!’ at Teddy Bears Picnic
Come and celebrate Teddy Bear Bees at Shellharbour City Council’s Teddy Bears Picnic! Kids can enjoy Teddy Bear Bee craft activities as part of this free family outdoor adventure filled with craft, activities, and entertainment.
PAST EVENT ‘The Buzz on Native Bees’ at Illawarra Nature Festival
Get the buzz on local native bees at this interactive native bee display. Kids can make a Blue Banded Bee wristband. Look for Alison's native bee photography in the photography exhibition.
The festival runs until 9pm and includes science talks, a film screening, photographic exhibition, live music and more.
The Illawarra Nature Festival is organised by The Sevo Port Kembla in collaboration with Saving our Species, the NSW Government's flagship threatened species conservation program.
PAST EVENT ‘Buzzing About Native Bees’ at Nature Shake Community Event
Get the buzz on local native bees at this interactive native bee display. Kids can make a Blue Banded Bee wristband.
Nature Shake is organised by Wollongong City Council and held at the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. Join in an afternoon of activities designed to shake up your nature knowledge!