STBA Committee 2026-27
Bob Newton
President
I retired from medical practice 3 years ago and now live at Dodges Ferry.
My interests are Queen breeding and being involved in the Events Committee, the Big-T group, Local Area Networking and the education of members.
I look forward to chairing enjoyable meetings.
Ashley Dales
Vice President 1
Ashley runs a full service lift business offering 24/7 service, plus runs a construction company for architectural works, new homes and renovations.
He sits on a Not For Profit board and is overseeing major infrastructure expansion.
He keeps bees for fun, with 18 hives at the moment.
Peter Norris
Vice President 2
Peter was born in Devonport [a 5th Generation Tasmanian] and grew up on the Northwest Coast. He has been in business most of his working life and with wife Trisha built up the largest non-franchised VW-Audi repair Garages in London [one still trading under his name]. Together they established extensive property portfolios in London and Tasmania. He started beekeeping as a hobby whilst living in London and went to night classes at Merrist Wood Agricultural College to learn about bees. They returned to Tassie in 1999 after 21 years in London.
He had no intention of going commercial in bees but got involved in the fight with the Government to protect the leatherwood resource. His largest achievement was the signing of the Wedge agreement with Forestry Tasmania in 2009. He was on the TBA committee for 17 years – 7 as Vice President and was President of the Southern Tasmanian beekeepers Association for 14 years until he stood down in 2021. He and wife Trisha run Heritage Honey with 4 other staff and the business has grown to over 1000 hives spread throughout southern Tasmania.
Secretary
Dawn Hendrick
Rosemary Hochman
Committee member - Events
Born in London, UK Dawn started her career as a geophysicist in the UK seismic exploration industry before emigrating to Toowoomba in Australia in 1985. She moved to Tasmania in 2010.
In July 2024 she retired after 38 years as a Topographic Engineer in the Army Reserve. Dawn has previously been a volunteer on multiple committees and held the role of secretary for various organisations including Hobart Walking Club.
Dawn has had bees in her backyard since 2020 but they were maintained by the person who built her a long Langstroth hive. She has completed the Bee Queen workshops to learn how to look after the bees herself. Dawn has held the position of Bee News editor since February 2023 and will continue in this role until an enthusiastic replacement can be found.
Becoming a beekeeper was one of those unexpected surprises in life!
Rosemary worked as an Exploration Geologist in SA and WA before leaving to raise our family. Later, she returned to work as a science teacher and curriculum writer.
Her journey with bees first began with catching and observing bees in the backyard as a teenager. However, it really started when she inherited her son’s hive when he left home. It wasn’t long before she discovered the wonder of these little creatures and she has been captivated by them ever since.
In 2021, she volunteered to take over managing the STBA presence at local shows and events around Hobart and Environs. The main event each year is the Royal Hobart Show. As the Events Co-ordinator, she works closely with the Events Committee to promote the understanding of bees and beekeeping, biosecurity and registration, and the STBA’s role as an organisation for education and support for all beekeepers. It has been her great privilege and joy to work with STBA’s Events Committee.
Sam Brown
Committee member
Sam grew up in world where bees were the norm. Her Dad & Mum managed bees as a commercial business, and she often helped them. After leaving school she studied to become a graphical designer and tried her hand at several different jobs before realising that she actually liked beekeeping. Her Dad said if after 5 years of looking after bees you still like them then that is what you should be doing as a job.
Sam is now a second generation beekeeper creating her own products under the name Brown Bees Daughter.
Keith Wooldridge
Treasurer
Gina Semmler
Membership Officer
Roger Walker
Committee Member
Started beekeeping after a swarm moved into his compost bin - over 10 years ago.
Enjoys explaining beekeeping & answering questions from interested people at various shows as well as assisting new beekeepers on STBA's training courses.
Ashby Newman
Committee member
Tess Kingston
Committee Member