Monson’s Honey & Pollination began four generations ago in North-West Tasmania, with just a handful of hives owned by John Monson, then head of the Duck River Butter Company. His son Maurice continued the family’s interest in bees, although he had to leave his hives behind when he moved to North-Western Victoria. It wasn’t long before he discovered the local River Gum and Mallee trees, which offered an abundant resource for beekeeping.
While running a local pest control business, Maurice slowly rebuilt his apiary. Collecting bee swarms and managing a few hives eventually grew into a full-time beekeeping operation. His sons, Trevor and Lyle, developed the same passion for beekeeping and joined him in building a substantial commercial beekeeping business. Today, Trevor continues the tradition alongside his son Jonathan and nephew Reece.
As horticulture expanded in the greater Sunraysia region, Trevor’s growing knowledge of bees led to the development of pollination services as a central focus of the Monson operation. What started as a learning experience over 50 years ago has evolved into a core service of the business.
Trevor’s personal interest in pollination began in the 1960s when he noticed poor pollination in a local cucumber glasshouse. He devised a method to keep the bees active, and the improved crop sparked a lifelong passion. Since then, Trevor has become a leading consultant to both government and growers across Australia, advising on pollination for a wide range of crops. These include almonds, apples, pears, stone fruits, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, avocados, vegetables, melons, and seed crops.
For much of the year, the team focuses on general beekeeping duties, which include maintaining colony health, managing nectar and pollen flows across New South Wales and Victoria, and supplying bees for a range of pollination tasks. The biggest job by far is almond pollination. Monson’s Honey & Pollination has worked closely with the almond industry as it has expanded throughout North-Western Victoria.
Each year brings new challenges. Hive strength, numbers, strategic placement for cross-pollination, and the logistics of delivery all require detailed planning. Preparation and consultation with growers and beekeepers take place year-round. Today, Monson’s Honey & Pollination coordinates over 170 beekeepers and supplies more than 110,000 hives annually. It’s a massive undertaking that the team is both proud of and grateful to manage.
Looking ahead, Jonathan and Reece are committed to continuing the work of previous generations. They aim to carry on the passion, curiosity, and deep respect for the honeybee, particularly its vital connection to Australia’s native flora and national food production.
