Patrick Napper to represent Australia at international beekeeping competition

Tasmanian teen Patrick Napper will be representing Australia at the 2026 International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Northern Ireland.

The 15-year-old from South Arm said he developed a keen interest in beekeeping at a young age.

“It was always a passion of mine, but one I wasn’t able to engage in because my family had always been renting, so having a beehive wasn’t really feasible,” Mr Napper said.

“But a friend of mine found Tasmanian Junior Beekeeping, where they have beehives where you can practice beekeeping.”

Mr Napper has been part of the organisation for around two years.

“The thing that I enjoy most about beekeeping would have to be the bees themselves.

“I’m fascinated by their biology and behaviour.”

The opportunity to take part in the 2026 International Meeting of Young Beekeepers for Mr Napper came about through Tasmanian Junior Beekeeping.

He had to submit an application and do an interview to become one of the three people representing Australia at the event, alongside Josiah Dick from Queensland and Victorian Elan Myers.

“It doesn’t quite feel real, and I don’t think it will until I’m on the plane over to Ireland,” Mr Napper said.

“I’m so thankful I’ve been given the opportunity in the first place.”

Before the main event, the Australian team will be heading to Scotland to meet beekeepers and learn from them.

Following the 2026 International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Northern Ireland, Mr Napper and his teammates will visit the company Bejo in the Netherlands to learn about pollination, research and development, and seed production.

Mr Napper said he believed he had an average chance of winning at the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers competition.

But for him, going to the event is not about winning.

“I’m hoping to make connections and form friendships with the other participants and be able to learn from them,” Mr Napper said.

“I want to bring that back and help the young beekeepers here in Tasmania.”

Mr Napper said that after finishing high school, he hoped to get a job involving bee science.