NAB News

Wall’s Honey started out as a hobby when Justin Wall was gifted three beehives in 2014.

On his first date with future wife Katelyn in 2015, he confessed that “he really likes bees”. Thankfully, Katelyn was undeterred and married him anyway!

“I’m now his sidekick who manages the books, liaises with wholesale clients, and handmakes our range of natural lip balms and beeswax wraps,” said Katelyn.

“Justin is the head beekeeper and is responsible for the health and happiness of our bees.”

Wall’s Honey is now a thriving family business, including two apprentice beekeepers Lucinda (4) and Lachlan (2).

“In hindsight, leaving full-time permanent employment, obtaining a business loan and enjoying a toddler and newborn baby was both exciting and exhausting,” said Katelyn, “but it certainly paid off in the end”.

The Varroa mite parasite

But when the devastating Varroa mite parasite hit their region last month, Justin and Katelyn were told they’d need to euthanise their bees.

“We were enjoying dinner as a family and I checked Facebook and was distraught to see that all of our beehives were in a red zone,” said Katelyn.

“In that moment, everything that we had worked so hard for just disappeared.

“Our multi-award winning business had been ripped out from under our feet in an instant”.

Business Banker Kayla Patterson has been with the business through their latest expansion and was keen to do all that she could to help.

“Because we work so closely, I almost feel like I’m a part of the business,” said Kayla.

“I knew that my job was to reassure them that this is something we can work through.”

More than honey

NAB CEO Ross McEwan visited Justin and Katelyn earlier this year, so was also saddened to hear the plight of Wall’s Honey.

“When I met Katelyn and Justin back in Tamworth, their passion for their business shone through and I hope we can help them get back on their feet,” said Ross.

“It’s moments like this where the support and service we provide our customers is critical.

“The work that the NAB Tamworth team are doing to support Wall’s Honey during this difficult period is what we want to be known for and I’m proud of the great work they’re doing.”

The Walls family are keeping good spirits despite the news and hope to come back bigger and better than ever.

“I am committed to our story being one of resilience and something that we will look back on in five years and think ‘that was a tough time, but we stood strong together as a family and we rebuilt our business better than ever’,” said Katelyn.