Hobby beekeeping society in court over ‘oppressive conduct’ allegations
Hobby beekeeper stung: SA’s Beekeeping Society – led by a local Freemason – is facing allegations that it engaged in “oppressive” conduct against a member.
A hobby beekeeper has taken the state’s Beekeeping Society to court, claiming he experienced conduct that was “oppressive or unreasonable”.
South Australian beekeeper Simon Gerblich filed the originating application in the Magistrates Court against the Beekeeping Society of South Australia (BSSA) on Monday afternoon, according to legal documents seen by InDaily.
Gerblich claims that he was removed as Treasurer of the Society “without constitutional power” on December 10, 2025.
He also alleges that President – Freemason Robert Beer – took sole control of BSSA’s $70,0000 bank account without authorisation.
The beekeeping society is being represented by lawyer Henry Davis – a former City of Adelaide Councillor and also a high-profile Freemason. Davis is also the board chair of the McLaren Vale and Districts War Memorial Hospital.
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Gerblich makes several allegations in his originating application, including that disciplinary proceedings against him were conducted “without compliance with the constitution”.
He also alleges that Beer took financial control of the Society “without demonstrated constitutional authority”.
Further allegations include that the Society refused or failed to convene requested special general meetings and that members were denied “a fair and meaningful opportunity to participate” in elections and general meetings.
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InDaily attempted to reach Beer for comment.
The beekeeping society has until November 23 to file its response and any affadavit evidence, and a hearing in the Magistrates Court will take place on November 24.
In October, Family First MLC Sarah Game spoke in Parliament under Parliamentary Privilege – a legal protection which shields members of parliament from defamation proceedings – of Davis’ involvement in the beekeeping society.
“I have been approached by others regarding the conduct of Henry Davis in other incorporated associations, including the Beekeepers’ Society of South Australia, who have contacted me about the lack of governance and the bullying occurring within that association,” she said.
BSSA is an incorporated association – a not-for-profit or community-based group – governed by the Associations Incorporation Act.
Game is hoping to establish a parliamentary committee into the “operation and effectiveness of the Associations Incorporation Act 1985”.
She hoped this would determine whether the Act remains fit for purpose, saying there was a “need for increased transparency and accountability within charities” and that allegations “related to bullying and membership stacking ought to be resolved without needing to go to the Supreme Court”.
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