I bought in an Italian queen last year, and that hive over wintered worst of all my hives, used all their stores and were on their last legs when I did my first inspection after winter. I am feeding them now, but still not 100% sure they will make it. I think it is because they did not wind down brood production over winter which would be fine in a warmer climate but not so good in the Otways :'(
I am going to give some Carniolans a try next, supposed to be good over winter-ers and nice calm bees.
Paul.