NAIDOC at Musgrave Park: Our First Indigibee Stall

NAIDOC is one of those times where Mob just show up for each other. Musgrave Park was full of colour, laughter, music, stalls, kids running around, the smell of food, and music. It’s a day where we get to be around our people and just be. No pressure. No performance. Just community in full force.

And in the middle of it all, under a stubbornly windy marquee and a table full of native bee merch, was us Indigibee setting up our very first stall.

There were a few hiccups (of course there were). It was windy as anything, we forgot a few things, ended up changing the layout, and never got around to putting out the sitting area. With the exception of a handful of chips we all barely ate. But it didn’t matter. Not really. Because the moment we opened, people came in smiling.

✨ People Were Curious. Kind. Excited. ✨

Gen enjoying her day at Musgrave Park

Gen’s favourite part? Seeing how genuinely interested everyone was not just in what we were selling, but in what we were doing. They asked about native bees, about the live hive we brought along, about how to help. Everyone was just… listening. And excited. That’s not always something you expect, but it’s something we really felt that day.

“I couldn’t stop smiling. Everyone wanted to yarn, to learn, to support it just felt like we were exactly where we needed to be.”  Said Gen.

That feeling of connection ran through the whole team.

Alex yarning about beeswax

Alex, especially, was in his element. Surrounded by community. Talking bees 🐝. Seeing family 👩‍👧‍👦. He ran into cousins, Aunties, Uncles people he hadn’t seen in a while and got to yarn with them about something that matters so much to him. He barely got a chance to sit down. Every time I looked over, he had a crowd around him listening, nodding, asking questions. He was out front all day, holding court without even trying. And even after the stall was packed down and the rest of us were dead on our feet, Alex was already buzzing about the next market we should do.

“Honestly, I didn’t know what the day was going to be like. I thought maybe a few people would stop by, ask some questions but it was so much more than that! I was talking to Mob all day, seeing family, yarning non-stop. It was motivating, yeah, but more than that it reinspired me. Just seeing how many people care about native bees… I left feeling full. Overjoyed, really.”  Alex Ibarra CEO.

Ashley having a yarn

While Alex was deep in yarns and stories, Ashley quietly kept everything else running. He manned the counter, explaining our beeswax wraps and craft kits, answering questions, and making sure people understood how each product connects back to our mission. He’s got this calm, steady way of speaking that draws people in no fuss, just facts and heart ❤️. You could see it landing with people. They left not just with something in their hands, but something to think about.

Stingless bee hives

The Kids Were Obsessed

We brought along some of our live stingless bee hives, and the kids were hooked. They were pressing up close to the bee boxes, pointing things out, asking questions. Tiny fingers tapping the side of the box. Some of them had never seen a bee up close like that before, especially not one that doesn’t sting.

It was a great reminder of why we are doing this. Why it’s not just about selling products or raising awareness it’s about passing Knowledge on. About planting that spark early ✨.

Letting the next generation see how incredible these little workers are, and why they matter. This year’s NAIDOC theme was all about legacy and what better legacy to leave than one rooted in care for Country, culture, and the tiniest pollinators who hold it all together 🖤💛❤️

Our First Market Wasn't Perfect, But It Was Ours

We didn’t get everything right. But we showed up. We talked to people. We made connections. And we felt that spark when someone said, “I’d love to help,” or “Can I work with you on something?”

That’s the kind of success that sticks. Not sales (though we did okay there too) but the sense that people care. That they’re ready to do something. That this isn’t just a niche topic it’s about Country, culture, survival, and connection.

People asked about workshops. About future events. Some just wanted to know what kind of bees were in their backyard 🌱. And almost everyone left the stall with a smile and a story.

We’ll Be Back!!

This was just the beginning of our market journey. And starting it at NAIDOC felt right. Grounded. Held. Mob and community alike made us feel welcome, and once the day got going, everything ran smooth. The support was real ❤️

We’ll definitely be back next year with more prep (and hopefully food), but definitely more buzz!