Queensland has crowned a new Mango Monarch at the 2023 Brisbane Markets Mango Auction, with Domenico Casagrande taking the title of Mango King with his $40,000 bid.
Owner of Megafresh stores in Carina and Chandler, Casagrande won the day after a fierce bidding war with rival would-be-kings to secure his third Mango King title, after previously being crowned in 2018 and 2021.
“Everyone loves mangoes, and the whole Brisbane Markets comes alive for the start of mango season,” said Casagrande.
“But really, it’s all about supporting the community. We all need to put our hands up to help when we can and there are a lot of Queenslanders doing it tough right now, so it’s good to give back,” he said.
Proceeds from the 2023 Brisbane Markets Mango Auction benefit Redkite, who provide practical, financial, and mental health support to families who have a child with cancer, and The Lady Musgrave Trust, who provide practical solutions that save lives and transition young women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to a life of opportunity and prosperity.
As to whether this is Casagrande’s last stint at Mango King, he didn’t rule out another future challenge for the title.
“It’s a great event to be a part of and our customers really get a kick out of it, so never say never,” Casagrande said.
The coveted first symbolic tray of mangoes for the season entered the event space in style, chauffeured in a yellow Maserati Ghibli Trofeo MC Editon by Brisbane Broncos legend, Matt Gillett.
Gillett then took to the stage to compete in a mango-and-spoon race against Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Murray Watt, and Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner.
A slate of other auction items and activities drove 2023’s Mango Auction fundraising total to more than
$64,000, a result welcomed by Brisbane Markets Limited Chair, Anthony Kelly.
“The Mango Auction is an iconic event for the markets and for Queensland,” said Mr Kelly.
“I am humbled by the generosity of the Brisbane
Supporting Redkite and The Lady Musgrave Trust
About
The iconic Brisbane Markets Mango Auction will return in 2024, when the first symbolic tray of mangoes for the season will go under the hammer to raise money for charity.
Every year, the Brisbane Markets community digs deep to help those in need, with the auction taking place on the trading floor of Queensland’s most important fresh produce trading hub.
Be a part of this iconic event by showing your support for our Mango Auction charity beneficiaries and entering the raffle, which will contribute to the final total of funds raised at the Auction.
Supporting Redkite and The Lady Musgrave Trust
Redkite is Australia’s leading national children’s cancer charity providing practical, financial, and mental health support to families who have a child with cancer. Every day in Australia, three families will hear the words: ‘your child has cancer’; and in that moment, their lives are changed forever.
Whatever challenges cancer puts in a family’s way, Redkite is there to help.
For 137 years the Lady Musgrave Trust has provided practical solutions that save lives and transition young women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to a life of opportunity and prosperity. With domestic and family violence the primary cause of young women experiencing homelessness, the Lady Musgrave Trust gives young Queensland women (and their children) somewhere safe to go – a place they can call home for up to 18 months.
While living in one of our 11 properties, the Trust support’s these women to heal and create a new life. We work with these young women to build their skills and their confidence so their aspirations can be realised.
The Trust doesn’t receive any recurrent government funding and relies on the generosity of the community to achieve these important outcomes.
To learn more about The Lady Musgrave Trust visit their website.
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2023 Brisbane Markets Mango Auction Raffle, drawn on Friday, 6 October 2023 at 10am, as follows:
1st PRIZE WINNER: Identity withheld, Ticket Number: #501
2nd PRIZE WINNER: Identity withheld, Ticket Number: #408
3rd PRIZE WINNER: S.R., Ticket Number #239
4th PRIZE WINNER: A.G., Ticket Number: #287
5th PRIZE WINNER: A.G., Ticket Number: #292
6th PRIZE WINNER: Identity withheld, Ticket Number: #251