Of the original tenants trading at Sydney Markets, 39 individuals still operate at the Markets today
Sydney Markets Limited has celebrated 50 years since it first opened its doors at Flemington by honouring the traders who have been part of the Markets’ community since day.
The fresh produce wholesale markets officially opened on 12 September 1975 and of the original tenants trading at Sydney Markets, 39 individuals still operate at the Markets today.
Those original traders, together with thousands of growers and businesses, now form part of the Markets community that moves more than 2.5mn tonnes of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers through Sydney Markets each year, supplying New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Sydney Markets is the largest wholesale produce and community market in Australia and one of the largest food distribution centres in the Southern Hemisphere.
Traders from the original ‘Class of 75’ include the characters that have become fixtures of the market.
John Antico of Antico International remembers looking around on opening day and the market floor being empty.
“We looked at these modules here, we said, oh, my God, how are we ever going to fill those,” he said.
“When we came up here, we were exporters. We were one of the first air freight because we were working with Qantas for 20 years. Qantas was growing and they wanted to fill the bottom of the aircraft. Together we developed airfreight.”
Another original trader, Don Varacalli reflected on the milestone: “I left school at 16 years old and I went to work in the market. I got my first job in the market,” he said. “My job is selling fruit and vegetables to the public. I’ve been doing that for 50 years”.
As Sydney Markets marked the milestone, its focus also turned to the future, with a commitment to supporting the next generation of growers, traders and businesses who will continue to carry forward the Markets community spirit and resilience that has defined the Markets since 1975.
“Over the past 50 years, Sydney Markets has been built on the dedication of our traders and their families,” said Dale Doonan, acting CEO, Sydney Markets Limited.
“Our traders are the cornerstone of everything we do, bringing fresh produce, flowers, and community spirit to life every single day.
“We thank our Class of 75, as well as our current cohort of tenants for their dedication, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit that has kept Sydney Markets at the forefront of the industry and will carry us into the future.”
