Though it is celebrating its 50th birthday, the famous Melbourne market has its roots in the 1800s: in 1864, the Prahran Council decided to create a fenced-off area where farmers could come from all over to display their products.

As a result, the Prahran Market proudly considers itself the oldest market still active in Australia.

On Boxing Day of 1950, a fire destroyed the fruit and vegetable section of the market.

Shortly after, the Prahran Council decided to rebuild the entire complex and the final stage of redevelopment was competed in 1976.

In 1994, an independent Board was appointed to run the market.

While the site has a long and rich history, the “new” market is considered to have existed since 1958.

One of the most renowned and frequented stalls of the market is the fruit and vegetable stall managed by Pino Narduzzo and his family.

Pino migrated from the Aeolian Island of Stromboli in 1957 and the following year, he started his own business in Armadale.

Shortly after the inauguration of the Prahran Market, he moved his business to the new complex and his stall soon became synonymous with quality and exceptional customer service.

Over the past decades, Pino has received various awards and in 1980, he was crowned the first “King of the Fruiterers”.

In 2004, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Among Pino’s customers are prominent figures in the spheres of politics, business and entertainment, including television game show host Tony Barber, radio presenter Neil Mitchell and former treasurer Peter Costello.

Barber, host of the famous program Sale of the Century, visits his “dear friend Pino” almost every Tuesday morning.

Pino was also a close friend of former Archbishop of Melbourne, Sir Francis Little, who passed away two weeks ago.

In celebration of the Prahran Market’s 50th anniversary, acclaimed graphic artist Marcello D’Amico has gifted Pino a large framed poster with the inscription: “Pino Narduzzo – Hero of Stromboli and King of the Fruiterers.”

The same artist is making a larger artwork which will be presented during the market’s official 50th celebrations.