Mango reaps fruits of success

By Glen Atwell
A SPONTANEOUS classroom comment landed Stephen Maguire with a nickname to think about for the rest of his life.
The natural redhead was involved in a bout of namecalling with schoolmates when he was 17 years old.
Now 43, Stephen said he was the first person to say the word ‘mango’, which has now almost replaced his first name.
“We were sitting around, calling people melonhead and fruithead.
“I called someone mangohead and everyone stopped and said ‘hey that should be your name’, because it went with my redhair,” he said.
In a moment of madness, Mango Maguire had just been born.
Mango said with the exception of family members, he is very rarely called Stephen.
“Very few people actually know my real name, it’s bizarre,” he said.
The nickname is such a part of Stephen’s life that he even signs his name as Mango Maguire, and has even considered legally changing his name to suit the popular tropical fruit.
“As long as it is nothing legal like a bank document, I’ll sign as Mango no problems,” he said.
The grade four teacher at the Dandenong Ranges Steiner School in Menzies Creek is also a keen golfer.
Swinging at Emerald Golf Club twice a week, Mango managed to beat his professional playing partner during the club’s recent ProAm day.
“I shot one under par, which is my best ever result at the club,” Mango explained.
The result put Stephen fifth overall for the day and ahead of all other amateurs in the field.
“It was a great day, I was comfortable on the greens and playing with the pro seemed to lift my game,” he said.
>>> Do you know someone with an interesting nickname? Contact the Gazette office with your suggestions! Phone 59450666, fax 59412515 or email editorstarnewsgroup.com.au