The stars align

Marco Mehner’s life took an unexpected turn on a seemingly ordinary day, at a quarter to three, when he had an uncanny premonition. As a long-time Audi enthusiast, Marco was well aware that the 12th Audi Foundation Raffle draw was set to take place later that afternoon. 

Marco had just left his daughter and son-in-law, and when heading home he casually mentioned, almost as a joke, that he would be winning an Audi RS Q3 Sportback in a few minutes. On arrival he opened the door, still thinking about the draw, when the phone rang. What seemed like a moment of coincidence soon became a defining moment for Marco. He had indeed won the first Audi Foundation raffle for 2024.

As the news broke, Marco was filled with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. "Awesome," he recalls, reflecting on the sheer surprise that accompanied the announcement. "I've never won something like this before," he adds, despite the premonition of that afternoon.

A longtime Audi aficionado, Marco has been driving Audis for over 14 years. He and his wife had recently purchased an Audi SQ2, another compact, powerful SUV, just four weeks before his big win, and previously an Audi Q7 had been a faithful servant to the family for many years. But the RSQ3 Sportback in its limited edition 10 years guise is quite another vehicle entirely and one that had long intrigued Marco.

When asked how he learned about the Audi Foundation Raffle, Marco shared that he had been receiving emails from his Audi dealer in Canberra for years. However, it was only this time that he decided to participate. Perhaps it was a sense of curiosity, or maybe just the idea of supporting a good cause, that prompted him to buy tickets. Whatever the reason, it led to a life-changing outcome.

Marco was aware of these charitable efforts, which only added to his satisfaction with his purchase. "I think they're doing good things," he says, expressing his appreciation for the Audi Foundation’s work. Winning the raffle was an added bonus, but the opportunity to contribute to a greater cause was equally important to him.

Known for its philanthropic endeavours, the Audi Foundation supports various charities and makes a positive impact on communities right across the country. From the groundbreaking research conducted by the Children’s Cancer Institute and the and the purchase of much-needed medical equipment for children’s hospital wards through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, to supporting mental health through ReachOut, RU OK? and batyr.  The Audi Foundation has also focused on youth eduction and development through its partnerships with the likes of Zephyr Education Inc and Youth Opportunities as well as its long-standing partnership with the Country Education Foundation of Australia.

But this wasn’t just a case of ‘grab a ticket for fun’. Marco revealed that his initial ticket purchase was followed by a little nudge from his wife. "My wife was actually pushing this one as well," he admits, laughing as he recalls how she encouraged him to buy more tickets. With 18 tickets in total, Marco had significantly increased his chances, and it paid off in the most spectacular way.

Retired and enjoying life with his wife, Marco now finds himself the proud owner of a new Audi, adding to their already impressive collection of vehicles, including three Audis and another  vehicle from the Volkswagen range, just to keep it all in the family. But what’s next for Marco and his new car? With no immediate road trips planned, the vehicle joins the family fleet, ready for any spontaneous adventures that might come their way. 

It’s been quite an experience, with a very happy but unexpected outcome.

“It’s not just about the thrill of winning – it’s about being part of something larger, something that makes a difference,” says Marco of his first, but certainly not last experience with the Audi Foundation fundraising raffle.

Like the 11 lucky winners over the past seven years since the Audi Foundation first came into being, Marco Mehner’s story is a testament to the power of doing something for others, a little bit of luck and the belief that sometimes, just sometimes, the stars align perfectly.