The event, its 25th edition, was held at the Ibleo Social Club reception hall in Northcote
The annual award was presented to the winner by its creator and promoter, Frank Di Blasi.
The recognition was first introduced in 1999 at the National Conference of the Ethnic Communities Council of Australia in Canberra, during the celebrations for the International Year of Older Persons.
Di Blasi established the initiative to annually honour an individual from Victoria’s Italian community who has made extraordinary and selfless contributions.
Silvio Pitruzzello is the twin brother of Antonella and the younger sibling of Biagio. They were born into the family of the well-known Sortinese pioneer of the dairy industry, Sebastiano Pitruzzello AM, who passed away in November 2016.
Along with his wife, Lucia, Sebastiano founded the award-winning Pantalica Cheese company in Thomastown.
Sebastiano was one of only three Italians in Australia to be honoured with the prestigious title of Cavaliere del Lavoro, bestowed by the President of the Republic in Rome.
Sebastiano Pitruzzello arrived in Australia in 1963 at just 23 years old, carrying a small suitcase and many dreams.
During social gatherings, he would often recount how he ascended to the top of dairy producing in Australia, Asia and Europe.
However, his ultimate aspiration was to inspire and encourage his three children and many young Italo-Australians to work hard and not expect opportunities to fall from the sky.
From a young age, Pitruzzello learned a great deal from his father, Sebastiano. Over the years, he mastered the art of managing a business while always prioritising community service.
This balance enabled him to build an exceptional career. For many years, under his father’s strict but loving guidance, Silvio took on the crucial and respected role of head of administration at Pantalica, which also involved significant responsibilities in marketing and public relations.
In this capacity, he served actively for over three decades on the board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne, even holding the position of vice president.
Silvio and his wife Lucy are the proud parents of Luciana, 23, Nancy, 21, and Sebastian, 17.
Speaking about her father, Luciana said, “Dad has always been an affectionate, caring and generous man with friends, relatives and all of us.”
“His approach and mindset reflect his commitment to contributing to the community, particularly the Sicilian community, which he has dedicated himself to with maximum effort for around 30 years.
“This commitment is part of his natural qualities: treating everyone with seriousness and a strong sense of humanity.”
This aspect of his character marks him as a true leader, one who has successfully navigated the challenges faced by a young child of Sicilian immigrants and carved out a life of prosperity for himself and his family.
Silvio Pitruzzello and his family have built a significant company that has provided employment to many compatriots and migrants of diverse backgrounds.
They have never forgotten the generosity of Melbourne and Australia’s Italian communities.
Pitruzzello has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives, making him a deserving recipient of the Cup of Solidarity 2024 for his extraordinary contributions not only to his family but also to the broader community and the dairy industry as a whole.
Currently, Pitruzzello serves as a consultant for the renowned Donnybrook Dairy in Craigieburn, assisting with the production and promotion of products such as yoghurt, halloumi cheese, baladi, feta, paneer and country cheese.
