By Laura Michell
Silvio Pitruzello began helping out at his family’s cheesemaking business when he was nine years old. Forty years later, his dedication to the dairy and primary industries has been recognised in the Australia Day Honours List.
The Greenvale resident, who is now general manager of Pantalica Cheese in Thomastown – the company started by his father in 1973 – said he felt “very privileged” to have been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia on Wednesday.
Mr Pitruzello started out helping to make cheese as a nine-year-old, before taking on a marketing role after completing university.
“I have been in the industry for 40 years. I started from the ground up,” he said.
“I am very passionate about the industry.
“[Pantalica] is still here and we want to continue on as a second generation.”
Mr Pitruzello said Pantalica predominantly made Italian-style cheeses such as Ricotta, Parmesan and Mascarpone. The company exports its products as well as supplying major supermarkets in Australia.
He said while the COVID-19 pandemic had put pressure on the company and the industry as a whole, he was certain they would bounce back.
Mr Pitruzello is also the current vice president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce Melbourne.
“It’s a passion of mine,” he said.
“I like to help the Italian community.”
