Sixty Years On: Borgo Celebrates Six Decades of Family, Craft and Trust
Tracy Krause
On Saturday night, the Borgo family — and the many people who have shaped its journey — gathered to mark sixty years since the business first opened its doors. It was a night of celebration, but more than that, it was a night of gratitude: for the people, the community, and the trust that has shaped Borgo into Australia's most awarded smallgoods producer.
Where It All Began
In July 1966, Queensland's first-ever Italian-style smallgoods manufacturing plant opened at Holland Park, Brisbane — the very site Borgo still calls home today. It was hard work, born of love, and a promise: to produce salumi the Italian community could trust and be proud of.
Reflecting on those early years in his speech, Luigi Borgo described a business built on determination: "There were no shortcuts, no guarantees, and certainly no easy roads. The business was built on dedication, perseverance and sacrifice."
On 15 August 1966, it began with just two people — Ivo and Antonietta Borgo — and four deliveries: to Sala, Monforte, La Mura and Pernicano, all in Fortitude Valley. A business, and a legacy, had officially begun.
Sixty years on, from those first four deliveries, Borgo has grown into a name trusted in kitchens, delis and dining tables across the country — without ever losing sight of where it started. Today, that same promise is carried forward by Luigi Borgo and his son Anthony, continuing the legacy Ivo and Antonietta began, and leading Borgo with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship the family has always stood for.
A Night to Say Thank You
Saturday's celebration was, above all, an opportunity to thank the people who have been part of that journey. Everyone in the room had played a part in the Borgo story — family, customers, distributors, suppliers, friends, and of course, the Borgo team.
The evening was honoured by the presence of the Italian Consul for Brisbane, Signor Giuseppe Di Murro, who joined in sharing this important occasion. Guests were also treated to a special video message from Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, recognising Borgo Salumi’s contribution to the state's food industry over six decades.
As the night reflected, sixty years doesn't happen alone. It takes family. It takes community. And it takes people with passion.
In his speech to guests, Borgo Salumi owner Luigi Borgo put it simply: "Businesses may manufacture products, but people build legacies. To everyone in this room, thank you for being part of ours."
Sixty Years, and Counting
From two people and four deliveries to a legacy recognised across the country, Borgo's story remains, at its heart, a family one. From Ivo and Antonietta to Luigi and Anthony, it has been carried forward with the same time, care and honesty the business began with in 1966.
As Luigi told guests on the night, that commitment has never wavered: "We've always believed that quality isn't something you inspect at the end; it's something you build into every step of the process. It's found in every ingredient we choose, every product we craft, and every decision we make."
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far. Here's to the next sixty years.”
Borgo Salumi is Australia's most awarded smallgoods producer, recognised globally for its authentic craftsmanship.
