MORE than 16,000 kilometres from where they fell in love, Floriano and Gina Basso are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
The couple, who met in Italy, have spent almost 60 years living in the Redlands since moving to Australia in 1961.
They met as young adults, married in Treviso - a city in northeastern Italy - on December 28, 1960 and went onto bring up five girls, all of whom spent their formative years in the Redlands.
Daughter Leanne Byrne said they had travelled to Australia in search of more work opportunities.
"About 30 days or so they travelled on this one ship and that brought them into Sydney," she said. "From there they went to Melbourne, and then they came to Brisbane.
"They had a farm at Wellington Point with my aunty and uncle where they grew vegetables like potatoes, carrots and onions.
"They sold the farm and moved to Birkdale, and that is where they have lived ever since."
Ms Byrne said her father was the main breadwinner for the family, having provided for the girls during their schooling days.
"He worked for Brisbane City Council and then the Redland Shire Council," she said.
"He had five girls growing up. He basically provided for all of us throughout our schooling days.
"He had an Italian work ethic and he has come a really long way from when he moved here as a young fellow.
"He lost both his parents in Italy before he came over, so he had to step up for his sisters as well. That transitioned into his family life with us."
Cooking was an important part of Basso family life for the five girls.
Ms Byrne said she could remember nights spent in the kitchen preparing meals and washing dishes.
The couples' authentic Italian recipes have been passed down for the next generation to enjoy.
"Being Italian, we all took turns cooking," Ms Byrne said. "My mum cooked a lot while my father was at work.
"That is how we learnt to cook. Being a family of five girls, one or two of us helped in the kitchen. We didn't have a dishwasher, we were the dishwashers.
"We washed plates and everything each night. It was just something we did as a family."
The couple have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Ms Byrne said the love they had for each other and their family is what kept them going.
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