By Tom Padula
I have known Michele Michael Giglio since the early 1970s, through his close association with Joe Abiuso, himself a teacher and author of Italian language books used in schools at the time that I began teaching myself with the Education Department of Victoria.
Michael Giglio assisted Joe Abiuso with his various projects to promote the Italian language in Melbourne and Victoria, and later in South Australia’s capital, Adelaide. Joe Abiuso was President of the Victorian Association of Teachers of Italian, and also an active community member. Let me return to this article dedicated to Michael Giglio from Radio Italiana 531 in Adelaide. This reflection will also draw on my association with teachers in Australia over the decades. Allora Newspaper is giving me the opportunity to write and promote my ideas regarding languages and cultures in our multicultural Australia. We have come a long way since those early and important years of development of the Italian language in Australian schools, universities, and its early presence in primary schools.
Today, Michele Giglio is a respected Italian-Australian radio broadcaster and community figure, best known for his long-standing contribution to Italian-language media through Radio Italiana 531 in Adelaide, South Australia. Over several decades, Giglio has played an important role in preserving and promoting Italian culture, language, and identity within Australia’s multicultural society.
Born in Rome, Italy, Michele Giglio belongs to the generation of post-war migrants who brought with them a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of community. His early life spent in the districts of Rome Prati, San Lorenzo, and the Cinecittà district allowed him to appreciate the richness of Rome and Italian language and culture, with a close perspective on the Roman dialect and other Italian dialects (which I prefer to call local languages).
Like many Italians who settled in Australia during the latter half of the twentieth century, he maintained a deep connection to his homeland while actively engaging in the social and cultural life of his adopted country. This dual identity would later define his work in ethnic broadcasting.
Giglio became closely associated with Radio Italiana 531, one of Australia’s longest-running Italian-language radio stations, established in 1975 to serve the needs of the growing Italian migrant population. The station has been a vital platform for information, entertainment, and cultural continuity, particularly at a time when access to Italian media was limited. Within this context, Giglio emerged as a dedicated presenter and contributor. Among his most notable work is his involvement in programs such as Giramondo, where he engaged audiences with a blend of music, interviews, and discussions reflecting Italian life and global perspectives. This later became the program Italiano allo Specchio, which is currently airing weekly on Thursdays. On Sundays, Michael Giglio co-hosts a program called Paradosso with Nicola Moffa, broadcast every Sunday for two hours. He also participated in storytelling initiatives such as Le Nostre Storie (“Our Stories”), which document the personal experiences of Italian migrants in Australia. Through these programs, Giglio has helped capture the voices, memories, and traditions of a community whose stories might otherwise have gone unrecorded. His broadcasting style has been characterised by warmth, authenticity, and a strong sense of cultural pride. In recognition of his dedication and service, Michele Giglio has been honoured as a Life Member of Radio Italiana 531. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the station and the wider community.
