Bridget Malcolm revealed via social media on Saturday the news the former director of music at Methodist Ladies’ College,Bobby Gallo,lost his teacher’s licence in WA for three years for serious misconduct against a student.
“I am that student,” she said in a video which has already garnered over 12,000 likes.
“I’ve gone back and forth on whether or not to waive my right to anonymity because I was a minor when it all happened.
“I’m still in shock,I’m still processing and I’ve definitely had a lot of feelings today.
“I just want to say to my fellow survivors out there you’re not alone,you’re stronger than you possibly know and your future is waiting for you.”
A court document revealed the Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia received an email from Malcolm in March 2021 that detailed grooming behaviour from the 53-year-old teacher.
The behaviour included fostering a friendship between 2007 and 2008 through personal emails,phone calls and texts and remaining in contact after Malcolm graduated at the end of 2008.
After she had graduated,the messages began to include “personalised and inappropriate comments,requests for photographs of the student” and requests to see her when she returned to Perth after a holiday.
In February 2009,Gallo sent a picture of himself and said:“thought you may like a photo to remember me by. Hope you like it!! I do.”
The next day he told her he thought he would send a picture first as she still hadn’t sent one of herself,before stating:“I may be lucky enough to see you or even better DINNER. But I must not get my hopes up.”
The Teachers Board found Gallo’s conduct to be serious and stated he was unfit to be registered as a teacher.
Gallo admitted the behaviour to the Board in August,but has “shown insight and remorse.”
He has been disqualified from applying for registration as a teacher for a period of three years,but may reapply for registration from and including 9 August 2025.
Malcolm was the first WA model to be cast in the global lingerie brand’s annual fashion show,walking the catwalk in 2015.
Bridget Malcolm went to a private girls school in Perth.Getty Images
Gallo was appointed director of music at MLC in 2001. Previously he held the same position at Mercy College from 1998 until 2001.
In 2012 Gallo left the school and was appointed director of the School for Performing Arts at John Paul College in Queensland.
His biography states:“Bobby has established himself as one of Australia’s leading music educators,distinguishing himself with an impressive record of achievement in a variety of musical settings. His musical diversity has allowed him to produce outstanding choirs,orchestras,jazz bands and concert bands.”
MLC principal Dr Marie Perry said the school was informed of the grooming in March last year and the complaints were “deeply upsetting”.
Dr Perry said MLC had been in “regular contact” with Malcolm since she made the initial complaint,and had provided her “support and assistance.”
“This is a deeply upsetting situation and the College sincerely regrets that one of its students was subjected to such behaviour by a then member of the College staff,” she said.
“None of the grooming behaviour was known to the College until early 2021 when our Collegian reported it to the College.
“The College continues to offer her support. The College has made enquiries and is not aware of any other allegations in relation to Mr Gallo.
“The College acknowledges the courage of our Collegian and encourages reporting of all inappropriate conduct.”
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