Former Victoria’s Secret Model Bridget Malcom recalls moment she spoke out against Perth teacher

An ex-Victoria’s Secret Model has recalled the moment she decided to speak out against her music teacher who sent her inappropriate messages in high school. 

Bridget Malcolm was subjected to ‘grooming-like behaviour’ by Aurelio ‘Bobby’ Gallo while she was a student and after she graduated from Methodist Ladies’ College, in Perth, in 2008. 

In August, Western Australia’s State Administrative Tribunal suspended Mr Gallo’s teaching licence for 3.5 years for ‘serious misconduct’ that included sending emails asking Malcolm for topless photos, a dinner date and Skype requests.

Ms Malcolm’s identity remained anonymous before she outed herself in an emotional Instagram post last Saturday.

She explained she felt a ‘responsibility to be completely transparent’ about her traumatic experience and was inspired by sexual assault survivor Grace Tame.

Bridget Malcolm was subjected to ‘grooming-like behaviour’ by Aurelio ‘Bobby’ Gallo (pictured) while she was a student and after she graduated from Methodist Ladies’ College, in Perth, in 2008

‘She has been such a powerful voice for moving cultural perceptions of these sorts of issues,’ she told The West Australian. 

Ms Malcolm had been interning for the United Nations and was helping to set up an event for International Women’s Day in 2021.

She recalled watching Ms Tame give a speech and feeling a sense of empowerment after struggling with years of sleepless nights and nightmares of the teacher.

‘And then, I also struggled with feelings of self-blame, guilt and shame,’ she said. 

Ms Malcolm said at the time she looked up to Mr Gallo and saw him as a mentor who was giving her extra attention to help with her studies.

‘I thought it was great that I was getting all this extra education and that my skills were all improving,’ she said.

She said she was able to recover after speaking about the traumatic experience with therapists, close friends and healthcare professionals.

She explained she felt a ‘responsibility to be completely transparent’ about her traumatic experience and was inspired by sexual assault survivor Grace Tame

Gallo continued to email Ms Malcolm after she graduated, requesting to see her when she returned to Perth after she moved overseas

The Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia first received an email about inappropriate behaviour by Mr Gallo in March last year and the complaint was then investigated.

In a document published by the board detailing the decision to suspend Mr Gallo’s licence, it found the music teacher had engaged in ‘grooming-like behaviour’.

The board found the pair had initially emailed about school matters but the conversation changed its tone over time.

Mr Gallo sent an email from his personal account asking for the student’s number on July 14, 2007.

He continued to email Ms Malcolm after she graduated, requesting to see her when she returned to Perth after she moved overseas.

Ms Malcolm went on to become a model who worked with Victoria’s Secret in 2015 and 2016 and for Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney.

Aurelio ‘Bobby’ Gallo taught at the prestigious all-girls Methodist Ladies’ College in Perth when he engaged in ‘grooming-like behaviour’ with Australian model Bridget Malcolm (pictured)

Her former teacher asked for photographs and complained he hadn’t received any ‘topless’ ones in an email sent on February 2, 2009.

Mr Gallo sent another email a day later referring to a special charm he had given her as a graduation gift.

‘Remember when things get hard hold on to the special charm I gave you and think of all the special things that bring you happiness – I know it will give you strength,’ he wrote. 

In the wake of news headlines about the case, Mr Gallo was also stood down as head of performing arts at John Paul College in Logan, Queensland, where he now works.