Young-born journalist Michael Giuliano spent decades capturing the stories and moments of his hometown. Photos: Gabby Giuliano.
Michael Peter Giuliano spent his life paying close attention – to people, to detail and to the small moments that quietly become history.
A journalist, photographer and meticulous chronicler of community life, he died on 16 January, surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy measured not in headlines, but in stories carefully observed and faithfully told.
Born on 19 May 1936 at the Mercy Hospital in Young, Michael was the youngest of seven children of Vincent and Lillian Giuliano, alongside his siblings Margaret, Annette, Patricia, John, Robert and Bernard.
Educated at Christian Brothers College in Young, Michael demonstrated early intelligence, discipline and stubborn determination, exemplified when a B+ in English fell short of his father’s exacting expectations – he repeated the year and earned an A, setting the tone for a life defined by persistence and high standards.
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Michael’s teenage years were marked by charm and audacity.
Known locally as a ‘bodgie,’ he often travelled to Sydney to see the latest movies, returning home in fashions never before seen in Young.
With a crew cut and crepe-soled shoes, he paraded through the streets with showy swagger – enough that Janet Batkin, his childhood crush, would cross the road to avoid him.
Undeterred, he pursued Janet with unwavering devotion, and in 1958 they were married, their partnership enduring more than 67 years.
Journalism became Michael’s calling almost by heritage.
His father Vincent owned The Young Witness, and Michael honed his skills in all aspects of newspaper work.
As a press photographer, he established the paper’s first photography section, then moved seamlessly into reporting and feature writing.
For nearly two decades, he chronicled the lives of people in his community and beyond, building a reputation for integrity, empathy and meticulous attention to detail.
Even at a small regional paper, Michael’s career opened doors to remarkable experiences.
In the spirit of small-town hospitality, he and Janet frequently welcomed visiting performers into their Campbell Street home.
These gatherings became part of Michael’s private collection of memories, preserving moments and personalities that might otherwise have been lost – such as the unforgettable evening when they hosted world-renowned honky-tonk pianist Winifred Atwell and her young backup singer Ricky May.
Atwell forged a lifelong friendship with the couple, sending Christmas cards every year until her death in 1983.
Michael first met Col Joye and the Joy Boys in 1960, when their drummer John Bogie and a roadie called “The Spider” arrived in Young to arrange publicity for the band’s town hall performance.
A planned 15-minute interview stretched into hours, followed by a lamb chop lunch at Michael and Janet’s home, where the ever-present Scalextric set in Michael’s lounge room captured everyone’s attention.
That evening ended with an invitation to join Col Joye and the band for drinks and supper after their show, a night stretching into the early hours with fellow performers Judy Stone and the Allen Brothers.
Chris Allen, Michael later observed, charmed the group, while Peter Allen, shy and quiet, kept to himself reading comics backstage.
That first meeting laid the foundation for a decades-long friendship with Col Joye, spanning countless performances, shared meals and visits to Sydney, where Michael and Janet also befriended Col’s brothers Kevin and Keith Jacobson.
Through Col and Kevin, Michael and Janet met a young Brisbane trio – the future Bee Gees – and Michael captured on film their first audition as they recorded 15 original tracks.
His photographs were published locally and decades later in The Ultimate Biography of the Bee Gees, marking his quiet contribution to music history.
Michael also formed a lifelong friendship with motoring journalist Peter Wherrett after first meeting him at a Lions Club function in Young in 1960.
Inspired by Wherrett’s passion for motor racing, Michael invited him to contribute a column to The Young Witness.
Their collaboration took them across Australia to tracks including Warwick Farm, Bathurst, Sandown and Phillip Island, introducing Michael to legendary drivers such as Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss.
Their friendship endured for decades, marked by shared adventures, mutual respect and a love of storytelling.
Michael’s career later took him to Sydney, then Melbourne, where he branched into advertising, insurance and wealth management, but the skills and instincts of a journalist remained central.
He fought for clients, exposing scams and advocating for fairness, earning him the respect of colleagues and clients alike.
Whether persuading a life insurance board to reverse a decision or highlighting predatory marketing schemes, he combined intellect, ethics and a people-first philosophy.
Above all, Michael was a connector of people.
He understood personalities – directors, engineers, raconteurs, dreamers, the everyday and the exceptional – and could engage meaningfully with each, drawing on an encyclopaedic knowledge of local history, politics, finance and entertainment.
He believed every life was a story worth telling, capturing moments both monumental and intimate and shared his knowledge freely.
Friends, colleagues and community members often benefited from his generosity, counsel and quiet humour.
Even in retirement, Michael remained active, pursuing causes and stories that interested him.
His sayings – “make the invisible visible,” “near enough isn’t good enough,” and “don’t wait till tomorrow for what you can achieve today” – reflected a life that was precise, engaged and purposeful.
From challenging mischarges by utility companies to advocating for inclusion in print and broadcast media, he continued to wield his journalistic eye and problem-solving skills, leaving a tangible impact on individuals and institutions alike.
Family was at the heart of Michael’s life.
He cherished Janet, their two daughters Lisa and Gabi, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, always celebrating achievements and offering encouragement.
Though later based in Queensland, he remained a devoted son of Young.
Remembered not just as a journalist, photographer and professional of integrity, he was a man defined by laughter, generosity and an unquenchable zest for life – leaving a legacy in family, friends, community and the countless stories he preserved.
Michael Giuliano’s “Celebration of Life” ceremony is set down for 17 February in the Waterside Room at The Currumbin RSL from 2 to 5 pm.
