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Italian Media Corporation founder Ubaldo Larobina retires

One of Australia’s most prominent Italian media figures Ubaldo Larobina, founder and managing director of Italian Media Corporation, has retired after almost 60 years.

Larobina first founded Italian newspaper Il Globo in 1959 with Tarcisio Valmorbida, two years after arriving to Melbourne from Italy. In 1978, he acquired newspaper La Fiamma and in 1994, launched the company’s first Italian language radio network, Rete Italia.

His company – Italian Media Corporation – now owns Italian newspapers Il Globo, La Fiamma and Rete Italia radio network.

Larobina dedicated his life in Australia to the media, commencing just two years after his arrival to Melbourne

He has also received a “Grand Ufficiale” from the Italian government for his services to the Italian community, and an Order of Australia (AO) for his service to the media, particularly for distributing news and information to Italians living locally.

In a letter featured in Il Globo, Larobina said it was time for him to “hang up” his boots and leave the management of the media company. He will leave the company in the hands of Julius Larobina, his son who has been managing director of EducationHQ for almost 15 years.

Julius Larobina will continue in his role at EducationHQ, and will take up the role of managing director of Italian Media Corporation, which includes Il Globo, La Fiamma and Niche Radio Network – which runs Rete Italia.

An earlier edition of Il Globo

The bi weekly publications- Il Globo and La Fiamma – will be led by group managing editor, Dario Nelli.

“It feels like just yesterday, but 58 years have gone by. In all these years we have had a great number of employees and collaborators who have contributed to the success of this media company, a number which grew with the acquisition of La Fiamma in 1978 and the first radio frequencies in 1994,” Ubaldo Larobina said.

“It is impossible to name everyone, but I thank all of them for their valuable contributions.”

Larobina added he hoped to “silently” retrace his most interesting work moment.

“So much work, so many problems, but also so much satisfaction! I don’t believe I am exaggerating when I say the commitment to that first edition has been maintained, despite communication difficulties in the early years due to the distance between Italy and Australia.

“I wish to also thank all of the readers of Il Globo and La Fiamma and the listeners of Rete Italia for having followed and supported us; the businesses which have advertised to Italian families; and, finally, all of the Italians who have collaborated with us for the success of community initiatives. And to the youth – both Italian and those with Italian heritage – best wishes for a splendid future!”

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