Lena Gustin

Maria Maddalena "Lena" Gustin (née Morelli; 9 July 1914 – 21 September 2003), widely known as her radio persona Mamma Lena, was an Italian-Australian radio broadcaster, journalist and community leader. She is regarded as a pioneer of foreign-language broadcasting in Australia and was often referred to as "Mamma degli italiani" (Mother of the Italians) for her work assisting post-war migrants in Sydney.

Early life and migration Maria Maddalena Morelli was born on 9 July 1914 in Azzone, in the province of Bergamo, Italy. She obtained a degree in languages from the Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

In 1940, she married Dino Gustin (1919–2004), a journalist from Trieste. Their firstborn son, Alberto, died of meningitis at the age of four during World War II.

Gustin's programs served as a source of information for the Italian community regarding employment, housing, and social integration during a period of limited government assistance for migrants. Her husband, Dino Gustin, served as the program's producer, transcribing news from Italy via shortwave radio (RAI) daily at 4:00 am for broadcast.

Philanthropy and community work Through her radio platform, Gustin and her husband organised charitable initiatives. Listeners often sent donations which were used to fund community projects.

The foundation funded the establishment of the Mamma Lena and Dino Gustin Innovation Centre at the Co.As.It. Italian Bilingual School in Sydney.

Honours and awards 1967: Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Cavaliere). 1968: Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community. 1999: Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Commendatore). 2001: Centenary Medal for service to the Italian community and radio broadcasting.