The Voice of the Maltese No. 180

Issue 180

The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers )

Fortnightly mag azine for the Diaspora magazine

The Triton Fountain and Il-Biskuttin area at City Gate

Triton Fountain by night

May 29, 2018

The Triton Fountain and the IlBiskuttin leading to it, an embellishment project done at a cost of â‚Ź10 million has given the Floriana and Valletta City Gate area something to write home about. This is an aerial view of the whole area (pictured) from the Il-Biskuttin garden to the Triton Fountain, a masterpiece designed by renowned sculptor Vincent Apap and restored to its former glory last summer.

Malta Embraces the Digital Technology Revolution

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In 2014, the Maltese Government established the Digital Malta strategy, reflecting Malta’s aspiration to become a digitally-enabled nation. Focus has been placed on upgrading key infrastructure that ensures the security and future of Malta’s MichelleRowland MP cyber networks, (Australia’s Federal Shadow Minister creating an atfor Communications tractive entreFederal Member for Greenway, NSW) preneurial climate for domestic and international investment.

It’s clear that Malta understands that a key requirement of harnessing the economic potential of a booming digital economy is access to reliable, high-speed broadband.

A minimum 30 Mbps national coverage requirement sets Malta apart in the region. As a result, many businesses have secured increased access to the global economy, enabling greater ability to innovate and compete.

The economic potential of a strong and digitally connected community has already borne fruit in Malta.

In March 2018, a major international digital arts conference accepted a bid to hold its conference in Valetta. The event brought 1,500 attendees to Malta, alongside the giants of the digital entertainment industry.

Opportunities such as these provide the potential to drive innovation, collaboration and economic activity. The Maltese Government has identified the arts and digital media industry as a prominent sector with potential to boost economic growth.

The Government of Malta has also secured partnerships with major tech companies, facilitated by investment in its broadband infrastructure.

One of the main initiatives proposed is the establishment of a Hewlett-Packard (HP) Education Centre and a Microsoft Innovation Centre in Malta.

The objective of these partnerships is to stimulate regional economic activity though the increased uptake of IT related professions.

Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills are increasingly important for the fu-

Tuesday May 29, 2018

ture workforce.

Another major focus of the Digital Malta strategy is the objective of improving the lives of its citizens. This is being pursued through the provision of electronic government services to enable faster, scalable, cost effective access to government programs and services.

The improvement of the social wellbeing of its citizens is a key objective of the Maltese Government.

Children in the Maltese education system are also benefiting from the investment and focus on building a digitally-connected society.

Commitments made by the government to provide every classroom with an interactive whiteboard have been met, enriching the learning process.

The adoption of e-learning technologies provides great opportunity for the next generation of Maltese leaders in the Information Age. Through the adoption of the Digital Malta strategy, it is clear that Malta understands the need to prioritise the digital transformation of its country.

Malta’s approach emphasises that the strategy is not simply an end in itself. The vision is that these digital initiatives will translate into value-added economic opportunities and improvements to the social wellbeing of Maltese citizens.

Strong and effective digital policy can actively improve the lives of the Maltese community, and begs the question: What can Australia learn from Malta?

Digital Malta recognises that digital technologies can improve the quality of life of citizens and needs to be affordable, secure and accessible to all regardless of skill and economic means.

Digital Malta includes a set of principles, goals and initiatives to invest in and promote the ‘Digital Citizen’, as well as a set of performance metrics against which progress is reported.

In Australia, meanwhile, there is evidence of growing inequality around digital inclusion as the gap between people in low and high-income households, as well as between older and younger Australians, grows.

The Australian Digital Inclusion Index shows that people aged 65+, people with a disability and Indigenous Australians are particularly digitally excluded.

The Liberal Government does not have a Digital Economy Strategy, or digital inclusion strategy, to call its own however – having commenced a consultation to develop a strategy only late last year, in its fifth year in office.

It is apparent there is a lot Australia can learn from Malta’s future-focussed policy approach. The rewards of digital innovation are there for the taking, but Australia must have a government committed to Australia’s digital future.

Custodian of Maltese migration history

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ur choice for this month’s Personality of the Month is O Mark Caruana, so well known among the Maltese Community, particularly in NSW where he is described as a custodian of Maltese migration history. Born in Sliema, Mark emigrated to Australia in January 1973 and has been an active member of the Sydney Maltese community since 1975.

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Mark Caruana

ark Caruana has written several articles on the oral history of migrants in Australia, and has recorded on cassette and video, in both English and Maltese, over 120 oral history interviews, primarily with early Maltese pioneer settlers (19121940) in Australia. He now records video oral history interviews with post-war migrants.

For several years Mark developed a close teamwork approach with the late George Griffiths, a 1948 immigrant who had similar interests. Together they published several awareness-raising articles in The Maltese Herald, a national, ethnic newspaper that was based in Sydney and has now ceased publication.

This teamwork approach was further strengthened when contact was made with Dr Barry York, from the Australian National Library in Canberra. The latter’s formal training in history and his greater opportunities of recording early Maltese settlers, as part of his academic studies towards a PhD in Maltese migration history, opened up new horizons in expanding the then limited knowledge of the Maltese presence in Australia.

Mark and Barry jointly published an Oral History, A Practical Guide a publication by the Centre for Immigration & Multicultural Studies, ANU Canberra 1996.

In the same year, he assisted Prof Helen Armstrong in her publication Migrant Heritage Places in Australia, a handbook for group co-ordinators. This is a project of the Australian Heritage Commission, aimed at developing a manual to assist migrant communities to identify their own heritage places.

Mark is a strong believer that oral history is best done as a collaborative and co-operative venture.

His other contribution was in initiating the oral history recordings of the settlement history of Maltese in New Zealand, a team research project co-ordinated by Prof. Carmen Dalli of the Victoria University Wellington, which in July 2002 received funding from the NZ Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Mark has compiled a database of Malta bills of health and passport applications for the years 1815-1933 totalling over 100,000 entries of applicants, which serves as a research tool on migration. The source is the Malta National Archives at Rabat Malta.

He also compiled a database of Maltese passengers, who disembarked at Ellis Island NY and other smaller USA ports (Boston, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, Baltimore, California and New Orleans). The source is ancestry.com.

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

The total entries amount to around 23,000 and cover a 137year period from 1820 to 1957. From 1946-57, some Maltese travelled by plane and they are also included.

More recently he has done research on Maltese-Australian ANZACs jointly with Carmen Baxter nee Bonello and is assisting the Maltese RSL NSW sub-branch in co-researching with Marianne Potts nee Vidal a forthcoming book on a biography of Maltese ANZACS who joined the Australian and NZ Army.

For a number of years, Mark was involved on a committee level with La Valette Social Centre, the Maltese Welfare NSW, the Maltese Cultural Association of NSW and the Salesian Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco NSW as a co-founder and member. Is currently the President of the Don Bosco Association.

Mark is also the Vice-President of the Maltese Community Council of NSW responsible for building up a resource library and archives centre where historical material on Maltese associations and migrants is kept for future researchers.

His current project is completing a database of all passports issued from Malta (1900 -1940) as a research tool that assists in migration studies, as well as completing a database of all Maltese who went to Canada and the USA from the early 1800s, a joint project with Dan Brock from Canada.

Such databases assist persons of Maltese ancestry in confirming their Maltese ancestry to be able to apply for Maltese citizenship.

Mark is married to Antoinette Caruana, who currently is the President of La Valette Social Centre. They have three children and six grandchildren.

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Something magical happens each time you enter these city walls. Architectural excellence captivates your visual senses, as every step leads to a landmark of historical value. Walls and pavements that line the grid of narrow streets whisper secrets and mystics to passersby, whilst the air fills up with modern art, live music, and an array of celebrations. The Unesco World Heritage Site could perhaps best be described as a place where history meets the present; where every explorer can find something they love. How will your Valletta story unfold?

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The Voice of the Maltese 5

Q. I have two aunts who are both single and have been his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese living together for the last twenty years. They are both in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Finanpensioners and their financial assets are minimal. One of cial Services helps our readers understand the complexities my aunts has now become very frail and her sister needs associated with financial planning. If you need more advice to provide her with a great deal of personal care. Is she send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. entitled for any financial assistance from Centrelink?

A. Yes your aunt can apply for a carer allowance. This is around $127 per fortnight and it is not means tested. She will just need to fill in a form and answer the questions in it and Centrelink will decide whether she is eligible or not. If your aunt finds it hard to care for her sister herself, she can ask to have an ACAT assessment and she may be entitled to a home care package. This normally means that she would be able to get someone for a few hours per week to help with her sister’s care

Q. My husband and I are in the process of selling our house, as we need to downsize. We wish to move into a retirement village as we feel that we will have very little maintenance to do to our unit. However we could not quite understand the contract. The contract states that when we vacate the property we would have an exit fee of 5% for the first six years of living in the village. Is this correct?

A. . Normally when one moves into a retirement village one does not purchase the property but leases it. The lease is normally a 99-year lease. On vacating the property within the retirement village most have an exit fee as you mentioned, and the amount is similar in most of the retirement villages. However, some allow for a share in any capital gains made on the releasing of the unit and others do not share in the capital gains. So if you are hesitant I would recommend that you see a solicitor prior to making

this move in order to be fully informed with what you are getting into.

Q&A

Q. We are three brothers and our mother who is 92 years or age needs to move into an aged care facility. She will be moving in one in the next couple of weeks as currently she is there for respite. We need to sell some of her financial assets to pay for a refundable accommodation deposit of $650,000. Her financials are made up of a portfolio of direct shares worth around $400,000, an account based pension worth around $350,000 and her home worth around $700,000. We cannot decide what assets to sell to pay for the refundable accommodation deposit. Can you please help?

A. If your mother is still of sound mind she may have her own wishes to be followed.

However as she is 92 years of age she may be quite happy to sell her home in order to pay for the refundable accommodation deposit (RAD).

If the plan is to sell her home when she

passes on to be able to distribute equally between the three of you, then you might as well sell it now. You will have no capital gains tax to pay as this is her residential home, and her remaining financial assets will be able to provide the income needed to pay for her ongoing costs to the aged care facility.

If you had to sell all her shares, the amount will not be sufficient to pay for the RAD in full, so you would need to sell a good part of her account based pension also. You could choose to pay for part of the accommodation costs through the Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), interest is currently set at 5.77% and is payable on the outstanding unpaid amount of the RAD. Selling shares would most probably trigger capital gains and thus capital gains tax may need to be paid. Therefore, selling the house may be the most appropriate course of action. This may take a couple of months to sell, which means that interest on the RAD would be payable. You have six months to come up with the funds for the refundable accommodation deposit if you choose to go this way.

Q. I am 23 years of age and have just finished university. I have just found a job and was asked how I wish to have my superannuation funds invested. I was aiming at investing in growth funds but I know that this will be very risky.

What advice can you give me?

A. I cannot give you advice, as I do not know you. However, just remember that you are unable to touch your superannuation fund until you are 60 years of age and retired. This means that you will be investing for the long term where you will see markets fluctuate and correct a number of times during this period. When one invests in growth funds one needs to be investing for the long term in order to allow the funds to recover if there is a correction.

This document contains factual information only and is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion in relation to the topic/s discussed.

Fiducian recommends that you seek advice from a professional to address any issues that may be raised by this article. Fiducian accepts no liability for any loss suffered by anyone who has acted on any information in this document.

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The Annunciation

his is the first article about the set of fourteen Tapestries to be found at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. In which we try to grasp the message each representation wants to convey. Today:

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Tuesday May 29, 2018

The Flemish Tapestries in the Conventional Church of the Order of St John in Valletta

he tapestry titled The Annunciation depicts the announcement in Nazareth by Archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive a son who in fact,would be the untied by Mary’s obedience. Mary is Son of God - the Messiah. the New Eve who shares in the New In the tapestry Mary seems to be alAdam (Christ). ready enthroned. Above her head, Besides Archangel Gabriel there are and as part of the background there’s also at least five angels in the upper a red canopy – a sign of royalty; the part of the painting creating a festive moment Mary accepted to become scene. The white flowers to the right the mother of Jesus, she became the of Mary denote the purity of our mother of the King of Kings.

Archangel Gabriel was sent to Mary, Gabriel means “El (God) is strong”. He came to announce Him who condescended to be humble and to wage war on the spiritual powers. He who came as God of power and as one strong in battle was to be announced by Gabriel, the strength of God. Gabriel coming down from above to break the Good News seems to be standing on a column of smoke. Can the column imply the glory of God as found in Exodus (24:16)?

The Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove is caught in rays that are descending from heaven. The black colour on top of the left hand side can stand for darkness in contrast to the light: “The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; He was coming Lady. On a small table next to Mary into the world” (Jn 1,9). there is an open book, it could repreWithin the body of Mary a miracle sent the heralding of the future occurred that sanctified her womb Gospels. and caused her to conceive the eterMary is seen with her left hand restnal Son of the Father in humanity drawn from her own. In the third Ar- ing beneath the book. This could indicate the importance of the word of ticle of the Creed the words “Who God. There were no books at the time was conceived” mean that man should believe and confess that Jesus of the annunciation, but maybe Peter Christ, the only Son of God, when He Paul Rubens (the designer) placed it assumed human flesh in the womb of there with a purpose. As a fervent Catholic perhaps he wanted to conthe Virgin, was not conceived from the seed of man, but, by the power of vey the message.

God had intended from the dawn of the Holy Spirit.1 time that the Incarnation of his Son “By the Holy Spirit” does not mean would bring healing and eternal life to that “this Person alone of the Holy the fallen and wounded human race.

Trinity accomplished the mystery of The Mystery of the Incarnation is the Incarnation,” but all the Three the origin and foundation of the Persons were authors of this Catholic Church. It is the central mirmystery.2 At the moment of concepacle asserted by Christians. Mary’s tion Jesus was perfect God and per“yes” to God began the drama that is fect man, that is, Mary conceived our salvation. Mary conceived Jesus God and man, hence, she is truly the in her heart by faith before she conMother of God and man.3 ceived him in her womb.4 An event planned from all eternity.

Mary is the New Eve. In that moMary’s role in salvation history is ment Mary’s obedience overcrucial. Her openness to the Father’s whelmed the disobedience of Eve. plan and to the work of the Holy The knot of Eve’s disobedience was Spirit began a new chapter in human

Dr. DorisCannataci

history.

God the Son chose to enter our world through the virginal conception that took place in Mary: “For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made

man.” God in his sovereign freedom has chosen to reveal himself in the incarnation.

The Annunciation was a defining moment in the history of the human race. It was a moment when heaven and earth met, and God became man.

The Incarnation was the coming of God-Man into time and space. Man has to learn to marvel and wonder at God’s incarnation in Jesus – if not, man will not be able to penetrate the mystery, which is God with us, the hope of glory.

Over the centuries many have been moved to rejoice in Mary’s co-operation with God an example of humble obedience to His will. The Annunciation is the fundamental mystery of the Catholic Church – the mystery of “the Word made flesh” in the language of art.

References

1. Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests, trans. John A. McHugh – Charles J. Callan, second revised edition, London 1934, rep.1937, 41.

2. Ibid., 42.

3. Ibid., 43.

4. JOHN O’DONNELL, Hans Urs von Balthasar, 22.

The citizenship saga escalates A

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Tuesday May 29, 2017

s many as 14 Coalition MPs are under a citizenship cloud as the attorney general says federal politicians must show renunciation documents.

The citizenship crisis could claim more government MPs after Federal AttorneyGeneral Christian Porter said they had to prove their possible dual citizenships were renounced, as reported by SBS News.

Labor says this puts Treasurer Scott Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, and 12 other Coalition MPs in danger. Mr Morrison's maternal grandfather was born in New Zealand, while Mr McCormack's was born in Greece in 1896.

The citizenship test in the Constitution has already forced more than a dozen MPs to quit because they were citizens of foreign countries at the election.

Australian passport

“The requirement is that you have to show that you've completed the renunciation process,” Mr Porter told reporters in Perth.

“You need to evidence not merely the start of the renunciation process but its completion. So when people haven't done that, no matter who they are, they need to do so.”

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says it sets a new

benchmark that goes too far. “Mr Porter has created a test that many of his own MPs fail. This is a very dangerous path for the government to go down,” Mr Dreyfus said.

He says 14 Coalition MPs have not shown evidence of completed renunciations, despite having parents or grandparents born overseas.

Mr Porter had earlier attacked Labor MP Emma Husar because she had not provided documented proof she had renounced Polish citizenship, which she was entitled to through her paternal grandparents.

Under new rules set to be introduced before upcoming by-elections, candidates have to give their citizenship information to the Australian Electoral Commission.

It will then be made public, but the AEC won't be given the power to adjudicate the eligibility of candidates.

A cross-party committee of MPs has called for a referendum to end the ban on dual citizens entering parliament, but Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says there is no time before the next general election.

“Australians expect politicians to get all their paperwork, get all those details together before they nominate,” Mr Turnbull told reporters in Queensland.

Għal serħan il-moħħ f’ambjent indipendenti Nelsons Grove Jekk bħalissa qed issibha diffiċli tkopri mal-ħajja.

Jekk fejn toqgħod sar kbir wisq għalik u ma tistax tlaħħaq aktar, qed noffrulek alternattiva.

Kompli għix ħajja indpendenti f’ambjent ta’ komunita` familjari u attiva, fejn għandek issib serħan il-moħħ, sigurta`, kura u attenzjoni. Tirtira iżda żżomm id-dinjita’ u l-indipendenza tiegħek.

Leandlease Retirement Living toffri dan kollu.

Itlobna biex nuruk dak li nofru Ejja arana. Issibna:

Nelsons Grove, 2 Newport St, Pemulwuy, NSW (Wara Woollworths)

Jekk trid xi tagħrif ċemplilna 02 9636 9163

Alterna t għal da tiva w qabżu l k li -55

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

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Tuesday May 29, 2018

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

Laws against the possession of weapons

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly tnightly magazine magazine

is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly magazine that specifically targets all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian and Maltese scenes. e magazine can also be read in flipbook format online. A pdf copy is also sent via email on request.

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice magazine, either in Maltese or English should include name and e-mail address of the writer and be e-mailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese

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Eugene Calleja from Harvey WA writes: am writing after learning about the tragic story coming out from Western Australia of the suspected murder-suicide of a family of seven there.

This tragedy described in the media as the worst mass shooting since the nation overhauled its gun control laws more than 20 years ago should be an eye-opener. We should not only discuss it but the authorities are duty bound to take action, otherwise we could end up being another America.

Gun ownership and usage is heavily regulated

The teaching of Maltese in Canada

George Spiteri from Dundas, Toronto, Canada writes: any thanks for covering the visit of our President of the Republic to Canada and the US. On page 13 of the May 1 issue (No. 178) it was reported that the President was informed that about 40 Maltese-Canadian students, as well as a number of other foreign students are being taught Maltese in a Toronto school on the initiative of the CMLA that came up with the idea of creating a digital platform for Maltese to be taught online.

This is indeed very good news but unfortunately it is not correct. This initiative has been talked about for a while, but at the time the President was in Toronto no such classes existed.

In fact, school classes for young and adult students that had existed for 30 years have closed due to a shortage of teachers. Let us hope that assistance arrives very soon to give our community the opportunity to continue Maltese classes both online and one on one if required.

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in Australia, but the shooting brings to mind other instances, in particular two that occurred in Australia some years back.

I still vividly remember the massacre in Tasmania in 1996 when 35 people were killed.

At the time I was living with the family in the lovely island state of Australia. I still also remember the furore that it created that led to the legislation that banned the use of automatic and semi-automatic weapons and the destruction of more than one million guns.

After that, only four years ago, we had the murder-suicide of a family of five in 2014. I am sure that the debate after the recent shooting will commence again. However, it is action that one needs not just talk, as according to government statistic more than three million firearms are in use and those who already own guns are buying even more.

A deadly weapon at home is a danger, therefore legislators need to be stricter and certain weapons must be completely banned.

Give us the chance to be part of the Maltese language lessons project

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Paul Debono from Fairfield, NSW writes: t was very interesting to learn from the report about the President of Malta’s visit to Canada in the last issue of The Voice of the Maltese, that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, along with the Ministry of Education in Malta would be embarking on a €2 million project to provide online lessons of the Maltese language to those in that country who are interested in learning the language.

So well and good: this is something that would help the Maltese community in Canada to become even more aware of the language. However, as these lessons are intended to be delivered online, these lessons can, and should also be made available to those in Australia in particular, but not only, who are keen to keep abreast of our mother tongue.

Therefore I appeal to the authorities in Malta to also include those of us Maltese living abroad, in this important educational project. It could be so beneficial to second or third generation Maltese, young and old, interested to learn the language to be part of it and to provide them with the tools needed to follow the lessons.

Through this medium I therefore also appeal to the Maltese High Commission in Canberra and also to its representatives in the respective states to forward this message to the authorities in Malta.

FECCA urges attendance at the maternity services workshops

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he Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) is urging organisations representing culturally and linguistcally diverse (CALD) women to attend the Federal Government’s consultation workshops aimed at developing a National Strategic Approach to Maternity Services (NSAMS).

The Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary

BOOK LAUNCH:

Patetsos said that FECCA had long advocated on women’s health issues on behalf of CALD Australians.

“FECCA believes that all Australian women should be able to access culturally safe maternity services in their preferred language,” she said.

Ms Patetsos said that FECCA, which is a member of the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, has called for a Culturally Competent Maternity Plan for CALD Women, which should include: ●Language services; ●Bilingual and bicultural workers; ●Cultural competency training for staff; and Culturally-appropriate antenatal surveys of risk factors.

The workshops that started on May 21 and and are still being held held around Australia, are giving organisations

A historical event filled with tragedy, sorrow and heroism is retold in both English and Maltese. We will be screening parts of the story from a performance at the Citadel in Victoria, Gozo in 2017.

Written by Ġanninu Cremona Translated from the Maltese by Prof. Geoffrey Hull The Xaghra Association of NSW Inc. Request sthe pleasure of your company Saturday June 9, 4:00pm at:

The Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre 59b Franklin Street, Parramatta West

Light refreshments will be served afterwards

Reserve your seat by June 2 rjbigeni@yahoo.com.au (mobile 0439 974 182)

Skaubryn 60 years on: A photographic exhibition

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emembering Skaubryn: 60 years on is currently being held at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Wharf7, 58 Pirrama Road Pyrmont NSW (Tel: 02 92983718). It will stay open until June 24. Entry is free.

Skaubryn is the only vessel lost at sea during the era of post-war migration to Australia. It was carrying 1,080 passengers many of them Maltese migrants when a fire broke out on March 31 1958 and was sunk on April 6 while on tow to Aden

representing CALD Australians a great opportunity to have their say about the way maternity services should be provided to women in their communities.

This far, workshops have already been held at: Campbelltown, Tasmania, Dubbo, NSW and Tweed Heads, NSW. The final workshop is to be held at Alice Springs, NT, on June 4 .

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Its role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of the respective constituencies to government, business and the broader community.

For information one should call: 0403 044 216, or email: emma@fecca.org.au Meanwhile, FECCA said that it welcomes the release by the National Disability Insurance Agency of its Cultural and Linguistic Diverse Strategy 2018 but has emphasised that it could succeed only if properly funded by Government.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

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Tuesday May 29, 2018

Il-ħrara tat-tama

har is-Sibt 19 ta’ Mejju li għadda kont wieħed minn tant miljuni madwar iddinja quddiem l-iskrin tatteleviżjoni, sabiex insegwi t-tieġ tal-Prinċep Harry talIngilterra ma’ Meghan Markle mill-Istati Uniti.

Min-naħa tiegħi ma’ kontx qiegħed nippjana li nsegwiha.

Normalment, m’iniex wieħed li jħoss xi simpatija ma’ familji li jitwieldu u jgħaddu ħajjithom fi privileġġi straordinarji bħal dawk meqjusin rjali, jew li wirtu ġid ta’ barra minn hawn.

Irrid ngħid madankollu li dawn il-ħsibijiet spiss jinbidlu fl-għarfien li privileġġi kelli f’ħajti jien ukoll: ġenituri li ħabbewni, li mhux kulħadd għandu; dejjem kelli saqaf fuq rasi, mhux bħal dawk l-imsejkna li jinsabu fit-triq; tlaqt minn pajjiżi għal ieħor għax ridt, mhux għax kont sfurzat minn periklu, ġuħ jew persekuzzjoni, u nista’ nibqa sejjer hekk.

Għalkemm lanqas għandi l-faxxinu li għandhom tant nies li jkunu jafu l-intriċċi anke l-iktar mondani tagħhom, sibt ruħi nsegwi t-tieġ imsemmi, probabbli għax ftakart fit-tieġ l-ieħor talfamilja rjali Ingliża, dak ta’ omm Harry, jiġifieri ta’ Diana malPrinċep Karlu, storja, li bħal ma nafu ntemmet traġikament.

Ma jiddispjaċinix li segwejt l-avveniment, għax kien hemm parti li ħassejt li kienet il-quċċata tat-tieġ li nibqa’ niftakarha, u m’iniex qiegħed nirreferi għall-mument meta l-għarajjes qalu “signor si” (bl-Ingliż, s’intendi).

Waqt it-tieġ, ir-Reverendu Michael Curry, Isqof Afrikan-Amerikan tal-Knisja Episkopali, parti mill-Komunjoni Anglikana għamel priedka. U xi priedka kienet!

It-tema kienet l-imħabba, li iddeskriviha bħala qawwija daqs il-mewt, u li jekk il-bniedem jiskopri din il-qawwa u jagħraf jikkontrollaha, ikun għamel skoperta oħra daqs l-iskoperta tannar.

Stieden lil dawk preżenti, id-dinjiet irjali, aristokratiċi, l-imlaħħqa u l-famużi ta’ oqsma differenti, u naturalment lil dawk ilmiljuni li kienu qiegħdin isegwu t-tieġ madwar id-dinja, biex jimmaġinaw, imqar għal mument, dinja mmexxija bis-sagrifiċċju, in-nuqqas ta’ egoiżmu u l-fidwa tal-imħabba, x’implikazzjonijiet ikollha fid-djar u l-familji, fil-komunitajiet, gvernijiet u pajjiżi, in-negozju u l-kummerċ.

Spjega li f’ambjent bħal dan, l-ebda wild ma jerġa’ jorqod bilġuħ, il-ġustizzja tnixxi bħal xmara, il-faqar jibqa’ jissemma biss fl-istorja, id-dinja ssir santwarju, jitniżżlu x-xwabel u t-trieki u ma ssir l-ebda gwerra oħra, u finalment, ikun hawn biżżejjed post għall-ulied kollha t’Alla.1 Tkellem b’tant konvinzjoni, elokwenza u ħrara li sibt ruħi ispirat. Reġa’ fakkarni għal darb’oħra kemm bniedem jista’ jispirak minn barra l-ambjent spiritwali tiegħek, li għalija huwa dak Kattoliku.

Bdejt nimmaġina l-ħrara li biha x’ aktarx tkellem Ġesù nnifsu;

A version of this series in kitba ta’ English may be found in IVAN the author's blog at: CAUCHI https://ivancauchi. blogspot.com

ħrara li wasslet lill-appostli biex jitilqu kull ma kienu qed jagħmlu biex jimxu warajh; ħrara li wasslitu jippriedka lil miġemgħa ta’ eluf u wasslet għall-istorja magħrufa tal-miraklu talħames ħobżiet u ż-żewġ ħutiet.

X’saret minn din il-ħrara wara mewtu? Biżżejjed li lKrisjaneżmu huwa l-ikbar reliġjon fid-dinja?

Għalfejn fil-pajjiżi madwar id-dinja, inklużi fejn ilKristjaneżmu huwa predominanti, hemm nies bla saqaf fuq rashom, li jgħixu ġo faqar umiljanti u bla tama, l-ambjent jiġi mħares biss jekk ma titfixkilx lekonomija, il-pajjiż ikun tant aħrax ma’ min iħabbatlu l-bieb biex jistkenn minn xi għadu li jwaħħax jew biex jitrejjaq? Din x’imħabbi hi?

Għalfejn il-knisja tiegħi, dik Kattolika, għandha l-ikbar proporzjon ta’ każi ta’ abbuż sesswali tat-tfal f’istituzzjonijiet tagħha fl-Awstralja? Għalfejn il-mexxejja mexxew lil dawk li wettqu labbuż minn post għall-ieħor, ħaġa li ppermettiet lil dan l-abbuż jitkompla? X’imħabba kienet din?

Għaliex abbuż simili li seħħ fiċ-Ċile wassal biex l-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja Kattolika t’hemmhekk tigdeb lill-Papa nnifsu fuq dak li sar, li għal żmien twil mhux biss emminhom imma laħħaq isqof lil wieħed mixli b’abbuż?

Issa sirna nafu li l-isqfijiet kollha t’hemmhekk offrew ir-riżenja tagħhom.2 X’imħabba kienu qed juru?

Jien f’ħajti tgħallimt li l-verità mhi monopolju ta’ ħadd, lanqas tal-Knisja Kattolika Appostolika Rumana. Tista’ tiltaqa’ ma’ kelma ta’ faraġ, issib serħan spiritwali, tibqa’ skantat b’osservazzjoni ta’ għerf dwar sitwazzjoni jew l-iskrittura, minn kwalunkwe persuna, bħal ma naturalment tista’ tiltaqa’ mal-oppost.

Min ma jagħrafx il-qawwa spiritwali tal-messaġġ ta’ nies bħal Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi u Dalai Lama?

U għal dawk bħali li huma ispirati mill-messaġġ ta’ Ġesu, tista’ ssib individwi illum inkluż fil-kleru li kapaċi jispjegaw il-messaġġ ta’ din il-persuna meraviljuża li ġie elfejn sena ilu b’mod tant sempliċi, ħaj, rilevanti u mimli mħabba, li jisfidawk sabiex tħalli l-kelma tiegħu jittrasformawlek ħajtek.

Jien ngħid għalija dejjem fittixt lil min jispirani b’dan il-mod, ħalli kemm jista’ jkun il-mawra fil-knisja ta’ nhar ta’ Ħadd tkun l-iktar rilevanti. Dan ir-Reverendu Curry nista’ ngħid li kieku għalija jaqa’ f’din il-kategorija. Alla jbierku u jsostnih fil-ħidma tiegħu.

L-Isqof Michael Curry jagħti lmessaġġ tiegħu waqt it-tieġ talPrinċep Harry u Meghan Markle

Referenzi 1. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-20/royal-wedding-meghanmarmakle-upstaged-by-reverend-michael-curry/9779990, retrieved 20/5/2018 2. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/world/europe/chile-bishopsresign-sex-abuse-francis.html, retrieved 20/5/2018

Iran: No Plan B

Tuesday May 29, 2017

T

he extraordinary thing is that there is no Plan B. If Donald Trump’s re-imposition of American sanctions on Iran does not cause President Hassan Rouhani’s government to buckle at once (which is almost unimaginable), there is nothing else he can do short of going to war with the country.

And he couldn’t even win that war.

Iran is entirely within its rights in condemning Trump’s action.

All the other signatories to the GwynneDyer deal that hobbled Iran’s nuclear programme – Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China – agree that Tehran is in full compliance with its terms, as do the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis.

All of Trump’s complaints about the deal are about things it was never intended to cover, and it does not contain those things because Iran would never agree to terms that effectively gave the United States control over its foreign policy. If Trump wants to try to negotiate that kind of deal anyway, it is not necessary to terminate the nuclear treaty in order to do so.

But it’s a mistake to apply rational analysis to Trump’s action, because this was an emotional decision, not a rational one. It is part of his obsession with expunging every single achievement of the Obama administration: healthcare, the opening to Cuba, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, the Paris climate treaty, and now the Iran nuclear deal.

You can, however, apply rational analysis to every other player’s reaction to Trump’s tantrum, starting with President Rouhani. He will try very hard to keep the deal alive because his own political fate depends on it. If he cannot succeed, the Revolutionary Guard and other hard-line nationalists will gain the upper hand domestically and his entire reform policy will be paralysed.

Rouhani probably only has a few weeks to get public commitments to continue trading with Iran from the other parties to the deal, and that will require them to defy the United States. Trump’s declaration on Monday only requires American banks and companies to stop trading with Iran within 180 days, but the US may also apply so-called ‘secondary sanctions’ against foreign companies that trade with Iran.

These ‘secondary sanctions’ may actually be illegal under international law, but that has not stopped the US in the past (Cuba, Venezuela, etc.) and it won’t do so now. You can count on Russia and China to push back if the US blackballs their companies for trading with Iran, but will the British, French and German governments also do so? Even if it risks splitting the Western alliance?

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The Voice of the Maltese 11

Probably not, in which case the deal really will be dead.

Rouhani would remain in office for the remainder of his term, but the hard-liners would be in charge. That Donald Trump ...obsessed doesn’t mean with Obama’s achievements that Iran will start working on nuclear weapons right away, however, because it can’t.

In obedience to the deal, it has destroyed the core of a reactor that could have produced weapons-grade plutonium, placed two-thirds of its centrifuges (for enriching uranium) under international monitoring, and eliminated 97 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium. It would take a long time to get started again.

The immediate impact is more likely to be seen in a tougher approach in Syria, where Iranian troops (sent to aid the government side in the civil war) are bombed by the Israelis practically every week. So far Iran has not responded to these attacks in any way, but it could start by shooting a couple of those Israeli planes down, and then the fat would be in the fire.

For several years now, the main foreign policy goal of America’s two main allies in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia, has been to draw the United States into a war with Iran. Therefore they have to provide the hawks in the Trump administration (Pompeo, Bolton, et al.) with a plausible pretext for starting the war, and a couple of downed Israeli planes would do nicely.

If it were just an attack on Iran by the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, it would not be of earth-shattering importance. They would probably lose a lot of planes, since Iran now has good air defences, but none of them could or would do a ground invasion.

Iran is a country the size of Alaska, two-thirds of it is mountain or desert, and it has 80 million people, lots of industry and good science and technology. Invading it would make the Vietnam War look like a tea party. So any ground fighting between Iran and its enemies would be more likely to happen in the countries between them: Syria and Iraq.

You could be forgiven for thinking that both Iraq and Syria deserve a break from war by now, but they may not get it.

And the most worrisome thing is that there are both Russian and American troops on the ground in these countries. *Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries. From time to time he also contributes to The Voice of the Maltese.

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12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday May 29, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta

One of the world's largest blockchain leaders (ANX) announces Malta involvement

O President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca (in red with the Commissioner of Police on her right) at the “Solidarity march”. Inset: Simon Schembri

Thousands march in solidarity with the Malta Police Force

F

ollowing serious injuries suffered by traffic policeman Simon Schembri who was nearly killed when he was intentionally run over by a 17-year-old driver, thousands of people, including President MarieLouise Coleiro Preca and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, along with cabinet ministers, Opposition Leader Adrian Delia, and representatives of organisations, answered a call by the Police to attend a solidarity march they organised in Valletta‘s main streets.

They all marched behind a banner saying 'Solidarity With The Police’. Commissioner of Police Lawrence Cutajar was among those at the helm of the march.

ne of the world's largest blockchain companies, ANX International, which is also an industry leader in innovation and compliance, has announced its involvement with Malta to support its rapidly expanding blockchain ecosystem.

Leveraging its leading-edge technology solutions, thought leadership, and intellectual capital, ANX endeavours to actively participate in the full value chain of Malta's blockchain ecosystem.

Since February, when Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation within the Office of the Prime Minister announced the creation of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Regulation, Malta has received investments pledged by the world's largest crypto exchanges, such as Binance and OKEx. They both relocated to Malta, along with others to follow such as Berlin-based Neufund, adding more opportunities for the decentralisation of Malta's ecosystem.

Through this joint effort between the Government of Malta and ANX,

Malta strengthens top ranking on rights for LGBTIQs in Europe alta has maintained, and even and no restriction of age or name change M strengthened its ranking as the when legally recognising one’s gender. leading nation among 49 countries EuMalta remains the only country in Europe in the latest ILGA-Europe Rainbow map and index for 2018 that reviews the human rights situation of LGBTIQ people in the continent.

This is the third year running that with a rating of 91%, Malta not only remains, but also even widened the gap with the rest of the European countries as the leading country in LGBTIQ rights.

The closest country to Malta is Belgium, far behind in second place with 79%.

Norway ranks third with 78%.

The index examines the current situation for LGBTIQ people in areas of equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition and bodily integrity, civil society space and asylum.

This year’s report included three new criteria, which Malta already takes account of in national legislation, the criminalisation of conversion therapy for sexual orientation and gender identity

rope that legislated in all three areas.

Minister for European Affairs and Equality Helena Dalli welcomed the results as a certificate for Malta’s efforts to ensure greater equality for its citizens.

the island is taking another step towards becoming the worldwide leader in creating a blockchainfriendly ecosystem and establishing a rich environment and a stable ground for blockchain companies.

As a part of DLT Regulation, Malta recently announced a number of bills regulating the emerging blockchain industry: MDIA (Malta Digital Innovation Authority) Bill, Technology Arrangements and Service Providers (TAS) Bill, Virtual Currencies (VC) Bill.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat recently described the country's vision for blockchain technology saying, “Millions of people already attribute value to virtual currencies, which has created an entirely new market. The concept sounds confusing right now, but I have no doubt that it will form the base of a new economy in the future.

“Just as we attribute value to pieces of paper, so too will future generations attribute value to electronic storage systems."

He went on to say that Malta is on track to be a world leader in creating a holistic, well-regulated virtual currencies market and setting global standards for harnessing blockchain's technological revolution.

Meanwhile in a statement, ANX said, “We are impressed by the understanding and openness shown by Hon. Schembri and Malta's Government that serve as a great example to all policy makers and regulators".

ANX will expand its operations to Europe via its participation in Malta, and further promote public awareness as well as training and education on blockchain technology across the globe.

In next 5 years Malta will need 40,000 more foreign workers

Malta’s economic success necessitates the country to import even more foreign workers, with the employment agency Jobsplus predicting that due to the amount of jobs being created by Maltese and foreign companies and investors, in the next five years the country will need another 40,000 foreigners.

Jobsplus is therefore planning to expand its operations by strengthening its human resources and the adequate infrastructure to more foreign workers in Malta.

There are currently about 43,000 foreign workers in Malta. Jobsplus expansion can be made following the change and evolvement of the corporation according to the labour market exigencies.

The agency’s chairman, Clyde Caruana said that while five years ago everyone was focussing on the need for measures to curbs unemployment, today the unemployment rate is down to under 2,000 persons. There are presently around 230,000 in full-time or part-time jobs.

Tuesday May 29, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Roundup of News About Malta

Providing even more freedom to journalists

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n unprecedented freedom of expression for journalists Bill that provides more protection for journalists and the citizen journalist has just come into effect with the Media and Defamation Bill. As of May 14, criminal libels under the previous Media Bill are a thing of the past.

The process that led to the implementation of the new Bill took about four years, with due preparation, discussions, and widespread consultations both on a national, and on an international level. It is being described as an appropriate process that is expected to take place in all modern, participative, and openly democratic

countries. In short, it means that criminal libel is now a thing of the past This process closed Malta’s chapter on criminal libel and on various other criminal crimes that were considered a burden on the freedom of expression and the full participation of the citizen.

The new Bill puts Malta on the highest level of respect for freedom of expression by strengthening this freedom of expression in unprecedented levels. It also follows the vast reforms undertaken during the last legislature that have all contributed to the widening of the freedom of artistic expression as it directly affects the justice, culture sector and media sector.

Malta committed to promoting and protecting issues of human rights

U

nderlining Malta’s endeavours in helping the Council of Europe fulfil its programme of activities, most particularly on issues concerning human rights, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela told the 128th session of the Committee of Ministers in Denmark, that Malta’s positive record in human rights ranks among the highest in Europe.

At the session that focussed on issues concerning stability in Europe, democratic reforms, human rights and the rule of law, securing the long-term effectiveness of the system of the European Convention on Human Rights and on co-operation with the European Union, the Minister mentioned the fact that in January, Malta enacted the Gender-based Violence and Domestic Viouring a state visit by the President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca in Lisbon, lence Bill to protect women and girls Portugal leading a delegation that included the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade against violence.

He went on to tell the Council, which is a Promotion Carmelo Abela, Economy Minister, Chris Cardona and the Secretary for European Funds, Aaron Farrugia, the two countries agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, con- leading human rights organisation made up tinue to work to enhance dialogue between the respective peoples and to explore the of 47 members, that in March the Convention Against Trafficking in Human Organs possibility of greater cooperation in trade and tourism. also entered into force in Malta. In the same The President said the delegation’s visit reaffirmed month the government the excellent relations between the two countries, extended voting rights to and the need for contacts in different levels. no less than 8,500 voters Maltese businessmen from the tourism, aviation, aged sixteen thus making auditing, consultancy, engineering, investment Malta the second EU promotion, manufacturing, financial services, country to extend voting hospitality, restoration, and welfare sectors who rights to citizens under purposely travelled from Malta met their Poreighteen. tuguese counterparts at a Business Forum organMinister Abela said that ised in collaboration with the Portuguese Malta also supports the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

CoE’s strategy on the Minister Abela said there has never been a better rights of persons suffering time to consider Malta as a partner for cooperafrom disabilities, including tion. He went on to extend his Ministry’s service Minister Carmelo Abela at the Denmark meeting improved work conditions. and support in facilitating follow-up contacts.

Portugal, Malta to strengthen ties

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Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Valletta’s Pageant of the Seas June 7 on historic European Tour S F

or the first time, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra has embarked on a 12-day European Tour that commenced in Malta on May 20 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta and also takes it Germany and Austria.

The tour, in collaboration with European Foundation for Support of Culture has already performed in Malta, Berlin, Stuttgart, Wiesbaden and Berlin.

The last stage of the tour will be in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on Thursday May 31. The orchestra is under the direction of Sergey Smbatyan, an Armenian conductor.

Other foreign musicians, Armenian pi-

anist Nareh Arghamanyan and Ingolf Wunder, an Austrian classical pianist – for a performance of a Alexey Shor’s Travel Notebook suite for piano and orchestra inspired by the composer’s travels, have also joined the MPO at different stages.

Each concert opened with a newly-commissioned work for orchestra and solo viola by Maltese composer Albert Garzia, bearing the name Kewn (existence).

The world premiere of Garzia’s composition has been given by David Aaron Carpenter hailed as 'The hottest violist of the 20th century', who is one of the orchestra’s stellar line-up of soloists on the European tour.

et against the majestic backdrop of Valletta’s Grand Harbour, this year’s edition of the Valletta Pageant of the Seas will be part of the festivities commemorating Valletta 2018, will take place on June 7. The event is to host a programme teeming with exciting daytime activities – competitive races, visual demonstrations and water acts – and a colourful celebration by night.

Malta’s local communities will part in races on specially designed vessels, constructed specifically for the day. Other races would be held between local swimmers, all competing to outperform each other whilst enduring routes between the two forts dominating the harbour.

After sundown, the atmosphere transforms into a spectacular display of fireworks and light effects.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday May 29, 2018

Jidher li ntilef kull sens ta’ rispett

M

’hemmx dubju li lkoll qrajtu jew smajtu dwar l-inċident bla preċedent li seħħ f’Malta, meta żagħżugh ta’ 17-il sena twaqqaf mill-pulizija waqt li kien qed isuq karozza. Mhux talli ma kkoperax malpulizija, talli wasal li daħal fih, imma kaxkru taħt il-vettura għal diversi metri u ħalli għall-mewt fl-art.

Ir-reazzjoni tal-pubbliku kienet waħda ta’ xokk u rabja... imma mhux kulħadd. Kien il-ftit li waqt li dan l-istess pulizija kien qed jissielet għal ħajtu, kitbu fuq Facebook u minflok urew solidarjeta’ miegħu, ma’ familtu u mal-korp tal-pulizija kollu, ħarġu jxewwxu kontra l-korp, b’wieħed saħansitra jasal jikteb: “sewwa għamel.

J’alla jtajru wieħed kuljum”, u b’ieħor juri l-ħdura tiegħu kontra l-pulizija billi jżid: “kif tkun hemm għaddi darbtejn (fuqu) ħalli tkun ċert.”

Attwalment il-pulizija ħadu passi kontra tlieta minn dawk li kitbu dan ittip ta’ kummenti u ressquhom il-Qorti, bil-Maġistrat Joseph Mifsud jistqarr: “Il-Qorti xebgħet tara u ilha tiġbed l-attenzjoni dwar in-nuqqas ta’ edukazzjoni fejn jidħol l-użu tal-midja u s-social networking li ta’ kuljum tinnota li persuni b’irresponsabbilità jaqbdu mill-ewwel itellgħu posts mingħajr ma jaħsbu qabel jagħmlu dan u ma jagħrfux ir-responsabbilità li għandhom

Iċċensurat!

I

speċjalment meta jkunu rappreżentanti ta’ xi istituzzjoni.

“Meta fis-soċjetà tagħna, anke għal skopijiet mhux daqshekk ġenwini, isiru attakki bla bażi, kontra min ikun qed iżomm l-ordni fil-pajjiż, is-soċjetà tkun qed iddaħħal il-lifgħa f’ħobbha biex imbagħad dik l-istess lifgħa meta trid tigdem il-persuna u toqtolha.

“Illi persuna titqies innoċenti sakemm tinstab ħatja u l-Qorti temmen f’dan, fiċċirkostanzi il-Qorti tħoss li għandha tibgħat sinjal ċar lis-soċjetà, li l-Forzi talOrdni għandhom ikollhom il-protezzjoni kollha u ħadd m’għandu dritt jew iżeblagħhom jew ixewwex fil-konfront tagħhom għax fl-aħħar mill-aħħar meta dawn joħorġu mid-dar iħallu familja biex jagħmlu l-ħidma tagħhom u kulma jridu huwa li jmorru lura d-dar qawwijin u sħaħ u jekk ma jeħdux Ġieħ ir-Repubblik, għal-ħidma għall-inqas ma jkunx hemm min ixewwex fil-konfront tagħhom.”

Sadanitant it-tliet akkużati ma ngħatawx il-liberta’ proviżorja u nżammu arrestati sakemm tkompli l-kawża kontrihom.

Dak li ġara hu ta’ tħassib għax meta wieħed kien qed jistenna solidarjeta’ u għaqda fost il-poplu, kien hemm dawk il-cowboys li bla ħsieb ta’ xejn, jekk uħud minnhom mhux b’malizia, ħarġu fuq il-midja soċjali juru d-dis-

l-patrii Mark Montebello huwa kittieb regulari fil-gazzetta ta’ kull nhar ta’ Ħadd “It-Torċa”, li ilu jikteb fiha sa mill-1993. Iżda nhar il-Ħadd, 20 ta’ Mejju fil-paġna tat-Torċa fejn is-soltu jidher l-artiklu tal-patri, kien hemm biss ir-ritratt ta’ Montebello u l-kliem “Ċensura”. F’nota tal-editur Patri Mark Montebello intqal li l-kitba ta’ Fr. Montebello ma kienetx qed tidher għax ilPatri ġie ordnat jieqaf mill-kitbiet tiegħu fil-midja u jekk jikser din l-ordni kien se jitneħħilu s-saċerdozju.

Jidher li din iċ-ċensura fuq Patri Montebello ġiet wara l-artiklu tiegħu f’The Times li konna rriferejna għalih fil-kitba żewġ ħarġiet ilu. Dakinhar dan il-patri kien ikkritika l-mod kif il-Knisja Maltija kienet qed taġixxi fil-kwestjoni tal-IVF. L-aħbar taċ-ċensura ġabet reazzjoni minn diversi ndividwi. Uħud irrimarkaw li ma kienx sew li dawk l-membri tal-kleru li kienu kienu qed jikkritikaw l-emendi għal din il-liġi qed jitħallew jiktbu u jgħidu li jridu, anke jekk kultant jesaġeraw, filwaqt li min ma jabilx mal-mod kif aġġixxiet il-Knisja mhux qed jitħalla jitkellem.

Ma naqasx min sostna li ma nistgħux nippridkaw dwar il-liberta’ tal-kelma mbagħad fejn jaq-blilna nagħlqu ħalq xi ħadd.

Saħansitra żżeffen fin-nofs il-fatt li kull meta l-Arċisqof jiġi kkritikat għal xi tweet interpretata bħala politika, it-tweġiba tkun li għandu dritt jesprimi l-idejat tiegħu “Kif niddefendi d-dritt talArċisqof li jsemma’ leħnu (flok knisja mgerrxa mis-soċjetà), daqs-

prezz tagħhom għall-pulizija.

Sfortunatament, wieħed ma jistax jeskludi għal kollox il-possibilta’ li lkummenti li daru f’dawn l-aħħar snin, u li ntensifikaw fl-aħħar xhur kontra lpulizija qed iwasslu biex xi individwi ma jibqax ikollhom ir-rispett li matul iż-żmien kienu jgawdu l-pulizija bħala ndividwi u bħala forza.

Veru li forsi l-kummenti li semmejt saru fi sfond politiku u ma sarux biex direttament biex inaqqsu ir-rispett talpoplu lejn il-pulizija, iżda ma jstax jonqos li, indirettament se jeffettwaw lil sezzjoni ta’ nies li ma jafux jagħmlu distinzjoni bejn kumment politiku u dak li mhux.

Kellu raġun l-Ispettur Keith Arnaud, kap tal-Iskwadra tal-Omiċidji, li f’messaġġ fuq Facebook kiteb li l-aġir ta’ ċerti nies li bi kliemhom, f’kull nifs u opportunita’ hi l-hena tagħhom ixewxu kontra l-puliizja u jippruvaw jimminaw xogħolhhom, wassal biex tinżera mibgħeda inġusta lejn l-istess Awtoritajiet.

L- eżempju tal-konsegwenzi ta’ dan it-tixwix u mibgħeda hu dik li l-pajjiż għex matul il-jiem li l-Kuntistabbli Simon Schembri għadu fit-taqsima talKura Itensiva. Inutli li nparlaw, nippużaw u nibku għalx dawn il-konsegwenzi m’ hemmx fejqan għalihom.

tant ieħor niddefendi d-dritt ta’ Fr Mark u kulħadd ieħor fi ħdan il-knisja li jħaddem il-fakultajiet li żera' f'kull persuna l-Mulej.”

Hekk kiteb Mario Mallia, attivist fl-Alternattiva Demokratika u Kap ta’ skola tal-Knisja. Dan kompla: “jinkwetani l-messaġġ distint li vuċi ta’ dissens għandha titwaqqaf flok isir djalogu apert magħha. Il-libertà tal-espressjoni ma tistax tieqaf sal-Arċisqof.

Inkella ikollna nassistu għal knisja monolitika tiffosilizza bissiegħat.”

L-aħħar żviluppi

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idher li l-Arċisqof ma ħax pjaċir li żżeffen fin-nofs f’din ilkwestjoni meta ma kienx hu li żamm lill-Patri Mark milli jikteb.

Dan minħabba li bħlaa patri dan ma jaqax taħt il-ġurisdizzjoni diretta tal-Arċisqof, imma taħt il-Provinċal tal-Patrijiet Dumnikani.

Fil-fatt, wara l-kritika li saret kontra din il-projbizzjoni l-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna avviċina lill-Provinċjal tal-Ordni Dumnikana u għarrfu li jinsab lest jgħin biex tinstab soluzzjoni ħalli Patri Mark Montebello jkun jista’ jkompli b’kitbietu b’rispett sħiħ lejn l-impenn tiegħu ta’ saċerdot reliġjuż u b’lealtà sħiħa lejn it-tagħlim tal-Knisja.

Skont stqarrija tal-Kurja l-Arċisqof la kien infurmat u lanqas ikkonsultat b’xi deċizjoni dwar Patri Montebello. “Kull saċerdot iwiegħed li jirrispetta l-impenn saċerdotali tiegħu billi jimxi mattagħlim tal-Knisja u jwasslu fedelment. F’dawn il-parametri, kull saċerdot, kemm reliġjuż kif ukoll djoċesan, huwa liberu jidħol f’diskussjoni matura u sana dwar temi kurrenti,” ittemm tgħid listqarrija tal-Kurja.

Imma kemm se jkun liberu li jagħti l-fehma tiegħu Patri Montebello “f’dawn il-parametri”? Din hi l-mistqosija li qed jistaqsu ħafna.

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday May 29, 2017

L-Arċisqof isib iż-żbiba?

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his is why in my heart I sense that it is only a matter of time before this conflict erupts during the bishopric of Charles Scicluna. Will this renewed clash be His Grace’s Achilles heel.

Hekk kiteb Fr David Muscat f’The Times (15.05.2018) f’kummenti li għamel, mhux dwar kumment meqjus bħala politiku talArċisqof Mons Charles Scicluna (fuq), imma dwar ċirkulari li ħareġ dan l-aħħar l-istess Arċisqof.

Għalkemm din iċ-ċirkulari ma ngħatatx daqshekk prominenza fil-Knejjes, kienet titkellem dwar il-festi... attwalment dwar il-ħruq tan-nar waqt il-festi. Din kienet tfakkar lill-arċiprieti u l-kappillani, li ma

setgħux jaċċettaw li jinħaraq logħob tannar minn fuq il-Knejjes... ordni li ilha hemm snin twal, iżda li l-arċiprieti u l-kappillani ftit li xejn kienu jagħatu kasha.

Xhieda ta’ dan li f’dawn l-aħħar snin lħruq tan-nar minn fuq il-knejjes waqt ilfesti kienet xi ħaġa komuni.

Kif kiteb tajjeb Fr Muscat, meta jsir dan ma tkun qed tinkiser l-ebda liġi billi fl2014 kienu saru xi emendi fil-liġi fejn taħt ċerti kundizzjonijiet, il-ħruq tan-nar seta’ jsir minn fuq il-bjut tal-knejjs, postijiet pubbliċi, każini eċċ.

Skont Fr David iċ-ċirkulari kienet se toħloq diffikultajiet kbar għall-kappillani u l-arċiprieti, għax dawk li jippruvaw jimplimentaw dan ir-regolament kienu se jiġu ttimbrati mill-parruċċjani bħala “the village coward or, in Maltese, ġaħan.”

Naħseb li ftit se jkunu dawk il-kappilani u arċiprieti li jispiċċaw bħala “ġaħan” għax mhux għajn waħda jagħlqu , imma t-tnejn.

Tgħid għall-Arċisqof din se tkun iż-żbiba proverbjali u jkollu jibla’ dak li qal?

Għall-Maltin għadu jgħodd il-qawl ta’ erfa’ u sorr għal meta jiġi bżonn idher li minkejja li għadda ż-żmien Jkbira u llum il-moda hija li tonfoq, parti tal-popolazzjoni mhux biss

għadha ġġemma’ imma tiddependi, parti kbira jew ftit, fuq il-flus li jkunu ġemmgħu.

Fil-fatt ċifri juru li 59% tal-Maltin huma fost l-aktar popli li jduru għallflus li jġemmgħu meta jkollhom problemi finanzjarji. Pajjiżi oħrajn li għandhom rata għolja ta’ nies li jduru fuq il-flus li jkunu ġemmgħu huma lIsvezja (71%), l-Olanda (65%) u l-Ġermanja (60%). L-inqas popli li jduru fuq flus mġemmgħin ġejjin mill-Polonja, lUngerija u Ċipru.

Dawn iċ-ċifri joħorġu minn rapport tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea ‘Fairness, inequality and inter-generational mobility’ ippubblikat f’April. Iċ-ċifri juru wkoll li l-Maltin huma fost l-aktar poplu fl-UE li meta jkollhom problemi finanzjarji jduru għall-Gvern u allura l-għajnuna permezz ta’ benefiċċji. Filfatt huma 22% tal-Maltin li apparti affarijiet oħrajn, f’każ ta’ problemi finanzjarj jaqgħu fuq il-benfiċċji. Qabel Malta hemm il-Finlandja u d-Danimarka.

Il-fatt li Malta għandha rata għolja ta’ nies li jduru fuq il-flus li jġemmgħu f’każ ta’ problemi jista’ jkun riżultat ta’ diversi fatturi. L-ewwelnett il-kultura ta’ tfaddil li għadha pjuttost popolari, kif ukoll, u dan hu spjegat mill-fatt li

ma’ Malta hemm fost l-aktar ekonomiji li sejrin tajjeb bħalissa, żieda fid-dħul globali tal-Maltin u allura aktar tfaddil.

It-tieni sett ta’ ċifri huma ċertifikat, jekk qatt kien hemm bżonnu, ta’ kemm hi vasta s-sistema ta’ benefiċċji soċjali f’pajjiżna.

Intant kemm jaħsbu li huma sinjuri lġirien tagħhom il-Maltin? Interessanti kif mill-istess rapport jirriżulta li 83% jaħsbu li l-ġirien tagħhom jinsabu xi mkien fin-nofs, la sinjuri wisq u lanqas fqar wisq. Dan jista’ jkun sinjal tal-fatt illi kollox ma’ kollox, pajjiżna hu ġeneralment magħmul minn saffi u faxex differenti ta’ klassi tan-nofs.

Jiżdiedu l-vjaġġi tal-Maltin barra

ifri tal-uffiċċju nazzjonali tal-istaĊ tistika juru li fl-ewwel tliet xhur ta’ din is-sena, hu stmat li kważi 138,000 persuna residenti f’Malta siefru barra l-pajjiż.

L-istatistika turi li bejn Jannar u Marzu, is-safar tal-Maltin żdied b’aktar minn 22,500 jew 19.5% meta mqabbel mal-istess tliet xhur tas-sena l-oħra.

L-istatistika turi wkoll fl-ewwel tliet xhur tas-sena l-Maltin nefqu aktar minn €1.3 f’dan is-safar. Ras għal ras, nefqu 750 fuq f’kull vjaġġ.

Il-qagħad l-inqas fl-istorja

’April li għadda l-qagħad f’Malta F ssokta jonqos u skont ċifri li għadhom kemm ġew ippubblikati mill-Uffiċċju talIstatistika wara rapport minn Jobsplus, fl-aħħar ta’ April il-qagħad kien fl-inqas livell fl-istorja b’ċifra ta’ 1,847. Dan innumru hu 730 (jew 28.3% inqas milli kien fl-istess xahar is-sena l-oħra.

Ta’ min jgid ukoll li f’Malta bħalissa hawn jaħdmu madwar 43,000 barrani.

Jitperrċu... u għad ma bediex is-sajf!

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s-sajf f’Malta għadu ma daħalx, anzi meta qed nikteb saħansitra għamlet ixxita. Imma t-tperriċ beda... u dan bogħod mill-baħar.

Hekk f’dan l-aħħar jiem kellna mara li marret tixxemmex aktar min-nofs għera fuq il-Funtana tat-Tritoni. Imbagħad baħri tela’ saħansitra fid-dixx tal-funtana bil-libsa li twieled biha – għeri għal kollox. L-istess għamel turist li daħal ma’ grupp l-Imdina.

Fir-raba każ rajna ċiklist li ħa ħsieb jilbes il-gakketta ta’ sikurezza, imma mbagħad ma tantx uża drapp biex jgħatti l-bqija ta’ ġismu.

Dr Hugh McDermott MP

State Member for Prospect For issues concerning:

Ageing and disability - community services -education - environment health - housing - planning - Police transport - water

P: (02) 9756 4766 E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Religious freedom report out soon

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ederal anti-discrimination laws would be strengthened to better protect religious beliefs under recommendations handed to the Turnbull Government.

The highly anticipated religious freedom review, headed by former Howard government minister Philip Ruddock (pictured right), recommended no changes to the Marriage Act, which will be a blow for some religious leaders and conservative MPs still bristling after same-sex marriage became law.

The review, ordered by Malcolm Turnbull after the historic parliamentary vote, is due to be handed to the government but not expected to be released by the Prime Minister for a couple of weeks.

It is understood the report recommends clearing-up oversights and anomalies by strengthening federal anti-discrimination laws that presently do not protect the right to religious freedom. It means religion would have the same protection federally as sexual orientation, race, age and disability.

Under the change, the first step for aggrieved parties would be conciliation via the Australian Human Rights Commission, and if that failed, a federal court.

It is expected some conservative MPs and religious leaders may criticise the report for not going far enough, and that many of those who support same-sex marriage will be comfortable with the findings.

Mr Ruddock is believed to have presented a sensible report that strikes a balance for those who were concerned that their religious freedom was at risk after the legalisation of gay marriage, and those who argued against giving exemptions to discriminate.

Tuesday May 29, 2018

50 athletes stay in Australia 'illegally'

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round 50 competitors have remained in Australia illegally after going missing during this year's Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast that ended on April 15. Nearly 200 others hold bridging visas and are applying for refugee status.

Australia has warned it will deport those who stay in the country illegally, after dozens of competitors disappeared from the competition.

Among the athletes are eight members of Cameroon's delegation, as well as participants from Uganda, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.

Minimum wage “manifestly inadequate” ACCER says

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he Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations told the Fair Work Commission that its view on wage levels is based on Catholic social teaching that holds that workers “have the right to wages that will support themselves and their families at a decent standard of living”.

It has argued that this right is an internationally recognised human right and that it is also recognised in the minimum wages provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009, under which the national minim u m wage and award minimum w a g e rates are set.

The national minimum wage, as it is currently set, is not deBishop Gerard Holohan l i v e r i n g

While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema

Email: sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356) 23497000

that standard of living and low-income families are suffering as a result, ACCER explained.

Evidence presented in the ACCER submission shows that a full-time job on the national minimum wage in the average two-parent family with children leaves the family in poverty and that the average sole-parent family is left even worse off, because most sole parents have to work part-time.

Bishop Gerard Holohan, the Bishops’ Delegate for Employment Relations, said it is time for all major parties to commit to wage-setting policies that help support the many individuals and families that are struggling to make ends meet.

After the wedding Australia calling

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o Harry 33 and Meghan 36 years are now Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

They were married on May 1 in the ancient St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in front of the Queen, 600 guests and a TV audience of 1.9 billion, all captivated by the modern romance story between the beautiful bi-racial American, the first women of colour to marry into the British Royal family and the English prince who had lost his mother at the age of 12.

The pair is expected to make its first overseas trip shortly to Ireland, with other, shorter trips planned in coming months.

They have already committed to visiting Australia for a week in October for the Invictus Games, Harry’s charitable event for wounded and ill soldiers, which will be held in Sydney.

Britain’s Mail Online reports palace aides are considering a major tour that would start with the Invictus trip in Sydney, then take in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, three more of the 53 Commonwealth countries.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday May 29, 2017

Archbishop guilty of concealing child sex abuses

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n Australian court has found Philip Wilson, the archbishop of Adelaide (pictured below) guilty of concealing child sexual abuse in the 1970s. He becomes the most senior Catholic in the world to be charged and convicted of the offence.

He was found to have covered up the abuse of altar boys by a paedophile priest colleague in New South Wales. During his trial

he denied being told about the abuse by some of the victims.

In April Wilson told the Newcastle Court he had no knowledge of priest James Fletcher's actions, which took place when he was an assistant priest in Maitland, 130km (80 miles) north of Sydney.

Fletcher was later convicted of nine child sexual abuse charges in 2004, and died in jail in 2006.

Proposed changes to the citizenship, family reunion

Migrants to be forced to live in the country towns

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ew migrants will be forced to stay long-term in NSW country towns to ease the growing pains in Sydney.

Under current laws, there is no obligation for new arrivals, even on regional visas, to stay in rural areas, and only 7000 of the 190,000 who moved here last year lived outside the capital cities.

The first assistant secretary of the Home Affairs Immigration and Citizenship Policy Division, David Wilden, confirmed he was examining new visa conditions or policies to “bind” migrants to rural areas to help struggling communities there.

“We’re are looking at what policies can help, if you like, bind people in a positive way to a regional area for a duration of a visa so that they get a better chance to ¬integrate into and become a part of the fabric of a community as opposed to it being a holding place before they move to a large city,” Mr Wilden said.

“One of the complaints we often get from sponsors is that, as they come as permanent residents, having signed a commitment, they’re not actually bound under law to stay in a regional area.”

Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge said the “many migrants” who don’t “stay long in the region once they have their permanent visa” had become a major issue.

“Many migrants are sponsored for permanent residence on the basis of an intent to live and work in regional Australia but don’t stay long in the region once they have their permanent visa,” he said.

Orange city council mayor Reg Kidd described the plan as a “win-win for Sydney and regional NSW”. “With any regional community it is about sustainable development. I think it’s a great lifestyle in rural

The Federal Government is proposing significant changes to the citizenship and family reunion eligibility. These changes stand to impact many thousands of migrants including Maltese, they include: *the introduction of first English language test as a prerequisite for citizenship since the White Australian Policy *the extension of permanent residency waiting periods to 4 years before citizenareas and a great place to raise a family if ship eligibility *Integration and Australian values requirethere is employment.”

But he cautioned:” Someone might come ments for citizenship that have not yet from a country where they’re traumatised been specified and a lot of work with people with a deep *The lifting of the Assurance of Support understanding of social needs before put- income threshold for sponsorship a parent ting restrictions on people. “You can’t just or a relative from $45,185 to $88,606 for plonk people anywhere. “Take me from a the individual: and busy city in India and take me out to west* The introduction of steep fees of up to ern NSW, it may not work.”

According to NSW Government projec- $20,000 for the promised temporary partions, the NSW population will boom by ent visa.

These changes will have a significant immore than 100,000 people a year for the next 20 years, putting pressure on housing pact on migrants and multicultural communities as well as social cohesion and supply, congestion and infrastructure.

The data suggests about 60 per cent of the equity in broader Australian society. If population growth is from natural increase you have any issues with these changes, while 40 per cent is from net migration please contact your Federal Member of from other states and overseas.

Parliament and voice your opinion.

Xi twemmin ta’ missierijietna fl-imgħoddi I

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday May 29, 2018

llum beħsiebni li nagħti tagħrif dwar xi użanzi jew twemmin li kienu jimxu bih ħafna Maltin flimgħoddi u li daż-żmien mhux talli m’għadniex nemmnuhom, imma talli kważi kważi niddieħku bihom. Fost dawn insibu....

Il-gandlier

Fl-imgħoddi l-gandlier ma kienx ikun fil-knejjes tagħna biss iżda anke fid-djar għaliex miegħu missirijietna kellhom marbut xi drawwiet u twemmin li jmorru lura sa minn żmien il-Kavallieri anzi nażżarda ngħid li fi żmien il-Kavallieri din iddrawwa jew twemmin kienu fl-aqwa tagħhom.

Max-xjuħ tagħna kienet teżisti fehma li tidher li hija bogħod ħafna mir-realtà.

Kienu jgħidu li meta omm tkun tistenna lil żewġha (jew lil binha) jiġi minn barra minn Malta, u ma tkunx taf fiċ-ċert meta kellu jasal, wara l-bieb ta’ barra kienet tħalli jixgħel speċi ta’ gandlier jew musbieħ taż-żejt.

Kienet temmen li -għada dan żewġha għandu jitfaċċa… u jekk ma jiġix l-għada, imma l-jum ta’ wara jasal żgur. Imbagħad jekk ifalli anke f’din il-ġurnata, mat-tielet darba ma jistax ma jiġix għax jekk jonqos ikun ifisser li jkun miet.

Naturalment, din il-fehma ta’ missirijietna kienet tgħodd biss għall-antik meta s-safar kien isir bix-xwieni u dak li jkun ma kienx ikun jaf ma’ xiex se tiltaqa’ l-imsejkna skuna li trid tħabbat wiċċha mal-baħar.

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Il-gazzija

l-gazzi huwa fjur isfar daqs ġellewża, tond, li l-antiki tagħna ma tantx kienu jħarsu lejh bil-ħlewwa: anzi kienu jitwerwru minnu. Tant hu hekk li fost il-Maltin kien hawn il-fehma li f’darek m’għandek qatt iddaħħal mal-fjuri l-oħra dik l-imgħarqa ta’ gazzija għax għeluq is-sena jmut il-kap tal-familja.

Skont xi kotba antiki, din il-fehma kienet mill-aktar qawwija, tant li din l-imbierka pjanta ma kienet tidher qatt u ħadd ma kien

PeterPaulCiantar

iżommha fil-ġonna tiegħu.

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Il-wiżgħa

i se nsemmi issa hi forsi l-aktar li għadha tissemma fost ilMaltin, speċjalment fost il-tfal tagħna tal-kampanja. Meta konna għadna tfal konna nemmnuha u għalhekk mhix daqstant antika.

Kienet l-użanza li meta xi ħadd joqtol wiżgħa ma jridx iħalli denbha jitgħawweġ fl-art għax dak id-denb ikun qed jidgħi lillomm u lill-missier ta’ min qatilha. Tiftakruha? Mhix antika ħafna.

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Dar ġdida

nsemmi wkoll drawwa oħra, dik ta’ meta xi familja kienet tmur toqgħod f’dar ġdida. Fl-ewwel ġurnata l-omm ma kinetx issajjar laħam, iżda jew il-ġirien, inkella n-nies tal-familja tagħha kienu jibagħtulha xi ħuta misjura lesta.

Barra minhekk, din id-dar ġdida kienet tiġi mgħarbla sewwa minn xi ħares jew fatat għax mhux lakemm tmur tgħammar f’dar ġdida; għaldaqstant ħafna djar kienu jibqgħu vojta.

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L-Ewwel tas-Sena

llum ħafna familji Maltin jiltaqgħu fl-Ewwel tas-Sena, ġeneralment għal xi ikla tajba flimkien … xi ħaġa sabiħa u ta’ min wieħed jissokta jinkoraġġiha.

Fl-imgħoddi l-familji tagħna wkoll kellhom id-drawwa li malEwwel tas-Sena il-familja kollha tiltaqa’ bit-tfal, anke jekk dawn ikunu miżżewġin, ħalli jieklu kollha flimkien. Kienet ħaġa millisbaħ, iżda kien gwaj kbir għal dawk li ma jmorrux għal din likla. Kienu jemmnu li min ma jiekolx ma’ qrabatu fl-Ewwel tas-Sena, imut qabel ma tasal f’denbha (fit-tmiem tagħha).

Din, missirijietna kienu jemmnuha bis-sħiħ, iżda kien hemm eċċezzjoni waħda li kienet marbuta mal-mard. Jekk xi ħadd filfamilja jkun marid, allura kellu raġuni valida biex ma jattendix.

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Il-Kawlata l-imgħoddi lkawlata kienet waħda mill-ikliet favoriti tal-familja Maltija. Darba jew darbtejn fil-ġimgħa kull familja kienet tagħmel din ilkawlata li kienet lorħos ikla peress li l-ħaxix kienu jsibuh blabbundanza fl-għelieqi tagħhom.

Iżda fl-imgħoddi kienu jgħidu li nagħmlu ħażin ħafna jekk nieklu kawlata flEwwel tas-Sena u niftħu s-sena l-ġdida b’dan l-għaks - kif kienu jsejħulha dari.

Min jiekol il-kawlata fl-Ewwel tas-Sena jista’ joqgħod żgur li jibqa’ s-sena kollha jmexmex il-għadam tal-perżut.

L-istess ħaġa jista’ jingħad għall-kaboċċi. Kien ħażin ħafna li wieħed jibda s-sena billi jiekol il-kaboċċi. Skont kif jingħad, min kien jiekol il-kaboċċi fl-Ewwel tas-Sena kien jgħaddi s-sena jokrob u jilmenta bil-gwajjijiet li jaslu jew jiġu fuqu.

A World War II love story retold Tuesday May 29, 2017

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t was indeed a novel stage-production for the centre on the Hill, the first cultural-exchange with Malta.

The talented actors direct from Malta performed an intricate musical play, Star of Strait Street, in front of a packed house at the La Valette Social Centre in Blacktown NSW. It was entertaining as well as reminiscing about those terrible years gone by but never forgotten.

Larissa Bonaci and Polly March were versatile in a plot that was not easy to comprehend. It did, however, jog memories of the audience about the tortured years of World War II, the continuous air raids, the Rediffusion news briefs, the Duce, the Santa Maria convoy and the virtual occupation of Malta by the allied forces.

On the piano, musical director Geoff Thomas, the male of the trio provided the appropriate music and the occasional deep voice.

Star of Strait Street produced for the first time in Sydney Australia retells a true-life love story from World War II Christina Ratcliffe (played by Larissa Bonaci and her alter ego Polly March) is the singer who came to Malta to entertain the troops finishing at the Morning Star Music Hall where she met Adrian

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Star of Strait Street Larissa Bonaci (left) and Polly March, the main actors of Star of Strait Street with musical director Geoff Thomas on the piano

the new book Malta’s Greater Siege and 0Adrian Warburton DSO, DFC, DFC (USA) by Paul McDonald OBE. The play is written by Philip Glassborow.

The audience at iċ-Ċentru Malti La Valette at Blacktown This evWarburton, daredevil air ace.

Christina stayed on in Malta all ent at La through War World II and became an V a l e t t e aircraft plotter in the underground Las- C e n t r e caris War Rooms. She was awarded the and elseBritish Empire Medal for her services where in to the Royal Air Force. She would be- Australia come known as ‘Christina of George was made possible Cross Island’.

The play is based on extracts from by funds Christina Ratcliffe’s own writings, and provided by the Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija M i n i s t r y of Foreign Minħabba nuqqas ta’ spazju, Affairs and Trade kellna nħallu barra l-parti li kien Promotion imiss tas-sejr ta’ Tagħrif dwar iland in celkitba Maltija’. Din titkompla file bration ħarġa li jmiss, tat-12 ta’ Ġunju of Valletta

as the European Culture Capital for 2018.

This special event introduced to the Maltese community the newly appointed Consul-General for the State of NSW, Lawrence Buhagiar who briefly addressed the crowd.

Also present was Ms Denise Demicoli, the Deputy High Commissioner for Malta in Australia and many representatives of the Maltese organisations and the clergy.

As a prelude to the main event, singer Grace Camilleri entertained the crowd.

All those connected with this unique production were thanked especially ic-Centru Malti La Valette, which once again proved to be ideal for gatherings of this nature.

Report: LawrenceDimech

Public Invitation Sette Giugno 2018 1919 unju 7 ta’Ġ

At the Maltese Bicentennial Monument Civik Park, Pendle Hill Sunday June 10:

11.00 am -12.30pm All are welcome. Organised by the Maltese Community Council of NSW

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday May 29, 2018

Jum l-Omm iffesteġġjat fil-La Valette SC

D

is-sena Jum l-Omm, kemm f’Malta u wkoll fl-Awstralja ġie mfakkar fl-istess jum, fit-13 ta’ Mejju. Għal din lokkażjoni, għaqdiet tal-Maltin f’għadd ta’ stati fl-Awstralja organizzaw ċelebrazzjonijiet tant għeżież għal kull familja.

Bħal dejjem, skont rapport li rċevejna, spikkaw dawk organizzati, fi Blacktown NSW miċ-ċentru La Valette, u wkoll dak tarReskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group (rapport taħt)

f’Melbourne.

Fil-La Valette, fejn skont il-PRO Sam Mifsud attendew madwar 130 ruħ, u fejn l-ixjeħ mara preżenti kienet Josephine Barbara ta’ 96 sena, il-jum beda b’quddiesa minn Fr Noel Bianco. Wara saret ikla mħejjija mill-kumitat u voluntiera. Il-kantant Joe Grima ipprovda d-divertiment, u Doris Meilaq ferrħet lil kulħadd biċ-ċajt tagħha biex finalment kulħadd seta’ jieħu gost.

Reskeon Seniors hold Mother’s Day Luncheon A

round 146 members and friends attended this year’s Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group Mother’s Day Luncheon that started with the Maltese and Australian National Anthems, and after Champagne was poured into the glasses, all the male members offered a toast for all the Mothers on this special day.

This was followed by a five-course meal while DJ Dominic provided the music for the guests to come out dancing and enjoy themselves to the accompaniment of a fine selection of music.

Among the distinguished guest was Ms Joanna Pisani the Consul General of Malta in Victoria, who addressed all the mothers present by telling them that they play a great part in the family. She added that love and respect for the mothers should be all the year round and not just on Mother’s Day. RMASG president Salvina Vella also delivered a message for the occasion and wished a good day to all the Mums with their families and requested those present to remember and pray for all those mothers who were no longer with us. She wished all the members to enjoy the day with their

families.

Paul Vella who acted as MC then read out a list of members who were celebrating their birthdays around this time, as well as those having their wedding anniversaries, in particular Frank and Joyce Borg, who were celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary. As is Reskeon's custom the couple were presented with a flower arrangement.

On this occasion Ms Joanna Pisani presented the winner and runners-up of the Ladies’ Bocce Competition with their trophies. This year’s winner was Carmen Grech, while Agostina Sultana finished first runner-up, and Cathy Gatt second runnerup. All participants in the competition then

Two sections of the attendees in the RMASG Mother’s Day launcheon

joined the trophy winners in a group photo.

The day wrapped up by Paul Vella thanking all those responsible for the function, that was heavily subsidised by the RMASG, and that was organised by the group’s president, and all the members for being present as one big family.

Ms Miriam Cassar, from the Consulate Office, Fr Edwin Agius (MSSP Parkville Rector), RMASG committee members and life members were also present.

Below: A group photo of the participants in the Bocce Competition

Tuesday May 29, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 21

The Ċittadini

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s

Community Wheels Inc.

Connecting you with your community

Community Wheels is your local community organisation that provides door-to-door transport services to eligible people (+65 years old etc.) to: * attend medical appointments * go shopping (including assisting clients with their shopping bags) * meet a friend for a chat or coffee, and *go on bus tours etc.

Available in the Parramatta City Council and parts of Cumberland Council areas For information call 88681400

L-MCCV qed jilqa’ applikazzjonijiet għal għalliem/a tal-ilsien Malti

Present direct from MALTA

Malta’s Queen of Country

SHOWS IN Sydney and Melbourne In Sydney: October 14

Min japplika jrid ikollu għarfien sew tal-Malti, miktub u mitkellem.

Dan hu xogħol volontarju, bla ħlas.

Min hu interessat jibgħat l-applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lil: edwigeborg@hotmail.com Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq 0412 115 919. Ħalli nnumru tattelefon u nċemplulek lura

Brilliant Comedy from The Ċittadini

When: Sunday October 14. At: 2.p.m.

Where: Wentworthville Leagues Club For tickets phone: Monica Ledger: 9896 0712 or 0414 859386 Joe Borg: 96 242280; Julie Farrugia: 96 367679; Dorothy Gatt: 96 361834.

Donation of $20. Kids: $12

ta’ Malta L-aħbarijiet PBS (Malta) Il-PBS tforni lill-SBS fl-

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

Il-website hija aġġornata tul il-jum kollu għalhekk wieħed jista’ jieħu stampa ċara tal-ġrajjiet li anke jkunu qed iseħħu f’dak il-waqt

Commissioner a Twitter account that could both be accessed by the readers.

Awstralja bis-servizz tagħ-ha, imma l-qarrejja xorta qed jiġu mħeġġa biex x’ħin iridu jistgħu jidħlu fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż: www.tvm.com.mt.

he Australian High Commission’s in Malta now has a new T Facebook page, and the High

La Valette Social Centre

Activities throughout the year

La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847’ Email: lavalette@bigpond.net.au

Every Thursday: Maltese Respite Care Service

10.15 a.m.: Mass in Maltese in the Main Hall Morning Tea and Lunch, Bingo and Boċċi Everybody is wlecome Every Saturday: Kitchen and Bar open from 5.00 p.m.

Taditional Maltese cuisine, rabbit, ravioli and pastizzi; Boċċi from 6.00 p.m. Live Dj from 6.00 p.m.

Bingo starts at 8.00 p.m. with jackpot from $100 to $500 DJs Emanuel Grech and Sam Mifsud (alternate Saturdays) Last Saturay of month: Għana Night with Saver Bonanno and friends ___________________________________

MASS TIMES: Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 4.45 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. Sunday: St Dominic’s Chapel: 9.00 a.m.

The High Commission’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusHCMalta/ The Commissioner’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Main events for 2018

Sunday July 1: Lejla fil-Buskett Sunday October 14 : Fete Saturday Nov. 10: Dinner Dance Sunday Dec. 2: St Nicholas Feast

Events are held at the Good Shepherd parish hall, 130-136 Hyatts Road, Plumpton NSW

Please Note

Anybody interested in advertising on The Voice of the Maltese magazine in order to reach the widest audience possible, partcularly among the Maltese diaspora is requested to write to: Maltesevoice@gmail.com

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday May 29, 2018

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s

Tu n e i n t o Ra d i o a n d Te l e v i s i o n

Maltese Radio Programmes

MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 10-11am.

MELBOURNE: on 98.9 North West FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Presenter: Emmanuel Brincat.

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Merħba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Tuesdays and Fridays: 12:00-13:00

(On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am)

Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess.

UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com

97.7fm SBS 2.

To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip.

Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV. SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet on SBSTV twice a week nationwide; Sunday 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32) Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBSTV32.

SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3.

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq listazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. (Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet: www.893fm.com.au)

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month. Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at Maltese of Bankstown 10 am.

Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month

in the Bank-stown CBD area.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast Every other 3rd Thursday an outing.

Have to contact our Welfare Officer for Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357 an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 Greystanes Maltese Seniors 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Meets the last Wednesday of the mon- Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon th in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 GenThe Sutherland & St George eral Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips

Maltese Group

Join us and make new friends.

Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm.

Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meetings/Get Togethers are interestMeets every second Friday of the ing, informative & entertaining, so month: Miller Room, Memorial Av- come Join us and make new Friends enue Merrylands from 10.30am to For more information contact our Co12.30 am ordinator:

Meets on the first Wednesday of each

*(All Groups are co-ordinated by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School).

SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38.

Programmes can be accessed online (live or catch up) at sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app.

For television news from Malta SBS2 TV 32 ( (Viceland) on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am.

VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford Central NSW. Aired on Thursdays every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm.

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming: www.coastfm.org.au BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Learn Maltese!

Classes are available for students from six years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials.

Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of the island.

Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions

For more information and enquiries Phone 9601 2189 or Email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme.

Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation.

The Voice of the Maltese 23

S p o r t s. . on 2 pages

Tuesday May 29, 2017

Noah Borg to represent Australia in F4F in Russia MFA will not send anyone to represent Malta

T

welve-year old Noah Young Noah Borg with FFV Borg of Maltese descent official Anthony Grima and fellow Victorian Luca Durso have been selected to fly to Russia on an all expenses paid trip to represent Australia in the sixth edition of the Football for Friendship (F4F) social programme ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Luca Durso The seven-day event - June 815 is oganised by Gazprom. try even more presence ahead of The kids will be accompanied the World Cup. They will join

by Anthony Grima, Executive other 12-year-old football playManager for Commercial and ers and journalists from 211 Corporate Relations with Footcountries and regions to particiball Federation Victoria. He pate in the 8-day programme. and Noah were looking forward to meeting Malta’s representaNoah said: “The nine values of the programme - friendship, tives. However, The Voice has been be informed that the Malta equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and Football Association will not be sending anybody, therefore Malta honour - mean a lot to me. It doesn’t matter where you come from won’t be represented in this event.. or what you can do, we are all equal and we should treat everyone The aim of the programme is to promote essential values em- the same and with respect.” bodied by football with the younger generation such as respect Meanwhile, Durso said he was, “passionate about football and for other cultures and nationalities as well as equality. It would would love to play for the Socceroos one day. It is a dream to repenable the two kids from Australia to meet other kids their age resent Australia and visit Russia to see the World Cup.” from different cultures from different countries This opportunity is the result of the terrific ongoing football partNoah Borg will attend as a Young Journalist, and Luca Durso nership with Football For Friendship (RUS) and Lengo Football will represent Australia as a Player. Both will be giving the coun- Academy (AUS).

Parramatta Eagles now flying again

S

ix points in the last two matches is not bad at all. That is what Parramatta Melita Eagles managed with identical 3-0 emphatic wins over two of the top six teams rounds with dominant performances that until a few weeks ago were hard to imagine achieving. Such performances are a ray of light for Parramatta. Providing more like them would lift them much higher in the league ladder.

Last Sunday’s home victory over North Shore Mariners at the Melita Stadium followed yet another excellent performance against table toppers Mt Druitt. After that win supporters were hoping that fortunes could turn the Eagles’ way. They did not disappoint.

Against the Mariners, with new signings, Yayha Elhindi, Zak Elriche, and Hus Jasli all on show, three first half goals by Matthew Lecce, Neram Yalda and Zakeriya Elrich was all they needed to get the points.

In Round 12, in the match of the round the Eagles, led by new signing Yahya Elhindi beat table toppers Mt Druitt Rangers 3-0. The win could have been even more convincing were it not for some good saves by the Mt Druitt keeper and other near misses.

On 24 minutes Matthew Lecce lofted a shot over the keeper’s head for the lead, and five minutes later Julian Aguirre doubled from a header. The Eagles made it 3-0 with Lecce’s second goal on 63 minutes.

Mitchell Zerafa in line for 2019 Abu Dhabi Special Olympics

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itchell Zerafa, a Hobsons Bay (Melbourne) schoolboy of Maltese descent, winner of two gold and two bronze medals in swimming at the recent 2018 Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide in April, is in the running to be chosen to represent Australia in next year’s World Special Olympic Games in Abu Dhabi.

The youngster who represented the State of Victoria swam in four events in the Games at Adelaide.

He won Gold in the 50m backstroke and the 100m freestyle, achieving a personal best by taking 13 seconds off his best time, and Bronze in the 50m freestyle relay and the 50m freestyle.

Green Gully and Sunshine George Cross’ commitments in Victoria NPL Vic: Kingston C v Green Gully (lko) Green Gully v Hume City 1-2

G

reen Gully’s Round 13 game at Kingston was a late kick off on Monday so there’s only the Round 12 tie to report when they disappointingly went down 2-1 to lowly Hume City after taking the lead on 24 minutes through Joshua Barresi. They lost the lead two minutes later when Nick Hagerty converted a spot kick. The same player gave his side the win with a goal four minutes into

the second half. Gully huffed and puffed but could not get back on level terms.

NPL 2 West: Sunshine GC v Springvale WE 1-1 Melbourne V v Sunshine GC 2-1

The George Cross were unfortunate not to collect all three points in the 1-1 draw against Springvale. They dominated the first half and led with a goal by Su-Beom An. The Eagles levelled with a breakaway goal early in the second half that the balance of game in the

visitors favour.SGC had a goal disallowed.

* The previous week the Georgies took the lead after three minutes through Korean SuBeom An, but then dropped into a defensive mode and were punished when Victory equalised in the 22nd minute. Victory dominated the rest of the half but SGC went all out for a winning goal in the second half missing several good chances and then paid for their wastefulness when Victory scored the winner on 92 minutes.

24 The Voice of the Maltese

S po r ts.. on 2 pages

Tuesday May 29, 2018

Right: Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Dr Clifton Grima meet the Maltese shooters at the inauguration of the Natonal Shooting Range (below)

State of the art shooting range inaugurated in time to host ISSF World Cup Malta

A

year after announcing the commencement of a state of the art international shooting ranges project, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clifton Grima and Interior Minister Michael Farrugia on Friday May 19 inaugurated the National Shooting Range complex Ta’ Kandja only a few weeks before it will be used for the ISSF World Cup Malta June 6-14.

The World Cup, the most important international event ever to be organised by the Malta Sports Shooting Federation will host over 300 of the world’s top shooters and the respective delegations from 50 countries.

The event is scheduled to attract around 700 people to Malta As promised, the first phase of ranges on a complex costing €10 million, were com-

James Kirk on his way to getting Malta’s only try in the first half

pleted in time, and to the highest of standards. As of now, the site, that includes four layouts for Trap, Skeet & Double Trap will be used the Maltese Federation’s competitions.

Addressing he guests at the opening, the Prime Minister said that with this project, “We can make Malta a potential sports destination, and with the assistance of the Federation, we will be able to attract more sporting tourism in this sector” He said that despite its smallness, Malta is capable of raising the standards that its shooters already have, and start competing with the best in Europe if not in the world.

He said that Malta already has athletes of international level and they deserve such an international infrastructure.

“We are no longer happy with what we had and impress ourselves with this type of infrastructure, when we see similar ones abroad. Now we are enjoying it in our country. The investment in the Malta National Shooting Range was an electoral commitment

with which I am very proud of”, Dr Muscat said.

The 90 tumoli of land on which the shooting range was built, had been part of a scrapyard. It has a footprint equivalent to 26 football pitches. When completed it will have 300m rifle range (20 lanes), 50m and 25m pistol and rimfire ranges (40 lanes total), 10m-30m dynamic shooting ranges (14 pens), trap and skeet ranges (4), and airsoft and paintball facilities.

The range is equipped with a retractable 20-metre gigantic mesh similar to that used at the London 2012 Olympics. This is a safety measure meant to contain the lead pellets used during competitions within the perimeter of the range.

Dr Clifton Grima said that the shooting range would make of Malta “a hub” for shooting sports” covering all sport shooting disciplines. Its net benefits include providing local shooting enthusiasts with a safe, worldclass facility; Training for local athletes to participate in a wider spectrum of international events, and, aided by the marketing done by international shooting bodies, also attract Sports Tourism aided by the marketing done by international shooting bodies

Rugby: Malta miss out on promotion following thrashing in Lithuania

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alta’s hopes of making it to the Trophy division ended in failure in Siaulai when the national rugby team suffered what perhaps is its worst ever defeat in competition by getting heavily beaten 8110 by Lithuania to miss promotion.

There was a gulf between the two sides in the Rugby Europe Championship Conference 1 North/South Playoff. Malta could not keep apace with a side that was superior throughout, technically and physically that went out from the outset to put the visitors under pressure.

By the end of the first half, Lithuania had already built a 45-5 points advantage thanks to seven tries and five conversions. Malt replied with a try by James Kirk. James O’Brien failed to convert.

The second followed the same patter with Lithuania pegging the Maltese in their own half of the field and scoring six more tries and three conversions. Malta’s only other try came from Chris Dudman.

As a result of this defeat, next season, Malta will again play in the Conference South 1.