The voice of the maltese no 182

Issue 182

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

Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora

Vivid Sydney Festival 2018 – bigger than ever

This year’s Australia's coolest winter festival, Vivid, held over 23 nights (May 25 to June 16) in Sydney was bigger than ever on its 10th anniversary.

The Harbour Bridge (above) lit up for the Vivid Light Festival was a feast for the eye, so too was the artwork on the Opera

June 26, 2018

House (below).

Once again, all those who made the trip to Sydney’s Circular Quay witnessed a spectacular new light during the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas as the incredible harbour city of Sydney was transformed into a unique, colourful and creative hub hosting large-scale light installations, sculptures and projections

Why do we need a Maltese Community Council?

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he Maltese Community Council of NSW (MCC) is the umbrella body of 16 associations, two of which have their own premises/clubhouses. It is composed of delegates from each of the affiliated associations with equal voting rights. Delegates meet regularly every month and discuss issues affecting the Maltese Community in NSW. The office bearers are elected every year from among the delegates. The affiliated associations submit nominations.

The principal aims of the Council is to assist the affiliated associations in delivering their numerous services to the Community and to co-ordinate responses in matters of national importance.

It holds two major functions each year – a celebration of Australia Day on the Sunday before or after Australia Day, and the Remembrance of Seventh of June 1919, on the Sunday closest to 7 June.

Seventh of June is one of Malta's five national days and remembers the victims of the insurrection against the British in 1919. It is regarded as the start of the road to independence from Britain.

With the assistance of a grant from the Community Relations Commissions of NSW, the Council provides a part time welfare service to the Community conducted from various locations close to where the need exists.

The Council also conducts the Maltese Language School in NSW that currently operates from one campus at Horsley Park. It regards the School as a vital means of maintaining the Maltese language and culture in Australia.

Within the Inner West Neighbour Aid, the Council conducts a home visitation scheme for isolated Maltese elderly persons. Delegates and other members of the Maltese Community undertake home visits.

The MCC keeps the Community informed of events, activities and services in NSW and developments in Malta through a weekly radio programme that is conducted on a voluntary basis every Sunday at 11 am on community radio station 2 GLF 89.3FM. Over the years the Council has taken the initiative in many issues affecting the wellbeing of the Maltese Community in Australia including the Dual Citizenship for migrants, the children of migrants and more recently for grandchildren of migrants.

The campaign for Dual citizenship was started by a call for Dual Citizenship in a petition to all the Members of the Maltese Parliament in 1974.

Various other approaches and media campaigns followed till the grant to migrants in 1989, to children of migrants in 2000 and to subsequent generations in 2007.

It also played a key role in the introduction of the mutual working holiday agreement between Australia and Malta and played a pivotal part in the negotiations for

The MCC of NSW offices at Parramatta West NSW the Reciprocal Social Security Agreement.

For several years, it has organised citizenship ceremonies for Maltese persons wanting to become Australian citizens. These ceremonies are held in a dignified way and stress the importance of Australian citizenship highlighting the benefits and responsibilities.

The Maltese Community Council of NSW also provides: 1.A fully functioning Centre with rooms available for meetings, with a library. Computer facilities and a permanent exhibition of Maltese arts and crafts. Archival facilities are available for all associations to store their history.

2. Computer classes for the elderly.

3. A weekly radio programme, Sunday at 11 am on 2GLF 89.3FM, or go to the website: www.893fm.com.au - on demand (click ethnic, then Maltese Council 11 am).

4. Maltese language and culture class through its Maltese Language School of NSW with the campus, at Horsley Park.

5. Day-care facilities for Elderly groups (see the complete list in every issue of The Voice of the Maltese).

6. The availability of a welfare worker to assist with Maltese day groups at various localities in Sydney.

7. Welfare assistance & referral service from the Council’s Maltese Resource Centre located at 59b Franklin Street West Parramatta (next to West Parramatta Primary School) Through this article, the Maltese Community Council of NSW is urging all the members of the Maltese community to join the established Maltese organisation.

In unity, there is strength especially when it comes to matters of national importance.

For more information about the MCC of NSW contact, email: mcconsw@gmail.com, Mob: 0409 744 376

Tuesday June 26, 2018

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The Voice of the Maltese 3

Q. My wife and I are both on the full age pension. My his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese son has his own small business and has offered us both in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Finana job of one day per week earning around $180 each per cial Services helps our readers understand the complexities week. We can certainly do with the money, but we are associated with financial planning. If you need more advice concerned that this may affect our age pension. Can you send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. help?

A. The government has created a work bonus. This allows all pensioners to do some part-time work and earn income from work without it affecting the age pension. The current amount is $250 per fortnight and this accumulates over the year to $6500 per annum.

On July 1 this will be increasing to $300 per fortnight or $7800 per annum. If a person does not work at all for a few months and then works say three months in a row over the financial year, the first $6500 for that year of earned income will not be treated as income for the income test.

Therefore in your case, if you are going to be earning around $180 per week, this would amount to $360 per fortnight and therefore if you have not worked at all this financial year, none of it will be treated as income by Centrelink for this financial year and as of the July 1 this year, only $60 per fortnight will be treated as income.

Thus your age pension may only reduce slightly and if you do not have other income from financial assets it will not be affected at all.

Q. . I have two managed funds in trust for my two grandchildren of $20,000 each. Now that they have both turned 21 I am planning to transfer them into their names. I am currently on a part age pen-

sion. Will this affect my pension in any way?

Q&A

A. . As you would have advised Centrelink that you have these two managed funds in trust for your grandchildren they would have been treating them as your assets already. I would therefore recommend that you transfer one of these managed funds to one of your grandchildren this month and the second one in July this year.

This will be treated as gifting but you are entitled to gift up to $10,000 per annum and therefore, unless you have already gifted some money this year, your assets will reduce by $10,000 this financial year and a further $10,000 next financial year.

The amount above the $10,000 will continue to be treated as your asset for the next five years. If your age pension is being calculated on the Asset Test, then your age pension should increase slightly Q. I have two grandchildren and I pur-

chased a parcel of shares for each of them in my name in trust for them about ten years ago. One granddaughter turned 18 in February and the other granddaughter turns 18 in May. Now that they are of age I wish to transfer the shares to their names.

When should I do this and what are the consequences?

A. You can do an off market transfer for each of them. I would make this transfer now for the granddaughter that has turned 18 already and make the other off market transfer in July this year.

In this way you will be triggering capital gains in two different financial years and therefore reducing the amount of tax payable.

Although you are not actually selling the shares, you are changing the ownership of these shares and therefore it would trigger capital gains.

Q. My husband has been living in a special services nursing home since June 2012. We had paid a bond of $550,000. He passed away a couple of weeks ago. Should I be receiving the full amount of the bond that was paid as I believe they said that an amount was going to be retained?

A. Your husband moved into the nursing home in June 2012. The contracts in those days stated that retention was maintained from the bond of approximately $331 per month for a maximum period of five years. In your case your husband has been in the facility for over five years and therefore retention will be maintained which would be no more than $20,000. The rest of the funds will be returned to the estate once all information has been provided to the facility.

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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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?

Singing is in her blood

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ands on and very committed apply squarely to the Personality of the Month for July. Marie Louise known as Marisa mirrors the shift in the leadership of our community where the not so young but not so old are taking charge.

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Marisa Previtera

arisa’s family arrived in Sydney in 1960 on board the steamship “Aurelia”. She attended St Margaret Mary’s Primary School, and then on to Cerdon College Merrylands, followed by enrolling in a Secretarial College.

Looking back on her family’s early settlement in Australia, many memories come flooding back! “My mother’s uncle sponsored our family and provided a ‘half-a-house’ with an outback toilet!

Our accommodation was very basic especially for a family of six. My sister and brother had to sleep on mattresses held up by two large drums! I remember my mother crying over her broken “fajenza” from Malta. All her crockery, cups and saucers were broken by the time the boxes arrived”.

Marisa told The Voice the family did not own a TV set so used to look forward to Friday night when they would accompany their parents to their mother’s uncle to pay the rent in the hope they would invite them in to watch “Bonanza” on their TV! “Due to this situation, my father made it a point to save up to buy our very own TV set, and also work even harder to buy our own house”.

Marisa was born at the Military Hospital at Mtarfa as her father Anthony Busuttil (a fervent Melita Eagles fan) served in the Army. With mum Marianna, they lived in Balluta Bay, Sliema, with two older sisters, Lina Angeloni and Dorothy Gatt, and an older brother Tony.

Marisa spoke of her earliest memories of religious sisters at a nursery school run by nuns in Sliema and an English teacher in a tweed suit in 2nd Grade. “My sister Dorothy and I belonged to the Brownies, my older sister Lina, who was in the Girl Guides, and my brother Tony who was in the Scouts movement.

In Sydney, Marisa started her working life in the Public Service at the age of 17. Her first job was as a stenographer at the then Department of Main Roads (DMR). “I stayed at the job for eight years until I became a mum to my two children, Natalie and Marc. Then after an eightyear break, I returned to the DMR where I stayed for almost thirty years, the last twenty as an executive assistant. During this time I also worked part-time as a Word Processing Instructor at Nirimba TAFE until 2011, when I took early retirement”.

In 1972, Marisa met her husband, Sebastian. They were married in 1974. After living in Merrylands for 21 years, in 1995 they moved to Glenmore Park for a short period, and not being able to settle there, in 1999 they returned to Greystanes.

Her involvement with the Maltese community started in 2012 when she joined the Maltese Community Council of NSW as a Welfare Worker. In this role, she felt she could

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

put the administrative and management skills she acquired over her working career to good use like the co-ordination and support of four groups of Maltese seniors at Greystanes, Merrylands, Fairfield and Llandilo, and provide a referral service to the community.

Marisa told The Voice of the Maltese that from an early age she has always loved singing and music. She belonged to the much-acclaimed St Margaret Mary’s Choir that was continually winning singing Eisteddfods at the prestigious Conservatorium of Music in Sydney and came to the attention of none other than Johnny O’Keefe who invited them on to his popular show Sing Sing Sing!

“So I guess, singing is in my blood!” Marisa insisted.

In 1999, Marisa’s sister encouraged her to join the MCA Choir. She was reluctant at first. It depended on her knowledge of the spoken language and an excellent memory to learn to read the Maltese lyrics. Then in 2003, she took on the role of choir director and has worked very hard over a number of years to increase the membership and to expand the choir’s repertoire.

After taking early retirement as an executive assistant in the NSW Public Service a few short years ago, Marisa believed that she needed to be productive and utilise her skills and experience of over 30 years of public service to become involved in community work.

Marisa said, “When I took up the role of community worker for the Maltese Community Council NSW, I found the right outlet for my energy in what can sometimes be a very challenging role, but also a very rewarding one.

“I cannot forget to mention my passion for the Maltese culture and its music and traditions. On a personal level it has given me the opportunity to help keep alive and to share our Maltese heritage and culture through the choir’s participation in many community events and festivals”.

his is third article in the series explaining T the set of fourteen Tapestries at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Malta’s capital, Valletta, in

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which we try to grasp the message each representation wants to convey. Today the spotlight is turned on the tapestry of:

The Adoration of the Magi T he tapestry under review in this article shows the astronomers who followed the star and came to adore the new-born King. They were Wise Men who came from the East; it could be that the painter wanted to imply the rift between the Eastern Orthodox Church and Western Christianity.

There may also be a link between the East where the sun rises and the dawn of Christianity.

There is a great contrast between the poverty of the Holy Family and the affluence of the three visitors. On the left side of the scene there are a few camels and horses accompanied by a number of travellers who most probably formed part of the retinue of the Three Wise Men. This shows that they had to travel a long way in their quest to find the new-born child. The Wise Men, the shepherds, the trainbearers, and the people of the caravan may represent all the Gentiles to form part of one fold. There are people of all ages adoring the Divine Child, including children.

The bright white area on the left seems to be reflecting on all the main figures, reaching its climax on the newborn babe. Behind the Holy Family there is a screen on top of which is what looks like a globe of the world.

Could this be a reference to the scientific discoveries at the time of Copernicus and Galileo and the geographical discovery of the Americas

by Columbus?

If this is so, the tapestry reminds us that Columbus and his Spanish supporters immediately tried to Christianise the discovered lands.

The male figure on the left seems to be heralding the finding of the Prince

of Peace by the Wise Men. He looks as if he is wearing a Knight’s red outer garment with the white cross (the red background stands for the field of blood and the white cross of peace).

This could be a reminder for the Knights that although they were no longer in Jerusalem, and maybe as affluent as the Wise Men, they were still in duty bound to defend their Christian faith. The three Magi are depicted in the ray of light coming from behind.

Just as the star was the light that led the Wise Men all the way to Bethlehem, it still leads every Christian to realise that: ‘Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights … the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’.

The Magi who came to worship Jesus were overjoyed and bowed in adoration and love: they understood that the mystery kept hidden had now been revealed.

The presence of Baby Jesus made a

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

Dr. DorisCannataci

great impact on the Magi. They changed their way on their return journey home. This could also mean embracing a new way of life.

Who knows if the onlooker admiring this tapestry would feel that spark that will rekindle his faith? Is man ready to leave his past life and once again find Jesus in his daily life?

If yes, he will be able to be the star that will lead others to Jesus.

The coming of the Magi is one of the threefold theophanies (visible manifestations of God) honoured in the liturgy of the Church, together with Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, and the miracle of Cana.

In the next issue the tapestry under review would be: The Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem

Peter Bonello - is-sagristan tal-Parroċċa tar-Rabat

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l-ħidma tas-sagristan mhix waħda żgħira. Fl-antik kienu jgħidu li s-sagristan hu l-24 siegħa. Maż-żmien l-affarijiet tbiddlu imma sagristan tajjeb baqa’ kif kien fl-imgħoddi. Irid ikun bniedem iddedikat. U ssibu għal kull ma jinqala’ fil-knisja.

Daż-żmien is-sagristani naqsu għax wieħed irid ikun dedikat u wkoll dilettant tal-knisja, iħobb irrikkezzi u l-arti tagħha, il-liturġija, il-qniepen u mitt ħaġa oħra.

Sagristan tajjeb irid ukoll imidd idejh għal dak kollu li jista’ jinqala’.

Kull arċipriet jew kappillan jiddependi ħafna fuq il-ħidma tiegħu. Ilknisja f’idejh, ikollu ċ-ċwievet biex jiftaħ u jagħlaq il-knisja. Min-naħa l-oħra, l-kappillan irid ikollu fiduċja sħiħa fih.

Biex insemmi parroċċa partikolari, dik tar-Rabat, nista’ ngħid li minn dejjem kellha sagristani tajbin u li jħobbu l-knisja. Fost dawn insemmi lil Peter Bonello (lemin) (magħruf aktar bħala Peter is-Sagristan) li għalkemm irtira minħabba l-età, xorta għadu jħoss li huwa sagristan, mingħajr ma jieħu l-paga tax-xahar.

Meta ltqajt ma’ Peter semmieli sagristani ta’ qablu fl-istess parroċċa li jiftakar u li rawwmu fih l-imħabba lejn din il-ħidma.

Beda biex semmieli lil Ġanni Attard (Ġanni Venuta) u warajh ibnu Karmnu, li ħuh kien il-Kanonku Dun Mikiel. Jiftakar ukoll lil Ġanni Battista Sammut (Patist is-Sagristan); lil Ġużeppi Bonello (it-Titu); lil Pawlu Azzopardi devot ħafna ta’ San Pawl li miet filkamra tas-sagristani nhar il-festa ta’ San Pawl, l-10 ta’ Frar.

Semmieli wkoll lil dak ta’ qablu, John Borg (il-Ħemsi - ħu Patri Kostanz tal-Agostinjani), u Mario Scicluna … it-tnejn irtirati.

Illum bħala sagristan hemm iż-żagħżugħ ħabrieki Luke Micallef.

Fl-imgħoddi l-Knisja ta’ San Pawl dejjem ħadmet b’żewġ sagristani. Illum li tbiddlu ħafna affarijiet, fosthom is-sistema, ilparroċċa għandha wieħed. Din ta’ sagristan wieħed f’San Pawl intemmet malli rtira Mario Scicluna.

Peter is-Sagristan qalli li ż-żewġ sagristani kienu t-tnejn b’ħinijiet differenti; wieħed kien jidħol bejn it-8.00a.m. u nofsinhar, u bejn is-6-8pm, filwaqt li l-ieħor kien jidħol bejn it-8p.m. u t-8a.m.

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PeterPaulCiantar It-tnejn kienu jorqdu fil-knisja f’dik magħrufa bħala l-kamra tassagristani (illum spiċċat).

Din il-kamra kienet ċkejkna b’żewġ sodod żgħar, u xi ftit ħtiġijiet ġo fiha. Kellha wkoll fliskatur fejn wieħed jaħsel wiċċu, gwardarobba żgħira għall-ħwejjeġ u ftit ħtiġijiet oħra. Il-kamra kont trid titla’ għaliha sular fejn illum hemm iċ-ċentru pastorali l-ġdid.

Fl-imgħoddi fiha kien hemm ukoll il-ħabel tal-qanpiena l-kbira, li kienet tindaqq f’kull okkażjoni.

Fost ir-raġunijiet għaliex kienu jorqdu fil-knisja kien hemm, li f’kull ħin tal-lejl dejjem kienu jistennew lil xi ħadd iħabbat malbieb biex jitwasslulu l-aħħar sagramenti. Għalhekk minnufih kienu jċemplu (meta kien hemm telefon) lil Dun Vinċenz Galea jew lil Dun Mikiel Saliba (li kien ilviċi tal-parroċċa) biex flimkien imorru għand il-moribond blaħħar sagramenti.

Qabel, il-ftuħ tal-knisja, mitTnejn sas-Sibt, kien isir fl-4.30am, fil-Ħdud u l-festi fit- 3.30am.

Fl-imgħoddi l-quddies f’San Pawl kien isir kull siegħa sa nofsinhar. Mal-aħħar Konċilju daħlet ukoll il-quddiesa ta’ filgħaxija.

Is-sagristani kienu wkoll isejħu lill-fidili bid-daqq tal-qniepen fil-Pater Noster - nofs siegħa qabel il-quddiesa, inkluż dik ta’ kmieni filgħodu msejħa l-Quddiesa tal-Kaċċaturi (fi żmien ilkaċċa) jew tal-Awrora.

Kienu wkoll idoqqu l-Ave Marija, ta’ nżul ix-xemx, (ħin li dejjem kien jinbidel max-xemx). Kienu jdoqqu wkoll fil-ħinijiet tat- 8am u ta’ nofsinhar, għall-vjatku u l-imwiet, il-festi u f’okkażjonijiet oħra. Il-ħbula tal-qniepen dejjem kienu minn isfel tal-kampnar.

Is-sagristan kien ukoll ikollu f’idejh it-tindif tal-knisja bir-ramm b’kollox, l-armar u ż-żarmar għall-festi u mitt ħaġ’oħra.

Bħala dħul finanzjarju, Peter qalli li s-sagristani tal-Parroċċca dejjem kellhom dħul mill-funerali, mit-tberik, mill-magħmudijiet, miż-żwiġijiet u mix-xemgħat u wkoll minn xi ħaġa żgħira fixxahar mill-knisja.

Fi tmiem id-diskursata Peter ta ħajr lill-arċiprieti u individwi li ħadem magħhom u dejjem għenuh fil-Parroċċa tar-Rabat.

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Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

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Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

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

Malta an innovative nation worth following

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Josh Caruana from Rockingham, WA writes t was most interesting to read the article

by Michelle Rowland MP titled ‘Malta Embraces the Digital Technology Revolution’ (Issue No. 180) in which she was full praise for the Maltese government in its plans to become a digitally-enabled nation, that, as she said, is setting Malta apart in the region.

Coming from a politician serving in such a huge nation as the island-continent of Australia, this must have been something nobody could have imagined to read about.

But even more noteworthy the fact that instead of tiny Malta trying to follow the more

X’differenza kbira jagħmlu ftit xhur!

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George Sant minn Blacktown NSW jikteb:

ara li għal madwar erba’ snin sħaħ kont trid tromba biex tara l-Konslu Generali ta’ NSW fost il-komunita’ waqt attivitajiet importanti, f’dawn l-aħħar xahrejn il-Konslu l-gdid Lawrence Buhagiar mhu qed isibha xejn difficli li jattendi kemm jista’ jkun attivitajiet organizzati fost il-komunita`.

Jidher li dan u biedem umli u jitkellem bla ma joffendi lil ħadd.

Tassew li għadu bidu izda mill-ewwel tinduna li dan hu bniedem li qiegħed fostna biex mhux biss jgħin lill-Gvern li ħatru u imma biex ukoll joffri għajnuna lill-komunita kbira u attiva li għandna f’dan l-istat. Wieħed għalhekk jagħmel tajjeb jekk juri l-apprezzament għax-xogħol fejjiedi tiegħu.

important nations, it is the latter nations who are seeking ways to follow its initiative in this innovative sector.

Malta has truly grasped the fact that science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills are increasingly important for the future workforce, and that the island has the objective of improving the quality of lives of its citizens.

I was so pleased to read the Australian Federal Shadow Minister of Communications’ article, that I have been going around mentioning it to friends who like me are interested in this sector and repeating her question of, what can Australia learn from Malta? A lot it seems, especially as there is evidence among us of growing inequality around digital inclusion with the gap between people in low and high-income households, as well as between older and younger Australians, keeps growing.

The politician’s final paragraph in which she said that it is apparent there is a lot Australia can learn from Malta’s future-focussed policy approach must fill the Maltese community with pride.

Apart from Malta’s digital technology, that is showing the way for Australia to follow, I am also reminded of a bill to be discussed in the Federal Parliament to lower the voting age in General elections to 16 years. Malta already made the concession when on March 5 it became the second state in the European Union voting age to 16.

Malta has changed from a follower to a nation worth following.

Aktar dwar ‘Strada Stretta’

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J. Aquilina minn Kings Park NSW jikteb: rajt b’interess dak li kellu xi jgħid flittra tiegħu Cikku Pisani minn Kellyville (Ħarġa Nru. 181) fejn ikkummenta dwar ir-rappreżentazzjoni ta’ l-Istilla ta’ Strada Stretta li ttellgħet fi-ċentru La Valette ta’ Blacktown. Naqbel miegħu li l-atturi qaxxru l-partijiet tagħhom, u li kienet serata ta’ livell għoli, imma fil-fehma tiegħi ma kinetx addattata għall-udjenza li jkun hemm f’dan iċ-ċentru.

Barra minhekk seta’ kien hemm tentattiv aħjar biex jingħata tagħrif dwar din is-serata anke qabel ma beda x-xhow. Kieku mqar ingħatat tifsira bil-Malti kif kienet se tiżvolgi l-lejla kien ikun ferm u ferm aħjar. Jidher li meta minn Malta jibagħtu shows bħal dawn, ftit jagħmlu riċerka. Diġa’ kellna fjaski ferm agħar b’tentattivi li saru qabel.

Queen’s Young Leaders Award for Malta’s Martina Caruana A Tuesday June 26, 2018

t a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London, on the day of the current publication of The Voice, June 26th, Martina Caruana from Malta (right) is to be presented with a Queen’s Young Leaders Award that recognises the work that young people from across the Commonwealth are doing to transform lives in their community and beyond.

Martina, 25, from Birzebbuġa, the co-founder of the Network of Young Women Leaders (NYWL) in Malta, is receiving the award for the work she is doing to support women to assume leadership roles by raising awareness of the challenges and barriers faced by young women.

She was selected following a competitive process involving thousands of applicants across the Commonwealth. Together they join a network of 240 powerful young leaders, from 53 Commonwealth countries, who are driving change to make the world a better place.

As part of her role in NYWL, Martina led the campaign ‘Artemisia: 100 Remarkable Women’, which told the stories of 100 successful women from all walks of life, all of whom were portrayed in an accompanying exhibition.

Martina, who is currently training to become a lawyer, and in the future wants to support women in Yemen and provide them with opportunities for education and legal aid, said: “I

The Voice of the Maltese 9

look forward to the coming year – I have no doubt that it will allow me to better contribute to the causes so close to my heart and to continue to make a difference, both locally and internationally.”

The Young Leaders are finding solutions to global issues such as climate change, food scarcity, gender-based violence, mental health, and access to education.

The Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners take part in a year-long leadership course run by the University of Cambridge and receive bespoke mentoring. They also visit the UK for a programme of high-profile networking opportunities, meetings and training designed to help them develop as leaders and work with ever-greater impact.

Like all the award winners, during their time in the UK, Martina has visited 10 Downing Street, and taken part in masterclasses at the BBC World Service and the UK Headquarters of Facebook.

Before receiving their Award the Young Leaders also had meetings with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and High Commissioners from across the Commonwealth, attended workshops at the University of Cambridge and visited projects that are changing the lives of vulnerable people in the UK. Talking about the award winners, Dr Astrid Bonfield CBE, Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust said: “Through selfless determination, the Queen’s Young Leaders of 2018 are dedicating their lives to bring positive change to those around them.”

She went on to say that their visit to the UK has provided them with a unique opportunity to connect with each other and gain valuable lessons from experts and leaders from all walks of life that hopefully would help transform the reach of their endeavours for many years to come.

She said she was delighted that the work they are undertaking is being recognised by The Queen, and was looking forward to celebrating the remarkable difference that they have already made all over the Commonwealth.

“Now that we are in the fourth and final year of this special programme, we look proudly on the network that is the Queen’s Young Leaders and feel confident that the future will be driven by their courage and commitment towards making the world a better place,” Dr Bonfield said. *The Queen’s Young Leaders programme was established in 2014 by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in partnership with Comic Relief, The Royal Commonwealth Society and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, in recognition of The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday June 26, 2018

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

Għalfejn is-servizzi soċjali?

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ultant tiġini din il-mistoqsija f’moħħi, ġeneralment wara li nkun segwejt xi dibattitu politiku fuq proposti dwar xi servizz partikulari, jew diskussjoni ma’ xi ħadd inkurlat dwar kemm hawn nies li jippruvaw japprofittaw inġustament mill-ġenerożità tal-istat, jew fuq xi grupp partikulari (bħar-refuġjati) li jidhirlu m’għandux jibbenefika mis-servizz. Ħafna drabi nasal nikkonkludi li tlifna minn moħħna l-iskop għalfejn suppost li jeżistu s-servizzi soċjali, jew li l-profil ta’ dawk li naħsbu li għandhom jirċevuhom inbidel u mhux ftit.

L-Awstralja hu pajjiż sinjur, b’riżorsi naturali abbundanti, industriji avvanzati, ħafna u ħafna art, u popolazzjoni relattivament żgħira u żagħżugħa li qiegħda tiżdied b’pass mgħaġġel.

Dan ma jfissirx li kulħadd huwa sinjur. Fil-fatt dan il-pajjiż huwa meqjus li għandu inugwaljanza kbira, iktar għolja millmedja fil-pajjiżi tal-OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development).

Biex intikom ftit figuri, persuna fil-grupp tal-20% li l-iktar għandhom dħul, taqla’ ħames darbiet daqs persuna li tinsab fl20% tal-qiegħ. Ukoll, persuna fil-grupp tal-20% li l-iktar li għandhom ġid, għandha sebgħin darba daqs persuna fil-grupp ta’ 20% li għandhom l-inqas.1 L-Encyclopædia Brittannica tiddefinixxi lis-servizzi soċjali bħala servizzi pprovduti minn entitajiet pubbliċi jew privati biex jgħinu lil dawk il-persuni jew gruppi li huma żvantaġġjati, vulnerabbli jew fi stat ta’ diffikultà. Ngħid għalija, l-ewwel xbiha ċara ta’ dan li daħlitli f’moħħi fi tfuliti kienet il-parabbola tasSamaritan it-Tajjeb, li waqaf minn triqtu biex jgħin lil raġel (li mill-kuntest teħodha li kien Lhudi, grupp li ma kienx jinġieb mas-Samaritani) li kien attakkat mill-ħallelin, misruq u mħolli għall-mewt.

Dan is-Samaritan ħa ħsiebu, ħadu għall-għajnuna u ħallas għaliha bil-quddiem.2 L-organizzazzjoni li l-iktar li għandha mezzi biex tgħin lil min hu batut hija l-gvern, fl-Awstralja dak federali li għandu l-poter mogħti mill-Kostituzzjoni tiegħu biex jipprovdi, fost l-oħrajn, pensjonijiet, ħlasijiet għall-maternità, nuqqas ta’ xogħol, benefiċċji tas-saħħa, ħlasijiet għall-familji eċċ.3, mid-dħul tagħha (primarjament it-taxxi fil-forom diversi tagħhom).

Servizzi soċjali hemm ħafna li wieħed jista’ jaqra dwarhom

Obituary: Antoinette Agius 1943-2018

t is with deep sadness to announce IAgius the death of Antoinette Maria nee Balzan at the age of

75. She was born in Gzira, Malta, on March 17 1943. She left Malta at the age of 13 to migrate to Australia with her mum, dad and six siblings.

Antoinette was married for 57 years to Charles Agius (known as 'tal-AMP' Blacktown) a wellknown businessman and community leader. They lived in the Blue Mountains. They have four children, 11 grand children and two great-grandchildren.

She died on May 25 at Goulburn Base Hospital. RIP.

fuq il-websajt tad-Dipartiment tas-Servizzi Soċjali, imma filfatt dawn is-servizzi huma intenzjonati għal min hu batut? Jien jidhirli li qiegħdin inġebbdu d-definizzjoni ta’ min hu batut qisha lasktu. Ħu l-ħlas modifikat bħala benefiċċju li se jibda jagħti l-gvern mix-xahar li ġej għall-ġenituri li jieħdu lit-tfal tagħhom f’xi ċentru għall-kura tat-tfal (child care). Il-ħlas jonqos iktar ma’ dawk il-ġenituri għandhom dħul minn tagħhom, imma jinqata’ kompletament biss meta d-dħul ikun ta’ $350,000 (€225,000) fissena.4 F’Malta, saħansitra m’hemmx limitu ta’ dħul biex tkun eliġibbli għal dan il-benefiċċji.

Għiduli intom, min għandu anke nofs dak il-livell ta’ dħul, għandu bżonn benefiċċju soċjali biex jibgħat lit-tfal f’ċentru bħal dan?

Eżempju ieħor huwa benefiċċju msejjaħ Family Tax Benefit A, li l-limitu ta’ dħul qabel ma’ jintilef kompletament, għal min għandu tlett itfal ta’ iktar minn tlettax-il sena huwa ta’ iktar minn $200,000 (€125,000). Dawn huma limiti għoljin ferm fil-fehma tiegħi.

Kien hemm kumment mill-membru parlamentari Liberali Lucy Gichuhi li qiegħda fis-Senat Federali. Din stqarret li s-salarju ta’ $200,000 tagħha “mhumiex ħafna flus”.5 Dan meta l-paga minima fl-Awstralja għal min jaħdem full-time hija ta’ $35,000 fis-sena.6 Naħseb li dan il-kumment ta’ din is-Senatur jispjega tajjeb kif jaħsibha l-gvern tal-ġurnata fuq min huma n-nies ilbatuti li għandhom bżonn l-għajnuna soċjali.

Irrid inżid li l-livell tal-paga minima fl-Awstralja hija iktar għolja minn dik ta’ diversi pajjiżi oħra, imma wieħed irid joqgħod attent meta jqabbel ma’ pajjiżi oħra, għax kull pajjiż għandu l-livell tiegħu tal-għoli tal-ħajja, il-prezzjijiet talprodotti u s-servizzi, prezz tal-proprjetà eċċ.7 Huwa ċar għalija li d-definizzjoni ta’ min għandu bżonn l-għajnuna soċjali nbidlet bil-kif, u jidhirli li l-awtoritajiet iktar qiegħdin iħarsu lejn kif se jaġevolaw lil numru ikbar ta’ kostitwenti, milli jgħinu lil dawk li l-iktar li huma fil-bżonn. Naturalment hemm prezz għal dan kollu, għax l-infiq ikun iktar għoli milli jkun hemm bżonn, u s-sostenibbiltà ta’ dan l-infiq ibati.

Viva d-defiċit!

Referenzi 1. Inequality in Australia – A nation divided; Australian Council of Social Service; 2015; p. 10 2. Lk 10:25-37 3. The Australian Constitution; Chapter 51 xxiii-xxiiiA 4. The New Child Care Package; Australian Government 5. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/18/lucy-gichuhisays-200000-senators-salary-is-not-a-lot-of-money, retrieved 19/6/2018 6. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-31/minimum-wage-how-doesaustralia-compare/7461794, retrieved 19/6/2018 7. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-31/minimum-wage-how-doesaustralia-compare/7461794, retrieved 19/6/2018

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Lyn and Carolyn’s Step-by-Step Guide to Retirement Villages

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eet Carolyn and Lyn, two leading experts with years of experience in the retirement living industry. Here they share their insights and answers to the frequently asked questions people have about living in a retirement village.

They’re not aged care!

Villages are for people over 55 who are active enough to live independently in their own home. In fact, plenty of people who live in retirement villages are not retired at all.

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

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 tat-telefon u nċemplulek lura

Want to Advertise?

For advertising on The Voice of the Maltese magazine in order to reach the widest audience possible partcularly the Maltese diaspora , write for details to: Maltesevoice@gmail.com

Many are simply making the most of the benefits of village life; less home maintenance, new home designs, social connections and great locations.

Find the right home for you

Ask yourself what sort of home do you see yourself living in? And what amenities are important to you? You might prefer to be near golf courses, or if you have a pet, finding a pet-friendly village could be at the top of your list.

Consider whether you need or want off-street parking, a swimming pool, nearby shopping and dining options or other amenities.

Ask friends and residents.

Living in a retirement village means being part of a community of like-minded people.

Talk to friends who have already made the move into a village about their experiences.

Residents are the greatest advocates for

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

gaining real insight into a village, so drop on in to an event and get a real taste for the lifestyle!

Are you looking for a retirement village in Western Sydney? Call Carolyn on 0430 189 447 to find out more on a village that is right for you or visit retirementbylendlease.com

Altern at għal da tiva wk qabżu l li -55

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta

Silicon Valley legend Tim Draper and Malta PM launch DELTA Summit ‘18

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amed billionaire venture capitalist Mr Tim Draper was the guest of honour at the DELTA Summit presummit launch event at Auberge de Castille in Valletta as hundreds of local and international guests from throughout the global technology industry met to celebrate the upcoming DELTA Summit to be held in Malta between October 3-5th.

The DELTA Summit will be Malta's official platform from where to promote Malta as a blockchain and digital innovation centre of excellence.

Dr Abdalla Kablan, Founder of DELTA Summit and an award-winning entrepreneur specialising in machine intelligence, hosted the event and presided over a round table, interviewing Mr Draper, Mr Silvio Schembri, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy & Innovation, and Ms Tugce Ergul, founder and director of Angel Labs.

Malta's Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat (right) addressed the audience via a taped video saying how pleased he was to endorse the Summit. Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ and CEO of Binance, one of the world's largest Digital Exchanges, also spoke by video extolling Malta as the world's leading blockchain centre.

He said Malta offers “legal clarity, encourages innovation and its thought leaders and regulators are forward thinkers.”

Zhao was clearly delighted by Malta's

plans, going so far as to describe the Maltese regulators he spoke to and advised as "some of the smartest and most forward-thinking people on the planet." Tim Draper added that Malta has got a big lead and an early start over the other countries.

Dr. Kablan, who is also chairmen of the Malta Stock Exchange Blockchain Committee and one of the instrumental figures behind the Malta Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) regulation, said he believed Malta was “on the verge of becoming the first country in the world to regulate Technology Arrangements and Services such as DLT and blockchain.”

Malta gets elected to UN’s ECOSOC

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ollowing a round of by-elections held in New York in which it obtained 100% of the votes, Malta has been elected on the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It will serve in this position for two years, starting in January 2019.

The ECOSOC advances the three dimensions of the UN’s work on sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking in these areas, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals.

Last December Malta was elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation, and with the security of the Mediterranean being one of Malta’s main foreign policy priorities, in 2022 it will also contest the UN Security Council elections.

Malta partners with Youtube to launch specific version

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s a result of continuous discussions by the Maltese government, Google, You-tube would be launching a country specific version and local domain for Malta in English that would be available at youtube.com.mt.

As a result, Maltese Youtube users can now be rewarded for their work.

YouTube has opened its portals to Maltese users, enabling them to access tools not previously accessible to them, making it easier to discover who is creating Parliamentary content. It will also provide more access Secretary Silvio to local content.

Schembri Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri expressed great satisfaction over Youtube’s decision. He said that having noted the petition of local content creators for Malta to be included in Google’s YouTube Partnership Programme, the government has actively lobbied with Google both on a national and European level.

He said it is of great satisfaction to see that Maltese talent will finally be rewarded for their content created and posted on youtube.com.mt.

He encouraged all content creators to use this channel responsibly, to take the opportunity to promote their talent and the country.

“I personally thank Google for the trust shown in Malta, for lis-

tening to our concerns, and for their contribution in bolstering Malta’s digital economy”, he said.

The Maltese government worked closely with Google to launch the $150 million Google Digital News Innovation Fund for the local online news and media agencies.

Meanwhile, Google’s Public Policy Manager, Enrico Bellini, said they heeded the requests from the local community in Malta and hope that with a dedicated domain and the upcoming open up of the YouTube Partnership Programme (YPP) in September, they could help pave the way for the work of more Maltese creators, artists, and musicians to shine on the world most vibrant video community.

Youtube’s decision means that it will make it easier to discover local creators and content.

Malta thus becomes one of the 90 countries with a local version on Youtube, which would enable creators to earn money from their videos and have access to a wide range of tools and resources to make the most of their content on Youtube.

Meanwhile, following meetings in New York with representatives from several companies operating in the blockchain sphere aside of the 38th ITSO Assembly of the Parties in Washington DC, Parliamentary Secretary Schembri announced that representatives from these companies would soon be visiting Malta to set up offices and start operating from Malta, now known as The Blockchain Island. The organisation currently has 149 members, including Malta.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta

Maltese Parliament approves 'Historic' IVF law changes

Malta loses its case over bird trapping T

he European Court of Justice has decided against the application of derogation by Malta to allow the live capturing of seven finch species of songbirds during the autumn season.

Although the decision cannot be appealed, the Government said in a statement that it was carefully evaluating the decision and that any decision it will take will be legally sound. ith 34 votes for and 27 against, the government’s 'historic' IVF The government is evaluating the decision in detail, so that law with proposed changes to the Embryo Protection Act after any decision by the government is legally sound. the Bill's Third Reading was voted into law in Parliament.

In a statement, the government said that in the last few years, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca signed the amendments to the it did its utmost to defend this tradition and open the live capAct and said she did it solely out of loyalty towards the Constitution turing season of finch birds in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. and the democratic process.

Hand in hand with the organisations that represent trappers, it When it came to the vote in Parliament, three MPS from each side of dedicated all possible resources to defend its case in the best the House were absent due to duties abroad. possible way, and put forward the case in front of the European Before the vote was taken, Health Minister Chris Fearne said Parlia- Courts to safeguard the tradition. ment would be writing another page in Malta's history by giving In his reaction the Secretary of the Federation of Hunters, prospective parents a better chance of becoming parents.

Trappers and Conservationists (FKNK) said that this verdict He said that every child born by IVF, “after years of suffering by its fa- shows how Europe discriminates, while Birdlife’s CEO dether, is a new miracle, of which we wish to see more.” scribed the verdict as a step that means a lot to birds and the He added that he was more than ever proud today to be part of the Maltese habitat.

Labour Party, as from the start of the process it kept to its principle of giving medical care at the highest possible level to those who need it the most. “If science enables us to give such care, we will give it," he said.

He said it was time for politicians to let doctors do their job, and that discrimination on medical issues had to be eliminated.

He pointed out that even though after the Bill's Second Reading it was clear that there was a good majority in Parliament in favour of the legal amendments, the government had undertaken a consultation process, had listened and made changes to its proposals.

“During committee stage we had a long, detailed discussion on all those who wanted to come to Parliament and discuss with us.

While we took on board certain suggestions, we could not agree with them.”

Speaking before the vote on the bill, Opposition leader Adrian Delia reiterated the Nationalist Party's stance against the law, as in his opinion it destroys the life of the unborn child, and gives the minister the power to decide who lives and who dies. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca after the presentation of the Virdimura Award He gave his MPs a free vote on the matter. t the University of Catania in Sicily, inclusive prosperity for all the countries of Pro-life groups opposing the changes to the President of Malta Marie-Louise the region” the law, held a quiet demonstration outside Coleiro Preca was awarded the prestigious President Coleiro Preca also stated that in Parliament, while a Pro-life lawyer had International Virdimura Award by the So- order to ensure sustainable peace and incluearlier in the day filed a constitutional ap- cieta` Italiana di Storia della Medicina, an sive prosperity, “we need to endeavour to plication, in his personal capacity, asking honour that she has dedicated to all the girls effect a global transformation to reverse the for the proposed changes to be nullified. and women of the Mediterranean. mentalities of violence and conflict.”

In the meantime, in a court application In her acceptance speech, of the award, MLCP reminded all of one’s duty to share filed in his own name, former Labour named after Dr Virdimura, the first ever a message of hope, respect, and love, adParty Minister Dr Joe Brincat has asked woman to be awarded an official medical ding that there is an urgent need for humanthe Constitutional Court to admit him into degree, in 1376, the President called for re- ity to promote the values of universal human the case filed by lawyer Tonio Azzopardi spect, dignity, inclusion, and peace-building. rights and fundamental freedoms that should against the Attorney General – as a defenShe said that the “spirit of Virdimura” be at the core of our democracies. dant. must be shared by supporting and empowThe President said that more must be done Dr Brincat said that if the law were to be ering all the girls and women of the to empower the diverse peoples of our redeclared in violation of the Constitution or Mediterranean region in order to pursue gion, to make the right choices, for hope, the European Convention on Human their ambitions and their aspirations. dignity and respect, and “to nurture the best Rights, it would also breach the right to “The contribution of all girls and women within ourselves, and to openly and freely family life. is essential to ensure sustainable peace and share it with all of humanity”.

W

Prestigious award for the President

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14 The Voice of the Maltese

Malta weħlet ma’ rashom!

Tuesday June 26, 2018

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aħda mill-akbar problemi li qed tolqot lillEwropa, speċjalment lill-pajjiżi fi ħdan l-Unjoni Ewropeja, hija dik tal-emigrazzjoni llegali. Sintendi l-aktar pajjiżi li huma milquta millfenomenu huma l-pajjiżi li qegħdin madwar ilMediterran, fosthom Malta, l-Italja, Spanja u l-Greċja.

Dan minħabba li ħafna minn dawn l-immigranti, barra fil-każ tal-Greċja, jaslu bil-baħar min-naħa ta’ fuq tal-Afrika, l-aktar mil-Libja Dan il-moviment ta’ għadd kbir ta’ emigranti llegali qed jħalli effet qawwi f’diversi oqsma, fosthom anke ttmexxija tal-pajjiżi, minħabba li f’ċerti pajjiżi l-poplu huwa tant mdejjaq bis-sitwazzjoni, li meta qed jiġi biex jaħtar il-Gvern tiegħu, qed iħares lejn dawk il-partiti li jwiegħdu li se jagħmlu minn kollox biex irażżnu lfenomenu tal-immigrazzjoni.

B’riżultat ta’ dan qed naraw partiti mlaqqma populisti, għax fost kollox meta jwiegħdu t-trażżin mma dan kollu nbidel mal-bidla tal-Gvern fl-Italja, billi malli ġie ffaċċjat bl-ewwel wasla tal-immigrazzjoni, jirbħu elezta’ vapur b’immigranti llegali, għalaq il-portijiet tiegħu għal dan il-vapur. Imma ma zjoni wara l-oħra. waqafx hemm għax talab/ordna lil dan il-vapur biex idawwar ir-rotta tiegħu lejn Malta.

L-aħħar kien tal-Italja fejn żewġ Sintendi l-Gvern Malti, li dejjem mexa u ried ikompli, jimxi mal-obbigazzjonijiet interpartiti li ġejjin minn partiti op- nazzjonali ma’ ħalliex lil dan il-vapur jidħol Malta. posti, imma li waqt il-kampanja Dan xejn ma niżel tajjeb mall-V/Prim Ministru u Ministru tal-Intern tal-Gvern Taljan, elettorali t-tnejn wegħdu azzjoni Salvini, li ppretenda li tgħaddi tiegħu. Sa anke ħareġ igħajjar lill-Gvern Malti li ma weriex kontra l-imigrazzjoni, irnexxiel- ħniena ma’ dawn in-nies. Insista li l-vapur kellu jidħol Malta għax qal li dawn l-immigranti hom jiksbu maġġoranza ta’ voti kienu ġew salvati fis-Search and Rescue Area li taqa’ taħt Malta. u ngħaqdu flimkien biex jiggverTajjeb wieħed jispjega din is-Search and Rescue Area (SAR) x’inhi. naw lil dan il-pajjiż.

Skont il-Konvenzjonijiet internazzjonali diversi pajjiżi huma resposonsabbli jagħtu għaSfortunatament il-ħatra ta’ dan il- jnuna lil dawk li jkunu fil-bżonn f’firxa ta’ art jew baħar li taqa’ taħt ir-responsabbilta’ Gvern ma awguratx tajjeb għar- tagħhom. relazzjonijiet bejn Malta u l-Italja...

Fil-każ ta’ Malta l-firxa ta’ art li taqa’ taħt ir-responsabilta’ tagħha tikkonsisti f’parti li għal żmien twil kienu eċċellenti. mdaqqsa sewwa fil-Mediterran (ara mappa fuq) Sa qabel ma ġie ffurmat il-Gvern Fil-fatt ħafna pajjiżi tal-madwar mhux darba jew tnejn ikkumentaw dwar dan il-kobor, Taljan, il-Gvern Malti u dak Taljan iżda din għadha wirt ta’ meta l-Ingliżi kienu jaħkmu minn Malta u bħala pajjiż dominanti ħadmu id f’id dwar din il-prob- kien irnexxielu jiksbu id-dritt ta’ ħarsien fuq din il-parti hekk kbira. lema u dejjem ippreżentaw front Salvini sa mar ifettaq u jinsisti mal-midja Taljana li allura kienet ir-responsabilta tal`wieħed fid-diskussjonijiet li jsiru Gvern Malti li jospita’ lil dawn l-immigranti. Saħansitra sostna li jekk Malta ma kienitx dwar l-immigrazzjoni l-Unjoni kapaċi tlaħħaq mal-firxa ta’ baħar din kellha ċċediha u tgħaddi din l-firxa u l-flus li daħħal Ewropeja. lill-Italja.

Din ir-relazzjoni għenet mhux Il-Gvern Malti kien pront wieġeb lil Salvini. Insista li skont il-Konvenzjonijiet Internazftit biex f’dawn l-aħħar snin l- zjonali, l-immigranti kellhom jitniżżlu fl-eqreb port sikur u allura dan kien port Taljan għadd ta’ immigranti llegali li (Lampedusa). Jerġa’ l-immigranti kienu ġew salvati barra mis-SAR ta’ Malta. daħlu fl-Italja u Malta naqas sew.

Insista li fejn jidħol is-SAR il-Gvern Malti kien qed jaqdi l-obbligi kollha tiegħu.

F’Malta is-sena li għaddiet daħlu Ta’ min jgħid li din mhix l-ewwel darba li l-Italja tefgħet għajnejha fuq din il-firxa ta’ biss 20 immigrant. baħar u ppruvat taħtaf parti minnha taħt il-ġurisdizzjoni tagħha.

Il-Gvern Taljan jibdel l-attitudni I

Il-v/PM Taljan Luigi Di Maio

Theddida? mma dan ma kienx biżżejjed. Għax imbagħad il-V/Prim Ministru Taljan l-ieħor, Luigi IDiqabeż Maio li minkejja li i s-salvataġġ ma sarx fiżżona ta’ tfittxija u salvataġġ ta’ Malta, insista li Malta qed tirrifjuta li taċċetta l-bastiment minkejja li kien fiż-żona ta’ tfittxija u salvataġġ tagħha.

Lanqas waqaf hemm, għax dan sostna li l-Italja tissupplixxi l-elettriku lil Malta permezz tal-interconnector minn Ragusa.

“Jiddispjaċini għal Malta. Aħna nissupplixxu

l-elettriku minn Ragusa u huma jagħlqu l-portijiet,” saħaq Di Maio. Ċar daqs il-kristall li dan ipprova jqarraq billi ta l-impressjoni li l-Gvern Taljan kien qed jipprovdi l-enerġija lil Malta bla ħlas; xi ħaġa li assolutament mhix minnha għax kif stqarr il-Gvern Malti, “Malta tixtri l-elettriku b'rati kummerċjali minn dan l-interconnector minn diversi fornituri Ewropej u mbagħad dan jasal Malta permezz ta’ cable li hemm bejn Malta u Ragusa”. *Għar-reazzjoni ara paġna 15

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Ir-reazzjoni Malta minn ta’ quddiem ta’ Malta I

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intendi, kien hemm reazzjoni qawwija min-naħa ta’ Malta u lMaltin għall-mod kif il-viċi prim ministri Taljani ppruvaw ideffsu lil Malta fil-kredu.

Il-Gvern Malti sa mill-bidu tal-kwestjoni maħluqa minn Salvini dejjem sostna li f’dan il-każ kien mexa, u se jibqa’ jimxi mal-liġijiet internazzjonali. Dan il-fatt ġie kkonfermat minn diversi awtoritajiet internazzjonali, fosthom dawk stess tal-Unjoni Ewropea, u saħansitra mill-President Franċiż Emmanuel Macron.

Ma naqsux lanqas il-kummenti xejn sbieħ fil-konfront tal-Gvern Taljan. Iżda kien hemm min mar aktar lil hinn minn hekk, b’diversi kummenti fil-midja lokali u fuq il-mezzi soċjali bħal Facebook ifakkru lill-Gvern Taljan li min-naħa tagħha Malta qed toffri x-xogħol u l-għajxien lil eluf ta’ nies Taljani li l-Gvern Taljan ma rnexxielux isibilhom xogħol, tant li kellhom jeżiljaw ruħhom.

Attwalment kien hemm xi Taljani li wrew li ma kienu jaqblu xejn mal-mod kif il-viċi-prim ministri Taljani kienu qed jittrattaw ma’ Malta.

Il-kumment ta’ Di Maio dwar l-elettriku tqies minn ħafna bħala theddida, u wassal biex kien hemm min ikkummenta dwar kemm kien perikoluż dak li riedu xi wħud li jkun hemm dipendenza sħiħa fuq l-elettriku li jinxtra minn barra.

Attwalment il-Gvern fit-tweġiba tiegħu għat-thedida tal-viċi Prim Ministru Taljan, fakkar ukoll lill-Gvern Taljan li Malta għandha l-impjant tagħha għall-provvista tal-enerġija u tissupplixxi l-elettriku tagħha stess u li l-interconnector huwa wżat BISS bħala 'taħlita tal-enerġija' skont il-politika tal-pajjiż għall-provvista tal-enerġija.

l-Gvern fakkar ukoll lill-Gvern Taljan li Malta kienet wieħed minn fost l-uniċi żewġ pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropeja li ħadu l-kwota ta’ immigranti kif kien miftiehem mill-Unjoni Ewropeja, filwaqt li pajjiżi oħra fosthom l-Italja, għadhom il-bogħod ferm milli jieħdu l-kwota tagħhom.

Attwalment, fejn jidħol l-għadd ta’ refuġjati f’kull pajjiż meta mxebbaħ malpopolazzjoni tal-pajjiż, instab li Malta qegħda fit-tieni post 18.3 refuġjat għal kull elf ruħ, filwaqt li l-Italja tinsab fis16-il post bi 2.4 refuġjat għal kull elf. Ċifri tal-Eurostat juru ukoll kif flewwel tliet xhur tas-sena Malta kellha t-tielet l-ogħla rata ta' applikazzjonijiet għall-ażil meta tqis il-popolazzjoni, għax irċeviet 856 applikazzjoni għal kull miljun abitant mentri Ċipru u lGreċja, li ġew qabilna, irċevew 1,551 u 1,204 applikazzjonijiet għall-istess għadd ta' abitanti.

L-inqas pajjiż li rċieva applikazzjonijiet meta tqis il-popolazzjoni tiegħu kienet l-Estonja, li kellha biss seba' applikazzjonijiet, segwita mis-Slovakkja bi tmienja u l-Litwanja bi 13.

Alltru mill-istampa li ppruvaw jagħtu t-Taljani.

Numero Ogni 1000 rifugiati abitanti

1,839 talba għal stat ta’ refuġjati

Matul is-sena li għaddiet, Malta, pemezz ta l-uffiċċju tal-kummissarju għar-refuġjati rċeviet total ta’ 1,839 applikazzjoni għal status ta’ refuġjat.

Dan l-ammont ifisser tnaqqis ta’ 4.6% fuq is-sena ta’ qabel.

Dan sar magħruf minn statistika taluffiċċju nazzjonali tal-istatistika filjum dinji għar-refuġjati li fiha kien imfisser kif matul l-2017 ma kienu rrappurtati l-ebda wasliet bid-dgħajjes f’Malta, b’għoxrin persuna li kienu ċit-

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

tadini ta’ pajjiżi Afrikani jinġabru minn ħelikopter waqt li kienu bejn sema u ilma u ddaħħlu f’pajjiżna.

Meta ġew analizzati l-applikazzjonijiet, Malta kienet ir-raba’ pajjiż fl-Unjoni Ewropea li ras għal ras irċieva applikazzjonjiet għal refuġju f’Malta.

Qabel Malta kien hemm biss il-Greċja, Ċipru u l-Lussemburgu.

Kważi żewġ terzi tal-applikanti kienu ċittadini ta’ pajjiżi Afrikani, b’37.3% jkunu ċittadini Libjani. Proporzjon kbir tal-applikanti kienu rġiel bl-età tagħhom tvarja bejn it-18 u 34 sena.

Hawn kien hemm min staqsa: Jekk matul is-sena li għaddiet ma kienx hemm wasliet ta’ immigranti bilbaħar, ħlief għall-għoxrin li twasslu bil-ħelikopeters, minn fejn waslu dawk li qed jitolbu status ta’ refuġjat?

It-tweġiba hi li dawn daħlu f’Malta b’mezzi leċiti, fosthom mill-Italja, billi f’ċerti każi l-Awtoritajiet Taljani jagħtu speċi ta’ visa ta’ tliet xhur lil xi immigranti illegali li jidħlu fl-Italja, u permezz ta’ din il-visa jkunu jistgħu jivvjaġġjaw u jidħlu f’pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Imma sintendi il-Gvern Taljan dan ma tantx isemmih!

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Catholic Church to uphold the sanctity of confession

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It is a known fact, that under Church law, priests are bound by the seal of the confessional not to reveal what they are told or face automatic excommunication. he State of South Australia is to become the first state where priests will be legally obliged to report any confessions of child sexual abuse or face the possibility of a $10,000 fine. The move by that state government follows similar laws being passed in the Australian Capital Territory. The latest state with a similar declaration is Tasmania.

Under the new law, set to take effect in October, priests hearing confessions about child abuse will have a legal obligation to report the matter to the police.

According to Bishop Greg Kelly SJ, the Apostolic Administrator of Adelaide, “Politicians can change the law, but we can’t change the nature of the confessional, which is a sacred encounter be-

Bishop Greg Kelly SJ tween a penitent and someone seeking forgiveness and a priest representing Christ.

“It doesn’t affect us. We have an understanding of the seal of confession that is in the area of the sacred”. Bishop

O’Kelly told ABC Radio Adelaide.

New child protection laws passed last year – but made public recently by the state's Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman – removed an exemption for priests from mandatory reporting when the information was divulged during confession.

An Attorney-General’s Department spokesman said authorities intend to follow up instances where the law has been broken, and prosecution may result.

“Where there is clear evidence to indicate a minister of religion … has failed to abide by their mandatory reporting requirements, the matter would need to be investigated by authorities, with further action – including prosecution – taken as appropriate,” a statement read.

National apology to No discount for your child sex abuse victims citizenship

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he Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced the Federal government's sweeping response to the royal commission on institutional responses to child sex abuse, which uncovered widespread abuse of children in Australian churches, schools and youth groups.

The PM said the government would fully or partially accept 104 out of the commission's 122 recommendations for the federal government. One example was the recommendation to create

mandatory reporting rules, so priests would have to reveal crimes they heard about during confession.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the state and territory attorneys-general had agreed to standardise their laws on mandatory reporting. Once that work was done, the federal government would consider changes to the Uniform Evidence Act, which includes some protections for confessions. Mr Porter said the Act was never designed to protect confessions of crime.

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igrant pensioners, veterans and widows who receive Centrelink payments will soon have to pay full price when applying for Australian citizenship after Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton removed a regulation that offered them a discounted price. FEC chair Mary Patetsos Most people pay a $285 fee when they apply for citizenship, but disadvantaged pensioners and widows have long been granted a concession rate of $20 or $40.

The change mostly affects those who hold a pensioner concession card and receive certain welfare payments, including Newstart, the aged pension, the disability support pension or parenting payments.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities, which represents migrant groups in Australia, is calling for the change to be reversed. “This is a needless imposition,” chair Mary Patetsos told SBS News.

Greens senator Nick McKim said he would move a disallowance motion when parliament sits again and called on Labor and the crossbench to support him.

“It's an incredibly small-minded and vindictive move by this government,” Senator McKim told SBS News. The senator questioned why the government would close the concessions when only a small number of applicants applied for a discount.

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

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

Tuesday June 26, 2018

The Voice of the Maltese 17

NSW 2018 Budget - Money no problem

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usiness is booming and the Berejiklian Government says NSW residents will reap the rewards of one of the strongest state budgets on record for the delivery of frontline services. A budget preparing the electorate for a March 2019 State Election.

“Cultural catholicism” is a worry

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reland and Malta are considered the last bastions of Catholicism in the world, however, according to Irish Bishop Leo O’Reilly he had been “troubled in the weeks since the result” of the May 25 referendum that removed the pro-life Eight Amendment of the Irish constitution, allowing the legalisation of abortion in the country, calling his feelings “a mixture of shock and sadness”.

“Shock that so many of our people voted to remove an article from our Constitution which protected the lives of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society – unborn children. But the overwhelming feeling was one of sadness: Sadness that the culture of life that marked maternity care in Ireland, and that was so successful in protecting the lives of mothers and their unborn children, has now been fatally undermined,” Bishop O'Reilly said.

Over 66 percent of the electorate voted to change the constitution, and the Irish government has said that Catholic hospitals – which are government funded in Ireland – would be required to perform abortions.

Revelations about clerical sexual abuse have left public confidence in the Church at its lowest level in Irish history. In 2015, the country held a referendum on same-sex marriage in which 62 percent of the voters backed changing the constitution to allow the practice.

Bishop O’Reilly said there is a “new reality” in Ireland, where the Church is no longer “the dominant voice in society”.

“We have the reality that many are now cultural Catholics rather than Catholics by conviction. We understand now the words of St Pope John Paul II before he left Ireland in 1979 – that each new generation is a new continent to be won for Christ. Ireland is now a “mission territory,” the Church must focus on this, not “maintenance” he said.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet (pictured right) announced a budget surplus of $3.9 billion over 2017-2018 – revised up from the original $3.3 billion projection – making NSW the first state to have a net worth of a quarter of a trillion dollars a year earlier than expected.

While transfer duty revenues are $1 billion lower than expected in last year’s budget due to the premature cooling of the housing market, the government say finances remain in “ex- It was also revealed the public service cellent shape” with massive investments wage cap will remain at 2.5%. Meanin schools, hospitals and transport links. while, the efficiency dividend in the pubOne of the key Budget centrepieces just lic service has risen to 3% from 2 %. announced is a NSW Future Generations Fund to manage debt sustainability. The fund will be seeded by an initial $3 billion investment and up to half of the interest earned will be invested in helping communities across the state.

A new point of consumption he Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils wagering tax will collect $40 of Australia (FECCA) has made a submission to million in revenue in 2018-19 the Federal Government’s inquiry into the ‘competand $315 million in the three itive neutrality’ of Australia’s public broadcasters, years to 2021-22, bringing urging that SBS be retained in its current form.

NSW into line with other states The Chairperson of FECCA, Mary Patetsos said that are already taxing online that SBS television, radio and online broadcasting gambling operators. continue to embody a modern Multicultural AusThe government is spotlight- tralia.“These SBS services reflect a diverse and ening initiatives that reduce the riched Australia and FECCA believes that our cost of living for hardworking political leaders should ensure the continuation of NSW families, who could save SBS,” Ms Patetsos said. up to $1000 a year with a new “We urge organisations and individuals who are One-click Energy Switch tool committed to the future of a vibrant and vigorous SBS to deliver better energy deals to make a submission to the inquiry,” Ms Patetsos. for consumers. Voters will also FECCA is the national peak body representing Ausbe able to find savings through tralians from culturally and linguistically diverse Service NSW centres, which (CALD) backgrounds. Their role is to advocate and will become one-stop shop cost promote issues on behalf of their constituency to of living counters. government, business and the broader community.

In support of the future of a vibrant and vigorous SBS T

18 The Voice of the Maltese

inn din il-ħarġa se nibdew sensiela ta’ kitbiet M minn Alfred E. Baldacchino (fuq ix-xellug), magħruf f’Malta għall- imħabba lejn in-

natura u l-interess tiegħu fil-bijodiversita`, suġġetti li speċjalizza fihom wara studji u karriera twila li tulha serva f’għadd ta’ ħatriet li fihom seta’ juża l-eperjenza tiegħu fl-oqsma tax-xjenza ambjentali, u l-biodiversita`.

Għal 12-il sena okkupa l-kariga ta’ Segretarju Ġenerali tas-Soċjetà Ornitoloġika. Serva wkoll ta’ Ass. Direttur responsabbli mill-ħarsien talbiodiversità fid-Direttorat għall-Ħarsien talAmbjent.

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Alfred tella’ għadd ta’ programmi fuq it-televiżivi u fuq ir-radju u ppubblika għadd ta’ xogħlijiet popolari dwar in-natura. Illum hu involut fuq bażi personali fl-edukazzjoni, komunikazzjoni u tisħiħ tal-kuxjenza pubblika fuq il-biodiversità.

Alfred E. Baldacchino aċċetta l-istedina ta’ The Voice biex ikun jista’ jwassal lill-qarrejja, tagħrif dwar Għajdut, drawwiet u twemmin fil-gżejjer Maltin, u wara anke dwar aspetti oħra tan-natura, fosthom il-pjanti li jinstabu fil-gżejjer Maltin.

L-ewwel artiklu ta’ Alfred E. Baldacchino li se nibdew illum, se naqsmuh f’erba’ partijiet. Loħrajn jiġu ppubblikati fil-ħarġiet ta’ wara.

Għajdut, drawwiet u twemmin fil-Gżejjer Maltin (1)

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Alfred E.Baldacchino

eta l-bniedem rifes fuq il-gżejjer Maltin għall-ewwel darba, dawn kienu sinjuri fil-biodiversità, jiġifieri, fil-flora u l-fawna u lambjent naturali tagħhom. Madwar dan is-seher il-bniedem bena daru.

Minħabba li mhux dejjem kien jifhem dawn l-għeġubijiet tan-natura li saħħruh, madwarhom sawwar għadd ta’ stejjer dwar kif kien jifhem u kif kien jara dan il-wirt naturali.

Minbarra li l-biodiversità qdietu billi tatu l-ikel, kenn fuq rasu u l-ilbies biex jitgħatta, il-bniedem użaha wkoll biex jipprova jħares lil saħħtu u jbiegħed minnu l-ħażen u l-ispirti ħżiena. Il-biodiversità għenitu wkoll biex ibassar ittemp, u wkoll bħala mod ta’ pjaċir.

Dawn l-għajdut u d-drawwiet kollha dwar il-biodiversità li l-bniedem sawwar f’moħħu baqgħu neżlin bil-fomm minn xjuħ għat-tfal. Sal-lum niltaqgħu ma’ ħafna minn dawn l-għajdut, drawwiet u twemmin li huma kollha msawwra mal-biodiversità, uħud marbuta mal-mitoloġija u anke r-reliġjonijiet.

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Is-sriep s-sriep minn dejjem kellhom rabta kemm mar-reliġjonijiet, l-għajdut u wkoll mat-twemmin. Dan mhux f’pajjiżna biss imma wkoll madwar id-dinja.

Il-bniedem kien iħares lejn is-sriep bħala ħlejqiet li kellhom setgħa maġika u sopranaturali. Dan għaliex is-sriep jimxu bla ma għandhom saqajn, u fuq kull tip ta’ materjal, ħaxix u saħansitra anke jgħumu fl-ilma. Huma jaqbdu lpriża mingħajr għajnuna ta’ l-ebda driegħ.

Matul ħajjithom ibiddlu l-libsa qadima tagħhom billi joħorġu minnha u jidhru bi lwien aktar sbieħ. Huma jgħibu matul il-ġranet kesħin tax-xitwa u jerġgħu jitfaċċaw fir-rebbiegħa. Uħud minnhom għandhom is-saħħa li joqtlu anki l-bniedem, jew inkella jġibu lmard b’gidma waħda.

Kulturi differenti tal-bniedem wasslu li bdew iħarsu lejn is-sriep b’mod ferm differenti, dejjem skont il-kultura li l-bniedem jitla’ fiha. Hemm min għandu stima kbira lejhom; oħrajn jistmerruhom.

Ngħidu aħna, fil-qedem l-Ażteki flAmerika Ċentrali kienu jaduraw is-serp għaliex kienu jqisuh bħala l-im- għallem tal-ħajja. Anke xi kulturi Afri-kani kienu jaduraw serp, il-piton tal-Afrika, u kienu jqisuh delitt li xi ħadd joqtol wieħed minnhom. L-Aboriġini Awstaljani kienu jqisu serp li jinstab fl-Awstralja bħala rabta mal-ħolqien tal-ħajja[1].

Fil-mitoloġija Griega, Merkurju, il-messaġġier tal-allat, kien iġorr għasluġ li madwaru kellu żewġt isriep. Din il-kultura Griega kienet tħares lejn is-serp b’rabta ma’ poteri mediċinali. Dan għax skont il-kultura Griega, il-medi-ċina issejset meta l-alla grieg tal-me-diċina Askepju kien ra serp li kien jieħu pjanti mediċinali biex ifejjaq serp ieħor lura għall-ħajja. Dan wassal biex illum is-simbolu tal-mediċina moderna hu magħmul minn żewġt isriep imdawra ma’ għasluġ.

Ir-Rumani, bħall-Griegi, kienu jqisu serp ta’ Askepju bħala simbolu tassaħħa u kienu jeħduh magħhom biex jitilquh ħdejn il-banjijiet fil-pajjiżi kolonji tagħhom. Kien serp li kien imħares mir-Rumani.

Imma kulturi oħra, bħal dik tagħna, Ġudeo-Kristjana, iħarsu lejn is-serp b’mod kompletament differenti. Wieħed ma jkunx qed jgħid xejn ħażin meta jgħid li dan in-nuqqas ta’ rispett f’din il-kultura tagħna jiġi muri lejn il-ħlejjaq kollha li ħalaq il-Ħallieq.

Dan narawh mill-ewwel rakkont miktub dwar il-waqa’ tal-bniedem u t-telfa tal-Ġenna tal-Art. Kollu tort ta’ serp li minħabba fih il-bniedem safa’ mkeċċi mill-ġnien tal-Eden.

U b’din il-kultura ta’ nuqqas ta’ apprezzament, is-sriep huma mistmerra.

Dan it-twemmin f’pajjiżna bla dubju kompla ssaħħaħ bir-rakkont fl-Atti talAppostli dwar il-miġja ta’ San Pawl filgżejjer Maltin – rabta diretta marbuta mar-religjon u ma’ San Pawl, li kif jingħad ġabilna l-fidi f’pajjiżna.

Naqraw flAtti tal-Appostli[2] li fis-sena 60 wara Is-simKristu, waqt bolu taltempesta kbira, mediċina il-ġifen li fuqu moderna kien hemm San Pawl, inkalja lart f’pajjiżna. Kif naqraw fl-Atti miktuba minn San Luqa, San Pawl u dawk kollha miegħu fuq il-ġifen, għamu lejn l-art u kollha salvaw.

Kif hemm miktub, li biex jisħnu ftit mill-kesħa tqabbad xi nar. Meta San Pawl tefa’ xi għesieleġ fin-nar ħarġet lifgħa u qabdet ma’ idu.

Meta n-nies indiġeni raw li San Pawl ma ġralu xejn, min dakinhar ’l hawn, ilMaltin bdew jemmnu li minħabba li San Pawl ma waqax mejjet wara li qabdet miegħu lifgħa, allura neħħa l-velenu mis-sriep. Din nisimgħuha anki f’xi prietki u paneġierki fil-festa ta’ San Pawl, li jagħtu aktar saħħa lil dan it-twemmin.

Dan hu r-riżultat ta’ nuqqas ta’ edukazzjoni u tagħrif xjentifku ta’ min jaħseb hekk. U dan wassal ukoll biex is-sriep intrabtu max-xitan, mal-ħażen u maddnub. U dan mhux f’pajjiżna biss, imma wkoll fl-Irlanda, li huwa pajjiż Kattoliku bħalna, fejn hemm it-twemmin li San Patriżju tefa’ is-sriep kollha f’għadira kbira. Fl-Irlanda m’hemmx sriep.

Il-lifgħa, u tlett isriep oħra li huma indiġeni għall-gżejjer Maltin, m’humiex endemiċi, jiġifieri ma jinstabux biss filgżejjer Maltin. Imma jistabu wkoll filpajjiżi Mediterranji tal-madwar. U dawn is-sriep indiġeni qatt ma kienu velenużi; qatt ma kellhom il-boroż f’ħalqhom li jkun fihom il-velenu b’saħħtu daqshekk li jista’ joqtol bniedem[1] [3].

Referenzi 1. Baldacchino, A.E., Schembri, P.J. (2002) Amfibji, rettili u mammiferi fil-gżejjer Maltin.

Malta: (Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza Pin) 2. Atti tal-Appostli 28: 1-6 3. Savona Ventura, C. (1990) Maltese Medical Folklore – Man and the Herpetofauna in Malta: a reiew. In: Maltese Medical Journal. II: 41 1990

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Parti mill-mistednin li attendew għall-kommemorazzjoni tas-7 ta’ Ġunju f’Pendle Hill NSW. Jidhru wkoll, l-MC George Bartolo u fl-isfond il-kor Malti.

Is-7 ta’ Ġunju: Il-komunita` Maltija

fi NSW tfakkar il-Jum storiku/traġiku

G

ħal darb’oħra l-komunita` Maltija fl-Awstralja nġabret f’Civic Park Pendle Hill NSW biswit il-Bicentennial Monument biex tfakkar il-ġrajja storika iżda mdallma tas-7 ta’ Ġunju 1919. Quddiem flolla mdaqqsa f’għodwa xitwija, il-Kunsill tal-Komunita Maltija ta’ NSW fakkar il-ġrajja tal-irwellijiet kontra l-Inglizi, f’jum li f’Malta huwa wieħed milljiem Nazzjonali.

Il-President tal-MCC Emanuel Cammileri fetaħ l-attivita` b’diskors li tulu semma dak li kien seħħ fit-toroq talbelt Valletta 99 sena ilu, filwaqt li fiddiskors ewlieni għall-okkażjoni, Mark Caruana mhux biss tkellem storika-

ment dwar Malta tal-imgħoddi izda wkoll fisser bir-reqqa l-ħolqa bejn dawk il-ġrajjiet u l-emigrazzjoni minn Malta. Hu wkoll ta deskrizzjoni dettaljata tal-istorja tal-monument li biswitu saret din iċ-ċelebrazzjoni.

Instema’ wkoll leħen il-President ta’ Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca f’messaġġ speċjali rrekordjat li ta’ kull sena tibgħat għal din l-okkażjoni. Il-kor tal-Għaqda Kulturali Maltija taħt id-direzzjoni ta’ Peter Bartolo żied isebbaħ din iċ-ċerimonja b’kant popolari Malti.

Fl-aħħar, rappreżentanti tal-għaqdiet Maltinu u mistednin speċjali ippreżentaw fjura, simbolu ta’ rispett u ta’ tifkira quddiem ir-ritratti tal-erba’

Mix-xellug: Ray Bigeni, Lawrence Buhagiar, il-Konslu Ġenerali ta’ Malta fi NSW, Vicki Micallef, Josephine Bigeni, M’Anne Teuma u Dr Geoffrey Hunt.

eroj Maltin vittmi tas-suldati Inglizi dakinhar tal-irvelijiet, Manwel Attard, Guzeppi Bajada, Carmelo Abela u Lorenzo Dyer li sfaw maqtula.

Il-Konslu Ġenerali ta’ Malta fi NSW, Lawrence Buhagiar għalaq is-serata b’diskors qasir li fih faħħar din l-inizjattiva storika barra x-xtut ta’ Malta.

Għall-okkażjoni kien hemm preżenti wkoll il-Membru Federali Julie Owens MP, Julia Finn MP Membru Statali, isSindku ta’ Cumberland Council Cr Greg Cummings u Cr Lisa Lake, kif ukoll il-President ta’ Merrylands RSL Ron Hand.

Il-lejla tmexxiet b’mod effiċjenti minn George Bartolo.

Imfakkra storja ta’ niket f’Għawdex

a’ min jagħti tifħira specjali lixT Xaghra Association ta’ NSW għall-inizjattiva li ħadu biex jiġi va-

rat il-ktejjeb The Siege of Gozo 1551 – a ballad tal-Għawdxi Ganni Cremona waqt ċerimonja fic-Ċentru talKunsill tal-Komunita`Maltija f’ Parramatta West.

Din il-ġrajja miktuba li ġiet maqluba għall-Ingliz minn Dr Geoffry Hull, Malti tal-Egittu b’dixxendenza Maltija minn naħa t’ommu, li kien ukoll preżenti għall-okkażjoni għamel diskors li fih fisser kif svolġa dan l-assedju, grajja ta’ niket fl-istorja tal-gżira Għawdxija.

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 26, 2018

ktar regoli u tagħrif uffiċjali dwar kif wieħed għandu jikteb il-Malti. Dan skont Akif maħruġ mill-Kummissjoni fi ħdan l-Akkademja tal-ilsien Malti f’Malta.

EZEMPJI TA’ PRONOMI MEHMUŻIN MA’ VERBI Il-Pronom ikompli) Minn: Kiteb: kitibni (kitib-ni), kitbek (kitb-ek), kitbu (kitb-u(h)), kitibha (kitibha), kitibna (kitib-na), kitibkom (kitib-kom), kitibhom (kitib-hom).

Minn Samagħ: semagħni (semagħ-ni), semgħek (semgħ-ek), semgħu (semgħu(h), se-magħha (semagħ-ha), semagħna (semagħ-na), semagħkom (semagħ-kom), semagħhom (semagħ-hom).

Minn Ferragħ: erragħni (ferragħ-ni), ferrgħek (ferrgħ-ek), ferrgħu (ferrgħ-u(h)) ferragħha (ferragħ-ha) ferragħna (ferragħ-na), ferragħkom (ferragħ -kom), ferragħhom (ferragħ-hom). ̇ġibed: ġbidtni, ġbidtek, ġibidha, ġbidtu, ġbidtna, ġbidtkom, ġbidthom, ġibduni, ġibduk, ġibduh, ġibduha, ġibduna, ġibdukom, ġibduhom.

Minn dawn l-eżempji nieħdu: (1) Illi f’dawk il-verbi li għandhom l-aħħar konsonanti għ bħala għerq il-kelma, il-pronom h jingħaqad fil-leħen ta’ ħ mtennija jew ħħ. Ara: ferra(għ) li jsemma’ ferraħħa, ferraħħom.

Biegħ li jsemma’ bieħħa, bieħħom, bħal minn magħ, tagħ insemmgħu maħħa, taħħom. Dan it-tagħqid ma jinħass b’xejn fit-tehmiż tal-pronom h (= u) li jagħmel ferrgħu, biegħu,

bħalma inqas jinħass fil-kliem miegħu, tiegħu.

Inqisu madankollu li niktbu sewwa ferragħha, ferragħhom, biegħha, biegħhom. (Ara Għadd 45 – itTieni Taqsima).

(2) Il-pronom h mehmuż filkliem: ġibduh, serquh, ħaduh, jibqa’ h. Jinstema’ ħ il-għaliex il-vokali ta’ qablu għandha laċċent fuqha. (Ara Għadd 59 – it-Tieni Taqsima). Hekk ukoll fîh, bîh, għalîh, staqsîh (li minnhom innisslu l-femminil fiha, biha, għaliha, staqsiha) li jinstemgħu fiħ, biħ, għaliħ, staqsiħ għax qabel l-h hemm il-vokali îbl-aċċent twil.

EZEMPJI TA’ PRONOMI MEHMUŻIN MA NOMI Minn: Riġel: riġli, riġlek, riġlu, riġilha, riġilna, riġilkom, riġilhom. (Ara Għadd 61 – it- Tieni Taqsima).

Riġlejn: riġlejja, riġlejk, riġlejh, riġlejha, riġlejna, riġlejkom, riġlejhom.

T.ċ. (1) L-aħħar konsonanti n ta’ kliem bil-għadd imżewweġ, meta l-kelma tinhemeżmal-pronom, taqa’.

(2) L-ismijiet li jispiċcȧ w bl-ittra a tal-femminil, li mhix ħaġ’oħra ħlief il-he jew te marbuta, ibiddlu l-a f’t u għalhekk minn kelma(h), werqa(h), ħofra(h) għandna kelmti, werqti, ħoforti; kelmtu, werqtu, ħofortu; kelmtha, kelmtek, kelmtu, kelmtkom, kelmthom, eċċ.

Printed copies of The Voice of the Maltese available at your home by mail

Important Notice

Aktar regoli u tifsir fil-ħarġa li jmiss.

to the readers of The Voice

W

e are now in a position to arrange for you to receive a printed full-colour hard copy of The Voice of the Maltese at home every fortnight (24 publications) at the low cost of $120.

(Australia only, other countries by request).

A printed copy would be an ideal present for mum, dad or a relative who either do not have Internet access or are not computer literate.

If interested, contact us on: maltesevoice@gmail.com for further information.

We are not only an online publication, but also print on demand.

T

he Voice of the Maltese wishes to thank the many readers that have responded to our request to confirm their email address. The replies with added messages of encouragement have been overwhelming.

However, there are others who have not as yet replied. Therefore as we are in the process of updating our database, readers are kindly requested to tell us if they still want to receive The Voice, the only magazine in circulation dedicated to all the Maltese in the diaspora.

The request is still open. Therefore please confirm as soon as possible with your full name, your email address and locality/country or state to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

If you neglect to advise us we may have to delete your name from our database.

The Administration

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday June 26, 2018

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

The Ċittadini

present direct from Malta:

(100 Jackson Street, Marsden Park NSW 2765)

Rock $ Roll Night

San Gejtanu Festa DINNER DANCE

Saturday August 11 at 6.p.m.

3-course meal, drinks included.

TICKETS: Members $55; Guests $60 FIREWORKS on Sunday 12 (Free event) For tickets, and more details contact: Joe Borg 0414 429 391; or Rita (0409 640 164)

Presents

The Feasts of Saints Peter & Paul: Festa L’Imnarja & Lejla fil-Buskett

At: The Good Shepherd Parish Hall 130-136 Hyatts Rd Plumpton NSW On Sunday July 1

Ħamrun Club

July 21 at 6 p.m. Entry fee $5 DJ: Zarby’s Entertainment Contact:s George Zahra (040743465) or Albert & John Zarb (0420324429)

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee

Malta’s Queen of Country Music

Also brilliant comedy by The Cittadini: Is-Senduq in Sydney on October 14 at 2pm at the Wentworthville League 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

Community Wheels Inc.

Arts & Crafts, Entertainment & Agriculture Displays will start at 1.30pm till 6pm All Exhibitors are welcome.

If a stall is required please contact the President: Emmanuel Vella on 0405 677 064 There will be Music & Singing featuring: The Heartbeats. A short Comedy Sketch Maltese food, drinks, tea & coffee available for purchase.

Jumping Castle for the kids ENTRANCE FREE, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME More information: the President on 0405 677 064; or PRO: Jacqui Isagon on 0433 320 944

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

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.

Be better informed and prepare for your future

Another information session on Wednesday August 15 at La Valette Social Centre 175 Walters Road Blacktown NSW at 7.30 pm (after the mass at the Chapel) Subject: Highlight of the Federal Budget 2018 Downsizing your Home: Is this the right move for you?

Guest speaker: Ms Marie-Louise Muscat (Fiducian Financial Services) Free entrance Organised by the Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 26, 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

Sp or t s.. on 2 pages

Tuesday June 12, 2018

Successful end to 39th MEDI Games Malta 2018

I

MariaVellaGalea

f there ever was a great show of friendship and sports, then the 39th World Medical and Health Games (Medigames) that Malta hosted over a period of one week, was a true testament of such Despite some very healthy competition between the 1,400 participating athletes, there were strong displays of sportsmanship where struggling athletes were helped and encouraged by their colleagues who ensured they finished their competition, with a smile.

The Games kicked off with the Parade of Nations on Sunday 17th, with the participation of a local Brass Band to Buġibba Square where they were welcomed by Ms Anne Marie Fenech (Mayor, St. Paul’s Bay), Dr Lucienne Attard (Secretary of the Maltese Sports Medicine and Exercise Association) and Dr Alain Seynaeve, a French Doctor who was one of the speakers of the International Sport Medicine Symposium held as part of the event.

The ceremony concluded with the official Oath of the Games that was read by five athletes representing Malta, Chile, Italy, France and Germany.

Local sporting facilities such as the National Sports School, the University Sports Hall, National Swimming Pool Complex, Football complexes at Luxol, Melita and Ta’ Qali, hosted the events. Open spaces such as Buskett Gardens and Miżieb Woodland, Salina Coast Road, Rabat, Mdina, and Dingli showcased the beauty of Malta in lesser-known locations for visitors.

Competitions took place throughout the week and full programme of morning and afternoon events were held in various locations of the island, including Gozo, which hosted

Ivan Esposito (right) and his son Alex during the Sailing Races in Marsamxett. They won seven of the eight races

last race of the cycling circuit at Nadur.

Malta fielded a total of 75 athletes, while six others, well known individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and are also active within their field of play were nominated by their respective Federations as Sports Ambassadors.

They included Victor Calvagna (Triathlon), Ivan Esposito (Judo), Joseph Castillo (Judo), David Debono (Golf), Mario Mifsud (Powerlifting) and Jessica Pace (Table Tennis).

Suffice to say that they all performed extremely well with most of them taking podium places and a number of medals home.

Ivan Esposito, competed in Judo and Sailing. In the Sailing event his son Alex joined him. The father-and-son duo proved to be the team to beat, winning seven of the eight

races.

“Overall the two-day regatta was a great opportunity for medical professionals from all over the world to compete in a relaxed atmosphere made even better by the beautiful setting of Marsamxett Harbour. The Royal Malta Yacht Club were superb hosts for the event with great logistical support from their coaches” Ivan Esposito, winner of a Gold Medal (Sailing), and a Silver (Judo Category C), said.

The Games also gave Maltese athletes the opportunity to compete against international athletes, some of whom have a substantial amount of games’ participation under the belt. Despite the strong competition, Maltese athletes fared well in their respective with some household names etching their names in the Games history.

The event could not have been so successful had it not been for the assistance given to the organising Committee by a number of local sports associations, Local Councils and other Government and private entities, sporting or otherwise.

Jonathan Barbara, Sports Events CoOrdinator told The Voice of the Maltese: “The Games were a superb opportunity to showcase the Maltese islands and the potential they have to organise events of such calibre and scale.

“Malta lends itself well to such competition as apart from offering scenic routes, the island is lucky to have a number of people whose passion for their sport is transmitted into the way they organise events”.

Left: Members of Team Malta at the Parade of Nations prior to the start of the MEDI Games

24 The Voice of the Maltese

S po r ts.. on 2 pages

T

Holders back from the brink

England get biggest win

he FIFA World Cup has not been kind to its defending champions in recent years as four of the last four holders prior to the 2018 edition, three failed to make it out of the group stage, while the fourth - Brazil in 2006 exited at the quarter-finals.

For a time on Saturday it seemed Germany would continue that miserable run, as they headed towards a second successive defeat that would have confirmed Sweden and Mexico's places in the last 16. But the Germans are a football nation made of stern stuff, and despite falling behind and going down to ten men in the closing stages, Joachim Low's side battled back to claim a mem-

Tuesday June 26, 2018

Russia World Cup: Group stage: RESULTS SO FAR Group E Group A: Russia v Saudi Arabia 5 -0 Costa Rica v Serbia 0-1 1-1 Uruguay v Egypt 1-0 Brazil v Switzerland 2-0 Russia v Egypt 3-1 Brazil v Costa Rica Uruguay v Saudi Arabia 1-0 Serbia v Switzerland 1-2 Group F Group B 0-1 Iran v Morocco 1-0 Germany v Mexico Portugal v Spain 3-3 Sweden v South Korea1-0 Portugal v Morocco 1-0 Germany v Sweden 2-1 Spain v Iran 1-0 Mexico v South Korea 2-1 Group A Group C 3-0 France v Australia 2-1 Belgium v Panama 2-1 Peru v Denmark 0-1 England v Tunisia 5-2 France v Peru 1-0 Belgium v Tunisia 6-1 Denmark v Australia 1-1 England v Panama Group H Group D 1-2 Argentina v Iceland 1-1 Poland v Senegal 1-2 Croatia v Nigeria 2-0 Colombia v Japan 2-2 Argentina v Croatia 0-3 Japan v Senegal 0-3 Nigeria v Iceland 2-0 Poland v Colombia

orable win with the decisive goal coming 18 seconds short of the five minutes allotted for time wasting.

While Germany inevitably dominated the headlines in the first 10 days of the tournament, one could witness stellar displays from three of this tournament's most impressive and in-form sides, Belgium, England and Tunisia.

Belgium’s performance in the 5-1 win over Tunisia strengthened claims that Belgium could challenge for the Trophy, so too did England, who obtained the biggest win so far, 6-1

against Panama, and Mexico after victories over Germany and Sth Korea. The tournament continues.

Argentina, one of the firm favourites are a great diswith another 3-1 away loss against leaders Altona appointment, still without Magic who took the lead after 28 minutes. The Geor- a win after two matches. gies equalised within a minute through Ben Mam- But they have been given mone for 1-1 at half-time. The Magic added two more a lifeline by Nigeria who beat Iceland and if they from Jon McShane (58th and 85th). beat Nigeria, and Croatia n NSW Parramatta FC suffered two successive defat Iceland, theystand a defeats, the first 1-0 against Rydalmere FC, and on chance of qualifying.

A World Cup record was Sunday were thrashed 5-0 in the “Match of the Round” established with the first Maltese Derby away by Mounties Wanderers.

The Mounties took a half time lead after just 10 min- 32 matches at Russia 2018 utes., and goalkeeper Giglio rescued the Eagles on nu- having now passed withmerous occasions. Parramatta made most of the out a single goalless draw attacks after that but barely threatened. Against the - beating the record of 26 run of play Mounties scored two quick goals (75th set in 1954.

The first 32 matches have and 79th min) and then scored two more to demolish produced 85 goals. the visitor to leave the Eagles struggling.

Gloom and Doom for “Maltese” teams in Victoria, NSW

I

t was a disappointing weekend for the “Maltese” football teams in Victoria and NSW. Green Gully and Sunshine George Cross in Melbourne, and Parramatta Melita Eagles in NSW all lost.

Green Gully went down 3-2 at home to Dandenong Thunder in their seventh successive match without a win. They conceded first after two minutes, but levelled through Mitch Cooper (13th minute) and went ahead before half time through an Elmazovski own goal. Brendan Barnes equalised for the visitors (62nd min) and scored the winner four minutes from time.

Earlier Green Gully rescued a point in a 1-1 draw against bottom team Bulleen Lions who took a first half lead. Both sides had chances, and Gully drew level through Jason Hicks in the 88th minute.

The misery for Sunshine George Cross continued

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GB tops medals table at end of ISSF World Cup in Malta he fifth stage of the 2018 ISSF World Cup Series that took Azmy Mehelba (silver) and Italy’s Gabriele Rossetti (bronze).

T place at the Malta National Shooting Ranges in Siggiewi (Ta’ TRAP MEN: The gold went to Great Britain’s Aaron Heading Kandja) June 5-15, ended with Britain finishing two gold medals (also his second in his career). China’s Du Yu won the silver and The Individual Gold Medal winners (from left): Vincent Hancock, Amber Hill, Aaron Heading and Satu Makela-Nummela

to take first place in medals standing, while USA’s two-time Olympic Champion Vincent Hancock completed his hat-trick in in the skeet adding it to the ones he claimed earlier this year in Guadalajara (MEX) and Changwon (KOR).

The competition saw 402 shooters from 61 nations compete in the five Shotgun events – men’s Trap and Skeet, women’s Trap and Skeet, Trap Mixed Team – piling up a total of 478 starts. The USA one gold and one silver, while Slovakia’s tally of one gold and one bronze brought them up to the 3rd place.

The medals were won by: SKEET: Vincent Hancock (USA) won the gold ahead of Egypt’s

Slovakia’s Marian Kovacocy the bronze.

TRAP WOMEN: Gold went to Satu Makela-Nummela (Finland), while Katrin Quooss (Germany) and Ekaterina Rabaya (Russia) won the silver and the bronze respectively.

SKEET WOMEN: Amber Hill of Great Britain was the first to win a gold medal at the event. Silver went to Amber English (USA0 and bronze to Donglian Zhang (China) TRAP MIXED TEAM: Slovakia 1 (Zuzana Rehak Stefecekova/Erik Varga) won the gold ahead of silver medallists Italy 2 (Silvana Stanco/Emanuele Buccolieri). Italy 1 (Jessica Rossi/Giovanni Pellielo) won the bronze.