The Voice of the Maltese No.212 by The Voice of the Maltese

Issue 212

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

Fortnightly Fortnight ly magazine for the Diaspora

The President of Malta HE George Vella lets his paternal instinct take the better of him and falls to the charm of some of the children under the care of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus in Rome during the visit he and his delegation recently made to the Vatican and Rome where he primarily had a private audience with Pope Francis (right) and later also held talks with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. (See report on page 13)

September 24, 2019

2 The Voice of the Maltese President George Vella (centre) flanked by, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (left), and the Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia at the Independence monument in Floriana

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Malta commemorates 55th Anniversary of Independence

aturday September 21 was a public holiday in Malta marking the 55th anniversary of Independence, one of Malta’s five National Days that was established in 1964 when, following centuries of foreign occupation it became a sovereign state. As is the norm, on this day the highest authorities of the country, President George Vella, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia saluted Independent Malta with the laying of wreaths at the Floriana monument that commemorates the event. Before the laying of wreath ceremony, the authorities, members of Parliament and members of the Diplomatic Corps attended a Pontifical Mass that was celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna at St John’s Co-Cathedral. The Archbishop also delivered a homily in which he pointed out the duty of Malta to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights. He recalled those at the helm of the country to uphold a policy as a service and that accountability demands that they are subjected to public scrutiny. He said Independence Day should challenge Maltese citizens to develop “a true sense of the state” and for voters to grow out of what he called the “atavistic sense of entitlement at the hand of a benevolent despot” – a reference to Malta’s colonial past – and instead take up the challenge to be co-stewards in the running of the state. Referring to the phenomenon of irregular migration in the Mediterranean, he said, “This globalisation of care should encourage us to play an active part on the international stage to promote a true sense of fraternity among nations.”

PM inaugurates first phase of €70m. Marsa Junction Project

n the eve of the 55th anniversary of Independence, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat officially opened the first phase of the €70 million Marsa Junction project, two flyovers structures of the seven scheduled and described the occasion as a fitting gift of a different kind to Malta and its people on this important day. Dr Muscat said that the project was not possible without the surplus that Malta was achieving, and that when the project is completed it will equate to much less traffic, and a better quality of life. He commending all those contributing to this project, particularly Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg for his leadership in this important sector as well as Infrastructure Malta for the way in which it is delivering such projects. He augured more progress and looked ahead towards more advancement in this multi-million project. The two flyovers, connecting Aldo Moro road to Giuseppe Garibaldi road stand four storeys high making the structure the highest flyover in the country.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (second right), Minister Ian Borg (extreme right) and MTA officials at the inauguration of the first phase of the Marsa Junction project

Tuesday September 24 2019

The Voice of the Maltese 3

National dignity Viva Malta!

This is the third part of a series of articles about the Maltese heroes who gave their all so that our homeland in the Mediterranean could become what it is today. A history to be proud of, to celebrate, and one that must recognise the magnificent contribution made by our ancestors.

Maltese heroes remain un-named

ne great issue I take with the history of Malta as it walls and moving equipment has been written and portrayed, and especially of and ammunition to where it the period during the Great Siege was the seeming was most needed. None of the lack of recognition of the Maltese who played such a sig- names of the women or children have been retained. They nificant part in the defence of the Islands. At the time, leading up to the time of the siege, the popu- have been lost to history. One of the very few Maltese lation of the Islands was somewhere in the vicinity of 30,000. Given that a number of Maltese who could afford named by Balbi was 'Bajada' it had abandoned the islands and fled to Sicily when they whose first name was unrealised the Ottoman invasion was imminent, it is reason- known. Perhaps significantly, able to assume that the population on the island at the time perhaps coincidentally, the of the landing of the invasion forces would have been name Bajada also pops up as a leader of the Sette Giugno somewhere in the vicinity of 25,000. AndyBusuttil Every man, woman and child on the island had been movement. A family name to withdrawn to the main fortifications of St Michael and St be proud of! However, when Angelo with a number of able bodied Maltese men being you consider that there were originally, according to Balbi, sent to St Elmo to defend it with the knights and 'regular 3,000 Maltese frontline troops at the beginning of the siege there must also be a recognition that among them would soldiers' posted to the fort. In his book The Siege of Malta 1565, Francisco Balbi di Cor- have been many, many heroes. Not only that, the ranks of the defenders would have been reggio detailed the defences on the island and the makeup added to by the of the defensive forces. On a number other Maltese men of occasions he mentions the ferocity Painting by Matteo Perez d' who were previof the Maltese men who defended Aleccio, of the arrival of the ously farmers, boat against and attacked the invaders Turkish fleet to Malta builders, fisherwhen the opportunity and the need men, stonemasons arose. and carpenters Balbi also mentions the women and who would have children who were engaged in frontwillingly picked line defence of the fortifications as up arms to defend well as in supporting and resourcing their homeland the troops engaged in the fighting. and their families Their role was often preparing and friends. weapons of war such as the incendiIt is fair to say that ary hoops, boiling oil and water and without the men, stones that were dropped on the women and chilenemy when they approached the dren of Malta and the sister island of Gozo who put everything on the line in A map of Valletta and the cities the siege, the defence would have never over the Harbour that succeeded. Yet their names, the names of were in the thick of the battle those who had prevented the whole of the during the Great Siege of 1565 world's history from changing have been lost to perpetuity. *to be continued

The Maltese fought alongside the Knights to defend the island

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Q. My aunt is in an aged care facility and her health his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese has been deteriorating fast. She still has her home, as in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Finanshe did not wish to sell it thinking she may be able to move back there. I am her executor and was wonder- cial Services helps our readers understand the complexities asing if we sold the house now whether this would save sociated with financial planning. If you need more advice send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. on capital gains tax. Can you advise please? I have house. A. . If your aunt has left the house vacant this would still be treated as her home. You money sitting in therefore have two years from her passing a term deposit to sell the house without triggering capital earning very litgains tax. Therefore if she does not wish to tle. I wish to gift sell it do not make her do it. Also once the him $50,000 in house is sold while she is living in aged order to ease his care, she will have all that cash which burden. Can I do this? could increase her means tested fee. Q. I am a widower in the process of A. Yes you can gift downsizing. My house has just been your son any sold and I will be moving into a retire- amount of money ment village next month. I should have you wish. Howaround $500,000 of surplus funds. I ever only $10,000 have been told I can invest these sur- will be treated as plus funds in superannuation. Is this a gift. The remaining $40,000 will continue to count as your grandchild. In this way you can control correct? assets for the next five years by Centrelink. this account and nobody else can touch A. Yes you are able to invest $300,000 Your part pension however should not be it. If you open the account in the grand(maximum) of these surplus funds into su- affected if Centrelink are already aware of child’s name she will have tax to pay in a perannuation. You need to have been liv- this term deposit. few years’ time. ing in your home at least 10 years. The If you open it in her parents’ name than Q. I have just become a grandmother house needs to have been valued more they can access these funds at any time. than the $300,000 that you are investing and wish to open a bank account for my Having the account in your name in trust in super. You also need to invest these grandchild. I plan to invest $10 a week for her gives you full control of it. funds in superannuation within 90 days of in this account so that I will build it up for her future. Should I open this ac- Q. I am on the full age pension. My settlement. count in her name or in her parents’ daughter and her husband are strugQ. I am a part pensioner and live in my name. gling with their mortgage repayments. own home. I have only one son, and he They both lost their jobs a few weeks ago has just gone through a divorce and at A. I would recommend that you open this and my son-in-law has not been able to 60 had to get a mortgage to buy a account in your name in trust for your find a job yet. They are living on one income and it is making it very hard for them to meet their mortgage repayments as their surplus funds have been used up. I have a reverse mortgage but have used up very little of the amount that was offered to me. Can I use say, $10,000 from the reverse mortgage to help them or will this affect my age pension entitlement? A. If you are only planning to give them $10,000 this could be treated as a gift and you are allowed to do this. If you decided to increase the amount, Centrelink will treat the rest of the funds as if you had cash sitting in the bank. The house is not an asset but if funds are withdrawn from it and are gifted to others or maintained in a bank account they will then be treated as an asset and can affect your age pension entitlement. However this would depend of what your current assets are. A single pensioner can have $258,500, not including their home, before their pension is affected.

Q&A

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

The migrant, the soccer fanatic and the editor

Tuesday September 24, 2019

The Voice of the Maltese 5

he contribution to the history of the Maltese migrants in Australia by Lino Vella has been unique. Throughout the pages of The Maltese Herald (1961-2013), many chapters have been added to the general post-war migration in Australia, a research tool that lamentably has been largely neglected. Without much of a formal education, Lino Vella was the editor of The Maltese Herald for forty-one years, until this “institution” closed publication for the last time on April 2013. He was perhaps the longest-serving editor of any newspaper, anywhere.

Carmelo (Lino) Vella) AM, MQR

ino was born on September 22, 1936, at Raħal Gdid (Paola), the eldest of five sons and three daughters. When he was three his family moved to Birżebbuġa. During the war a bomb demolished their house. He was also involved in a nasty accident where he broke his jaw and the sole of his foot. In 1945 the family moved to St Julian’s, and his first employment was with his father at the NAAFI. Unable to run properly because of his earlier mishap when he broke one of his ankles, Lino took up the pivotal role of a goalkeeper. He was also a good swimmer and played waterpolo with the Balluta Waterpolo Club. His decision to migrate in November 1954 was influenced by his father, post-war poverty and the air-raid destruction of Malta. With his best friend Tony Gambin and Tony’s mother Ruby, sister to well known Maltese politician Guze Ellul Mercer, they sailed on the m/v Sydney and settled in Balmain NSW. Lino tried his hand at many jobs, moving from one factory to another until he settled with Olympic Tyre at Roseberry where he stayed for six years. Settlement for Lino and the Gambins was not easy. From St Julian’s to suburban city living was indeed a traumatic experience. CUSA House was the hub of Catholic social activities and many young Maltese regularly attended, among them Lino and Barbara Platel an English smart lass on holiday in Sydney. They fell in love and married at St Mary’s Cathedral in November 1957. Bestman at Lino’s wedding was Tony Gambin, who eventually returned to Malta. Also present at the wedding was his life-long friend Lawrence Dimech, the dynamic duo who introduced and nurtured Maltese journalism in Australia. Barbara Vella, a popular and hard-working member of the Maltese community in her own right, passed away in July 2003. Lino and Barbara had settled in Bankstown. Their son Paul was born in 1959 and in 1960 had a second child Annette. Five years later they went to England but and after an unforgettable 11 months in Malta and UK they returned to Sydney. Football and a career in journalism were intrinsically linked. He started kicking a round ball in his native St Julian’s (Sliema). Frankie Tabone (of Floriana Ajax fame) then Birkirkara’s coach gave him his first senior chance. When he arrived in Sydney in late December 1954 Lino went to Queens Park to watch Malta Eagles play and was signed on instantly. He served the Eagles as player, coach and administrator

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

and earned the prestigious role of life member. Lino Vella held minor roles at The Maltese Herald until 1971, and when the then editor Lawrence Dimech accepted a position as Migration Attaché with the Malta High Commission, in 1972 he became a full-time editor and remained in this position until 2013. Lino Vella held several high profile government positions with the Australian Government, such as the Social Security Consultative Council and Australia Day Committee. He was also the President of the Australian Soccer Press Association and the Ethnic Media Council of Australia, and for 15 years he presented the sports segment on 2EA (SBS radio). He was awarded the Maltese Achiever award, the De Vilhena Award and the Maltese Cultural Award, but his highest award came in January 1999 when the Federal Government appointed him Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australian Day Honour List. He is one of the few Maltese accorded this high award (AM). In 2006 the St Julian Municipal Council Malta awarded him Gieħ San Ġiljan. Lino has donated all the copies of The Maltese Herald in bound ledgers by years of publication to the Maltese Community Council of NSW for its archives. There is no other way to describe Carmelo (Lino) Vella other than a shining icon of the Maltese community in Australia.

6 The Voice of the Maltese

‘Il-vapur tal-art’ (Il-Ferrovija) f'Malta

Tuesday September 24, 2019

– L-aħħar parti –

Il-poplu fittex mezz ieħor ta’ trasport

iż-żmien tal-ferrovija l-kumpanija li kienet tmexxi kellha 10 ferroviji. Dawn ġew mibnija fl-Ingilterra minn Manning Wardle & Co. Ltd., Leeds, Black, Hawthorn & Co Ltd., Gateshead, and Beyer, Peacock & Co. Ltd., Manchester. Kienu miżbugħa ħodor lewn iż-żebbuġ fuq qafas iswed. Sfortunatament l-ebda ferrovija (magna) ma ġiet ippreservata. Il-vaguni kienu mibnija tal-injam fuq qafas tal-ħadid. Kien hemm vaguni għall-ewwel u t-tielet klassi. Oriġinarjament id-dawl fil-vaguni kien jiġi pprovdut bix-xemgħa. Imbagħad fl-1900 bdew jintużaw il-batteriji. Sa meta ttieħdet id-deċiżjoni li jitwaqqaf is-servizz kienu jintużaw 34 vagun. Vagun tat-tielet klassi għadu ppreservat u ġie anke rrestawrat għad-dehra oriġinali tiegħu, flimkien malkamra li kienet tintuża biex jinxtraw il-biljetti, uffiċċju, jew jistkennu nnies. Dawn jinsabu f’dak li kien l-istazzjon (illum ġnien) ta’ Birkirkara int u sejjer Fleur de Lys Fl-aħħar parti tassensiela semmejna l-introduzzjoni tattramm li beda jaħdem fl-1905. Dan il-mezz ġdid ta’ trasport intlaqa’tajjeb ħafna mill-pubbliku u naqqas il-popolarita` u lużu tal-ferrovija. Imma minbarra li kien hawn il-ferrovija kien hawn mezzi oħra ta’ trasport dak iż-żmien, fosthom il-karozzini, li ssidien tagħhom ukoll inqarsu fil-laħam il-ħaj bit-tramm … u beda linkwiet. Jingħad li fil-lejl li kellu jibda jaħdem it-tramm, xi ħadd kien qata’ l-wajers li kienu għaddejjin fl-ajru, u għalkemm xejn ma ħareġ uffiċjalment, imma hu magħruf li xi kuċċiera tal-karozzini kienu ftiehmu bejniethom u marru jaqtgħu dawn il-wajers huma biex ifixklu t-tħaddim ta’ dan ittrasport ġdid. Jingħad ukoll li fil-bidu li beda jaħdem it-tramm kienu wkoll intfew il-muturi tal-elettriku u għalhekk it-trammijiet waqfu f’nofs triq waqt li kienu għaddejjin iġorru n-nies. M’għandniex xi ngħidu, tal-karozzini kienu kuntenti b’dan u bdew irikkbu l-passiġġieri u jitħallsu biz-zalza. Jingħad ukoll li ċertu Pawlu Mifsud minn Ħal Qormi, li kien kuċċier tal-karozzini, tressaq quddiem il-Qorti mixli li spara fuq tramm li kien fi triqtu lejn Ħaż-Żebbuġ. Imma nħeles mill-akkuża għaliex ma kienx hemm provi biżżejjed tas-suppost ħtija tiegħu. Fejn għandu x’jaqsam it-tramm ftit jissemmew inċidenti, imma kien hemm wieħed traġiku li seħħ fl-20 ta’ Settembru, 1905 li baqa’ jissemma’. Dakinhar, meta t-tramm kien se jaqbad in-niżla ta’ Għajn Dwieli s-sewwieq għafas il-brejk biex ikun jista’ jikkontrolla l-veloċita`imma l-brejk ma rabatx, u peress li t-tramm

kien miexi b’veloċita` qabeż illinji, ħabat ma’ arblu tal-elettriku u tfarrak ma’ ħajt tassejjieħ. K i e n u PeterPaulCiantar mietu xi erbgħa min-nies filwaqt li xi oħrajn weġġgħu gravi. Il-kumpanija tat-tramm kienet toqgħod b’seba’ għajnejn għal-linji għax it-tramm kien aktar faċli li jaqbeż il-linji millferrovija, għalhekk ġew impjegati ħaddiema li x-xogħol tagħhom kien prinċipalment li jieħdu ħsieb il-linji. Riedu jaraw li llinji jkunu ndaf miż-żrar u minn xi mbarazz ieħor li jista’ jtellef il-mixi tat-tramm. It-tramm dam jaħdem 24 sena. Għalkemm kien aktar jiġri mill-ferrovija’, ma’ wiċċu beda jsib it-theddida talkarozzi u tal-linja li kienu aktar ħfief u jwassluk fejn trid. Il-vagun restawrat fi Barra minhekk biex Ġnien l-istazzjon jinstaqu ma kienx f’Birkirkara hemm il-ħtieġa li jkun hemm xi linji fl-art. It-tramm għamel l-aħħar vjaġġ tiegħu fil-15 ta’ Diċembru, 1929. Dan ifisser li għalkemm it-tramm beda wara l-ferrovija, spiċċa qabel intemmet il-ferrovija f’pajjiżna, li l-aħħar vjaġġi tagħha għamlithom fil-31 ta’ Marzu tal-1931. Minkejja li bla ferrovija, imma Malta xorta waħda sabet użu tajjeb għall-faċilitajiet tagħha, tant li fit-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija, l-awtoritajiet użaw il-mini tal-ferrovija ta’ taħt isswar fil-kapitali Maltija bħala xelter biex jistkennu n-nies mill-bombi tal-għadu. Jingħad li minkejja li l-ferrovija kienet waqfet taħdem disa’ snin qabel, fl-1940 il-mexxej tal-Italja Benito Mussolini b’ċerta pompa pprova jieħu l-krettu hu meta qal li waqt attakk mill-qawwa tal-ajru Taljana qered is-sistema tal-ferrovija f’Malta. Matul is-snin triqat li minnhom kienet tgħaddi l-ferrovija, mhux biss tneħħewlhom il-linji, talli ngħataw wiċċ ġdid biex setgħu jintużaw bil-kumdita` mill-karozzi. B’danakollu xi bini li kien jintuża għall-ferrovija ġie ppreservat, l-aktar dak fl-istazzjon ta’ Birkirkara. Filwaqt li filFurjana, taħt il-ġnien San Filippu qed tiġi restawrata l-mina biex titgawda bħala fdal soriku ta’ żmien il-ferrovija.

It-tramm beda wara u spiċċa qabel il-ferrovija

*Tmien

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Malta mourns the loss of...

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Guzeppi Theuma (1945-2019) sculptor, ceramist and painter

month ago, on August 24, Malta mourned the death of Guzeppi Theuma, a 75-year-old talented artist, essentially a sculptor but was comfortable in any media that provided scope for creativity, who had been gracing the country’s cultural scene for around 53 years. Guzeppi, who used to describe his work as abstract art with a strong hint of surrealism, was born in Paola on January 18, 1945. It had all started for him at the age of 12 when an aunt of his discovered he had talent and presented him with a set of oils. In 1964 he settled in the UK where he attended the Hertfordshire College of Arts in the City of St. Albans Herts, and in fact, held his first exhibition at the St. Albans Town Hall. In 1977 he returned to Malta where he studied the visual arts development. He took part in many collective exhibitions both in Malta and the UK mainly with his paintings and for seven years, between 1980 and 1987 he was a leading caricaturist for several national papers.

Guzeppi was better known for constructing metal and ceramic sculptures but has ventured into oils, acrylics, watercolours and in the last few year also in digital art. His digital impressions are uncomplicated. His palette of colours is at once logical, yet realistic of the subject he composes. In 1999 he joined the Executive Committee of the Zabbar Sanctuary Museum where he served as the Secretary since 2004. His main priorities within the commission were documentation and restoration coordination. In 2014 he shared with Carol Busuttil a duo Exhibition entitled ‘Entwined’ in the Żabbar Sanctuary Museum Gallery, and in February 2017 held a retrospective solo exhibition at the Razzett Mallia Tabone Mosta entitled il-'Vjagg'; 50 years in Art In 2018 he held another personal exhibition of acrylics and sculptures, entitled ‘Intimate Reflections’. In 1999 he joined the Żabbar Sanctuary Museum Committee where he is now the Secretary. His main priorities are documentation and restoration coordination. Virtually all of Theuma’s creations depict an aspect of the uncompromising world that surrounded him. His effects of colour E Guzeppi Theuma’s favourite artwork: Out Of Wedlock, a ceramic fired terracotta mild steel supporting frame that offered a new hope for him when he had to stop his metal sculptures for health reasons.

and light used to reveal his sense of pursuit for the truth that was reflected in his intimate portrayal of life both still and alive. He was also considered an art historian and is the author of a hardbound fully illustrated 220 page book about Maltese art, entitled L-Arti fil-Knejjes minn Mitt Pittur Malti, (Art in Churches by 100 Maltese painters) a short biography of 100 Maltese painters – cataloguing their works visually. It includes no less then 2,230 quoted works and more than 260 full colour plates. Guzeppi’s epitome of happiness used to be completing a work piece that fulfilled him, which he used to say, “Was rare”.

TVM to launch Youtube station showing its documentaries with English language sub-titles elevision Malta (TVM) is to launch a T station on Youtube that will transmit a number of documentaries shown on its stations that will be underscored by English language subtitles. Among the first documentaries to be featured on this station will be “Pass Pass għal Auschwitz” that was recently selected as the best documentary of the month at the TMFF festival in Glasgow, Scotland. It shows the suffering, the bitterness and the persecution thousands experienced in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II. The announcement was made by PBS Chairman Dr. Tonio Portughese at a meeting the PBS Board of Directors had with Jonathan Farrugia, the director of co-productions between PBS and Flash Produc-

tions. He praised the high standard attained by the production and the benefit value it reflected on Maltese broadcasting, and said that preparations are also on hand for this documentary to be shown at the museum dedicated to the Holocaust during the international day dedicated to Holocaust Victims. He said that the Public Broadcasting Services is committed to broadcast historic episodes that have left their mark on humanity and relaying these to the younger generations, including school children. Meanwhile, PBS CEO, Charles Dalli, said the station on Youtube would launch its transmission by relaying the documentary “Kulħadd għall-Belt”, depicting the chain of events that paved the way for the bloody riots of Sette Giugno 1919.

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly magazine fortnightly tnightly 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, e-mail address and residence of the writer, and be emailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

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

On Maltese Radio: No it’s not the last voice

A. Borg from Sunshine Victoria. writes:

ecently The Times of Malta published an interview by Gabriel Schembri with SBS Radio broadcaster Joe Axiak, a very respected radio journalist/producer based in Melbourne. I am not sure if the writer is a migrant, a visitor or an employee of The Times. I don’t really care. What I care about is the heading: The last Maltese voice on the Australian airwaves. I think it was utterly misleading and wrong. The TOM writer needs to do his homework when it comes to Maltese radio programmes in Melbourne and the surounding districts. Let it be known that we have community radio stations around the state that broadcast MALTESE programmes on a regular bases. As a matter of fact between them, the four Community Radio Stations (3zzz, 98.9, 97.9, and 97.4FM), broadcast 11 hours of Maltese Programmes every week. Indeed, between them, Community Radio stations have a listenership of around 400,000 people per week. Maltese language programmes on SBS

Radio may eventually disappear. But the Maltese broadcasters on Community Radio, who incidentally are all volunteers, will continue to serve the Maltese community in their own language.

Grazzi lil Mater Dei

Grace Borg from Albany, WA writes:

y mother-in-law and has just returned from a holiday in Malta but the first comments she made on her return were not about her trip, but about the efficiency of the medical staff and the excellent facilities of Malta’s state hospital, Mater Dei. Unluckily, during her stay she was taken seriously ill and urgently needed a medical intervention. She spent 10 days at the Mater Dei hospital and on being released she was able to enjoy the last few days of her holiday with friends and family. It was as if nothing happened, she told us and Malta should be proud of its facilities. She said that she was impressed by the attention she received from the medical staff and requested me to thank them on her behalf through this medium.

Għaliex mhux f’Sydney Opera House?

Dorothy Brown minn North Sydney tikteb:

ed nikteb bil-Malti għax nixtieq inżomm dan il-kumment bejnietna. Joseph Calleja l-kantant ta’ fama mondjali u ambaxxatur kulturali għal Malta, wieħed mill-iktar nies magħrufa ta’ pajjiżna se jiġi jżurna fl-Awstralja. X’aħbar sabiħa! Nifirħu u nilqgħuh bl-akbar entużjażmu li

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

jixraqlu bħala wieħed mill-aqwa tenuri fiddinja. Iżda meta rajt li Joseph Calleja mhux se jkanta f’Sydney Opera House ħadt xokk. Naf li din mhix xi ħaġa tiegħu iżda tal-organizzaturi li qed jieħdu ħsieb iż-żjara tiegħu, imma aħna l-Maltin lil Joseph xtaqnieħ fl-aqwa u l-iktar post popolari u magħruf mad-dinja, Sydney Opera House. Bħala ambaxxatur kulturali, aħna l-Maltin irridu naraw li Joseph Calleja fl-Opera House għax għall-komunita Maltija dan ikun unur kbir. Ikun fejn ikun aħna xorta mmorru narawh iżda l-aqwa għandu jkun fl-aqwa post.

Imburġat bl-aħbarijiet

Mario Griscti minn Ta’ Xbiex Malta jikteb: rċevejt il-ħarġa Nru 211 ta’ The Voice of the Maltese u nfxilt liema artiklu jew aħbar se naqra l-ewwel, għax tant din ilmagażin hu mburġat b’aħbarijiet, kitbiet, avviżi u affarijiet oħra ta’ tagħlim u tagħrif, li taħsel titħawwad lil liema artiklu, tagħraf tagħti prijorita’. Tassew grazzi lilkom ta’ dan l-operat ġurnalistiku dinjituż.

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Doris Caruana tirbaħ il-Premju Kulturali 2019 tal-GħKM NSW Doris Cruana (xellug) u l-kumitat tal-festa ta’ San Nikola flimkien mal-president tal-Għaqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ NSW, Charles N. Mifsud (fit-tarf lemin)

oris Caruana hi t-32 rebbieħa tal-Maltese Cultural Award li kull sena tiġi organizzata mill-Għaqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ NSW għal żmien Jum il-Vitorja. Din l-għolja prestiġjuża kellha l-bidu tagħha fl-1991. Il-kumitat tal-festa ta’ San Nikola ta’ Plumpton NSW ingħata l-premju li beda jingħata flaħħar sentejn lill-għaqda Maltija li tul il-sena tkun wettqet xogħlijiet speċjali. Il-preżentazzjoni saret waqt serata fiċ-Centru la Valette ta’ Blacktown li fl-ewwel parti tagħha tkellem il-President tal-għaqda kulturali, Charles N. Mifsud li spjega kif u għaliex jiġi mogħti l-premju kulturali li baqa’ popolari għal dawn l-aħħar 28 sena. Għall-okkażjoni ħa sehem ukoll l-uniku kor Malti li għad baqa’ fi NSW għal darb’oħra, taħt id-direzzjoni ta’ Marisa Privitera, li kanta għadd ta’ kanzunetti addattati għall-okkażjoni. Iż-zagħzugħa Sandra Grech kienet il-kelliema ewlenija. F’diskors mirqum fissret ir-rabta tal-festa talVitorja ma’ l-istorja ta’ Malta u l-imħabba speċjali talMaltin lejn il-Madonna. Fl-aħħar tkellmet ukoll Antoinnette Caruana, il-President taċ-ċentru La Valette fejn ferħet lill-Għaqda Kulturali għal din is-serata u appellat biex aktar għaqdiet Maltin jagħmlu użu mill-faċilitajiet taċ-ċentru Malti. Ir-rebbieħa DORIS CARUANA r-rebbieħa hija attriċi magħrufa u attivista fost il-komunita Maltija f’karriera ta’ madwar ħamsin sena. Bdiet in-namur tagħha mal-palk Malti fl-1966 meta ngħaqdet mal-Maltese Drama Association fi Smithfield u kompliet mat-Theatre of Maltese Migrants sakemm tletin sena ilu ingħaqdet maċ-Ċittadini. Hawnhekk, minbarra li saret attriċi primarja għal ħafna snin kellha wkoll il-kariga ta’ President. Għal madwar 26 sena Doris u żewġha Joe kienu wkoll attivi ħafna mal-Melita Eagles Football Club. Huma wkoll magħrufa għat-tiżjin tad-dar tagħhom fi Greystanes fi żmien il-Milied u għall-parteċipazzjoni ta’ Doris fil-purċissjoni tal-Ġimgħa il-Kbira f’Horsley Park. Doris u Joe (iz-Zojja) iżżewġu fl-1968 u huma lġenituri ta’ tlett itfal. Għandhom ukoll sitt nuputijiet. KUMITAT FESTA SAN NIKOLA an il-kumitat beda ħidmietu fl-1980 meta Fr Frank Delia OFM Cap. li kien għadu kemm laħaq kappillan tal-parroċċa Good Shephard fi Plumpton xtaq li jiċċellebra l-festa ta’ San Nikola. Kienet inġabet statwa tal-qaddis mil-Italja li ġiet imbierka f’Dicembru 1983. Minbara l-festa tradizzjonali kull sena, dan il-kumitat jorganizza wkoll l-Imnarja, fiera kbira kif ukoll dinner

dance. Din l-għaqda tiftaħar li fl-aħħar 40 sena dejjem ħadmet f’armonija mal-kappillani tal-parroċċa. Il-President ta’ bħalissa huwa Emanuel Vella. Qablu kien hemm Joe Fenech u Bill Schembri li s-sena l-oħra rebaħ il-premju Kulturali.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday September 24, 2019

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

Adani u l-problema għall-progressivi

jiet fil-biċċa l-kbira tagħhom id-dijaspora Maltija barra Il-minjiera Carmichael jaħdmu bil-petrol u bid-diżil, għax mill-Awstralja, forsi l-kelma il-karozzi tal-elettriku għadhom flAdani tfisser ftit li xejn, imma infanzja tagħhom. Il-ħruq ta’ dawn f’dik Awstraljana dik il-kelma, li il-fjuwils ukoll jikkontribwixxu hija kunjom Indjan, tirrappreżenta għat-tibdil tal-klima. proposta ta’ minjiera ġganteska talImmaġina li kieku titfaċċa faħam tat-tip termali, li jintuża biex kumpannija ġdida li trid tbigħ dawn jitgħalla l-ilma, u l-fwar li jiġi il-fjuwils, u jqumu l-irwiefen kollha prodott idawwar turbini li jiġġenbiex iwaqqfuha. Jekk jirnexxieleraw l-elettriku. Il-biċċa l-kbira talhom, m’hemmx il-kumpanniji lfaħam propost huwa mistenni li jiġi eżistenti l-oħra li jistgħu ikomplu esportat l-Indja jissuplixxu lill-flotta ta’ fuq it-toroq? Il-kobor tal-minjiera Carmichael, Fi kliem ieħor, minflok ma jippruimsemmija għax-xmara omonima li tgħaddi f’nofs is-sit, tista’ titqies meta tikkunsidra li l-proponenti vaw iwaqqfu lil min irid iforni l-faħam, forsi jkun aħjar li titnaqqas tagħha, Adani Mining, sussidjarja tal-Adani Group tal-Indja, jgħidu id-domanda għalih. Dawn it-toroq it-tnejn iwasslu għall-istess skop li għandha tipproduċi fl-ewwel stadju tagħha 10MPTA (miljun tun- aħħari, ċjoe li l-faħam finalment jibqa’ fl-art u ma jinħaraqx. Dan li qed nissuġġerixxi mhux daqshekk rivoluzzjonarju. Illum nellati faħam fis-sena), li tiġi ftit ikbar minn minjieri oħra f’Hunter Valley ta’ NSW u Bowen Basin fi Queensland.1 Il-proposta oriġi- hemm biżżejjed eżempji li biex wieħed iwassal l-enerġija elettrika fejn m’hemmx, bħal ma huma reġjuni sħaħ fl-Indja, huwa possibbli nali tal-proġett kienet ta’ 60MTPA. Dawk favur il-minjiera jsemmu primarjament vantaġġi li jkun hemm ħafna proġetti żgħar, b’ħafna ġeneraturi żgħar b’enekonomiċi, bħal eluf ta’ impjiegi li mistennija jinħolqu, u biljuni erġija li tiġġedded u l-ħażna ta’ enerġija li ma tintużax, iktar milli ta’ dollari fi ħlasijiet lill-istat u s-sidien tal-art fejn hu propost li ssir għadd żgħir ta’ impjanti kbar li x’aktarx jitħaddmu bil-faħam. l-attività. Dan jista’ jsir fejn komunitajiet jgħaqqdu r-riżorsi tagħhom u Il-proġett qajjem oppożizzjoni minn gruppi ambjentalisti, dawk jiftiehmu biex jagħmlu qabża kbira fil-kwalità tal-ħajja. L-iffinanzinkwetati mit-tibdil tal-klima u oħrajn. Eżempji tal-kritika li saret jar ta’ inizjattivi ta’ dan it-tip huwa possibbli illum iktar minn qatt u għadha ssir huma l-użu kbir ta’ ilma minn xmajjar u saffi ta’ blat qabel. ta’ taħt l-art; li l-ħruq tal-faħam se jikkontribwixxi b’mod sostanzOrganizzazzjonijiet politiċi u soċjali li jixtiequ jħarsu ‘l quddiem jali għat-tibdil tal-klima u dan għal għexieren ta’ snin; li ma jiġux u għandhom viżjoni ta’ soċjetà li tiffunzjona mingħajr ma’ tniġġeż imħarsa artijiet b’valur indiġenu.2 l-arja bil-gassijiet li jwasslu għat-tibdil tal-klima, jistgħu, bi sħab Jien dawn l-argumenti tal-aħħar għandi simpatija magħhom, ma oħrajn f’pajjiżi oħra jipparteċipaw u jwaqqfu inizjattivi li jeimma nitħasseb daqsxejn bit-tattiċi li osservajt. Per eżempju, ftit dukaw lil min hu interessat x’jista’ jsir bit-tekonoloġija li teżisti qabel l-elezzjoni federali li għaddiet, sar ralli ta’ persuni opposti llum; li jinħolqu swieq fejn min għandu bżonn finanzjament jitgħall-proġett li telaq minn Hobart f’Tasmania u baqa tiela’ sal-post laqqa’ ma’ min dan il-finanzjar jista’ jagħmlu; u li tiġi offerta asfejn hu propost li jsir it-tħaffir, il-Galilee Basin ta’ Queensland. Din sistenza teknika biex proġetti simili jkunu jistgħu jsiru realtà. l-attività kellha ħafna appoġġ, imma ġġenerat ukoll ħafna oppożizGħandi f’moħħi per eżempju verżjonijiet tal-inizjattivi ta’ mikrozjoni min-nies ta’ Queensland li qiesu lill-parteċipanti bħala bar- finanza li twaqqfu xi snin ilu f’pajjiżi li qed jiżviluppaw, li jkunu ranin li riedu jindaħlu u jtellfulhom il-ħobża ta’ kuljum. dedikati għal dan l-għan, jew li jintużaw pjattaformi ta’ tisrif peerDin l-attività fil-fatt titqies li kienet waħda mir-raġunijiet ewlenin to-peer ħalli n-nuqqas ta’ finanzi ma jkunx ta’ impediment għargħalfejn il-Partit Laburista, li wera ambigwità fil-politika tiegħu rivoluzzjoni li għad trid issir, u din fil-pajjiżi kollha li hemm bżonn, lejn dan il-proġett, u tilef l-elezzjoni, mar partikolarment ħażin fi inklużi dawk il-pajjiżi tat-tielet dinja. Queensland. Nikkoperaw ma’ min irid, iktar milli nopponu lil min ma jridx. Bħalissa qed ukoll issir pressjoni kontra kull tip ta’ kooperazzjoni bejn impriżi li joffru servizzi kummerċjali (bħal ngħidu aħna bini Referenzi ta’ infrastruttura) u l-Adani Mining.3 1. https://www.adaniaustralia.com/projects-businesses/mine, retrieved Meta naqra dan kollu, għalkemm nifhem il-motivazzjoni tal- 16/9/2019 gruppi involuti, spiss nistaqsi lili nnifsi jekk humiex qed jinvestu 2. https://www.stopadani.com/, retrieved 16/9/2019 l-attenzjoni tagħhom wisq fuq x’ma jridux, u inqas fuq dak li jridu. 3. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-15/adani-contractor-stafferĦalli nispjega x’irrid ngħid b’eżempju. Illum il-karozzi u t-trakki- leaking-to-environmental-protesters/11511410, retrieved16/9/2019

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Marlene Scicluna shortlisted for Australian Community TV Awards

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday September 24, 2019

arlene Scicluna (pictured right), host and co-executive producer of community TV show Maltese DownUnder has been nominated for Best Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Personality at the 2019 Antenna Awards. This is the first time ever a Maltese Australian TV show has been shortlisted for these awards that recognise outstanding community television programmes broadcast around Australia. The awards will be made on October 5. Marlene Scicluna (formerly Galea) is a broadcast journalist and producer. She started in broadcast media as a 17-year old in Malta in 1987, as a radio presenter on Mill-Gżira ta’ Calypso, formerly Mit-Tokk t’Għawdex; a show she presented for 10 years. Following her return to her native country in 1998, she was the Senior Producer with Maltese Language Programmes on SBS Radio for 15 years; altogether 18 years as a broadcast producer. In 2015, together with friend Mark Avel-

The Making of a Medico

Maurice Cauchi’s: Memoir, 2019 his memoir covers a period of over T eight decades, starting form a nearidyllic life in Gozo, through a strenuous,

even challenging period at university, followed by further education overseas. While this is where the history of an average 'medico' normally ends, for emeritus Professor Cauchi it is really a beginning of a varied career, involving not only cancer research, involvement as leader of the Maltese as well as the general ethnic community in Australia, broadcaster, lecturer, writer of monographs on medical and social issues, contributions to scientific journals as well as newspapers in Malta, and finally, when arthritis interfered with playing the piano, at the age of 79 he started playing the cello, managing to achieve a reasonable level of expertise in that area also. This memoir covers these many aspects of a person who has contributed an enormous amount of effort, time, and energy to the community through his continuous involvement in many aspects of life, both in Malta and overseas. 'Professor Maurice N. Cauchi is without a doubt one of the most solid and effective heads that the Maltese Community in Australia ever had.' The Maltese Herald.

lino, Marlene co-created Maltese DownUnder, a community TV show produced in Melbourne. She directed, produced, coedited, hosted and co-presented five seasons of the show. An interesting fact is that although she is fluent in Maltese and has worked in Maltese media for over 30 years, Marlene is only Maltese by adoption. She is very proud of her diverse heritage; born to an Aboriginal Australian mother and American father with Irish and German ancestry. Maltese DownUnder is a Melbournebased bi-lingual production, showcasing Maltese cultural heritage, featuring the arts, music, food, cultural events and sports. The show promotes AustralianMaltese artists, personalities and associations outside traditional Maltese circles to a broader audience. The show is broadcast in Maltese and English to preserve and strengthen the cultural links for all Maltese Australians, on all things Maltese. Since its first screening in February 2016, the quality of production has seen the show capture and engage a sizeable audience online and was the most viewed show on C31, in the culture category and in the top 5 shows overall. Through its YouTube platform, the show continues to reach audiences beyond Australian shores. The five seasons of Maltese DownUnder are available on demand via YouTube Channel Maltese DownUnder TV.

Obituary

Salvina Formosa (1914-2019)

The book is available from BDL books, email: info@bdlbooks.com, or from the author (mnc25@optusnet.com.au)

It is with great sadness to announce the dead of Salvina Formosa born in Nadur, Gozo, Malta on March 16, 1914 at the the grand age of 105 years. Possibly the oldest Maltese in NSW, Salvina was very well known around the Greystanes/Pendle Hill area. She was active until recent years with the Greystanes Adult Group. Salvina was a person with beautiful spirit. She will always be loved and remembered. RIP

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta affirms Malta’s PM dismisses as speculations S&P economic progress that he is about to step down I

rime Minister Joseph Muscat dismissed as mere speculation reports in the media that he was to step down in October after the presentation of the 2020 Budget. The Leader of the governing Labour Party said in an interview that he has no intention of resigning, before, during or after the coming budget. He pointed out that along with the rest of the cabinet he is focussed on the coming budget due to be presented in the House of Representatives on October 14. He said the budget is very important, and his only concern is to ensure that upcoming budgetary measures are implemented. He said, “Let me be very clear: I have no intention of resigning before, during, nor

Minister EZLto work to end all inequalities

inister Edward Zammit Lewis, the Minister for European Affairs and Equality has promised to “work relentlessly to end all inequalities within society”. The Minister made the promised during the ‘Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sexual Characteristics Unit (SOGIGESC) Annual Conference. He welcomed the publication of the first annual report related to the implementation of the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy and Action Plan, that portrays the hard work undertaken by all stakeholders in the various ministries, agencies and departments as well as civil society organisations. He said that the challenge is to forge a mentality revolution starting at grassroots level and addressing the whole social spectrum. As he reiterated his commitment to ensure that Malta continues to lead the world on LGBTIQ equality and be a role model of best practices not only to EU member states but to the international community, he said: “Equality will remain a priority for us”. Soon Parliament shall start discussing the Equality and the Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill.

Speaker Dr Anġlu Farrugia addressing the MMUNS Conference

after the next Budget.” He went on to say that the budget is so important not when it is devised, but also [in terms] of it being implemented. “My only concern is to do the work that is needed in the coming months to keep pushing Malta higher,” he said. Meanwhile, in his pre-Budget document, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said that the coming Budget’s theme will be ‘Sustaining inclusive growth’. He added that the government would also continue with its drive to strengthen regulatory and supervisory institutions while focusing on making Malta a leading player in technological innovation and to raise the quality of Malta’s tourism product.

n its latest report, the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s affirmed Malta’s Rating at A-/A-2 with a Positive Outlook. It stated that Malta’s positive rating is attributed to “its strong growth performance, recurring current account surpluses driven by its large services exports, and the Government’s improving budgetary and debt positions, and fiscal management.” S&P’s expects the Maltese economy to continue to expand at a fast pace with GDP growth likely to exceed that of countries with similar income levels and stages of development. The credit rating report notes that Malta’s real GDP growth accelerated to 7.7 per cent on average in the 2014 to 2018 period.

Speaker points out the reality of climate change

ddressing the closing ceremony of the annual conference of the Malta Model United Nation Society Conference held at the Malta Maritime Museum themed “Ego Vs Leadership, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Anġlu Farrugia, spoke about the reality of climate change. The Speaker welcomed the society’s sense of initiative and energy that, he said, helps youths and young professionals to discuss international issues of concern. He said that the overarching theme of this year’s event has framed the context of the numerous challenges that our society and community of nations are facing, adding that “such challenges require each and every one of us to not only overcome these challenges but also to emerge stronger from them.” Dr Farrugia pointed out that while young people may be more idealists and hopeful than their older predecessors, it is this idealism that enables change in our localities, the country, the European Union and the world. “Malta achieved its independence, and became a republic and neutral state through

the vision its past leaders had,” he said. The Speaker outlined other challenges that require leadership from Malta’s youth, which include, balancing economic growth with a fair distribution of wealth. He said that our society needs to learn to adapt not only to climate change but needs leadership on other issues as well, such as the fast emerging Artificial Intelligence. He urged those present in the UN-focused conference to continue in their education and formation that would help them to provide leadership on the issues they discussed during the three-day conference ranging from climate change, economic growth and tackling the migration crisis. He commended all for their energy and passion and called on them to continue with their engagement in society so that challenges can become opportunities for the future. The Speaker also presented awards to the participants at tthe Conference that was hosted by the House of Representatives The keynote address was delivered by President George Vella who spoke about the balance between leadership and participative democracy. He ended by noting how the presence and active participation of students in the Conference was an opportunity to discuss and reflect on how much key leadership skills should be reinjected into the egos of all those who wished to take over leadership positions, especially in diplomacy and in national and international politics. The line-up of speakers also included MaltMUN Secretary General Andrea Schwaiger, US Embassy Chargéd'Affaires Mark A. Schapiro, and UNHCR representative in Malta Kahin Ismail.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta Govt. sets up public inquiry into DCG murder

rime Minister Joseph Muscat has appointed a three-man Public Independent Inquiry commission to be presided by Judge Emeritus Michael Mallia into the murder in 2017 of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The former Dean of the Faculty of Law and constitutional expert Professor Ian Refalo and forensic expert Dr Anthony Abela Medici make up th rest of the commission. The Prime Minister has requested that the inquiry is to be con-

cluded within nine months. This decision precisely reflects Government’s consistent position that there exists no difficulty in establishing a public inquiry once it is assured that such inquiry does not undermine investigations and/or criminal proceedings which are pending in this case. It is worth noting that within 50 days of the murder, three persons were arraigned in Court accused of the murder and they have now been placed under a bill of indictment.

Pope, Malta President discuss migration

President George Vella and his wife Miriam exchange gifts with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Right: Presidents Vella and Sergio Mattarella

he President of Malta, HE George Vella had “cordial talks and discussed the phenomenon of migration to Europe” during a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in which he also renewed Malta’s invitation for the Pope to visit the Maltese islands. President Vella, who was accompanied by his wife Miriam and his children Claire, Elaine and George was leading a delegation to the Vatican and Rome that included Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, and Malta’s

Record year for number of cruise liners visiting Malta

y year’s end, Malta would have registered the highest number of passengers that have ever entered Malta on board cruise liners as almost 900,000 passengers are expected to have visited the island, which would be a record year. With Malta establishing itself firmly as a popular Mediterranean cruise line destination the Chief Executive of the Valletta Cruise Port, said that 2019 would be even much better than expected. He said that the principle factor was that new ships with a larger capacity in terms of passengers have entered the market and this year Malta also had three homeport operations.

Ambassador to the Vatican, Frank Zammit. According to the Holy See Press Office, the two leaders expressed satisfaction for the good state of relations between Malta and the Holy See, highlighted the importance of religious values in the culture and life of the Maltese people and discussed the contribution of the Catholic Church in the field of education. The Pope and President Vella also set some time aside to consider some of the challenges faced by Malta regarding the phenomenon of migration towards Europe. Malta, like other Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain, is at the frontline in dealing with migration through the Mediterranean route. Their talks focused on how the migration phenomenon strongly involves the Church and is not to be separated from environmental protection. Finally, there was an exchange of views on various regional situations, with particular reference to the Mediterranean. Afterwards, President Vella described Pope Francis as a person who is truly close to the people. He said he felt like he was talking to someone he knew, and that the Pope understands the Maltese way of life and culture. At the end of the private audience, the two leaders exchanged gifts. On behalf of the people of Malta, President Vella presented Pope Francis with a mosaic painting of the

Madonna ta’ Pinu, created by the Gozo Diocese’s Eikon liturgical art centre. The Maltese delegation later also held a meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Under Secretary Mons Antoine Camille. Parolin expressed satisfaction and thanked Malta for the way it has addressed the migration issue over the past few years. On the morrow President George Vella and his delegation had a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, during which the two Presidents discussed the strong and special relations between the two countries. The two stressed the need for increased cooperation among neighbour states to address the issues currently faced by Mediterranean region, amongst them the migration problem, with President Vella stressing the need for a permanent burden-sharing mechanism and said that the Maltese authorities, were eager to work with Italy to address issues of common interest. The situation in Libya, North Africa and in Africa and how developments in these areas affected Malta, Italy and the European Union as a whole, were also discussed. On the last day of his visit to the Vatican City and Rome, President George Vella visited the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus and also their own school located in Rome where they cater for children aged three-to-five.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Xokkanti

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Il-kappillan ta’ Santu Wistin mixli b’kompliċita`waqt serqa mill-kunvent tiegħu

ħal diversi nies, l-aktar dawk talParoċċa ta’ Santu Wistin tal-belt Valletta, kienet aħbar tassew xokkanti meta fil-midja ġie rrappurtat li lKappillan ta’ dil-Parroċċa, il-patri Agostinjan Patri Deo Debono, kien ġie interrogat mill-pulizija u mplikat fis- serq ta’ pitturi u oġġetti oħra sagri proprju mill-istess Knisja li hu jmexxi, kif ukoll mill-Kunvent tasSorijiet Agostinjani tal-belt. Xi parruċċjani stqarrew mal-ġurnali, “Ixxukkjati nisimgħu b’dan. Lil Fr Deo nafuh sew. Ilu hawn ħames snin. Dejjem ħadem qatigħ għall-parroċċa.”. U jidher li s-serqa kienet ippjanata tajjeb għax s-serq tal-pitturi dam ma sar magħruf minħabba li min seraq il-pitturi poġġa oħrajn minflokhom, u allura mad-daqqa t’għajn wieħed ma setax jinnota li kienu neqsin. In-nuqqas tagħhom sar magħruf biss meta Patri ntebaħ li l-pitturi li kien hemm imdendlin ma kienux l-oriġinali imma biss kopji. Kif tħabbret l-investigazzjoni tal-pulizija fuq il-patri, bi ftehim mal-Provinċjal talOrdni Agostinjana l-Arċisqof, ddeċieda li jneħħi lil Patri Deo minn kappillan; waqqfu wkoll milli jeżerċita l-ministeru saċerdotali fil-pubbliku sakemm jibqgħu pendenti l-investigazzjonijiet u kwalunkwe proċedura quddiem il-Qrati Ċivili. Dan kollu seħħ propju meta l-Parroċċa ta’ Santu Wistin kienet qed tiċċelebra l-festa tal-patrun tagħha Santu Wistin. Attwalment is-sospensjoni tal-Patri ġiet propju wara li dan temm quddiesa solenni fil-bidu tattridu tal-festa. Aktar tard l-Ordni Agostinjana ħassret il-

festi esterni kellhom isiru u żammet biss dawk ta’ ġewwa, li kellhom jibqggħu għaddejjin. Din l-aħbar xejn ma ntlaqgħet tajjeb minn xi parruċċani wara l-isforz kbir li kien qed isir fl-aħħar snin biex ilfesta tiġi ċċelebrata b’ċerta pompa. Flaħħar snin, il-festa’ ta’ din il-parroċċa żagħżugħa mxebbħa malparroċċi l-oħra tal-belt li għandhom mijiet ta’ snin, żiedet sew fit-tiżjin tat-toroq għallokkażjoni tal-festa. Tant kienet qed tiġi ffesteġġjata bil-kbir li ngħad li għal din is-sena kellhom jieħdu sehem xi tnax-il banda, u propju dan liżvilupp fil-festa ġie mdeffes fl-istorja tasserqa. Kien hemm min beda jistaqsi minn fejn kienu qed jiġu l-flus biex il-festa kibret daqshekk f’qasir żmien. Oħrajn interpretaw li l-fatt li din l-istorja żviluppat propju lejlet il-festa kien riżultat ta’ ċerta pika u sar bil-għan li ssir ħsara kemm lil Patri Deo personali kif ukoll lillparroċċa nnifisha. Persuna stqarret, “Il-kliem li ntqal u lħsara li saret ma seħħx b’mod intern iżda minn tal-madwar. Minn mindu din il-knisja saret parroċċa, il-ħażen kien ilu jinħass iżda issa eskala,”. Il-bieraħ it-Tnejn, l-għada tal-festa, Patri Deo tressaq il-Qorti mixli li kien implikat fisserqa. Il-proċeduri ma kienux għadhom intemmu sakemm għalaqna l-magazin.

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

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

Patri Deo Debono

Malta l-ewwel pajjiż fid-dinja b’Università tar-Raba’ Età -Universita` tat-3 eta` ndrat sew f’L Malta bi’mijiet ta’ anzjani ta’ ‘l fuq minn 60 sena f’għadd ta’ jiem fil-ġimgħa fi

tmien entri madwar il-gżira jattendu għal lezzjonijiet minn professjonisti f’diversi suġġetti, fosthom ilsna differenti. Issa se mmorru oltre, bl-Università tar-Raba’ Età. Dan se jseħħ wara li s-Segretarju Parlamentari għal Persuni b’Diżabilità u Anzjanità Attiva Anthony Agius Decelis ħabbar li Malta se tkun l-ewwel fid-dinja li se jistabbilixxi din l-Università f’żewġt idjar talanzjani, f’San Vinċenz de Paul u f’Dar San Ġużepp fil-Fgura. Is-Segretarju Parlamentari qal li permezz ta’ dawn iċ-ċentri, fosthom dawk tat-Tielet Eta’ l-anzjani f’pajjiżna qed jingħataw iċċans li jibqgħu attivi b’mod intelletwali u soċjali, u jibqgħu jitgħallmu dwar suġġetti varji minn professjonisti magħżula millUniversità ta’ Malta. Il-Pro-Rettur għall-Affarijiet tal-Istudenti u Staff, u Outreach Prof Carmen Sammut qalet li permezz ta’ dan il-ftehim l-Università ta’ Malta laħqet livell ġdid fil-viżjoni tagħha, hekk kif ġie stabbilit l-ewwel ċentru ta’ Università tar-Raba’ Età, bis-servizzi tal-Università jiġu estizi ħalli jkomplu jtejbu l-kwalità tal-ħajja għall-anzjani fid-djar residenzjali u fil-komunità.

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Ġifen Puniku fix-Xlendi

har il-Ġimgħa li għadda l-pubbliku ġenerali kellu l-opportunità jesperjenza skoperta arkeoloġika unika fid-dinja, permezz ta’ 3D Virtual Reality Display ta’ kif jinsab bħalissa l-ġifen Puniku li jinsab mgħarraq ’il barra millkosta tax-Xlendi. Dan qed isir permezz ta’ 3D Virtual Reality Display. Fil-fatt, ix-xogħol ta’ skavar fuq dan ixxini, li wasal fl-aħħar fażijiet tiegħu, qed isir minn tim internazzjonali magħmul minn arkeoloġisti u għaddasa professjonali

mmexxija millProfessur Timmy Gambin. L-ispedizzjoni hi proġett immexxi mill-Università ta’ Malta bil-kollaborazzjoni u bissostenn tal-Ministeru għal Għawdex. Meta l-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana ltaqħet mat-tim uriet apprezza-

Żewġ ritratti interessanti

s-soltu, kull meta naraw lill-membri tal-parlament jippużaw għarritratti x’aktarx li narawhom lebsin bil-ġakketta u l-ingravata Għalhekk ħassejt li nġibilkom dawn iż-żewġ ritratti fejn f’wieħed (fuq) naraw il-membri tan-naħa tal-Gvern jinsew id-drittaġni (għalkemm illum m’għadx għandna dik il-formalita’ ta’ snin ilu) u jippużaw għal ritratt fejn il-formalita’ tħalliet fil-ġenb. Fl-ieħor (taħt) naraw lill-Parlamentari fil-grawnd tal-futbol flokkażjoni ta’ waħda mill-ħafna maratona ta’ ġbir ta’ fondi li jsiru għallfinijiet ta’ għajnuna lil diversi għaqdiet, din id-darba ta’ Puttinu Cares li tipprovdi alloġġ u għajnuna li dawk li jitilgħu l-Ingilterra biex jirċievu xi kura. Hawnhekk parlamentari miż-żewġ naħat tal-Kamra tar-Rappreżentati ltaqgħu għal logħba futball li d-dħul tagħha mar ‘għal Puttinu’. Mank li l-atmosfera li dehret bejn iż-żewġ naħat waqt din il-logħba, tidher kuljum waqt id-dibattiti u kwestjonijiet politiċi.

Il-Ministru Justyn Caruana flimkien mal-Professur Timmy Gambin (finnofs) u l-arkeoloġisti u għaddasa li qed jaħdmu fuq il-proġett ment għax-xogħol delikat li qed iwettqu rriċerkaturi f’ambjent ristrett u f’kundizzjonijiet xejn favorevoli peress li dan il-ġifen jinsab f’fond ta’ aktar minn 110 metru. Irrimarkat li din is-sejba storika se tagħti aktar għarfien tal-ħajja f’Għawdex f’din lepoka mbegħda kif ukoll ikompli jarrikixxi lil Għawdex li hu diġà mogħni bi storja li tmur lura sa 5,000 sena qabel Kristu. Meta spjega l-proċess elaborat li qed jgħaddu minnu l-għaddasa li qed jaħdmu fuqu biex dan il-ġifen jerġa’ jittella’ u jiġu rikoverati l-oġġetti li jinsabu fih, Il-Professur Gambin qal li l-ġimgħat li għaddew kienu importanti għax l-ispedizzjoni rnexxielha tnaddaf il-ġifen mis-sedimet li nġabar fih u madwaru matul il-medda tas-snin.

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16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Refugees are welcome I

n 2014 Leeton Shire Council voted for the shire to become a Refugee Welcome Zone, now one of 163 shires in Australia. In 2012 they formed the Multicultural Support Group, a community group that welcomed new people and helped them settle in their town. BS Riverina Plant Manager, Brett Meads said as one of the largest employers in Leeton, JBS Riverina has a very diverse workforce, employing team members from 36 nationalities.

Technology has also contributed to IVF success rates

xperts said it's important for women and couples looking to conceive to have greater access to IVF information but not at the risk of unsafe clinical practices. UNSW Professor for Policy, Analysis and Epidemiology Georgina Chambers said transparency on clinic success rates is important in the digital age but needs to be regulated. “It needs to be done very carefully so that we don't disadvantage patients that may not have as good a chance of success,” she said. “We also don't want to encourage multiple embryo transfers or other forms of aggressive IVF treatment."

“We are proud to be a part of the Leeton community, and we welcome people with a range of skills from across the world into JBS,” Mr Meads said. The mayor of Leeton Cr Paul Mayton and the multi-cultural support group help new refugees and migrants arriving in Leeton to find work, enrol in English courses and deal with the Australian embassy. He said that at the moment they were finding it difficult to explain the citizenship application system where they are waiting up to six years for their application

to be processed. There was currently up to 40 permanent Australian residents living in Leeton without their families. “It places trauma and emotional stress on these men who are living peacefully in our town, contributing to our town and are a big part of our community,” Cr Maytom said. Leeton, population 8,623 is a town located in the Riverina region of southern New South Wales, Australia. Situated approximately 550 km west of Sydney and 450 km north of Melbourne in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

amendments to be debated. Among them was former federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who has repeatedly weighed into the debate over the contentious bill. Mr Joyce labelled the bill “animalistic” and said it failed to recognise the rights of the unborn child. “There is not one person here who was not

wise society is destroyed,” he told the rally. “If you want to kill someone, how do you do it? You dehumanise them, you give them another word, you don’t call them a person … well I’ll call them a fetus. “Where does this animalistic process stop? This is the slavery debate of our time.” Former PM Tony Abbott (no longer in Parliament) also a speaker, was scathing in response to the Berejiklian Government allowing the private member’s bill to come before the parliament, saying it was not what it was elected to do. He said that the first serious legislation that the new Government puts into this Parliament is for the most radical abortion laws in this country, and claimed that the bill was based on “a lie” because “whether we like it or not, abortion has been decriminalised in this state for up to sixty years. He described it “as a licence for sex-selection abortions, and late-term abortions” and said it was “effectively infanticide on demand”. “You don’t have to be a Catholic; you don’t have to be a Christian, you don’t have to be an evangelical, you don’t have to believe in anything other than the basic decency of every other human being to think that we should never have infanticide on demand.”

‘Abortion is infanticide on demand’ housands joined the rally at Hyde Park born … there comes a time when there are T Sydney to oppose the bill which is due two people, and two people have rights, back before the NSW Upper House for and those rights must be respected other-

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Obey the laws in Victoria not those made in Rome ... Premier Andrews

he state Parliament of Victoria passed laws carrying sentences of up to three years for failing to report abuse, but Premier Daniel Andrews said that he did not know of any convictions under Victoria’s broader mandatory reporting laws, in place for 25 years. Mr Andrews said his Government now expected Church workers to obey the law of Victoria, not rules written in Rome.“I’ve made it very clear that the law of our state is written by the Parliament of Victoria, it’s not made in Rome and there are very significant penalties for anybody and everybody who breaks the Victorian law,” he said.

Genuine anxiety for some people of faith

s Federal Parliament prepares to consider the Morrison Government’s religious discrimination laws, Michelle Rowland MP, Labor's communications spokesperson said there were “practical questions” emerging about the bill, which would allow religious schools to employ staff of a particular faith and let health practitioners conscientiously object to performing an abortion. She said it was not clear why the bill put extra requirements on big companies – in terms of the evidence they have to provide for curtailing employees’ religious expression – but these did not apply to businesses with a revenue of less than $50m. a year. “Why are religious freedoms being determined by the size of the company?” Shortly before the election, Labor introduced a reproductive and sexual health package that included plans to use hospital funding agreements to increase abortion services in public hospitals. While the policy had strong support in the ALP caucus, some Labor insiders have since said there was not enough time to explain it to religious communities. Labor suffered swings against it in highly religious seats, including Ms Rowland’s seat of Greenway and other western Sydney seats that voted “no” in the same-sex marriage postal survey. “I don’t think it’s lost on anyone that there was clearly an issue with Labor and people of faith at the last election,” Ms Rowland said. “There is a sense that we didn’t get it right.” She said Labor’s reproductive and sexual health policy was framed around equal access to healthcare, but she said it was “conflated with a number of broader religious issues”. “I think it’s fair to say this caused genuine anxiety for some people of faith.” Ms Rowland said she was “not blaming anyone” but “these [policies] were being proposed in a vacuum without consideration of how they would be received.”

Mr Andrews said the laws, and the new legislation, were intended to create a culture in which all abuse or mistreatment of children was reported, regardless of how it came to light. He said the bill, which passed the upper house with bipartisan support, was intended to send a message all the way to the top of the Church in Rome. “The most important thing is to send a message that the law is to be taken seriously, if people don’t obey the law, then the penalties are very significant,” he said. “The culture is one where people have taken the laws and their responsibilities in terms of mandatory reporting very seriously.” The changes will bring religious leaders into line with police, teachers, doctors, nurses, school counsellors and youth justice workers who are required to report child abuse to authorities. The Church has insisted priests would be obliged to defy the laws, with Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli previously stating he was prepared to go to jail rather than break the confessional seal. “For Catholics, confession is a religious encounter of a deeply personal nature. It deserves confidentiality,” he said in August. Tasmania’s upper house passed similar laws mandating clergy must report abuse, even when disclosed in confession. Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous said the bill had “serious implications” on religious freedom”.

Tribute to a lovely lady

n September 3 Teresa Camilleri, wife of Emanuel Camilleri, President of the Maltese Community Council of NSW passed away after a prolong illness. Theresa, or Tess as her friends knew her was a very respected lady in the Maltese Community of Victoria and Sydney in her own right. She was a member of the Maltese community, attending functions by her husband’s side, always a step behind not to get involved in political or community issues. She was the typical lady who let her husband lead but always by his side for support. For Theresa her family mattered most, her conversation was all about her children and grandchildren, her love and passion was playing bingo with her friends every Tuesday night, her home was her sanctuary, she was always busy, up early in the morning cleaning and making sure that her home is sparkling clean an environment suitable for her family. During her last eighteen months since she was diagnosed with Cancer, Theresa never changed her attitude. Strong minded and positive she always told people inquiring about her health, “I’m fine, all well,” she

Victoria's premier Kevin Andrews

More welfare payments

he National Party of Australia is calling on the Morrison Government (they govern in a collation) to “pursue” increasing welfare payments, in a new intervention in the debate to raise the rate of Newstart. While the party has stopped short of specifically calling for an overhaul of Newstart, a meeting of the Nationals’ federal council passed a motion that asks the Government to do more for welfare recipients. The motion calls on the Government to “pursue increasing the welfare system to make it adequate in supporting Australians in meeting their basic needs and enabling dignified participation in a modern economy”. This is stronger than the draft motion put forward by the federal parliamentary party, which called for an inquiry into the adequacy of the welfare system. The council also passed a motion in support of a national rollout of the cashless debit card to people under the age of 35 on the dole and parenting payments.

used to say with a smile and assurance. During her last months she travelled to the USA to visit her daughter’s family, a wish she wanted to fulfil. Sadly after her return home, her health had deteriorated and asked to be admitted to hospital. Even at the end Theresa did not want to be a burden on her family. Constantly in pain she never let on so her family would not worry. A truly strong lady who made the Maltese community and her family proud. Rest in peace Theresa. Emanuel Camilleri and his family would like to thank all those who sent condolences and/or flowers and attended the funeral services for Theresa The kindness shown was overwhelming

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Il-Maltin f’Sydney jfakkru Jum il-Vitorja

Tuesday September 24, 2019

altin minn kull naħa ta’ NSW, kull sena jinġabru fil-Katidral ta’ St Mary’s fil-qalba tal-belt ta’ Sydney biex mhux biss jiffesteġġjaw il-Jum Nazzjonali u twelid tal-Madonna iżda biex ukoll iġeddu il-fidi tagħhom u limħabba lejn il-festa tal-Vitorja li għada tant imnaqqxa fit-tradizzjoni ta’ niesna. Dis-sena wkoll dawk li attendew għaċ-ċelebrazzjoni waslu minn ħafna bnadi, bix-xarabanks, bil-ferrovija, u bil-karozzi privati. Uħud ħaduha bil-mixi biex imlew il- katidral għal din id-dimostrazzjoni ta’ fidi u tama. L-għaqdiet tal-Maltin bil-bandalori kuluriti tagħhom komplew jagħtu dehra ta’ festa Maltija, filwaqt li l-Kavallieri ta’ Malta (SMOM) żammew l-appuntament tagħhom flimkien ma’ Lawrence Buhagiar, ir-rappreżentant tal-Gvern Malti fi NSW. Il-kummentatur kien Mark Boffa. Il-purċissjoni bl-istatwa sabiħa tal-Bambina fil-Katidral hi tradizzjoni. Il-kant talkor Malti, il-quddiesa mill-ftit saċerdoti Maltin li baqa’ u l-priedka mid-dekan ilġdid Rodrick Pirotta ġabu fi tmiem għal sen’oħra ċ-ċelebrazzjoni Maltija tat-8 ta’ Settembru fiNSW organizzata minn Fr Tarcisio Micallef (xellig quddiem il-vara), l-uniku saċerdot tal-Missjunarji ta’ San Pawl (mssp) li għad fadal f’Sydney.

FUQ: Xellug: L-għaqdiet Maltin jimxu bil-bandalori tagħhom minn qalb ilkongregazzjoni quddiem il-vara ta’ Marija Bambina fil-purcissjoni filKatidral St Mary’s f’Sydney. (Fuq lemin): Dr George Boffa u Lawrence Buhagiar, il-Konslu Ġenerali fi NSW, waqt il-qari fil-quddiesa. FUQ: Il-kor tal-Għaqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ New South Wales li ħa sehem fiċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-Vitorja fil-Katidral St Mary’s li tmexxa minn Marisa Privitera li tidher bil-wieqfa (tidher lewwel fuq ix-xellug). LEMIN: Uħud millKavallieri ta’Malta fiċ-ċelebrazzjoni. Ritratti : Patrick Bartolo

Għall-attenzjoni tal-qarrejja

Il-qarrejja li jixtiequ juru l-fehmiet tagħhom dwar xi suġġett huma mħeġġa li ma jħallux għall-aħħar. Indirizzaw lemails lil maltesevoice@gmail.com. L-ttri għall-pubblikazzjoni indikawhom: Letters to the editor.

The Voice of the Maltese 19

In Melbourne devotees pack ‘the Church of the Maltese’

Tuesday September 24, 2019

he Feast of Maria Bambina in Parkville was this year held on September 8, at St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne, that most of our community relate to as the Church of the Maltese. The church was packed by devotees for the mass concelebrated by Fr Ignatius Borg, the Archpriest of the Parish of Qala, Gozo, who was on a visit to Melbourne. Fr Lonnie Borg, Fr John Taliana, Fr Noel Bianco, Fr Silvio Bezzina (all MSSP) and Fr Karm Borg and Can. Fr Manny Bonello were co-celebrants. Among the attendees were members of the Executive of the MCCV, former MCCV presidents Victor Borg and Joe Stafrace, members of the Knights of Malta and the Maltese Associations, the Ex Servicemen Association, and members of religious communities. Because of bad weather the procession took place inside the church, where the Maltese Own Band Philharmonic Society played hymns. The singing and music during mass were conducted by Mr Charles Schembri. A large number of Associations attended with their banners. At the end Fr Lonnie Borg thanked the congregation, and the statue bearers, and especially the Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group, which as always, oganised the occasion on behalf of the fathers of the Missionary Society of St Paul. A group of helpers made up of George Topolcsanyi, Charlie Sacco, Charlie Zammit, John Hili, Joe Castillo, Victor Vella, Paul and Salvina Vella saw to the organisation. Paul Vella

F’Wollongong: kienu żmien aħjar har is- Sibt 7 ta’ Settembru fil-knisja jiġu mistiedna jdoqqu innijiet u marci biex N ta’ San Frangisk ta’ Assist f’Warra- jagtuha l-bixra ta’ festa Maltija. wong, subborg ta’ Wollongong, saret ilFis-sittinijiet u sebgħinijiet il-festa kienet festa tat-twelid tal-Madonna li l-Maltin insibuha bħala l-festa tal Vitorja. Fl-imgħoddi din il-festa kienet tiġi ċċelebrata b’ħafna pomp bil-purcisjoni bil-vara tal-Madonna tigi mdawwra mat-toroq ta’ madwar il-knisja u l-parteċipazzjoni talbaned ta’ Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band jew il-Wollongong Brass Band

issir fuq jumejn, b’fiera fil-bitħa tal-iskola is-Sibt wara nofsinhar sa fil-għaxija u bilpurċisjoni u quddiesa solenni il-Ħadd li għalha kien jiġi mistieden biex jiċċelebraha l-isqof ta’ Wollongong Sfortunatament maz-zmien l-entuzjazmu naqas, kemm għax il-Maltin anzjani qed jonqsu u wkoll għax iż-żgħażagħ m’għandhomx dak l-entużjazmu li kellna aħna l-emigranti li ġejna ħafna snin ilu u għadna ngħożżu d-drawwiet u l-kultura Maltija, laktar issa li patri Leonard Testa irtira u ma għadux tant attiv. Din is-sena kienet waħda mill-inqas li attendew Maltin għall-quddiesa li kienet iċċelebrata mil-kapillan tal-parocca Fr. Martin Mai OFM Conv. li qed jieħu ħsieb żewġ knejjes, ta’ Warrawong u ta’ Berekley. Wara il-quddiesa sar riċeviment fis-sala tal-paroċċa. Ma neħodiex bi kbira li din tkun l-aħħar sena li dil-festa ġiet iċċelebrata f’Wollongong. Jekk dan iseħħ tkun ħasra tassew għall-Maltin ta’ dawn l-inħawi għax kemm il-knisja ta’ San Frangisk, kif ukoll din ilfesta huma sinonimi mal-Malti ta’ Illawarra. George Bartolo

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 24, 2019 The Daceville Maltese Group

Interaction between seniors’ groups on National Day T

he Maltese Seniors group, meeting monthly at OLQP George Preca Hall in Greystanes invited the Daceyville Maltese Seniors group (from the areas around Kingsford, Pagewood, Eastgarden, Mascot, Botany) to join them for a celebration morning tea for Jum il-Vitorja. During it they also watched a very interesting World War II documentary about Operation Pedestal that finally saw the crippled oil tanker Ohio, with its deck almost at water level, limp into Malta’s Grand Harbour supported on each side by two destroyers. The success of Operation Pedestal was a turning point in Malta’s history during the war years. The group enjoyed this documentary that highlighted how imperative this wartime operation was to the survival of the Maltese.

It included original footage and interviews with some of the crewmembers that were serving on the ships from this convoy. It was good to see these two groups of Maltese seniors interact in friendship to celebrate one of Malta’s National Days. Each member of the group also received a complimentary hard copy of The Voice of the Maltese, the only Maltese magazine printed in Australia. The Daceville group meets every last Wednesday of the month at Room One, 3, General Bridges Crescent Daceyville.

L-ewwel poeżija bil-Malti ta’ ‘Quddiem Xbiha Dun Karm ippubblikata fl-1912 tal-Madonna’ Hekk kont sabiħa meta rajtek darba ont taf li l-ewwel poeżija bil-Malti Il-perjodiku, F’ħolma, fil-hena taż-żgħurija tiegħi; K li qatt kiteb il-poeta nazzjonali Dun “ i m że w w a q Kont rieqed waħdi f’sodda ċkejkna, mwarrba, Karm Psaila kienet iġġib l-isem ta’, Qud- b’kull xorta ta’ diem Xbieha tal-Madonna. Din il-poeżija kienet ukoll ippubblikata fl-ewwel ħarġa tal-perjodiku bil-Malti “Il-Ħabib” fil-11 ta’ Jannar tal-1912 li leditur tiegħu kien Ġuże` Muscat Azzopardi. L-idea li jibda jinħareġ dan il-perjodiku kien ta’ Ġuże Muscat Azzoaprdi u sieħbu Mons. Pawlu Galea, bil-ħsieb ikun, li żżgħażagħ ikollhom materjal li jiggwidahom lejn edukazzjoni morali u anki li jservi bħala inizjattiva għall-iżvilupp talletteratura Maltija. Għalhekk l-għan ewlieni warajh kien ta’ natura reliġjuża u soċjali u ‘l bogħod kemm jista’ jkun millkamp politiku. Għall-ewwel ħarġa kien ġie mistieden Dun Karm biex jikteb għall-ewwel darba poeżija bil-lingwa materna tiegħu. Ispirat minn xbiha tal-Madonna fl-appartament tiegħu, Dun Karm fassal il-poeżija ‘Quddiem Xbiha tal-Madonna’.

dawl, ta’ tagħlim, ta’ aħbarijiet u ta’ mogħdija taż-żmien: imma dejjem Nisrani u ħabib tal-qalb” kien joħroġ darba fil-ġimgħa, kull nhar ta’ Ħamis u dam joħroġ sal-1928. Tul dawk is16-il sena kien mezz ta’ pubblikazzjonijiet letterarji, kemm minn poeti prominenti kif ukoll minn poeti minuri. Akkademiċi jgħidu li fih kien jispikka l-element qawwi ta’ għaqda li nissel bejn diversi awturi u ġurnalisti, li ħadmu bissħiħ biex il-Malti jkun miktub b’mod korrett u b’hekk seta’ jibbenefika l-poplu inġenerali.

U Int mis-sema nżilt u qgħadt ftti miegħi. Sbiħ il-jum, għejb ix-xemx, flimkien imxierka, M’għandhomx lewn ħelu bħal wardiet ħaddejk; Tisboq kull dija tas-smewwiet, o Mbierka, Il-leħħa rżina minn ta’ ħbub għajnejk. Warda li tbexxaq fiż-żernieq ta’ Mejju Tixbaħ id-daħka ta’ xofftejk, ħanina, Fil-ħin li miegħek tħaddan, tfajjel ħlejju, Il-kbir Feddej, li bata u miet għalina. Għajnejh miksura f’nagħsa ħiemda, iserraħ Ġesù fuq sidrek ir-ras tiegħu żgħira, Minn qalbu għal qalbek ġid is-sema jferraħ... Ma’ dwarek l-anġli b’qima jħarsu b’għira. Imbierka l-id illi pinġietek! Dija Serqet lill-kwiekeb, ġmiel lill-ward tal-ġonna, U bih libbsitek, o b’kull ħajr mimlija, Sultana tas-smewwiet, ħelwa Madonna. Hekk kont sabiħa, jien niftakar sewwa, Meta fil-ħolma ta’ żgħuriti lmaħtek; T’għajnejk, ta’ fommok kienet din il-ħlewwa; U jien fi mħabbti bl-isem t’omm sejjaħtlek.

Il-paġna dwar ‘Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija u dawk li matul is-sekli ħadmu għalliżvilupp tal-ilsien Malti’ tirritorna fil-ħarġa li jmiss, tat-8 ta’ Ottubru

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday September 24, 2019

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

Maltese Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco (NSW) 32nd Annual Dinner Dance

Saturday 12th October from 7.30 pm at Mandavilla Function Centre Horsley Park. Music: by Joe Apap. Book early. Contact Marlene on 02 9631 9295

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.

Jippreżentaw kummiedja brillanti

Għoxrin Minuta Għerusija

Please Note:

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

When Where

Sunday 13th October at 2pm Wentworthville Leagues Club

Għall-biljetti ċemplu: Monica Ledger: 98 96 0712 or 0414 859 386 Joe Borg: 96 242280 Julie Farrugia: 96 367679 Donation: Adults: $12 Kids: $10.00

OLQP FESTA Greystanes Sunday, Sept. 29

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 198 Old Prospect Rd Greystanes

3.30pm: Mass celebrated in English. After Mass Procession of the Statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace 4.30pm: Short Fireworks. 5.15pm: Maltese Cultural Association of NSW Choir performing at the George Preca Centre. 5.30pm: Performance by Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band. 6.30pm: Musical Performance by OLQP Primary School Band. 7.15pm: Musical Performance by Our Lady Queen of Peace. 8.30pm: Fireworks Display Food Stalls – Amusements – Rides – Entertainment – Fireworks – Market Stalls Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/olqp.festa/

La Valette Social Centr e Forthcoming activities

La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847

Sunday Nov. 3: PINE GROVE: usual Mass with OLQP band Tuesday Nov. 5: MELBOURNE CUP morning Tea & Lunch with Charlie Camilleri. Members $30; non-members $35 (that includes morning tea and two-course lunch). You can follow the race on Big screen Tuesday Nov. 10: CHERRY PICKING to ORANGE Members $50; Non members $55 For more information contact the centre ___________________________________ MASS TIMES: Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 5.30 p.m. Sunday: St Dominic’s Chapel: 9.00 a.m.

AUSTRALIAN HC on facebook & twitter

he Australian High Commission’s in Malta T has its own Facebook page, while the High Commissioner has a Twitter account.

Both can be accessed by the readers. The High Commission’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusHCMalta/ The Commissioner’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

Il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS ﬂ-Awstralja bis-servizz tagħha, imma l-qarrejja xorta mħeġġa biex jidħlu ﬁl-website tal-istazzjon Malti: www.tvm.com.mt. għallaħbarijiet kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż Il-website hi aġġornata tul il-jum kollu.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 24, 2019

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

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 97.7fm SBS 2.

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

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 Bankstown 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

Join us and make new friends.

Maltese Group

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

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: Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Meets on the first Wednesday of each

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

*(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 Coast 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 Community Council of Victoria Inc.

L-MCCV qed jilqa’ applikazzjonijiet għall-pożizzjoni ta’ għalliem/a part-time tal-ilsien Malti fil-binja tagħhom f’14 Watt Street, Sunshine, Victoria. L-applikanti għandu jkollhom għarfien sew tal-Malti kemm miktub kif ukoll mitkellem. Ibgħat applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lill: admin@mccv.org.au Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq 0412 115 919. Ħalli nnumru tattelefon u nċemplulek lura.

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee

Remaining main events for 2019

Sunday October 20: Fete Saturday Nov. 9: Dinner Dance Sunday December 1: Feast

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

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Sports on 2 pages

Tuesday September 24, 2019

George Cross’ move from a Third World ground to a modern stadium

For George Cross it’s a case of ‘good things come to those who wait’

he City Vist a Court by VictorBrincat facilities currently being used by Caroline Spring George Cross are truly amazing and will no doubt assist the club into becoming a truly professional club on and off the field. No expense has been spared to ensure that the players have the best facilities to play on at the new stadium The complex has two artificial and two grass pitches all with lighting for night matches, and the main pitch is equipped with cameras on the light towers in order for matches to be telecast and shown on the large screen at the ground. Provision is also made for those who prefer to watch matches in comfort on various TV screens inside the bistro. A drone can also be used to film training sessions for the club coaches to scrutinise tactics and erase errors. The complex also has eight changing rooms all with toilets and showers, players’ own lockers, messaging tables and coaches white-board. The men’s home team changing room also has a coach’s office; a mini gym, a fully-equipped laundry and full size ice buckets to assist in player recuperation from injuries and minor ailments. The ground is also equipped with a referee’s room, a 120-seat function room, the sportsmen’s bar that now has the TAB in operation and the ‘Georgies On Vista’ bistro that overlooks the main pitch. The club employs full time bar/canteen staff, bistro assistants and two full time chefs. In the short space of time The Georgies on Vista bistro has been operating it has proven to be very popular and continues to build a strong and regular cliental. The Bistro offers a full range of meals at

– Part Three (final) –

competitive prices and includes senior meals. Lately the Bistro has introduced many tempting Maltese dishes that will surely add to its popularity. Patrons are made to feel welcome at the Georgies on Vista Bistro and everyone is assured of a great meal at the best possible price. For menu and opening hours one should check The Georgies on Vista Facebook page. George Cross have also negotiated a twoyear deal with new A League Club Western United to train and use the new centre for practice matches. Western United have set up their offices within the City Vista Court complex while their new ground is being built. Up to last week, Western United had played three midweek practice games at the City Vista stadium that have attracted over 8,000 spectators. George Cross were the first team to offer opposition to United; Preston Lions and North Geelong also played Mark Rudan’s new team. Many people have been involved in making the dream at City Vista Court become a reality. All are to be congratulated for their efforts, but one guy that must get extra recognition is Eddie Gauci who has been involved in the project throughout. Eddie has thrown his heart and soul to ensure this project is completed on time and everything is done to the club’s specifications. In far from ideal circumstances he has held daily meetings with various councillors, builders, grounds-men and numerous tradesmen to ensure that everything is done correctly and on time. The project is far from complete and a lot of work still needs to be done before it becomes the stadium befitting a club like George Cross. In the short space of time at the new centre the club has already outgrown certain as-

The crowd that attended George Cross’ first match at the new stadium against Altona City

Eddie Gauci

pects of the place. At some matches carparking space was nowhere near enough for the number of people attending matches. The club has already applied to council for more car-parking space and it is hoped the request would be met favourably. There has also been limited space for the few functions the club has so far organised and hopefully one day the provision that is in place to build another storey above the current clubrooms would also be approved. It’s said that ‘Rome wasn’t built in one day’ and for the time being club members will continue working until the project is completed. For the first and only time in the club’s history George Cross will have the infrastructure in place to be able to compete with the best football teams in Victoria. Moving to the City Vista Court Stadium has been a shot in the arm for George Cross in so far as prestige is concerned. It is a far cry from the days of playing in a third world ground like Chaplin Reserve, where conditions reflected badly on the club. Early signs indicate the fans love the new premises. It is something George Cross thoroughly deserve, and something the Maltese community of Victoria should be proud of. New coach Eric Vasiliadis summed it up best by saying; “It’s onwards and upwards for the Georgies from now on”. And by golly George Cross fans have been very patient for a long, long time!! (End of series)

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports on 2 pages

Tuesday September 24, 2019

Manchester Utd cement ties with Malta

t Manchester United’s Aon Training Complex recently, the English Premiership club that has a global fan base of over a billion, and the Malta government signed a multi-year partnership that will see United promote Malta as a tourist destination. Manchester United players Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Andreas Pereira, as well as club legend Bryan Robson, were on hand to welcome Malta’s Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and officials from the Tourism Ministry and Malta Tourism Authority to celebrate the collaboration and the historic agreement. Manchester United have deep and enduring ties with Malta, where the club supporters officially run the club’s oldest Supporters Club, that was founded in 1959 and this year is celebrating its 60th anniversary. As part of the partnership, Visit Malta and Manchester United will encourage the club’s fans around the world to experience the vibrant, exciting and beautiful country with Maltese Tourism Ministry providing attractive travel offers exclusively for Manchester United supporters. Through the partnership, Visit Malta will get strong exposure during home matches with a Visit Malta banner around Old Trafford, and on the club’s digital marketing channels, social and printed media.

Scan Jefferson, director of partnerships at Manchester United said: “Manchester United has long-standing links with Malta, welcoming hundreds of Maltese fans to Old Trafford every season. We are proud of our association with the country and look forward to working with them to highlight the destination’s many great qualities to our international fan base.” Minister Mizzi said that this partnership complements Malta’s tourism strategy to consolidate its traditional markets such as the UK, whilst targeting new markets from Eurasia region, where Manchester United

Malta’s Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and MTA officials at Old Trafford

holds a very strong following. Thanks to this agreement, Malta’s name is being splashed across the Old Trafford stadium, that has a capacity for 76,000 spectators

Ħamrun, Floriana, Sta Lucia share lead

hampions Valletta are crawling back to their rightful place Malta’s Football Premier League RESULTS as main challengers for the Premier League title once again; so too Hibernians following victories on Day 4 of the Day 4 Championship. But the initial stages of the 2019/20 campaign 2-0 belong to Santa Lucia, Ħamrun Spartans, and Floriana who Valletta v Balzan Floriana v Gzira Utd 0-0 share the leading position in the league standings Santa Lucia are the surprise packet. The newly-promoted Hibernians v Senglea 2-1 4-0 side keeps going great guns having beaten neighbours Tarxien Ħamrun S v Sirens 2-1 Sta Lucia v Tarxien R. on Sunday to stay in touch with Ħamrun, who defeated Sirens, and Floriana who could only manage a scoreless draw with Mosta v Birkirkara 1-1 Sliema W. Gudja U 1-1 Gzira in one of the main fixtures of the weekend. All three enjoy a one-point lead over Valletta, who beat Day 3 Balzan in another much-awaited clash, Hibernians, who were Valletta v Floriana 1-1 pressed hard by Senglea but managed to beat them despite Sirens v Hibernians 2-1 having goalkeeper red-carded, Senglea and Sirens who suf- Gzira Utd v Sliema W. 1-1 fered their first defeat, a heavy one, against Ħamrun. Balzan v Birkirkara 3-3 Birkirkara’s change of coaches does not seem to have done Gudja U v Sta Lucia 1-1 them much good as they are still searching for their first vic- Ħamrun S. v Tarxien R. 3-2 tory. In their last outing they were held to a 1-1 draw by Mosta Senglea v Mosta 2-1 By Day three the Premier League table had a strange look about it as none of the teams expected to be in the thick of the battle for the title were around the top placings. alta’s next match in the EURO 2020 qualiIt had been newly promoted Sirens, fiers will be a home tie, set for October 12 in their debut season in the Premier, Senglea, who had a tough time last at the national Stadium against Sweden. It will be season and Floriana, who have been Malta’s seventh game in the qualifiers and comes trying to find their feet after their after this month’s away ties against Norway and glorious years, that shared top Romania. The coming fixture is the return tie billing. against Sweden after the 3-0 defeat But now the supporters of champiThus far, Malta has collected three points from ons Valletta and last season’s run- the home victory over Faroe Islands and lost the ners-up Hibernians are hoping that other five matches against Spain, the leaders of their teams’ machines have started to the group with 18 points. Next come Sweden function to make a go of it. with 11 points, Romania 10, Norway 9, and Even more disappointing at the MALTA with 3. Faroe Islands, Malta’s opponents start of the league campaign are the on October 15 at Torshavn bring up the rear. They supporters of Birkirkara and Sliema are pointless. Wanderers. Their teams only have Malta’s remaining group matches after that two points to show for their toils. would be in November, away to Spain (15the) Ħamrun, Florianna, Sta Lucia have 8 pts and Norway at Ta’ Qali three days later.

Malta’s next EURO 2020 qualifier against Sweden

Important close season signing by George Cross

aroline Springs George Cross have made their intentions clear with the signing of former Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory player Brendon Santalab. In an ambitious move for Brendon Santalab and the club, the player will wear the George Cross colours in 2020 and also embark on a new career with George Cross as a Commercial and Sales Manager.