The Voice of the Maltese No. 111 by The Voice of the Maltese

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

Issue 111

o on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e

September 29, 2015

Il-Festa ta’ Maria Bambina (Il-Vitorja) commemorated at St Mary’s Cathedral in NSW

A section of the congregation invited for the service at St Mary’s. Above: H.E. Charles Muscat, Malta’s Commissioner in Australia in his concluding address. (Photos Rita Kassas) (For report see page 11)

Fr Noel Bianco MSSP who delivered the homily

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

Nature of diasporic writing A

convention for Maltese living abroad aims at bringing together Maltese who, though living in a different environment for a variable length of time, still have common interests and feel connected with the mother country. One unusual feature of the conven- Profs Maurice Cauchi tion for Maltese living abroad held recently in Valletta was a literary contact with the Maltese language symposium organised by the Univer- and culture and, indeed, they hardly sity of Malta in conjunction with the think of themselves as migrants but, Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This is as emphasised by one participant, as the first time such a symposium has ‘expatriates’, which, in fact, enables featured the writing of Maltese living abroad. Appropriately enough, it was held at the Old University and attracted an audience of about 80 interested persons. This symposium brought together two distinct elements that reflect the writings of Maltese living abroad. The first part of consisted writers of prose in Maltese. Three participants took part in this discussion, namely, Karl Schembri, Mark Vella and Alex Vella Gera, under the able chairmanship of Adrian from Grima, the university’s Department of Maltese. The main issues that were discussed revolved around sources of inspiration that fire the them to hang on to their right to a imagination of these authors, all of Maltese identity which includes resiwhom write in Maltese. dents’ rights and voting rights. What these writers share in common Their works are published in Malta is the fact that they have left Malta and they contribute regularly to soonly recently (in the last 12 years) and cial media in Maltese that deal with have settled in countries which are Maltese cultural issues. relatively close to Malta, in Europe The second part of the symposium and the Middle East. was devoted to writers of English This has facilitated their continued prose.

The literature produced by persons of Maltese background is bound to inject new insights

Chaired by Stella Borg-Barthet, from the Department of English, the participants were Lou Drofenik and Anna Maria Weldon from Australia, Aline P’nina Tayar from Belgium and Josephine Burden currently living in Malta. The majority of these authors felt estranged from the Maltese cultural influences but were still very affected by their historical baggage, which often inspired their stories. In contrast to the participants of writers in Maltese, the writers in English were completely integrated in the country where they live and, while they still visit Malta regularly and find inspiration in anything Maltese, they do not feel they belong there. They have settled elsewhere and look on Malta as a place to visit rather than one to live on. Literature helps to clarify issues which may not be so readily dealt with through any other medium It is curious to see that all the writers in Maltese were male while those writing in English were all women. This was not planned – it just happened.

*Continued on page 3

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

Nature of diasporic writing *from page 2 It is rather remarkable also that there are a greater number of Maltese women novelists outside Malta than in Malta itself. The reason for this is certainly not obvious. Another puzzling situation is the complete absence of writers in Maltese in persons of the second generation living overseas. This applies both to prose and to poetry and it presumably results from the fact that the degree of facility in a language is expected to be much higher for writers in a particular language – a facility lacked by the majority of persons from the second generation. A language which might be sufficient for ordinary day-to-day communicaation, or even for high level communication at a professional level, might not be sufficiently polished to reach the level required for producing literature. This, unfortunately, spells the death knell for the preservation of Maltese language writers among the second generation of Maltese living abroad. It is not really surprising that two major issues common to most authors relate to exile and identity. Drofenik says: “Maltese migrants came to Australia with a culture and language which defined their identity as Maltese. This identity developed over the years of settlement into a Maltese/Australian identity.” Her novels emphasise the isolation association with loss of roots: “The first years of settlement when everything – landscape, language, cultural expectations, work – are alien to the migrant are the hardest to endure.” And, yet, her characters seem to have changed to the extent that they find their old homeland also foreign. When they return to Malta, they might find that they cannot cope with the mentality of the locals which they find “insular and inward looking, they had a cultural identity which looked and rejoiced in its smallness and was based on such things as family values, male domination and female submission”. They realised that although returning

migrants “still felt they were intrinsically Maltese, the years of migration

Karl Schembri changed them irrevocably”. Weldon discovered a deep attachment to her new environment, with particular empathy with aboriginal links of the country where she lives.

Complex beings She finds parallels between her life as a new settler and the lives of the indigenous communities of West Australia and writes about a “love for the knowledge of ancestors, country and language, a yearning for deeper appreciation of those relationships which endure between them and sustain us all”. She remarks: “We are complex beings, each with stories of our own by which we navigate place”. Burden’s prose also deals with topics of migration and identity: “...our identity as a woman or as a man is also shaped by the culture in which we live”. And this changes with time. She hears “the sounds of place more clearly as I grow old, as though the earth is calling me home”. Interestingly, she admits to her difficulty to define her identity: “People sometimes ask me to declare if I feel more Maltese or Australian or British, to say where I feel most at home. I find this an impossible question to answer.” Most complex of all is the state of P’nina Tayar: “Born a Jew into arguably

the smallest Jewish community in the world, that of the predominantly Catholic island of Malta, I appear unable to let go of the clear red thread of uncertainty that can be picked out in all my writing and which has been exacer-

Mark Vella bated by the fact that I’ve lived in many countries including Israel, Australia, France, Italy, England and Belgium.” And she asks: “So, how many generations does it take to make someone Maltese? This was a question that dogged me for years and it was why I began compiling vignettes and life stories with a view to writing a family history or rather family histories.” One might likewise ask: How many generations does it take to make a Maltese person become an Australian or Canadian or whatever? Often, more than one generation and sometimes several or never. She concludes that she carries multiple identities: “This theme of loss and exile is Malta’s legacy to me as a Maltese Jewish Australian English writer. I doubt I will ever be able to let it go completely.” Literature helps to clarify issues which may not be so readily dealt with through any other medium. A symposium of this nature highlights particular issues that ‘expatriate’, ‘migrant’ or otherwise displaced writers may face and, hopefully, resolve in the process of integration. The literature produced by persons of Maltese background who no longer consider Malta to be their homeland is bound to inject new insights and produce a new genre of work which, hopefully, would be of interest to Maltese wherever they happen to be.

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Time to establish civil rights Movement in Australia Over the last few days on our TV screens we have followed the sad plight of thousands of refugees making their way to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. We have seen them crossing in rubber dinghies to Greek islands from Turkey and marching through Hungary in their desperate attempt at reaching Austria and Germany to make a future for themselves and their families. One can't help but admire their spirit to overcome all odds. It was pleasing to note the welcome extended to them by the German and Austrian communities. This is in sharp contrast to the treatment meted out by the Australian Government to refugees who happen to venture close to our shores. Australia has dehumanised refugees to the extent that a large section of the Australian community appears to accept that the cruel and shameful conditions we impose upon them is justified as a means of "stopping the boats". One can recall the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reaction to the release of the report of Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, who detailed the appalling conditions and suffering of refugee children held in detention. Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policies have been denounced by the rest of the world, most notably in the New

York Times in its editorial headed, Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brutal VictorGBorg A.M., MQR, LL.B. Treatment of Migrants. It is scandalous that the (Melb), LL.M (Lond) Australian Border Force Act, Lawyer, presieffective from July, imposes dent of the Malsevere penalties including tese Commuimprisonment of profession- nity Council of als and other staff for pub- Victoria. He was born in Gzira, Malta in licly disclosing any August 1941. His family immigrated to information relating to the Australia on May 20, 1955 when he was conditions imposed on those just 14 years. held in detention. This is Mr Borg was educated at St Joseph's further proof of a govern- College, and the Lyceum College, Malta, ment demanding secrecy to and at the Marcelline and Taylors Colensure that the Australian leges in Melbourne. He graduated Bachpopulation is kept in the elor of Laws (LL.B) from the University dark. of Melbourne (1963), and was admitted It seems that the commu- to practice as Barrister and Solicitor of nity has been conditioned to the Supreme Court of Victoria (1964). become complacent and disHe pursued post-graduate studies in interested to the extent that Low in London (1965-1966) and graduit fails to observe core values ated as Master of Laws (LL.M) from the including a fair go for every- University of London, 1966. Currently one. he is Principal of the law-firm Victor One recalls the public Borg & Co., Barristers & Solicitors. protests regarding the cruel Victor Borg served as Honorary Consul treatment of livestock ex- for Republic of Malta, from 1982 to ported from Australia and a 2012. government prohibition of live exports pending agreeQC who have displayed a willingment on slaughtering procedures. ness to challenge government legThere have been little or no islation and procedures in the protests when it comes to the cru- interest of the accused and disadelty imposed on fellow human be- vantaged refugees. ings as a direct result of I believe that what is really Australian government actions. needed in Australia is for the comThe establishment of a civil rights munity to get the message across movement to to our government through a wellchallenge and to organised and effective civil rights hold government movement to constantly oversee to account for government policies and, in approthe treatment of priate cases, challenge them in the people who seek courts. refuge in this Establishing such a movement country is long would not be difficult. One just overdue. It is not has to observe the multitudes who acceptable for a regularly show up at public rallies community to organised by community groups to allow human be- protest against unfair government ings to be de- policies. tained for long The latest example were the Light periods of time the Dark - Australia Says Welcome and, as a result, rallies held on the last day of Ausuffer from seri- gust in cities across the country to ous medical and show solidarity with the asylum p s y c h o l o g i c a l seekers from war-torn countries conditions. who recently lost their life in their One can only desperate search for safety and A video reproduced in English by admire the ef- peace in Europe. the Australian Government warning forts of David It is only through such moveagainst refugees trying to enter Manne and Ju- ments that politicians can be held Australia illegally lian Burnside accountable.

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

An Educator at Large Dealing With Issues of (Dis)Ability The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2011 report states that “almost everyone will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life”, especially with the ageing population. It goes on to say that , Disability is complex, and thethe intervenDisability is complex, and intertions to overcome the disadvantages ventions to overcome the disadvan-associated with disability multiple tages associated withare disability areand systemic – varying with the context multiple and systemic – varying with (‘Summary’, the context p7). (‘Summary’, p7). It is now estimated (2010) that “More than a billion people ... live with some form of disability, or about 15% of the world’s population”. The report of 2011 is based on the framework of the WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, (ICF, 2001). This classification stresses function over diagnosis. Thus, for every person, it does away with differences between ‘mental’ and ‘physical’ health. It deals with the ‘gap between capacity and performance’. Therefore, as a priority in dealing with this gap, society needs to remove barriers previously termed ‘handicaps’ and ‘identify facilitators to benefit all people’. An interesting fact which comes as no surprise to professionals in the various fields the ‘prevalence of disability corresponds to social and economic status.’ In my experience, one could also add, ‘corresponding to some micro or sub-cultural groups. Many affected individuals and their families go through some very traumatic times, from diagnosis through to living, temporarily or permanently, with disability. Indeed, many a marriage has been placed under enormous pressure, hardship and grief that frequently accompanies severe and multiple disabilities, and the implication for all concerned. For this sole reason, the needs of families daunted by the realities of disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) cannot be rolled out to all affected individuals and families soon enough. From watching or reading daily news one can conclude that it doesn’t take much to end up disabled, temporarily or permanently; partially or totally, at least until some form of surgical/medical intervention and rehabilitation to improve function or ability. Such cases include being “at the wrong place at the wrong time”, e.g. in a car crash with a drunken, speeding, drugged driver, or a heart attack victim in oncoming traffic; or being caught in another form of transport or other major disaster. Quite frequently traffic crashes are preventable; namely, driving safely;

abiding by traffic rules and regulations; taking care and being mindful of not only one’s driving, but also of other drivers’ habits and actions. Other ways of and strategies for avoiding preventable disability may involve planning, growing good habits, healthy lifestyle, avoiding mindless risks and shunning some entrenched cultural norms. It is well known in educational circles that consanguinity, especially over successive generations, has resulted in a high rate of physical and intellectual disabilities in those families and communities. Also, another now entrenched phenomenon is foetal alcohol syndrome and newborns’ addiction to substances already abused by the pregnant mother. Besides congenital issues, there are also the medium and long term cumulative effects of addiction and cravings to processed and “fast” foods that can bear little resemblance to what a healthy body and mind are made to digest and absorb. This often results in preventable and chronic diseases caused by inflammation, such as osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that often result in heart attacks and strokes (Marquis, D.M., 2013) Substance abuse, besides hereditary factors, has now been directly linked to psychological, behavioural and mental health issues. Long term use of certain addictive, usually illicit substances, has resulted in permanent and irreversible mental health problems, especially in individuals who are already genetically predisposed to certain conditions. So too is the long term use of legal substances such as tobacco and alcohol that result in unnecessary and preventable diseases and early death. Some hospital wards are full of individuals who are admitted as a direct result of preventable ailments. That said one should be heartened by the fact that rehabilitation, combined with appropriate medication and/or change in lifestyle can, quite frequently, turn around an individual’s prospect for a healthier future. This would include better participation in the community and overall healthier aspects of life, directly for the individual, the family and society at large. The 3rd of December is designated World Disability Day. Australia presents a very apt slogan: “Don’t Dis my Ability”. So the emphasis is on ability. Indeed, whether it’s early intervention, ongoing support and rehabilitation of targeted individuals, it serves a nation and indeed the world to have disabled indi-

viduals participating in all aspects of life: education and training, work, sport, entertainment and, rightfully, representation at the highest level of LucyCalleja democracy, namely parliament if appropriate. As we wait anxiously for every nearing Olympics Opening Ceremony, one can’t but be inspired and overawed by the skills attained by Paralympians at their sport during the Paralympics. They are individuals who have attained at the highest level of their nominated event, quite frequently against all odds. Their determination to succeed at the highest level shows all able bodied what can be achieved by rehabilitation, training and determination. At the other end of the spectrum, untold numbers of people with a disability do not achieve owing to artificial barriers. The WHO report mentioned above names and explains a long list that really stands at the doors of governments, institutions, corporations and society at large: • Inadequate policies and standards • Negative attitudes • Lack of provision of services • Problems with service delivery • Inadequate funding • Lack of accessibility • Lack of consultation and involvement • Lack of data and evidence (‘Summary’, pp9-10) From general observations in the community, one can see that much can be achieved by individuals with ability and impairment issues if the right support is available. Sometimes it can mean minor support, such as dealing with partial sensory impairments, e.g. use of prescription glasses and / or hearing aids; short or medium term counselling; appropriate medication and compensatory technology or suitable adjustment of a disabled individual’s educational or work environment. No matter how minimal or major the support that’s required for any individual with any form of disability, it behoves governments and society at large to care for individual needs. In the long term, it’s also morally and financially more effective to have every individual supported and valued, no matter the level of ability and special needs.

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

Louis Shickluna: Il-Malti bennej tal-vapuri fuq ix-xmajjar KanadiΩi M

alta minn dejjem kellha nies li g˙amlulha gie˙, kemm f’pajjiΩna kif ukoll barra minn xtutna. G˙alkemm kienu Maltin mhux dejjem baqg˙u mag˙rufa fostna daqskemm kienu f’pajjiΩi o˙ra. Fost dawn kien hemm il-bravu Louis Shickluna. G˙alkemm fi çkunitu ftit mar skola, Louis g˙amel isem barra u baqa’ msemmi fost in-nies prominenti ta’ Ωmienu. Huwa meqjus fost l-aqwa li qatt kien hemm fil-Kanada, u fost iç-çittadin importanti u rrispettati fil-belt ta’ St Catharines, fejn g˙ex bejn l -838 u l-1880. Shickluna twieled l-Isla iben Joseph u Teresa (kunjom xbubijtha Farrugia) fis-16 ta’ Ìunju tal-1808. Kien g˙ad kellu biss xi tnax-il sena meta kien di©a` jmur ma’ misieru fuq ixxog˙ol fit-tarzna. Joseph kien ja˙dem ta’ mastrudaxxa fuq il-vapuri. It-tfajjel Louis mill-ewwel wera l-˙ajra u beda jie˙u nteress biex ikun jaf aktar dwar ilbini tal-vapuri. Jista’ jag˙ti l-kas li t-tfajjel dam ja˙dem hemm g˙al zi zmien, sakemm imbag˙ad imbarka fuq vapur tal-Gwerra jag˙mel xi xog˙ol ta’ mastrudaxxa. Fl- 1824 Louis emigra lejn l-Istati Uniti u beda ja˙dem fi New York. Dam hemm madwar sitt snin sakemm fl-eta’ ta’ 23 sena ddeçieda li jitlaq lejn Quebec fil-Kanada, fejn beda jmexxi x-xog˙ol b˙ala mg˙allem fil-bini tar-Royal William, it-tieni vapur li kien ja˙dem bl-istim li qasam lOcejan Atlantiku. Fl-1831 Louis imbarka fuq l-istess vapur b˙ala uffiçjal u ma damx wisq li mar Oakville f’Ontario fejn kien fost dawk li mexxew ix-xog˙ol fuq il vapur Consitution. Matul

dan iΩ-Ωmien kiseb esperjenza biΩΩejjed biex beda jfassal il-pjanti tal-vapuri hu. Imbag˙ad fl 1838 ©ietu l-opportunita` li jikri tarzna g˙al 15 il-dollaru fis-sena fil-belt ta’ St Catharines. Shickluna kien bniedem li ma jaqta’ qalbu minn xejn u snin wara JoeRScicluna sa anke xtara l-istess tarzna ming˙and William Merritt, il-bniedem li kien irsista ˙afna biex jinbena l-Welland Canal. F’din it-tarzna minbarra l-bini ta’ vapuri kien isir ukoll xog˙ol ta’ tiswijja. Qabel xtara t-tarzna, l-Iskuna Welland Canal, li kienet giet varata fl1828, kienet saret l-ewwel biçça talba˙ar li da˙let g˙at-tiswijja fil-baçir tieg˙u. Kellu ˙afna xog˙ol u f’Mejju tal1841 mill-baçir tieg˙u ©iet varata l-iskuna Chief Justice Robinson, li dak iz-zmien kienet l-akbar skuna li ©©orr it-tag˙bija fuq il Welland Canal. Ix-xog˙ol qatt ma naqas u n-negozju kien sejjer tajjeb ˙afna tant li g˙all-1850, Shickluna ˙tie©lu jibni baçir ie˙or biex ila˙˙aq max-xog˙ol. Bnieh ˙dejn il-Welland Canal, u kien kbir biΩΩejjed biex ikollu Ωew© partijiet. Parti minnhom kienet ikun mimlija bl-ilma ba˙ar u l-o˙ra tibqa’ vojt ˙alli hekk seta’ jkollu xog˙ol g˙addej fuq Ωew© vapuri f’˙in wie˙ed. Shickluna kien imfittex ˙afna g˙all-kwalita` tax-xog˙ol li jag˙mel. Kiseb fama li dejjem ilesti x-xog˙ol fil-˙in. F’gazzetta li kienet to˙rog fil-belt ta’ St Catharines hemm imniΩΩel li kien sa g˙amel im˙atra li kien lest jitlef Ritratt storiku ta’ wa˙da mit-tarznari ta’ Louis Shickelf dollaru jekk ma jispiççax fil-˙in l-arblu gdid luna fil-Kanada fl-1864 g˙all-iskuna WF Allan Bdiha kmieni fil-g˙odu u sa fil-g˙axija lestiha u bl-iskuna ssalpa mill-baçir eΩatt fil-˙in Sal-1856 kien stmat li ˙argu u tlestew mittarzna ta’ St Catharines mal-24 vapur. Fl-istess sena nnegozja u bieg˙ it-tarzna g˙al $60,000. Imma tant kien hemm domanda g˙all-bini talvapuri, li s-sena ta’ wara xtraha lura. Jing˙ad li matul dak iΩ-Ωmien, Shickluna kien i˙addem mal-250 ru˙ u fost dawn kien anke mpjega mieg˙u xi skjavi li kienu ˙arbu mill-Amerika. Shickluna mhux biss g˙amel isem u kien mag˙ruf fil-Kanada, iΩda huwa mag˙rufa li ˙afna mill-vapuri li ˙ar©u mit-tarzna tieg˙u, baqg˙u msemmija fl-istorja marittima tal-Kanada, fosthom Ωewg vapuri, il-Canada u l-America li kienu nbew fl-1853-54 g˙all-kumpanija mag˙rufa Great Western Railway. Kienu l-akbar biççiet tal-ba˙ar li jba˙˙ru fuq ixxmara Ontariou ja˙dmu bl-istim. Imma wara ftit waqfu joperaw u snin wara, matul il-Gwerra Civili fl-Amerika spiççaw f’idejn il-Gvern.

*ikompli f’pa©na 7

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

Jibqa’ mfakkar g˙as-sehem tieg˙u lill-Industrija tal-bini tal vapuri *minn pa©na 6 Louis Shickluna re©a` ˙a f’idejh it– tarzna ta‘ Niagara u minnha fl-1864 ©ie varat il-vapur City of Toronto. Tlett snin wara da˙al jopera fuq l-istess rotta l-vapur Rothesay Castle. Bejn iΩ-Ωew© vapuri da˙let il-pika dwar min minnhom kien kapaçi jag˙mel il-vjagg fl-iqsar ˙in. Ir-rebbie˙ kien is-City of Toronto. Minn xi daqqiet, Shickluna kien i˙aΩΩez pjanti ta biççiet tal-ba˙ar. Kien l-ewwel li bena skuna bil-quddiem tag˙ha wiesg˙a u çatt wieqaf ©ej b˙al ΩurΩieqa. Wara nbnew o˙rajn li g˙al Ωmien twil kienu ba˙˙ru fuq ix-xmajjar kbar tal Kanada. G˙al xi Ωmien ˙aseb li jibda jnaqqas ix-xog˙ol u fl-1871 kien anke ©ie Malta g˙al Ωjara qasira. Sadanittant ittifel tieg˙u Joseph ˙a f’idejh it-tmexxija tat-tarzana. Il-bini tal- vapuri kien naqas u kien qed isir biss xog˙ol ta’ tiswijja fuq biççiet Ωg˙ar tal-ba˙ar. Fl-1892 l-aΩjenda nxtrat minn propjetarji ©odda sakemm sentejn wara g˙alqet g˙al kollox. Ftit li xejn fadal xi jfakkar fil-post fejn kienet topera t-tarzna ta’ Shickluna. G˙al dawk li j˙obbu l-istorja, hu interessanti jing˙ad li fil-belt ta’ St Cathrines li g˙al bosta snin kienet mag˙rufa mad-dinja marittima b˙ala

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l-post prominenti g˙all-bini u t-tiswija tal vapuri, kienet twa˙˙let plakka biex tfakkar lil dan il-Malti. Mhux mag˙ruf eΩatt kemm ˙ar©u vapuri mit-tarzna ta’ Shickluna, u ˙afna lanqas nafu x’sar minnhom, imma donna li xxorti u l-istorja riedu li vapur mibni fit-tarzna tal-persuna©© Malti jinstab fil-fond tax-xmara Ontorio. Dan se˙˙ meta 30 sen’ilu kienu nstabu l-fdalijiet tal-vapur Sligo, li kien ©ie varat fl-1860 b˙ala l-Prince of Wales. Kien skuna tal-injam bi tliet arbli u j©orr il-merkanzija. Kien re©a’ nbena mill-©did fl-1874. Illum jinsab mg˙arraq f’fond ta’ madwar tmien metri fil-port ta’ Toronto. Fi Ωmienu kien isalpa minn Toronto g˙all-Ingilterra u l-Afrika t-isfel. Il-vapur g˙andu post speçjali fl-istorja marittima g˙ax kien l-ewwel li ˙are© minn tarzna fil-Kanada mag˙mul apposta biex iba˙˙ar fix-xmajjar kbar ta’dan il-pajjiΩ. Meta Shickluna gie biex jiddisinjah ma tax kas kif kienu jinbnew il-vapuri skont disinn imfassal mill-mudell IngliΩ. Imma l-qisien tieg˙u saru preciΩament g˙all-Welland Canal. Meta xi snin ilu g˙addasa u arkeolo©isti niΩlu jie˙du ritratti u jag˙mlu Referenzi

The historical Plaque in the Canadian city of St Catharines studju dwar dan il-vapur, sabu rromblu li permezz tieg˙u kienet tingibed it-tag˙bija ta’ ramel u Ωrar li kien g˙adu fil-vapur. Innutaw ukoll li t-tmun tal-vapur kien g˙adu ntatt u mwa˙˙al f’postu. MaΩ-Ωmien il-vapur kien gie mibdul f’barkun biex i©orr ir-ramel u Ω-Ωrar fil-bini tat-triq ewlenija llum mag˙rufa b˙ala l-Queen Elizabeth Highway. F’Settembru tal-1918 il-vapur g˙ereq waqt maltempata. L-ekwipa©© kellu jabbandunah miltuq mar-ri˙ sakemm inkiser u g˙ereq. Forsi dak li fadal mill-vapur g˙ad ji©i mtella’ u jitpo©©a f’MuΩew Marittimu li ikun jixraq li jigi msemmi g˙all- kompatrijott Malti Louis Shickluna biex jibqa’ mfakkar g˙all-˙idma tieg˙u u l-kontribut tieg˙u lejn l-Industrija tal-bini tal vapuri .

Joseph Abela (Louis Shickluna – A successful Senglean Shipbuilder - June 2008) Isla Local Council (Louis Shcikluna ( 1808- 1880 ) Shipbuilder in Canada Maritime History of Great Lakes (Louis Shickluna – Boatbuilder April 1975) Maritime History of Great lakes (ouis Shickluna - Propeller - sunk by collision May 1897) Minnesota’s Lake Superior (History and Development of the Great lakes water Crafts ship wrecks) St Catharines Standard Canada (Remembering the Master Shipbuilder Louis Shickluna Dec 2014) Peter D A Warwick (Pioneer Shipbuilder of Great Lakes was Maltese TOM Oct 1978) Stephen Weir (Cruise of Toronto’s Harbour – Diving the Wreck of the Sligo –The Worker – Welland Canal (Louis Shickluna – Boat Builder – Dates & Notes monument).

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8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

The Voice of the Maltese on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e o

is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly online publication specifically targeting all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian scene. is online magazine is sent via email by request. Subscription is free. Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice either in Maltese or English should be e-mailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

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Advocating for marriage equality Chris Andrews from Melbourne, Victoria,writes:

am a regular reader of The Voice and enjoy reading it. Though I cannot read Maltese I have friends who translet for me. An article in Issue No. 109 on same sex marriage, written by a Mr Victor Vella was brought to my notice. I respect his opinions, but I find many of

Mhux spekulazzjoni JL Spiteri minn Mosman NSW jikteb:

rrid ng˙id prosit g˙aliex fl-a˙har ˙ar©iet The Voice l-ittri lill-editur I˙adutal-magazine xejra aktar interessanti u l-mod kif ilqarrejja jisvol©u l-fehmiet tag˙hom saru tassew intelli©enti. It-tajjeb ta’ dan il-magazine hu li m’g˙adniex naqraw “˙merijiet” iΩda ˙afna mill-argumenti huma veru ta’ sustanza. Ma nistax nifhem kif meta tqum xi polemika b˙al dik dwar it-transport pubbliku f’Malta, dawk li huma fil-˙akma, minflok ma j˙allu ˙afna diçeriji u qlajja, ma jo˙or©ux jag˙tu spjega uffiçjali biex hekk minflok ma j˙allu l-ispekulazzjonijiet, ikollna konferma uffiçjali. Min-na˙a l-o˙ra lanqas mhu sewwa li meta tinqala’ xi ˙a©a b˙al din ˙add ma jispjegalna xejn. Meta tiftakar kemm g˙andna dipartimenti, kummissarji, konslijiet u g˙aqdiet li suppost huma tarka g˙all-Maltin li jg˙ixu barra, mhux barra it-triq jew bla saqaf izda barra minn Malta, bil-fors to˙ro© diΩappuntat.

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

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

them not just controversial but also confusing. He was not fair when he tried to belittle the decisions taken in Ireland and most of the United States allowing for same sex marriage. Firstly let me point out that I am a straight 33-year-old man and I am not going to delve deep into most of what Mr. Vella said, that’s his prerogative. I am also all for freedom for speech and for people to be free in whatever they decide for themselves. In this case, I would strongly advocate for whoever wants to marry, to be allowed to marry whomever he or she chooses. Nowadays there’s a long list of what we have, from Twitter to facebook to pastizzi (that’s a good one for the Maltese, even though they tell me they are not that healthy to eat) to freedom of speech, and the list could go on and on. The thing is there is something big on that list that we are missing, that is marriage equality. To me, I see no harm in a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman. In America, the judges who passed the law reasoned that the right to marriage is an inherent aspect of individual autonomy, since "decisions about marriage are among the most intimate that an individual can make." In other views it was stated, and rightly so, that have a right to "intimate association" beyond merely freedom from laws that ban homosexuality. They went on to say that extending the right to marry protects families and "without the recognition, stability, and predictability marriage offers, children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser.” The majority concluded that the right for same-sex couples to marry is protected under the 14th Amendment, citing the clauses that guarantee equal protection and due process. Contrary to what Mr Vella wrote, the justices noted how marriage has been transformed from a union arranged by a couple's parents for financial reasons to a voluntary contract, and from a male-dominated relationship to an agreement where women have "equal dignity." These changes have strengthened the institution of marriage. "Changed understandings of marriage are characteristic of a Nation where new dimensions of freedom become apparent to new generations," the majority wrote. Need I say more? So let us hope that Australia follows the example of the nations who recognise same-sex marriage and give those who wish it the right to love.

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Ovation greets Ûfin Malta’s performance in Delhi, India

he capacity audience at the Azad Bhavan Auditorium, New Del-hi, sat in silent rapture, enthralled by the rhythmic movements of the dancers who comprised the internationally renowned Malta Dance Ensemble, ÛFIN MALTA. The occasion was part of the External Cultural Programme arranged by Malta leading up to th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2015. H.E. John Aquilina U.O.M., Malta’s High Commissioner to India, introduced the performance by highlighting the work that Malta was undertaking in its preparation for CHOGM, and the high hopes that Malta has of attracting large government and business contingents, not only from India, but also from other SAARC Commonwealth countries, notably Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The nine dancers dazzled the audience with an hour-long contemporary adaptation of Mallarmé’s 1876 ‘L’Aprés-midi d’un Faune’ and Debussy’s 1894 Prélude a L’Aprés-midi d’un Faune. The intricate dance was brilliantly choreographed by the ensemble’s artistic director and lead dancer Mavin Khoo to the tune of a resonant composition by Malta’s Renzo

All done, exhausted but happy...the Zfin Malta dancers with H.E. John Aquilina Spiteri, and a narrative adaptation by Giuliana Fenech. Formal invitations had been sent to 500 especially selected guests, along with thousands of email invitations forwarded to a wider audience. H.E. Mr Aquilina told The Voice of the Maltese, “I was stunned by the response. The audience included not only persons resident in Delhi, but also many from much farther afield, including Mr M. Shoeb Chowdhury, Zfin Malta in action

Malta’s Honorary Consul to Bangladesh, who flew from Dhaka to Delhi specifically for the performance. The people who attended comprised a vast range of India’s business and entertainment community, including a number of wellknown Indian experts on classical dance. Also present was a large contingent of India’s diplomatic core, including the High Commissioner of Bangladesh and the Ambassadors of Bulgaria, Colombia, Egypt, Iceland, Kuwait, Lithuania, Slovakia, Tajikistan and Zimbabwe. In addition, Cultural Attachés and Consular Officials also attended from the EU Delegation, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Suriname and Sweden. Mr Aquilina went on to tell The Voice that after he forwarded the invitations he received many phone calls from persons wanting to know what the dance was all about. “I am sure that many came along out of goodwill, not really confident about what to expect. “However, by the end of the performance, not a single person was left in any doubt. The ovation lingered for longer than five minutes, occasioning four curtain calls,” Mr Aquilina said.

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Perspettiva

Tuesday September 29, 2015 A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: http://www.ivancauchi. blogspot.com

kitba ta’

IVAN CAUCHI

Il-bandiera tal-Maltin

an ta’ fuq kien it-titlu ta' pubblikazzjoni tas-seklu dsatax, ippubblikata minn Manwel Dimech bejn l-1898 u l-1914. Fiha, ming˙ajr biΩa' u b'kura©© uniku u anke erojku, Dimech kien jirrappreΩenta u jaqbeΩ g˙all-interessi tal-poplu Malti, quddiem l-awtoritajiet çivili u reli©juΩi ta' dak iΩ-Ωmien - l-Imperu IngliΩ, u l-Knisja Kattolika.1 B'mod ©enerali, bandiera g˙andha l-karatteristika li f'simbolu visiv, kemm jekk qed tperper mar-ri˙, kif ukoll jekk tidher fi stampa, kapaçi li immedjatament tistqarr identita' kulturali, soçjali, politika u reli©juΩa. F’dawn l-a˙˙ar ©img˙at iltqajna ma diversi stejjer marbutin ma' bnadar. L-aktar reçenti ©iet minn New Zealand, fejn ilPrim Ministru t'hemmhekk John Key qed imexxi kampanja biex jibdel il-bandiera tal-pajjiΩ. Il-problema, kif jaraha hu, hi li l-bandiera fiha l-Union Jack, li huwa simbolu tal˙akma IngliΩa, u ma fihiex simboli indi©eni. Ix-xahar id-die˙el g˙andu jsir referendum biex il-poplu jag˙Ωel il-bandiera, wa˙da minn erbg˙a li ©ew mag˙Ωula minn kumitat ma˙tur apposta. Imbag˙ad is-sena ta' wara jsir referendum ie˙or ˙alli tittie˙ed deçiΩjoni jekk tinzammx il-bandiera eΩistenti jew tinbidilx b'dik mag˙Ωula qabel. Jidher li hemm pjuttost apatija g˙al din il-bidla, u anke opposizzjoni.2 Forsi ra©uni g˙al dan hi li d-dibattitu hemmhekk qed isir independentement minn ie˙or dwar jekk il-pajjiΩ g˙andux isir repubblika. Il-bandiera tal-Awstralja hija simili g˙al dik ta' New Zealand, tant li ta' pajjiΩ wie˙ed ©ieli ti©i mifxula ma' tal-ie˙or. Hemm bnadar o˙ra li huma pproklamati, forsi l-iktar mag˙rufa huma wa˙da talabori©eni u l-o˙ra g˙an-nies minn Torres Straight Islands. Niftakarni nibqa' mbella˙ nisma' lill-eks Prim Ministru Julia Gillard tistqarr li l-Awstraljani j˙obbu lill-bandiera uffiçjali,3 ming˙ajr ma tirrikonoxxi dak li j˙ossu l-abori©eni dwar issu©©ett. Na˙seb li kien kumment insensittiv, meta wie˙ed jiftakar li l-abori©eni g˙adhom jirreferu g˙all-mi©ja tal-bojod f'dan il-pajjiΩ, li spiççaw biex iddominawh, b˙ala katastrofi! Ftit qabel kien hemm kontroversja fl-Istati Uniti, fejn ©ie deçiΩ li l-bandiera tal-Konfederati ma' tibqax tittajjar fuq bini uffiçjali tal-istat ta' South Carolina. Dan se˙˙ wara li Dylann Roof, bniedem li jien jistqarr is-supremazija tal-bojod, kien qatel disa' persuni suwed ©o knisja f'Charleston, u nstab li kien ippoΩa ma' din il-bandiera, li ˙afna g˙adhom iqisuha b˙ala simbolu tar-razziΩmu istituzzjonalizzat kontra s-suwed fl-Istati Uniti. Bandiera o˙ra li g˙amlet u g˙adha tag˙mel isem, hija dik sewda tal-Istat Islamiku, li g˙andu miktub bl-G˙arbi 'M'hemmx Alla ie˙or ˙lief Alla'. G˙al min ma jiffurmax parti minn dan il-grupp apokalittiku, il-bandiera saret simbolu ta' qtil, stupru, qtug˙ l-irjus, u dan la˙˙ar, vandaliΩmu estrem kontra l-wirt kulturali tal-bniedem. Ni©u lura g˙all-bandiera Maltija. It-tradizzjoni tg˙id li din ing˙atat lill-Maltin mill-Konti Ru©©ieru fl-1090, li qatta' parti mill-bandiera ta' pajjiΩu, biex tintuΩa b˙ala standard minn dawk il-Maltin li kienu se jing˙aqdu mieg˙u fil-©lied kontra l-g˙adu. Din it-tradizzjoni hija miç˙uda mill-istoriku Prof. Godfrey Wettinger, li jg˙id li l-g˙otja tal-kuluri nazzjonali dakinhar kien im-

possibbli. Jg˙id ukoll li din it-tradizzjoni kienet ivvintati minn Dr. Gaetano Laferla fis-seklu dsatax.4 Waqt it-tieni gwerra dinjija, ir-Re Ìor© tal-Ingilterra ta l-akbar rikonoxximent ta' pajjiΩu, is-Salib ta' Ìor© (George Cross), lillgΩejjer Maltin, g˙all-qlubija li wrew matul il-gwerra. U tassew irridu nirrikonoxxu li l-Maltin batew fuq li batew, b'˙afna mwiet, distruzzjoni ta' proprjetà, ©u˙ u skarsezzi li kwaΩi wasslu 'l Maltin g˙all-kollass kieku ma' kienx il-miraklu tal-konvoj fl-Operazzoni Pedestall, li l-poplu g˙adu jfakkar sal-©urnata tal-lum waqt il-festa ta' Santa Marija fil-15 t'Awwissu b˙ala intervent divin. Il-Maltin tant fer˙u b'dan ir-rikonoxximent li Ωieduh malbandiera tal-pajjiΩ. Jien niftakar ukoll li g˙al ˙afna Ωmien, ilMaltin kienu jΩidu l-abbrevjazzjoni 'GC' wara l-isem tal-pajjiΩ, meta jiktbu l-indirizz s˙i˙ tag˙hom, prattika li qed tmajna llum. Illum hemm diskussjoni jekk is-Salib ta' Ìor© g˙andux jitne˙˙a mill-bandiera. Kummenti li qrajt jinkludu li dan huwa tifkira taΩΩmien kolonjali u li s-salib huwa Protestant u mhux Kattoliku. Hemm pa©na fuq Facebook kemm favur kif ukoll kontra li jitne˙˙a. B˙al ma tistenna, mitt bniedem mitt fehma! Biex ng˙id id-dritt, g˙alkemm l-IngliΩi kienu jqisu lill-Maltin b'disprezz, g˙alija kkonkretizzata mill-uΩu ta' Filfla b˙ala bersall biex jipprattikaw l-isparar tal-armata, li wassal lil dik il-blata titlef nofs artha, kif ukoll l-avvenimenti tas-Sette Giugno, jien ng˙id li l-midalja hija iktar tifkira tal-karatteristika qalbiena tal-Maltin milli tal-IngliΩi li kienu ja˙kmuha. G˙alhekk, ng˙id g˙alija, ma narax il-bΩonn ta' din il-bidla. Intom x'ta˙sbu? Referenzi 1. 20th Century Philosophy in Malta, Mark Montebello, 2009, Agius & Agius 2. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/11/newzealandsprimeministerjohnkeywantsanewflagdoesanybodyelse, retrieved 9/9/2015 3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/20110126/gillardabbottdismissflagchange/1919048, retrieved 9/9/2015 4. The Norman Heritage of Malta, Godfrey Wettinger, Treasures of Malta, 1995, Vol. I, No. 3, p. 34

Tuesday September 29, 2015

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Il-Maltin jiftakru f’Maria Bambina u l-Assedji K

bina ©iet merfug˙a fuq lull sena, minn kull idejn u mdawra man-navi na˙a ta’ l-istat ta’ NSW tal-Katidral akkumpanjata inkunu xhieda ta’ pellegmill-g˙aqdiet Maltin bilrina©© lejn il-Katidral majesbandalori kkuluriti tuΩ ta’ St Mary’s fiç-çentru tag˙hom, mill-Kavallieri ta’ tal-belt ta’ Sydney biex kif l-Ordni ta’ San Ìwann inhu xieraq il-komunita` (SMOM) u s-saçerdoti MalMaltija tiççelebra l-festa tattin. Dis-sena fil-purcissjoni twelid tal-Vergni Mqaddsa ˙a sehem ukoll l-ET il-KumMaria (il-Bambina) b’dimissarju G˙oli g˙al Malta flmostrazzjoni ta’ fidi li Awstralja Charles Muscat. g˙adha qawwija tant li B˙as-soltu ç-çerimonja timla tlett kwarti ta’ dan ilkienet immexxija mit-tabib katidral tant kbir. Din isGeorge Boffa waqt li l-prim sena, kmieni f’Settembru çelebrant kien Fr Tarcisio fakkarna wkoll Jum il-ViU˙ud mill-mistednin quddiem l-isMicallef. L-omelija saret torja, il-©rajja ta' Ωew© tatwa ta’ Maria Bambina f’St Mary’s minn Fr Noel Bianco, filassedji li saru fuq il-gΩejjer Maltin, l-450 anniversarju mill-Assedju l-Kbir, tal-1565, u waqt li ˙a sehem ukoll il-kor taç-Çentru La Valette. Wara sar riçeviment f’Mons Depiro House, id-dar tal-Misfl-1943, meta l-Italja rtirat mit-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija li wassjunarji ta’ San Pawl, li qeg˙da ftit ‘l bog˙od mill-Katidral, sal g˙at-tmiem tal-gwerra g˙all-Maltin Kienet xena mpressjonanti meta l-istatwa ta’ Marija Bam- u li kull sena jorganizzaw din iç-çelebrazzjoni kbira.

Malta Philharmonic Musicians to perform in Australia

or the first time, musicians from the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be representing the country in a set of concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. Malta’s prestigious hosting of the Commonwealth heads of government meetings Rebecca Hall this November has given the nation an opportunity to showcase the best of its talent in major Commonwealth countries. Given the importance of the Maltese-Australian relationship and the standing of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra as the country’s prime cultural export, the musicians will be bringing the best of Maltese musicians and composers to Australia. Performing as part of the Cosmos Wind Ensemble, the group is comprised of core and guest principal players of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (Rebecca Hall – flute, Godfrey Mifsud – clarinet, Ulrike Buhlmann – bassoon, John McDonough oboe). These primary musicians will perform the works by the following Maltese composers - Charles Camilleri, Albert Garzia and Ruben Zahra. The ensemble’s frequent commissioning of works by Maltese composers al-

Godfrey Mifsud Ulrike Buhlmann John McDonough lows them to present a variety of new Orchestra and busy solo and chamber compositions on their programmes and engagements in Malta. tours. Their latest cd, ‘Premieres’, was Concerts will be held in Sydney at the sponsored by the Valletta 2018 Commis- Australian Broadcasting Corporation Ulsion and the Malta Philharmonic Orches- timo Centre on 14 October at 8 PM and tra with the support by the Central Bank in Melbourne at the Recital Hall of the of Malta. It features premiere recordings School of Music, Monash University on of pieces composed exclusively by Mal- 17 October, also at 8 PM. Invitations for both events may be obtese, written or arranged for the Cosmos tained through the respective Consuls in musicians. In addition to their promotion of Maltese Sydney and Melbourne. Invitations will works, the group has a wide repertoire of be required for the Sydney concert, while compositions and performance experien- a limited number of tickets will be availce. Recent highlights include an eastern able at the door in Melbourne. For further information on the event to Canadian tour, chamber music with members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orches- be held in Sydney, one should contact: tra and concertante appearan-ces with maltaconsulate.sydney@gov.mt or phone (02) 9262 9500. For the event in Melthe Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Tours in 2015-2016 will be held in Aus- bourne, contact: maltaconsulate.meltralia and Europe, a return engagement bourne@gov.mt or (03) 9670 8427. (Also see advert on page 20) with leaders of the Vienna Philharmonic

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

Roundup of News About Malta

Malta President tells World Leaders Forum that distribution of wealth was not equal

uring a five-day visit to New York, the President of Malta, MarieLouise Coleiro Preca took part in a number of important activities culminating in her presence at the Columbia University World Leaders Forum where she addressed the august gathering on 'The Sustainable Development Goals - A Vision for the Future', and then followed this up by a question and answer session with the audience. At the Forum, established in 2003 by Lee C. Bollinger, which is a year-round event series aimed to advance lively, uninhibited dialogue on the large economic, political, and social questions the President joined other important past participants that included US President Bill Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic, and the Dalai Lama. In her address, MLCP delved on the inequality that exists in society and how this is detrimental to social justice. She explained that in Europe, one out of every four people is at risk of poverty and social exclusion, which means that around one million people are struggling to try and live a dignified life. She explained that this was of great concern because it was clear that the distribution of wealth was not equal, and that this inequality was bringing with it even more inequality, with the poor ending up socially excluded and their children being excluded as well, thus creating a chain of inequality. She went on to touch on the inequality that exists in the salaries of men and women, which reflects the discrimination and inequality that exists at the workplace, based on the cultural prejudices that still exist in society. She pointed out the importance of countries to take concrete action to make the change that was needed, particularly since heads of state were meeting in New York

to set the agenda for the next 15 years for Social Development Goals. She also spoke on how new goals would continue to be built on what has already been achieved by means of the Millennium Development Goals and how these new goals for social development would have an impact on the most vulnerable, such as immigrants. “The people of today’s nations will be judged by future generations on how well we have reached these goals,” she said. At the weekend the President was also among 150 world leaders who attended the two-day UN Summit for Sustainable Development and even addressed the summit.

In her contribution at the interactive dialogue, ‘Ending poverty and hunger, she said that the struggles against poverty and hunger are truly ongoing struggles as with the struggles for democracy, greater social justice and better education and health services. She said that the struggle against widespread poverty and hunger remains urgent, and it is here that all nations represented in this institution in various capacities must combine their efforts to engage in an ongoing fight against those myopic polices, for which some of us are responsible, that compound the situation of poverty and hunger.

Malta celebrates 51st Ann. of Independence

alta commemorated the 51st Anniversary of Independence on September 21 with a pontifical mass concelebrated at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, and a wreath-laying ceremony on the Independence monument Acting President Dolores Cristina, the by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Oppocounsition during the wreath-laying ceremony try’s highest authorities. In the morning, the Armed Forces first conducted a guard of hon-

our and then followed this up with band marches at St John’s Square where Acting President Dolores Cristina and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat were given a national salute and the Acting President inspected a guard of honour. In his homily, the Archbishop appealed to politicians to be of service to the country and cautioned against being self-serving, He homed in on the importance of dedicating one’s life to be of service to others. Addressing the congregation at St John’s CoCathedral, in Valletta, during the Independence Day Pontifical Mass, he urged those in authority not to fear rejecting the temptations brought about by power – “even ecclesiastical (power)”. Afterwards, the wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Independence Monument in Floriana where the Acting President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the opposition laid flowers at the foot of the monument and the Armed Forces fired a 21-gun salute.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Roundup of News About Malta

Fraudulent issue of Malta registers impressive results in residence permits tourist arrivals compared to Europe - scam uncovered A

overnment said that following investigations by the police and secret service into the fraudulent issue of residence permits by Identity Malta, a scam has been uncovered and a number of arrests made. According to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, this had been going on for at least five years. Figures revealed show that the number of non-EU nationals, including Libyans, Russians, Serbs, Ukrainians and Filipinos, obtaining residence permits over the past two years increased significantly. employees at Identity Malta, a govThe issue of ‘abusive’ residence per- ernment agency, a number of individmits was first mentioned a few weeks uals unconnected to the government ago when Joe Sammut, an accountant were also arrested in connection with from Mosta, was arraigned and the probe into possible fraud. The same sources said that more archarged with registering false trading companies to obtain residence per- rests at Identity Malta were not being excluded as the police are widening mits for Libyan nationals. Press reports have quoted Police their investigation into what is besources saying that apart from three lieved to be a racket with Libyans also reportedly understood to be directly involved. In his reaction on behalf of his party, PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, said at a press he Sir Anthony Mamo 113-bed oncol- conference that the Prime Minisogy centre has been inaugurated by the ter should shoulder the poltical Health and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi, responsibility for what he termed Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris as the institutional corruption Fearne and the Parliamentary Secretary for that has weakened the governEU Funds, Ian Borg, In their speeches, all ment as Identity Malta was three acknowledged the work of the former launched by the government Nationalist administration, which kicked off with people it itself appointed. the project of the centre that is adjacent to Mater Dei Hospital. Archbishop Charles Scicluna blessed the facility. The new centre received its first outpatients in December, while the migration of services from Boffa Hospital was completed last week. New state-of-the art linear accelerators have now been commissioned. Dr Mizzi said the government was planning to upgrade other facilities to the high standards of this facility, including the Gozo Hospital, St Luke's and Mt Carmel Hospital.

Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre inaugurated

ccording to the latest UNWTO world tourism barometer, in the first half of this year, tourist arrivals in Malta were 5.3 percent up on the corresponding period last year. Malta not only outgrew the percentage growth for the period under review but also outgrew the average percentage growth scored by competitive regions such as that of Europe (+4.9%) and the Southern European/Mediterranean Region (+4.6%). The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is a regular publication of the Tourism Trends and Marketing Strategies Programme of UNWTO aimed at monitoring the short-term evolution of tourism and providing the sector with relevant and timely information. These record figures during the first half of this year brought a growth in tourist export earnings of 6% when compared with thensame months of 2014, reaching the €625.6 million mark, an an increase of 0.5% in expenditure per capita when compared to 2014. Worldwide tourism grew by four per cent and with Malta posting a percentage growth of 8.6 per cent in the first quarter of this year in terms of tourism arrivals. The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is a regular publication of the Tourism Trends and Marketing Strategies Programme of UNWTO aimed at monitoring the short-term evolution of tourism and providing the sector with relevant and timely information. Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis said these results prove that the Government’s roadmap for the tourism industry is bearing fruit. He added that the record breaking results obtained by the tourism sector, month after month, is being converted in an increase of direct revenue contribution towards the Maltese economy and in an increase of quality job creation within this sector. In the meantime, at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards in London, UK travel agents chose the Malta Tourism Authority’s office in the UK as the best tourism office in Europe. Spain’s tourism office was voted second best. Other finalists included the tourism offices of Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Portugal.

Malta to defend its rights before EU Court of Justice

he Maltese government is to defend Malta's right to apply finch live capturing through the application of derogation in line with EU laws at the EU Court of Justice. The Commission said the case concerns Malta's decision to allow the live capture of seven species of wild finches as from 2014. In the EU, the capture and keeping of bird species like finches is generally prohibited. However, member states may derogate from the strict protection requirement if there is no other satisfactory solution, and if the derogation is used judiciously, with small numbers and strict supervision.

rightening and desperate moments engulfed a number of car owners and other F persons at Cirkewwa in the afternoon and evening of September 20 when strong winds created large waves that washed away three cars from the south quay and dragged several others into each other by the swirling water as owners watched helplessly, unable to reach them. Two more cars believed to belonging to people who parked them there while they visited Gozo for the long weekend were washed into the sea overnight; members of the Civil Protection Department towed other vehicles to a safer area.

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Tuesday September 29, 2015

Il-kri Ω i tal-immigranti

la dubju ta’ xejn f’dawn iΩ-Ωminijiet ma tifta˙x ©urnal, ma tismax radju u ma tarax televiΩjoni li f’xi ˙in jew ie˙or ma taqrax, tismax jew ma tarax l-istorja dwar l-immigranti, refu©jati, immigranti llegali, jew sej˙ilhom li trid, li b˙alissa qed jinvadu l-Ewropa. Din l-invazjoni qed to˙loq firda qawwija bejn dawk li j˙ennu g˙al dawn in-nies u dawk li jarawhom b˙ala thedida u piΩ Ωejjed fuq il-pajjiΩi Ewropej. Sfortunatament, anke w˙ud li meta din tal-immigranti kienet g˙adha fil-bidu tag˙ha, kienu jg˙adru lil dawn in-nies, issa li n˙olqot din il-kriΩi, qed ja˙sbuha darbtejn g˙ax jibΩg˙u minn influs qawwi ta’ immigranti. B˙ala riΩultat ta’ dan f’˙afna pajjiΩi, inkluΩ Malta, l-g˙add ta’ dawk li qed jitkellmu u jiktbu kontra d-d˙ul tal-immigranti qed dejjem jikber. S’issa Malta g˙ad ma ntlaqtitx mill-a˙˙ar influs ta’ immigranti. Biss anke dan il-fatt, g˙al xi ra©uni, (na˙seb li m’hemmx g˙aliex wie˙ed i˙okk wisq rasu biex jinteba˙ x’inhi r-ra©uni) qajjem diskussjoni s˙una. G˙al xi zmien kien qed jing˙ad li bilfors li kien hemm xi ftehim mal-Italja, biex dawk kollha li kienu qed ji©u salvati filMeditterran kienu qed jittie˙du l-Italja. Dan wassal biex ©urnalist jistaqsi lillMinistru tal-Intern, Carmelo Abela, jekk hemmx xi ftehim b˙ala dan. Hu wie©eb li attwalment kien hemm ftehim informali, g˙alkemm aktar tard in˙ar©et spjegazzjoni li ma kien hemm ebda ftehim imma kollobarazzjoni bejn Malta u l-Italja dwar ilkwestjoni. Malli ˙ar©et l-a˙bar ta’ dak li qal il-Ministru Abela, mal-ewwel bdew il-kummenti fosthom li bilfors li l-Gvern Malti wieg˙ed xi ˙a©a bi tpattija lill-Gvern Taljan... issemma’ t-t˙affir g˙aΩ-Ωejt u ntqal li lGvern Malti ta lit-Taljani konçessjoni g˙at-t˙affir taΩ-Ωejt f’ib˙ra Maltin. (Attwalment g˙al snin twal kien hemm, u g˙ad hemm, kontestazzjoni dwar minn g˙andu dritt li j˙affer g˙aΩ-Ωejt f’çerti partijiet mill-ba˙ar ta’ bejn Malta u Sqallija).

Din il-verΩjoni ta’ ftehim ˙ar©et l-g˙ada f’©urnal Taljan liema a˙bar sintendi spiççat bi prominenza kbira fil-midja Maltija. Minkejja li l-Gvern ça˙ad li kien hemm xi ftehim, il-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni f’diskors li g˙amel irrepeta l-allegazzjoni tal-©urnal Taljan, bil-Gvern mill-©did jiç˙ad kwalunkwe ftehim. Minkejja dan, xorta kien hemm min sostna li “il-qasba ma ççaqçaqx g˙alxejn.” Sadanitant skont l-a˙˙ar a˙barijiet intqal li f’laqg˙a bejn il-Ministeri tal-Intern talpajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Europeja, minkejja l-op-

pozizzjoni ta’ xi pajjiΩi mil-lvant talEwropa, kienet ittie˙det deçiΩjoni dwar ittqassim ta’ 160,000 immigrant fis-sentejn li ©ejjin, bis-sehem ta’ Malta f’dawk issentejn ikun li tie˙u198 refu©jat . Ma titwemmings, imma g˙alkemm lg˙add jidher wie˙ed ra©jonevoli, f’xi ©urnali xorta dehru kummenti jikkundannaw lill-Gvern Malti talli aççetta li jospita’ lil dawn l-immigranti. Fil-fatt anke kieku Malta vvutat kontra dan il-ftehim (fil-fatt ivuttat favur) xorta kien ikollha taççetta dan il-ftehim

Immigranti “illegali” Maltin

in tal-immigranti llegali tant issa qed tinkwieta u tallarma nies, li qed twassal g˙al diDWie˙ed versi nçidenti. minn dawn laqg˙at lil grupp ta’ Maltin li fetlilhom jag˙mlu Ωjara fil-Polonja. Dawn il-Maltin, li kienu xi ftit avventuriera, krew vann u bdew idur f’xi r˙ula tal-Polonja. Meta waslu fir-ra˙al, mhux daqshekk mag˙ruf, ta’ Jelena Gora, f’daqqa wa˙da sabu ru˙hom mdawwrin mill-pulizija. Dan se˙h g˙ax wahda mara, malli rat lill-Maltin g˙addejjin wa˙˙litha f’mo˙˙ha li dawn kienu klandestini, g˙alhekk çemplet malajr g˙all-pulizija li mill-ewwel marru jist˙arr©u. Malajr inteb˙u, li kif qalu huma stess, din kienet reazzjoni “esa©erata “ ta’ persuna li malajr wa˙let f’mo˙˙ha li dawk il-barranin li kienet lem˙et kienu immigranti llegali. U sintendi din l-istorja spiççat fil-midja Polokka... u aktar tard f’dik Maltija.

G˙ax-xog˙ol bir-rota

il-jum ta’ ming˙ajr karozzi li ji©i mfakkar kull sena fil-pajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Ewropea, F kellna dehra mhux tas-soltu f’Malta. G˙alkemm dan il-jum ftit li xejn naqqas ilkarozzi mit-toroq, biss g˙all-ewwel darba rajna mexxej ta’ partit politiku, Simon Busuttil, il-kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista fl-OppoΩizzjoni, imur g˙ax-xog˙ol bir-rota (lemin). Sintendi l-PN ipprova kemm fela˙ biex jie˙u kull pubbliçita’ minn din il-mossa minna˙a tal-Kap, tant li ffilmjawh tul it-triq kollha mid-dar saç-çentru, u wara qassmu lfilmat lill-mezzi tal-komunikazzjoni biex seta’ jing˙ata prominenza kbira mill-midja. B˙as-soltu, filwaqt li kien hemm minn qal li dan kien ta’ eΩempju tajjeb g˙all-poplu, o˙rajn staqsew din kienetx biss gimmick, u fil-kummenti tag˙hom bdew ji©bdu l-attenzjoni li filwaqt li l-kap tal-PN mar ix-xog˙ol bir-rota, imma fl-istess waqt ghamel uΩu minn Ωew© karozzi, wa˙da biex jiffilmjawh, u l-o˙ra biex issegwieh. Veru li tag˙mel x’tag˙mel ma tistax tog˙©ob lil kul˙add!

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Mix-xena tal-˙ajja Maltija 2

M’inhix ‘bully”

’intervista li dehret fuq il-Malta Independent on Sunday l-Isqof t’G˙awdex, Mons Mario Grech sostna, li g˙alkemm hu ma setax ji©©udika lilu nnifsu, imma Ωgur li hu jag˙mel minn kollox biex ma jkunx bully “I can assure you I try to do everything but bully.” Huwa qal dan meta ©ie mistoqsi dwar rapport li deher aktar qabel fil-Maltatoday (li dwaru ktibna fl-a˙˙ar ˙ar©a tal-Voice of the Maltese) fejn intqal li grupp ta’ membri tal-kleru kienu kitbu ittra fejn akkuΩawh li kien jimxi mag˙hom ta’ “bully”. L-Isqof ça˙ad ukoll li kien jaf li nkitbet din l-ittra g˙ax hu qatt ma kien avviçinat dwarha minn xi ˙add. Sostna li sar jaf blallegat ittra mill-istampa, tant li mar jistaqsi lin-Nunzju Appostoliku dwarha. Dan wie©bu li kellu jkompli f’˙idmitu u ma jag˙tix kas x’qalet il-midja.

Imma x’fettillu!!

s-siti soçjali huma mezz ta’ komnikazIl-fehma zjoni qawwija, fejn wie˙ed jista’ jag˙ti tieg˙u, iwassal messa©©i, eçç. IΩda huma wkoll mezz ma tantx hu tajjeb g˙al dawk li j˙allu li subg˙ajhom ji©ru aktar minn mo˙˙hom g˙ax ˙afna drabi jispiççaw biex jid˙lu f’˙afna nkwiet. Hekk ©ralu l-eks kunsillier Nazzjonalista fil-Kunsill Lokali ta' San Ìiljan, Anthony Grech li fi Ωmien il-festa tal-Madonna tal-

Mill-Qrati...

l-midja lokali ta’ kuljum ikollha diversi rapporti dwar kawΩi li jsiru filQrati. Ûgur mhux il-˙sieb tieg˙i li nipprova nΩommkom a©©ornati dwar dak li ji©ri fil-Qrati, imma kultant jo˙or©u çerti stejjer tassew kurjuΩi. Fost dawn kellna... • Il-kaΩ ta’ ˙absi li tressaq il-Qorti mixli li kien immalafama wie˙ed mill-gwardjani billi rrapporta li dan il-gwardjan kien ˙ebb g˙alih u g˙amillu xi feriti f’idu. Biss fil-Qorti dan il-˙absi, li lanqas ried avukat biex jiddifendih, ammetta li l-feriti kien g˙amilhom hu stess bil-˙sieb li j©ib lill-gwardjan fl-inkwiet. Il-Ma©istrat wa˙˙lu 18-il xahar ˙abs o˙ra malli kellu. Ir-reazzjoni tal-˙absi: sellem lill-ma©istrat u rringrazzjah. Grazzja ta’ ÓaΩ-Ûabbar, iddikjara fis-sit soçjali tieg˙u, “illum ti©i ççelebrata l-aktar festa pagana ta' ÓaΩ-Ûabbar. G˙andi l-unur li jien qatt ma ˙miltha, x'jaqq ta' festa” Tistg˙u ta˙sbu r-reazzjoni ta’ g˙add kbir ta' Ûabbarin, b'mod partikolari dawk dilettanti tal-festa tal-Madonna tal-Grazzja. Ilkummenti, kultant ma tantx ta’ min jirrepetihom, ma waqfux, anke wara li l-istess Grech li hu mid˙la tal-festi Maltin, skuΩa ru˙u u ne˙˙a l-kumment tieg˙u minn fuq is-sit soçjali.

Apolo©ija mill-Arçisqof an l-a˙˙ar Arçisqof ta’ Malta, Mons D Charles Scicluna wasal biex g˙amel apolo©ija wara, fil-fehma tieg˙i, Ωelqa

minn kapillan waqt funeral. Attwalment smajna diversi stejjer li ©raw waqt xi funeral. Fost dawn niftakar meta waqt funeral fil-Parroçça ta’ San Gwann kellha tissejja˙ il-pulizija g˙ax qamet ©lieda bejn il-qraba tal-mejjet. IΩda dak li ©ara fil-Parroçça tal-GΩira qatt ma smajt b˙alu. Kif isir is-soltu l-qraba tal-mejjet/a jmorru l-Knisja u barra li jifthemu dwar il˙in tal-quddiesa, eçç, jintg˙aΩel ukoll ilqari u l-kant li jsir waqt iç-çerimonja tal-funeral. Hekk se˙˙ fil-kaΩ tal-GΩira. IΩda hawn iqala’ ntopp g˙ax il-kappillan tal-lokal, Fr

Carmelo Tanti, o©©ezjona li jitkanta l-innu miktub minn San Tumas Aquinas g˙ax sostna li billi l-funeral kien se jsir waqt ilquddiesa normal li g˙aliha jattendi l-pubbliku ma xtaqx li jsir kant li l-poplu ma jifhmux. L-innu Panis Angelicus, kif jidher mit-titlu huwa bil-Latin. Jidher li g˙alkemm il-qraba, xtaqu ˙afna li dan l-innu jitkanta billi kien il-favorit tal-mejjet, jidher li ma tkellmu xejn u lkappillan aktarx li ˙aseb li l-istorja waqfet hemm. IΩda, jekk ˙aseb hekk, Ωbalja blikra˙, g˙ax bilkemm la˙aq spiçça l-funeral li b’xi mod jew ie˙or din l-istorja twasslet lill-midja Maltija, u tistg˙u ta˙sbu x-xita ta’ kummenti li saru dwar l-istorja. Fost dawn il-kummenti kien hemm dak tal-Arçisqof, li permezz ta’ Twitter ( u issa drajniha li l-Arçisqof jikkumenta fuq dan is-sit soçjali) talab apolo©ija g˙al dak li se˙˙. Na˙seb li l-Kappillan ese©era ftit meta ça˙ad il-kant ta’ dan l-innu, iΩda ng˙iduha kif inhi, kultant hawn min imur fuq in-na˙a l-o˙ra talmunita u jittraskura lsien pajjiΩna.

Min jaf g˙aliex hux? • Storja o˙ra li ˙ar©et mill-Qrati kienet dik ta’ ra©el ta’ 26 sena u mara ta’ 23, it-tnejn mill-Polonja li fis-satra tal-lejl (2.00 a.m.), fettlilhom jinΩlu jg˙umu. Biss dan g˙amluh bil-libsa li twieldu biha. Xi ˙add jidher li rahom, ma g˙o©bux dak li ra (g˙alkemm ma nistax na˙lef g˙al dan) u çempel lill-pulizija. Dawn malajr ©abruhom u mas-seb˙ ressquhom il-Qorti fejn xlewhomli wettqu offiΩa kontra d-diçenza pubblika u lmorali. It-tnejn ammettew l-akkuΩi u ng˙ataw il-libertà bil-kundizzjoni li ma jag˙mlux reat ie˙or fi Ωmien 12-il xahar. Óafna staqsew, imma fuq kollox fissag˙tejn ta’ filg˙odu, id-diçenza u l-morali ta’ min offendew? • KaΩ kurjuΩ ie˙or. Çert li smajtu bil-fraΩi IngliΩa “Robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Imma fil-kaΩ li tressaq quddiem il-Qorti kien xi ftit differenti; Ra©el ta' 33 sena minn Óal Tarxien li kien ja˙dem ma' Aquatess Marketing, kien ©emmg˙a xi dejn fuq perjodu ta' sentejn u g˙alhekk kienet qed titnaqqaslu s-somma ta' madwar €50 fil-©img˙a mill-paga biex i˙allas lura. Biex jipprova jaqta’ dan iddejn malajr, bil-g˙ajnuna ta’ tfajjel ta’ 14il-sena seraq €7500 ming˙and l-img˙allem tieg˙u stess bil-˙sieb li jg˙addihom lil min seraq u hekk jaqta’ d-dejn li kellu. Imsomma ried i˙allsu bi flusu. Sfortunatament g˙alih, inqabad u spiçça biex mhux biss li se jkollu j˙allas lura s-somma ta' €7500, imma ng˙ata wkoll sentenza ta' sentejn ˙abs sospiΩa g˙al erba' snin. Hekk it-tentattiv ta’ dan ir-ra©el ta’, “Robbing Peter to pay Peter” fallielu blikrah!

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16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 29, 2015

A quick glimpse at Australia

Australia’s 29th Prime Minister I

t has been coming for a while. The Liberal Party concluded that Tony Abbott had to go if the Liberal/National had any chance of winning the next election. Finally Malcolm Turnbull declared his hand and eventually defeated Tony Abbott by 54 to 44 votes at Parliament House in Canberra. Australia has had five prime ministers in five years, four of them in a bit over the past two years. The 60-year-old, multimillionaire from Point Piper became the 29th Prime Minister of Australia on the September 15. The son of a hotel broker and a radio scriptwriter mother the new PM was raised full-time by his dad Bruce from the age of nine. He graduated from Sydney Grammar and then the University of Sydney in arts and law. He is a Rhodes Scholar. He is described as intelligent, urbane, short-tempered and convinced of his own

Godwin Grech

which found that, although there was evidence Grech had broken the law, he would not face criminal charges over the affair. The investigation took over 16 months, which reputedly took a heavy toll on Grech who was suffering serious kidney and bowel disease at the time. Mr. Grech spent more than a month in the psychiatric ward of a Canberra hospital for depression as the OzCarUtrgate affair played out. In the upheaval to unseat Tony Abbott, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop was strongly re-endorsed by 70 votes to 30 to retain the position of deputy leader of the Liberal Party, a position she held since 2007. The new PM has already announced sweeping changes in an expanded cabinet of 21-up from 19 including Senator Marisa Payne, the first female defence minister. Joe Hockey the ex-Treasurer has decided to leave Parliament. In his final speech as PM, Tony Abbott pledged not to snipe anymore and said that the nature of politics has changed in the past decade. “We have more polls and more commentary than ever before. Mostly sour, bitter, character assassination. Poll-driven panic has produced a revolving-door prime ministership which can’t be good for our country and a fertile media culture had developed that reward treachery.”

The new Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Affairs MinisterJulie Bishop

brilliance. He made it to Parliament in 2004 representing the affluent electorate of Wentworth, around the eastern suburbs. His wife is the former first female Lord Mayor of the city of Sydney. Lucinda (Lucy) Hughes married Malcolm Turnbull in 1980. They have two adult children. Alex and Daisy In 2008 Malcolm Turnbull became leader of the Liberals but came unstack a year later mostly on the basis of fraudulent evidence concocted by Treasury mole Godwin Grech, of Maltese descent, in the Utrgate affair. Grech’s parents Sam and Guzeppa migrated to Melbourne in 1930. The deluded public servant then took the email to then leader of the Opposition Malcolm Turnbull and to the media. Turnbull dashed into Parliament brandishing false allegations against the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and then Treasurer Wayne Swan. The Australian Federal Police began an investigation into Grech

Gap between rich and poor grows he gap between Australia’s richest and T poorest grew by 13 per cent in the past decade and is projected to jump a urther 10 per cent in the next 10 years according to a report by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling. The report carried out for Anglicare Australia, finds that households in the bottom 20 per cent of incomes saw their living standards grow by about 15 percent over the past decade, while the top 20 per cent enjoyed growth of 28 per cent. The report also predicts that all Australians will have to get used to less growth in the coming years. Of great concern are families headed by people on payments like Newstart or Youth Allowance.

Tuesday September 29, 2015

The Voice of the Maltese 17

A quick glimpse at Australia

Fr Robert withdraws X Factor he much awaited appearT ance at Hisense Arena of Maltese charismatic singing

priest on the popular TV reality show X-Factor resulted in an emphatic four yes votes for 33year-old Fr Robert Galea, who is based at St Killian’s Catholic Church in Bendigo Victoria. When superstars James Blunt and Dannii Minogue tell you are brilliant and have sang a perfect song you must be satisfied. The other two judges, Chris Isaak and Guy Sebastian showered praise on the Maltese singer who proceeded to boot-camp. However in a surprise announcement Fr Robert decided to withdraw from the XFactor citing pastoral commitments at this parish as a primary reason

No ghettos for the Syrians

ne of the early decisions of the Turnbull Government was to assure us that the 12,000 Syrians accepted into Australia will not congregate in ethnic ghettos and will likely be housed across the country including regional towns. NSW and Victoria are expected to take at least 4,000 each. A veteran and ex-Minister of Immigration Phillip Ruddock has cautioned against “ghettoing” thousands of Syrians and further said the process of deciding where refugees would be resettled was very complex and should be based on where support services were available. Senator Fierravanti-Wells said that suggestions that ghettos would be created were “unfounded”. Australia’s humanitarian settlement service was a “well oiled machine”.

Fr Galea wants his music to spread love and hope around Australia. He sang in front of the Pope at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008 with another Maltese soprano Amelia Farrugia. Fr Galea made sure that every viewer on Television knew that he is Maltese.

Helping the Syrian refugees rchbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge A (pictured left) will ask parishes to take in at least 100 refugee families when they arrive after

Christmas. He said Catholics should assist Syrian families, “whatever their religion may be’’. “We can help with the practical stuff: a roof above their heads, something to eat, a place to send their kids to school,’’ Archbishop Coleridge said yesterday. “We can’t leave it all to the government; we have a clear duty to pitch in. We will provide the children with a free education and courses in English language.’’ Archbishop Coleridge said parishioners had already offered empty homes for Syrian refugees and added that refugee children MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL would be educated for free in Catholic MEMBER FOR GREENWAY schools and families would be encourMessage on Malta’s Independence Day aged to help Syrians of all religions. “The Christians are being bashed from I send my best wishes to the Maltese community on the all sides but they’re not the only minority auspicious occasion of Maltese Independence Day. gro-up in that situation,’’ the Archbishop Fifty-one years ago the cardinal and white of the Maltese said. flag was raised at Independence Arena in Floriana, amidst “If some happen to be Christian, so the cheers of a jubilant population. much the better, but there’ll be no reliFrom humble beginnings on convict ships the Maltese comgious prerequisite for assistance. We’re munity played a truly transformational role in Australian sonot going to ask anyone about their reliciety through their hard work and entrepreneurial nature. gious affiliation.’’ We celebrate this outstanding contribution to Australia’s rich diversity and we acThe Federal Government recently anknowledge the momentous occasion of Maltese Independence. nounced that Australia would resettle 12,000 Syrian refugees fleeing persecution in their homeland. Michelle Rowland Archbishop Coleridge said other (Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism) Catholic dioceses across Australia would Email: Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au www.facebook.com/mrowlandmp Twitter: @mrowlandmp follow the Queensland pledge for assistance.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 29, 2015

FRANK VICTOR VELLA: Only NZ-born Maltese to join NZ Expeditionary Forces MarkCaruana

he only NZ-born Maltese ANZAC who joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces was Frank Victor Vella, son of Emanuel Vella, who was born in Malta, and Mary Marisco, a New Zealander of Italian background born in Invercargill. In October 1916, Frank Victor volunteered for the Army but as he was underage, he changed his name to Samuel Frank and gave his date of birth as three years older. Frank Victor was born in 1899 at Invercargill. His father Emanuel Vella had been an early Maltese pioneer settler who moved to New Zealand in 1872. The Vella family resided at Bluff, a deep-sea harbour port on the southernmost tip of the South Island. Frank Victor’s son, Hilary, supplied me with information about his father’s life. It is believed Victor’s father Emanuel was from Hamrun, born in 1852, and that he left Malta at the age of 14 as a seaman, sailing in different parts of the Mediterranean and Asian waters. At age 30, he settled permanently in NZ and in time became a local identity for his seamanship skills, remarkable strength and kindliness of nature. An obituary in the local paper lists his

achievements and the deep respect he enjoyed from his local community. Emanuel died in 1936 aged 83 years and is buried in the Invercargill cemetery. His son Frank Victor enlisted with the NZ Expeditionary Forces in 1916. On the form, he stated that his occupation was labourer and that he had completed the Fourth Educational Standard. He was five feet seven inches tall, with brown eyes and dark hair. His health is described as very fit and that “he has never been off work through accident or ill-health”. Frank Victor serv-ed as a trooper with the NZ Machine Gun Squadron both in NZ and Egypt and qualified as 1st machine gunner. He served for the duration of the war. In Egypt he became ill with malar-ia

Malta’s airfields since 1915

lthough the birth of aviation in Malta is attributed to an Air Balloon Flight in 1904 when the Royal engineer Balloon Unit visited Malta, the history of aviation is linked primarily to the year 1915 when on February 13 of that year when a Short Seaplane Type 135 No 136 performed its first flight on the island taking off from the surface of the Grand Harbour waters. So this year Malta is commemorating the century of that first flight. According to vassallomalta.com, the role of the aircraft on Malta was to escort convoys & detect enemy submarines. This led to the establishment of a seaplane base at Kalafrana (started late 1915) where by May 1916 hangers & spillways were already constructed. This base was later used during WWII. During World War I Malta contributed by the construction of Flying Boat Planes at the Dockyard and by providing an invaluable sea base. After that first flight, by 1922 Kalafrana became the first airbase in Malta, and the first airfield was built by the RAF in Ħal-Far. It was inaugurated on January 16, 1923. It remained an important airfield until 1976. In 1930, two Italian companies – Società Anonima Navigazione Aerea and Ala Littoria

– started regular services linking Malta to Italy and Libya in 1930. Then by 1946, the RAF built three other airfields in Qrendi, Ta’ Qali and Luqa. Between 1946 and 1957 the Luqa air terminal played a dual role as Malta’s aviation air terminal and the RAF Officers’ Mess. Year 1946 also saw the setting up of Air Malta Ltd. Planning for a new aviation air terminal started in 1956. It was officially inaugurated on March 31, 1958. In 1969 about 350,000 air passengers travelled to or from Malta. That was seven times the 50,000 that passed through the Luqa air terminal nine years earlier, in 1960. A new runway was opened on October 1, 1977. Inaugurated on October 1, the new runway (14-32) that was extended from 1781 yards (1628.5m)) to 3833 yards (3504.9m) enabled all types of aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and the Concorde, to land on it. The site for the new terminal had been cleared, and its foundation stone was laid on September 22, 1989. The new terminal was opened on February 8, 1992, while Malta International Airport became fully operational six weeks later, on March 25, 1992.

Frank Victor Vella and was hospitalised a number of times. After the War, in 1919, he was medically discharged on account of malaria he contracted while on active service. Two years later, in 1921, he was award-ed the war medals for his contribution to the war effort. Following the War in 1920, he married a Maara Ruth Russell and they had four children. Maara died in 1932. He married a second time to May Conway in 1935 they had five children, who all survive him today. Frank Victor did clerical work at the Ocean Beach Freezing Works at Bluff and then was Secretary to the Bluff branch of the Waterside Workers Union. His son Hilary vividly remembers the national-wide waterfront workers’ strike of 1951, in which his father was deeply involved. Frank Victor took ill and died in the latter stages of this strike. Hilary recalls with pride that his father Frank Victor was a practising Catholic and that he and his two elder brothers were altar boys at his dad’s funeral which Hilary believes was one of the biggest funerals to be held in Bluff at the time. His ANZAC father was much admired by employers and workers alike. Frank Victor is buried at Bluff cemetery. Lest we forget. (This is the last in a series of five articles on NZ Maltese ANZACs.)

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Recommendations on the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015

he Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has released its report on the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015. The Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) made a submission to the inquiry and appeared before the Committee to discuss its concerns about the Bill, including the effect that the legislation, if passed, will have on social cohesion, its impact on children, and its compliance with fundamental rights. The report sets out 27 recommendations, including that the Bill should be passed following the implementation of the recommendations in the report. It is encouraging to see that the Committee has included recommendations to limit the operation of the proposed provisions, strengthen the safeguards for children, and address some of the procedural concerns raised by FECCA. Limiting the operation of the Bill The Committee recommends that the Bill be amended to limit the operation of s 33AA, which provides that an individual renounces their Australian citizenship if they engage in certain conduct, to individuals who have engaged in relevant conduct offshore, or engaged in relevant conduct onshore and left Australia before being charged and brought to trial in respect of that conduct. The Committee also recommends that for the conviction-based provision (s 35A) the Minister should be required to make a positive decision that a person’s citizenship should be lost, taking into account allegiance and public interest factors. It further recommends that the list of relevant offences in the proposed s 35A be amended to exclude offences that carry a maximum penalty of less than 10 years imprisonment and certain Crimes Act offences that have never been used. The offence for ‘destroying or damaging Commonwealth property’ is among those that the Committee recommends should be removed from the Bill. Addressing procedural concerns The current Bill exempts the application of s 39 of the ASIO Act, potentially allow-

ing the Minister for Immigration to use intelligence which does not amount to a security assessment to issue notice that an individual’s Australian citizenship has been ceased. The Committee recommends that the Bill be amended so that s 39 ASIO Act is not exempted, and consequently, a security assessment would be required before the Minister can take prescribed administrative action. Recommendations made by the Commit-

tee would also require the Minister for Immigration to provide, or make reasonable attempts to provide, the affected person with written notice that citizenship has been lost or revoked. If the Minister determines not to notify the affected person, this decision should be reviewed within six months and every six months thereafter. The Committee recommends that the notice include the reasons for the loss of citizenship and an explanation of the person’s review rights. The Committee also recommends that the Minister be required to consider exercising their discretion to exempt a person from the effects of the relevant provisions revoking or ceasing their Australian citizenship, including considering whether the affected person would be able to access the citizenship rights in their other country of citizenship or nationality, and the extent of their connection to that country. Children A number of recommendations recommend amendments to include consideration of the age of the person and, for a person under 18, the best interests of the child as a primary consideration when the Minister is exercising a number of discre-

by FECCA tions in the Bill. Further, the Committee recommends that no part of the Bill should apply to conduct by a child aged less than 10 years, and that the conduct-based provisions in sections 33AA and 35 should not apply to conduct by a child aged under 14 years. The Committee has also recommended that section 36 of the Australian Citizenship Act, which enables the Minister to revoke a child’s citizenship following revocation of a parent’s citizenship, should not apply to any of the proposed new sections in the Bill. Retrospective operation The Committee recommends that the conviction-based provision (s 35A) be applied retrospectively to convictions where sentence of ten years or more have been handed down by a court. Accountability measures A number of accountability measures are included in the Bill, including: * That the Committee’s functions be extended to include monitoring and reviewing the performance of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection of its functions under the provisions of the Bill; * That the Minister be required to advise the Committee upon issuing a notice for the loss of citizenship under the Bill; * That the Committee complete a review of the revocation of citizenship provisions by 1 December 2019. Conclusion FECCA is encouraged by the Committee’s recommendations, however, the ‘self-executing’ nature of some parts of the Bill remains concerning. The revocation of an individual’s citizenship is a significant consequence, and should be confined to those dual nationals who have been convicted of relevant offences by a court. FECCA highlights the importance of citizenship policy to achieving and maintaining social cohesion in the Australian community by giving migrants a sense of belonging and acceptance.

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Biex tikteb Malti tajjeb Illum l-Aççent

tebut.

1. L-Aççent huwa dak il-˙oss aktar qawwi fuq wa˙da mill-vokali talkelma. EΩ.: ba˙ar, si©©u,

2. L-Aççent jista’ jkun Ma˙tuf jew Imkarkar. Ez.: ©emel, gomma (Ma˙tuf); ra©el, ktieb (Imkarkar). 3. L-Aççent jitqassam hekk: a) Óafif meta jkollu warajh konsonanti wa˙da. EΩ.: saqaf, mexa, tilef.

b) S˙i˙ meta jkollu warajh Ωew© konsonanti. EΩ.: kamra, ˙abbat, ©ibs. ç) Ikarkar meta jkollu ˙oss twil u warajh konsonanti wa˙da jew xejn. EΩ.: tieqa, ˙adid, ˙a. 4. Fil-Malti kelma ma jistax ikollha ˙lief aççent wie˙ed u wara l-accent sillaba wa˙da jew xejn. EΩ.: raqad, raqda, rqad. IRQAQAT a) il-˙oss ie g˙andu dejjem aççent imkarkar. EΩ.: sie˙eb, nies, ˙alliel.

b) Il-vokali aççentati meta jkunu fl-a˙˙ar sillaba: i) Ωew© konsonanti. EΩ.: farfett, gandott, merill. ii) ikollhom aççent Imkarkar jekk warajhom ikun hemm konsonanti wa˙da. EΩ.: tabib, sapun, triqat. ç) L-aççent Imkarkar jista’ jkollu warajh iΩjed minn konsonanti wa˙da. Dan ji©ri meta: i) il-kelma tiΩdied b’xi ittra jew ittri mitlubin mill-grammatika. EΩ.: kiesa˙ + a = kies˙a, ©ieb + li = ©iebli. ii) il-kelma tkun ta’ nisel barrani. EΩ.: priedka, artiklu, pa©na, ekra (Darb’o˙ra l-Konsonanti li jixxieb˙u)

Pre-history and classical Malta (5000-218 B.C.) 5000 First human settlers. Ghar Dalam phase. 3600-2500 Megalithic temples constructed. 2000-1400 Bronze-using people. 800-480 Phoenician rule

700-600 Greek influence. 480-218 Carthaginian rule. 264-146 Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome. 218 Roman rule begins during the 2nd Punic War.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday September 29, 2015

One good turn deserves another

L-a˙barijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

edication we have lots of; when it comes to time, we find it as when dedicating oneself to a cause, it’s there. A third ingredient needed to produce an online magazine such as The Voice of the Maltese is financial. To offset that, the production team has been seeking sponsors to help us share that burden with us. Some have responded positively by advertising the services they offer to their clients on our publication. More is needed, so we call upon others to follow. In return, our readers are urged to use the services offered by our sponsors.

G˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, il-qarrejja m˙e©©a li x’˙in iridu jid˙lu fil-website: www.tvm.com.mt u jsegwu l-a˙barijiet ta’ Malta. Din tkun a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bi stejjer li jkunu qed ise˙˙u. Mhux biss, imma min irid isegwi dak li jkun g˙addej, kull filg˙odu ˙in ta' Malta fuq il-website jittellg˙u wkoll l-a˙barijiet tal-jum ta' qabel.

Community News Getting to know more about Malta as a tourist destination

Readers and their relatives and friends are urged to register to the Malta Tou-rism Authority (MTA) eNewsletter in order to keep abreast with the positive news emanating from the Maltese Islands, particularly the tourism sector. To register go to: www.visitmalta.com/en/subscribeto-newsletter. The MTA also has its own facebook page: www.facebook.com/visitmalta

ReadeRs please note

If you are not recei ving the V oice of the Maltese reg ularly you are kindly requested t o l et us know. do the same i f you have chang ed your e mai l address. Keeping your ad dresses updated is very imp ortant to us.

The Maltese Language School of NSW The Maltese Language School of NSW invites applications for Maltese language classes at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre located at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young Street) Mays Hill (next to Parramatta West Public School). Both young and adult students may apply. For more information contact Mary Pace-Feraud on 9601 2189 or email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com

SAINT NICHOLAS FESTA COMMITTEE NSW Presents...... Classic Cars Show and Il-Fiera l-Kbira On Sunday October 18 Good Shepherd Hall, 130-136 Hyatts Road, Plumpton Classic Cars, Motorbikes & Trucks Exhibition 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Contact Charlie Gatt: 9671 3919 or Jim Farrugia: 9677 9755

Afterwards Il-FIERA l-KBIRA Doors open at 1.30 p.m. Music & Entertainment by Ron Borg, Joe Xuereb & Tony Fenech Loads of fantastic prizes to be won, Including the traditionalrabbit – ‘Fiera Tal-Fniek’ There will also be drinks and food of all types including: pastizzi and ˙obΩ biΩ-Ωejt or bigilla and FREE ice cream for all children. Entry is free; Plenty of parking space SO COME ALONG, BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Further information, from: President: Bill Schembri: 0416 261 415 or PRO: Joe Fenech: – 0412 009 957

Other important activity this year: Sunday December 6: Feast of St Nicholas

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Community News Readers can now request a printed copy of The Voice

In response to a number of inquiries, The Voice of the Maltese wishes to advice that we can now supply hard copies in colour of our magazine to our readers at a price. So anybody interested in acquiring copies of the magazine can communicate with us personally or by email to: maltesevoice@gmail.com. The magazine can also be delivered by post. As the cost of postage varies one is kindly requested to get in touch with us to work out the details.

Iç-Çittadini jkomplu fl-2016 Il-kumpanija tat-teatrin fi NSW l-Awstralja, “Ic-Cittadini” jixtiequ jfakkru li s-serati tag˙hom se jibdew millgdid fis-sena 2016. Skond Doris Caruana, il-president tal-kumpanija, b˙alissa jinsabu weqfin min˙abba li hemm xi atturi li jinsabu fuq btala f’Malta.

Tinteressak il-kitba? Id-direzzjoni ta’ The Voice t˙e©©e© lill-qarrejja li j˙ossu li jew g˙andhom talent g˙all-kitba, laktar bl-Ilsien Malti, imma mhux biss, inkella li ja˙sbu li bi ftit g˙ajnuna jistg˙u jrabbu lkunfidenza g˙all-kitba, biex jekk u meta iridu, jew jitolbu l-g˙ajnuna tag˙na, inkella sempliçement jibag˙tu x- xog˙ol tag˙hom lil: The Voice of the Maltese biex narawh. Email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Jekk tkunu tridu wara nippublikaw il-kitbiet tag˙kom.

St Helena Maltese Australia SC OCTOBER 24: (Saturday): Get-together at St Martin de Porres, Avondale Heights. OCTOBER 25: (Sunday): 2.p.m.: General Meeting at Parkville. NOVEMBER 14: (Saturday): Get-together at Holy Eucharist, St Albans. DECEMBER 19: (Saturday) Xmas function at Melrose Receptions, Tullamarine. For more information: Phone Victor on 0412 99 13 25 or Mary Abdilla on 03 (9370 51 64)

Computer Class for the Elderly The Maltese Community Council of NSW is conducting a computer class at Maltese Resource Centre 59b Franklin Street, Mays Hill 2145 NSW every Friday between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 For more information contact Em. Camilleri: 0409 744 376

Join us on The Voice of the Maltese facebook page: https://www.facebook.co m/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese

Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco (NSW) Saturday October 24: 28th Annual Dinner Dance at Mandavilla Function Centre 1788 The Horsley Drive Horsley Park from 7pm. Music by Joe Apap. Dress: semi formal. For booking: Marlene: 02 9631 9295

Share it with the readers of The Voice of the Maltese If you have a story to tell that you believe could make interesting reading and you would like to sha-re it with The Voice of the Maltese readership, get in touch with us by email at: maltesevoice@gmail.com

METD Committee Are holding the

Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day

22nd Anniversary Luncheon on Wednesday October 7 Venue: St Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church Hall Corner of Woodstock Ave & Hyatts Rd Plumpton Start time: 9.00 a.m. – Finish 3.00 p.m. We start the day with morning tea, followed by Mass A special lunch and dessert will be served and live entertainment Will be provided by well-known Maltese entertainers till 3.00 p.m. Donation: Frail Senior – FREE, Carer - $25, Active Senior - $45 Contact: Doris Pocock 0419 420 915, Lina Magro 9629 4046, Maria Cilia 0431 800 720, Maggie Vella 9621 3125 Our Elderly are forever grateful for this very special day. MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW

A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Learn Maltese!

Classes are available for students from 6 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. Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM For more information and enquiries Call Mary on 9601 2189 Or email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme. Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation.

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Community News Tune In to Radio and Television

Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fridays 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday each month at 1pm. MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, each Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. Presenter Emmanuel Brincat. MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Mer˙ba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3. Saturdays 6 to 8 a.m. Martese Caruana presents Nostalgia Music; Sundays from 10.00 - 11.00 am: Il˙-na Maltin. Both available on demand. Follow same procedure as for MCC programmes, except select programe in reference. In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Program on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l-istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet www.893fm.com.au (On Demand >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am) Il-programm ta’ sieg˙a nhar ta’ Óadd fil11.00 a.m. ikun fih l-a˙˙ar a˙barijiet minn Malta, muΩika, tag˙rif, kultura, avviΩi u su©©etti ta’ interess g˙all-Maltin

Listen to John Borg & Glenn Cassar every Saturday at 1.00 p.m. on RADIO 2RRR 88.5FM or on the Internet - www2rrr.org.au ON DeMAND On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38. The radio 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 - SBS 2 TV on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am. Maltese Programmes on TV and Web VIVA MALTA The GDAY MALTAUSSIE SHOW VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 on TVS is broadcast in Sydney Community Radio in Gosford Central Every Saturday at 2pm. Repeats on NSW. Aired every fortnight from Mondays 5 pm and Tuesdays 7.30 am 6 pm -7 pm (Next is October 8). Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. Watch direct via HYPERLINK: Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au. http://ww.tvs.org.au; http://ww.tvs.org.au L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBS2

The SBS MALTESE NEWS

Meetings of Day Care Maltese Groups in NSW Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month from10:00am to 12 noon. The group meets in the Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights.

Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Come and join us and make new friends.

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meets every second Friday of the month; Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am

Llandillo Maltese Seniors

La Valette Social Centre Programme of activities SUNDAY October 4: Bus trip to Canberra to see the floriade. Bus leaves from Greystanes first at 6.15 am and from Blacktown Centre at 6.30 am. Price $50. Includes coach, morning tea. SUNDAY November 1: At Pine Grove for our beloved. Mass at 5pm. Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band will take part from 4pm. One is advised to bring a chair. TUESDAY November 3: Melbourne Cup lunch $25 for 2-course meal, morning tea. Centre opens at 10am. Sweeps lucky door prizes and hat competition - book early. TUESDAY December 8: Trip for Cherry picking at Orange. Lunch at Orange RSL (at own expense or bring your own). Cost $50 pp; children $30 - includes coach and morning tea. Coach leaves Greystanes at 6am and from la Valette at 6.30 am For bookings & information: Centre: 96225847; Frances 0412320432 or Antoinette 96712992

Malta Society of New Zealand

We now have a Facebook page that former members are invited to join. It is: Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland: https://www.facebook.com/pages /Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland/ 396193070527203?ref=hl. It is open to all who have an interest in the Maltese culture. Greystanes Maltese Seniors Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Ongoing: We meet every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm Our Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining. Come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast

Meets on the second Monday of each month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1pm.

You need to contact our Welfare Officer for an appointment. For all information and referral matters one should call Censina Cefai: Tel: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652

*(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of 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)

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 29, 2015

Sports Historic feat for Malta’s waterpolo team

alta’s national waterpolo team achieved a historic feat Saturday when they managed to secure a place in the final of the European Championships 2016 after beating Switzerland 20-8 and Poland, in the crunch match, 13-18 to go through as the second-placed team from Round II Group B of the Qualification Tournament. The Group was won by Germany who defeated Malta in the final match 24-3. The group matches were played at the National Pool at Tal-Qroqq. The championships will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, January 10-23 between Europe’s top 16 teams. No wonder coach Karl Izzo was over

Malta’s Premier League Football

Balzan share top spot with Hibernians

alta’s Premier League is proving to be one of the closest for years with only two teams still unbeaten and with Balzan confounding the critics to snatch most of the headlines in the initial stages of the Championship. With six rounds played, for the first time in their history, Balzan top the league ladder with a better goal difference than Hibernians. Both have 14 points. Balzan owe their latest 3-1 win over Mosta RESULTS:

the moon with delight. For a small country like Malta, this is indeed a great honour to be one of Europe’s elite teams. It marks a gold-en era in local waterpolo. In their first match against Switserland Malta cruised to a comfortable 20-8 victory over Switzerland with goals by N Lanzon (7), J Gabarretta (1), M Stellini (1), M Meli (2), M Zammit (1), S Camilleri (2), J Camilleri (1), A Cousin (3) and D Zammit (2). Malta’s scorers against Poland were, Steve Camilleri (4), Gabarretta (3), Michele Stellini (2), and one each by Matthew Zammit, Niki Lanzon, Dino Zammit and Clint Mercieca.

Round 6

Hibernians v Pembroke A.

1-1

Balzan v Mosta

3-1

Valletta v Naxxar L.

3-1

Birkirkara v Qormi

2-1

Floriana v Tarxien R.

1-1

Sliema W. v St Andrews

1-0

Joege DS Pereira (H); Austin Martz (P)

AlfredEffiong 3 (B); Manolito Micallef (M)

Abdelkarim Nafti 2, Ucehnna Umeh (V); Daren Falzon (N)

Vito Plut, Fabrizio Miccoli (B); Alex Nilsson (Q)

to Alfred Effiong who scored a hat-trick. As their Australia-based president Anton Tagliaferro told The Voice of the Maltese last season, Balzan were not just a one-season wonder when they finished fourth and made their debut in a European competition. They are certainly proving him right. They have managed some impressive results, including a 1-0 victory over Valletta and a 5-1 win over Pembroke. Hibernians also preserved their unbeaten run but they are finding the going much harder than last season when they only dropped three points in an only defeat against Balzan. So far they have already dropped four points in two drawn matches, against Balzan and rather unexpected, against newly promoted Pembroke.

Teams normally considered as also-rans, and others whose main ambition is to avoid playing in the relegation pool come the end of the season, are also putting in a challenge. Mosta, who have made a number of new acquisitions are determined to be among the top teams and have so far only lost once. Despite two defeats, Valletta, are only two points behind the leaders, while Birkirkara, a point further away have still failed to impress though they are still expected to pick up as they get along and will certainly be Championship challengers. Floriana, Mosta and Sliema are next in the standing; Qormi, Naxxar and St. Andrews are finding the going tough with the last two still pointless. They need to improve a lot to stand a chance of staying in the Premier.

Mario Fontanella (F); JPO Santos (T)

Andreis o.g. (S)

Round 5

Hibernians v Valletta

1-0

Balzan v Pembroke A.

5-1

Birkirkara v Mosta

1-1

Floriana v St Andrews

3-2

Sliema W v Qormi

0-0

Tarxien R. v Naxxar L.

2-0

Jorge Santos Silva

Alfred Effiong, Lydon Micallef, Justin Grioli, Godwin Mensha, Ryan Darmanin (B); James Togbah (P)

Vito Plut (B); Edin Murga (M)

Filippo Scozzese, Matteo Picciollo, Nicolas Chieas (F); Kyrian Mwoko, Chris Nguidjol (SA)

Federico Falcone

JPO Santos, Lucky Omeruo, Tristan Caruana, Danilo M Santos, Luke Mintebello

Round 4

Hibernians v Tarxien R.

1-0

Birkirkara v Pembroke

4-1

Andrew Cohen

Maurizi Mazzetti, Vito Plut 2, Zach Muscat (B); Austin Martz (P)

Balzan v Valletta

1-0

Sliema W. v Mosta

2-1

Floriana v Naxxar L

1-0

Qormi v St Andrews

1-0

Lydon Micallef

Michael Mifsud, Kelon Souza (S); Sav Fedelis (M)

Godwin Mensha (pen), Edison Bilbao

Saviour Fidelis

ictured (from left to right) are: Frans Bonavia (winner); Richard Killeen, (second runner-up); Angelo Farrugia, (bocce organiser), together with the president of the Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group, Salvina Vella during the presentation of the trophies to the successful competitors on the occasion of the organisation’s Father’s Day luncheon. The bocce competition that is played while others normally take part in bingo sessions

finishes a couple of weeks before the Father's Day luncheon when the trophies are presented to the winner and two runners-up. The winner this year was Frans Bonavia, while Tarcisio Xuereb (who was unavoidably absent) and Richard Killeen finished first and second runners up respectively. Another bocce competition for the lady members of Reskeon is also organised prior to Mother’s Day. That is held under cover on artificial turf.