The Voice of the Maltese No. 131

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

Issue 131

July 5, 2016

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

Australia Votes

Australian Federal Election: DOWN TO THE WIRE - read latest on page 16

President of Malta’s visit to Australia July 11-23: Itenerary - page 2

L-Imnarja 2016 - see pages 15 and 18

Photos from this year’s Imnarja agricultural show at Buskett - by Roger Azzopardi (Union Print)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

President of Malta to visit four states during 12-day stay in Australia

T

he highly anticipated visit to Australia by the President of Malta, H.E. MarieLouise Coleiro Preca later on this month will start on July 11 and end July 23. Her 12-day visit will take her to at least four cities in four states where she will have a number of meetings with the Maltese community, including youths, nuns and business people, and also local government representatives.

A very hectic provisional programme has been prepared for the President, who will also be accompanied by the Minister for Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Dr Jose` A. Herrera.

The President’s visit comes on top of an invitation to deliver the opening address at the Inaugural SWAPv Conference - July 13-15 – at the Flinders University Tonsley campus in Adelaide, South Australia.

However, the visit Down Under kicks off two days earlier (July 11) in

Perth where the President will attend what is being described as a ‘Business and achievers in their profession’ meeting.

On that same day she will also visit the Freemantle monument dedicated to the former child migrants, and meet with former child migrants, and visit the ship terminals where so many migrants saw Australia for the first time.

Later in the afternoon she visits the Maltese Association of Western Australia Community Hall, meet with Youth/Young Maltese descendants, and in the evening attend a reception with the Maltese Community.

In South Australia, the President will attend a reception hosted by the state’s Premier at the Adelaide Convention Centre where the President would also be meeting the Maltese Community.

The President will spend the next two days in Adelaide on the invitation of the Flinders University, to attend the opening of Student Well-being and Prevention of Violence Research Centre (SWAPv) Inaugural Conference, and deliver the opening speech.

On the second day she will attend the Conference, a reception and a lecture with a panel entitled The Politics of Well-being at the South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute( SAHMRI), in Adelaide. *Continued on page 3

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Spending time with the Maltese community *from page 2 On the 16th the President travels to NSW where she will visit the Maltese Monument at Civic Park, Pendle Hill, the offices of the Maltese Community Council at Parramatta West, the St Dominic’s Hostel in Blacktown and the La Valette Social Centre to meet the Maltese community.

On the next day she will have a meeting with Maltese Community at the George Cross Falcons Community Centre, and on the third day meets Maltese businessmen and attends a private luncheon.

The President’s next stage (July 1923) takes her to the state of Victoria where she would spend most of the time in Melbourne. She is to visit the Peter Mac Callum Cancer Centre in Parkville and later have separate meetings with Maltese youths and

the Maltese community.

Here she would also visit the Dominican Sisters of Flinders University TonsMalta, the monuley campus in Adelaide ment ‘MaltaShelter for Peace’ meet the Maltese Community Coun- Health, and Head cil and the community, and hold of the Demeetings with the business and propartment fessional community. of PsycholOn the final day President Marieogy, and Louise Coleiro Preca will meet the Associate community in Altona and attend Professor the Malta Community Chest Fund Malta UniMaltese Charity Dinner Dance. versity).

For more information see provisional Professor Carmel Cefai There will schedule on opposite page. also be another speaker with of MalOne of the keynote speakers at the tese descent, Mr. Chris Tanti, an exSWAPv Conference will be Professor perienced clinician and health Carmel Cefai, (Director, Centre for executive and CEO of Headspace.

Resilience and Socio-Emotional

A chance to help shape the future of Australia The Census of Population and Housing is Australia’s largest statistical collection undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). For more than 100 years, the Census has provided a snapshot of Australia, showing how our nation has changed over time, allowing us to plan for the future.

The next Census is on August 9 this year. It’s a moment for everyone to play a role in shaping the future of Australia.

The Voice of the Maltese strongly appeals to all Maltese living in Australia to do their duty and to participate in the Census. It is also of utmost importance to declare that you are Maltese-born or of Maltese descent.

Declaring that you speak Maltese at home is also most important. Many Maltese fail to do this resulting in the Maltese community being deprived of the assistance in our own language, so desperately needed to our elderly and those in dire need.

These are services and assistance that is extended to other ethnic group but denied to us because the authorities, using the Census as a guide, wrongly

presume that all Maltese elderly can speak English.

The Census is taken every five years

counted to date.

This year’s Census will be Australia’s first predominantly digital Census.

From August 1, households will receive a letter with a unique Census Login.

Every household must use it to complete the Census online, or follow the directions to order a paper form. In some locations, households will receive a paper form upfront, with the option to complete it online.

The information one provides in the Census helps estimate Australia’s population, which is then used to distribute government funds and plan services for one’s community – housing, transport, education, industry, hospitals and the environment.

Census data is also used by individuals and organisations in the public and private sectors to form informed decisions on policy and planning issues that impact the lives of all Australians.

Australia has a long and proud history of Census taking. Since the first national Census in 1911, Census data has played an important role in charting Australia’s history and its future.

Make sure that us Maltese are correctly counted.

The Census and the Maltese in Australia and is managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The first Australian census was held in 1911, on the night of April 2 (previous censuses being organised by the colonies). Subsequent censuses were held in 1921, 1933, 1947, 1954 and 1961.

In 1961 the five-year period was introduced. Censuses are held on the second Tuesday of August. The most recent was held on August 9 2011, and the next is scheduled for 9 August 2016, that is five years to the day exactly. The 2011 census cost $440 million to complete.

The aim of the Census is to accurately collect data on the key characteristics of people in Australia on Census night and the dwellings in which they live.

This year the Census will count close to 10 million dwellings and approximately 24 million people, the largest number

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Q. I am 78 years of age, single and a pensioner. I have been residing in my home for the last 40 years. My home is valued around $1.2 million. This house needs a great deal of maintenance which I cannot afford. I do not wish to sell and was advised to use a Reverse Mortgage. Can you explain how this works and whether this is a good solution?

A. As you are single I believe using a Reverse Mortgage is a very good solution.

This will allow you to pay for all the maintenance that you need by using the equity in your own home and which you do not need to pay back while you are still residing in this home. Once you vacate the home, either through dying or moving into aged care the home will need to be sold and the Bank paid back the funds used as well as the interest that accumulated. The beneficiaries will receive whatever is left over.

Q. My wife and I are pensioners. We have just inherited my mother’s residential home in Gozo which is worth around $250,000. Should we advise Centrelink about this inheritance as it is overseas, and if yes will this impact on our pension entitlement as we will not be renting it out?

A. Once the title deeds of this home are transferred to your names the house will become your asset. Centrelink need to be advised of all the assets that you own whether they are in Australia or overseas.

Now if you have no other assets apart from this inheritance than your pension will not be impacted, however if you have other assets this will be added on to your other assets and your pension will definitely drop.

Q. My mother died 15 years ago and my sister and I inherited her residential home.

T

his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Financial Services helps our readers understand the complexities associated with financial planning. If you need more advice send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

As my sister never married she had continued to live with my mother and in my mother’s Will it was stated that the house could not be sold until such time as my sister saw fit to vacate this property. My sister who is 60 has decided to move into a retirement village and therefore we will be selling the house. I was told that I will have capital gains tax to pay on my share of the house as our mother passed away more than 2 years ago. Is this correct?

A. Normally the answer would be yes that you would have to pay capital gains tax on your share. However as your mother had specifically noted in her Will that the house could not be sold until such time as your sister vacated the property, capital gains tax will not apply for either of you.

Q. I am 50 years old and run a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF). I have around $550,000 invested in this super fund. The

Q&A

Marie-Louise Muscat is fluent in Maltese and English and can assist you in: * Wealth Creation * Pre Retirement and Retirement Advice * Maximising Centrelink Benefits * Tax effective strategies in retirement e.g. sale of property * Rearranging finances to minimise ongoing fees prior to entering Aged Care facilities Call Marie-Louise for a complimentary consultation on:

(02) 9231 2133

Marie-Louise Muscat is a representative of Fiducian Fiinancial Services Pty Ltd ABN 46 094 765 134 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 231103

assets of this super fund are made up $250,000 in direct shares and the rest in cash. Apart from this super fund I also own direct shares in my own name. I need to raise around $80,000 and I was thinking of selling some of my own shares to my super fund rather than borrowing the money. Is this possible and would you recommend it?

A. You definitely have too much in cash in your SMSF. Therefore if you are wanting to maintain the shares that you have in your own name by selling them to your super fund you would be achieving this result. You would increase the growth assets within the SMSF which at the age of 50 I believe this to be a good idea, while at the same time you would be releasing money and not going into a mortgage.

Please be aware that you will most likely have some capital gains and therefore you will probably need to pay some capital gains tax as this sale, although it is being done as an off market transfer, you will still be changing the ownership of these securities.

Q. My wife and I have a funeral bond in joint names and this is currently valued around $11,000. We were thinking of increasing the value of this bond as $11,000 would not cover both funerals. Is this advisable?

A. If you are pensioners, the amount that individuals can invest in funeral bonds is around $12,000. As your funeral bond is in joint names the same amount applies to you and you cannot add to it more than say $1000 or else this will be treated as an asset. I would therefore propose to add no more than the $1000 and normally as one partner dies before the other, when the bond has been used, the remaining spouse could purchase another funeral bond.

This document contains factual information only and is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion in relation to the topic/s discussed. Fiducian recommends that you seek advice from a professional to address any issues that may be raised by this article. Fiducian accepts no liability for any loss suffered by anyone who has acted on any information in this document

Tuesday July 5, 2016

The Voice of the Maltese 5

M

alta featured prominently in the Sydney Morning Herald with a front page on its popular Traveller edition featuring the Vittoriosa waterfront and a further three full pages with script and colourful pictures in the inside.

This is perhaps among the best publicity Malta has attracted for quite some time in Australia besides the articles in The Voice of the Maltese that are always welcomed by the readers. The writer, of the SMH article is Ute Junker, who has worked as a magazine editor and TV and digital producer before running away to become a travel writer.

She wrote the article after visiting Malta for the first time. Before that, all she knew about the island was that that it was the home of the pastizzi. “It’s amazing the history and cultural treasures come as a complete surprise, and they still draw you back,” she wrote.

She says that in Malta it is easy to forget where you are. “Sit in one of its sunny piazzas overlooking a baroque church, and you might think you are in Italy. Cruise along a coastal road, past pretty fishing ports washed by aquamarine waters, and it feels a lot like Croatia. Wander through Roman ruins or down the narrow streets of Arab-influenced towns, and you could be in Spain.

In her opinion Malta is the Mediterranean's secret hot spot with its “fierce knights, ancient cities, gorgeous swimming spots and the odd tortured genius.

She also just scraped through the history of what she describes as, “a tiny scrap of land floating in the Mediterranean”, saying that Malta has been conquered many times over the centuries with every occupier leaving traces behind, the Roman roads, Arab towns, Norman fortresses.

“With Sicily just only 100km away, there is a strong Italian influence, particularly evident in the food and the locals' devout religious streak. The island's last overlords, the British, left in 1964 when Malta became independent (the country remains a member of the Commonwealth) but their legacy is particularly helpful for Australian travellers: along with Malti, English is one of the country's two official languages.”

Honing in on Malta’s capital city, one of Europe's first planned cities, Ms Junker wrote that Valletta is more than a fortress. Once word of the knights' valiant fight against the Ottomans got out, money and honours were showered upon the order by rulers from right across Europe.

She believes this resulted in ornate churches and palaces springing up across Valletta. “With 320 monuments gathered within its 28km long walls, Valletta has the most concentrated collection of historical monuments in the world after Rome and Jerusalem.”

Valletta, she says, was built not just a city, but also a fortress in the 16th century, when it was ruled by one of the world's most formidable fighting forces, the Knights of St John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller who built Valletta as their stronghold, “with steep slopes designed to slow invading armies, and wide staircases to accommodate armour-clad knights.”

Malta: s ’ n a e n a r r e t i d ‘Me ’ t o p s t o h t e r c se

Ute Juncker was most impressed above all with “spending” St John's Co-Cathedral and advises visitors not to be fooled Ute Junker by its austere exterior. She describes the every surface on the inside as covered with riotous baroque decoration, from the elaborately frescoed ceilings to the walls thickly encrusted with gold leaf. “Even the floor is dazzling, covered with more than 400 highly-polished tombstones of coloured marble,” she writes.

She also got the impression that like Valletta, the ancient city of Mdina is a city of churches and says that the island's rigorous Catholic tradition dates back to 60CE, when St Paul was shipwrecked here and converted the population, making it one of the oldest Christian countries in the world.

With only one-fifth of the country urbanised, there is much to explore beyond the two main cities. The coast swoops down from soaring cliffs to sheltered bays; the interior is rich in hiking trails, which are particularly inviting in spring, when the dry plains come alive with wildflowers.

Hardcore trekkers to Malta would be drawn by the 115km coastal walk that circumnavigates the island; the rest however, have plenty of shorter hikes to choose from, winding past terraced fields and citrus orchards.

The author also looks at “Malta's smaller satellite” just a quick ferry ride away, the tiny island of Gozo or Ghawdex (pronounced aow-desh), as the Maltese know it. “It makes Malta feel positively bustling. Not so long ago, horse-drawn carts were the main form of transport here; even today, a slow pace of life prevails.

Beyond its capital, Victoria, the main settlements are pretty hilltop villages with exotic names such as Xewkija, Xaghra and Xlendi. What they share in common: sunny piazzas centred around churches, and simple dwellings that look as if they have been lifted from a North African village.

In her description of Gozo, Juncker says that apart from the megalithic temples at Ggantija, Gozo's main attraction is its beaches. “The loveliest is the crescent-shaped Ramla, where aquamarine waters lap at the fiery sands, where according to legend, this is where Odysseus, trying to make his way home from the Trojan War, was enslaved by the temptress Calypso.

She concludes: “It seems travellers have been falling for Malta for an awfully long time.”

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Il-març Malti b’karattru uniku marbut mal-˙ajja festiva Maltija F ’Malta g˙adu kif beda s-sajf li ˙afna wkoll jassoççjawh maΩΩmien tal-festi fil-bliet u l-ir˙ula Maltin, u anke sa çertu punt mal-ista©un li jdewwaqna l-frott, u dak tal-btajjel u s-s˙ana, tant li meta jid˙ol Ìunju x-xju˙ tag˙na kienu jg˙idu, “Ìunju g˙all-g˙omma manju, fissodda jag˙tina banju, u g˙alhekk Ìunju, Ìunjett, ine˙˙i l-qmis u ddublett”.

Li kieku fis-sajf ma kellniex ilfesti tradizzjonali Maltin, kieku pajjiΩna kien ikun nieqes sewwa mill-kuluri vivaçi u karatteristiçi li jag˙tu dawl differenti minn ta’ pajjiΩi o˙ra.

Il-festi tradizzjonali Maltin g˙andhom g˙eruq ˙awtiela u marbuta sewwa mad-drawwiet Maltin l-aktar fl-ir˙ula antiki tag˙na li dejjem isibu l-wens ta˙t it-titlu tal-Qaddis jew Qaddisa patruni tal-ir˙ula tag˙na.

Il-banda, in-nar tal-ajru u l-©ig©ifoku tal-art, l-armar fit-toroq u fil-knejjes Barokki tag˙na, b’dik l-g˙ajta tal-qubbajt artab jew iebes, u kollox imsawwar mad-daqq tas-sett tal-qniepen kbar talknejjes tag˙na, huma l-ingredjenti me˙tie©a g˙all-festa Maltija.

Ma’ dawn inΩidu l-mixeg˙la ©enerali tal-knejjes u t-toroq mimlijin pavaljuni b’ornat impitter u kolonni bl-an©li j˙arsu ’l fuq jew ’l isfel. Kollox jag˙ti xenarju differenti sewwa lil art twelidna fiΩ-Ωmien tal-festi, xi ˙a©a li wkoll hija apprezzata bis-s˙i˙ mill-g˙add kbir ta’ barranin li jΩuruna fil-jeim tas-sajf.

Mhux se nid˙ol daqshekk dwar il-festi Maltin, mma f’dan l-artiklu se no˙ro© ingredjent wie˙ed mill-˙afna li jsawru l-festa Maltija, il-març Malti, li g˙andu l-istil u l-karattru muΩikali tieg˙u u g˙alhekk jinfatam minn marçi o˙ra internazzjonali. Fi ftit kliem, il-karattru muΩikali tal-març Malti jag˙mluh uniku u jintrabat sewwa mal-˙ajja festiva tag˙na l-Maltin.

Niftakar lil Vincenzo Ciappara (18901979), li jien insejja˙lu r-‘Re tal-Marçi Maltin’, jg˙idli li kien hu l-ewwel Malti li beda jikkomponi l-marçi fuq il-forma

li nafuha llum, bit-trio l-a˙˙ar parti u lparti ewlenija tal-març.

Jekk il-març ikollu t-trio sabi˙, allura l-març huwa popolari. Ciappara ta ˙ajja lil din il-forma ferrie˙a u ˙ajjar surmastrijiet o˙ra Maltin biex jikkomponu

Is-Sej˙a muΩikali mibdija minn Vincenzo Ciappara marçi biex b’hekk il-baned Maltin ikunu fornuti b’marçi miktuba millMaltin g˙all-festi tag˙na stess.

Is-Surmast Ciappara kien qalli li lewwel març tieg˙u kien g˙all-Banda Prince of Wales tal-Birgu, fejn kien isSurmast Direttur. Kienet daqqet il-març fi Pjazza Re©ina. Ing˙o©ob tant, li wara ndaqq mill-Banda King’s Own tal-Belt u minn baned o˙ra Maltin. Qabel dalmarçi tas-Surmast Ciappara il-baned Maltin kienu jdoqqu dawk ta’ kompoΩituri barranin, l-aktar dawk Sqallin.

Il-marçi brijuΩi (kif in˙obbu nsej˙ulhom a˙na l-Maltin) tas-Surmast Ciappara huma mibnijin fuq nixxieg˙a

Is-Surmast Vincenzo Ciappara il-qasam muΩikali purament Malti. Fost dawn, is-surmast Luigi Bongailas li

PeterPaulCiantar ta’ melodiji tal-widna. Id-don tal-melodija u l-˙effa li jikkomponi twieldu mieg˙u.

L-g˙add kbir ta’ marçi tieg˙u (l-aktar popolari, Victory kitbu wara l-gwerra), flimkien ma’ innijiet kbar u Ωg˙ar g˙al diversi festi Maltin u G˙awdxin, huma xhieda tal-˙ila muΩikali tieg˙u. Óasra li llum ftit g˙adhom jindaqqu marçi tas-surmast Ciappara, g˙alkemm l-innijiet tieg˙u g˙adhom ˙ajjin. Çert li mhux se jistrie˙u fl-arkivji tal-baned tag˙na g˙al raqda ta’ dejjem.

Wara s-Surmast Ciappara bdew jidhru kompoΩituri Maltin o˙ra li lkoll taw kontribut kbir lil dan

wkoll ikkompona marçi sbie˙, fosthom g˙all-banda tal-lokal tieg˙u, San Mikiel f’ÓaΩ-Ûabbar. Meta miet (ftit wara Ciappara) ˙afna sej˙ulu ‘il-Prinçep tal-Marçi.

Hemm o˙rajn li taw kontribut kbir lillmarç Malti, fosthom Emmanuel Bugeja, li kkompona ˙afna g˙all-banda tant g˙al qalbu, il-Queen Victoria taΩ-Ûurrieq; An©lu Pace tal-Gudja, An©lu Pullicino ta’ San Ìiljan, John Mamo, li kellu l-banda tas-Si©©iewi, Joseph M. Barbara, Hector Dalli taΩ-Ûejtun, Adeodato u ibnu Philip Gatt ta’ ÓaΩÛebbug, u Joseph Abela Scolaro u Willie Attard, it-tnejn tal-Óamrun.

Kollha tawna marçi sbie˙.

Ma nistax ma nsemmix ukoll lil John Theuma ta’ Birkirkara, li g˙adu mimli bl-g˙omor, li fost il-marçi tieg˙u li nammira hemm il- ‘Holiday in Spain’, li kien indaqq g˙all-ewwel darba millBanda La Valette, li f’dawk iΩ-Ωminijiet kienet ta˙t id-direzzjoni tas-Surmast ÌuΩeppi Camilleri. Niftakar lil dan tala˙˙ar ifa˙˙ar dan il-març.

*g˙al pa©na 7

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Tuesday July 5, 2016

IΩ-Ωwie© u l-manteniment

ejn jid˙ol iΩ-Ωwie©, imma l-aktar fejn F iΩ-Ωwie© ma jirnexxix, wa˙da millakbar problemi, minbarra dak mentali u l-effett fuq il-protagonisti, huwa dak mag˙ruf b˙ala l-manteniment.

Sfortunatament, anke f’Malta, kulma jmur l-g˙add ta’ Ωwi©ijiet li jitfarrku qed jiΩdied. U ma kull Ωwie© li jispiçça b’separazzjoni jew divorzju, aktarx ikun hemm marbut mieg˙u l-manteniment, kemm ta’ parti jew o˙ra tal-koppja u/jew dak tal-ulied.

Mhemmx dubju li l-manteniment huwa piΩ fuq min irid i˙allsu u ˙afna drabi jkun hemm dawk li ma jaslux biex iΩommu ma dak li jkun ©ie miftiehem jew ordnat mill-Qrati.

Jekk dan il-˙las jibqa’ ma jsirx aktarx li dik il-persuna li suppost tirçievi l-mantiment tmur quddiem il-Qorti biex takkwista dak li bi dritt hu tag˙ha, u jekk min suppost i˙allas jibqa’ ma jag˙mlix dan, f’xi kaΩi anke g˙ax ma jkollux mnejn i˙allas, jispiçça l-˙abs.

Fil-fatt mill-2012 sal-lum kien hemm 3,075 persuna li ©ew mi©juba quddiem il-Qorti u mixlija li ma ˙allsux il-manteniment. Minn dawn 342 baqg˙u ma ˙allsux u spiççaw il-˙abs.

Is-sentenzi ta' ˙abs kienu ta’ minn ©img˙a sa tliet xhur. IΩda dawk li re©g˙u ntbag˙tu l-˙abs wara li kienu di©a` nstabu ˙atja qabel, spiççaw anke sa sitt xhur il-˙abs.

Join us on The Voice of the Maltese facebook page and find us on:

facebook.com/groups/thev oiceofthemaltese/

A commemorative picture at the Nan Tien Temple

A visit to a place of peace t was not the best of Sundays to go Iweather out but despite the inclement the NSW Past Pupils and

Friends of Don Dosco spent a peaceful day together. The highlight of the tour was a guided visit to a magnificent temple followed by lunch at the Leagues Club and the Blow Hole in Kiama.

Nan Tien Temple is located in a quiet, peaceful environment, overlooking Mount Keira and Mount Kembla, Nan

Il-Ma©©ur Anthony Aquilina *minn pa©na 6 L-a˙˙ar u mhux l-inqas insemmi lillMa©©ur Anthony Aquilina, Ûebbu©i) li kien u surmast tal-banda King’s Own (fost o˙rajn). Il-marçi tieg˙u kienu uniçi u differenti mill-marçi Maltin l-o˙ra.

Kellu stil muΩikali g˙alih. Fil-març tieg˙u l-banda Maltija kienet tkun ‘smart’ ˙afna (b˙alma kien hu). Kien jg˙idli li l-laqta Spanjola kienet tog˙©bu ˙afna.

Wara dawn il-kompoΩituri tfaççaw o˙rajn. Jien ukoll iddeffist f’dan ilqasam u g˙amilt xi 25 sena nikkomponi marçi ©odda g˙all-King’s Own tal-Belt u li wara kienu jindaqqu wkoll millBanda La Stella tar-Rabat, G˙awdex.

Kont ˙abib ˙afna ma’ surmast ie˙or mag˙ruf g˙all-marçi tieg˙u, Paul Schembri ta’ Óal-Luqa, u flimkien

˙ri©na wie˙ed mill-ewwel albums talmarçi tag˙na fuq LP - ‘Festival of Maltese Marches’. Kienet ukoll sabet swieq qawwija fost il-Maltin fl-Awstralja.

It-tradizzjoni fil-kitba tal-marçi Maltin li kien beda Ciappara kompliet. Wara kien hemm ukoll Andrew Coleiro, b’marçi sbie˙ u mill-aktar popolari, fosthom ‘Karmar’ u ‘Agrigento’ li g˙adhom ˙ajja sal-©urnata tal-lum. Andrew beda pa©na ©dida fil-qasam talmarç Malti. Mieg˙u ng˙aqdu ismijiet o˙ra, fosthom Archibald Mizzi ta’ Óal Qormi u o˙rajn.

Illum, il-març brijuΩ Malti tkompla minn ismijiet o˙ra, iΩda jjidhirli li llum il-març Malti sar aktar kummerçjali u ta’ malajr. Fil-fehma tieg˙i ilum il-kompoΩitur aktar ˙siebu li l-març tieg˙u jitkanta, b’xi botta g˙all-kaΩin l-ie˙or, milli biex joffri spettaklu muΩikali!

Tien Temple has now been recognised as a wonderful place to visit.

Situated at Berkeley - a suburb of Wollongong in the state of New South Wales, the Temple is one of the branch temples of Fo Guang Shan, founded in 1965 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. It has over 200 branches worldwide.

"Nan Tien" in Chinese, literally means "Paradise of the South". This is the biggest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere.

Since the opening of the temple in October 1995, it has become a new venue for local and international tourists and also acts as an important cultural centre bridging different cultures.

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8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

Too much of the same when organising events Mario Callus from Fairfield, NSW writes:

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.

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

I

t is pretty obvious that due to the large distances between states in Australia, it could not be possible for clubs/associations catering for the Maltese community all over to organise just one event commemorating the same event that would enable everybody to converge on the site.

However, at least I wish for organisers from the same state, particularly from neighbour-

Zbilanc?

Len Bondi minn Griffin Qld jikteb l-a˙˙ar ˙ar©a qabel l-elezzjoni federali flAwstralja fil-magazine The Voice of the Maltese ©ew ippublikati Ωew© reklami ta’ kandidati Laburisti. Forsi ma kienx ikun a˙jar li kieku kien hemm reklami wkoll ming˙and kul˙add.

Prosit ta’ magazine mill-aqwa li jirrispetta l-inteligenza tal-Maltin.

Nota Editorjali: Óajr tar-rimarka. L-avvizi li ©ew ippubblikati saru bi ˙las (kif ©ie indikat) u ˙allsu g˙alihom dawk li xtraw l-ispazju u riedu li ji©u ppubblikati. Il-magazine tag˙na huwa miftu˙ g˙al KULÓADD ming˙ajr ebda riservi, izda jekk kuntrarju g˙al xi w˙ud, xi partiti politiçi ma j˙ossux li l-messa©© tag˙hom g˙andu jitressaq qrib il-komunita` Maltija, dan zΩur li mhux tort tag˙na. L-amministrazzjoni ta’ The Voice of the Maltese avΩat lill-partiti KOLLHA minn qabel biex jekk riedu setg˙u jirreklamaw u b’hekk jil˙qu lill-qarrejja kostitwenti tag˙hom.

F

Nittamaw li ning˙ataw çans niltaqg˙u mal-President Ann Farrugia minn Blacktown NSW tikteb: if jixraq, il-Maltin jew dawk ta’ dixxenK denza Maltija g˙andna nag˙mlu minn kollox biex nag˙tu mer˙bu lill-President ta’ Malta meta ftit tal-jiem o˙ra ΩΩurna fl-Awstralja. Çerta li qed jit˙ejjew programmi g˙al

laqg˙at mag˙ha.

PerswaΩa li l-President, t˙obb ˙afna tiltaqa’ man-nies, f’dan il-kaΩ il-Maltin, g˙alhekk nittama li min qed jie˙u ˙sieb iΩ-Ωjara tag˙ha ma jintilifx f’˙afna laqg˙at bla sens u j˙alliha tiltaqa’ man-nies li t˙obb. Hekk biss iΩ-Ωjara tkun wa˙da ta’ suççess.

ing towns organising similar functions to come to unite their efforts and organise just one and to make attractive enough that people like me would go out of our way to attend despite any inconvenience regarding distance.

One such event could be the Imnarja feast.

I know of at least four having been organised. As much as we like activities for the community, many like me would have been happier to attend just a big one where we could meet and perhaps make new friends.

Tlifna Malti ie˙or ta’ stoffa minn fostna

Greg Caruana minn Blacktown NSW jikteb:

if t˙abbar fil-magazine The Voice of K the Maltese fl-a˙˙ar ˙ar©a, tlifna Malti ie˙or ta’ stoffa minn fostna fl-Awstralja, lil Toni Vella, imwieled il-Mellie˙a fit-12 ta’ Awwissu tal-1953.

Toni, li kien ©ej minn familja ta’ tlettax, kellu ©ibda kbira lejn il-muΩika u tg˙allem l-istrument fil-kaΩin La Vittoria tal-Mellie˙a. Hu emigra lejn l-Awstralja fit-13 ta’ Ottubru tal-1971. Sentejn wara ΩΩewwe© lil Julie u kellhom ˙amest itfal. Kienu wkoll nanniet ta’ tmienja.

Fl-Awstralja, dan il-Malti ma˙bub ing˙aqad mal-banda OLQP u bejn l-1995-96 serva b˙ala president. Kien attiv ukoll malParramatta Melita Eagles FC u dan l-a˙˙ar anke mas-St Clair Soccer Club.

G˙al dawn l-a˙˙ar 25 sena kien ukoll involut fix-xandir komunitarju bil-programm ma’ sie˙bu Pawlu Formosa, “Il-Óadd g˙all-Maltin flimkien” fuq l-istazzjoni SWARFM 99.

Tony se j˙alli vojt fil-qasam tax-xandir.

Nirringrazzjawh g˙ax-xog˙ol siewi tieg˙u fil-komunita`.

F’ismi, f’isem is-semmieg˙a u ˙bieb kollha tieg˙u, nestendi l-kondoljanzi tag˙na lil martu u lill-familja kollha. Ag˙tih Mulej il-mistrie˙ ta’ dejjem.

A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au

Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW ...... for all your travel needs.

Tel (02) 9622 7799 blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Another Maltese honoured with OAM W hen prominent people in Australia are honoured for distinguished services, it is not always possible to ascertain their Maltese ancestry and therefore we might miss giving them the publicity they deserve in The Voice of the Maltese. We therefore appeal to our readers to inform us in such instances.

Theresa Deanne Moltoni was awarded the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Honour list 2016 for services to industrial Relations.

Therese was born in Queensland of a Maltese father and an English mother. She is the daughter of Tony & Jeannine Farrugia. Tony himself was born in Marsa, Malta and migrated to Australia in 1954.

Ms Moltoni is the founder and Managing Director of IRIQ Pty Ltd since

2008. She is also President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland (CCIQ) since 2015, founder and chairperson, The Brisbane Club Workplace Relations Special Interest since 2012, member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2015, Associate Fellows, Australian Institute of Management since 2011, Vice-President (Employer) Industrial Relations Society of Queensland and committee member since 2013, Chief Executive Officer and previous Human Resource/Industrial Relations Director 2006-2010, and Head, Human Resources Super Re-

tail Group 2000-2005.

Ms Therese Moltoni-Farrugia (above) ... awarded in Queen’s Honour list.

Il-Bog˙od li Jifred

- ktieb b’©abra ta’ novelli ta’ Joe Axiaq

ara aktar minn 45 sena jikteb u jippubblika lW poeΩija u l-proΩa f’rivisti, gazzetti u antolo©iji Maltin, Joe Axiaq qed jag˙tina ©abra ta’ 26 novella li kiteb fl-erbg˙in sena li ilu l-Awstralja, bi sfond MaltiAwstraljan. Dawn huma mi©bura fi ktieb ta’ 235 pa©na li tah l-isem: Il-Bog˙od li Jifred.

Dwar dan ix-xog˙ol, l-awtur stess qal lil The Voice of the Maltese: “G˙alkemm il-©rajjiet u l-karattri huma fittizji l-aspetti tal-˙ajja Maltija fl-Awstralja u l-ambjent tal˙ajja f’Malta u f’G˙awdex, li jien ˙allejt fis-snin sebg˙in huma reali u tifkiriet ta’ Ωmien li g˙adda.”

Joe Axiaq, mag˙ruf flAwstralja g˙ax-xandir bil-Malti fuq SBS Radio huwa wkoll awtur ta’ bosta artikli fuq sfond kulturali dwar G˙awdex, ilktieb ta’ poeΩiji ‘Imxi Ftit P a s s i Mieg˙i’ u rriçerka dwar ‘Dr Joe Abela, ˙ajtu f’˙id-mietu’.

Il-ktieb jista’ jinkiseb ming˙and l-awtur stess billi wie˙ed jiktiblu email: joaxiaq@bigpond.net.au.

10 The Voice of the Maltese A referendum - that is, a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age could take part - that was held on June, 23, decided by 52% to 48%, that the UK should leave the European Union.

The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting.

It was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election.

England voted strongly for Brexit, by 53.4% to 46.6%, as did Wales, with Leave getting 52.5% of the vote and Remain 47.5%. Scotland and Northern Ireland both backed staying in the EU. Scotland backed Remain by 62% to 38%,

Tuesday July 5, 2016 while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave.

Since the vote was taken, the decision has become the talking point almost not just in the UK or Europe, but also almost throughout the world. That also includes Australia.

Today, Ivan Cauchi’s slot (Perspettiva) makes way for a special opinion article

by Gwynne Dyer (right), an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries, as he comments on the UK’s decision for the readers of The Voice of the Maltese, pointing out important facts about the vote.

Brexit – and Maybe Then Frexit, Nexit, Swexit...?

E

xulted Nigel Farage, leader by GwynneDyer of the United Kingdom Independence Party said: “The EU is dying. I hope we've knocked the first brick out of the wall.” He proposed that June 23rd, when the British narrowly voted (51.8 percent of the votes) to leave the European Union, should be a new national holiday called Independence Day. But author J.K. Rowling, who wanted Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom and the UK to remain in the EU, tweeted sadly: “Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron's legacy will be breaking up two unions.

Neither needed to happen.”

Soon-to-be-former Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to hold a referendum on Britain’s EU membership has assured the dismantling of the United Kingdom. Fifty-eight percent of the English voted “Leave”, while 62 percent of Scots voted “Remain”. It is “democratically unacceptable” for Scotland to be dragged out of the EU by the English, said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and a second independence referendum in Scotland is “highly likely”.

It remains to be seen whether Cameron’s historic blunder will also trigger the disintegration of the EU itself, but there are plenty of right-wing nationalists in other EU countries who hope there will be a domino effect.

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s Front National, called the UK referendum “a key moment in European history” and said “I hope the French also have a similar exercise.” And “Frexit”is just the start.

Geert Wilders, whose anti-Muslim, anti-immigration Freedom Party is predicted to win 46 of the 150 seats in the Dutch parliament in next year’s election, promised that if he were elected, the Netherlands will hold its own “Nexit” referendum. Italy’s antiimmigrant Northern League and the populist 5-Star Movement both called for a referendum on Italian membership of the EU. Kristian Thulesen Dahls, the leader of the Danish People’s Party, said that Denmark should follow Britain’s lead. Nationalist leaders in Eastern Europe like Poland’s Jarosław Kaczynski and Hungary’s Viktor Orban indulge in harsh anti-EU rhetoric all the time. And so on.

But most of the people who might vote for these nationalist leaders don’t want the destruction of the EU, just big changes in the way it works – in particular the reform or abolition of the euro and much stricter controls on immigration. Unlike the “Little Englanders” who voted for Brexit, they see the European Union as an essential bulwark against a return to the old Europe of endless savage wars.

The EU’s leaders will have to take a very tough line in the negotiations about the European Union’s post-Brexit relations with the rump of the UK. A horrible example will be required to show the nationalists and populists in other members that leaving is hard and painful. And to preserve the EU they will have to abolish or drastically restructure the euro currency (but that had become necessary anyway).

The odds are, however, that the EU will survive. Its biggest problem will not be the loss of Britain, its second-biggest economy, but rather the fact that post-Brexit Germany will dominate the Union even more than it does already.

As for the English, they have made their bed and they will have to lie in it.

The pound sterling has already lost much value and will probably lose much more. The last of the three major global ratings agencies, Standard and Poor’s, will downgrade the UK’s AAA credit rating. Foreign investment will dry up, in recognition of the fact that the country will probably lose duty-free access to the EU’s “single market”.

Further down the road more pain will follow, as jobs disappear abroad, the English economy goes into recession, and the City of London starts to lose its status as a global financial centre rivalled only by New York. That will make domestic politics nasty enough, but the anti-immigrant fervour and outright racism that disfigured the “Leave” campaign are unlikely to dwindle in the ugly aftermath.

Scotland will vote to secede from the UK, but it will face major legal and political barriers in its campaign to remain a member of the EU in its own right. Spain in particular will give it a hard time, as Madrid does not want it to provide a precedent for Catalonia seceding from Spain and painlessly re-emerging as an independent EU member.

Northern Ireland will face an even harder time, as the Republic of Ireland will continue to be a EU member and so it will have to re-establish border controls. One alternative,of course, would be for Northern Ireland (which voted strongly in favour of EU membership) to unite with the Republic – but Northern Irish Protestants would still fiercely resist such a proposal, and in that context a revival of armed conflict in the province is not unthinkable.

The triumph of Brexit is a most regrettable outcome for everybody involved and possibly even for the world economy. But perhaps it isn’t really all that shocking: former French president Charles De Gaulle vetoed Britain’s entry to the Common Market, the EU’s ancestor, for five years on the grounds that it didn’t really have a “European vocation”. Turns out he was right.

Tuesday July 5, 2016

The Voice of the Maltese 11 The men behind the success of Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers. From left: Anthony Zammit, John Zammit, Frank Zammit, Adam Zammit, Mathew Cauchi and Tony Cauchi

Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers of NSW win 2016 National Best Artisan Bacon award W

ith Australian Pork data revealing Aussies consume $12.5 million of imported pork, NSW butcher Zammit Ham & Bacon has won the national Best Artisan Bacon award the competition that was established to boost consumer awareness of buying homegrown bacon over cheaper imports in the country.

The PorkMark award during the fifth edition of the Australian Bacon Week went to the family-owned and family-run business Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers that beat 135 butchers from across Australia to win the prize six months after Gourmet Traveller named their product as the best Christmas ham.

The origins of the family owned company that operates from 10-14 Hallmark Street Pendle Hill NSW, dates back to 1952, when Francis Zammit, a butcher by trade, migrated from Malta to Australia and set up the company with the help of his sons. He began by producing Maltese sausages for the local community.

For the past few years young dynamic Adam Zammit who has been in the business for the past 15 years has managed the whole operation.

But the company itself has a wealth of experience inherited from generation to generation. It is still making the Maltese sausages, the way the founder Francis used to.

Obviously extremely excited and happy to win this prize, Adam said they are still a family run business, blending ingredients, making, cooking, smoking and tasting every batch

of their different products. Adam told The Voice he would like to take the business even forward.

Today, Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers is well established and considered amongst the elite in the business of smallgoods. The Zammit brand is synonymous with premium quality ham and bacon and this reputation brings great pride to the management and staff of the company.

In 1958, the Zammit family expanded its business and began manufacturing hams – the products for which the company is now renowned. It handles the production of hams through all its stages, starting with selecting the finest quality meats.

The company uses the latest technological developments in machinery and equipment to control and monitor the curing, cooking and packaging of the products all within their factory premises, whilst still keeping their traditional Dynamic manager Adam Zammit foundations.

Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers called mortadella, it also processes a butcher has come a long way from its wide range of salami, turkey and chicken to the highest standards. humble beginnings.

Its hams have won several awards Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers, which over the years, including prizes at the is HACCP approved, is even more deSydney Royal Fine Food Show and Syd- termined to continue to guarantee its ney Royal Easter Show. The latest prize proud tradition of manufacturing exwas awarded by a panel of three ceptional quality hams.

It makes one proud to see Maltese judges made up of a German fleischmeister ('meat master') and two entrepreneurs so successful in their Australian chefs who spent two days trade or profession. One would do well to keep giving them their suptasting different kinds of bacon.

Besides a free range of pork products port by using their services and buythat include frankfurters and the so- ing their products.

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Roundup of News About Malta

Malta prepared to face new reality of UK’s exit from EU

I

t was far from surprising that in the wake of the UK’s unprecedented step to leave the European Union after 41 years of membership resulting from the Brexit referendum, most quarters, from the Prime Minister down expressed concern at the decision.

However, in his immediate reaction, Joseph Muscat said that Malta is prepared for the “new reality” of life in the EU without the UK. He said, “It wasn’t what we had hoped would happen, but it has happened,” and went on to say that Malta has plans in place, as it had commissioned specialised studies in various sectors projecting such an eventuality.

Addressing the media he said, “We stand to lose if - or rather, when - the UK leaves the EU. But there are things we can benefit from."

He pointed out that Malta has lost an important ally in the European Union, especially on economic affairs, and that the onus was now on the EU to respond adequately to this message. "We need a more flexible, more realistic EU." He believes that now is the time for more reflection, not more Europe, and that the EU has to change and the solution is not “more of the same”.

While people in a number of EU member states have called for a similar vote across Europe, Joseph Muscat was quick to extinguish talk of holding a referendum in Malta. “Let me make one thing clear before anyone poses the question, this government will never hold a referendum on EU membership. I will not allow my country to commit suicide. If anything of the sort happens and Malta exits the EU it is tantamount to suicide,” he said.

He said Malta would be taking a leading role in the next EU presidency from January 1 next year. During the six months of its Presidency Malta will form part of the team negotiating the UK’s exit. The new changes in the EU will not be taking place overnight but over the next two years, the Maltese PM said.

He further explained that Malta could thrive on new opportunities as a gateway for business with the UK inside the Commonwealth.

“We cannot say yes to everything the EU says… I promise the people of Malta and its businesses that my duty is to stay strong on our red lines with the EU.” He said he was informed by the Central Bank that there was no threat from any banking exposure, and when it comes to Maltese na-

Maltese Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat (left) pictured with EU Presdient Jean-Claude Juncker at the recent meeting that discussed Brexit

tionals living and studying in the UK - Malta has 1,025 students in the UK - and UK nationals living and studying in Malta, the circumstances will remain unaffected – at least for the time being. On health workers, he said it was unlikely they would face terrible obstacles, as the shortage of health workers was a global phenomenon.

While Malta has to wait for the UK’s position before it can start negotiation anything, on the other hand, Malta can benefit when it comes to education, as the demand for English language-based schools would increase.

He doesn’t envisage any changes when it comes to Maltese patients being sent to the UK for hospital treatment – or vice-versa – as this is based on bilateral agreements.

Joseph Muscat also discussed the result that has dominated the world at a Cabinet meeting and also spoke in parliament about the UK referendum.

He admitted that Brexit was a serious concern for everybody and that he too was disappointed with the result of the referendum.

In the meantime Malta will also push for bilateral agreements with the UK. The Prime Minister also attended two days of talks between the 27 leaders of the European Union in Brussels during which they discussed the implications of Brexit. At the end of the meetings there was consensus that the UK should be given more time to clarify its position outside the EU. The Maltese Prime Minister stated that the EU should allow the UK some breathing space and realize that discontent amongst European citizens is spreading. As to the UK, he said the problem, was that it was not yet clear what type of relationship the UK wanted.

He said it emerged from the meetings that, “the relationship must be strong but the UK will not be given any special status and it will be treated as a third country during talks."

No formal decision has as yet been taken on what happens with the UK presidency of the EU in the second half of next year, that is six months after Malta’s

Dr. Mario Vella appointed governor of Central Bank Economist Dr. Mario Vella has been appointed to the important post of governor of the Central Bank of Malta for a five-year term. The Prime Minister made the nomination for the post to the President and his appointment took effect from July 1. He succeeds Profs. Josef Bonnici whose term has just ended.

In 2005, he was visiting lecturer at the Graduate School of Economics and International relations of the Università Cattolica in Milan and the Università di Urbino, a visiting professor at Edinburgh Napier University between 2007 and 2012, and a visiting senior lecturer at the University of Malta Dr. Vella, who was awarded Italy's Ordine al Merito earlier this year and for the past three years served as executive chairman of Malta Enterprise.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Roundup of News About Malta More reaction to Brexit

pposition leader Simon Busuttil said.

O "We must work together in unchartered territory."

He agreed that the decision was disappointing but it was a clear one the citizens’ will has to be respected. He added that it was clear that Malta must stand united to protect its national interest and, it was in Malta’s interest, that the EU remains united.

While urging the government to be clear on its plans to help mitigate as much as possible the effects of a Brexit on Malta, Busuttil said: “We extend our hand of cooperation and we want to share our expertise on the EU. I truly hope that the government is well-prepared to mitigate the repercussions of any financial crisis that we may face.”

Noting that UK tourists contributed an approximate €500 million to the economy last year, the Malta Hotels and Restaurant Association (MHRA) president Tony Zahra said that while concerns about a weaker Sterling were justified, the impact a Brexit would have on the local tourism industry was "more complicated than that." He also announced the MHRA holding a seminar to address these matters.

In a statement, calling the vote a "wakeup call” of "seismic" proportions the Chamber of Commerce struck a hopeful note in a statement. It said: “Historical experience shows that in amongst the threats and negative repercussions of significant events, there will always emerge some opportunity which Malta and our business community must seek to pursue."

It was hopeful that trade between Malta and the UK would always find a way through and that the Maltese business community would prevail over this development.

Isle of MTV 2016 musical concert attracts largest ever crowd to Malta Popular performers at the event, Summer’s record crowd estimated to have surpassed the 50,000 marked attended the 10th edi- biggest free festival in Europe, included A tion of the Isle of MTV show, Malta’s top mu- British singer-songwriter and Grammy award sical concert for the year, a Networks International (MTVNI) production in collaboration with Malta’s Tourism Authority (MTA) held at the Floriana Granaries last week.

This year’s one-day event that also attracts youths as spectators from all around Europe and has become by far the most popular musical attraction on the island during the summer period, has been described as the best ever, triggering even more enthusiasm for future editions. The organisers are now said to be even planning to make next year’s event last more than just the one day.

Malta unemployment second lowest in Europe

ccording to Eurostat statistic, unemployment in Malta at the end of May this A year, was only 4.1%, which was lower than that of Germany. The lowest rate was registered in the Czech Republic.

The same statistic shows that at 6.9% Malta also has the lowest unemployment rate among young people from among all 28 EU states. Next comes Germany with 7.2% and third Czech Republic with 10.1?

winner Jess Glynne, US rapper Wiz Khalifa, UK electronic group Clean Bandit and electro-house superstar DJ Steve Aoki. Maltese artists Amber, Davinia and Airport Impressions also performed The sun kissed Mediterranean island’s Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that, “Over the ten years that Isle of MTV has been held in Malta, the number of visitors to the island within this age group has more than doubled.”

The organisers stepped up security throughout the event this year and it passed without a hitch.

At the end of the festival at around midnight, the enormous crowd left behind over nine tomes of rubbish that however was cleared up.

But in just five hours it was all cleaned up.

Tourism Ministry spokesman Me Edward Zammit said that the event ran smoothly and that discussion has already started on the 11th edition next year.

Famous film director James Cameron to film Atlantis documentary in Malta anadian film director, screenwriter, and producer C James Cameron (pictured left), who has had an extensive career in film and television, has always

been fascinated by the story of Atlantis, the legendary city that is believed to have been lost in the Mediterranean, and also of Malta it seems.

The filmmaker of such blockbusters as The Terminator, Titanic and Avatar will be the executive producer of a documentary to be partially shot in Malta for well-known TV stations National Geographic and Discovery Channel in Canada, about the lost city, to be titled Search on Atlantis.

The documentary that is also being shot in Sicily, Sardegna and Santorini (Greece), is expected to be transmitted around the world in later on this year.

Cameron said he had always wanted to learn the

historical and archaeological facts behind the legend of Atlantis, therefore a team of experts would be investigating a number of theories about where the city may be hidden. They would also be investigating its mysterious people and how it disappeared from the face of the earth three million years ago.

In 2014 Cameron produced the climate change documentary television series Years of Living Dangerously, which received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

Malta has been attracting quite a number of films in the past three years with Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis saying that this is a huge opportunity for Malta to attract even more productions, that are a very good opportunity for Malta’s history and cultural heritage to be promoted around the world.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Ma˙ru© Xi tkun din il-kelma – tistaqsu?

M

alli sar mag˙ruf li l-poplu NgliΩ ivvota biex jo˙ro© mill-Unjoni Ewropeja millewwel kellna Maltin li ˙ar©u jixximmjottaw lil Brexit u semmewlna lMexit. Allura jekk dawk l-IngliΩi li t˙abtu kemm fel˙u biex jo˙or©u mill-Unjoni Ewropea wΩaw kelma IngliΩa biex jesprimu dak li xtaqu, g˙aliex g˙andna no˙or©u a˙na wkoll b’kelma IngliΩa MExit? Ma jkunx a˙jar li dawk li bdew jo˙olmu mqar juΩaw kelma Maltija, Ma˙ru©?

Na˙seb li tassew inkunu qed no˙olmu jekk iffettlilna nippruvaw nag˙mlu dak li g˙amlu l-IngliΩi.

Veru, li b˙all-IngliΩi, hawn ˙afna Maltin li huma diΩilluΩi bil-mod kif timxi l-Un-

Il-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni waqt li kien Brussell g˙al-laqgha tal-EPP

joni Ewropea. Huwa çar li jekk l-Unjoni Ewropeja se tibqa’ mixja kif inhi, l-ilmenti u l-frustrazzjoni se jkomplu jikbru u jkun hemm aktar nies fil-pajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Ewropea li jkunu lesti li jivvutaw favur it-tluq ta’ pajjiΩhom minn din l-Unjoni.

IΩda g˙al Malta tkun ©ennata jekk tipprova tag˙mel dak lil se tag˙mel l-In- Il-Prim Ministru Malti fi Brussell imdawwar gliterra, fejn attwalment, mill-©urnalisti jitolbuh il-kummenti minn fost dawk li ivvutaw ‘iva’ di©a` nnifsu stqarr: “Jien mhux se n˙alli li hemm min qed jiddispjaçih min˙abba l- jkollna xi ˙add f’pajjiΩna li jag˙mel referkonsegwenzi negattivi li di©a` fe©©ew endum biex jo˙ro© mill-Unjoni Ewropea. malli ˙are© ir-riΩultat tar-referendum Jien mhux se n˙alli lil pajjiΩi jag˙mel Hi ©ennata g˙al Malta, g˙ax a˙na ma suwiçidju.” nistg˙ux inxebb˙u ru˙na ma’ pajjiz hekk Jidher li dan hu wkoll il-˙sieb tal-Kap talkbir u b’sa˙˙tu. Veru li ekonomikament OppoΩizzjoni Simon Busuttil li f’laqg˙a pajjiΩna b˙alissa jinsab fost l-aqwa jekk mal-mexxejja tal-Partit Popolari Ewropew mhux l-aqwa fl-Ewropa.... iΩda pass fil- (EPP) fi Brussel fejn ©ie wkoll diskuss ilvojt malajr iwassal biex dak li ksibna ni- vot tar-referendum Brexit u l-konsegtilfuh. wenzi, kemm g˙all-UE u r-Renju Unit, BiΩΩejjed li t-tluq tal-Ingliterra se jtina qal, “irridu nibag˙tu messa©© çar li a˙na daqqa kbira... li kif jg˙idu l-esperti se nixtiequ Unjoni Ewropea mag˙quda u nkunu nifil˙u g˙aliha g˙ax l-ekonomija b’sa˙˙itha fl-interess ta’ pajjiΩna” tag˙na hija soda u g˙ax ir-relazzjonijiet Ûied jg˙id li, “f'dawn l-a˙˙ar 12-il sena tag˙na mal-Ingilterra huma tajbin. Relaz- ggwadanjajna ˙afna minnha. Dak li g˙amzjonijiet li mistennija jibqg˙u b’sa˙˙ithom lu l-IngliΩi ma nistg˙u qatt nag˙mluh jekk ma jissa˙˙ux aktar meta wie˙ed iqis a˙na”. li anke waqt ir-referendum Malta ssemBiss kif qal tajjeb Joseph Muscat wasal miet bi s˙i˙ b˙ala dak il-pajjiΩ li fl-Unjoni iΩ-Ωmien li l-Unjoni Ewropeja tifhem li Ewropeja dejjem kien qrib l-Ingliterra u li g˙andha tkun wa˙da aktar flessibli. “Li jaraw li ji©ri x’ji©ri dawn ir-relazzjonijiet tkun imsejsa fuq prinçipji u valuri u se jibqg˙u. tille©isla fejn jid˙ol il-©id komuni. Trid Kif qal il-Prim Ministru “Anke pajjiΩ kbir tifhem li kull pajjiΩ, anzi, kull çittadin b˙ar-Renju Unit ˙a xokk, a˙seb u ara pa- Ewropew, g˙andu r-realtajiet tieg˙u li kuljjiΩ b˙al Malta,” tant lanqas il-Gvern tal-pajjiΩ ma jifhem, Biss dawk li qed i˙e©©u biex isir refer- a˙seb u ara kemm se jifhimhom endum kif sar fl-Ingilterra ma jidhirx li se burokratiku fi Brussels,” qal il-Prim Minjaqtg˙u xewqithom g˙ax il-Prim Ministru istru.

“DeçiΩjonjieti f’Helsinki, Ruma, Bucharest jew Valletta g˙andhom jittie˙du mill-pajjiΩ mhux fi Brussell.”

adanitant fuq siti soçjali b˙all-facebook, S inkitbu kummenti ming˙and Maltin li wara l©img˙a l-o˙ra meta semg˙uhom jitkellmu bilMalti ©ew im˙e©©a biex “jitilqu lura lejn darhom”. Dawn il-kummenti ©ew ming˙and nies li qabel ir-referendum qatt ma kienu taw kaΩ iddifferenza fin-nazzjonalità.

Nittamaw li dawn huma biss inçidenti mhux komuni u forsi saru fis-sa˙na tal-mument g˙ax fuq kollox il-Maltin g˙al snin twal g˙exu u ˙admu fil-Gran Brittanja bi ftit li xejn problemi.

... u l-Ilsien IngliΩ -ilsien IngliΩ aktarx Unjoni Ewropea u bit- jibqa’ mag˙ruf b˙ala L li huwa l-aktar ilsien tluq tal-Ingilterra l-ebda lsien uffiçjali mill-UE, uΩat fl-Unjoni Ewropeja, pajjiΩ m’g˙andu b˙ala l- huwa li jinbidlu r-regolaiΩda bil-˙ru© tal-Ingilterra mill-Unjoni Ewropea hemm periklu kbir li dan l-ilsien ma jibqax mag˙ruf uffiçjalment b˙ala ilsien uffiçjali talUnion Ewropea. Dan min˙abba li biex ilsien jing˙ata status uffiçjali jrid ikun rappreΩentat fl-

ilsien uffiçjali tieg˙u lIngliΩ.

Dan billi kull pajjiΩ jista’ jressaq ilsien wie˙ed biss biex ikun mag˙ruf b˙ala ilsien Uffiçjali tal-UE , u Malta g˙aΩlet il-Malti u l-Irlanda g˙aΩlet il-Gaelic.

L-uniku çans li l-IngliΩ

menti tal-Unjoni Ewopea biex pajjiΩ ikun jista jressaq aktar minn ilsien wie˙ed u hekk Malta jew l-Irlanda jkunu jistg˙u jressqu l-ilsien IngliΩ.

Tg˙id g˙ad naslu fi stat fejn l-ilsien IngliΩ jibqa’ jΩomm post fl-UE bissa˙˙a ta’ Malta?

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Il-qg˙ad jinΩel Ma titwemminx!

G g˙al 3,511

kont l-istatistika tal-Unjoni Ewropea, il-Eurostat, Malta b˙alissa hija t-tieni l-inqas l-pajjiΩ b’rata ta’ qg˙ad fost S iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li jg˙ixu fil-pajjiΩi msie˙ba fl-UE. Dan wara li l-qg˙ad fost kul˙add niΩel g˙al 3,511 persuna.

Dan ifisser li g˙at-tieni darba f’26 sena - mill-1980 lil hawn - l-g˙add ta’ persuni li qed jirre©istraw biex isibu ja˙dmu f’Malta niΩel ta˙t l-4,000. L-istatistika ma˙ru©a mill-Korporazzjoni tax-Xog˙ol u t-Ta˙ri© appuntu Ωvelat li f’Mejju li g˙adda dawk jirre©istraw naqas g˙al 3,511, u mqabbel mal-istess Ωmien is-sena l-o˙ra t-total naqas b’1,822 persuna.

B˙ala perçentwal iç-çifra kienet ta’ 4.1%, li hi inqas minn tal-Ìermanja u ©iet maqbuΩa biss miç-Çekoslovakkja.

L-aktar tnaqqis qed jin˙ass fost iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙, tant li fla˙˙ar 12-il xahar kien hemm tnaqqis ta’ 343 fl-g˙add ta’ Ωg˙aΩag˙ bla xog˙ol.

Ing˙ad li fost il-miΩuri li g˙inu g˙at-titjib ta’ din iç-çifra huma miΩuri b˙al dik imsej˙a l-garanzija g˙aΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li grazzi g˙aliha tlieta minn kull erba’ Ωg˙aΩag˙ li kienu qieg˙da sabu x-xog˙ol.

L-g˙add ta’ G˙awdxin jirre©istraw g˙ax-xog˙ol naqas g˙al 515 filwaqt li fil-GΩejjer Maltin kien hemm 349 persuna b’diΩabilità tfittex impjieg.

˙al snin twal l-omosesswali u dawk li sesswalment kienu ta’ xejra differenti fis-sess tag˙hom ma kienux b˙all-o˙rajn –-illum mag˙rufa b˙ala LGBT - kienu meqjusa b˙ala nies mhux normali (g˙ax b˙alikieku jista’ wie˙ed jg˙id fi Ωgur x’inhu u min hu normal). Anzi ag˙ar minnhekk kienu mistmerra minn g˙add kbir ta’ nies.

Illum il-folja nbidlet sewwa u nies b˙al dawn aççettati mill-ma©©oranza l-kbira tal-poplu, iΩda g˙ad g˙andna dik il-minoranza li ma tistax taççetta din il-bidla, u w˙ud minnhom tant huma stinati fil-fehma tag˙hom li lesti jaslu g˙al kollox biex ma jiççappsux ma’ nies b˙al dan.

Dan jixhdu kaΩ li tfaçça dan l-a˙˙ar meta missier, li di©a` kellu tnejn minn qrabatu gay, ried ikun Ωgur li ibnu ma jo˙ro©x hekk hu wkoll.

X’kienet is-soluzzzjoni tieg˙u? Dik li jag˙mel minn kollox biex kmieni kemm jista’ jkun dan it-tifel jibda jesperjenza s-sess ma’ persuni femminili.

Tafu kif g˙amel dan?

Malli t-tifel kellu sitt snin beda jie˙du mieg˙u meta jiltaqa’ mal-prostituti u mhux talli j˙allih jassisti g˙all-atti sesswali li kien jag˙mel hu mag˙hom, iΩda sa˙ansitra kien i©ieg˙el lit-tifel jag˙mel is-sess ma’ dawn.

Meta ibnu ma kienx jasal waqt li kien im©ieg˙el ikollu x’jaqsam ma’ prostituta jew jara l-pornografija, allegatament, missieru kien jinfexx isawtu b’wajer tal-elettriku u jg˙ajjru.

Dan apparti li kien i©ieg˙lu jara l-films pornografiçi, jie˙u d-drogi quddiemu u jheddu li jekk jikxfu kien se jitfg˙u f’istitut.

Fortunatament wa˙da mill-prostituti tant ˙as-set li dak li kien qed ji©ri ma kienx sew, li hi stess marret g˙and il-pulizija u rrappurtat il-kaΩ.

Issa dan ir-ra©el jinsab quddiem il-Qorti mixli b’dan l-g˙emil fa˙xi.

L-Imnarja tibqa’ ti©bed in-nies ... u l-prodotti a˙da mill-aktar festi li ti©bed interess fost il-Maltin, u sa çertu W punt ukoll fost it-turisiti li jkunu qed iΩuru l-GΩejjer Maltin waqtha, hija tal-Imnarja (il-festa ta’ San Pietru u San Pawl) li llaçjati

kemm f’dawk li huma ˙xejjex u frott u wkoll il-bhejjem, kif wie˙ed jista’ jara fl-istampa t’hawn u wkoll fil-faççata tal-magazine. Óafna mill-attivitajeit f’din il-festa jsiru wkoll fir-Rabat, Malta, imma f’G˙awdex ukoll, kemm fl-Villa Rundle u wkoll fin-Nadur fejn issir il-festa tal-qaddisin ta’ dan il-jum ssir attivita’ kbira.

M’g˙andniex xi ng˙idu li dawk li j˙obbu t-ti©rijiet tal-bhejjem, wara nofsinhar jog˙xew isegwu t-ti©irjiet li jsiru ta˙t is-Saqqajja u min jie˙u sehem fihom dejjem jimmira li jirba˙ il-palju.

mag˙ha hemm g˙add ta’ tradizzjonijiet. Fil-fatt m’g˙andux jonqos lanqas li dil-festa baqg˙et ukoll ti©i mfakkra mill-Maltin li jg˙ixu barra, l-aktar fl-Awstralja (kif tistg˙u taraw mir-rapporti f’pa©ni o˙ra) u fil-Kanada.

G˙alkemm çerti drawwiet m’g˙adx huma daqshekk popolari, u l©onna tal-Buskett – il-post bl-akbar konnessjonijiet mal-festa - matul il-lejl ta’ bejn it-28 u d-29 ta’ Ìunju m’g˙adx ji©bdu lejhom il-folol tal-antik, ilBuskett baqa’ mag˙ruf li jospita l-qofol ta’ din ilulma ma jmur l-g˙add ta’ ˙addiema festa. barranin f’Malta qed jiΩdied. L-a˙˙ar Wie˙ed jista’ jg˙id li fost l-aktar li jin©ibdu lejn çifri juru li aktar minn 27,000 barrani u din il- festa huma l-bdiewa u r-ra˙˙ala li fil-jum tad- barranija qed ja˙dmu fil-GΩejjer Maltin 29 tax-xahar filg˙odu speçjalment, jesebixxu l-frott (sintendi, l-g˙add ikompli jikber jekk tal-g˙alqa (il-˙xejjex) u l-annimali li g˙al ˙afna wie˙ed iΩid lil dawk li ja˙dmu bla ktieb huma wkoll l-g˙ajxien tag˙hom, kemm g˙ax jag˙tu tax-xog˙ol). l-˙alib u wkoll g˙ax jissemmnu g˙all-qatla. Óafna Jidher li ˙afna minn dawn il-barranin jkunu dawk li jitpaxxew jaraw lill-folol jammirawl- huma kuntenti bil-kundizzjonijiet li hom il-prodotti u l-annimali tag˙hom. g˙andhom f’ Malta, kif jixhed dak li Fil-fatt dis-sena kien hemm ˙afna x’tghammira, stqarr ma’ gazetta Taljana, l-Avukat

Aktar kuntent f’Malta

K

Domenico Pagano, Taljan ta’ 39 sena.

Dan sostna li meta kien l-Italja, minkejja li kien ja˙dem sieg˙at twal, bilkemm kien jaqla’ x’jiekol. Tant li fl-a˙˙ar sena li ˙adem l-Italja da˙˙al biss €4,000. G˙alhekk iddeçieda li ji©i Malta. Ing˙aqad ma’ kumpanija Maltija u min-kejja li ja˙dem inqas sieg˙at milli kien ja˙dem f’pajjiΩu, mhux talli qed jaqla’ ferm aktar, iΩda huwa wkoll milqug˙ u rrispettat ˙afna aktar minn f’pajjizu.

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

A quick glimpse at Australia Australia Votes

A

fter one of the longest election campaigns in Australian history, a winner is yet to be decided and the Australian Federal election for the 46th Parliament is a cliff hunger. As we are rounding up this issue of the magazine, neither major party, the Liberal/National coalition or Labor can yet claim the 76 seats required in the lower house where government is formed. With many seats too close to call, pre-poll and postal votes (which will be counted over the coming days) will decide who is in the best position to form government The 2013 election to the 44th Parliament had given us this result: 90 seats to the Coalition, 55 to Labor and 5 others. In that election there was a swing to the coalition of 3.6%. Eventually, the two-party vote was, Coalition 53.5%, Labor 46.5%.

With 97% of the votes counted the 2016 election shows a swing of 3.24% to Labor.

Despite its strong showing Labor’s primary vote was hovering at a near record low of 33 to 34 percent. This could change as final counting is completed. The electoral commission will resume counting the ballot papers on Tuesday. The reason for the lack of a result was that a third of Australians voted in prepolling or via a postal vote.

Labor required a 4.1 per cent uniform swing to win 19 seats and claim the 76 seats re-

The Australian Federal election:

Down to the wire

quired to form a majority government. If seats in doubt tumble its way and neither party reaches the magic number, the result would be a hung Parliament in which neither side has a majority, similar to the 2010 election that gave the country the government of Julia Gillard. That was the first time for Federal Parliament in almost 70 years. Another election is even an outside possibility if a clear winner cannot be determined.

Malcolm Turnbull called the double dissolution election in May resulting in a very long campaign, as a chance to stop the impasse caused to government by having to negotiate nearly every bit of legislation with minor parties. This did not happen as the formation of the Senate this time appears to be more complex.

Analysts say that Australian voters used the July 2 poll to deliver a rebuke to the rookie Prime Minister with Liberal seats falling across the country slashing the government 90 seats in the 150 member lower house. There are still 13 seats going down to the wire.

Labor’s Linda Burney has made political history by being the first indigenous women to enter the House of Representative (lower

house) in the seat of Barton in NSW. Across Australia, 994 candidates contested the 2016 election for the House of Representatives. Due to the large number of candidates and the complicated nature of proportional representation voting, results for the Senate (Upper House) with 631 candidates contesting, are unlikely to be known for several weeks.

However, Nick Xenophone and right wing firebrand Pauline Henson are set to dominate the Senate while Jackie Lambie from Tasmania and broadcaster Derryn Hinch from Victoria will also join the fray.

The incumbent Prime Minister speaking from the Sofitel Hotel in Sydney on election night assured the crowd that the coalition would be able to form a government. He is confident the Coalition will form a majority government.

At the same time, speaking from Melbourne, Bill Shorten said, “we will not know the outcome of this election tonight, but one thing is for sure, the Labor Party is back” The two Labor candidates from NSW that advertised in The Voice of the Maltese magazine, both considerably increased their majority.

NSW – strongest State in the country

P

resenting her second NSW state budget, NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian (pictured right) declared it the strongest in the country, with $8 billion worth of surpluses to 2019-20 but NSW faces a potential triple hit to its bottom line in four years, with falling GST revenue, softening residential stamp duty receipts and deep cuts to Commonwealth health and education payments.

But NSW's share of the national GST pool is forecast to fall to an all-time low, from 31.3 per cent to 25.9 per cent - the equivalent

of $10.8 billion in lost revenue by 2019-20.

As well, a softening property market will see stamp duty receipts moderating, with growth forecast to fall from 13.5 per cent this financial year to 4.7 per cent in four years' time.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth and states have yet to reach agreement on how to meet the looming gap in health and education funding, which accelerates from 2020.

On the reduced GST payments Ms Berejiklian said NSW was "a victim of our own success" under the long-standing Commonwealth funding formula.

‘The biggest challenge for us in terms of a government is the revenue grow- th into the future,” she said. The Treasurer renewed a call for the GST to be distributed on the basis of population so NSW can get its "fair share".

She noted NSW was given an extra $1 billion in health funding to 2019-20 as part of a stop-gap agreement between the Commonwealth and the states. "Of course, we will have ongoing discussions with the federal government about those issues beyond that period of time," she said.

The budget centrepiece was a $1 billion boost to NSW schools capital works expected to deliver1100 new classrooms due to "unprecedented enrolments". It also contained $1 billion for new suburban trains.

But Ms Berejiklian was, for the second year in a row, forced to defend a lack of housing affordability measures in the budget beyond $262 million for the Housing Acceleration Fund designed to fast track new home releases.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday July 5, 2016

A quick glimpse at Australia

Brexit the right decision?

F

John Howard

ormer Prime Minister John Howard says Britain’s shock vote to leave the European Union was the right decision. Mr. Howard when PM of Australia made it abundantly clear when referring to the boatpeople that only Australia we'll decide who comes, the numbers, where they come from and what skills they bring with them.

In an interview with Sky News, the former Liberal leader said the vote for a Brexit “was the only way in which they would regain control of their borders and regain control of things that are fundamental attributes of an independent nation,” he said.

“It was also, I think, a recognition that the European Union concept of having a monetary union without a fiscal union is doomed to failure.”

Mr. Howard labelled the move a “hugely significant political development” and said political leaders should take the result as a warning.

“There’s a deep-seated rejection of the terms and conditions of Britain as a member of the European Union. It shows how deep the feeling was because you had all of those people saying don’t do it, and they still did it.”

Mr. Howard said the argument that the vote was a “working class revolt” was facile and rejected that a vote based on immigration was rooted in racism. “That is patronising and wrong,” he said.

“There’s plenty of polling evidence today that the majority of people that voted conservative in the last election actually voted to leave.” Mr. Howard said that while he would have voted to leave if he was British, he was ultimately surprised by the result.

Mr. Howard said the vote was a “dramatic reminder” to leaders. “You must listen to what people are saying,” he said.

How to get to Australia

he Australian Department of ImmigraT tion and Border Protection (DIBP) has released the new Skilled Occupations List

The refugee global problem

I

n unveiling its annual Global Trends Report, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) says persecution and conflict in places like Syria and Afghanistan raised the total number of refugees and internally displaced people worldwide to a record 65.3 million at the end of last year. The previous year, 2014, had already seen the highest number of refugees worldwide since World War II, with 59.5 million displaced people.

But last year - when Europe staggered under the arrival of large numbers of migrants - topped that record by nearly 10 per cent, the UNHCR said. More than half of all refugees came from three countries: Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Turkey was the "top host" country for the second year running, taking in 2.5 million people - nearly all from neighbouring Syria.

Afghan neighbour Pakistan had 1.6 million, while Lebanon, next to Syria, hosted 1.1 million.

'If you don't solve problems, problems will come to you.' "With stark detail, UNHCR said that on average, 24 people had been displaced every minute of every day last year or 34,000 people a day - up from 6 every minute in 2005. Global displacement has roughly doubled since 1997, and risen by 50 per cent since 2011 alone - when the Syria war began. More than a million people fled to Europe last year, causing a political crisis in the EU. Australia’s policy of mandatory immigra-

tion detention was introduced in 1992.

Under the Migration Act 1958, any non-citizen who is in Australia without a valid visa must be detained.

In August 2012, the Australian Government introduced “third country” processing.

Under this system, asylum seekers who arrive by boat without a valid visa are transferred to and detained in Nauru or Papua New Guinea (PNG). Those asylum seekers who are transferred will have their claims for protection assessed under Nauruan or PNG law, not Australian law.

(SOL) for 2016-17.

The SOL is the basis for 189 (Skilled Independent Visa), 489 (Skilled Regional Provisional Visa) and 485 (Graduate Temporary Visa) visa applications.

The Department has also released the Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) which is used for 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa), 457 (Temporary Work Skilled Visa) and 186 (Employer Nominated Scheme) visa applications.

The new Skilled Occupation List and Consolidated Skilled Occupation List come into effect from July 1.

MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY Proudly serving the areas of: Acacia Gardens, Blacktown*, Girraween, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Pendle Hill, Prospect*, Quakers Hill*, Riverstone, Rouse Hill*, Schofields, Seven Hills, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie*, Vineyard *Parts of

230 Prospect Hwy, Seven Hills 2147 Ph: 9671 4780

Email:

Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au

www.facebook.com/mrowlandmp Twitter: @mrowlandmp

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Il-Maltin fl-Awstralja jfakkru l-Imnarja

W

a˙da mill-aktar okkaΩjonijiet li fihom il-Maltin li jg˙ixu barra, j˙obbu jfakkru hija dik tradizzjonali tal-Imnarja li jiççelebraw bi brijju kbir.

Din turija ta’ kemm g˙adhom jg˙oΩΩu d-drawwiet ta’ art

G˙aqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ NSW

ost dawk li dwarhom irçevejna F tag˙rif insibu tal-G˙aqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ NSW li din is-sena g˙all-ewwel darba ççelebrat il-festa fil-knisja u s-sala ta’ Our Lady of Mt Carmen f’Wentworthville (ritratt fuq) Hawn l-okkaΩoni bdiet b’quddiesa minn Fr N. Bianco u wara, f’sala ffullata n-nies fer˙et g˙all-brijju u lkant ta’ Joe Apap u Alee u tal-kor tal-G˙aqda kif ukoll g˙al reçta’ qasira mill-G˙aqda Çittadini.

twelidhom. Nafu li l-festa (ta’ San Pietru u San Pawl) ti©i mfakkra fil-Kanada, ir-Renju Unit, l-Istati Uniti, u forsi laktar fl-Awstralja fejn mill-inqas tliet g˙aqdiet fi NSW jorganizzaw attivitajiet li g˙alihom jattendu bil-gΩuΩ.

MCC Seniors Groups celebrate Tradition with “A Day in the Buskett” at Greystanes nce again, the Greystanes Maltese SenO iors celebrated “A Day in the Buskett” in the George Preca Centre, where they nor-

mally have their monthly meetings.

It was wonderful to see such a large attendance from other groups like Daceyville and Parramatta Multi Nationals Seniors Group who also joined in the celebration.

There was a lovely display of Maltese lace as well as a demonstration of Lace Making from Dulcimer Court, from the Parramatta

group. Dulcie was taught lace-making by Jane Vella.

The day also included musical entertainment provided by Patrick Bartolo who played the piano-accordion with so much passion. He encouraged all to sing-a-longs to some popular Maltese and Australian songs. Lots of traditional Maltese food was also on display, and a short video of Malta was later also shown.

This was a great opportunity for all the members to join together in friendship. All had a good time.

This function was possible thanks to a grant by Merrylands Bowling Club.

A general view of the guests at the Greystanes Maltese Seniors’ event

This occasion was a welfare service of The Maltese Community Council of NSW. Anybody wishing to join any of the groups should get in touch with the Welfare Worker, Marisa Previtera on 0414 863 123.

MarisaPrevitera

... u fil-La Valette SC iç-Çentru La Valette ta’ Blacktown NSW. F saret anke wirja agrikola u ta’ diversi annimali, flimkien ma’ log˙ob g˙at-tfal. Kien

hemm ukoll imwejjed b’kull xorta ta’ memorabilja u o©©etti g˙all-bejg˙.

Frank Zammit qara kitbiet relattati ma’ dilfesta filwaqt li Joe Apap ferra˙ lill-prezenti bil-kant tieg˙u. Il-banda Maltija OLQP wkoll Ωiedet fil-brijju. Kif mitlub, Emanuel Camilleri, il-president tal-MCC, ta tag˙rif dwar iΩΩjara li se tag˙mel f’Sydney l-President ta’ Malta, l-ET Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

Dwar il-festa tal-Imnarja organizzata mill-kumitat tal-Festa San Nikola jkollna rapport u riSezzjoni mill-folla li attendiet g˙aç-çelebrazzjonijiet tal-La Valette SC tratt fil-˙ar©a li jmiss.

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Tag˙rif dwar il-kitba Maltija

A

ktar regoli u tag˙rif uffiçjali dwar kif wie˙ed g˙andu jikteb il-Malti ma˙ru© mill-Kummissjoni fi ˙dan l-Akkademja tal-Malti. Illum nissoktaw aktar regoli.

IL-ÓMISTAX-IL REGOLA Wara l-aççent, il-kelma ma jistax ikollha ˙lief sillaba jew taqsima wa˙da.

G˙alhekk il-Malti, biex dejjem iΩomm l-aççent fuq is-sillaba jew ittaqsima ta’ qabel la˙˙ar, minn ©íbed jg˙id u jikteb ©ibdu u mhux ©íbedu, ©ìbdek u mhux ©íbedek. Minn qátel jg˙id u jikteb qàtlu, qatìlha, u mhux qátelu, qátelha.

U b˙alma ng˙idu u niktbu ìbnu, qàbru, rì©lu minn íben, qábar, rí©el dejjem b’sillaba wa˙da wara dik talaççent, hekk ukoll minn séhem, déheb, dáhar, xág˙ar, xahar ng˙idu u niktbu sèhmu, dèhbu, dàhru, xàg˙ru.

Hekk ukoll kif niktbu vènvnu, çèkçku, tèmtmu minn venven, çekçek, temtem, nag˙rfu wkoll niktbu qàrwΩu, wèrwru, kàrwtu u mhux qàrweΩu, wèrweru, kàrwatu minn qarweΩ, werwer, karwat u lanqas kif xi w˙ud dlonk isemmg˙u u jiktbu qáruΩu, wéruru, kárutu bil-vokali u flok ittielet konsonanti tal-g˙erq w, li g˙andha l-istess sa˙˙a tat-tielet konsonanti v, ç, t fil-kelmiet tal-istess g˙amla venvnu, çekçku, temtmu.

Ta˙t din ir-regola ji©ri li kliem barrani, li g˙andu Ωew© sillabi wara dik tal-aççent, jie˙u lg˙amla u xxe˙ta Maltija, billi, meta tid˙ol flilsien Malti, il-kelma ma ssemmax ˙lief sillaba wa˙da wara dik talaççent.

Kif min ©ibed, iben, sehem, venven insemmg˙u ©ibdu, ibnu, sehmu, venvnu bin-nuqqas tat-tieni vokali e, hekk ukoll minn popolo, stomaco, animo nsemmg˙u pôplu, stònku, àlmu bin-nuqqas tal-vokali fit-tieni taqsima tal-kelma barranija biex dejjem inΩommu sillaba wa˙da wara dik tal-aççent.

G˙all-istess ˙sieb ni©u li nqabbΩu l-aççent fuq is-sillaba ta’ qabel la˙˙ar u nsemmg˙u dispûta flok dìsputa, pûbilku minn pùbblico, patrija minn patria, wardija minn guàrdia.

tinqasam f’sillabi sew fuq il-˙oss (twil jew ma˙tuf) kemm ukoll fuq laççent talvokali.

IS-SITTAX-IL REGOLA

Tinteressak il-kitba?

arrejja li j˙ossu li, jew g˙andhom Q talent g˙all-kitba, l-aktar bl-Ilsien Malti, imma mhux biss, u jkunu jridu li

F’kelmiet ta’ Ωew© sillabi: (1) is-silkitbiet tag˙hom ji©u ppublikati f’The laba tinfired wara vokali li jkollha Voice of the Maltese, huma m˙e©©a l-˙oss jew l-aççent imkarkar, jew (2) jibag˙tuhomlna f’dan l-indirizz talvokali ta’ ˙oss jew aççent twil jew email: maltesevoice@gmail.com imkarkar ting˙aΩel mill-konsonanti ta’ warajha.

G˙alhekk inqassmu: râ-©el, rî-˙a, hom, ras-na, ras-ha, fuq-na,fuq-hom.

Jekk iΩ-Ωieda tkun ta’ ittra wa˙da, qrâ-da, qrâ-ti, ˙â-res, ftî-ra, sû-ra, mîdin tibqa’ mag˙quda mal-a˙˙ar siltra, fî-fra.

T.ç. IΩda l-konsonanti l, m, n, r, g˙ laba tal-kelma. G˙alhekk inqassmu (imsej˙in likwidi) jekk warajhom ra-si u mhux ras-i, ˙al-lih u mhux ikollhom konsonanti o˙ra, billi ˙al-li-h fejn l-ittri miΩjuda huma ljridu dejjem vokali mag˙hom, pronomi (suffissi) i u h. imorru mal-vokali ta’ qabilhom u Aktar regoli fil-˙ar©a li jmiss. g˙alhekk jitqassmu: ˙ár-su u mhux ˙à-rsu, gûm-na u mhux gûmna, qâr-sa u mhux qâ-rsa. s-su©©ett tal-lum g˙andu x’jaqsam malF’kelmiet ta’ hekk mag˙rufa: bi tnejn, kull 1. Kelmiet il-G˙add jew Numri, li fil-fatt wa˙da minn jitqassmu f’Kardinali u Ordinali dawn tmur a) Numri Kardinali: wie˙ed, tnejn, g˙aliha. tlieta, erbg˙a, ˙amsa, sitta, sebg˙a, G˙alhekk filtmienja, disg˙a, g˙axra, eçç. k e l m i e t : ˙adna, sabna, b) Numri Ordinali: l-ewwel, it-tinei, it©iebha, ©iebtielet, ir-raba’, il-˙ames, is-sitta, is-seba’, ithom, ˙adek, tmienja, id-disa’, il-g˙axar, eçç. ˙ a d h o m , 2. Quddiem in-nom: rasna, rasha, a) kelmiet il-G˙add jispiççaw b’konsonanti. fuqna, fuqhom, EΩ.: tliet ˙utiet, seba’ ba˙rin. kull wa˙da mag˙mula b) 4, 7, 9, jinkitbu: erba’ seba’ disa’ minn verb, EΩ.: erba’ sigrieti, seba’ kotba, disa’ frieket nom jew preç) minn 11 sa 19 jie˙du l-partiçella il tinhemeΩ mag˙poΩizzjoni u hom biss b’sing. Ωieda ta’ EΩ.: ˙dax-il statwa, tnax-il dar, tlettax-il tifel. pronom, itd) in-numru tnejn isir Ωewg. EΩ.: Ûew© klassijiet. tqassim tase) minn 2 sa 10 jinhemΩu mit-T Marbuta meta nsillaba jsir Nom ikun ta’ sillaba wa˙da. (eçç. snin, xhur) hekk: ˙ad-na, EΩ.: Ωew©t i˙bieb, tlitt i˙bub, erbat itfal sab-na, ©iebha, ©ieb-hom, 3. In-Numri li jie˙du t-T Marbuta huma: Ωewgt, tlitt, TAQSIM TAS-SILLABI: Il-kelma ˙ad-ek, ˙aderbat, ˙amest, sitt, sebat, tmint, disat, g˙axart.

4. In-Nom li ja˙bat wara n-Numri bit-T Marbuta jie˙u Ag˙mel uΩu mid-dizzjunarju Malti l-Vokali tal-Le˙en. EΩ.: ˙ames iklieb, tmint ixbar. *Jekk trid tiççekja l-kitba, it-tifsir tal-kliem Malti u t5. Minn 11 ‘l fuq, in-Nom li ji©i wara jitqieg˙ed fis-Singtraduzzjoni g˙all-IngliΩ issa tista’ tid˙ol fuq id-dizular. EΩ.: ˙dax-il ˙obΩa; wie˙ed u g˙oxrin fellus. zjunarju tal-Maltin online.

(Aktar dwar dan fil-˙arga li jmiss) Is-sit huwa: www.maltesedictionary.org.mt

Biex tikteb Malti tajjeb Kelmiet il-G˙add jew Numri

I

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Readers can also request a printed copy of The Voice of The Maltese magazine by post n response to a number of inquiries, Iadvice The Voice of the Maltese wishes to 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 at a price to any state. As the cost of postage varies from state to state, one is kindly requested to get in touch with us to work out the details.

Tajjeb tkun taf

L

-g˙aqdiet tal-Maltin, u/jew min ixtieq jirreklamaw f’The Voice of the Maltese huma m˙e©©a jg˙arrfu lit-tmexxija ta’ The Voice minn kmeni. Jekk iridu jibag˙tu xi materjal g˙all-pubblikazzjoni, jag˙mlu dan mil-inqas ©img˙a qabel il-pubblikazzjoni.

IL-MALTESE BOWLERS SOCIAL GROUP TA’ NSW • Jistiednu nisa u r©iel Maltin li j˙obbu l-lawn bowls biex jing˙aqdu mag˙hom, jie˙du sehem fil-log˙ob u jag˙mlu ˙bieb ©odda.

• Jilqg˙u wkoll lil dawk li jixtiequ jitg˙allmu jilag˙bu dan l-isport. Dawn jing˙ataw lezzjonijiet b’xejn.

• Jilag˙bu log˙ba lawn bowls darba fixxahar fir-Rosehill Bowling Club u klabbs o˙ra.

• G˙al aktar tag˙rif çemplu lis-segretarju, Tony Pace-Feraud (0400 376 607) jew email lil: maltesebowlersnsw@hotmail.com Il-log˙ba li jmiss nhar il-Óadd 10 ta’ Luljufis-1.00 p.m. fir-Rosehill Bowling Club.

IL-GRUPP SANTA MARIJA TA’ SYDNEY B˙as-soltu qed jorganizzaw l-Ballu ta’ Santa Marija Nhar is-Sibt, 6 ta’ Awissu fis-7.00 p.m. fil-Balmoral Centre, Balmoral Street, Blacktown Ikun hemm ikla ta’ erba’ platti u xorb b˙al birra, inbid, soft drinks, cassata ice-cream, te u kafe.

Jie˙du sehem il-Falcons Band u l-mistednin speçjali Kathlyn Vella u Carmen Cauchi Donazzjoni ta: $60.00; Tfal ta˙t it-12 il-sena: $30.00 Ikun hemm ukoll marci mill-Banda Maltija O.L.Q.P. G˙al aktar tag˙rif u xiri ta biljetti çemplu lil Agnes fuq: 9626 6756, Mobile: 0432 714 735 Theresa: 9604 3679, Mob: 0432 646 960

THE CITTADINI Present

Direct from Malta Mary-Rose Mallia and Renato COMEDY with The Cittadini Sydney Show: Sunday on November 20 at La Valette Centre, Blacktown at 2.00 p.m.

Donation: $22.00 Children U/12: $10.00 For Tickets: Monica: 9896 0712 or 0414 859 386; Doris: 9636 2295

Other shows:

Melbourne - Queensland - Adelaide

Nov. 11, 12, 13

Nov. 5

Nov. 26

Ic-Cittadini sponsored by

MALTA TRAVEL

165 Dunmore Str., Wentworthville Phone: 96 312689 or 0412 523893 The Voice: the most popular by far

he Voice of the Maltese online T magazine is by far the most widely read publication among the Maltese Diaspora, with subscribers from Australia, Canada, the UK England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ieland), Ireland Rep., Belgium, France, Italy, India, the Caribbean island of St Kitts & Nevis. But not only. It is also gaining popularity in Malta and it keeps growing with every issue.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday July 5, 2016

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. every Thursday 2p.m. to 4p.m. Martese Caruana presents Golden Mix. Available on demand. Follow same procedure as for MCC programmes, except select programe in reference.

In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme 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 Listen to John Borg & Ronnie Borg every Saturday at 1.00 p.m. on RADIO 2RRR 88.5FM or on the Internet www2rrr.org.au ON DeMAND

The SBS MALTESE NEWS

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 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.

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

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming on: www.coastfm.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

Day Care Maltese Groups meetings in NSW

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month.

Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast

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

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 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

Llandilo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

Maltese of Bankstown

Group meet 3rd Wednesday of the month at New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner Parade, Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Club).

Every other 3rd Thursday they have an outing. For enquiries call Sam 9534 2357

L-a˙barijiet tal-PBS (Malta) kemm bil-Malti u wkoll bl-IngliΩ

G˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lillSBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, ilqarrejja huma m˙e©©a wkoll biex x’˙in iridu jid˙lu fil-website:www.tvm.com.mt u jsegwu l-a˙barijiet ta’ Malta, kemm bil-Malti u Il-website tkun a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bl-istejjer u l-©rajjiet li jkunu qed ise˙˙u f’dak il-˙in.

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

Kull qalb trid o˙ra iex tipproduçi magazine b˙al dan, li B wara kollox hu frott tal-passjoni li g˙andna biex inwasslu t-tag˙rif lill-

Maltin barra minn art twelidhom, ma jin˙tie©x biss xog˙ol u ˙in, imma wkoll spejjeΩ. Biex jittaffew u˙ud mill-ispejjeΩ nippruvaw insibu sponsors ˙alli jg˙inuna.

G˙ad m’g˙andniex biΩΩejjed minnhom, imma bdejna, u ta’ min jag˙tihom ˙ajr.

Kull qalb trid o˙ra, g˙alhekk in˙e©©u lill-qarrejja biex i©ibu dan quddiem g˙ajnejhom u kemm jista’ jkun juΩaw is-servizzi u/jew jixtru l-prodotti ta’ dawk li qed jirrek-lamaw/jisponsorjaw fil-magazine.

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 Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining, so 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.

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

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

C o mmunity Co mmunity N ews Maltese Respite Care Service La Valette Social Centre 175 Walters Road, Blacktown

For services that are available one should contact 9621 1215 Who is eligible:

Carers and families of frail age residing in the Blacktown and Cumberland Local Government areas. Others bordering LGAs would be considered.

Thursday activities:

10.15am: Mass in Maltese; Morning Tea, Bocci, lunch and bingo.

Guest speakers and entertinment might be available

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW

A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Learn Maltese!

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

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

Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM

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

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

The 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 am-12.00 For more information contact Em. Camilleri: 0409 744 376 The Malta Community Chest Fund

Óamrun Association: 02 9838 1111

MALTESE CHARITY DINNER DANCE Saturday July 23, 2016 6.30 p.m. - 11.30 p.m.

Il-Hamrun Club flimkien mal-Maltese-Australian Youth Committee ta’ NSW

Tickets: Adults $65 Children $40

(se jorganizzaw Christmas in July fil-klabb tal-Óamrun f’100 Jackson Street, Marsden Park, nhar is-Sibt 23 ta’ Lulju fis-6.00 p.m.)

Grand star receptions 499 Grieve Parade, Altona North. vic 3025 includes 4-coure meal, soft drinks, beer & wine

maltese music - maltese brass band - raffle tickets silent auctions & major grand auction enquiries & tickets: contact daniel 0404 096 560; lourdes 0402 813 179; joe 0420 547 696. email: lordan.co@hotmail.com (donations also welcome) Proudly sponsored by:

Kul˙add mistieden speçjalment dawk tas-second u third generation: Id-d˙ul ikun b’xejn.

Issibu tixtru ikel u xorb Malti minn €12 g˙al 15-il platt.

Se jkun hemm DJ b’muΩika g˙al kul˙add Din hi lejla ta’ divertiment g˙all-familja kollha.

Ejjew u ©ibu l-˙bieb mag˙kom.

G˙al kull tag˙rif ikkuntattjaw lil: George Zahra: 0407 434 651, Christ: 0431 457 868 jew il-klabb.

ST HELENA MALTESE/AUSTRALIAN S.C. Events 2016 AUG. 26, 28 (FRI & SUN): Feast masses at Croatian Church, Ardeer.

AUG. 27 – SAT.: Dinner Dance at Melrose, Tullamarine SEPT. 17 – SAT.: Get together St Albans.

OCT. 23 - SUN.: General meeting at Parkville.

OCT. 29 - SAT.: Get together St Albans at Avondale Heights.

NOV. 12, 13 (SAT & SUN): Concerts with Renato & Mary Rose Mallia (Also featuring the Cittadini from Sydney) DEC. 17 – SAT.: Xmas function at Melrose, Tullamarine.

METD OUTINGS - 2016 14th August – St Maria Festa (Central Coast) $35/pp including morning tea 11th September – Il-Festa tal-Vitorja (City) $25/pp 5th October - 23rd Anniversary Luncheon Please support the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day Committee by attending our fund-raising activities outlined above. For more info, call one of the members: Lina: 9629 4046; Doris: 0419 420 915; Maggie: 9621 3125; Maria:0431 800 720 email: metd@live.com.au PO Box 93, Kellyville 2155

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Sports on two pages

T

he boxing scene in Australia is quite alive and particularly Maltese fans of the sport that remember so vividly Jeff Fenech’s exploits have often wondered whether they could find any other boxer of Maltese pedigree to follow and to keep their interest. Now they have, in Michael Zerafa who is often described as one of Australia’s most promising professional boxers.

Michael ‘Pretty Boy’ Zerafa from Melbourne is on a crest of a wave and eagerly waiting for his next bout, which could be the defence of his IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title that he won last April by beating Japanese veteran Yosuke Kirima. Michael went the full distance of 12 rounds before winning the title on points.

That bout at Flemington was 24-year-old Michael Zerafa’s biggest win of his boxing career. He himself described it as a huge win at the end of a hard fight against a very tough opponent from Japan who had just five losses to his name from 29 bouts going into the clash.

With his trademark phrase “Hard work, dedication”, displayed daily on social media websites and evidently shown in training, each moment of Michael’s life is zoned in towards a WBC World Title win.

Michael, who had to choose between football and boxing as a teenager, had his first amateur fight as a 15-year old. He made his professional debut on March 18, 2011. “I got addicted pretty

“Pretty Boy” Zerafa hopes title win is stepping-stone on way to international recognition

quickly to boxing” he said.

Michael has been a high achiever his whole life. Having a natural athletic talent, he excelled in most sports. Before boxing stole his heart, he had a promising future in AFL but it was his love for the canvas ring that won him over. Training since the age of 12. Before turning professional he fought in over 100 amateur fights.

In 2010, Michael won the opportunity to fight in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. His first fight was cancelled so he was moved directly into the second round in the second week of the Games. He lost on points

but gained a wealth of knowledge.

The Games experience only enhanced Michael’s love for boxing and he went on to win the Amateur Golden Gloves in Qld, 2011. Soon after he turned Professional.

As a professional Michael won all of his fights on home soil but has not been so successful overseas. He was beaten in Russia in 2014 and America in 2015. This latest win has shown that he has completely recovered

from the defeat, by a brutal six-round KO against US slugger Peter Quillin in September last year in Mashantucket Connecticut, US. His victory over Yosuke Kirima, his first under new head trainer Christian Ennor, puts the Craigieburn boxer back amongst the top in the world.

Before his fight “The Pretty Boy” had never thought he would be able to reach such a high goal. However, he had always maintained the belief that hard work and dedication beats talent – so he focused and constantly pushes his body and mind “to new limits to achieve bigger and better things in boxing.”

He goes on to say, “Any fight I take I always believe I can win – I train super hard and smart so there was no doubt in my mind. The fight gave me new found confidence and reinforced my belief in myself; making me hungrier for bigger fights.”

Hard work and dedication have seen Michael Zerafa, who is also the current Victorian champion and Australia’s No.3, rise through the ranks of the best middleweight boxers.

He now hopes that his victory would be a stepping-stone on his way to international recognition in his sport and set him up for America and the big fighters overseas.

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Sports on two pages UEFA club competitions

Champions Valletta the only winners ight now, what interests Maltese footR ball enthusiasts are the Euro 2016 championships being played in France. Be-

William Chetcuti proudly wears his gold medal on the podium in Baku flanked by silver medallist Maro Innocenti (left) and China’s Mo Junjie who won bronze

Gold for William Chetcuti in Baku World Championships

T

he sport known as clay pigeon shooting has always been in the forefront of achievements in international championships when sportsmen were called upon to represent Malta. The island’s best-known shooter, William Chetcuti followed this trend when he recently built on previous performances by winning a gold medal in the World Double Trap Shooting Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

William was on top form as he beat Italian shooter Marco Innocenti into first place in a shoot-off after both had previously managed 28 hits in the final necessitating the ‘decider’.

In the semi-final stage Chetcuti registered 29 hits from 30. China’s MO Junjie won bronze.

This victory qualifies Chetcuti for participation in the forthcoming Games of the XXXI Olympiad Games, known as Rio 2016 to be held in the Brazilian city August 5-21.

Wins for Green Gully, George Cross

n Victoria, Green Gully playing in the PS4 NPL Men’s League on their impressive season by managing four points from Itheircontinued last two away matches that helped them to strengthen their league position in third place sharing it with Hume City on 34 points, 10 behind leaders South Melbourne.

First they obtained a 1-1 result at Northcote City and then defeated Port Melbourne Sharks away 1-0.

In the PS4 NPL2 West, Sunshine George Cross received a setback to their hopes in Rd 18 by losing 3-0 at Goulburn VS, but then regained their composure last Sunday by winning 3-2 at home against Bendigo City that helped them to climb to narrow the gap with the team just above them in eighth position, Werribee to just one point.

New swimming record for 50m sprint Matthew Zammit has become the first Maltese swimmer to go under the 23-second mark in 50m freestyle. Swimming in the relay at the National Championships, he clocked 22.82 seconds in the opening leg of the 4x50 metres race. It was 0.22 seconds faster than the previous best of 23.04 seconds.

sides, the warm weather currently prevailing in the Maltese islands is not conducive to playing the world’s most popular game.

Therefore it is not that surprising that few seem to have cared that much about the participation by four local Premier League clubs in the qualifers of the UEFA’s two club competitions.

In the past week all four were in action in the first legs of the initial stage of their respective competitions and will play the return ties this week. Only one team registered a win.

VALLETTA were the first in action on home ground at the Hibernians Stadium where they hosted and narrowly defeated B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands by 1-0, thanks to a Federico Falcone goal.

EUROPA LEAGUE Of the three Maltese representatives in the Europa League, BIRKIRKARA managed the best result so far by holding Siroki Brijeg in Bosnia Herzegovina to a 1-1 draw. They even took the lead through Cain Attard but conceded the equaliser through Ivan Baraban just before half time.

BALZAN were the first to go into action at the Hibernians Stadium, but their hopes were dashed when they went down 2-0 to a goal in each half to Azerbaijan side Neftci PFK. Hajiyev and Gurbanov were the scorers.

HIBERNIANS were in Slovakia where they faced Spartak Trnava and lost 3-0 to goals by Robert Tambe 2, and Martin Mikovic.

All four clubs will be in action again in the return legs this week.

A win and a loss for Eagles but hopes for top 5 finish is still on inally, in Round 16 of the not beyond them. They currently F PlayStation 4 NPL NSW occupy sixth place in the league Men's Parramatta Eagles man- ladder.

aged to build on their Round 15 Joshua Symons and Marco success and achieved back-to- Sama 2, scored their goals back wins by beating Sutherland against Sutherland. at the Melita Stadium RESULTS - DAY 17 Standing P Pts 3-1. But then tasted Sydney O. v Parramatta 3-0 Sydney U. 58 16 41 Sutherland v Bonnyrigg 3-0 defeat again last week- APIA v Rockdale 35 1-0 Blacktown C. 17 17 30 end goign down 3-0 at Manly U v Wollongong 3-1 Manly U. 16 30 Blacktown C v Hakoah C 3-2 Rockdale Sydney Olympic.

17 23 Sydney U v Blacktown S 3-1 Bonnyrigg Still, recent performParramatta 16 22 DAY 16 Sydney O. 17 21 ances have been quite Parramatta v Sutherland 3-1 Hakoah SCE 16 19 encouraging and the Bonnyrigg v Blacktown C 2-2 APIA LTFC 16 18 supporters are dream- Sydney O. v Sydney U 0-2 Sutherland 17 17 Hakoah C v Manly U 1-6 ding of a top five fin- Rockdale v Blacktown S 2-1 Wollongong 16 13 ish, which is certainly Wollongong v APIA 1-3 Blacktown S. 17 9