The Voice of the Maltese No. 153

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

Issue 153

Fortnightly ora Fortnightly magazine magazine for for the the Diasp Diaspora

April 25, 2017

In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

John McCrae, May 1915

April 25 Australia and New Zealand commemorate ANZAC DAY. To read about its significance turn to pages 2-4. The red poppy that was often first to flower in devastated battlefields said to have come from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground, has become synonymous with ANZAC. Above is a painting by Turkish artist Hikmet Cetinkaya (The Poppy Man). Left: the poem In Flanders’ Fields inspired by the event.

The Catholic Church recently celebrated Holy Week. The highlight peaks at Easter Sunday with the celebrations marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In line with the tradition, the Maltese community in Blacktown, NSW celebrated the occasion at the La Valette SC by organising the procession of the Risen Christ. The statue was carried around the centre’s grounds with the bearers making a number of runs with the statue along parts of the route. At the end of the procession children were handed the traditional sweet figolla prepared by Lorraine Decelis. (Photo right by Brian Decelis)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

ANZAC DAY 2017 Commemoration JosephCutajar

A

NZAC Day, a national day of commemoration in Australia and New Zealand, held on April 25, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The men who fought within the ANZAC Corps soon became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.

When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world. When Britain declared war in August 1914 Australia was automatically placed on the side of the The ANZAC Memorial at the Argotti GarCommonwealth. dens in Floriana A year later, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of New Zealand Army Corps. The solthe expedition that set out to cap- diers in those forces quickly became ture the Gallipoli peninsula in order known as Anzacs, and the pride to open the Dardanelles to the allied they took in that name endures to navies. The ultimate objective was this day What became known as the 'Anzac to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Legend' also became an important part of the identities of each nation, Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand shaping the ways in which they forces landed on Gallipoli on April viewed both their past and future.

The first Anzac Day commemora25, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders, and tions were held on April 25, 1916 in what had been planned as a bold Australia, New Zealand and Engstroke to knock Turkey out of the land and by troops in Egypt. For the war quickly became a stalemate, remaining years of the war the Day and after eight months, the Allied was used as an occasion for patriotic forces were evacuated from the rallies and recruiting campaigns, peninsula, with both sides having and parades of serving members of suffered heavy casualties and en- the AIF were held in most cities.

Anzac Day was established as a dured great hardships.

Nearly 28,000 Australians were national day of commemoration in made casualty during the cam- the 1920s. By the 1930s all the ritupaign, while New Zealand losses als one now associates with the day amounted to almost 8,000. Gallipoli – dawn vigils, marches, memorial had a profound impact on the Aus- services, reunions, two-up games – tralian and New Zealand nations, were firmly established as part of and 25th April soon became a spe- Anzac Day culture.

Today, the services commemorate cial day of remembrance.

Although the Gallipoli campaign not just the Anzacs of the First failed in its military objectives, the World War but all Australian and actions of Australian and New New Zealand servicemen and Zealand forces during the campaign women who have served in various left a powerful so-called “Anzac wars and peace-keeping missions.

On this day dawn services are held legacy’ that became an important part of the identity of both nations, throughout Australian and New shaping the ways in which they Zealand and also upon the former viewed both their past and their fu- battlefields. The timing of these services corresponds to the timing of ture.

ANZAC stands for Australian and dawn attacks; a favoured operational

routine still used by modern armies today as the half-light of dawn plays tricks with soldiers' eyes.

Soldiers in defensive positions were therefore woken just before dawn, so that they would be alert and manning their weapons by the time the first dull grey light crept across the battlefield. This moment, called "Stand-to", was also repeated at sunset.

At the Australian War Memorial the National Ceremony begins with the traditional order of service including the veteran’s march, Commemorative Address, laying of wreaths, hymns, the sounding of the Last Post, and observance of one minute’s silence, and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia.

Among those who fought side by side with the Australian troops were several soldiers of Maltese descent who had made Australia their permanent residence Maltese. A few of them never returned. But they have not been forgotten. In fact two years ago, at a ceremony organised by the Maltese RSL sub-branch of NSW, a plaque bearing the names of 54 Maltese heroes who served with the ANZACs during WW1 was unveiled.

Now it forms part of the Maltese BiCentennial Monument with a replica affixed at the Maltese Resource Centre at Parramatta West.

In Malta, ANZAC Day is also regarded as an annual event organised by the Australian High Commission. On this day, a Commemorative Service, which in accordance with tradition is open to the public, is to be held at the Pietà Military Cemetery.

For the first time, the commemoration is to be hosted by the new Australian High Commissioner to Malta, H.E. Julien Hince who took the appointment in January. It is to be attended by the President of Malta, HE. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, a number of other senior dignitaries and representatives of a number of associations who have been invited to lay a wreath at the ceremony. The MCC of NSW will be represented and Joseph Cutajar who will also lay a wreath on the MCC’s behalf.

Malta also played a part in the World War I Gallipoli campaign as during it more than 4,000 wounded soldiers were evacuated from Gallipoli and hospitalised in Malta. *Continued on page 3

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday April 25, 2017

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH James Chetcuti:

Successful career in sports and business

J

ames Chetcuti, an Australian-born Maltese, on March 31 was re-elected for second four-year term as a Director of Football NSW. He was one of three directors elected at the Annual General Meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in Glenwood. James was first elected to the position in March 2013.

James, married with four children, was born in Australia. His father, Raymond was from Qormi, Malta, and his mother a Croatian. He lives in West Hoxton NSW. Speaking to The Voice of the Maltese about his sporting experience James said that in 2008 he was elected as a director of the Parramatta Melita Eagles Sports Club Ltd, which holds a football partnership agreement with the Granville District Football Association (PCYC previously).

He occupied the position of Treasurer until 2010 when he was elected to the role of President to lead a board of 10 directors by advising and implementing strategies on behalf of the 350 social members, ensuring the prosperity of this prestigious club by revenue generation through membership, sponsorships and member functions.

He developed strong working relationships with external stakeholders such as state and local government officials for the facility management of the club’s biggest asset (head lease) valued at $20+ million.

James also explained his active participa- tion at youth level like Parramatta Eagles, Bankstown City Lions, Sydney United, Fairfield Patrician Brothers and Wetherill Park Wester- ners. He served for four years as a coach, completed the Junior, Youth and AFC C Licence coaching certificates, coached boys and girls at the school level and men at state league level. His teams represented Tara Anglican School (7&16yo Girls), Cranbrook *from page 2 Malta’s contribution to the Gallipoli cause earned it the tag of The Nurse of the Mediterranean. Many of the soldiers died on the island and their remains were returned to Australia and New Zealand, but about 300 soldiers from Australia and New Zealand are buried in Malta.

This also prompted Malta, through the efforts of the late Nick Bonello, president of the Maltese-Australian

School (15&16yo Boys), Sydney Uni Youth & Men, Parramatta FC Men. In 2013 James was elected for the first time as a Director of Football NSW, a position that he occupied for four years. He served on the Legal and Regulatory Committee, and co-chaired the Woman’s competition review in 2013.

James was also a member of the Project Control Group that was responsible for the delivery and financial management ($22million) of the new facility at VSP. He is currently the Ex-Co Officer for the Futsal Standing Committee.

In his other life, James Chetcuti has been a sales’ professional for 15 years and worked in media marketing and property sales environments leading highly motivated teams of sales professionals.

For the past nine years he has been employed by Realestate.com.au, a News Ltd subsidiary. His role is to lead, coach and manage a team of eight sales individuals where he is responsible for $15 million dollars per annum in revenue.

James is described as a solution-focused professional with an impressive track record of sales achievement as a result of building and maintaining productive working relationships. He thrives on developing new business opportunities and offering proactive solutions to secure profitable accounts.

He specialises in Business Development, major Account Management; online/print media; media advertising, sports management and consultative/solution selling.

Malta becomes ‘The Nurse of the Mediterranean’ Association, to erect the Anzac Memorial at the Argotti Gardens, in Floriana. Outside of Turkey, and except in Australia and New Zealand, there are no other Anzac memorials in the world.

The aim of the memorial is to remember and honour the many Aus-

tralian and New Zealand troops who died at Gallipoli during World War I and in subsequent battles elsewhere in World War II, during which Malta featured prominently.

During the campaign, not only soldiers perished but also their families also suffered, so the idea behind the memorial’s design, which incorporates a man and a woman, is to represent the humanity that defended it and those who lost their lives fighting for their country.

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Speaker hosts ‘ANZAC 2017’ art exhibition The Hon. An©lu Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives in Malta, hosted and inaugurated an art exhibition titled ANZAC 2017 at the foyer of the Parliament building in Valletta organised by the Australian High Commissioner in Malta, Ms Julienne Hince, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Malta Mr. Reha Keskintepe. The exhibition, in honour of the ANZAC Centenary, also marks the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and Turkey.

The art exhibition consists of works by Raymond Agius, a Maltese and Australian citizen, and Turkish painter Mr. Hikmet Cetinkaya.

Before the official opening Ms Hince and Mr Keskintepe addressed the guests. Ms Hince outlined the real meaning of ANZAC. Both explained that the exhibition served as a celebration of current relations between Malta, Australia and Turkey bound by the same events of 1915.

Ms Hince explained that during that year Australian and New Zealand soldiers set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies on their way to taking over Constantinople (now Istanbul), then the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

The unsuccessful campaign dragged on for eight months and recorded the loss of 63,000 Anzacs and 85,000 from the Turkish side.

Malta also played a part as 57,950 servicemen from the allied forces were evacuated to Malta and the sick and the wounded were nursed on the island earning Malta the title of The Nurse of the Mediterranean.

Mr Keskintepe said that the Gallipoli episode was also felt in Turkey and the event is recorded in the country’s history. Although at the time, the two sides fought on opposite sides, that battle left its mark. He agreed with Ms Hince that since then they

At the Art Exhibition. (From left): The Australian HC Ms Julienne Hince, Minister George Vella, the Speaker An©lu Farrugia, Turkish Ambassador Reha Keskintepe, and the painters, Hikmet Cetinkaya and Ray Agius have both been working together towards a from international law and treaties; Promote social progess and better standards of life in peaceful, secure and prosperous world.

Before inaugurating the exhibition, the freedom; Practice tolerance and live together Speaker also referred to the historical events in peace with one another as good neighof the Gallipoli landings in April 1915 and bours; Enhance efforts to promote internathe ferocity of the military campaign that tional peace and security, and; Promote the caused a great number of casualties and economic and social advancement of all nations. deaths.

He said that though small in size, Malta acHe said that the ultimate sacrifice and loss of human life in that and subsequent wars tively pursues forms of multilateral collaboand regional conflicts leads one to question ration, regional and global, aimed at conflict the effectiveness of post-World War inter- prevention through confidence-building national institutions to prevent wars and re- measures, and the enhancement of human development through economic and social gional conflicts.

He added that the international community progress.

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Vella of nations has failed take effective action to: Respect the fundamental rights and free- was also in attendance. doms, the dignity and worth of the human Whos’s who: the painters page 5 person; Respect the obligations emanating

Raymond Agius at work at the Art exhibition

Hikmet Cetinkaya working on the painting he did in an hour at the exhibition

The Voice of the Maltese5

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Maltese-Australian Association makes courtesy call on new HC A s is the norm, a delegation from the Maltese-Australian Association (MAA), led by its president Mr Victor Borg that also included its secretary, Joe Xerri, treasurer Joe Buttigieg and the PRO Joseph Cutajar paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ms Juliene Hince, the new High Commissioner for Australia who took up the post last January.

She cordially welcomed the visit.

Ms Hince expressed her pleasure in meeting and speaking with the association. She requested information about the MAA and as such, the delegation gave her an overview since it was formed in 1974. primarily to give its members, most of them Maltese who had lived in Australia and still have the country at heart, and others with relatives still living to reminisce about those times.

The Association also gives its members the chance to meet on special occasions dear to the island continent that welcomed them in the first place and helped to live a decent life, to talk about past experiences, and to exchange views about the current goings-on in the country that had hosted them in their hour or need.

It was explained to Ms Hince that the majority of the MAA members are also proud that through their skills they also helped to enrich the country’s multicultural base.

The HC was made aware of the Maltese Australian Association’s efforts to raise the funds to erect the ANZAC Monument at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana. This is the only such monument outside of Australia and New Zealand that commemorates the fallen during the Gallipoli campaign and World War I.

Raymond Agius

R

The new Australian High Commissioner to Malta H.E. Ms Julienne Hince with officials from the Maltese Australian Association photographed at the entrance of the High Commission at Ta’ Xbiex. Front: Secretary Joe Xerri (left) and Victor Borg the president flanked Ms Hince. Back (from left): Joseph Cutajar (PRO) and Joe Butti©ieg (treasurer)

At the time Malta nursed the wounded from the ANZAC forces that were brought to Malta for treatment. Some 300 of them died on the island and were buried in Malta.

They were not forgotten, and the names of these heroes are inscribed

on the Argotti monument.

Ms Hince was pleased to learn that as part of the facelift at the Argotti Gardens, through the Minister for the Environment Dr Jose` Herrera the government has promised to further embellish the ANZAC memorial .

Who’s who: the painters at the ANZAC 2017 Art exhibition Hikmet Çetinkaya

aymond Agius, 62 in May, was born in Malta but immigrated to Australia in 1978. He grew up with stories of hardship and sacrifice from a population just two decades out of WWII. He was greatly influenced by stories from the elders in his village and by war comics. Rarely a day passed without him sketching.

In the following years his interest in war machinery led him to study engineering. He specialised in guns and high-speed engines.

He spent seven years in military service and then emigrated to Australia where he returned to his studies and joined the automotive industry where his love of art and engineering made him an automotive designer.

When he retired 10 years ago he returned to art and began to specialise in portraiture, technical and military.

He lives in Malta, Australia and the USA with his partner Christine.

ikmet Çetinkaya 59 was born in H Konya, Hasan eyh, Turkey. He graduated from the Painting Education Department in the Faculty of Education at Ankara Gazi University in 1982.

Since 1976 he has been painting at his workshop in Ankara.

For the last 20 years red poppies, that have become synonymous with ANZAC, have become his main source of inspiration. As such he has become aptly known as ‘Poppy Man’.

The red poppy was often first to flower in devastated battlefields said to have come from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground.

Hikmet has been exhibiting and teaching all over the world. He had 17 inter-

national and 80 national workshops and personal exhibitions, and more that 600 exhibitions with other artists.

He is said to have more than 8,000 paintings in 36 years of artistic life. One of these paintings, more poppies, he managed to do in just one hour during the exhibition in Malta in full view of all the guests. He uses the pallet and most of the paintings look three-dimensional.

He presented his biggest painting to the Speaker to be permanently exhibited in the Parliament building and a smaller one to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Vella.

The exhibition is open to the public until April 30.

6 The Voice of the Maltese

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

Tuesday April 25, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers

Do I really need a will?

by PaulSant

E

very year, usually by way of a campaign funded by government departments or charity organisations, we are reminded of the importance of having a will. Yet every year the NSW Courts deal with thousands of applications where the deceased died without having a prepared a valid Will.

My personal theory is that there are three camps of people that meander through life in blissful and intentional ignorance of the need to have a valid Will.

These are: (a) those for whom death is a cultural taboo; (b) those for whom the concept of mortality is a little too burdensome for their liking; and (c) those who simply believe that they have no valuable assets to give.

Although I have a certain level of empathy for these views, I cannot help but disagree with the transient consideration and consequential dismissal of relevance that some people attribute to Wills.

Almost everyone has an asset of some form to give after they have gone. There is a common misconception that if you do not own real estate, your estate is simple and you do not need a Will. Instead, ask yourself the following questions: 1. Do you have bank accounts?

2. Do you have a car?

3. Do you have superannuation?

4. Do you have shares?

5. Do you have personal items (such as jewellery or artwork) that you wish to give to certain people?

6. Would you like to make a gift to a charity?

7. Would you like to grant someone a

right to live in a house you own, but only for a certain amount of time, and thereafter gift the house to some else?

8. Are you unsure as to who will actually collect all of your assets and distribute them when you pass away?

9. Do you envisage that there may be family conflict if you do not clearly communicate your wishes?

Considering the state of the law in New South Wales, I can confidently wager that it would be easier to find a real life Bigfoot than it would be to find a legal or financial professional that does not believe that considered estate planning is the best legacy one can leave for their loved ones.

The most obvious advantage is the fact that by leaving a Will you give your loved ones certainty as to your intentions. Your Will informs your family who you want to deal with your affairs when you’re gone and how you would like your assets distributed.

The second advantage is that you escape the automatic and indiscriminate application of the Intestacy Rules found in the Succession Act. When you die without a Will, you are said to have died ‘Intestate’.

New South Wales prescribes a set of statutory rules which require the distribution of an intestate estate according to a strict formula that pays no attention to the deceased’s actual intentions before passing away. There are different formulas based on the particular family circumstances of the deceased.

Further, as Succession Law is State-based law, it varies from state to state. The formula applied to the intestate estate will depending upon in which state or territory the deceased lived when they passed away.

PAUL SANT (SOLICITOR)

PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL For All Your Legal Needs

Now at: 21 George Street

Parramatta Phone: 8599 8877 Also at: Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: 8355 9999 Email: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au Maltese Spoken

These statutory formulas are based on what the Parliament considers as the current moral approach towards the distribution your assets after you pass away. This is based on mainstream and traditional forms of the concept of “family”.

Today, Australia is a celebrated hub of varying cultures, family structures and attitudes towards moral responsibility. It would be incredibly simplistic and naive to assume that the single mandatory framework imposed by the current Legislation would align with the intentions and values of each individual across Australia society.

If you wish to have the ultimate control over who will and will not inherit assets from your estate upon your death, there is no substitute for exercising your testamentary freedom and making a Will.

Here is a common example of where inadvertent reliance upon the intestacy rules have created a result unintended by the deceased: 1. Brad and Angelina were married 15 years ago. They did not have children.

Instead, they gathered significant assets during their relationship.

2. About 3 years ago Brad and Angelina separated. They completed a property settlement but decide against divorcing (at that point of time) because of the additional costs.

3. Sometime later, Angelina was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away.

4. Before she died, she had told her brother Andrew and that he would receive her estate.

5. But Andrew is not entitled to Angelina’s large estate. In all Australian jurisdictions Brad, as the spouse, takes the lot.

This outcome was completely preventable. Angelina could have made a Will during their separation or obtained a divorce. To avoid a potentially unjust distribution of your estate, and minimise the emotional turmoil of your loved ones, you should rearrange your list of priorities and put making a Will at the top!

We have provided you with an overview of the topic above but you should consult a professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

ing˙ad li t-tradizzjonijiet mhux façli li jintnesew u fejn jid˙ol il-©ens Malti forsi aktar minn ˙addie˙or. L-aktar fejn Jbissg˙andha x’taqsam ir-reli©jon, it-tradizzjonijiet tassew li huma sagri. Dik hi xi ˙aga li wie˙ed i˙ossha u jaraha mhux f’Malta u G˙awdex imma wkoll fil-pajjiΩi l-o˙ra fejn jinsabu jg˙ixu dawk li ˙afna nsibuhom b˙ala “il-Maltin ta’

barra”. X’aktarx min˙abba li l-akbar ammont ta’ dawn jg˙ixu fl-Awstralja, huma l-aktar li jinstemg˙u, imma hu fatt mag˙ruf li l-istess jista’ jing˙ad g˙al dawk li jg˙ixu f’pajjiΩi o˙ra mag˙rufa fejn hemm g˙add kbir ta’ emigranti Maltin, b˙al fil-Kanada, l-Istati Uniti u r-Renju Unit.

G˙alkemm it-tmexxija ta’ The Voice of the Maltese nixtiequ, iΩda s’issa g˙ad m’g˙andniex korrispondenti daqshekk ˙erqana fil-pajjiΩi kollha li semmejna. Dawk fl-Awstralja mod ie˙or. Minbarra l-attivitajeit f’g˙add ta’ stati matul issena, l-aktar li jispikkaw huma t-tradizzjonijiet marbuta mal-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsa fejn kollha jfakkru l-istess ©rajja, ilMewt u l-Qawmien ta’ Ìesu` Kristu. Dejjem bil-g˙ajnuna tal-korrispondenti tag˙na, fl-erba’ pa©ni li ©ejjin, qed inwasslu dak li se˙˙ f’Ωew© stati ewlenin matul il-jiem tal-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsa fejn tispikka l-purçissjoni tal-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira.

Il-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsa f’Mebourne PaulVella

F

'Melbourne il-festi talÌimg˙a Mqaddsa ji©u ççelebrati fil-parroççi tas-subborgi u l-ibliet kollha. Attendejt g˙al g˙ad minnhom fid-diversi jiem.

F’Óamis ix-Xirka konna fil-knisja ta' San ÌuΩepp Óaddiem f’North Reservoir immexxija mill-kappillan il-Kanonku Fr. Manny Bonello mix-Xag˙ra, G˙awdex. Kienet imballata bil-parruççani g˙al dan iljum speçjali.

B˙alma jsir f'postijiet o˙ra matul il-quddiesa, sar il˙asil tar-ri©lejn li jissimbolizzaw lill-Appostli. Diddarba kien hemm kemm ir©iel u wkoll nisa, kif ukoll tfal bniet u subien jag˙mluha ta' Appostli. Kif intemmet iç-çerimonja s-Sagrament ©ie me˙ud f'Kappella ta' ripost fejn Fr Manny ˙ejja is-Sepulkru, li g˙alkemm mhux kbir kif imdorrijin f’Malta u G˙awdex, imma xorta wa˙da g˙in biex tinΩamm it-tradizzjoni.

Nhar Ìimg˙a l-Kbira attendejna fil-Kappella ta' San Pawl ˙dejn iç-Çentru Malti ta' Parkville. Hawn ukoll kien hemm g˙add sabi˙ ta’ parteçipanti. Ilprim çelebrant kien Fr Lonnie Borg, mssp, b’Fr Edwin Agius u Fr Ivano Burdian,

ukoll it-tnejn tas-Soçjeta` Missjunarja ta' San Pawl kienu l-ko-çelebranti. Lomelija saret minn Fr. Lonnie il-qari sar minn Gejtu Deguara u Paul Borg, u lpassju minn Fr Edwin Agius, Fr Lonnie Borg u Paul Vella. Wara saret lAdorazzjoni tas-Salib.

Fl-istess jum, ©iet organizzata wkoll il-purçissjoni mil-Bacchus Marsh Good Friday Association (ara pa©na 7).

Funzjoni o˙ra li attendejna flimkien ma’ o˙rajn, kienet is-Sahra fil-Lejl Qaddis tal-Qawmien millmewt ta’ Ìesu` g˙al darb’o˙ra fil-kappella ta' San Pawl. Tul il-quddiesa minbarra l-litur©ija tassotu saret ukoll il-funzjoni

tradizzjonali tal-hekk mag˙rufa b˙ala lMixeg˙la tad-Dawl. Issaçerdoti Fr Edwn Agius, Fr Lonnie Borg u Fr Ivano Burdian re©g˙u mexxew il-funzjoni.

Iç-cerimanja bdiet bittberik tan-nar barra l-kappella u ©ie mixg˙ul il-blandun filwaqt li wara, fil-kappella sari l-qari minn Giorgina Scillio, Marcelle Bonavia, Gejtu Deguara, Joe Stafrace u Paul Vella, b’Fr. Agius jie˙u ˙sieb l-omelija.

Wara l-Glorja nkixfu linkwadri u aktar tard saret il-litur©ija tal-mag˙mudija u fl-a˙˙ar l-Ewkaristija.

Fit-tmiem dawk li attendew il-funzjoni ltaqg˙u filfoyer biex jittrejqu b’xi

Is-saçerdoti fil-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsa waqt id-diversi sezzjonijiet tal-funzjonijiet filkappella ta’ San Pawl f’Parkville

kikkra te` jew kafe` u jduqu l-˙elu ©abu mag˙hom dawk li attendew g˙all-funzjoni.

Fl-a˙˙arnett ta’ min jag˙ti ˙ajr lis-saçerdoti li ˙adu sehem u lil Alfred Asciak li jΩejjen il-Kappella g˙all-okkaΩjoni.

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Il-purçissjoni tal-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira fil-Bacchus Marsh I

l-Bacchus Marsh Good Friday Association (qabel mag˙rufa b˙ala s-St Albans Good Friday Association) iççelebrat il-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira, festa ferm g˙aΩiΩa g˙all-Maltin, quddiem folla mdaqqsa ta’ devoti, kemm Maltin u wkoll ta’ nazzjonijiet o˙ra, fosthom Filippini, Taljani, Indjani u VietnamiΩi, fis-Santwarju talMadonna ta' Pinu All Nations Marian Centre.

Din kienet it-33 sena li tal-okkaΩjoni f’Victoria fejn din id-darba illitur©ija tmexxiet mill-Isqof AwΩiljarju ta’ Melbourne, Mark Edwards, flimkien ma’ Fr Karm Borg u Mons.

Benedict Camilleri. Kien ta’ sodisfazzjon li wie˙ed seta’ wkoll jara g˙add ta’ Ωg˙aΩag˙ Maltin u Indjani.

Il-qofol tal-okkaΩjoni, il-purçissjoni, kienet bdiet fl-1984. Dakinhar bdejna biss bi nkwadru tal-Madonna.

Issa g˙andna 10 vari li ˙afna ©ew minn Malta ma˙dumin minn Michael Camilleri u Sandro Debono Sar ˙afna xog˙ol biex inbnew ilfondi mi©bura minn xi g˙aqdiet, fosthom ir-Reskeon Maltese Association, il-Lalor Maltese Association, lg˙aqdiet ta' Santa Marija, San Ìwann, San Bastjan, Santa Margerita u rappreΩentanti talg˙aqdiet ta' San Ìor© u Sant Andrija,

u g˙add ta’ individwi L-organizzazzjoni, li g˙al dawn l-ah˙ar 26 sena ©iet immexxija minn Lewis Stafrace bniet store ta’ 260 metru kwadru fejn qed jintrefg˙u l-vavari, il-˙wejje© u t-tag˙mir li mbag˙ad jintrama g˙all-okkaΩjoni li g˙aliha kull sena ji©u apposta nies minn Sydney, Adelaide, Country Victoria u re©juni o˙ra.

Is-St Albans Good Friday Association kienet ing˙atat Ωew© unuri, wie˙ed mill- Brimbank City Council g˙al "The Best Event of the Year", u l-Victorian Multicultural Commission bil-"Victoria's Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs".

- PaulVella

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017 These two photos courtesy of Patrick Bartolo

T

The Good Friday procession at Horsley Park NSW

his year’s Good Friday commemorations at Horsley Park NSW took place in beautiful sunny and clement weather, with around 4,000 people attending to witness the procession that made its way around the streets surrounding the Our Lady of Victories church.

The procession involves approximately 300 people dressed in costume, including children as young as four. It also included eight life-sized statues de- picting the Passion of Jesus Christ, most of which were made in Malta.

This is a long way from the first procession in 1987 when a few young men AntonieMangion dressed as R o m a n soldiers took part to accompany the first statue, that of Our Lady of Sorrows.

As always, the procession also included the involvement of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band and Maltese Cultural Association NSW Choir, and followed the tradition of Good Friday processions witnessed in Malta, Italy and Spain.

Thanks to the many people involved in preparing and participating, the procession this year was run successfully. One hopes that all can join us again next year for this solemn and important religious and cultural occasion.

On these two pages photographers Brian Decelis and Patrick Bartolo visually illustrate the occasion.

Photos of kids during the procession (above and right) and those on opposite page by Brian Decelis

Maltese continue Good Friday tradition in Australia

Photos of kids during the procession (above and right) and those on opposite page by Brian Decelis

Tuesday April 25, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Photos of the Horsley Park Good Friday procession on this page are courtesy of Brain Decelis

The Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band (above) and the Maltese Cultural Association NSW Choir (right) under the direction of Marisa Previtera also took part in the procession

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

Invitation to visit Malta Sandra Borg from St Albans, Victoria writes:

The Voice of the Maltese ffo orrttn niig gh httllyy m ma ag ga azziin ne e

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

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

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

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

s a reward for graduating with flying coA lours, and just before starting on a new full time job, I had promised my daughter a trip to Malta this summer. It was my intention to travel with her. But something has come up and I won’t be able to make it.

However, a promise is a promise and my daughter keeps reminding me that she is still keen to make the long journey to visit the island and to attend the much-publicised Isle

Ara fiex wasalna: - nikkupjaw lil Donald Trump Tony Seguna minn Newbridge NSW jikteb:

T

iskanta, l-ewwel ˙afna kritika ˙arxa kontra Donald Trump mill-mexxejja Awstraljani, imbag˙ad dan l-a˙˙ar mhux talli din il-kritika waqfet iΩda qed jikkupjaw dawk id-deçiΩjonijiet “popolari” li Trump qed jimplimenta biex juri kemm hu bravu u ta’ sa˙˙a.

Il-Gvern ta’ Turnbull f’daqqa wa˙da qalilna li jrid ine˙˙i l-visa tal-457 u jag˙milha iktar ˙arxa. Trump ig˙ajjat America first u Turnbull sar l-eku tieg˙u.

Qalilna wkoll li se jag˙milha iktar diffiçli biex issir çittadin Awstraljan. Waqt li naqbel li jrid ikun hemm Ωmien sostanzjali sakemm tista’ tapplika, iΩda hija redikola li tistaqsi lill-applikant mistoqsijiet stupidi biex taparsi tkun taf x’ rabta g˙andu mal-Awstralja.

Huwa mportanti f’dan il-pajjiΩ li tkun taf bl-IngliΩ imma meta l-Awstralja taççetta nies tas-seng˙a li g˙andha bzonn allura trid tipprovdilhom façilitajiet a˙jar fejn jitg˙allmu l-IngliΩ.

of MTV concert during the Malta Music Week in June.

My kid is quite a responsible and independent individual and I am sure she would be able to look after herself, however, I cannot but be concerned as this would be her first long-haul on her own. Therefore we have agreed on a compromise plan that would help ease my tension.

My 24-year-old daughter and myself have come up with this plan and we hope it could come into fruition.

We are inviting other girls of her own age or in the 22-30-year-old bracket who would be interested in making this trip to Malta with her and with everybody paying his way.

Preferably the girls (only) would be from the Victoria state area so that all could travel together.

The plan is for a stay of four weeks.

We have managed to get a guarantee from the Maltese owner of a block of two flats in the Qawra/Bugibba area that between them could accommodate eight people. The rates are quite reasonable.

A friend of my daughter’s has already agreed to make the trip so she now needs six more to accompany her and stay at the same residence. Anybody interested or seeking more information should get in touch with my daughter by email before the end of May, at: sabrinaB@post.com.

Disgwid u nkwiet?

G. Abela minn Blacktown NSW, jikteb:

iskanta, kif min Ωmien g˙al Ωmien T ikollna min donnu jie˙u pjaçir, anzi jipprova jxewwex minn ta˙t biex fost il-komunita` Maltija jkun hemm disgwid u ta˙wid.

G˙andna xi kapijiet li min˙abba nuqqasijiet li g˙andhom b˙ala mexxejja ji©u manipulati u ming˙ajr ma jkunu jafu jkunu qed iservu ta krozza g˙al dawk li g˙andhom a©enda dubjuΩa. Sfortunatament ming˙ajr ma jag˙mlu l-ist˙arri© me˙tie©, dawk fil-˙akma f’Malta donnhom jibilg˙u kull ma jg˙idulhom.

Qeg˙din ipin©u lill-komunita` Maltija flAwstralja kif jaqbel lilhom. Fl-Awstralja g˙adna komunita` mibnija fuq strutturi storiçi u qawwija.

B˙ala eΩempju nsemmi l-partecipazzjoni taΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙, dawk li huma l-fatti u dak li sfaççatament jimmanipulaw dawn il-fatti biex jidhru u jifta˙ru. B˙ala eΩempju çar nista’ nsemmi l-a˙˙ar Konvenzjoni li saret Malta sentejn ilu.

Nistaqsi, fejn huma Ω-Ωg˙aΩag˙ li niΩlu Malta dakinhar? X’sar minnhom?

X’diΩappunt!

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday April 25, 2017

THREE ANZACS FROM MALTA, a true story of friendship, love, and loss

T

he book ‘Three Anzacs from Malta, a true story of friendship, love, and loss’ recounts the journey of Charles Bonavia, Waldemar Beck and Anthony Xuereb, three young Maltese men, who leave their small island for Australia, hoping for a better future

Three friends...Big dreams.....

One war that shook their world on the other side of the world. They soon settle in their adopted home, securing good jobs, forging new friendships, and finding love.

But their carefree days are not to last as the sombre clouds of a global war darken their world. The three of them would be thrust in one of the deadliest conflicts humankind had ever seen, which would destroy a whole generation of youth.

From the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta to the vast Australian continent, to the unforgiving slopes of Gallipoli, and all the way to the muddy trenches in Flanders, this historical biography follows these young men as they carve out their destinies.

It is a timeless story about migration, the heartache of separated families, war and loss, out of which no one emerges unscathed.

But it is mainly a

Austalian-Maltese impressed with visit to President MLCP uring a visit Mr. Paul Zammit, a former Liberal NSW State and Federal D politician and his wife Rita made earlier

this month in Malta, they were invited to a private audience with H.E Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the President of Malta at San Anton Palace and later also attended a reception at San Anton in honour of the newly-accredited Ambassadors/High Commissioners to Malta.

Talking to The Voice of the Maltese about his meeting with the President, Mr. Zammit said she was “very hospitable and welcoming”. He described her as “an impressive person held in high respect by everyone”.

Right: Mr Paul Zammit with his wife Rita (left) and President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at San Anton Palace

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

G

ioconda S. Schembri née Mifsud (on right) was born in Malta.

After graduating as a Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta, she joined the public service and for three years she served at the Malta High Commission in Canberra as First Secretary, and also as Acting High Commissioner for several months.

Gioconda migrated to Australia in 2002, where she has worked with the Maltese Community Council of Victoria, the Australian public service, the Consulate of Malta and as a freelance translator of the Maltese language.

Her interests are varied and include history, the theatre, music, literature, international politics, travel and craft.

She lives in Melbourne with her husband Darren and son Thomas. tribute to the tenacity of the human spirit, even in the face of enormous adversity, and a celebration of the virtues that transcend borders and time: courage, friendship and love.

The book includes photographs, extracts from a war diary and original letters.

Genre: non fiction

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Perspettiva Il-projbizzjoni tal-burqa A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: https://ivancauchi. blogspot.com

kitba ta’

IVAN CAUCHI

F

l-a˙˙ar ta' Marzu 2017 sar kungress talPartiti Popolari Ewropew (EPP) f'Malta.

Dan il-grupp politiku ji©bor fih diversi partiti Ewropej ta' tendenza çentru-lemin u/jew nisel Kristjan-Demokratiku, inkluΩ il-Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) Malti.

Dan il-kungress approva riΩoluzzjoni msej˙a 'Lejn soçjetà ta' koeΩjoni: l-opponiment tal-estremiΩmu Islamiku' li kien fih diversi punti li jien naqbel mag˙hom.

Madankollu, kien hemm wa˙da li tipproponi projbizzjoni tal-velijiet tal-wiçç (identifikati b˙ala l-burqa u n-niqab) f'postijiet pubbliçi, kemm g˙al ra©unijiet ta' sigurtà kif ukoll min˙abba li wie˙ed jara l-wiçç huwa meqjus (skont l-EPP) parti integrali mill-interazzjoni umana fl-Ewropa.1 Biex inkun Ωgur li qed niftiehmu, il-burqa hija velu li tg˙atti l-wiçç s˙i˙ filwaqt li n-niqab huwa velu li jkollu fet˙a li t˙alli 'l-g˙ajnejn jidhru. Ittnejn huma komuni fil-kultura ta' pajjiΩi fejn ilreli©jon ewlenija hija l-Islam.

Ma naqasx li jesprimi l-approvazzjoni g˙al din il-miΩura l-kap tal-PN, Simon Busuttil, g˙alkemm kurjuΩa li ©ie rrappurtat minn NET News, ma˙ru©a mill-ferg˙a ta' komunikazzjoni tal-PN, li huwa jaqbel mal-poΩizzjoni tal-EPP kontra l-burqa, imma ma ssemmiex in-niqab.2 Iktar stramba milli kurjuΩa din l-istqarrija, meta wie˙ed jiftakar l-isforz tas-Sur Busuttil sentejn ilu biex jistqarr li l-PN mhux klabb g˙all-Insara imma miftu˙ g˙al nies ta’ reli©jonijiet o˙ra (aqra l-Musulmani).

Issa naraw jekk Joseph Muscat, Prim Ministru u kap tal-Partit Laburista, hux makakk biΩΩejjed biex jie˙u l-poΩizzjoni moralment g˙olja, anke jekk forsi mhux popolari, li jwieg˙ed lil l-PL m’g˙andu l-ebda intenzjoni li jipprojbixxi l-burqa u n-niqab..

Jien ng˙id g˙alija huwa biss kemm ilni l-Awstralja li bdejt niltaqa' regolarment ma' nisa lebsin il-burqa jew in-niqab. Peress li f'dan il-pajjiΩ huma f'minoranza Ωg˙ira, dejjem jispikkaw u ji©bdu l-g˙ajn, u forsi din hija l-problema l-kbira tag˙hom, çioe li jattiraw l-attenzjoni g˙al kultura u tradizzjoni li hija relattivament ©dida u impurtata g˙al dan il-pajjiΩ, kif ukoll g˙all-pajjiΩi Ewropej li qed jikkunsidraw din il-˙a©a.

L-argument li l-burqa u/jew in-niqab jirrappreΩentaw theddida g˙as-sigurtà ma jikkonvinçini xejn. Kif jistg˙u ˙wejje© ikunu ta' theddida? Dan it-tip ta’ ˙wejje© partikulari mallewwel jassoçjaw lill-persuni li qed jilbsuhom mal-Islam, li g˙al ˙afna nies huwa direttament assoçjat mat-terroriΩmu, u minn hawn ©ejja l-pressjoni kontra l-burqa u n-niqab.

It-terroriΩmu m'g˙andux bΩonn dan il-˙wejje© biex jag˙mel ixxog˙ol ta' ˙niΩrija tieg˙u. Veru li kien hemm kaΩijiet fejn ilburqa ntuΩat b˙al travestiment, imma kien hemm bil-wisq aktar fejn ma kellha x'taqsam xejn.

G˙al ˙afna nies, li tg˙addi li©i b˙al din kontra l-ilbies tal-burqa u n-niqab tirrappreΩenta reb˙a Ωg˙ira, imma simbolika u viΩibbli ˙afna, kontra din ir-reli©jon ©dida, mhux mifhuma, imma mistmerra u anke mibg˙uda.

Hija reb˙a kontra l-immigranti, ir-rifu©jati, dawk li qed ji©u jaqbΩu l-kjuwijiet, ipappuha minn fuq daharna, je˙dulna x-xog˙ol u l-proprjetà, imbag˙ad biex tag˙qad jo˙or©u s-sikkina g˙alina jew i˙ebbu g˙al xi povru fit-triq. Il-burqa u n-niqab jirrappreΩentaw lit-terroristi, fl-g˙ajnejn ta' ˙afna nies. Óa©a tal-g˙a©eb kif mexxejja ta' dawn il-partiti fl-Ewropa u

madwar id-dinja jaslu biex jissottoskrivu din in-narrattiva, jifformalizzaw din l-assoçjazzjoni bejn att innokwu (l-ilbies) mat-terroriΩmu (msejja˙ theddida g˙as-sigurtà), u jsiru parteçipi flikkalunjar ta' reli©jon s˙i˙a ta' iktar minn biljun ru˙ madwar iddinja. Kont nistenna a˙jar minnhom.

Jien g˙alija g˙alxejn li l-istess mexxejja jippruvaw jg˙idu flistess nifs kemm l-Islam mhuwiex l-g˙adu, u li l-Musulmani huma di©à parti integrali mis-soçjetà tag˙na. G˙alfejn g˙andna ninda˙lu kif nies g˙andhom jilbsu biex ikunu aççettati fil-pubbliku?

Jekk li wie˙ed jara l-wiçç ta' dak li jkun huwa tant importanti fis-soçjetà tal-Punent, g˙aliex ma no©©ezzjonawx g˙all-Father Christmas apparti g˙an-niqab? Mhux ukoll l-g˙ajnejn biss ikunu jidhru waqt li qieg˙ed idoqq il-qanpiena u jg˙ajjat “˙o ˙o ˙o”?

Kieku dawn il-mexxejja pproponew li jkun mandatorju li dik li tilbes il-burqa jew n-niqab tkun obbligata li turi wiççha jekk jin˙ass il-bΩonn minn membri tal-forzi tal-ordni fil-pajjiΩ, jew fejn ikun hemm bΩonn tidentifika ru˙ha biex ting˙ata servizz personali, hemmhekk naqbel mag˙ha.

Kieku dawn il-mexxejja pproponew li jkun kontra l-li©i g˙al min i©ieg˙el lil xi mara tilbes kwalunkwe lbies kontra r-rieda tag˙ha, ukoll kont naqbel mal-proposta.

Imma fil-fatt, jien wisq nibΩa’ li din l-attitudni mhi xejn ˙lief daqqa simbolika kontra l-Islam, biex jintg˙o©bu man-numru li jidher li qed jikber madwar id-dinja ta' intolleranza lejn din irreli©jon, ˙alli t-tendenza tal-voti li jmorru g˙all-partiti tal-lemin estrem titnaqqas.

Fejn marru l-prinçipji tat-tolleranza u l-libertà tal-individwi? Se nibdew nippreskrivu l-gwardarobba tan-nies issa?

“Huma jittolleraw l-uΩanzi tag˙na f'pajjiΩhom?”, ©ieli smajthom jg˙idu d-difensuri tal-Insara. “Mela ma nittollerawx lilhom lanqas”, ikomplu bil-psewdo lo©ika.

Jekk a˙na a˙jar minnhom, se nibdew na©ixxu b˙alhom? U jekk na©ixxu b˙alhom, nibqg˙u a˙jar minnhom?

Referenzi 1. http://malta2017.epp.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1-EPP-Resolution5938.pdf, retrieved 18/4/2017 2. http://netnews.com.mt/2017/04/16/il-kap-tal-partit-nazzjonalista-simon-busuttilfavur-il-projbizzjoni-ta-nies-bwicchom-mghotti-fil-pubbliku/, retrieved 18/4/2017

Tuesday April 25, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Maltese a most popular dog T

hey are small and sweet; it’s no wonder the Maltese is the most popular dog breed across the Parramatta and Cumberland NSW council areas. The Age newspaper also reports that a huge data crunching exercise undertaken by Fairfax Media officially concluded: the Maltese cross is officially Melbourne's top dog.

Dog registrations in the two zones have hit a high of 53,630, with the Maltese and Maltese cross the top registered breeds in both regions with 5857 dogs.

Dog registration figures obtained by Fairfax Media from councils around Melbourne revealed that the Maltese cross is the undisputed top dog, ranking as the most popular breed in 83 suburbs.

Maltese owner and breeder Mary Atkinson, of Rosehill, was not surprised by the high demand.

“Maltese love to be with, and be part of, your family,” Ms Atkinson said. “Maltese are the best pet for retirees.

They’re sweet-natured and they’re happy to be a part of your extended family, wheth-

er touring the countryside or just on the lounge.”

Michele Welton, a dog obedience instructor, canine behavioural consultant, dog breed consultant, and published author of more than a dozen books about dogs and other animals says that the Maltese is one of the brightest and gentlest of the toys. “It is exceedingly playful and enjoys clever games of dexterity such as ‘pull the hidden toy from under the cabinet with your paw’."

She explains that what she describes as “a curious, quick-moving sprite” doesn't need much outdoor exercise, but he does enjoy dashing around the (fenced!) yard and accompanying you for walks.

Michele goes on to say that larger dogs may view this dog as a delicacy, so a Maltese must always be leashed or fenced for his own protection. Fences should be triple-checked for slight gaps through which he might wriggle.

Maltese are generally peaceful with the world, though some lines (and individuals) are more confident and outgoing, and some are more standoffish or cautious.

Training and socialisation also play key roles in how a Maltese turns out. “If you treat him like a helpless baby or spoil/indulge him, he is likely to end up over-dependent, insecure, or bratty and yappy. You should require him to show the same good manners as you would expect from a larger dog, and this is easily accomplished because Maltese respond very well to respect training.”

The dog is very sensitive and responsive to non-forceful training, and many Maltese excel in competitive obedience and agility.

However, they are notoriously difficult to housebreak. Excessive barking may also need to be controlled, she says.

Many dog lovers say that the Maltese dog’s small size makes them ideal for living in apartments or places with limited yard space.

The Maltese is probably most easily identified by its eyes, which often gives it a sweet, innocent look.

There are an estimated 4.2 million pet dogs in Australia; 19 dogs for every 100 people.

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta

PM, Opposition Leader go head-to-head on PN, DCG allegations about Egrant

M

altese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has called for an investigation into allegations by controversial blogger by the name of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the Nationalist Party, that his wife is the holder of a share in the company Egrant Inc. that was mentioned in the Panama Papers, and that through Pilatus Bank it has received $1 million from the daughter of Azerbaijan’s President through a company set up by Mossack Fonseca, the law firm at the heart of the Panama Papers scandal.

Describing the allegation as “an outright lie,” and “the greatest lie in Malta’s political history.” Muscat categorically denied he, his wife or any member of his family had, or has, any type of undeclared account or company in Malta or overseas.

He also said that he and his wife had instituted legal action against Caruana Galizia.

The bank has also denied that the Muscats are or have ever been their clients.

At the same time Muscat invited the NP leader Simon Busuttil to a TV debate on state television during a special edition of ‘Xarabank’ that in fact took place on Friday evening and challenged him to present documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The two politicians went head-to-head in a two-hour heated debate during which the presenter and the Prime Minister put Busuttil under pressure to bring forward any evidence he had. No tangible evidence was forthcoming, and in fact Busuttil kept repeating that the onus of bringing the proof of what he was alleging was not his, adding that the only evidence needed was the body language of the Prime Minister.

The NP media and DCG also alleged that one of the chairmen of Pilatus Bank, who they said orchestrated the transactions involving Muscat’s wife, was filmed leaving the bank through an emergency exit carrying suitcases with documents before the appointed magistrate could investigate.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja in charge of the inquiry, together with a number of police officials, on Friday morning were at the offices of Pilatus Bank plc at Whitehall Mansions in Gzira.

Towards the end of the debate, one could have thought that Busuttil would deliver his bombshell and present any evidence he had incriminating Muscat’s family.

Instead, it was the Prime Minister who presented him with documents that proved that the company mentioned could not have been his wife’s, otherwise it would have been mentioned in the Panama Papers’ revelations. He also pointed out another efficiency that is, that DCG’s allegations first indicated that in 2013

Who to believe?

Egrand was sold to Nexia BT and then she said that the same owners who set it up sold it to his wife in 2015.

Other indications pointed to two other companies mentioned in the Panama Papers and belonging to Minister Konrad Mizzi and the PM’s Chief of staff Keith Schembri, Hearnville Inc and Tillgate Inc, were also the recipients of a transaction from Azerbaijan through Pilatus Bank.

Both Mizzi and Schembri and the bank itself denied the allegations.

Believing DCG’s allegations to be true, NP leader Simon Busuttil has been calling for Muscat’s resignation, and called a demonstration in protest for Sunday against what he described as “the most

PN Leader Simon Busuttil

corrupt government in Malta’s history”.

Durign the demonstration he repeated the same allegations and even appealed to the President to dismiss the Prime Minister DCG also alleged that Pilatus Bank have

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat been used for the transactions of large sums of money from the Azerbaijani first family of the Aliyevs, to Michelle Muscat; as well as to finance a loan of some $400,000 to Muscat’s business partner in New York, a costume jewellery designer.

The saga continued on Saturday morning when Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle gave their testimony to a magisterial inquiry into the allegations. Afterwards the PM told reporters that he and his wife had given their testimony to clear their name “from the dirt” tdirected towards them.

“We answered all questions truthfully and we hope that the court’s work is finalised in the shortest time possible so that we can clear our name.”

The PM's chief of staff and owner of the company Tillgate Inc, and Konrad Mizzi gave their testimony shortly after Muscat.

In the meantime, the opposition Nationalist Party, whose leader has called for Muscat’s resignation, is planning a major protest in the capital Valletta on Sunday.

“Allegations evidently meant to damage Pilatus Banks’ reputation”

P

ilatus Bank has described the recent reports and blogposts re its workings as “containing a number of unfounded and spurious allegations”, adding that the reports and subsequent video footage appearing on the PN TV station were evidently calculated to damage the Bank’s integrity, reputation and good name and that of its chairman personally.

It added in a statement, “Whilst it is the Bank’s policy not to engage in public debate on matters concerning the Bank’s business or to entertain provocations to make public statements or media releases, the Bank cannot allow its name and that of its chairman to be the object of allegations that damage their reputation, without responding in the interests of protecting their good name and reputation.”

The bank’s chairman, Seyed Ali Sadr Hasheminejad, said he would not make any comments about his bank’s clients; those they have and those they don’t have, adding that it is not his prerogative to confirm or deny anything.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta

New collective agreement raises salaries for civil servants by €17m ver 30,000 civil servants are to ben- cial partners and permanent secretaries O efit from an eight-year collective present for the signing of the agreement agreement, for civil servants that will that the government wants to establish itraise salaries by €17 million annually going up to €20.5 million by 2024. It is the biggest one ever signed in the public service and will also introduce key performance indicators for civil servants. It is the fifth such agreement since 1996.

The workers will benefit from an increase in salaries, including qualification allowances and changes to shift allowances, and for the first time, the principle of recognition will be introduced to resolve disputes that arise over workers’ representation.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told so-

self as a model employer. “This agreement is also about sending a message about the people’s quality of life and improvement in their rights.”

He added that if workers’ conditions don’t inspire confidence, Malta would never have an efficient public service.

Signatories to the agreement include the General Workers Union, the Malta Chamber of Psychologists, Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, the Malta Union of Teachers, the Medical Association of Malta, Union Haddiema Maghqudin and the Union of Engineers and Architects.

LNG replaces HFO at electricity plant s the Prime Minister announced on Sunday as he was winding up the Labour Party A General Conference, Monday proved to be what he described as “another historic day for the environment”. It was the last day in which heavy fuel oil was used to generate electricity. As of now, all the power station turbines in Malta, at the new plant are being powered by LNG and Malta will be one of the world’s foremost countries, particularly in the EU to produce electricity by this method.

The decision also means the dismantling of the power station chimney. Muscat said the gas pipeline would also become reality that would also lead to getting rid of the gas tanker currently providing the LNG to the power plant at Marsaxlokk.

Malta commits €251,862.16 to finance 12 projects in Africa, Asia and South America

R

enewing its commitment towards the implementation of development assistance through local Non-Governmental Development Organisations (NGDOs), in their efforts to reach vulnerable people across the world, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs held the annual presentation ceremony during which, 12 projects from different NGDOs were co-financed pursuant to the Official Develop-

ment Assistance (ODA) policy of the Government of Malta.

This year, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a total of €251,862.16 for projects in Africa, Asia and South America.

Addressing NGDOs, Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella (left), acknowledged their important role in providing assistance to different communities around the world, and to eradicate poverty.

He concluded that the successful completion of these development projects will have a positive impact on the lives of many communities around the world.

Cruise industry in first quarter of ‘17 well up on 2016

I

n the first three months of this year (January to March) there was a remarkable increase of Cruise passengers with figures showing that the amount of 85,215 is more than double compared to the first quarter last year. It shows an increase of 45,840 over the same period in 2016.

Strong growth was recorded by both EU (+32,079) and non-EU source markets (+13,761), with Italy registering the highest growth in volume with an additional 14,570 passengers, followed by France (+6,714), the United States (+4,354) and Germany (+3,532).

Furthermore, long haul countries like Australia, Canada and Japan, which only generated a few hundred passengers in 2016, this year, exceeded the one thousand-passenger figure.

Increases were registered across all the different age groups with the highest percentage increase recorded in the 40-59 year-old age group and the highest volume increase of 16,696 registered in 60-79 year-old age bracket.

In the first quarter of 2017, there were 17 more cruise liner calls than last year. Furthermore, the average number of passengers per vessel increased from 2,316 in 2016 to 2,506 in 2017.

This extraordinary growth is the result of the introduction of new vessels operating to Malta by various cruise companies.

Apart from the substantial economic benefits generated in the immediate term, the cruise industry offers a perfect showcase for Malta, as a tourism destination since passengers visiting Malta on cruise is potential tourists for the future.

Results also show that the cruise industry is increasingly attracting more passengers from long haul markets, which is considered as of huge benefit for Malta as it increases awareness and exposure for the destination in these far away countries.

Commenting about the results, MTA CEO Paul Bugeja said MTA welcomed these results with satisfaction, and firmly believed that by working hand in hand with the Ministry, Valletta Cruise port and industry stakeholders, results could even be bettered.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

L-Arçisqof mitlub jag˙mel apolo©ija N

a˙seb li sa ftit tas-snin ilu wie˙ed lanqas biss kien jg˙addilu minn rasu li jmeri dak li jg˙id l-Arçisqof, a˙seb u ara kemm kien se jasal biex jitlob g˙al apolo©ija min-na˙a tieg˙u. IΩda huwa propju dak li se˙˙ f’dawn l-a˙˙ar jiem meta professur tal-Universita` ta’ Malta talab g˙al apolo©ija ming˙and l-Arçisqof ta’ Malta wara li sostna li kien ©ie attakkat mill-istess Arçisqof.

Kollox beda meta wara nuqqas ta’ qbil dwar bdil fil-˙in ta’ dan il-programm, id-diri©enti tar-Radju RTK, mag˙ruf b˙ala r-radju talKnisja, waqqaf ˙esrem il-programm dwar lilsien Malti, Se˙er il-Malti, wara li kien ilu mxandar kull nhar ta’ Sibt g˙al 13 il-sena.

Dan il-programm kien immexxi mill-Professur Universitarju, Manuel Mifsud.

Dan wassal, biex waqt l-a˙˙ar programm ta’ din is-serje l-Professur ilmenta dwar din it-tne˙˙ija. L-ilment kiseb l-appo©© ta’ ˙afna semmieg˙a tal-programm.

Min-na˙a tieg˙u, waqt li kien qed jie˙u sehem fil-programm televiΩiv Dissett, g˙alkemm ma semmiex lill-Profs Mifsud b’ismu, l-Arçisqof, sostna li min kien imexxi dan il-programm, kien biddel la˙˙ar programm f’“gerger party”, u sostna li dan l-a©ir ma kienx wie˙ed denju ta' Professur tal-Università.

Ir-reazzjoni ta’ Mifsud g˙al li qal lArçisqof kienet wa˙da qawwija u f’ittra ppublikata f’xi ©urnali xela lill-Arçisqof “b’attakk personali,” u staqsieh: “B’liema arroganza u rresponsabilità tasal biex ixxerred din il-malafama fuqi, li ma tafnix, u takkuΩani bla provi bi m©ieba mhix denja ta’ professur universitarju u b’hekk

tag˙milli ˙sara professjonali? Jaqaw meta xi ˙add ma jaqbilx mieg˙ek, kull mezz u kull arma f’daqqa jsiru ©ustifikati?”

Mifsud issokta jg˙id li minkejja li huwa kien serva lill-istess radju talKnisja g˙al daqshekk snin, “luniku ringrazzjament li rçevejt L-Arçisqof Charles Scicluna Il-Professur Manwel Mifsud ming˙andek b˙ala impjegatur tieg˙i kien dan l-attakk vjolenti o˙rajn din tinkludi it-tifel tal-eks Ministru fuqi.”

Nazzjonalista Austin Gatt, Ìe©e Gatt u l-eks Insista mal-Arçisqof Scicluna li “ta’ din l- strate©ista tal-PN fl-elezzjoni tal-2008 im©ieba irresponsabbli u indenja qed nis- Lawrence Zammit. tenna... apolo©ija pubblika daqs l-offiΩa li Ma’ dawn fit-tmexxija hemm ukoll l-eks g˙amilli, g˙ax id-dinjità ta’ kul˙add hija mani©er tal-kampanja elettorali tal-PN u eks g˙aΩiΩa... jekk l-Arçisqof g˙andu dik l- CEO tal-PBS Anton Attard li, ftit wara li umiltà u l-onestà li dejjem jitkellem fuqhom ng˙ata l-˙atra da˙˙al lura fl-RTK lil eksm’g˙andux isibha diffiçli biex isewwi l- ©urnalista tar-radju tal-PN. Hemm ukoll ˙sara pubblika li g˙amel lili” Dun Joe Borg, li çerti Laburisti xejn ma Fl-ittra tieg˙u Mifsud qal illi d-direzzjoni j˙arsu sabi˙ lejh. “l-©dida tal-RTK b˙alissa hija ma˙kuma U biex, xi w˙ud ikollhom aktar x’jg˙idu, minn paniku kbir.” Hu jkompli jipponta dan l-a˙˙ar t˙abbar ukoll li l-Kap tal-A˙barsubg˙ajh lejn it-tibdiliet li qed isiru fil-midja ijiet tal-istess stazzjon, irreΩenja wara dak li tal-knisja u jg˙id li l-istess “paniku” huwa hu mifhum li kellu nuqqas ta’ qbil serju “riΩultat tal-istra©i li qed issir fih.” mad-direzzjoni li qabad l-istazzjon talHawn Profs Mifsud, li qag˙ad attent li ma Knisja Maltija. jda˙˙alx il-politika fl-ittra tieg˙u, mess butU meta dan kollu ji©ri waqt li de˙lin f’kamtuna ta˙raq fil-konfront tal-RTK. G˙ax fil- panja elettorali bilfors li jibdew isiru çertu fatt fil-jiem ta’ qabel kien hemm min di©a` allegazzjoni li xejn ma jag˙mlu ©id lil dan beda jag˙mel çerti nsinwazzjonijiet wara xi l-istazzjon li j©ib it-timbru ta’ Radju tal˙atriet li saru fid-direzzjoni tal-RTK. Fost l- Knisja.

an lD a ˙ Óajja ©dida g˙all-Belt Valletta ˙ar bdiet tisemma ˙afna l-fraΩi “fake news” u issa f’Malta kellna wkoll kaΩ ta’ l-Belt Valletta f’dawn l-a˙˙ar snin ing˙atat g˙add konsiderevoli ta’ klijenti. U r-ris“fake drugs”. ©dida. Dawk li g˙andhom çerta eta` toranti u postijiet ta’ xorb bdew jinfirxu ma’ I˙ajja Xi Ωg˙aΩag˙ li kienu qed jattendu party Ωgur jiftakru Ω-Ωmien meta l-kapitali Maltija triqat o˙ra tal-belt Valletta biex illum jekk

Fake Drugs

bl-isem Lost & Found fittxew id-dro©i u sabuhom g˙and tfajla Taljana, li sintendi t˙allset sew tal-pilloli li tathom.

IΩda l-effett li kellhom dawn id-drogi fuq min xtrahom u belag˙hom kienu totalment differenti mis-soltu.

Dan bir-ra©un g˙ax attwalment il-pilloli li kienu xtraw ma kienux droga, imma pilloli tal-awrina. Kienu pilloli li din it-tfajla kienet xrat. Quddiem il-Qorti, t-tfajla nstabet ˙atja ta' prattika ta' kura medika ming˙ajr il-kundizzjonijiet kollha neçessarji u li kienet qed tbieg˙ prodotti ming˙ajr liçenzja u awtorizzazzjoni.

Hija ng˙atat il-˙elsien mill-arrest bil-kundizzjoni li ma ter©ax twettaq att kriminali fi tliet snin u ©iet immultata €2,329, multa se tit˙allas bin-nifs, b’ €100 fix-xahar. ... U l-ftit qlieg˙ li kienet g˙amlet malajr tarilha mar-ri˙.

kienet tkun kollha ˙ajja mhux biss fil-˙in li jkunu miftu˙in il-˙wienet, l-aktar filg˙odu, iΩda wkoll meta tinΩel ix-xemx.

Dawn in-nies jiftakru li mijiet ta nies kien jag˙mlu sieg˙at s˙a˙ tilg˙in u niΩlin ma’ dik li kienet i©ib l-isem, u kif ˙afna g˙adhom isej˙ulha sal-lum, Strada Rjali. O˙rajn kienu jid˙lu g˙all-irdoss tan-numru mdaqqas ta’ cinemas li kien hemm fil-belt.

MaΩ-Ωmien il-˙ajja ta’ filg˙axija fit-triq ewlenija bdiet tonqos sew g˙ax l-aktar iΩΩg˙aΩag˙, bdew ifittxu postijiet b˙al Paceville u lokalitajiet o˙ra fejn bdew jift˙u d-diskoteki. Kien hemm Ωmien meta wie˙ed kien jistkerrah jekk jinqabad il-Belt tard bil-lejl IΩda f’dawn l-a˙˙ar snin l-istampa inbidlet.

Strada Stretta, li fiΩ-Ωmien, issa kemxejn imbieg˙ed, kienet mag˙rufha g˙at-tba˙rid talmembri tas-servizzi Nglizi, qed tinbidel f’Ωona ta’ ristoranti li bdew ji©bdu lejhom

wie˙ed jid˙ol fil-kapitali tag˙na wara nΩul ix-xemx jista’ josserva moviment s˙i˙ ta’ nies bir ristoranti u ˙wienet tax-xorb mimlijin nies.

U finomenu li qed jiΩvillupa propju b˙alissa fil-belt huwa dik tal-ftu˙ ta’ lukandi Ωg˙ar - boutique hotels – li qed jie˙du post binjiet antiki li kienu fi stat ˙aΩin, jew sa˙ansitra fi stat dilapidat.

Sintendi, l-awtoritajiet qeg˙din b’sebg˙a g˙ajnejn biex jiΩguraw li dan l-iΩvillup ma jaffettwax il-bini antik, l-aktar minn barra u allura jibqa’ jinΩamm l-istess ambjent arkitetoniku li sebba˙ it-triqat tal-kapitali Maltija g˙al mijiet ta’ snin.

B’kollox mistenni li sal-a˙˙ar ta’ din issena, fil-Belt se jkunu qed joperaw 21 minn dawn il-lukandi... u dawk il-lukandi li fet˙u s’issa lkoll marru tajjeb, g˙ax qed iknu mfittxija sewwa mit-turisti.

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Id-djar f’Malta P

Irba˙t?... a˙jar tiççekkja ull min jilg˙ab jixtieq jirba˙.... U wie˙ed jistenna li kull min jilg˙ab il-lottu, is-Super 5 eçç, ikun attent K biex meta jitilg˙u n-numri jmur ji©ri jiççekja l-biljett/bil-

roblema li qed tinkwieta lil ˙afna nies u anke lill-Gvern hija dik taddjar g˙al dawk li jixtiequ jiΩΩeww©u u familji o˙ra li l-mezzi finanzjarji tag˙hom huma limitati.

Fdawn l-a˙˙ar tliet Djar tipikament Maltin... problema? snin l-iΩvillup qawwi ekonomiku ta’ Malta wassal g˙al, kif semmejt kemm-il jikru.

Konxju minn dan, Il-Gvern ˙are© darba, l-impjieg ta’ g˙add ta’ barbi programm ta’ bini ta’ dak imseranin.

Wie˙ed mir-riΩultati ta’ dan kien jja˙ “social housing”. G˙alkemm li f’daqqa wa˙da l-prezz tal-bini mistennija jintefqu €50 miljun fuq g˙ola ˙afna u l-kirjiet g˙olew mas- dan il-housing, xorta dan mhux se smewwiet, mhux biss g˙ax ˙afna jkun jista’ jla˙˙aq mat-talbiet li mill-barranin g˙andhom pagi kbar g˙andu quddiemu l-Gvern.

G˙alhekk b˙alissa l-Gvern u allura jifil˙u j˙allsu, imma wkoll g˙ax dawk li ma jifil˙ux i˙allsu g˙addej b'diskussjonijiet “ma dindividwalment, jing˙aqdu flimkien versi banek” biex dawk in-nies li, u allura jkunu jistg˙u jikru appar- jifil˙u j˙allsu loan , iΩda ma g˙andhomx id-depoΩitu li jitolbu l-banek tamenti, eçç.

Sintendi dan wassal biex il-kirjiet (meta wie˙ed jissellef mill-Bank g˙olew mas-smewwiet u koppja ikun je˙tie© li jiddepoΩita’ somma Ωag˙Ωug˙a u dawk il-familji bi d˙ul ta’ flus) jing˙ataw l-g˙ajnuna biex baxx qed isibuha diffçli jixtru jew ikunu jistg˙u jag˙mlu dan.

Unjoni Çivili... wara tliet snin

liet snin ilu l-Parlament Malti T approva l-li©i taΩ-Ωwi©ijiet çivili li taw id-dritt lil persuni talistess sess li jing˙aqdu fiΩ-Ωwie© permezz tal-Unjoni Çivili.

G˙alkemm forsi kien hemm min ˙aseb li din il-li©i ftit se jkollha effett, il-fatti wrew xort’o˙ra. Infatti matul l-a˙˙ar tliet snin kien hemm 163 koppja li da˙lu f’unjoni çivili, b’16 minnhom li isiru barra minn Malta, kienu re©istrati f’pajjiΩna

u rikonoxxuti mill-Istat.

It-total jinkludi wkoll 22 Ωwie© bejn koppji tal-istess sess li wkoll saru barra minn Malta u li kienu rre©istrati f’pajjiΩna. Biex dawn iΩ-Ωwi©ijiet jkunu jistg˙u ji©u rre©istrati f’Malta, wa˙da jew wie˙ed mill-koppja riedet tkun ta’ çittadinanza Maltija.

Fil-perjodu msemmi kien hemm ukoll kaΩ wie˙ed ta’ addozzjoni ta’ tarbija minn koppja tal-istess sess.

jetti li jkollu biex jara reba˙x.

Imma jidher li attwalment mhux kul˙add jag˙mel hekk.

Qed nikteb hekk g˙ax dan l-a˙˙ar il-kumpanija Maltco, li tmexxi li log˙ob tal-lotterija, lottu, eçç, ˙ar©et tappella lillklijenti tag˙ha biex jiççekjaw l-biljetti tal-lotteriji varji li toffri. Dan wara li rriΩulta li hemm fond ta’ premji li jammontaw g˙al €22,837 li g˙ad ma ©ewx imsarrfa.

Il-Maltco appellat b’ur©enza g˙all-premji ta’Ωew© biljetti tas-Super 5 li telg˙et fit-22 ta’ Frar li g˙adda, li j©orru mag˙hom premju ta’ €6,418.52 kull biljett. Jidher li l-biljetti kienu nxtraw mill-Imsida u mill-Imqabba. Kellhom jibqg˙u validi sal-24 ta’ April.

Appellat ukoll g˙al rebbie˙ ta’ biljett tal-Quick Keno li telg˙et fit-2 ta’ Marzu, li kien xtrah mill-Imsida fejn irrebbie˙ g˙andu sat-2 ta’ Mejju biex isarrfu.

X’ji©ri jekk il-biljetti ma jissarrfux? Hawnhekk il-flus imorru fil-Fond tal-Lotterija Nazzjonali g˙al KawΩi Ìusti.

Dan il-fond huwa mag˙mul minn perçentwal tat-taxxi mi©bura minn fuq lotteriji u log˙ob ie˙or kif ukoll dawk il-flus li jintreb˙u u ma jin©abrux.

Il-fond huwa ma˙sub biex jg˙in pro©etti u inizjattivi ta' natura reli©juΩa, filantropika, kulturali, sportiva, edukattiva, soçjali jew çivika, jew b˙ala g˙ajnuna ta' kawΩi ©usti o˙ra, u f'dak l-ammont, b'dak il-mod u f'dak iΩ-Ωmien li jistg˙u jkunu determinati mill-Ministru minn Ωmien g˙al Ωmien wara konsultazzjoni mal-Bord Konsultattiv ma˙tur minnu g˙al dan l-iskop.

Il-fond ji©bor miljuni ta’ Ewro fis-sena li minnu, fost dawk li gawdew kien hemm il-Kumitat li waqqaf il-Monument tal-Anzacs fil-©nien tal-Argotti l-Furjana.

Il-Prim Ministru (lemin) jipprova jie˙u b’idejn ilKap tal-OppoΩizzjoni

Leo’s Vehicle Rentals Tassew inkwetanti

All vehicles in NRMA road Service

a rridx intawwal fuq il-politika. IΩda dak li qed ise˙˙ fix-xena M politika huwa tassew inkwetanti. Biex tag˙qad jidher li r-relazzjonijiet bejn il-Prim Ministru u l-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni xejn ma

Phone: 9622 2208 Mob: 0418 405 271 102 Kildare Rd Blacktown NSW 2148

huma tajbin.

NibΩa’ li jekk l-affarijiet se jkomplu jiskalaw il-kampanja elettorali, li jidher li di©a` d˙alna fiha, xejn mhu se tkun wa˙da serena u ta’ diskussjoni meqjusa, iΩda aktar wa˙da ta’ tg˙ajjir u allegazzjonijiet.

Tg˙id dan ir-ritratt me˙ud waqt iç-çerimonja tal-jum Nazzjonali tal31 ta’ Marzu jirrifletti l-istat li fih jinsabu r-relazzjonijiet bejn ilkapijiet tal-ikbar Ωew© partiti politiçi Maltin?

Guaranteed cheapest rates Low holding Deposit Discount for weekly rentals Shuttle service to the Airport

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

A quick glimpse at Australia

No free rein to First glimpse at racial vilification the 2016 census

T

he Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), Joe Caputo (right) said that the organisation had fought long and hard against the proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. “There was no way we were going to stand by and allow a free rein to racial vilification,” Mr Caputo said, “The Racial Discrimination Act, as it stands, provides protection for vulnerable communities against racial attacks while defending the right to freedom of speech.” Last week, FECCA and ethnic community leaders appeared before a Senate committee examining the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. “Changing 18C would have granted a licence to those working to undo Australia’s harmonious, tolerant and cohesive multicultural society. It would have sent a message that it is acceptable for one person to verbally attack another based on their race," Mr Caputo said.

He said that any Senate decision to streamline the processes for handling complaints of hate speech would have the support of FECCA. “We support efforts to empower the Australian Human Rights Committee to deal with complaints in a fair and efficient manner and to block unreasonable and vexatious claims,” he said.

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

FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to the government, business and the broader community.

T

he 2016 Census has delivered its first insight, revealing what characteristics make up the 'typical Australian'.

According to the ABS, the typical Australian is: 38 years old, female, born in Australia, of English ancestry, married, living in a couple family with two children in a house with three bedrooms and has two motor vehicles.

The description of the 'typical Australian' is based on the most common responses to last year’s Census.

The 2011 Census data showed the 'average Australian' was a 37year-old woman, living with her husband and two children in a three bedroom house in a suburb of one of Australia's capital cities.

In the 2016 Census the 'typical person' varies from state to state - the aver-

age Tasmanian is the oldest at 42 years, while the average person from the Northern Territory is the youngest at 34.

The ‘typical’ home in Tasmania and New South Wales is owned outright, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territory home is rented. In 2006, the ‘typical’ Australian home was owned outright.

The 'typical' migrant was from England, but the 'typical' migrants in each state come from a range of countries -the average in Queensland was born in New Zealand, in Victoria it's India-born, and in New South Wales it's China.

Certainty and predictability for workers rejected

full bench of the Fair Work CommisA sion rejected the submission, saying it could not "bind" future reviews of the minimum wage.

The union representing hospitality workers, United Voice (UV), the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the Australian Council of Social Service, ACSS) and the Australian Catholic Council for Employ-

ment Relations (ACCER) made submissions in favour of a medium-term target.

United Voice argued a medium-term target set at 60 per cent of median earnings in four years would provide "certainty and predictability for workers and employees".

ACTU president Ged Kearney said the rejection of the proposal was disappointing because the target may have provided a

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clear direction for the commission in coming years.

“Our workplace relations system is supposed to work to deliver fair decisions for working people. There is something broken when the system delivers a verdict that dismisses the concept of future-proofing wage rises for Australia's lowest paid workers.

“A four-year target would have seen weekly earnings rise to more than $860 by 2020 and helped close the gap on rising inequality in Australia.”

The Australian Industry Group welcomed the Fair Work Commission's rejection of the union proposal, saying it would be inconsistent with the Fair Work Act. The annual wage review decision is expected in early June. The new national minimum wage would take effect from July 1.

The Turnbull government has urged the Fair Work Commission to take a cautious approach to raising the minimum wage, warning an "excessive" pay rise may imperil job creation in a changing economy.

In its submission to the commission's annual wage review process, the government said increasing the minimum wage was "not an efficient way to address relative living standards or the needs of the low-paid".

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday April 25, 2017

A quick glimpse at Australia

How is life in Australia?

A

ustralia performs very well in many measures of well being relative to most other countries in the 2017 OECD Better Life Index. Australia ranks at the top in civic engagement and above the average in income and wealth, environmental quality, health status, housing, jobs and earnings, education and skills, subjective well-being, and social connections.

Money, while it cannot buy happiness, is an important means to achieving higher living standards.

In Australia, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is USD 33 138 a year, more than the OECD average Liberal MP has called on Tony Abof USD 29 016 a year. bott to quit Parliament, labelling the But there is a considerable gap between the former prime minister a "wrecker" richest and poorest – the top 20% of the popwho is trashing his own legacy and sacriulation earn more than five times as much ficing the national interest to wage "jihad" as the bottom 20%. against Malcolm Turnbull.

In terms of employment, around 72% of Queensland MP Warren Entsch said Mr people aged 15 to 64 in Australia have a Abbott's “nonsense” was driving voters into paid job, above the OECD employment av- the arms of minor parties and independents, erage of 66%. Some 77% of men are in paid and likened his actions to Kevin Rudd's rework, compared with 66% of women. lentless campaign of vengeance against In Australia, 13% of employees work very Julia Gillard. long hours, in line with the OECD average, Mr Abbott should honour his promise of with 20% of men working very long hours “no wrecking, no sniping and no undermincompared with just 6% of women. ing” Mr Entsch told Fairfax Media. “He Good education and skills are important made it quite clear when he left office that requisites for finding a job. he would not be a Kevin Rudd, that he In Australia, 77% of adults aged 25-64 would not provide a running commentary, have completed upper secondary education, he would positively contribute. He was very close to the OECD average of 76%. This is specific when he said that – and most of us truer of men than women, as 79% of men believed him. have successfully completed high school “Now for him to have what appears to be compared with 76% of women. a vendetta against Malcolm Turnbull, you In terms of the quality of its educational have got to ask the question: where is the system, the average student scored 512 in national interest in all this? reading literacy, maths and science in the Alan Jones, the undisputed king of Sydney OECD's Programme for International Stu- talkback radio, has long been associated dent Assessment (PISA).

This score is higher than the OECD average of 497. On average in Australia, girls outperformed boys by 5 points, slightly below the average OECD gap of 8 points. In general, Australians are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average.

When asked to rate their general satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 to 10, Australians gave it a 7.3 grade, higher than the OECD average of 6.5.

Australia has a population of 23.1 million and 6.1 million visitors a year. *Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development is an organisation of 35 countries, founded in 1960. Most OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index and are regarded as developed countries.

Warren Entsch (left) with Prim Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Tony Abbott a “wrecker”

A

with the Liberals and Nationals. He is one of the Coalition's highest-profile media backers, says the Turnbull government is failing to learn from its mistakes and could benefit from an electoral thrashing.

“I tell you what. These people just deserve to be smashed in an election to make them wake up,” the conservative 2GB pundit declared during his show, which reigns supreme in its breakfast timeslot and is syndicated in NSW and Queensland.

The Turnbull government has moved to “populist” directions by announcing the abolition of the controversial 457 visa and the tough new regime on citizenship.

Regarding the visa changes the PM said, “We are putting jobs first. We are putting Australians first. We are an immigration nation, but the fact remains that Australian workers must have priority for Australian jobs”.

Re the citizenship changes, would be Australian will face tough new hurdles and have to wait more years before being eligible for citizenship. Both Pauline Hanson and Cory Bernardi claimed credit for the changes.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

L-orgni fil-knejjes Barokki hu ˙tie©a g˙ax iressqek ‘qrib il-bieb tal-©enna’ J

ekk hawn strument xieraq g˙all-knejjes huwa dak li bl-IngliΩ insej˙ulu ç-church organ. L-ebda strument ma jista’ jie˙u post dan l-istrument - l-orgni - li l-˙oss tieg˙u verament iΩejjen il-knejjes, l-aktar dawk li filma©©oranza tag˙hom huma antiki, barokki. Fil-fehma tieg˙i l-˙oss ta’ dan l-istrument iwasslek sal-bieb tal©enna.

Jiena u l-˙abib tieg˙i l-iskultur Anton Agius (Alla ja˙firlu) g˙amilna snin twal immorru l-Katidral tal-Imdina biex wara l-quddiesa tat-9 ta’ filg˙odu ta’ nhar ta’ Óadd, nisimg˙u lill-organista John Aquilina jdoqq xi g˙aΩla muΩikali li biha kien ifawwar il-katidral.

Kont nibki nara n-nies ˙ier©a wara l-quddiesa waqt dak il-˙oss tas-sema. Wara l-quddiesa ma konniex nibqg˙u aktar minn nofs tuΩΩana nisimg˙u lill-organista li verament kien ipaxxi l-qalb u l-widna.

Niftakarni sewwa li x˙in kien jispiçça, Anton u jiena konna nçapçpulu, bil-ftit li kienu jibqg˙u hemm i˙arsu lejna. L-ewwel darba sa l-organista nnifsu ttawwal minn wara l-altar biex jara min qed çapçap. Tbissem, imma wara drana.

Dan konna nag˙mluh biex nuru l-apprezzament tag˙na g˙ad-daqq u anke biex nag˙tu twe©iba u npattu g˙al dawk li jkunu telqu u tilfu dan id-daqq sabi˙.

Il-Quddiesa tal-Óadd Illum il-©urnata l-quddiesa tal-Óadd aktarx li nismag˙ha fil-Knisja tal-Madonna tal-G˙ar, ir-Rabat, mag˙rufa aktar b˙ala Knisja San Duminku. Nitfawwar x˙in l-organista waqt il-quddiesa jkun Patri Christopher Caruana O.P. Tassew ipaxxini u jispirani biex nisma’ lquddiesa ˙afna a˙jar. Anke n-nies preΩenti n˙osshom li aktar jikkontemplaw waqt li fil-knisja jkun g˙addej dak il-˙oss sottili u sabi˙ tal-orgni. Dan il-˙oss jag˙mel ilknisja aktar rappreΩentattiva b˙ala d-Dar t’Alla.

Imbag˙ad jaqbadni swied ta’ qalb x˙in nara Ωg˙aΩag˙ de˙lin fil-knejjes antiki tag˙na, bil-kitarra marbuta wara darhom, u addijo l-orgni li jkun hemm biswit tag˙hom. Il-˙oss tal-kitarri fil-knejjes tag˙na ma jag˙mel l-ebda sens g˙ax mhux ˙oss xieraq g˙all-knejjes antiki tag˙na.

Anke l-kant: donna nsejna dawk il-melodiji sbie˙ talinnijiet reli©juΩi ta’ ÌuΩeppi Caruana fuq versi ta’ Dun Karm. Intfajna wisq fuq repertorju ta’ kant barrani. Ma jag˙mel l-ebda sens li tg˙abbi b’kant barrani meta g˙andek tant innijiet sbie˙ Maltin u li tassew jg˙olluk fil-˙sieb lejn il-Mulej.

Jag˙mel sens li issa wkoll da˙let id-drawwa li jekk ikun L-orgni fil-knisja ta’ San Pawl Nafragu fil-belt Valletta

PeterPaulCiantar hemm xi organista, dan i©ib ta˙t abtu xi synthesizer personali tieg˙u (strument li mhux imfassal g˙al knejjes kbar b˙al tag˙na) u jdoqq lilu meta ˙dejh ikun hemm l-orgni tal-knisja li Ωgur huwa ˙afna aktar xieraq u jag˙mel aktar sens muΩikali? Tifhmuha din?

Illum ˙afna mill-knejjes tag˙na xtraw orgni tajjeb biex juΩaw lilu minflok jid˙lu fi spejjeΩ kbar biex jirran©aw lorgni antik tal-knejjes tag˙hom.

Il-knejjes antiki tag˙na, fil-ma©©oranza tag˙hom kollha g˙andhom orgnijiet tajbin u ta’ ditti mag˙rufin iΩda min˙abba n-nuqqas ta’ manutenzjoni dawn issa da˙lu fi sqaq li jfisser spejjeΩ kultant kbar biex tirran©ahom u ©©ibhom idoqqu sew.

Biex ner©a’ fuq il-kant. Li xi sopran titla’ fuq l-altar tkanta fil-quddiesa tal-Óadd ma jag˙mel l-ebda sens. Issa jekk hawn bniedem f’Malta li j˙obb l-il˙na liriçi hu jiena.

Il-kant tal-quddiesa qieg˙ed hemm biex jitkanta mill©emg˙a; u le˙en liriku qieg˙ed biex tie˙u pjaçir tisimg˙u u mhux biex jg˙inek tkanta mieg˙u waqt il-quddies.

L-istess diskors jing˙ad g˙al xi kantanta (jew kantant) mag˙rufa tal-kanzunetti le©©eri. Niddubita g˙al liema skop tkun qed tkanta jew ikanta … x’aktarx biex il-persuna tag˙mel pubbliçità lilha nfisha forsi jqabbduha tkanta fit-ti©ijiet u mhux biex tg˙in lill-fidili jkantaw waqt il-quddiesa.

Anke fejn g˙andhom x’jaqsmu l-funerali. Mort xi Ωew© funerali fil-knejjes tag˙na u nisma’ ˙oss qawwi ta’ dak imsejja˙ beat, b’kantant li j©ieg˙lek t˙ossok li qieg˙ed f’xi sala taΩ-Ωfin. L-anqas il-˙oss qawwi tag˙hom ma nkun nifla˙ nissaporti. Mhux qed nesa©era. Nit˙assar lill-konçelebrant li bl-ebda mod ma jkun jista’ jid˙ol f’riflessjoni tal-˙sieb tal-okkaΩjoni.

Allura a˙na ma nitg˙allmux? Possibbli li ˙add minna ma jara xi quddiesa li ssir mill-Italja fuq stazzjon televiΩiv il-Óadd filg˙odu? Jisma’ u jara dawk il-korijiet sbie˙ … korijiet b’kant sabi˙ li ©ieli jkunu akkumpanjati mhux biss b’orgni iΩda mag˙hom ukoll xi orkestrina … kollox preçiΩ u kollox joqg˙od g˙allokkaΩjoni.

Sabi˙ tattendi l-quddiesa tad-9.15 a.m. ta’ nhar ta’ Óadd, fil-Kon-Katidral ta’ San Ìwann. Kor tajjeb, organista tajjeb, kant tajjeb, quddiesa sabi˙a li tassew tag˙ti ©ie˙ lil-Mulej. Fil-knejjes talir˙ula tag˙na donnu li mtlejna b’daqq tal-kitarri. Hemm ukoll minn qed iΩid ukoll it-tnabar u strumenti o˙ra Afrikani. Mamma mia … u ˙add ma jitkellem!

Li g˙edt hija l-fehma tieg˙I u mhux qed ng˙id g˙all-knejjes kollha tal-ir˙ula Maltin, iΩda donnu li bil-mag˙mul, fejn inkun dejjem insib ma’ wiççi xi jkiddni u jtellifni s-serenità.

Tuesday April 25, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tag˙rif dwar il-kitba Maltija ktar regoli u tag˙rif uffiçjali dwar kif wie˙ed g˙andu jikteb il-Malti. Dan Askont kif ma˙ru© mill-Kummissjoni fi ˙dan l-Akkademja tal-Malti.

TISWIR IL-VERB (ikomli 3) G˙all-g˙amla tal-Passat jew Img˙oddi l-ittri t, et, na, tu, u f’tarf il-kelma. Ara: qasam: qsamt, qasmet, qsamna, qsamtu, qasmu.

22. L-Imperattiv jew dik is-sura tal-verb li tfisser kmand, titnissel mis-sura ewlenija ta’verb li hija t-tielet persuna, ©ens ra©el, g˙add farrad tal-Passsat jew Img˙oddi (Ara G˙add 2 – it-Tieni Taqsima) biΩ-Ωieda ta’ wa˙da millvokali fil-bidu tal-kelma.

IΩ-Ωieda ta’ din l-ittra fil-bidu tal-kelma aktarx twaqqa’ l-vokali tal-aççent fis-sura ewlenija (it-Tmienja u G˙oxrin Regola, l-Ewwel Taqsima). Ta˙t din ir-regola jsir l-Imperattiv.

(1) Tal-verbi s˙a˙. Ara: ˙átaf, résaq, mésa˙, xé˙et, xórob, sáma(g˙), qáta(g˙), forog˙ li jag˙mlu a˙taf, ersaq, imsa˙, ix˙et, ixrob, isma(g˙), aqta(g˙), ofrog˙, imqassrin minn á˙ataf, éresaq, ímisa˙, íxi˙et, íxorob u l-bqija.

Fuq dawn minn qag˙ad, mag˙ad, bag˙at, meg˙er, xeg˙el nag˙rfu wkoll niktbu oqg˙od, omg˙od, ibg˙at, img˙er, ixg˙el bit-tieni konsonanti g˙ qabel il-vokali, kif ukoll minn deher, fehem niktbu idher, ifhem imbag˙ad idhru, ifhmu fuq il-kitba ta’ ix˙et, ix˙tu. Hekk ukoll minn xeher, Ωeher, deha, xehed nag˙mlu ixher, iΩher, idha, ixhed bil-konsonanti h qabel il-vokali.

Fuq dawn minn g˙amel, g˙ader, g˙aΩaq, g˙atas, g˙ereq, g˙odos, g˙ola, g˙afas nibnu ag˙mel, ag˙der, ag˙Ωaq, ag˙tas, eg˙req, og˙dos, og˙la, ag˙fas bil-vokali qabel lewwel konsonanti g˙.

“MCI Monday Ovations” May 1 he MALTA CULTURAL INSTITUTE will be presenting its next Concert T of the MCI 2016/7 Season, the MCI

Monday Ovations on Monday May 1 at 7.00pm, at the Cavalieri Art Hotel in St Julian’s.

The first part of the evening’s programme will include a Pianoforte Miriam Camilleri Recital by Julia Galea, Martina Galea Loffreda, Nicole Baldacchino, Roberta Camilleri and Nicole Ana’ Sammut, students of Mro. Michael Camilleri AmusLCM, LmusLCM. They would also be playing various well-known duets and solos.

The second part of the programme features Bernard Catania with a Classical Guitar Recital. His programme covers works from 1640 up to 1944.

A highlight of the evening will be a Vannessa Magro Neopolitan Fantasy presented by Mezzo-Soprano Vannessa Magro and Contralto Miriam Camilleri, accompanied by Michael Camilleri on the Pianoforte. They will be singing works by Modugno, Di Capua, D’Esposito, De Meglio and De Martino.

The Painting Exhibition for May will feature works by Adele Borg.

The MCI is inviting everybody to attend the concert.

Entrance is free but a small donation at the door to help cover some of the expenses of the evening would be appreciated.

More information can be obtained by phoning the MCI Director on Tel: 21338923 or Mob: 99800409, or through an email to maltacultinst@gmail.com

(2) Tal-verbi neqsin (i) dawk li jissej˙u tax-xeb˙ (Ara G˙add 11, para. 3 – it-Tieni Taqsima) b˙al waqaf, wiΩen, wiret, wasa(g˙), wasal, waqa(g˙) li jag˙mlu ieqaf (flok âqaf), iΩen, iret, usag˙, asal, aqa(g˙); (ii) dawk li jissej˙u tassew neqsin g˙ax g˙andhom la˙˙ar konsonanti dg˙ajfa b˙al beda, safa, rema, fela, ©era, re˙a, dag˙a, rag˙a li jag˙mlu ibda, isfa, armi, ifli, i©ri, er˙i, idg˙i, irg˙a jew irg˙i.

Fost in-neqsin ng˙oddu wkoll (g˙ă)ta jew (ag˙)ta, ra li jag˙mlu ag˙ti jew áti, ara; imma ˙a fl-Imperattiv jag˙mel ˙a, ˙udu; ©ie jag˙mel ejja; (iii) dawk li jissej˙u wkoll neqsin jew dg˙ajfin f’iΩjed minn konsonanti wa˙da: b˙al tewa, lewa, xewa li jag˙mlu itwi, ilwi, ixwi u fuq dawn g˙ewa li jag˙mel u jinkiteb ag˙wi.

Il-verbi li ma jmorrux ma’ din ir-regola huma: (1) Mill-verbi neqsin dawk li jissej˙u torox b˙al rass, daqq, ˙abb, Ωamm, medd, mess li fl-Imperattiv ibiddlu lvokali a f’o b˙al rass, ross; daqq, doqq; ˙abb, ˙obb; Ωamm, Ωomm u l-vokali e f’i b˙al medd, midd; mess, miss. G˙alhekk minn g˙add, g˙aΩΩ nag˙mlu u niktbu l-Imperattiv g˙odd, g˙oΩΩ: g˙oddni, g˙oΩΩni u mhux og˙dd, og˙ΩΩ: og˙ddni, og˙ΩΩni, imma l-istess b˙al Ωomm, Ωommni.

(2) Mill-Verbi neqsin dawk li jissej˙u verbi mo˙fijin b˙al mar, sar, ©ieb, far, tar, li fl- Imperattiv ibiddlu l-vokali tag˙hom f’u u f’i twal b˙al mur, sir, ©ib, fur, tir. G˙alhekk ukoll minn g˙am, qal (g˙âd), g˙en, g˙er, g˙ex nag˙mlu u niktbu g˙um, g˙id, g˙in, g˙ir, g˙ix.

(3) Il-Verbi ta’ erba’ konsonanti (kwadrilitteri) b˙al qarben, gerfex, sarsar, gemgem, fesdaq, çanfar, sefsef, dardar, ΩarΩar li g˙andhom l-Imperattiv b˙as-sura ewlenija.

G˙alhekk niktbu wkoll fl-Imperattiv g˙arbel, g˙arg˙ar, g˙osfor bil-konsonanti g˙ qabel il-vokali, waqt li l-verbi s˙a˙ b˙al g˙amel, g˙aΩel fl-Imperattiv jinkitbu ag˙mel, ag˙Ωel bil-vokali qabel il-konsonanti g˙.

(4) Il-Verbi mnisslin kollha (barra minn dawk li jibdew biΩ-Ωieda tal-ittra n u o˙rajn li jdeffsu l-ittra t wara lewwel konsonanti tal-g˙erq l, m, n, r, s li jie˙du qabilhom il-vokali i g˙all-˙lewwa tal-le˙en).

Aktar regoli u tifsir fil-˙ar©a li jmiss meta nittrattaw Tel (02) 9622 7799 blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese

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

website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au Announces: A Fund Raising Tour organised by The Friends of Providence House NSW A 16-day Fly/Tour/Cruise. Departing 25th May. Touring Venice, Florence, Rome with a Mediterranean Cruise and tour finishing in Malta.

For info call Jim Borg: 96367767/0418825591 Karen or Noel at Breakaway Travel on 9622 7799 is proudly sponsored by Breakaway Travel, Blacktown

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Book launch: ‘Tisjir Malti’ u l-Figolli’

T

he tradition of the Maltese Easter figolla is truly alive in Sydney. As part of their studies, primary students from both the Ringrose (Greystanes) and Rouse Hill campuses of Skola Maltija Sydney were encouraged by their teachBrigida ers, Smith, Anna Cushcieri, Michelle Grima, Diane Grima and parents to make a figolla, in addition to researching the origin, traditions and symbolism behind this distinctive cultural practice.

A week before Easter, the students showcased their figolli at a special Easter celebration at Ringrose Public

School. Teachers, parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and special guests attended the event. All were amazed not only at the students’ cooking skills, but their creativity and high standard of

A collection of favourite Maltese recipes by students of Skola Maltija Sydney presentation.

Special guests at the event included the President of the Maltese Community Council of NSW, Mr

Home-made figolli by the students of the Skola Maltija Sydney

Emanuel Camilleri and his wife Theresa; the President of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, Mr Albert Vella; the President of Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band NSW, Mr Antoine Mangion and the President of Akkademja Maltija ta’ NSW, Mr Charles Galea who urged students to continue their Maltese studies to HSC level, telling them that Maltese is the only subject matter that is ‘for life’.

The event began with an Easter afternoon tea prepared by parents, featuring Maltese traditional food and drink followed by the launch of the e-recipe book, ‘Tisjir Malti - A collection of favourite Maltese recipes by the students of Skola Maltija Sydney’, edited by Jane Borg, Lucy Calleja, Pauline O’Brien and Cynthia Villar.

Mrs Cynthia Villar, co-founder and teacher, explained that this collection of recipes was a result of a cultural research project that the Skola Maltija Sydney students worked industriously and diligently on in September 2012. The project formed a mandatory part of their course of study.

The Tisjir Malti (Maltese Cooking) project provided students with the opportunity to cook their favourite Maltese food or discover a new Maltese recipe with the support of their family and encouragement of their teachers.

Senior students were required to submit their recipe in both Maltese and English. As a result of the project, students enhanced their cultural understandings about Maltese cooking and reinforced their MalteseAustralian identity.

The e-recipe book is available by contacting Mrs. Jane Borg, the principal, via email: skolamaltijasydney@yahoo.com.au.

CynthiaVillar

Did you know that...

A country of convicts: In 2007, it was estimated that 22 per cent of living Australians had a convict ancestor.

Australia has the oldest living fossil: The Lungfish in Queensland is a living fossil from the Triassic period 350 million years ago.

Over 90% of Australia is dry, flat and arid: Almost three-quarters of the land cannot support agriculture in any form.

Roz Chia Just to clarify that credit for the photo carried with the story “Katherine, Sarah talk about their Maltese heritage” in the last issue as part of ‘The Diverse Hawkesbury project’ should be credited to Roz Chia

Tuesday April 25, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 25

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

La Valette Social Centre G˙ana u Mothers’ Day IS-SIBT 29 ta’ April (fit-8 pm) Lejla ta’ g˙ana fiç-çentru. Jie˙du sehem Saver u s˙abu.

Kul˙add mistieden, bla ˙las.

Il-bar u l-kçina jkunu miftu˙in.

Thursday 11 ta’ Mejju (12 pm) Mothers’ Day Luncheon 3-course meal and complimentary tea. $13 Per Person; Entertainment by DJ; Lucky Door prize For information: centre: 02 9622 5847

IL-KLABB TAL-ÓAMRUN B˙as-snin l-img˙oddija din is-sena wkoll il-klabb tal-Óamrun se jfakkar:

Jum l-Omm is-Sibt 6 ta’ Mejju b’Dinner Dance.

G˙all-okkaΩjoni, se jkun hemm divertiment minn Joe Apap u ttalent Ωag˙Ωug˙ James Cassar Se ssir ukoll ikla ta’ tlett korsi.

Din tinkludi cassata u Ωew© fliexken inbid fuq kull mejda.

Tintalab donazzjoni ta’ $45 kull persuna G˙all-biljetti çemplu lil: Agnes: 0432 714 735: Greg 0411 517 187

Il-©onna u x-xtieli diskussi fil-grupp ta’ NSW

ruppi ta’ Maltin li jiltaqg˙u regularment huma mxerda ma’ ˙afna n˙awi G ta’ NSW fl-Awstralja, kif wara kollox jinsabu wkoll fi stati o˙ra. Il-grupp li jiltaqa’ f’San Gorg Preca Hall fi Greystanes NSW ta˙t it-tmexxija ta’ Lilian Tal-

iana u Marisa Previtera ji©bed lejh g˙add ta’ Maltin kull tieni Tnejn tax-xahar.

F’dawn il-laqg˙at dejjem ikun hemm xi attrazzjoni jew diskussjonijiet interessanti. Meta ttie˙ed dan ir-ritratt kien hemm l-esperta Maltija tal-©onna u xtieli Doris Mejlak (it-tielet mix-xellug fuq quddiem) tag˙ti pariri u tispjega s-sbu˙ija tal-passatemp g˙al dawk li j˙obbu l-©onna.

Kull min jixtieq jattendi dan il-grupp ta’ Greystanes jew xi gruppi o˙ra b˙alhom li jiltaqg˙u f’Fairfield, Merrylands, Landillo, Bankstown, Sutherland jew Daceville g˙andu jikkuntatja lil Marisa 0414 863 123

AvviΩ: Tixtieq li tikseb kopja stampata tal-magazine The Voice of the Maltese ? ktar ma jg˙addi Ω-Ωmien aktar dan il-magazine The A Voice of the Maltese qed isir popolari. Ma’ kull ˙ar©a jiΩdiedu l-qarrejja li jitolbu biex jibdew jirçevuh, bl-Internet, jiΩdied b’mod inkora©©anti l-g˙add tal-imsie˙ba fuq il-pa©na tal-facebook, u barra minhekk qed ikollna ˙afna talbiet minn dawk li jkunu jixtiequ li jiksbu kopji stampati ta’ The Voice.

Kif kul˙add jaf hemm çerti spejjeΩ biex kopja ti©i stampata u mibg˙uta bil-posta lill-qarrejja li jitilbuha, b’danakollu lesti li naqduhom, imma kif wie˙ed jistenna dan jista’ jsir, imma bi ˙las.

Sa fejn hu possibbli t-talba qed ti©i milqug˙a u mal-kobor tad-domanda issa saru arran©ementi ˙alli nwie©bu b’aktar effiçjenza g˙at-talbiet, u kull min jixtieq li jikseb ukoll kopja stampata talmagazine issa sar aktar façli li jiksibha.

Dawk interessati li jibdew jirçevu kopja stampata bil-posta d-dar qed ji©u mitluba jag˙mlu t-talba billi jibag˙tu email. Min˙abba li ghandna qarrejja mad-dinja kollha r-rata tal-abbonati trid tigi kkalkulata.

G˙al aktar tag˙rif ibag˙tu email bit-talba lil: maltesevoice@gmail.com

26 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Óamrun Association Il-Óamrun Association:Ltd se torganizza...: DINNER F’ÌIEÓ L-ISPEAKER MALTI Dr. ANGELO FARRUGIA Nhar is-Sibt 29 ta’ April fis-6.30 pm il-Klabb tal-Óamrun se jorganizza ikla fil-klabb f’©ie˙ l-Ispeaker tal-Parlament Malti Dr Angelo Farrugia u s-sinjura tieg˙u.

Fost l-o˙rajn se jattendu l-Kummissarju G˙oli g˙al Malta fl-Awstralja, l-ET Charles Muscat u s-sinjura tieg˙u, ilMayor ta’ Blacktown Mr. Stephen Bali, u Mr Kevin Conolly MP (Riverstone.

PreΩenti wkoll mistennija l-konslu Malti F’Sydney, is-Sur Salvinu Giusti, Is-Sur Emm. Camilleri, President ta’ MCC NSW mexxejja tal-g˙aqdiet Maltin, sponsors tal-okkaΩjoni, partitarji tal-klabb tal-Óamrun, u ˙bieb tal-familja ta’ Dr Farrugia.

G˙all-okkaΩjoni l-parke©© ta wara l-main gate quddiem il-bieb ewlieni tal-klabb se jkun reservat g˙all-mistednin.

Greg Caruana (Social Organiser)

Come with us: enjoy & relax

On Sunday May 28 the Maltese Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco (NSW) is organising a visit to the stunning Japanese Gardens with teahouse, koi pond and pavilion.

We visit GosPord Regional Gallery at East Gosford (Free entrance), and the Ettalong Beach Market, all under cover.

Depart: near Wenty Leagues (Smith Street) at 8.30am $30 bus only. Contact: Marlene 9631 9295 *Reminder: Annual Dinner Dance October 14

Horsely Park Community Social Group Invites you to celebrate

our “Mothers”

Saturday May 6 from 7.00 p.m. at Mandavilla event Centre, Horsley Park.

Proceeds of the evening will go towards our fundrasing for the Cancel Council Entertainment to be provided by

Heart Beat $65,00 for three-course meal, beer, wine, and soft drinks tea and coffee.

For bookings contact: Theresa: 0402 178 781 or Josephine: 0402 040 954

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

˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, ilqarrejja m˙e©©a wkoll biex x’˙in iridu jid˙lu f’din ilG website:www.tvm.com.mkemm jekk bil-Malti u wkoll bl-IngliΩ.

Il-website hi a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bil-©rajjiet li jkunu jse˙˙u dak il-˙in.

TheCittaddini Cittadini The Present

Ic-Curkett tal-Kunjata

MCCF - AUSTRALIA presents

as

MICHAEL JACKSON

THE MALTA COMMUNITY CHEST FUND Annual Charity Dinner Dance

Undefeated & Award Winning The Actual world’s Number 1!

Saturday 20th May 2017 6.30pM - 11.30pm

Grand Star Receptions 499 Grive Parade, Altona North, Vic 3025 Tickets: Adults $65 Children $40

INCLUDES 5 COURSE MEAL, SOFT DRINLS, BEER & WINE

LIVE MUSIC BY ALCHEMY BAND SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY PAUL RIZZO as MICHAEL JACKSON Enquires & Tickets Contact: Daniel 0404 096 560/lourdes 0402 813 179 Joe 0420 547 696 ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE GOING TO THE MALTA COMMUNITY CHEST FUND

Sunday April 30 at 2 p.m.

Wentworthville Leagues Club For tickets: Monica: 9896 0712 or 0414 859 386; Joe Borg: 9624 2280; Julie: 9636 7679

Adults: $12

Kids $6

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Main events for 2017 Sunday July 2: Lejla filBuskett Sunday October 15: Fete Sunday December 3: St Nicholas Feast For more information: Joe Fenech 0412 009 957 or PRO Emm. Vella 045 677 064

For issues concerning: Ageing and disability - community services education - environment - health - housing planning - Police - transport - water

The Voice of the Maltese 27

Tuesday April 25, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Tune In to Radio and Television

Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 1011am.

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

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (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. Thursdays 2 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 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 bilMalti 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 tal-Óadd 11.00 am: l-a˙˙ar a˙barijiet minn Malta, muΩika, tag˙rif, kultura, avviΩi u su©©etti ta’ interess.

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

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the last 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

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 jridu jitg˙allmu jilag˙bu dan l-isport, li jing˙ataw lezzjonijiet b’xejn.

• Jilag˙bu log˙ba darba fix-xahar 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-logħba li jmiss se ssir nhar ilĦadd 21 ta' Mejju fis-1:00 pm. firRosehill Bowling Club.

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

T

he Australian High Commission’s in Malta now has a new Facebook page, and the High Commissioner a Twitter account that could both be accessed by the readers.

The High Commission’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/A usHCMalta/ The Commissioner’s Twitter handle is: https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta 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 co-ordinated by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School).

28 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 25, 2017

Sports

Malta beat Israel to top qualifying group

strong second-half performance earned A Malta’s national rugby team (pictured) a 39-17 victory over Israel to push themselves to the top of the European Nations Cup – Conference 1 South qualifying group.

Malta took an early lead through a James Morris penalty but conceded the leveller soon after from a penalty by Ori Abutbul.

However they never looked back and soon gained the initiative with tries by James Kirk and Daniel Apsee to take a commanding 133 lead.

Israel fought themselves back in contention with a converted try by Jonathan Radashkovich that reduced the gap to three points.

But the Maltese regained their superiority and by the end of the first half they ollowing closely on a come-from-behind 44-26 win against managed a 19-10 lead the Philippines in February, Malta’s Rugby League team thanks to two penalties are scheduled to renew the rivalry against fellow Mediter- from Morris. ranean nation Lebanon for the Phoenician Cup on Saturday Israel reduced the arrears May 6 at the New Era Stadium in Cabramatta during the NRL with a second try by AbutInternational Round weekend. bul but Malta’s dominance The match would be the third meeting between the two sides. became more telling and Lebanon won the inaugural cup in 2006, and retained the sil- skipper Dominic Busuttil, verware nine years later in May two years ago. got a try and Morris conThe game would be an important warm up for the Lebanese verted another penalty for World Cup team as they prepare to take on heavyweights Aus- a 29-17 lead and then tralia, England and France in the opening stages of this year’s made sure of an emphatic global event. victory with two late tries They currently sit behind Malta and outside the top 20 in by Harry Collins and Chris RLIF world rankings are staging the fixture as a ‘home match’. Dudman

Green Gully, George Cross Lebanon vs Malta for Phoenician Cup May 6 win latest round of matches

NPL (Rd 9): St Albans S. 0 Green Gully 1 Rd 10: Green Gully 3 v North Geelogong 1 reen Gully and Sunshine George Cross both won their latest rounds of matches in the Victorian NPL. The Greens won their round 9 and 10 matches against St. Albans 10 and North Geelong 3-1 to maintain their charge up the league table.

At St. Albans Nicholas Krousoratis proved Green Gully’s match winner. His goal on 54th minutes secured all three points.

In Green Gully’s 3-1 win over North Geelong, Wade Dekker scored a brace while Krousoratis added another goal to his name.

These wins see Green Gully move to within two points of league leaders Bentleigh Green and Avondale.

FFA Cup (Rd 5): Green Gully 4 Altona M. 1 Two goals each from Sami Nour and Wade Dekker saw Green Gully record an easy 4-0 win over Altona Magic in round 5 of the FFA Cup. This win sets up an appetising meeting with NPL leader Avondale in round 6.

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Malta Premier League football

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Hibs lead down to 2 points after loss

ith two matches to go to the end of the Premiership campaign the title race has once again been thrown wide open after leaders Hibernians were defeated 2-0 by Birkirkara.

Their five-point lead has been cut down to just two from Balzan. They are the only ones with a chance for the title after Valletta surprisingly lost to St Andrews.

Hibs however are still favourites to win the title. In their remaining fixtures they meet St Andrews and Tarxien, while NPL2W (Rd 10): Sunshine GC 0 v Brunswick 0 Balzan take on Hamrun and (Rd 11): Eastern L. 1 v Sunshine GC 2 Sliema. unshine George Cross also achieved full In the RESULTS - Day 31 points in their matches against Brunswick Birkirkara v Hibernians 2-0 stand3-0 i n g s Balzan v Tarxien City 1-0 and Eastern Lions 2-1. arramatta Eagles suffered yet another disappointing Chris Dib gave the Georgies a vital win from St Andrews v Valletta 3-1 H i b s home defeat on Saturday when they were beaten 3-1 by 1-1 Floriana v GΩira U the penalty spot in the home match against Sliema v Mosta 1-1 have 65 the league toppers APIA. They were sunk by two late goals Brunswick City.

Pembroke v Hamrun 2-1 points, from sub Matthew Wes. As such, Parramatta’s search for Tedros Yabio and Souheil Azagane did the Balzan their first victory of the new NPLNSW season goes on.

Day 30 damage in the 2-1 win away against the Hibernians v GΩira U 2-0 63, ValIt was a tough result for Parramatta against one of the Lions. The Cross remain in 6th position on Valletta v Birkirkara 1-1 letta 59 leagues front runners. They had levelled the scores through v St Andrews 2-1 the NPL2 table, only 2 points behind second Balzan Tarxien v Pembroke 1-1 a n d Gosue Sama in the 54th minute. The result came on top of placed Moreland Zebras and 10 points behind Sliema v Floriana 3-0 Birkir- a hard-earned competition point in the 2-2 draw against runaway leader Northcote City.

Mosta v Hamrun 2-1 kara 58 Blacktown City in round 6 RESULTS: DAY 7 1-3 when they equalised through Parramatta v APIA 3-3 captain Ibrahim Haydar on Manly U v Rockdale 0-4 Sydney UF v Sydney U t the start of the A-League’s Elimination Round Perth Glory got the better 48 minutes.

0-3 Sydney O. v Blacktown Jordan Crighton had given Wollongong v Hakoah 2-0 of Melbourne City by 2-0 away from home. The win earned helped them 2-3 to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition and a clash with Premier Parramatta the lead but then Bonnyrigg v Sutherland DAY 6 Blacktown first drew and Plate winners Sydney FC at the Allianz Stadium on Satruday.

At the Suncorp Stadium, home team Brisbane Roar were given more than then took the lead, only for Blacktown v Parramatta 2-2 APIA v Sydney FC 3-0 a run for their money against Western Sydney Wanderers. They only managed the Eagles to eventually Manly 0-1 v Sydney O to win through to face Melbourne Victory in the a semifinal tie on Sunday by share the spoils.

Sutherland v Rockdale 0-2 virtue of a penalty shoot-out which they won 6-5. Both sides had tied 1-1 over Next Sunday the Eagles are Hakoah v Bonnyrigg 3-3 the 90 minutes. away against Sydney United. Sydney U v Wollongong 2-0

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A-League: Perth and Brisbane through to semis

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Parramatta Eagles still looking for season’s first win after 7 matches

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