The Voice of the Maltese No. 215

Issue 215

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

Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora

The Government in Malta is making the construction of high level roads and road safety a priority.

As part of its on-going plans to spend at least â‚Ź700 million on building new roads in seven years, it is now projecting the construction of an intersection made up of two new tunnels beneath the roundabout at Gudja to link the south-and northbound carriageways of L-Avjazzjoni Avenue and Hal-Far road, allowing road users travelling to and from the airport, Birzebbuga, the Freeport and HalFar to bypass the roundabout.

November 5, 2019

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

National dignity Viva Malta!

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

What can we do to bring our F heroes to life? or me this is the crux of my whole essay on the heroes of Malta and the part our little homeland has played in the history of the world, as we know it. In order to respond to this I take you back to my introductory statement in the first of the articles in this series. I will do this by quoting a substantial extract from it since, I believe, it perfectly encapsulates the point I am attempting to make: “When I first came to Australia as a 12-year-old, I did my very best to assimilate into the dominant Anglo based Australian community. I didn't want to stand out as a 'foreigner' and especially not as one from an origin in the Southern Mediterranean region.

I desperately wanted to belong and felt that there was really nothing of any value in my 'wog' background that would be appreciated by my newfound country folk.

Worse still, I did not believe in my own value as a Maltese national. I did not adequately understand the history of our people and the extraordinary contributions we had made over the millennia to the history of the world.

Consequently the value of our history and of the people who had constructed that history, the Maltese, was also lost to me. In feeling this way I know I was not alone amongst my compatriots in the Maltese diaspora.

Many of us felt this way, perhaps ashamed of our language and our national background. We didn't know enough about our origins to feel that sense of pride in our homeland and, more importantly, a sense of pride in ourselves.

We tended to approach our new homeland and its people from a subservient position rather than one of equality and pride in ourselves.

We often reacted with physical violence when called 'wogs' but I wonder if we ever truly believed that the denigration was

not justified. " It is this feeling of subservience, of being less than other Europeans, perhaps especially less than those who had been our masters in the past, that I want to challenge forever. This sense of being inferior, not only in the eyes of others but, of greater sigAndyBusuttil nificance in our own eyes, needs to be changed once and for all.

I am not suggesting for a moment that we view the world from a position of arrogance and hubris. We have suffered that from too many others in our lives. I am also not suggesting that we do so from a position of pride, which can also be destructive to others and ourselves.

What I am suggesting is that we do so with dignity and with a strong . sense of who we are and what we have contributed in our long and magnificent history. It is a history that is recognised in the historical artefacts that remain on our island home. However, it is not a history that has been adequately recognised in the names and the beings of our people.

It is time to change that. It is time to recognise in ourselves and to pass on to our children and their children a clear understanding that, regardless of our size as a nation or as a homeland, we have been magnificent in our carriage and in our traditions.

While we need not view the world from a position of 'pride' we need, nonetheless, to be proud of ourselves and to never hang our heads low. Our place in the world has made an astounding contribution and an enormous difference.

The few examples that I have used in this series of articles are not the complete picture by any stretch of the imagination. It is only the start of the story. It is left to you and your children to complete it and to do it as members of a diaspora that has spread to all parts of the world, a world that our progenitors shaped with nobility, commitment and dedication.

Awarding Malta’s heroes: As I have said so many Governor Lord Gort present- times and as I say in ing the George Cross to every concert that SkoChief Justice Sir George rba presents to Maltese Borg (right) in the presence community audiences: of Commissioner Axisa on 'Viva Malta u viva niesna l-Maltin'.

September 13, 1942,

Regardless of our size as a nation or as a homeland, we Maltese have been magnificent in our carriage and in our traditions

*Concluded

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Tuesday November 5, 2019

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

Am I in a de facto relationship?

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by PaulSant

t is not uncommon to hear different things that your friends or family may have heard - such as, “Once you’ve lived with someone for 2 years, it’s a de facto relationship”, or “I read online that once you’ve lived with someone for 6 months it’s de facto”.

The truth is, in a family law context, and for the purposes of seeking a property settlement after the irreconcilable breakdown of a relationship, the length of time two people have lived together is only one factor the court considers.

Definition of de facto relationship – Family Law Act 1975

If the persons in a de facto relationship: 1. Are not married to each other; AND 2. Are not related by family; AND 3. Having regard to all circumstances of the relationship, they are living together as a couple on a genuine domestic basis.

The relationship fits into the meaning of ‘de facto’ under the Family Law Act. What does ‘living together as a couple’ mean?

The legislation provides further details as what other circumstances of the relationship should be considered (and consideration of each is not mandatory): 1. The duration of the relationship 2. The nature and extent of common residence 3. Whether a sexual relationship exists 4. Any degree of financial dependence, interdependence, or arrangements for financial support 5. Ownership, use and acquisition of property 6. Degree of mutual commitment to a shared life

7. If the relationship has been registered under a State law 8. Care and support of children 9. Reputation and public aspects of the relationship.

Where does the 2 years come from?

Where one party to a de facto relationship asks the court to make a property Order (such as for spousal maintenance, or altering interests to property owned by the parties solely or jointly), the court must be satisfied of any of the following: 1. The period, or total of the periods, of the relationship, is at least 2 years; OR 2. There is a child of the de facto relationship; OR 3. The relationship was registered under a State/Territory law; OR 4. The party who applies for property Orders: a. Made substantial contributions AND b. Failure to make Orders would result in serious injustice to the applicant.

Whilst two years is noted in section 90SB of the Family Law Act, there are cases where the court finds a de facto relationship did exist, where the total length of cohabitation was less than two years.

It may be a useful starting point in assessing what the court’s ultimate view may be, in deciding whether to make property Orders, but the length of a relationship is certainly not the be all and end all for establishing the existence of a de facto relationship.

Two step approach: Substantial

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

contributions & serious injustice – both must be present

Contributions in family law include both financial and non-financial; direct and indirect. Determining whether one party made substantial contributions is a subjective test to be applied in all the circumstances surrounding the parties to the de facto relationship, and contributions made in that context.

An example may be a large lump sum of money, say $50,000. BUT it could also be a sum of $5,000, where the financial circumstances of the parties are modest, and balanced with other contributions.

If the court finds there were substantial contributions, it then goes on to determine whether the Applicant has proved, on the balance of probabilities, that failure to make a property adjustment Order would result in a serious injustice to the Applicant.

What the court considers may include the overall property pool, and contributions made by the Respondent during the relationship. For example, where an Applicant lived in accommodation rent free, or provided financial support during a de facto relationship, contextual substantial contributions may be offset and the court will hold that no substantial injustice would occur, based on benefits received during the relationship: Dover & Mosely & Anor [2019].

In Volpe & Stark [2019], the parties had lived together for 13 months. The Applicant contributed $224,000 toward the acquisition of a jointly owned property (the balance was financed by mortgage).

The Respondent held an additional property prior to the relationship in his sole name. The Applicant sought to retain the property they had purchased together.

The court held that a serious injustice to the Applicant would result unless Orders were made.

Conclusion

There are many factors that are considered if a court is asked to determine whether a de facto relationship exists, and to alter property interests after the break down of such a relationship.

As the matters can be complex, you should obtain legal advice if you are seeking to claim or deny a relationship and determine what your entitlements may be.

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

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Il-pjaga fid-daħla tal-belt Valetta

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awk il-Maltin li bħali jgħixu barra minn Malta u li jżuru pajjiżhom żgur li jinnutaw bi pjaċir il-riġenerazzjoni tal-belt kapitali tagħna l-Maltin. iIlum insibu belt mimlija ħajja kemm filgħodu kif ukoll bil-lejl fejn sar l-akbar progress. Il-pjazza Tritoni tatna spazju enormi, sebħet b’mod majestuż id-daħla tal-belt.

Illum, flok il-bibien tradizzjonali mħaffra fis-swar insibu bieb miftuħ sas-sema u fuq il-lemin il-binja tal-Parlament Malti, proġett tal-perit Renzo Piano magħruf għax-xogħlijiet tiegħu madwar id-dijna.

Din il-binja ġabet magħha ħafna kritika iżda maż-żmien jidher li qed tigi aċċettata ... m’hemmx x’tagħmel.

Iżda ftit passi l-isfel ħarstek tmur fuq likbar pjaga u xena ta’ kruha li ħallielna dan l-hekk famuż Piano. Ma nista’ nifhem qatt kif xi ħadd b’moħħ artistiku jista’ jasal biex iħallilna diżastru bħal dak fejn qabel kellna wieħed millisbaħ binjiet tal-belt Valletta. Isejħu lbini t-teatru bla saqaf, jew il-Pjazza Teatru Rjal. Jien insejjaħlu diżastru li jagħmlilna diżunur.

Ir-ritratt fuq juri xeni ta’ mistħija li lepiċentru tal-kultura Maltija jinsab fih illum imdawwar bil-gebel, ħadid, siġġijiet tal-plastik u plakki tal-injam biex joskuraw dak li jsir ġewwa. Quddiemu llum għamluh ukoll kafeterija fil-miftuħ.

Bil-baġit li għadu

Tuesday November 5, 2019

LawrenceDimech

kemm ippeżenta l-Ministru tal-Finanzi lProfessur Edward Scicluna fakkarna li filmanifest elettroali tal-Parit Laburista dan is-sit kulturali li ġie mgarraf 77 sena ilu waqt it-Tieni Gwerra fl-1942, jista’ jigi msaqqaf biex il-potenzjal jkun massimizzat, sintendi wara s-solita’ konsultazzjoni, u sa anke qed tiġi mitluba x-xewqa talġens Malti għal din l-idea.

Dan is-sit storiku fejn kien hemm it-Teatru Rjal (ir-Royal Opera House) li nbena fl-1866 b’arkitettura li ssaħrek għandu jigi mibni mill-ġdid, almenu minn barra. Hekk biss inħoss li hu xieraq. Li nkomplu nraqqgħu lpannu bil-qara bali mhu se naslu mkien.

Qatt daqs illum il-Gvern Malti ma hu f’pożizzjoni li jerġa’ jibni din il-binja storika. Jista’ jinfetaħ fond apposta jew jiġi kkunsiderat id-dħul mill-IIP. Li kieku, Alla

ħares qatt il-bombi tal-Gwerra ġarrbu kompletament it-teatru Manoel żgur li ma konniex nibnuh mill-gdid bla saqaf mhux hekk?

Il-belt Valletta qatt mhux se tkun kompluta jekk din il-kanuntiera pjaga ma terġax tara fiha l-binja minn barra, kif kien it-Teatru Rjal.

Nasal biex ngħid li l-Parlament u l-bini mill-ġdid tat-Teatru Rjal jistgħu ikun konġunti fl-operat simili tagħhom. Il-bini tal-Parlament preżenti jibqa bħala uffiċini, libreriji u post ta’ konferenzi żgħar waqt li l-kamra tal-laqgħat tigi mibnija mill-ġdid fuq stil aktar tradizzjonali fejn kien hemm it-teatru.

Hekk nispiċċw bil-bini tat-Teatru kif kien minn barra, filwaqt li gewwa jkun hemm is-sede tal-Parlament Malti. Dawn joħolqu attrazzjonijiet turistici mill-aqwa fil-kapitali Maltija u hekk jingħalaq kapitlu ta’ dwejjaq li karkar għal 77 sena sħaħ.

Il-kapolavur li kien it-Teatru Rjal qabel ġie mġarraf fl-1942

Government to rescue house Queen lived in to reopen it as a tourist attraction Tuesday November 5, 2019

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The Voice of the Maltese 5

alta will soon have another tourist attraction to add to its list, Villa Gwardamangia, Queen Elizabeth II’s former home in Gwardamanga, Malta where she and Prince Philip lived in the early years of their marriage, between 1949 and 1951. The Maltese government said it has managed to purchase the villa from its private owner for an undisclosed fee, estimated to have been around €6 million.

The then Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh lived at the property between 1949 and 1951 when Philip served on HMS Chequers with the Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet at the time. It offered the pair their only real taste of life as a relatively ordinary couple before Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.

For years the villa had fallen into a dilapidated state.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in Parliament that the building would be restored to its original state and turned into a tourist site as the house the Royal couple lived in when the Duke was in the Royal Navy and stationed in Malta.

The 1,560sqm property had six bedrooms, Villa Gwardamangia three bath-rooms, a as it is today, in a grand 'sala nobile' livstate of disrepair ing room – not to mention 'various guestThe then Duke and servant quarters' and the Queen divided her time between Duchess of Edinburgh rooms leading to a England, where a young Charles re(later Queen Elizabeth II), large mature 900 sqm mained with his grandparents, and enjoying their stay at Villa garden. From the roof Malta.

Gwardamanġia in the late terrace one could sea It was Constitutional Party politiforties and early fifties views over Marsamxcian and judge Sir Augusto Bartolo ett Harbour. The propwho built Villa Guardamangia, close erty has 'great histoto St Luke’s hospital in 1900. It was rical value', although it then called Casa Medina. Lord Louis has since fallen into Mountbatten leased it around 1929 disrepair. because of its proximity to the Marsa When she re-visited horse racing track and golf course. the Villa in during an When the Duke and Duchess of Edofficial visit to Malta inburgh came to Malta they first in 2015, the Queen lodged at San Anton Palace, where spoke of her 'deep afthey were hosted by Gerald Strickfection' for Malta, the land and his wife. Princess Elizabeth country she once (later Queen Elizabeth II) and her called home during then fiancé, Philip Mountbatten, first her early twenties. stayed at Villa Guardamangia in Her long visits stop1946. ped in February 1952 While the Duke was stationed in when her father, GeoMalta as a Royal Navy officer Prinrge VI died unexpectcess Elizabeth worked with the Soledly and Elizabeth diers, Sailors, Airmen Families Asinherited the throne sociation (SSAFA) at Auberge de She said that the time Castille in Valletta. she spent in Malta A few years ago Heritage Malta with Prince Philip, got in touch with the Royal Family was the happiest in her life. She said: “Visiting Malta is always about its project for Villa Guardamangia in order to find out what very special for me. I remember happy days here with Prince tangible interest there might be for them to support this project.

Philip when we were first married”. The Queen also celebrated her It was suggested that the property could be restored to the way 60th wedding anniversary on the island in 2007. it looked in the 50s and used as a historic house, a museum for This was the only place outside the UK that a member of the colonial history. Now the decision has been taken and the governRoyal Family could call home. During their time living at the villa, ment wants to make full use of it for tourism purposes.

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It-tluq tas-sorijiet Dumnikani minn NSW

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l-komunita Maltija ta’ NSW tinsab iffaċċjata minn żewġ mewġiet disturbanti. L-ewwel waħda tikkonċerna l-Missjunarji Maltin tas-Soċjetà ta’ San Pawl, u l-oħra, aktar reċenti, dwar is-sorijiet Dumnikani Maltin.

L-ewwel xokk kien bl-aħbar li l-Missjunarji Maltin tas-Soċjetà ta’ San Pawl iddeċidew li jħallu l-migrant chaplaincy li kellhom fiċ-centru La Valette u għalhekk ħallewna mingħajr saċerdot Malti. Dwar dan saru, u qegħdin isiru, diversi tentattivi biex tinstab soluzzjoni.

Kif ħabbarna fl-aħħar ħarġa ta’ The Vocie, is-sorijiet Dumnikana Maltin li ilhom iservu fi NSW għal dawn l-aħħar 32 sena, l-ewwel snin bħala għalliema, Annunciation Hall, parti mid-dar tax-xjuħ fi Blacktown NSW issa iddeċidew li jbiegħu s-St Dominic Home for the Elderly, propjeta ta’ madwar sitt acres li tinsab f’Walters Road Blacktown, biswit iċ-Ċentru La Valette.

Jingħad li din id-deċizzjoni, li tħabbret uffiċjalment ftit gimgħat ilu, kienet ilha meħuda mid-diriġenti f’Malta madwar seba’ xhur zjoni tat-tluq tas-sorijiet tkun kemm jista’ jkun waħda ilu. Hu mifhum li d- deċiżjoni hija waħda finali. trankwilla u biex din id-dar tibqa’ b’xi mod assoċjata Il-komunità Maltija fi NSW minn dejjem kienet taħt lkemm mal-komunita` Maltija u r-reliġjon Kattolika. impressjoni li din id-dar tal-anzjani kienet immexxija Sakemm ġejna biex nippubblikaw The Voice jidher li ma minn bord tad-diretturi, għax hekk kienu jgħidulna, iżda fil-fatt kien hemm biss Advisory Board. Sar magħruf kien hemm l-ebda ċaqlieq definit dwar xi bejgħ jew li dan il-bord kollu rriżenja madwar seba’ xhur ilu fl-ist- transferiment.

Smajna wkoll li għandha ssir laqgħa miftuħa għall-koess perjodu li ttieħdet id-deċiżjoni li tinbiegħ din id-dar, munità izda għadu mhux magħruf x’forma se tieħu din l-unika waħda għall-Maltin fi NSW. il-laqgħa.

Qegħdin isiru sforzi minn ħafna naħat biex it-tranżaz-

Deċiżjoni finali ttieħdet seba’ xhur ilu

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ccording to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, the CCAFL National Reference Group is once again putting on notice the Maltese language. They have identified Maltese as a subject that is at risk of suspension due to its very small candidature in 2017 and 2018.

Should the final 2019 candidature in Maltese also fall below 15 students nationally, Maltese would be suspended following the 2021 VCE examination.

The suspension of a language allows students to complete studies currently

Maltese language in Australia on the very brink

being undertaken in the VCE. One of these criteria states that where the national candidature of a nationally assessed language falls below a total of 15 students for each of three consecutive years, the language subject would be suspended until such time as there is evidence that projected student numbers have risen significantly, Were Maltese to be suspended, from January 2022 it would not be offered as a language subMaltese students at one ject. of the meetings in NSW Edwidge Borg, the President of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools has circulated a letter that the Federation received from the Victorian C&AA alerting the Maltese community to

the miserable state we have been in for the last few years. It is unbelievable that with all our resources we cannot bring forward 15 students nationally.

A campaign by the Federation of Maltese Language Schools to attract more students to take up the subject of the Maltese language for study at Years 11 and 12 that can then be accredited towards the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) has been launched in order to achieve the magic 15. One again, we may have to resort to adult students.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority acknowledged the contribution made by the Maltese community and others in supporting the study of Maltese language across Australia. They like us at The Voice of the Maltese hope that the information offered here will assist our readers to understand the current situation and the possibilities for the future.

Australian citizenship – the missing link

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Tuesday November 5, 2019

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NormanBonello

itizenship is an evolving subject, never-ending, always kept alive. It gets rather complicated when it transits between different countries.

The Maltese are very proud to have achieved, perhaps their biggest gain when changes in 2000 to the constitution allowed them to have dual citizenship. However, it is with regret to notice that when such complex issues are evaluated and decided upon, there will still be some left in limbo.

In my article I would like to go back to before dual citizenship was enacted. At the time Australian born persons residing in Malta before they turned 19 years were forced to decide between being Maltese or Australian citizens.

At the time Malta law stipulated that if one does not choose to become a Maltese citizen he would not be able to study or work in Malta.

In 2005, after much persuasion from those concerned, the Australian Government managed to change the laws allowing those Maltese born in Australia but who were forced to renounce Australian Citizenship at age 18-19 to regain Australian Citizenship. This, no doubt was a big step forward for the approximate 3,000 Maltese people affected.

But due to a legal technicality, the children (already born) could not inherit this

passage to Australian Citizenship.

Yet similar cases of Maltese people born in Australia who renounced their Australian Citizenship AFTER they turned 18 allowed their children (already born), to be able to inherit their parents’ Australian Citizenship.

The difference in treatment stems from a subtle technicality in the 2005 Australian Citizenship law making a distinction between, Renouncing under Section 18 (we have a problem) or Section 17 (they don't have a problem).

Section 18 Renounced Australian Citizenship when turning 18: Existing children NOT able to inherit their Australian Citizenship from the Australian parent.

Section 17 Renounced Aust. Citizenship AFTER turning 18: Existing children ARE able to inherit their Australian Citizenship from the Australian parent.

Examining both sections you would

Fl-ewwel sena kienu 107,000 persuna li żaru s-siti storiċi ta’ Heritage Malta bla ħlas W

aħda mill-miżuri ewlenin fil-qasam tal-kultura li skont il-Ministru għall-Ġustizzja u l-Kultura, Owen Bonnici biddlet il-mod kif il-Maltin iħarsu lejn il-wirt storiku ta’ pajjiżna kienet li tfal u anzjani setgħu jżuru s-siti storiċi ta’ Heritage Malta bla ma jħasslu, billi jużaw l-hekk magħruf bħala The Heritage Malt Passport. Filfatt, fl-aħħar sena kienu 107,000 persuna li żaru s-siti.

Għall-ewwel il-miżura kienet maħsuba biss għat-tfal li magħhom setgħu jdaħħlu żewġ adulti li jakkumpanjawhom, kollha b’xejn. Iżda mbagħad f’Mejju li għadda, wara ftehim mal-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali nfetħet ukoll għall-persuni ta’ lfuq minn 60 sena. Kollox jindika li dan l-għadd is-sena d-dieħla se jiżdied.

notice blatant discrimination.

To put the situation in a historic context it affected those that were at a delicate time of their life (at 18) - between studying and studying further or starting work.

Those that were 'on the radar' e.g. those attending government schools, technical colleges, university or applied for a job received a letter from the Maltese government to immediately decide their citizenship (Maltese or Australian).

Staying Australian meant having to pay high fees for schooling, tech, university (this was not a real option in those days) and not being able to work in Malta at all (ever).

This was the situation of Section 18 persons. The other persons (Section 17) were somehow 'under the radar' so escaped being picked up and given notice by the government.

They attended private schools, could pay the University fees and/or worked illegally. But as time passed after they turned 18 they did eventually renounce their Australian Citizenship, e.g. they wanted to work legally (possibly for a government post) or qualified to enter University late and renounced Australian Citizenship to avoid paying hefty fees.

Therefore the only subtle technical difference was, 'when' you renounced BEFORE turning 18 or AFTER turning 18.

That is the only difference.

This very issue was in fact taken up to the then Prime Minister of Australia John Howard who was in Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 2005. But the PM’s responses at the time showed that his government failed to objectively assess demographic information at its disposal on the family affected.

This request to the Australian Government lost traction over the years. To the many hundreds of Maltese children who would have been Australians had their parents not been forced to renounce their Australian citizenship, this issue is very concerning as they are still in limbo.

They would like to have it rectified.

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly magazine fortnightly tnightly magazine

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

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

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

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

Il-Knisja Maltija responsabbli

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Carmel Calleja minn Bankstown NSW jikteb: mmnuni li ma nistax nifhem kif donnu li l-entitajiet tal-knisja Maltija qed ‘jabbandunaw’ lill-komunita` Maltija fl-Awstralja, l-aktar fl-inħawi ta’ NSW, għalkemm smajt li anke f’South Austalia l-affarijiet ukoll sejrin lura.

Mela l-ewwel bdejna bin-nuqqas ta’ saċerdoti u issa qed ukoll iberraq bl-għeluq tadDar tal-anzjani mis-sorijiet Dumnikani. Ċert li f’Malta, kemm il-Kurja - il-faktotum fejn jidħol l-affarijiet li għandhom x’jaqsmu l-knisja - kif ukoll l-MSSP, u wkoll il-provinċja Dumnikana jafu b’dan. Iddiżappunt tiegħi hu li donnu li ftit jimpurtahom.

Li mbagħad iwassalni nistagħġeb mill-fatt li f’Malta niftaħru (u bir-raġun ngħid) kemm Malta tipprovdi missjunarji f’artijiet, uħud minnhom tat-Tielet Dinja biex tgħin iġġibhom lejn ir-reliġjon Nisranija.

Naf ukoll kemm flejjes jinġabru u jintbagħtu lill-istess missjunarji, qassisin u sorijiet li qed jaħdmu f’dan l-artijiet biex jgħinuhom fix-xogħol tagħhom.

Imbagħad f’art fertili bħal ma hi l-Awstralja, fejn is-saċerdoti żgur li jistgħu jaħdmu b’ċerta kumdita` mhux li jikkonvertu lill-fidili, imma jgħinu biex iżommuhom fit-triq Nisranija neqsin. Hawn fejn issaċerdot Malti dejjem kien u hu rrispettat u kapaċi li jilħaq l-għanijiet tiegħu fil-konfront tal-komunita` Maltija, l-aktar dik anz-

Please Note:

DST in Malta ended October 27 Daylight Saving Time in Malta ended at 3.00 a.m. on October 27. That is when clocks were turned backward one hour, to 2.00 a.m. local standard time.

Dr Hugh McDermott MP State Member for Prospect For issues concerning:

Ageing and disability - community services -education - environment - health - housing - planning - Police - transport - water

P: (02) 9756 4766 E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au

2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164

jana qed issibha diffiċli li jkollha r-ragħaj li jista’ jwassalha u jżommha fit-triq reliġjuża. Ħafna minna għandna familji li ppruvajna ntellgħuhom isegwu r-reliġjon li ħaddanna fi tfulitna f’Malta. Imma nistaqsi, mingħajr tmexxija spiritwali, iż-żgħażagħ Maltin f’ċerti stati kemm se jibqgħu jipprattikaw dak li għallimnihom f’pajjiż hekk kbir fejn tant hawn fejn jisvijjaw?

Mingħajr il-gwida li kapaċi jtuna s-saċerdoti Maltin huwa diffiċli li dawn in-nagħaġ se jibqgħu fil-merħla. Għalhekk il-Knisja Maltija għandha kull responsabbilta` li tara kif ssib is-soluzzjoni. Jekk ma tagħmilx xi ħaġa ta’ malajr il-mexxejja tal-Knisja Maltija se jkollhom għax jiddispjaċihom meta jaraw lill-Maltin jitkarrbu u ma jsibux li min jismagħhom.

Is it maybe, ‘Out of sight out of mind?’

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Ron Borg from Pooraka, SA writes: completely empathise with Anthony from Seven Hills NSW. I am also sad to say that the Maltese Community in Adelaide has just celebrated the feast of Maria Bambina, probably for the last time, because our treasured Maltese Chaplain is leaving us.

Because of his age and his ill health, Fr. Gabriel Micallef, a Franciscan priest who has nurtured our community for the last 23 years is retiring and returning to Gozo. It seems there is not one Maltese priest available to fill the void that he is leaving behind.

Just like you, I tend to think that the Malta Curia has also forsaken the Maltese people in Adelaide.

Perhaps, it is a case of, Out of sight, out of mind!

Sitwazzjoni imbarazzanti

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Mario Grixti minn Ta’ Xbiex, Malta jikteb:

war l-istorja li s-sorijiet dumnikani se jitilqu minn Blacktown ukoll kif irrappurtat fl-aħħar ħarġa ta’ The Voice, naħseb li din hi sitwazzjoni imbarazzanti, kemm għar-residenti fi New South Wales, kif ukoll għall-komunita` tas-sorijiet innifisha.

Meta jseħħu sitwazzjonijiet bħal dawn, ixekklu l-qlub u l-imħuħ. U soluzzjonijiet, jekk ikun hemm, jidhru fil-bogħod.

Tuesday November 5, 2019

The Voice of the Maltese 9

dIl-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana tippresiedi l-iffirmar tal-ftehim.

Dr Joseph Caruana (bil-wieqfa xellug)

Eżempju ta’ Dark Sky Heritage Area

Se jitwaqqaf osservatorju astronomiku f’Għawdex

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razzi għal ftehim bejn il-Ministeru għal Għawdex u l-Università ta’ Malta se jitwaqqaf f’Għawdex, eżattament fil-ġnien Ta’ Isopu fin-Nadur, osservatorju astronomiku b’investiment ta’ €160,000.

Meta ġie mħabbar il-ftehim, il-Ministru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana qalet li kif ix-xjenza tal-astronomija qed tikber fl-importanza tagħha, huwa daqstant ieħor importnti dan l-osservatorju biex ikun fil-qalba taliżviluppi marbuta ma’ din ix-xjenza li qed jiġru fuq livell internazzjonali.

Flimkien mal-aspett xjentifiku u akkademiku hemm ukoll l-aspett ta’ destinazzjoni hekk kif is-sema f’Għawdex jippermetti l-osservazzjoni astronomika.

Fil-fatt siti bħad-Dwejra, il-Fanal tal-Ġordan, li qed jiġi restawrat, u issa wkoll Ta’ Sopu fin-Nadur qed jattiraw u se jissoktaw jiġbdu lejhom nies minn madwar id-dinja kollha biex josservaw il-moviment stellari u fenomeni astronomiċi oħrajn.

L-astrofiżiċista Dr Joseph Caruana mill-Università ta’ Malta spjega li, l-proġett għandu tliet aspetti, jiġifieri, li jservi bħala għodda ta’ riċerka fl-astrofiżika minn studenti u riċerkaturi fl-Università, u anke jwassal għal kollaborazzjonijiet ġodda ma’ xjenzati oħrajn barra minn Malta.

It-tieni li jservi ta’ skop edukattiv, fejn student jżidu jinteressaw ruħhom fis-suġġetti tax-xjenza, u jiġi mwassal il-messaġġ ta’ kemm hu importanti li jiġu kkonsidrati żoni naturali mudlama. U t-tielet id-dimensjoni kulturali.

L-astronomija sikwit tiġi deskritta bħala l-iktar xjenza antika; il-bniedem mill-eqdem żminijiet ħares lejn issema u staqsa dwar l-univers, l-oriġini tiegħu, u post il-bniedem fih.

New President for Ħamrun Club (NSW)

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t its annual general meeting held on October 27, the Ħamrun Association Club of 100 Jackson Rd Marsden Park NSW, elected Joe Borg as its new President.

The sixty-two members present at the meeting also elected the following to form the rest of the committee: Edward Ellul (Vice President), Sandra Armour (Ass. Secretary), and Ray Muscat (Ass. Treasurer).

The Board of directors is to be made up of Lina Rusmussen, Tessie Rizzo and Mary Attard.

Emanuel Camilleri President of the Maltese Community Council of NSW acted as a returning officer, and Charles Callus and Mary Attard as scrutinisers.

Dr. Caruana qal li dan hu suġġett li jibqa’ jsaħħar lil nies ta’ kull età, u li dan l-osservatorju se jkun qed jgħin irawwem sens ta’ kurżità dwar il-misteri tal-univers u lġmiel tiegħu.”

Studji astronomiċi għandhom bżonn ta’ postijiet ’il bogħod mit-tniġġis tad-dawl, u Għawdex għandu għadd ta’ postijiet imsejħa Dark Sky Heritage Areas. Wieħed minn dawn il-postijiet, fin-Nadur, se jkun qed jilqa’ dan it-teleskopju.

Ir-Rettur tal-Università ta’ Malta, il-Professur Alfred J. Vella, ta ħajr lill- Ministru għal Għawdex li laqgħet it-talba tal-Università biex jiġi installat teleskopju sofistikat f’sit li ma jinkludix light pollution u li għadu kif ġie riabilitat.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva Ix-xandiriet Maltin fl-Awstralja F LAħbarijiet

Tuesday November 5, 2019

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

tit snin qabel ma jien u marti emigrajna lejn l-Awstralja konna ġejna hawnhekk fuq btala ta’ xi tliet ġimgħat. Konna għamilna ftit jiem Melbourne u krejna vann tal-kampeġġ (campervan). Konna soqnieh matul ilkosta fuq il-Princes Highway (li ħafna Maltin t’hawnhekk sfortunatament isejħulha b’mod li tinstema qisha Princess Highway).

Insomma, darba minnhom konna qegħdin insuqu minn kampeġġ għallieħor. Kellna r-radju miftuħ u kont qed indawwar l-istazzjonijiet. F’ħin minnhom smajt daqqa li kienet familjari, u wara xi sekondi ndunajt li kienet id-diska li kienet kantat Claudette Pace fil-Eurovision tas-sena ta’ qabel, Desire. Skantajna għax ma ħsibniex li kantanti Maltin ikunu segwiti fl-Awstralja.

Skantajna iktar wara li spiċċat il-kanzunetta, li għal mument ħaditna lura lejn art twelidna, meta mbagħad kien hemm leħen jitkellem bilMalti. Dik kienet l-introduzzjoni tiegħi għax-xandiriet Maltin fl-Awstralja fuq l-SBS. Wara naturalment sirt naf li mhux biss kien hemm xandiriet Maltin tar-radju fuq l-SBS, imma l-istess organizzazzjoni xxandar l-aħbarijiet bil-Malti fuq it-TV. Kien hemm programm Malti fuq l-istazzjon televiżiv tal-komunità ta’ Sydney TVS li issa għalaq, u hemm għadd ta’ stazzjonijiet tal-komunità li jxandru programmi bil-Malti, bħat2GLF u WOW FM f’Sydney, 3ZZZ u North West FM f’Melbourne, Gippsland FM f’Gippsland Victoria, 5EBI f’Adelaide, u 4EB fi Brisbane, fost l-oħrajn.

L-aktar popolari jidher li huma l-programmi tar-radju u TV fuq lSBS, naturalment għax dawn huma stazzjonijiet li jintlaħqu fuq issettijiet tar-radju u t-televiżjoni fuq it-territorju nazzjonali Awstraljan.

Ngħid għaliha huwa ta’ serħan għalija meta jinzerta jippreżenta laħbarijiet tal-Malti s-Sur Joe Dimech, li għal għexieren ta’ snin kien jaqra l-aħbarijiet ewlenin fuq TVM f’Malta, u li jirrappreżenta kontinwità u huwa wieħed mis-simboli ħajjin tal-istorja kurrenti Maltija.

Dawn ix-xandiriet spiss ikunu fid-diskussjonijiet meta jiltaqgħu familji u ħbieb Maltin u jibdew jaqsmu l-istejjer tagħhom u tal-komunità Maltija. Ikun hemm tliet suġġetti prinċipali li għandhom ilpotenzjal għal xi argument ibaqbaq.

L-ewwel iqum kull ftit snin, meta l-SBS jirrevedu l-lista ta’ etniċitajiet li jgawdu minn ħin ta’ trasmissjoni. Ġeneralment, it-trasmissjonijiet Maltin jgħaddu minn esperjenza ta’ ssikkar taċ-ċintorin, jew għax l-ammont ta’ programmi jitnaqqsu, jew inkella jiġu ddelegati għal kanal meqjus inferjuri, bir-raġuni tkun li l-ammont ta’ nies li jqisu lilhom infushom Maltin fl-istħarriġ li jsir, iktar ma jgħaddi żżmien dejjem jonqos.

Meta jiġri dan, mill-ewwel ikun hemm reazzjoni mis-semmiegħa,

li dlonk jikbtu b’dispjaċir u rabja (ġustifikata), u l-kunsilli tal-Maltin jippruvaw jirreżistu mad-diriġenti tal-SBS. It-tieni suġġett jiġri daqsxejn spiss iżżejjed, meta xi trasmissjoni li kellha ssir fil-fatt tinqabeż. Niftakar fil-bidu kont nisma’ li ‘t-tejp ma wasalx minn Malta’, u din bqajt nismagħha anke ħafna wara li kont nistenna li l-programmi kien qed jitwasslu bl-internet.

Wara skoprejt ukoll li l-programmi etniċi jitwarrbu meta jkun hemm avvenimenti li jitqiesu ta’ iktar importanza, bħat-tiġrijiet tar-roti Le Tour ta’ Franza jew il-Giro d’Italia.

Din dejjem tqajjimli l-mistoqsija għaliex il-Malti jitqies li mhux ta’ importanza biżżejjed.

L-aħħar suġġett huwa l-aktar komuni, għax jirrigwarda l-kontenut tal-programmi, kemm tat-televiżjoni u kemm tar-radju. Jittieħdu pożizzjonijiet kompletament kontra xulxin.

Per eżempju, hemm minn jgħid li fuq dawn il-programmi, ma jridx jara affarijiet politiċi, għax kien xeba’ jisma’ politika partiġġjana meta kien Malta. Allura jrid jara kemm jista’ jkun programmi kulturali, storiċi, sportivi u l-bqija.

Mill-banda l-oħra, hemm min igerger li fuq it-trasmissjonijiet tisma’ ftit li xejn dwar attwalment x’qed iseħħ fil-pajjiż, li kollox ikun għadda mill-għarbiel biex il-gvern ta’ Malta jidher sabiħ.

Naturalment dan il-kumment huwa japplikabbli għall-aħbarijiet bil-Malti fuq it-TV prodott f’Malta, u għall dik il-parti tal-programm tar-radju li hija prodotta f’Malta, għax il-parti l-oħra tal-programm tar-radju hija prodotta minn Maltin impjegati tal-SBS. Biex ngħid il-verità naħseb il-kumment huwa kemmxejn esaġerat, għax kummenti kritiċi għall-gvern spiss nisma’, u hemm limitu kemm tista’ tgħid affarijiet fi programm wieħed ta’ siegħa li jrid ikopri jumejn jew tlieta.

Imbagħad hemm il-kwestjoni dwar li l-aħbarijiet isemmu avvenimenti li jiġru barra minn Malta. It-tgergir ikun li dawn l-affarijiet ikunu diġà magħrufa, u li wieħed ikun qiegħed jistenna li jisma’ aħbarijiet fuq Malta.

Mill-banda l-oħra, hemm l-attitudni li jien nappartjeni għaliha, li laħbarijiet ikunu mhux dwar Malta imma mill-perspettiva Maltija.

Għalhekk jista’ jkun hemm avveniment li jsir barra minn Malta, li jiġi rrappurtat minn lenti ta’ xi ħadd Malti, li għalhekk per eżempju jista’ jagħti importanza lil affarijiet li jiġu njorati fl-aħbarijiet Awstraljani, jew li jista’ jingħata kumment dwar kif is-suġġett jaffettwa l-komunità Maltija.

Dwar din il-ħaġa, jidher li l-politika tal-programmi mhix magħrufa biżżejjed mit-telespettaturi u s-semmiegħa Maltin, u forsi tista’ tiġi magħmula iktar ċara.

Mitt bniedem, mitt fehma!

minn Malta

website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au

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

A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese Tel (02) 9622 7799

blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

SANTA ĊEĊILJA: patruna tal-mużika u l-mużiċisti bla ma kienet taf xi noti Tuesday November 5, 2019

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The Voice of the Maltese 11

ekk kif dħalna fix-xahar ta’ Novembru, se nisvijja ftit mill-kitbiet tiegħi dwar il-kultura u ddrawwiet tal-Maltin, u minħabba l-imħabba tiegħi lejn il-mużika se niffoka fuq il-qaddisa patruna tal-mużika u l-mużiċisti, Santa Ċeċilja li tiġi ċċeebrata fit-22 ta’ Novembru.

Il-festa tagħha tiġi ċċelebrata, kemm mill-Knisja Kattolika Rumana, mill-Kattoliċi fl-Lvant, u l-Ortodossi, u anke mill-Anglikani.

Iżda qatt staqsejtu jew ħsibtu għaliex din il-qaddisa PeterPaulCiantar verġni u martri, waħda mill-qaddisin Rumani l-aktar meqjuma, hija l-patruna tal-mużika u l-mużiċisti?

Jien personalment qatt ma ħsibt dwar din ir-raġuni u naħseb li bħali ħafna minnkom, il-qarrejja. Nimmaġina li wkoll l-opra tiegħu msemmija għal din il-qaddisa. Refice anke ħafna kleriċi jitħassbu l-għaliex. miet fl-1954 f’Rio de Janeiro waqt il-provi ta’ din l-opra Santa Ċeċilja hi waħda mill-ewwel qaddisin. Fil-fatt, tiegħu li semmiha ‘Cecilia’. Dak in-nhar il-parti ewlenija (skont il-Kanonku G. Grech Cremona fil-ktieb tiegħu kienet fdata f’idejn is-soprano magħrufa Renata Tebaldi. dwar il-qaddisin Insemmi wkoll għal kull jum), lwaħda mill-isbaħ ewwel bażilika quddisiet f’dan iltagħha fit-Trastevere qasam - ‘Messa f’Ruma nbniet lSolenne di Santa Ceewwel darba fiscilia’ tal-kompożitur seklu V. Ifisser allura Franċiż magħruf li Santa Ċeċilja kienet ħafna għall-opri, fostgħix fi żmien meta thom l-opra ‘Faust’, kollox kien primittiv.

Gounod.

Għalhekk żgur li lJekk wieħed jifli mużika kien għad sewwa l-istorja taljonqosha ħafna snin qaddisin isib diversi biex tibda tinkiteb. li b’xi mod jew ieħor Fl-istorja jingħad li kellhom għarfien skont l-atti tal-marsew tal-mużika, fosttirju tagħha, din ildawn hemm Santa qaddisa ma riditx, Hildegard ta’ Bingen, imma kontra qalbha Ġermaniża u badessa ġiet imġiegħla Benedittina (1098 tiżżewweġ. Waqt it1179) li mietet ta’ 81 tieġ tagħha sar ħafna sena. kant sabiħ imma Din il-qaddisa, minkien kant profan barra li kienet kitmarbut mad-dinja tieba, fundatriċi Rumana. tal-istorja naturali filF’dan il-waqt hi Ġermanja, u brava qagħdet tkanta fil-filosofija, kienet f’qalbha lil Ġesù. Hu ukoll kompożitriċi. minħabba f’hekk, li Fost ix-xogħlijiet xi elf sena wara, ilmużikali tagħha Papa Gregorju Xlll, li hemm ‘Ordo Virtukien jgħix bejn l-1502 tum’ (1151), kollezu l-1585, iddikjaraha zjoni ta’ 69 xogħol patruna tal-mużika mużikali (medjevali) u l-mużiċisti. li għalihom Santa Pittura mill-isbaħ ta’ Santa Ċeċilja ddoqq l-orgni Il-kwadri ta’ pittura Hildegard kitbet tagħha ddoqq il-vjolin, l-orgni jew l-arpa kabbru ħafna l- ukoll il-versi (il-poeżiji). popolarità tagħha: f’kelma waħda, din il-qaddisa ma Din il-qaddisa sawwret ukoll għanjiet liturġiċi, antifoni, kinetx tagħraf id-do mir-re (kif ngħidu aħna l-Maltin) iżda innijiet, responsorji u aktar. L-istil tal-mużika tagħha minkejja kollox, xorta waħda hi magħrufa bħala l-qaddisa huwa mħallat mal-Gregorjan … mużika medjevali … natpatruna tal-mużika u l-mużiċisti. uralment mużika taż-żminijiet tagħha. Iżda l-għan ewleni Barra dan inkitbu diversi xogħlijiet mużikali f’ġieħ Santa tagħha kien wieħed,dak ta: ‘Tifħir lill-Mulej’. Ċeċilja, fosthom dawk ta’ Alessandro Scarlatti (1660 Imma llum il-kitba tiegħi hi l-aktar dwar Santa Ċeċilja.

1725) li kkompona ‘Vespri’, ‘Oratorio’ u anke quddiesa Forsi aktar ‘l quddiem ikolli wkoll l-okkażjoni li nikteb għaliha. dwar qaddisin oħrajn li wkoll taw ħafna lill-mużika, lIl-kompożitur Taljan u qassis Licinio Refice għandu aktar dik tal-Knisja.

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta Foreign investors believe Malta attractive but difficult to find enough skilled workers

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and transparency of the political, legal and regulatory environment (46%). EY also urged the need for steps to be taken to restore Malta’s image, locally and abroad.

About 73% of investors believe Malta is keeping the pace with regulatory changes in competing jurisdictions.

Turning to skills, EY noted that investors’ ability to recruit specialised skilled workers remains a key issue, with 73% of investors saying they have difficulty finding the personnel they require

oreign-owned firms in Malta still find Malta attractive to businesses EY’s Malta Attractiveness Survey (MAS). Executives from foreign-owned companies operating in Malta surveyed for the 15th edition of EY’s Survey say that Malta remains attractive, in line with previous years.

In terms of their future in Malta, 80% of those surveyed said that they believe they will still be operating in Malta in 10 years time, which is the most positive response over the past five years.

The survey however highlights a number of pertinent issues that need to be addressed, including skills issues, and the need to restore Malta’s international image.

Of the foreign investors surveyed, 77% believe that Malta is an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

They rated a list of criteria, in terms of their company’s interests in Malta. They said that the top criteria that make Malta attractive for their interests were corporate

taxation (86%), stability of social climate (75%), the telecommunications infrastructure (72%) and potential productivity increase for companies (63%).

EY noted that Malta’s corporate tax regime remains the most attractive factor for foreign investment. It did however sound a note of caution and urged the exploration to discover what parameters must be strengthened to safeguard future investment.

The lowest ranked criteria, which EY said is in line with recent years was the stability

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Lufthansa Technik to invest €25 million in a new hangar

€21million project to process heavy waste

ithin two years Malta should have a new waste management project at a cost of €21 million that while contributing to the environment and the circular economy should reduce tons of waste from the current landfill.

Announcing the plan that will form part of the waste management strategy, Environment Minister Jose’ Herrera said that the plant, to be compleed in 2021 is an infrastructural investment. It will be a huge building with underground facilities. The waste taken at the plant would be processed and separated and exported for recycling.

The plant, to be built on an area of seven acres at Hal Far, co-financed by European funds, is expected to process bulky and electronic waste, wood, tyres, polystyrene, gypsum, mattresses and other material, that currently ends up at the landfill.

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ufthansa Technik, the leading provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification services for civil aircraft, from commercial to VIP and special mission aircraft, is to expand its operations in Malta with an investment of €25 million that consolidates even further the future of aviation and create high-quality jobs.

It has been allocated 21,000sq.m of land adjacent to its existing hangars to build a new hangar and create 90 new jobs.

Malta registers second largest surplus in finances among EU member states ast year Malta had the second largest surplus in government finances after Luxembourg. European Commission figures released by Eurostat revealed that Malta’s surL plus in 2018 was 1.9%, which is as much as Germany’s.

At the end of 2018 Malta’s Government announced that for the third year in succession it registered a surplus in its finances. This time the surplus was €236 million.

Not only that, but according to Eurostat Malta was among the countries that registered a reduction in debt when compared to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Its debt fell to 45.8% of the GDP, which means it has satisfied the Maastricht criteria both in terms of debt and a surplus in government finances.

Lufthansa Technik Malta was licensed by the German Aviation Authority to carry out works on the Airbus A350-900, with two out of the six sections in the facilities in Malta equipped to carry out work at an investment of more than €3.2 million.

The agreement paves the way for the company to move ahead with its planned expansion, which will allow it to service a wide-bodied aircraft and a narrow-bodied aircraft together at any one time.

The project focuses on reviewing stateof-the-art technologies for aircraft overhauls in the near future – from drone-based inspections of the aircraft skin to mobile 3D scanners to exoskeletons. The objective is that everything that proves itself in practice will be integrated in the work process and rolled out to all other Lufthansa Technik base maintenance locations.

The expansion comes on the back of Malta’s drive to expand the aviation industry. Next door to Lufthansa Technik, another aviation services company, SRT, is also building new hangars to expand its operations.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta Malta aiming to become world jurisdiction for aircraft rentals

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rime Minister Joseph Muscat has announce another initiative, stating that the Government is aiming to make Malta the third jurisdiction in the world providing a financial services centre that gives an opportunity to airline companies to rent aircraft from other airline companies instead of purchasing them.

The Prime Minister made the announcement during the first edition of the Malta Aviation Conference and Expo (MACE), organised by the Malta Business Aviation Association. He said that the government is holding talks with a new Malta-based company, Knighthood Capital with the aim of reaching an agreement on aircraft finance and aviation services.

Dr Muscat explained that the Government is intends to make Malta the third jurisdiction in the world providing a financial services centre. This new initiative would allow airlines to increase their carrying capacity without committing to the financial burden of purchasing aircraft.

The government is holding discussions about this market with Knighthood Capital, which is based and headed by Malta Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan.

Dr Muscat said that this isn’t going to be exclusive to any one company, and that anyone would be welcome to join in on this new industry.

“We believe that through this first agreement, which we will hopefully reach and can announce in the coming weeks, we will be able to start creating a market,” Dr Muscat said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Ian Prime Minister Joseph Borg said that Muscat and Minister Ian Malta was well on Borg at the conference its way to reaching its goal of having and that by the end of 2019 400 aircraft and 40 operators would regulated by the Maltese Authority on the Maltese Aviation Register. He added that 350 are already registered.

He went on to say that Maltese educational institutions need to make a greater effort to offer training in skills necessary for workers who are needed by the companies in the aviation sector who have set up shop in Malta.

Protecting businesses from cyber attacks

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Malta’s President George Vella receiving a special gift from a Japanese lady with special link to Gozo during his visit to Japan

President represents Malta at Japan emperor’s enthronement

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ate October HE the President of Malta George Vella and Mrs Vella represented Malta at the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s new Emperor, 59-year old Emperor Naruhito. He was among over 2,000 guests from 190 countries, that included heads of state, members of royal families and representatives of 190 countries that attended the ceremony.

Emperor Naruhito had officially began his reign last May after his father, Akihito, abdicated. However, according to tradition, the official enthronement ceremony is always carried out months later. The latest one took over just over half an hour and ended with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivering a short speech.

TVM reported that a Japanese woman by the name of Makiko Watanane who has a special link with Gozo made a special effort to greet President George Vella, during his official visit to Tokyo wearing a special kimono that cost her around $20,000.

uring a summit dealing with online security, the Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, the Digital Economy and Innovation, Silvio Schembri, launched B Secure, a scheme aimed at helping the private sector protect itself by investing in greater cyber-security.

As such, the Government is investing a quarter-ofa-million euro to strengthen the digital economy’s infrastructure in the private sector.

The Government is investing a total of €1 million in cyber-security.

The scheme will offer the first stage of the system aimed at companies and will offer free training to employees by specialist international companies to enable them to be prepared and have sufficient information to prevent their becoming victims of cyber-attacks

Gozo Channel registers 3.4% increase in passenger-crossings

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he National Statistics Office (NSO) released figures that show that between July and September this year, the amount of passengers that crossed to and from Gozo the channel has shown an increase of 3.4% over the same quarter of last year.

During the third quarter of 2019, Gozo Channel’s four ships ferried just over 1840,000 passengers between the two islands. August proved to be the busiest month as it carried 650,000 passengers.

There was also an increase of 8% in the vehicles Gozo Channel carried, translated into almost 539 000 vehicles. As a result the company made a total of 2,802 trips, an increase of 22% over the same period last year.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

L-immigrazzjoni - kobba mħabbla

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ak li seħħ fiċ-ċentru miftuħ ta’ ĦalFar ftit tal-ġimgħat ilu, meta għadd ġmielu ta’ immigranti miżmuma f’dan iċ-ċentru rvellaw u għamlu ħafna ħsara, kompla poġġa l-kwestjoni tal-immigranti mhux biss fuq il-faċċati ta’ quddiem tal-ġurnali u bħala l-aħbar ewlnija fuq l-istazzjonijiet tar-radju u t-televiżjoni, imma spiċċa wkoll fuq fomm kulħadd.

Ir-reazzjoni għal dak li ġara kienet tant qawwija li l-ġurnali, li dejjem jippruvaw jattiraw il-kummenti tal-qarrejja, saħansitra għalqu l-kolonni tagħhom għal dak li bdew jiktbu l-qarrejja.

Dan minħabba l-għadab kbir tal-Maltin li fil-kummenti tagħhom kultant marru lil hinn minn dak li hu aċċettabbli b’uħud anke jirrikmandaw vjolenza personali u saħansitra l-mewt għall-immigranti li jersqu lejn Malta.

Imma jekk il-gazzetti għalqu l-kolonni tagħhom, dan ma setax isir mill-midja soċjali, bħal Facebook, fejn żgur li dak li jinkiteb ma jurix il-valuri nsara li suppost inħaddnu. Hu ċar li għalkemm hemm min dak li jikteb jiktbu bil-kalma kollha, ħafna mill-kummenti inkitbu fis-saħna taddemm.

Dan jirrifletti biċ-ċar kif qed iħossuhom ħafna mill-Maltin, meta jaraw li lil dawk li tawhom kenn, tawhom għatja u saħansitra qed jipprovdulhom il-ħobża ta’ kuljum pattewielhom billi flok grazzi... għamlu ħerba u saħansitra weġgħu lil min qed jieħu ħsiebhom.

Kien hemm min, fosthom xi ġurnali, li ppruvaw bħal iġibu skuża għal dak li seħħ, billi rraġunaw li dak kien riżultat tad-dwejjaq li għandhom dawn n-nies li jinsabu maqfulin f’dan il-lokal li ma tantx hu miżmum tajjeb, fejn hemm aktar nies milli suppost u mitt raġuni oħra.

Ta’ min wieħed jgħid li l-irvell sar minn minoranza ta’ dawk li jgħixu f’dan il-post li attwalment ħadu sehem. Il-maġġoranza ma approvatx dak li kien qed isir.

Tajjeb li wieħed jneħħi l-idea li f’dan iċċentru l-immigranti kollha huma miżmuma milli joħorġu u huma maqfula donnhom

f’ħabs. Attwalment jingħad li l-inċident inqala meta xi ħadd li ħareġ mal-ġurnata rritorna billejl fis-sakra u skont ir-regolamenti, dawk li jieħdu ħsieb iċċentru ma riedux iħalluh jidħol.

Attwalment dawk miżmuma fiċ-ċentru barra li jingħataw post fejn joqogħdu, jingħataw allowance kemm għall-ikel, kif ukoll għat-trasport. Barra hekk jingħataw servizz tas-saħħa b’xejn u t-tfal tagħhom jattendu għat-tagħlim fl-iskejjel tal-Istat mingħajr ebda ħlas.

Kemm idumu fiċ-ċentru l-immigranti jridu jiffirmaw tliet darbet fil-ġimgħa u dawk li ma jiffirmawx jitilfu l-allowance.

Fiċ-ċentru hemm sa kċejjen fejn dawn jistgħu jsajjru li jridu.

Immigranti li jkunu għadhom kif waslu

Parti mill-ħsara li wettqu l-immigranti fl-irvell fiċ-ċentru miftuħ, bilpulizija lesti biex jikkontrollaw Malta jkollhom ċerti restrizzjonijiet sakemm ikunu eżaminati medikament u jsir xi stħarriġ ieħor dwarhom. Jingħad li kienu propju dawn l-immigranti li qajjmu r-rewwixta għax insistew li kienu qed jiġu miżmuma fiċ-ċentru għal żmien twil għax kienu ġew eżaminati żmien twil ilu, u r-riżultati tattestijiet kienu qed idumu żżejjed.

Is-soluzzjoni hi waħda diffiċli

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ħalkemm ħafna malajr jaqbdu u jfajjru kritika lejn dak u l-ieħor, il-kwietjoni tal-immigrazzjoni mhix faċli li tiġi solvuta.

Hu faċli toqgħod bil-qiegħda quddiem ilkompjuter u tikteb artiklu, xi editorjali jew xi kumment, mimli kritika u ppuntar ta’ subgħajn, imma ftit li xejn soluzzjonijiet, jew inkellha soluzzjonijiet estremi.

Mhux għalkemm wieħed jaqbad u jgħid nagħlaq il-portijiet u ma’ nħalli lill-ebda immigrant jidħol Malta kif għamlu pajjiżi bħall-Ungerija.

L-ewwelnett hemm differenza kbira bejn Malta u l-Ungerija, għax filwaqt li l-immigranti jiġu Malta bil-baħar u allura se jkollok

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

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

tiffaċċja l-problema jekk tħallix lil dak li jkun jegħreq, speċjalment jekk ikun fl-ibħra taħt il-ġurisdizzjoni tiegħek, jew ittihx l-għajnuna, skont il-liġijiet tal-Ġnus Maqgħquda.

Fil-każ tal-Ungerija, fejn l-immigrant jaslu bl-art is-sitwazzjoni hi differenti.

Biżżejjed jingħad li filwaqt li kulħadd jilmenta mill-għadd ta’ immigranti li qed jidħlu Malta, u hemm min jsostni li l-Gvern għandu jagħlaq il-portijiet Maltin, insibu aġenzija tal-Ġnus Magħquda li qed tinvestiga allegazzjoni li Malta ċaħdet li ssalva xi immigranti u ħalliet dan f’idejn l-Awtoritajiet Libjani.

Il-politika tal-Gvern hija li jekk ikun hemm il-ħtieġa ta’ għajnuna fl-ibħra kkontrollati minn Malta, tingħata l-għajnuna u dawk salvati jitħallew jinżlu l-art. F’każijiet oħra, fejn is-salvataġġ isir barra l-ibħra Maltin, Malta tiċħad li tagħmel dan, għalkemm kien hemm diversi każi fejn immigranti salvati barra l-ibħra Maltin jitħallew jidħlu Malta wara li jsir ftehim li dawn imbagħad jiġu mqassma f’xi pajjiżi membri tal-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Biss dan it-tqassim jieħu ċertu żmien, u jidher li kienu propju xi immigranti minn dawk li kellhom jitqassmu f’pajjiżi oħra li qajjmu r-rewwixta. ... u l-politika? (ara paġna 15)

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday November 5, 2019

...u l-politika???

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a jistax jonqos li l-kwestjoni tal-immigrazzjoni tħalli effett qawwi wkoll fuq il-politika, li attwalment mhix qed taffettwa biss il-Gżejjer Maltin, iżda wkoll l-pajjiżi membri tal-Unjoni Ewropeja, l-aktar pajjiżi bħall-Italja li wkoll qed jispiċċaw b’għadd ta’ immigranti jfittxu l-kenn tal-portijiet tagħha.

Minn dak li jintqal u li naraw jiġri jidher li l-politika tal-Gvern hija li ma jagħlaqx għal kollox il-portijiet ta’ Malta għal l-immigranti, iżda li jimxi mal-liġijiet internazzjonali u kif għedt aktar jagħti l-għajnuna lil dawk li jkunu fil-periklu fl-ibħra Maltin.

Min-naħa l-oħra l-politika tal-Oppożizzjoni mhix daqshekk ċara, xi ħaġa li jgħiduha ħafna fosthom xi ġurnali billi sfortunament donnu ‘l qasma li bħalissa hemm f’dan il-Partit qed tkun ukoll riflessa f’din il-kwestjoni.

Imma ngħaddu mingħajrhom?

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ħalkemm l-għadd ta’ immigranti illegali li jinsabu f’Malta huwa persentaġġ żgħir ta’ dawk il-barranin li bħalissa qed jgħixu f’Malta, ikun hemm min jinqeda bl-immigranti biex jilmenta mill-għadd kbir ta’ barranin li jgħixu u jaħdmu f’Malta. Hemm min irid jinsa li l-parti l-kbir tal-barranin ġejjin minn pajjiżi msieħba fl-Unjoni Ewropeja, u li għandhim id-dritt li jgħixu f’liema pajjiż imsieħeb fl-UE iridu.

Il-kritika tiffoka l-aktar fuq problemi li jinħolqu mill-għadd ta’ barranin fosthom fejn tidħol il-kera. L-għadd dejjem jikber ta’ barranin wassal biex ħafna minn dawk li għandhom djar u appartamenti għall-kiri għollew il-kirjiet b’mod esaġerat.

Dan qed joħloq diffikulta lil xi Maltin biex isibu fejn jgħixu, għax filwaqt li l-ħaddiema barranin jingħaqdu fi gruppi u hekk ikunu jifilħu jikru appatament jew dar, mhux l-istess il-koppji Maltin li jkunu jridu jħallsu l-kera bejn tnejn.

Hemm xi problemi oħra bħal tat-traffiku, tat-tagħlim fl-iskejjel, fejn il-klassijiet kulma jmur qed jiżdiedu u qed tinħoloq problema ta’ spazju u għalliema, fl-isptarijiet, eċċ. eċċ.

Min-naħa tiegħu l-Partit Nazzjonalista jakkuża lil-Gvern li qed jibni l-ekonomija ta’ pajjiżna fuq l-influs tal-barranin, kif ukoll li għadd ta’ ħaddiema barranin qed ikunu abbużati fuq ix-xogħol minħabba l-pagi baxxi u l-kundizzjonijiet li jingħataw.

Biss il-mistoqsija kbira hi: Tista’ Malta tgħaddi mingħajr il-ħaddiema barranin?

It-tweġiba jagħtiha s-Segretarju Permanenti fi ħdan il-Ministeru għall-Familja, Drittijiet tat-Tfal u Solidarjetà Soċjali Mark Musù. F’intervista ma iNewsmalta, qal li wieħed ma jridx jinsa li ħafna mix-xogħol li qed jagħmlu l-barranin hu importanti ħafna u xogħol li l-Maltin m’għandhomx it-tendenza li jidħlu għalih.

Musù qal, “qegħdin nitkellmu fuq carers, cleaners, uffiċjali tas-sigurtà, sewwieqa tal-karozzi tal-linja, wejters u xogħolijiet oħra fl-industrija tal-catering u turiżmu.

“Meta toqgħod taħseb tara li m’għandniex infermiera Maltin biżżejjed għad-domanda. Jekk id-domanda hija kbira, immaġina kieku l-barranin ma jidħlux f’dawn ixxogħlijiet bħal carers, min se jieħu ħsieb lill-anzjani li qegħdin fil-homes? Dik hija r-realtà.”

Imsomma mhux għalkemm taqbad u tgħid irrid neħles millħaddiema barranin bil-periklu li, kif qal Musu, diversi setturi importanti u vitali jistaġnaw..!!!!

Fatt ieħor li hemm min irid jinsa hu, li l-ħaddiema barranin mhux il-gvern jimpurtahom imma ażjendi privati biex jaħdmu bihom għax ma jsibux Maltin lil min iħaddmu.

Uħud fil-PN isostnu li ma nistgħux ma ngħinux lill-immigranti li jkunu fil-bżonn, għalkemm wieħed irid juża’ ċertu kontrolli, filwaqt li hemm min irid li jimxi wara l-politika tal-eks-deputat mexxej Taljan Matteo Salvini, li għalaq il-portijiet Taljani għallimmigranti.

Hawn imbagħad tidħol il-kwestjoni tal-politika populista fejn ilpolitiku jikseb il-popolarità’ billi jimxi mal-għajta ta’ dawk, u dawn mhumiex ftit, li huma tal-fehma li l-immigranti m’għandhomx jitħallew jidħlu fl-Ewropa. Fost dawn hemm nies li jħaddnu d-diversi partiti politiċi Maltin.

Sfortunatament, din l-għajta, barra pajjiżna, qed tgħin sewwa lil dawk li jħaddnuha. Biżżejjed ngħidu li fl-Italja, dan Salvini u lPartit tiegħu tal-Lega Nord, li ħarġu bl-għajta tal-għeluq tal-portijiet Taljani għall-immigranti, minkejja ħafna kritika li hemm kontrihom, xorta kulma jmur qed iżidu fl-appoġġ. Wieħed ma jistax jeskludi li jekk fl-Italja ssir elezzjoni dan Salvini jiġi f’sitwazzjoni li jmexxi l-Gvern.

Kontra dawk li jiżirgħu l-mibegħda

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afna pesonalitajiet ikkummentaw biex jgħinu li jittaffew ċerti kummenti ta’ mibgħeda fuq il-midja soċjali b’rabta mal-irvellijiet.

Fost dawn kien hemm il-President Emeritu, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca. Din qalet li s-soċjetà Maltija għandha tagħmel dak kollu possibbli biex toħnoq id-diskors ta’ mibegħda.

Il-President Emeritu żiedet tgħid, li filwaqt li l-libertà tal-espressjoni hija sagrosanta, meta wieħed jiżra’ l-mibegħda jkun qed jabbuża minn dan id-dritt, kif ukoll jirfes fuq id-drittijiet ta’ ħaddieħor.

Have you been conned lately?

Scams on our phones and social media are robbing us blind How many times did you receive bogus telephone calls, messages or emails?

We need to fight the scammers NOW You want to know how?

Detective Senior Constable Shawn Schussler Financial Crimes Squad, State Crime Command Will be the main speaker at the: Information Session Wednesday, 27th November at 7.30 pm.

Organised by

Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc.

to be held at the St George Preca Community Hall, OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Rd Greystanes.

Free entrance, English/Maltese spoken.

All welcome. Light refreshments For more details call: 9631 9295 or 0412 204 470 Sponsored by (02) 9231 2133

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Family law inquiry is already tainted S

enator Pauline Hanson should be axed as deputy chair of a national family law inquiry after claiming women lie about domestic violence, campaigner Rosie Batty (pictured left) says.

The reform advocate launched a five-step plan to make the system safer and said an upcoming federal inquiry into the sector shouldn't be biased. About one woman a week dies at the hands of her male partner or ex-partner in Australia.

Asked if Senator Hanson should be replaced as deputy chairperson, she replied: “I would say that would be a very positive gesture.” More broadly, Ms Batty said women giving evidence to an inquiry,

should not feel they are addressing a forum amid feelings of “unconscious bias”. We have a leading politician who has openly stated that women lie and exaggerate in custody issues.

“I would find that incredibly challenging to enter into an inquiry, where the person who sat opposite me, listening to my story and my experience, fundamentally doesn't believe me.”

Ms Batty said that the inquiry was “already tainted”.

Senator Hanson was appointed deputy chair of the inquiry when it was announced by the federal government in September.

Migrants needed for regional centres

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ederal Immigration Minister David Coleman said 6,000 visas were approved under the regional migration programme in the first three months of this financial year, compared with fewer than 3,000 in the final quarter of 2018/19 and prior to the initiative getting underway.

Under the programme announced earlier this year, 23,000 places would be reserved for migrants who commit to living and working in regional Australia. If they commit to living and work in the regions for at least three years, they will eligible for permanent residency.

The definition of regional Australia for migration purposes will also change: migration purposes will also change: Perth and the Gold Coast will no longer be clas-

sified as “major cities” to assist the areas to attract more skilled migrants and international students.

The new definition will come into effect on November 16. As part of the new ambitious plan, the government will deploy “regional outreach officers” to Perth, the Gold Coast and other regional areas, including Newcastle, Hobart and Wollongong.

All smoke and mirrors According to a report on the New Daily all the Morrison government’s tough-onasylum-seekers rhetoric, protection visa applications have blown out to record numbers.

In the past four years since the federal

Minister David Coleman government “stopped the boats”, 64,362 protection visa applications have been made by unvetted individuals who have arrived by plane while Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton were the relevant ministers.

Only 44,581-protection visa applications for boat people arrivals were issued over the previous five years.

The people smugglers are doing more business than ever. The difference is that their clients are arriving by plane rather than boats and are less likely to be genuine refugees.

The Home Affairs Department website shows 27,931 protection visa applications were made in the latest financial year by plane arrivals. The previous record number of asylum seekers was 26,845 in the 2012-13 financial year when 18,365 protection visa applications were made for boat arrivals and 8480 for those who came by plane.

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Aged care system in Australia inadequate

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he royal commission's interim report on Australia’s aged care system found that the system fails to meet the needs of older, and often very vulnerable, people. Aged care services are underfunded, mostly poorly managed and all too often unsafe and seemingly uncaring.

They want urgent action to provide more support to allow older Australians to remain in their homes, address the over-use of chemical restraints in aged care and stop younger people with disabilities being stuck in aged care.

The commissioners said the system does not deliver uniformly safe and quality care for older people, and is unkind and uncaring towards them. The commission plans to recommend a fundamental overhaul of the aged care system in its final report.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called for significant increases in government funding to address the problems in the sector, without waiting for the final report in November 2020.

The commissioners said short-term solutions at best temporarily stave off the worst problems and, at worst, produce another set of unintended outcomes requiring further inquiries and reviews and further injections of public funds, without addressing the underlying causal factors.

“These limited interventions are not enough to deliver an aged care system that meets the needs of older people.”

However, it said there was no reason to delay action in reducing the waiting list for home care packages, responding to the over-reliance on chemical restraints and stopping the flow of younger people with disability going into aged care.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

The bells of St Patrick’s in Parramatta

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he single bell in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, will soon be joined by eight bells to form a peal that has been 165 years in the making. Ranging in weight from 150 to 450 kilograms, the new bells will be installed in a “ring” in the tower of the historic cathedral.

Six of the bells are over 100 years old and were sourced from St Paul’s Anglican Church in Widnes, a suburb of Liverpool in England.

An additional two bells, including the tenor bell, were newly cast at John Taylor Bell Foundry in Leicestershire, England.

Together, the eight bells were tuned into an octave in the key of A Major at Matthew Higby & Co. in Bath, England.

The blessing and subsequent installation of the bells will be a crowning moment in the reconstructed life of St Patrick’s Cathedral after a devastating fire in 1996 saw it destroyed and then rebuilt in a striking modern design by architect Romaldo Giurgola. The new cathedral, incorporating part of the old sandstone church, was dedicated in 2003.

Talk of raising a set of bells in St Patrick’s dates to 1853, when the second St Patrick’s church was remodelled to accommodate 600 parishioners, twice as many as the first church. But this enlarged church would never realise its peal of bells.

The bell remained in place for 92 years until the fire of 1996 destroyed the cathedral. Stranded in the charred ruins of the tower, the bell was removed for storage, cleaning and conservation.

After the completion of the new cathedral in 2003, the large bell was once again hung in the spire. At noon each day “Patrick” calls the faithful to prayer when it rings out with The Angelus.

The daily bell toll out of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, alerts the faithful to prayer and Mass, and for others, it signals the beginning of lunchtime.

The bell’s solitary toll will now be joined by the eight “singing” bells in early to mid-2020.

No more climbing ULURU t's the most iconic natural passing.

Icredlandform in Australia, sa- “It’s about time the rock had a to the Anangu people and rest, rather than [the] tapping

admired by tourists from around the world, but after a highly-charged debate, Uluru was closed to climbers from Saturday October 26.

Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park every year to take in the grandeur of a world heritage-listed icon. And while many admire the rock at its centre from the ground up, respecting the wishes of traditional owners, others choose to climb it.

For the Anangu people Uluru is a sacred place. They have long fought to stop people tres-

of shoes all the time,” former Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Board Chair, “That is a sensitive area and we need to close it.” Donald Fraser said.

October marked 34 years since the hand back, a pivotal moment in the land rights struggle that saw the Anangu handed back the deeds to their homelands in 1985. Uluru has played host to colourful, and at times disrespectful, guests after tourists began visiting the area in the 1930s. At least 35 people are known to have lost their lives trying to scale Uluru.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija u dawk li matul is-sekli ħadmu għall-iżvilupp tal-ilsien Malti

L-għażla tagħna bħala wieħed mill-kittieba li taw kontribut lillilsien Malti b’kitbietu llum waqgħet fuq persunaġġ li l-aktar li baqa’ magħruf kien għall-poeżiji tiegħu, u allura hu aktar

meqjus bħala poeta milli xi kittieb prolifiku. Dan kien Pawlu Aquilina mis-Siġġiewi li ħafna jgħidu dwaru li kien iħobb ħafna l-leġġendi, u l-qaddis patrun tar-raħal twelidu, San Nikola.

Kittieb magħruf l-aktar għall-poezija li kellu għal qalbu l-leġġendi ta’ Patri Delia

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In memoriam:

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Mary Agius

ary Agius passed away peacefully on October 20 to be reunited with her husband Donald. A loved mum, nanna, and great grandmother. She was born in Floriana.

After her marriage to Donald in 1960 they immediately emigrated to Sydney.

Donald was instrumental in the building of Melita Stadium. He died 30 years ago. The covered stand at Melita Stadium is named after him.

Mary’s funeral was held at Pinegrove West Chapel on the October 24 in the presence of her family, relatives and many friends.

awlu Aquilina twieled fit-28 ta’ Awwissu tal-1929 fis-Siġġiewi u miet fl-eta` sabiħa ta’ 80 sena fid-29 ta’ Jannar 2009. Dawk li kienu jafuh mill-qrib jgħidu li kien bniedem “baħbuħ” u “tal-knisja”.

L-għeruq tiegħu rabbihom meta kien jistudja fis-Seminarju, dak iż-żmien magħruf bħala tal-Arċisqof, fil-Furjana, u wara fil-Kulleġġ tat-taħriġ tal-għalliema ta’ St Michael’s f’Ta’ Giorni minn fejn iggradwa biex isir għalliem.

L-ewwel xogħol tiegħu allura kien ta’ għalliem, u għamel l-ewwel snin tal-karriera jgħallem fl-iskejjel Primarji tal-Gvern.

Fl-1957, bħal għadd ta’ għalliema oħra li kellhom għal qalbhom il-kitba nħatar scriptwriter mad-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni fit-Taqsima tax-Xandir Edukattiv u kiteb għadd ta’progeamm għat-tfal.

Sentejn wara sar għalliem tal-Malti fil-Liċeo l-Ħamrun u wara 21 sena għalliem, fl-1978 ġie maħtur bħala assistent surmast. Disa’ snin wara, fl-1986, fl-eta`ta’ 57 sena laħaq surmast, kariga li baqa’ jokkupa sakemm irtira erba’ snin wara, fl-1990.

Minkejja li kiteb ħafna komponimenti u programmi għax-xandir, Pawlu kellu mħabba speċjali għall-poeżija u xogħlijiet minn tiegħu ġew ippubblikati f’Mill-Beraħ tal-Għelieqi (1992), L-Għanja Tiegħi lil Ħal Xluq (2002), Erġa’ Semmagħli l-Għanja (2006) u L-Għanja Tiegħi lil Ħal Kbir (2008).

Xogħlijiet oħra tiegħu huma, Hawn Twieldet u Tibqa’ Tħabbat Qalbi (2004) u Is-Siġġiewi u t-Toroq Tiegħu għallKunsill Lokali tas-Siġġiewi.

Fuq talba tal-Ġizwita Guże` Delia kien ittraduċa għallMalti l-verżjoni Ingliża tad-dramm storiku-reliġjuż El Divno Impaciente tal-kittieb Spanjol Jose` Maria Peman li bl-Ingliż kellu t-titlu ta’ A Saint in a Hurry.

Traduzzjonijiet oħra tiegħu kienu jinkludu, St Vincent de Paule’s Residence for the Elderly – The medico-social record (1994) ta’ Dr Paul Cassar; Il-ħobż Malti – Is-Sengħa tal-Furnar (1994) tal-Monsinjur Hubert Chiron u A Guide to the Passion – 100 Questions About the Passion of The Christ (2004).

Tul ħajtu Pawlu Aquilina ħadem bis-sħiħ biex jara lMalti jimxi ‘l quddiem u minbarra dawk li semmejna, ittraduċa wkoll xogħlijiet oħra ta’ kittieba popolari oħra, filwaqt li bejn l-1991-1993, kien ko-editur flimkien ma’ Ġuże` Diacono tal-ħames volumi tal-edizjoni reveduta tad-dizzjunarju Ingliż-Malti ta’ Dun Karm Psaila.

Fl-istess żmien kien anke ppubblika u bihom rebaħ għadd ta’ unuri fil-letteratura Maltija, għażla millpoeżiji tiegħu f’volum wieħed, Mill-Beraħ tal-Għelieqi.

Kellu ħafna għal qalbu l-leġġendi u għalhekk ma setax jonqos li ma jissaħħarx wara dawk tal-kompatrijott tiegħu, bħalu mis-Siġġiewi, Patri Ġużè Delia. Kien ukoll kittieb regolari fir-rivisti tal-festa ta’ San Nikola u ta’ devot li kien, ħafna drabi l-poeżiji għar-rivista kienu jkunu dwar il-Qaddis Tawmaturgu.

Huwa miet fl-isptar Mater Dei fid-29 ta’ Jannar tal2009.

Tuesday November 5, 2019

B’memorja ta’ Sam Mifsud (1944 -2019)

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Kantant, promuter, kitarrista, DJ, u xandar

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am (Salvinu) Mifsud kien ferm iktar min hekk. L-aħbar li lmarda qerrieda li kienet ħakmietu fl-aħħar ħaditu fil-ħajja l-oħra kienet aħbar krudili dwar din il-personalita’ magħrufa u maħbuba fil-konunita Maltija fl-Awstralja.

Sam twieled 74 sena ilu fiż-Żejtun.

Kien jgħozz ferm il-memorji ta’ tfulitu fid-Domus. Ommu Rose u missieru Jim kellhom sebat itfal.

Qabel ma emigra lejn Sydney fl1964 flimkien ma’ ħuh Laurie Sam kienu diġa popolari bit-Texas Skiffle Group. Hemm min jgħid li kienu Laurie u Sam li ġabu f’Malta lewwel kitarra elettrika.

Sam Mifsud kien ukoll pittur magħruf. Fir-risturant ferm popolari, l-Eagles Nest li kien hemm filMelita Stadium fi Granville fi NSW kienet tilqgħek pittura kbira minn tiegħu mal-ħajt ewlieni tiegħu tal-Port il-Kbira ta’ Malta. Aktar xogħlijiet ta’ Sam wieħed jista’ jsibhom ukoll fid-djar tal-ħbieb tiegħu.

Bħala xogħol, Sam kien accountant u għen diversi għaqdiet Maltin.

Flimkien ma’ ħuh Laurie, Sam kien mhux biss il-pijunier izda l-ewwel f’ħafna oqsma tal-mużka Maltija fl-Awstralja.

Mal-wasla tagħhom f’Sydney għaqqdu banda bl-isem ta’ Shertons. Maż-żmien dawn saru l-Mifsud Brothers fejn ferħu lill-Maltin mhux biss f’Sydney iżda wkoll f’Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide u Perth.

L-aħwa daqqew ukoll darbtejn fis-Sydney Opera House, u kantaw Waltzing Matilda bil-Malti fl-anniversarju tal-mitt sena tal-emigrazzjoni organizzatta minn Malta għal Awstralja.

Flimkien ma’ Vince Simiana fetħu r-recording studios BMS

In Memoriam

Nicholas D. Chircop (1926-2019)

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e are sad to announce the passing away of our friend Nicholas Chircop (right). Nick, as he was known, had been a member of the Maltese Historical Association (MHA) since its inception. In fact, he was the first local speaker to deliver a lecture to our Association on the 23rd March 1987. His subject was ‘Maltese Settlement in Egypt between 1840 and 1960’.

Nick was born in Alexandria in Egypt in 1926. During the war he was attached to the British Army as an accounts clerk. He was also very active within the Maltese Community especially with the Maltese Union Club and the Boy Scouts Nick and his family migrated to Australia following the Suez Crisis and settled in Melbourne. He quickly became involved with the Melita Social Club where he held the position of Secretary and later as President of that association. He also became involved with the Maltese Community Council of Victoria where he was the PRO. For some time he was also the President of the Maltese ExServices Association of Victoria. It was during this period that the Memorial outside the Maltese Centre in Parkville was erected Nick received various awards for his community work. These included the Manoel de Vilhena Award and the Order of Australia Medal for services rendered to the community.

fi Croydon Park fejn bdew jigu rrekordjati l-ewwel kanzunetti Maltin. L-ewwel fost dawn kienet Għeziz Ġenituri u bejn 1978 u 1993 laħqu rrekordjaw 42 kanzunetta u l-ewwel album. Laqwa minnom jinsabu kollha fuq CD. “The best of the Mifsud Brothers” Huma kkumpanjaw ukoll lil kwazi kull kantant/a magħruf/a minn Malta li żaru lAwstralja.

Fl-1978 kienu organizzaw ukoll il-Maltese Concert Organisers u ġabu minn Malta huma stess artisti Maltin bħal Enzo Gusma, Fr David, Tony Gauci, The Greenfields u oħrajn. Huma magħrufa fost dawk li ġabru ħafna flus għall-bini taċ-Ċentru Malti ta’ Parkville f’Victoria.

Sam kien wieħed minn ta’ l-ewwel li għaraf jagħmel użu millInternet u fetaħ kollegamenti diretti ma’ Super One Radio f’Malta biex iwassal tislijiet tal-Milied u anke aħbarijiet diretti mill-Awstralja. Wasal biex anke waqqaf stazzjon għalih biex jitrasmetti madwar id-dinja bil-link Uncle Sam DJ. F’Lulju ta’ dis-sena organizza t-30 sena anniversarju tal-Mifsud Bros fic-Centru la Valette bħala tislima tal-familja Mifsud fil-qasam li tant ferraħ u nissel tislima fost il-Maltin.

Spiċċa wkoll bħala organizzatur soċjali ta’ La Valette Social Centre għal dawn l-aħħar sentejn u organizza mill-ġdid issound system l-antika taċ-Ċentru.

Bejn id-daqq u d-divertiment Sam sab ukoll l-imħabba ma’ Joyce (illum mejta wkoll) bint is-surmast Carmelo Baldacchino li sal- 1958 kien jidderieġi l-banda Beland taz-Zejtun.

Kellhom tlett itfal bniet.

Nick published two books, namely: The Maltese Levantine Experience, 1994, and A transient Colony in the Valley of the Nile, 2015.

He also published other articles in local gazettes and newspapers His contribution to the MHA has been constant. As stated earlier he has been a member since its inception. He presented the following lectures to members of our Association: 23rd March 1987: Maltese settlement in Egypt 1840 – 1960 22nd March 1994: Maltese Migration to the Eastern Mediterranean region in the 19th Century 19th June 2001: Life in a Muslim country as seen through the Maltese eyes 19th July 2006: The life and works of Karmen Mikallef-Buhagiar 21st October 2008: Forum – The Maltese in Egypt in the 1940’s and 1950’s On behalf of the MHA we extend our sympathies to Claire and his family.

Joseph J. Borg BE (Mech), SMOM

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Maltese duo (Destiny Band Oz) win ‘19 National Artist of the Year award

Tuesday November 5, 2019

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Free Entry

estiny Band Oz husband and wife duo, Maltese Thomas and Tessa Libreri (left) from Gippsland, Victoria, won the National Artist of the Year 2019 award at the Tasmanian Independent Country Music Association Awards held recently in New Norfolk, Tasmania. It follows the couples’ National Band of the Year 2018 award.

Destiny Band Oz, a singer songwriter artists who were among the performers on the night of the awards along with Alan Caswell, Aly Cooke and Emma Jene to name just a few, were thrilled to once again be in the limelight at the TICMA event. It was a highlight for the couple that have just completed a three-week music tour of Tasmanian venues.

To date, the Maltese duo have 11 x number one songs and two top ten songs on the Official Tasmanian Chart from 13 single releases and have been on a roll since releasing their original music to radio in only 2017, with Tasmania taking Destiny Band Oz to their hearts and awarding them Overall #1 Song for 2017 on the Official Tasmanian Country Chart.

Destiny Band Oz's widening appeal has seen three x number one songs and eight top ten songs on the Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay Chart within the last 12 months too and International number ones and four top tens on the International Mainstream Country Top 40 Chart.

Thomas and Tessa feel blessed at the response to their music and have won other notable awards including the Gold Medallion Media Award for Band or Duo of the Year 2018 (presented at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2019), International Band of the Year at the International SingerSongwriters Association Awards in Atlanta USA in August 2019 as well as International Music Awards for two of their songs.

Last week they were in Sydney for the Australian Songwriters Association Awards where they have 12 of their original songs in the Top 30 of 8 categories.

They have so far recorded three albums and 2 EPs and are working on their next album of original songs for release some time next year when they will be performing at venues all over Australia.

They have just released a new single called 'Live Your Dream' which is what they are doing right now!

A must see documentary about one of the most significant events in Malta’s history.

This is the true story of

“Sette Giugno”.

Discover the facts and events that led to the uprising of 1919.

Why did Maltese citizens rampage and riot against the British?

Who were the innocent victims and how did these events change the course of Malta’s future?

This documentary, courtesy of PBS Malta, (in Maltese with English Sub-Titles) is presented by:

The Maltese Cultural Association of NSW

When: Sunday, 24th November Time: 2pm Where: La Valette Social Centre

175 Walters Road, Blacktown For more details please contact Mr Charles Mifsud: 0421 662 298

Obscene earnings by some Aussie CEOs

Photo by: Mike Parry of Fresh Photo Image

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ustralia’s top-earning CEO pocketed a staggering $23,876,351 last year while everyday Aussies battle stagnating wage growth and the skyrocketing cost of living pressures.

According to a new analysis of CEO pay released by the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI), Qantas boss Alan Joyce took out the number one spot.

The Irish-born chief executive’s realised pay – in other words, the money he truly received during the fiscal year – was just shy of $24 million, which is more than 270 times the national average.

Did you know that...?

l The first human settlers of Malta, arrived in 5,000 BC. They mostly settled at Għal Dalam

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday November 5, 2019

Marisa with Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna

Leaving the door open for a workable solution to the Maltese Community of Western Sydney A courtesy call was made by Maltese Australians on the Speaker, Dr Anglu Farrugia (centre) at Parliament House in Valletta

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uring the recent meeting of the Council of the Maltese Living Abroad (CMLA) that was held in Valetta on October 9-10 last, the NSW representatives, Emanuel Camilleri and Marisa Previtera took the opportunity to table the welfare concerns for the Maltese community of the western suburbs of Sydney that is based at the La Vallette Social Centre at Blacktown.

Last February this Centre lost its Maltese Chaplaincy of the MSSP that had been offering its services for over 30 years, with no replacement being offered or forthcoming from them.

Following on from the CMLA’s formal two-day meeting chaired by Carmelo Abela, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, the NSW representatives took the opportunity to also meet informally with a few key people both in Government and the Curia regarding this particular issue that is causing so much concern, especially for our ageing community.

The loss of Maltese priests is also being felt in the regional areas of the Illawarra, Central Coast and more recently interstate in South Australia after the recent retirement of Fr. Gabriel Micallef, who belongs to the Franciscan order.

These informal meetings proved beneficial and gave the CMLA representatives hope that a solution would be found in order to once again have the services of a Maltese priest to serve in the Maltese community.

Emanuel and Marisa are now working with the La Vallette Centre and the wider Maltese community, and with the assistance of Mons Alfred Vella, the Dar talEmigrant director in Valletta, they hope to deliver a workable proposal to present to the Archbishop of Malta, Charles J Sicluna who promised that he would be “leaving the door open� to find a workable solution for all concerned.

MarisaPrevitera

Tickets: Adults $45, ChildrenUnder 12: &15 For more information please contact Kids Under 5 Free. No door Sales President: Emmanuel Vella 0405 677 064 Tickets Non-refundable Public Relations Officer: Jacqui 0433 320 944

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday November 5, 2019

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s An Audio/Visual Presentation

SONGS IN MALTESE, TURKISH & ENGLISH

VOCALS, SOPRANO AND ALTO SAX, WHISTLES AND PERCUSSION

BOUZOUKI, GITERN, BAGLAMA (TURKISH LUTE) AND GUITAR VOICE AND CELLO OUD, GUITAR AND TAMBURA

* Do you speak Maltese fluently? * Are you in high school and want to study Maltese for your HSC? * Are you an adult learner looking for an opportunity to challenge your Maltese language skills and cultural knowledge?

Then consider enrolling in the Higher School Certificate HSC/VCE

Maltese community language schools across Australia are engaging in a recruitment drive to ensure that Maltese remains to be rightfully offered as a subject for generations to come.

The Maltese HSC, VCE and SACE are at risk of suspension due to their very small candidature.

You will be invited to an information meeting about course requirements and enrolment procedures. A commitment to commence studies must be made by November 2019.

To register your interest contact:

NSW: The Maltese Language School of NSW malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Akkademja Maltija ta NSW - skolamaltijasydney @yahoo.com.au - Jane Borg 0411 478 233

Saturday School of Community Languages carmelgl108@gmail.com - Charles Galea 0400 485239 Dwejret il-Malti – Blacktown dwejretilmalti@gmail.com VIC: Maltese Community Council Maltese Language Classes - admin@mccv.org.au – (03) 9387 8922 Victorian School of Languages https://www.vsl.vic.edu.au (03) 9474 0500

Saturday November 16th at 7.00 p.m.

Venue: 477 Royal Parade Parkville.

Food and drinks available Cost: $25, $20 Concession Tickets: MCCV 03 9387 8922 (online): Eventbrite.

Info: Maltese Community Council of Victoria 03 9387 8922

AUSTRALIAN HC on facebook & twitter

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

Both can be accessed by the readers.

The High Commission’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusHCMalta/ The Commissioner’s Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

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

Please Note:

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

La Valette Social Cent r e Forthcoming activities

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

Tuesday Nov. 5: MELBOURNE CUP morning Tea & Lunch with Charlie Camilleri. Members $30; non-members $35 (that includes morning tea and two-course lunch).

You can follow the race on Big screen Tuesday Nov. 10: CHERRY PICKING to ORANGE Members $50; Non members $55 For more information contact the centre ___________________________________ MASS TIMES: Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 5.30 p.m.

Sunday: St Dominic’s Chapel: 9.00 a.m.

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday November 5, 2019

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

Tu n e i n t o Ra d i o a n d Te l e v i s i o n

MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 10-11am.

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

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Merħba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Tuesdays and Fridays: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS 2.

On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am)

Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess.

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

To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip.

Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV.

SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet on SBSTV twice a week nationwide; Sunday 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32) Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBSTV32.

SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3.

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq listazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. (Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet: www.893fm.com.au)

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month. Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at Maltese of Bankstown 10 am.

Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month

in the Bankstown CBD area.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast Every other 3rd Thursday an outing.

Have to contact our Welfare Officer for Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357 an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 Greystanes Maltese Seniors 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Meets the last Wednesday of the mon- Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon th in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 GenThe Sutherland & St George eral Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips

Join us and make new friends.

Maltese Group

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

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meetings/Get Togethers are interestMeets every second Friday of the ing, informative & entertaining, so month: Miller Room, Memorial Av- come Join us and make new Friends enue Merrylands from 10.30am to For more information contact our Co12.30 am ordinator: Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Meets on the first Wednesday of each

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

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

SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38.

Programmes can be accessed online (live or catch up) at: sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app.

For television news from Malta SBS2 TV 32 ( (Viceland) on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am.

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

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming: www.coastfm.org.au BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm

MCA NSW Memorial Mass

The Maltese Cultural Association of NSW invites all members of the community to attend its Annual Memorial Mass for its deceased members to be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Greystanes, on November 8 at 7pm.

You may bring friends, who wish to commemorate their loved ones.

A fterwards refreshments will be served at St George Preca Centre.

For more infoormation: phone: Charles N Mifsud 9501 5525.

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee

Remaining main events for 2019

Saturday Nov. 9: Dinner Dance Sunday December 1: Feast

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

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports

Tuesday November 5, 2019

MFA, Government as one in efforts to produce better Maltese players

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he disappointing results by Malta’s National Football team, particularly the loss against Faroe Islands in a recent EURO 2020 Group F qualifying match has prompted the Malta Football Association to act, with Bjorn Vassallo, its new president since July announcing plans that hopefully could lead the team and Maltese players to raise their game both in the short and long term.

He explained that plans had already been outlined in the Vision 2027 strategy, but it seems that the results remained poor and results left a lot to be desired Changes are to be made to the project, kicking off with the immediate appointment of a new Technical Director, to succeed Robert Gatt, the introduction of new development programmes and the creation of a new foundation to oversee football development at grassroots level.

Another plan that has also found the goahead from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat consists of Malta entering a club in the Italian Lega Pro championship in order to enable Maltese players to train and play at a professional level.

As a Malta football supporter, the Prime

Minister too shared the disappointment and said so in Parliament. As such, he has promised the government’s help, including financial, for the MFA’s plan to succeed.

Bjorn Vassallo said that nobody could guarantee anything bar the implementation

Parramatta FC appoint new head coach

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he NSW team Parramatta FC. Closely associated with Melita Eagles who would be playing in the NSW NPL4 next season, have appointed Gert Disha as their 1st Grade Coach for the 2020 season.

Gert has extensive experience both as a player and a coach. He represented the Albanian National team at youth level, and later played at semi professional level in Italy where he also began his coaching career, mentoring the youths for 14 years, whilst juggling his semi professional career.

He later emigrated and resided in Australia where he took up a youth coaching Below: Gert Disha (right) with the Granville Association's Osman Jebara

position at Rydalmere Lions FC, before being appointed the Under 20's coach at Parramatta FC for the 2019 season, where his side progressed to the Finals Series.

Gert said he was very proud for the opportunity given him by Parramatta and has promised to do that he possibly could for the Club and team.

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of a long-term plan aimed at producing better Maltese players as well as some quick measures.

“The crux of everything is having a professional approach. We are competing at the highest level but we are lagging behind.

This makes it imperative for us to implement the planned projects – we will not stand still,” he said.

Against the Faroe Islands Malta had only two professional footballers compared to the opposition’s nine.

He pointed out that the project needs to be a collective effort and said that the MFA has already had fruitful discussions with the relevant authorities, presumably among them the government, that are willing to support it in implementing these projects.

Could this be Floriana’s year after 27 seasons?

hat is most surprising this far in the 2019/20 Premier Malta’s Premier League League campaign in Malta is the failure by at three RESULTS - Day 9 clubs that despite their investment in new players at Floriana v Mosta the start of the season have failed to make an impact. In partic- Gzira Utd v Tarxien 3-1 ular we are referring to Birkirkara, Balzan and Sliema Wander- Ħamrun S v Sta Lucia 5-0 1-1 ers. They are all currently in the bottom half of the standing.

Valletta v Sirens This season getting very interesting when it comes to the chal- Hibernians v Sliema 0-0 1-0 lengers for the league title. Defending Champions Valletta and Balzan v Senglea 2-2 last season’s runners up Hibernians have yet to find their feet.

Gudja U v Birkirkara (Mon) In the past few seasons Floriana rarely looked serious conDay 8 tenders for the title. This year is different. Along with runners Floriana v Senglea 5-0 up Gzira they are still unbeaten and enjoy a four-point over their nearest challengers Gzira. Could this be Floriana’s year? Gżira U v Gudja U 6-1 4-2 They have been waiting 27 years to win the title again. The Sirens v Balzan Ħamrun v Birkirkara 0-2 last time was in season 1992/93.

Valletta might still offer a challenge though they currently Hibernians v Sta Lucia 2-0 need to improve their points' tally and make up the eight-point Mosta v Sliema W. 1-0 Valletta v Tarxien R 3-1 gap with the leaders. Hibernians are not much better Gzira have never won the title but since their return to the Premier have been investing heavily and like Floriana are well equipped to win.