The Voice of the Maltese No. 221

Issue 221

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

Fort nightly magazine Fortnightly mag azine for the Diaspora

February 11, 2020

Malta will be spending â‚Ź50 million in the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project, an investment aimed at improving air quality in the Grand Harbour area that would reduce air pollution from cruise liners visiting the Malta by more than 90%. (See report on page 12

Pope Francis to make Malta visit

(See page 9)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 11, 2020

An edited version of the keynote speech delivered by Ruby Vella at the MCC of NSW Australia Day 2020 event.

Two island homes shaped Ruby’s identity

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uby Vella a 17-year-old student from Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, Castlecrag is a third-generation Maltese, her parents were both born in Australia, father Steve is second generation Maltese and her mother Amanda is Anglo-Australia residing in Leichhardt NSW. Speaking to a packed hall at the Maltese community’s celebration of Australia Day at Merrylands NSW Ruby explained very clearly the connection between the girl in the small island of Malta called Katerina who caught a kingfish and Ruby who lives in an island continent: Katarina ġibtlek lampuka, Katarina qabbad in-nar Katarina iftaħ it-tieqa ħalli joħroġ id-duħħan.

In an emotional speech, Ruby Vella said that both these islands are home to her, one figuratively and one literally. This story is from her childhood, the bridge between her Maltese and Australian heritage.

In fact, she continued, it is a metaphor for the two island homes that have shaped her identity. She feels very lucky to be of both Australian and Maltese heritage. Her two ethnicities have influenced her throughout her life and have helped shape the person she is today.

“When I was 11 years old, I visited Malta for the first time with my family. I was struck

by a familiar culture which I felt so connected to in a completely unfamiliar country. My 11-yearold self was fascinated by the Maltese accent and I longed to learn the language and to be able to understand whether my cousins were really whispering about me, the ‘odd Australian’, in Maltese”.

“During my stay in Malta, I learnt the importance of faith to the Maltese culture and of the bravery as its people have endured centuries of invasions. The country’s experiences moved me during the Second World War in which 14,000 bombs were dropped.

Malta was the most bombed place on Earth.”

“However, the Maltese people fought on and in unity, were awarded the George Cross so as to bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its people.” This award symbolises Malta’s bravery and strength as a country and the courageous spirit that is unique to its people”.

Ruby was also struck by the beautiful blue bays and the contrasting ancient alleyways and churches that were unique to Malta. She was amazed by the pristine Mediterranean waters of the blue lagoon off the island of Comino and the beautiful historical buildings in Mdina (known as the ‘Silent City of Malta’) made from limestone with exquisite doorknockers that the city is famous for.

She became fascinated with the practical nature of the Maltese when she witnessed glass smiths creating the most exquisite vases; the door knockers are in the shape of angels, lions and fish.

Ruby (centre) with Julia Finn State Member for Granville When her family and Susan Templeman Federal Member for Macquarie. took her for a trip to

Ruby Vella delivering her keynote speech on Australia Day

Gozo, an island off the mainland, they were absorbed into one of the biggest celebrations she has ever experienced; the festa ta’ San Gużepp, in Qala where people threw confetti down from overhanging balconies and the parish priest stopped to share a beer with the community amidst the celebrating crowd down below.

The most important feature of Maltese culture she said is the love and gathering of family, where memories, laughter and a lot of food are shared.

Ruby’s grandparents emigrated to Australia from Malta in 1968 and were welcomed into Australia where they started a completely new life and raised their three children. This decision was not an easy one to make, and it requires a very brave person to make this journey to an unknown country.

This land has provided her grandfather with the chance to make connections between the Maltese and Australian cultures as he has written books, spoken on the radio and worked with the Maltese Community Council in order to recognise Maltese Australians. “After Christmas, both my Maltese and Australian sides of the family unite in celebration to share a postChristmas meal”.

This gathering was a common example of her racially diverse country and represents Australia’s mixture and undivided embrace between different cultures.

Tuesday February 11, 2020

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Due to the proximity of the Australia Day celebrations in Malta with the publishing of the last issue, we could not include the important speeches delivered by Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Australia to Malta Ms. Julienne Hince and His Excellency the President of Malta George Vella in The Voice of the Maltese. They were very important and we believe it would be fitting to publish them today on the next pages.

Deepening people to people links

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Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Australia to Malta Ms. Julienne Hince’s speech on the occsion of Australia Day

he commemoration of the annual Australia Day in Malta organised and hosted by H.E. the High Commissioner for Australia in Malta Julienne Hince and her staff, was held on board the largest commercial catamaran operating in the Mediterranean, the Saint John Paul II. It was the last such occasion hosted by the HC whose term of office has just come to an end.

The venue an innovation as it turns out, because such celebrations normally took place in the Chancery, was indicative of the High Commissioner’s pride in a vessel that was crafted by Australian shipbuilders, INCAT in Tasmania. Ms Hince expressed her thanks to the Portelli Family and Virtu Ferries for hosting the event on the ship.

In her speech for the occasion, HE Ms Hince gave some background to the history of the catamaran that was built by Incat’s founder Bob Clifford, who as a schoolboy, his love of fishing and sailing led to him to start building seacraft at home.

“Bob’s love for the ocean and continuing interest in building ships led him to found and develop one of the most successful and esteemed ferry building companies in the World,” she said.

Ms Hince then referred to the catastrophic fire conditions Australia is currently going through. She mentioned the devastation to large swathes of the bush, and to some of the country towns and communities.

“We are very grateful for the outpouring of support for Australia including the many offers of assistance and donations from Malta,” she added.

The High Commissioner pointed out that the Australian Government was well resourced and well organised and has allocated an initial $2 billion to a National Bushfire Recovery Fund to undertake recovery, rebuild and resilience activities.

She sent her condolences to her fellow Australians who have lost loved ones, and to the hundreds more grieving over houses, land, pets and wildlife.

Ms Hince said: “To those who ask, ‘how can we help?’ I would say continue to buy Australian, visit Australia, study in Australia and invest in Australia. Much of Australia is not affected by bushfires - indeed many tourism sites are operating normally.”

One part of Australia which may be lesser known, and which she fully recommended to visit, is Tasmania, the Apple Isle, which, she said, is famous for beautiful land and seascapes, fertile soils and wonderful fresh produce, you are probably imbibing Tasmanian produce now.

As Australian Ambassador to Tunisia, HC Julienne Hince also took the opportunity to acknowledge the assistance of His Excellency Zyed Bouzouita Ambassador of Tunisia and his staff. She said that the Tunisian Embassy in Malta assisted her greatly in advancing Australia’s relationship with Tunisia.

She said that the Australian Government was pleased to fund the International Institute for Justice in delivering a training programme in Tunis for magistrates and police prosecuting terrorist cases.

On the matter of trade, the HC maintained that one way to multiply exchange of goods and services is through an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement. Five rounds of negotiations, the latest in Canberra in October have already been concluded.

Initial goods market access offers have been exchanged with the EU and there will be exchange services and investment and government procurement market access offers ahead of the next round this February.

Ms. Julienne Hince, High Commissioner of Australia to Malta addressing guests at the commemoration of Australia Day

Ms Julienne Hince said that Australia and the EU have a close trading relationship, and share many values including a commitment to the rules based order. She hopes that an FTA will generate new market opportunities, for goods and services and promoting two-way investment, and looks forward to Malta helping to achieve this ambitious arrangement.

“A point that out Prime Minister has made to all ambassadors is the overarching professional goal to deepen people to people links. People matter most,” she said.

As well as the resident community in Australia, it is estimated that roughly 50,000 Australians visited Malta in 2019.

When it comes to relationships between the two peoples, the High Commissioner said: “The strong relationship between Malta and Australia is outstanding and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the Maltese community when I was at home in Australia too”.

Her speech was also a farewell speech as she was departing Malta at the conclusion of her posting. She said that she would have moments of withdrawal from Malta’s welcoming people and the Mediterranean beauty of the islands.

She concluded by thanking the people who have supported her most closely over the past three years, especially her embassy staff and those who kept her residence and its inhabitants alive, dressed, fed, and able to entertain and host other guests.

She also expressed thanks to the most compact and collegiate diplomatic corps she had the pleasure of serving with, and wished the new Government of Malta harmony and success.

Before wrapping up she requested the guests to join her in offering a toast to His Excellency, the President of Malta, Dr George Vella and Mrs Vella, and to the people of Malta.

4 The Voice of the Maltese Speech by H.E. George Vella, President of Malta during the celebration of the Commonwealth of Australia National Day

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Malta proud to sustain close cooperation with Australia

Tuesday February 11, 2020

he President started by continued to solidify with the commending High signing in 2017 of the EU-AusCommissioner Ms Julitralia framework agreement, and enne Hince for the chothe President said that Malta was sen venue for the also confident that ongoing negocommemoration, which he said, tiations for the EU-Australia free reminded one of “Our beloved trade agreement would continue Mediterranean Sea and Tasmanto pave the way to boost trade and ian shipbuilding craftsmanship, sharing of best practices and provided an excellent and exAnother important multilateral citing meeting. forum the President mentioned is He also extended his heartfelt the historical past and membercondolences, sympathy and supship to the Commonwealth. He port to the Australian people that said that although the two counwere badly hit by months of ragtries are geographically located ing fires, and assured Her Excelmiles apart they both actively belency the HC that the Australians lieve in the core principles of prowere not alone, “the Maltese peomoting human rights, democratic ple would continue to provide norms, inclusive growth and sussupport and assistance.” tainable development for all.

President George Vella said that In fact, Australia is currently the ongoing ecological disaster in serving as Vice-Chair of the ComAustralia and other widespread monwealth Ministerial Action climate change effects should be Group and was instrumental in of grave concern to us all. the development of the CommonHe hoped that in 2020 world wealth Charter. leaders would take the lead and President Vella mentioned other the world recognises the imporinitiatives taken by Australia and tance of cooperation and action, said that Malta too has been acparticularly in relation to “our tively contributing to the Commonshared environment”. wealth successes which he In this regard he quoted Pope mentioned. These include the ComFrancis’ declaration about climate monwealth Small States Centre of The President of Malta, H.E. George Vella replychange, that it “demands a collecExcellence, which it is hosting. ing to the Ausrtalian High Commissioner’s tive response capable of placing He was also pleased that Ausspeech at the commemoration of Australia Day the common good over particular tralians also take great interest in interests”. to look at Australia with great interest and the Mediterranean region, particularly Turning to political and commercial rehundreds of Maltese continue to visit for the Maltese islands, and their customs lations between Malta and Australia, he touristic and work-related opportunities. and traditions. In fact, during 2019, the said that diplomatic relations between the President Vella maintained that Malta is figures of incoming of Australians respective countries date back to 1964, proud to sustain close cooperation with amounted to over 50,000. and throughout the years they continued Australia and collaborate both at the biPresident Vella is confident that Malta’s to transform and develop into close com- lateral and multilateral level. rich historical past, long standing tradimercial, people-top-people and educaHe explained that at the bilateral level tions and vivid Mediterranean culture are tional ties. the trade delegation led by Malta’s Prime three of the leading reasons Malta is such Due to the two countries’ geographical Minister in 2018 was an important milea popular destination with Australians. position, President Vella said that past stone. It continued to develop further the Add to that the cosmopolitan charm of colonial relations in the 20th Century respective commercial relations. the island’s evolving social fabric and Malta looked at Australia as a faraway At the cultural level the two countries transformed infrastructural landscapes land of opportunities and fascinating sustain cooperation and throughout the that are also novel interesting aspects of landscapes, and it became home to thouyear organised various events, particuthe Maltese island “that we call home”. sands of Maltese migrants and their relarly during the 2017 Maltese Presidency The President believes it is now time to spective families. of the European Council, which included push this friendship a step further and exHe mentioned the figure of 175,000 as an Aboriginal exhibition, that was a perplore new avenues for cooperation and being the total number of people claimfect example of the to countries’ vibrant augured that both Maltese and Australian ing Maltese ancestry in a number of cultural exchanges.

High Commissions recognise the importowns in Australia, therefore it was no He said that such initiatives are very imtant role of cultural diplomacy and fursurprise that most of the Maltese have a portant to further explore our respective ther facilitate cultural exchanges, first-or second-line relative living there. cultures, traditions and historical past. particularly for younger generations.

“Malta is proud of its Maltese Diaspora President George Vella: “I believe we President Vella concluded his speech by and proactive communities who although should develop this sector further and thanking High Commissioner Ms Julifully integrating and adapting to Austhrough innovative cultural cooperation enne Hince on behalf of the people of tralian customs and society continue to better represent the uniqueness of our re- Malta for “the excellent cooperation and maintain a strong link to their motherspective peoples.” solid diplomatic participation in our recountry, customs, and hopefully also the At the multilateral level Malta is gional and local affair,” and wished her Maltese language,” the President said. pleased that dialogue and cooperation be- all the very best for her future diplomatic He went on to say that Malta continues tween Australia and the European Union career.

The Voice of the Maltese 5

Tuesday February 11, 2020

MCCV at Melbourne’s Australia Day flag raising event

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ustralia Day 2020 has come and gone. In the last issue of The Voice of the Maltese magazine we managed to include reports about commemorations held in NSW and in Malta prior to the day itself. There have been other celebrations in other states with the full participation of the Maltese community, which we could not include due to our deadline.

One of these was in Melbourne where on the actual date of Australia Day, January 26, the Maltese Community Council of Victoria (MCCV) participated in the Australia Day

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Flag raising parade in Melbourne. It was the first time in many years that the Maltese community participated in a state held event.

The group proudly marched down Swanston Street with nearly 1000 people representing more than 80 community groups. As the group walked down Swanston Street in their colourful traditional Maltese costumes holding the Maltese flag and waving the Australian flag, they were introduced as one of the smallest groups.

There were 13 proud people telling stories of their Maltese heritage as people cheered them on. In the crowd outside the Melbourne Town Hall was the Maltese Consul General for Victoria, Mario Farrugia Borg, who could be seen with a look of pride across his smiling face.

In fact, it was Mr Farrugia Borg who brought this spectacular event to the atten-

Participants in photograph: (from left): Joe Camilleri, Consul General Mario Farrugia Borg, Ron Gauci, Annie Caruana, Tim Gauci, Rebecca Gauci Maurici and Carli Gauci. Front: (from left): Miriam Farrugia Borg, Adam Farrugia Borg, Marlene Ebejer, Elizabeth Mantouzas, Antonia Camilleri, Lisa Zammit and Charlene Trestrail tion of the MCCV after he noticed in the 2019 ceremony that the Maltese were not represented.

The MCCV now also looks forward to participating in the 2020 Moomba Parade on March 9 and is encouraging people to get involved. It looks forward to continuing to promote Maltese culture, heritage and well-being.

Lejla Mġarrija

Enquires to admin@mccv.org.au or phone on 03 9387 8922.

organised by Horsley Park Community Social Group

For the Maltese Community & Friends

Saturday March 7 at Mandavilla Function Centre Horsley Drive, Horsley Park Entertainment provided by: Heartbeat Cost $65.00pp: includes Maltese antipasto, 3-course meal, beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee and more.

Bookings call: Theresa Quattromani 0402 178-781, Josephine Borg 0402 040 954,

Come and join us for a fun time.

The proceeds of the evening with go to The Cancer Council

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 11, 2020

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

Family law: if my partner wasted money during our relationship, can I get more out of what is left?

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by PaulSant

n many relationships, one partner may spend more money, albeit on gambling, drinking, or shopping, than the other. Here, we will briefly discuss what relevance you or your former partner’s spending habits may have, if the court were to decide a property settlement between you.

In answering the question above – the short answer is no. The court approaches how finances were brought in and expended during relationships with the view of taking the good with the bad. The principle was established in the case of Kowaliw & Kowaliw in 1981, where the court stated: “You share in the fruits of the relationship, as well as the losses, with each not necessarily equally”.

However, that is not the be all and end all. Section 75(2)(o) of the Family Law Act 1975 allows the court to consider “any fact or circumstance, which in the opinion of the Court, the justice of the case requires to be taken into account”.

Negative contributions Under section 75(2)(o), an argument may be made that one party is entitled to an adjustment on the basis of a negative contribution from the other party.

Following from Kowaliw, you would need to satisfy the court that your former partner either: 1. Embarked on a course of conduct intended to reduce or minimise the value or worth of matrimonial assets; or

2.

Acted recklessly, negligently, or wantonly with matrimonial assets, and overall the effect has reduced or minimised the value.

Polito & Polito [2009] In this case, the wife sought an add back of $121,344, due to the husband’s gambling, drug and alcohol addictions during the relationship. The court, based on the evidence, noted the husband’s conduct in losing $139 per week over 5 years and 7 months (with 1 year of unemployment therein) was reckless, negligent or wanton conduct, which reduced or minimized the value of the assets.

The Judge went on to note that use of alcohol and marijuana was for entertainment, and an amount of $30 per week was reasonable to spend on entertainment. He determined the loss from the husband’s conduct amounted to $32,264 and included as an add back in the property pool.

What about money spent after separation?

In Todd & Todd [2014] the Judge found the husband removed almost $1.4 million from the asset pool, after separation. Approximately $400,000 was applied to gambling. The Judge made a 12% adjustment in favour of the wife, by way of section 75(2)(o).

Reasonable living expenses It is often the case that the party who vacates the former matrimonial home may reside in rental accommodation, where there is no family member or other real property owned by the parties to make use of, until such time as a final settlement is

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reached. Payment for accommodation, and other reasonable day to day living expenses, will not be added back into the pool: Omacini & Omacini (2005).

Mantle & Mantle [2014]: Husband unsuccessfully contended his Wife’s postseparation spending of $122,000 in a month was wanton or reckless. The court concluded the wife’s explanations about how the money was spent were reasonable based on the evidence.

What else could be added back?

If legal fees are paid from a bank account that would otherwise be property of the parties, that amount will almost always be added back. Guidelines for doing so were established in a 2004 case, Chorn & Hopkins, recently re-confirmed in Trevi & Trevi (2018).

The guidelines may be summarised as follows: 1. Ultimately, how to treat monies applied to legal costs is a discretionary matter – the Judge may decide.

2. In reaching a decision, a Judge should look at the source of the funds.

3. Where funds existed at the time of separation, and it can be established that both parties had an interest in those funds, they should be added back as a notional asset of the party.

4. Generally, where a party has paid legal fees from funds they obtained post-separation, either from income, or a gift or inheritance, such funds are not added back as a notional asset.

5. Similarly, if one party has borrowed monies after separation, and applied in payment of legal fees, that loan or debt would not be included as a liability in the balance sheet between the parties.

Conclusion Addbacks are the exception, not the rule – the court’s task is to: “examine and make findings about the particular circumstances surrounding expenditure, and determine… the manner in which overall justice and equity indicates the diminution in the pool ought be treated,” Kouper & Kouper (2009).

If you require family law advice, Paul Sant has extensive experience and would be pleased to discuss how he may be of assistance.

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

Waslu l-jiem tant mistennija, dawk tal-bluha Tuesday February 11, 2020

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Joseph Cutajar

ull sena fi Frar, bħal f’ħafna pajjiżi madwar id-dinja, f’Malta ssir dik li l-Maltin iħobbu jsibuha bħala “ilfesta tal-bluha” il-Karnival, ħamest ijiem ta’ attivitajiet ta’ brijju u kuluri, li din issena se jsir bejn il-Ġimgħa 21 u t-Tlieta l25 ta’ Frar, avveniment festiv u ta’ xalar li bħal dejjem jiġi ftit taż-żmien qabel jibda r-Randan.

Tul il-jiem tiegħu wieħed ikun jista’ jammira l-ħila tad-dilettanti (aktar professjonisti f’dak li jagħmlu) tal-Maltin li jużaw l-artistrija tagħhom biex jipprovdu l-isbaħ kostumi u l-isbaħ karrijiet li jkun ilhom jibnu x-xhur ħalli mbagħad joħorġuhom fit-toroq, l-aktar dawk ewlenin tal-kapitali Maltija Valletta, jifirħu huma u jferrħu lilleluf li jogħxew jammirawhom.

Huwa wkoll żmien li fost kulħadd, hu lgħaxqa tat-tfal, li jissaħru b’dak li jaraw, bil-brijju li joħolqu dawk li jakkumpanjaw il-karrijiet u maskeruni oħra li għal dawn il-jiem ġieli jinsew is-serjetá u jtuha għaxxalar. Sa anke jinżebgħu biex speċi juru “wiċċ b’ieħor” u ġieli wkoll figura li “mhix tagħhom”, bħal irġiel jilbsu ta’ nisa u viċi-versa. Dan l-aktar fil-karnivali spontanji ta’ xi rħula, l-aktar f’Ħal Għaxaq Malta, u nNadur Għawdex.

Din tal-Karnival f’Malta hi tradizzjoni sa minn żmien ilKavalieri ta’San Ġwann, u jingħad li daħlet mal-Kavallieri. F’dokumenti storiċi jingħad li l-ewwel Karnival f’Malta sar fl-1560. Dakinhar għadd kbir ta’ iġfna ta’ prinċpijiet Insara kienu nġabru fil-port lesti ħalli jsalpaw lejn Tripli fil-Libja.

F’din l-okkażjoni, kuntrarju għal li seta’ jsir qabel, il-Gran Mastru kien ta l-permess li jintlibsu l-maskri filpubbliku, hekk li l-poplu ma qagħadx lura u beda hu wkoll jilbes ta’ maskerat bla xkiel u jiddeverti b’ċertu entujażmu.

Maż-żmien ħafna mil-ewwel drawwiet tal-Karnival bdew jitwarbu u jidħlu oħrajn. Anke minħabba regoli u liġijiet ġodda, kien tilef ukoll l-ispontanjetá bilgħan li ma jiġi offiż ħadd. B’danakollu grazzi għall-organizzazzjoni xorta baqa’ jsir aktar attraenti.

Il-Karnival kien jibda nhar ta’ Ħamis bittfal jiġġerrew mat-toroq b’wiċċhom niżbugħ, ħafna drabi bin-nugrufun,

The Voice of the Maltese 7

jagħmlu l-ħsejjes bil-bottijiet jew b’xi borom u kzazen.

Iżda l-organizzaturi ġabu lillKarnival proprja li jibda s-Sibt filgħodu l-aktar għat-tfal taliskejjel li kienu jsegwu l-parata u ż-żifna li kienet tfakkar firrebħa tal-Maltin u l-Kavallieri fuq it-Torok flAssedju l-Kbir tal-1565.

Fiż-żifna kienu jieħdu sehem bejn l-24 u u fil-ħamsinijiet tas-seklu l-ieħor, u hekk t-30 persuna, bejn tfal u kbar, u kienet baqa’ għal ħafna snin wara, matul il-jiem tibda minn quddiem il-Palazz tal-Gran tal-Karnival kienu jiġu organizzati balliMastru fi Pjazza San Ġorġ kienet tibda jiet, kemm fil-każini kbar, popolari talpersuna lebsin kostumi ta’ kavallieri u ta’ kapitali Maltija, kif ukoll fi swala u Torok, kollha jġorru xi injama forma ta’ lukandi oħra madwar Malta. xabla u tarka biex iħabbtu ma’ xuxlin Ġeneralment, fil-biċċa ‘l kbira kienu taparsi jiġġieldu. jieħdu sehem kumpaniji taż-żfin li fl-istess Kien ikun hemm ukoll erbat irġiel jiem kienu jitilgħu fuq il-karrijiet iduru iżommu lasta twila b’bandiera u tfajla mal-belt fil-parata tal-karrijiet għad-daqq ħelwa tirrappreżenta lil Malta. Kienu jsi- tal-baned jew diski. Kienu jsiru wkoll kompetizzjoni bi premjijiet Karru grottesk minn attraenti ħafna għar-rebKarnival ta’ ħafna snin bieħa ta’ dawn il-ballijiet. ilu għaddej minn ħdejn Premjijiet oħra, m’għandit-Teatru Rjal. Impressjoniex xi ngħidu, kienu jiknanti l-folla madwaru kompetu għalihom l-istess kumpaniji li jkollhom ilkarrijiet fl-isfilata, li wkoll kienu jiżfnu, jew fi Pjazza San Gorġ inkella f’Misraħ il-Ħelsien qabel ma’ nbena l-Parlament il-ġdid.

Dawn il-kompetizzjonijiet mhux biss għadhom isiru, imma frott tal-ħidma eċċellenti u ma taqta’ xejn ta’ min imexxihom, u wkoll ilgvern, il-premjijiet ta’ flus żdiedu sew għax kulħadd sar jifhem u jirraġuna li din l-okkażjoni saret ukoll atbuha bħala l-Għarusa tal-Parata. trazzjoni turistika.

Iż-żifna, għad-daqq ta’ xi żewġ daqqaqa Fiż-żminijiet reċenti l-Karnival beda jsir kienet tintemm bir-rebħa tal-Maltin – dej- fuq ħamest ijiem. Jiftaħ nhar ta’ Ħamis bljem bir-rebħ – fuq it-Torok. It-tfajla kienet isfilata tar-Re tal-Karnival, karru li jkun tiġi merfugħa fuq l-ispallejn ixxejjer u ikkummissjonat mill-Għaqda tal-Karnival titfa’ l-bews lill-folla. li tħalli x-xogħol f’idejn artist/artisti Fl-antik, biex tinżamm it-tradizzjoni l-or- magħfurfa sew mhux biss għal-imħabba ganizzaturi tal-isfilata kienu jitolbu per- tagħhom għall-Karnival imma wkoll mess għall-Karnival lill-Gran Mastru li għall-ħila li jippossjedu. mbagħad joħroġ il-bandu.

Il-Maltin tassew li jafu u jħobbu jixxalaw *Ikompli f’paġna 19 uu

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 11, 2020

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.

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From a follower Malta has now become a leader

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Charles Zammit from Penrith, NSW writes: ou hit the nail on the head when you titled your main item in the Roundup of news about Malta pages, ‘PM Robert Abela building bridges’, as from what I have learned by watching and listening to the TVM news bulletins, Malta’s new Prime Minister is truly making an impact.

In the short time since succeeding Dr Joseph Muscat as PM, Dr Abela has not only managed to smooth the road ahead and mend any cracks that might have appeared in the island’s armour, but even gained such popularity among the people with his early decisions, that it is as if there weren’t any stoppages at all.

Malta’s progress in so many sectors therefore continues to surpass much bigger countries and has become an example for others to follow. It is not a follower but has

become a leader.

Well done indeed. Though we live so many miles apart, we as Maltese citizens are so proud of you! If I could, I would return home tomorrow!

Where is the money going?

F

George Abela from Altona Victoria wites:

rom bushfires to floods within a few days! This is Australia, a land of extreme weather.

The Federal Government was caught napping this time around as it only intervened when the damage was already done.

We need more preventative measures and a clear picture of how and where all these millions of donations are being spent. Is it reaching the very persons that are left homeless and penniless?

We need answers.

Għaqda reliġjuża Maltija għall-Maltin Anchored in Australia

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M. Borg minn Sunshine Victoria jikteb: majna li hawn fostna f’Melbourne, issuperjur ġeneral tal-Missjunarji ta’ San Pawl (MSSP), Fr Mark Grima li sintendi qiegħed jistħarreġ is-sitwazzjoni fl-Awstralja mal-kap t’hawnhekk, Fr J. Taliana MSSP. Nittama li s-sitwazzjoni fi NSW tiġi studjata bir-reqqa wkoll għax ma rridux nitilfu l-uniku saċerdot Malti li din l-għaqda Maltija għandha wkoll f’dak l-istat.

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

but craving for Malta

Paul Farrell from Perth, Western Australia writes:

I

would like to add my name and comments with those already expressed in the last issue of the magazine about Andy Busuttil’s article in a recent issue of The Voice of the Maltese.

I have been following Andy’s contributions since they first appeared in the magazine years back. I also follow his musical skills by attending whenever I can, to his, and his Skorba group’s concerts.

This man’s love for Malta is second to none. Every time he writes he manages to show that although he left Malta at a very young age, his heart and his mind are still there. I dare say they still belong to Malta despite living for most of his life in Australia. I also appreciate the the fact that this magazine keeps strengthening our link with Malta.

There are still Maltese people like him (and me) in Australia who though settled to this vast continent still crave for Malta, but because we are now anchored and have our closest families here, are unable to return. However, Malta is the first country we think of when we plan our holidays.

Tuesday February 11, 2020

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Pope Francis to make Malta visit

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ope Francis is to visit Malta shortly, it has been learnt. No date has as yet been set but a Papal visit is a certainty. The Government and the Malta Church Authorities have been informed that the Holy See has accepted one of the many invitations Malta had extended to the Pope.

The latest invitation was made by President George Vella during a private audience he and his wife had with him at the Vatican in September last year. Details could be announced soon.

This would be the fourth visit by the Head of the Roman Catholic Church to Malta. Pope Benedictus XVI made the last visit ten years ago in April 2010. Pope John Paul also paid two visits, in May 1990 and again in May 2001 for the beautification of Nazju Falzon, Maria Adeodata Pisani and Dun Ġorġ Preca who was later canonised as a Saint.

Malta’s Destiny for Eurovision

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estiny gave a stunning performance in the Final to win the second edition of X Factor Malta and earn the right to represent Malta in the forthcoming Eurovision 2020 to be held in Rotterdam, Holland, in May. The 17-year-old with Nigerian and Maltese roots was born in Birkirkara, Malta. Her father, Ndubisi Chukunyere was a footballer with Hibernians and later also became a coach. He was present to see her daughter give an explosive performance.

Though only 17, Destiny is no stranger to Eurovision as in 2015; she not only represented Malta but also won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with a song titled "Not My Soul".

Destiny, has already been in a Eurovision Song Contest stage just last year as Michela Pace's backing vocalist.

Saturday’s was not her first talent show. In 2017, she also auditioned for Britain's Destiny Got Talent and even singing qualified for the her way live shows.

The X Factor to victory Malta final was so spectacular. All four finalists were at their best and though there was just one winner, the runner up, 16-yearold Justine Shorfid,

the five young 15-16-year-old girls making the astonishing group F.A.I.T.H, and the only male finalist, Kyle Cutajar gave more proof if any was needed, that Malta really has got talent in the music sector Even though the jury panel – including Malta's 2002 and 2016 representative, Ira Losco – was crucial on finding the four finalists, they had no say in the final results. The voting was 100% up to the public at home.

After a first round, where each finalist performed an original song, the voting was frozen and the acts took the stage for the duet round that didn't impact the first elimination. During the duels round, Michela Pace (Malta 2019) performed with Kyle.

Shortly after Kyle Cutajar was eliminated, and the three remaining acts performed another song, this time in Maltese. F.A.I.T.H were the next to be eliminated.

Destiny and Justine Shorfid got to perform once more. Destiny’s interpretation of “He Lives In You” from Lion King was fiery as one could get on the world’s best stages. Eventually she was announced as the winner.

Malta made its debut in Eurovision back in 1971 and has been in the contest 32 times since - without a victory. Best result is two runner-ups in 2002 (Ira Losco - 7th Wonder) and 2005 (Chiara - Angel). In 1922, Mary Spiteri classified third with Little Child.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Prevenzjoni jew kura?

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il-ħarġa numru 219 ta’ The Voice of the Maltese xahar ilu, kont ktibt dwar l-esperjenza personali tiegħi u tal-familja tiegħi nivvjaġġjaw fix-xlokk tal-Awstralja waqt li t-traġedja tan-nirien ta’ din is-sena kienet qiegħda tiżvolġi, u b’barka kbira rnexxielna nisgiċċaw l-agħar effetti tagħha, ħlief għal riħa persistenti ta’ duħħan, u jum minnhom ċpar folt ta’ duħħan.

Illum se nittratta l-politika madwar ir-risposta tal-gvern federali Awstraljan.

Bħal ma nafu, disgrazzjatament kien hemm iktar minn tletin imwiet ta’ persuni, elfejn dar mitlufa, stima ta’ biljun ħlejqa li mietu u ħdaxil miljun ettaru maħruqin,1 u l-istorja għadha ma spiċċatx.

Ftit snin wara li konna ġejna l-Awstralja, fl-2009 kienet seħħet traġedja ta’ nirien oħra msejħa s-Sibt l-Iswed, li kienet meqjusa l-agħar traġedja tat-tip tagħha fil-pajjiż.

Din kienet seħħet f’Victoria fejn kienu mietu 173 ruħ, jiġifieri iktar minn din id-darba, imma l-art maħruqa kienet ‘biss’ 400,000 ettaru.2 Jiġifieri din is-sena, inħarqet art iktar minn għoxrin darba (s’issa) dik ta’ dakinhar.

L-organizzazzjonijiet tat-tifi tan-nar, ilkoll statali, ilhom jaħdum bis-sħiħ biex jagħmlu li jistgħu, u suċċessi kellhom bis-sħiħ, iżda l-iskala tal-problema wriet li r-riżorsi li għandhom m’għandhiex x’taqsam ma’ x’hemm bżonn.

Il-gvern Awstraljan għaraf li hemm bżonn kbir ta’ għajnuna, u daħħal idejħ fil-but sew u wiegħed l-ammont konsiderevoli ta’ $2 biljun fuq medda ta’ sentejn biex titwaqqaf aġenzija li xogħlha jkun li terġa tibni mill-ġdid wara l-ħruq.3 Hemm wiegħda oħra ta’ iktar fondi jekk dan ma jkunx biżżejjed. Ipprovda wkoll riżervisti talarmata biex jassistu, u fondi oħra ta’ assistenza diretta.

Dan kollu huwa tajjeb, u hemm ukoll diversi appelli nazzjonali u internazzjonali biex jinġabru fondi ħalli l-bini mill-ġdid jerġa’ jsir.

Il-problema li nara jien hu li dan ix-xogħol, li huwa neċessarju, huwa biss il-kura. Jiġifieri, azzjoni li tittieħed wara l-marda. Fejn hi l-prevenzjoni, jiġifieri li nippruvaw inżommu lil diżastru bħal dan milli jseħħ?

In-nirien jistgħu jinxtiegħlu minn sajjetti, ħsarat ta’ linji jew makkinarju tal-elettriku, jew minn vandali. Kien hemm diversi rapporti u stqarrijiet inklużi tal-kapijiet tal-gvern Awstraljan, li waħħlu f’vandali għal dan id-diżastru, imma fil-fatt mhux iktar minn 1% tal-art maħkuma min-nirien ta’ dan l-istaġjun huma attribwiti għal din il-kawża.

Huwa maħsub li din id-darba l-maġġoranza tal-fjammi ġew mixgħula minn sajjetti mingħajr xita.4 Problema oħra hi li hemm ħafna materjal kombustibbli li mhux qed jiġi mneħħi fil-ħin, bħal ma kien ikun mill-aboriġeni fiżżmien ta’ qabel il-kolonizzazzjoni Brittannika tal-kontinent. Dan għax il-kolonizzaturi bidlu l-użu tal-art għal waħda agrikola u warrbu t-tagħrif tradizzjonali ta’ ħruq ta’ spiss fi staġunijiet

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

kesħin, fejn ir-riskju ta’ tifrix ikun żgħir.

Issa jidher li hemm mewġa favur li nerġgħu nitgħallmu mittradizzjonijiet kulturali aboriġeni, saflaħħar.

Madankollu hemm problema oħra, predominanti, u din hi t-tibdil tal-klima. Il-problema hi li n-nixfa qiegħda tiżdied u t-temperatura medja qiegħda tiżdied, u għalhekk hemm limitu ta' ġranet fis-sena meta dan il-’ħruq kiesaħ’ jista’ jkun effettiv.

Din hija l-problema ewlenija li għandna quddiemna, u mhix waħda li se tissolva malajr, lanqas jekk il-gvern Awstraljan jiġrilu bħal San Pawl, jara d-dawl tal-Mulej u jikkonverti (mhux għax hemm xi sinjali li l-konverżjoni hija fil-qrib).

L-ewwelnett, it-tibdil tal-klima ħtija tat-tniġġiż tal-karbonju hija problema globali, u tinħtieġ soluzzjonijiet fejn il-pajjiżi ta’ madwar id-dinja jaħdmu id f’id biex isolvuha. Biex inkunu ċari, soluzzjoni tfisser li l-ewwel nieqfu nżidu mal-problema fuq medda ta’ 10-30 sena (inniġġżu mhux iktar mill-abbiltà tal-pjaneta li tassorbi ttniġġiż kollu), u mbagħad inkomplu nnaqqsu t-tniġġiż.

It-tieni problema hi li anke jekk il-pajjiżi kollha tad-dinja jwettqu li wiegħdu fil-Ftehim ta’ Pariġi u jieqfu hemm, id-dinja mhix mistennija li tisħon biss sa 1.5C fl-2100 iktar miż-żminijiet pre-industrijali li hija l-mira dikjarata, imma sa 3.0C.5 Id-dinja diġà saħnet 1C! Huwa ċar li l-pajjiżi jridu jirduppjaw l-ambizzjoni tagħhom.

Fil-fatt, l-Awstralja x’qed tagħmel?

Infakkar li sa nofs Diċembru tas-sena l-oħra, xahrejn biss ilu, l-Awstralja kienet qiegħda f’konferenza dwar dan is-suġġet f’Madrid, u targumenta li minflok tnaqqas it-tniġġiż tagħha daqskemm imwiegħed fil-Ftehim ta’ Pariġi (tnaqqis ta’ 26-28% mis-sena 2020 sa 2030), għandha titħalla tapplika kreditu kbir mill-ftehim ta’ qabel, dak ta’ Kyoto, ħaġa li hi biss qed tipproponi li tapplika.

Jekk dan isir, ifisser li jkollha bżonn tagħmel 10% biss taxxogħol li hemm bżonn ta’ tnaqqis fit-tniġġiż, pożizzjoni li kienet ikkritikata bl-aħrax mill-pajjiżi parteċipanti l-oħra.6 Jekk lanqas aħna li qiegħdin inbatu u għandna x’nitilfu ma nuru ħeġġa, kif se nikkonvinċu ‘l pajjiżi oħra biex jistinkaw għalina?

Fejn hi l-prevenzjoni?

Referenzi 1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/australian-bushfires-photos-before-and-after/11854888, retrieved 4/2/2020 2 https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday, retrieved 4/2/2020 3 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-06/scott-morrison-bushfirerecovery-bill/11844096, retrieved 4/2/2020 4 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/australias-fires-revealarson-not-a-major-cause/11855022, retrieved 4/2/2020 5 https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/warming-projectionsglobal-update-dec-2018/, retrieved 4/2/2020 6 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-16/australia-climate-carryover-credits-slammed-cop25/11793818, retrieved 4/2/2020

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Il-festi tradizzjonali Maltin Tuesday February 11, 2020

The Voice of the Maltese 11

– fl-antik kienu tlieta ewlenin

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a nafx jekk minn fost il-qarrejja għad hawn min jiftakar b’xi wegħda li kien għamel lil martu li jekk jiżżewwiġha jeħodha fil-festi ewlenin fil-gżira Maltija u jixtrilha xriek qubbajt li jkun tal-qannebusa ‘għax minnu tiggosta s-sinjura għarusa’. Imma naħseb li ħadd ma jiftakar dan, għax din id-drawwa hi waħda antika mhux ħażin.

Illum għad hawn min tiġih il-kurżitá li jkun jaf liema huma dawk it-tliet festi ewlenin (tal-wegħda!) li l-antiki tagħna kienu jagħmlu għalihom bil-gzuz. Hu għalhekk li llum se nikteb dwar dawn u l-użanza l-antika.

Il-festi ewlenin ta’ dari kienu San Girgor, li dejjem jaħbat lErbgħa fuq l-Għid il-Kbir, u allura d-data dejjem tinbidel; San Ġwann (l-24 ta’ Ġunju); u l-Imnarja (d-29 ta’ Ġunju).

Dawn it-tliet festi kienu jlaqqgħu ħdejn il-baħar folol ta’ nies mill-ibliet u l-irħula kollha ta’ Malta.

Illum dawn it-tliet festi għadhom ħajjin u anke għadhom jiġbdu l-folol lejhom, għalkemm forsi llum mhux daqs dari.

Naturalment, mhux dawn biss kienu l-festi tradizzjonali Maltin li fihom il-poplu kien jiffesteġġja bil-kbir. Kien hemm ukoll festi oħrajn meqjusa importanti fil-kalendarju Malti, bħal Lapsi, il-Vitorja, il-Milied u oħrajn, li llum għadhom ħajjin, tneħħi forsi dik ta’ Lapsi.

Meta wieħed isemmi Lapsi jiftakar f’Għar Lapsi li jiġbed laktar nies mis-Siġġiewi minħabba li Għar Lapsi huwa tefgħa ta’ ġebla biss bogħod minn dan ir-raħal sabiħ u antik.

F’dawn il-festi tradizzjonali l-Maltin kienu jħejju u jiddandnu kemm jistgħu għax għalihom okkażjoni bħal din kienet tiġi darba f’sena. Illum differenti u anke l-mod kif fl-antik kienu jiċċelebraw dawn il-festi kien differenti ħafna. Żgur li l-għana kien l-akbar attrazzjoni għalihom.

Magħhom kien ikun hemm it-tombla għall-kbar, filwaqt li t-tfal kienu jiddevertu b’xi ħabel, bandla, żibeġ u xi logħob ieħor. Dawn il-festi tradizzjonali (barra l-Milied) l-antiki tagħna kienu jiċċelebrawhom dejjem għall-beraħ.

Ix-xalati ma kinux jonqsu. Anzi dari kienu mfittxija ħafna.

Kienu jiġu organizzati fl-irħula tista’ tgħid fil-Ħdud kollha matul is-sajf meta l-Maltin kienu jinġabru għad-dell taħt issiġar jew f’xatt il-baħar, wara l-ikel ta’ nofsinhar. Flimkien ma’ xi serduq bil-patata l-forn u xi timpana Maltija kien imiss ix-xorb ta’ nbid magħmul minnhom stess.

In-nisa kienu jiddandnu bl-ikel tajjeb tagħhom u joffru lil ta’ ħdejhom xi patata sħuna jew xi biċċa timpana, filwaqt li l-irġiel bit-tazza nbid (kultant anke bil-flixkun) f’idejhom iħarsu laġenba lejn il-kulur u jduqu t-togħma bnina tiegħu u jiftakru f’dik id-dielja jew l-għenba li minnha jkunu sawru l-għasra.

Dari ma kienx hawn trasport ta’ karozzi u għaldaqstant ilMaltin kienu jmorru għal dawn il-festi rikbin fuq ilkarozzini armati u mżejnin bil-palm u l-liedna, jew fuq il-karettun, marsusa kemm jistgħu bit-tfal ċkejknin fil-benniena ta’ taħt il-karettun. Povra u miskina bhima li trid tiġbed ġibda sewwa!

Din ix-xalata kienet tnissel lill-familji bil-ferħ, għax il-ħsieb Fl-antik il-festa tal-Imnarja kienet waħda mit-tliet festi ewlenin tas-sena f’Malta

PeterPaulCiantar

tax-xalata kienet iġġib kuntentizza u anke allegrija. Minn hawn kien jibda l-għana u sax-xalata jkunu diġà nħanqu jekk ma jkunux ukoll sikru bl-inbid. L-għanja sabiħa ta’ Manuel Cilia, ‘Xalata għal San Pawl il-Baħar’, tfakkarna f’dan.

Bħala xalata niftakar dik li aħna ż-żgħażagħ konna norganizzaw l-għada tal-festa tar-raħal tagħna. Konna nistennewha minn sena għall-oħra. Xi ħbieb tiegħi kienu jgħiduli li l-aktar parti tal-festa li jkunu qed jistennew kienet tkun dik tax-xalata tal-għada tal-festa; jien qatt ma qbilt magħhom.

Niftakar li l-għada tal-Festa ta’ San Filep f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ, wieħed minn fostna kien jikri karozza għal ġurnata mingħand id-De Lux tar-Rabat u erħilna nagħmlu jum sħiħ niġru madwar Malta. Konna nieqfu biss għal xi ikla pastizzi u l-ikla ta’ nofsinhar li dejjem kienet tkun waħda kbira, jew aħjar esaġerata.

It-tiżjin mal-karozza mikrija, b’xi nkwadru tal-qaddis malbody tal-karozzza fuq quddiem, ma kienx jonqos. L-akbar burdell kien fi nżul ix-xemx aħna u deħlin fir-raħal tagħna.

Kien ikun hemm serbut sħiħ ta’ karozzi tax-xalata barra rraħal biex ilkoll flimkien nidħlu wara xulxin għall-pjazza fejn ikun hemm il-banda ċkejkna tistenniena għall-marċ taxxalata.

Bħalna kienu jagħmlu rħula oħra. Fil-fehma tiegħi l-akbar waħda kienet tkun dik tal-Ħamrun, l-għada tal-Festa ta’ San Gejtanu. L-għors tiegħi kien meta mill-gallerija tad-dar tannanna tal-Ħamrun (fi Triq Barbara) kont nittawwal lil dawk il-mijiet ta’ żgħażagħ għaddejjin b’allegrija kbira tul Triq ilKbira tal-Ħamrun.

Ma kienu jaqtgħu xejn, serbut twil ta’ karozzi tal-kiri mimlijin żgħażagħ b’ enerġija u allegrija jkantaw l-innijiet ta’ San Gejtanu. Il-ħornijiet tal-karozzi kienu jinstemgħu sa minn mili ’l bogħod. Kulħadd ixejjer il-bnadar tal-każin, nofsu barra mit-twieqi tal-karozzi.

Din ix-xalata tal-għada tal-festi għadha ftit ħajja imma żgur mhux daqs ta’ dari. Jgħiduli li l-aktar li għadha ħajja fl-irħula tan-naħa t’isfel ta’ Malta meta jitilgħu għax-xalata tal-għada tal-festa lejn l-Għadira jew l-Armier. Jgħidu wkoll li fil-festa tagħhom li tiġi fix-xitwa, ta’ San Pawl tal-Belt jitilgħu bilbrjju lejn il-Buskett.

Ix-xalati ta’ wara lfesta tar-raħal, kienu u għadhom popolari

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Roundup of News About Malta

PM advocates for equal pay for equal work

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t a meeting with the administration of Malta’s largest trade union, the General Workers’ Union, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the law needs to be amended so that employers would be obliged to give equal pay for equal work. He also agreed with the GWU’s proposal for trade union membership to be mandatory on workplaces.

GWU secretary Mr Josef Bugeja stated, that according to a study carried out at workplaces where employees are not affiliated to a union, the issue of equal pay for equal work stands at 19%

€50 million Grand Harbour Clean Air Project in favour of better air quality launched

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alta is embarking on a €50 million investment project aimed at improving air quality in the Grand Harbour area. The Grand Harbour Clean Air Project that was announced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital projects Ian Borg, is set to reduce air pollution from cruise liners visiting the Malta by more than 90%.

The Grand Harbour Clean Air Project that is to be implemented by Infrastructure Malta, includes the development of the electricity infrastructure required for cruise liners to switch off their gas or heavy-fuel-oil-fired engines and plug in instead to shore side electricity points to power their services whilst they are berthed at port. This service will eventually be extended also for Ro-Ro vessels.

With the help of this new project, by switching off their auxiliary engines cruise liners visiting Valletta will emit 93% less nitrogen dioxide, 92.6% less particulate matter and Robert Abela.

99.6% less sulphur dioxide.

In spite of a troubled last two months of Launching the project, Minister Ian Borg 2019 and the election of a new leader, Robert Abela and the Labour party not (pictured below) said that the maritime indusonly did not lose ground, but Abela is try, which includes the cruise liner sector, proving to be a model new leader and was an essential contributor to Malta’s econPrime Minister. He enjoys a lot wider omy. Between 2014 and 2018 the industry trust rating than the Opposition Chief, had seen an increase of 30% in sea passenwho not only has failed to make any gers, and an increase of 13% in cruise liners headway, but worse, fallen even extra be- in ports between 2014 and 2017.

Last year Malta welcomed 372 cruise liners hind.

Meanwhile, while this has been going on, carrying more than 900,000 passengers.

These numbers PN deputy leader for party affairs Robert Arrigo announced he was resigning from mean more ecohis post, and in a parting message to fellow nomic growth and MPs, warned that the “aim to oust has now more employment in an important secturned to destruction of the party”.

Two more resignations followed, by Gen- tor for an island eral Secretary Clyde Puli and MP, Kristy state like Malta.

By reducing air Debono from PN general council presipollution in the redent.

In another twist, former PN Minister gion, the Grand Louis Galea who had been called in and Harbour Clean Air entrusted by Delia with drafting a reform Project will conof the party, has asked the party execu- tribute towards EU tive to take all necessary steps to choose and national climate a new leadership team. He also accused change objectives Adrian Delia and PN Secretary Clyde in line with the Paris Agreement.

Puli that they had ignored all warnings.

PN in turmoil: three resign, but not Delia

he Opposition Nationalist Party in Malta is in turmoil and a number of MPs are in rebellion with a majority them forming part of the PN parliamentary group requesting party leader Adrian Delia (pictured above) to step down, something that he publicly declared on the party TV station, that he is not prepared to do. He said “that would be betraying those who wanted the party to return to the people”.

This all follows a meeting of the PN Parliamentary group that discussed the previous Sunday’s MaltaToday survey that showed the PN Leader’s trust rating hitting its lowest ever level since getting the leadership over two years ago.

The survey indicated that the after three weeks as Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Robert Abela scored a trust rating of over 62.5%, the highest ever achieved by any party leader, while the Opposition leader registered a dismal 13.5%.

At the parliamentary group’s meeting 17 MPs had urged Delia to consider whether he should stay on as leader and that he had to reckon with the disastrous polling against the new Labour leader

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Roundup of News About Malta

MIA kicks off ambitious €100m Terminal Expansion Project M

alta International Airport (MIA) has revealed details of an investment of about €100 million in a Terminal Expansion Project that will see its terminal double in size and islands through several improvements deliver a 5star airport that the Maltese islands can be proud of.

The company’s CEO, Alan Borg said he wanted the Malta International Airport to reflect Malta not look just like any other airport. The Terminal Expansion Project would double the building’s current footprint from18, 000sq.m. to 31,200sq.m. and include an increase of 25 check-in desks, four additional security lanes and 15 more gates.

Mr Borg also announced that the company’s traffic forecast for 2020, indicates that passenger numbers would rise by another 23% to reach 7.5 million movements.

“The Terminal Expansion Project will equip us with the capacity to handle further traffic growth and enable us to offer a 5-star airport experience,” he said.

He explained that this would be achieved

January was Malta’s third driest ever

S

ince records started being kept in Malta 97 years ago, January this year was one of the driest months with only 15 mm of rain and lots of strong winds that continued to make things worse.

Met Office statistic indicates that last month was the third driest January in the last 20 years. The driest was in 2006 with only 8.6 mm of rain. The second driest was in in 2018, with only 12.8 mm of rainfall.

In January 2009 there was a record rainfall, The Met Office measured 248 mm of rain.

through a combination of increased operational space, a superior F&B and retail offering, a stronger sense of place, and the use of cutting-edge technologies.”

This project will mainly focus on improving the experience and airport processes at key points of the passenger journey through MIA, most notably within the

Biggest increase in energy consumption

I

n 2018, Malta registered the biggest increase in energy consumption among European Union countries. Eurostat figures show that the increase was 6%.

Malta was among fifteen countries that registered an increase in energy consumption. Consumption remained static in six other countries, while six others registered a decrease in consumption of energy.

The greatest increase in consumption was registered by Malta, Ireland, Latvia and Luxembourg.

check-in hall, the security screening Area, and at the departure gates.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who was present at the news conference explained the Terminal Expansion Project as another great investment that would certainly leave a positive impact on Malta’s tourism industry.

Tourist arrivals in 2019: 2.8m.

ourist arrivals to Malta in 2019 amounted to over 2.8 million people, an increase of 6% over 2018.

T December arrivals amounted to144, 706 tourists, an

increase of 18% on the same month the previous year.

Total expenditure by tourists in 2019 reached €2.8 billion, an increase of almost 6% over the previous year.

In her reaction, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said the figures reflect the effects of planning by the authorities. She noted that over the last four years tourist arrivals have increased by one million.

Unemployment now 1,642

U

nemployment in Malta up to the end of last year stood at 1,642, a drop of 7% in the 12 months of 2019, NSO has indicated. The number is 34 less than it was in the previous month, November.

DBRS confirms Malta’s A (High) rating with stable prospects

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redit rating agency DBRS has confirmed Malta’s credit rating at A (High) level with stable prospects. It assigned the level as a result of improvement in the island’s economic performance and the prudent fiscal policy, after the Government improved its financial situation with a surplus in government finances and a reduction of debts that went down to almost 43% of the gross domestic product.

In its report, DBRS observed that since Malta joined the European Union, on average, the GNP increased by 30% and during the past seven years its economic growth has grown on average by 7.0% rising by more than three times the average of the EU states.

Finance Minister Edward Scicluna welcomed the rating. He said DBRS has acknowledged that Malta’s current public finance position and debt dynamics provide the government valuable room to

support the economy in the event of a negative shock.

The report is the second positive credit rating report at the beginning of this year, following that of Fitch.

Key rating drivers were Malta’s extremely strong economic performance and its increasingly diversified economy coupled with the improvement in public finances. DBRS acknowledges Maltese financial system remains sound and notes the general budget balance as a percentage of GDP switched to an average surplus of 2.1% for 2016 to 2018 from an average deficit of 2.7% from 2004 to 2015.

Since 2016, Malta’s budgetary surpluses have been both in nominal and structural terms. The report notes that the debt-to-GDP ratio in 2019 is expected to be one of the lowest in the EU.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

J

idher li minkejja li xi xhur ilu, wara li kien ittieħed vot ta’ fiduċja mirbuħ faċilment mill-mexxej tal-Partit Nazzjonalista li wassal biex l-istess Adrian Delia jiddikjara li l-kwestjoni dwar it-tmexxija tal-partit kienet għaddiet u li allura kien issa qed iħares biex jissaħħaħ, reġa’ beda jberraq L-aħħar għawdx feġġ wara li l-Partit Nazzjonalista lanqas biss ipprova jsemmi li wara l-kriżi li nqalgħet matul l-aħħar xhur tas-sena, il-Gvern kellu jirriżenja u ssir elezzjoni ġdida.

Kif ikkummenta l-eks-deputat Nazzjonalista, Franco Debono il-PN “tilef opportunità tad-deheb biex jikkapitalizza mit-terremot politiku li għadda minnu l-

Tuesday Febraury 11, 2020

Reġa’beda jberraq fil-PN

Gvern”. Il-Partit Nazzjonalista ma ggwa danja xejn wara li politikament il-Gvern kien ħa l-ikbar daqqa. “...l-aħħar mewġa issa għaddiet” u l-Partit Nazzjonalista ma apprfittax ruhu mill-okkażjoni.

Biss kien hemm min ittama li attwalment xorta kien għad baqa’ ċ-ċans li l-affarijiet jinbidlu. Dan billi kien għad baqa’ t-tiġrija għall-ħatra tal-mexxej tal-Partit Laburista, u wara dak li seħħ fi ħdan il-PN meta kien

Stħarriġ tal-Malta Today

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ttwalment dak li ħareġ minn dan listħarriġ ħasad mhux biss lil dawk li jappoġġjaw lill-Partit Nazzjonalista, iżda saħansitra lill-partitarji Laburista. Żgur li ħadd ma basar li wara dak kollu li għaddew minnu, b’xi ħadd ġdid fit-

tmexxija tal-PL, u wara r-riżultati li kien iġib fl-istħarriġ il-mexxej ta’ qabel, Joseph Muscat, ftit bassru li fl-ewwel stħarriġ, il-

mexxej ġdid se jegħleb sew lillmexxej Nazzjonalista Adrian Delia, iżda saħansitra jkollu riżultat aqwa minn dak li qatt kellu Joseph Muscat.

Skont l-istħarriġ Abela huwa fdat minn 62.5% tal-Maltin filwaqt li l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni Adrian Delia jgawdi biss l-fiduċja ta’ 13.5% talelettorat. Dan huwa l-inqas li Delia qatt kiseb fl-aħħar sentejn, u d-differenza hija l-ikbar waħda li kellna bejn mexxejja politiċi billi. Iddifferenza bejn Abela u Delia hija ta’ 49%.

Forsi agħar minn hekk għal Delia hu l-fatt li fost dawk li vvutaw għall-Partit Nazzjonalista fl-aħħar elezzjoni 22.5% urew fiduċja f’Abela, filwaqt li Delia kiseb biss 10% aktar minnu.

Abela kiseb ukoll riżultati tajba fost dik is-sezzjoni meqjusa l-futur ta’ Malta għax fost iż-żgħażagħ, lPrim Ministru wkoll kiseb aktar fiduċja minn Adrian Delia. Filwaqt li Delia jgawdi 9.4% taż-żgħażagħ f’dik li hi fiduċja ta’ bejn 18 u 35 sena, Abela kiseb 64.6%, differenza ta’ 55.2%.

Impressjonanti l-fatt li minkejja li l-

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

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

għadda minn l-istess tiġrija, kien hemm min ħaseb li se jiġri l-istess lill-Partit Laburista u seta’ jagħti tama ġdida lillPN u lill-mexxej tiegħu Adrian Delia.

Attwalment xi ftit tal-biża’ li jiġri l-istess ħakem ukoll lil dawk li jappoġġjaw lill-Partit Laburista, l-aktar wara li meta tħabbar ir-riżultat tal-elezzjoni għallmexxej Laburista, Chris Fearne, li kellu tama qawwija li jinħatar hu, ma attendiex għal xi attivitajiet organizzati f’dik lokkażjoni mill-PL. Iżda jidher biċ-ċar li l-Partit Laburista rnexxielu jegħleb l-isfida u ħareġ aktar b’saħħtu.

Dan ġie ippruvat minn:

Gvern Laburista għadda minn jiem tassew diffiċli, fejn kien attakkat u kkritikat mhux biss f’Malta, fejn saħansitra saru dimostrazzjonijiet kontrih, imma wkoll minn barra, minflok mar lura żamm ilvantaġġ fuq l-Oppożizzjoni Nazzjonalista, u fil-fatt anke kabbar il-vantaġġ li kellu.

Skont l-istħarriġ, li kellha ssir elezzjoni bħalissa, il-Partit Laburista jikseb 49.2% u l-Partit Nazzjonalista 23.8%. Li jfisser distakk ta’ 25.4%. L-istħarriġ innota wkoll li minn Diċembru ‘l hawn il-PN naqqas 6% ta’ dawn li kienu lesti jafdawh bil-vot.

Għalkemm għall-ewwel kien hemm kummentaturi Nazzjonalisti li ppruvaw ma jagħtux daqshekk importanza għallistħarriġ bil-mexxej Nazzjonalist innifsu jgħid li filwaqt li kien jagħti kas tal-istħarriġ, ma kienx se jwasslu jirriżenja għax “Inħares lejn is-surveys u l-eħfef ħaġa hija li taqbad u titlaq … meta kollox ikun kontra trid tiġġieled aktar”.

Bil-mod il-mod bdew jidhru aktar talbiet biex il-PN jifli sew l-istħarriġ, u saħansitra bdew jaslu l-ewwel kummenti dwar kemm hi tenibbli l-pożizzjoni ta’ Delia wara dan ir-riżultat. *għal paġna 15

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Riżenji ta’ tliet uffiċjali tal-PN

Ribelljoni

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il-kritika tkompli żżid, dik li f’nofs il-ġimgħa li għaddiet kellha tkun laqgħa talGrupp Parlamentari Nazzjonalista biex jiddiskuti r-rapport tal-Avukat Louis Galea li kien mqabbad minn l-istess Delia ħalli jirrikmanda r-riformi meħtieġa biex il-partit ‘l quddiem, spiċċat f’maratona ta’ ħames siegħat diskussjoni dwar ttmexxija tal-PN. Ingħad li fi tmiem il-laqgħa, Delia, li jidher li kien mitlub iwarrab mittmexxija ħa nota ta’ dak li ntqal u assigura lill-grupp li se jmur lura fil-Grupp biex jinfurmah biddeċiżjoni tiegħu dwar dak li ntqal.

Skont min attenda, Delia wiegħed li kien se jikkonsidra l-pożizzjoni tiegħu, iżda lanqas għaddew ftit minuti, li kif iffaċċja lill-istampa Delia stqarr ċar u tond li ma kienx se jirriżenja u se jmexxi l-partit tiegħu fl-elezzjoni li jmiss. Kienet stqarrija li wasslet biex dak li ma kienx tant moħbi ħareġ fil-beraħ...

L-ewwel li saffar is-suffara kien il-MP Jason Azzopardi li fuq il-Facebook li Delia kien wiegħedhom li se jirrifletti fuq dak li nqtal u jerġa’ jkellimhom.

“Inħossni wżat u l-fiduċja tiegħi abbużata. Ħassejt li ħlejna l-ħin,” saħaq Azzopardi wara l-kummenti ta’ Delia. “Dan mhux ġust. Dan mhux sew.” Żied jisħaq li Delia kien messu kien aktar raġel u qalilhom minn qabel li kien iddeċieda li mhux se jirriżenja u mhux "uża" l-laqgħa.

Insista li l-maġġoranza assoluta tad-deputati qalulu biex jirriżenja, iżda minflok semagħhom, Delia se jiġi jaqa’ u jqum millpożizzjonijiet tagħhom u minn kif tħossha dwaru l-maġġoranza assoluta tal-elettorat.

Warajh ħarġu oħrajn fosthom Therese Comodini Cachia, li qed jingħad li għandha interess fit-tmexxija tal-PN, sakemm finalment l-istampa b’titli kbar bdiet tgħid: Updated: 17 PN MPs want Delia out, only four support him (Malta Independent); Maġġoranza ta' 17-il Deputat Nazzjonalista jridu lil Delia jitlaq (illum).

Tal-aħħar ikkwotat ukoll lil deputati talPN jgħidu: 'Qed nistennew lill-President isejħilna'. Dan billi lPresident jista’ jneħħi lil Delia minn Kap talOppożizzjoni (għalkemm xorta jibqa’ kap tal-PN) jekk il-maġġoranza tad-deputati Nazzjonalista juru li ma għandhomx fiduċja f’Delia.

W

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aqt dan it-taqlib kollu li għaddej minnu bħalissa l-Partit Nazzjonalista, f’temp ta’ 24 siegħa tħabbru r-riżenji ta’ tliet uffiċjali importanti.

Beda l-Viċi Kap Robert Arrigo, Kirsty Debono irriżenjat minn President tal-Kunsill Ġenerali, filwaqt li, l-Ġimgħa rriżenja wkoll is- Segretarju Ġenerali tal-partit, Clyde Puli.

It-tlieta li huma ħadmu mill-qrib ma’ Adrian Delia minn mindu b’vot tat-tesserati ftit aktar minn sentejn ilu, għażluh bħala l-l-Kap tal-partit u awtomatikament il-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni.

It-tlieta wrew li kienu mweġġa’ b’dak li kien qed iseħħ minn xi membri tal-grupp Parlamentari.

Delia mhux se jċedi

adanitant jidher li minkejja l-pressjoni kollha Delia, mhux beħsiebu jċedi, għax fuq Net TV, waqt dawk li ma ridux jaċċettaw din ir-realtà. maratona ta’ ġbir ta’ fond f’għeluq snin l- Ippruvajt, insejħulu bridge building, li nasal, iżda int tista’ tibni, tasal u tibni leks mexxej Eddie Fenech Adami qal: “Għalfejn qiegħed hemm il-PN? X’irridu? pont kollu, madankollu n-naħa l-oħra jrid Jien għalfejn qiegħed hawn? Min qalli niġi ikun hemm rieda ta’ xi ħadd li jrid jasal fil-PN? Ta’ ftit nies? Tad-deputati? Tal- ukoll, li jekk jien wettaqt mitt pass, hu jwettaq pass wieħed”. membri Parlamentari? Tiegħi?

Indirettament ikkonferma li ma kienx se Indirettament sostna li li PN mhux tadDeputati Nazzjonalisti u li l-partit hu ta’ jċedi għall-pressjoni li qed issirlu biex dawk, li fl-istruttura msejħin il-Kunsilliera iwarrab, u stqarr: “Wasal iż-żmien li niddeċiedu jekk il-PN jew it-tesserati li jemmnu li l-PN huwa laqwa għodda li tista’ tgħin u tkun ta’ hux il-partit tal-ftit, jew il-partit tan-nies.

U jien se nibqa’ leali lejn in-nies, u mhux servizz għall-pajjiż. Ħafna nterpretawh bħala li huma l-Kun- se nitradixxi lin-nies”. silliera u t-tesserati li jistgħu jneħħuh minn WELCOME ALL THE WAY mexxej tal-Partit. Anke FROM MALTA tefa’ wkoll it-tort ta’ dak li ġara u qed jiġri filPartit Nazzjonalista, mingħajr ma semma’ xi kategorija u ismijiet fuq l-fazzjoni li opponietu: Jien urejt rispett kbir lejn dawk li ma qablux,

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Saturday:

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Doors open at 7.00 p.m.

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16 The Voice of the Maltese

Black summer

T

he Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison has written to state and territory leaders seeking their approval of draft terms of reference for a royal commission into the devastating bushfire season.

“We owe it to those we have lost,” Mr Morrison told the first day of parliament. He put forward former defence force chief Mark Binskin to lead the proposed royal commission and wants the probe to look at when the federal government is able to step in above state counterparts in natural disasters.

The Prime Ministe also wants it to look at how states were performing on reducing fire risks in the face of hotter, longer and drier summers. As politicians reflected on the catastrophic summer, climate protesters rallied outside Parliament House.

Elsewhere in Parliament, Nationals Party leader Michael McCormack forced to fend off a challenge from former leader Barnaby Joyce. The Greens also elected a new leader in Adam Bandt following the sudden resignation of Richard Di Natale.

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Biggest ever clean up

– calls for a royal commission

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ederal Parliament first sitting for year 2020 (above) was entirely dedicated to bush fire tributes as the nations' horrific fire season continues. It has claimed 33 lives.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese began the day at a traditional church service in Canberra.

Bushfire-affected NSW communities are facing one of the nation's biggest-ever clean-up in our nations' history. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the average cost to clean up a site was about $50,000 with the price rising if hazardous materials like asbestos were involved.

Some 300 homes, another 260 facilities and 5200 outbuildings have been destroyed

to date this bushfire season.

Meanwhile, the European Union's climate monitoring system reported that last month was the warmest January on record globally, while in Europe temperatures were a balmy three degrees Celsius above the average January from 1981 to 2010. Across a band of countries stretching from Norway to Russia, temperatures were an unprecedented 6 degrees above the same 30-year benchmark,.

The last five years have been the hottest on record, as was the ten-year period 20102019. Temperatures were likewise higher than normal in New South Wales, Australia, where massive bushfires devastated large areas of the state.

Climate change and the A fossil fuel industry

ccording to the Australian Electoral Commission, the fossil fuel industry continues to bankroll the Federal election campaigns of Australian political parties, recent data has revealed.

Clive Palmer's Mineralogy, which tipped $83.7 million into the United Australia Party, was the most significant fossil fuel donor during the election. The sector donated $1,894,024 to political campaigns before last year’s election - with Woodside, Adani and gas lobby group APPEA, among the biggest donors.

The top three fossil fuel industry donors, excluding Clive Palmer-linked companies, donated $692,299 to various parties.

The Coalition received the most from the fossil fuel industry, receiving $1,147,376, while Labor took in $725,448.

Mr Palmer failed to win a seat in the upper or lower house at the May 2019 election, despite his company’s cash splash and tens of millions spent on advertising.

Liberal donations in total reached $165m,. while Labor took in $126m,, The Greens received some $20m. and One Nation $3m,

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Gay conversion therapy I

n November, Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles introduced legislation that would ban the “highly destructive” practice of conversion therapy, defined as practices that attempt “to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity”.

The legislation would create penalties of up to 18 months jail time for health service providers performing services deemed to be conversion therapy, such as aversion therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy and counselling aimed at changing a person's gender identity or sexual orientation.

LGBTIQ+ conversion therapy is opposed by the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Psychological Society, and the Royal Australian and ustralian treasurer, Josh Frydenberg New Zealand College has warned the economic impact of of Psychiatrists.

The Queensland Law the coronavirus will be “significant” as Australian businesses brace for a hit to Society also expressed concerns about the bill, their bottom lines.

The federal treasury is scrambling to suggesting that the model a range of scenarios with some current definition of forecasts suggesting the local economy conversion therapy in the legislation is “excould suffer a hit of up to $2.3 billion.

“We don’t know how severe and sus- tremely broad” and tained the spread of the coronavirus will may have unintended consequences. be,” Mr Frydenberg said.

The organisation The federal government has imposed a travel ban on non-citizens travelling from agreed that conversion China blocking thousands of Chinese stu- therapy is a “reprehendents and tourists heading to the country. sible practice", but The SARS outbreak of 2003, which lasted wrote that the broad about six months, is estimated to have cost definition and the prospect of criminal $US40 billion to contain globally. * For factual health information about prosecution "may fetnovel coronavirus, readers are encouraged ter otherwise legitiaspects of to follow advice from NSW Health that is mate available online from NSW Health: psychological and psychiatric treatment.” health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases

Coronavirus – impact on the economy

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The Voice of the Maltese 17

Fr Michael Kelly SJ (left) receiving the honours

Order of Malta honours Australian Jesuit priest he Sovereign Order of meritis” awards are specifiT Malta has recognised an cally for clergy.

Australian Jesuit priest in “It is in recognition of Fr

Thailand for his efforts to get Pakistani Christian refugees in the kingdom resettled in third countries.

The Order’s ambassador to Thailand H.E.Michael Mann, presented Fr Michael Kelly SJ with the Grand Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi.

Established in 1920, the Knightly Order pro Merito Melitensi is given in recognition of those activities that have conferred honour and prestige on the Sovereign Order of Malta. “Pro piis

Kelly’s own physical as well as moral support for displaced people, something which is at the heart of the work of the Order. Fr Kelly has been working with the embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta for many years to help these wonderful people meet their immediate health needs and, importantly, to find them safety and a future in third countries.”

Fr Kelly is the English-language publisher of La Croix International and founder of CathNews.

A right to be a bigot

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Associate Professor Luke Beck

s public submissions close on the Government’s draft religious discrimination bill, a professor warned the bill included provisions that may be “motivated by a desire

to allow people to be nasty to others”.

In explanatory information accompanying the bill, the Government said it would not be discrimination under any Australian

anti-discrimination law for “merely expressing ... genuinely held religious beliefs in good faith”. Attorney-General Christian Porter said the bill’s approach to statements of belief was a “commonsense position”.

“In essence, the bill simply takes the uncontroversial position that, on their own, mere written or spoken words are not discrimination – provided they express genuine religious beliefs and are stated in a way that is not malicious and does not harass, vilify, threaten, intimidate or urge criminal offences.”

But Monash University associate professor of constitutional law Luke Beck said the practical effect of the right to make statements of belief was to establish “the right to be a bigot”, noting there was still room for statements that insulted, offended, ridiculed or humiliated others. He also noted the proposed bill ruled out only “serious” intimidation.

While many faith groups, including the Catholic and Anglican churches, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the National Imams Council, have been pushing for greater religious freedoms in the bill, the Uniting Church has been among those saying there needs to be more protection for vulnerable groups.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 14, 2020

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

Kien kittieb u ta ħafna lil-letteratura Maltija imma Alfons Maria Galea kien ukoll benefattur kbir u għamel karitá ma’ għadd ta’

istituti tal-karitá, l-aktar dawk li kienu mmirati lejn iż-żgħażagħ.

Hu magħruf li qassam ħafna minn ġidu lil dawn l-istituti.

ALFONS MARIA GALEA - magħruf ħafna għall-kitba, u wkoll għall-karitá

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iffiċli tgħid għal xiex laktar li jibqa’ magħruf Alfons Maria Galea, hux għal kitbietu inkella l-karitá li gġamel tul ħajtu, għalkemm dawk midħla tal-letteratura Maltija jsostnu li fost kollox tispikka kitbietu.

Is-Sur Fons, kif kien magħruf, twieled fil-belt kapitali Maltija Valletta fit-23 ta’ April 1861.

Kien jingwalá ħafna ma’ ħuh.

Flimkien ħadu l-edukazzjoni tagħhom minn taħt idejn il-kittieb Annibale Preca. It-tnejn li huma, wara marru wkoll jistudjaw għal tmien snin sħaħ għand il-Ġiżwiti f’Għawdex qabel intbagħtu jissoktaw bl-istudji tagħhom għand il-Freres, f’Marsilja, fi Franza.

Filwaqt li ħuh spiċċa biex issieħeb mal-Ġiżwiti, min-naħa tiegħu, ta’ 19-il sena, wara li rtira missieru fl-1881, Alfons Maria daħal fin-negozju taddrappijiet, u fl-1893, fl-etá ta’ 32 sena iżżewweġ lil Elizabeth Asphar, bint negozjant Indjan tad-drappijiet u l-ħaġar prezzjuż li kienu jgħixu Malta. Wara ż-żwieġ ilkoppja marru jgħixu Tas-Sliema.

Grazzi għall-interess li rawwam fih Annibale Preca, Alfons beda jikteb bil-Malti. Lewwel xogħol b’ilsien art twelidu kien it-traduzzjoni ta’ stejjer qosra mit-Taljan.

Il-ħajra għall-kitba żdiedet fih u kien jgħid li l-akbar xewqa tiegħu kienet, li jħalli n-negozju għal kollox u jiddedika lbqija ta’ ħajtu għall-kitba.

Fl-1899 beda joħroġ sensiela ta’ Kotba tal-Mogħdija taż-Żmien li kisbu popolaritá kbira u sal-1915 kien diġá ippubblika 150 ktieb mis-sensiela. Fost ilkotba f’din is-sensiela kien hemm ir-rumanzett popolari ‘Ġenoveffa’ Dwar in-nar li qered nofs l-Awstralja, ta’ Dun Amabile Sisner, li għamel fis-sajf twil tal- 2019-2020 27 sena kappillan fil-Parroċċa ta’ Ħal Balzan.

Nirien kullimkien.

Sadanittant, fl-1896 Alfons Maria Inqerdu siġar għatxana ġie maħtur Teżorier fil-Kumitat talu magħhom djar u bhejjem.

Missjoni. Kien hemm li ntebaħ li Ħitan ta' njar bi storbju infernali biex in-nies setgħu jikkontribwixxu ġrew b'ħeffa li qatt ħadd ma ra qabel l-għajnuna finanzjarja kien jinħtieġ joħonqu l-krib ta' annimali nofs maħruqa. li jkunu konxji tal-faqar fid-dinja, għalhekk għaqqad il-ħsieb fiĦafna jaħsbu li dan hu għelm tal-aħħar ħaqq. lantropiku tiegħu mal-ħila fil-kitba Politikanti jibżgħu biss jitħassbu fuq u kull xahar beda jippubblika l-Anproblemi mingħajr ħalla. nali tal-Propagazzjoni tal-Fidi.

Ta' min hi l-ħtija?

Fl-1921 inħatar Senatur u baqa’ Tagħhom, tiegħek u tiegħi. fil-kariga għal sitt snin, sal-1927.

Għal bosta snin kien ukoll il-PresiMauriceCauchi dent tal-Anglo-Maltese Bank u

Nirien kullimkien

aktar tard, fl-1915 ġie mlaħħaq bħala t-Teżorier tal-Kurja talIsqof.

Sadanittant kien diġá magħruf għall-karitá li kien jagħmel, laktar wara li kien ta l-art biex seta’ jinbena l-Istitut tas-Sależjani ta’ Don Bosco f’TasSliema, li mbagħad infetaħ fl-1904. L-Istitut serva bħala ċentru ta’ rikreazzjoni u biex jiġbor is-subien li kienu jgħixu hemmhekk.

Erba’ snin wara fetaħ ukoll ilJuventutis Domus u l-Oratorju tas-subien għat-tagħlim tadDuttrina, kif ukoll ċentru fejn jitgħallmu l-bniet, u fl-1939 waqqaf l-Istitut ta’ Santa Eliżabetta tas-Sorijiet Franġiskani f’Tas-Sliema.

Is-Sur Fons kien ukoll donator tal-isptar tal-Blue Sisters u pprovda l-għajnuna finanzjarja li kie hemm bżonn lill-Kunvent tal-Bon Pastur, f’Ħal Balzan. Ta wkoll is-sehem tiegħu u kien donator regolari fil-missjoni.

Fejn għandha x’taqsam il-kitba jibqa’ magħruf għall-kontribut tiegħu lil-letteratura Maltija b’għadd ta’ pubblikazzjonijiet li ħafna minnhom kienu maħsuba biex jedukaw u jgħallmu lil dawk fost il-Maltin li kienu neqsin milliskola, l-aktar dawk fqar.

Alfons Maria Galea għamel ħdax-il sena jippubblika xogħlijiet letterari, l-aktar bijografiji ta’ nies li għexu ħajja qaddisa, u wkoll ittraduċa mil-Latin għall-Malti wħud mill-Kotba Mqaddsa. Fost dawn kien hemm, Ktieb il-Qwiel, Is-Salmi, Lgħanja tal-Għanjiet, Ġob, Iżaija, Il-Kotba tas-Slaten u Il-Kotba tal-Makkabin.

Flimkien mal-Professur, il-Mons. Pietru Pawl Saydon u Dun Pietru Pawl Magri bejniethom, bejn l-1926 u l-1932, ittraduċew il-kotba kollha tal-Bibbja għall-Malti.

L-aħħar ktieb li ppubblika kien Il-Ktieb ta’ Baruk. Dwaru b’sodisfazzjon kien kiteb hekk: “F’ħajjet Alla issa għandkom il-Kotba kollha tal-Bibbja bil-Malti… minnkom jonqos jekk ma taqrawhomx; ilkelma tagħhom hi l-kelma ta’ Alla, u mhux le tal-bnedmin li kitbuhom.”

Alfons Maria Galea miet fl-età ta’ tmenin sena fil-Kunvent tal-Bon Pastur f’Ħal Balzan nhar it-30 ta’ Lulju 1941.

Tuesday February 11, 2020

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Recognised for excellent and loyal sports broadcasting

Gejtu (centre) wife Mary and Emmanuel Brincat, seen presenting him with the certificate.

Il-Karnival ta’ Malta 2020 ttminn paġna 7

Minn xi snin ‘l hawn il-Gvern beda jagħti permess li tirritorna s-satirika, kemm fil-karrijiet, imma wkoll li biex idaħħku setgħu jerġgħu jibdew jużaw ukoll ilpolitiċi, u sakemm ma joffendux, anke l-knisja. Ir-regoli ntlaqgħu ferm tajjeb.

Fl-antik il-karrijiet satiriċi kienu jsiru u kien hemm anke nies li lesti jaqgħu għaċ-ċajt billi jitilgħu fuq ilkarrijiet u joqogħdu għall-issuttar tal-pastizzi, tal-perlini, il-kosbor u l-bajd.

Il-Ġimgħa, is-Sibt u l-Ħadd, l-aktar fl-aħħar jumejn filgħaxija kienu, u fil-fatt għadhom, jiġbdu folol kbar lejn il-belt għall-isfilata tal-karrijiet. It-Tnejn mhux daqstant, minħabba li huwa jum tax-xogħol imma riservat għall-kompetizzjonijiet taż-żfin.

Tul il-jiem wieħed għadu jara nies li jilbsu l-kostumu, fosthom dawk biex idaħħku, l-aqwa li jieħdu gost huma. Forsi ħafna mill-qarrejja għadhom jiftakru lil dak il-persunaġġ, Ġorġ Farrugia, li kien jilbes u jimita perfettament lil Charles Chaplin, u l-mod kif kienu jittantaw lill-maskerati, fosthom billi jgħidulhom: “maskarat tini perlina għax warajh għandek xadina”.

Intant, fl-aħħar jum, it-Tlieta jisplodi l-brijju. Qabel fl-aħħar jum il-kumpaniji kienu jieħdu l-karrijiet filPjazza u wara li jagħmlu ż-żifna jibdew ifarrkuhom.

Mhux hekk illum…. Tant jiswewhom flus!

Minn xi snin lil hawn, dan l-aħħar jum bħal jgħaqqad kollox. Mhux biss issir l-isfilata fil-belt imma il-karrijiet jibqgħu ħerġin bi brijju kbir mill-kapitali Maltija u jibqgħu sejrin fit-triq ewlenija u mdwwla tas-subborg tal-Floriana, Triq San’Anna. Ġeneralment hawn issir l-aħħar ċelebrazzjoni vera u proprja li ttemm il-jiem tal-bluha fost il-ferħ tal-folol kbar li ta’ min kmieni jinġabru biex iduqu l-aħħar togħma tal-Karnival Malti u jsellmulu għas-sen’oġra.

Hemm ħafna aktar xi tgħid dwar il-Karnival Malti, imma l-ispazju ma jippermettix.

G

ejtu Deguara, a stalwart of the Melbourne Maltese community, was awarded a special certificate

by Radio Station 98.9NW FM and the Maltese programme for his excellent, loyal and continuing service to broadcasting mostly in the sports section.

Now retired and living in Gowanbrae with his beautiful wife Mary, Gejtu was Vice President of the Maltese Community Council of Victoria for 16 years and for six years in the San Gejtanu Festa Committee.

Emmanuel Brincat, the instigator of this certificate of recognition spent 16 years together with Gejtu on 3ZZZ and later on 98.9 North West FM. He praised Gejtu for his loyalty and deep commitment.

“Gejtu deserves this recognition, he has feet on the ground and knows the community in Victoria inside out” Emmanuel told The Voice.

The Voice of the Maltese is always grateful to Gejtu for his continuing support both to The Maltese Herald, and for the past six years The Voice of the Maltese.

20 The Voice of the Maltese

M

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Marsaxlokk: much more than just a fishing village

alta and its islands (Gozo and Comino), an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea (between Sicily and the Northern African coast), are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.

The island is packed with interesting architecture, brillia nt turquoise sea, charming cities and a laidback vibe with a city, Valletta, one of the UNESCO sights, that was built by the proud Knights of St. John. In 2018 it was that year’s European Capital of Culture.

Malta's patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire's most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods.

With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

There are a number of things to do on this European Island, but one of the first things that I would advice visitors to do is to visit the small picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk. It is a small village (with close to 4,000 inhabitants), but by far the largest fishing village on the island.

About 70% of the Maltese fishing fleet is based there; therefore it is no surprise that fishermen coming from this port catch most of Malta’s fish supplies.

The traditional fishing village where colourful boats clutter the bay and the shore is lined with fresh fish restaurants is located in the South Eastern part of Malta, adjacent to Żejtun, Marsaskala and Birżebbuġa.

One should particularly also visit the fishing village on a Sunday morning when the open-air local fish market sells the morning catch. If you happen to be living in a self-catering accommodation, you can choose to make your own purchases to cook up at your leisure. Otherwise just pick one of the many roadside restaurants to indulge in a selection of fish offered by some of the finest fish restaurants on the island.

This village is also well known for the peaceful walks around the coast and shel-

means port and xlokk, which is the Maltese word for southeast.

The word is related to the name for the dry sirocco wind that blows from the Sahara, comparable to the equivalent Catalan word, xaloc. The inhabitants of the village are called the Xlukkajri and are, traditionally, fishermen by trade.

In the 1930s, Marsaxlokk bay was used as a staging post by four-engined Short CClass flying boats of Britain's Imperial Airways as they pioneered long-distance air travel to across the British Empire. During the Second World War, it was the base for the Fleet Air Arm with a base at Kalafrana.

In 1989, the famous summit meeting between Soviet and US leaders Mikhail Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush was held on-board a ship anchored in the bay.

tered harbour, replete with traditional luzzu’s and larger fishing vessels lining the harbour in a colourful display that has been the subject of countless photo shoots, as well as for its secluded and untainted swimming zones. It also has a number of military outposts built by the British to protect its harbour during World War Two. Some of these still stand today.

Marsaxlokk village is only 6.5 kilometres away from Malta International Airport. There are no hotels in the village, but some guest houses have cropped up of late and a stay there is ideal for those seeking a relaxing time away from it all. The village offers a limited number of accommodation options, such as self-catering apartments that get good reviews from customers.

Inhabited and wellknown since antiquity, Marsaxlokk was used as a port by Phoenicians, Carthaginians and also has the remains of a Roman-era harbour. Originally a part of the city of Żejtun, the fishing village became a separate parish in the late nineteenth century. Due to the association of Marsaxlokk Bay with the Roman and Punic remains at Tas-Silġ, it is sometimes referred to as Portus Herculis. The Tas-Silġ site inCatholicCare home care services can help cludes megalithic seniors to enjoy living independently in remains, scattered their own home with comfort and edifices belonging to three distinct temconfidence. ples.

Call CCareline to find out more.

The name CatholicCare CCareline 131819 Marsaxlokk comes CatholicCare.org from the Arabic word marsa, which

CatholicCare Home Care Services

Do you know any seniors in our community who could use a little help at home?

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Gozo

round and about

by Charles Spiteri

Young writers applauded at Gozo Live presentation

A

Steven Muscat exhibit in Victoria

S

teven Muscat, a 40-year-old self-taught artist from Victoria (right), exhibited his works at the Banca Giuratale, in Independence Square, Victoria. Mythology and history were Muscat’s source of inspiration for the exhibition.

Explaining his work, the artist said: “I always use recycled wood, it’s something alive. I feel more inspired when I have to strip old paint from the wood to create something new”.

Besides wood, Steven he also used leftover wall paints lying around. “Put together these two recycled materials and my exhibition starts coming to life,” he added.

Jobs Plus employers information session

A

total of 345 writers from 15 different schools in Gozo submitted entries as Gozo Live, a nongovernmental and voluntary educational organisation, run by Barbara Day, celebrated Gozo’s young writers.

This is the sixth year running that Gozo Live, a non-governmental and voluntary educational organisation, run by Barbara Day, organised the event. All the submissions at the Gozo College Middle School were highly applauded.

Creativity in writing was celebrated as a student from each school read its entries and shared their inspirations, hopes and dreams with the large and receptive audience. Pamela Zerafa, Education Officer for English, who hosted the event interviewed each reader.

The 37 entries have been included in Gozo Live’s annual.

Gozo Live Chairperson, Frank Abela presenting a student with a certificate and a copy of the book.

B

Bishop Grech celebrates

ishop Mario Grech marked his 14th year of his episcopate with a concelebrated Mass at the Good Shepherd church, TaċĊawla, Victoria. The occasion also marked the feast of Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists

s part of the VASTE Programme currently undertaken under Operational Programme II – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014 – 2020 “Investing in human capital to create more opportunities and promote the well-being of society”, project part-financed by the European Social Funds, Jobsplus held an employers Information Session at the ITS in Qala.

The objective of the session held through the assistance of the Gozo Business Chamber, was to provide more informa- tions and questions were made from the floor. Joseph Borg, President tion on the services available to particular vulnerable of the Gozo Business Chamber, closed the session. groups. Daniel Borg, CEO of the Gozo Business Chamber introduced the session, while Olivia Farrugia, (right) Head of the Inclusive Employment Services Division from Jobsplus provided an overview of the objective of the session.

Other presentations The audience at the were delivered by a Jobs Plus informanumber of personnel tion session and various interven-

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 11, 2020

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Maltese Community Council of Victoria Inc.

Learn the Maltese language; the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions, and about the amazing history of the magnificent islands of Malta and Gozo Our trained and experienced teachers are qualified in language teaching and have Maltese study credentials.

Classes available for students from six years to adult at all levels of ability in the Maltese language.

Classes are held at Horsley Park Public School 1759 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park NSW (entry from Walworth Road) On Saturday morning from 9.15 to 11.15 am.

Classes for Term 1 commenced on Saturday February 8.

For more information email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Mobile: 0400-376-607

Please Note

If 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

Community Wheels Inc.:

Connecting you with your community

Community Wheels is your local community organisation that provides door-to-door transport services to eligible people (+65 yrs old) to: * attend medical appointments * go shopping (including assisting clients with shopping bags) * meet a friend for a chat or coffee, and *go on bus tours etc.

Available in the Parramatta City Council and parts of Cumberland Council areas.

For information call: 88681400

Għall-attenzjoni tal-qarrejja

Qarrejja li jixtiequ juru l-fehmiet tagħhom dwar xi suġġett imħeġġa jagħmu dan b’email li jindirizzaw lil maltesevoice@gmail.com.

L-MCCV qed jilqa’ applikazzjonijiet għall-pożizzjoni ta’ għalliem/a part-time tal-ilsien Malti fil-binja tagħhom f’14 Watt Street, Sunshine, Victoria.

L-applikanti għandu jkollhom għarfien sew tal-Malti kemm miktub kif ukoll mitkellem.

Ibgħat applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lill: admin@mccv.org.au Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq: 0412 115 919. Ħalli n-numru tattelefon u nċemplulek lura.

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. għall-aħbarijiet kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż.

L a Val e t t e So c i al C e n t r e

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

Saturdays: Kitchen and Bar open from 5.00pm Traditional Maltese Cuisine. 6.00p,: Boċċi. 8.00p.m.: Live DJ and Bingo.

Last Saturday of the Month: - Għana Night with Saver Bonanno and friends Every Thursday: Maltese Respite Care Service: Mass in Maltese in the Main Hall at 10.15am.

Tuesdays: From 9am: BOĊĊI for members and friends For more information contact the centre ___________________________________ MASS TIME: Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 5.30 p.m. (when a priest is available)

FESTA TA’ GENEROŻITA`

IN AID OF ID DAR-TAL-PROVIDENZA, MALTA organised by The Friends of Providence House NSW Sunday 23rd February 23 from 2.00 pm La Valette Social Centre,175 Walters Road, Blacktown Featuring: Charlie Muscat & James Cassar Supported by: Martin Vella, Natasha Tatarinoff, Brittany & Katelyn Vella, and The MCA Choir Enjoy An Afternoon of Great Entertainment, Prizes & Family Fun! Lucky Donor Envelope Prizes & Raffle Drawn onThe Day Maltese food & drinks available from 12 Noon Donation: Adults $10 Children u/15yrs: free Bookings from: Jim Borg: 9636 7767 or Miriam 0419 476 924 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY La Valette Social Centre

Tel: 9622 7799

Tel: 9622 5847

Events for 2020

Sunday March 8 Fete Sunday July 5 Lejla fil-Buskett Sunday October 18 Fete Saturday November 14 Dinner Dance Sunday December 6 Festa San Nikola

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday February 11, 2020

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.

minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess.

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. 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)

On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am)

Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet

Maltese Community Radio Adelaide:

Maltese Programmes on 5EBI 103.1fm: Sunday: 7.30am; Monday : 8.00 am; Monday 6.00pm Contact: Bernadette Buhagiar: 0420 944 205. Email bernadettebuhagiar@gmail.com Ron Borg: 0418 843 850. Email ronborg@mac.com

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

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

Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Maltese of Bankstown Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month 10 am. in the Bankstown CBD area.

Every other 3rd Thursday an outing.

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

Maltese Group Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Meets every First Wednesday of the Join us and make new friends.

Month from 10:00am-1:00pm.

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meetings/Get Togethers are interestMeets every second Friday of the ing, informative & entertaining, so come month: Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Join us and make new Friends Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am Llandilo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of each

For more info contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

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

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 SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet are now on SBSTV Viceland HD Channel 31 every Sunday at 8.00 a.m. and on Thursday at 8.00 a.m.

BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm.

Avviż lill-qarrejja

Tixtieq li jkollok kopja f’idejk ta’ The Voice ?

I

nfakkru lill-qarrejja li The Voice of the Maltese, mhux biss magazine online, iżda wkoll l-uniku tax-xorta tiegħu flAwstralja li wkoll jiġi ippubblikat.

Fil-fatt huma ħafna dawk li ilhom li bdew japprofittaw ruħhom minn dan u abbonaw ħalli anke jibdew jirċevu kopja pprintjata bil-posta d-dar bi ħlas.

Minħabba l-bogħod li hawn fil-kontinent Awstraljan, il-ħlas tal-posta minn stat għall-ieħor tvarja, għalhekk dawk kollha li jixtiequ li jibdew jirċevu kopja pprintjata tal-magazine kull darba li joħroġ biex ikunu jistgħu jżommuha f’idejhom, huma mħeġġa biex jabbonaw għal sena sħiħa ħalli jagħmlu żgur li jkollhom kopja kull darba.

Biex dan isir wieħed għandu l-ewwel jikkomunika b’email ħalli jagħmel ittalba lil maltesevoice@gmail.com fejn jitlob tagħrif dwar il-ħlas ta’ abbonament għal sena fl-istat fejn jgħix. Imbagħad jekk ikun irid jissieħeb ma’ dawk kollha li mhumiex kuntenti biss li jaqraw il-magazine online, imma wkoll li jkollhom kopja tiegħu, jgħarrafna.

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports

Tuesday February 11, 2020

Melita Eagles’ triumph in Melbourne tournament

A

t the Parramatta Eagles club in NSW they are still basking in their triumph at winning the first edition of the football tournament for the Maltese Cultural

Cup that was played in Melbourne over the Australia Day weekend between six teams with roots in the Maltese community.

The tournament, organised by Caroline Springs at City Vista, was such a huge success that it will to become an annual event over the Australia Day weekend.

Victoria State clubs Caroline George Cross and Green Gully, both considered as pertaining to the highest grade among the participants, and better quoted for victory, in the end, had to make way for Parramatta Melita Eagles who rose to the challenge and eventually won the title by beating Altona City SC 5-3 in the A young Tony Vella in a Floriana shirt final. (left), and a recent photo of him

The Parramatta Melita Eagles squad after their tournament victory.

(Photo: Tadashi Miyashita)

T

New striker

he Eagles' new signing, former Sliema Wa n d e r e r s striker, Jean Borg, with the Cup. Jean, the first Malta-born signing in 42 years since Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia in 1978, impressed at the tournament and finished as the Eagles’ leading goal scorer with three goals, including a double in the final.

(Photo: Anth.Theuma

Vale legendary Tony Vella Valletta become joint leaders with Floriana

W

hile Australia was celebrating Australia Day on January 26, Maltese football enthusiasts were mourning the death of one of their own, legendary footballer Tony Vella who died aged 88.

With his brother Lolly, Tony was a product of the famous Floriana Ajax team. He established himself as a mainstay with the club and Maltese football.

A product of the Floriana Ajax team, between 1949 and 1955 Tony won five league titles and the triple crown in season 1949-50. He also represented the Malta FA XI 14 times before moving to Australia with his brother Lolly in 1955.

In Australia he first played for Footscray JUST and in 1971 joined Green Gully Ajax as their senior coach and player. In his first year at the club the Green Gully won their first ever championship and put them on the football map in Victoria.

Tony helped the growth of football Australia. He also played for Footscray JUST, George Cross, Lions, Polonia, Pasco Vale and St Albans, and even represented Victoria State and Australia.

eigning champions Valletta won’t surrender their Premier League title that R easily. In fact, after halting Floriana’s unbeaten run the previous week by beating them 1-0, at he weekend even managed to become joint leaders with 35 points.

This results from Floriana’s failure to not go beyond a 2-2 draw against Gzira, and Valletta’s 3-1 defeat of nine-man Balzan. It all points out to the probability that the Citizens’ hopes of a successful defence of the RESULTS - Day 17 Premier Championship keeps gaining ground.

Floriana v Gzira U 2-2 Floriana’s failure to gain just one point from a possible Valletta v Balzan 3-1 six in their last two outings completely erased their four- Hibernians v Senglea 1-1 point lead at the top after 17 matches.

Birkirkara v Mosta 2-1 In Round 16, Gzira, lost their opening game under a Gudja v Sliema W 1-0 new manager, but managed to gain some hope of an im- Sta Lucia v Tarxien 3-1 provement by holding Floriana to a draw in Round 17. Sirens v Ħamrun (Mon) Meanwhile, elsewhere, Tarxien finally broke the duck Day 16 by winning their first match of the season by beating Hamrun who keep sliding down the table after failing to Valletta v Floriana 1-0 win a match from their last 10. This led to the Spartans Sirens v Hibernians 2-0 sacking their Italian coach and getting contracting a new Sliema W v Gzira U 2-0 one.

Balzan v Birkirkara 0-0 1-0 Sliema did themselves a world of good by beating Mosta v Senglea Gzira the previous week, but then came a cropper on Tarxien v Ħamrun S 3-2 Saturday by losing to Gudja.

Sta Lucia v Gudja 2-1