(driven by the voice. Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora. August 7, 2018

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1 The Voice of the Maltese Issue 185 Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora (driven by the voice of its readers) readers August 7, 2018 A food display at the fishing village of Marsaxlokk s main square just in front of the Parish Church. Photo: visitmalta.com

2 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Commentary Two weeks into the Egrant inquiry that exonerated Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle No matter what... Truth will out in the end Two weeks into the revelations of the magisterial inquiry that exonerated Malta s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle of all allegations that they had shares in Panama company Egrant Inc., Malta is still in deep shock. People are still coming to terms for the way some people not only intended to bring down a legitimately elected government by forging documents, build plans on lies and push their agenda to destabilise a government, but also to destroy a family, the Prime Minister s family What has changed since those revelations is, that pain at the way a few people who should know better acted, has now turned into anger. This is certainly no way how to do politics. Whoever said that politics are dirty is very wrong. It is not politics that are dirty but those politicians and their cohorts who give it a bad name by using dirty tricks and try their best, by fair means or foul, to achieve their goals. Using methods that are not honest or fair to reach your objective makes you a dirty harry. In this case some people used dishonesty as a means to an end. However, as we have seen, truth will out in the end, and eventually the liar will not only be discredited but also pay for the harm he tried to create on others. The findings by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja after a meticulous inquiry that took him 15 months to complete, interviewing 477 people, and going through documents (that later turned out to be forged), was accepted by both government and the opposition and also by all the sections of the local and international media. Since the findings Malta has been agog at the idea that a politician, a blogger, a journalist and a Russian nonentity wanted by the police in Malta on fraud charges who fled the island and spitefully started shooting from the hip, seemingly orchestrated the frame up and the bloodless coup. This is Malta not a Third World Country or South America where such coups are so common. Shame on those who planned the whole frame up! Originally the intention was to bring down a legitimate government. That they failed is down to a number of reasons. The Prime Minister s steadfastness in convincing the electorate that it was all lies, was the reason why he managed to lead his party to victory with the biggest margin in history. From the outset the Muscats strenuously denied any wrongdoing and described the allegations as the biggest political lie in the country's history. His decision to go to the polls one year ahead of his five-year mandate was over might have deprived the electorate of one year under Labour, but in the end it won Malta five more years under the leadership of Joseph Muscat, with a historic majority of votes. Slain blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia 1, former NP leader Simon Busuttil, journalist Pierre Portelli and the Russian Maria Efimova, now being referred to as The Gang of Four 2 seem to have acted without realising that in the end the conspiracy that has now been found out to have had a lot of flaws, would fail. Efimova in particular, aided and abetted, has created so many lies that she has become a hated person by the Maltese community, on each side of the fence. No wonder that the four mentioned are being referred to as The Gang of Four from yesteryear. The Egrant inquiry by magistrate Aaron Bugeja allegations concluded that the declarations of trust handed to him by the machinations of the four in question, that in the end are understood to have been made in order to crucify the Muscat family, were forgeries and even contained falsified signatures. The plot appears to have been created to show the Labour government in a bad light and to give an advantage to Simon Busuttil as leader of the Nationalist Party, presumably by bringing down a government and getting his party back into power. With the result of the Bugeja inquiry, the idea has misfired. The conspirators failed to carry the burden of proof to the allegations. It has rebounded on the NP and as such has weakened it even more. On the other hand, the Prime Minister s claim that the allegation was the biggest political lie in the country's history has proven him right and the others wrong. Now somebody must pay! JLC 1.Daphne Caruana Galizia has just been awarded a posthumous medal by the MCC of Victoria, for general services to the broader Maltese Community and her valuable contribution to democracy in Malta through fearless investigative journalism and by exposing corruption within its political system. 2. The Gang of Four were the four Chinese Communist Party officials who at the time, through the later stages of the Cultural Revolution ( ) where charged with treason through the later stages of the Cultural Revolution. BELOW: The Gang of Four? (from left): Daphne Caruana Galizia, Simon Busuttil, Maria Efimova and Pierre Portelli

3 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 3 Around the table at the welcoming luncheon: (from left): Louis Parnis, Nancy Serg-Borg, Sr. Giorgina Sultana, Lawrence Buhagiar, Paul Zammit, George Bartolo, Fr Noel Bianco, Emanuel Camilleri, Antoinette Caruana, Lawrence Dimech (partly hidden), Dr Stephen Gatt, Antoine Mangion, Fr Tarcisio Micallef and Charles Mifsud. A prestigious welcome for the new Consul General of NSW Parliament House Sydney is a very prestigious and interesting place to visit. Paul Zammit, a businessman and former NSW State Member and former Federal Member for Lowe, hosted a welcome luncheon to Sydney at the Strangers Private Dining Room for Lawrence Buhagiar, the seventh Consul-General for NSW. The gathering of thirteen persons targeted as community leaders were given a tour of both houses of this the oldest of all State Parliaments by the host. After the luncheon was served a brief discussion was held on a number of issues. One of the suggestions made was that a supreme body is promoted and that this group is to meet again. The suggestions aired received mixed reactions. Consul General, Lawrence Buhagiar thanked the host and those present for their support. He said that Malta was going through good times. He also announced that the consul-on-the move project in NSW would commence soon and pointed out that his role in NSW also covers trade and commerce. At the end of the luncheon, The Hon John Ajaka MLC the Santa Marija on August 15, the festa of all festas The Maltese are very well known for their love of their town or village festa (feast) during the summer months in particular when each village in Malta and Gozo celebrates the feast of its patron saint by decorating the village church and streets, organises musical band marches through the streets, bearers carry the statue of the patron saint around the town or village and put on fireworks displays! The peak of the festa season is Santa Marija in seven villages, six of which are held on August 15, in Għaxaq, Gudja, Attard, Mosta, From Left: Consul General Lawrence Buhagiar, Hon John Ajaka MLC and Paul Zammit President of the NSW Legislative Council addressed the group and invited all to his impressive offices within Parliament House. Gifts between the CG and the President were exchanged. Mqabba, Qrendi, and Victoria in Gozo. Mġarr also celebrate the feast, a week later. During this time, most factories are in shut down mode so many workers make the trip to the sister island of Gozo where they make merry while enjoying the celebrations there. Gozo is known as a calm and quiet little island, but on this occasion it becomes noisy and very hectic, something that the Gozitan men in the street don t really like, but owners of hotels, hotel apartments and farmhouse owners and restaurateurs look forward to this Festa. Consul-on-the-Move in Qld The Voice has learnt that the next Consul-on-the-Move visit will take place in Queensland between August in - BRISBANE - MACKAY - CAIRNS The project brings consular services closer to Maltese nationals in various states available at Consuls offices in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Contact the Malta High Commission:

4 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers Considering severely disabled children or relatives in Estate Planning: Special Disability Trusts by PaulSant Two aspects to Special Disability Trusts Though our government provides support and welfare for persons living with a disability (primarily the National Disability Insurance Scheme), Succession Planning legislation includes Family Provision aspects. If you have an adult child who has a severe disability, in some circumstances Family Provision requires an amount calculable from the entire value of your Estate to be set aside. It is also important to provide for a severely disabled child in a way that will not impact your child s ongoing pension payments. Using a Special Disability Trust can give you peace of mind that: 1. Welfare your child is in receipt of will not be affected when you wish to leave them an inheritance from your estate; and 2. The NSW Trustee and Guardian will not have grounds to make a Family Provision claim against your Estate. As a testator you have a moral obligation to make a provision for your dependants, rather than all maintenance being assumed as coming from the public purse. What is classed as a severe disability? A person age 16 and up is eligible to be a beneficiary of a Special Disability Trust if they are impaired to the extent that: 1. They qualify for the Disability Support Pension, or receive a Department of Vet- erans Affairs Invalidity Ser-vice Pens i o n / I n c o m e Support Supplement; and 2. They are unable to work more than 7 hours a week; and 3. If they had a sole carer, the carer would qualify for Carer Payment or Allowance; or 4. They live in an institution, hostel or group home where care is provided for people with disabilities that has funding provided to it under an agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories. What a Special Disability Trust does These trusts are created to pay for the reasonable care expenses and accommodation costs of a severely disabled person. This may include medical and dental expenses, private health insurance, and maintenance on trust property assets. There is also an allowance for discretionary items for wellbeing, recreation, independence and social inclusion, being up to $12,000 for the 2018/19 financial years. These trusts have some exemptions to means and income testing in relation to the disability support pension. The asset test exemption is indexed on 1 July each year, currently being $669,750, as opposed to $465,500 (non-homeowners) and $258,500 (homeowners). PAUL SANT (SOLICITOR) PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL For All Your Legal Needs Now at: 21 George Street Parramatta Phone: Also at: Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au Maltese Spoken Courts on welfare and Family Provision by estates In an unreported Estate case from 1995, Whitmont v Lloyd, Justice Bryson said the Court should not disregard the interest of the public in public funds, whilst noting it is not the Court s job to throw burdens off public funds and onto private estates. Because the legislation has a public policy purpose, it is not appropriate, where there is wealth in an estate, to direct it away from the less fortunate eligible person, to enhance their claims to social benefits and maximise the resources of others. The significance of social benefits is related to the available resources of an estate. In 2009 Justice Bereton stated in Taylor v Farrugia that in smaller estates with competing claims, Courts may consider the eligibility of a claimant for a pension when deciding how limited benefits should be shared between claimants, and how to structure them. However, the exception to the burden of support being borne in the first instance by an estate rather than by social security arises mainly, if not exclusively in smaller estates. It is important to discuss these issues with your family and Estate Planner, particularly when deciding who is a suitable trustee for a Special Disability Trust. If you have a severely disabled child or family member, or know someone who does, Paul Sant can assist to ensure your Estate Planning is up to date to protect him or her and your Estate We have provided you with an overview of the topic above but you should consult a professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

5 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 5 The Maltese Community Council of Victoria celebrated its 60th Anniversary from its foundation in 1958 with a Cocktail Party on July 21 at the MCCV Hall in the presence of about 150 guests. It followed a Mass that was celebrated at St. Paul s Chapel. After the rendering of the National Anthem, Dr Edwin Borg Manche`, the V/President, of the MCCV, who acted as MC for the night welcomed the guests, among them the Consul General for the Republic of Malta in Victoria, Ms Joanna Pisani, Mr Victor Borg, President, and other executive members of the MCCV the past President of the MCCV, Mr Eddie Micallef, and members from Religious Orders, and various Maltese Associations. Mr. Borg delivered the first speech for the night that was accompanied with a video presentation about the achievements of the Council throughout the years. He also thanked all those who gave their help from the very start. Next to address the occasion was the Consul General for the Republic of Malta in Victoria, Ms Joanna Pisani. She congratulated the MCCV for its achievements and wished them all the best for the future. Fr Edwin Agius (MSSP) recalled how the first MSSP priests arrived in Australia and how they helped the migrants in all their needs, in finding jobs, lodgings and filling of documents, etc. He explained that they still look after the spiritual needs of the Maltese community. Then followed the presentation of the MCCV Community Awards for 2017 to a number of individuals that in the view of the Council s Executive Committee believes made a substantial contribution to the Maltese/Australian Community. They awards were made to: Fr Dominic Degiorgio, Fr Karmel Borg, Fr Edwin Agius, MSSP, Rector at Parkville addressing the guests MCCV celebrates its 60th Anniversary and Fr Dr Victor Shields for their valuable contribution to the Maltese Community in the fields of spiritual leadership and welfare services. Sr Lorraine Testa, for her valuable contribution to the Maltese Community in the fields of education and aged health care service. Mr George Saliba, OAM, for his valuable contribution to the Maltese Community through his leadership and general services to the community. They also gave a posthumous Award to the late Mrs Daphne Caruana Galizia, for general services to the broader Maltese Community and her valuable contribution to democracy in Malta through fearless investigative journalism and by exposing corruption within its political system. PaulVella The recipients of the MCCV Community Awards for 2017: (From left): Sr Lorraine Testa, Mr George Saliba and the MSSP priests, Fr Dominic Degiorgio, Fr Dr Victor Shields and Fr Karmel Borg

6 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 This sixth article in the series tries to explain the message behind the tapestry titled: The Elevation of the Cross The central figure of Christ in the tapestry is seen nailed to the cross that is being raised into an upright position. On top of the cross are the words, Jesus Nazarenum Rex Iudeorum (Jesus King of the Jews). Christ s eyes are fixed towards heaven. In the Crucifixion one witnesses the tragedy of Jesus nailed to the cross. The scene depicts three groups of people: The one in the middle comprises seven men putting the cross in position. Six of them are elevating the cross. The second man from left, wearing an armour breastplate, chain mail and gard de reins is holding Jesus right arm, as if supporting him. His eyes turned towards Jesus express a pitiful look. Rubens could have included this figure clad as a Knight because the tapestry was to be hung in the Conventual Church of the Order. In the group on the left are the Mother of Jesus and St John who is holding Mary s hand accepting her as his mother and the mother of all humanity. Both are standing. Mary has her eyes turned towards Jesus, while John is looking fixedly at her. Lower down are four women, one holding two young children; perhaps representing the women of Jerusalem. In the right corner in the foreground are two Romans on horseback, one of them holding a spear in his right hand is Longinus; the one next to him is wearing a soldier s helmet, holding the Romans standard, on top of which is a crown of laurel leaves together with a crimson banner. Christ s side was pierced on Calvary, blood and water flowed from the wound, evocative of Baptism and Eucharist. It is profoundly moving to realise that man continues to crucify Jesus daily, who continues to forgive, convert and redeem. At the very back, beyond the thieves, is a curious view in the tapestry what looks like a far away mountain. This could imply the mountain where Isaac had to be sacrificed by his father. When Abraham was about to lead Isaac to the altar of sacrifice, the child innocently kept asking where the lamb to be sacrificed was. That question had to wait for hundreds of years until John the Baptist answered it by pointing to Jesus Look, there is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world (John 1, 29) 1. He was the perfect sacrifice. It could also remind the viewer of Mt Sinai where God lavished his love and attention on his chosen people. The scene brings together tremendous straining forces and counterforces as heavily muscled men strain to lift the cross. Here, Rubens had the opportunity to show the anatomy and the contortions of violent action of twisted figures. The artist placed the body of Christ on the cross as a diagonal that cuts dynamically across the tapestry while inclining back into it. The whole composition bubbles over with power that comes from genuine exertion, and tense with effort. The tension on Christ s face is emotional as well as physical. The crucifixion depicts the human agony of the Passion that was part of an essential homiletic purpose in iconography. A focus of Rubens art was the human body freely acting or free to act in an environment of physical forces and other interacting bodies. In the background, clouds are gathering around the sun, an ominous sign of what is about to happen. Another theological aspect of the death of Christ is: that whereas every man is born to live, Christ was born to die. His death on the cross was unlike any other. All the others who were crucified died as men. Jesus s death on the cross was both as God and made man. By His death on the wood of the cross Jesus merited justification for The Flemish Tapestries in the Conventional Church of the Order of St John in Valletta Dr. DorisCannataci mankind. 2 The fact that Jesus suffered death on a wooden cross was also God s design that decreed: life should return by the way whence death had arisen. 3 The serpent that was responsible for the fall of man s first parents by the wood of a tree was won over by Christ on the wood of the cross. 4 It is very difficult for man to understand the mystery of the cross, and it is much more difficult to grasp the fact that man s salvation depends on the cross. 5 By his passion and death Jesus intended to atone for the sins of all ages, to offer for them to his Father a full and abundant satisfaction. 6 The passion and death of Jesus Christ had opened heaven for man that was closed by the common sin of mankind. 7 References 1. The New Jerusalem Bible, 1747, note 1v: One of the most significant of John s symbols of Christ [is the lamb]. 2. Ibid., Chapter 7, Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests, Ibid. 5. Ibid., Ibid., Ibid., 60.

7 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Għajdut, drawwiet u twemmin fil-gżejjer Maltin (4) F l-aħħar Alfred E.Baldacchino ħarġa bdejt nagħti tagħrif dwar il-fkieren tal-art, u biex inkompli dwar dan irrid ngħid i demm frisk minn dawn il-fkieren kien jintuża biex ifejjaq kemm is-suffejra (jaundice) u wkoll attakki tal-qamar (epilepsy). L-irġiel li kienu jsofru minn dan il-mard kienu jgħidulhom biex jieħdu demm frisk minn fekruna tal-art mara u jagħmlu sinjal tassalib fuq il-ġogi tas-saqajn u talidejn. Mill-banda l-oħra, n-nisa kellhom jagħmlu dan bid-demm ta fekruna tal-art, imma fe- kruna raġel. Ix-xorb tad-demm tal-fekruna tal-art kien ukoll maħsub li jfejjaq l-attakki tal-qamar, l-aktar jekk jinxtorob mill ewwel wara xi attakk. Fawna oħra L-għajdut u t-twemmin fuq il-miġja ta San Pawl li jeżistu fil-gżejjer Maltin ħafna drabi m għandhom xejn x - jaqsmu ma San Pawl. Dawm m humiex marbuta biss mal-fawna iżda hemm ukoll dawk li huma marbuta mal-flora. Dawn ukoll nibtu minħabba xebħ, u nuqqas ta tagħrif xjentifiku. Friefet u baħrijiet Meta konna żgħar, ngħid għalija jien, kienet tkun l-hena tiegħi niġri filmergħat mimlijin ġarġir isfar wara l- friefet, nittanta kull gremxula jew serp li kienu jazzardaw jittawlu minn xi toqba fil-ħajt tas-sejiegħ. U mhux jien biss kelli din id-drawwa. Niftakar li l-iskola primarja kienu jgħidulna biex meta noħorġu fi tmiem il-ġimgħa ma tal-mużew (u dak iżżmien min ma kienx imur il-mużew?) biex magħna nieħdu vażett u nġibu ftit mrieżep, jew żrinġijiet, jew anke xi friefet li konna naqbdu, biex imbagħad inpoġġuhom fuq il-mejda firrokna tal-klassi, li konna nsejħulha il-mejda tan-natura. Għadhom stampati f moħħi dawk ilfriefet b labra ġo nofs daharhom, imqabbda ma xi biċċa sufra, iferfru ġwinħajhom qabel ma jtiru l-aħħar titjira tagħhom lejn il-ħallieq. U l-istess kienu jagħmlu l-imrieżep ġo vażetti bl-ilma ħadrani, jieħdu ftit arja mill-wiċċ tal-vażett, kif kienu jagħmlu wkoll xi żrinġijiet żgħar. Baħrija Imma fil-bidu tal-ġimgħa dawk li jkunu ħallewna konna malajr nerġgħu nibdluhom ma oħrajn maqbudin ġodda. Dan kien, kif kienu jgħidulna, biex nitgħallem nħobbu n-natura! Mill-banda l-oħra d-dar konna nisimgħu qanpiena differenti. Kif nafu l- friefet u l-baħrijiet fuq ġwinħajhom għandhom qxur żgħar ħafna, forma ta għabra fina, li jtihom dawk l-ilwien kollha. Għalhekk kien ikollna twissijiet biex meta naqbdu l-friefet ma mmissux subgħajna mċappsa b dik l- għabra fina ma xagħarna minħabba li jkien jaqagħlna xagħrna! U xkienu jgħidulna għall-baħrijiet, dawk il-friefet li jtiru matul il-lejl u li konna narawhom ma xi lampa fit-triq, jew li xi waħda minnhom kienet tidhol fid-dar jekk tara d-dawl ġewwa? Kienu jgħidulna li dawn kienu l-ħabbara tal-mewt jew ta xi aħbar ħażina. Ma setax jonqos li mit-tagħlim talmejda tan-natura fil-klassi, kulħadd kien ikun imħajjar iġemma dawk ilħlejqiet sbieħ u mlewna. U ma setax jonqos li anki jien kont inżomm xi ftit minn dawn id-dar, u saħansitra kont niġbor ix-xagħat tal-friefet u l-baħrijiet. Niftakar li fil-kamra tas-sodda kien ikolli kaxex tal-kartun taż-żraben b numru ta xagħat ta friefet u ta baħrijiet, kollha jieklu sakemm jasal iżżmien tagħhom biex jinbidlu f fosdqa u joħorġu bħala farfett jew baħrija, skont l-ispeċi tagħhom. Darba kelli madwar 30 xagħat talbaħrija tat-tengħud. Dawn kien ikun fihom madwar 7 ċm tul kull wieħed. Darba ħarbuli mill-kaxxa tal-kartun u kollha bdew tilgħin mal-ħitan talkamra tas-sodda. Meta kienu jsiru fosdqa u jinbidlu fil-baħrija magħmula, ġieli kienu jaħarbu u jduru mhux biss mal-kamra tas-sodda imma mad-dar kollha. Ġieli kelli xi xagħat tal-baħrija ta ras il-mewt. Jgħidulha hekk għax fuq daharha għandha ras ta mewt kannella safranija fuq dar bellusi kannella fil-blu. Tista timmaġina lil nanti, Alla jtiha l-glorja tal- Ġenna, li meta kienet tinduna b dawn kienet dlonk timla taġen bi ftit weraq taż-żebbuġ imbierek, tqabbdu, u ddur mad-dar tlissen talb biex ibiegħed kull ħażen u kull imrar mid-dar. Waqt li kienet iddur u titlob kienet tpoġġi t-taġen fuq rasna biex ikun aktar effettiv. Din kienet drawwa ta dawk tal-età tan-nanna. Kemm kienu juruna mħabba innoċenti li għenitna biex nikbru u nsiru rġiel u nisa tajbin! Minn xi daqqiet nistaqsi lili nnifsi: imma minn fejn kienu jġibhom dawn il-qlajjiet? Li kieku kellhom xi ftit talverità kieku jien illum lanqas għandi xagħra waħda, u kieku s issa miet xi tliet darbiet. (fl-aħħar parti ta din is-sensiela filħarġa li jmiss jingħata tagħrif dwar il- Fossili tal-kelb il-baħar) A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW... for all your travel needs. Tel (02) blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

8 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Have your say/xi trid tghid? The Voice of the Maltese for 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 on request. If you require a printed copy we can also oblige. Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice magazine, either in Maltese or English should include name and address of the writer and be ed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com. Now you can also join us on facebook: com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom... Is the MCC of Victoria for real? Joe Attard from Sunshine Victoria writes: Iwas shocked to hear that the Maltese Community Council of Victoria has given a special award, posthumously, to the late Daphne Caruana Galizia, for general services to the broader Maltese Community and her valuable contribution to democracy in Malta through fearless investigative journalism and by exposing corruption within its political system. Is the MCC of Victoria aware that this so honoured person who had a complete tunnel vision via anything to do with the Labour Party in Malta has been found wanting by the latest magisterial 15-month inquiry by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja, a report that was accepted, by both of Malta s main political parties. The Bugeja investigation found that the said Caruana Galizia was part of a charge sheet of fraud, forgery, defamation, false evidence, outright lies, character assassination and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Indeed, the late Caruana Galizia seemingly intent of destroying the family of a politician accused Mrs Michelle, wife of the Prime Minister of Malta of fraud and deception. These allegations have been found to be completely unfounded. It is worth reproducing extracts from an article by The Times of Malta opinion writer Martin Scicluna in reference to DCG. He wrote: I find it personally extremely difficult to comment dispassionately on the outcome to this magisterial inquiry, given that the central player in this whole incendiary saga is Mark Caruana from Blacktown NSW writes: In view of the continuing saga of youth participation in our community, I would like to point out that 2010 National Strategy for Young Australians defines youth in now dead, brutally assassinated several months after the events described in the magistrate s inquiry for reasons clearly unconnected with this notorious case. She has been presented as a martyr to free speech and her death has been turned by some into an international cause celebre. But, sadly, Caruana Galizia s death cannot be considered without recalling the pivotal part she played in building and promoting the Egrant story. She has been raised by some to the status of a secular saint, but this investigation has demonstrated beyond doubt that, despite her undoubted courage as a journalist in following up investigative leads, in this instance, like so many of us, she had feet of clay The Maltese Community Council of Victoria, a non-political entity has a lot of explaining to do by making the award to DC for the reasons given. Disprezz lejn Malta Tony Spiteri minn Brunswick, Victoria jikteb: Ixxukjajt ruħi naqra fin-newsletter tal- MCC ta Victora li onoraw lil Daphne Caruana Galizia u tawha award wara mewtha. Posibbli li dawn li suppost qed imexxu l-komunita` Maltija jħallu l-għamad politiku tagħhom imexxihom? X għamlet din is-sinjura li sfortunatament sfat maqtula biex timmerita l-award, wara li tħabbar f Malta li kienet fost dawk li kkonfoffaw biex iwaqqgħu l-gvern? Dan disprezz lejn Malta! Definition of youths general as years of age. Other government funding bodies start at 16 years and go to about 35 years as for their definition of youth. Recent Census data shows that there are very few Malta-born youths. Now, migration from Malta to Australia has dwindled to single digit figures from the late eighties to date, So, in practice, there are few if any Malta-born youth. One needs to distinguish between youth of this age bracket and 2nd and 3rd generation Australian-Maltese. My guess is that today's demography is more of 3rd generation Australian Maltese where the grandparents were Malta born migrants. Their needs, aspirations are very different. I agree that a good approach is in a greater appreciation of their Maltese heritage. This is a common binding factor. I write this, as one need to be clear of the definition of youth to plan accordingly.

9 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Maria Tabone, nibqgħu niftakruha Mnistax ngħid li kont ilni naf lis-sinjura Maria Tabone, l-armla tal-eks-president Censu Tabone ħafna snin, jew konna familjari. Id-destin ħadni l- Awstralja meta kont għadni żagħżugħ. Iżda meta ltqajt magħha l-ewwel darba bqajt impressjonat u fl-istess ħin umiljat li kont fil-preżenza ta mara li tant kellha parti attiva fl-istorja politika ta Malta. Il-mewt ta Maria Tabone MGR, fid-19 ta Lulju fl-eta` ta 98 sena ħalliet l-effett tagħha fuq il-familja numeruża tagħha u wkoll fuq Malta. Jien u marti Marlene kellna l-unur li niltaqgħu magħha meta fl-okażjoni taċ-ċerimonja Gieħ ir- Repubblika f Dicembru tal-2013 fil-palazz tal- President (dak iz-zmien Dr. George Abela) introduċiena magħha wieħed minn uliedha, Francis Tabone li bejn 2006 u l-2013 kien Kummissarju Għoli għal Malta fl-awstralja. F dak l-istess jum, bħali Maria kienet ukoll onorata mill-gvern. B sorpriża għalina, eżattament wara ċ-ċerimonja fil-palazz, il-membri tal-familja Tabone stednuna għal ikla fid-dar tagħhom fl-imdina. Hemmhekk, flimkien mas-sinjura Maria Tabone li diġa kienet fl-eta ta 93 sena għaddejna siegħat nifirħu b xulxin u niċċelebraw l-unuri li konna rċevejna u niftakru wkoll fil-memorji tal-vjaġġi fl-awstralja ta żewġħa fis-snin 1970 u Fl-1993 kienet akkumpanjat lill-president Tabone fiż-żjara fl-awstralja u New Zealand. Kemm għalija u wkoll għal marti, dik li nkunu fil-preżenza ta Maria Tabone, sinjura nobbli f kull sens, kienet okkażjoni memorabbli. Din il-mara qdiet b dinjita u devozzjoni d-dmirijiet tagħha bħala omm u mart wieħed mill-iktar politiċi popolari li fl-aħħar tal-karriera politika tiegħu anke okkupa l-ogħla pożizzjoni ta pajjiżna, Malta. Is-Sinjura Tabone, imwielda l-belt Valletta fid-9 ta Frar tal-1920, l-akbar fost tmien ulied tal- Maġistrat Wirth, kienet meqjusa minn ħafna bħala ikona ta mara ta għaqal u għerf. Il-funeral tagħha sar fil-knisja parrokkjali tal-balluta f San Ġiljan nhar it-tnejn 23 ta Lulju li għadda. RIP LawrenceDimech Fl-istampa fuq: Is-Sinjura Maria Tabone fuq quddiem flimkien ma binha Francis u martu Anna (bil-wieqfa fin-nofs) ma Marlene u Lawrence Dimech fid-dar tal-familja Tabone fl-imdina f Dicembru 2013.

10 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Perspettiva A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: blogspot.com kitba ta IVAN CAUCHI Ġenituri akbar Dan l-aħħar erġajt ħsibt dwar dan issuġġett, wara li qrajt dwar l-aħħar ċelebrità li kellha wild ta età matura. Qed nirreferi għal Brigitte Nielsen, attriċi magħrufa, li fl-eta` ta 54 sena f Ġunju li għadda welldet bint li semmietha Frida. Dan l-avveniment għandu wkoll xi konnessjoni ma Malta, għax Nielsen iżżewġet lir-raġel tagħha ta bħalissa, Mattia Dessi f Malta fl Jien kont għadni Malta meta Nielsen kienet iżżewġet hemmhekk ukoll lil raġel ieħor, Sebastian Copeland fl-1990 għadni niftakarha għaddejja f Mannarino Road miegħu f karrozzin miftuħ mill-isbaħ dakinhar, għalkemm hi tgħid li dak iż-żwieġ ma kienx legali. 1 Nielsen gergret li semgħet lil min qalilha li hi kienet xiħa wisq biex ikollha t-tfal, imma l-istess ġeneralment ma jingħadx lill-irġiel tal-istess età. Fil-fatt ħafna mill-informazzjoni tikkonċentra dwar ir-risjki fuq il-mara, bħaż-żieda fir-riskju ta dijabete bikrija, kolesterol, kanċer tas-sider, pressjoni għolja u oħrajn. Generalment nisa ta iktar minn 50 jużaw bajda ta mara iżgħar minħabba difetti fil-kromosomi. Madankollu, ħafna nisa kbar fl-età ikollhom tfal perfettament b saħħithom, u aktar ma jgħaddi ż-żmien, hemm tendenza li t- tfal jitwieldu iktar lil ommijiet b età avvanzata. Per eżempju fl-ingilterra r-rata ta konċepiment fl-2016 naqas għal kull grupp ta età tal-ommijiet, ħlief għal etajiet ta iktar minn 40 sena. 1 Forsi wieħed ma jistennix li jista wkoll ikun hemm ċerti vantaġġi li l-ġenituri jkunu ikbar; artiklu li qrajt issuġġerixxa li t-tfal ta ġenituri kbar jistgħu jkunu aħjar f suġġetti matematiċi jew tekniċi, possibiltà li jgħixu għal ħajja itwal u jkunu iktar b saħħithom, il-ġenituri jkunu iktar imħejjija emozzjonalment, finanzjarjament u kif jittrattaw mat-tfal. 3 Hemm ukoll l-aspett ta x inhu fl-aħjar interess tat-tfal. Hemm min hu konvint li l-aħjar età ta ġenitur tkun fl-għoxrinijiet jew tletinijiet ta snin ikbar mill-wild, u iktar minn hekk ikun ta ħsara għat-tfal. Fost ir-raġunijiet li smajt huma li l-ġenituri ma jifilħux għallpiż tat-trobbija (li naraha ġeneralizzazzjoni u potenzjalment applikabbli għal min huwa iżgħar), li jidhru qishom in-nanniet u mhux il-ġenituri (din forsi l-iktar evidenti) u li l-ġenituri huma egoisti (mid-dehra kull min irid xi ħaġa, isibha diffiċli u jibqa jaħdem u jippersisti biex jakkwistaha ikun egoist). Minn jaħseb hekk x aktarx jgħid li huwa kontra li nies ikollhom tfal meta jkunu ta ċerta età, ejja ngħidu ta iktar minn 40 sena, u jippreferu li l-familji jkunu iktar normali b ġenerazzjoni ssegwi l-oħra ngħidu aħna kull 20 sena. Li wieħed mhux neċessarjament japprezza hu li wild ta ġenituri ta età avvanzata, per eżempju ta 50 sena, ma kellux l-opportunità li jitwieled meta l-ġenituri kellhom 30. Dak iż-żmien għadda. Issa l-għażla hi li jew jitwieled lil ġenituri ta 50 sena jew inkella ma jitnissilx, u naturalment ma jitwelidx. Lill-wild ta ġenitur anzjan, tkun qed tgħidlu li tippreferi li ma jeżistix, f wiċċu (jew minn wara daharu). Naħseb li hawn ukoll l-ideja, li l-ġenituri jagħżlu kapriċċjożament li ma jkollhomx tfal meta jkunu fl-aħjar tagħhom, speċjalment dawk it-tfajliet u nisa moderni tal-lum, li moħħhom fil-karriera tagħhom u biex jiddevertu qabel kollox, imbagħad bil- Brigitte Nielsen bit-tarbija, il-ħames wlld tagħha, Frida wiċċ tost kollu jkunu jridu jkunu ġenituri akkost ta kollox. Għalkemm hemm elementi ta verità f dan ta fuq, hija biss karikatura li ma tgħidx l-istorja kollha. Ma ssemmiex per eżempju, li mhux bilfors ikollok sieħbek/seħbitek/żewġek/martek fiż-żmien meta jkun ikkunsidrat bijoloġikament jew soċjalment aċċettabbli li jkollok it-tfal. Jista jkun ukoll li wieħed/waħda mill-koppja f dak il-perjodu ma tkunx mixtieq/a mit-tfal daqs il-parti l-oħra. Jista wkoll ikun hemm storja twila, siekta u mobija, ta qsim il-qalb, ta infertilità. Jista jkun hemm elf raġuni oħra. Jien ngħid li tajjeb li jkollna opinjoni, u li nesprimuha u niddiskutuha. Ikun itjeb madankollu li noqogħdu attenti li ma nweġġgħux lil min jista jkun qed jisma, billi nitfgħu dell fuq l-intenzjonijiet jew il-karattru ta dak li jkun, meta ma nkunux nafu minn xiex ikun għadda u x diffikultajiet sab fl-istorja mwiegħra ta ħajtu. Naħseb li l-aħjar attitudni hija simili għal dik meħuda min-national Health Service (NHS) tal-ingilterra. Din tirreferi għal rapport tar-royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) li titkellem dwar ir-riskji ta tqala f età avvanzata, imma imbagħad tistqarr li l-età li fiha mara ssir omm huwa influenzat minn għadd ta ċirkostanzi personali, soċjali, professjonali u talħajja, li mhux dejjem jistgħu faċilment jiġu ppjanati. Tkompli, li n-nisa m għandhomx jinħasdu mir-rapport, imma jkunu konxji tar-rakkomandazzjonijiet, u li n-nisa tqal kollha, ta liema età jkunu, għandhom ikollhom l-informazzjoni kollha, jirċievu l-aħjar kura u għajnuna u l-attenzjoni medika kollha li jista jkollhom bżonn. 4 Attitudni matura għall-aħħar u mingħajr ġudizzji. Referenzi 1. retrieved 31/7/ retrieved 31/7/ retrieved 31/7/ retrieved 1/8/2018

11 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 11 Patri Mikiel Fsadni OP u l-girna - għen ukoll fis-sejba ta il-cantalena PeterPaulCiantar Minħabba li ngħix qrib ħafna tal-kunvent tal-patrijiet Dumnikani tar-rabat kont nikkomunika tajjeb ħafna magħhom, imma forsi wieħed mill-aktar fost dawn kien Patri Mikiel Fsadni. Dejjem nafu xwejjaħ u l-aktar li kont nitkellem miegħu kien fuq il-karozza tal-linja; jiena waqt li sejjer lejn ix-xogħol u hu ta kuljum lejn Santa Luċija biex jara jekk ħuh, iżgħar minnu fl-età, kienx jonqsu xi ħaġa. L-esperjenzi tiegħi ma Patri Mikiel Fsadni huma ħafna. Niftakar meta kont tkellimt miegħu għall-programm televiżiv L- Arti Siekta, meta flimkien ma Tony Terribile morna nżuru l-knisja tal-madonna tal-għar fir-rabat. Miegħu tkellimna ħafna dwar id-devozzjoni kbira tiegħu lejn il-madonna tal-għar. Kont narah ta kuljum xwejjaħ idur il-kunvent u l-knisja, jagħlaq il-bibien b mazz ċwievet f idejh. Kien tassew bniedem mimli bl-għerf u metikoluż għall-aħħar. Patri Mikiel twieled il-birgu fil-15 ta April 1916 minn Joseph u Giovanna née Cassano. Hu daħal bħala novizz fil-kunvent tad- Dumnikani tar-rabat fl-1933 u għamel l-ewwel Professjoni fil- 21 ta Ottubru tal Ġie ordnat saċerdot ħames snin wara, fil-11 ta Ġunju Patri Fsadni hu magħruf l-aktar għall-kitba iżda kien ukoll jaf sewwa l-fotografija: anzi r-ritratt famuż tiegħu tal-madonna tal- Għar bid-dmugħ tad-demm iċarċar minn għajnejha huwa ritratt speċjali tiegħu u ħafna għal qalbu. Kien ħadu eżatt kif seħħ dan il-każ. Fi ħdan il-provinċja hu jibqa magħruf għas-snin twal ta riċerka li għamel ukoll fuq il-kunventi tad-dumnikani li wassluh ukoll biex ippubblika monografiji dwarhom, partikularment dwar it-tlieta l-iktar antiki Il-Patri hu wkoll awtur ta għadd ta kotba oħra minbarra dwar l-istorja tad-dumnikani f Malta. Ħadem bis-sħiħ mal-professur Godfrey Wettinger fis-sejba tal-poeżija bil-malti l-aktar qadima li nafu biha sal-lum: Il-Cantilena ta Pietru Caxaro. Iżda ismu huwa wkoll marbut mal-famuża girna. Kien hu li għamel studju bir-reqqa tad-diversi giren f Malta kif ukoll f Għawdex. Il-girna Maltija li bħala wieħed għadu jista jsib f Malta Biex wasal għal dan it-tagħrif Patri Fsadni għamel ħafna tiftix. Għalkemm kien diġa` xwejjaħ kont ta spiss issibu jterraq b kamera tar-ritratti f idejh, ifittex u jistaqsi dwar il-giren li ftit minnhom għadhom jidhru fl-għelieqi tagħna, l-aktar fin-naħa ta fuq ta pajjiżna. Kien ukoll jieħu r-ritratti dettaljati tagħhom Din il-ħidma ta Fsadni ħalliet il-frott. L-ewwelnett grazzi għalih sirna aktar konxji tal-girna. Grazzi wkoll għall-ordni li kien iħaddan ħalla wkoll kollox bil-miktub u stampat fi ktieb mill-isbaħ li ppubblikatlu l-ordni. Fil-fatt, b dan ix-xogħol Il-Girna - Wirt Arkitettoniku u Etniku Malti, stampat fil-gutenberg Press fl-1990, Patri Mikiel rebaħ il-midalja tad-deheb u l-ewwel Premju fil-konkors Premju Letterarju mniedi mill-ministeru tal-edukazzjoni għall Illum ma ssibx kopji tiegħu għall-bejgħ għax ftit kienu ġew stampati. Dan l-istess ktieb dwar il-girna, li wkoll ġie maqlub għall-ingliż minn Louis Scerri għen biex il-qarrejja jżidu wkoll l-għarfien tagħhom għal settur ieħor tal-kultura Maltija. L-iżball kien li ftit kienu ġew mitbugħa (stampati) kopji. X ħin tidħol fil-kunvent tad-dumnikani fir-rabat tinħass ilpreżenza ta Patri Mikiel ħdejn il-madonna tal-għar. Kuljum kien jinżel jgħodd il-bukketti tal-fjuri li kienu jitpoġġew quddiem il- Madonna u jiktibhom ħalli din tkun xhieda ta parti importanti mill-istorja tal-kunvent fejn kienet tidħol id-devozzjoni lejn il- Madonna tal-għar. Forsi li ftit li xejn nafu dwar Patri Mikiel hu li dan il-patri maħbub u umli kien ikkollabora wkoll ma Dun Ġorġ Preca (illum qaddis), il-fundatur tas-soċjetà tal-museum, fil-kitba tar-regola għas-soċjetà tiegħu, partikolarment fit-taqsima dwar it-tmexxija. Patri Mikiel kellu karattru sod u determinat f kollox, anki meta kien f età ta xjuħija. Kien bniedem li ried kollox preċiż u jekk jista jkun mingħajr difett. Kellu wkoll memorja preċiza sakemm miet fil-birgu fit-18 ta April, 2013 fl-eta 97 sena. Miet erbat ijiem wara li għalaq sninu u kien baqa jaħdem kważi sal-aħħar.

12 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Roundup of News About Malta The meeting of two Prime Ministers in Tokyo. Joseph Muscat (left) and Shinzo Abe Malta, Japan agree to maintain rules-based maritime order Following talks in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Malta s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that Malta would be leading the way among EU member states to ratify the EU-Japan Partnership Agreement. The talks focused on how the two countries will further consolidate their growing economic and trade relations, Joseph Muscat s visit to Japan is the first by a Maltese Prime Minister in 28 years. The two leaders also agreed to closely cooperate in maintaining maritime order based on the rule of law and confirmed the importance of the issue as Malta hosts the International Maritime Law Institute aimed at training specialists in the field. When it comes to the Partnership Agreement Dr Muscat expressed hope for an early implementation of a free trade agreement Japan and the European Union signed last month. He said that the partnership agreement will translate into more Japanese products entering EU markets and also give the opportunity for more Maltese quality products to enter the Japanese domestic market. He added that following the excellent inroads and successes Maltese tuna exports made in Japan, talks with Mr Abe also dwelt on expanding this to other Maltese high quality agricultural products like pork and tomatoes. He mentioned the fact of the increase in the number of Japanese students coming to Malta to study English as a foreign language and following the recent changes in local legislation, will also have the opportunity to work in the island. The Maltese Prime Minister also referred to talks held during his current visit with leading Japanese corporations and said that he was looking forward to conclude agreements, which have the full support of the Japanese Prime Minister, leading to more investment, know-how and higher innovation and more areas of collaboration between the two countries. Dr Muscat said that Japan can consider Malta to be a straight-talking but honest partner in its dealings with Japan. *Continued on page 13 Malta base for Japanese aircraft leasing company At the end of a meeting with Hiroyuki Ishig, the Chief Executive Officer of the Japan External Trade Corporation (JETRO) during which he discussed possible new areas of trade initiatives between Malta and Japan, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that Malta will be the new home for the second largest aircraft leasing company in the world, an emerging sector that shows how diversified Malta s economy is. Dr Muscat explained that Malta is much more than the tuna industry when it comes to Japan, and in fact contrary to the perception of many, Malta s main export to Japan are microchips. He went on to explain the economic success of Malta raging from the manufacturing industry to the services industry. JETRO s CEO said that Malta s economic success far exceeds expectations and Japan is looking at Malta as a destination that is strategically located to reach Europe and North Africa. Joseph Muscat also mentioned Malta s legislation on blockchain that gives certainty to a sector, and said that Malta is the first jurisdiction to have specific legislation for the sector. He also mentioned that there is considerable interest in the sector from Japan. The signing of an MoM with Nippon Foundation At Japan symposium: Malta signs MoM for cooperation about oceans and environment with Nippon Foundation Aside of the symposium organised by the Nippon Foundation in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, Malta and the Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an enhanced co-operation on international issues pertaining to the oceans and the environment. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela signed on behalf of Malta and Mitsuyuki Unno, Executive Director for the Foundation. It was made in the presence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation in Tokyo.

13 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 13 *From page 12 Roundup of News About Malta PM Muscat emphasises Malta s commitment to Blue Economy Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat addressing the Nippon Foundaton symposium Joseph Muscat described the talks with Shinzo Abe as a dialogue between two like-minded partners who share common democratic values, freedom and rule of law and who are beacons of economic progress. This was Muscat and Abe s second meeting in 15 months. They last met in Malta in May 2017 when the Japanese leader stopped on the island on his way home from the Group of Seven nations' summit in Italy. Mr Abe highlighted the excellent relations between the two countries and said that in A dialogue between like-minded partners The total number of tourists visiting Malta in June this year showed an increase of 14.5% over the same period last year. Statistics published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) indicate that in June 265,823 tourists visited Malta. The major part of the visitors came from EU member stats, primarily from the UK, Italy, Germany and France. Of the total, 16,694 visited Malta for work purposes. The highest percentage of tourists (38.9%) was aged recent years the number of Japanese tourists visiting Malta more than doubled in number. He welcomed the civil aviation agreement between the two countries, and said that following Muscat s visit economic and commercial relations between the two countries are bound to strengthen. The PM Joseph Muscat was leading a trade delegation of Maltese entrepreneurs. The two Prime Ministers further agreed to work together in resolving outstanding issues surrounding North Korea, including Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang in the 1970s and 1980s. between 25 and 44 years followed by the age bracket with 31.4%. The NSO calculates that the June tourists increased Malta s coffer by more than million, an increase of over 9.7% over the same period last year. Tourism figures for the fist six months of the year amounted to 1,162,344, an increase of 17.4% over the first six months of Between them they generated million in Malta s economy, 11.6% more than last year s period. Addressing the Nippon Foundation symposium, Protecting our Oceans for Present and Future Generations, in Tokyo, Malta s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reiterated his government s commitment to protecting the oceans and developing its blue economy. As such, Malta has registered a voluntary commitment of 30 per cent of sea areas falling under its jurisdiction as marine-protected areas. The Prime Minster, a keynote speaker at the symposium pointed out that Malta continues to witness a healthy growth in the number of ships registered under the Maltese flag, and that it currently has the largest ship register in Europe. He also dwelt on the relations between Malta and Japan that although being so far away from each other, the sea has given both many common interests, some of which he also highlighted in his speech. Joseph Muscat said that a contemporary maritime linkage between the two countries relates to their trade. For decades the Maltese have prized Japanese products that enjoy an excellent reputation. This led to years of a trade deficit in favour of Japan. In the last few years, Maltese tuna has gained tremendous popularity in Japan and has resulted in a favourable balance of trade for Malta, he said. He also briefly referred to some of the major threats that he believes risk causing irreparable harm to the oceans, including a huge amount of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, further compounded by ecological problems facing our planet. He added that pollution from industrial activities continues to grow at an alarming rate, and a recent concern is the plastic pollution that is currently choking the oceans. Joseph Muscat said he supports efforts to establish an integrated global ocean governance strategy - under the direction of the United Nations General Assembly, and proposed that the General Assembly should request the UN s Secretary-General to consider the possibility of the establishment of a panel to coordinate the work being carried out on the subject of ocean governance, both within the UN and outside it. It is expected that the new mechanism or panel will make recommendations with a view to provide options to the General Assembly on the formulation of a global strategy, to ensure that all problems of ocean space are considered as a whole in the spirit of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We are confident that this will promote a more sustainable and effective global ocean governance, Dr Muscat said. I hope that our initiative will receive widespread support to ensure its implementation in the interest of present and future generations. Our oceans need our protection as much as humanity needs them for their survival. 14.5% increase in tourism arrivals June Fitch rating agency confirms Malta s A+ rating with stable prospects While confirming Malta s credit rating in A+ level with stable prospects, International credit rating agency Fitch s economists further indicated that they expect the Maltese economy to grow by 5.6%, and that the Government will register another surplus in its finances, Fitch experts stated that while the country s debt compared with the gross domestic product will continue to decrease, when compared to countries in the A level, the economic growth and the Government s financial situation, together with Euro membership, Malta s rating reflects the average income. Commenting on the Government s debt reduction compared with the GDP, the agency said that banks working in the local market have a solid base. Fitch economists predict that this year the Government will have a balance of 1% of GDP in the budget. They added that due to an increase in Government s income from taxes and the citizenship investment programme, Malta s financial targets may even be better than those predicted by the Government.

14 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 One TV jirrapporta l-aħbar tal-inkjesta li l-egrant mhix Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat jew familtu Kif irrapporta l-aħbar Net TV b Delia jaċċetta r-riżultat tal-inkjesta Il-kwestjoni Egrant Naħseb li f Malta ftit kellna stejjer li ddominaw l-aħbarijiet, il-kummenti u d-diskussjonijiet daqs li kellna fl-laħħar ġimagħtejn wara r-rapport tal-in-kjesta mill-maġistrat Aaron Bugeja dwar Egrant. Biex wieħed jikteb u jikkummenta dwar dak li ntqal u seħħ, jinħtieġ aktar minn ħarġa waħda ta dan il-magażin. Għalhekk deherli se nillimita ruħi għat-titli ewlenin ta xi ġurnali elettroniċi li nittama li b hekk tingħata stampa ta kif il-midja Maltija ttrattat dan l-episodju u nħalli f idejkom ilkummenti li tistgħu taslu għalihom. Fl-20 ta Lulju ġriet l-aħbar li r-rapport tal- Maġistrat Bugeja dwar l-inkjesta Egrant kien intbagħat lill-avukat Ġenerali u li issa kien f idejn dan l-avukat Ġenerali jekk jippublikahx. Jumejn wara, il-ħadd 22 ġriet l-aħbar li l- Prim Ministru kellu jsejjaħ konferenza stampa li deher fiċ-ċar li kienet dwar dan ir-rapport, u l-portals tal-aħbarijiet malajr ħarġu bl-istejjer tagħhom. In-NetFM (tal-partit Nazzjonalista) kien xott u sempliċament ħabbar: Ippubblikati l- konklużjonijiet tal-inkjesta mħejjija mill- Maġistrat Aaron Bugeja. Imma mhux hekk il-ġurnali l-oħra: Illum: Xejn li jorbot lil Michelle Muscat ma' Egrant - firem foloz fuq dokumenti relatati Delia jitlob lil Busuttil biex iġorr irresponsabbilta`politika u jirriżenja ma' Egrant; inews: Egrant mhijiex tal-prim Ministru, martu jew membri tal-familja tagħhom; Onenews (tal-partit La-burista): Inkjesta ċara u inekwivoka: EGRANT MHIX TAL-PRIM MINISTRU U MARTU. Malta Independent: Egrant inquiry clears PM and his wife, finds that signatures on declarations were falsified. The Times of Malta: Egrant inquiry finds falsified signatures, differing testimonies and no proof. Malta Today: Nothing linking Muscat family to Panama company, inquiry finds. Magistrate says Panama company not Muscat s, PM calls for Busuttil s resignation Dawn is-siti ma naqsux jagħtu wkoll irreazzjoni tal-prim Ministru għall-aħbar: inews: Ma setgħux jaslu għalija u għalhekk ippruvaw iweġġgħu lil familti Il- PM viżibbilment emozzjonat - Il-PM Muscat: L-ikbar gidba politika fl-istorja ta pajjiżna ċċertifikata. Malta Today: Joseph Muscat sheds tears of relief after 15-month ordeal; Magistrate says Panama company not Muscat s, PM calls for Busuttil s resignation. Onenews: Illum bdiet issir ġustizzja ma familti u mal-pajjiż Joseph Muscat The Times: Emotional Prime Minister relieved Egrant "nightmare" is over - Tears into Simon Busuttil, says he Isfel ir-ras tal-artiklu tal-inews dwar l-aħbar tat-talba ta Delia biex Busuttil jirriżenja should resign at once U l-partit Laburista malajr ħareġ stqarrija jgħid: Jekk Simon Busuttil ma jitlaqx waħdu, għandu jneħħih Adrian Delia. Għalkemm tħabbar li: Independent: PN leader says his predecessor must 'assume responsibility, Delia suspends Simon Busuttil from PN Parliamentary Group after Egrant inquiry conclusions, u Busuttil says PM s call for his resignation ridiculous, biggest question remains, imma jidher li mhux l-istess ħasibha l-mexxej tal- Partit Nazzjonalista, Dr Adrian Delia, għax f inqas minn satgħtejn ħarġet l-aħbar: The Times: Busuttil removed as shadow minister by Delia, who asks him to suspend himself - PN leader says his predecessor must 'assume responsibility' Aktar reazzjoni ta Dr Busuttil: The Times: Busuttil refuses Delia's request to suspend himself from PN u sostna li, Adrian Delia is siding with Joseph Muscat. Malta Independent; Delia sided with Muscat instead of strengthening PN against corruption Busuttil; Illum: Delia 'jkeċċi' lil Simon mill-pn. Simon jisfidah u jgħidlu li mhux se jirreżenja. One News ikkwota liil-partit Laburista jgħid: Delia fl-aħħar ħa deċiżjoni tajba filkonfront ta' Simon Busuttil, u kompla, Busuttil jakkuża lil Delia li jrid jeħles minnu. Firda fil-partit Nazzjonalista Sintendi l-midja kompliet tiffoka fuq l-istorja l-għada t-tnejn, meta l-qarejja kellhom quddiemhom mhux biss ir-riżultat tal-inkjesta, iżda l- inkwiet li daħal fih il-partit Nazzjonalista, speċjalment bil-passi li ħa l-mexxej tal-istess partit Adrian Delia. Tkellmu wkoll tal-partit Demokratiku bit-times tirrapportahom jgħidu: 'Egrant inquiry is a distraction,' says PD -Parliament's third party questions Adrian Delia's behaviour. Biss il-partit Nazzjonalista baqa deċiż dwar Busuttil: The Times: PN piles pressure on Simon Busuttil to suspend himself from party - 'Nobody is bigger than the party,' administrative council says unanimously. *Ikompl f paġna 15

15 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 15 *min paġna 14 Illum: L-Amministrazzjoni tal-pn tappoġġja lil Delia biex Busuttil jirriżenja. Onenews irrapporta li s-segretarju Generali tal-pn qal lil Busuttil: Irriżenja u itlaqa ma Marlene Clyde Puli (b referenza għall-marlene Farrugia tal-pd). Hawnhekk ħarġet fil-beraħ il-firda li għal xi xhur ilha tisemma fil-kamp tal-pn bilġurnali jħabbru li, The Times: PN MPs lend their support to Simon Busuttil, 'Not in my name' and 'stronger together', PN leadership told Times Number of PN MPs back Delia s call for Busuttil s auto-suspension. Malta Independent: Former PN deputy leaders, 9 MPs come out against Delia s call for Busuttil's auto-suspension. It-Tlieta mbagħad il-partit Demokratiku ħareġ jaqbeż għal Busuttil: The Times: PD would support no confidence motion against Delia - Marlene Farrugia calls Delia a 'poodle'; Malta Independent: Marlene and Godfrey Farrugia would support motion of no confidence against Adrian Delia; illum: Marlene Farrugia tgħid li Delia aġixxa qisu l-'poodle' tal-prim Ministru. Iżda Delia baqa jżomm fehmtu: Malta Today: Delia says PN must accept inquiry findings if it truly believes in the rule of law; illum: Ma nistgħux nibqgħu ngħidu li Egrant hija ta' Muscat...tkun arroganza. Sadanittant jidher ċar li minn wara l-kwinti dawk li jappoġġjaw lil Busuttil kienu qed jaħdmu bi sħiħ: Malta Today: Simon Busuttil s faction trying to rally support for anti-delia move. Dan l-inkwiet fi ħdan il-partit Nazzjonalista, li saħansitra wassal biex edituri tal-ġurnali jikkummentaw dwaru, wassal li ikun hemm min jipprova jidħol bħala medjatur Wara r-riżultat tal-inkjesta Maġisterjali dwar Egrant bejn il-fazzjoni ta Delia u dik ta Busuttil: Malta Independent: Chris Said offers to mediate between two PN factions. Ma Said kien hemm oħrajn, fosthom l- eks Prim Ministru Lawrence Gonzi li offrew li jagħmluha ta medjaturi, u jidher li l-medjazzjoni sa ċertu punt kellha success, għax tlett ijiem wara t-talba biex Busuttil ma jibqax bħala membru Nazzjonalista fil- Parlament tħabbar, Netnews li: Riżolta s- sitwazzjoni, u bil-ġurnali l-oħra jagħtu l-laqta tagħhom għal din l-aħbar. Fil-fatt il-portals tal-aħbarijiet irraportaw hekk: The Times: PN truce: Busuttil to stay on as MP; Malta Independent: PN says De-lia-Busuttil situation resolved, former party leader to stay without portfolio; Malta Today: Delia backs down on resignation call, Busuttil loses good governance role. 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) E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164 Wara li Delia mar lura mid-deċiżjoni dwar Busutill, NetNews jirrapporta: Riżolta s-sitwazzjoni fil-pn Min-naħa fi breaking news tal-onenews sostnew fuq One TV li Delia kien ċeda għall-pressjoni li għamlu fuqu il-medjaturi u reġa lura minn kelmtu (xellug kif irrappurtat mill-one). L-inkwiet fil-pn mistenni jissokta Hawn min jsostni li attwalment l-inkwiet għall-partit Nazzjonalista għadu ma ntemmx, għax hu diffiċli li wara li ntqal daqshekk kliem, l-affarijiet se jibirdu malajr. Anzi wħud isostnu li b dak li seħħ Delia ddgħajjef u postu bħala mexxej tal-pn huwa preġudikat. Infatti (fil-31 ta Lulju) fl-editorjal tagħha, filwaqt li sostniet li għal dawn l-aħħar xhur il-kap tal-pn Adrian Delia baqa ċass quddiem l- avenimenti li ġraw, The Times qalet: The Nationalist Party looked on helpless, as civil society tried to fill the void. Because that is what the PN had become, a void. Żied: If Dr Delia cannot get the party behind him, then he should just let go of the leadership. Imsomma, is-sitwazzjoni xejn ma hi sabiħa mhux biss għall-partit Nazzjonalista, iżda wkoll għall-pajjiż, għax ma jistax pajjiż ikollu governanza tajba jekk ma jkollox Oppożizzjoni soda u b saħħitha. L-Istampa Barranija L-istampa barranija ma naqsitx li wkoll tati mportanza lil din l-istorja, u ma setax jonqos meta kemm-il darba kienet tkellmet dwar din il-kwestjoni. Il-midja internazzjonali irreaġixxiet għallkonklużjonijiet tal-inkjesta La Repubblica: Malta, Muscat acquitted in inquiry opened on revelations by Daphne Caruana Galizia Politico: Maltese PM and wife cleared of wrongdoing in graft case Reuters: Maltese PM's wife cleared in inquiry over offshore shell company The Guardian: Panama papers: Maltese prime minister cleared of wrongdoing.

16 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Archbishop Wilson resigns after child abuse cover-up Adopt Australian values, we are told The Australian Federal Minister for Citizenship (Dept Home Affairs) Alan Tudge in a speech delivered in London warned immigrants must blend into the fabric of our nation and can t expect to bring their entire practices, language and culture with little expectation placed upon them to share or mix with the local community. Mr Tudge discovered that more than 28 per cent of Australians are born overseas. He said the current situation is far from perfect. Some of the challenges to social cohesion that we are facing today are similar to ones that the UK is facing such as ethnic segregation and liberal values being challenged. Mr Tudge said Australia s model was integrated multiculturalism not assimilationist model, where people must leave their heritage behind. We don t want or expect that, but of course where there are conflicts in cultural behaviours, Australian law and values must prevail, he said. The junior Home Affairs minister said Australia s relative success in ensuring social cohesion despite high, diverse immigration was careful immigrant selection along with an insistence on immigrant integration. Careful immigration selection means that we choose who comes into the nation. We don t outsource this choice to people smugglers, he said. Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Archbishop of Adelaide, Philip Wilson (pictured right), who was convicted of concealing child sexual abuse. On handing his resignation, Archbishop Wilson said, I had hoped to defer this decision until after the appeal process had been completed. However, there is just too much pain and distress being caused by my maintaining the office of Archbishop of Adelaide, especially to the victims of Fr [James] Fletcher. I must end this and therefore have decided that my resignation is the only appropriate step to take in the circumstances. The archdiocese will continue to be run by Apostolic Administrator Bishop Greg O Kelly SJ until a new Archbishop of Adelaide is appointed. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said Archbishop Wilson had been praised for his work supporting survivors of sexual abuse, however, the conviction meant that he could no longer continue in his role. Archbishop Coleridge said Archbishop Wilson had decided that staying in his role would continue to cause pain and distress to many, especially to survivors, and also in the Archdiocese of Adelaide. While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356) Warning against assisted dying Doctors should not be the gatekeepers the judgements required go beyond their professional competence and providing lethal drugs is incompatible with clinical care, said Ilora Finlay, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (left), during her presentation at the Australian Medical Association Western Australian End-of-Life Choices and Palliative Care Symposium. Professor Finally is a University of Cardiff professor of palliative medicine and an independent crossbench member of the British House of Lords. She pointed out significant loopholes in assisted dying policies as they exist in various jurisdictions around the world, warning West Australians on the clinical and societal risks and concerns of saying yes to euthanasia and assisted dying. She explained that there appeared to be a pressure to legalise assisted dying in societies that are comfortably off and enjoying increased longevity and, often also, social fragmentation. Professor Finlay said both the Westminster and Scottish parliaments commissioned in-depth studies, with parliamentary committees asking searching questions of experts, before rejecting legalisation of assisted dying. The committees provided a firm and sound evidence base for rational discussion by legislators, she added. Leaving SBS after 30 years O ne of the defining faces of the Special Broadcasting Service, Lee Lin Chin, is departing the SBS network after nearly 30 years behind the news desk. Known for her authoritative presenting style and fashionable flair, she has been a mainstay for viewers wanting to learn more about the world. A Gold Logie nominee, Chin has told some of the world s biggest stories including the Port Arthur massacre, the September 11 attacks and the death of Nelson Mandela. Having spent the bulk of my professional life at SBS, this isn't by any means an easy decision," Chin said. "I shall be leaving a happy and satisfying role as a newsreader. My friends and colleagues for whom I have fervent respect will be deeply missed."

17 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 17 Are funerals for the dead, or the living? It can be a difficult question to answer, especially for families who disagree about the role religion should play in the send-off of a loved one. Prof Clare Johnson, the director of the Centre for Liturgy at Australian Catholic University knows an elderly man who worries his funeral wishes won t be considered paramount. [He is] a lifelong practicing Catholic and wants to have a Catholic funeral, and it means an enormous amount to him. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the faith doesn t mean as much to them. He s quite concerned that even though he would like a Catholic funeral with all the bells and smells, literally, he may not be given that, she said. But in order to fulfil his wishes, the man s children may end up sitting through a funeral that makes them feel awkward or uncomfortable. Definitely there is a discontinuity, and it s part of the outcome of the falling practice of religion in Australia, Professor Johnson said. Even when family members share the same religion, there is room for conflict over end-of-life wishes. Professor Johnson came across a situation where a practising Catholic got very upset that his two children hoped to one Biggest media deal In one of the biggest media deals ever seen in Australia, Nine and Fairfax have announced plans for a $4 billion merger that will see the name Fairfax disappear from the nation s media landscape. The merger will cut costs for both the broadcaster and the publisher, setting up a single entertainment giant with exposure to network television, streaming and news delivery. Nine shareholders will own 51.1 per cent of the combined entity and Nine CEO Hugh Marks (left) will lead the new company. Fairfax shareholders will own the remaining 48.9 per cent. Funerals can cause tensions S day have their ashes scattered. While the Church allows cremation, it takes issue with the scattering of ashes. In a memo to Fairfax staff, company CEO Greg Hywood confirmed that the merged company will be called Nine - although he also stated that there would be plenty of Fairfax Media DNA in the merged company and board. Following the announcement, Fairfax shares rose 13 per cent and Nine shares dropped by 6.5 per cent. The deal is expected to be completed before the end of the year, subject to approvals. Masterchef: Sashi gets highest score in history to win title ashi Cheliah, the 39-year old father-oftwo who has worked as a prison officer in South Australia has been crowned as the winner of the 10th season of MAS- TERCHEF Australia by securing the show's highest-ever score. During the two-part cook-off Sashi obtained 93 points out of a possible 100 to take home, not only the 2018 title, but also a cash prize of $250,000. For nearly a decade before he relocated to Australia in 2011, Sashi was part of an elite Police Force Unit in Singapore. He obtained his massive score at the end of a marathon five-and-a-half hour test in the second half of the grand final.

18 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija ktar regoli u tagħrif uffiċjali dwar kif wieħed għandu jikteb il-malti. Dan skont Akif maħruġ mill-kummissjoni fi ħdan l-akkademja tal-ilsien Malti f Malta. TEHMIZ TA PARTICĖLLI Tehmiz tal-prepoz izzjoni L mal-verbi u mal-pronomi 68. Il-prepoz izzjoni l hija particėlla mqassra minn il li hi wkoll imqassra minn lil (bl-l zėjda quddiemha prostetika) u tidħol bejn il-verb u l-pronom. Tingħaqad mal-pronomi mnisslin -i, -ek(k), -u(h), -ha, -na, -kom, -hom u ssir li, lek, lu, lha, lna, lkom, lhom. Ara: g ieb, g iebli, g ieblek, g ieblu, g ibilha, g ibilna, g ibilkom, g ibilhom, fejn l-l taħbat bejn zėwg konsonanti tieħu vokali talleħen quddiem (it-tlieta u Tletin Regola l-ewwel Taqsima) u din il-vokali twaqqa l-vokali ta bla acċėnt. Ara: seraq, serqilha, serqilna, serqilkom, serqilhom. T.c. Il-verb kien (meta jfisser il-verb Taljan avere) mehmuz maz -z ieda ta li, lek, lu, lha, lna, lkom, lhom jinħass u jinkiteb kelli, kellek, kellu, kellha, kellna, kellkom, kellhom flok kenli, kenlek, ecċ. (Ara Għadd 45). Meta kien ifisser il-verb Taljan essere, ma dawn il-particėlli jinħass u jinkiteb: kienli, kienlek, ecċ. 69. Il-pronomi mnisslin -h u -ha bil-plural tagħhom -hom, bħala akkuzȧttivi tal-verb, jingħaqdu wkoll maz -z ieda ta - li, lek, -lu, -lha, -lna, -lkom, -lhom li jfissru d-dattiv. Ara: minn xoŕob għandna xorobhuli, xorobhulek, xorobhulu, xorobhulha, xorobhulna, xorobhulkom, xorobhulhom, xorobhieli, xorobhielek, ecċ. Hekk naraw illi: (1) Flok -u għall- -h, tidħol -hu u għalhekk flok xorobuli, xorobulek, kif wieħed jisma, għandna niktbu xorobhuli, xorobhulek, ecċ. (Ara Għadd 62). (2) L-ha titbiddel f hie billi biz -z ieda ta sillaba li tibda b konsonanti, l-acċėnt tal-kelma jaqbez għal fuq il-vokali a (ara s-sitta u Għoxrin Regola l- Ewwel Taqsima). Ara: minn xoŕob, xoro bha nagħmlu xorobhielu, xorobhielkom, xorobhielna, ecċ. Hekk ukoll minn ra Rizorsi lingwistici tal-malti D r Thomas Pace, Direttur Eżekuttiv tal-kunsill Nazzjonali tal-ilsien Malti għarraf lil The Voice of the Maltese li bil-għajnuna ta' Dr Michael Spagnol mid- Dipartiment tal-malti fl-università, il-kunsill, iffinalizza l-ewwel verżjoni tal-lista biblijografika ta' riżorsi lingwistiċi tal-malti, stampati u diġitali. Din il-lista ġiet imqassmha f ġeneri differenti u għal kull pubblikazzjoni qed jingħata isem l-awtur/i, is-sena tal-pubblikazzjoni u l-pubblikatur (fejn japplika). Għar-riżorsi diġitali, li huma aċċessibbli mill-internet, qed ukoll jingħata l-indirizz fejn wieħed jista jidħol u jsibhom. Ix-xogħlijiet qed jidhru f ordni kronoloġika u wieħed jista' wkoll tfittex fihom. Dr. Pace qalilna li l-lista se tibqa tiġi aġġornata minn żmien għal żmien b'pubblikazzjonijiet u riżorsi lingwistiċi ġodda li joħorġu u b'oħrajn li forsi jkunu qabżulhom. Il-kompilaturi ta din il-lista qed jistiednu lill-pubbliku u lill-emigranti Maltin biex jekk jafu b kotba jew b riżorsi oħra tal-malti marbuta mal-lingwistika (mhux letterarji) li mhumiex fiha, biex jinfurmahwhom dwarhom ħalli dawn jiġu nklużi. Dr Thomas Pace jista jiġi kkuntattjat fuq: kunsilltalmalti@gov.mt, filwaqt li l-lista tinsab hawn: ctref=pubblikazzjonijiet. nagħmlu raha, imbagħad rahieli, rahielu, ecċ., minn g i bed, g ibi dha, g ibidhieli; seŕaq, sera qha, seraqhieli, ecċ. Ezėmpji ta Pronomi mehmuz in mal-verbi Minn refa(għ): refagħ-ni refgħek = ref(a)għ-ek refgħu = ref(a)għ-u refagħha = refagħ-ha refagħna = refagħ-na refagħhom = refagħ-hom refagħkom = refagħ-kom Minn qatel, fehem: qatilni = qatil-ni qatlek = qat(e)l-ek qatlu = qat(e)l-u qatilha = qatil-ha qatilna = qatil-na qatilkom = qatil-kom qatilhom = qatil-hom fehemni = fehem-ni fehmek = feh(e)m-ek fehmu = feh(e)m-u fehemha = fehem-ha fehemna = fehem-na fehemkom = fehem-kom fehemhom = fehem-hom. Aktar regoli, eżempji u tifsir fil-ħarġa li jmiss. Printed copies of The Voice of the Maltese available at your home by mail We are now in a position to arrange for you to receive a printed full-colour hard copy of The Voice of the Maltese at home every fortnight (24 publications) at the low cost of $120. (Australia only, other countries by request). A printed copy would be an ideal present for mum, dad or a relative who either do not have Internet access or are not computer literate. If interested, contact us on: maltesevoice@gmail.com for further information. We are not only an online publication, but also print on demand.

19 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Presentation of donation by Friends of Providence House to Dar tal-providenza Afew weeks ago I attended the opening of the 10th edition of the Volleyball Marathon held on the grounds of Id-Dar tal-providenza in Siggiewi, Malta that was officially inaugurated by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta. She visited the Home and was given a warm welcome by the director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef who in a brief address thanked the volunteers for their support all the year round, He also thanked the players who not only participate in the marathon but also undergo two months of grueling training to make it to the final cut. He told them, This marathon rests on pillars that are very dear to us solidarity and sport. The altruistic spirit of everyone involved shines throughout the event, showing that where there is a will there is a way. We are humbled by the public s support year after year. Fr Martin then gave an overview of the manner in which the Home evolved, saying that the big project for the coming year is the opening of another home in Balluta as well as a much needed overhaul of Dar iż-żernieq in Siġġiewi, the very first Home in the Community for the residents of Id-Dar tal-providenza. It was indeed an honour for me to also meet H.E. the President who also thanked the Maltese people in Australia for their support to this Home. I was also able to deliver in person, the donation of $15,000 (equivalent to 10,000) raised on behalf of An agreement has been signed between the Government of Malta and the Salesians of Don Bosco, whereby, over a threeyear period, the Salesians is guaranteed a sum of 720,000 in Government assistance. Through this agreement, two Sliema homes in the community run by the Salesians, the Dar Osanna Pia and Dar Mamma Margherita would be providing ten and seven beds respectively to the Appoġġ Agency. The Don Bosco Salesians carry out work At the presentation (from left): Marisa and Sebastian Previtera, Fr Martin Micallef, Marika Mizzi and Dorothy Gatt The Friends of Providence House NSW. The majority of this money was raised through the fantastic fundraising concert held earlier this year at the La Valette Social Centre in Blacktown in NSW that was so strongly supported by the local Maltese Government guarantees Salesians of Don Bosco 720,000 in asistance The signing of the agreement in the social sector, particularly with children and adolescents. The Dar Osanna Pia caters for young men between the ages of 16 and 25. The Dar Mamma Margherita, which is an extension of Dar Osanna Pia, offers young people a residence until alternative accommodation can be found at a reasonable price. It offers them a presence that would accompany and guide them. Through their residences the Salesians welcome among others children who for some reason would have been removed from parental custody. The government s assistance will also include paying for services and products that the foundation would be seeking to run the homes. Social Solidarity Minister Michael Falzon has declared that Government will continue to assist social entities, including entities working with prison inmates, victims of domestic violence and persons who end up homeless. community. Over $8,000 were raised on the night itself as well as a couple of very substantial donations by two individuals from the Maltese community and our group s major sponsor, Breakaway Travel Blacktown, who supports our fundraising tours and events. Fr Martin acknowledges and appreciates the generosity of the Maltese people in Australia and asked me to thank them all for their continuing support. Fr Martin took my family and me on a tour of the Home and showed me the facilities that include a State of the Art Heated Therapy Pool as well as the recently opened Music Therapy Room. We were able to see first hand where the money is being spent and the first class care being given to not only the residents who live there but also to those individuals who come to the Home for a respite period. It was also wonderful to meet some of the residents, workers and volunteers who give up their time to help with the running of this Home. This visit encourages me, together with Jim Borg, who is the Co-coordinator of the group, to continue our fundraising efforts in NSW in order to help this Home and its residents. Anyone wishing to donate to this cause can go to any CBA Bank in Australia: Account Name: Friends of Providence House NSW BSB: Account No: (Report & Pics - MarisaPrevitera)

20 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Australia s history and the Christian connection Alfred Deakin - The Father of the Nation AlanCurrie Two men were walking down a street in Melbourne CBD late one afternoon in 1878, deep in conversation. The older distinguished looking man, David Syme founder of the Age newspaper was serious and quite determined, but the younger one, Alfred Deakin an up and coming Age Journalist, was quite brilliant and was putting up a good fight as they debated one of the most important issues of that day. The two men had been grappling with the issue for weeks, the question was Should Australia be a country that protects its merchants by having trade protection in the form of tariffs or should it have open borders and allow free trade between the colonies and ultimately the entire world? Syme finally managed to convince his young protégé to become a trade protectionist and Deakin later said he felt he had crossed the Rubicon. Syme became Deakin s greatest supporter for many years and was the main reason why Alfred was given the opportunity to enter politics in By the end of 19th and most of the 20th Century trade protection and tariffs was the accepted standard, but in 21st Century the world has moved on to embraced free trade and globalization. At only 22 years old, Alfred Deakin stepped into the political limelight only to resign on his very first day in Parliament because of a mistake made at the polling booth. The polling booth had run out of voting forms and had to close with forty more people still to vote. Deakin s decision to resign on principle, even at the cost of his own career, gained for him the colonies admiration, but it caused shockwaves for Premier Berry s Government. For 10 years from 1890 to 1900 Deakin decided not to accept a better paying ministerial position, but rather as a colonial back bencher, he worked tirelessly promoting federation believing he had a duty to encourage Australia to fulfil its divine destiny and become a great unified nation. He loved books and during his youth would often get lost in adventure stories like Robinson Crusoe and Aladdin in Arabian Nights. It was said that he would read 100 books per year, which gave him an amazing breadth of knowledge and insight. He could converse with anyone on any subject and speak with amazing power and grasp of the English language. Concerned for Deakin s preoccupation with his imaginary world, his high school teacher inspired him to apply himself to his studies, which eventually caused him to go on and pass a law degree at Melbourne University. Alfred had grown up during the time of the gold rush, when it seemed everyone in the world wanted to come to Australia to start a new life and maybe strike it big on the Victorian gold fields. All this amazing new wealth ($100 Billion in today s money) and immigration caused a massive land boom that eventually ended in an economic bust in the early 1890 s as the gold ran out. Along with many others, Deakin was caught up in the land speculation and lost his and his father s savings, but unlike others he kept his promise and paid off all his debts. An interesting fact of history is that Abraham Lincoln was also a lawyer who got into financial trouble, but he also was very diligent to pay off his business partner s debts. Once Federation was secured Deakin became Australia s first Attorney General and served under Edmund Barton, Australia s first Prime Minister. In those early years as Attorney General and later the 2nd 5th and 7th Prime Minister, Deakin was instrumental in introducing important legislation that established the High Court, the Australian Navy, copyright laws, animal protection, Customs, Tariffs and Quarantine laws plus the Bureau of Meteorology. All of Alfred s life he had a keen desire to understand spiritual truth. He knew God was enabling him to do his work and fulfil his duty to his country. In a letter to his children in 1890 he said, Christ himself is the central figure of humanity and marks the greatest height yet attained in moral insight in religious feeling. No character in history no founder of a religion, no moral philosopher, no religious teacher, can be placed beside him. And as Prime Minister in 1905 he Parliament House portrait of Alfred Deakin by Frederick McCubbin, 1914 said: Jesus Christ is the life of the present, the light of the future and the hope of the world. In his private journal between 1884 and 1913 he wrote down over 400 prayers to God. Alfred Deakin was loved and appreciated by the Australian people and was respected by many leaders home and abroad. He was a great ambassador for Australia in world affairs and his contribution to the foundation of the country is profound. He gave his life to the service of the nation he loved and Australia was the beneficiary. The editorial in the Brisbane Daily Mail at the time of his death stated: It is perhaps quite safe to say that no great leader in Australian public life has been gifted with the attractive personality, instinctive courtesy and innate gentlemanliness that characterised Alfred Deakin. None amongst us could be named more worthy of respect. - The Daily Mail Brisbane - 9th Oct 1919 He harmoniously combined all that goes into the making of a fine man. He held and sustained the highest ideals with high standards and worthy practice in all the relations of life. Deakin was offered many titles like Sir and Lord but he rejected them all, preferring to simply be known as Mr. Deakin but many who loved him knew him as Affable Alfred. He died on 7thOctober 1919 and is buried in the St Kilda Cemetery in Melbourne.

21 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 21 Ilhom imwaqqfa 18-il sena Fin-naħat ta Llandilo qrib Penrith hemm joqogħdu għadd ġmielu ta Maltin li darba fix-xahar jiltaqgħu taħt il-ħarsien ta Helen Azzopardi f wieħed mill-ikbar gruppi entużjażmanti li hemm fi NSW. Kelli x-xorti li nattendi għall-aħħar laqgħa tagħhom fis-sala li hemm f Seventh Avenue u tkellimt magħhom dwar The Voice of the Maltese għax hemm ħafna fosthom li jaqraw b mod regolari l-magażin, kemm bħala hard-copy (magazine stampat), kif ukoll online permezz tal-internet. L-okażjoni kienet ukoll waħda biex fiha jilqgħu u jiltaqgħu ma Carolyn Farbrother minn Lendlease li jmexxu retirement living f Pemulwuy u anke fin-naħat ta Penrith li kellmithom dwar il-vantaġġi ta din it-tip ta ħajja. Kelliema oħra kienet Marisa Previtera li tgħin lil dan il-grupp bhala parti mill-attivitajiet tagħha mal-maltese Community Council ta NSW, u Joseph Vella li huwa real estate agent f dawk l-inħawi. Wara ġiet organizzata ikla a la`maltija. Wara kulħadd ħareġ b rigali agrikoli generożament mogħtija mill-bdiewa Maltin ta dawk in-naħat. T Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter he Australian High Commission s in Malta has its own Facebook page, while the High Commissioner has a Twitter account. Both be accessed by the readers. The High Commission s Facebook: The Commissioner s Twitter handle: 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 years old etc.) to: * attend medical appointments * go shopping (including assisting clients with their 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 B sorpriża għalija, Helen Azzopardi fakkritini fil-fatt li konna jien u Maria DeCarlo li tmintax-il sena ilu tajna bidu għal dan ilgrupp. Mhux ta b xejn li ltqajt ma ħafna Maltin li kont naf u ġeddejna l-ħbiberija. Ħeġġewni biex inkomplu bil-ħidma tagħna ħalli nkomplu naqdu l-ħtiġijiet tal-komunita` Maltija f dawk innaħat imbiegħda. Is-subborg ta Llandilo jinsab madwar 54 km bogħod mil-qalba tal-belt ta Sydney. Lawrence Dimech Il-laqgħa f Llandilo Community News L-MCCV qed jilqa applikazzjonijiet għal għalliem/a tal-ilsien Malti Min japplika jrid ikollu għarfien sew tal-malti, miktub u mitkellem. Dan hu xogħol volontarju, bla ħlas. Min hu interessat jibgħat l-applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lil: edwigeborg@hotmail.com Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq Ħalli nnumru tattelefon u nċemplulek lura MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc. Learn Maltese! Classes are available for students from six years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials. Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of the island. Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions For more information and enquiries Phone or malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme. Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation. Be better informed and prepare for your future Another information session on Wednesday August 15 at La Valette Social Centre 175 Walters Road Blacktown NSW at 7.30 pm (after the mass at the Chapel) Subject: Highlight of the Federal Budget 2018 Downsizing your Home: Is this the right move for you? Guest speaker: Ms Marie-Louise Muscat (Fiducian Financial Services Tel: ) Free entrance Organised by the Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc.

22 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 7, 2018 Community News The Ċittadini present direct from Malta: Malta s Queen of Country Music Also brilliant comedy by The Cittadini: Is-Senduq in Sydney on October 14 at 2pm at the Wentworthville League Club For tickets phone: Monica Ledger: or ; Joe Borg: ; Julie Farrugia: ; Dorothy Gatt: Donation of $20. Kids: $12 Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Main events for 2018 Sunday October 14 : Fete Saturday Nov. 10: Dinner Dance Sunday Dec. 2: St Nicholas Feast Events are held at the Good Shepherd parish hall, Hyatts Road, Plumpton NSW Xagħra Association of NSW Annual Tal-Vitorja Dinner Dance on Saturday, September 15 Guest of Honour: Fr Anthony Bajada Come and join us at Balmoral Function Centre, Balmoral Rd, BLACK- TOWN from 6:30pm onwards 5-Course Meal, beer, wine & soft drinks, tea/coffee Entertainment by Roc-A-Tac & Giuseppe Verdi Brass Band Contact: Josephine/Ray: or ; Vicki Micallef: L-aħbarijiet 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: għall-aħbarijiet kemm bil-malti u bl-ingliż Il-website hi aġġornata tul il-jum kollu għalhekk wieħed jista jieħu stampa ta li jkun qed iseħħ La Valette Social Centre La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel lavalette@bigpond.net.au The La Valette Social Centre is organising two special bus trips Sunday August 12: Bus for the Festa ta Santa Marija at the Central Coast Cost $30 includes coach & morning tea. Bus leaves Greystanes 8 am and at 8.30 am from the Centre. Sunday September 9: Bus to St Mary s Cathedral for the Festa tal- Bambina. Bus leaves the Centre at 12pm and Old Prospect Rd Greystanes at pm. Cost $20Everybody is wlecome Contact Frances or the Centre Please Note-- Anybody interested in advertising on The Voice of the Maltese magazine in order to reach the widest audience possible, partcularly among the Maltese diaspora is requested to write for details to: Maltesevoice@gmail.com Avviż lill-qarrejja Il-qarrejja li jixtiequ juru l-fehmiet tagħhom dwar xi suġġett parikolai, kemm jekk għall-paġna tal-ittri, kif ukoll xi artiklu partikulari li jaġsbu li jista jkun ta interess ġenerali, huma mħeġġa jagħmlu dan. Il-qarrejja mħeġġa wkoll ma jħallux għall-aħħar. Ibagħtu l-kitbiet b lil: maltesevoice@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook: roups/thevoiceofthemaltese Xagħra Assoc of NSW Inc: Fr Anthony Bajada NSW Programme Sept 13: 7:30pm: Celebrates welcome St John the Evangelist Riverstone Sept 14: 7:00pm Concelebrates Horsley Park Church Sept 15: 7:00pm: Guest of Annual tal-vitorja Dinner Dance, Balmoral Function Centre, 49 Balmoral Road, Blacktown. Tickets refer to contacts below Sept 16: 2.00 pm: Horsley Park Festa: Procession with Statue of Our Lady of Victories. 3:00pm: Concelebrates Horsley Park Church - Our Lady of Victories. Sept 18: 7:00am: Outing to Wollongong Bus will be organised, refer to contacts below Sept 20: 10:15am: Mass for the Elderly who meet weekly for La Valette SC Sept 21: 7:30pm: St John the Evangelist Riverstone Sept 22 6:00pm: Celebrates Vigil Our Lady Queen of Peace - Greystanes 7:20 pm: La Valette SC to meet the Maltese community who socialize there Sept 23: 7:00 pm: Ħamrun Club to meet the Maltese community who socialize there Sept 28: 7:30 pm: Celebrates Farewell St John the Evangelist Riverstone Sept 30: 7:00 am: Outing for the day, Bundeena Ray/Josephine Bigeni: or Vicki Micallef: Stedina... Il-Fathers Maltin tal-arċidjoċesi ta Sydney jistiednu lill-komunita` Maltija, u l-familji għall-festa tradizzjonali fid-9 ta Settembru: tal-vitorja Fis-2.30 pm: Il-purcissjoni fejn jingħad ir-ruzarju, u wara tibda l-quddiesa fil-katidral ta St Mary s College Street Sydney. Dawk li għandhom xi għaqda, mistiedna jieħdu magħhom ilbnadar jew standardi tal-għaqda. Familji li għandhom xi tfal jew żgħazagħ li jkunu jridu jilbsu xi kostum Malti jew tal-preċett, u jimxu fil-purcissjoni, iċemplu lil: Antoinette Mascari

23 Tuesday August 7, 2018 The Voice of the Maltese 23 Community News Tu ne n e in to Radio and Television MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on Mondays 5-6 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 10-11am. MELBOURNE: on 98.9 North West FM, every Friday p.m. and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Presenter: Emmanuel Brincat. MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 ( ): 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: fm SBS 2. To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV. SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet on SBSTV twice a week nationwide; Sunday 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32) Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBSTV32. SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM Isma l-programm tar-radju bil-malti mill-kunsill Malti ta NSW minn fuq l- istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. (Jista wkoll jinstema On Demand minn fuq l-internet: On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am) Il-Ħadd am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta interess. UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: 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: BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month. Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at 10 am. Maltese Seniors Central Coast Have to contact our Welfare Officer for an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Censina Cefai: or Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Join us and make new friends. Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meets every second Friday of the month: Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to am Llandilo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm. Maltese of Bankstown Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month in the Bank-stown CBD area. Every other 3rd Thursday an outing. Enquiries call: Sam Greystanes Maltese Seniors Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining, so come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) mobile *(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 The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School). Central Coast Santa Maria Festa Day Celebrated at St Mary MacKillop Church Warnevale (Cn Minnesota & Sparks Road Woongarrah). Friday August 10: 11 am: the new statue will be placed next to the sanctuary. Sunday August 12: 3 pm: Solemn Mass and blessing of the new statue of Santa Maria. 4pm: Procession with the statue in the parish grounds followed by the congregation. Tuggerah Lakes Show Band will entertain until the fireworks display at 6 pm. Tea, coffee and drinks sold. Sunny Confectionery in attendance. The Santa Maria Festa Committee welcomes you all. For more information contact Charlie on: O