The Voice of the Maltese

Transcription

1 The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers) Issue 83 online magazine September 2, 2014 The Royal Opera House in Valletta From this... The Royal Opera House in Malta s capital, Valletta designed by English architect Edward Middleton Barry and built in In 1873 its interior was extensively damaged by fire but was eventually restored by It was one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Valletta On April 7, 1942 during World War II The theatre received a di- rect hit from aerial bombing and the theatre was reduced to rubble he previous government of TMalta commissioned Italian architect Renzo Piano to plan a House of Parliament and remodel city gate in Valletta. Amongst other things, the Italian architect proposed an open-air theatre surrounded by steel structure for the site that in pre-war days housed the Royal Opera House. Piano s plans caused great controversy. However, the government still went ahead with the plans that also included a new Parliament in what had become known as Freedom Square. The open-air theatre was officially inaugurated on August 8, It was named Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Royal Theatre Square) after the original structure. On right is what remains of the Royal Opera House...to this

2 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 It s that TV Station again! On Thursday morning August 21, Maltese viewers of SBSTV World Watch were once again shocked when their programme was reduced to just 10 minutes. As we do in cases like this, The Voice immediately contacted the Overseas News Service WorldWatch SBSTV to seek an explanation. Manager Paul Williams who is always ready to assist had this to say: There were two U20 Women s World Cup matches on the day mentioned. The first one finished at 08:00 and the second started at 08:50. The schedule was amended to accommodate Maltese and Macedonian both getting some news in the window between matches and both news programmes were put up in full online. There were a number of other language news programmes that were available online only and had no presence on television. The Voice also noted that viewers are not being informed when these sudden disruptions occur. To this Mr Williams had this to say: I agree with your comments about treating the audience better and the need to communicate what is happening. I think this could have been done better on the day. I think me being out of the office for three days on a project in Adelaide was part of the cause of this. We very much doubt if these excuses will go down well with our readers. The Voice also acknowledges the prompt intervention in this matter by the Malta High Commissioner in Canberra and the MCC administrative officer, Marie- Louise Previtera. Father s Day in Australia (Sunday September 7) In remembrance Members of the Maltese RSL Sub Branch of NSW participated in the commemoration of the Victory in the Pacific ceremony that was held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place Sydney on August 15. The Maltese contingent was requested to attend by the State President, Mr. D E J Rowe OAM and the Members of the State Council of the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch). On behalf of his associated members, Mr.Charles Mifsud, the president of the Maltese RSL Sub Branch, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph remembering those veterans who risked their lives for their country. Pictured above: Charles N. Mifsud president of the Maltese RSL Sub Branch (centre back row)together with other members of the branch at the Martin Place Cenotaph. Many Australians observe Father s Day on the first Sunday of September. This year is to be celebrated on September 7. Father s Day celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make to their children s lives. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures. Father figures may include stepfathers, fathersin-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends. Father s Day is not a public holiday in Australia. It falls on a Sunday, which is a day off for many workers so many offices and stores are closed. However, some shopping precincts and stores, as well as restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues, may be busy on Father s Day, especially in areas where Sunday trading is allowed. The idea of a special day to honour fathers and celebrate fatherhood was introduced from the United States. A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired by the American Mother's Day celebrations and planned a day to honour fathers early in the 20th century. The first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, Father s Day has become increasingly popular throughout North America and other parts of the world over the years. Mother s Day is also celebrated Australia on an annual basis. The Voice is not just a news portal; We comment, we fight for your rights. We believe in freedom of expression; We are read in the right places.

3 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 3 In the Voice of the Maltese No 82 we featured an article in Maltese referring in brief to what Profs Maurice Cauchi had to say about what is happening in Australia. It appears from your reaction that our readers wanted to read the whole article. Therefore we are today reproducing it in full. Ashamed to be Australian Prof. Maurice Cauchi This once proud country, my second home, built on the labour of migrants, has now become a fortress, determined to repel any invasion from desperate refugees fleeing from persecution and human-created hell in their own country. Against all humane counsel and contrary to international law, the current Australian Government has become the proud initiator of a horrendous policy of turning back the boats to where they came from. Those who were persecuted in their own country may now have to face their persecutors again. All this in an effort to ensure that no boat people will ever set foot again on virgin Australian soil. The Minister for Immigration, Mr. Scott Morrison MP, has massaged this message by declaring that his aim is to prevent loss of life at sea. He is proud of his record that in the last six months since this policy has become de rigueur, there has been not a single death by drowning. The price that has to be paid for this is locking up thousands of desperate asylum seekers in ghettoes on neighbouring pacific islands, resulting in untold misery, including serious deterioration of physical and mental health, as attested by self-harm and threatened suicide. The world is awash with displaced persons seeking refuge from persecution or merely searching for a more tolerable life. The south-north axis across the Mediterranean has resulted in a deluge that is engulfing islands like Malta and Lampedusa that happen to be in its path. Another south-north torrent is flooding the Mexico-US border. The upheaval in the Middle East has resulted in millions being displaced trying to find safety in places like Turkey or Jordan. The Far East is no exception, with many persons fleeing countries like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and adjoining countries hoping to reach the safer havens further south. There is no solution to this problem, but one action that is certainly not a solution, is turning back the boats to where they came from. It is also most unfortunate that children of all ages are caught in this confusion and suffer the consequences. The latest development in this saga is the decision to pick up Many Australians are currently in a state of shock, wondering where this country of milk and honey is actually heading boatloads of refugees (153 in the last incident) by the Australian navy from international waters and detaining them pending a decision by the High Court as to their ultimate fate. This event highlights the miserable state that this effort at border protection, described by some as an act of piracy, at has descended to. A number of other current issues give rise to anxiety including: The role Australia is playing in international affairs, which many consider to be a blatant effort to assist the US in surrounding China. Allowing bases for American troops in Darwin, as well as the recent emphasis on friendship with Japan can be, and have been seen by China, our biggest importer of Australian goods, as efforts in this direction. The ignoring of the problem of global warming, against the advice of the vast majority of experts Professor Maurice Cauchi that a human catastrophe is in the offing. The watering down of the concept of multiculturalism which has served Australia so well over the past half century. Associated with this is the effort to ease out any ethnic specific services, particularly relating to older people and pensioners. A budget that has been roundly condemned as antisocial, where the biggest burden has fallen on those with the lowest incomes. Withdrawal of subsidies which now allows universities a free reign in increasing fees, making it more difficult or impossible for poorer members of the community to receive a higher education. In Australia, tertiary education is not free, and students have the option of borrowing loans that they have to repay when their salary reaches a certain level. What a difference from the lavish cornucopia that Maltese students benefit from! For all these reasons many Australians are currently in a state of shock, wondering where this country of milk and honey is actually heading. One would be forgiven for thinking that many concepts which we have prioritised in the past, and which reasonable persons believe are essential to maintain an equal and a thriving society seem to have become destroyed for shortterm gains.

4 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 When Malta sent young girls to Australia Where are they now? I have read many articles about how many Maltese migrated to Australia, but very little has been written about young women who migrated to Australia from Malta under the Single Young Women Migrants Scheme. A number of migrants came to Australia under some scheme or another. From Britain, people came under The Dreadnought Scheme, farmer-settler scheme, The Big Brother Movement. From Malta people migrated under the Assisted Passage Scheme and a few others. But there was another scheme, small, in proportion compared to the others, but big in ideal. That was when single Maltese girls were encouraged to migrate, and then sponsor their parents and families to join them. Six of us young ladies were about to venture into the real unknown and migrated to distant Australia. It was between the late 1960 and early 1962 when my mother became aware of a work scheme by the Emigration Department that gave the opportunity to young ladies to come to Australia. My family consented that I join the ladies to go to Australia. We were the first six ladies chosen to go. Before that, for three months, we had to attend a typing course at The Marian Training College run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Balzan. When we eventually finished the course we were presented with our typing certificate from Mon. Philip Calleja and Bishop Emmanuel Galea. We had our photos taken by the Times of Malta newspaper, and we were even interviewed on the then Rediffusion. It was February 26, 1962, a month before I turned 18 when we said goodbye to our family and friends and took a flight to Australia. We arrived in Australia on the 28th and Melbourne on March 1. After a long trip we were met by the Maltese representative in Melbourne who took us to a hostel in Hawthorn East; a suburb in Victoria that was run by the Malta Government. About a month later I remember that we had to vacate the hostel so that other young ladies could be accommodated in e girls awa Some of thralia go to Aust iting Catherine Vella asks our place. Consequently, we all got separated. Some of us went to stay with relatives; the rest, myself included, and two others stayed together. The Maltese representative had found us a convenient arrangement with some Catholic families until our families arrived to Australia. We missed our homeland, but eventually we would return to Malta every so often. At the same time we also love our life in Australia. When it comes to the girls in our group, one of left us as she had family somewhere in Australia, I don't know where and I have forgotten her name. There were also two sisters whose surname was Arena. They too eventually left and there remained only two others and me. We stayed together for at least another month before we had to leave the hostel at Hawthorn East. After that we lived for a while with an Australian Catholic family. There was this parish priest, a Father Rafter who used to help us a lot. The other girls were, Helen Borg, who then found her next of kin and left us, and Mary Fenech, who worked as a teacher in Malta, but don't know where. After few weeks her family arrived in Australia and she went to live in Brunswick. As I had no relatives in Australia and knew no one, I went to live with them. Then in June 1962, my father and brother arrived in Australia and were ac- viewed to to be inter Above: Catherine today (and left) with her parents before boading the plane at Luqa Airport that maybe one day I could perhaps get some feedback from the other ladies who arrived with me to Australia and in 1962 spent four months together in that hostel. Unfortunately since then we have lost all contact. Perhaps some, if not all, still also live in Australia and would read this article. I have published letters in the same vein in The Maltese Herald on a number of occasions, but I never got any feedback. Perhaps this time I will be lucky. I really would like to hear from them. It would make my day *Between 1962, when the Single Young Women Migrants Scheme commenced and 1968, when it ended, 403 young women migrants went to Australia under its auspices. Then bishop Emm. Galea giving the girls his blessing after they finished their typing course commodated in Sydney, so I joined them there. I wanted to write this article with the hope NOTE: Catherine Vella Nee Attard can be reached by on this address: katyvella@hotmail.com

5 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 5 Kull sena, g al dawn l-a ar dax-il sena, fil-knisja ta St Mary MacKillop f Warnervale li tinsab madwar 95 km bog od mill-belt ta Sydney fl-in awi tas-central Coast fejn illum il-komunità Maltija qed dejjem tikber, tigi ççelebrata b solennita kbira l-festa ta Santa Maria. Din jorganizza s-central Coast Santa Maria Festa Committee. Il-festa li saret fis-17 ta Awwissu, bdiet mill-erbg a 13 meta l-istatwa iet ma ruga minniçça u tqeg det dejn is-santwarju. Fil-g axija mbag ad kien hemm ir-ruωarju kif ukoll quddiesa. B al dejjem, il-qofol tal-festa kien il-óadd meta fit-3 pm giet iççelebrata Quddiesa sollenni minn Fr John Hodgson assistit minn Fr Paul Durkin, Fr Paul Kim u Fr James Caulfield. Il-kor tal-knisja St Mary MacKillop li ipprovda l-muωika u kant kien immexxi mis-sinjura Loretta Foster. Wara saret il-purçissjoni bl-istatwa tal-madonna Tielg a s-sema li iet imdawra madwar il-grawnd talparroçça imωejna b g add ta bandalori ta g aqdiet Maltin fi NSW. Óadu sehem ukoll it-tuggarah Lake Brass Band. Wara l-purçissjoni l-istatwa t alliet barra g ad-devozzjoni ta dawk li attendew u w ud minnhom ew minn afna na at ta NSW. It-tmiem tal-festa se g al madwar is-6pm wasal kif tradizzjonalment jintemmu l-festi Maltin, ji ifieri Il-festa ta Santa Marija bil- ruq tan-nar li kien fih x tara u tapprezza. G all-okkaωjoni, dawk li attendew setg u wkoll iduqu u jixtru ikel Malti, fost kollox pastizzi, galletti, mqaret u wkoll elu. Meta tkellem ma The Voice of the Maltese, il-president talfesta Charlie Sultana fissrilna li tul is-sena l-kumitat tieg u jorganizza g add ta attivitajiet soçjali biex mid-d ul tag hom ikunu jistg u jorganizzaw il-festa u anke jg inu lill-knisja. Ta wkoll krettu lil Frank Costa li kien hu li beda din il-festa u wera sodisfazzjon li kien hemm ames coaches organizzati millin awi ta NSW biex wasslu lill-maltin g all-festa. Din veru Madonna tal-mirakli qal Charlie g ax g al dawn l- a ar sitt snin dejjem irnexxielhom jo orgu bil-purcissjoni. It-temp dejjem Ωamm sakemm no or u l-vara anke jekk kellna kaωijiet fejn g amlet ix-xita wara li da alna l-vara. Huwa qal li jafu s-suççess ta din il-festa, kemm lill-kumitat tal-festa ta Santa Maria kif ukoll lill-kappillan tal-parroçça. Huwa tahom ajr g ax bil-g ajnuna tag hom il-festa saret ferm popolari mal-maltin. Il-Madonna tal-mirakli fic-central Coast NSW

6 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 A visit to Óamrun is hardly on anyone s bucket list but once a year the ÓamruniΩi let their hair down and it s quite an experience... Óamrun s mid-summer madness by Steven Bonello (The author is freelance artist, cartoonist and illustrator based in Malta. He also has his own website: Óamrun is a largish and mostly nondescript working men s town just a mile or so outside Valletta. By Maltese standards it is a relatively new town, its lavishly decorated if stylistically confused church only being completed in 1875 and the town itself only becoming a parish in Óamrun has a wide and fine shopfilled main road, which is unfortunately also the main trunk road from Valletta to Rabat and Mdina and therefore choked with traffic at most times of the day. But for one day a year all the traffic disappears and Saint Joseph s High Road becomes the largest pedestrian area in Malta as Óamrun celebrates the feast of its patron the somewhat obscure Saint Cajetan. The feast of Saint Cajetan is celebrated on the Sunday following the 7th of August (this year it was held on the 10th). What the feast lacks in the fireworks department (there are hardly any open spaces around the town that allow for sizeable displays) it however makes up with its band marches. The evening marches are spread out over a whole week but it s the traditional Sunday morning march that is the real peak of merriment and boisterousness. The town s two band clubs of St. Joseph (nicknamed Tal-Miskina) and St. Cajetan (Tat-Tamal) participate in this march and both attract a sizeable crowd of followers, loyally dressed in the clubs colours blue and red respectively. Due to the immense rivalry between the clubs the band marches take a different route and do not meet. Both marches are also obliged to start and end at the same time start time is normally around 11am and the marathon marches continue until 3pm, usually in blazing sunlight and temperatures hovering around the 30 0 c mark. The clubs also have a signed agreement not to let things get out of hand and this is religiously adhered to not least because there are hefty financial penalties relating to any departure from acceptable behaviour. If this is starting to sound somewhat intimidating rest assured it isn t. The rivalry is mostly good-natured and the opposing fans mingle, embrace and drink (and then drink some more) together. Rowdy and mischievous it does get though the bands just love stopping in front of the rival club s premises and playing to their heart s content while the followers indulge in some bawdy and not too Christian chanting. Some of the clubs fans also wear themed fancy costumes and face-paint, which add to the colour and the general carnival mood. Just don t come in your Sunday best It s truly a mad feast of colour, sweaty good fun, beer aplenty and one which every ÓamruniΩ will tell you is unique to the islands. Trust me, I m one. (This article first appeared in the August issue of Air Malta's inflight magazine, Il - Bizzilla,)

7 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Imxi ftit passi mieg i - poeωija g al kul add Lawrence Dimech Mhux diffiçli tigbor id-dettalji tal- ajja interessanti ta Joe Axiak. Persuna li tesprimi l-fehmiet tag ha fi kliem çar u ming ajr abi... bla kantunieri. Il-versi tal-poeωija tieg u Dan hu l-ìens fihom messa profond li jolqot fil-la am il- aj. Fil-kiteb tieg i Telqu g al g onq it-triq kont ktibt li Joe Axiak hu wie ed mill-pijunieri li beda jag ti sehem fixxandir tal-programmi Maltin fl-awstralja u llum hu Executive Producer, responsabbli mill-programmi Maltin imxandra mir-radju SBS Radio f Melbourne u Sydney. Ftit ilu rçevejt minn g andu l-a ar ktieb tal-poeωiji li g adu kemm ippubblika Imxi Ftit Passi Mieg i. Dan hu ktejjeb ta 88 faççata li g andu jinqara minn kull min ifittex kitba bil-malti ta livell g oli iωda miktuba b tali mod li tinfed ilqlub u tg allimna. Joe Axiak twieled iω- Ûebbu, G awdex. Sakemm emigra lejn l- Awstralja ta g oxrin sena g ex fir-ra al taω- Ûebbu fid-dar/razzett li bena n-nannu tieg u fi Triq G ajn Melel fuq irri tal-bajja tax-xwejni u Marsalforn fuq na a, u Wied l-g as-ri fuq inna a l- o ra. Huwa kittieb ta proωa u poeωija. Joe qal lil The Voice g addew aktar minn erbg in sena mindu ktibt l-ewwel versi bil- Malti, taqbiliet sempliçi. Sakemm kont fil-klassijiet tal-iskola primarja, kont nissa ar bil-poeωija fil-kotba Ìabra ta Ward u kont nitg allimhom bl-amment. L-ewwel poeωiji li Joe xandar xandar Imxi ftit passi mieg i PoeΩiji ta Joe Axiaq kienu Il-qoxra tal-ktieb bilpoeωiji ta Joe Axiak propju fi programm tattfal b kontribuzzjoni ta kitbiet mit-tfal stess. Imbag ad ing aqad mal-g aqda Letterarja Maltija u kien ixandar afna kitbiet tieg u filprogramm mill-ìnejna Maltija. Xandar ukoll fir-rivista tal-istudenti Sag tar kif ukoll f rivisti o ra b al, Lejn ix-xefaq u l- Óajja f G a-wdex. Kitba tieg u tinsab ukoll fil-pa ni letterarji tal-gazzetti f - Malta, it-torça, il-mument, l-orizzont, u In-Nazzjon, u g adu jibag tilhom poeωiji sallum. Ix-xog lijiet tieg u dehru wkoll f The Maltese Herald fl-awstralja li llum m g adiex to ro. Imxi Ftit Passi Mieg i hu l- ewwel kiteb s i ta poeωiji ta Joe Axiak u g alhekk ma kienx jonqos li sab quddiemu mijiet ta poeωiji. Kien diffiçli, iωda l- g aωla finali tag tina xog ol mill-aqwa li g andu jissodisfa li dawk li huma xxurtajati li jakkwistaw kopja. Kun wie ed minnhom billi tikkuntattja lil dan ilpoeta/awtur u xandar b fuq: joaxiaq@bigpond.net.au The Voice of the Maltese tirrakkomanda dan il-kiteb lill-qarrejja. Joe Axiak L-Answering machine tan-nanniet Veru li forsi çajta, imma tg id maω-ωmien g ad naslu s hawn? Mer ba. G adek kif qbadt mad-dar tan-nanna u n-nannu. Jiddispjaçina ma nistg ux inwie buk b alissa. Jekk jogh bok alli l-messa wara li tisma s- sinjal. Bleep Jekk int wie ed jew wa da minn uliedna, ag fas in-numru wie ed, imbag ad er a ag fas numru minn wie ed sa tlieta skont intix l-ewwel, it-tieni jew it-tielet fost l-a wa. Bleep Jekk trid li noqog dulek mat-tfal tieg ek, ag fas in-numru tnejn. Jekk trid tissellef il-karozza tag na, ag fas innumru tlieta. Jekk trid na slulek il- wejje u ng adduhomlok, ag fas in-numru erbgha. Jekk trid traqqad lil uliedek g andnda llejla, ag fas in-numru amsa. Jekk trid ni brulek it-tfal mill-iskola, ag fas innumru sitta. Jekk tridna nsajrulek a na nhar il-óadd u n ibulek l-ikel id-dar, ag fas in-numru sebgha. Jekk tridu ti u tieklu g andna, ag fas in-numru tmienja. Jekk g andek bωonn xi a a tal-flus, ag fas innumru disg a. Jekk tixtieq tistedinna g all-ikel g andek, jew to ro na nieklu barra, ibda tkellem issa. Qed nisimg uk!!! 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 September 2, 2014 Have your say/xi trid tghid? The Voice of the Maltese o n l i n e m a g a z i n e is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly online publication specifically targeting all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian scene. is online magazine is sent via by request. Subscription is free. Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice either in Maltese or English should be ed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com. Your letters/ L-ittri tag kom... L-aqwa li tirrispetta u wkoll ti i rrispettat Daniel Zammit minn Belmont, Perth jikteb: Interessani afna l-artiklu ta Ivan Cauchi fil- ar a Nru 82 ta The Voice dwar irreli jonijiet fejn iddiskuta dak li hemm komuni bejn tlieta minn dawk ewlenin, il-kristjaneωmu, l-islam u l-ìudaiωmu. Nittama li afna minn dawk li qrawh issa jifhmu aktar li l-ebda reli jin m g andha xi esklussivita fuq Alla. Kif qal tajjeb Ivan dawn it-tlieta kollha jqimu lill-istess Alla, Anke jekk il-lhud jg idu li g adhom qed jistennew il-messija, b danakollu huma wkoll jemmnu flistess Alla li jemmnu fih dawk li j addnu r-reli jonijiet imsemmija, g alhekk wie ed g andu jne i l-idea li forsi g andu li tieg u biss hija r-reli jon li tista ssalvah. Jien ma n ossx li g andi xi pre udizzji. Irrid u naf ng ix ma kul add filwaqt li lest nag ti wisg a lil kull min irid jemmen f dak li rid u li j oss fil-kuxjenza tieg u. Il- bieb tieg i fl-awstralja ejjin minn g add ta reli jonijiet differenti u ma ngerger g al add. Kollha kapaçi jirrispettaw u huma wkoll i allu lil addie or ieles li jemmen f dak li jrid u jimxi kif irid, l-aqwa li jirrispetta u ji i rrispettat. Kemm hu sabi nirrispettaw id-diversita`! Valletta is an heirloom Augustine J Borg from Cecil Hills NSW writes: In the index of the 81st issue of the The Voice of the Maltese, the second item on the list of contents read: The entrance to Valletta then and now. A chance to compare. With the Editors permission I would like to ask Compare what? The inescapable thrill of feeling like you were walking back in time as you pass through a fortified gateway guarding a citadel or casually strolling beneath towering glass clad obelisks, like those one finds in Abu Dhabi and Dubai? At this point, I want to point out that I have absolutely nothing but admiration for these two examples of ultramodern architecture that, like exotic flowers, seem to have sprung overnight out of hitherto virgin sand. The design of Edward Barry s Opera House did not please everyone, and there were many of the opinion that it did not stand any too well with the rest of the city s architecture. Could this be another reason why no attempt was made to rebuild the Opera House after its total destruction during WWII, some 60 years ago? Valletta is an heirloom and an heirloom loses its value and significance if it is altered in any way. On another note: Marie Borg is a wonderful storyteller. I could almost smell the damp down in the shelter beneath Mdina! B alissa, min abba dak li qed ise fl- Iraq mad-dinja hawn mew a ta stmerrija kontra l-islam u l-musulmani min abba li naqraw u nisimg u li qed ja qru lill-insara. Imma ta min jg id li dan mhuwiex il-kaω ta Islamiçi kontra l-insara, imma biss faxxa ta Islamiçi kontra kull min jieqfilhom, anke kontra uthom Islamiçi stess. Il-mira tag hom hija l-poter u jridu jippruvaw jeqirdu lil kull min jieqfilhom. Mhumiex biss l-insara li qed ibatu. Hemm ukoll Musulmani stess li qed ji u maqtula g ax ma jridux jappo jawhom. Min-na a l-o ra mbag ad g andna l- Palestina - fejn dan il- ens Musulman miskin ilu assedjat f artu mil-lhud sa mill Huwa pajjiω okkupat minn IΩrael li jqis lilu nnifsu aktar b sa tu minn kull nazzjon ie or g aliex jirnexxielu jda al fil-but politikament lill-istati Uniti, u allura wkoll lill-ìnus Mag quda li dejjem trid mill-amerika u min abba f hekk tag mel dak li tg id l-amerika. Imma allura se ng id li l-atroçitajiet li qed inisslu l-iωrael (Lhud) fuq il- Palestinjani (Musulmani) qed isir millpoplu Lhudi? Le, ng id li qed isir mill-politikanti IΩraeljani li jridu jikkmandaw id-dinja. Tant li fost il-poplu Lhudi hemm ukoll l-eluf li img a wara l-o ra jipprotestaw kontra l-mod atroçi li bih ilgvern tag hom qed jimxi kontra poplu wejjed Palestinjan li fil-fehma tieg i irid li jeqirdu minn din id-dinja biex jissokta je odlu l-bqija ta artu. Kif wie ed jista jara, kollha kemm a na ninsabu f ba ar wie ed, afna drabi mqalleb. Huwa g alhekk li wie ed g andu jid ol f qoxortu u jibda ja seb b mo u. Imma wkoll li ng inu ru na bit-talb forsi dawk ta rashom iebsa ma jibqg ux i allu l-poter jitla g al rashom. Fl-istess waqt niftakru wkoll li l-insara wkoll fi Ωmenijiet o ra g amlu atroçitajiet f isem ir-reli jon. Dak iω-ωmien kienu l-kruçjati. Marie Borg s articles; prosit! Maryann Camilleri from Cecil Park NSW writes Imust tell you how much I enjoyed reading the articles by Marie Borg in the recent two editions of The Voice! Prosit to her. Although I did not grow up in Malta, Marie writes in such a way that I can vividly picture the events that allow me to imagine what it would have been like. Well done Marie and thank you for sharing these amazing experiences with us. Very well done. On another note, The Voice continues to provide much interesting reading. I continue to pass it to many people who have also expressed interest in such a great magazine. Thank you and I wish you continued success on a job well done.

9 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Have your say/xi trid tghid? /2 First soccer team and the George Cross FC Gejtu Deguara from Gowanbrae, Victoria writes: Avery big thank for the work both of you are doing to give us a first class magazine. I do not have a computer but I make sure that I have it printed for me first thing on alternate Tuesdays. In issue No. 81 you made me very homesick, Abbott and Hockey: Why poor people don't matter Mark Vassallo from Bundaberg, Queensland writes: Ifeel I should bring to the attention of the readers of The Voice of the Maltese a few extracts from a very enlightening article written by The Sydney Morning Herald s economics editor, Ross Cittins, titled: Abbott and Hockey: Why poor people don t matter. It is a long article, but it is interesting to note some of Cittins comments. He kicks off the article by saying: It doesn t seem yet to have dawned on Tony Abbott that he was elected because he wasn t Julia Gillard or Kevin Rudd, not because voters thought it was time we made a lurch to the Right. He adds that the man who imagines he has a mandate to mistreat the children of boat people, ensure free speech for bigots, give top appointments to big business mates and reintroduce knights and dames, represented himself as a harmless populist before the election. The other thing he doesn t seem to have realised is that just as he has us moving to reduce our commitment to action against climate change and to make the budget much less fair, the rest of the advanced economies are moving the opposite way. And while we use our budget to widen the gap between rich and poor, people in other countries are realising the need to narrow it. Cittins also mentions Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who, he adds, noted in a speech that the 85 richest people in the world control as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population billion people. With facts like these, it is no wonder that rising inequality has risen to the top of the agenda - not only among groups normally focused on social justice, but also increasingly among politicians, central bankers and business leaders, she said. first with the feature about Óamrun and also about the George Cross Football team. Firstly, a small correction; George Cross was not the first Maltese soccer team in Australia. I know that way back in 1926 my family in Mackay, Queensland had started a Maltese soccer team. However, I still liked the story about the George Cross (now Sunshine George Cross), a team I followed for many years. Maybe I can even mention some more Maltese players who played for them like, Freddie Abela (l-istejk), Freddie Falzon, Censu Muscat, Paul Zammit (il- Puxxu), Muse Cachia and the Sacco brothers. I am sure there are others. Besides, Joe Zammit (il-ginger) ex-valletta FC did not come to Melbourne but to Sydney s Melita Eagles. Again a sincere thanks and please keep it up. One hopes that all Maltese associations and business people will give you their support. You deserve it. And why can t we, who are able to download all the material presented by The Voice of the Maltese for free, give a donation to sponsor this magazine? This space is being sponsored by the NSW friends of The Voice If you want to join this group of friends you can do so by contacting us at: maltesevoice@gmail.com for more information. If you really want The Voice to grow and prosper join our group and start similar groups elsewhere. (This is a paid advertisement) President eager to meet Maltese in Australia Lawrence Scerri from Warrawong NSW 2502 writes: Iwas happy to read and watch on SBS TV about Malta President Marie- Louise Coleiro Preca's visit to the Maltese community of Australia next year. I sent her a message and I was happy and humbled with the reply I received. She is looking forward to meeting many of us next year as part of her official visit to the Maltese here. She had many encouraging words to say like, "Malta will always be your homeland and I am your President even though you live in Australia." She expressed her love to all the Maltese and Gozitans and her wishes to meet as many as she possibly can in the visit next year. Editors note: Her Excellency the President is in receipt of the Voice of the Maltese on a regular basis and every time she receives it, despite her busy schedule, she always replies by expressing her appreciation at what we are doing, and requests us to convey her message of the love she has for all the Maltese living in Australia. We can also confirm that she is eagerly looking forward to her visit next year.

10 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 Perspettiva A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: cauchi.blogspot.com.au kitba ta IVAN CAUCHI Ûvanta i tal-manifattura Saret a bar li tistema' wisq ta' spiss li intrapriωi tal-manifattura jag lqu l-bibien tag hom, jew inaqqsu l- addiema min abba li jsibu li ma jistg ux ikampaw fis-suq Awstraljan. Fix-xhur li g addew, kellna l-kaωijiet çelebri tal-holden u l-ford, u snin qabel tal-mitsubishi, ditti kbar u mag rufa talkarozzi. Din mhix storja dida madankollu, u lanqas mhi limitata g all-industrija talkarrozzi. Intqal li din l-istorja, u t-tnaqqis sussegwenti ta' impjiegi mill-manifattura, ilha sejra mis-sittinijiet 1, u s-sitwazzjoni hija serja g al min jemmen li l- Awstralja g andha tkun post fejn ji u mag mulin l-affarijiet, u mhux biss post minn fejn jinxtraw minn barra. Jing ataw afna ra unijiet g al dan l-istat, inkluω li l- esportazzjoni tbati min abba l-valur g oli tad-dollaru Awstraljan, il-pagi meqjusin g oljin tal- addiema Awstraljani, is-suq meqjus Ωg ir tal-awstralja (mela ta' Malta x'inhu?) u d-distanza tal- Awstralja b ala sors misswieq barranin tag ha. Illum xtaqt nitkellem dwar aspett ie or li jidhirli li wkoll jaffettwa l-potenzjal ta' intrapriωi Ωg ar li jil qu l-klijenti tag hom, kemm fl-awstralja u kemm barra, u dan huwa l-preωω tal-pusta. Huwa fatt mag ruf li illum hemm it-tendenza li l-klijenti jfittxu u jixtru prodotti u servizzi bl-internet. Fil-kaΩ ta' prodott mixtri b'dan il-mod, dan jew ji i mi bur mill-klijent meta jmur il- anut jew ji i mpustat. U hawnhekk nara li intrapriωi Awstraljani g andhom Ωvanta. Bniedem fl-awstralja jista' jixtri prodott Ωg ir u r is minn barra (mill-filippini, iç-çina, Hong Kong eçç) u dan ji i mpustat lilu, u j allas biss dollaru wie ed b kollox. Biex wie ed iqabbel, biex wie ed jibg at pakkett minn indirizz g all-ie or fl-istess subborg bl-australia Post, irid i allas mill-inqas $7.20, apparti l-prezz talo ett! Kif jista' jkun li intrapriωa Awstraljana tikkompeti? Spiss nisimg u l-g ajta mis-settur tal-imnut sabiex ti i miωjuda l-gst (ekwivalenti g all-vat ta' Malta), fuq prodotti minn barra li jiswew inqas minn $1000 (Low Value Threshold - LVT), li b alissa huma eωenti minn din it-taxxa. Naturalment, il-viωjoni ta' dan is-settur huwa li bniedem jew jixtri mill- anut, jew minn barra bl-internet. Na seb ikun a jar jekk is-settur i ares iktar 'il bog od, g ax kif g edna t-tendenza hi li l-bejg minn wienet tal- ebel qed jonqos meta pparagunat ma bejg mill-internet, mhux biss meta l- anut virtwali jkun barra imma wkoll meta jkun fl-awstralja fejn di a t allas il-gst. A na hawnhekk m'a niex nikkunsidraw il-prezz tal-o ett - dak su ett ie or. Biss spiss osservajt li d-differenza fil-prezz baωiku ta' o etti bejn dawk barranin u dawk Awstraljani hija bil-wisq ikbar minn 10%. G alhekk, jiena nωid, x'differenza se tag mel 10% Ωieda fil-prezz fuq o etti minn barra? fl-awstralja Ni u lura g all-pusta tal-pakketti, fl-awstralja, l-ikbar servizz postali huwa l-australia Post, li hija intrapriωa tal-gvern. Madankollu, din hija intrapriωa kummerçjali, li l-gvern jie u d ul minnha. Mhijiex sussidjata, g alkemm g andha l-monopolju fuq it-twassil tal-ittri fit-territorju Awstraljan, bil-prezz ta' dan isservizz irregolat mill-accc (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission). Huwa diffiçli li wie ed jifhem kif huwa possibbli li intrapriωi barranin huma kapaçi li jibag tu o etti bil-posta minn pajjiω g all-ie or bi prezz daqshekk baxx meta mqabbel ma dak Awstraljan. Huwa possibbli li s-servizz tal-pakketti huwa ssussidjat mill-gvern, jew li xi intrapriωi jbieg u bit-telf b ala pjan strate iku, kif issu eriet l-australia Post 2. Jien nara li tal-ewwel hija iktar plawsibbli. Ma nistax nifhem kif din il-kwestjoni ma tidhirx li qed ting ata l-importanza li jixirqilha mill-gvern Awstraljan, speçjalment f'ambjent fejn il-manifattura qeg da kulma tmur tnaqqas l-importanza tag ha. In-nuqqas ta' azzjoni sabiex jitnaqqas dan l-iωvanta kompettiv g all-intrapriωi tal-manifattura hawnhekk, qed i ajjar lil nies minn hawn biex jixtru minn barra, u jkompli jnaffar lill-barranin milli jixtru minn hawn. A na nemmnu fil-manufattura fl-awstralja jew le? Notes 1. retrieved 27/8/ data/assets/pdf_file /0003/110847/sub120.pdf, retrieved 27/8/2014

11 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese Years of multicultural advocacy celebrated Since 1974, the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) has been a part of the journey made by immigrants and refugees coming to Victoria. Forty years ago the ECCV united Victoria s individual ethnic organisations into one body, and over that time the organisation has fought for, advocated for and highlighted issues concerning Victoria s multicultural and ethnic communities. The story of ECCV follows the transformation of Australia over the past four decades to a vibrant and harmonious multicultural society. The ECCV is testament to the hard work Victoria s ethnic communities dedicated, from grassroots organisations to gaining recognition and influencing change through Australian society and politics. Chairperson Eddie Micallef said the highlights over the past 40 years have been many, but said generally, migrants and refugees were no longer marginalised an aim of the organisation s founders. Victorians from a culturally diverse background are actively involved in social, cultural, economic and From the attitudes reflected in the White Australia Policy we have come a long way. But ECCV won t rest on its laurels the issues we work on are still current promoting inclusiveness, tolerance and respect in our society, ensuring fair working environments and overseas skills recognition, looking after the needs of Victoria s ageing ethnic population, highlighting issues of refugees and asylum seekers, promoting the benefits of a multicultural society to Victorians and informing others about Victoria s multicultural success story to name a few. The ECCV celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala dinner on Saturday night, with Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Matthew Guy, Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino and many other special guests in attendance. A scholarship to the prestigious Williamson Community Leadership Programme was announced at the dinner to Mamadou Diamanka. - Jessica Rath Above: A general view of the Reskeon members during the luncheon. Right: Mrs Salvina Vella with the top three of the Bocci competition - Philip Debono, Charles Psaila and Frans Bonavia - and Mr Angelo Farrugia (extreme right) Reskeon Seniors celebrate Fathers Day The Reskeon Seniors Group celebrated Father's Day with a Luncheon at the Firenze Receptions, Fawkner, on August 14. The activity was very well attended though it would have been larger if it weren t for the amount of members holidaying in Malta and others who were down the flu. Association secretary Paul Vella greeted the members and also the distinguished guests. Others like the Consul General of Malta in Victoria, Mr Victor Grech and Mrs Patricia Grech and the association s life member Mrs Anne Gauci apologised for their absence. The singing of the Maltese National Anthem and Advance Australia Fair followed. After that, the champagne bottles on the tables were opened and a toast was for all fathers present and the meals served. DJ Tony provided entertainment for the occasion while the members took to the dance floor. In a short message, association president Salvina Vella, delivered a short message, wished all fathers a good day and asked for prayers for the fathers who are no longer with us. The presentation of trophies for the Men's Bocci Competition by the organiser, Mr Angelo Farrugia was next. Philip Debono received the winner s trophy, followed by Frans Bonavia as first runner-up and Charles Psaila, the second runner-up. The function wrapped up the Reskeon Theme Song, composed by the late Laurie Armato, and lyrics by Dr Clemente Zammit. It was a very successful day, thanks mainly to the hard work put in by Salvina Vella, the management of the reception hall and their waiting staff and other members of the Reskeon Group. - Paul Vella (secretary) While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356)

12 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 AMaltese National Contingent of specialised AFM soldiers consisting of three Officers and nineteen other ranks has returned to Malta from a four-month piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. They had been deployed on board the Dutch Navy ship HNLMS De Zeven Provincien as part of EU- NAVFOR Operation Atalanta. During a ceremony aboard Roundup of News About Malta 21 Maltese soldiers honoured on return from Operation Atalanta The AFM soldiers from the SDEBT team on arrival from Operation Atalanta Atotal of 257 migrants were brought to Malta on two patrol boats Thursday after having been rescued from a sinking ship by a cargo ship. Two men, a woman, an infant and a six-month-old baby, all belonging the same family and all from the same group, were brought to Malta on a fast rescue launch earlier because of the deteriorating medical condition of the baby. the ship berthed in Grand Harbour the members of the contingent were officially awarded with the Dutch Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Activities in recognition for their contribution to the EU mission. Meanwhile, AFM Commander Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi said that, through missions such as this and notwithstanding the country's size, Malta could contribute to peace in international waters. "It is our duty to help curtail piracy in these areas," Curmi said. "This may have been our first such mission but I have no doubt that it won't be our last."he said the soldiers were the "backbone of the mission", adding that he was "immensely proud" of the personnel. He also expressed his gratitude towards the relatives of the soldiers for their support. "You have proved us right and showed that the Maltese soldier is hard working and courageous," he said. "You have made your country proud." Netherlands Chief of Defence Tom Middendorp praised the work of the Maltese group. You did an outstanding job on your watch. You should be immensely proud," he said. 257 rescued illegal migrants brought to Malta The group included 32 children; a number that officials said was a larger group than usual. The migrants claimed to have come from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Senegal. Figures released by the UNHCR two days ago show that just 308 migrants arrived in Malta so far this year, a sharp decrease from the average of 1,400 annual arrivals recorded since Shipwreck of 700BC Phoenician boat found in Maltese waters On a site about 1.6 km off Gozo, which is being explored by the French National Research Agency GROplan Project, divers have discovered what could be the oldest shipwreck ever discovered in the Mediterranean - a 700BC Phoenician boat. According to Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici the wreck is in waters 120 metres deep. The ship is roughly 50 feet long. Included in the cargo were around 50 amphorae of seven different types - suggesting the ship may have visited several ports before falling beneath the waves, and 20 grinding stones, manufactured from volcanic rock, each weighing as much as 35 kilos each. Samples have been raised to the surface for study. The project is developing underwater photogrammetry. Phoenicia was an ancient Semitic civilisation, located in modern-day Lebanon. They were a seafaring people who navigated around the Mediterranean Sea, trading goods with other civilisations. National Heritage is supervising the whole operation. The University of Malta and institutions in France and US are also involved. A replica of a 700 BC Phoenician merchant ship Xaghra priest Fr Jesmond Gauci seen coming out of court in Cozo 40-year-old Gozitan priest accused of child abuse A40-year-old Gozitan priest, a teacher of religion at a boys secondary school in Hamrun in Malta, was arraigned before a magistrate in Gozo charged with defiling three young girls - aged eight to 15 - in Gozo. He was granted bail, but the police filed an appeal against the decision and he has been remanded in custody until the main witnesses are heard. The Church authorities stopped the priest s pastoral activities the moment the case was referred to the police, while the Education authorities has barred him from entering classrooms until the court proceedings were over. Meanwhile, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said he followed all civil and Canon law protocols in this case and would do so in other cases. Following a request by the priest s lawyer, the Court sitting was held behind closed doors and ordered reporters out of the courtroom during the hearing. It also banned publication of the priest's name. However, a few days later the same court upheld an appeal by the police to lift the ban and he was identified as Fr Jesmond Gauci from Xaghra, known as Il-Papa. He had been active within a Christian organisation and the scout movement. He stopped being involved with the scouts three years ago. This was the first arraignment of a cleric on sex-related charges since November 2012 when two former priests, Godwin Scerri and Charles Pulis, formerly members of the Missionary Society of St Paul, were sentenced to five and six years imprisonment respectively. They were imprisoned after losing their appeal. Fr Gauci who has been a priest for 13 years pleaded not guilty to the charges.

13 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 13 The rehabilitation project at Bormla's Dock No. 1 has been completed. It was inaugurated at a ceremony presided by Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi last Wednesday. It had initially been promised to the Cottonera people by the previous administration but it was delayed. It had dragged on for over 20 years. But 18 months into the new government, with Minister Mizzi taking direct control over this project it has been completed even before schedule. The Minister said the previous Nationalist administration had promised the completion but delays over planning issues had exposed the public to danger, with an elderly woman dying a month after falling over due to the sprawl of construction work on the road. The project cost 11m, partly funded by the EU. The costs did not exceeded the project budget. Central to the project is the transformation A t the launch of the airx Malta International Airshow, that is to be held on September 27-28, Mr. Joe Ciliberti, the president of the Malta Aviation Society, the organisers of the annual event, said that this year s, which is the 22nd edition, is set to be the largest to date with a record 13 countries participating. He said that the public will be treated to four aerobatic teams; the Italian Frecce Tricolori, the Spanish Patrulla Aguila, the Turkish team Turkish Stars and the RAF Red Arrows. Along with other flying displays such as a Swiss F18, Belgian F16, Czech L-159 alca. The list of participants is 13 countries. Other countries might be added to the list of participants for this event that is expected to attract thousands of aviation and photography enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism Dr Edward Zammit Roundup of News About Malta Bormla Dock No 1 project completed of the run-down dockyard area into a promenade between Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa, including a pedestrian bridge across Dockyard Creek at the mouth of the dock. Minister Mizzi said that with this work and the restoration of the fortifications around it, Lewis, praised the Malta Aviation Society for tits commitment in providing the country with a national event with such high standards. He said that the show is not only an enjoyable event for the Maltese but it also raises Malta s profile overseas. We are now firmly on the map of International Airshows and this year will see a record number of participating aircraft making the airx Malta International Airshow a world class event, he said. The Malta Air show is a formidable annual calendar event to attract quality tourism towards Malta, he added. The event is to be title-sponsored by Malta-based charter company airx. After expressing his company s delight to be sponsoring the airshow, airx chairman, Mr John B. Matthews talked about his company and its Malta among leading Eurozone and EU countries in GDP growth Figures just published by the National Statistics office (NSO) show that Malta ranks among the top-performing countries in the Eurozone and the European Union on GDP growth. In the second quarter of 2014, economic growth increased by 2.9% when compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. For the first half of this year, the Maltese economy grew by 3.4%. In nominal terms GDP grew by 4.2 per cent. This nominal growth is expected to continue impacting favourably Malta's public finances especially its debt and deficit positions. Compared with figures published as part of Eurostat s Flash Estimate for the second quarter of 2014 Malta ranks as the 6th top-performing country out of the 28 European Member States, and the second top-performing country (after Latvia) out of Euro Area countries. progress. He said it has added two Boeing 737 aircraft to its fleet, both to be registered in Malta. He added that airx is increasingly becoming the air charter operator of choice for more and more A-list celebrities and This coming Monday the Maltese Islands will be celebrating 8th September, traditionally known as Victory Day, commonly known on the island as Jum il-vitorja commemorating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, which is remembered universally by the Catholic Church. The Maltese have a further reason to celebrate this day, in remembrance of the victories against the Turks in the Great Siege of 1565 and the Italians in 1943 during the World War II. Activities to mark the National and Public holiday commence days before the actual date with the laying of wreaths on the WWII memorial in the Addolorata Cemetery in Marsa. The celebrations reach their pinnacle on Monday with a concelebrated mass at St. John s Co-Cathedral in Valletta led by Archbishop Pawlu Cremona to be attended by Malta s highest authorities including the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband Mr. Preca After mass, the President will Part of the project of the rehabilitation of Dock No. 1 in Bormla. Inset, Minster Joe Mizzi at the inauguration together with Bormla Mayor Ms.Alison Zerafa the Government has given a clear message that the renovation of the Three Cities is of national importance. We can now promote more tourism to the historically rich east of Malta and provide more job opportunities in various industries there Malta International Airshow better than ever VIP s. At the last count, our Famous Passenger list totalled over 100 celebrities and VIP s," he said. The company s fleet also includes Challenger 850, Legacy 600, Citation X and Citation Sovereign aircraft. Monday 8th September Malta Celebrates Jum il-vitorja lay wreaths on the Great Siege monument in Valletta, in remembrance of the 1565 battle. On the day the band of the Armed Forces of Malta will march in the main streets of the capital, Valletta playing a string of tunes fitting for the feast. In the afternoon, thousands of people, mostly from the Cottonera area, but not only, will converge on the Grand Harbour to watch the traditional Regatta boat races organised by the Maltese Council for Sports. Seven districts from the surrounding harbour cities will compete in 10 races. The districts include, Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa, Kalkara, Marsa, Marsamxett (Valletta), and Birzebbuga. Maltese towns such as Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha in Malta, and Xaghra in Gozo commemorate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (Il-Bambina). The feast is celebrated in an array of religious activities, traditional Maltese sweets, fireworks, colour and a general merriment that pervades throughout the feast.

14 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 Il-Knisja fi KriΩi? Din il-mistoqsija (fit-titlu) li qed issir mill-media Maltija wara l- inçident tat-tne ija tal-kappillan tal-im arr u artiklu f The Sunday Times of Malta tas-17 ta Awwissu miktub minn Fr Joe Borg li g amel xi Ωmien jifforma parti mit-tmexxija tal-kurja billi kien il-kap tal-media Centre tal- Kurja. Fl-Artiklu tieg u Ecclesiastical blood transfusions fost kollox ikkritika t-tmexxija tal-knisja u qal li aktar u aktar qassisin ta' kuljum qeg din jindunaw bl-aktar mod çar li t-tmexxija preωenti tal-kurja f'malta hija ag ar minn dik li kellu l-partit Nazzjonalista wara l-elezzjoni tal More and more pastoral operators are every day realising that the leadership situation in the Archdiocese of Malta is worse than that experienced by the PN after the 1976 election In-numru ta' dawk li jemmnu li jekk issitwazzjoni ma ti ix irran ata, se jkun hemm aktar problem, dejjem qed jiωdied... jikteb Borg. Din il-kritika, li afna interpretawha, b ala li hi mmirata lejn it-tmexxija tal- Arçisqof Mons Pawlu Cremona, abet mag ha xmara ta kummenti, l-ewwel minn dawk li ssoltu jpo u l-kummenti tag hom wara artikli u a barijiet fil- urnali, iωda aktar tard minn diversi personalitajiet u sa ansitra afna mill-edituri tal-gazzetti Maltin. Filwaqt li afna ammettew li l-knisja Maltija b alissa g addejja minn kriωi serja (fuq kollox xi a a li g addejjin Knejjes Kattoliçi o rajn fl-ewropa), kien hemm g add kbir li ma qablu xejn li t- tort ta dan kien tal-arçisqof Cremona. Anzi kien hemm min sostna li din ilkritika fuq l-arçisqof kienet ejja millfatt li dan kien mixi politikament korret. Sa ansitra l-professur Victor Axiak, il- Kap tal-kummissjoni tal-ambjent tal Kurja sostna li dawk li kienu qed je duha kontra l-arçisqof kienu qed jippruvaw issalbu (seeking the crucifixion ) lill-arçisqof Cremona, g ax jixtiequ li l-knisja tkun aktar qrib il-partit Nazzjonalista: It (the Church) will not be rendered vibrant and kicking if it resumes its local mission of religio et patria and of allowing itself to be pulled one way or the other to the tune of some political group. Paul Cremona is being crucified because he does not want to play this dirty game. U l-politika kompliet tiωωeffen fin-nofs billi Fr Joe Borg, huwa meqjus li g andu rabtiet mill-qrib mal-partit Nazzjonalista u sa ansitra serva wkoll b ala konsulent ewlieni tal-gvern Nazzjonalista. U forsi Borg g amel Ωball meta qabbel lit-tmexxija attwali tal-knisja Kattolika maω-ωminijiet ta kriωi fi dan il-partit Nazzjonalista tas-sebg inijiet, u mhux ma dik tal-partit Nazzjonalista llum, li ma tanx jinsab f sitwazzjoni sabi a. U din il-kritika ma tanx g o bot lil Fr Joe Borg li l-óadd ta wara (24 ta Awwissu) fl-istess Sunday Times of Malta adha qatta bla abel kontra Axiaq u sostna li hu ma kienx qed jikteb bi skop politiku, tant li kien hemm nies o ra importanti fil-knisja Maltija li ikkonfermaw li hemm kriωi fit-tmexxija tal-knisja. Hu semma t-teologu u saçerdot, Dun Renè Camilleri li qal: The feeling that there is a leadership vacuum is widespread and very real. Kif ukoll lil Fr Joe Inguanez, il-kap tas-sezzjoni tar-riçerka tal-kurja li stqarr li the Maltese Church is at a standstill u li there is much justified criticism of the leadership at the top. Min-na a l-o ra, l-avukat Joseph Micallef Stafrace, kontributur regolari talgazzetta It-Torça, sostna li, B alissa g addejja kon ura s i a kontra l-arçisqof Patri Pawl Cremona. Kon ura mag mula prinçipalment minn ponn membri tal-kleru sekulari u mhux minn xi antiklerikali, xi atei, xi xellugin midinbin, eçç. U mieg u qabel Lino Spiteri li f The Times li iddeskriva dak li qed ise b ala sforz biex ise kolp ta' stat minn min irid ibiddel mhux biss ittmexxija tal-knisja iωda wkoll l-istil li mxiet bih ta t l-arçisqof Cremona, U x qal l-arçisqof? b'mod partikolari vis-à-vis l-iωviluppi li jse u fil-pajjiω u li ma jkunux skont ittwemmin tal-knisja. Ma naqasx li jissemma l-fatt li Mons Cremona g amel xi Ωmien, li ftit li xejn kien qed jidher fil-pubbliku, min abba sa tu, bl-editur tas-sunday Times. ( ), g alkemm forsi ndirettament, staqsa jekk l-arçisqof g andux iwarrab min abba f hekk: The Archbishop is a good man. No one questions that. He has had health problems. Everybody sympathises with that. But, as a question raged over whether Pope John Paul II should carry on in the latter stages of his papacy and we all know the step Benedict took so the issue must be addressed as to whether the Church s best interests are served with Mgr Cremona at the helm. L-Arçisqof Pawlu Cremona Min-na a tal-kurja kwaωi ma tlissen l-ebda kumment dwar il-kwestjoni sakemm l-arçisqof innifsu mistoqsi minn The Times of Malta wie eb li hu kien qed jokkupa il-poωizzjoni ta Arçisqof fuq ix-xewqa tal-papa, u j alli l-post jekk ji i mitlub mill-papa: Since the Pope told me to stay on, I acquiesced to his wish. The wish, the idea, is not mine but it is the Pope s. I shall remain for as long as the Pope asks me to. Kien hemm ukoll dak li qal Mons Cremona, f'velja ta' talb g all-paçi fid-dinja u g all-insara ippersegwitati In e i kom intom ilkoll li qed tbatu mieg i g at-tis i tal-knisja f pajjiωna, biex ma taqtg ux qalbkom u b all-insara utna li bit-tbatija tag hom qed jag tu l-kollox, inωommu s i sal-a ar. Kura, bit-tbatija tag na qed tinbena u tissa a il-knisja tag na! Li afna interpretawh b ala referenza ndiretta g al dak li kien g addej minnu l- Arçisqof f dawn il-jiem. Sadaninat jidher li n oloq moviment qawwi favur l-arçisqof li issa qed jinqeg da bis-social media (facebook, ecc) biex ji bor firem g all-petizzjoni favur l-arçisqof u sa ansitra kellu jkun ikun hemm min imur jixg el xemg a quddiem ir-residenza tal-arçisqof b ala sinjal ta solidarjeta mieg u. U l-arçisqof jidher li irrea ixxa g all-kritika li saritlu billi ltaqa mat tliet sacerdoti li lmentaw mit-tmexxija tal-knijsa: Dun Joe Borg, Dun Rene Camilleri u Dun Joe Inguanez.

15 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 15 Il-Gvern g andu appo Mix-xena tal- ajja Maltija 2 Óafna drabi, ftit wara li ji u eletti, min abba l-miωuri li jie du, u min abba li ma jaqdux lil kull min jippretendi xi a a, ilgvernijiet jibdew jitilfu mill-appo tal-poplu u kultant jmorru lura sewwa. Fil-kaΩ tal-gvern Malti, g alkemm ilperçentwal ta dawk li jappo jaw lill-gvern jidher li naqas xi ftit, skont l-a ar st arri mill-eurobarometre xorta baqa b sa tu g ax g andu l-appo ta 52% tal-poplu. (Attwalment skont l-ist arri li kien sar f Novembru l-appo kien ta 48%). Dan l- appo jikkontrasta bil-kbir ma Gvernijiet tal-pajjiωi Ewropej l-o ra fejn l-appo huwa ta madwar 27%. Qassis mixli b abbuω ta bniet minorenni G al darb o ra l-media g amlet xalata meta qassis G awdxi tressaq b arrest il-qorti ta G awdex mixli b allegat abbuω fuq bniet minuri. Huwa da al il-qorti b wiççu mg otti u biex Ωgur ismu ma jkunx mag ruf il- Qorti ddeçidiet li l- urnali ma setg ux jisvelaw ismu. G alkemm obdew il-gazzetti xorta taw tag rif dwar il-qassis ta 40 sena, mix-xaghra. U ma L-irkant tal-im arr Minkejja l-inkwiet li nqala dan l-a ar fl-im arr min abba t-tne ija tal-kappillan ta dan ir-ra al, l-irkant li ssoltu jsir g all-irfieg tal-istatwa ta Santa Marija sar xorta wa da. Imma dis-sena l-pika naqset g ax kulma da lu g all-irkant kienu Ωew gruppi odda billi dawk tas-sena l-o ra ma adux sehem. Sa ansitra s-somma final tal-irkant kienet ferm inqas minn tas-sena l-o ra. Filwaqt li s-sena l-o ra s-somma telg et g al 11,500, din id-darba waslet biss sa Tg id dan it-tnaqqis sar min- abba t-tne ija tal-kapillan? Diffiçli li twie eb g ax min jg id iva u min jg id le. Lil min se temmen.??!! damx ma sar jaf kul add isem il-qassis, g ax l-pulizija ma qablitx mad-deçiωjoni tal-ma istrat u appellat. Ìabuha Ωew. g ax il-qorti iddeçidiet u g amlet isem il-qasis pubbliku. Aktar minhekk, l-isqof t G awdex mexa differenti minn kif kienet timxi l-kurja f kaωijiet simili, g ax g arraf b dan lill- Ministru tal-edukazzjoni u wara l-kaω tressaq mill-isqof stess g and il-pulizija. Meta mbag ad il-pulizija g amlet l-investigazzjoni tag ha u ressqet il-qassis il-qorti, ittie du passi kontra tieg u anke mill-knisja billi ma t alliex jippriedka, jqarar jew iqaddes fil-pubbliku. Fl-a har tal- imgha l-qorti, anke rtiratlu l- liberta proviωorja u g alhekk qed jinωamm arrestat. (ara wkoll storja f pa na 12) Aktar postijiet fejn tistrie g al dejjem Mhux darba u tnejn fost dawk li ma tantx jifil u jilmenta dwar il-problema tal-housing. IΩda f Malta barra problema ta fejn wie ed joqg od meta jkun aj, maω-ωmien kibret ukoll il-problema fejn wie ed isib spazju biex jistrie fil-kwiet meta, kif jg id il-malti, je les minn dan il-wied ta dmug (G alkemm ma nafx kemm hawn min irid attwalment je les mill-inkwiet billi jmur id-dinja l-o ra.) Allura l-gvern qed ja seb g al dan ukoll u abbar li se jωid 2880 qabar did ma dawk li hemm fil-preωent fiç-çimiterju tal- Addolorata. Sa ansitra se jo olq anke spazju biex, meta f Malta tid ol l-kremazzjoni, jitpo ew l-urni bil-irmied tal-mejtin. Dik il-weg da tal-gvern, issa naraw kemm se sse. Dan qed ng idu g ax din il-biçça taω-ωieda tal-oqbra ilha sejra: F Novembru tal-2009 intqal li kienu se jsiru 9,000 qabar did, u fl-2011 il-gvern abbar t-t affir ta 2,989 (g al 11 ma weg dux 3000). IΩda dawn qatt ma saru. Qabel l-a ar elezzjoni ew imwieg da 2000, iωda issa l- Gvern qed jg id li se j affer Tg id fl-a ar il-maltin se jsibu fejn jistrie u fis-sliem ta dejjem ming ajr wisq ta bit? Partitarja mhux tas-soltu Lejliet il-festa ta Stella Maris ta Tas-Sliema tfaççat partitarja mhux tas-soltu. Kienet tfajla ta 28 sena minn Kazakstan li niωlet minn fuq wie ed mill-vapuretti li hemm f tas-sliema waqt li kien g addej març fl-10 ta bil-lejl, da let f nofs il-març u bdiet tiωfen madwar il-bandisti. Kienet liebsa bil-bikini. U malajr sabet ru ha fil-frisk, g ax il-pulizija arrestawha u wara lejl f çella l-g ada l-óadd tellg uha l-qorti u xlewha li fixklet funzjoni reli juωa meta kienet fis-sakra. It-tfajla qalet li ddispjaçiha ta li g amlet u li g amlitu g ax kienet fis-sakra. Il-Qorti elsitha bil-kundizzjoni li ma tag milx reat ie or fi Ωmien sentejn, u mmultata 150. Óafna staqsew jekk kienx hemm il- tie a li din it-tfajla barranija, li toqg od Malta, tittella l-qorti arrestata u li tinfetah il-qorti l-óadd fuq kaω b al dan? Din l-ewwel darba li f març tal-festa jkun It-tfajla (xellug) tidher qed tittella l- min ikun xurban u liebes mhux kif suppost? Qorti akkumpanjata minn pulizija mara Óasla b ilma kiesa L-a ar craze f Malta hi li wie ed jing ata asla ilma kiesah sil b ala parti millhekk msejj a ice-bucket challenge li nbdiet fl-istati Uniti bi skop filantrofiku billi min kien jaççetta din l-isfida jag ti donazzjoni li tmur g arriçerka dwar il-marda ALS (marda li tolqot il-muskoli). Ma setax jonqos li xi add jisfida lill-mexxejja tal-pajjiω. L- ewwel asla adha l-prim Ministru Joe Muscat, il-mara tieg u Michel u xi ministri. G all-ewwel il-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni Simon Busuttil ma aççettax iωda wara b xi mod ie konvint jibdel fehmtu, u minflok barmil intefg ulu tlieta. Il- asla b ilma iffriωat la qet ukoll lill-president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca (ritratt fuq), l-ispeaker Dr An lu Farrugia, l-isqof Mons Charles Scicluna u nies mag rufa fil-qasm tad-divertiment Ìabar kollox Xog lu li ji bor l-iskart, imma meta kien imur tas-sliema biex ji bor l-iskart ma tantx kien jag mel differenza bejn dak li kien g ar-rimi u dak le. Il- aωin hu li dan kien jag mlu b intenzjoni. Dam jag mlu g al tal-inqas sentejn s a sakemm il-pulizija, li kienu qed jist arr u l-ilmenti ta bejjieg tal- axix li kienu qed jonqsulu l-affarijiet mill-van tieg u fettlilhom jaraw ir-recordings ta xi kameras ta sigurezza li kien hemm fil-lokal. Malajr inteb u li dak tal-iskart kien qed jipparkja ma enb tal- axix u mal-iskart ji bor ukoll axxix, frott u luminata. F sentejn irnexxielu jisraq minn fuq il-van b kemm jiswew 3100 fi frott, axix u luminata. Fil-Qorti r-ra el ammetta, bl-avukat tieg u jg id li l-imputat g andu familja u li dan kien Ωball ta' darba. Kien lest irodd lura l-ammont ta' flus li jiswew l-o etti misruqa.

16 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 A quick glimpse at Australia There is never a dull moment in Federal politics. Flamboyant new MP, Clive Palmer appearing once again on the very popular ABC-TV Monday night programme Q&A lost his cool when he labelled the Chinese as mongrels who shot their own people and also described them as bastards. The Chinese Embassy immediately issued a terse statement saying Palmer s attack was absurd and added, we believe that a sound China-Australian relationship serves the fundamental interests of both countries. It is and will always be supported by the two peoples. Palmer s outburst was regarded as potentially hugely damaging to Australia s relationship with China. The irony of all this is that Clive Palmer We are nice and cool Melbourne and Auckland have been named the friendliest cities on the planet. Conde Nast Traveller magazine s annual Readers Choice Survey says it was no surprise readers adore Melbourne calling it Australia s capital of cool. Australia scored a friendly city double, with Sydney also making the top 10 alongside a global scattering that includes Cambodia s awe-inspiring temple gateway Siem Reap and vibrant Dublin. Traveller asked readers to rate cities on a number of factors, including friendliness. Aucklanders were praised by readers for their humour and a view on life that s something to aspire to attain. South Africa s Johannesburg didn t fare quite as well being named as the unfriendliest. Watch those Chinese!! became one of Australia s richest on the back of the Chinese importing his coal and iron ore from his mining interests. China is Australia s largest trading partner, with two-way trade hitting nearly $151 billion in Islam and terrorism are two completely different things Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief, David Irvine (pictured above) in his speech to the National Press Club in Canberra hit back at suggestions that Muslim leaders are not doing enough to counter extremism in their communities, saying they should be thanked rather than criticised. He said, We are not fighting Islam, we are fighting terrorism. They are two different things. The Government has already announced $630 million counter terrorism boost. There is another line of thought; demonising Islam serves to encourage some Muslims to feel victimised or marginalizsed. Senator George Brandis said that the threat of extremists coming from the Middle East was the greatest national security threat that Australia has faced in Members of the Chinese community protesting against Clive Palmer MP in front of Parliament House Canberra. Clive Palmer MP the leader of the Palmer United Party eventually apologised most sincerely for any insult to the Chinese people in a letter sent to the Chinese Ambassador in Australia. He wrote that he was sorry for the things he said on Q&A programme: I regret any hurt or anguish such comments may have caused any party. Chinese Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu said any such attack was doomed to failure because Australia-China relations were strong. China-Australia relations are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and cannot be overturned by any individual. many years. It appears that Australians are again being synchronised for another war involvement in the Middle East. You can have access The Voice of the Maltese online anytime by logging to: and click on The Voice sign. Or by joining us on our facebook page: eofthemaltese

17 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 17 In defence of the budget There need to be a serious corrective action in the future to protect Australians living standards. Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann (right) said while addressing the Sydney Institute. He was supporting the Treasurer Joe Hockey regarding the emergency action and a Queensland style austerity budget if structural reforms such as the $7 GP co-payment, higher education and welfare changes are not passed. He stated that the budget should not be a spectator sport and that this is not a game. He pointed out that crucial appropriation bills had already passed, as had a $7.6 billion, four-year cut to foreign aid and the tax levy on high income earners. The Senator did not agree that the budget was unfair. What is it unfair, is to promise what you cannot deliver. It was stated that a number of the measures that are subject to the most intensive post-budget debate are not due to take effect for some time. So there is ample time to keep negotiating with the crossbenches. The Senator pointed out that the GP co-payment was not due to start until July 1, 2015, higher education deregulation until 2016 and the fuel indexing exercise was an important reform that would add just one cent a litre a year in the cost of petrol. Falling like tenpins They are calling the crossbench of the NSW Parliament as the Liberal Party s casualty ward. Bart Bassett MP from Londonderry brings to nine the number of MPs who have stood aside from the party pending the outcome of the Independent Commission against Corruption s investigations. It started with ex-premier Barry O Farrell (right) who resigned in April, then Tim Owen MP resigned in August, and Andrew Cornwell MP resigned in August. Others moved to the crossbenches are Chris Hatcher, Darren Webber, Marie Ficarra, Mike Gallacher, Chris Spence and Garry Williams. From the Labour Party there were the outrageous former Ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald and also Tony Kelly who was found corrupt by ICAC but no criminal charges were filed against him. No further comments Speaking to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse via a video link from the Vatican in Rome, Cardinal George Pell compared the responsibility of the Catholic Church for sexually abusing children to that of a trucking company. He stated: You see, if the company s driver picked up a passenger and then sexually assaulted that person, then I do not think it appropriate for the leadership of that company to be held responsible. No further comment. Cardinal Pell is no longer Archbishop of Sydney. A quick glimpse at Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott declared that everyone has to be on Team Australia. No place for radicalised terrorists. Everyone has to put his country, its interest, its values and its people first, and you don t migrate to this country unless you want to join the team. The PM met the Muslim leaders in a meeting that was described as constructive and cordial. One of the Muslim leaders said that MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY Proudly serving the areas of: Acacia Gardens, Blacktown*, Girraween, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Pendle Hill, Prospect*, Quakers Hill*, Riverstone, Rouse Hill*, Schofields, Seven Hills, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie*, Vineyard *Parts of 230 Prospect Hwy, Seven Hills 2147 Ph: Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au Team Australia the PM agreed that we do have the solution, we re all in the same team, and there are no two teams here, we re all team Australia and that we are moving forward together. However it was asked why there are never any objections for Australian dual nationals fighting with the Israeli Defence Forces. Australian law does not prohibit duel nationals fighting with militaries of other countries. Claim with no basis Rumours have been going around in Canberra since Bill Shorten was elected leader of the Australian Labour Party that a senior Labour figure was being investigated by police about an alleged rape. Bill Shorten MP (above) revealed he was the senior labour figure being investigated by police and that after a 10-month investigation, there is absolutely no basis to the claim. This damaging rape allegation dates back to the 1980s. The Victorian Police statement confirmed the investigation had ended and stated, investigating police sought advice from the office of Public Prosecution, which advised there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. All parties have been notified and Victorian Police will not be proceeding with criminal charges.

18 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Maltese Community Council of NSW - Invitation cordially invites you to view the portraits of some well-known Maltese personalities in NSW ably painted by the late Charles Schembri. We gather to remember this portrait artist on Thursday, September 4 at 7 pm at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre, 59b Franklin St, Mays Hill NSW (Corner with Young Street: next to the Parramatta West Public School) Ten community leaders will be presented with their framed portrait generously donated by Marie Schembri, the widow of Charles Schembri. The President of Malta on Radio Station 3ZZZ On Monday September 8, Jum il-vitorja, 3ZZZ (Melbourne community radio station) will be transmitting a special broadcast featuring an interview that Emmanuel Brincat, the co-ordinator of 3ZZZ Station Maltese programmes recorded with the President of the Republic of Malta, HE Dr Marie Louise Colerio Preca. The interview was recorded in the private garden of San Anton Palace, the official resident of the President. It is believed that this will be the first interview with the President to be aired on any Maltese radio programme in Australia. During the interview the President takes us back to her 41 years in public life and concludes by a special message to the Maltese in Australia. Once again she points out that she would be visiting Australia next year. It is her wish to meet with all the Maltese wherever they are in the world. Emmanuel Brincat was accompanied by his wife Mary Ann and Pia Gauci, an author and broadcaster with Radio Maria in Malta. RESKEON MALTESE ASSOCIATION AND RESKEON SENIORS GROUP INC. The Reskeon Maltese Association and Reskeon Seniors Group is organising the Vitoria Dinner Dance, at the Firenze Receptions, 134 McBryde St, Fawkner, on Saturday, September 6, from 6.30 pm. Tickets at $50. On Monday September 8, on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, the Group is also organising a Maria Bambina Mass at St Paul s Chapel (next to the Maltese Centre, Parkville). It will be followed by light refreshments at the Centre. On Sunday September 14, on behalf of the MSSP Reskeon Maltese Association is to organise a Mass commemorating the Feast of Maria Bambina at St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne. The activity starts at 2.30 p.m. with the rosary. The Mass will be followed by a procession with the statue of Maria Bambina accompanied by the Maltese Own Band. For more information contact Salvina Vella on Maltese Community Council of N.S.W. Inc. New committee for 2014 formed During the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the Maltese Community Council of NSW held at the Alfred Fenech- Maltese Resource Centre on August 21, the following were elected to form the next committee: President: Lawrence Dimech MOM, OAM, JP Secretary: Frances Montesin Treasurer: George Bartolo JP Vice: President: Emanuel Camilleri JP Asst: Secretary: Anthony Pace-Feraud Asst: Treasurer: Victor Fenech The MCC has also appointed two administrative officers: Marie-Louise Previtera and Josephine Bigeni. The MCC would also like to announce that its Centre at 59b Franklin Street Mays Hill (next to Parramatta West Public School) is now officially known as The Alfred Fenech- Maltese Resource Centre. For further information contact the MCC on or Emmanuel Brincat during the recording with the President of Malta

19 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Community News Tune In to Radio and Television Maltese Radio Programmes In MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on Mondays 5pm, Fridays 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday each month at 1pm. In MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, each Friday p.m. Presenter Emmanuel Brincat. In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programme Sunday at 11am 2GLF FM 89.3, or on demand: In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Program on 4EB on Tuesdays am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: Maltese Programmes on TV and Web The GDAY MALTAUSSIE SHOW on TVS is broadcast in Sydney. Every Saturday at 2pm; Repeats on Mondays 5 pm and Tuesdays 7.30 am Watch direct via HYPERLINK: The PBS MALTESE NEWS Xaghra Assoc of NSW Inc - Fr Joseph Curmi s NSW Programme Sept 5-16 Fri. Sept 5 Sat. Sept 6 Sun. Sept 7 Mon. Sept 8 Fri. Sept 12 Sat. Sept 13 Sun. Sept 14 Tue. Sept 16 7:30pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 5:00 pm 6.30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 6.00 pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 7:00am On SBS Radio - Day Time Analogue Digital Tuesday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 Thursday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 Friday: 12:00-13: fm SBS Radio 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 To tune into digital radio you need receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard on digital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38 and SBS. Radio 3 is on Channel 39. Analogue is the present FMwavelength. Digital radio can also be accessed by a smart phone and/or by going online at HY- PERLINK: VIVA MALTA VIVA MALTA on Central Coast Radio: August: September Thursday 11th and 25th from 6 pm -7 pm on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford NSW Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. Web streaming is also available on: L-A barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.05 am on SBS2 Welcome St John's Riverstone - 1st Friday of the Month Concelebrates Mass at Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill Afterwards to La Valette Social Centre to meet the Maltese community Celebrates mass for youths & young married couples - St John's Riverstone Hamrun Club to meet the Maltese community who socialise there Celebrates St John's Riverstone - The Nativity of Our Lady Celebrates St John The Evangelist Riverstone Concelebrates at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes, Vigil Mass Rosary Concelebrates Mass & says St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Annual Celebration by the Maltese Community of the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. Afterwards to Dinner. Bus will be organized, refer to contacts Outing to Wollongong. Celebrates St Francis of Assisi Warrawong, afterwards for lunch. Bus will be organised, refer to contacts below Contacts: Ray/Josephine Bigeni: or M'Anne Teuma: Sept programme in next issue Maltese Guild of SA Inc. Maltese Cultural Centre 6, Jeanes St. Beverley SA 5009 Maltese Guild of South Australia Inc would like to announce that their Annual General Meeting 2014 is to be held on Sunday, Sept 21 at 2.00pm. (Members are reminded to attend this important meeting) Sausage Sizzler from 12 Noon, Tea and Coffee will be available. President: Joe Briffa malguild@adam.com.au Website: Facebook: Il-Vitorja Feast at Illawara region People living in the Illawarra region are being invited by the organiseers for the feast of Our Lady of Victories (il-vitorja-marija bambina) which will be celebrated on the Sunday September 14 at 3pm at Warrawong church, St Francis of Assisi parish. Meetings of Day Care Maltese Groups in NSW Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month from10:00am to 12 noon. The group meets in the Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights. Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Come and 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 Llandillo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1pm. Greystanes Maltese Seniors Meets on the second Monday of the month n the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Ongoing: We meet every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm Our Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining. Come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) mobile *(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of NSW). Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street Mays Hill NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School)

20 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 Community News Il-festa tal-vitorja mill-fathers Maltin Il-Fathers Maltin jixtiequ jfakkru lill-komunita` Maltija li l-festa tal-vitorja din is-sena se ti i iççelebrata nhar il-óadd 14 ta' Settembru fil-katidral ta' St Mary's Sydney. Fis-2.30 pm tibda l-purcissjoni. Wara jkun hemm quddiesa li tkun ikkonçelebrata mis-saçerdoti Maltin. Kul add huwa mistieden. Min jixtieq jattendi g andu ja seb kmeni alli jil aq post. Jekk hemm xi add li g andu xi tfal li jkunu jixtiequ jie du sehem fil-purçissjoni Jista jçempel lil Antoinette Mascari: i Ic-Cittadini presents direct from Malta Eleanor Cassar together with Maltese Cultural Association of NSW Inc is celebrating Victory Day Festa ta Marija Bambina and presentation of the 2014 Maltese Cultural Award to Mr Joe Borg (il-kumidjant) on Monday September 8 at 7.30pm at the George Mepham Hall Cnr Targo & Toongabbie Roads, Toongabbie Light refreshments will be served Joe Galea Ikun hemm wkoll.. Kummiedja mic-cittadini Sydney show on Sunday October 26 at 2.00 pm at Wentworthville Leagues Club Contact: Monica or ; Doris Book early La Valette Social Centre Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Victory On Sunday September 14, the La Valette Social Centre is organising a coach trip to St Mary s Cathedral for the celebration of one of Malta s most popular feasts, the feast of Our Lady of Victory, otherwise known as Il-Vitorja. The coach leaves the centre at pm and Greystanes at pm. Cost is $20 per person. For booking and information one should phone La Valette Social Centre: or Frances: THE MALTESE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF NSW INC Young Talent in Concert at Wenty Leagues Club Sunday November 23 at 2.00 pm - Featuring the very talented Natasha Vella & James Cassar (All performers are Australian Maltese) Tickets $15 Adults; Children under/15 $10. For bookings contact: Jim Borg / or Doris Caruana You can prebook by to foph@bigpond.com. ST HELENA MALTESE/AUSTRALIAN S.C.INC PRESENTS a GET TOGETHER CONCERT DIRECT FROM MALTA: ELEANOR CASSAR Also CITTADINI FROM SYDNEY DATE: SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER; VENUE: ERRINGTON HALL, ST ALBANS TIME: 6.00 PM TILL 11.30PM. MUSIC provided by D J TONY COST: $20 PER PERSON B Y O - Food and drinks can be bought at the Hall at very reasonable prices. Also Come and see ELEANOR CASSAR and the sensational RENATO On Sunday, October 19 in Concert at: MELROSE RECEPTIONS, TULLAMARINE (Includes two-course meal for only $45) For BOOKINGS phone VICTOR on or JOE BUSUTTIL: L-a barijiet tal-pbs (Malta) G alkemm il-pbs ta Malta tforni lill-sbs fl-awstralja bis-servizz tag ha, il-qarrejja huma m e a biex meta u x in iridu jid lu filwebsite minn fejn ikunu jistg u jsegwu l-a barijiet ta Malta. Din il-website tkun a ornate l- in kollu bi stejjer li jkunu qed ise u. Mhux hekk biss, imma dawk li j obbu jsegwu dak li jkun g addej, kull filg odu in ta' Malta fuq il-website jittellg u l-a barijiet tal-jum ta' qabel.

21 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 21 Community News Computer Class for the Elderly The Maltese Community Council of NSW is conducting a computer class at the Maltese Resource Centre 59b Franklin Street, Mays Hill 2145 NSW every Friday between a.m. and For more information contact Emanuel Camilleri: Notice to Former members of... Malta Society of New Zealand We now have a Facebook page that we invite you to join. It is: Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland. We can be found online at: Auckland/ ?ref=hl. It is open to all have an interest in the Maltese culture. THE MALTESE GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. Cordially invites you to THE MALTA NATIONAL DAY Dinner Dance on SATURDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2014 Entry Starts at 6.30pm, 7pm Start to 12.00am Sponsored By BASETEC SERVICES Pty. Ltd. At the Sicilian Function Centre 45A O.G. Road KLEMZIG 5023 Entertainment by RENO of MARKIS MUSIC From Melbourne, With RENO a Coach Load of Maltese Visitors will be attending. Also Taking Part with Reno Eric a Local Popular Singer Attendee s To Be Seated In The Hall from 6.30pm for 7pm starts Catering By The Sicilian Club: Includes: 4-course dinner with Drinks: Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks (Included in the Price) PRICE: Members $55, Non Members $65 On SUNDAY 8th September there will more entertainment with a BBQ, and Dancing the night away with Reno and the Melbourne Visitors At the Maltese Guild Hall, Bookings for this night is separate, and seats is limited, so bookings is essential PRICE for the Night members $10; Non Members $15. For Bookings or Information Phone: The Maltese Guild s Office: Tuesday s only from 9am to 2.45pm on , Joe Briffa on or his Mob , Mary Craus on or Anyone from the Guild s Committee Follow The Voice of the Maltese online magazine every fortnight. Now we also have our our facebook page. So join us. Go to: evoiceofthemaltese Please Note: Organisations wishing to publish notices or news intended for the Maltese community in Australia in The Voice, are advised to stick to the magazine s deadline and submit material at least a week prior to publication. FRIENDS OF PROVIDENCE HOUSE NSW (Formed in November 2011) Founder /Coordinator: Jim Borg Structure: Secretary: Marisa Previtera; Treasurer: Rita Kassas Official Bank Account: Commonwealth Bank of Australia: BSB: A/C Aim of Association: Raising funds for Id-Dar tal-providenza, Malta Money raised so far: 2012/ $ 2,500 and 2013/ $35,000. Method of fund raising: Functions, tours, donations, raffles, sponsors. Percentage of funds raised donated to Id-Dar tal-providenza, Malta 100% Future fund raising: Donations direct to the official bank account, sponsorships, tours, functions and raffles. The Friends of Providence House NSW is the official Ambassador of Id-Dar tal-providenza, Malta in Australia Contact details: Jim Borg, Co-ordinatorPhone: (02) (Mb) foph@bigpond.com Proudly supported by:

22 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 Community News G ana fil-la Valette Centre Il-La Valette Social Centre se jorganizza lejla ta Ghana fiççentru fis-26 ta Ottubru li ej minn Saver u s abu. Il- in ikun fit-8.00 pm u d-d ul se jkun bla las. Kul add huwa mistieden jattendi. Readers please note The Voice of the Maltese online can be accessed anytime by logging to: and clicking on: The Voice sign... Friends of Birzebbuga are organising a get-together on November 15, 2014 at 6.30 p.m. at Merrylands RSLMilitary Road Merrylands NSW with buffet and entertainment For tickets contact: Emanuel Camilleri: Mob: Come along. It will be a fun night Maltese RSL sub branch Call for Affiliate members If you are interested in joining, please call Doris on mobile below so she will send you an application form. When filled out, the appication should be sent back to the address below; but you also need to provide: 1. Proof of eligibility that you have a relative (living or deceased) who is or was eligible to be a Service Member of the Leugue. A photocopy of the Certificate of Service is all we require, and Membership application fee ($30) cheque made payable to: Maltese RSL sub branch You can send the completed application form along with the above requirements to: Mrs Doris Pocock Administration Officer Maltese RSL sub branch, PO Box 8280, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Tel: / rmpocock2@bigpond.com ST HELENA MALTESE- AUSTRALIAN S.C. INC. Remaining activities for 2014 SEPTEMBER: SATURDAY 20 B Y O Get-together at the Maltese Centre in Parkville OCTOBER: Saturday 18 Concert: Direct from Malta: Eleanor Cassar. The Cittadini will also perform a sketch. DJ in attendance: Tony Saturday 25 Get-together at Maltese Centre in Parkville NOVEMBER: Saturday 15 BYP Get-together at Errington Hall, St Albans DJ : starlight Johnny; 2 DOOR prizes of $50 each DECEMBER: Saturday 20 Christmas function at Melrose Tullamarine with DJ Dominic in attendance We also do weekend trips to Tocumwal & Barham 2014 For more information one should phone Victor Bartolo: Mobile: ; Joe Borg: & Joe Busuttil: ; Mary Abdilla: & Mary Bartolo, Mobile: XAGHRA ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC. The feast of Our Lady of Victory is to be celebrated by the Xaghra Association of Melbourne on Monday September 8 with a Mass at 7pm at the Maltese Cultural Centre, 27 Talmage Street, Albion. After Mass, the Maltese Own Band Philharmonic Society Inc. will play marches. Everybody is invited to take part. A dinner dance will also be held on Saturday September 14 at the Luxor Function Centre, Taylor Lakes, starting at 6.30 pm. Tickets cost $58. For more information phone: Tony: Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day 21st Anniversary Luncheon on Wednesday October 8 Venue: St Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church Hall Corner of Woodstock Ave & Hyatts Rd Plumpton Between 9:00am - Finish 3:00pm Starting with morning tea, followed by Mass Aspecial lunch and dessert will be served live entertainment provided by well-known Maltese entertainers Cost: Frail person(s) free ;Carer $25; Senior $45 Call one of the committee below to reserve your seat. Doris Pocock ; Lina Magro Caring for our Maltese Elderly Our Elderly are forever grateful for this very special day Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc. PO Box 5332, Greystanes LPO, NSW 2145 Learn Maltese! Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of this magnificent Mediterranean island. Our trained and experienced teachers are qualified in language teaching and have Maltese study credentials. Classes available for students from 6 yrs to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. HORSLEY PARK Horsley Park Public School 1759 The Horsley Drive, Horsely Park Classes are held at: SEVEN HILLS The Meadows Public Sch. Fuller Street, Seven Hills SCHOFIELDS - Terra Sancta College. Hambeldon Rd, Schofields For more information and all enquiries call Mary Pace Feroud on (02)

23 Tuesday September 2, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 23 S p o r t s 1 Parramatta Eagles back where they belong Parramatta Eagles FC stretched their undefeated streak to 17 consecutive matches in the NSW Supa IGA Div 2 competition but the game of the final round against Mt Druitt Town Rangers went to the wire. The Eagles needed to win to make sure of promotion although they had finished the league nine points clear atop in first grade ladder. Many would say only in Australia : that promotion is based on a system where the first team gets 12 points for a win (4 for a draw), the U/20, 6 (2 for RESULTS: NSW: Supa IGA Div. 2 Final: Round 22 Parramatta FC v Mt Druitt Mounties v Spirit FC League ladder Parramatta CC Mariners Macarthur R Northern T. Mounties W. Sydney Univ. Bankstown C Spirit FC Hills Brum. Bankstown B Fraser Park Mt. Druitt Final Placing P W D L F A Pts The Parramatta Eagles players celebrate victory over Mt Druitt that earned them promotion a draw) and the U/18, 3 points (1 for a draw). In the Club C h a m p i - onship, Parramatta FC amassed a total of 286 points out of the 66 games played, the U/18=18 points, U20=84 points and Ist Grade=184 points. Central Coast Mariners Academy managed 284 points, Northern Tigers 267, Macarthur Rams 252 and Mounties Wanderers 221 points. Parramatta Eagles FC dominated the final game of the League but could not find a way past the stubborn Mt Druitt defence until the 88th minute when the prodigal son and team captain Patrick Gatt made the difference with a superb side-foot volley that gave the home team and the Parramatta supporters a deserved end to a great season. After the game, The Voice talked to the Eagles captain, Patrick Gatt. On the lone goal he said, It was an amazing moment, a sense of relief for me and the team, probably one of the best moments I have ever had in a Melita shirt. As an individual it s like a Parramatta Eagles captain Patrick Gatt with his father Lawrence after the match fairy- tale for me but it s a credit to the team as we never gave up. Patrick continued: Melita is where my heart is. It s been the scene of so many great moments in my soccer career, so it was like coming home. Scoring the goal that won us promotion was poetic justice. We have an awesome coach and a very united team. The Voice asked him about his future plans. Hopefully we can win the grand final. I am expecting my first child in a few weeks but I will love to lead this team or playing some other part with such a great club. I have no doubt we can mix it well in the Premier League with the setup we have Above: Patrick Gatt explodes with joy after scoring the all-important goal. got concluded the captain. Parramatta FC (previously known as Parramatta Melita Eagles FC) were relegated from the NSW Premier League in A year later they amalgamated with PCYC and in 2009 did it with the Granville District Association and even won promotion but were then once again relegated in Other results from Victoria National Premier League Green Gully v Prt Melbourne S. 1-2 VICTORIA: Division I Box Hill U. v Sunshine GC 2-2 Forthcoming matches Victoria NPL: Sept. 6: Northcote C. v Green Gully; Sep. 14: Green Gully SC v Pascoe V. Victoria I Division: Sept. 6: Sunshine GC v Spirngvale; Sept. 15: Bulleen Lions v Sunshine GC

24 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 2, 2014 S p o r t s 2 Left: Young wrestler Randal (on right of picture) showing his fighting skills during a recent fight, while (below) the Maltese- Australian is mobbed by his fans at the end of his winning match against Dan Damage. Randal has gone on to wrestle for various promotions across the East Coast of Australia boasting his trademark aerial defence. A wrestling superstar International Wrestling Australia (IWA) in the making held one of its biggest shows yet at the Blacktown Workers Club as Maltese-Australian wrestler Randal from Blacktown NSW was up against Charmaine Cassar Dan Damage from Kings Cross. The match started and quickly ended with a Fuda when he was just 18 years of age, disqualification for Damage. Randal made his debut in the charity The abrupt end came following outside Starlight Cup Rumble back in November interference on Damage s part. However of Ever since his debut he has worn the match was re-instated as a tag team a mask to protect his identity. Since then match: Randal & Mikey Lord vs. Dan he has proven to be an exciting and charismatic fan favourite with a spectacular Damage & Tony The Thug Slater. The match was won by Randal after hitting a daredevil in-ring style. perfect swanton bomb from the top rope, Randal has gone on to wrestle for various pinning Damage for the 3-count. promotions across the East Coast of Australia boasting his trademark aerial de- Although born and raised in Sydney Australia, the young wrestling superstar Randal was brought up in a Maltese home, Randal has also received further training fence. with both his parents from both Malta and with the Professional Wrestling Alliance Gozo. His father is from Paola (Raħal (PWA) Training Academy, as well as locking horns in training seminars fronted by Ġdid) in Malta and his mother from Xagħra, Gozo. many top international stars, including When his father George first migrated Adam Pearce, Colt Cabana, Michael from Malta to Australia in the mid 80's, he Elgin, Chavo Guerrero Jr., and Tommy found comfort in watching pro wrestling Dreamer. on Australian television. As the years went Although still relatively young in his career, the Kamikaze Kid has quite a bright on he continued to watch wrestling and passed his interest in the sport to Randal. future in the professional wrestling scene. From there he was introduced to Sports- Randal truly is one to keep one s eye on. Entertainment. From a young age all Randal dreamed of becomng a professional Be sure to "Like" Randal's Facebook Don t blink though, you might miss him! wrestler. page to receive regular updates on when After being trained by UWA originals and where he will be wrestling in a show Craig 'CRSM' Fuller and Scott 'Scarecrow' near you: Malta Premier League Results After three matches, Hibernians, Birkirkara and Mosta lead with maximum points. Balzan are well placed two points below them on 7. Valletta have fianlly won their first game. Day 2 Birkirkara v Zebbug R. 4-0 (Leighton Grech, Ellinton Morais Costa, Eliandro Gonzaga, Rafael Ledesma) Sliema W. v Floriana 1-1 Matteo Piciollo (F); Andrea Pisanu (S) Balzan v Naxxar L. 1-1 Gianmarco Piccioni (B); Gilmar Ribeiro (N) Valletta v Tarxien R. 0-0 Hibernians v Qormi 2-1 Alfred Effiong (Q); Edison Luis dos Santos, Marcelo Dias (H) Mosta v Pieta H. 1-0 (Daniel Mariano Bueno) Results Day 3 Birkirkara v Naxxar L. 1-0 (Paul Fenech) Valletta v Floriana 2-0 (Lateef Elford-Aliyu, Abdelkarim Nafti) Mosta v Zebbug R. 2-0 Bojan Kaljevic (2) Balzan v Qormi 2-1 Oscar Guerrero, Ryan Darmanin (B); own goal Elkin Serrano (Q) Hibernians v Sliema W. 3-1 Marko Potezica (S); Edison Luis dos Santos, Jorge Pereira da Silva, Jurgen Degabriele (H) Tarxien R. v Pieta H 0-0