The Voice of the Maltese. Malta unites for Independence Day. (driven by the voice of its readers) Issue 85. September 30, 2014

Transcription

1 The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers) Issue 85 online magazine September 30, 2014 Malta unites for Independence Day Above: art of the spectacular fireworks display at the Grand Harbour ABOVE: The unveiling of the commemorative plaque at the upper Barrakka in Valletta by Prince William (right) and Malta s Prime Minster Dr Joseph Muscat. Looking on is the PM s wife, Michelle. Left: President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca accompanying Prince William at the San Anton Palace gardens. More pictures of the celebrations commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Independence - pages 2 and 3. The speeches by Malta s leaders for the occasion - page 2. Prime MInister addresses 69th Session of the UN General Assembly - page 12

2 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 OkkaΩjoni unika: Il-President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca flimkien mal-prim Ministru Joseph Muscat (lemin) u Simon Busuttil Tispikka s-sej a g all-g aqda L-A ar jiem f Malta raw çelebrazzjonijiet u spettaklu li ftit jekk qatt rajna b alhom bil-gvern ifakkar il- 50 Sena ta Malta Indipendenti u jag ti prova dwar kemm jg oωω dan il-jum tal- 21 ta Settembru li fih, 50 sena ilu Malta kisbet l-indipendenza u wittiet it-triq g al g add ta kisbiet o ra li minkejja ç-çokon ta pajjiωna, po ewna fost l-aqwa fl- Ewropa. Din is-sena kien l-ewwel darba li l- ens Malta kollu, hu ta liema kulur hu, fakkar dan il- rajja storika flimkien. Il-gvern wera tassew maturita biex ta l-eωempju u po a fuq quddiem l-g aqda tal-poplu. Kienet idea li rnexxiet g ax il-maltin bi garhom taw it-twe iba tag hom fil-mod kif ing aqdu alli juru li a na tassew ens wie ed u a na Maltin. B ala mistieden ewlieni g all-okkaωjoni u li flimkien ma mistiedna distinti segwew l-ispettakklu mill-barrakk ta Fuq, kien hemm id-duka ta Cambridge u t- tieni fil-lista ta eredi ghat-tron Ingliz, il- Princep William li a post martu Kate li qed tistenna t-tieni tarbija, u li t-tobba issu erewlha li jkun a jar g al sa itha li ma tivvja ax, u li rrappreωenta lir- Re ina EliΩabbett. Minbarra l-ispettaklu li admu g alih mal-200 persuna, u li fil-parti l kbra tieg u sar fil-kapitali Maltija Valletta, fil- Port il-kbir, u fl-ibliet tal-madwar, ewlenin fosthom il-birgu, dak li spikka kienu l-messa i tal-mexxejja tal-pajjiω, li g addewhom lejlet il-festa prorprja, talg aqda. Kemm il-president Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, il-prim Ministru u Mexxej tal-partit Laburista Joseph Muscat, u l- Kap tal-oppoωizzjoni u Mexxej tal-partit Nazzjonalista, Simon Busuttil sa qu dwar il- tie a li l-maltin jing aqdu. Irridu ng oωωuha b al kull olqa o ra fil-katina storika mill-isba Maltija. Il-President qalet li assitha kburija li f din l-okkaωjoni tkun hi l-kap tal-istat Malti, li tag ti ie lil Malta u lill-maltin u l- G awdxin. Sa qet li kien jum ta kommemorazzjoni u ta çelebrazzjoni, g aliex l-indipendenza ta pajjiωna, kienet il-kulminu ta g add ta avvenimenti o ra storiçi qabilha, fejn il-maltin u l-g awdxin, i ieldu g ad-drittijiet soçjali, ekonomiçi u politiçi tag hom. Hija Ωiedet tg id li l-indipendenza, skattat proçess g al g add ta kisbiet importanti storiçi o ra g all-poplu Malti u G awdxi Il-President qalet li b al f katina li s- sa a tag ha tiksibha g aliex iωωomm flimkien olqa f o ra, hekk ukoll, il-kisba tal-indipendenza. Irridu ng oωωuha b al kull olqa o ra fil-katina storika millisba Maltija. G amlitha çara li f okkaωjonijiet ta fer b al dak il-jum taç-çelebrazzjoni wie ed ma jistax jikkommemora u jiççelebra biss, imma wkoll jie u l-opportunità b ala poplu, biex dan ikun waqt ta riflessjoni u alfa ta impenn, alli l-legat li allewlna missierijietna, ji i m edded u sostnut. Hija mbag ad g addiet il-messa g allg aqda billi qalet: Illum id-destin qed isejja lilna biex b al ta qabilna n obbu lil pajjiωna u lil ensna. Qed isej ilna biex ning aqdu, in arsu lejn l-istorja biex tg allimna u nag rfu li xejn ma ji ri b xejn. Fl-appell imanqal tag ha, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca qalet li Malta qed issej ilna biex ninteb u li rridu nibqg u sodi fil-valuri tag na, alli flimkien, f armonija u serenità, inkomplu ning aqdu g all- id tag na u l-familji tag na. Hija temmet id-diskors tag a billi tenniet il-kliem tal-eks Prim Ministru Ìor Bor Olivier, li sej itlu l-arkitett ta Malta Indipendenti, li, qalet, g adu u jibqa relevanti sal-lum: L-Indipendenza tfisser li rridu na dmu, forsi aktar u aktar bil-qalb, g aliex irridu nag tu prova lid-dinja, illi l-indipendenza li ksibna a na, verament nimmeritawha, nafu na dmu demokratikament, nafu lillpoplu tag na immexxuh lejn il-bon ordni u l-li i fil-pajjiω, lejn il-prosperità ekonomika, lejn il- id tag na, ta uliedna u wlied uliedna. Il-Prim Ministru beda d-diskors tieg u billi qal li f okkaωjoni b al din, Malta u l- Maltin Indipendenti jridu jisimg u dwar il-futur u mhux biss dwar il-passat. G al pa na 3

3 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 3 Il-Prim Ministru: Il-feriti issa g alqu biex qatt aktar ma jer g u jinfet u *minn pa na 2 Kien is-sens ta destin, ta avventura, ta rieda, appuntu ta futur, li wassal lil ommijietna u missierijietna biex jie du l-pass importanti li llum isawwarna b ala Nazzjon Indipendenti, sidien tad-destin tag na, responabbli tal-futur tag na u ta wliedna. Issokta jg id li kien i ossu kburi li jinsab f dik l-okkaωjoni g aliex i oss li dak iljum kien fost l-aktar mumenti li fih ilpoplu jinsab mag qud, i ares lejn il-futur. Ûied li amsin sena ilu l-poplu kien maqsum f Ωew kurrenti politiçi li t-tnejn riedu l-a jar g al Malta iωda li wkoll wasslu g al firda tal-poplu b politika Ωg ira, piki frott l-g eluq, u ma kienux kapaçi jsibu l- g aqda f mumenti b al dan u o rajn warajh. Qal li dakinhar, afna iççelebraw, imma bosta o rajn pprotestaw. Óafna familji g arfu l-milja ta dak il-jum, iωda o rajn batew g aliex pajjiωna kien g ad irid jimmatura biex jintemmu l-kundanni, biex add ma jibqa mça ad mid-dritt li jg id, li jaqra u li jemmen dak li jag Ωel hu ming ajr theddid jew kastig. Kien Ωmien li jmur lil hinn mid-dinja tag na tal-lum. Dawk il-feriti issa g alqu biex qatt aktar ma jer g u jinfet u. Emozjonat, Joseph Muscat kompla jg id: Qeg din hawn flimkien biex nuru d-differenza minn fejn tlaqna g al fejn wasalna, u nuru lilna nfusna u lid-dinja kemm b ala poplu mxejna il quddiem f g emilna u sibijietna f amsin sena. IΩda l-a bar it-tajba hija li dak li ksibna f dawn l-ewwel amsin sena ta Indipendenza mhu xejn dejn dak li se niksbu fil- amsin sena li ejjin, jekk ng oωωu l- sieb ta nazzjon wie ed u poplu mag qud. Il-Prim Ministru qal li kien konvint milli qal g aliex jag mel parti minn dik il- enerazzjoni li ma ta lix Ωmien f dibattiti inutli dwar liema jum huwa l-akbar jew l- aqwa. Jien konvint g aliex Dak li ksibna f dawn l-ewwel amsin sena ta Indipendenza mhu xejn dejn dak li se niksbu fil- amsin sena li ejjin in oss li ming ajr Óelsien m inix Malti; Ming ajr Repubblika m inix Malti; Ming ajr Indipendenza m inix Malti. Huwa permezz ta dawn il-kisbiet li llum Jien, Int, A na Maltin. Qal li hemm min jg id li fid-dinja tallum, li t ares b sena bil-quddiem huwa Il-Prinçep jiltaqa u jitkellem man-nies wisq. A seb u ara, amsin sena o ra. IΩda ipprova jg id lill- emg a kif jara hu l-malta ta amsin sena o ra, fejn jixtieq li uliedu jrabbu lil uliedhom. Il-Malta tal- amsin sena li ejjin se naraha e fef, lesta tiddeçiedi aktar malajr, aktar kura uωa, aktar ambizzjuωa. Li ma tistenniex iωda li tantiçipa l-bidliet. Li fi Ωmien ta taqlib ekonomiku fit-tramuntana, u taqlib demokratiku fin-nofsinhar, Il-mistieden ewlieni, il-prinçep William jaqsam il-port f dg ajsa Il-Prinçep milqug mill-prim Ministru Joseph Muscat, martu Michelle u wliedu Etoile u Soleil li ippreωentawlu rigali g al ibnu George ma nibqg ux wie-qfa nistennew l-affarijiet ise u. IΩda minflok inbiddlu u nkomplu ninbidlu. Inkunu oasi ta stabbiltà ekonoekono-mika u demokra-tika li tag ti tama mhux biss lil uliedna, iωda wkoll lill-popli ta madwarna fl-ewropa u fil-mediterran. Il-PM Ωied jg id li l-malta tal- amsin sena li ejjin se tkun kapaçi to loq aktar xog ol u id milli qatt kellha. li jkollha bωonn tikber g ax to loq aktar xog ol milli jistg u jag mlu wliedna wa edhom; li tag raf l-isfida tal-iωvilupp sostenibbli. Qal li jemmen li ukoll li se tqassam il- id a jar milli qatt tqassam, li tippremja l- bωulija, u kul add ikollu l-istess çans li jirnexxi f ajtu. Kompla li l-ewwel kellna nistennew snin s a bla ma ji ri xejn, fejn enerazzjonijiet s a assewhom miftumin, g atxana g al ftu li kienu jaraw fuq l-orizzont ta pajjiωi o ra, imbag ad, adna n-nifs g aliex il-bidliet li Ωmienhom kien ilu li ie, fl-a ar bdew ise u. Qal: Issa er ajna bdejna ma nistennewx lil o rajn biex inbiddlu u nkunu minn ta quddiem u nuru li verament nistg u nkunu l- aqwa u nag tu a na direzzjoni lil addiehor. Dan huwa biss iω-ωernieq tal-malta tal- amsin sena li ejjin, qal Joseph Muscat. Din hija l-malta tal- amsin sena li ejjin li no lom, nemmen u n e i kom biex na dmu flimkien g aliha. Il-Prim Ministru temm jg id: Dakinhar, b all-biera u b al-lejla, il-poplu, a na lkoll, se ning aqdu f g ajta wa da: Viva Malta Indipendenti! *G al pa na 15

4 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 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. The Federal Government takes aim at Community Television We have heard this before but it needs repeating; we must be vigilant especially when governments like the present coalition we have in Canberra starts going down the path of destroying the very basis of multiculturalism. They want to eliminate the SBS or amalgamating it with the powerful ABC; they messed around with the anti-discrimination laws. What else has Senator Brandis and his mates have in store for us? The next target on the agenda is the community television Stations; unlike all other broadcasters, Community Television stations do not automatically receive the right to operate a transmitter when they are licensed to operate a broadcasting service. At the moment, Community Television stations are licensed through to mid-2019 but their transmitter licenses expire on December 31, To continue transmitting beyond that date, the Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull, needs to make a decision about the future of Community Television. Without a positive decision, Community Television will be forced off air by the end of this year. The Voice of the Maltese is supporting the arguments being put forward. We see no economic or technical valid reasons why community television should not be given a permanent home on free to air digital broadcast spectrum. CTV receives no government funding in order to operate its services and there is enough available broadcast spectrums to ensure that a variety of media operators can exist including CTV stations. The Abbott government needs to commit to Community Television now by extending their transmitter licence to ensure their survival beyond the end of this year. Why is community TV important? CTV is a genuinely open access facility affording all members of the community including the Maltese community an opportunity to create television programmes for broadcast on free to air television. Without community television we lose genuine media diversity, a training ground for up and coming television talent, a resource for tertiary institutions to provide Malcolm Turnbull real world experience to students, coverage of local events and festivals and a medium for local sports organisations without access to mainstream media. You also lose a whole heap of interesting, quirky, niche and local programmes on free to air television, reflecting the extraordinary diversity of Australian society. How you can help Show your support for your local station by calling on the Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull and the rest of the Abbott Government to Commit to Community Television and extend their transmitter licence. You need to show the Government that you value community broadcasting and believe that media diversity is important. Make your voice heard, contact your local federal Member of Parliament in your State or communicate directly with Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP - Ground Floor, New South Head Rd., Edgecliff, NSW, 2027: Postal Address PO Box 545, Edgecliff, NSW 2027 Tel: malcolm.turnbull.mp@aph.gov.au or at Parliament House Contact PO Box 6022, House of Representatives Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600 Tel: TAKE ACTION 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

5 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 5 My Mdina - The Old School Istopped in front of the high door. It was very high, made in proportion to the building, where the two storeys were high enough to fit in three, in today's standard heights. The door was surrounded by a delicately sculptured By Marie Borg stone frame, and then set into an arc at the top with thick columns on the sides. Inside that arc, on top of it, the door is adorned by more sculptured designs. The facade is discoloured in places, and the iron verandah needs a touch of paint, but it has lost none of its imposing dignity. It stands tall and proud as many other old buildings have done in Mdina, for hundreds of years. I stopped to stare and to take pictures. The door was open and I could see a man sitting in the courtyard. I walked in and found myself surrounded by beautiful handmade articles much in demand by discerning tourists. I asked the man whether I could take some pictures. He nodded okay, and as I clicked away he asked me, Do you know the place, then? I nodded and took some more pictures. When I finished, I saw questions on his face and said briefly, yes, it was my grammar school, many moons ago. I then added, St Theresa Grammar School. I continued, I well remember the years I spent at the big school and the pranks we used to get up to here. Right where you are sitting now, we used to get our ration of a small bottle of milk per day. The game was that whoever got there first would help themselves to as many bottles as they could down quickly then smirk as the late comers ran short. He seemed interested so I continued, That there, was the headmistress's office, and although Miss Sammut was a dear old One of the palaces that adorn Mdina today. Marie remembers it as the St Theresa Grammar School she used to go to many moons ago soul, knees trembled slightly when one of us was sent to her office. More often than not, it followed some prank we were caught at. No, we did not get the cane, but Miss Sammut had a way of making you feel ashamed of what you had done, and keen to regain your status in her eyes. I bid the man goodbye and wandered down the road. There was also the shop where we The street that has brought Marie so many memories on her last visit to Mdina The sign put up by the Mdina Local Council in the Silent City spent the odd three penny bit on sugary sweets, and where the teachers bought their newspapers, copybooks, pens and the like. As the shop was chock-a-block with stuff, piled high on every inch of surface, including the floor, Kristinu had a bit of difficulty getting around the shop to find the merchandise one asked for. There was only a narrow passageway to the counter, and this ensured we all stood in line. A few doors down the street, there were the gilders, and the same shop sign was still there as I remembered it some 50 years ago. I used to love to stop there and watch Duminku take the gold leaf out of these small books and deftly spread and smooth it onto any statue he was gilding. When he had used up every scrap of gold leaf from the book, we would beg for them. They were only small, and the leaves were a pink semi-transparent type of paper. I cannot for the life of me remember what we did with them but we valued them very highly. As I walked the down the road, I found myself treading softly. I was flanked by these huge old houses, and half expected to see a greying head peep out from one of the windows and with a finger across the mouth, give me a loud shhhh... as they so often did when as young teenagers we walked and laughed as we talked. The old residents of Mdina liked their small citadel to be silent.

6 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 Census (part 2) Gosford and Wyong shires register steady and on-going growth in their Malta-born population As we continue to analyse the statistics from the Census in Australia, this time pertaining to the Central Coast and Hunter Region, we find that since 1971, both Gosford and Wyong shires have seen a steady and on-going growth in the number of its Malta-born population There are almost twice as many Malta-born in Wyong than in Gosford. This growth could be a reflection of an ageing Maltese population retiring to areas close to the sea or to the lakes, where the environment is more relaxed, less polluted and where the pastime of fishing can be practised, a distant dream if one lives in Blacktown or Holroyd. With the building of the M1 express freeway, travelling time from the Central Coast to Western Sydney has been reduced to around minutes. THE HUNTER Malta-born doubles at Lake Macquarie Except for the city of Newcastle, all the council areas of the Central Coast and the Hunter Region have experienced a growth in the number of Malta-born. The council areas where Maltese are in three-digit figures are Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie. The largest number of Malta-born in the Hunter region is to be found in Lake Macquarie, where the Malta-born have doubled in numbers since But the greatest growth has been in Port Stephens where the Malta-born population today is six times that of 1971 (it stood at 10 Malta-born in 1971 to 60 in 2011). (See Table B, above) Table C CENTRAL COAST & HUNTER Wyong Gosford Lake Macquarie Port Stephens Newcastle Great Lakes Maitland Singleton Cessnock Muswellbrook Scone (Upper Hunter) TOTAL 2011 Malta-born In this second article in the series, local historian Mark Caruana looks at Central Coast & Hunter Region (NSW) over a 40-year period. This growth of Maltese in the Mark Caruana Central Coast has given rise to two Maltese associations, a Maltese community radio station and the festa celebration of Our Lady Taken Up to Heaven in the month of August, complete with a statue of Our Lady and procession. Table A (below) below shows the number of Maltaborn residents in the Central Coast. It lists the number of Malta-born by local government area (LGA) for a 40 year-period i.e Table A CENTRAL COAST Gosford Wyong TOTAL Table B HUNTER REGION Lake Macquarie Port Stephens Newcastle Great Lakes Singleton Cessnock Maitland Muswellbrook Scone (Upper Hunter) TOTAL Maltese Ancestry 1,697 1, , Total Maltese 2,102 1, , Maltese Ancestry Growth Growth The 2011 Census contained the question: What is the person s ancestry? Provide up to two ancestries only. Table C (left) below shows that in some LGAs, the number of Maltese by descent is sometimes eight times more than the Malta-born, as is the case in the city of Newcastle, four times more in Wyong and Gosford shire and 10 times more than the Malta-born in the Muswellbrook. CONCLUSION In conclusion, one may ask. What is the value of such Census statistics? From the table on Maltese-By-Ancestry, one can easily conclude that for every one Malta-born there are almost five Australia-born Maltese living in the Central Coast and The Hunter. Continued on page 7

7 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Work and restoration at MCC NSW Centre The new administration at the Maltese Community Council of NSW is busy building a structure that can accommodate the expansion this Council is going through. Every person on the executive has been assigned a specific role. The Voice of the Maltese spoke to Emanuel Camilleri the vice president of the MCC of NSW at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre, who has also been assigned the role of co-coordinator of the Centre where work and restoration is ongoing. So much work to be accomplished, he said. The library is slowly taking shape with books donated by the Maltese Community from all over NSW. The Maltese Herald newspaper that was the only Australian/Maltese printed media for fifty-one years and now part of our Maltese history has been archived for future generations. Maltese Memorabilia that finds its way into the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre is being restored into its original glory. Documentation of past and present Maltese organisations are being delicately catalogued and archived, by dedicated staff, Fenech Maltese Resource Centre at 59b days from a.m. to noon or For those wishing to visit the Alfred public school, the Centre is open on Fri- volunteering their time to achieve this Franklin Street (corner with Young St) when functions are being held. Contact mammoth task. Mays Hill NSW next to Parramatta West Emanuel Camilleri on Census Central Coast & Hunter Region (NSW) continued from page 6 Therefore, it would be appear sensible to have community activities that cater for both groups which would need to be in both Maltese and English. The table (below) sheds light on the numbers who speak Maltese at home. 40% of the Malta-born in the Central Coast and The Hunter stated that they speak Maltese at home, and conversely, 60% do not speak Maltese. The striking exceptions are at the Muswellbrook where out of five Malta-born, nine persons stated that they speak Maltese; presumably four are second-generation Australia-Maltese. In the Upper Hunter, on the other hand, none of the ten Malta-born stated that they speak Maltese at home. CENTRAL COAST RADIO FM 96.3 The Voice of the Maltese on Coast Nathalie Gatt, Co-ordinator/Broadcaster Central Coast Community FM Radio Association Inc PO Box 19, GOSFORD NSW 2250 Tel: (02) studio@coastfm.org.au Broadcasts 6-7pm every fortnight on Thursdays. Listen live at Table D CENTRAL COAST & HUNTER Wyong Gosford Lake Macquarie Port Stephens Newcastle Great Lakes Maitland Singleton Cessnock Muswellbrook Upper Hunter (Scone) TOTAL 2011 Malta-born Maltese-speaking The growth in the number of Maltese has been one of the factors that the Maltese Community Council NSW has now emplyed a Maltese-speaking community worker to service this region. CONTACTS CENTRAL COAST MALTESE SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL CLUB Joe Vassallo, president - 21 Twinlakes Drive, Lake Haven NSW 2263 Tel: ja_vassallo@hotmail.com. Secretary: Censina Cefai censina44@bigpond.com The Association holds functions with meals and entertainment for members about every two months. Founded: 1998 CENTRAL COAST SANTA MARIA FESTA COMMITTEE Charles Scicluna, president 38 Mary St, Gorokan NSW 2263 Phone or Mob scicluna41@hotmail.com The feast of the Assumption is held annually at St Mary Mackillop Church, Warnevale. Founded 2008.

8 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 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. Now you can also join us on facebook: com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese Your letters/ L-ittri tag kom... Il-Voice sar forum ta fehmiet g alhekk ejja nuωawh tajjeb Mark Vassallo jikteb minn Bundaberg, Queensland: Jekk dan il-magazine ma sewa g alxejn, imma Ωgur li sewa biex il-qarrejja juωawh b ala forum fejn jag tu l-fehma tag hom. Ninsab ferm kuntent u fl-istess waqt sorpriω nara kemm il-qarrejja Maltin fl-awstralja qed juru maturita fil-kitbiet tag hom fl-ispazju li qed joffrilna The Voice of the Maltese, li tassew jidher li sar il-le en tal-maltin fl-awstralja. Fil-biçça l kbira l-kitbiet tal-qarrejja qed ikunu tassew interessanti. Tie u gost tarahom jesprimu l-fehmiet tag hom dwar affarijiet li sa ftit taω-ωmien ilu lanqas biss konna no olmu li niktbu dwarhom jew nuru kif na sbuha dwarhom. Niftakarni naqra l-gazzetta Maltija li kellna qabel fl- Awstralja u g al xi Ωmien, snin ilu kont g amilt Ωmien nistkerrah naqra l-fehmiet ta w ud li ftit kienu jag mlu sens. Çertament ma kienx tort tat-tmexxija. Issa, u na seb bl-ispunti tal-artikli b al dawk ta Ivan Cauchi, u wkoll, l-aktar u l- aktar dak tal-prof. Maurice Cauchi dwar kif ja sibha kif qed timxi l-awstralja b alissa, gieg lu lill-qarrejja li jixtarru u b mod tassew intelli enti qed narahom jesprimu ru hom, mhux biss bla ma joqog du lura, uωda wkoll bis-sens. Na seb li nag mlu sew, speçjalment a na li ilna afna snin fl-awstralja, u li a na wkoll çittadini ta dan il-kontinent, li minn xi daqqiet nuru l-fehmiet tag na b mod kalm dwar il-politika li biha qed jit- mexxa dan il-pajjiω. Spiçça Ω-Ωmien li jekk int ma dak il-partit tfa ar lil tieg ek f kull ma jag mel u tmaqdar lill-ie or minkejja kull id li jista jag mel. Indunajtu, li m iniex nikteb dwar Malta? Qed nag nlu min abba li forsi g adna xi ftit sensittivi li nitkellmu dwar il-politikanti Maltin. Fl-istess waqt m g andniex nibqg u lura lanqas milli ng idu tag na dwar affarijiet li jew jolqtu lilna l-maltin ta barra direttament, inkella biex infakkru fl-istorja u dwar Malta ta b alissa. Nissu erixxi li dawk li jqattg u l-btajjel tag hom f Malta li jiktbu dwar xi jsibu u forsi anke jfakkru lill-qarrejja fis-snin mg oddija tal-gωira g aωiωa tag na. A na fejn a na nibqg u Maltin u jibqa jimpurtana minn art twelidna. Nag mlu tajjeb jekk minn xi daqqiet a na n-nies tat-triq insibu in li wkoll nesprimu l-fehmiet tag na dwar Malta. Fl-istess in noqog du attenti li ng idu dak li nixtiequ bla ma nwe g u lil add, jew in allu l-passjoni li forsi w ud minna kellna g all-politika jew il-partiti biex inwe g u. B ala qarrej li napprezza dak li qed tag mel din ir-rivista, n oss li g andna nag mlu minn kollox biex nuωaw tajjeb dan l-ispazju, immexxi minn dawk li jidher li huma nies responsabbli u li naf li qed jag mlu dan ix-xog ol volontarju, u ma nimbarazzaw lil add. Forsi b xi mod anke ninsew g al kollox il-parrokkjaliωmu u nag tu eωempju liω-ωg aωag li tilg in bil-g an li n ibuhom konxji li g andhom ikunu kburin li huma ta nisel Malti. Well done Prof. Cauchi! Daniel Zammit from Belmont, Perth writes: Iwish to congratulate Prof. Maurice Cachia for having the guts to write the way he did and expressed his honest opinion about some of the decisions currently being taken by the Abbott government. I am not surprised to find out that not everybody liked what he wrote or that others have diverse opinions, but to see an academic like the profesor criticise certain decisions is, I feel, most healthy. I am sure that many of us too, at some time or another would like to put pen to paper to blast off but stay back. Thanks Prof. Cauchi for showing us the way. I for one look forward to reading more of your articles

9 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Have your say/xi trid tghid? /2 Mentalita` kolonjali John Vella minn Birkirkara, Malta, jikteb: Malta indipendenti g al amsin sena; mument storiku. Nifra lill-prim Ministru Joseph Muscat talli wara amsin sena rnexxielu jg aqqad lill-poplu Malti u jag ti gie lil kull minn adem biex Malta mhux biss issir independenti izda wkoll ielsa. G al ftit jiem rajna armonija fost il-poplu. Din id-darba Malta kollha ççelebrata Jum l- Indipendenza. Sfortunatament, fl-a ar mumenti l-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni are jg idilna li Jum l- Indipendenza g andu jkun il-jum uniku nazzjonali. L-g aqda taret mar-ri. It- Times of Malta wkoll uriet kemm g adha b'mentalita` kolonjonali meta l-g ada talaqwa çelebrazzjoni ta' G aqda nazzjonali li qatt rat Malta ar et bit-titlu fil-faççata ta quddiem tal-gazzetta: Prince Charles charms as Malta celebrates. Il-fatt talg aqda lil tat-times arbitilhom. L-emigranti u l-indipendenza Peter Falzon minn Fairfield NSW jikteb: Segwejt permezz tas-sistema streaming minn fuq il-kompjuter afna miç-çelebrazzjonijiet li saru f Malta fl-okkaωjoni tal- 50 sena minn meta Malta kisbet l-indipendenza u assejtni kburi nsegwi d-diskorsi g all-okkaωjoni li g amlu kemm l-et l-president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, kif ukoll il-prim Ministru Dr Joseph Muscat u l-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni u l-pn, Simon Busuttil. Óassejtni kburi ghaliex kollha appellaw g all-g aqda bil- sieb li l-maltin kollha jiftakru li okkaωjonijiet b al dawn g andhom jg aqqdu u mhux jifirdu l- ens Malti. Óassejtni kommoss, g ax g all-ewwel darba wkoll ejt inse` li wara kollox anke a na li emigrajna minn Malta kellna sehem mis-suççess tal-indipendenza g aliex flewwel sentejn tag ha, tlaqna minn Malta madwar 17,000 Malti u ne ejna l-piω u u ieg ta ras lill-gvern li bit-tluq tal-ingliωi kien ikollu tant nies bla xog ol. Not factual Mr. Cadman? Changes to Media - A protest Lucy Calleja from Pendle Hill, NSW writes: On behalf of my family I d like to strongly protest against the envisaged changes to media means of communication as we know it. The ever dwindling budget for SBS has not gone unnoticed. As hardworking members of the Maltese community in Australia we cannot see any benefits to various ethnic communities by amalgamating SBS with the ABC, except that it s a money saving exercise by the Coalition government. We also know that sat. 3 is available, and SBS should be given priority. You know what? About 40% of us were born overseas, and we definitely have no intention of giving up SBS as we know it without a fight. Hope good sense and good policy prevail. Carmelo Briffa, Austral NSW writes: The Voice is giving us the opportunity to analyse the country we live in with news and comments that matter. It looks as if Hon Alan Cadman former MP (see letter to the editor, edition No. 84) doesn't agree with Prof Maurice Cauchi's assessment of the situation in Australia (see article page 3, edition 83). I would like to ask Mr Cadman where precisely is the article 'not factual'! Perhaps he can enlighten us all. Prof. Cauchi was forthright in his assessment but what he wrote will be very hard to be disputed. This space is being sponsoredby 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) Mark Caruana s excellent articles Alex Camilleri from Dandenong NSW writes: Ifeel I must thank The Voice of the Maltese and Mr. Mark Caruana for his interesting articles and particularly his analysis of the census in Australia, the first part of which was published in Issue No. 84. As a young man interested in my Maltese roots, I find the article very useful and I am sure many like me, particularly those who want to study in depth about the Maltese community in Australia, have a lot go on and would do well to study Mr Caruana s analysis. Articles such as this are very difficult to find and the writer is doing us Maltese, who are proud of our heritage and the development of the Maltese migration to Australia, a great favour. Articles such as Mark Caruana s are not easy to find and The Voice should be commended for acquiring the historian s services, as it appears that the man really knows what he is talking about. I eagerly look forward to the continuation of this series. I also wish to suggest for people who, like Mr Caruana have so much knowledge about the Maltese migrants, to come forward and to pass on their experience so we could learn more about ourselves.

10 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 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 Il-faqar f pajjiωna G ajnejja n ibdu lejn rapport dwar Malta, imsejja Indikaturi ta' Iggvernar Sostenibbli, mi bur din is-sena mill-kumpanija ta' konsulenza Bertelsmann Stiftung 1. Dan ir-rapport jitkellem dwar ilpolititika ekonomika, soçjali u ambjentali, kif ukoll dwar is-sistema demokratika u kif ilpajjiω ji i ggvernat. Li laqatni partikolarment kien il-kapitlu dwar il-politika soçjali, speçjalment l-istatistika dwar il-faqar, kif imqabbel mal-medja tal-unjoni Ewropea. F'dan ir-rapport, ilfaqar huwa mifhum fis-sens tradizzjonali tieg u, ji ifieri l-livell meqjus baxx ta' d ul, u ma jinkludix aspetti o ra iktar wesg in b an-nuqqas jew inadekwatezza ta' edukazzjoni, saqaf fuq rasek u l-bqija. Dan ir-rapport ikkwota lill-uffiççju Nazzjonali tal-istatistika (NSO) f'malta li jg id li illum l-ammont ta' Maltin meqjusin f'riskju ta' faqar huwa 63,000, jew 21.4% tal-popolazzjoni. Kien hemm daqsxejn ta' kontroversja f'malta g ax dak il-persenta meta mqabbel mal-popolazzjoni f'malta huwa g oli wisq - forsi Ωball fil-matematika. G alhekk iddeçidejt li n ares lejn l-istatistika tal-nso direttament 2. Dan jg id li fl-a ar tal-2013, kien hemm 64,966 persuna minn popolazzjoni ta' 412,534 (15.7%), meqjusin f'riskju ta faqar, meta dan jittie ed b ala d ul ta' inqas minn 60% tad-d ul medju ekwivalizzat (li jie u id-d ul totali ta' dar, inaqqas it-taxxi u jqassam il-bqija fuq il-membri tal-familja li jg ixu od-dar, bittfal ikollhom inqas piω). Fl-Unjoni Ewropea, din il-figura ta nies f riskju tal-faqar kienet ta' 24.8% fl , pjuttost iktar g olja. Jekk il-livell tal-faqar jittie ed li huwa 50% tad-d ul medju ekwivalizzat, il-perçentwal ta' nies meqjusin f'riskju ta' faqar fl kien 8.9% (36,534), xorta iktar mill-7.4% (30,456) tal Ir-rapport ta' Bertelsmann Stiftung jg id li l-gvern Malti g andu l-intenzjoni li jnaqqas l-ammont ta' nies meqjusin f'riskju ta' faqar g al 6,560 sas-sena Proprjament, il-gvern Malti kien ikkommetta mal-unjoni Ewropeja li sas-sena 2020 inaqqas l- g add b 6,560, mhux li jnaqqas l-g add g al 6,560. Fittixt ukoll is-sitwazzjoni fl-awstralja. L-OECD to ro din l- istatistika g all-pajjiωi membri tag ha 4, u wie ed isib li fl-2012 hawnhekk kien hawn 13.8% tal-popolazzjoni meqjusin f'riskju ta' faqar (d ul inqas minn 50% tad-d ul medju ekwivalizzat). Fl-Awstralja hawn l-effett tal-popolazzjoni Abo-ri ina, li jbatu problemi soçjali sostanzjali, li g adhom m'g elbux il- afna g exieren ta' snin ta' eskluωjoni u diskriminazzjoni mis-soçjeta' predominantement Anglo-Sassona. Naturalment, wie ed irid iωomm f'mo u li l-livell ta' d ul f'- pajjiω imqabbel ma' ie or aktarx ikun differenti. Ng idu a na, persuna meqjusa fqira fl-awstralja, jew l-ewropa, jista' jkollha d ul li bih ma titqiesx fqira f'malta. Hemm afna iktar dettalji f'dawn ir-rapporti, inkluω analiωi talfaqar skont is-sess, jew skont l-età eçç. M'iniex be siebni nid ol f'- dawn id-dettalji hawnhekk, lief biex ni bed osservazzjoni wa da. G axra fil-mija talpopolazzjoni huwa wie ed minn kull 10 persuni, u 15% huwa wie ed minn kull 6. Dawn figuri g oljin jew Ωg ar? Ûomm f'rasek li fittriq ta' fejn toqg od, jista jkun hemm dak il-proporzjon tal- irien tieg ek li huma f'riskju ta faqar. Forsi huwa dak li ssellem int u sejjer g ax-xog ol filg odu, jew dik li tag raf in-na a l-o ra tat-triq meta qed tixtri l-bωonnijiet ta' kuljum. Hawnhekk fl-awstralja, qamet daqsxejn ta' g ag a meta l-gvern il- did ta' Koalizzjoni Liberali-Nazzjonali are il-ba it g al din is-sena. Li kien se jissikka ç-çintorin, biex nuωa espressjoni komuni tal-ex Prim Ministru Malti Dom Mintoff, na seb li kul add kien qed jistennih. Imma li kien se jipproponi miωuri daqshekk orox fuq in-nies l- iktar vulnerabbli tas-soçjetà, filwaqt li l-persuni mhux fqar jintlaqtu relattivament bilwisq inqas, ma kontx qed nistenniha Ωgur. Ir-retorika li arget minn fomm il-ministri tal-gvern, b as-soçjeta' maqsuma bejn min jerfa' u min iserra 5, jew li l-fqar m'g andhomx karrozzi jew ma jsuqux 'il bog od 6, turi faqar ideolo iku u nuqqas ta' empatija ma' min qieg ed f'sitwazzjoni mwieg ra. Ftit ilu, inzertajt nara fuq il-programm ta' diskussjoni Q&A fuq l-abc 7 lil persuna ta' nisel Malti, Dr John Falzon, li huwa CEO tal-organizzazzjoni St Vincent De Paule. Il-messa tieg u kien simili g al dak li kiteb f'rapport tal-2012 dwar il-faqar fl-awstralja, u xtaqt nag laq billi nikkwota parti minnu: Il-problema fl-awstralja mhix l-g aωω tal-fqar. Il-problema hija l-inugwaljanza. Din hija kwestjoni soçjali, mhux ta' im iba. Nag mlu sara rreparabbli meta nibdluha fi kwestjoni ta' im iba individwali, u nwa lu fin-nies g all-faqar tag hom 8. Noti (1)Sustainable Governance Indicators Malta Report; Pirotta, Calleja & Colino; Bertelsmann Stiftung (2)Statistics on Income and Living Conditions 2013: Salient Indicators; 164/2014 National Statistics Office Malta, 3/9/2014 (3) portal/page/portal/europe_2020_indicators/headline_indicators, retrieved 24/9/2014 (4) QueryId=47991, retrieved 24/9/2014 (5) retrieved 24/9/2014 (6) /joe-hockey-poor-peoplecars-claim-misleading/ , retrieved 24/9/2014 (7) xt/s htm (8) Poverty in Australia 2012, 3rd Edition; Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS); p8

11 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 11 An Educator at Large The Choices We Make (or are done on our behalf) Those of us who watched the movie Sliding Doors years ago, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, saw the parallel lives of the protagonists having caught the same train or not. Catching or missing a train should hardly qualify as having life changing consequences. At the end of the day, how we deal with and react to our day-to-day circumstances, as free beings, should be up to us. Choices we make can have no impact, or major impact, into how our life turns out, depending on what s at stake. Choosing to buy one garment and not another would, in all probability, have no lasting consequences. However, choosing to drive a car when heavily intoxicated could result in fatalities with life changing consequences for those involved, and their immediate families. The subjects chosen by students in High School could make a difference to their level of engagement in academic and vocational subjects. Consequently, their choices could also affect their prospects of a satisfying work life post school and other studies or training. Careers advisors make it a point to ensure students choose subjects they enjoy and By Lucy Calleja MA (Retired Head Teacher) have aptitude for, rather than what their friends have chosen or their parents would like them to study That said the friends and people we cho-ose to associate with, especially in the formative teenage years, could spell out a bright future or a lifetime of misery, for individuals and their families. On the wider national and global scene, what is decided by governments on their constituents behalf can range from beneficial to catastrophic. We have followed it day by day, year in year out, realising that decisions made years ago may come back to haunt governments and whole nations, with a level of fear unprecedented in modern history. One case in point, as followed by political correspondents and reporters on the ground, what armed Osama Bin Laden to fight the enemy of the West at the time, namely Russia, backfired years later, with the previously supplied arsenal for ground wars. Other instances have been the toppling of well-known dictators, which was followed by leadership vacuums. Hence the proliferation of the real enemy that is little short The importance of Palliative Care At one of their most recent meetings that the Reskeon Maltese Association and Seniors Group (RMA&SG) of Melbourne organises every Wednesday for its members, guest speaker Mr. Paul Lia, from the Maltese Community Council of Victoria addressed the subject of Palliative Care. The activity was the result of a meeting with between the association s secretary, Paul Vella, and Susan Trimmins, from Palliative Care Australia, Specialist health care and practical support. Mr. Lia explained that Palliative Care helps people with a life-limiting illness to have the best possible quality of life. It is available for free for everyone, irrespective of age, race, culture, background or religion, though there may be some costs for equipment or medicines. He said that depending on one s needs, palliative care may include medicine and other therapies to relieve pain and manage symptoms, support the family members, help with equipment for one to live comfortably at home where possible, and also help to meet the spiritual, religious or cultural needs. It also provides regular home visits by health workers and other care providers. He went on to say that when someone uses palliative care, the person with the illness and his family are always in control of decisions about their health, medical treatment and well-being. He also pointed out that palliative care doesn t mean that there is no hope for life for the one receiving it. One s own doctor, specialist doctors and nurses, physiotherapists, and religious or spiritual advisors can all provide palliative care. It can be administered at home, in hospital, hospice or other care facility. Care in a hospital or hospice is normally used for a short while to treat one s symptoms and pain so that he or she could return home if possible. He told the audience that if the person receiving the care feels better speaking in his or her own language, palliative care could also organise an interpreter for free. -Paul Vella The members of the RMA&SG listening to Mr Paul Lia (inset) of anarchy and m a s s killings. Closer h o m e, the lifestyle choices we make will have beneficial or harmful consequences, where it pertains to chronic illnesses. As we re often reminded, we are what we eat. The choice of fresh over processed food will reap the benefits in our later years, namely enjoying good health for much of our life. Besides food choices, there s also the question of how much effort we exert in some form of physical activity, as well as taking time out, practising positive thinking and meditation, to keep balance in our life. We may have little or no say in decisions made by governments on our behalf, at least between elections. However, we can influence an essential part of our life, in terms of our heritage and bilingualism. There used to be a time when the Maltese community in the Diaspora did not think seriously about teaching our children our native language to, at least, a functional level, much less to a level of competence. When well-meaning individuals started some form of language teaching it was largely sporadic by, sometimes, unqualified staff. Eventually, when community councils around Australia opened their classes, the game changed. It was up to parents and grandparents to ensure that our children and grandchildren receive the benefits of learning the language and culture. And make no mistake about it, rather than being a hindrance to their development, the passing on of our language and culture only developed their intellect and enhanced lifetime opportunities. Time and time again, research shows the positive effects of children being taught other languages, including the language of music. Might I here suggest the encouragement of our children and grandchildren to learn a musical instrument and, why not, perhaps be part of a community philharmonic band, such as the Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band? Besides intellectual development there s also the social aspect of being a regular band member for as long as possible. Let us support, rather than discourage, our children and grandchildren in their wish to become more familiar with, and proud of, their heritage.

12 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 Roundup of News About Malta Malta s PM addresses 69the Session of the United Nations General Assembly It has certainly been hectic for Malta s Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat as after the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Independence he flew straight to New York to attend and address the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and it was no surprise that he did not miss the opportunity to boast about Malta s important milestone. In fact in his opening remarks he told the august Assembly: Fifty years ago Malta became an independent state. That was the year when Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in South Africa and when Martin Luther King received his Nobel Peace Prize. He said that for a small, nascent state such as Malta, it was a year of promise and new beginnings as it took its place among the members of the UN. He added: It is with a deep sense of pride that I stand before you today to note the role our country played over the last fifty years to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Dr Muscat told the Assembly that time and again, the UN found a trusted and reliable partner in Malta, willing to contribute, in ways large and small, to the causes of international peace and security. He then went on to mention just two: 1. Malta s association with the Law of the This year s anniversaries have shaped what Maltese is today Earlier in the week in New York, the Maltese Prime Minister also addressed a number distinguished guests at a reception in honour of Malta s Independence Day and membership in the United nations, during which he also mentioned the fact that this year, Malta has been marking, not only the 50th anniversary of its Independence, but also the 40th anniversary of the Republic, the 35th anniversary of Freedom Day and 10 years of EU accession. He said that all of these anniversaries have marked Malta s collective history and shaped who the Maltese nation is today. If you allow me I would like to dwell on two of the anniversaries mentioned above which are of direct relevance to us all today. He said that as an independent State and proud member of the EU, Malta would remain a reliable and credible international partner. Faithful to its principles and true to its values, and that it would continue to play its part, regionally and more broadly, towards achieving a more prosperous, just and free world, where all people can live in peace and dignity. Sea; a widely acknowledged role since Malta was instrumental in the launching of the international process that would eventually lead to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 2. When, in 1988, Malta was one of the first Member States to highlight the risks of climate change to the global community within the UN at a time, when it was an almost alien concept. He then paid tribute to Arvid Pardo and former President Ċensu Tabone, who piloted these events. Evidently, our size did not determine our ambitions then, he said. He then presented the Assembly five challenges that he felt the UN needed to face up to now. These being: The conflict in the Middle East, which, he said, needed a return to meaningful negotiations. The end of the ghastly war in Syria a war that is fast becoming a forgotten conflict of major proportions. He called for the humanitarian disaster to stop and pointed out that Security Council Resolution 2165 has demonstrated that the nations can act together. So let us act, he said. Pointing out to the third challenge, he said: As if we haven t yet learnt our lessons from Syria, as if we haven t yet realised what sectarian divisions can lead to, we are allowing the problems in Libya to continue almost unabated. We are fast witnessing a descent towards another forgotten conflict. We need to help the Libyan people take their country forward. There is a bright future for Libya but the Libyans themselves need to find the hope to realise it and they can only begin to do that with the help of the international community. The United Nations can, and must, provide capacity-building and security to bring stability and prosperity. He went on to say that immense challenges remain, particularly in restoring the country s security and law and order, and that the divisions are rooted in many causes but they can be overcome. This cannot be allowed to continue further. The repercussions of this situation are severe not just for the Libyans themselves, not just for the immediate neighbours of Libya, but further afield. The international community cannot risk a takeover of this country by extremists. The fourth challenge, Dr Muscat said, is the spread of extremism and intolerance. He said we are living in a period of transnational allegiances that have seen the globalisation of hatred, where extremists are increasingly interconnected through networks and inventions whose main aim should be progress and education. He suggested one needed to look beyond the borders and work together as nobody is immune from what is undoubtedly the biggest threat to world stability and peace. The fifth is for more attention to be focused on the plight of illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean. He said Malta, with all its limitations, is doing its utmost to save lives. As is its neighbour and friend Italy. He called on the international community to help stop the great human tragedies that come with risky crossings across the Mediterranean. He said that as a Mediterranean country, Malta cannot but call for the world s attention to these challenges that are threatening not just the security of the region, but also its development and growth. These threats are stopping the Mediterranean Sea basin from reaching its full potential - a potential that is just waiting to be unleashed if only weapons were traded for books, and hatred for education. The Maltese Prime Minister said that over the last 50 years Malta shown that it has been ambitious in favour of peace, progress and prosperity, and that it will continue to promote the broadest possible dialogue among the countries of our region. He said that Malta will continue to contribute to the fostering of peace and security in the world and appeared quite emotional when he said: Fifty years may seem like a long time, but I can assure you that fifty years from now, my country will remain steadfast in its ambitions and in its determination in favour of peace and prosperity. Malta will remain a proud member of the United Nations, a beacon of stability in the Mediterranean.

13 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 13 As a result of the visit to Malta of the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William during which he represented his mother, Queen Elizabeth II for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Independence, the British press, particularly The Daily Mail reported that the Queen is planning to make a major foreign visit to Malta next year - and bring her three heirs, including toddler Prince George, with her. The historic family trip is being mooted for next November when the sovereign, who will be 89, attends the Commonwealth Roundup of News About Malta Queen planning historic family trip to Malta with her three heirs Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Malta. This would also be the first time a monarch and her three heirs - in this case Charles, William and George - have travelled abroad together. In its report, the newspaper said that the monarch has something of a soft spot for Malta where she and Prince Philip lived for several months during the early days of their marriage. During Prince William s visit to Malta, Malta s Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat Awards for Presidents, Prime Ministers since 1964 At a ceremony at the Palace in Valletta presided by H.E. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, all of Malta s Presidents and Prime ministers since September 1964 have been awarded a medal to mark the 50th anniversary of Malta s independence. The 14 medals were awarded to people who, throughout these 50 years contributed towards the development and well-being of Malta as a nation and a member of the international community of nations. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was the first to receive the medal. The other recipents were: Xuereb Dr Ċensu Tabone and Prof. Guido de marco (all posthumously), Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Dr Edward Fenech Adami, and Dr George Abela, and Prime Ministers Dr Giorgio Borg Olivier and Mr Dom Mintoff (posthumously), Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici (in absentia), Dr Alfred Sant and Dr Lawrence Gonzi. said the Queen was 'very keen' to make it happen. He said, The invite is out for Her Majesty to attend and we are waiting for her to reply. I believe Her Majesty will attend, we are awaiting confirmation. He also revealed that he had spoken to the Queen in Glasgow at the opening of the Commonwealth Games and she told him she was looking forward to such a visit. I believe there may be more than one member of the family coming- we'd like to have all the family here, Dr Muscat was reported saying Malta s proposal to reform C wealth gaining support Prime Minister Joseph Muscat idea for the Commonwealth to be reformed has continued to acquire more support during meetings he had with other representatives from Commonwealth countries, and with Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma in New York, Dr Muscat expressed satisfaction that talks on the subject were currently underway. His intention for the reform was for next year s CHOGM summit in Malta to come up with more focused positions with the participation of the heads of member states for the meeting to be a really productive one. The Prime Minister also held discussions with about the summit with Sri Lankan President Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also Commonwealth chairman, who also agreed Commonwealth meetings should be more strategic. Other heads of government, including New Zealand s Foreign Affairs Minister Murry McCullys too have confirmed their support for Malta s proposals. Malta s aircraft register more than doubled in the last four years The Minister for Tourism, Dr Edward Zammit Lewis (Left) told the 31st European Association of Aviation Psychology Conference meeting in Malta, that the island s aircraft register has more than doubled in the last four years, and that when it comes to aviation, Malta is the right place to be at this time. He mentioned the record number of tourists that year on year are visitng Malta and quo-ted the figure of 551,179 passengers that the Malta Activities, most of them national in Malta, and others involving mostly the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister have been ongoing. So it was impossible for us to include everything in this issue. We will try to name others worth mentioning in the next issue International Airport had welcomed during August, which is an all time record. He went on to say that this year is the 100th anniversary of worldwide commercial flying, the 40th anniversary of Malta s national airline and the 35th anniversary of the Maltese-run Air Navigation Services. He also mentioned that next year Malta would also be celebrating 100 Years of aviation in Malta, as since 1915 Malta has had at least two seaplane ports and five airfields. Dr Zammit Lewis said that with five flying schools, one Part 147 organisation and two dispatch courses running in the next few months on the island, we surely do not underestimate human factors in aviation. He concluded by saying that, Malta is and will remain always open to your cooperation, partnership and assistance in securing a better and safer Aviation world for tomorrow.

14 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 Festi Nazzjonali: Tg id Naslu? Mhux l-ewwel darba li g amilt din il-mistqosija meta semmejt il- ames Festi Nazzjonali na seb li rekord li g andna fil- Ωejjer Maltin. Kultant na seb li qed noqorbu li tal-inqas ma jibqg ux amsa. Imma ma jg addux ftit jiem, anzi kultant ftit in, li ma ma nibdiex naqta qalbi li xi darba dan se jse. Hekk rali, u na seb li b ali aralhom afna Maltin u G awdxin, matul iç-çelebrazzjoni tal-50 sena tal-independenza tal- GΩejjer Maltin. Il-Prim Ministru Malti, Joseph Muscat, ilu Ωmien jinsisti li l-festi kollha li qed niççelebraw huma lkoll tal-maltin kollha. Biex juri kemm tassew jemmen dan, meta bdiet tersaq il-festa tal-indipendenza mill-ewwel beda jinsisti li kul add g andu jiççelebra dan l-avveniment kbir meta Malta kienet se tfakkar il- amsin sena minn meta adet l-indipendenza. Fil-jiem ta qabel iç-çelebrazzjonijiet il- Prim Ministru baqa jinsisti dwar il- tie a li kul add jiççelebra l-indipendenza g ax din tag na lkoll. U fil-fatt jidher li l-ma oranza talpoplu aççettat din l-istedina g ax il-belt Valletta, l-aktar u l-aktar madwar il-portil Kbir, kien ippakjat bin-nies tant li l- Prim Ministru nnifsu stqarr: Rari kont daqshekk kburi nara poplu mag qud, pajjiω wie ed, daqs illum. U biex din l-g aqda tidher aktar qawwija Ω-Ωew mexxejja, Dr Joseph Muscat u Dr Simon Busuttill indirizzaw lill-folla mi bura fil-belt flimkien fejn saret emfasi kbira dwar il- tie a li l- poplu jkun mag qud. Il-Kap tal-oppoωizzjoni u mexxej tal- Partit Nazjjonalisti fid-diskors tieg u qal li g alkemm kien hemm id-differenzi llum il-poplu ng aqad, g alkemm sostna li l-g aqda trid tmur lil hinn minn dan iljum biss u sostna li l-g aqda trid tinbena fuq il-prinçipju ta demokrazija li ta dem il- in kollu, partiti politiçi li ja dmu b mod tajjeb u ambjent protett li jista jitgawda minn kul add. Sejja lil kul add biex jaçetta l-kritika b mod kostruttiv u b mod matur. Busuttil temm id-diskors tieg u billi sejja g allg aqda, mhux ta jum wie ed biss imma ta kuljum. Propju f Jum l-indipendenza l-prim Ministru u l-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni ing aqdu flimkien mal-president ta Malta l-et Marie Louise Coleiro Preca biex ipo u l-fjuri quddiem il-monument tal- Indipendenza. U sintendi l-medja kollha tat prominenza ta dawn is-sinjali ta g aqda. IΩda ftit sieg at biss minn meta ng ataw dawn is-sinjali tal-g aqda, intwera li li dak li siebna li hu fil-qrib, fil-fatt jidher li g adu l-bog od. Dan g ax f diskors li g amel lill-partitarji nazzjonalisti f attivita tal-partit l-g ada li Ω-Ωew mexxejja tkellemu flimkien, il-mexxej Nazzjonalista stqarr li il-jum Nazzjonali kellu jkun Jum l-indipendenza. Dan ab reazzjoni min-na a tal-gvern fejn intqal li huwa ta dispjaçir li l-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni jidher li ma fehemx l- ispirtu nazzjonali li da al dan il-gvern. Fis-sena li Malta qed tiççelebra l-35 sena ta Óelsien, 40 sena ta Repubblika u 50 mill-indipendenza, il-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni g aωel li jifred kisba fuq l- o rajn. Wara biss 24 sieg a minn meta Ω-Ωew mexxejja g amlu diskorsi quddiem Malta kollha dwar l-g aqda, il-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni mar quddiem il-partitarji tieg u u re a beda d-diskorsi li jiωirg u l-firda, ntqal fl-istqarrija. Diskussjonijiet dwar festa nazzjonali wa da, li vera jridu jwasslu g al g aqda nazzjonali, g andhom isiru fil-qafas ta Konvenzjoni Kostituzzjonali kif imwieg ed mill-prim Ministru u mhux quddiem il-partitarji waqt attività parti jana, temmet tg id l-istqarrija....u dak li deher li huwa fil-qrib...beda mill- did jitbieg ed. (G ad-diskors waqt iç-çelebrazzjoni nazzjonali ara pa ni 2, 3 u 14) Id-Dokument tal-indipendenza u l-mejda g osfru Minkejja l- afna tfittxijiet li saru dan l-a ar g al xi dokumenti uffiçjali ta 50 sena ilu dwar l-indipendenza ta Malta, dawn baqg u ma jistg u jinstabu mkien. Kienu xejn inqas minn tlieta l-okkaωjonijiet li fihom saru tfittxijiet intensivi, iωda d-digriet fil- Kunsill li kien in are g al Malta u dokumenti o rajn b rabta ma dan il-jum storiku ewlieni baqg u ma nstabux. Lanqas l-hekk imsej a stru- menti tal-indipendenza li l- eks Prim Ministru Ìor Borg Olivier jibqa mfakkar ixejjirhom lin-nies fix-xag ra tal-furjana ma nstabu. L-Arkivista Nazzjonali Charles Farrugia qal li fir-realtà add ma jaf eωattament x dokument in are fejn tid ol l-indipendenza ta Malta. Ma nistax ng id li dak iddokument m g adux jeωisti. Din tad-dokument li xejjer Ìor Borg Olivier d alna fiha biex naraw dak id-dokument x kien. Hemm min isostni li hu kopja tal-kostituzzjoni ffirmata mir-re ina EliΩabetta II. Probabbli hekk hu. IΩda dak il-volum partikolari ma nafux li jeωisti. M hemm l- ebda protokoll li jg id li kien dak. Ipotesi o ra hija li Borg Olivier seta kien qed ixejjer dokument finta g ar-ritratti.... qatt ma identifikajna x kien qed ixejjer Ìor Borg Olivier f dak il-famuω ritratt. Min-na a tieg u, l-istoriku l-prof. Godfrey Pirotta qal li l-istrumenti tal-indipendenza jinkorporaw fihom ittra uffiçjali bis-si ill Britanniku li fiha qed ti i iddikjarata l-indipendenza. L-erba dokumenti li hemm fil-bibljoteka u li jissemmew b ala li huma dokumenti tal-indipendenza mhumiex l-istrumenti tal-indipendenza. Prof. Pirotta iqajjem ukoll il-kaω talmejda li fuqha sar l-iffirmar, u li tidher waqt iç-çerimonja fix-xag ra tal-furjana: Dik il-mejda kienet inkriet ming and Giobatta Delia. Wara, peress li indunaw li kienet mejda storika, inxtrat mill-gvern g all-prezz ta Lm35,000. Din il-mejda llum jidher li add ma jaf fejn tinsab, sostna Prof. Pirotta

15 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 15 Daqshekk g al Giovanna! Giovanna Debono, id-deputata Nazzjonalista g al G awdex, abbret li din kienet l-a ar darba li kkontestat elezzjoni enerali u g alkemm se tibqa fil-parlament sa tmiem il-le islatura preωenti, ma kienetx se tikkontesta aktar. Debono, li kienet eletta g all-ewwel darba fl-1987 wara li missierha, Coronato Attard, ma baqax jikkontesta f isem il-partit Nazzjonalista g ax irtira, kienet g al tliet darbiet wara xulxin Ministru g al G awdex u propju spiççat minn din ilkariga wara li fl-a ar elezzjoni enerali l-partit Laburista a t-tmexxija tal-gωejjer Maltin f id-ejh. F kull elezzjoni iet M in-na a tieg u, fid-diskors g all-okkaωjoni, il-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni iffoka wkoll dwar l-g aqda bejn il-maltin u qal li dik l-okkaωjoni li fiha qed jiffest jaw il-50 sena mill-kisba tal-indipendenza kienet wa da glorjuωa fejn il-maltin kollha j ossuhom Maltin u flimkien jiffeste jaw is-sovranita. Huwa Ωied jg id li fi tmiem ta triq diffiçli, minn nazzjon antik, Malta saret stat did. L- Indipendenza fissret il-bidu ta triq dida hekk kif is-sovrantita kienet il-qofol li allietna nag mlu l-g aωliet tag na. Huwa qal li permezz ta dawn l-g aωliet Malta kisbet aktar elsien g al kull Malti, u li t-tifsira vera tal-indipendenza hi indipendenza g al kull wie ed u wa da minna l-maltin. Ûied li tat iç-çans li wie ed ikun aktar liberali fl-g aωliet tieg u, li allura rriωultat fi Ωviluppi importanti, fosthom il- olqien ta postijiet taxxog ol odda, Ωieda fil-jeddijiet g al kull persuna, sistema ta solidarjeta u li Malta tissie eb fl-ue. Simon Busuttil tenna li permezz tal-indipendenza nfet u g add ta bibien, g al-kemm f xi waqtiet mhux bi qbil ta kul add, min abba li l-g aωliet huma l-qofol tad-demokrazija. Illum, nistg u nifta ru dwar it-tajjeb kollu li g amilna u ning aqdu flimkien. Ftehim bejnietna dwar prinçipji baωici g al sistema demokratika m addma fuq il-voti talpoplu f kull livell, istituzzjonijiet indipendenti li jirçevu l-g ajnuna minn liema gvern ikun, ilmod kif ja dmu l-partiti politiçi u li jitne ew interessi mo bija, huma passi li di a bdejna nie du. Mix-xena tal- ajja Maltija 2 eletta b g add qawwi ta voti. Issa ta 58 sena asset li kellha tirtira mill-elezzjonijiet, iωda qalet li se tibqa tag ti sehemha fil-partit Nazzjonalista. Il-Gvern jag laq l-ista un tal-kaçça Sa minn Ωmien ilu niftakar id-diskussjoni dwar kemm g andha tit alla ssir ilkaçça, u g alkemm g all-ewwel kienu l-ftit li forsi kienu jg idu li l-kaçça g andha talinqas ti i ikkontrollata, illum dawk li sa ansitra jridu jwaqqfu l-kaçça tal-inqas f çertu Ωmien, l-aktar fir-rebbieg a, huma l afna. Humiex il-ma oranza jew le, ma nafx. Dan nsiru nafuh meta jsir ir-referendum dwar il-kaçça, li anke dwaru kif semmejt ftit ilu nqalg u g add ta diskussjonijiet. Sadanitant dan l-a ar il-gvern ie kkritikat g ax kien hemm min sostna li dan feta idejh wisq mal-kaççaturi, u kien hemm min li sa ansitra allega li l-gvern qed jipproponi li ji u posposti l-elezzjonijiet tal-kunsilli Lokali propju biex jakkomoda l-kaççaturi g ax b hekk ir-referendum dwar il-kaçça jkollu jsir g alih bil-periklu li ftit nies imorru jivvutaw u allura jista ma jkunx validu. B dak li nqala l-kaççaturi xejn m huma j arsu sabi lejn il-gvern, g ax wara li nqatlu xi tajr li protett, iddeçieda li jag laq l-ista un tal-kaçça. Dan wassal g al rabja fost xi kaççaturi, Madwar 200 minnhom g amlu protesta fil-belt fejn g ajjru lill- Gvern u lill-pm u anke tefg u il-fliexken lejn il-kaωin Laburista tal-belt Valletta. L-g aqdiet tal-kaççaturi sostnew li ma kell- Li l-maltin jiççelebraw flimkien hija okkaωjoni glorjuωa *minn pa na 3 Huwa qal li g alkemm kien hemm id-differenzi llum il-poplu ng aqad, g alkemm sostna li l-g aqda trid tmur lil hinn minn dan il-jum biss u sostna li l-g aqda trid tinbena fuq il-prinçipju ta demokrazija li ta dem il- in kollu, partiti politiçi li ja dmu b mod tajjeb u ambjent protett li jista jitgawda minn kul add. Ftehim bejnietna dwar prinçipji baωici g al sistema demokratika m addma fuq il-voti talpoplu f kull livell, istituzzjonijiet indipendenti li jirçevu l-g ajnuna minn liema gvern ikun, il-mod kif ja dmu l-partiti politiçi u li jitne ew interessi mo bija, huma passi li di a bdejna nie du. Busuttil sejja lil kul add biex jaçetta l-kritika b mod kostruttiv u b mod matur, u temm id-diskors tieg u billi sejja g all-g aqda, mhux ta jum wie ed biss imma ta kuljum. U ud mill- Kaççaturi waqt il-protesta hom x jaqsmu xejn mad-demostrazzjoni, anke jekk iddiωapprovaw il-pass tal-gvern. Sostnew li ma kienx sewwa li mal-ftit je el kul add. U r-reazzjoni tal-poplu? Jekk wie ed i ares lejn il-kummenti li dehru fil- urnali jidher li l-ma oranza assoluta hija favur il-passi li a l-gvern. G alkemm ma naqasx li jkun hemm xi kumment li g amel hekk biex jing o ob malmembri parlamentari tal-ue li l-biera 29 tax-xahar, l-eks-ministru Karmenu Vella beda jidher quddiemom biex wara li jag mlulu diversi mistoqsijiet, jivvutaw jekk g andux isir Kummissarju tal-eu jew le. B ala Kummissarju Karmenu Vella se jkun responsabbli g all-ambjent li jinkludi propju l-kaçça. X kull wa da wkoll! S majt mitt ra uni, jekk mhux aktar. dwar fuqhiex jitlewmu n-nies... tilwim li kultant jispiçça l-qorti, iωda qatt ma naf li xi add ttella l-qorti fuq tilwima dwar min jaf l-aktar. Ûew t a wa (studenti fl-universita ) tlewmu dwar min minnhom jaf l-aktar skola... u wie ed minnhom spiçça l-isptar u l-ie or, Jonathan Sciberras ta 29 sena, spiçça l-qorti mixli li ikka una rie i lil uh wara argument li qam bejniethom dwar min huwa l-aktar tajjeb g all-iskola. Ìie allegat li f' in minnhom l-imputat qabad sikkina f'idejh bl-iskop li jbeωωa lil uh, imma dan qabad is-sikkina mix-xafra u qata l-pala t idu. Jonathan Sciberras qed isostni li mhux ati li kka una offiωa gravi lil uh. While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356)

16 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 No faith tells you to harm innocent people! Abacklash of hate crimes against the Muslim community after the police raids last week has also sparked a rash of social media comments such as "this is how they should deal with them", "behead them all", "give them a taste of their own medicine for a change" and "we just need to blow up Parramatta and Blacktown". One of the founders of the Australian Arabic Council and human rights activist Joseph Wakim said, "Everyone should remember that no faith tells you to harm innocent people". He added, It is not open season on Muslims. It is not OK to go Muslim-bashing. The raids were about stopping people feared to be terrorists, yet it is the Muslim people who are being terrorised." A car has been damaged and daubed with offensive comments, threatening letters have been sent and women have been abused in the street (see photo). Mr Wakim, a former Victorian multicultural affairs commissioner, has reminded Australians to learn from history and not to make the same mistakes, in particular by treating one group as "collectively guilty". Anti-Muslim sentiment has been felt around 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 A quick glimpse at Australia the country and people are reporting graffiti on mosques and attacks on homes. Threatening letters have been sent to businesses, bookshops and religious leaders with handwritten messages such as "we will fight you... terror for terror... blood for blood and... bomb for bomb". The Australian National Imams Council expressed anger that one of its most senior members, an assistant to the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, was pulled up at Sydney airport on the way to the Haj, a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia was stripped of his mobile phone and ipad and kept in a room for two hours without explanation. 18C has again been threatened Just when we thought the community had won the argument on 18C, (Anti-discrimination Act) Senator Cori Bernardi (Liberal) has moved a Private Members Bill to remove the words 'offend' and 'insult' from 18C. The Bill has been co-sponsored by another Liberal Senator and three others. Treasurer Joe Hockey says G20 finance ministers are 90 per cent of the way towards meeting a two per cent target for additional global growth, with over 900 policy initiatives that will make the global economy $2 trillion larger over four years agreed to at the summit. He has also trumpeted plans to push ahead with a global infrastructure initiative, reforms to the world's financial system and to New archbishop for Sydney Anthony Fisher, 54, who has been named as the next Archbishop of Sydney, first thought about becoming a priest at the age of 15. At that early stage of life he was a high-flyer in debating and academic subjects at St Ignatius Riverview in Sydney, where he and some of his fellow students, including Tony Abbott a couple of classes above him, were frequent mass goers. The University of Sydney, girlfriends, and a lucrative career beckoned. After graduating in history and law, Fisher joined Clayton Utz, where he worked on the contracts for the redevelopment of Sydney s landmark Queen Victoria Building. But he also kept the faith, frequenting St Mary s Cathedral, where one Easter he was among the laymen chosen to have his feet washed by the then-archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal James Freeman. At 25, to the bafflement of his two brothers and two sisters but to the delight of his parents, he turned his back on the prosperity and freedom of the secular world, and joined the Dominican order. Taking on a vow of poverty, celibacy and obedience to his superiors was part of the package. The new Archbishop-elect will be Sydney s ninth archbishop. Preparing for the November G20 improve global tax rules and close loopholes that are used to the advantage of multinational companies. Speaking at the conclusion of the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Cairns, Mr Hockey said that at the beginning of the year there had been "no global growth target, no global infrastructure initiative, financial sector reform was slow and a tax integrity program was in its infancy". The outcomes of the summit would lead to millions of new jobs, Mr Hockey said, but there was obviously still more to do. He also said the gathered finance ministers had accepted that, under some circumstances, government spending should still be used to lift short-term economic growth when necessary. Mr Hockey said the G20 had "embraced a once-in-a-century opportunity to reform the international tax system. As of today, we have forged ahead on key areas of reform of the global financial system and as of today we have launched a global infrastructure initiative to work with business and remove key barriers to more investment in infrastructure". By the time of the Brisbane G20 leaders' summit in November, we will deliver real concrete outcomes based on our ambitious goals that were laid down at the G20 finance minister's meeting in Sydney at the beginning of the year."

17 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 17 The MCC of NSW took the initiative to bring together a number of its delegates to commemorate 50 years since Malta was granted Independence by Great Britain on September 21, The MCC of the night and acting President, Emanuel Camilleri, welcomed the guests and introduced the speaker Mark Caruana who recalled his memories of this historic event as an 18-year-old lad and the anxiety felt by many Maltese of what the future would hold Il-Kunsill Malti ta Victoria (Parkville) ukoll organizza programm biex ifakkar il-50 sena minn meta Malta saret Indipendenti. G all-attivita li saret fiç-çentru Malti ta Parkville il-óadd, 21 ta Settembru, attendew, mhux biss l fuq minn 200 membru tal-komunita` Maltija ta Victoria (MCCV), imma wkoll g add ta mistednin distinti, fosthom il- Konslu Ġenerali ta Malta f Victoria, is-sur Victor Grech; il-membru tal-parliamentary Friends of Malta l-onor. Andrew Elsbury, MP, li kien qed jirrappreωenta lill-premier tal- Victoria, Denis Napthine; l-onor. Colin Brooks, MP, rappreωentant tal-kap tal-oppoωizzjoni, Daniel Andrews; l-onor. Bernard Finn, MP; Dr Edwin Borg-Manche`, Konslu Onorarju g al Malta u PRO, tal-kunsill Malti ta Victoria; Fr Ivano Burdian, Provinçjal, MSSP: u membri tal-eωekuttiv tal-kunsill Malti ta Victoria, presidenti u kumitati ta g aqdiet Maltin affiljati mal-kunsill Malti; u o rajn. Wara li ndaqqu u tkantaw l-innijiet nazzjonali ta Malta u tal-awstralja, l- MC tal-lejla, George Saliba, introduċa lis-sur Victor Borg, v/president tal-mccv li f diskors g allokkaωjoni ta stampa tal-istorja ta Malta minn Ωmien il-qedem sal-lum. G al dawk li jew twieldu l-awstralja u wkoll g all-barranin li li ftit kienu jafu dwar Malta, id-diksors kien mimli tag rif siewi Tkellem ukoll il-konslu ta Malta fil-victoria, is-sur Victor Grech, il-membri Parliamentari ta Victoria u fl-a ar ir-rettur tal-mssp f Parkville, Fr Edwin Agius, li A quick glimpse at Australia 50th Ann. of Malta as an Independent nation ( ) Maltese Community Council (NSW) Celebrates historic day for Malta. He said that many had asked themselves this question: Will our small island be capable of standing on its own two feet? This anxiety was reflected in the great number of Maltese who in that year (8,974) chose to emigrate, mainly to Australia (5,923), the UK (1,597) and Canada (1,181). The following year, 1965, was also a peak year for migration from Malta, totalling 8,090 emigrants to a number of countries. Mark Caruana delivering his lecture on Independence at the MCC semma l-g add reli juω fost il-maltin sa mill meta l-ordni tieg u iet l-awstralja. Wara riçeviment, saret ukoll it-tieni parti talprogramm fejn ing ataw çertifikati ta Mertu lil 12-il persuna li admu fost il-komunita`. Dawn kienu: Sister Doris Falzon, OP, Romeo Cini, Nicholas Chircop, Prof. Joe Camilleri, John Pace, Carmen Testa, Jim Dingli, il- Kav. Albert Agius, Edwidge Borg u Lewis Stafrace. Tnejn o ra, Dr At the time many people thought that Malta could not survive alone. This gives the background to the earlier concept of integration with Britain. Who would defend Malta if it is attacked? Hence the initial need for a Defence Agreement for the first ten years. Mark noted that very few countries achieve independence without bloodshed. Malta is one of those nations. Both political parties in Malta had agreed with the concept of Independence but disagreed as to the conditions that accompanied such Independence. The division has stayed with us all these years. Mark said that independence has to be viewed as a national achievement, as a milestone in the development of a nation. He added that it is a day of celebration of what all Maltese, working together, managed to achieve over a long period of time. Party politics should not come into the celebration. Independence Day has NEVER been in the calendar of activities of the Maltese community in NSW. Now, however, is the time for all Maltese, in Malta and abroad, to look at Malta s Independence Day more objectively, in a more-mature manner. It is therefore encouraging that the MCC of NSW has taken the lead to celebrate it on the 19th Sept, two dates prior to the historic day. Çelebrazzjoni wkoll f Melbourne Clemente Zammit u l-kav. Joseph Borg ma setg ux jattendu. - Paul Vella, (Melbourne) Waqt id-diskors ta Victor Borg. Mixxellug: Victor Grech, Andrew Elsbury, Colin Brooks u Fr. Edwin Agius Sezzjoni mill-folla li attendiet iç-çelebrazzjoni f Melbourne

18 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Active Fairfield Maltese Seniors Group started in August 1993 meeting at St Theresa s Hall cnr of The Boulevard & Stella Street, Fairfield Heights NSW for a few months under the leadership of Georgia Bugeja. Then Doris Spiteri took over, followed by Louis Alosio who was leader of the group until he resigned in He was succeeded by Freda Micallef who held the position of leader until July 2013, with Charles Schembri as the treasurer. The group started with over 100 members, then gradually, over the years, due to ageing, sickness, and deaths, the number dropped down significantly and the group made the decision to wind down. Greystanes Maltese Seniors celebrate Maria Bambina The Greystanes Maltese Seniors recently gathered together at their monthly meeting to celebrate this very important feast and National Holiday in Malta, 8th September. The members brought traditional food and one member, Mrs. Vittoria Teuma who is 88 years of age and originally from Xghara in Gozo, brought in a lovely framed picture of Maria Bambina to share with the group. The members enjoyed learning about the special connection the Maltese people have to the feast of Maria Bambina and Victory Day in Malta. Our invited guest was Mr. Frank Zammit, author and poet, who enjoyed recounting the story of the Great Siege of 1565 as well as the Convoy of Santa Maria in WWII. The group also shared a special morning tea that included traditional Maltese delicacies, and the morning ended with the group singing the well-known Maltese hymns in honour of Our Lady. In the end, they all held hands and sang the much-loved Maltese song, Tini Jdejk. Our oldest member, Vittoria Teuma, together with her grandson Emmanuel, who dropped in to see her, happily held hands with his Nanna while singing this popular song. It was a great way to end our morning of celebration and friendship. Anyone wishing to join this Maltese Seniors group, shoul contact Marisa Previtera, Welfare Officer, MCC on They are active in Fairfield This group was very active with regular monthly outings and an annual dinner dance. With money raised from monthly raffles, and an annual membership fee of $5 a free BBQ is organised at Warragamba Dam for the members as well as a free Xmas lunch at a social club every year! In September 2013 through the initiative of the Maltese Community Council of NSW this group was re-started with new members as well as some of the old ones. The group is flourishing once again with a good attendance every month. At the last meeting of the group (above), the members were addressed by Anthony Sciberras, a senior psychologist. He spoke at length about Ageing Blues and Chronic pain and other topics of interest. This information session was well received by the seniors. They were very enthusiastic and appreciative of the chance to ask questions and participate actively with Anthony, whose Maltese background and ability to interact with the group made the meeting not only informative but a most enjoyable one. Report by Freda Micallef Vittoria Teuma, the oldest member of the Greystanes Seniors Group with grandson Frank Greystanes Seniors celebrating Il-Bambina

19 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Il-Maltin jimlew il-katidral ta St Mary s f dimostrazzjoni ta fidi The feast of Maria Bambina in Melbourne The feast of Maria Bambina in Melbourne was once again organised by Reskeon Maltese Association and Reskeon Seniors Group Inc. on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Paul. The Vittoria Dinner Dance was also held a week before the actual feast. The function was very well attended by Group members, a number of youths and also distinguished guests. DJ Domenic provided the music, and later into the night, the Malta Gozo Concert Band played marches thus creating the merriment for the night, similar to that of the Maltese Festas. On Monday, 8th September, a Mass was celebrated Fr. Victor Shields, mssp, celebrated Mass in the St. Paul s Chapel. Afterwards everybody was invited to the Maltese Centre for refreshments. The feast itself was held on Sunday September 14. It was organised by Reskeon on behalf of the Missionary Society of St Paul, at St Mary Star of the Sea Church, West Melbourne. Among those present were the Consul General of Malta in Victoria, Mr Victor Grech and Mrs Patricia Grech; MCCV president Prof. Maurice Cauchi and his wife Agnes, members of the MCCV Executive; members of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Parti Ωg ira mill-kongregazzjoni li attendiet fil-katidral ta St Mary s Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta; members from religious Orders and from the Maltese Ex-Services Association of Victoria. A large number of Maltese Associations were also present along with their banners and the banners of the four villages and towns where the Bambina is celebrated in Malta and Gozo, that is, Senglea, Mellieha, Naxxar and Xaghra, Gozo. Mons. Benedict Camilleri, Rector of Ta Min irid jara fejn t abbat qalb il-maltin li jg ixu fi NSW g andu jasal sal- Katidral ta St Mary s fil-qalba tal-belt ta Sydney meta s-saçerdoti Maltin jorganizzaw il-festa annwali ta Marija Bambina. Il-Maltin minn kull na a ta dan l-istat jin abru bi arhom alli jag tu qima lill- Madonna. Óafna ji u mill-bog od filwaqt li o rajna jorganizzaw kowçis speçjali, kollha direzzjoni wah da, biex jimlew dan il-katidral maestuω b dimostrazzjoni ta fidi fil-jum Nazzjonali tat-8 ta Settembru li tant g adu g aωiω g all-emigranti Maltin fl-awstralja. Dis-sena ç-çelebrant ewlieni kien Fr Carmelo Sciberras li g adu kemm g alaq 50 sena saçerdot. Kien akkumpanjat minn Fr T. Micallef, Fr B. Sant u Fr J. Curmi. Ilpani ierku g amlu Dun ÌuΩepp Curmi li jinsab Sydney minn G awdex. G al darba o ra l-kor ta La Valette kien ta t id-direzzjoni ta Victor Floridia waqt li martu Rachel kantant il-panis Angelicus. Il-Kavallieri ta Malta (SMOM) g amlu s-solita dehra tag hom ta kull sena, filwaqt li attenda wkoll il-kummissarju G oli g al Malta fl-awstralja, Charles Muscat u martu Vicky. PreΩenti wkoll ilviçi/president tal-maltese Community Council ta NSW, Emanuel Camilleri u martu Theresa. Il-kummentatur kien il-kav Dr George Boffa. G al pa na 20 Fr Victor Shields celbrating mass on the occasion of the feast of maria Bambina in Melbourne. On the left is the statue Pinu Sanctuary celebrated Mass and delivered a Homily in English. The Maltese Choir of Victoria under the direction of Mr Charles Schembri and Ms Lydia Gusman provided the music and singing. This was followed by a Procession with the beautiful Statue of Maria Bambina. Afterwards, refreshments were served to the guests and the helpers. - Paul Vella

20 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 Community News Il-Bambina f St Marys Minn pa na 19 Saret ukoll il- purcissjoni tradizzjonali blistatwa tal-madonna mad-dawra tan-navi tal-katidral li fiha adu sehem rappreωentanti mill-g aqdiet Maltin ta dan l-istat. G all-istedina tas-sacerdoti ta MSSP g ar-reçiviment, afna marru f Depiro House biswit il-katidral. Min jg id li l-komunita` Maltija ma g adhiex ajja, attiva u mimlija e a Ωgur li qatt ma Ωar St Mary s Cathedral g al din il-festa Maltija. St Nicholas Festa Committee presents: Cars, Motorbikes & Trucks Exhibition from 9.00am to 1pm For enquiries contact Charlie Gatt: or Jim Farrugia: Afterwards The Big Fete - Fiera doors open at 1.30 p.m. Music & Entertainment by Joe Xuereb & Tony Fenech Loads of fantastic prizes to be won, including the traditional rabbit - Fiera tal-fniek. There will be drinks and food of all types including pastizzi and obω biω-ωejt or bigilla & ice ceam for all children On SUNDAY October 19 Good Shepherd Bingo Hall, Hyatts Rd, Plumpton Entry is free and plenty of parking For further information contact President: Bill Schembri: or PRO: Joe Fenech: Important dates to note: November 29: St Nicholas Night of Entertainment, and December 7: Feast of St Nicholas MALTESE CULTURAL CENTRE - Labour Day Luncheon October 6 at the MALTESE CULTURAL CENTRE, 6, Jeanes Street Beverley S. A Centre Doors Open at 9am, Lunch 12.15pm Drinks are available for purchase at the bar for moderate prices. Lunch and Desert are available (what s for lunch to be notified later) BINGO Members: $7; non-members: $10; children: $5 For Bookings see or Phone: the president Joseph Briffa: or ; v/president: Mary Craus: or ; secretary: Rita Bornhoeft: or or see othe members of the Committee One can also phone the Maltese Guild Office on Tuesday s only between 9am to 3pm on Thank you For Supporting the Club, the First and Oldest Maltese Organisation in South Australia Since 1948 and still going in 2014 La Valette Social Centre Programme 2014 October 5: Sunday - bus trip to Canberra for Floriade Show. Coach leaves Greystanes at 6.15 am and Blacktown 6.30 am - cost $50 per person includes morning tea. BYO lunch or buy at your own expense. October 2014 (long weekend) November 2: Sunday Mass At Pine Grove for our beloved. Mass start at 5pm. Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltase Band will take part from 4pm. You are advised to bring a chair. November 4: Melbourne Cup Lunch - cost $25 for 2- course meal and morning tea. Entertainment by Sam and Tony Mifsud. Centre opens at 10am. There will be sweeps lucky door prizes and hat competition. Please book early. November 23: Sunday (Ìurnata mar-rabtin) - cost $45 for a 3-course meal. Entertainment by Charlie Camilleri and the Rocking Mustangs. Time: From pm till 5pm. December 9: Tuesday - A trip for Cherry-picking at Orange. Lunch at Orange RSL at your own expense (or bring your own) - cost $55 per person; children $30. That includes coach and morning tea. Coach leaves from Greystanes at 6am, and from la Valette at 6.30 am. New years eve Dinner Dance at la Valette Social Centre. Entertainment to be provided by Charlie Camilleri and the Rocking Mustangs. More information later. For bookings and information phone: The Centre: ; Charlie Camilleri : ; Frances ; Antoinette AvviΩ g al min tinteressah il-kitba Id-direzzjoni ta The Voice t e e lill-qarrejja li j ossu li jew g andhom talent g all-kitba inkella li ja s-bu li bi ftit g ajnuna jist-g u jrabbu l-kunfidenza g allkitba, biex jekk iridu jistg u jissottomettu x-xog ol tag hom lil The Voice fl- address: maltese-voice@gmail.com 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.

21 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 21 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: On SBS Radio - Day Time Analogue Digital Tuesday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 The PBS MALTESE NEWS i 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 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: October 9th and 23rd; November 6th and 20th 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 Ic-Cittadini presents direct from Malta Eleanor Cassar together with Joe Galea The Maltese Language School of NSW The Maltese Language School of NSW invites applications for Maltese language classes at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre located at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young Street) Mays Hill (next to Parramatta West Public School). Both young and adult students may apply. For more information contact Mary Pace-Feraud on or malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com You can have full access The Voice of the Maltese online anytime by logging to: and click on The Voice sign 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)

22 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 Community News THE MALTESE GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. Maltese Cultural Centre 6, Jeanes Street Beverley S A 5009 Phone Tuesday s only: AH: / malguild@adam.com.au Website: Socials, Meals, Multicultural Events, Bus Trip Excursions For the Aged are partly supported by Functions Calendar for the year of 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. Supported by January 26th Monday Australia Australia Day Luncheon Day Luncheon February 8th Sunday Bus Trip Bus AWAY Trip AWAY February 17th Tuesday Ashes Ashes Mass Mass at Maltese at Maltese Cultural Cultural Centre Centre February 28th Saturday Maltese Maltese Cultural Cultural Centre Centre 38th 38th Anniversary Anniversary Dance Dinner Dance Dinner March 9th Monday Adelaide Adelaide Cup Cup Luncheon Luncheon April 6st Monday Easter Easter Monday Monday Luncheon Luncheon June 8th Monday Queens Queens Birthday Birthday Luncheon Luncheon July 19th Sunday Bus Trip Bus Trip August 11th Tuesday Celebrating Mass Mass St. Mary St. Mary August 16th Sunday Feast Feast of St. of Mary St. Mary September 12th Saturday Malta Malta National National Day Day Dinner Dinner Dance Dance September 15th Tuesday Festa Festa Tad-Duluri Tad-Duluri Mass Mass September 27th Sunday Annual Annual General General Meeting Meeting October 5th Monday Labour Labour Day Luncheon Day Luncheon November 3rd Tuesday Melbourne Melbourne Cup Luncheon Cup Luncheon November 13, 14, 15 &16th Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 4 4 Days Bus Bus Trip, Place of of Tour (To (To Be Be Notified) November 17th Tuesday Mass for for the the Diseased Members December 19th Saturday Members Xmas Party December 31st Thursday New Year s Eve Eve Dinner Dance Please Note! The Maltese Cultural Centre will open every Tuesday From 10am till 3pm of every week, starting on January 13 to December 19, 2015 Date of Events are subject to be altered if needed to be changed. 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 that have Community Activities for publication in The Voice, are advised to stick to the magazine s deadline and latest policy regarding advertising, 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:

23 Tuesday September 30, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 23 Community News Community activities for publication 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: Friends of Birzebbuga are organising a get-together on November 15, at 6.30 p.m. at Merrylands RSL Military Road Merrylands NSW with buffet and entertainment For tickets contact: Emanuel Camilleri: Mob: Come along. It will be a fun night ST HELENA MALTESE- AUSTRALIAN S.C. INC. Remaining activities for 2014 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: G ana fil-la Valette Centre Il-La Valette Social Centre se jorganizza lejla ta G ana fiç-çentru fis-26 ta Ottubru li ej minn Saver u s abu. Il- in ikun fit-8.00 pm u d-d ul ikun bla las. Kul add huwa mistieden jattendi. The Voice of the Maltese online can be accessed anytime by logging to: and clicking on: The Voice sign. Organisations wishing to publish notices or news intended for the Maltese community in Australia in The Voice of the Maltese online magazine, are advised to stick to the magazine s deadline and submit material at least a week prior to publication. Also please try to be brief so we could accommodate most requests 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 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 ornata 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. 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)

24 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday September 30, 2014 S p o r t s 2 Left: Shayne Ardle, the Parramata goalkeeper in action during the grand final; and (right) the Macarthur Rams players in celebration mood after winning the Championship Parramatta lose NSW Mens 2 Grand Final to Macarthur The final commitment of already-promoted Parramatta FC ended in disappointment as they lost 2-1 to Macarthur Rams in the match that decided the SUPA IGA NPL NSW Mens 2 championship. Parramatta had finished their league commitments nine points ahead of their nearest challengers and 10 better off than thirdplaced Macarthur Rams, who however made up for that by becoming champions. Parramatta, formerly Melita Eagles, dominated the opening exchanges but failed to score, letting in the Rams to share play. However, they emerged more determined from the break and after getting close on a couple of occasions they eventually took the lead on 57 minutes when Rezo's cross following a corner was met by Mathew Clowes who rose up highest to head into the corner of the net. The Rams made an immediate reaction and came very close to levelling the score. However, Parramatta could have doubled their lead on 70 minutes but John Tsironis effort smashed against the woodwork. The miss proved costly as Macarthur went immediately down the other end and levelled the scores through their substitute Congratulations to the Mounties Wanderers FC Grade 15 team in NSW for winning the Grand Final. Also congratulations on behalf of Glen Ingle and myself to the Grade 14 team for making it to the Grand Final. Although they lost on a penalty shoot out we are still very proud of our boys. Charles Abdilla Football Operations Manager The other clubs with a Maltese connection, both in Victoria, both wrapped up their season in the lower half of their respective leagues. Green Gully finished 10th from 14 teams in the National Premier League with 30 points. While George Gonzalez. With the wind in their sails the Rams worked hard to even take the lead, and with three minutes left on the clock, Ouffoue soared above his markers to head home the winning tally from a Joel Craig cross. A late Parramatta surge proved futile as Macarthur won the grand final and lifted the Mens 2 premiership for the first time in their history. The setback failed to detract from what has been a momentous season for Parramatta and their coach Frank Cosentino who sportingly said after the match: It is tough but credit to Macarthur. They came from a goal down, adding that it's hard when we've achieved so much to get up for a grand final. It's been a fantastic season, no one thought we would achieve what we've achieved. I'm looking forward to competing in NPL 1 next year. They're devastated in the sheds but I'm sure they'll become better footballers for it. He also gave credit to his players: I can't ask for a better bunch of lads. Everything I asked them to do, they did and they've trusted me in everything we did. Green Gully 14th; George Cross 9th Cross, playing in the Victoria Div. 1 took ninth place, from 14 teams equal on 35 points eight-placed Kngston who had a better goal difference. Final George Cross results VICTORIA: Division I Bulleen v Sunshine GC Sunshine GC v Kingston Bendigo v Sunshine GC Maltese-Australian Zahra nets double for Valletta On day 5, Maltese-Australian and former Perth Glory striker Adrian Zahra was among the scorers as Champions Valletta finally expressed their potential by bouncing back from the defeat the previous week to claim a comfortable 5-0 victory over Sliema Wanderers. Valletta led 4-0 at half time. Then on Day 6 managed their scond successive win, 4-0 against Qormi. Hibernians kept up their promising run by adding the scalps of Pieta antd Ûebbu to their victories to claim maximum points from six matches to top the table on 18 points. They are the only team on maximum points. Three poins behind are Birkirkara. Top Standings: Hibernians 18 points; Birkirkara 15; Mosta and Balzan 13; Valleta 10. Malta Premier League Results Day 5 Hibernians v Pieta Jorge Pereira da Silva (2), Clayton Failla (H); Rafael Xavier (P) Valletta v Sliema W. Adrian Zahra (2), Alex Terra (2), Ryan Fenech, pen. Mosta v Balzan. Bojan Kaljevic Floriana v Ûebbu Vito Plut (2), Steve Pisani (F); Carlo Monti, John Nwoba, Mauricio Britto (Z) Birkirkara v Qormi Ryan Camenzuli, Rafael Ledesma Tarxien R. v Naxxar L Alvaro Andre Rodrigues Silva, Wesley Lima Silva (T); Emmanuel Ibok Edet (N) Day6 Hibernians v Ûebbu Andrew Cohen, Clayton Failla, Marcelo Dias, Edison Luis dos Santos Valletta v Qormi Lateef Elford Alliyu, Alex Terra, Ian Azzopardi, Luke Montebello Sliema W. v Pieta Fabio Mangiacasale, Mark Scerri Balzan v Tarxien Gianmarco Piccioni (2), Edison B. Zarate (B); Carlos Menedez Hevia, Alvaro Andre Rodrigues Silva (T) Birkirkara v Mosta Ellinton A.Costa Morais, Eliandro dos Santos Gonzaga Floriana v Naxxar L. Vito Plut (F); Pape Gueye (N)