The Voice of the Maltese

Transcription

1 The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers) Issue 86 online magazine October 14, 2014 Battery Street. Valletta, Malta (photo by Raymond Anastasi)

2 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 2014 Il-President ta Malta f laqg a mal-papa Fran isku Il-President ta Malta, l-et Marie Louise Coleiro Preca kellha l-a har img a ta Settembru u l-bidu ta Ottubru mill-aktar impenjattivi. Waqt mawriet fl-ingilterra u fil-kapitali Taljana Ruma, hija kellha g add ta laqg at importanti, imma forsi l-aktar li spikkat dik li kellha mal-qdusija Tieg u Papa Fran isku fil-vatikan fejn anke stednitu jωur Malta bil-g an li jinstiga iktar im abba u solidarjetà fis-soçjetà Maltija u G awdxija. Fil-laqg a mal-papa, il-president uriet ix-xewqa li meta l- Papa jωur Malta, jindirizza b mod partikulari lit-tfal u Ω- Ωg aωag Maltin u j e i hom jissa u fil-valuri ta missierijithom, li huma valuri ta biberija, tolleranza, m abba u rispett lejn nus o ra. Hija sostniet li Ωjara tal-papa f Malta tag mel differenza kbira, min abba l-poωizzjoni eografika ta pajjiωna qrib Ωoni ta kunflitt, u g alhekk il- tie a li l-knisja, anki minn Malta, twassal messa i ta sliem u m abba biex titbieg ed il-mibeg da bejn il-kulturi u reli jonijiet li tant akmet f pajjiωi b all- Iraq u s-sirja kawωa ta kunflitti bejn reli jonijiet u razez. Q abel marret Ruma, il-president Marie- Louise Coleiro Preca Ωaret l-ingilterra fejn Ωammet mat-tradizzjoni li ilha g addejja 14-il sena ta Jum il-maltin fir-renju Unit. G all-ewwel darba, minflok jum wie ed iddedikat g all-festa tradizzjonali Maltija, din id-darba l-komunita` Maltija ta madwar 80,000, u l-kummissjoni G olja fir-renju Unit, bil-kollaborazzjoni tal-moviment Kulturali Malti f Londra organizzaw img a s i a ta attivitajiet. Fost l-ewwel minn dawn l-attivitajiet, flimkien, mal-organizzazzjoni Children With Cancer UK li tag ti appo lill-pazjenti u qrabathom u tinvesti afna f riçerka dwar il-kançer, permezz tal- Communituy Chest Fund il-president esplorat il-possibilta ta kollaborazzjoni mal-g aqda. Wara Ωaret ukoll lil pazjenti Maltin rikoverati fir-royal Marsden, fejn sa qet dwar l-importanza ta riçerka flimkien bejn Malta u l-isptar IngliΩ dwar iω-ωieda fl-inçidenza tal-kançer fost il-maltin. Hawnhekk abbret li l-community Chest Fund se tibda tipprovdi servizzi psiko-soçjali lill-pazjenti u l-qraba Maltin f Londra, u f intervista li tat lil TVM abbret li se MLCP fissret il-laqg a mal-papa b ala wa da profonda afna kemm spiritwalment u umanament. F rabta mal-aspetti ta kunflitt u persekuzzjoni li qed ise u madwarna, hija tkellmet fuq il-faqar u l- arba ta tant nies li jipperikolaw ajjithom fil- Mawra impenjattiva fl-ingilterra ssir riforma fl-istruttura tal-mccf biex din l-entità tinbidel f Fondazzjoni. T abbar ukoll li f Settembru tas-sena d- die la l-prince's Trust g andha tibda pro ett edukattiv f'malta biex tg in adoloxxenti bi problemi soçjali li jirnexxu f' ajjithom Diskussjonijiet bejn il-president, il-bank HSBC u l-prince's Trust se jwasslu g al kollaborazzjoni f'g add ta pro etti ma' nies li jbatu minn eskluωjoni soçjali. Il- President qalet li se jitwaqqaf working group ta' esperti fil-qasam soçjo-edukattiv biex jevalwa l- ti ijiet ta' dawn in-nies. Il-President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca inawgurat ukoll fiera ta prodotti Maltin f Sala ta Westminster, biswit il-katidral ta Westminster. MLCP Ωaret ukoll Birmingham fejn iltaqg et mat-tfajla ta 17-il sena mill-pakistan, attivista dwar id-drittijiet tal-istudenti u n-nisa, Malala Yousafzai, u stednitha ΩΩur Malta. It-tfajla li sofriet attakk mit- Talibani min abba l- lieda tag ha biex tfajliet Pakistani jedukaw ru hom fl-iskejjel tal-lokal, u li qed t alli impatt kull fejn tmur jidher li aççettat l-istedina. Il-President ta Malta, l-et Marie Louise Coleiro Preca waqt il-laqg a li kellha mal-papa Fran isku fil-vatikan Mediterran biex ja irbu l-gwerer u l- persekuzzjoni. Fost ir-rigali li l-president u Ωew ha Edgar taw lill-qdusija Tieg u l-papa kien hemm g add b tema Maltija, fosthom mejda taççeramika bl-arma tal-papa, qoffa mimlija prodotti Maltin u G awdxin, u kaxxa amrija Maltija li tirrapreωenta l-art Maltija. Min-na a tieg u Papa Fran isku rregala lill-president, l-ençiçlika tieg u Evangelii Gaudium, u kuruna tal-perli. Wara l-laqg a mal-papa, flimkien mal- Ministru g all-affarijiet Barranin George Vella, il-president, ltaqg et mal-arçisqof Dominique Mamberti, is-segretarju tal- Vatikan g ar-relazzjonijiet mal-istati fejn ew diskussi l-immigrazzjoni, il-faqar, ilpaçi u l-istabbilità fid-dinja, u l-familja. Waqt il-mawra tag ha f Ruma, il-president iltaqg et ukoll ma sebg in ambaxxatur akkreditati g al Malta u residenti f Ruma fir-residenza tal-ambaxxatriçi Maltija, u wriet l-apprezzament taxxog ol diplomatiku tag hom li permezz tieg u jag tu iktar viωibilita lil Malta. Il- President qalet li Malta hija Ωg ira iωda li l-poωizzjoni eo-strate ika tag ha hija ferm importanti g ax tg aqqad lil tant pajjiωi fl-ewropa u anki fl-afrika ta Fuq. Fl-istess waqt semmiet il- olma tag ha f - soçjeta multikulturali titnissel aktar armonija u solidarjeta g all-paçi fid-dinja. Tkellmet ukoll fuq l-immigrazzjoni rregolari li hija responsabbilta tal-ewropej kollha. Hija sostniet li g alkemm l-iωg ar stat fl- Unjoni Ewropea, Malta hija çentru mportanti g ad-djalogu u l-paçi.

3 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 3 The Government s views on Community Television In issue No 85 (September 30) of The Voice of the Maltese, we allowed space for Community Television to have their say. Hon Malcolm Turnbull, Member for Parliament of Wentworth in Sydney s Eastern Suburbs who is the Minister for Communications had this to say regarding his Government s stand on the issue. At present, community television transmitter licences are due to expire at the end of The Government will extend their licences by 12 months to December 31, Following this, the Liberal Government believes that the best long-term outcome for community television is that it uses the Internet as its distribution platform. In the telecommunications and media business there is more competition, more innovation, more disruptive dynamic change than ever before. For these reasons, the Government has announced a Spectrum Review and is carefully examining how we allocate spectrum and how this scarce public resource can be used most efficiently. While it is acknowledged there are concerns within the CTV sector about this announcement, average prime time audiences of CTV are low with only 6000 viewers across all five capitals and some services have as few as Given the small number of services and audiences, their capacity to serve a wide range of different community interest groups is limited. I have no doubt that moving to an online platform will allow CTV to reach new audiences who have otherwise not had access to CTV to date. This is especially good news for regional Australia. It will deliver CTV to wider audiences, at less cost on a wider range of devices. CTV representatives have argued they should not be rushed on this new platform. The Internet is not new. It is the universal uberplatform to which most Australians are able to be connected 24/7. Moving CTV online will allow CTV to further expand its role in providing a place for independent and specialised content, as well as providing valuable and relevant training in programme production and OTT distribution. The Government looks forward to working with the CTV sector and the Community Broadcasting Foundation (the agency that distributes funding to community broadcasters on behalf of the Government) to devise a clear path for CTV s transition strategy. Frequently asked questions regarding Community Television When is the Government ceasing community television access to broadcasting spectrum? At present, community television transmitter licences are due to expire at the end of To assist with their transition to an online delivery platform, the Government will extend their licences by 12 months to 31 December The Government considers that the best long-term outcome for community television is that in future it uses the Internet as its distribution platform. Why is the Government ceasing community television access to broadcasting spectrum? Radiofrequency spectrum is a valuable public asset that requires careful and co-ordinated management to accommodate the various financial, policy and technological variables at play that influence its efficient use and allocation. Government has given careful consideration to the continued access by community television to the sixth channel as part of its wider consideration of spectrum policies. The Government considers that the best outcome for community television for the long-term is for the CTV sector to utilise the Internet as its distribution platform. Transitioning the CTV sector to an online distribution platform will deliver wider audiences at less cost and on a wider range of devices then is possible with more linear broadcasting technology. The Government intends to free up the sixth channel for other purposes. In the short term, this would include assisting commercial and national television broadcasters to test and migrate to new and more efficient broadcasting technologies. The Government s current spectrum policy review will consider whether the sixth channel should be re-planned for alternative non-broadcasting uses. How will the Government cease community television access to broadcasting spectrum? Community television s access to spectrum is governed by the Radio communications (Duration of Community Television Transmitter Licences) Determination (No.1) This determination currently expires on December 31, The Minister will vary this to extend the date by 12 months to December 31, The Australian Communications and Media Authority will then extend the transmitter licences to that date. Broadcasters cannot broadcast without a valid transmitter licence. Thus, once the expiry of the transmitter licence occurs at the extended date of December 31, 2015, community television broadcasters will be required to cease transmitting their service using the sixth channel spectrum. Will the Government assist community television in transitioning to online delivery? The Government will work with the community television (CTV) sector and the Community Broadcasting Foundation to consider the most appropriate transition strategy for services to migrate online by the end of Where are community television services broadcast? CTV services are currently provided in the five mainland capital cities: Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth How much have community television broadcasters been paying for access to the sixth channel spectrum? Community television (CTV) operators do not pay a licence fee to the Government to access broadcasting spectrum. CTV operators only pay a small administrative fee to the Australian Communications and Media Authority for the allocation of their transmitter licences. The CTV sector is currently eligible to apply for grants for content, training and other assistance in the general community-broadcasting category through the Government s Community Broadcasting Program administered by the Community Broadcasting Foundation. The Government does not currently provide any direct funding assistance to CTV operators for any purpose. How many people are employed in community television broadcasting (are people going to lose their jobs)? The community television stations advise that 53 people are employed either on a part time or full time basis. CTV stations also rely on a number of volunteers. The employment of staff at community television broadcasters is matter for each individual broadcaster. The Government believes that the 12-month transition period being provided to the CTV sector as well as the wider reach, lower transmission costs and broader revenue opportunities offered by online broadcasting should minimise any adverse impact on employees and in fact offer greater opportunities for CTV. Won t the community television sector lose sponsorship as a result of this announcement? Currently CTV are restricted to seven minutes of sponsorship announcements per hour to be aired before or after programs or during natural program breaks. By moving online, community television services would no longer need to be licensed under the Broadcasting Services Act. This will free them from the current restrictions on advertising and sponsorship applying to community broadcasting licences in that Act. Streamed community-based video services would be able to carry any advertising they choose. The Government s decision relates only to the five metropolitan community television services and does not include radio.

4 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 2014 Il-Kunsill tal-maltin li jg ixu Barra minn Malta ie mwaqqaf b li i mill-gvern Malti u bil-membri ma tura u approvati f Lulju tal Minn dakinhar di a` saru tlett laqg at tal-kumitat f Malta, l-ewwel wa da ta t il-presidenza tal-eks Ministru Dr Tonio Borg u l-a ar tnejn ta t il-ministru preωenti tal-affarijiet Barranina., Dr George Vella. Saru wkoll zewg konferenzi permezz tal-video. L-a ar laqg a saret fl-uffiçini tad-dipartiment tal-affarijiet Barranin fil-kapitali Maltija Valletta bejn it-2 u t-3 ta Ottubru filpreωenza b ala moderatur ta Dr Carmen Sammut, kap tad-dipartiment tar-relazzjonijiet Internazzjonali fil- Fakulta tal-arti fl-universita ta Malta. Id-delegati tal-kunsill tal-maltin ta barra fil-laqg a li kellhom mal- President ta Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca fil-palazz ta Sant Anton Jiltaqa f Malta g at-tielet darba l-kunsill tal-maltin ta Barra Id-delegati f ritratt g all-okkaωjoni mal-ministru George Vella (fin-nofs) Id-delegati li attendew kienu, sitta mill-awstralja, Maurice Cauchi u Edwin Borg Manche` minn Victoria, Gejtu Pace, Lawrence Dimech u Stephen Gatt minn NSW, u Frank Scicluna minn South Awstralja, Joe Xerri u Carmen Galea mill-kanada, Louis J. Vella u Larry Zahra mill-istati Uniti, Bernard Xerri u Rosaline Rivett mill-ingilterra, Franklin Mamo mill-eu u Fr Alfred Vella minn Malta. Meta ndirizza l-laqg a fil-ftu tag ha, il- Ministru Vella qal li kien jixtieq li l-maltin li jg ixu barra jbiddlu l-perspettiva u ma jibqg ux jirra unaw li huma Maltin li jg ixu barra, imma li huma komunitajiet li jappartjenu lill-pajjiω fejn jg xu, izda li qed i orru l-identita` Maltija. Qal li xtaq jara li l-ilsien Malti ji i mg allem lill- enenerazzjonijiet li tilg in, li dawn jing ataw opportunita li jithajru jitg allmu l-ilsien Malti u anke li jkunu jafu dwar il-pajjiω li minnu ori inaw l-antenati tag hom. Dr Vella qal li l-kunsill qed jo loq djalogu bejn il-gvern Malti u l-komunitajiet Maltin li jg ixu barra, filwaqt li j e e lir-rapprezzentanti tag hom alli jibqg u jωommu infurmat lill-gvern Malti bl-aspirazzjonijiet tal-komunitajiet rispettivi tag hom. Id-delegati lmentaw minn nuqqas ta koperazzjoni u komunikazzjoni bejn il-membri tal-kunsill u l-burokrazija f - Malta kif ukoll dwar pro etti li mank g adhom biss bdew, b al re istru tal-organizazzjonijiet u persuni prominenti, website u l-parteçipazzjoni s i a tal-maltin ta barra fil-propost Kunsill Kulturali. Issoktaw ukoll diskussjonijiet dwar il-manteniment tal-kultura Maltija fost il-komunitajiet Maltin barra minn Malta u kif jistg u jinkisibu fondi g al dan il-g an mill-ke u progetti mal-universita` ta Malta. IΩ-ΩghaΩag kienu wkoll fuq l-a enda u saret talba biex ikun hemm iktar sinergija bejn l-a enzija Ûg aωag ta Malta u dawk ta enerazzjoni Maltija li jg ixu barra. Wie ed mill-iktar su etti li qajjem interess kien id-dritt tal-vot g aç-çittadini Maltin li jg ixu barra, iωda jidher li g ad irid ikun hemm afna iktar reazzjoni mill-partiti politiçi g ax din hi talba li mhix qed tigi spjegata sewwa lill-poplu Malti. Saru wkoll diskussjonijiet dwar diffikultajiet li qed jin olqu bejn dawk li qed imorru ja dmu fil-pajjiωi tal-ue u l-public Service Commission, u ssemma li qed ikun hemm diffikultajiet fejn jid ol il-bdil tal-isem u l- kunjom u saret talba biex tigi implimentata l-ligi tad-deed Poll. Il-Konvenzjoni li g andha ssir f April 2015 f Malta kienet ukoll diskussa u ntqal li hemm nuqqas serju ta pubblicita. Sadanittant, f kumment li ta lil The Voice of the Maltese, il-ministru George Vella qal li l-laqg a ta jumejn serviet biex gew iççarati g add ta skossi li ltaqg u mag hom id-delegati u g al darb ohra kien hemm sens ta ko-operazzjoni u rieda tajba. Il-laqg a ddecidiet li g andha tiltaqa g allahhar darba wara li tispicca l-konvenzjoni g all-maltin ta Barra li g andha ssir fit-22 u 23 ta April 2015 f Malta. Wara dan izzmien ta tlett snin il-gvern imbag ad ikun irid jahtar membri godda. Id-delegati ltaqg u ukoll mal-president tar- Repubblika Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca fil- Palazz ta San Anton f Óal Balzan.

5 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 5 My Mdina - The house at Aragon The Spanish noble House of Aragon was an illustrious family. Not so the house in Aragon Lane where my family lived for several years during and after World War II My grandfather's house in the old By Marie Borg city of Birgu was smashed to smithereens during the war and the family had to search for safer lodgings. Mdina seemed like a safer place and they crowded into a house at the end of Aragon Lane Even as a child I saw it as an ugly place, but large enough to house Grandma, two uncles, two aunties, one cousin, my brother and me. There was no electricity and no piped water upstairs and one of the daily tasks was to clean out the big ceramic facebasin, and refill the ceramic jug that provided the water for face washing in each room. Grandma used to do that until such time as her daughters forbade her to do it, as they deemed it too strenuous for an elderly lady. Every morning she would have a wash at the vanity dresser in her room, then don a long black skirt and blouse, and tie her hair in a bun at the back of her head. She never went downstairs until she was properly groomed. On Sundays she always wore a black silk skirt, and a black silk blouse. Her black leather shoes were highly polished and she did this herself. I was fascinated to watch her carefully buff the top of the shoe, and also the instep of the sole. Ziju Wenz was retired and installed himself on the wide landing at the top of the stairs that led to the roof. There he managed to fashion a workshop, and spent his days doing repairs and staying away from 'the women'. He also tended to the chickens housed in chicken coops on the flat roof, and the flowerpots. At afternoon tea, Zija Peppa would Above: The House of Aragon (Casa Aragon- red door) where Marie used to live; and (below), Aragon Lane put his mug of tea and biscuits in a wicker basket hanging from a rope into the central courtyard. He would haul it up carefully, rarely spilling a drop, and have his cuppa while letting out the chickens for a bit of a wander before feeding and settling them for the night. Sometimes we all went up on the roof, with a basketful of goodies to munch while watching the chickens and picking up eggs. Once a year the landlord would call to harvest the grapevine that hung on the trellis above the roof. He looked to me just like Mr Bumble in Oliver Twist. Half of the yield was rightfully his, and he would get real grumpy when he found that some of the tight bunches had obviously been picked at. That is when my brother and I would get a stern talking to after he had left. Very often Miss Cachia's aunts who lived next door would join us in the evenings as the aunts would sit in the front room chatting or listening to the Rediffusion*. They would listen to classical music and discuss these in earnest. I am no singer but I grew up humming many famous pieces that are as familiar to me as any nursery rhyme. (*Rediffusion, was a business in the UK that distributed radio signals through wired relay networks. It started operating in Malta in 1935) 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

6 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 2014 Census (part 3) In this third article in the series, local historian Mark Caruana looks at ILLAWARRA and SOUTH COAST over a 40-year period. Wollongong seeing steady decline in number of Malta-born In the third part of this analysis of the born. Census , we deal with the On the other hand, Shellharbour has had Illawarra and South Coast region and illustrate this with three tables, that include Malta-born from This local a relatively stable three-digit number of the Malta-born, Maltese Ancestry and the government area, south of Wollongong, percentage of Maltese-Australians who grew to almost three times its number of still speak their native language at home. Malta-born from 89 Malta-born in 1971 to The statistical data reproduced in these 244 in articles helps in determining where the Shoalhaven, further south, has seen a regular increase in Malta-born from a mere Malta-born residents are on the increase or in decline, as well as giving an indication 11 Malta-born in 1971 to 228 in My of the numerical size of the second and Table A subsequent generation of Australia-Maltese. ILLAWARA & It also points out the number and percentage SOUTH COAST of Maltese who speak the language at Wollongong home. Table A (below) shows the number of Shellharbour Malta-born residents in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven South Coast and their numerical distribution by local government areas for a 40 Kiama year-period i.e Wingecarribee It lists only those who, at the time of the Bega Valley five Censuses, stated their birthplace to be Malta. It does not include Maltese born in Eurobodalla countries other than Malta, nor born in Australia of Maltese parentage (i.e. second TOTAL 887 1,069 1,130 and subsequent generation Australian- Maltese). The following MALTA-BORN tables show the local government areas where the Malta-born population has declined or grown from The city of Wollongong is seeing a steady decline in the number of Malta- Maltese Ancestry: Children of Malta-born in Wollongong still prefer to stay in area The 2011 Census contained the question: What is the person s ancestry? Provide up to two ancestries only. A look at the number of Malta-born in Wollongong and the number of Maltese by ancestry in Wollongong show that, although the numbers of Malta-born is decreasing, the children of Maltaborn chose to stay in the area. In fact, for every Malta-born in Wollongong there are four Australian-Maltese. Table B ILLAWARRA & SOUTH COAST Wollongong Shellharbour Shoalhaven Kiama Wingecarribee Bega Valley Eurobodalla TOTAL 2011 Malta-born ,110 Maltese Ancestry 1,850 1, ,317 Total Maltese 2,263 1, ,427 Mark Caruana The table below shows that the biggest percentage of the Malteseborn in the region of Illawarra and the South Coast who speak the Maltese language at home are in Wollongong, that also provides the largest number of Maltese-born, and Shellharbour, both with 55% Table C ILLAWARRA & STH COAST Wollongong Shellharbour Shoalhaven Kiama Wingecarribee Bega Valley Eurobodalla guess is that these were retired Maltese who longed for relaxed lifestyle typical of a ville jatura in Malta. Still further south, at Bega Valley and Eurobodalla, there were no Maltese forty years ago and now there are 42 and 58 respectively Malta-born , ,110 Growth Decline M A LT E S E LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME Maltese speaking % Speakers 55% 55% 39% 31% 18% 19% 17% TOTAL 1, % The last table (C above) shows that south of Shellharbour, the number of Maltese speakers, from Shoalhaven to Eurobodalla, decreases substantially.

7 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 7 The Australian High Comissioner for Malta, Jane Lambert, and Dr George Vella, the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Malta, on October 4 marked the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Malta and Australia by unveiling the Australian Plant Collection and a commemorative plaque at the Argotti Botanic Gardens in Floriana, Malta The selection of plants for the Collection, the result of a close and creative collection between the national Botanic Gardens of Argotti and Australia, is located near to the ANZAC Memorial that was established by the Australian-Maltese communities. In her welcoming address, besides commemorating the milestone of relations, the Australian High Commissioner explained that Maltese-Australian connections are indeed multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the history of the two nations. She said the Australian Plant Collection was also intended to give the interested visitor an appreciation of the diversity of Australian plants and also the connections between the flora of Australia and of Malta. She said it is also a continuation of the connection between the Australian community and the Argotti, and is modelled on similar Friends groups associated with botanic gardens in Australia, the UK and other countries. Ms Lambert talked about the close relations between the two countries established 50 years ago and touched on a number of points that, she said, helped to strengthen the bilateral relations and have kept both countries so well knit. She wished for them to strengthen even further. The Australian High Commissioner also singled out Dr Joseph Buhagiar, the director of the Argotti Botanic Gardens for the help he gave the High Commission in this Argotti activity Commemorates 50 years of relations between Malta and Australia Malta s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. George Vella at the planting of an Australian plant at the Argotti under the watchful eyes of Ms Jane Lambert LEFT: Australian High Commissioner to Malta, Ms Jane Lambert and Malta s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. George Vella unveiling the plaque (above) commemorating the opening of the Australian Plant Collection at the Argotti Botanic Gadens marking the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and Australia venturthat is to be known as the Friends of Argotti Botanic Gardens. In his reply, Minister Dr George Vella hinted at the history of migration and the people-to-people ties binding the two peoples of Malta and Australia. He said that in the past fifty years the relations between Australia and Malta have gone from strength to strength, and that apart from our shared values, the bonds between Australia and Malta also are rooted in history. When it comes to Political relations between our two countries, they are excellent and have been made easier by the fact that we share a common heritage and vision. The unveiling of a commemorative plaque, was made in the presence of a number of guests that also included Mr Leo Brincat, the Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, and a number of other guests who have close ties, past or present to the two nations.

8 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 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... Back from a trip to Malta - it has got go much to offer Peter Vassallo from St Albans, Victoria Iam just back from Malta where I have probably spent my best ever holiday. It wasn t my first trip to the island, the birthplace of my beloved parents, but it is the first time I have visited since my teens. I have promised myself and my Australian wife to make such trips to Malta at least every two years as I have found out for ourselves that despite its smallness, Malta has got so much to offer. We spent six weeks there and we never had a dull moment. The Maltese really know how to enjoy themselves and any shortcomings Malta might have as a result of its smallness, can make up for by the organisational skills of its people. We never planned it, so it must have been by chance that during our stay, Malta celebrated Victory Day, on 8th September with great pomp, and we were very much impressed the way Malta commemorated the 50th Anniversary of Independence. It was really great. Thank you Malta! The Maltese also know how to enjoy themselves and how to make any visitors to the island welcome. We met some very interesting tourists from as far as China, Russia, the Balkans, and as one would expect, those from the UK, Germany and Italy, to mention just a few. I don t know whether it was our luck that all the foreigners that we met sung the praises of Malta and enthusiastically told us that they had set their sights on visiting Malta again and again. We also found a couple from the UK who said this year s was their 13th visit to Malta. When we asked them the reason for their frequent visits, they put the Maltese people s hospitality on top of their list. They told us that compared to other tourist destinations, in the past two years Malta has made large strides forward in the industry and despite the increase in tourist arrivals, the island has managed to stay competitive and appears to be looking after its heritage in a big way. They pointed out to us that whereas other countries, much bigger than Malta seem to have become stale when it comes to ideas, Malta keeps on improving and despite the fact that the cost of living has increased it holidaying in Malta is still quite affordable and one is guaranteed value for money. They made me so proud of my roots and I even accepted their suggestions to visit places that I never cared about. I am not one keen on Museums but after visiting the maritime museum and the war museum I made it a point to also visit others. I was also most impressed with the natural history museum, the Cathedrals of St John and Mdina and also the painting known as the beheading of St John by Caravaggio. There are still other interesting places, historical and entertaining that I want to visit. It is so surprising that despite its smallness, Malta has so much to offer. Therefore before I make my next the trip to Malta I will take time to plan ahead. I don t want to waste time when out there. Information needed about Maltese Govt. offices in Australia M. Theuma Wollongong NSW writes: We are aware that the Government of Malta spends lots of money to keep open the offices it has in Australia. However, if we do not know where they are located and/or what time they operate, what is the use? Perhaps, they could also tell us where the Honorary Consuls are operating and how we can get in touch with them.

9 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Have your say/xi trid tghid? /2 Now is the time to unite Jessica Rath ECCV Communications and Media Advisor writes: Victorians are proud of their multicultural state and its harmony, and we should unite through our diversity, the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) says. ECCV is represented on the Victoria Police Multi-Faith Council and Multicultural Reference Group, and was a co-signatory to this recent open letter. ECCV does not condone divisive sentiments in our culturally and religiously diverse community, ECCV chairperson Eddie Micallef said. There is no excuse for racism. ECCV rejects all forms of racism, and everyone in our community should be free to live Dawk Il-pilastri fil-fet a tal-belt Valletta, f Malta George Gatt, jikteb minn Williamstown Victoria: G adni ej lura l-awstralja minn btala sabi a f art twelidi, Malta, u nixtieq naf xi jfissru Ω-Ωew pilastri twal li twa lu fid-da la tal-belt Valletta, barra li hemm ukoll statwa ta Ωiemel bit tlett ri lejn. IΩ-Ωew tur ien g oljin li hemm fuq kull na a tad-da la tal-kapitali Maltija ew sbie afna iωda minkejja li ippruvajt, g adni ma nistax nifhem kif ilmag ruf arkitett Enzo Piano g aωel disinn b al dak g all-bini tal-parlament li m g andu x jaqsam xejn ma belt storika u dinjituωa b al dik ta Malta. Insomma, fil-fehma umli tieg i in oss li g andna fro a s i a fid-da la tal-belt, ta lita ta modern mal-antik. Min-na a l-o ra rrid ng id li mhux se mmaqdar kull ma jsir f Malta. PereΩempju dak li sar f Bormla hu tassew ta min ifa - ru. Din in-na a li kienet tant mitluqa flimg oddi, issa adet il-hajja u jekk kif qed jing ad, jirran aw l-im aωen f dak li qabel kien in-no. 1 Dock, tista tkun wa da mill-aqwa attrazzjonijiet turistiçi f na a li donnu li g al tant snin kienet minsija. Nota: Skont il-pjanti ta Renzo Piano, dawk iω-ωew pilastri fid-da la tal-belt (ara stampa fuq), jissimbolizzaw Ωew t ixwabel. IΩ-Ωiemel imsemmi, ta tlett saqajn, ( Ωieme inset fuq) xog ol tal-iskultur Austin Camilleri, kif kien ippjanat, tne a, g ax kien biss parti mill-valletta International Visual Arts festival VIVA. without harassment, fear, intimidation or violence. We are against any misrepresentation that leads to inciting lack of tolerance and hatred. Islam as it is practiced by the majority of its followers in Victoria is a faith based on peace, harmony and cooperation. ECCV supports a wide range of diverse ethnic groups, and promotes community harmony, and is concerned about groups that create discontent and foster disharmony. Multiculturalism has been good for Victoria and the people of Australia in a state with so many cultures and backgrounds, everyone is equal, with rights to cultural and religious freedom. Multiculturalism is not just about a society with a mix of cultures. It should be seen as a mix of culturally different people who talk, work and live together, sharing common human rights and responsibilities to maintain a cohesive and prosperous Australia. Furthermore, ECCV believes religious and cultural dress is an important symbol of personal identity and an expression of faith. Freedom of religious belief is an important tenet of our Australian way of life that fosters peace, harmony and cooperation. As such we should give people the permission to belong by acknowledging their religious beliefs, and related forms of dress, as external expressions of peaceful and harmonious multi-faith community life rather than inciting divisive public sentiment. Dritt u Inkonvenjent Albert Xerri minn Habersham NSW jikteb: G andna d-dritt g all-passaport Malti, iωda jekk trid tapplika g alih u ma tkunx toqg od f Sydney, Canberra jew Melbourne trid il-belli lira biex takkwista wie ed g ax trid tmur int personali f wie ed mill-uffiçini tal-gvern Malti li hemm flibliet imsemmija. Anke fi Stati tant kbar b al Victoria u NSW hemm distanzi enormi. Wie ed jistaqsi, meta se nsolvu din id-diffikulta`? Qaluli li l-passaporti biometriçi bdew jo or u f - Malta sa mis-sena 2008, ji ifieri sitt snin ilu. Imma add g adu ma sab soluzzjoni g all-problema li semmejt. Sintendi wara raqda papali tal-gvern l- ie or issa nistennew li dan il-gvern jag mel xi a a u ma nkomplux b din id-diskriminazzjoni. Tajjeb li jkollna dritt g all-passaport Malti izda mhux tajjeb jekk ma nistg ux nakkwistawh!

10 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 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-GDP BiΩΩejjed? Fi Frar li g adda f'sydney kien hemm laqg a tal-ministri talfinanzi u l-gvernaturi talbanek çentrali tal-ikbar g oxrin pajjiω f'termini ekonomiçi (mag rufin b ala l-g20). Matul din illaqg a, il-ministru tat-teωor Awstraljan, Joe Hockey, ippropona u ab qbil li dawn il-pajjiωi g andhom ja dmu lejn Ωieda annwali ta' 2% fil-kejl ekonomiku msejja il- Prodott Gross Domestiku 1 (Gross Domestic Product - GDP). Dan il-kejl x'inhu? G alfejn huwa importanti u jissemma daqshekk fil-kunsiderazzjo-onijiet tal-gvern? U tajjeb li jissemma hu biss? Biex inwie eb, hawnhekk se nikkwota lill-oecd, l-organizzazzjoni g all-koperazzjoni Ekonomika u l-iωvilupp, li tg aqqad 34 pajjiω mill-iktar avvanzati ekonomikament, inkluωi l-awstralja, l-istati Uniti u l-pajjiωi l-kbar tal-ewropa (iωda mhux pajjiωi b aç- Çina, l-indja u l-braωil). L-OECD tg id 2 : Il-GDP huwa kejl standard tal-valur talprodotti u s-servizzi mag mula minn pajjiω f'perjodu. Huwa l- iktar indikatur uωat sabiex ji u mqabblin pajjiωi kif sejrin ekonomikament, jew imqabbla ma' data o ra. Tg aqqad, ewwa figura wa da, il-produzzjoni tal-intrapriωi, istituzzjonijiet mhux ta' profitt, entitajiet governattivi u d-djar ta' pajjiω f'çertu perjodu, ikunu x'ikunu l-prodotti u s-servizzi, sakemm il-produzzjoni ssir fit-territorju ekonomiku tal-pajjiω. Din il-konvenjenza hija r-ra uni li l-gdp huwa tant uωat fiddiskors dwar l-iωvilupp ta' pajjiω u fil-politika domestika ta' kwalunkwe pajjiω. Wie ed madankollu jrid jirrimarka li l-oecd tkompli tg id: G alkemm (il-gdp) huwa indikatur tajjeb li jaqbad dawn l-attivitajiet ekonomiçi, mhuwiex kejl tajjeb tal-benesseri tas-soçjetajiet. Dak hu l-punt li rrid nag mel. Naturalment, u ud mill-qarrejja jistg u jo ezzjonaw li hemm kejlijiett o ra li jintuωaw f'kuntest iktar dejjaq, b ar-rata talqg ad, tqabbil tad-d ul tal-iktar nies g onja ma' dawk l-iktar fqar, il-biodiversità, il-kwalita` tal-ilma u l-bqija. Dan huwa minnu, iωda jibqa' l-fatt li meta jittie du d-deçiωjonijiet il-kbar ekonomiçi, is-suççess ekonomiku jitkejjel biss, jew primarjament, fuq livell tal-gdp. Kemm dak li jkun prodott hu ta' kwalità tajba; kemm il- addiema g andhom in liberu jew kemm hu iebes ix-xog ol tag hom; kemm isir tni is tal-arja, x'degradazzjoni ssir tal-art, xmajjar jew il-ba ar; kemm inqatg u si ar u intilfu foresti eçç eçç, dawn kollha mhumiex meqjusa ta' rilevanza f'din iddiskussjoni. G alhekk, hemm proposti g al kejlijiet alternattivi g al kemm pajjiω verament huwa g ani. Studju li ie ippubblikat iktar kmieni din is-sena u ffinanzjat mill-unjoni Ewropea 3 sab li hemm erba' tipi ta' alternattivi g all-gdp. Dawn huma: 1. Korrezzjonijiet g all-gdp innifsu, billi jiωdiedu jew jitnaqqsu ammonti kkalkulati ta' flus li jirrappreωentaw servizzi nieqsa jew il-konsegwenzi negattivi, rispettivament, tal-attività ekonomika. EΩempju huwa l-indiçi tal-ìid Ekonomiku Sostenibbli (Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare - ISEW); 2. Indikaturi li jiffukaw fuq aspetti ' odor', fejn id-d ul jitkejjel Gross domestic product (expenditure approach), Per head, US$, constant prices, constant PPPs, OECD base year 2011 base year skont kemm huwa sostenibbli u g alhekk jie u sieb l-uωu tarriωorsi naturali, it-tni iω, l-eroωjoni tal- amrija eçç. EΩempju huwa id-d ul Nazzjonali Sostenibbli (Sustainable National Income - SNI) tal-olanda; 3. Hemm ukoll indikaturi li jikkonçentraw b al dak addottat mill-bank Dinji dwar it-tfaddil enwin (Genuine Savings - GS), fejn minn dak li jien u int nifhmu li hu tfaddil, jitnaqqsu l-valur tat-tni iω, l-uωu tar-riωorsi naturali, is-self minn barra l-pajjiω, u jiωdiedu b ala investiment l-ispejjeω tal-edukazzjoni; 4. Fit-tipi ta' qabel, l-indikaturi g andhom valur monetarju. Hemm indiçi o ra li mhumiex mog tija valur monetarju, anke meta mag mula minn numri ta indikaturi o ra li jistg u jinkludu l-gdp innifsu. EΩempju hu l-indiçi tal-iωvilupp Uman (Human Development Index - HDI) tal-ìnus Mag quda, li mall-gdp iωωid it-tul tal- ajja, il-litteriωmu u o rajn. Ir-rapport ikkonkluda li dawn l-alternattivi kollha g andhom iddifetti tag hom, u g ad mhemmx qbil universali dwar liem g andu jkun, jew g andhom ikunu, miωmum/a b ala çentrali fiddeliberazzjonijiet u d-deçiωjonijiet ekonomiçi tal-pajjiωi tad-dinja. Madankollu, ikkonkluda wkoll li m'g andniex nistennew sakemm ikun Ωvilippat xi indikatur perfett, qabel ma nibdew nuωaw alternattivi g all-gdp. Anke indikaturi imperfetti b all- ISEW jistg u jwasslu biex jittie du deçiωjonijiet pubbliçi u politiçi a jar milli jittie du llum. Il-fatt li qed isiru studji ta' dan it-tip, huwa ta' inkora iment. Ilna wisq ninnotaw li l-inugwaljanza soçjali qed tiωdied, li l-ambjent spiss jing ata l- enb, u li l-bniedem jikkonsma riωorsi b'rata ta 50% iktar g olja mir-rata li biha d-dinja tista' tirrisuplixxihom 4. Hemm bωonn li l-gvernijiet li jmexxuna, imexxuna g all-a jar, u mhux g all-ag ar. U biex jag mlu dan, apparti rieda tajba, kompetenza u nuqqas ta' korruzzjoni, g andhom bωonn indikaturi rappreωentattivi. Noti 1http:// ws/hockey-gains-concensus-at- G20-for-2-GDP-target-pl/ /, retrieved 7/10/2014 2http:// retrieved 7/10/2014 3http:// _MS211.pdf, retrieved 7/10/2014 4http:// n/index.php/gfn/page/world_footprint/, retrieved 7/10/2014

11 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 11 NSW remains a multicultural State In a statement to The Voice of the Maltese the Hon Victor Dominello MP Minister for Citizenship and Communities said that the NSW Government has a new direction for multicultural practice in the State. The NSW Government has outlined a new vision as part of the a three-year plan that will also see what is now known as the Community Relations Commission, renamed Mulitcultural NSW Minister Dominello told us that over the past 30 years, the State has welcomed more than one million migrants who have helped shape our society into one of the most culturally diverse in the world. The State s diversity is one of the greatest economic assets, making it vital for Multicultural NSW to be forward thinking as it sets policies that promote social cohesion Miet Charlie tal-presepju Nhar il-11 ta Settembru miet Carmel Charlie Debono, minn Fawkner, Victoria li kien mag ruf l-aktar mag ruf b ala Charlie tal-presepju Mekkaniku. Charlie twieled il-qala, G awdex u emigra lejn l-awstralja fl Wara xi snin, fl-1960 nieωel Malta. Sena wara iωωewwe lil martu, Maria u kellhom l-ewwel tarbija, Joseph. Flimkien re a lura lejn l- Awstralja fejn bdew ajja dida f Melbourne. Meta kien g adu tfajjel f G awdex, Carmel kien dilettant tal-presepju u kien jag mel presepji bil-karti bit-tqiq kemm g an-nies kif ukoll g al tal-muωew. Lura f Melbourne ma Maria bdew ikabbru l- familja. L-ewwel kienu joqog du Brunswick fejn anke bena presepju Ωg ir li kien ipo ieh fil-veranda biex setg u jarawh in-nies minn barra. Meta l- f a m i l j a bdiet tikber marru joqog du f - F a w k n e r fejn dak li laqtu l-aktar kien garaxx imdaqqas. Mill-ewwel w a a l h a f rasu li f dak il-garaxx seta jibni presepju ferm akbar u hekk g amel. Kull sena jωid ilkobor u l-g add tal-pasturi. Beda anke jag mel hu stess xi pasturi mekkanizzati. Fl-a ar spiçça bi presepju ta 12-il pied kwadru. Ta kull sena kont nie u gost inωuru u nintervistah g all-programm tar-radju komunitarju 3ZZZ. Kull darba li mort stajt dejjem nara xi a a dida. Huwa kien jifta dan il-presepju g al imag tejn fi Ωmien il-milied. Kienet l-g axqa tieg u jilqa n-nies, mhux Maltin biss, imma wkoll VjetnamiΩi, Filippini, Taljani, Griegi u o rajn. Matul il-jum kienu wkoll iωuruh tfal tal-iskola. MaΩ-Ωmien, bl-eta, Charlie beda jsibha bi tqila jid ol ta t il-presepju biex jirran a l-makkinarju u g al dawn l-a ar tliet snin qabel miet ma kienx jift u. Óalla jibqku t-telfa tieg u lil martu Maria, lill-uliedu Joseph, Connie, Raymond u Patrick, l-ir iel u n-nisa tag hom u 11il neputi. Bil-mewt ta Charlie l-komunita` Maltija tilfet hux biss lil din il-persuna imma wkoll il-presepju mekkaniku tieg u. Ag tih, O Mulej, ilmistrie ta dejjem. - Paul Vella, Melbourne and community harmony. The Minister insists that he wants to continue building a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society that enriches the lives of everyone living in NSW. On September 10, 2014 the Minister announced the new Chair of the Community Relations Commission (CRC) Advisory Board, Dr Hari Harinath OAM (pictured left) and seven part-time Advisory Members. The Minister concluded by stressing that he wants Multicultural NSW to be an organisation for the whole of NSW. We want it to prevent any action that threatens society harmony, active encourage multiculturalism in our community, and create a business environment where our multicultural advantages are used to drive economic success. The NSW Community Language Schools Conference On October 4, Anna Cuschieri, from Skola Maltija Sydney, attended the training day organised by the Community Language Schools Programme, held at Sydney University, which, like last year was very well attended. It was also a very informative, inspiring and enjoyable day. The success of the day was ensured thanks to the organisational skills of Mr Albert Vella, his crew of volunteers and teachers from the Federation. There were many guest speakers and many useful as well as interesting language and teaching workshops, teaching tips and presentation techniques. Language schools committee members and teaching staff are strongly recommended to attend this day conference as there is always something new to learn. This year Skola Maltija Sydney s own student, Jasmine Callaghan from the Rouse Hill class (left), participated in the children s choir at the conference opening ceremony. 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.

12 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 2014 Roundup of News About Malta Malta the surprise and the outsider that was delivering results in Europe Addressing a conference organised in Malta by Ernst and Young themed 50 years of FDI; Looking forward, Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat said that Malta was the surprise and the outsider that was delivering results in Europe. Speaking in a video-link with the conference from London, he said Malta was a beacon of hope in the Mediterranean; an oasis in a troubled region, adding that the island could be to the Mediterranean what Dubai was for the Gulf and Singapore for Asia. Indeed it could be better, since it was a democracy, he said. Saying that Malta is indeed outperforming the expectations of many, he revealed that in the second quarter of 2014, Eurostat informed the government that Malta had the highest rate of economic growth of all EU countries, with a quarter-on-quarter growth rate of 1.3% as against 0% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU. Over the last twelve months, Malta s real growth rate averaged 3%, as against 0.6% in the euro area and 1% in the EU. This growth is broad-based, with improvements seen in most economic sectors, and is supported by a year-on-year increase in investment of 19% during the first half of 2014, he added. The PM went on to say that this recovery in investment, combined with a sharp rebound in private consumption expenditure, up by 2.1% in real terms during this period, Nearly four-fifths of top executives in foreign-owned Maltese companies rate Malta as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, while 52% of existing foreign investors believe that Malta would be attractive to FDI in the next three years; 4% believed that it would not be attractive in three years' time. This results from a Malta attractiveness survey for 2014 conducted by Ernst and Young. In the survey that was launched during a conference in a hotel in St Julian s, 44% were unable to reply to the question. In 2011 the percentage of those unable to reply was 23%. The banking and insurance sectors were the most positive. In both sectors, 100% described Malta as an attractive investment destination, and over two-thirds said it would remain so over the next three years. The least optimistic is the manufacturing sector that has changed considerably over the years as low value-added industries - such as textiles - moved to countries with lower has caused Malta s unemployment rate to fall even further. According to Eurostat, in August it had dropped to 5.9% from 6.4% a year earlier, the lowest ever rate recorded. He observed that Malta was now the EU country with the third lowest unemployment, after Germany and Austria. Employment growth had Malta should be on the shortlist of every other investor wanting to penetrate Europe and Africa from a safe and stable vantage point also outstripped, by far, the rest of Europe. In the second half of the year wage growth stood at 3.7%, twice that of the euro area. Historically Malta had higher inflation than the rest of Europe, with the rate of inflation being 0.5 percentage points higher, on average, than the EU median, however, in recent months, inflation has converged to the EU average. Investors positive about Malta manufacturing costs outside of Europe. While 56% of investors in manufacturing said that Malta was presently an attractive FDI destination, 19% said that it was not. The survey also showed that 56% of investors planned to expand their operations in the following year, compared to just 26% who ruled such an expansion out. As far as planned expansion is concerned, the survey results are more positive than the past two years: 54% of respondents planned expansion in 2012, and 53% did last year. Back office services appear to be the most popular expansion project, identified by 36% of respondents, followed by research and development (16%) and sales and marketing (14%). Respondents were also asked to state which sector will drive Malta's growth in the next five years, and a majority - 58% - specifically mentioned online gambling. Respondents who are involved in the sector were actually more optimistic, with 70% believing that it would drive growth. The Conference that discussed Malta's attractiveness to foreign direct investment Saying that the main cause for this was the 25% decrease in energy bills for households, he added that it would improve competitiveness and, according to the Central Bank, contribute to more that 0.5 per cent improvement in competitiveness. The process would be followed by a reduction in bills for businesses next year. Dr Muscat reiterated the government's commitment to continue to improve the business environment by raising efficiency, reducing bureaucracy and improving competitiveness. He added that Malta will continue to propose its vision for a country as an ambitious and innovative player in the global economy, adding value to whoever chooses to invest and place his trust in us. We are charting a different path to that in the rest of Europe a path founded on our belief that the best way forward is to give clearly targeted incentives to people to create jobs and new activity and to support private industry with adequate infrastructure and a well-educated work force, he said. He concluded: With our human capital, unique geo-strategic position in Europe and at the doorstep of Africa, and our legislative agility, I believe that we can achieve even more. Malta can be, and should be, on the shortlist of every other investor wanting to penetrate Europe and Africa from a safe and stable vantage point. At the same time of the conference in Malta, Dr Muscat was also attending a seminar on the Citizenship Investment Programme, IIP in London organised by Henley and Partners in collaboration with the Maltese government. He stressed the need for continued innovation as the key to success by incentivising investment and creating wealth. Just as Malta became independent and moved forward, in sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, and more recently financial services and remote gaming, now Malta must lead, not follow, the innovative concept of citizenship, he said.

13 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 13 Roundup of News About Malta One Tablet Per Child project initiative starts In % of electricity generated from renewables In 2013, 1.6 per cent of the electricity generation in Malta was derived from renewable sources. The National Statistics Office said said that on average, energy generation and consumption in Malta over the past decade was 2.2 million megawatt hours annually. In 2012, the demand for electricity excluding renewables increased by 4.6 per cent while a 2.3 per cent decline was registered for Data shows that the highest generated power consumption was registered in 2007 (2,296,296 megawatt hours), followed by 2,275,892-megawatt hours in Approximately 20 per cent of all electricity generated occurs in July and August. The highest annual average demands were registered in 2005 and 2007, with 363 megawatts in both years. Most of this renewable energy (83.7 per cent) is produced from photovoltaic cells, while 16.3 per cent is obtained from other sources As part of the One Tablet Per Child initiative which is framed within the National Literacy Strategy for All published earlier this year and promised in the electoral programme, the Ministry of Education has started to distribute computer tablets to students in 20 Primary State, Church and Independent Schools around Malta and Gozo. About 350 students, 32 teachers and 21 learning support assistants (LSAs) are taking part in the Pilot Project that will determine what kind of tablet should be adopted and how it should be deployed for all students in State, Church and Independent Schools as from Year 4 in the Primary Classroom. Twelve local and international tablet hardware and software suppliers are loaning their tablets and software in an investment worth around 200,000. The tablets are based on three major operating systems, ios (Apple ipad), Android and Windows. The Pilot Project was launched in March Since then teachers have received training by the both the tablet providers and the Department of elearning within the Ministry for Education and Employment, which is co-ordinating the project. Tablets will be used in class between October and March Academic staff at the University of Malta will be involved in the research. An evaluation report will be drawn up and its recommendations would be used in the overall preparations to introduce such innovative technology on a national scale in the Maltese education system. Areas to be considered include the procurement of tablets, the upgrade of the school s Internet network, and the training of teachers. The teachers taking part in the project are all volunteers. The target date to provide tablets to Year 4 students is October September in Malta warmest since 1924 With temperatures soaring to beyond 34 C, last month was Malta s hottest September since 1924, while the average air temperature was 26.3 C, which is 1.6 C more than normal for the month of September, The Malta Airport Met Office said that the hottest day fell on Independence Day. On September 21, the temperature rose to 34.6 C; the coolest day was September 30th, when it fell to 19.2 C. During the same month Malta had only a total of 0.2 mm of rain, which is heavily below the norm of 58.1 mm. These figures rank September 2014 as the second warmest and sixth driest in Malta since records began to be recorded in The hottest ever September was in 1924 when a sweltering 38.9 C was reached on two days. On record, the wettest Maltese September was that of 1997, with a total of mm of rain. Meanwhile, the driest was recorded in 1943, with no rain at all. Last month, Malta also enjoyed a total of 240 hours of bright sunshine, averaging eight hours per day. The sunniest days were September 1 and 6, each totalling 11.3 hours of sunshine. One hour of sunshine was recorded on the dullest day, September 25th. Organisations wishing to publish notices or news intended for the Maltese community in Australia in The Voice of the Maltese, are advised to stick to the magazine s deadline and submit material at least a week prior to publication. Positive results for Malta hotels in first half of 2014 A survey carried out by Deloitte on behalf of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, MH&RA, indicates that the first half of the year has been a positive one for hotels in Malta, with all categories recording higher room occupancies and profits when compared to 2013, The results reflect official tourist figures that show that the number of inbound tourists between January and June was 8.7% higher than the corresponding period in the previous year, while the number of guest nights increased by 7.2% on account of a shorter average length of stay. All hotel categories registered a higher occupancy rate when compared to The occupancy rate increased by 3.6 percentage points to 67% in 5-star hotels, by 1.2pp to 73.5% in 4-star hotels, and by 4pp to 64% in 3-star hotels.

14 14 The Voice of the Maltese T uesday October 14, 2014 L-Anzjani jag mluha Filwaqt li fuq na a wa da kulma jmur qed jikber l-g add ta koppji li jinfirdu, jisseparaw jew jiddivorzjaw, fuq in-na a l-o ra g andna g add mielu ta anzjani li qed jiωωeww u. B kollox is-sena li g addiet f Malta u G awdex kien hawn 73 ra el u 32 mara ta' 60 sena jew aktar li ΩΩew u. U l-akbar persenta minnhom, 58,1%, jidher li ma qatg ux qalbhom avolja l-ewwel Ωwie tag hom kien falla, g ax minkejja li ddivorzjaw xorta fittxew sie eb jew sie ba dida u ΩΩeww u mill- did. Kien hemm imbag ad 18.1% li kif ng idu l-maltin g amluha (hawn min jg id g arrquha ) l-ewwel darba fi xju ithom (jekk nistg u ng idu li xi add li g andu 60 sena hu xi ). G add sabi ta anzjani (g ax hawn min jippreferi l-kema anzjan milli xi, g alkemm jien kieku nippreferi min jg idli xi g ax fil-verita din il-kelma Fedina ta 44 pa na L-ewwelnett x inhi fedina? Attwalment din hija kelma Taljana fedina penali li tfisser il-lista ta akkuωi li wie ed ikun instab ati bihom mill- Qrati. U sintendi dawn ikunu mniωωla fiççertifikat tal-kondotta ta dak li jkun. Allura li jkollok fedina ta 44 pa na mhix çajta. IΩda daqshekk fiha pa ni l-fedina ta Melchior Spiteri li dan l-a ar ie mixli u ikkundannat dwar droga li kienet instabet fiç-çella tieg u fil-façilità Korretiva ta Kordin. Spiteri nstab ati u ie kkundannat 18-il xahar abs u mmultat 900. U din is-sentenza ta abs trid tiωdied ma sentenzi o ra ta abs li g andu Spiteri, fosthom wa da ta 30 sena wara li kien instab ati ta qtil. Ma din is-sentenza fil-fedina hemm fost l-o rajn li ng ata l-libertà kundizzjonata sitt darbiet, darba ng ata sentenza sospiωa, ing ata dax-il darba multa, u kellu disa multi mibdulin f piena ta abs. U sintendi biex in ibu l-fedina kollha irridu tal-inqas 44 pa na. Dabbar Rasu... Importatur tal-la am Ryan Schembri, jidher li dabbar rasu u arab minn Malta flimkien mal-familja tieg u wara li ffroda diversi negozjanti. Il-frodi ma kienx wie ed taç-çajt g ax skont il- urnal In- Nazzjon ila qu aktar minn 40 miljun. torbot l-anzjanita mal-g erf) qed jistudjaw fl-universita. U dawn l-54 persuna mhumiex jattendu l-universita tat-terza eta, iωda ma studenti ferm iωg ar minnhom fl-eta g al korsijiet li jwasslu g al Second Degree jew Postgraduate Certificate. Sa ansitra hemm u ud li qed jistudjaw g al dottorat. Fl-2013 f'pajjiωna kien hawn 105,068 persuna ta' 60 sena jew aktar, ji ifieri kwaωi kwart (24.7%) tal-popolazzjoni totali. In-nisa kienu jammontaw g al 54.3% tal-anzjani, g ax fuq kollox, dejjem kif tg idilna l-istatistika, l-g add ta nisa li jil qu çerta eta huwa dejjem akbar minn dak tal-ir iel. U sintendi aktar ma jkun hemm anzjani fil-pajjiω, aktar il-pajjiω irid i orr piω finanzjarju. Anke jekk illum g add sabi minn dawk li s-soltu jirtiraw bil-pensjoni qed jibqg u ja dmu. Fil-fatt is-sena l-o ra l-gvern nefaq 433 miljun fuq il-pensjonijiet tal-anzjani, ji- ifieri Ωieda ta' 4% meta mqabbel mal- 2012, u minkejja dan xorta g ad g andna numru konsiderevoli ta anzjani li jg ixu jew huma f riskju ta faqar. Skont l-istatistika r-rata ta' riskju ta' faqar fost l-anzjani kienet ta' 15.1%. Tant li Fost dawk ta' 65 sena jew aktar, 52.2% ma kinux jifil u j allsu g al btala ta' img a kull sena filwaqt li 21.3% ma kinux f'qag da finanzjarja li jid lu fi spejjeω mhux ippjanati ta' mill-inqas 450. Barra minhekk, 23.5% ma kinux f'poωizzjoni li jωommu d-dar tag hom s una biωωejjed fix-xitwa. U kif g idt, l-anzjani li baqg u ja dmu Ωdied ukoll anzi fl-a ar g axar snin kwaωi rdoppja u llum ila aq it-8.8% talanzjani. Qed jiωdiedu wkoll dawk l-anzjani li jie du vaganza barra mill-pajjiω: tant li filwaqt li fl-2010 kien hemm 19,598 anzjan jew anzjana li siefru, fl-2013 dan l-g add tela g al 33,016. QabΩa miela! U ta anzjani li huma jidher li baqg u jωommu f qalbhom il-pajjiωi tradizzjonali g assafar l-ingilterra u l-italja. Il-Vetturi Mill-anzjani ng addu g all-karozzi, u hawnhekk ukoll qed naraw Ωdidiet kbar. BiΩΩejjed ng id li f dawn l- a ar snin l-g add ta vetturi Ωdied b aktar minn 58,000, biex illum fil-gωejjer Maltin g andna 329,053 vettura rre istrata. Ma nafx kemm hemm ukoll mhux irre istrati... iva jidher li g andna g add mhux aωin ta vetturi fit-toroq li mhumiex re istrati. Sintendi l-ikbar g add ta vetturi huma karozzi -252,547. Mela jekk wie ed ixebba l-g add ta karozzi mal-popolazzjoni ta Malta jsib li bejn wie ed u ie or, g al kull Ωew persuni g andna karozza. Attwalment fl-2010 (u na seb li llum Ωdiedu sewwa) g al kull 1000 ru kellna 579 karozza. Jekk nibqg u sejrin bir-rata ta Ωieda li kellna dan l-a ar bejn Ìunju 2013 u Ìunju 2014 ar u ras g al ras, medja ta aktar minn 28 karozza kuljum: ma nafx fejn se naslu. Dan l-g add ta karozzi jpo ina minn ta quddiem meta mxebb a ma pajjiωi tad-dinja. Qabilna hemm biss San Marino, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Lussemburgu, l-islanda, Puerto Rico, l- Italja u New Zealand. Mhux ta b xejn li llum hija battikata biex wie ed imur bil-karozza minn post g all-ie or fil-gωejjer Maltin. Insomma g andhom skuωa tajba dawk li rari jaslu fil- in g ax-xog ol... g ax il-fraωi we ilt fit-traffiku saret tintuωa sikwit. Óafna drabi tkun il-verita... imma sintendi jkun hemm min japprofitta ru u mis-sitwazzjoni. TuriΩmu: Min jonfoq l-aktar f Malta? Illum iet g all-figuri, u din id-darba niffukaw dwar it-turiωmu u nibdew b figura li forsi tissorprendi xi ftit.. dik dwar min mit-turisti jonfoq l-aktar. U o ro il-g a eb, bejn Jannar u Awwissu ta din is-sena nstab li l-aktar turist li jonfoq meta ji i g all-vaganza f Malta, huwa r-russu (li nefaq, sintendi ras g al ras 1,609). Warajh dak Svizzeru ( 1,247)... u l-inqas it-taljan, li nefaq biss 630. Dnub li l-g add ta turisti Russi u Svizzeri hu Ωg ir imxebba ma tat-taljani u l-ingliωi. Minkejja li huma l-inqas li jonfqu flus, bejn Jannar u Awwissu li g adda t-taljani, xorta allew warajhom b 115,822,000, biex imbag ad l-ingliωi allew 280,193,000 Dan g aliex l-akbar suq turistiku jibqa dak mir-renju Unit minn fejn f Awwissu ta din is-sena ew kwaωi 60,000 turist. Warajh dak Taljan (b 47,858 turist). Awissu kien l-aqwa xahar g at-turiωmu f Malta meta Ωaru xtutna 239,343 turist.

15 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 15 Mill-Qorti: Imm hekk sew? Jekk wie ed jaqra l- urnali jew jisma l-a barijiet lokali ma jistax jonqos li ma jsibx parti li tittratta dwar dak li ji ri fil-qrati Maltin... u kultant fil-kummentti tal-qarrejja jiltaqa ma kritika mhux aωin dwar çerti sentenzi li jing ataw... u l-ilmenti jkunu g ax il-qarrejja j ossu li l-qrati qed juru wisq niena ma dawk li jinstabu atja. Hekk ara meta l-qorti Maltija ikkundannat lil Daniel Mercieca, In inier li kien ja dem mal- STMicorelectronics i allas 34,161 lill-kumpanija li kien ja dem mag ha wara li nstab ati li meta kien ja dem b ala mani er mag ha fuq linji talproduzzjoni li fihom kien jintuωa d-deheb (fili taddeheb jintuωaw fil-produzzjoni ta çerti partijiet elettroniçi) kien jie u g alih il-fdalijiet tad-deheb li suppost li kellu jin abar biex jinbieg g arriçikla. Il-Kumpanija sa qet li dan kien a b kemm jiswew 120,164 fi fdalijiet tad-deheb, iωda fiddeçiωjoni tag ha l-qorti waslet g as-somma ta 34,161 u l-imputat ie m ieg el jag ti lura din is-somma. Kien propju fuq dan li wie ed mill-qarrejja lmenta. Sostna li fuq kollox dan ma we el xejn talli seraq, imma sempliçament radd lura dak li seraq. Jien fil-qrati ma nifhimx u allura ma nazzardax nikkumenta. N ispiççaw kif bdejna, fuq nota poωittiva. Jidher li hemm moviment fi dan il- Knisja biex tibdel l-attitudni tag ha dwar d- divorzjati, l-omosesswali, eçç. Infatti waqt sinodu tal-isqfijiet li qed isir fil-valtikan, ie trattat il-lingwa iebes tal-knisja dwar çerti nies, b diversi Isqfijiet u kelliema jitkellmu dwar il-mod kif il-mexxejja tal-knisja xi drabi jittimbraw lin-nies b çertu diskors li mhux neçessarjament jistieden lill-poplu Nisrani biex iqarreb lilu nnifsu lejn il-knisja. Fost dawk li tkellmu favur il-bidla kien hemm l-isqof ta G awdex, Mons Mario Grech. Huwa sostna li ming ajr ma tibdel ittag lim tag ha u xxejjen il-van elu tal- Mix-xena tal- ajja Maltija 2 G amilha sa ansitra fil-qorti Ìeneralment dawk li jidda lu l-qorti ji u mixlija b xi a a li g amlu barra l Qorti. Imma diddarba g andna lil xi add li g al darba, darbtejn ie mressaq il-qorti mixli li g amel xi a a kontra l-li i propju fil-post fejn dak li jkun ji i udikat dwar dak li g amel. Xi ftit ilu, l-g awdxi Pasqualino Cefai ie kkundannat sitt snin abs wara li nstab ati li propju fil-qorti ta G awdex, waqt kawωa çivili li kellu kontra Joseph Portelli are sikkina u ta g oxrin daqqa biha lil Pasqualino Cefai Portelli. Waqt dan l-inçident darab ukoll lill-avukat ta Portelli. It-tieni nçident se fil-qorti f Malta wara li Cefai pprotesta g ax waqt issmieg tal-kawωa tieg u l-avukat ma kienx preωenti u l-ma istrat ddeçidiet li tkompli sejra bil-kawωa. Cefai tant adha bi kbira li ebb g all-ma istrat Audrey Demicoli u skont ix-xhieda sa Bidla fl-attitudni tal-knisja l-isqof ta G awdex Mons Mario Grech (xellug) mal-papa Fran isku Familja, il-knisja trid tifhem li l-familja llum hi anke dik tar-ra el u l-mara divorzjati li qed jg ixu fit-tieni relazzjoni, u dik li fiha wlied b orjentazzjoni omosesswali. Fil-preΩenza wkoll tal-papa Fran isku, l- Isqof Grech qal li l-knisja g andha tkun taf tajjeb lill-familji tag ha bil-g an li tkun tista twassal il-van elu b mod konkret. Hu rrefera g al-lingwa tal-knisja, li fi kliemu g andu jkun lingwa ta Knisja li hi omm anina u fl-istess in tabib. Mario Grech qal li kien qed jg id dan wara li sema lill-familji ta persuni b orjentazzjoni omosesswali, li j ossuhom mi ru a bil-lingwa uωat g alihom f xi kitbiet, inkluω fil-katekiωmu tal-knisja Kattolika. Qal li min abba f hekk qed ibatu biex iωommu ajja l-fidi fi Kristu. Isqfijiet mid-dinja kollha qed jattendu g as-sitt laqg a tal- Assemblea enerali straordinarja tas-sinodu f Ruma li qed jitratta L-isfidi pastorali tal-familja filkuntest tal-evan elizzazzjoni Nawguralhom li dan is-sinodu jag ti l-frott tieg u u spinta lill- Knisja li hija tant me tie a f dawn iω- Ωminijiet. hedded li joqtolha. Meta numru ta pulizija rnexxielhom iωommuh, hedded ukoll lill-ispettur u baqa jissara mal-pulizija li kienu qed jeskortawh il barra mill-awla. Issa Cefai qed ji i mixlib diversi reati dwar dan il-kaω... u fejn is-soltu l-pulizija tne i l-manetti tal-akkuωat waqt ilkawωa, din id-darba fuq ordni tal-ma istrat li qed jisma l-kawωa, Cefai baqa immanittjat. Insomma na seb li l-qorti Ωammet quddiem g ajnejha l-qawl Taljan: Non ce due senza tre. Óaditlu l-kartiera... u swielha qares U la semmejt il-qrati... insemmi a bar o ra li ar et minn hemm. Din dwar dik il-professjoni li jing ad li hija l-eqdem wa da fl-istorja umana... il-prostituzzjoni. Çertu Robert Spiteri fil-qorti xehed li waqqaf lil Donna Camilleri biex trendilu servizzi sesswali. G al dan ilg an huwa adha bil-karozza tieg u wara l-fabbriki tal-marsa imma re a bdielu. G alhek adha lura u taha 20. Imma f dan il- in ie fuqu ra el u beda jinsisti mieg u li ried iktar flus. Il-vittma qal li dan ir-ra el qabdu minn g onqu u f dan il- in Camilleri aditlu l-kartiera bi 80 fiha mill-but u kemm hi kif ukoll ir-ra el arbu minn fuq il-post. Ma kienetx kartiera li serqet Camilleri g ax dawk it- 80 swewla tlett snin abs. Dan min abba li minbarra s-serq talkartiera nstabet atja wkoll li tlajjat bi skop ta prostituzzjoni, li naqset li t ares il-kundizzjonijiet tal- elsien mill-arrest imposti fuqha mill-ma istrat fit-22 ta Ottubru tal-2012, li kisret sentenza sospiωa mog tija mill-ma istrat fil-25 ta Awwissu 2012 u li kisret sentenzi o ra tal-qrati ta Malta.

16 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 2014 ISIL declared war on World It was only a matter of time. There was never any doubt that the Abbott government would eventually commit Australian military forces to a dangerous and potentially open-ended war against Islamic State militants in Iraq. The historic decision followed the signing of a legal contract between Baghdad and Canberra and comes more than a fortnight after the pre-deployment of 600 personnel and eight RAAF jet aircraft six of them F/A-18 Super Hornets. The Prime Minister said the combat operations were directed against an "insurgency" and therefore did not technically constitute a war. Flanked by Defence Minister David Johnston and Chief of Defence Force Mark Binskin, Prime Minister Tony Abbott acknowledged the mission would be dangerous and hinted that it could last years. I have to warn that this deployment to Iraq could be quite lengthy - certainly months rather than weeks, Mr Abbott said. I want to reassure the Australian people that it will be as long as it needs to be, but as short as it possibly can be [but] I also need to warn the Australian people that this is a dangerous mission. It is a dangerous mission, but I am confident that the CDF has put in place all possible measures to minimise risk." Mr Abbott said IS, formerly known as ISIL, was an "apocalyptic death cult" that had declared war on the world and it was therefore a matter of Australia's national interest that it be degraded and destroyed if possible. It's a fight which has been joined, one way or another, by upwards of 60 countries it's Iraq's fight at one level, but at a deeper level it's the world s fight because ISIL has declared war on the world; ISIL is launching an assault on civilisation, not just upon the people of Iraq right now." Well prepared for Ebola Queensland health authorities have said that a 57-year-old Cairns-based nurse, Sue Ellen Kovack (below) who had been working with Ebola patients in Sierra Leone has tested negative for the virus. She had volunteered with Red Cross to help combat the outbreak in west Africa, and back home she had to spend some days in isolation waiting for test results before she was given the all clear. A quick glimpse at Australia Watch your Seniors Health Card From January 1, 2015 the income test for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) will become a lot stricter. Retirees who make changes to their finances after this date could lose this valuable concession card, which provides discounts on medical and (in some States) electricity bills. The allowable income for the card is about $80,000 a year for a couple combined and about $50,000 a year for singles. If you are already a cardholder, existing account-based pensions will remain the same exempt if no significant changes are made to the pension after January1, 2015, and you otherwise maintain your eligibility. Considering overseas travel plans might sound unrelated but retirees who spend more than 19 weeks outside Australia may have their card cancelled. Although you can get them back when you get home, the exemptions on grandfathered super pensions will be lost. Contact your local Member of Parliament for more information. Meanwhile, while experts warn Ebola could become the next AIDA, and Ebola outbreak in Australia remains a low priority in part because there are no direct flights from West Africa. Dr. Grant Hill-Cawthorne for the University of Sydney s Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity said, Australia doesn t really have traditional relationships with west African countries. Sydney s Westmead Hospital has been conducting drills to prepare for a potential outbreak of Ebola while the nation s health department say they are well equipped to deal with the possible cases. According to NSW Health, While Ebola is very serious disease it is not like influenza. It is not caught through coughing or sneezing. It is only caught through contact with body fluids of an infected person or animal. Ebola has killed more than 3400 people mostly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The SBS has a new chairman Cabinet has approved businessman Nihal Gupta (pictured above) to become the SBS chairman. A Liberal Party donor, Mr Gupta is managing director of Digital Electronics Corporation Australia and chairman of the Australia Securities Exchange-listed JCurve Solutions. He is also a member of the NSW government s multicultural Business Advisory Panel. The appointment comes at a crucial time for the multilingual broadcaster, which is facing deep funding cuts and has been without a chairman for six months. Another person short listed for the position was former Premier of NSW Nick Greiner but the four-person independent nomination panel chose Mr Gupta. The panel found Mr Grupta was highly suitable for the role because of his experience in technology, business and multicultural affairs. Labour communication spokesman, Jason Clare said the appointment was an outrageous demonstration of job for the boys.

17 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 17 Burqas in Parliament House Federal Parliament's presiding officers Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate President Stephen Parry announced security measures under which women wearing coverings such as burqa would be forced to sit with schoolchildren in a glassed-off area of the public galleries, however Prime Minister Tony Abbott has killed off this plan. Before the revised security rules were announced, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop agreed that people entering the Parliament should be identifiable but said that, unlike the Prime Minister; she did not find the garment confronting. I'm not confronted by clothing... some may be offended by it, some may be confronted by it but in Australia we have a choice, and that's that kind of choice and society we fight to defend," she said. Liberal senator Cory Bernardi had asked for a ban on the garment to be considered. Liberal MP George Christensen and Palmer United senator Jacqui Lambie also criticised it The NSW Bar Association issued a statement in response to the developments in Parliament. "Comments and actions which purport to link the wearing of clothing based on religious beliefs to risks relating to terrorism and particular races, nationalities or ethnicities may constitute racial vilification under the [NSW Anti-Discrimination Act] or offensive behaviour under 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act," said Arthur Moses, SC, the junior vice-president of the association. Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson said there was no justification for the new security arrangements and that if there was a danger, then why would we sit people with children? Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said bluntly that people should not have to be segregated to attend Parliament. Leaders have a responsibility to act for minorities as well as majorities,: he said. This divisive debate was allowed to drag on for too long because of the Prime Minister's silence. He is following his party instead of leading it. Constitutional scholar George Williams A quick glimpse at Australia said section 116 of the constitution covered religious freedom but that only protects people against Commonwealth laws; it doesn't sound like there is Commonwealth law in this case, in which case the protections are not likely to apply, so yes, I think this can be imposed without a constitutional problem. A comment was made that if observant Jews can wear skullcaps, Silkhs turbans and Christians crucifixes, it is hard to see how Muslim women can be denied their headscarves Support for the air strikes Agalaxy poll featured in The Sunday Telegraph found Australians back RAAF air strikes in Iraq with a majority of voters believing the threat of terrorist attack in Australia is real. The poll has found that 62% support the Liberal Government decision to commence air strikes in Iraq against death cult Islamic State. An even higher number 75 % believe the threat of terrorism attack on Australian soil is real. Voters have been convinced once again that terrorism on the home front is serious. Meanwhile thousands of Australian Muslims were urged to keep the faith that bigots, racists, haters and extremists do not speak for Islam or the Nation. 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 Using harsh language According to Fr Tomas Rosica, the English-language spokesman at the Vatican s Synod on the Family, one participant said that phrases such as living in sin, intrinsically disordered and contraceptive mentality needed to be avoided; while other Synod Fathers pointed out that too often the theology of marriage was filtered through harsh language. Another theme that emerged from the bishops formal discussions was a need for the Church to present its teaching in more accessible ways. The Synod heard there was a need to re-propose what we know in accessible language and a need to carefully interpret key Gospel passages on marriage and family. Cardinal Vincent Nichols stressed that a number of the 70 interventions from cardinals and bishops were based on pastoral perspectives rather than academic studies. He also pointed out the importance of laity addressing the Synod noting how they spoke at the beginning of each session. Cardinal Nichols, who is attending the Synod as President of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, told journalists that the law of graduality, the theological idea that people can come closer to the fullness of Church teaching during their lives, was also discussed. An example of graduality would be a couple that decides to get married after living together.

18 18 The Voice of the Maltese T uesday October 14, 2014 During the procession with the statute. (Extreme right is Angleo Scerri, who donated the statue to the Warrawong parish. Fr. Joseph Curmi SThB, JCL from the parish of Xag ra Gozo who was visiting Sydney Australia recently, made a surprise call to the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre at Mays Hills Sydney, during Computer classes for seniors being held at this Centre Ḣe was welcomed by the centre s v/president Mr. Emanuel Camilleri who after introducing Fr Curmi to the class of elderly Maltese who were in progress of acquiring skills needed in computer literacy, showed him around the Centre and briefed him about the activities and future development planned for the Centre. Fr. Curmi praised the work of the Maltese Community Council in NSW Our Lady of Victories festa Celebrated in Wollongong In September, the parish of Warrawong St Francis of Assisi church that was founded by the Maltese community in 1956 under the care of the Franciscan Conventual friars from Malta, celebrated the annual feast of Our Lady of Victory, il-bambina. This year s activity commemorated the 41st anniversary of the statue of the Madonna Marija Bambina that was donated to the Warrawong church by Mr Angelo Scerri in 1973 as a memorial to his wife who was tragically killed in a car accident in The statue was made in Bolzano, Northern Italy and was modelled on the statue that is found in the church of Senglea, in Malta, the birthplace of Angelo s mother. The main celebrants at the and said he was elated to have met so many Maltese and fellow Gozitans during Warrawong feast were the parish priest, Fr Emanuel Gatt, and his assistant, Fr Leonard Testa. The president of the Illawarra Maltese club, George Cross Falcons in Cringila Mr Louis Parnis, the Maltese founded Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from the Port Kembla convent and the Warrawong convents were in attendance During the celebration a procession with the statue was held in the grounds of the St Francis of Assisi catholic primary school accompanied by flags, banners and children wearing the national Maltese costumes those of the Knights of St John and the Maltese Noble ladies. After mass a get together was held in the School s hall. - Lawrence Scerri Gozitan priest visits to the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre Fr. Joseph Curmi (centre) during his meeting with Maltese-Australians at the Alfred Fenech Resource Centre 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. his visit to Australia that was sponsored by the Xaghra Association of NSW Emanuel not Frank We apologise that in the caption to the picture accomanying the article Greystanes Maltese Seniors celebrate Maria Bambina that was carried on page 18 of the last issue (No. 85), the name of the grandson who was with Vittoria Teuma, the oldest member of the Greystanes Seniors Group was given as Frank. That was in error. His name is Emanuel Facts to ponder Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. To handle yourself, use your head, To handle others, use your heart.

19 Tuesday October 14, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Il-Grupp Letteratura Maltija ta Melbourne Maltin jippreωentaw kitbiet tag hom waqt programm MuΩiko-Letterarju Lejn l-a ar ta Settembru l-grupp Letterarju ta Victoria organizza programm MuΩiko-Letterarju fiç-çentru ta Parkville li feta bl-innu Malti u ssokta bil-mer ba tal-v/president tal-glm, Marie Louise Anastasi u l-president, Dr. Mario Sammut li fl-indirizz tieg u e e biex tiωdied is-s ubija fil-grupp, u ta ajr lillkumitat u o rajn, fosthom lil Rose Lofaro li tg in fil-qari tal-provi tal-pubblikazzjonijiet tal-grupp. Wara bdiet is-serje ta qari ta xog lijiet mill-membri. Beda Manwel Cassar li qara l-kitbiet tieg u, Çirku u Wiçç Kristu. Wara, Josephine Cassar qrat il-poeωija tag ha, IΩ-Ûg oωijha, u Dr Sammut segwa b Ωew poeωiji tieg u, Id-Dnub ma Jorqodx u TerroriΩmu. O rajn li qraw ix-xog lijiet tag hom flewwel parti tal-programm kienu, Marie Louise Anastasi bil-poeωija tag ha, Farfett u poeωija ta Publius Bugeja, Ipokrita, Paul Vella li semma le nu filqari ta Ωew poeωiji tieg u, Óarifa u G idli, Çkejkna!, u Manwel Cassar bilpoeωija ta martu Josephine, L-Infermermiera Ωag Ωug a Waqt il-programm is-sur Victor Grech illonçja l-ktejjeb ta poeωiji tal-mibki Dr. Mario Sammut jaqra xi xog ol tieg u imma qatt minsi membru tal-grupp Laurie Armato li miet ftit ilu, u li ew mi bura minn Dr Clemente Zammit. F diskors li g amel, Victor semma l- idmet Laurie g all-ilsien Malti. Fil-preΩenza tan-neputi ta Laurie, John Galea, ixxandar recording b le en Laurie jaqra Ωew poeωiji, Warda Maltija u L-Ilsien li Bih Twelidt Bil-programm ji i wkoll imωewwaq b waqtiet muωikali, it-tieni parti bdiet bilqari tal-poeωija L-Emigrant minn Victor Grech, segwit minn Albert Agius li mhux biss qara l-poeωija tieg u G annej tax-xewqa, imma anke spiçça jg anni l-a ar parti tag ha akkumpanjat mill-grupp muωikali. Nazzarene Zerafa, li g alkemm joqg od Queensland ilu membru tal-grupp g al g add ta snin u dejjem jibg at xog lijiet minn tieg u lill-grupp, kellu poeωija minn tieg u, Tlift Kull Tama moqrija minn Rose Lofaro. Min-na a tieg u, Frank Bonett, li dejjem jistqarr li jirringrazzja lillfundatur tal-grupp, Dr ÌuΩe` Abela u lill-grupp, li dejjem e u jitg allem il-malti u jiktbu, ippreωenta u qara Ωew poeωiji li kiteb hu stess, Namrati u Il- lewwa tan-natura. Kien hemm ukoll sorpriωa elwa Iç-çkejkna Charlotte Ann Camilleri waqt ir-rakkont ta Il-Pupa Wisq Sabi a flimkien mal-band. Il- emg a ta membri li attendew ghal-lejla MuΩiko-Letterarja attenti jsegwu l-qari ta kitbiet Maltin meta ç-çkejkna ta tlett snin u nofs, Charlotte Ann Camilleri, in-neputija ta Joe Camilleri tal-grupp muωikali, rrakkontat, Il-Pupa Wisq Sabi a, li g allmitielha nannitha. M g andux jonqos li rçeviet applaws kbir. ÌuΩi Camilleri bil-poeωija tieg u Kemm Kienu G aωωenin Çensa u Rokku, Michael Xuereb b Ωew poeωiji, Niftakar u Bebbuxu, Joe Bonett bilpoeωija Lil Missieri, li nqrat minnn Rosemary Attard, u qari minn Ray Anastasi tal-poeωiji Amen u Bejn Waqt u Ie or, kitba ta Baldass Armato, temmew il-programm Ma setax jonqos il- ajr lil g add ta nies li g inu li l-lejla tkun wa da ta suççess, l- aktar u l-aktar lil Salvina Vella u Yvonne u Sam Caruana li admu u ejjew l-ikel lillmistednin li fosthom kien hemm ukoll il- Konslu Ìenerali ta Malta fil-victoria, Victor Grech; Dr Clemente Zammit u martu Mary, u wkoll Gejtu Deguara, il-v/president tal-mccv, u martu Mary. Alfred Xuereb fuq is-synthesiser, Joe Camilleri fuq il-perkussjoni u Joe Gauci fuq il-kitarra ferr u lill- emg a billi daqqew siltiet ta muωika maghrufa Maltija. - Paul Vella

20 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday October 14, 2014 Community News Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day 21st Ann. luncheon The Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day 21st Anniversary Luncheon was celebrated on October 8 at St Stephen s Church Hall, Plumpton NSW. Like previous years it was another success, enjoyed by the elderly who attended. Dr George Boffa, assisted by Laura Boffa, was host Presenter Maria Mercieca opened the procedures with the Maltese and Australian National Anthem and mass was celebrated by Fr Noel Bianco and co-celebrant Fr Benedict Sant. Dr Boffa s brief speech put everyone at ease when he asked for a show of hands for the most elderly couple on the floor to cut the celebration cake. During lunch, the guests where entertained by well-known Maltese entertainer in Australia Joe Apap, while the Ever Young Golden Girls delighted the guests with a various costumes during their performance of songs from the 50 s and 60 s era. FIERA TAL-FNIEK Fiera Maltija Il-Óadd 19 ta Ottubru fil-good Shepherd Hall Hyatts Road, Plumpton mis-1.30 p.m. Divertiment, Kant u daqq mill-popolari Joe Xuereb u Tony Fenech Nibdew bil-wirja tal-karozzi mid- From 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. G all-fiera se jkollna: Fniek, inbid, whisky, birra u affarijiet o ra b al hams u fruit trays Mill-Kçina ssibu ikel Malti b al obω biω-ωejt, pastizzi, biskuttini, obω bil-bigilla, ikel u xorb Nibdew filg odu bil- Cars, Motorbikes & Trucks Exhibition From 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. D ul u parking b xejn G al aktar tag rif çemplu lil Bill Schembri: jew lill- PRO: Joe Fenech: The Ever Young Golden Girls performing at the luncheon Tony Fenech and Joe Xuereb who sang Maltese songs fittingly closed the occasion, and after the raffle was drawn, it was time to say goodbye with a final song Tini Jdejk. A big thank you to the hard working committee responsible for organising this annual event for aged in our community. AvviΩ g al min tinteressah il-kitba Id-direzzjoni ta The Voice t e e lill-qarrejja li j os-su li jew g andhom talent g allkitba inkella li ja s-bu li bi ftit g ajnuna jist-g u jrabbu l-kunfidenza g all-kitba, biex jekk iridu jistg u jissottomettu x-xog ol tag hom lil The Voice of the Maltese. address: maltesevoice@gmail.com The most elderly couple cutting the cake La Valette Social Centre Programme 2014 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. Watch race on big screen. There will be sweeps lucky door prizes and hat competition. Please book early. November 9: Sunday - Celebration on 50th anniversary of la Valette Social Centre. Free concert and entertainment. Admission for members only. November 23: Sunday (Rabtin and their friends) - cost $45 for a 3- course meal. Entertainment by Rocking Mustangs. Compare: Charlie Camilleri. From pm till 5pm. November 25: Tuesday - G ana at the centre. Starts at 8pm Entry is free. Everybody is welcome. For bookings and information phone: The Centre: ; Charlie Camilleri : ; Frances ; Antoinette

21 Tuesday October 14, 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 SBS 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 October 14, 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 October 14, 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 The Maltese Guild of South Australia Inc. 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. Invites you to join them for a Melbourne Cup Luncheon On Tuesday November 4. Lunch at 12:15pm at 6 Jeanes Street Beverley. Doors open 9.30am Members $7; Non members $10 Melbourne Cup Race Sweeps Raffle Live TV Coverage of the Race For bookings call Joe Briffa or ; Mary Craus or ; Rita Bornhoeft or 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 October 14, 2014 S p o r t s Jade wins more Gold in Karate In Issue No, 82 (dated August 19), we featured 13- year-old karateka Jade Colver-Vella who had just won her third successive National Championships (Kumite 12/13yo -50kg) in Perth. She has also competed in the teams Kumite 12/13yo event and won two gold Jade on top of the podium medals for Victoria. Now, Jade granddaughter of Caesar and Phyllis Vella, has followed up her performance at the Nationals by winning two more gold for Australia at the World Karate Federations 16th Oceania Championships in Fiji. She won them in the 12/13- year-old girls under 50kg Kumite (sparring) and team Kumite events. Sensei Peter Hollowood, Jade s trainer at the Ishinryu Karate club said: Jade really deserved her success. She trains hard and makes sacrifices to make sure that karate comes first in her life. She is chasing the ultimate goal in our sport to be world champion and I m happy to be able to help and be part of her journey. Norway s King rules over Malta Malta s national football team kicked off the EURO 2016 Group H qualifiers with two home internationals in three days. In the first match on Friday the result does not give much hope for optimism as Malta lost 3-0 to Norway. Malta s next match was played against Italy Tuesday morning (Australia time, too late for us to include the final result) Against Norway, two quick goals from defensive slips midway through the first half paved the way for Norway s victory. They were scored by Mats Møller Daehli (22 ) and Joshua King (25 ). King was supreme and a constant menace. He got his second and Norway s third on 49 minutes. He and Deahli also came close to inceasing the lead on a number of occasions, but found goalkeeper Andrew Hogg thwarting them, while Malta s striking power was almost non-existent. Melbourne V. kick off with a blinder Kevin Muscat, the Head Coach of Melbourne Victory FC who is of Maltese descent, could not have dreamed for a better start to the A-League on Friday as his team took full advantage of their home ground at the Etihad Stadium to register an emphatic 4-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers thanks to three goals in the first 30 minutes and a fourth after the interval. In other results, Brisbane Roar started their defence of the title by losing 2-1 at home to Adelaide United, who seem well prepared for a great campaign. Full A-League opening day s results Melbourne V v Western Sydney W. 4-1 Brisbane Roar v Adelaide U. 1-2 Central Coast M. v Newcastle Jets 1-0 Sydney FC v Melbourne City 1-1 Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory 1-2 Proud of our grandchildren s achievements The Saccos doing well in Swimming and Taekwondo Two young lads from the same family, brothers Jett, 10, and Beau, 8 are going their separate ways when it comes to sports. Yet both are doing quite well. Jet, who is in grade 5 and has been swimming since he was a year old, while Beau, who is in Grade 3, has been practicing and training in Taekwondo at the Fighting Lyons Club since he was five years old. They are the he grandsons of Charles and Vera Sacco. In early September Jett swam 1 km (a total of 40 laps) in less than 28 minutes to earn his 1 km medal. He has just been accepted to join the NWA Squad team in Windy Hill commencing at Bronze Level. It shouldn t be too long before the Football: Malta Premier League The brothers, Beau (left) displaying his medal, and Jett (right) with father, Brian (left), and grandfather, Charlie swimmer, who is a joy to watch as he glides through the water, reaches the Gold Team and begins to compete for medals. Beau Sacco is eight years old and is in Grade 3. He has been practicing and training in Taekwondo at the Fighting Lyons Club since he was five years old. He trains under former Australian Olympian, Paul Lyons. Beau has progressed rapidly from White Belt. He has been collecting a new Dan each term and grading and in June he received his Black Belt. He has a lethal back kick that has become his signature move. Don t mess with this Sacco!! - Paul Vella Hibernians sail on to open six-point gap at the top Hibernians remain the only team with maximum points from six outings in the Premier League in Malta and at the end of seventh round, after beating Naxxar by 5-1, they stand three points ahead of their nearest challengers, Birkirkara who suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat against Tarxien. The programme, before the recess for 3-1 Malta s UEFA 2016 qualifiers against Norway and Italy produced two more 4-0 surprise results. Valletta suffered their 2-1 third loss, this time against newly promoted Pieta, while Qormi defeated Mosta Thus far, Balzan have been the surprise 5-1 team as they sit third, a point behind neighbours Birkirkara and four ahead of 1-1 Valletta. Day 7 Results Pieta H. v Valletta Gabriel da Silva, Rafael X Zacarias (P) Hamza Barry (V) Qormi v Mosta Emerson Vella, Frank Temile 2, Alfed Efion Tarxien R. v Birkirkara Cleber Barbosa Viana, Alvaro Rodrigues da Silva 2 (T); Ellinton Morais (B) Sliema W. v Ûebbu R. Mark Scerri Hibernians v Naxxar L. Andre Cohen, Edison Luis dos Santos (2), Clayton Failla (2) (H); Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (N) Balzan v Floriana Amadou Samb (F); Elkin Serrano Valero (B)