The Voice of the Maltese No. 169

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

Issue 169

Fort nightly mag azine for the Diaspora Fortnightly magazine

December 19, 2017

The Republic Day celebrations on December 13 (above) the per sonalities who were awarded medals, in a family photo with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Below (left) the President inspecting a guard of honour and (right) the Prime Ministr receiving the salute by the AFM

The Maltese crib at Betlehem (see page 14)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Message from H.E. President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

I

t is my pleasure to extend these Christmas greetings, to the Maltese communities across the world.

No matter how far you may be from the Maltese Islands, our diaspora is united by the strength of our shared identity, as one people of the Mediterranean.

Malta has always been a melting pot of cultures, and this has given us our unique cultural and historical heritage.

Let me therefore begin by appealing to our children and young people, to keep celebrating the beauty and strength of our Maltese diversity. Often, it is our diversity that is the most powerful source of innovation, transformation, and growth.

Wherever the Maltese live, our diversity has enriched the communities and societies with which we have come into contact.

In fact, from my experiences abroad

meeting with the Maltese, I have always been so proud of them because of their achievements and successes, and the positive visibility that they give to our islands.

I can confidently say that our Maltese diaspora has always been recognised as bringing a unique contribution, in terms of their hardworking approach and sense of commitment to contribute to their countries of adoption.

Let me therefore encourage you, to continue to strive for a spirit of respect across all the groups, in the societies of which you form part, by sharing a message of ethical integrity in all your walks of life.

Messaġġ mill-Ministru għall-Affarijiet Barranin u l-Promozzjoni tal-Kummerċ, l-Onor. Carmelo Abela

I

lqajt bil-ferħ l-istedina ta’ The Voice of the Maltese biex nagħti l-awguri tiegħi lill-Maltin u lGħawdxin kemm tal-Awstralja wkoll dawk li jgħixu f’pajjiżi oħrajn li jaqraw din ir-rivista. Insellem kemm lil dawk li għexu fil-gżejjer Maltin qabel ma emigraw kif ukoll lill-ġenerazzjonijiet ta’ warajhom, inklużi dawk li għadhom qatt ma rifsu fuq artna.

Kważi kull familja li tgħix Malta jew Għawdex għandha, jew taf, lil xi ħadd fl-Awstralja, li sal-ġurnata tal-lum għadha l-iktar pajjiż li fih immigranti Maltin, jew f’xi pajjiż ieħor. Iżda għax kemm aħna, li ngħixu fuq dawn it-316- il metru kwadru, kif ukoll intom, li qegħdin fi gżira-kontinent kważi 15,000 kilometru ’l bogħod jew xi mkien ieħor fid-dinja, nidentifikaw ruħna bħala parti mill-familja estiża Maltija, ma nitkellmux dwar “aħna” u “huma”.

Hemm biss “aħna”.

Bosta minnkom baqgħalhom mhux biss it-tifkiriet tal-imgħoddi hawnhekk iżda wkoll il-familja u, forsi

wkoll, proprjetà jew interessi oħrajn. Bosta jagħmlu mezz li jżuruna relattivament spiss, filwaqt li għal uħud tibqa’ wkoll il-possibbiltà reali li, xi darba, jerġgħu lura.

Filwaqt li nemmnu li għandna nżommu attivi u ħajjin ir-rabtiet ma’ dawk kollha li għandhom dixxendenza Maltija, jinsabu fejn jinsabu fid-dinja, inħeġġukom tissuktaw tagħtu l-mija fil-mija tagħkom lill-pajjiż li adottakom u li għamilkom ċittadini kburin tiegħu.

Fl-istess waqt, b’mod kumplimentari, nibqgħu nżommu fil-għoli isem Malta u l-Maltin.

F’ismi, f’isem il-familja tiegħi, u f’isem it-tim ħabrieki tal-Ministeru għall-Affarijiet Barranin u lPromozzjoni tal-Kummerċ, nawgura lilkom u lil dawk kollha li tgħożżu l-isbaħ xewqat għall-Milied u għas-sena l-ġdida.

Please note: The next issue of The Voice of the Maltese magazine, the first for 2018, is scheduled to be published on January 9

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Messaġġ mill-Prim Ministru ta’ Malta Dr. Joseph Muscat

I

s-sena 2017 kienet waħda importanti għal pajjiżna, mhux biss għax fiha l-poplu Malti u Għawdxi ddeċieda t-triq li jrid jieħu pajjiżna fil-ħames snin li ġejjin, iżda għax fiha ssoktaw aktar rizultati importanti għal pajjiżna.

Dan qed ipoġġi lil Malta fuq bażi soda. Qed jagħmel lil Malta pajjiż b’saħħtu, fuq kollox qed iwassal biex inkabbru l-istatus tagħna mhux biss fuq livell Ewropew, iżda wkoll fuq livell globali.

F’Malta hawn il-fiduċja, fiduċja mill-poplu u n-negozji, iżda anke fiduċja li ġejja mill-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej, u istituzzjonijiet bħall-aġenziji internazzjonali tal-kreditu li qed jagħtu ċertifikat tajjeb wieħed wara l-ieħor.

Din il-fiduċja, dawn ir-rizultati, qed jagħmlu lil Maltin u l-Għawdxin kollha kburin. Maltin u Għawdxin li mhux biss qegħdin fuq artna, iżda dawk li bħalkom tinsabu lil hinn, u minkejja li ħafna minnkom ilkom snin twal fl-Awstralja, u oħrajn f’pajjiżi oħra, qatt ma nsejtu u jew se tinsew li intom Maltin.

Fl-2017 Malta kellha f’idejha t-tmun tal-Unjoni Ewropea permezz tal-Presidenza. It-tmun li kellha f’idejha wassal biex anke fuq livell Ewropew kien hemm rizultati li din iddarba nħassu minn 500miljun mhux minn kważi 500,000 elf ruħ, l-aktar dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-kwestjoni tarroaming, fejn tkun fejn tkun fl-Ewropa tista’ tuża l-mobile tiegħek daqs li kieku qiegħed id-dar.

L-iżgħar pajjiż-stat tal-Unjoni Ewropea, Malta, kienet kruċjali biex jinkisbu r-rizultati, u x-xogħol li sar kien imfaħħar.

L-2018 se tkun qed jara avveniment ieħor importanti. IlBelt kapitali tagħna Valletta se tkun il-Belt Kapitali Ewropea, titlu mhux biss Nazzjonali, iżda Ewropew u Globali.

L-attività fil-Belt Valletta ilha għaddejjha għall-aħħar snin

The editors of T he Voice of the Maltese wish all our readers and their families a wonderful Christmas! May it bring you joy, happiness and all that you deserve.

Happy Christmas Also may the New Year 2018 be one of health, happiness, wealth, wisdom, peace and prosperity.

Happy New Year

billi fost l-oħrajn saru għadd ta’ proġetti li wieħed jista’ jara b’mod tanġibbli.

Apparti x-xogħol infrastrutturali li sar u qed isir, waqt li qed nikteb dawn iżżewġ kelmiet, se jkun hemm kalendarju ppakjat b’bosta avvenimenti kulturali u divertenti li jibdew mill-20 ta’ Jannar.

Dan it-titlu tal-Belt Kapitali Ewropea se jkompli jfisser aktar reklami għal Malta u l-Maltin. Intom li tinsabu daqstant ‘il bogħod fid-distanza, iżda magħna fil-qalb u l-kburija b’pajjiżkom għandkom isservu dejjem ta’ Ambaxxaturi kull fejn tkunu biex aktar nies jiġu u jgawdu mis-sbuħija li hu mogħni bih pajjiżna.

Mhux kollox ward u żgħar, kif tafu u persważ li rajtu u smajtu kien hemm avvenimenti li kexkxu lill-pajjiż, iżda lunika konsulazzjoni hi li l-istituzzjonijiet tagħna bħal Pulizija, l-Armata, il-Qorti, ħadmu biex dawk li fihom hemm suspetti kbar, suspetti ikkorraborati b’evidenza, tressqu quddiem il-ġustizzja.

Minkejja dan se nkomplu naħdmu biex dan il-pajjiż li niftaħru tant bih ikompli jikber, jipprogressa u jissokta jkun pijunier mhux biss f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam il-lat ekonomiku iżda wkoll dak soċjali, b’tibdil bħal ma sar biex daħal fis-seħħ iż-żwieġ indaqs, dritt li fil-pajjiż li intom qed tgħixu llum il-ġurnata, daħal wara, minkejja li m’hemmx paragun fil-kobor. Din hi Malta tal-lum u għada, Malta li hija tagħkom ilkoll.

Minn qalbi, f’isem Marti, uliedi, f’isem il-Gvern u f’ismi, awguri għal Milied ħieni u Sena Ġdida mimlija paċi, barka u mħabba.

Message from the Australian Prime Minister

A

s a season of peace and goodwill, Christmas has special significance for those of Christian faith and for Australians of every background. It is a special time for family, community and love.

It is also a time to redouble our commitments to the less fortunate in our society. I encourage everyone to reach out and assist the many wonderful charities that are working to brighten the lives of others with their generosity at this time of year.

We acknowledge the efforts of those serving our community over the holidays—thank you to our police officers, nurses, fire fighters and transport workers, as well as the troops representing our nation at home and overseas away from their families. We are grateful for their sacrifice, particularly over the Christmas period.

Above all, Christmas is a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are as Australians to live in a land of hope and opportunity, enriched by the contributions of people from all around the world and our common commitment to peace and mutual respect. We should feel justifiably proud of our many achievements, and grateful for our many blessings.

With these thoughts in mind, Lucy and I wish all Australians a very safe and merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister of Australia December 2017

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

More Christmas and New Year messages

Hon. Bill Shorten MP Leader of the Opposition

I

t gives me great pleasure to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas is a time for celebrating with friends and family, whilst also reflecting on all those who are doing it tough – both here in Australia and around the world.

A time to also spare a thought for those Australians who will not be home for Christmas.

The men and women in our defence force, serving abroad and their families and loved ones who will especially feel their absence at a time like this.

To our emergency services personnel: fire fighters, ambos, nurses and police officers – we also hope they have a safe and quiet break.

And all those Australians working unsociable hours, who will be giving up time with their family to work.

To those Australians I say thanks and be assured Labor will always fight for your penalty rates.

Let us use this joyful time to try and do something to bring a little bit of Christmas generosity and cheer into the lives of those less fortunate.

On behalf of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, a safe holiday and 2018 filled with peace, love and good health.

The Hon Alex Hawke MP

Federal Member for Mitchell Ass. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

C

hristmas is a time to for families to come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and Australia’s Christian heritage. The celebration of Christmas is also a time to be grateful and appreciate the blessings of peace and security we continue to enjoy as a nation.

Australia is a melting pot of people from many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which makes our nation a wonderfully diverse place to live. Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, Malta and its people have had a considerable impact upon Australian society.

Just over 150 000 Australians have Maltese heritage, and Maltese Australians, such as Mario Fenech, Laura Dundovic, and Shaun Micallef, have all made their mark upon Australian life.

Christmas is a special time of year, particularly for Maltese Australians who enthusiastically celebrate the birth of Jesus and take the opportunity to see family members over the Christmas break.

On behalf of my family, Amelia, Jack, Lachlan and I would like to wish the readers of The Voice of the Maltese Australia a very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

H.E. Charles Muscat Malta!s High Commissioner in Australia

D

uring the first six months of 2017, Malta held the EU Presidency with great pride and success. The High Commission in Canberra and Consuls General in Sydney and Melbourne kept our flag flying high promoting Malta while continuing with our daily duties.

We are now into our second year with the pilot project, Consul on the Move (COTM).

The response received so far, in some states, looks promising.

We anticipate the same response in other states in the near future.

On the whole, we can comfortably say that we are moving in the right direction and hopefully by the end of the second year of COTM we would have achieved its goals.

This year I paid an official visit to Perth, W.A., accompanied

by my wife, Victoria. The Honorary Consul Mr. Paul Calleja accompanied me when I visited and met with Monsignor Michael Keating at St. Mary’s Cathedral and called on the Governor, Lord Mayor, Chief Justice, the Premier and Deputy, Leader of the Opposition and other government officials. I also met the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the management of Austal, Australia’s shipbuilding company.

I joined the Maltese Association of Western Australia at King’s Park, laid a wreath at the War Memorial commemorating the Great Siege and visited the Migrant Children Commemorative Sculpture and Welcoming Walls to pay tribute to Maltese migrants who arrived by sea in Fremantle and Albany.

On behalf of myself, my wife, Victoria, the Deputy High Commissioner, the Consuls General, the staff and Honorary Consuls in Australia and New Zealand, I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous 2018.

H.E. Ms Julienne Hince High Commissioner for Australia in Malta

A

s the festive season is upon us, I would like to reflect on the year now gone and look toward to the next. In my 11 months as the Australian High Commissioner, I’ve been impressed with how much Malta has to offer both through its natural beauty and especially access to the sea and the industry and skill of its people and Government.

I saw this clearly throughout your Presidency of the EU Council and I’m confident the country will do an excellent job as Valletta 2018 hosts the European Capital of Culture.

The High Commission staff have been working hard to promote Australian interests in Malta and are grateful for the support Australia has received in the UN, for example, where we will serve on the Human Rights Council and UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

I have also had the honour to meet a great range of impressive people, including Maltese Australians in Malta and Gozo.

Some are pursuing business interests; others are active in sport or the Arts; some Australians are reconnecting with their Maltese roots and retiring here. All are a reflection of our shared and successful multiculturalism.

I look forward to seeing off the Maltese delegation to the Gold Coast to compete in the Commonwealth Games in April 2018.

Prior to commencing my posting to Malta, I travelled around Australia meeting some of the Maltese communities. But there were too many to meet in one trip! Some of the smaller and lesser-known communities include pioneering Franciscan Nuns in Far North Queensland, and even a small family business in Western Australia that carries on a Maltese maritime tradition of building small boats. I hope to meet more of you when I return to Australia for midterm consultations, possibly in mid 2018.

Australia and Malta share many intrinsic values including respect, freedom and equality which have sustained a decadeslong bond between our two nations.

Our shared interest and vision for a productive and inclusive society will see this bond carried into the next decades. To the Australian-Maltese in both our countries I wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Tuesday December 19, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 5

SCAN HERE FOR

The Maltese Islands offer an electric blend of local and international events to suit all tastes and ages. From the colourful fun-filled Carnival in February to the solemn Holy Week and Easter pageants, from the summertime village festas and open-air music festivals, to classical concerts and opera, sport tournaments, historical re-enactments, food and wine events, and so much more. There’s something for everyone, any time, any season FULL EVENTS CALENDAR

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Drawwiet tal-Milied f’Malta ta’ min jipproteġi JosephCutajar

J

idher li għalkemm kien hemm xi żmien li ċerti drawwiet kienu qed jintilfu, inkluż dawk fil-jiem tal-Milied li ħafna nqisuhom bħala l-isbaħ żmien tassena, fl-aħħar snin, dejjem grazzi għal dawk il-ħafna dilettanti ta’ veru, l-aktar tal-presepju, it-tradizzjonijiet qed jerġgħu jieħdu l-ħajja.

Il-Presepju Fost l-aktar li wieħed isemmi fil-jiem talMilied huwa l-presepju li issa anke rnexxielna nħorġuh mill-qoxra Maltija u nesportawh, is-sena l-oħra fil-Vatikan u din is-sena fil-belt l-aktar magħrufa mal-Milied, Betlem.

Sa minn meta kont għadni fl-ewwel snin tat-tfulija, niftakar lil missieri jogħxa jibni presepju kbir tal-gagazza, li allura kien jagħmlu aktar naturali, d-dar taħt it-taraġ.

Il-pasturi kien jixtrihom. Ħafna drabi kien jieħu lili miegħu biex jixtrihom. Mill-bqija kollox kien jagħmel hu.

Missieri kien isaħħarni. Kont nistagħġeb kif kellu daqshekk ħila u minkejja li kien bniedem nervuż, għall-presepju u biex iferraħ lill-familja kien kalm u paċenzjuż. Anke l-mod kif kien ipoġġi l-pasturi fil-presepj, dak iż-żmien tat-tafal kien isaħħarni.

Ma nafx minn mnejn kien iġib dik ilpaċenzja kollha. Lanqas ma nista’ nifhem kif kien isib il-ħin, mhux biss li jibnih imma wkoll li jpinġi, ifassal u jqasqas mill-kartun biex jibni xi reddiena tal-ilma, il-midħna u xi dar antika; kif kien jagħmel in-nixxiha u kif isawwar id-dawl kemm, fil-grotta ewlenija u wkoll ma’ postjiet oħra strateġiċi fil-presepju.

Meta jkun lest u fil-jiem li jkollna l-presepju d-dar, it-tfal tat-triq tagħna u anke minn inħawi oħra fir-raħal kienu jiġu jżuruh u jistagħġbu b’dak li jaraw.

Kien hawn li tgħallimt li jekk tassew għandek ir-rieda li trid tagħmel xi ħaġa għal qalbek, il-ħin issibu.

Biex ilaħħaq mal-ħajja bil-paga li kellu u ma jħallix lill-familja – lili u żewġ ħuti bniet u lill-ommi, “mara qaddisa li kienet timxi fl-art” kif jgħidu – kien jagħmel aktar minn xogħol wieħed. Il-Milied għalih kien xi ħaġa speċjali.

Kien jonfoq il-flus fuq il-presepju imma dak kien jaħseb għalih sa minn sena qabel.

Kien jagħmel is-sagrifiċċi biex iġemma’ xi ħaġa fil-ġimgħa. Tant kien speċjali l-Milied għalih – u għall-familja - li biex jarana kuntenti kien kull sena jaħsbilna għal xi rigal sabiħ, imbagħad fil-lejl tal-Milied kien jiġi nkiss inkiss fil-kamra tal-irqad biex ipoġġielna r-rigali fuq is-siġġijiet ħdejn issodod. Imbagħad fil-għodu kien jieħu gos jarani kuntenti u jistaqsini x’ġabilna lChristmas Father.

Li ma kienx jaf kien li jien kont nagħmel minn kollox biex nibqa’ mqajjem imma b’għajnejja magħluqa nistennieh ipoġġilna r-rigali. Imbagħad kont nagħti titwila lejn ir-rigal u norqod kuntent sa filgħodu.

Minn jiem qabel kienu jgħidulna biex niktbu ittra lill-Father Christmas u ngħidulu x’konna nixtiequ għall-Milied.

Meta l-ewwel oħti l-kbira mbagħad loħrajn iżżewwiġna u kellna t-tfal, kien l-hena tal-ġenituri jixtrulhom ir-rigali u wara jieħdu gost AVAILABLE TO HELP Wishing you a Merry jarawhom jifirħu.

Christmas and a safe and Centrelink Minn jaf kemm-il happy New Year.

Child Support Taxation darba ommi kienet We’re here to help in the Defence & tgħidlu, “Karm Veterans Affairs Blue Mountains and the aħjar tixtrilhom xi Medicare Hawkesbury Communications ħaġa x’jilbsu milli Immigration biex jilagħbu.” ItEducation & Training tweġiba kenet tkun, OFFICE: Shop 24, 227 George St, “Ara Rit, għallWindsor NSW 2756 PLEASE Mail: PO Box 855, Windsor NSW 2756 ħwejjeġ aħsbilhom CONTACT Phone: (02) 4573 8222 int. Jien rigali talSUSAN’S Email: susan.templeman.mp@aph.gov.au OFFICE: susan.templeman logħob nieħu gost www.susantempleman.com.au intihom.

Baqa’ minn dejjem, anke meta rtira mixxogħol u sar pensjonant, li jibda jġemma’ sa minn sena qabel biex ikollu biżżejjed biex jixtri r-rigali lin-neputijiet.

L-ikla tal-Milied Għal ommi li kienent mara li tassew taf issajjar, il-Milied kien jiġi biex tiġborna għandha ħalli nieklu flimkien. Issajjar laħjar ikel, għalkemm ma kinetx tagħmel dan biss fil-Milied.

L-ikla ewlenija tal-Milied għand il-ġenituri ġeneralment kienet tkun id-dundjan… imma mhux għalija li lanqas biss kont inħares lejh. Għadni sal-lum, it-tajr, inkluż ittiġieġ imsajrin lanqas irrid narahom b’għajnejja. Allura lili kienet tlestili xi biċċa laħam, ċanga l-aktar flett (fillet), imdawwar bil-patata l-forn tqarmeċ.

Imma l-ispeċjalita` tal-Milied għalija kienet it-trajfil t’ommi. Kif kienet tagħmilha ommi, ħadd.

Imma għall-Milied ommi kienet tagħmel ukoll ħelu ieħor, fosthom il-pudina tal-Milied, il-kejk tal-lewż u ħelu ieħor assoċjat mal-festa. X’dieta dieta!

L-imbuljuta Hemm ħafna ikel jew ħelu ieħor li li jissajjar fiż-żminijiet tal-Milied, bħall-qagħaq tal-għasel pereżempju imma forsi l-aktar assoċjat b’mod tradizzjonali kien – u xi wħud għadhom jagħmluh sal-lum – l-imbuljuta. Ommi wkoll kienet tagħmilha imma mhux wisq. Ftit konna niggustawha.

Għadek issibha, l-aktar f’xi rħula, inluż fir-raħal fejn twelidt u ngħix, f’Ħal-Balzan, fejn fi tmiem il-quddiesa ta’ nofs il-lejl ilkappillan jistieden lil kulħadd fis-sala talparroċċa gġal xi ħaġa sħuna. Tispikka l-imbuljuta, magħmula mill-qastan, il-kokotina, xi qxur tal-larinġ/mandolin maħkuk, xi ħwawar u msiemer tal-qronfol maħkuka. *ikompli f’paġna 9

Tuesday December 19, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 7 Il-purċissjoni bil-Bambin Ġesu`

L-attivita`li tiġbor il-folol lejn Għawdex, il-Milied ħaj, jew kif magħruf bħala l-Milied f’Għajnsielem

Xi drawwiet tal-Milied li jinħtieġ insalvaw *minn paġna 5

Ħafna għadhom jiggustawha, l-akar jekk tkun il-kesħa għax jgħidu li l-aktar fil kesħa, titrejjaq mhux ftit meta tixrobha.

Il-purċissjoni bil-Bambin Tradizzjoni oħra li daħħalha l-qadis Malti San Ġorġ Preca ftit wara li fl-1907 ħoloq il-klassijiet tad-dutrina, ilMUSEUM, hija l-purċissjoni tat-tfal bi statwetta żgħira tal-Bambin Ġesu` tarbija fil-għaxija tal-24 ta’ Diċembru, ftit tas-siegħat qabel il-quddiesa ta’ nofs il-lejl.

Fi ċkunitna, fl-ewwel snin tat-tfulija fil-MUSEUM konna nitħabtu biex niġu magħżula ħalli nġorru l-istatwetta fil-purċissjoni. It-tfal konna u għadhom sal-lum li waqt il-purċissjoni jkantaw l-innijet tal-Milied. Uħud issibhom iġorru d-dwal, speċi ta’ fanali tal-kartun miksija bil-karti bi kliem mill-Vanġelu fuqhom u u bixxumgħa ġo fihom. Mhux l-ewwel darba li xi tifel kien ixengel il-fanal, iwaqqa’ x-xemgħa u jqabbad il-fanal. Ħaġ’oħra li kienet issaħħarni kien li l-ewwel nara lil tal-MUSEUM jagħmlu xi mijiet ta’ grotti, u mbagħad minkejja li kelli l-presepju d-dar, kull sena meta kont niġi biex nieħu l-premju dejjem kont nagħżel grotta.

Il-priedka tat-tifel fil-quddiesa ta’ nofs-il-lejl Imbagħad niġu għall-quddiesa ta’ nofs il-lejl b’tifel ċkejken li jkun tgħallem bl-amment l-iskript miktub u mogħti lilu minn ġimgħat qabel minn tal-MUSEUM, jagħmel il-priedka. Kulħadd kien jiggustah jitla’ fuq ilpulptu b’suġġeritur warajh ħalli fejn jeħel ifakkru xi jrid jgħid, jagħmilha ta’ predikatur żgħir jirrakkonta l-istorja tat-twelid ta’ Ġesu`Bambin. Ġeneralment, kemm dak iżżmien, u anke llum, kien/għadu jintuża l-istess kliem kif jibda u jispiċċa r-rakkont.

Daż-żmien il-pulptu donnu li għadu hemm biss għallparenza, biex iżejjen il-knijsa, u t-tfajjel jagħmel ilproedka minn fuq it-taraġ tal-artal maġġur.

Għalkemm in-nies li kienu jattendu din il-quddiesa naqsu, imma xorta waħda l-miġemgħa għal dik lokkażjoni għadha tkun waħda kbira.

Fl-aħħar snin dawk li ma jattendux, jew jibqgħu d-dar għall-irdoss, inkella, speċjalment iż-żgħażagħ imorru jiċċelebraw f’xi riċeviment fil-postjiet tad-divertiment, jew għal xi ikla f’xi ristorant fejn iħallsu biz-zalza għal kważi l-istess ikel li f’jiem oħra kienu jsibuh bi prezz xi 50 fil-mija irħas.

Jekk ma tridx, wara li jqattgħu l-lejl barra, anke jekk ikunu kielu xi ikla nobis, tarahom mas-sbieħ il-jum talMilied imorru jieħdu l-kolazzjon f’xi lukanda lussuża.

Imbagħad ġeneralment isir l-istess ġimgħa wara għall-Ewwel tasSena.

Imma għal dawn il-festi donnu li jkun hawn gelgul akbar ta’ flus x’wieħed jonfoq fix-xalar u kulħadd kapaċi jsib dak il-ftit - ħafna drabi ħafna – x’jista’ jaffordja li jonfoq. L-importan-ti li ninsewx x’qed niċċelebraw.

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

Blooming and Booming Susan Scott from Sussex, UK, writes:

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly tnightly magazine magazine

This is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly magazine that specifically targets all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian and Maltese scenes.

The magazine can also be read in flipbook format online. A pdf copy is also sent via email on request.

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice magazine, either in Maltese or English should include name and e-mail address of the writer and be e-mailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese

D

espite all the bad publicity and fake news feeded to the international media, particularly in Britain, by a bunch of half-backed Maltese political activists who as ever try to put spokes in the wheel of a government that is not of their own choosing, Malta keeps attracting the tourists, mostly British, but not only.

I am sure that the media only takes up the Malta and my kids, now in their twenties dirty campaign orchestrated by these ac- and thirties love Malta as much as we do. tivists, most probably at a cost. But I must In fact our eldest son is now working in the say that the campaign against Malta is prov- i-gaming industry and living in Malta. Our ing to be toothless; the British people who youngest is hoping to join him soon. traditionally have always loved Malta would All the family agrees that Malta, which is alnever believe the lies that are circling aimed ways blooming, is now also booming, makat tarnishing the island’s reputation. ing a success in every important sector making I am writing this letter not only as a Mal- it one of the best places to live in in Europe. tese citizen who lives abroad but still has We like to read The Voice of the Maltese Malta at heart, but also as a tourist, a visitor and always look forward to receiving it to this tiny island that has so much to offer every fortnight. This time we would be reto the visitor and in spite of its size, year in ceiving it while we are in Malta to celebrate and year out manages to keep its place as a with out kids, nephews and nieces. We armain tourist attraction. rived at the beginning of December to reI have been living in Sussex with my turn to the UK in the first week of January.

British born husband, for close to 30 years.

We really are enjoying our stay and Due to my roots and the proximity of the though when it comes to street Christmas two countries, we are frequent visitors to decorations there is no comparison with what we have in London’s Oxford Street, the lights in Republic Street, Valletta makes one enjoy the good-feel factor on the island. It makes us feel so safe and peaceful Tony Buttigieg from Redfern NSW in such a friendly atmosphere that this have seen few comments regarding sec- could be one of the best Christmases for us. tion 44 of the Australian constitution.

Thank you Malta!

You may now say the law is an ass, but our forefathers were very meticulous. They put country first. Indeed, let us have Members of Parliament that have no other allegiance than that of Australia.

What is wrong with this direction, I may Maria Pace from Bullen, Victoria ask? Why would an MP be a citizen of, say, am just back from a wonderful and inCroatia, Russia? We just kicked out a Senator teresting holiday in Malta. Could not because he showed sympathy with China.

We are one, but we are many. When it make it for the last days leading to Christcomes to our Parliament in Canberra we mas, as we had to return home to spend Christmas and celebrate the birth of the must demand, Australia First, no other.

New Year with our direct family, May I congratulate Jason Micallef and his team for transforming our city of Valletta into a vibrant city by night. I just returned from our island. It is still the safest place to be. Witnessing Maltese and tourist dining on the street especially around Strada Stretta, Triq it-Teatru, Triq l-Ifran fills you with satisfaction. Our capital city is no longer dead by 7 pm; it is vibrant, it is alive at night. Thanks to The Voice for the beautiful pictures of the decorations for Christmas. What a sight!

Bring on 2018.

The restored Tritoni Fountain and the magnificent pedestrian plaza would give Valletta such a grand entrance worthy of a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen ... and gentlewomen I would say.

We are one!

I

Valletta, Our City of Culture

I

Tuesday December 19, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 9

A community welfare worker and Maltese language teacher

T

he pillars of our Maltese community in Australia are our organisations that have stood the test of time and now perhaps are facing their biggest challenges due to the fast-changing technology and an ageing community.

In our communities, we have leaders, followers and most certainly those that are regarded as background workers. For our December personality, we have chosen a dedicated hard working person who has earned respect in various active support roles, Maria DeCarlo.

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH Maria DeCarlo

M

aria’s work at La Valette SC over four years in the late 1990’s, as Respite Care Co-ordinator and later as Community Settlement Services worker introduced her to the great needs of Welfare services especially within the ageing elderly.

In 1996 Maria joined the Maltese Welfare NSW where she assisted in various roles included Secretary for seven years. In 1998 Maria was appointed Justice of the Peace in NSW and achieved NAATI accreditation as a Professional Translator in the same year.

In 1999 she was an active member on the Advisory committee at the inception of the Multicultural Community Aged Care Packages programme administered by the Blacktown Migrant Resource Centre where she advocated for the Maltese elderly for culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Maria was later appointed as the Welfare Officer for the Maltese Community Council of NSW providing a direct information and referral service to the Maltese community particularly the aged, organising speakers for various Maltese groups including Llandillo, Blacktown and Daceyville. She liaised with many mainstream services on behalf of the Maltese, which they could access to enhance their quality of life.

In 2002 Maria worked for the Multicultural Mental Health Service as Bi-Lingual Group Leader where she coordinated and facilitated a Maltese Carers Group at Doonside. In 2006 Maria was also appointed as Bi-Lingual Group leader promoting the Blacktown Solar city project to Maltese residents and groups in the Blacktown local government area.

Maria DeCarlo’s love for her Maltese heritage received a huge boost when in the year 2000 she attained the Certificate in Communicative Language Teaching (UNSW) which qualified her to teach the Maltese Language to school-aged and adult students attending the Maltese Language School of NSW. She worked consistently with other teachers to keep the MLS operating at a steady pace, attracting new students of Maltese descent in Sydney, wishing to learn the Maltese language and culture.

As coordinator and teacher, Maria succeeded in keeping the Maltese Language School of NSW operating with various classes in Horsley Park, Schofields and Seven Hills.

She is currently teaching a junior class at Horsley Park.

Maria is a presenter on the Maltese Community Council’s radio programme broadcast on Sundays on 2GLF FM. For five years Maria contributed daily readings on Sydney One radio.

The yearn to satisfy the needs of the Maltese elderly lead her to join the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day Committee where she assisted in fund raising and organising this annual event.

She currently works part-time at St Dominic’s Hostel, a Maltese based aged care facility run by the Dominican Sister of Malta. She has also been involved in Parish activities including Communion to the sick, sacramental education facilitator and catechist. As a volunteer of the Catholic Health Care Community Visitation Scheme, Maria visits the elderly in local aged care facilities.

Born in Sliema in 1953 of parents John and Stella Micallef, Maria was the sixth in a family of nine siblings. She attended Sliema Primary school and completed her Secondary school years at St Louis Grammar School.

In January 1974 she married Alfred De Carlo from Gżira and only a month later, emigrated to Australia to start a new life and family in Sydney where she reunited with her elder sister Antoinette and her husband Mark Caruana.

At the age of 20 and not having ever travelled, what she saw as an adventure, turned out to be a huge culture shock and the family separation was hard to bear. Maria and her husband Alfred have three children, Adeline, Jonathan and Joanne, and four grandchildren.

Maria was awarded The Cultural Award 2010 for her service to the Maltese community in Sydney.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday December 19, 2017 A version of this series in kitba ta’ English may be found in IVAN the author's blog at: CAUCHI https://ivancauchi. blogspot.com

M’aħniex miżbla tagħkom!

Q

iegħed nirreferi għad-deċiżjoni taċ-Ċina li ħadet f’Lulju 2017 biex sal-aħħar ta’ din is-sena ma tibqax taċċetta xi kategoriji ta’ skart, inkluż plastik reċiklabbli u skart ieħor vvvvvvvimħallat, biex jipproteġu s-saħħa pubblika u l-ambjent.1 Din hija deċiżjoni sinjifikanti, għax iċ-Ċina hija l-akbar reċipjent ta’ skart ta’ dan it-tip fid-dinja.

Id-dipendenza tal-industrija tar-reċiklar fuq dan il-pajjiż wieħed huwa notevoli.

Fl-Istati Uniti, fejn terz tal-iskart jiġi esportat, l-iktar lejn iċ-Ċina, l-Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) qal li se jintilfu għexieren ta’ eluf ta’ postijiet tax-xogħol u ħafna intrapriżi tar-riċiklar fl-Istati Uniti.

Fl-Unjoni Ewropea, li tesporta 87% tal-iskart tal-plastik tagħha lejn iċ-Ċina, hu mistenni li se jsir iktar użu minn landfills jew inċinerazzjoni2. L-Awstralja, li tesporta lejn iċ-Ċina skart li jiswa madwar nofs biljun dollaru Awstraljan fis-sena, għadha ttella’ u tniżżel x’se tagħmel b’dak l-iskart kollu li qabel kien jitgħabba fuq vapur u Alla m’għamlu.

Kienet notevoli din ir-reazzjoni f’pajjiżi li jesportaw dan l-iskart kollu liċ-Ċina, viċin il-paniku jkolli ngħid, li jindika kemm id-dinja kienet dipendenti fuq dan il-pajjiż għall-iskart tiegħu. Madankollu, huwa ċar li llum iċ-Ċina taspira li tkun il-fabbrika tad-dinja, mhux il-landa taż-żibel tagħha.

Sal-lum, il-pajjiżi żviluppati kienu draw jeħilsu minn parti sostanzjali tar-riżultat tas-sistema tal-konsum sfrenat, billi jagħmluha prob-

Julia Finn MP Member for Granville

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

May this special time of the year be filled with happiness and joy Office: 160 Merrylands Road, Merrylands 2160 P: 9637 1656 F: 9897 1434 is a E: Granville@parliament.nsw.gov.au paidThis advert

lema ta’ ħaddieħor. Issa dan se jkun iktar diffiċli, għax il-problema trid tissolva iktar qrib fejn il-konsum qiegħed isir, u l-konsumaturi, u l-gvernijiet tagħhom, iktar u iktar se jħabbtu wiċċhom mal-konsegwenzi tas-sistema ekonomika li jgħixu fiha.

Dan jista’, forsi, nispera, iwassal għal tibdiliet għall-aħjar, iktar sostenibbli, fil-kultura tal-konsum.

Irid jitfakkar li l-iskart għandu valur ekonomiku, anke kbir. Iċ-Ċina kienet tħares lejh bħala sors ta’ materja prima, kultant iktar faċli li jiġi estratt minnu milli minn sorsi tradizzjonali (per eżempju miżżejt għall-plastik jew minn injam tal-foresti għall-karti). Waħda millproblemi kienet jekk l-iskart kienx kontaminat, bħal meta ma jkunx separat kif suppost, jew ikun imħallat ma’ materjal li mhux suppost ikun hemm, li jwassal għall-ħtieġa ta’ iktar proċessar manwali.

Għalhekk, waħda mis-soluzzjonijiet hija kwalità aħjar u iktar kontroll fil-ġbir tal-iskart.

Imma forsi l-impatt l-iktar pożittiv ikun meta l-bniedem jiġi wiċċ imb’wiċċ mal-muntanji ta’ skart li aħna stess qegħdin niġġeneraw, li issa iktar hemm ċans li nagħtuhom titwila. Per eżempju, fl-Awstralja, għaliex flixkun tal-birra, nixorbu minnu u narmuh għar-riċiklar – mhux aħjar jerġa jintuża? U għaliex għadna niddiskutu jekk għandniex nużaw boroż tal-plastik jew basktijiet li jerġgħu jintużaw fis-supermarkit – possibbli ma narawx l-istupidaġni tal-boroż talplastik?

L-għarfien tal-impatt tqil fuq l-ambjent tal-kumdità tal-bniedem qegħda tiżdied, għall-grazzja t’Alla. Eżempju ta’ dan huwa l-programm tal-ABC War on Waste (Gwerra fuq l-Iskart). Din is-sena wkoll rajt diversi dokumentarju u artikli dwar gżejjer enormi ta’ skart jiċċirkolaw fl-oċejani tad-dinja; ħut, għasafar u fkieren jinqabdu u jinsabu b’biċċiet tal-plastik fl-istonku li jkunu kielu għax jaħsbuh ikel; biċċiet żgħar ta’ plastik (microbeads) li l-iktar jintużaw fil-kożmetiċi jispiċċaw ukoll fil-baħar, jassorbu kimika tossika u mbagħad jittieklu mill-ħlejjaq tal-baħar3 (u jispiċċaw f’xi platt).

Għalkemm din id-deċiżjoni taċ-Ċina se twassal għal diffikultajiet f’ħafna pajjiżi, jien jidhirli li dan huwa proċess li hemm bżonn li ngħaddu minnu, għax se jisfurzana nimmaturaw fl-attitudni tagħna lejn l-iskart.

Mhux se nkunu nistgħu ma jimpurtaniex iktar x’isir mill-iskart meta nixħtuh fil-landa taż-żibel jew fil-kontenitur tar-reċiklaġġ.

Mhux se nkunu nistgħu ngħidu li problema ta’ ħaddieħor u ninsewha, għax b’xi mod jew ieħor se jkollna nħallsu prezz iktar għoli.

Issa l-problema se ssir tagħna.

Referenzi 1.http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20170718/NEWS/170719892/chin a-to-wto-scrap-plastic-imports-banned-by-year-end, retrieved 11/12/2017 2.http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1060480.shtml, retrieved 11/12/2017 3. http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/faq/, retrieved 11/12/2017

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal informa"on to our readers

The Family Law System: Time for an Upgrade

by PaulSant

F

or years, Australians who have experienced the sluggish mechanics of the Australian Family Law system have been echoing stories of woe. Judicial staff, legal professionals, social workers and individual Australians going through separations have been highlighting the shortcomings of the current legislative regime and its implementation.

On 27 September 2017, in acknowledgement of the current state of complaint, the Federal Attorney General, Senator the Hon George Brandis, announced the first comprehensive review of the family law system since the commencement of the Family Law Act in 1976.

It is almost incomprehensible that the legislation has rumbled along unchecked thus far, over 40 years since its commencement. Nevertheless, the announcement is welcomed by the legal community.

Since the 1970s, social perceptions and norms have changed dramatically. Possibly the simplest example of such change can be observed in the fluidity of the definition of ‘family’. Slowly, the shape, size and composition of what constitutes an Australian family has grown to include blended families, same sex families, adopted families and families where parental responsibilities now rest with grandparents instead of the biological parents of children.

In light of the rapid progression of social values, and changing demographics, it is a most welcome relief that the totality of the legislation will be assessed for its effectiveness in achieving its very own goals.

However, perhaps the greatest pressure

currently faced by the Family Law Courts is the high number of filings that are being lodged with the Court, combined with the increasing complexity of the cases. The general consensus is that the Courts have struggled to keep up with the increased demand for its services.

The 2016/2017 Annual Report of the Family Court indicates that people have become more litigious, cases have become more complicated, the number of appeals has grown and judges have become a scarce commodity. As a result, there have been in some cases notable delays in the final hearing of cases.

In the 2016/2017 Annual Report provided by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (which hears all divorce applications, and less complex family law matters), the following statistics were released: 1. The Court’s family law workload in increased from 84,920 applications in 2015/16, to 85,477 applications in 2016/17; 2. Of these applications, 43,846 were divorce applications; and 3. 68 per cent of final order applications were finalised within 12 months.

Although 12 months may seem like a reasonable time frame, it should also be noted that such timely settlement of cases is a result of the consensual settlement of matters by both parties and the intentional avoidance of a final hearing.

Should litigants find themselves in a position where settlement is unachievable, the timeframes for the listing and hearing of a final hearing can extend the lifespan on a family law case to beyond two years.

The growing reliance upon the family law system is to be expected given the cur-

PAUL SANT (SOLICITOR)

PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL For All Your Legal Needs

Now at: 21 George Street

Parramatta Phone: 8599 8877

Also at: Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: 8355 9999 Email: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au Maltese Spoken

rent statistics regarding divorce in Australia, and the increased wealth of Australians.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics published the following observations which highlight some stark, yet perhaps unsurprising, figures: 1. In 2016, there were 118,401 marriages registered and 46,604 divorces granted in Australia; 2. The median age of couples marrying for the first time has continued to slowly rise over the past two decades.

However, the number of divorces decreased by -3.9% in 2016.

3. The median length of time from marriage to divorce in 2016 was 12.0 years, a small decrease from 12.1 years reported in 2015.

Although all are hopeful that the federal review will provide a comprehensive set of recommendations to reform the legislative framework, for those that have an immediate reliance on the family law system, there are still plenty of viable options to help you navigate a legal solution that is time effective, cost effective and less stressful than litigation.

Alternative dispute resolution can be a useful way of engaging in settlement negotiations at your own pace, on your own terms and outside of the stress of courtroom pressures. You can engage in alternative dispute resolution any of the following ways: 1. Negotiation – this can occur simply by correspondence, or by way of an informal meeting; 2. Round Table Conferences – this involves an informal settlement conference between the parties, with their lawyers present, however without an expert mediator.

3. Mediations – these occur by way of a formal conference chaired by a professional mediator who facilitates and guides the negotiation.

4. Conciliation conference – if you have already filed property settlement proceedings in Court, you will be required to attend Court appointed mediation, which is usually led by a Registrar of the Court.

Regardless, the federal review commenced on October 1 and will report by March 31 2019.

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

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta 16-year-olds to be given right to vote in General Election

I

n 2019, for the first time, 16-year-olds will be allowed to vote in the European Parliament election in 2019, and afterwards they would also be given the right to vote in the next general elections.

Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat made the announcement while visiting a post secondary school in Naxxar.

He said there is a popular mandate for the vote at 16. the

decision will be discussed shortly in the Cabinet, and after that, in March the relevant law will be discussed in Parliament leading to the inclusion of 8000 new voters aged 16 to the electoral register.

Dr Muscat said that with this reform, Malta will be the second country, after Austria, which will give this right to 16-year old youths.

Malta has the highest rate of growth in the Eurozone

A

ccording to the latest economic statistics, Malta is exceeding all expectations to the extent that the EU Commission has acknowledged this growth after reports that it has registered a growth of 7.2% Malta the highest rate of growth throughout the whole of the Eurozone. This rate of growth was achieved within the first three quarters of the year.

Addressing a media conference, the Min- the economy by 8.2%, which is the highest above ister for the Economy and Investment Dr the EU average.

Chris Cardona (pictured right) said Malta’s economy is exceeding all expectations, even EU predictions by 1.6% with an increase in its Domestic Product Growth achieving 7.2%, the highest in the Eurozone.

He said that economic prospects are posis is the norm on Republic Day (De- orary basis. tive and according to the latest researches This year’s investiture ceremony that once cember 13) of each year, on behalf of by the EU Commission up to the end of last the Government and people of Malta, the again took place at The Palace in Valletta month Maltese families and businesses had President of Malta, pays public tribute to a immediately following the customary cereexpressed the greatest level of optimism. number of Maltese citizens who distin- monial parade held at the Palace Square.

He said that local consumption which guished themselves in different fields of enDuring the ceremony, 17 members were apcontributes to economic growth is one of deavour. pointed to The National Order of Merit. the main factors monitored by the ComThis is done by appointing them to The Three of them received the award on an honmission together with the interest the National Order of Merit or the Xirka Ġieħ orary basis while another was awarded country generates by having a good repu- ir-Repubblika, or by awarding them the Mi- posthumously. One individual was awarded tation in sectors like the financial and dalja għall-Qlubija or the Midalja għall- the Midalja għall-Qlubija posthumously. Ten gaming sectors but also in the administra- Qadi tar-Repubblika. other individuals were awarded the Midalja tive, retail and construction sectors.

Nationals from other countries were also għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika, two of which Dr Cardona said the financial sector has conferred with honorary membership of the were awarded the medal posthumously. increased by €47 million while the manu- Order or of the Xirka or awarded the MiEU Council president Donald Tusk and facturing sector has increased its share in dalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on an hon- former Labour Party ministers Louis Grech and George Vella were elevated to Companions of the National Order of Merit after having been awarded the Gieħ ir-Repubblika award. Tusk was awarded the medal “for strengthening relations between Malta and the European Union.

Former Labour ministers Leo Brincat and Joe Debono Grech and former Nationalist minister Louis Galea were made officers of the Order of Merit.

The Honorary consul in Bulgaria Borislav Tzetkov Boyanov was awarded the title of Honorary Officer for strengthening bilateral relations, alongside Jubran Taweel, a former Palestinian ambassador to Malta.

Author Francis Ebejer was awarded the This is a National Order of Merit posthumously). paid advert Other posthumous awards were conferred on Lorenzo Attard (noted for his time in the Second World War who got the Medal for P 9689 1455 I E julie.owens.mp@aph.gov.au Service to the Republic, Joe Attard (former W www.julieowens.com.au I f www.facebook.com/julie.owens.mp Zejtun Mayor), and Susan Mulvaney Authorised by J Owens, 1/24 Smith Street Parramatta (broadcaster).

EU Council President Tusk among Republic Day honours awardees A

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta

Malta at the UN to Commemorate 50th anniversary of Law of the Sea

M

inister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela inaugurated a symposium entitled ‘Perspectives on Global Ocean Governance: Where do we stand and where do we go from here?’

The symposium, organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion in collaboration with Malta’s International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), serves to commemorate Malta’s significant contribution at the United Nations on the International Law of the Sea and to launch a debate on the future of

global ocean governance.

It was exactly 50 years ago since Dr. Arvid Pardo, Malta’s first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, introduced the concept of the seas and oceans as the “common heritage of mankind”. This concept eventually turned into a doctrine that ultimately led to a fifteen-year process leading up to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

A number of prominent professionals, including foreign dignitaries, academics and NGO representatives in the field of ocean governance were present.

Second highest employment increase in EU A ccording to Eurostat, a DirectorateGeneral of the European Commission, in the three months between July and September this year Malta, along with Croatia, registered the second highest rate of job increases among European Union countries, Their increase in the rate of employment was 1.1% The highest increase was Estonia’s with a rate of 1.3%. The average employment increase across European Union countries

was 0.4%.

Eurostat figures also show that during October, compared to the previous month Malta registered the biggest drop in industrial production. The registered drop was 6.1%. When compared with October of the previous year, the reduction was 1.4%, which is the second highest rate in EU countries.

Ramla Bay named as one of World’s Most Beautiful Red Sand Beaches

R

amla Bay (ir-Ramla l-Ħamra) in Gozo has been named by Travel and Leisure Magazine, USA, as one of the World’s seven Most Beautiful Red Sand beaches. The Malta Tourism Authority expressed its satisfaction at this mention, particularly since it occurred in such a prestigious and influential travel publication.

This is the latest exposure for the Maltese Islands in the American market, follows others in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, the New York Times, AOL, Bridal Guide, JustLuxe, New York Post, Bon Traveler, as well as nominations for the TRAVVY awards and the Travelers’ Choice Awards Destination.

The other beaches that made the list are Kaihalulu Beach in Hawaii, Cavendish Beach in Canada, Porto Covo Beach in Portugal, Kokkini Beach in Greece, Porto Ferro in Italy and Rabida Island in Ecuador.

Travel and Leisure Magazine mentions that Ramla Bay’s beachfront is coloured a burnt, orange-red – a particularly striking tone set against the electric blue sea. Because it's nestled at the bottom of a valley, it is also a sanctuary for wildlife and vegetation”.

The MTA CEO, Mr. Paul Bugeja, said “for Gozo’s Ramla Bay to be included in a list

of such outstanding beach locations is a great testament to the beauty of our natural resources, and it should encourage all to continue to look after these natural treasures which our islands boast of.”

DCG Murder:Start of compilation of evidence

S

ince the last issue of the magazine in which in a later edition we reported the arrest by the police of 10 men in a sting operation that centred around the “potato shed” on the Marsa waterfront which seems to have been the main hideout for an organised crime gang, three men, all Maltese, have been arraigned in court to be charged with the murder by a car bomb on October 16 of the blogger/journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The three, two of them brothers, 55-yearold George DeGiorgio, his younger brother, Alfred, 33 years, and Vincent Muscat, 55, were brought to Court last Thursday morning for an evidence-compilation hearing, which is the Maltese judicial procedure used to determine if there is enough evidence to try a case after the suspects have been arraigned.

However, Donatella Frendo Dimech, the magistrate set to hear the preliminary case against the three men, recused herself from the case after defence lawyers insisted that because she went to school with the victim’s sister in the 1980s and sent her a condolence message after the journalist was killed, she might be biased against the perpetrators.

She explained her decision saying, “After all due considerations, the issue at hand is the appearance of prejudice,” adding that, “The decision of recusal must be taken on the basis that there is an objective reason to call into question impartiality, or appearance thereof.”

She then asked for the case to be reassigned to another judge. Later in the date, Magistrate Charmaine Galea was appointed to the case and Monday December 18 was set as the date for the continuation of the compilation of evidence.

Precision Group of Companies would like to extend their best wishes for a Holy Christmas and the very best for year 2018 to the Maltese community in Australia

Shaun Bonett CEO & Managing Director

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Il-Maltin ottimisti

Tuesday December 19, 2017

L-inawgurazzjoni tal-presepju Malti f’Betlem, bl-artist Manwel Grech jieħu b’idejn il-Ministru Bonniċi. Jidher ukoll l-Arċisqof Emeritu Pawlu Cremona

T

aqra ċerti gazzetti, tisma’ xi aħbarijiet, flimkien ma’ kummenti li jidhru fil-ġurnali online, tibda titħasseb sew dwar is-sitwazzjoni tal-poplu Malti. ... jtuk l-idea li f’Malta ħafna nies nkwetati b’li qed jiġri madwarhom.

Ma tistax jgħid li ma titħassibx b’ċerti ġrajjiet li qed iseħħu madwarna u kultant anke bil-kritika xejn sabiħa u bla bażi minn barra l-pajjiż, Iżda jidher li minkejja dan it-tħassib, il-poplu xorta hu ottomist u jħares ‘il quddiem b’fiduċja u ottomiżmu.

Infatti l-aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea, lEurofound, għadha kemm ippubblikat lewwel riżultati ta’ stħarriġ li għamlet fl-2016 madwar il-pajjiżi kollha tal-UE. L-istħarriġ wera li l-Maltin huma t-tieni nazzjon, wara l-Lussemburgu, fejn jidħol sodisfazzjon dwar l-istat tal-ekonomija. Ġie kkonfermat li 72% tal-Maltin huma ottimisti dwar il-futur tagħhom, u li 77% huma ottimisti dwar il-futur ta’ wliedhom.

Il-Maltin huma l-inqas nies fl-UE li huma inkwetati li jitilfu l-impjieg, b’5% biss jesirimu dan l-inkwiet. Sa ħames snin ilu lammont ta’ persuni inkwetati dwar l-impjieg tagħhom kien id-doppju ta’ dak bħalissa.

L-istħarriġ tal-Eurofound jindika li f’pajjiżna hawn l-ogħla livell ta’ sodisfazzjon fejn jidħol is-servizz taċ-childcare, kif ukoll is-servizzi għall-kura tal-anzjani. Ġie nnutat titjib kbir fil-kwalità ta’ servizzi pubbliċi f’pajjiżna, fosthom fissistema tas-saħħa, tat-trasport pubbliku, u l-housing soċjali.

B’riżultat ta’ dan it-titjib, is-sodisfazzjon fir-rigward tas-servizzi pubbliċi f’Malta huwa r-raba’ l-ogħla fl-UE. Interessanti wkoll il-fatt li skont l-istħarriġ, minkejja d-diffikultajiet u l-problemi li kellu jiffaċja, il-Gvern Malti huwa rraba’ l-aktar fdat madwar l-Ewropa, b’żieda qawwija fil-livell ta’ fiduċja flaħħar ħames snin.

Il-presepju Malti f’Betlem

N

insabu fil-festi tal-Milied u lEwwel tas-sena, jiem fejn il-parti l-kbira tal-poplu jistenna bil-ħerqa għax huma jiem fejn il-festi ma jkunux ikkonċentrati f’xi belt jew raħal, imma mifruxa ma’ Malta u Għawdex kollu.

Fejn jispikkaw it-toroq u l-pjazez imżejnin, u t-tiżjijin li jidħol fil-parti l-kbira tad-djar fejn il-presepju jikkompeti massiġra tal-Milied. Huma jiem meta nfakkru avveniment importanti għat-twemmin tagħna, it-twelid ta’ Ġesu Bambin.

Il-presepju Malti jibqa’ fuq quddiem fost din it-tifkira u f’dawn l-aħħar sentejn iddrawwa tagħna ħadniha wkoll barra minn xtutna, u wara li s-sena l-oħra bnejna lPresepju Malti fil-pjazza tal-Vatikan, din id-darba ħadnih fl-Art Imqaddsa, Betlem mhux bogħod minn fejn reġa’ hemm inkwiet serju bejn il-Palestinjani u l-Lhud wara d-deċiżjoni li ħafna jqisuha bla sens tal-President Amerikan li jiddikjara lil Ġerusalemm bħala l-kapitali tal-Iżrael.

Il-presepju li se jkun għall-wiri sal-20 ta’ Jannar, ġie inawgurat mill-Ministru Owen Bonnici s-Sibt wara quddiesa li ċċelebra l-Arċisqof Emeritu Pawlu Cremona fil-knisja ta’ Santa Katerina, f’Betlem. Il-wirja qed issir fuq inizjattiva

tal-Ministeru tal-Kultura. Hekk Malta qed iżżid tesporta t-talent kulturali Malti barra mix-xtut Maltin.

Il-presepju fih 17-il figura magħmula minn Manwel Grech li bena l-presepju.

Did-darba kellu jċekknu minħabba li lpjazza hi pjuttost żgħira mqabbla ma’ dik tal-Vatikan. Qal li hu pjuttost sinifikanti li l-presepju Malti jinsab f’Betlem, il-belt fejn seħħet il-ġrajja tat-twelid.

Fl-2018 Konvenju ta’ Ħbieb tal-Presepju Ewropej f’Malta

F

ilwaqt li dawk kollha li kellhom jarmaw prespeju fid-dar ilhom li għamlu dan, u meta ilhom il-ġimgħat li bdew jixxandru avviżi fejn wieħed jista’ jmur jara u jammira presepji li jkunu għall-wiri madwar Malta, fi kważi kull belt u raħal, hemm minn diġa` beda jaħseb x’se jagħmel għall-Milied tas-sena 2018.

Fost dawn hemm l-Għaqda Ħbieb talPresepju li għadha kif ħabbret li f’Novembru 2018, gġall-ewwel darba, Malta se tospita’ l-ewwel Konvenju ta’ Ħbieb tal-Presepju Ewropej.

Għal dan il-Konvenju mistennija jattendu madwar 200 dilettant tal-presepji minn pajjiżi u kulturi differenti fosthom Sqallija, l-Olanda u l-Isvizzera.

L-għaqda tal-Ħbieb tal-Presepji għandna l-għan li taħdem, biex fost kollox, il-presepju jsib postu f’kull dar Maltija fil-Milied, li tlaqqa’ flimkien u tkabbar il-ħbiberija fost id-dilettanti tal-presepju kif ukoll li tħeġġeġ kittieba u artisti Maltin biex jinkludu l-presepju u/jew il-Milied fix-xogħol tagħhom billi jagħtu pubbliċità xierqa lil dawn ix-xogħlijiet.

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday December 19, 2017

L-Arċisqof u l-Mobile

F

’ wieħed mill-artikli tiegħi dan l-aħħar semmejt kif l-Isqof t’Għawdex kien ikkummenta dwar il-kritika tal-Papa lejn dawk li waqt il-funzjonijiet reliġjużi juru nuqqas ta’ rispett u etika meta jużaw il-mobile.

Issa fil-gazetta Maltija “The independent” tfaċċa ritratt (lemin) meħud minn qarrej tal-istess ġurnal, tal-Arċisqof Mons Charles Scicluna jurih juża’ l-mobile waqt funzjoni fil-Bażilka ta’ Sant’Elena f’Birkirkara meta kienet qed issir il-funzjoni tal-ħatra tal-Propostu l-ġdid ta’ din il-Bażilka.

Mar-ritratt dan il-qarrej ikkummenta dwar il-fatt li l-Papa, waqt waħda millfunzjonijiet tiegħu fil-Pjazza tal-Vatikan, kien ħadha kontra dawk li jużaw il-mobile, saħansitra anke biex jiġbdu ritratti, waqt funzjonijiet reliġjużi. L-istess qarrej insista li l-Arċisqof kien mistenni li jagħti eżempju tajjeb.

Dan ir-ritratt u l-kummenti wasslu biex kelliemi tal-Kurja jsostni li l-Arċisqof kien qed juża l-mobile biex jgħid it-talbiet ta’ filgħaxija tal-Brevarju. L-istess kelliemi kompla (u nġib il-kliem eżatt bl-Ingliż kif deher fil-ġurnal) “Pope Francis was speaking about people, priests and bishops included, taking photos of him during Mass, coincidentally as your reader did to take the photo of the Archbishop before Mass.”

Fil-fehma tiegħi l-fatt li l-Arċisqof kien qed jaqra l-Brevarju fuq l-artal waqt funzjoni reliġjuża ma tantx tibdel is-sitwazzjoni. Fuq kollox min kien qed jara din ix-xena ma kienx jaf x’kien qed jaqra lArċisqof, imma, bħall-qarrej li bagħat ir-ritratt, kien qed jara lil dan juża’ l-mobile.

Jekk se nieħdu din il-linja, nistgħu nispiċċaw biex waqt il-quddiesa u l-funzjonijiet reliġjużi tidħol l-użanza li n-nies jispiċċaw bil-mobile f’idejhom bl-iskuża li qed jaqraw xi talb... veru li wħud jistgħu jkunu qed jagħmlu dan, iżda oħrajn ma jkunux. U anke jekk ikunu jaqraw it-talb ma

Onfoq b’responsabbilta`

F

erm bogħod mill-valur reliġjuż, dawn iż-żmienijiet huma wkoll magħrifa għall-kummerċ li jiġi ġġenerat minn kull kważi kull negozju. Huma ħafna dawk li minkejja li jkunu qed jagħmlu xi dieta, minħabba raħunijiet mediċi jew kosmetiċi, jiġuhom tentazzjonijiet kbar biex għal mument iwaqqfu din id-dieta u huma ħafna li jaqgħu għax jgħidulek, li wara kollox dawn il-festi jiġu darba fis-sena. Ħalliha li fejn għandhom x’jaqsmu l-mottivi mediċi, l-aktar dawk li jbatu middieabeta, it-tobba jgħidulhom li d-dijabete m’għandiex festi.

Hu fatt li l-ħwienet tar-rigali u r-ristorantiżidu ikunu fl-aqwa tagħhom mhux biss bil-klijentela tagħhom, u ħafna drabi japprofittaw ruħhom u wkoll iżidu l-prezzijiet.

Hu wkoll żmien meta l-infieq jiżdied sewwa tant li jkun hemm min imur ‘il bogħod minn dak li jiflaħ b’konsegwenzi xejn sbieħ.

Minħabba dan in-nuqqas ta’ ħsieb fl-infieq tal-flus l-Awtoritajiet ħassew il-ħtieġa li jagħmlu kampanja qawwija ta’ edukazzjoni tal-poplu. Kulħadd qed jiġi mħeġġeġ biex jekk irid jonfoq għandu jagħmel dan b’responsabbilta’.

naħsibx li dan hu xieraq, għax min irid jisma’ l-quddiesa u jara t-talb, illum fil-Knejjes kollha hemm sistemi elettroniċi biex wieħed jimxi ma’ dak li jkun qed jingħad.

Inħoss li l-aħħar parti ta’ dak li qal il-kelliem tal-Kurja ma jagħmilx sens, għax jekk il-Papa kkritika lil dawk li jkunu filkongregazzjoni li jużaw il-mobile, ma naħsibx li se ikun kuntent jekk xi ħadd li jkun FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MCMAHON propju qed jmexxi l-funzjoni jew jieħu parti diretta filfunzjoni juża’ lmobile.

Irrid ngħid b’dispjaċir li dik li wieħed juża’ l-mobile waqt funzjonijiet reliġjużi jew mhumiex, naraha nuqqas ta’ etika u rispett lejn il-post fejn qiegħed.

aret tradizzjoni mal-festi Stal-Milied jiġi l-ġbir ta’ flus Beda l-ġbir mingħand il-poplu Malti u

Għawdxi għal diversi għanjiet. L-akbar ġabra dejjem tkun dik favur il-Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation fis-26 ta’ Diċembru.

Iżda fl-istess żmienijiet isir ukoll ġbir mill-partiti politiiċi u attwalment il-partiti ewlenin, dak Laburist u dak Nazzjonalista għamlu l-ġbir ta’ fondi fl-istess jum u ħin.

It-tnejn i rnexxielhom jiġbru aktar minn nofs miljun Euro, bilPartit Laburista jiġbor €611,497, u dak Nazzjonalista €620,319.

Kien ġbir rekord għaż-żewġ partiti, li jfisser li l-poplu li ħafna qed jgħidu li tilef il-fiduċja fil-politika, kien lest li jagħti aktar minn €1miljun lill-partiti.

Kien hemm min ipprova jinterpreta l-għotjiet f’termini politiċi u jgħid li l-għotjiet jirriflettu s-saħħa tal-partiti.

Hemm dubju serju kemm il-ġbir jista’ jiġi msarraf fl-għadd ta’ nies li jappoġjawk għax jiddependi jekk l-għotjiet ikunux żgħar, minn numru kbir ta’ nies, jew kbar, minn ftit nies.

Merry Christmas!

Shops 3 & 4, 398 Hamilton Road FAIRFIELD WEST NSW PO Box W210, Fairfield West, NSW, 2165 P (02) 9604 0710 F (02) 9609 3873 E Chris.Bowen.MP@aph.gov.au

This is a paid advert

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse

A

fter five years of inquiry into the institutional responses to child sexual abuse and cover-ups over decades, the Australian royal commission has published its final report and made 189 new recommendations.

A children’s book for Shaun

S

haun Micallef (above) the writer, comedian, producer and actor father of three boys and husband of Leandra has just published a children’s book Tales from a Tall Forest billed as “more grim than Grimms, less soppy that Aesop”.

Shaun the eldest of four children of Fred who migrated to Australian from Malta at age 15 and local girl Judy is back at the helm of Talking ‘Bout your Generation’ which is set to air on Channel 9 next year.

He previously hosted it for four years on Channel 10. After ten years practising law Shaun turned to acting and is one of the leading presenters on TV with World Around Him, The Micallef Program and a real variety show Micallef Tonight.

The report was compiled after hearing evidence from almost 8,000 witnesses in private sessions, and 1,344 written accounts it received after 444 days of public hearings.

Among its recommendations it says that the federal government should establish a National Office for Child Safety, sitting within the department of Prime Minister and cabinet. Its first job should be to develop a national framework to prevent child sexual abuse. The federal government should also create a portfolio overseeing policy towards children It adds that all institutions should implement a list of child safe standards identified by the royal commission, to be enforced by federal, state and territory governments, and that Parish priests should no longer be the employers of principals and teachers in Catholic schools.

Other recommendations include that there should be no exemption to mandatory reporting for child sexual abuse disclosed during a religious confession That the Australian Catholic bishops conference should request the Holy See to amend a series of church laws relating to child sexual abuse, including removing the requirement to destroy documents under certain circumstances, and to consider introducing voluntary celibacy for diocesan clergy That Anglican bishops should be accountable to an appropriate body in relation to their response to complaints of child sexual abuse Federal, state and territory governments should make laws to protect people who report child sexual abuse in good faith That institutions that engage in child-related work should retain records relating to child sexual abuse for at least 45 years That the government should conduct and publish regular surveys on the extent of maltreatment of children in institutional and noninstitutional contexts That the federal government should establish and fund a legal advice and referral service for victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

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

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

The evidence relating to 3,489 institutions showed that most survivors (63.6%) were male; 93.8% were abused by a male; 83.8% of survivors said an adult abused them.

More than half of survivors were between 10-14 when tfirst abused. The average age of victims when first abused was 10.4 years.

Abuse took place mostl in an institution managed by a religious organisation (reported by 58.1% of survivors). Government-run institutions accounted for 32.5% and non-government, non-religious institutions for 10.5%.

Of those abused in a religious institution, 61.4% were in a Catholic institution, 14.8% Anglican, 7.2% Salvation Army and the rest in various denominations As a proportion of all survivors, 35.7% were in a Catholic institution and 8.6% in an Anglican institution.

The most common occupations of those identified as perpetrators were a person in religious ministry (31.8%), teacher (20.4%), residential care worker (13.5%) and foster carer (11.3%).

More than one in five (21%) said they were sexually abused in more than one institution.

Leaders of the Catholic church in Australia quickly dismissed calls that the Vatican should make celibacy for priests voluntary and end the secrecy of confession.

In their reaction, Melbourne archbishop Denis Hart and Sydney archbishop Anthony Fisher rejected a recommendation that there should be no exemption to mandatory reporting for child sexual abuse disclosed during a religious confession Hart said the sacredness of communication with God during confession should be above the law.

Final result from the Queensland State Election 2017

A

s expected, Labor Party obtained the majority to win the November 25 Queensland State Election. Labor won 48 seats from a total of 93 The Liberal National Party won 39 seats, Katter Australian Party 3 seats, and Pauline Henson On Nation Party, the Greens and Others, one each.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Australia approves same sex marriage

S

ame-sex marriage will be legal in Australia, with Parliament agreeing to change the Marriage Act and end the ban on gay and lesbian couples marrying. Four members of the House of Representatives voted against the bill and some abstained, but an overwhelming majority voted for the bill.

Liberal senator Dean Smith's bill will now become law after a day of cheers, tears and applause in the Lower House.

People queued for access to the public gallery to witness the law being changed and by the time of the final vote, they were packed into every spot.

Same-sex marriage supporters wearing colourful "Yes" T-shirts clapped and cheered as amendments were voted down, prompting repeated warnings they should stop their barracking. The public gallery led a chorus of We Are Australian after the final vote, with members of the parliament joining in from the floor of the House in tears.

There had been little doubt that this bill would pass with sweeping support from Nationals, Liberals, Greens, the crossbench and Labor.

Opponents of Emotional Australian lawmakers’ reaction to the new law same-sex marriage including Liberals An- parties are in Government". "It is a great drew Hastie, Kevin Andrews and Tony moment in our history, a great moment in Abbott pushed for changes, but none of our political history."

The House of Representatives has overtheir amendments succeeded.

The legislation passed the Lower House turned the change made by the Howard three weeks after Senator Smith stood in government in 2004 to limit marriage to the Senate and declared "it was not just a being between a man and a woman.

The deision was most welcomed. vote about a law but a vote about who we are as a people".

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said after the vote that he was "so proud that this has occurred while I am Prime Minister while the Liberal and National

This is a paid advert

Controversial welfare changes delayed until the new year ome 200 pages of welfare S changes have been delayed by several months after hitting

a snag in the Senate on the final parliamentary sitting day of the year, SBS News reports.

A grab bag of welfare changes has been set back several months after hitting a hurdle in the Senate, despite controversial drug tests being put on hold.

Christian Porter Social Services Minister Christian Porter (pictured above) hoped to push 200 pages worth of welfare measures through parliament on the last days, but they were snagged in the upper house and will have to wait until next year. Several time-sensitive aspects, including scrapping some payments, have been kicked down the road.

“I would have liked to see it get through,” Mr Porter conceded to reporters in Sydney. “But all indications are the welfare reform bill will have a majority of votes and we will get it through as soon as we resume in February next year.”

Labor and the Greens are fierce critics of most of the changes, but Mr Porter is confident he has the crucial backing of the Senate cross bench.

“The only part of the bill we've been having difficulty with is the drug testing trial, which is designed to use the welfare system to compel people into treatment and break down barriers to employment,” Mr Porter said.

His widely-panned plans to drug test 5000 unemployed welfare recipients from January next year were shelved after the Senate shot down the idea. Anyone who tested positive would have been shunted onto cashless welfare cards, while those who failed more than once would be referred to medical professionals for treatment.

Mr Porter will try again to win over the cross bench during the long summer break, believing the proposed trials in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia are still within reach

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Il-Benniena ta’ Ġesu`Bambin u għanjiet oħra tal-Milied

W

asal il-Milied u miegħu tasal b’mod qawwi ħafna lmużika tal-Milied; dik li takkumpanja lill-knejjes tagħna f’dawn il-jiem sbieħ tas-sena; il-mużika tal-Milied li tinstema’ b’mod grandjuż f’xi pjazez, waqt kunċerti, fuq ir-radjijiet u televiżjonijiet, u anke f’ħafna mill-istabbilimenti kummerċjali tagħna.

Il-mużika tal-Milied tassew tferraħ il-qlub tal-bnedmin u torbotna ma’ dawn il-jiem sbieħ tas-sena u tfakkarna fit-twelid ta’ Ġesù Bambin.

Naturalment, it-twelid iġib il-ferħ u l-ferħ huwa marbut maċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet. U dan il-ferħ tal-Milied jintrabat sewwa mal-għanjiet tal-Milied li fil-biċċa ‘l kbira jfakkru fit-twelid ta’ Ġesù f’għar fqajjar f’Betlem bil-Madonna u San Ġużepp, baqra u ħmara, flimkien ma’ xi ftit rgħajja jġorru n-nagħaġ tagħhom.

Dan u xenarju mill-isbaħ li ħafna mid-dilettanti Maltin tal-presepji jissieltu sa minn xhur qabel biex għal dawn il-jiem iwasslu b’mod viżiv l-istorja tat-twelid ta’ Ġesù Bambin. Mhux hekk biss, imma s-sena li għaddiet fil-Vatikan, u dis-sena f’Betlem, ilMaltin sa wasslu, u qed iwasslu dawn it-tifkiiet tal-presepju barra minn xtutna.

Bla dubju li fost l-aktar għanjiet Maltin popolari hemm ‘Il-Benniena ta’ Ġesù Bambin’ li takkumpanja d-diversi okkażjonijiet li jsiru f’dawn il-jiem. Dak hu l-isem ta din l-għanja tal-Milied.

Imma wieħed josserva li fil-fatt din l-għanja hi aktar magħrufa blewwel vers tagħha, ‘Ninni, La Tibkix Iżjed’ milli bl-isem oriġinali tagħh.

‘Ninni, La Tibkix Iżjed’ hi dik l-għanja li twassal fik xenarju ta’ Milied Malti fl-imgħoddi. Hija meqjusa ħafna wkoll bħala taħnina (lullaby), Ninni, l-għanja tal-benniena jew aħjar l-għanja li lomm tlissen minn taħt l-ilsien lit-tarbija tagħha ħalli torqod ħelu ħelu bħal ‘Ġesù Bambin’.

Patri Indrì Schembri Din l-għanja nkitbet mill-patri Ġiżwita Indrì Schembri minn Ħal Luqa. Patri Indri` twieled fl-1 ta’ Settembru tal-1805 u miet fleta`ta’ 67 sena fis-26 ta’ Settembru tal-1872. Interessanti wieħed ifakkar li l-Patri kiteb din l-għanja fl-Algiers għall-Maltin li kienu jgħixi fl-Alġerija tmien snin qabel mewtu, fl-1864.

Huma ħafna x-xogħlijiet mużikali u mill-aktar magħrufa li nkitbu mill-kompożituri meta dawn kienu ’l bogħod minn art twelidhom. Pereżempju t-Taljan Francesco Paolo Tosti kkompona ħafna mill-isbaħ għanjiet Taljani (u anke Naplitani) tiegħu meta kien jgħix l-Ingilterra. Miegħu hemm ħafna oħrajn.

Dan Patri Indrì kien intelliġenti ferm u meta kien jieħu ħsieb ilMaltin li kienu jgħixu fl-Alġerija (għax f’dawk iż-żminijiet ilMaltin kienu jemigraw għax-xogħol lejn l-Afrika ta’ Fuq) kien jiktbilhom poeżiji u innijiet biex għalkemm bogħod minn art twelidhom kienu jħossuhom li għadhom Maltin. Fil-fatt, l-għanja

PeterPaulCiantar

‘Ninni, La Tibkix Iżjed’ hija frott din il-ħidma siewja ta’ dan ilPatri li studja Ruma u kien ukoll wieħed mill-għalliema talĠiżwiti meta dawn kellhom l-iskola fl-Imdina.

San Ġorġ Preca Importanti wkoll wieħed isemmi lil Dun Ġorġ - illum San Ġorġ Preca - il-Fundatur tas-Soċjetà tal-Mużew - li kien introduċa din l-għanja ħelwa tal-Milied f’pajjiżna kważi mal-bidu tas-Soċjetà fl-1907. Anzi, Dun Ġorġ tant xtaqha din l-għanja u tant ried jgħallimha lit-tfal u lill-poplu Malti li saħansitra fil-posta tar-Rużarju tal-Ferħ (fejn nimmeditaw dwar it-twelid ta’ Ġesù Bambin) kien xtaq li titkanta.

Għalhekk illum jiddispjaċini meta nara anke xi membri tas-Soċjetà tal-Mużew jinfatmu xi ftit minn din l-għanja ħelwa Maltija u flokha jintroduċu xi għanjiet oħra tal-Milied importati lejn pajjiżna. Darba ġbidt l-attenzjoni dwar dan lil soċju tal-Mużew u ttweġiba tiegħu kienet “biex aħna naġġornaw !!!”.

Fil-fehma tiegħi, is-Soċjetà tal-Mużew għandha sehem importanti x’tilgħab ħalli żżomm ħajja dawn l-għanjiet sbieħ Maltin talMilied. Qed ngħid ‘għanjiet’ u mhux ‘għanja’ għax għall-fatt li f’pajjiżna għandna ħafna oħrajn tal-Milied, fosthom uħud bl-Ingliż li għamilniehom tagħna. Minħabba l-versi sbieħ tagħhom bħal donnu tajniehom libsa Maltija.

Għanjiet tal-Milied bħal ‘Ninġabru Insara’, ‘F’Lejl ta’ Xitwa’, ‘Qed Jinfirex mal-Widien’, O lejl ta’ Skiet, ‘O Ġesù Ħelwa Tarbija’ u oħrajn donnhom li saru Maltin minħabba l-vrus sbieħ tagħhom bil-Malti. Allua hawnhekk ma nistax ma nagħtix ukoll ħajr lill-poeta Dun Frans Camilleri li ħadem ħafna biex sawwar b’Malti mill-isbaħ lil xi għanjiet barranin tal-Milied, u anke lil Dun Karm Farrugia ta’ Ħal-Għargħur li wkoll ta krontibut siewi lil dawn l-għanjiet barranin tal-Milied b’versi Maltin.

Meta kont żgħir u għadni ngħix Ħaż-Żebbuġ, fil-kor tat-tfal talMużew li kien jieħu ħsiebna Nikol bil-vjolin, akkumpanjat bl-accordion minn Nikol Balzan, kienu jgħallmuna għanjiet tal-Milied bil-Malti u xi waħda jew tnejn bil-Latin.

Niftakar ukoll li kien hemm xi wħud minnhom (illum ngħid xi waħda) li kont nismagħhom biss fil-PurċisKor fil-knisja tax-Xagħra ’Għawdex sjoni tal-Milied fl-istess raħal. Donnu li waqt il-kant ta’ għanjiet tal-Milied kienet biss tar-raħal tagħna biss. Meta tkellimt mas-Superjur Joseph Muscat (magħruf ħafna għall-istorja marittima ta’ pajjiżna) kien qalli li anke r-Rabat hemm għanja li titkanta biss fir-Rabat u ma ssibha mkien aktar. Skont hu l-bidu tagħha kien, “Min jaf kif waslet fit-taqsima tar-Rabat?”

Nappella lir-riċerkaturi li jinteressahom il-Milied Malti - li jfittxu u jagħrblu sewwa dawn l-għanjiet li huma parti millgħeruq tas-soċjetà u l-ħajja Maltija. Dawn l-għanjiet jagħtu stampa ħelwa tal-Milied Malti l-aktar fl-imgħoddi, fi żmien dawn il-jiem sbieħ tas-sena, tal-Milied.

Nawgura lill-qarrejja u lill-familji tagħhom il-Milied it-tajjeb.

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday December 19, 2017

The Confectioner’s Daughter (Winner of the 2017 National Book Award (Malta) for the best novel written in Maltese or English which was published in 2016) When Ġuditta Vassallo inherits her father’s bakery after his death, she employs young Alfio Visconti, a Sicilian to help her out. From the very start of his employment Alfio wishes to turn the bakery into a confectionery, something that does not eventuate in his lifetime. Left on her own, with a daughter to raise, Ġuditta manages to build her wealth through hard work and determination. The setbacks that come her way, rather than bringing her down strengthen her.

Frances, her granddaughter escapes the strictures of family life and migrates to Sydney after she marries by proxy. Here she finds herself alone in a world of deceit and corruption. Rather than freeing her, migration binds her even further. Just like her grandmother, Frances raises herself above all this and becomes a successful woman.

The Confectioner's Daughter is a novel that tells the story of four generations of women.

It is a story of love, lost innocence and struggle. It pays homage to Maltese women and celebrates their lives, their resilience and their courage.

In his comments written after the National Book Award night, Mark Camilleri, head of the National Book Council (Malta) writes that, ‘Drofenik’s book will form an important part within the body of Maltese literature, a book

which reads just like a film from Tornatore and without doubt could be turned into an amazing movie.’

Lou Drofenik (Zammit) was born in Malta and lives in Australia. Her novels deal with Maltese migration and the issues women face when they leave their culture. Her novels The author, Lou Drofenik have won various awards both in Malta and in Australia.

Those who want more information regarding this novel can email the author: loudrof@hotmail.com or Horizons in Malta.

Publisher: Horizons

Rita Zammit OAM and Paul Zammit FAICD wish all our friends in the Australian-Maltese community a Merry Christmas 2017 and a healthy, safe and prosperous 2018

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Uħud mill-istudenti li ggradwaw mill-iskola tal-Malti ta’ NSW bil-kostum Malti

Il-Gradwazzjoni fl-iskola tal-Malti ta’ NSW

F

tit tal-jiem ilu l-iSkola tal Malti ta NSW iċċelebrat l-aħħar jum tattagħlim tal-ilsien Malti għall-2017 billi l-istudenti kollha flimkien ma xi ġenituri tagħhom iltaqgħu lkoll fliskola ta’ Horsley Park ħalli jgħaddu

The Committee of the Maltese Welfare (NSW) on its 40th-anniversary wishes to extend to all the Maltese community in Australia and friends around the world, a Holy Christmas and the very best for the New Year.

ftit sigħat flimkien u jirċievu ċ-ċertifikati tal-gradwazzjoni..

Fil-ftuħ taċ-ċerimonja l-Prinċipal ta’ l-iskola Mary Pace-Feraud tat merħba lis-Sur Emmanuel Camilleri, il-President tal-Kunsill Malti ta NSW u lisSinjura tiegħu Therese li kienu l-mistednin speċjali.

Il-programm segwa billi l-klassi tażżgħar immexxijjaj mill-għalliema Maria DeCarlo tat pjaċir lill kulħadd bil-poeżiji, taqbiliet u kant bil-Malti li ppreżentaw. Il-bniet kienu lebsin ilkostum Malti u kienu akkumpanjati minn sħabhom subien ta’ l-klassi.

Għalliema oħra tal-iskola, Marthese Caruana kienet preżenti tifraħ lill-istudenti tagħha.

Wara is-Sur Emmanuel Camilleri ġie mistieden jippreżenta iċ-ċertifikati lillistudenti b’erbgħa minnhom jiġu mogħtija ċertifikat fi studju avvanzat tal-ilsienMalti.

L-okkażjoni ntemmet b’riċeviment.

Sadanittant, il-Prinċipal tal-iskola xtaqet tavża li min hu nteressat li jit-

għallem il-lingwa kif ukoll il-kultura Maltija, li-Enrollment Day se tkun isSibt filgħodu tat-3 ta Frar li ġej bejn id9:30 u l-11:00 fil-Horsley Park Primary School, The Horsley Drive kantuniera ma’ Wallgrove Road.

Dawk li jixtiequ Enrollment Form jew iktar tagħrif għandhom jibagħtu email lill-malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija Is-sensiela Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija f’The Voice of the Maltese tissokta fil-ħarġa li jmiss

Il-ħarġa li jmiss fid-9 ta’ Jannar

Ngħarrfu lill-qarrejja li lħarġa li jmiss ta’ The Voice of the Maltese, (Nru. 170) li tkun l-ewwel waħda għall2018 se tkun fid-9 ta Jannar.

The Maltese Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco "NSW# would like to extend the season!s best wishes to all their members and benefactors.

Thank you for your support during 2017 Mark Caruana (President)

“A t t h i s s p e ccii a l t i me o f re m e m bering the birth of mb JJe e s u s, a y H i s me ssa s, m ma ss a g e b r i n g y o u a n d yo u r f a mi l y h o p e a n d j o y a t C h ri r i sstt ma m a s a n d i n t o t h e N e w Ye a r” r”

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Il-President ta’ Malta tappella biex l-għaqda nazzjonali ma tiġix ittraduta u mhedda

N

har l-Erbgħa li għadda 13 ta’ Diċembru l-ġens Malti fakkar it-43 sena ta’ Malta Repubblika b’ħafna mill-attivita` ikkonċentrata fil-kapitali Maltija Valletta. Fil-jum ta’ qabel filgħaxija l-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat kien poġġa kuruna fuq il-Monument tar-Repubblika fil-Marsa.

Fil-jum proprja fil-belt Valletta saret iċċerimonja ewlenija ta’ din il-festa nazzjonali fejn saret il-parata mill-qawwiet armati, ingħata s-salut lill-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat u lill-President Marie Louise Coleiro li min-naħa tagħha wkoll spezjonat il-gwardja tal-unur.

Wara, fil-Palazz saret iċ-ċerimonja talgħoti tal-unuri ta’ Ġieħ ir-Repubblia (ara paġna 12) u l-President għamlet diskors importanti li ddedikat partijiet minnu dwar issaltna tad-dritt, u ttrattat temi soċjali fosthom il-housing, id-droga, u anke l-prostituzzjoni. Tkellmet ukoll dwar l-aspirazzjonijiet u t-tħassib tal-ġenituri għal uliedhom, u l-biża’ li s-solidarjeta’ li dejjem wera l-poplu Malti titmermer u monflok tidħol kultura individwalista.

Il-President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca qalet li bħas-snin l-imgħoddija, id-diskors tar-Repubblika kellu jirrifletti l-ħsibijiet, ittħassib, il-weġgħat, kif ukoll il-ferħ u ssodisfazzjon tagħna bħala Poplu. Żiedet tgħid: “Din ir-riflessjoni kritika, hija mibnija fuq id-diskursati u l-esperjenzi

tagħkom ….. u nista’ nagħmilha, għax iltqajt ma’ eluf ta’ Maltin u Għawdxin.

Hija osservat li l-aħħar tnax-il xahar kienu movimentati fosthom bit-tkabbir ekonomiku, bl-inqas rata ta’ qgħad f’kull żmien u bilkisbiet ta’ aktar drittijiet ċivili.

Qalet li min-naħa l-oħra l-pajjiż iffaċċja l-qtil brutali tal-ġurnalista Daphne Caruana Galizia, li fi kliemha kexkex lil kulħadd.

Fl-istess waqt qalet lil l-iżviluppi li seħħew fl-istħarriġ għandhom jagħtu bidu ta’ tama biex issir ġustizzja. Hija esrpimiet solidarjeta’ mal-ġurnalisti u ħeġġithom jissoktaw ifittxu s-sewwa bi skruplu kbir u mingħajr għamad jew parzjalità.

Dwar is-saltna tad-dritt hija qalet li din hija b’saħħitha daqs kemm il-poplu jagħrafha, jemmen fiha u jsostniha, u li jekk bħala poplu nispiċċaw nemmnu fid-dritt tas-saltna ikun diffiċli li din tissaħħaħ u tieħu postha bħala l-element ewlieni f’demokrazija b’saħħitha.

Il-President ukoll appellat biex jibda lproċess tat-tiġdid kostituzzjonali ħalli ddemokrazija tibqa’ tissaħħaħ b’istituzzjoni-, jiet li jiksbu l-fiduċja ta’ kulħadd. Innutat li l-aħħar elezzjoni ġenerali ġabet magħha replika ta’ sitwazzjonijiet antiki fejn il-partiġjaniżmu sfrenat reġa’ kien fl-aqwa tiegħu.

This is a paid advert

Dear friends I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Maltese community for their con#nued friendship Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy 2018.

ED HUSIC MP Federal Member for Chifley

6/15 Cleeve Close (PO Box 259) Mt Drui" NSW 2770 02 9625 4344 I contact@edhusic.com

Hija saħqet kontra l-kultura li l-mezzi talkomunikazzjoni socjali jservu biex jumiljaw u jkasbru lil dawk b’fehmiet differenti.

Il-President qalet, “Ejjew ma nħallux lgħaqda nazzjonali tiġi ttraduta u mhedda ta’ kuljum bl-użu ħażin tal-mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni moderni, li qed jintużaw, sfortunatament, biex jifirdu flok biex jedukaw, jinfurmaw u jħallu liċ-ċittadini, jirraġunaw u jaġixxu ta’ ċittadini ħielsa u sovrana.”

Appellat ukoll lill-poplu biex jibgħat messaġġ ċar li mhux se jittollera atteġġjament u kliem li jhedded id-demokrazija.

Meta semmiet id-droga, “li m’għandha lebda valur rikreattiv” faħħret il-forzi talordni li taw sehemhom biex ifixklu l-ħidma tat-traffikanti; u entitajiet bħall-Caritas u sSedqa f’Malta u l-Oasi f’Għawdex, li jnisslu t-tama f’min jinqabad fil-vizzju.

Dwar il-prostituzzjoni l-President appellat għal diskussjoni nazzjonali miftuħa ħalli ma jkunx issugrat li Malta jkollha kontradizzjonijiet fil-kamp tad-drittijiet ċivili.

Hija wkoll esprimiet solidarjeta’ mal-immigranti li, qalet, xogħolhom huwa żvalutat u li jgħixu fi prekarjat u f’kundizzjonijiet deplorabbli. Fl-istss waqt stqarret sodisfazzjon li l-awtoritajiet nedew il-politika ta’ integrazzjoni.

Temmet tgħid: “Ejjew għeżież Maltin u Għawdxin, inħarsu b’kuraġġ lejn il-futur, għaliex konvinta li kapaċi, f’għaqda sħiħa bejnietna, nagħmluh futur isbaħ, għal kull wieħed u waħda minnha, iżda l-aktar għal uliedna.”

A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au

Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW ...... for all your travel needs.

Tel (02) 9622 7799 blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday December 19, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s

La Valette Social Centre Chri st mas Pr ogr amme

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

Christmas & New Year wishes from MCA NSW

Sunday December 24: 10.30 p.m.: Procession with the statue of Baby Jesus Christmas Carols by the La Valette Choir under the direction of Frank Zammit Boy’s Sermon (Il-Priedka tat-Tifel) by Noel Muscat Followed by Midnight Mass Check with Centre for latest information. Phone: 9622 5847

The President & Committee of the Maltese Cultural Association of NSW wish everybody a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Peaceful New Year

Sunday December 31 3-course meal, fruit platters & wine Entertainment by Charlie Camilleri and the Rockin Mustangs Book early to avoid disappointment!

Tickets: Members $50 – Non Members $55 Children (8-12 yrs) half price – (Under 8 yrs) Free For tickets contact: Frances 0412 320 432 – Antoinette 9671 2992 – the Centre 9622 5847

Join us on Facebook:

donated by Breakaway Travel Blacktown will be reffled on the night MASS TIMES Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 4.45 p.m. and 6.15 p.m.

Sunday: St Dominic’s Chapel: 9.00 a.m.

https://www.facebook.com/g roups/thevoiceofthemaltese

*$500 Travel Voucher*

May I offer my warmest wishes for Christmas and the New Year to the Maltese Community. Christmas is a season of joy and warmth. It is also a special time of the year when so many of us come together with their families and friends in a spirit of sharing.

The MCC of NSW also wishes the best for the festive season to The Voice of the Maltese and its readers

E. Camilleri, President MCC NSW

Xaghra Association of NSW Inc.

INVITES YOU TO COME & CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY, 2018 with a Dinner Dance Date: Saturday January 20 2018; Time: Doors open 6:30 pm for 7:00pm start; Place: Mandavilla Function Centre 1788 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park Entertainer: Joe Apap; Dinner: 3-Course Meal, Beer, Wine, Soft Drinks, tea, coffee, pastizzi & fruit platters Contact: Ray & Josephine Bigeni: 9627 4182, Mob: 0439 974 182 M'Anne Teuma: 4579 6771

--Please Note--

Anybody interested in advertising on The Voice of the Maltese magazine in order to reach the widest audience possible, partcularly among the Maltese diaspora is requested to write to: Maltesevoice@gmail.com.

STEDINA mill-Fathers ta' Stanley Street East Sydney Il-kommunita` Maltija hi mistiedna għaċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-Milied, nhar ilHadd 24 ta’ Diċembru fil-Kappella ta' San Pawl De Piro House 19 Stanley Street East Sydney Fil-11.30 pm: jibda l-kant u xi għanjiet tal-Milied, immexxija minn John Beale.

F'nofs il-lejl: tibda l-quddiesa bilpriedka tal-Milied, minn Adam Cilia.

Wara kulħadd mistieden għal kikkra kafe` jew te` bħas-soltu.

Għal xi informazzjoni, ċemplu lil Fr Tarcisio Micallef MSSP fuq:9380 8398.

Nixtiequ lil kulħadd il-Milied qaddis, barka u sena gdida 2018, mimlija b’hena u risq.

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday December 19, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Tune In to Radio and Television

The SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBS2

Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 56 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 10-11am.

MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Presenter: Emmanuel Brincat.

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Mer˙ba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS 2 To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency.

Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV. In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3.

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l-istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM.

Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet www.893fm.com.au

(On Demand >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am)

Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess.

UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38.

Programmes can be accessed online (live or catch up) at sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app. For television news from Malta - SBS 2 TV on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am.

VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford Central NSW. Aired on Thursdays every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm.

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au.

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

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

he Australian High Commission’s in Malta now has a new Facebook page, and T the High Commissioner a Twitter account that could both be accessed by the readers.

The High Commission’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AusHCMalta/ The Commissioner’s Twitter handle is: https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors

Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month.

Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at 10 am.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast

Have to contact our Welfare Officer for an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Cen-sina Cefai: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Meets the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips

Join us and make new friends.

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors

Meets every second Friday of the month: Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am

Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

Maltese of Bankstown

Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month at New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner Parade, Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Club). Every other 3rd Thursday an outing. Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Lear! Maltese!

Classes are available for students from six years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers quali­ fied in language teaching and with Mal­ tese study creden#als.

Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, tradi#ons and about the amazing history of the island.

Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions

For more informa#on and enquiries Phone 9601 2189 or Email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Educa!on and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme.

Member of the NSW Federa!on of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federa!on of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associa!ons affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not­For­Profit organisa!on.

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

l-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja Itabis-servizz tagħha, imma l-qarrejja xorhuma mħeġġa biex x’ħin iridu jistgħu

jidħlu fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti bilMalti u bl-Ingliż: www.tvm.com.mt.

Il-website hija aġġornata tul il-jum kollu għalhekk wieħed jista’ jieħu stampa ċara tal-ġrajjiet li anke jkunu qed iseħħu dak il-ħin stess.

Greystanes Maltese Seniors

Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group

Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining, so come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

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

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports

Tuesday December 19, 2017

Doncic to be named as Valletta’s new coach

V

Floriana win season’s first trophy, the BOV Super Cup

alletta are set to name their former player from Serbia, Danilo Doncic (picturbelow), as their new coach for the remainder of the Premier League season taking over from Zoran Popovic.

The citizens were not happy with the performances of their team under Popovic who was given the job on June.

Danilo Doncic played for three seasons with Valletta wining all possible Maltese trophies in one season. He also played for five years with Sliema Wanderers.

He was known as a prolific goal scorer for both Valletta and Sliema, and broke the record of goals in a season with both Valletta, in the 1996/97 season, and Sliema Wanderers in season 2001/02 with 32 league goals. In his 63 matches for Valletta he scored 58 goals Valleta would be Doncic’s seventh club as coach having also coached San Ġwann, Floriana, Sliema Wanderers, Tarxien Rainbows, Mosta and St Andrews.

J

ust 10 days after taking over as coach of Floriana, in midweek, Nicolas Chiesa led the club to its first trophy win, the BOV Super Cup by beating League Champions Hibernians 1-0. The final is played between the previous season’s champions and the FA Trophy winners.

This is the Greens’ first win of the competition since 1993. It was achieved with a goal scored after 37 minutes by Mario Fontanella.

Picture above shows the Floriana players celebrating the victory.

Malta Football Premier League

Balzan in sole command

T

he past two days of the Football Premier League progamme in Malta the last fortnight produced a few unexpected result. But at the end of them, Balzan sole command of the League ladder, mostly due to Valletta’s defeat by 2-1 at the hands of Gżira and Balzan’s narrow victory by 1-0 against defending champions Hibernians.

That was Balzan’s seventh RESULTS – DAY 14 Premier League ladder successive victory but the run Balzan v Naxar L 0-0 P W D L Pts TEAMS was halted when they could Valletta v Mosta 1-0 14 9 4 1 31 Balzan only figure in a scoreless draw St Andrews v Hibernians 1-0 14 9 3 2 30 Valletta 2-0 Birkirkara v Floriana with Naxxar.

Gżira U 13 8 3 2 27 3-0 W. Sliema v Senglea Floriana 14 7 5 2 26 For Hibernians the past two 2-1 S.v Tarxien Hibernians 14 7 3 4 24 weeks have in fact not be good Ħamrun lko Gżỉra v Lija A. Sliema W. 14 7 4 3 24 then as on Sunday they suffered Ħamrun S. 14 7 5 5 23 a surprise defeat against lowly DAY 13 Birkirkara 14 6 1 6 19 Balzan v Hibernians 1-0 St Andrews.

Senglea A 14 4 3 7 15 Valletta v U. Gżira 2-1 This setback came on top of Floriana v Lija A 14 4 3 7 15 Mosta 6-0 another 1-0 defeat in midweek Sliema W. v Mosta Naxxar L 14 2 4 8 9 1-1 when they lost to Floriana in Birkirkara v Ħamrun S 1-0 S. Andrews 14 3 1 10 10 Tarxien R. 14 3 1 10 10 the BOV Super Cup. As a result Senglea v Naxxar L. 2-1 13 1 2 10 5 Lija A. Floriana lifted the first major Tarxien v St Andrews 2-0 honour of the season. Ii is the second time newly promoted Senglea.

In the past weekend’s top match Birkirkara the Greens won the trophy after a first sucdefeated Floriana with two goals scored in cess in 1993.

Back to the Premier League, Sliema Wan- the first 17 minutes At the end of Day 14, Balzan enjoy a onederers who have been having quite a satisfying campaign, first dropped points in a1-1 pont lead over Valetta. Gżira are third three draw against Mosta and then lost 3-0 to points further behind.

Sydney FC increase lead to eight points in A-League

I

n the A-League, at the Allianz Stadiumchampions Sydney FC made it 22 unbeaten games in succession at home after they defeated Melbourne City 3-1. The scoreline didn't reflect the closeness of the contest but Sydney FC are full of class and they showed that by taking their chances when it mattered.

With this victory Sydney FC have opened an eight-point gap at the top of the ALeague ladder over Newcastle Jets who were 2-1 hime victors over DAY 11 FC v Melbourne C 3-1 Adelaide. The Sydney Newcastle J v Adelaide U 2-1 leaders are on CC Mariners v W Sydney W 0-2 28 points.

1-0 Perth G v Wellington Ph Melbourne Brisbane R v Melbourne V 1-2 City are in third DAY 10 Sydney W v Sydney FC v 0-5 nine points ad- W 1-2 Perth G v Newcastle J rift of the lead- Melbourne C v CC Mariners 1-0 ing team. Then Brisbane R v Wellington Ph 0-0 come Adelaide. Melbourne V v Adelaide U 1-2