The Voice of the Maltese No. 174

Issue 174

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

Fo rtnightly magazine for the Diaspora Fortnightly Diasp ora

March 6, 2018

A spectacular view of Fort St Angelo in Birgu (Vittoriosa) at night from the other side of the Grand Harbour in Valletta. Also shown the traditional Maltese dgħajsa (the Maltese boat) in the foreground.

Photo by Herbert Cachia

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Tuesday March 6, 2018

Maltese community in NSW eager to welcome next Consul General

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he Voice of the Maltese has learnt that Mr. Lawrence Buhagiar, the Consul General designate for NSW, will be arriving in Sydney in April to replace Salvino Giusti who has returned to Malta on the termination of his role of duty. The Voice understands that an official announcement is imminent.

Lawrence Buhagiar, a civil servant, worked in the office of the Prime Minister, and as a Deputy head of the Broadcasting Authority.

He studied Public Policy and Management at the University of York UK and obtained a diploma of Public

Administration from the University of Malta. He also studied MSc in Human Resources Management and Training at the University of Leicester, UK. He is from Ħaż-Żabbar.

This appointment is welcome news for the Maltese community in NSW. Meanwhile, The Voice of the Maltese sought the reaction of various leaders in the Maltese community about this appointment. They said they were relieved that the past turbulent four years are over, and are looking forward to the new appointment. They hope for much better relations with the NSW and Canberra offices.

New China contract should boost tourism, business interests and students to Malta

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E John Aquilina, Ambassador of Malta to China, has advised that historic heights have been reached with the signing of a new contract that will substantially boost tourism, business interest and students from China to Malta.

The new contract between Malta’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, and VF Worldwide Holdings Limited, expands the number of centres at which Chinese nationals can apply for Maltese visas from two to 15.

Until now, Malta Visa Application Centres were only located in Beijing, in China’s north, and Shanghai, in China’s south.

Each year, thousands of Chinese nationals travelled thousands of kilometres in order to be able to lodge their visa applications to come to Malta.

However, even with these restrictions, the total number of visa applications

by Chinese nationals has more than trebled since 2014.

The new Maltese Visa Application Centres, located at Guangzhou, Hang-zhou, Nanjing, Fuzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Changsha, Kunming, Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Jinan and Shenyang, will now provide comprehensive access for Chinese nationals in the length and breadth of China.

But it’s not only tourism to Malta that will benefit.

Malta’s booming economy is also attracting much business interest from Chinese regional centres such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Kunming and Dalian.

Apart from Malta’s ex-

number of visa applications by Chinese nationals has more than trebled since 2014

The signing of the new Malta - China VFS Contract

by Malta Ambassador John Aquilina (sitting left) and VFS.Global, Chief Operating Officer, China, Mr Srinarayan Sankaran, witnessed by First Secretary, Mr Daniel Sammut and VFS.Global Head – Schengen Operations, China, Mr Rishi Das

panding infrastructure, Chinese business is also closely watching Malta’s building boom and expansion in other sectors such as finance and computing.

Chinese students accessing English Language Schools in Malta will also benefit, with many applications now coming from major regional centres throughout China.

Ambassador Aquilina told The Voice of the Maltese, “The opening up of these new centres at the start of the Chinese New Year of the Dog is an auspicious beginning to what promises to be an exciting 2018”.

Tuesday March 6, 2017

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The Voice of the Maltese 3

Q. My wife and I are both age 76 and have an account his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese based pension each. We receive payments amounting to in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Finan$40,000 per annum each which is the minimum amount. cial Services helps our readers understand the complexities We do not need all this income and therefore we would associated with financial planning. If you need more advice like to invest $20,000 back into superannuation. Is this send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. possible?

A. At age 76 you both need to take a min- posit which is imum payment of 6%. As you are over age normally a large 75 you cannot make further contributions sum of money. into superannuation not even if you passed My mother is the work test of working 40 hours over a 30 their only child day period because the work test is limited and not in a posito individuals between age 65 and age 75. tion to help them However there are many other financial as- f i n a n c i a l l y . should sets which should be just as attractive to What you apart from super. A financial planner they do? would be able to provide you with investA. We recommend ments to suit your needs. that they first of all Q. My wife and I are both teachers. We have need to have your recently had a baby girl and for this financial grandfather asyear 2017/2018 my wife has not worked at all. sessed. This is normally through ACAT. They to cash this in or have we lost access to the She will be returning to work in September will then be asked to fill in a form showing funds now that the funeral has been paid? of this year. Am I able to make a spouse con- their assets and their income and if they see tribution into my wife’s superannuation to that they cannot afford to pay any of the re- A. You should ask her executor to give the comqualify for the tax rebate? fundable accommodation deposit themselves, pany a call and explain the situation. The company would probably ask for a certified copy they will be subsidised by the government.

A. Taxpayers who make contributions on beof her death certificate and a copy of her Will.

They will not ask your mother to sell their half of their spouse may be entitled to receive a They would also need details of the bank achouse and this will not be treated as an asset rebate on the first $3000 contributed. The count for the estate. These funds will not be lost spouse’s assessable income needs to be below by Centrelink. Your grandfather would only as long as you follow their instructions and need to pay the Basic Fee, which is currently $37,000 for this financial year. The full rebate around $49.44 per day, which is about 85% of provide them with the documents they ask for. that you could receive is $540.

Q. My sister is 33 years old and she still a single fortnightly pension.

Q. My grandfather has dementia and will lives with my parents. She is on a disability need to move into an aged care facility. Q. My mother passed away around two pension as she is unable to work. My aunt My grandmother is still healthy enough months ago. We have paid for her funeral passed away and left her house to my sister to continue to live on her own. However and now are in the process of getting the which is worth around $500,000. As she is they have been informed that for him to house ready for sale. We found a policy doc- unable to live on her own, we are putting go into an aged care facility he will have ument for a funeral bond for $9,000 which the house on the market and wish to invest to pay a refundable accommodation de- we did not realise she had. Are we still able the proceeds of the sale to protect my sister’s future. Can you advise how best to invest these funds in order for her to maintain most of her disability pension?

A. Once you sell the house, one option would be to invest $300,000 of the proceeds in a superannuation fund in your sister’s name. These funds will not be treated as an asset by Centrelink. The remaining funds can be invested partially in a bank account for easy access if she ever needs money for a major expense and the other funds in a long-term annuity.

This annuity will pay monthly income to supplement her disability pension and at the same time it will not be linked with the share markets. This annuity will be treated as an asset

by Centrelink and the income will be deemed at the Centrelink deeming rates.

As part of the annuity is paid out annually, every year the amount counted by the Centrelink Asset Test would reduce and therefore her age pension could increase. In the meantime her superannuation would grow without affecting her disability pension at all. This strategy would help her maintain most of the disability pension as she will continue to be treated as a non-homeowner.

Q&A

This document contains factual information only and is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion in relation to the topic/s discussed.

Fiducian recommends that you seek advice from a professional to address any issues that may be raised by this article. Fiducian accepts no liability for any loss suffered by anyone who has acted on any information in this document

4 The Voice of the Maltese

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The MCA Choir, with the four young students from the Maltese Language School of NSW (left of picture) who participated in the Festival

The Moving Forward Festival

Sharing the Maltese Language and Culture

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he Maltese Community Council of NSW (MCC) was invited to take part in the Blacktown Council’s Moving Forward Together Festival. The MCC exhibitors were able to display their information and community services, such as its

Jessica: Maltija oħra f’Lisbona għall-Eurovision Song Contest

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inbarra Christabelle, fil-Eurovision Song Contest f’Mejju li ġej, f’Lisbona, il-Portugall, se jkun hemm kantanta oħra Maltija tieħu sehem tieħu sehem, Jessica Muscat. Imma din se tirrappreżenta lil San Marino wara li fi tmiem il-ġimgħa li għaddiet rebħet id-dritt bil-kanzunetta “Who we are”.

Jessica kienet tmien darbiet finalista fil-festival lokali, il-Malta Eurovision Song Contest, u kienet qatgħet qalbha li setgħet xi darba tara l-ħolma tagħha li tirbaħ, isseħħ.

L-interpretazzjoni tal-kanzunetta “Who We Are” minn Jessica, akkumpjata mir-rapper Jennifer Brening kisbet l-akbar għadd ta’ voti mill-membri tal-ġurija u l-udjenzi li segwew fuq it-televiżjoni u l-Internet fi programm li ttella’ fi Bratislava, is-Slovakkja. F’Lisbona se tkanta fl-istess semi-finali ma’ Christabelle, “ħabiba” li kienet fost tal-ewwel li ferħitilha.

website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au

Language School and its weekly Maltese Community Radio Programme that broadcasts on 2GLF as well as literature about Malta and its language.

The MCC coordinated participants from its affiliated associations and were able to showcase the Maltese Language and Culture to the Blacktown community.

The MCA Choir dressed in their colourful folkloric costumes was the first performers on the Main stage. They were a big hit with the spectators who joined in the songs.

The young students of the Maltese Language School of NSW dressed in traditional costumes, joined the MCA choir, which on the night was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts.

Later, in the Cultural Expo Marquee, the young students had the opportunity to present some readings in Maltese and shared with the spectators what they are learning at the school (see photo).

Mr. Frank Zammit, a well-known Maltese author and poet, spoke about the origins of the Maltese Language and the history of Malta, and finished off with a selection of his poems. This was a very interesting and informative morning.

All in all, the MCC’s participation at this festival was very popular and the organisers have already invited its participation at next year’s event.

(Report: MarisaPrevitera, photo: PatrickBartolo)

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A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese Tel (02) 9622 7799

blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

Tuesday March 6, 2017

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Successful Fund Raising Concert raises $8,000 in aid of Dar tal-Providenza

Charlie Muscat, Joe Galea, Katelyn Vella, Natasha Tatarinoff, Stacey Saliba, Martin and Briana Vella, A-Lee McLellan (all entertainers), Jim Borg, Greg and Agnes Caruana, Rose and George Vella and Marisa (organisers)

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he eagerly anticipated Fundraising Concert under the title of “Festa ta Generożita” in aid of Id-Dar Tal-Providenza held at La Vallette Social Centre on February 25 was a huge success as it once again raised the bar where fund-raising and entertainment is concerned. As it turned out, the fundraising concert in aid of the cause raised around $8,000.

It was the second of its kind after last year’s concert was at the Ħamrun Club. La Vallette’s Committee The top table at the concert. Fromt left: Antoinette Caruana (President La Valette and volunteers ought to be congrat- SC), Rita Demicoli, Denise Demicoli (Deputy High Commissioner & Acting Consul ulated and thanked for their assisGeneral NSW), Mark Caruana and George Vella tance. The Hall looked so elegant!

Congratulations and thank you to the ncil of NSW, Mrs Antoinette Caruana, provided.

The Chocolate Wheel under the supervi“bevvy of entertainers” including the pop- President of La Vallette SC and our major ular MCA Choir, for their professionalism sponsor, Mr George Vella of Breakaway sion of Bill Schembri, proved to be a great attraction. A lot of credit and thanks must and for offering their services for free. Travel, Blacktown.

It was great to see so that many of the go to Agnese and Greg Caruana for they They all kept the capacity crowd enterNSW Maltese Associations were repre- were the powerhouse couple organising tained for over four hours!

Special guests for the afternoon were The sented. The generosity of the Maltese peo- the ticket sales.

On behalf of The Friends of Providence Deputy High Commissioner for Malta, Ms ple was quite evident when after a call for Denise Demicoli, Mr Emanuel Camilleri, donations one could notice a procession of House NSW, we extend our appreciation President of the Maltese Community Cou- persons placing their donations in the barrel and heartfelt thanks to all those who attended. A very big thank you to our Sponsors, Breakaway Travel, Minchinberry Fruit Market, Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers.

We also wish to acknowledge for the ongoing support, The Voice of the Maltese, and Radio Stations 2GLF, SWR FM and WOW FM and all those who in one way or another gave their assistance, we thank you all and truly appreciate your help for this very worthy cause.

We are happy to report the provisional result for our fundraising concert, however, it is still not too late to donate directly to “The Friends of Providence House NSW, CBA Bank, BSB: 062416 Account No: 10199448 or contact Jim Borg 9636 7767.

The members of the MCA Choir who entertained the crowd at the concert

– MarisaPrevitera and JimBorg

Passion sequel will be ‘biggest film in history’ M 6 The Voice of the Maltese

el Gibson, an actor and filmmaker born in New York who moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia, when he was still only 12 years old, is planning what is being described as the ‘biggest film in history’. It will be about the resurrection of Chris, a sequel to his 2004 controversial, biblical drama film The Passion of the Christ that he directed and produced.

Gibson, who studied acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Australia, was also very well known for the epic historical drama film Braveheart that he himself produced, directed, and starred.

In the meantime, Jim Caviezel, 49, a devout Catholic actor, has confirmed he will reprise his role as Jesus in the planned film. "There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience," he said. "It's great. Stay tuned."

Gibson and his star have been tightlipped on details of the new film. But Caviezel has been reported saying that he has been inspired in his talks with Gibson.

"I won’t tell you how he’s going to go about it," Caviezel said. "But I’ll tell you this much, the film he’s going to do is

Tuesday March 6, 2018

going to be the biggest film in history. It’s that good."

It's a prediction that could prove true. The Passion of the Christ was a major milestone in faith-based filmmaking, earning more than $753 million worldwide on a $37 million budget. The original followed the last 12 hours of Christ's life.

Caviezel returns to biblical films for the first time as Luke in Paul, Apostle of Christ (in cinemas March 29) alongside James Faulkner's Paul.

“The Resurrection. Big subject. Oh, my God," he said. "We’re trying to craft this in a way that’s cinematically compelling and enlightening so that it shines new light, if possible, without creating some weird thing.”

Caviezel says the Oscar-winning director has "cracked" that story and they have tentatively scheduled a shooting window (which he declined to disclose).

“Braveheart, that’s a film that took a long time to be able to crack," Caviezel says.

"The same thing for Passion. And the same thing for this. He’s finally got it. So that is coming."

Mel Gibson (right) with Jim Caviezel in The Passion of the Christ in 2004 Mel Gibson, the sixth of eleven children whose paternal grandmother, opera contralto Eva Mylott (1875–1920) was born in Australia, to Irish parents, also won the Best Actor Award from the Australian Film Institute, for his role in the 1981 drama Gallipoli.

50 sena mindu l-Arkivju Mużikali tal-Katidral infetaħ għar-riċerka N Tuesday March 6, 2017

iftakar qisu l-bieraħ meta fl-1 ta’ Jannar tal-1968 infetaħ għall-pubbliku l-Arkivju tal-Mużika fil-Mużew tal-Katidral tal-Imdina. Miegħu nfetaħ ukoll l-Arkivju tad-Dokumenti Storiċi. Minn dakinhar għaddew 50 sena u l-mużika Maltija talimgħoddi kisbet mill-ġdid l-għarfien tagħha.

Bl-inizjattiva tal-Mons. Professur Edward Coleiro (Monsinjur li kien iħobb ħafna l-kultura), l-approvazzjoni tal-Kapitlu talKatidral u bil-barka ta’ Mons. Arcisqof Mikiel Gonzi, dan il-ħsieb kien sar realtà.

Grazzi għal dan id-dokumenti storiċi u l-Arkivju tal-Mużika li qabel kienu miżmuma fis-sagristiji tal-Katidral ġew imperrċa għad-dawl tal-ħajja. Kienu ttieħdu mis-sagristiji u b’mod l-aktar professjonali tnaddfu u ġew ikklassifikati f’katalgi li jagħmluha faċli għall-użu tagħhom mir-riċerkaturi, l-istudjużi u l-eżekuturi.

Niftakar li l-Monsinjur Coleiro millewwel spalla ma’ spalla miegħu lil Dun Ġwann Azzopardi illum Monsinjur talKatidral. Fil-fatt Mons Azzopardi kien l-ewwel kuratur tal-Mużew. Dam fil-ħatra tant għal qalbu għal ħamsa u tletin sena. Fi żmienu, l-Arkivju tal-Mużika tant kiber li mill-kamra fil-Mużew talKatidral mar f’dar kbira quddiem il-Katidral fi Triq Villegaigon, flImdina, Patrimonju Malti Iltqajt ma’ Mons. Azzopardi (illum mill-ġdid arkivista) u miegħu tkellimt dwar dan l-Arkivju tal-Mużika li hu mill-ewwel kien sejjaħlu ‘ġojjell kbir u patrimonju Malti u mużikali’. Qalli li l-ewwel xogħol kbir kien biex jiġu ttrasferiti l-manuskritti. Kienu kollha mimlija trab taż-żmien.

Il-minsinjur żied jgħidli li l-mużika li sabu teħodna lura sas-seklu tnax. Din kienet mużika korali liturġika b’notazzjoni Akwitana, jiġifieri mużika ta’ qabel il-Gregorjan. Dakinhar kienu nstabu wkoll libretti mużikali stampati l-Italja, u mużika sagra b’uħud minnhom anke sekolari (bħal madrigali). Instabu wkoll libretti oħra simili (mhux stampati) iżda manuskritti.

Wara dawn daħlet il-mużika ta’ kompożituri Maltin, fosthom ta’ Giuseppe Balzano u warajh ħuh Domenico. Dawn huma kkunsidrati bħala l-eqdem kompożituri Maltin li fl-Arkivji Mużikali talKatidral hemm il-mużika tagħhom.

Warajhom ġew kompożituri oħra Maltin, fosthom iż-żewġ ġganti kbar tas-seklu tmintax Benigno Zerafa u Francesco Azopardi.

Wara, fl-istess arkivji nstabu wkoll xogħlijiet ta’ Pietru Pawl Bugeja u oħrajn.

Kollezzjonijiet kbar Malli dawn daħlu fl-arkivji u ġew esposti għar-riċerka u ġol-vetrina fil-Mużew f’sezzjoni żgħira rappreżentattiva tal-mużika tagħhom, bdew jiġu rregalati għall-arkivji kollezzjonijiet kbar oħra minn familji ta’ kompożituri, fosthom dawk tal-Familja Nani, u tal-kompożituri Vella, fosthom Giuseppe, Alberto u oħrajn.

Magħhom ingħaqdet ukoll mużika ta’ Ġużeppi Caruana magħruf ħafna għall-innijiet sagri tiegħu ma’ Dun Karm, Carmelo Pace u oħrajn.

Monsinjur Azzopardi semmieli li ħafna mill-mużika tal-arkivji

The Voice of the Maltese 7

PeterPaulCiantar

ndaqqet f’kunċerti f’Malta sponsorjati mill-Banek u Ministeri u ndaqqet ukoll f’pajjiżi barra minn Malta, fosthom fi Franza, fl-Amerika, f’Ruma u pajjiżi oħra.

Richard Divall Anke hawn kien hemm il-laqta Awtraljana, tant li din ilmużika Maltija li dejjem kellha tifħir, Il-Mons. Dun Ġwann Az- fosthom mild-direttur zopardi (xellug) fl-intervista u mużikoloġist Awstraljan Richard Dima’ Peter Paul Ciantar vall (li miet f’Jannar tas-sena l-oħra). Dan kien jagħmel ħafna traskrizzjonijiet talmużika antika Maltija li tinsab f’dan l-Arkivju tal-Katidral.

U la semmejt lil Divall ta’ min jgħid ukoll li dan il-bravu direttur qatta disa’ snin bħala produttur tal-mużika fil-Korporazzjoni Awstraljana tax-Xandir (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), fl1972 kien ġie mistieden minn Dame Joan Hammon biex ikun id-direttur mużikali tal-Victoria State Opera f’Melbourne fejn għamel 25 sena fil-kariga.

Ntant, biex jitfakkar dan l-anniversarju speċjali - 50 sena mittwelid tal-Arkivji Mużikali tal-Katidral - il-Kapitlu qed jaħseb għal kunċert kbir b’diversi għażliet mużikali ta’ kompożituri millArkivji tal-Katidral.

Hemm ukoll il-ħsieb li din is-sena jsiru diversi pubblikazzjonijiet, fosthom studju dwar il-kollezzjoni famuża ta’ Durer u pubblikazzjoni oħra dwar il-15-il statwa tal-Appostli, statwi tal-fidda li jintramaw fuq l-altar maġġur fil-festi prinċipali. Ħmistax għax mal-Appostli hemm miżjuda l-Madonna, San Ġwann il-Battista u San Mattia.

Ftit tal-ġimgħat ilu wieħed seta’ jgawdi okkażjoni speċjali, Quddiesa tal-Milied b’erba’ vuċijiet u Quddiesa oħra għal żewġ korijiet. Dawn kienu żewġ kompożizzjonijiet sbieħ ħafna ta’ Benigno Zerafa.

Dan l-aħħar ttellgħu wkoll xogħlijiet ta’ Girolamo Abos u M’Angelo Vella tal-Isla, dejjem grazzi għall-Arkivji talKatidral li kien is-sors ewlieni tal-mużika esegRichard Divall wita.

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly tnightly magazine magazine

is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly magazine that specifically targets all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian and Maltese scenes. e magazine can also be read in flipbook format online. A pdf copy is also sent via 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

Maltese citizenship and the subsequent generations

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Sam Gatt from Blacktown, NSW writes:

alta’s Citizenship Law as amended does not require any knowledge of Malta or the Maltese whatsoever. One merely needs to show paperwork that proves the existence of two past generations (no matter how far back in time), pay the requisite fee and sit back and wait for the application to be processed.

Many, and probably most of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original migrants are of mixed parentage, which means that only one parent has Maltese ancestors.

It is now time for this Law to be examined once again with a view to exploring whether third, fourth and subsequent generation applicants should be required to exhibit some basic knowledge of Malta in-

cluding its history, culture and structure of the Maltese language.

This knowledge should be obtained on the basis either through face-to-face instruction by the established Maltese schools that we have in a number of states, in online delivery or by postal correspondence.

Hopefully, this would encourage applicants to seek further knowledge about Malta. They could, as well be prompted to be familiar with the language.

It is a well-known fact that the majority of citizenship applications from second and subsequent generations appear to have relatively little interest in Malta as most of them seem to be after a passport that could help them visit European states.

Congratulations Mhux ġej Sydney? to all for a most Charles Catania minn The Ponds NSW successful concert jikteb: John Gatt from Lalor Park NSW writes: rosit għal darb’oħra. Almenu inthom ay I congratulate the organisers of P ta’ The Voice of the Maltese tagħmlu sforz. Qed ngħid għall-aħbar esklussiva li Mthe concert at La Valette centre for

tajtu li l-Prim Ministru ta’ Malta, Joseph Muscat ġej l-Awstralja.

Fl-aħbar ingħad li waqt li se jkun fl-Awstralja, il-Prim Ministru se jżur Melbourne u Brisbane, imma ma ssemmiex li ġej ukoll Sydney. S’issa qatt ma kellna Prim Ministru jew President ta’ Malta li ġie lAwstralja u ħalla barra lil Sydney.

Nittamaw li jtina titwila.

Dar tal-Providenza. So glad to see the Centre again the hub for all the community. Calm reigns again.

Nice also to see the representative of the Malta government attending these functions, as for the last four years, we hardly had this privilege.

It is amazing how the song “ma tagħmlu xejn mal-Melita” still generates such enthusiasm.

Yes, let’s make La Valette the centre for all Maltese activities once again.

‘Wara l-mewt’

Charles Camilleri jikteb minn San Bruno California. il-ħarġa tas-6 ta’ Frar 2018 ktibt dwar id-diffikulta li tinqala’ meta xi ħadd ikun irid jibgħat “human remains” bilposta lejn Malta.

Stennejt, u għadni qed nistenna tweġiba.

Nittama li tal-Malta Post iweġbuni.

Note editorjali: Ikkominikajna mal-Malta Post kemm-il darba dwar dan il-każ iżda s’issa għad ma waslitilna l-ebda tweġiba.

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Tuesday March 6, 2017

Ħajja independenti u serħan il-moħħ

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Uħud mill-Maltin li attendew l-Open Day f’Nelson Grove

ienet okkażjoni mhux tas-soltu, almenu qabel, jien ftit mort Open Days bħal din. Ħsibt li se nkunu xi tużżana izda n-nies ma qatgħu xejn u għal erba’ siegħat sħaħ, kilna, iddevertejna mal-band li kien hemm u

sintendi stajna naraw x’għandha x’toffri Nelson Grove li tinsab f’Pemulwuy (Greystanes NSW) eżatt wara Woollworths.

Id-diregenti ta’ dan il-kumpless għamlu l-almu kollu tagħhom biex izommu lil dawk li attendew mgħarrfa dwar fejn, dawk ta’ eta avvanżata (‘l fuq minn 55 sena) jistgħu jirtiraw għal ħajja indipendenti b’serħan il-moħħ f’komunita’ vibranti.

Ir-residenti ta’ dan il-villaġġ li jinkludi għadd ta’ Maltin għandhom ilpost tagħhom. Jgħixu totalment ħajja indipendenti izda mingħajr il-kumplikazzjonijiet li ġġib magħha r-residenza f’dar kbira li forsi kienet idejali meta kellek it-tfal jew meta kont izgħar fl-eta’.

Illum li avvanzajt fl-eta’ u ma tistax tfendi aktar waħdek għandek quddiemek din l-opportunita. Għandek bżonn tkun parti minn komunita’ li toffrilek ħajja ħielsa mill-ħafna millproblemi ta’ kuljum u serħan il-moħħ.

Nelson Grove, li huma parti minn Lendlease, kumpannija magħrufa sewwa, ilhom jirreklamaw f’The Voice of the Maltese u jinsabu kuntenti bl-interess li nħoloq fil-komunita` Maltija, u b’riżultat ta’ dan kien hemm għadd ġmielu ta’ Maltin li attendew għallOpen Day li kienet success kbir.

Għal aktar tagħrif dwar ħajja indipendenti u serħan il-moħħ f’dan ilvillaġġ segwi l-avviz ta’ Nelson Grove f’din fil-paġna 6 ta’ din il-ħarga u jekk tkun trid aktar tagħrif cemplilhom għax żgur li jaqduk u jwieġnbu għal Includes Morning Tea, Music Show & Lunch at our International Buffet kull mistoqsija li jista’ jkollok.

LawrenceDimech Doors open at 10.00am with the show beginning at 10.30am

I

Alfred Chircop dies aged 79

(ex-Melita Eagles )

t is with great sadness that we announce the death of Alfred Chircop (il-Kakku). He died in Malta on February 7 at the age of 79.

He was a prominent player with Melita Eagles FC in the sixties/seventies, and also played in Malta with Msida St Joseph.

God Bless his soul RIP

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday March 6, 2018

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

'Cittadinanza għall-bejgħ?'

W aħda mill-kwestjonijiet politiċi l-iktar li jaħarqu f’Malta hija madwar il-Programm tal-Investitur Individwali (Individual Investor Programme – IIP).1 Din hija skema li ddaħħlet mill-gvern Laburista Malti fil-2014 li biha persuna mhux ċittadin Malti tista’ tapplika għal ċittadinanza Maltija (u bħala konsegwenza libertà tal-moviment flUnjoni Ewropeja), jekk tkun lesta li, fost l-oħrajn: • takkwista proprjeta ta’ valur ta’ €350,000 jew tikri propprjeta` bi ħlas ta’ €16,000 fis-sena, u żżommha għal ħames snin u ma tikrihiex lil ħaddieħor; • tikkontribwixxi mill-inqas €650,000 lill-Fond għall-Iżvilupp Nazzjonali u Soċjali, b’kontribuzzjonijiet oħra mistennija minn kull membru ieħor tal-familja tal-applikant; • investimenti finanzjarji oħra ta’ $150,000 oħra li jridu jinżammu għal ħames snin; • ikollhom assigurazzjoni fuq is-saħħa; • ikunu b’saħħithom medikament; • ikunu ta’ kondotta tajba.

Applikant li jkun approvat fil-prinċipju, ikun irid jistabbilixxi residenza f’Malta għal tnax-il xahar qabel ma jingħata ċ-ċittadinanza naturalizzata.

Huwa ċar li dan il-programm huwa intenzjonat għal nies sinjuri, u jinvolvi l-għoti taċ-ċittadinanza Maltija b’kundizzjoni li jsiru transazzjonijiet li jammontaw għal madwar miljun Ewro lejn Malta. B’dawn il-flejjes kbar jibdlu l-idejn, huwa faċli li jinftiehem it-timbru ta’ ċittadinanza għall-bejgħ.

Huwa utli f’ħafna oqsma, inkluż fil-politika, li tfiehem kunċett ikkumplikat fi ftit kliem. Fl-Awstralja, kellna prim ministru riċenti li sar leġġendarju f’li jirriduċi argument għal tliet kliem biss (three word slogans).

Madankollu meta tissimplifika kunċett b’dan il-mod estrem, ħafna drabi tispiċċa b’karikatura li jkollha biżżejjed verità fiha biex tkun kredibbli, imma tkun uni-dimensjonali intenzjonalment sabiex tikkonvinċik tieħu pożizzjoni malajr mingħajr ma tqis sewwa l-kif u x-x’fatta. Kif jgħid il-Malti, ħu l-fama u mur orqod.

Kull pajjiż għandu l-liġijiet tiegħu taċ-ċittadinanza, u jekk jippermetti ċ-ċittadinanza naturalizzata (jiġifieri li tingħata ċ-ċittadinanza lil min mhux tal-post), taħt liema ċirkostanzi din tingħata.

Per eżempju, fl-Awstralja hawn diversi toroq li jwasslu għal ċittadinanza naturalizzata għal min mhux ċittadin.

L-ewwel pass huwa li ġġib residenza permanenti taħt waħda mill-ħafna klassifikazzjonijiet, bħal per eżempju sieħeb/sieħba/miżżewweġ/miżżewġa ta’ persuna ċittadina (klassi 820/801); persuna b’abbiltà f’xi sengħa relevanti (klassi 189/190); u interessanti għas-suġġett li qed niddiskutu, investitur (klassi 888/890/891/892/893), apparti oħrajn.

Wara erba’ snin ta’ residenza, l-aħħar sena bħala resident permanenti, wieħed jista’ japplika għal ċittadinanza Awstraljana2.

Eżempji tal-klassijiet ta’ residenza permanenti bħala investitur fl-Awstralja huma l-investiment ta’ $1.5 miljun għal erba’ snin (klassi 891); $750,000 għal erba’ snin (klassi 893); u fi klassi minnhom saħansitra l-ebda minimu ta’ investiment ħlief li jkollok negozju fl-Awstralja għal sentejn basta tkun sponsorjat minn stat jew territorju (klassi 892).3 Hawnhekk fl-Awstralja jkolli ngħid li m’hawnx il-furur dwar bejgħ taċ-ċittadinanza li naqra dwarha f’Malta, u fl-Ewropa meta s-suġġett ikun Malta.

Pajjiżi oħra fl-Ewropa li għandhom skemi simili għal dawk ta’ Malta huma Ċipru (fejn l-applikant irid ikun lest jinvesti €2 miljuni)4 u l-Awstrija (fejn investiment sostanzjali huwa mistenni,

ir-residenza mhix neċessarja u l-għotja taċ-ċittadinanza tibqa’ sigrieta)5, it-tnejn pajjiżi sħab Malta fl-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Hu fatt ukoll illi l-iskema ta’ Malta hija l-unika waħda flEwropa li kisbet l-approvazzjoni tal-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Dan ifisser li l-biżgħat li jissemmew u l-kritika li ssir għalliskema Maltija huma kollha inġustikabbli? Mhux neċessarjament.

Ejjew nieħdu eżempju. Waħda mill-biżgħat li smajt hija li liskema ta’ Malta tista’ tintuża minn nies b’passat kriminali biex jidħlu f’Malta u possibilment fil-pajjiżi l-oħra tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Mill-banda l-oħra, l-iskema IIP ta’ Malta tirrikjedi ċertifikati tal-pulizija ta’ Malta u tal-pajjiż minn fejn ġej l-applikant, li ma jkunx deher quddiem il-Qorti Internazzjonali Kriminali, li mhux imfittex mill-organizzazzjoni internazzjonali tal-pulizija INTERPOL, mhux misjub ħati ta’ atti kriminali, fost l-oħrajn.

Jista’ jkun li dawn il-prekawzjonijiet m’humiex biżżejjed, u jistgħu jittieħdu oħrajn, bħal żieda fit-trasparenza u sorveljanza independenti. Jekk isiru żbalji, iridu jittieħdu passi korrettivi u forsi l-iskema tiġi ammendata. Jekk aġenti jaġixxu b’mod mhux professjonali u/jew b’mod korrott, jridu jiġu ddereġistrati bħala konċessjonarji.

Però s-soluzzjoni tkun li l-iskema nnifisha titneħħa? Liema sistema hija perfetta?

Kritika oħra kienet li l-IIP tant trendi li l-pajjiż sar dipendenti mill-introjtu li ddaħħal. Huwa veru li l-iskema trendi, u ħafna wkoll – fl-ewwel sentejn sal-2016 l-iskema kienet rendiet $200 miljun għal Malta.6 Dawn huma flejjes sinjifikanti għal pajjiż tad-daqs ta’ Malta, u għalhekk din il-biża’ hija ġġustifikata filfehma tiegħi. Madankollu, dan huwa argument favur id-diversifikazzjoni tal-ekonomija, mhux argument kontra l-iskema fiha innifisha.

Fuq dan is-suġġett, min jitqies Laburist, lanqas jikkunsidra lpossibiltà ta’ problemi. Għal min jitqies Nazzjonalist, is-suċċess tal-iskema hija prova ċara ta’ ħmieġ u korruzzjoni. Meta se jkolli diskussjoni politika matura ma’ Maltin bħali?

Referenzi 1. Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap.188); Individual Investor Programme of the Republic of Malta Regulations, 2014 2. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/citi/pathways-processes/application-options/migrant-with-permanentresidence/eligibility, retrieved 26/2/2018 3. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1 4. https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship-cyprus-citizenship/, retrieved 27/2/2018 5. https://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship-austria/, retrieved 27/2/2018 6. https://www.politico.eu/article/malta-cash-for-passports-programindividual-investor-programme/, retrieved 27/2/2018

The prickly pear: a pest for some; a favorite fruit with the Maltese

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday March 6, 2017

T

he prickly pear is considered a pest in Australia, but for the local Maltese community, this spiky, uninviting cactus is the true taste of summer.

Rachel Bartholomeusz from the SBS Food channel spoke to Emanuel Camilleri, president of the Maltese Community Council of NSW about it. Like any Maltese person with a backyard, Emanuel has a few trees growing out the back of his Cecil Hills home, in Sydney’s west.

Emanuel Camilleri ... for him, the, prickly pear’s flavour is unique “If you’re Maltese, you’ve tasted prickly pear. You look forward to the summer season… It tastes like the Mediterranean, like summer,” he said. The heat-loving fruit's peak season is late summer.

The fruit that grows along the ridge of the cactus’ pads are covered in hair-like spines, and they will ripen to a deep red, a bright yellow, or white. Each of the different colours has a slightly different flavour.

Some suggest they taste similar to a melon, but for Emanuel, no other fruit compares to its unique flavour. No other fruit makes you work quite so hard for its prized flesh, either.

A summer treat Firstly, the fruit must be cut from the tree wearing very thick gloves, to prevent the spines getting stuck in your hands. Next, you soak the prickly pears in the sink or a bucket of water for a couple of hours to soften the spines. Some people even take to it with a scrubbing brush at this stage.

Cut the top and bottom off the fruit, and then peel off the skin to reveal the juicy, seed-studded flesh inside. Many, then store it in the fridge for a few hours for an ice-cold summer treat.

Prickly pears (mostly Opuntia stricta) were imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural

fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry.

Prickly pear is actually the umbrella term used for a range of different species within the Opuntia family of cactus. The fruit is also referred to as cactus fruit, pest pear, tiger pear or nopal, among other names.

In Malta, it dominates the landscape, a scene so typical it even featured on a previous version of the country’s coat of arms.

It’s commonly used as natural fencing because nobody would be stupid enough to try and climb over a wall of prickly pear.

The highly invasive plant was introduced to Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural and droughtresistant fodder, and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry (the cochineal insect lives on the prickly pear). By 1920, the prickly pear was completely out of control. It quickly spread to cover some 25 million hectares in Queensland and northern New South Wales - by then a very big problem and a noxious weed.

Restrictions in some States

The fabulously named cactoblastis moth was subsequently introduced to control the plant, and a monument in the moth’s honour stands in the Queensland town of Dalby.

(It is still a prohibited or, depending on the species, a restricted, plant in Queensland, and there are restrictions in other states too.

In NSW, for example, it's been declared a “Locally Controlled Weed” in many areas, which means the plant must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed.)

In Australia few eat the prickly pear, which is fast-growing, impossibly hardy, and able to survive with very little water.

“If you grow other fruits, bats and birds and pests will eat them, you have to put up nets and spray them, but the prickly pear doesn’t have enemies, nothing eats the

fruit,” says Emanuel Camilleri.

“Except us,” Emanuel told the interviewer smiling.

Southern Italians and Central Americans eat it too. The plant is native to the Americas, but has thrived in arid Mediterranean regions.

While Mexicans and Italians cook with prickly pear fruit (known as tunas and fichi d’India respectively), the Maltese community tends to just eat it as is, or soaked in vodka for a makeshift version of a prickly pear liqueur found in Malta.

Increasingly common If you come about a backyard in Australia with a prickly pear tree, you can almost guarantee a Maltese or Italian migrant lives there, Camilleri who grows trees with red, yellow and white fruit varieties said. “Just fifteen years ago, you had to know somebody in order to get a prickly pear fruit, but it is now becoming increasingly common in greengrocers, and in the supermarkets in areas with large Mediterranean populations.”

He went on to say that research is currently ongoing into potential health benefits, including potential cancer-preventing properties, but this is just an add-on bonus for the Maltese community. “We eat it for the taste,” Emanuel Camilleri said.

His daughter arrives home soon from the US, and has put in a request. “She has already asked me, ‘will the prickly pears be ripe when I get there next month?’ I’ll make sure I cut her a dozen and have them ready for her.”

The prickly pear tree

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta

Two international credit rating agencies upgrade Malta’s status I

n separate reports, two wellknown credit ratings agencies, DBRS of Canada, and Moody have upgraded Malta’s credit rating, while a third, Fitch has now affirmed Malta’s sovereign credit rating at A+ For the first time DBRS gave Malta an A rating with stable prospects, while Moody’s, for the first time in four years, revised Malta’s prospects from stable to A3 with positive trends. It said that if Malta’s economic trend continues, it may even upgrade the rating to A2.

Economists at DBRS are predicting that by 2022, Malta’s debt will be 7% less than was expected. It further estimates that it will be around 41% of the Gross Domestic Product. They added that the Maltese economy has continued to surprise with its results and economic growth, which is almost three times the average of the European Union.

DBRS attributes these results to the gaming sector, tourism and service industries that generate employment. It added that last year the Maltese Government had managed to reach its aims and even surpassed them. The country being in the Euro zone also helped, the agency said in its report.

Economists said that they expect the Maltese economy to continue

to grow at a rate of 5% by 2020. There has been an increase in employment and infrastructural projects to address certain deficiencies, while the level of salaries head to head will continue to reach the average found in other EU countries.

The report also comments on the country’s political stability, governance and its institutions, saying that the Government is taking measures to strengthen its institutional framework. It observed that on-going investigations and courts procedures are an indication of the need to strengthen the field of good governance.

Moody’s reasons for upgrading Malta’s rating prospects was based on the fact that Government had improved its finances that were now showing a balance, while it had curbed its debts and debt guarantees. While noting the Government’s balance of finances, the agency said that part of the improvement was due to income from the Citizenship by Investment programme, however the greatest increase was now coming from sustainable economic growth.

In affirming Malta’s sovereign credit rating Fitchcommended Malta’s high governance indicators, saying these results, reflect a strong rule of law and governmental effectiveness.

Maltese most optimistic in EU about their economic standing

M

alta has been found to have the highest level of optimism throughout the European Union. This results from a study carried out by the EU Commission in the first two weeks of November last year involving 1,500 companies and families.

The Economic Confidence Index reached 123, an increase of 3.5% on the previous month.

This optimism is 33% better than it was in the same period in 2013, with the Government saying in a statement that this is the highest level of optimism during this month since research started being carried out in 2002.

It said in the statement that the highest level of optimism is that of the services

sector that includes the financial services sectors and gaming, which has double the percentage of optimism than the Euro zone average.

The study also indicates that Maltese families are among the very few in Europe who stated that their financial position has strengthened and the economic situation has improved and grown to an extent that unemployment is expected to continue to fall.

The statement pointed out that the EU Commission results show a great sense of optimism for Maltese families and business enterprises for the coming months and will result in the country being put on a stronger economic base for the future.

Malta has second lowest unemployment rate

W

ith a 3.5% unemployment rate, Malta has the second lowest rate among the 28 European Union member states. January 2018 statistic issued by Eurostat puts the Czech Republic in first place with 2.4%.

With this rate Malta has even surpassed Germany that has the third lowest rate at 3.6%. The highest unemployment rates have been observed in Greece (20.9%), Spain (16.3%) and Italy (11.1%) Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in all EU member states. The largest decreases were registered in Cyprus (from 12.6% to 9.8%), Greece (from 23.3% to 20.9% between November 2016 and November 2017), Croatia (from 12.2% to 9.8%), Portugal (from 10.1% to 7.9%) and Spain (from 18.4% to 16.3%).

It is also worth noting that in January 2018, the unemployment rate in the United States was 4.1%.

Canadian company to invest in production of cannabis for medical purposes

I

mmediately Parliament approves the law on the medical use of cannabis that awaits the third reading, Nuuvera, a Canadian company has confirmed that the it has an agreement with the Maltese Government to open a facility in Malta for the research and production of cannabis medicine. It has already bought a private laboratory in Malta for this facility.

The Bill being debated in Parliament will regulate the production of medical, and not

recreational, marijuana and place the island among the first in the EU to lay the groundwork for cannabis manufacturing, positioning it as a supplier in the EU. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insisted that the sector is one that is "tightly regulated". He argued that the opportunity to introduce the Medical Marijuana Sector in Malta should be grabbed. "The window of opportunity in a globalised world is not open forever," he told the House, adding

that it is a "risk-based approach."

Describing the situation as “a trail blaze”, Minister for the Economy Chris Cardona said the new legislation would benefit people whilst also being of benefit to Malta's economy. He said this is a new economic market that will grow globally, help patients, promote business, open new roads for research and will keep pushing the country's economy, which keeps growing year after year.

Tuesday March 6, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Roundup of News About Malta

A role for women in the tourism industry

P

resident of Malta HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca announced the launch of the Mediterranean Women in Tourism and Hospitality Assembly – the MedWITH Assembly – a new chapter within the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation that will

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca addressing the 5th Mediterranean Tourism Forum in Malta

Air Malta back on

the way to recovery

A

be dedicated to the advancement of women in the tourism and hospitality industries.

The President, who is the Patron of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation made the announcement as she delivered the opening speech at a masterclass about women in tourism leadership. This was organised as part of the 5th Mediterranean Tourism Forum, with the theme ‘Women as crucial contributors to peace by developing sustainable tourism strategies’.

She said she was confident that, with support from industry partners, the MedWITH Assembly will deliver innovative initiatives that promote leadership skills and development opportunities for talented women.

The President thanked the people who spearheaded this initiative for their vision in setting up the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation.

“I am deeply committed to bringing a gender-focus to the area of tourism, and I am confident that the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation will continue to promote this essential area,” she said.

The President added that as a woman of the Mediterranean, and as a UNWTO Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism, she can clearly see the importance of having this Mediterranean Women in Tourism and Hospitality Assembly, stating that it is vital “for us to keep highlighting the important role that women can, and do play, in order to make our peace-building efforts through the tourism sector more effective.”

‘Malta has a special strategicimportance’ peaking about Malta’s maritime role S with regard to the tourism sector at the Mediterranean Tourism Forum, Minister

for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg said that given its geographical position Malta has always been of special strategic importance, an aspect that was further enhanced when the Mediterranean region, with some of its most fascinating cruising and yachting experiences, became a popular global tourist destination.

The Minister said that Europe is the Minister Ian Borg world’s second largest cruise ship destination, with cruise tourism growing at a fast rate.

He noted that Malta has risen to this occasion by establishing its status as a leading service provider, especially in the superyachts service industry, which he described as an important segment that provides a strong economic input into any country’s economy.

He also emphasised the importance of looking at the long-term and sustainable transformation of the Mediterranean as a yachting destination of excellence and said that one must strive to provide the holistic feel expected by what one can term a “niche, boutique, 7-star super yacht industry. “In order to get here, we need to understand that change, innovation, and progress are the constants that we need to embody in our daily practices,” the Minister said.

fter decades of turbulance, Air Malta seems to be back on its feet. For the first time in over 10 years it is on the way to closing the financial year without any losses.

Malta’s national carrier has making progress for some months now and even in February, traditionally weakest month of the year, it carried a total of alta International Airport 26,000 passengers, a whopping inis to invest over €100 milcrease of 34.6 per cent compared to the lion on the expansion of the airsame month last year. port campus that would include Between November and February, the a hotel and an office building airline reported a strong growth of 24 similar to the existing Skyparks per cent, making this winter season one in an area that currently serves of the most successful ever. as a petrol station and a catering The airline increased its frequency on outlet. main routes and re-introduced FrankMIA’s master plan also infurt airport. In the last six months it cludes an extension to the airlaunched a total of 13 new routes, in- port terminal to deal with the An artist’s impression of how MIA’s including three intra-European services, influx of tourism arrivals/depar- vestment would look once completed and is now looking forward to the pre- tures that is expected to keep on growing 5,000. liminary results for March, that also during the coming years. It will also include On completion of the project, which will looks very promising. an area for commercial establishments, and be split up into phases, it will contribute Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi said more than double the number of parking over €4 million in planning gain to be dithat during the winter months Malta spaces available on its grounds. Another vided equally between the Local Councils managed to attract considerable tourists floor above the present one is to be added of Luqa, Mqabba, Safi, Kirkop, Gudia, Zurthrough various new flight connections. to increase parking space from 2,000 to rieq and Għaxaq.

MIA to invest €100m in airport extension

M

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

L-influss tal-barranin f’Malta

San Pawl il-Baħar bl-akbar popolazzjoni

R

aħal li għal żmien twil kien ikollu popolazzjoni mdaqqsa biss fis-sajf - San Pawlil Baħar – u li min għandu ċerta eta’ jiftakru żgħir li mbagħad jikber b’dawk li kienu jmorru joqogħdu hemm fix-xhur tas- tagħhha kienet tospita’ gġadd ta’ barsajf, illum sar l-aktar popolat skont il- ranin, issa għandha 6,688 barrani li kobor. jġibu 34% tal-popolazzjoni.

Dan mhux għax f’daqqa waħda lDawn li semmejna huma parti millMaltin marru jgħixu hemm, għalkemm 54,321 barrani/ija li kienu qed jgħixu l-għadd ta’ Maltin żdied ukoll, iżda f’Malta sa tmiem l-2016, li jfisser li 12% minħabba l-influss ta’ barranin li marru tal-popolazzjoni Maltija, hija fil-fatt jgħixu fih. Skont l-aħħar figuri f’dan ir- barranija. raħal hemm jgħixu 8,515, jiġifieri 37% Attwalment l-akbar qabża’ fl-għadd tal-popolazzjoni. ta’ barranin f’Malta sar f’dawn l-aħħar U l-persentaġġ tal-barranin huwa ħames snin meta is-suq tax-xogħol f’tassew sinifikanti lejn l-inħawi tas- Malta kiber sewwa u beda jattira Sliema, hekk li l-Imsida u l-Gżira, it- numru ta’ barrannin li rnexxielhom tnejn għandhom 34% tal-popolazzjoni jiksbu x-xogħol f’Malta. barranija. Tas-Sliema, li sa mill-ħolqien Il-maġġoranza tal-barranin joqogħdu add ma jista’ jiċħad li Malta ma’ Ħ tistax tgħaddi mingħajr ħafna minn dawn il-barranin għax bl-inves-

Problemi

timenti kbar li qed isiru, u bl-għadd ta’ opportunitajiet ta’ xogħol li kontinwament qed jinħolqu, żgur li m’hawnx biżżejjed Maltin biex jilħqu magħhom. Jerġa’ hemm ukoll ċerti industriji li jinħtieġu ħiliet li ftit Maltin għandhom.

Imma dan id-dħul ta’ barranin qed ukoll joħloq ċerti problemi għall-pajjiż. Insemmi x’uħud: L-AKKOMODAZZJONI: B’numru hekk kbir ta’ barranin ifittxu fejn joqogħdu ma setax jonqos li l-prezz talpropjeta`żdied sewwa u ma’ dan żdied bil-kbir il-kera taddjar u apparatmenti bir-riżultat li xi wħud qed isibu li ma jistgħux ilaħħqu mal-kera. Sintendi l-aktar effetwati huma dawk il-koppji li waslu biex jiżżewwġu.

Min-naħa l-oħra min għandu xi propjeta għall-bejgħ jew għall-kiri u l-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni qed igawdu bi kbir.

Il-problema tant kibret, li qed tħasseb lill-Gvern li qed jara x’jista’ jsir biex inaqqas t-tbatija għal dawk il-Maltin li ma jifilħux iħallsu l-prezzijiet tas-suq SKEJJEL: Għadd konsiderevoli mill-barranin li jgħixu Malta għandhom it-tfal u sintendi dawn iridu jedukawhom billi jibagħtuhom fl-iskejjel. Uħud jibagħtuhom fl-iskejjel privati, imma fil-maġġoranza l-kbira jispiċċaw fl-iskejjel talistat.. u bir-raġun. Dawn l-iskejjel joffru tagħlim b’xejn għal dawk it-tfal li l-ġenituri tagħhom ġejjin minn xi pajjiż tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

Minbarra li dawn ma jħallsux miżati, it-tfal tagħhom igawdu mill-istess servizzi u riżorsi li jgawdu tfal Maltin, fosthom kotba b’xejn, sistema ta’ kolazzjon mingħajr ħlas, trasport b’xejn,eċċ.

Dawk l-istudenti li ġejjin minn pajjiżi oħra u mhux eżentati mill-ħlas, iħallsu miżata tassew baxxa, u xorta jgawdu b’xejn mis-servizzi u riżorsi li msemmija.

fit-Tramuntana ta’ Malta u jinfirxu millinħawi ta’ Tas-Siema u jibqgħu sejrin sal-Mellieħa. L-uniku raħal fin-naħa t’isfel ta’ Malta li għandna persentaġġ sinifikanti ta’ barranin hija Birżebuġġa b’persentaġġ ta’ 32% L-għadd tal-barranin f’Malta mistenni jkompli jiżdied jekk l-ekonomija Maltija tkompli tikber bir-rata ta’ bħalissa.

Infatti ċ-ċerpersin tal-JobsPlus, l-aġenzija tax-xogħol statali (dak li qabel kien l-uffiċċju tar-reġistrazzjoni għaxxogħol), jgħid li fl-erba’ snin li ġejjin dawn jistgħu jiżdiedu għal bejn it28,000 u t-30,000.

Anke hawn qed tinħoloq problema, billi f’ċerti skejjel l-għadd ta’ barranin hu hekk kbir li f’ċerti klassijiet in-numru ta’ barranin huwa daqs, jekk ma jissuperax dak tal-Maltin.

Dan qed joħloq problemi kbar mhux biss finanzjarji – għax sintendi l-Gvern irid jonfoq aktar flus fuq riżorsi umani u riżorsi oħra, imma joħloq ukoll probemi ta’ spazju f’ċerti skejjel, u nuqqas ta’ għalliema.

Hemm imbagħad problema oħra, dik tal-komunikazzjoni waqt it-tagħlim, meta wieħed iqis li numru kbir mit-tfal barranin ma jafux, la bil-Malti, iżda lanqas bl-Ingliż - iż-żewġ ilsna li jintużaw fl-iskejjel biex isir it-tagħlim.

Hemm ukoll ir-reliġjonijiet u l-kulturi differenti li jġibu magħhom dawn l-istudenti. L-Awtoritajiet qed jippruvaw isolvu l-problema tar-reliġjon billi fl-iskejjel iddaħħal ittagħlim tal-etika, biex dawk l-istudenti li ma jieħdux ittagħlim tar-Reliġjon Kattolika (l-unika reliġjon mgħallma fl-iskejjel Maltin), ikunu jistgħu jieħdu dan is-suġġett.

B’hekk tissolva wkoll il-problema li nħolqot meta kienet iddaħħlet ir-riforma fil-qasam edukattiv li kien jagħti permess lill-ġenituri (anke dawk Maltin) li jekk iridu jirtiraw it-tfal tagħhom mit-tagħlim tar-reliġjon.

KRIMINALITA`: Għalkemm il-maġġoranza assoluta talbarranin li jgħixu f’Malta josservaw il-liġijiet, sfortunatament ġie nnotat li parti sew miż-żieda fil-kriminalita’ ġejja min-naħa ta’ barranin li jgħixu f’Malta minn għal żmien twil u minn għal ftit.

Xi barranin ġejjin minn pajjiżi Ewropej u diffiċli li wieħed ikeċċihom minn Malta, anke meta jinqabdu jiksru l-liġi.

Hemm ukoll il-problemi tat-traffiku, tal-providiment ta’ servizzi tas-saħħa, żieda fil-ħtieġa tal-ilma, eċċ eċċ.

Insomma kull ħaġa fiha l-pożittiv u n-negattiv tagħha. Limportanti li l-pożittiv jkun jegħleb sew in-negattiv, u li kif qed isir, l-effett negattiv jonqos kemm jista’ jkun.

Tuesday March 6, 2017

Fiduċja fil-Gvern,

– mhux daqshekk fil-Ġustizzja

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The Voice of the Maltese 15

Qed issir ħsara lil Malta?

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’dawn l-aħħar, snin imma l-aktar flaħħar xhur wara l-qtil ta’ Daphne Caruana Galizia, kibret id-diskussjoni fil-fora internazzjonali dwar Malta. Ltħarriġ tal-Ewrobarometru tal-Un- għall-fatt li huma 83% tal-Ewropej li aktar mistoqsijiet u diskussjonijiet saru joni Ewropea, li sar xahar wara l- kuntenti b’ħajjithom. fl-aktar fora segwita f’Malta, l-Unjoni Ewropea. Fost li tkellmu dwar Malta kienu lqtil ta’ Daphne Caruana Galizia, • 80% esprimew kunfidenza mill-futur. istess MEPs Maltin. Uħud minnhom mhux juri li hemm differenza kbira minn dak li • l-Armata tgawdi mill-ogħla fiduċja, biss ma tawx stampa sabiħa tas-sitwazzjoni tgħid parti mdaqqsa tal-midja Maltija u b’67%. f’Malta, iżda saħansitra mbuttaw ħalli jitdak li nstab mir-riċerkaturi li għamlu dan • 61% minnhom qalu li l-affarijiet f’tieħdu ċerti miżuri kontra Malta. l-istħarriġ.

Malta sejrin fid-direzzjoni t-tajba.

Dan ġab reazzjoni mħallta minn dawk li Infatti filwaqt li f’Malta qrajna ħafna • 89% esprimew il-fehma pożittiva dwar jikkumentaw fil-ġurnali. Kien hemm min dwar kemm il-Maltin tilfu l-fiduċja fit- l-ekonomija Maltija. ikkritika bl-aħrax lill-MEPs u anke xlihom tmexxija tal-pajjiż, fil-fatt dan l-istħarriġ • 85% qalu li s-settur tal-impjiegi sejjer bi tradiment. Min-naħa l-oħra kien hemm wasal għall-konklużjoni li 51% għand- tajjeb ħafna. min sostna li dawn kienu qed jattakaw biss hom fiduċja fil-Gvern. Dan kuntrarju • Minkejja t-gergir dwar l-Unjoni Ewroil-mod kif qed tiġi mmexxijja Malta. għall-figuri tal-istess stħarriġ li wera li pea 77% jemmnu li Malta ma jkollhiex Fl-aħħar jiem, il-gazzetta ta’ kull nhar ta’ huma biss 36% taċ-ċittadini tal-pajjiżi ġejjieni aħjar barra mill-UE . Ħadd, It-Torċa, permezz tar-riċerkatur Dr Ewropew li kellhom fiduċja fil-GverniMill-istħarriġ ħareġ ukoll dak li jinkwiVincent Marmara (li kien l-aktar persuna li jiet rispettivi tagħhom. eta ħafna u dak li mhux daqshekk tatkien qrib fit-tbassir tiegħu dwar ir-riżultat talImma mbagħad instab li 35% biss tal- tħassib. Insibu li: elezzjoni ġenerali), għamlet stħarriġ dwar Maltin għandhom fiduċja fil-ġustizzja u • 45% tinkwetahom il-kriminalita. 32% dan. Irriżulta, li għadd sostanzjali ta’ votanti s-sistema legali, meta fl-Ewropa l-figura l-immigrazzjoni Maltin (49.2%) jemmnu li hemm rappreżentitla’ għal 50%.

• 22% l-ambjent, il-klima u l-enerġija tanti Maltin fl-Unjoni Ewropea li qed jagħŻgur li l-midja Maltija ma ħaditx pjaċir • 12% il-problema tal-housing mlu ħsara lil Malta barra pajjiżna: 22% b’li ħareġ mill-istħarriġ billi nstab li 14% • 11% is-sistema tal-Edukazzjoni irrifjutaw li jwieġbu jew tennew li ma jafux. biss għandhom fiduċja qawwija fil-midja, • 10% l-għoli tal-prezzijiet.

Kienu biss 28.8% li wieġbu fin-negattiv. filwaqt li 53% għandhom ftit jew l-ebda Interessanti l-fatt li fejn tidħol il-poliFilwaqt li l-maġġoranza tar-rispondenti fiduċja fil-ġurnali u l-mezzi tax-xandir. tika, filwaqt li l-Gvern jgawdi fiduċja ta’ wieġbu abbażi tal-fehma politika tagħhom Fuq in-naħa pożittiva nsibu li: 51%, huma biss 21% li għandhom (91.7% tal-votanti Laburisti wieġbu fil• 95% ta’ dawk li wieġbu f’Malta huma fiduċja fil-Partiti Politiċi pożittiv, 75.2% tal-votanti Nazzjonalisti ġeneralment aktar sodisfatti bil-ħajja li Issa tgħid lil min ser nemmnu : l-istħarwieġbu fin-negattiv), jidher li kien hemm qed jgħixu mill-poplu tal-Ewropa. Dan riġ jew dak li jingħad il-midja? għadd sew ta’ votanti tal-PN (11.1%) li wkoll esprimew il-fehma li hemm rappreżentanti Maltin li kienu qed jagħmlu ħsara lil pajjiżna, anke jekk ħafna drabi ssors tal-kritika kien il-PN, jew rappreżenħawdxi, il-Monsinjur Alfred Xuereb li kien l-assistent privat tal-Papa Benedittu tant tal-istess partit fil-fora barranija. Ir-rata XVI u għal xi żmien anke s-segretarju personali tal-Papa Franġisku, fid-19 ta’ ta’ li ma wiġbux għas-sondaġġ jew qalu li Marzu fil-Vatikan se jiġi kkonsagrat Nunzju Appostoliku fin-Nunzjatura Appostolika ma jafux fl-istess, ammontaw għal 13.7%. f’Seoul, fil-Korea t’Isfel.

Din id-diskrepanza hi ħafna inqas evidenti Erba’ snin ilu Mons. Xuereb nħatar mill-Papa preżenti fil-kamp oppost. Kienu biss 0.6% tal-votanti Segretarju Ġenerali tas-Segreterija għall-Ekonomija tal-Partit Laburista li wieġbu fintas-Santa Sede responsabbli għall-affarijiet ekonomici negattiv dwar jekk hemmx u amministrattivi kollha tas-Santa Sede u l-Vatikan.

Maltin li qed jagħmlu ħsara L-Isqof t’Għawdex Mario Grech qal li din il-ħatra lil pajjiżna barra minn Malta; 7.7% tennew li tagħmel gieħ lill-kleru tad-djoċesi Għawdxija, “għaliex ma jafux. meta l-Papa Franġisku tefa’ ħarstu fuq wieħed minnha, dak Jidher minn dan iskien sinjal li bih għamlilna ħafna kuraġġ,” sostna. sondaġġ il-konsegwenzi possibbli li ġġib magħha din ilħsara: 70.7%, jew ilalta u Għawdex tilfu pijunier fix-xena tal-mużika maġġoranza ta’ klassifika bil-mewt għall-għarrieda nhar il-Ħadd dawk li tennew li 25 ta’ Frar fl-eta`ta’ 76 sena tas-Surmast Għawdxi, ilhemm nies Maltin li Professur Joe Vella. qed jagħmlu ħsara lil Is-surmast li f’żogħżitu kien anke jkanta, maż-żmien, pajjiżna, tennew ukoll li u grazzi għall-ħila tiegħu, kiseb għarfien internazzjonali din il-ħsara tista’ tirriżulta bħala surmast b’kompożizzjonijiet tiegħu jindaqqu flf’telf ta’ impjiegi f’pajjiżna, Ewropa, fil-Kanada u anke fil-Ġappun. speċjalment minn kumpanniji Donnu li qalbu ħabritu x’kien ġej għalih għaliex filFuq: It-tweġibiet għall-mistoqsija dwar barranin. Kienu biss 7.9% li jum ta’ qabel ippreżenta l-arkivju mużikali tiegħu lilljekk hawnx Maltin li qed jagħmlu wieġbu fin-negattiv, u 21.4% ma wieġbu la naħa u lanqas l-oħra. ħsara lil pajjiżna barra minn Malta mużew Ħaġar fir-Rabat Għawdex.

Għawdxi maħtur isqof fil-Korea t’Isfel

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Imut is-Surmast Joe Vella

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16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

Minister Peter Dutton sounds tough again

P

eter Dutton, the minister of the newly created super-department that combines the Immigration portfolio with various national security agencies, said he wanted to work with state education departments to talk more about Australia’s “core values”.

“In my view, there is a place for the pledge in a broader rejuvenated civics effort with school-aged children, regardless of their background,” Mr Dutton told the National Press Club in Canberra.

Mr Dutton said his department was ready to provide support in improving the teaching of civic values in schools. “It

behoves all sections of society to reaffirm our nation's core values through our words and our deeds,” Mr Dutton said.

The Turnbull Government will soon try to pass an edited version of its changes to the Australian citizenship test which were voted down in the Senate last year

by Labor and the crossbench.

The most controversial of the changes would have created a standalone English language exam, set at a higher level than the existing test requirements.

Mr Dutton’s bill would also have created a test on “Australian values” in an attempt to weed out migrants with abhor-

rent views on domestic violence, religious extremism and the treatment of women.

Labor, the Greens and the Nick Xenophon senators killed off the bill, mostly citing opposition to the tougher English test.

Mr Dutton has already offered to reduce the difficulty of the English test – from six to Band five under the international standard – to secure the support of the Senate.

“I can assure you that the government remains committed to this reform and will work with the cross bench on the basis of a new package of measures … to see that across the line,” the minister said.

Action on elder abuse he federal government will develop T a national definition of elder abuse to better guide research, and develop survey tools to measure abuse rates of older people. Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter said the proportion of people aged above 65 will increase from 15 per cent of the population in 2014-15 to 23 per cent by 2055.

A plan expected by late 2018 will track progress on fighting the problem - thought to impact up to 12 per cent of elderly people around the world, including those living in care.

The NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit estimates 39 per cent of abuse against older people is psychological, 31 per cent is financial, 17 per cent

FAG Christian Porter is neglect, 12 per cent is physical and 1 per cent is sexual.

The service received more than 7000 calls in the four years to December 2017.

Mr Porter, who succeeded George Brandis as Attorney-General in December, said the issue needed effective national action.

Child trafficking a million dollar industry

A

former NSW police detective who now helps save children trafficked into sexual servitude says modern child slavery is a much bigger problem than most realise.

According to the United Nation’s 2016 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 79 per cent of human trafficking is for sexual

exploitation and the victims are predominantly women and girls. Children account for almost 20 per cent of trafficked victims worldwide.

Suzanne has investigated child sex trafficking in Haiti, Kenya, Cambodia, Philippines, India and Thailand. She spoke to The

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

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

Catholic Weekly about her work on the condition of anonymity.

“Oh my goodness, we’re just at the tip of the iceberg. It is mammoth, ” according to Suzanne, an investigator who carries out covert international operations as part of an elite team of trained professionals who rescue trafficked children.

“I think living in this country, it’s so isolated that in a way that we don’t really understand the issue.” Yet in many developing countries forcing children and vulnerable adults into sexual slavery is not as abhorred as in Western countries, she says.

“It’s a billion-dollar industry. The profits are enormous. It’s a commodity that can be used over and over again with little to no punishment.”

Suzanne contracts to Operation Underground Railroad, a US-based NGO devoted to rescuing children from sex trafficking and works for a number of NGOs in the same fight. She was recently asked to headup global investigations for The Freedom Project, a Sydney-based organisation also devoted to combating modern slavery.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday March 6, 2017

Abbott, Morrison disagree on immigration

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n a recent speech in Sydney, the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the Turnbull Government should cut the permanent immigration level from 190,000 annually to 110,000. “At least until infrastructure, housing stock and integration have better caught up, we simply have to move the overall numbers substantially down,” Mr Abbott said.

But Scott Morrison, Treasurer and former Immigration Minister vigorously defended the economic contribution of skilled migrants moving to Australia on permanent

working visas. “People who come as skilled migrants pay taxes," said the treasurer “They actually make a net contribution to the economy.”

“I was the immigration minister for Tony Abbott and the permanent immigration intake we have today is exactly the same as it was when he was prime minister,” he said. “I don't recall at any time there was any Scott Morrison (left) and Tony Abbot discussion that should be lowAbbott suggested would reduce the tax inered at that time."

Annual immigration reports show Aus- take to the federal budget by $4 or $5 biltralia has accepted almost exactly 190,000 lion, the treasurer said.

He attributed recent population growth to permanent migrants every year since 2011.

In the most recent year, 2016-17, there "variable immigration" rather than the perwas a slight dip to 183,000, despite the cap manent stream, with more students, backremaining at 190,000. Tony Abbott was packers and temporary workers, while the Australia’s prime minister from 2013 to permanent migration level had remained 2015. Cutting immigration by the level Mr static since 2011.

Downsizing and housing F affordability

New Deputy PM V

eterans Affairs Minister Michael McCormack (above) was sworn in as the leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister of Australia, beating a last-minute challenge from maverick backbencher George Christensen at a special party room meeting in Parliament House Canberra.

Michael McCormack from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales’ Riverina region is a Nationals MP with a fairly typical history.

He grew up on family farms at Marrar and Brucedale and still lives in the Riverina with his wife and three children. McCormack began working life as a cadet journalist with the local Wagga paper, the Daily Advertiser, where shot through the editorial ranks to become editor at just 27.

McCormack first came to parliament in 2010, having fought off both Liberal and Labor candidates in his seat.

Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull was told his department would no longer be investigating whether Barnaby Joyce breached ministerial standards. “In light of Mr Joyce's decision to step down from the ministry, I've concluded that there is little to be gained from continuing this investigation,” the letter from the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Martin Parkinson said.

rom July this year, over 65s can pump up to $300,000 of their proceeds of selling their home into super without affecting other contribution limits. This superannuation tax break, promoted by the federal government is helping housing affordability by putting more family homes on the market.

A single pensioner homeowner with assets (excluding their home) of less than $253,750 currently receives the full $894 pension a fortnight. But pension payments would gradually decrease as the value of assets increase and would be cut off if their assets hit $552,000.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that almost 80 per cent of retirees receive full or part pension. Pensioners look-

ing to downsize should seek professional advice, or at least speak with a Centrelink financial information. National Seniors is calling for up to $250,000 of downsizing proceeds to be exempt from means testing.

In a study entitled Downsizing Amongst Older Australians commissioned by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), findings revealed that housing availability and affordability are the two key barriers to downsizing for older people.

There are many senior Australians who are deterred now from downsizing, and thereby more prone to loneliness and isolation

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

ktar regoli u tagħrif uffiċjali dwar kif wieħed għandu jikteb il-Malti. Dan skont Akif maħruġ mill-Kummissjoni fi ħdan l-Akkademja tal-ilsien Malti f’Malta.

IL-VOKALI TAL-LEĦEN 48. Il-vokali tal-leħen (ewfonika) hi ittra li tidħol fil-kelma mhux biex tieħu sehem fis- sura u tifsir tal-kelma, imma biex tirfed u ssaħħaħ leħen xi konsonanti li mat-tibdil ta’ suret il-kelma tkun sejra titħaxken bejn żewġ konsonanti oħra u hekk titlef leħinha. Din il-vokali toqgħod qabel u mhux wara l-konsonanti.

Il-konsonanti li jitolbu din il-vokali bħala riffieda huma: (1) l-ittri l, m, n, r, u għ meta jkunu sejrin jitħaxknu bejn żewġ konsonanti, sewwa bħala l-ewwel ittra tal-kelma, kemm ukoll bħala waħda ta’ nofs il-kelma. (Ara t-Tlieta u Tletin Regola – l-Ewwel Taqsima).

(2) Kull konsonanti mtennija ta’ bidu l-kelma meta laħħar ittra tal-kelma ta’ qabel tkun konsonanti.

Għalhekk naraw illi l-vokali tal-leħen tidħol: Fil-bidu tal-kelma. Ara: ftit imsiemer minflok ftit msiemer; qbadt l-ilsiera minlok qbadt l-lsiera; ridt iddur minflok ridt ddur; biex issum minflok biex ssum; tlugħ ix-xemx minflok tlugħ x- xemx; gozz irmied minflok gozz rmied; mort inġib minflok mort nġib; għaxart itfal minflok għaxart tfal.

Dan ir-riffied jidħol qabel il-konsonanti li titolbu. Għalhekk ukoll: ftit agħsafar minflok ftit għsafar; sitt egħriebel minflok sitt għriebel; kif agħmilt minflok għamilt; għalkemm bħalma wrejna taħt il-Wieħed u Tletin Regola, T.ċ. (2) – lEwwel Taqsima, nistgħu niktbu ftit għasafar, sitt għeriebel, kif għamilt.

T.ċ. Naraw li l-vokali tal-leħen ma tidħolx meta ngħidu ħalli nġib, ħafna wċuħ, tifla ltima, ħadha d-dar, meta ssib, malli x-xemx, malli ddur u oħrajn hekk, fejn l-aħħar ittra tal-kelma ta’ qabel hi vokali. (Ara t- Tnax-il Regola, T.ċ. (4) – l-Ewwel Taqsima).

F’nofs il-kelma. Ara: minn qaleb nagħmlu aqàlbu, naqàlbu, jaqàlbu minflok aqlbu, naqlbu, jaqlbu. Minn selaħ = isòlħu, nisòlħu, jisòlħu. Minn ħaraq = aħàrqu, naħàrqu, jaħàrqu. Minn ħanaq = aħànqu. Minn sama(għ) = isìmgħu, kollha bil-vokali

M, F jew X

tal-leħen qabel it- tieni konsonanti ta’ għerq il-kelma li hija waħda millittri l, r, n, m (likwidi).

Hekk ukoll fejn tidħol il-konsonanti għ bħal waħda mit-tieni konsonanti ta’ għerq il-kelma.

Għalhekk minn qagħad, xegħel, bagħat, magħad nagħmlu u niktbu noqògħdu, nixègħlu, nibàgħtu, nomògħdu, bil-vo-kali qabel il-għ u mhux noqgħdu, nix-għlu, nibgħtu, nomgħdu.

Hekk ukoll mill-verbi ta’ erba’ konsonanti ħabrek, meslaħ, ħaxlef, beżlaq, kabras, maħmaħ nagħmlu u niktbu nħabirku, nmesilħu, nħaxilfu, nbeżilqu, nkabarsu, nmaħamħu, bil-vokali talleħen qabel waħda mill-ittri (likwidi) r, l, m.

Hekk ukoll insemmgħu u niktbu: jaqalgħelna, jisirqilkom, jiżirgħelhom, jibilgħelkom u mhux jaqlgħelna jew jaqalegħlna, eċċ. bil-vokali qabel kull waħda mill-konsonanti likwidi li f’tiswir il-kelma taħbat sejra titħaxken bejn il-konsonanti l-oħrajn jew li jmissu magħha.

Hekk ukoll bħalma rajna, insemmgħu u niktbu: mixegħla minflok mixgħla, midilka minflok midlka, mibegħda minflok mibgħda, maħanqa minflok maħnqa, mgħarfa (magħarfa) minflok magħrfa.

KELMIET IL-GĦADD Il-Kelmiet tal-Għadd, fil-Malti, jissejħu u jinkitbu: Wieħed, tnejn, tlieta, erbgħa, ħamsa, sitta, sebgħa, tmienja, disgħa, għaxra, ħdax, tnax, tlettax, erbatax (minflok erbagħtax), ħmistax, sittax, sbatax (minflok sbagħtax), tmintax, dsatax (minflok dsagħtax), għoxrin, tletin, erbgħin, ħamsin, sittin, sebgħin, tmenin, disgħin, mija, elf.

K

ull min għandu passaport Malti, ħdejn il-kelma sess/sex għandu wkoll ilkelma Raġel/Male għal Maskil (M) jew Female/mara għal Femminil (F). L-istess fuq il-karta tal-Identita`.

Imm’issa l-affarijiet inbidlu għax tfaċċat ittra ġdida kemm fil-passaport, kif ukoll fil-Karta tal-identita`. Issa nsibu l-ittra X, li qed tintuża għal dawk il-persuni li ma jridux jiddentifikaw ruħhom mal-ebda sess tradizzjonali.

Biex wieħed ikun jista’ jimmarka “X” minflok is-sess maskil jew femminil, dak li hemm bżonn hu, dikjarazzjoni ġuramentata quddiem nutar li l-persuna ma tidentifikax ruħha, la mal-ġeneru maskil u lanqas ma’ dak femminil.

Issa dan sar japplika kemm għal-passaport, karta tal-identità, u wkoll bħala permess ta’ residenza. Fil-fatt, il-liġi setgħet tibda tiġi nfurzata minn Settembru tas-sena l-oħra.

L-ewwel li ħabbret dan il-pass kienet is-Segretarju Parlamentari għar-Riforma, Julia Farrugia Portelli fit-23 ta’ Jannar li għadd meta

Aktar regoli u tifsir fil-ħarġa li jmiss

Il-Gvern ta’ Malta jdaħħal €36 miljun bla xejn tbatija

F

fuq il-facebook li tellgħet post kienet qalet li dan kien żvilupp favur aktar ugwaljanza, li se jkun qed jagħmel id-differenza fil-ħajja ta’ ħafna nies.

L-att sar possibbli wara li fl-2015 il-Parlament approva l-hekk magħruf bħala l-Att li Jidentifika l-Ġeneru, li bih sar faċli li n-nies setgħu uffiċjalment ikunu magħrufa uffiċjalment bdal il-ġeneru li jixiequ.

tit tal-ġimgħat ilu l-Gvern Malti dabbar aktar minn €36 miljun sħan sħan bla ebda sforz, u mingħajr ma ntaxxa lil ħadd. Dan minħabba li kien hemm xi nies li sal-ġurnata ffissata li kienet tagħlaq iż-żmien meta setgħu jissarrfu lmuniti ta’ qabel l-Ewro, il-liri, baqgħu ma sarfuhomx.

Fost dawn x’aktarx kien hemm ukoll xi barranin li forsi jkunu ġew Malta bħala turisti f’dak iż-żmien meta l-lira kienet il-munita Maltija, u ħaduhom lura magħhom, forsi anke bħala tifkira.

Hu x’inhu gawdiet Malta għax ilfatt il-Bank Ċentrali ta’ Malta għadda b’kemm jiswew dawn il-flus (€36,428,483) lill-kaxxa ta’ Malta.

Dan ifisser li biex il-gvern seta’ idaħħal daqshekk flus kien irid jintaxxa lil kull adult f’Malta għal madwar €100.

Kuraġġ Kbir, the latest release by the Libreri husband and wife duo

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday March 6, 2017

H

usband and wife team Tessa and Thomas Libreri are Australian award-winning singer/ songwriters/recording artists with their own six piece working band, Destiny (Band Oz), that is based in the Latrobe Valley Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Thomas was born in Australia from Maltese parents, and Tessa was also born in Australia to English parents who were both repertory actors in England.

One of their newest releases has been a new EP called 'From the Heart' featuring a beautiful moving Maltese song composed by Thomas about his mother emigrating from Malta to Australia. It is called 'Kuraġġ Kbir' and is sung in Maltese.

The song, which was launched at the recent Maltese Festa in Morwell on February 17, has already been attracting a lot of airplay from Australian radio stations as well as stations in Germany, France, the UK and Canada.

Previous to that, the Libreris, with Tessa a lead vocals and Thomas a lead guitarist and vocals, have recorded two albums and an EP, and in 2017 burst onto the country music scene with four radio single releases of their original style of country, soul, jazz and rock music that have all had great local and Australian Country chart successes.

With their band, Destiny, they perform regularly at clubs and various private or corporate functions playing their own original music as well as the 'good time' classics of the '60s, '70s and '80s. They also play their own original mix of country, rock, jazz, soul style songs, and can also perform fun tribute floorshows as well.

Tessa and Thomas got married, had children and later formed a reception

Tessa (second from right and Thomas (extreme right) with the other members of their band, Destiny

band, performing regularly around their local Yarra Valley, Kinglake and Yea area as well as other notable venues such as Melbourne’s Crown Casino, Parliament House and Federation Square whilst running their own award-winning building and maintenance business and bringing up a young family.

Thomas was initially a bass player and before long he and Tessa started a duo together, which they named Destiny (as it seemed to have been ‘destiny’ that they had met). They registered the name Destiny (and later also registered the name Destiny (Band Oz) due to other bands overseas also using the name ‘Destiny ’).

The current band line up is: Tessa Libreri (Lead Vocals), Thomas Libreri (Lead Guitarist/Lead Vocals), Ron Armstrong (Keyboards), Bob Hutton (Bass Guitar), Tony Desira (Drums), and Jessica Loprese (Backing Vocals).

Destiny were also finalists in four categories at the Tasmanian Independent Country Music Awards where they were invited to perform at the awards function held at the Launceston Country Club Casino, and received awards for 2 x No.1 hit songs (between June and October 17).

Destiny’s other achievements dur-

ing 2017also include: – Overall #1 Song on the Official Top 60 songs in Tasmania for 2017 - ‘The Thing I Like Best About You’ – Overall #8 in the My Country Australia’s’ Top 10 Albums for 2017 - Destiny’s album - ‘Makin Music’ – Overall #29 in the Australian Country Tracks Top 40 Chart for 2017 (to 9.12.17) Destiny’s title track- ‘Makin Music’ – Two songs, (Makin Music and Streets of Old Kilsyth), on the short list of the APRA song of the year – Their songs were #6 on the AMRAP Airit Top 10 Chart for most downloaded songs Sept 2017.

– The band was one of five finalists in the Country Music People’s Choice Awards in the band/duo category.

Presented at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2018, and one of three finalists in the Gold Medallion Media Awards (voted for by radio presenters and presented at Tamworth 2018).

Their albums and EP: 'Take Me Back in Time', ‘Makin Music’ and ‘From the Heart’ are available to purchase either direct mail order via messaging on their Facebook page, at gigs, or digital download from all online stores.

One can also check out Destiny’s Music videos on their Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj...

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

Friends, Foes & Fireworks, film

by Maltese Australian to premiere in Melbourne March 21 S arah Jayne Portelli a Maltese filmmaker currently living in Malta where she relocated with her husband Ivan Malekin seven months ago to get into the Maltese film industry, will be back in Australia together with her husband later this month to attend the world premiere at the Classic Cinema in Elsternwick Melbourne on March 21,of her production company Nexus Production Group's film Friends, Foes & Fireworks that she and her husband co-directed.

The film about an intimate New Year's Eve reunion of five female friends in the independent acting scene becomes a test of relationships when old tensions spark, truths are told, and rivalries are reignited.

Will the group make it through the night together or will their friendship fizzle out like an overzealous fireworks display?

The film, shot in a single night, the craziest and most chaotic night of the year - over New

Malta’s HC joins other EU members at Multicultural Festival’s EU Village

M

alta’s High Commission joined other EU member missions in Canberra to once again participate in the annual National Multicultural Festival (NMF) held on February 17 at Canberra.

This year, 24 EU member information booths were set up at the EU Village, joined by the non-member state of Norway that is associated with the Union through its closeness as an economic and trade partner.

A crowd puller was the handing out of replica EU Passports to visitors that allowed them to embark on a virtual tour of the European Union by visiting the different booths and having them stamped at the respective booths.

Malta’s booth handed out hundreds of tourism information brochures and other promotional items, including DVDs and

maps of Malta.

PA to the HC, Jeannette Zaide-Crombie and volunteers from the Maltese Australian Association ably assisted the High Commissioner and Mrs Muscat at the Malta booth.

A family photo of EU Heads of Mission with Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ms Rachel Stephen-Smit (5th from left), the EU Head of Delegation Mr Michael Pulch (4th left). Malta’s HC Charles Muscat 2nd left)

Year's Eve, in seven locations across St Kilda in Melbourne, relies on improvisation in acting and camera. It is an ambitious Australian drama feature film exploring relationships, love, friendship and the truths we try and fail to keep to ourselves.

After the premiere screening there will be four more sessions within a week to see if Sarah Jayne and her husband can get a longer run. It is base on how the sessions sell.

Isir il-funeral tal-koppja Pulis

N

har is-Sibt li għadda l-knisja talparroċċa ta’ Birżebbuġa kienet maħnuqa bi qarba u ħbieb tal-koppja Lorry u Doreen Pulis biex ittihom laħħar tislima waqt quddiesa presaente cadavere u wara fill-funeral tal-koppja li mietet waqt li kienet fuq btala flAwstralja f’inċident fatali tat-traffiku fis-16 ta’ Frar li għadda fil-belt ta’ Campbelltown, qrib Sydney, fi NSW. Fimkien mal-koppja miet ukoll ħu Doreen, Joseph Mifsud, li kien qed isuq il-karozza. Skont rapport talpulizija f’Sydney, is-sewweiq tilef ilkontroll tal-vettura x’aktarx wara li kellu attakk f’qalbu u baqa’ dieħel fi trakk li kien ġej min-naħa opposta.

Kienet ħaġa tassew rari tara funeral b’żewġt itwiebet ta’ koppja jinġarru fl-istess waqt u b’binhom Charlot, issa ltiem, jimxi wara t-twiebet.

Kienet traġedja li ħalliet lil sħab Lorry u Doreen issummati. Bil-kemm jistgħu jlissnu mqar kellma ifissru jispjegaw id-dieqa li kienu qed iħossu.

Lorry kien jaħdem ma’ Transport Malta , u Doreen kienet purtinara fliskola primarja ta’ Birżebbuġa.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday March 6, 2017

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

Quiet Achievers Night of Recognition You are invited to say THANK YOU to the volunteers, most deserving in our community.

Wednesday, 21st March 2018

St Dominic’s Home for the Elderly 171 Walters Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 From 7.30 pm.

Entertainment by top tenor

Ludwig Galea (Direct from Malta)

Light refreshment served.

Free admission.

Organised by Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc. This annual event is supported by the Fiducian Financial Services Tel 02 9231 2133

Lejla Mġarrija

organizzata minn Horsley Park Community Social Group, Horsley Park

Għall-iMġarrin u l-Ħbieb

Din se ssir Nhar is-Sibt 14 ta’ April Fil-Mandavilla Events Centre Horsley Drive, Horsley Park.

Id-divertiment se jiġi pprovdut minn: The Falcons Ħlas: $65.00 kull persuna. Jinkludi antipasti Maltin, ikla ta’ tliet korsi, birra, inbid, soft drinks, te` u kafe`.

Se jkun hemm: “Lucky Door Prize”, “Raffle”, wirja ta’ ritratti u ħafna aktar.

Biex tibbukkja ċempel lil: Theresa Quattromani 0402-178-781, Josephine Borg 0402-040-954

Ejjew ħa niddervertu flimkien Il-qliegħ kollu minn din il-lejla jmur għall-Cancer Council

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Main events for 2018

Sunday March 11: Fete Sunday July 1: Lejla fil-Buskett Sunday October 14 : Fete Saturday Nov. 10: Dinner Dance Sunday Dec. 2: St Nicholas Feast

Events are held at the Good Shepherd parish hall, 130-136 Hyatts Road, Plumpton NSW

Good Friday Activities 2018 at Our Lady of Victories Parish, Horsley Park

reparations for the Good Friday Procession in Horsley Park, NSW P are already well underway and the Organising Group is taking this opportunity to advise the readers of The Voice of the Maltese of upcoming important dates and activities: Thursday March 8, from 6.00pm: Helpers are needed to transport and arrange statues in the church.

Friday March 9, from 8.00pm: Helpers needed to organise and prepare other procession objects in the church. The Last Supper exhibition is also organised.

Sunday March 18, from 3.00pm: Children and youths are invited to try on and collect costumes for the procession in the Church Presbytery From Monday 12 to Wednesday March 14, at 6.30pm: Lenten mission in Maltese

with Fr John Taliana Thursday March 22, from 7.00pm: Reconciliation in the Church Friday March 23 from 7.00pm: The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. It begins with a mass, followed by the Stations of the Cross outside and a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows back into the Church.

Friday March 30 – Good Friday: Help is greatly needed early in the morning to install outdoor equipment necessary for the procession such as PA systems, lights and barricades.

Church service begins at 1.00pm.

The Church can only hold a certain amount of people, so come early.

At 2.30pm: the Maltese Cultural Association NSW Choir begins performing traditional dirges and hymns, alternating with Our Lady Queen of

Peace Maltese Band that will play funeral marches.

The procession begins at 3.00pm.

All participants should be present by 2.00pm to prepare for the procession, rain, hail or shine.

The possibility exists that there wo-uld be costumes available to wear, especially for adults.

More information about anything one should call Fred Cauchi on 0407 914 051.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday March 6, 2018

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

Tu n e i n t o Ra d i o a n d Te l e v i s i o n

Maltese Radio Programmes

MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 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 (Merħba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Tuesdays and Fridays: 12:00-13:00

(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

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. SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet on SBSTV twice a week nationwide; Sunday 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32) Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBSTV32.

SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3.

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq listazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. (Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet: www.893fm.com.au)

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month. Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

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

Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month

at New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner PaMaltese Seniors Central Coast rade, Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Have to contact our Welfare Officer for Club). an appointment. For all information and Every other 3rd Thursday an outing. referral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 Greystanes Maltese Seniors Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets on the second Monday of each Meets the last Wednesday of the mon- month at the George Preca Centre of th in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 Gen- OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon eral 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

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).

SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38.

Programmes can be accessed online (live or catch up) at sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app.

For television news from Malta SBS2 TV 32 ( (Viceland) on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am.

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

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming: www.coastfm.org.au BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm

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

Learn Maltese!

Classes are available for students from six years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials.

Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of the island.

Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions

For more information and enquiries Phone 9601 2189 or Email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme.

Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation.

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday March 6, 2017

Community Wheels Inc.

Connecting you with your community

Community Wheels is your local community organisation that provides door-to-door transport services to eligible people (+65 years old etc.) to: * attend medical appointments * go shopping (including assisting clients with their shopping bags) * meet a friend for a chat or coffee, and *go on bus tours etc.

Available in the Parramatta City Council and parts of Cumberland Council areas For information call 88681400

L-MCCV qed jilqa’ applikazzjonijiet għal għalliem/a tal-ilsien Malti

Min japplika jrid ikollu għarfien sew tal-Malti, miktub u mitkellem.

Dan hu xogħol volontarju, bla ħlas.

Min hu interessat jibgħat l-applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lil: edwigeborg@hotmail.com Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq 0412 115 919. Ħalli nnumru tattelefon u nċemplulek lura

Community Community News News

THE MALTESE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF NSW Proudly Presents one of Malta’s most popular vocalists!

Ludwig Galea in the “V18 Concert” Celebrating Valletta as the EU Capital of Culture 2018 Sunday March 25 at 2.00pm “Startlight Room” - Wentworthville Leagues Club Supported by the popular and talented Young Australian/Maltese singers James Cassar and ALEE FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT Dorothy Gatt: 9636 1834; Charles Mifsud 0421 662 298; Monica Ledger: 9896 0712 Donation: Adults $22; Children u/12yrs: $10 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Contact: George Vella Ph: 9622 7799 94 Main Street, Blacktown

La Valette Social Centre Programm tal-Għid 2018

• Il-Ħamis 22 ta’ Marzu: 10.30am: Via Sagra fis Sala taċ-ċentru.

Wara ċ-ċentru jkun miftuħ għall-ikel u t-tombla.

• Il-Gimgħa 23 ta’ Marzu - il festa tad-Duluri. 6.30pm: quddiesa fil-kappella. Wara l-purċissjoni bil-vara tad-Duluri għas-sala fejn tibda l-Via Sagra bil-għana tal fatt.

• Ħamis Ix-xirka 29 ta’ Marzu: 7.00pm quddiesa fejn isir il-ħasil tarriġlejn. Wara l-quddiesa s-Seba’ Visti u addorazjoni fis-sala taċ-ċentru.

• Il-Gimgħa l-Kbira 30 ta Marzu: 3.00pm tibda l-funzjoni fis-sala taċ-ċentru.

• Is-Sibt il-Għid 31 ta Marzu: 4.30p.m. Iċ-ċentru jiftaħ kmieni għall-ikel.

8.00p.m. tibda l-funzjoni tal-Għid il-kbir bil quddiesa.

Fil-31 ta’ Marzu ma jkunx hemm quddies fil-Kappella.

• Ħadd il-Għid 1 ta April: Festa tal-Irxoxt bl-istatwa. Fl-10.15 am ninġabru ħdejn iċ-ċentru, għal quddiesa u wara ssir il purċissjoni bil-marċi Kulħadd huwa mistieden għall-attivitajiet.

Il-Kummitat jixtieq L-Għid it tajjeb lil kulħadd.

•Għal tagħrf ċemplu ċ-ċentru 9622 5847; Kappella 9622 5850

State Member for Prospect For issues concerning:

Ageing and disability - community services education - environment - health - housing planning - Police - transport - water

P: (02) 9756 4766 E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164

50 Smith Street, Wentworthville Ph: 02 8868 9200

GRUPP SANTA MARIA SYDNEY Se tiġi organizzata ikla

għall-Imġarrin u l- ħbieb tagħhom Nhar il-Ħadd 11 ta Marzu mis-1.00 pm ‘ll-quddiem fiċ-Ċentru ta La’ Vallette fi Blacktown.

Se jkun hemm BUFFETT, u żewġ fliexken imbid fuq kull mejda.

(Soft drinks u birer jinxtraw mill-klabb).

Caterers: Pelapidas Catering tal-istess ta Santa Maria.

Divertiment: Charlie Muscat (Iż-Żebbiegħ) u The Vella Sisters.

Guest singer: Natasha Tatarinoff.

Il-qliegħ imur kollu għal banda talImġarr. Donazzjoni ta’ $55 dollars Għal aktar tagħrif ċemplu lil: Agnes: 9626 6753 (Mob: 0432 714 735); La Valette: 9622 5840 L-attivita` se tkun sponsorjata minn Breakaway Travel, Blacktown.

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

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports

Tuesday March 6, 2018

Valletta share top spot with Balzan

V

The Players celebrate victory over Belarus

M

Malta reach Euro waterpolo finals

alta’s national waterpolo team faced Belarus in the return tie of the qualifying round for the European Championships, needing to win by two clear goals in order to qualify for the European Championships after the 8-7 first leg loss in the away tie. It not only managed that but also went much further. Following a 16-9 win at the National Pool it ended up with an aggregate score of 23-17.

In front of a huge crowd at the national pool, Malta dominated the game from the outset after taking a 5-2 lead at the end of the first session. It then went on to draw the second session by 3-3.

After that pushed on by an enthusiastic crowd, the players, now in confident mood, won the remaining two sessions by 5-1 and 3-2 for a convincing aggregate score that for the second year running, qualified them to the LEN Championships in Barcelona on July 14-28. It also confirmed Malta as one of the best 16 waterpolo nations in Europe.

alletta first dropped points in the scoreless draw with Birkirkara on Day 20 and slipped to three points behind leaders Balzan, then on Saturday defeated relegation-threatened Tarxien far easier than the actual score of 2-0 suggests. As a result, with Balzan scheduled to play their game against Gżira Monday night, Valletta closed the gap between them, and with Balzan yet to play, therefore have a game in hand, temporarily lead the table on goal difference with the same number of points.

On Day 20 Balzan had a comfortable 3-0 victory over neighbours Lija, while Birkirkara’s draw with Valletta ended their eight-match winning streak. On Saturday they had to fight hard to get the points against woodenspoonists Lija, so stay third four points adrift of the leaders.

Gżira, Hibernians and Floriana all lost points, but Hibs were the most disappointing as Sunday’s penalty-goal defeat against Sliema left them without a win in their last onnie Rixon, representing Malta, manthree outings aged to win a Bronze Medal at the World Lawn Bowls Youth Championships RESULTS – DAY 21 at Broadbeach. Her medal was won in the Balzan v Gżỉra lko Mixed Pairs with Namibia's Cabous Olivier.

Valletta v Tarxien 2-0 Players from14 different countries contest Birkirkara v Lija 2-1 these championships, for bowlers between Sliema v Hibernians 1-0 the ages of 18 to 24 annually. In Mixed Pairs Floriana v Mosta 5-0 Hamrun v Senglea 3-0 countries with only a competitor is paired St. Andrews v Naxxar 0-0 with another from another country. It is therefore extremely difficult to compete DAY 20 Balzan v Lija 3-0 against countries that submit a mixed pairs Valletta v Birkirkara 0-0 team who are not only familiar with each Gżỉra v Floriana 0-0 other but usually train and play together.

Hibernians v Naxxar 0-0 Connie, who will be one of the players repĦamrun S. v Mosta 2-0 resenting Malta in next month’s CommonSliema v Tarxien R. 1-1 wealth Games at the Gold Coast. Last year Senglea v St Andrews 2-1 she won a Gold, which was a first for Malta.

Green Gully, George Cross draw after disappointing starts

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ollowing home defeats in the opening round, supporters of the Victoria State teams Green Gully (NPL Vic) and Sunshine George Cross (NPL 2) must have been sceptical about their team’s hopes last weekend. Both managed draws with late goals deep into injury time to earn a share of the spoils easing somewhat the previous week’s disappointments.

NPL Vic: Port Melbourne v Green Gully 2-2

In their away game against Port Melbourne Green Gully took an early lead through Nick Krousoratis at Port Melbourne, but found they trailing 2-1 at half time. It took a goal from Kieren Dover six minutes into injury time for the Greens to earn a point.

Green Gully v Avondale 3-4 The previous week Green Gully were involved in a seven-goal thriller (3-4) in front of a large home crowd. They started the better and took a deserved lead on nine minutes through Kieren Dover.

Avondale worked their way into the game and stunned Green Gully by first taking a 2-1 half time lead and then increase it to 41 on the change-over. To their credit the Greens fought back to reduce the arrears with two goals from Kieren Dover and Valli Cesnik, but Avondale hung on the win.

NPL 2: Sunshine George Cross v Moreland 1-1

Sunshine Georgie fans must have feared the worse following the opening day’s debacle after conceding an early goal after two minutes against Moreland. But they steadied themselves and eventually levelled in the 94th minute through Danny Barakat.

Sunshine George Cross v Altona Magic 9

In the season’s opening match, George Cross suffered a humiliating 2-9 home defeat against Altona Magic. They also finished the match with only nine men.

The game was turned on its head in the 44th minute when at 2-2 the referee harshly sent off George Cross player David Younan, and before the half-time Altona led 4-2. It became 5-2 a minute after the break and when the Georgies had Su-Beom An sentoff for another caution, the team collapsed.

Altona, with their wealth of experienced players turned on the magic to add another four goals. David Younan and Daniel Petrevski were the goal scorers for the Cross.

Connie Rixon wins bronze at Lawn Bowls

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Parramatta Eagles start 2018 season with a draw

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arramatta Melita Eagles kicked off their campaign 2018 in the NPL NSW 2 by sharing six goals and the points at the end of a home match at the Melita Stadium against a strong St George outfit that finished 3-3.

The Eagles put up a strong performance, but they conceded early through some poor defensive marking. However, they equalised on 16 minutes through Neram Yalda and took the lead on the 31st minute through Matthew Lecce to lead 2-1 at half time.

In the second half the Eagles dominated possession but Charles Abou Serhal missed from a penalty and then allowed St George to level. On 81 minutes Yalda made no mistake from another penalty, only for St George to get back on level terms again five minutes from time from a freekick.

Sydney FC suffer shock defeat at Jets

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n the A-League Sydney FC suffered their second loss of the season. It was a shock defeat by 2-1 at Newcastle Jets.

However, they still enjoy an eight-point clear over secondplaced Newcastle in the league standing after 22 games.

Newcastle managed it without only 10 men after losing Roy O'Donovan after receviving a straight red card inside 15 minutes. It also ended the Jets un of 15 matches without a win against Sydney FC, 12 of which were defeats.

RESULTS - DAY 22 Newcastle J v Sydney FC 2-1 Melbourne C v Melbourne V 1-2 1-0 Brisbane R v Adelaide U 1-1 W Sydney W v Perth G RESULTS - DAY 21 Sydney FCv W Sydney W 3-1 Brisbane R v Newcastle J 0-1 Perth G v Melbourne C 2-1 Melbourne V v Adelaide U 3-0 CC Mariners v Wellington 1-0