The Voice of the Maltese No. 176

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

Issue 176

Fortnightly Fortnight ly magazine for fo r the Diaspora

April 3, 2018

Malta celebrates 39th Anniversary of Freedom Day

LEFT: President of Malta HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, flanked by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (left), and the Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia participating in a wreath-laying ceremony on the occasion of the 39th Anniversary of Freedom Day at the Monument tal-ÄŚelsien at Vittoriosa (Birgu). The commemoration falls on March 31, but due to Holy Week the ceremony was held on the 24th.

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PM Joseph Muscat: ‘Malta lesta li tgħin jitħaffef l-investiment Awstralja u l-UE’

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alta qed tassigura li tagħti l-għajnuna kollha tagħha biex jintlaħaq ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u l-Awstralja li qed iħejju biex jibdew taħditiet dwar negozju faċilitat bejn iż-żewġ kontinenti.

Il-Prim Ministru Malti Joseph Muscat qal dan waqt laqgħa li kellu f’Melbourne malKunsill Ewropew-Awstraljan għan-Negozju, waqt il-mawra li qed jagħmel fl-Awstralja, fejn saħaq li dan Malta qed tagħmlu għax temmen bis-sħiħ li dan ikun ta’ benefiċċju għal kulħadd.

Għal-laqgħa kienu preżenti rappreżentanti ta’ kumpanniji differenti mill-oqsma tal-edukazzjoni terzjarja, it-teknoloġija, ilmarittimu, il-bankarju u l-kostruzzjoni fost oħrajn.

Dr Muscat fisser kif aparti xejra nostalġika mal-komunità Maltija, iż-żjara tiegħu fl-Awstralja għandha tifsira ewlenija fil-qafas tal-investiment, bi programm intiż biex iż-żewġ naħat jesploraw opportunitajiet ġodda ta’ xogħol.

Huwa spjega kif fl-aħħar ħames snin, ilġid nazzjonali f’Malta kiber b’rata medja ta’ 7% kull sena b’mod konsistenti u sostenibbli. Sostna li din in-norma ġdida qed tinkiseb billi jissaħħu l-oqsma tradizzjonali u fundamentali imma wkoll billi jinfetħu niċeċ ġodda ekonomiċi.

Il-Prim Ministru semma s-settur taledukazzjoni b’għadd ta’ istituzzjonijiet internazzjonali bħal Barts u l-London School of Medical and Dentistry, kif ukoll l-oqsma tas-saħħa u t-turiżmu mediku. Qal li l-pajjiż qed jattira wkoll kumpanniji ġodda firriċerka farmaċewtika u għadu kif approva liġi dwar il-produzzjoni f’Malta tal-marijuana għall-użu mediċinali b’interess qawwi minn investituri barranin.

Il-pass li jmiss, qal Dr Muscat, huwa filqasam tal-blockchain fejn Malta diġà nediet dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni u se ssir lewwel ġurisdizzjoni li jkollha leġislazzjoni f’dan is-settur. (ara wkoll paġna 12) Il-PM Malti saħaq li hu b’dan il-mod miftuħ li Malta qed tħares lejn in-negozju u għalhekk huwa favur li l-Unjoni Ewropea timxi lejn ftehim li jħaffef l-investiment bejnha u l-Awstralja.

Fid-diskors tiegħu Dr Muscat qal li minkejja kwistjonijiet tekniċi speċjalment

Il-Prim Ministru ta’ Malta Joseph Muscat (ir-raba mil-lemin) ma’ Simon Crean (fuq il-lemin tiegħu) flimkien mal-bqija tad-delegazzjoni Maltija u wħud millmembri tal-Kunsill Ewropew-Awstraljan għan-Negozju

fil-qasam agrikolu, is-sitwazzjoni bejn lUnjoni Ewropea u l-Awstralja hija pożittiva u issa jmiss li l-Gvern Awstraljan jiddiskuti aktar ma’ stati membri li għadhom qed jopponu ftehim.

Min-naħa tiegħu Jason Collins, il-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Kunsill Ewropew-Awstraljan għan-Negozju qal li l-Ewropa hija l-iktar sieħeb sinifikanti għall-Awstralja, u sostna li l-Kunsill jaf li jista’ jafda fuq Malta għall-appoġġ meħtieġ biex ir-relazzjoni bejn iż-żewġ kontinenti tilħaq il-potenzjal qawwi li għandha billi jaċċessaw b’mod iktar faċli is-swieq ta’ xulxin.

Simon Crean, eks-Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista Awstraljan u eks Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni fl-Awstralja faħħar ir-riżultati pożittivi li qed tikseb Malta. Fissirhom bħala x-xewqa ta’ kull amministrazzjoni.

Qal li Malta toffri opportunità kruċjali biex l-Awstralja tirnexxi f’relazzjonijiet b’saħħithom mal-Unjoni Ewropea fejn innegozji taż-żewġ naħat jaħdmu id f’id ma’ xulxin.

Il-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat mal-Premier tal-istat ta’ Victoria, Daniel Andrews

Fil-laqgħa tkellem ukoll ukoll Carmelo Abela, il-Ministru għall-Affarijiet Barranin u l-Promozzjoni tal-Kummerċ, u lKummissarju Għoli Malti għall-Awstralja Charles Muscat.

... u issa fi Brisbane

Minn Melbourne il-Prim Ministru u lbqija tad-delegazzjoni baqgħu sejrin fi Brisbane, fejn fost aktar impenni se jiltaqa’ mal-ogħla awtoritajiet tal-istat ta’ Queensland, jattendi għal riċeviment f’ġieħu mogħti mill-Kummissjoni Għolja ta’ Malta u l-Konslu Onorarju tal-belt f’lukanda ewlenija.

Hawn se jiltaqa’ mal-komunita` Maltija fi Brisbane, u jieħu sehem f’forum ta’ jumejn tal-Commonwealth dwar l-innovazzjoni li se jsir bejn il-Ħamis u lĠimgħa fejn il-Prim Ministru se jkun wieħed mill-kelliema ewlenin.

Bħala chair tal-Commonwealth nhar lErbgħa se jattendi wkoll għall-ftuħ uffiċjali tal-Logħob u jżur il-kontinġent Malti li se jirrapSimon Crean waqt preżenta lil pail-laqgħa tal-Kunsill jjiżna f’dan Ewropew-Awstral- l-avveniment. jana għan-Negozju Fir-riċeviment mad-delegazzjoni fi Brisbane se Maltija jattendi wkoll Paul Sultana, ix-Chef de Mission u xi membbri tal-kontinġent Malti għalLogħob.

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday April 3, 2017 Il-Prim Ministru ta’ Malta Joseph Muscat (lemin) jidher jindirizza l-folla fil-laqgħa mal-Maltin-Awstraljani f’Melbourne

Merħba kbira mill-Maltin ta’ Melbourne lill-PM Malti fl-ewwel waqfa fl-Awstralja

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l-Ħamis li għadda, fl-ewwel waqfa fiżżjara fl-Awstralja, minbarra l-laqgħa ma’ għadd ta’ imprendituri membri tal-Kunsill Ewropew-Awstraljan għan-Negozju, il-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat u d-delegazzjoni tiegħu (fosthom il-Ministru Carmelo Abela u s-Segretarju Parlamentari Dr Clifton Grima, iltaqgħu ma’ ġemgħa kbira ta’ Maltin fis-Sala Trilogy, tal-Park Hyatt Hotel f’Melbourne.

Mijiet ta’ Maltin preżenti taw merħba kbira lid-delegazzjoni Maltija mmexxija lill-Prim Minsitru Malti li hemm ukoll takkumpanjah martu Michelle u wliedhom it-tewmin. Kif daħal fis-sala li fiha kien hemm preżenti wkoll xi MPs lokali, Joseph Muscat intlaqa’ minn ċapċip u għajjat ta’ ferħ minn Maltin li jgħixu fl-istat ta’ Victoria.

Għal aktar minn siegħa qagħad jilqa’ l-istediniet ta’ dawk kolha li talbuh jippoża magħhom għal mijiet ta’ ritratti, u riedu jaqsmu miegħu xi esperjenzi minn tagħhom, u r-rabta u limħabba kbira li għad għandhom għal art twelidhom, Malta u ħuthom ilMaltin.

Wara li l-Kummissarju Għoli għal Malta fl-Awstralja, l-ET Charles Muscat introduċa lill-Ministru Abela u lis-Segretarju Parlamentari Grima, li minnaħa tagħhom f’diskorsi qosra taw ħajr għal-laqgħa li ġew mogħtija, fost għajjat ta’ applawsi u għajjat ta’ “Viva Malta” il-Prim Ministru indirizza lillmiġemgħa.

F’diskors imqanqal li fih wera l-apprezzament tiegħu għal-laqgħa li ngħa-

taw, huwa faħħar lill-Maltin fl-Awstralja li mhux biss baqgħu jgħożżu lil pajjiżhom, imma wkoll li qed jagħtu s-sehem tagħhom fil-progress ta’ dan il-kontinent. Ħeġġiġhom biex ma jħossuhomx li huma parti minn xi minoranza fl-Awstralja iżda parti mill-Awstralja u li għandhom ikomplu jipparteċipaw u jkunu attivi fil-komunità u l-ħajja soċjali mal-Awstraljani. Żied jgħid li jdejqu l-fatt li xi emigranti Maltin jaħsbu li jridu jagħżlu bejn iż-żewġ pajjiżi, “Bħal ma wild ma jistax jagħżel bejn il-ġenituri tiegħu daqstant ieħor intom, li twelidtu u trabbejtu Malta imma sibtu pajjiż ieħor li lest jilqagħkom,” qal il-Prim Ministru.

Semma li ħafna mill-Maltin kienu ħallew

pajjiżhom biex isibu x-xogħol fl-Awstralja, u issa, ironikament, uliedhom u wlied uliedhom qed jiġu u/jew jaħsbuha għandhomx jiġux jaħdmu Malta.

Fost dawk preżenti kien hemm ukoll, ilKonslu Ġenerali ta’ Malta f’Victoria, Ms Joanna Pisani, flimkien ma’ membri talKonsolat, Dr Victoria Borg, Kunsilliera fil-Belt ta' Brimbank, il-Konslu Onorarju ta’ Latrobe Valley, is-Sur Mario Sammut u s-sinjura tiegħu, is-Sinjura Rosemary Attard, Direttur tal-Welfare tal-MCCV, membri ta’ għaqdiet Maltin, u rappreżentanti tar-radjijiet Maltin, 3ZZZ, SBS, u 974 FM, u ta’ The Voice of the Maltese.

Rapport u ritratti : PaulVella

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Tuesday April 3, 2018

L-onorati. Fuq wara (mix-xellug): Charles Galea, Mary Fabri, Marthese Caruana, Agnes Caruana, Sam Camilleri, Grace Camilleri u Carmen Barbara. Quddiem: Jim u Katie Zammit, Cynthia Villar, Carol Vella, Lina Magro u Josephine V. Grech.

Mogħtija ħajr f’lejla ta’ suċċess

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lettax-il persuna, fosthom koppja, ingħataw għarfien xieraqtax-xogħol tagħhom fil-qasam tal-volontarjat waqt it-18-il edizzjoni tal-Quiet Achiever – Night of Recognition, organizzata mill-Maltese Welfare (NSW) f’sala imballata bin-nies fisSt Dominic’s Home for the Elderly fi Blacktown fi NSW. Kull sena, f’din l-okkażjoni jingħata għarfien xieraq lil għadd ta’ Maltin taxxogħol tagħhom fil-qasam tal-volontarjat, kemm jekk ma’ Maltin bħalhom u wkoll mal-komunita’ ġenerali.

Il-persuni li ngħataw l-għarfien kienu, Carmen Barbara, Grace Camilleri, Sam Camilleri, Agnes Caruana, Marthese

Caruana, Mary Fabri, Charles Galea, Josephine V. Grech, Lina Magro, Carol Vella, Cynthia Villar, u l-koppja Jim u Katie Zammit.

F’din il-lejla saru wkoll żewg għotjiet speċjali waħda lil Doris Grima li wara ħafna snin fil-kumitat tal-Maltese Welfare (NSW) se terġa’ lura Malta, kif ukoll lis-sorijiet Dumnikani li dis-sena għalqu 30 sena fil-ħidma tagħhom fost ix-xjuħ fil-komunita`.

Fid-diskors tiegħu għall-okkażjoni, Lawrence Dimech, il-President ta’ The Maltese Welfare (NSW) fakkar li din lgħaqda daħlet fil-41 sena tal-ħidma tagħha u minkejja li llum ħafna millħtegijiet, inbidlu għadha sal-lum toffri s-servizzi tagħha. Hu ta ħajr lil dawk li ta’ kull sena jieħdu l-inizjattiva li jinnominaw persuni li jkun jixirqilhom għarfien.

Sam Camilleri, wieħed minn Lawrence Dimech jippreżenta tifkira lil Sr Olivia Falzon ghandawk li ngħata għarfien, qal lil nom tas-sorijiet Dumnikani The Voice of the Maltese li kien kuntent ħafna bl-organizzazzjoni ta’ dan l-avveniment u ħassu kburi bħala Malti għax kienet ċeremonja li zammet iddinjita’ f’kull aspett, lejla professjonali.

Fis-sessjoni mużikali li dejjem tkun mistennija minħabba li tattira l-aħjar talent, din id-darba ħa sehem il-kantant/tenur Malti Ludwig Galea li kien għadu kemm wasal minn Malta f’dak il-jum stess. Huwa wera l-ħila tiegħu bħala kantant u ġie milqugħ tant tajjeb li spiċċa bi standing ovation.

Doris Grima

Il-preżentazzjoni taċ-ċertifikati saret mis-sinjura Marie Louise Muscat talFiducian Financial Services filwaqt li Mark Caruana, wieħed mill-fundaturi ta’ Maltese Welfare għamel id-diskors tal-għeluq.

Marlene Dimech ipprezentat bukkett fjuri lil Sister Giorgina bħala ħajr tal-kooperazzjoni li joffru s-sorijiet Duminikani f’din il-lejla memorabbli.

Il-programm kien immexxi minn Nathalie Gatt bħala L-MC, filwaqt li Frances Montesin, Rita Kassas u Lawrence Gatt kellhom sehem siewi biex l-attivita`tkun suċċess.

Ritratti: RitaKassas (ara aktar ritratti f’paġna 5)

Tuesday April 3, 2017

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Sezzjonijiet mill-folla li attendiet għall-Quiet Achiever – Night of Recognition. Fillejla, organizzata mill-Maltese Welfare (NSW), minbarra li ġew ippremjati diversi persuni, ħa sehem ukoll, bħala l-mistieden speċjali, il-kantant Malti Ludwig Galea fl-ewwel mit-tlett kunċerti li ppreżenta fi NSW. Huwa ferraħ lill-udjenza bleżekuzzjoni ta’ għadd ta’ kanzunetti, Maltin u xort’oħra. (ara wkoll rapport sħiħ f’paġna 4)

Il-kantant Ludwig Galea fl-aqwa tiegħu f’kunċerti li fakkru l-V18 I

l-kantant magħruf Malti, Ludwig Galea (xellug) kien fl-aqwa tiegħu meta wera l-ħila tiegħu ta’ showman meta f’kunċert biex jitfakkar l-avveniment storiku tal-belt Maltija Valletta li din is-sena li ġiet mogħtija l-unur talKapitali Ewropea tal-Kultura, żamm lill-udjenza ta’ aktar minn 400 persuna f’kunċert f’Wentworthville Leagues Club imsaħħra għal madwar sagħtejn sħaħ ta’ kant u divertiment.

Din kienet ir-raba’ darba li dan it-tenur Belti ġie lAwstralja. Ħuwa fetaħ billi qal li se jkanta bl-ilsien, ilMalti, “għax,” qal, “kien għalhekk li gejt minn art u belt twelidi”. Ma diżżappuntax, għax żewwaq selezzjoni ta’ kanzunetti magħrufa kemm bl-Ingliż u wkoll bit-Taljan, imma l-aktar bil-Malti.

Ludwig kien akkumpanjat minn żewg kantanti żgħażagh ta’ nisel Malti, Alee li spikkat, l-aktar fid-dwetti ma’ Ludwig u James Cassar. Lil dan tal-aħħar ilna nafuh snin iżda illum immatura sew u leħnu għadu MCC-2GLF89.3FM, eċċellenti. Kienu tassew tliet kantanti u programmi ta’ ta’ ħila li għamlulna gieħ u fakkruna radjijiet Maltin oħra, lill-membri talfil-kapitali ta’ art twelidna. Fl-attivita` kumitat u dawk li għinu biex dan ilġie wkoll muri filmat qasir taċ-ċele- kunċert ikun wieħed mill-aqwa lil brazzjonijiet tal-ftuħ tal-V18 f’Malta. kellna f’dawn l-aħħar snin.

Marisa Previtera bħala MC mexxiet Grazzi wkoll lill-Għaqda Kulturali il-kunċert b’ħila. Għan-nom tal-Għaq- Maltija ta’ NSW li bil-għajnuna ta’ da Kulturali Maltija talbet lill-udjenza Breakaway Travel ta’ Blacktown ġibtagħti ħajr speċjali lil Joe Mifsud tax- det dan it-talent lejn l-Awstralja. xogħol artistiku li ħadem għall-palk, Ludwig Galea ħa sehem f’wirjiet lil The Voice of the Maltese, lir-radju tal- żgħar oħra fi Gringila u Blacktown.

Il-folla li attendiet għall-kunċert ta’ Ludwig Galea fil-Wentworthville Leagues Club

MarieLouise Muscat tippreżenta ċertifikat lil Sam Camilleri Ludwig (lemin) fuq il-palk flimkien mal-kantanti James Cassar u Alee

Consul-on-the Move given approval

The Consul-on-the Move introduced two years ago as a “pilot project” has now been established on a permanent basis. It was party successful especially in parts of Australia, and New Zealand where a total of 433 applications were processed. In 2018, however, there was only 60 application registered.

In other parts of the world, it was not so effective with only 45 applications in UK and 113 in the USA. The total for the period 2016-18 was 736.

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L-Għawdxi Alfred Xuereb issa Isqof u Nunzju tal-Korea t’Isfel u l-Mongolja

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har il-festa ta’ San Ġużepp, fid-19 ta’ Marzu li għadda filBażilika ta’ San Pietru f’Ruma, saċerdot ieħor minn fost il-kleru tal-gżejjer Maltin, il-Monsinjur Alfred Xuereb, ġie ikkonsagrat Isqof u Nunzju Appostoliku talKorea t’Isfel u l-Mongolja millPapa Frangisku.

Dun Alfred Xuereb hu mwieled, imrawwem u fformat filparroċċa ta’ San Ġorġ Martri tal-Belt Victoria. Wieħed milleqreb ħbieb tiegħu hu l-Mons.

Joseph Farrugia li qal lil The Voice of the Maltese, “Hu iżgħar minni fl-eta’ imma ikbar fil-bqija: fil-qdusija, fil-prudenza, fl-umilta`, fl-intelliġenza, fil-paċenzja fil-ġenero-, żita’ ma’ kulħadd u f’dik ilġentilezza li tibża’ li b’xi mod tkun kawża ta’ uġigħ ta’ qalb għall-oħrajn.”

Jgħid li mhux ta’ b’xejn li lPapa Ġwanni Pawlu II kien riedu jwettaq il-missjoni saċerdotali tiegħu fil-Vatikan u warajh anke l-Papa Benedittu XVI għażlu bħala wieħed miżżewġ segretarji privati tiegħu.

Issa Papa Franġisku ordnah isqof biex, bħala rappreżentant tiegħu, jibagħtu nunzju, jiġifieri ambaxxatur, fil-Korea t’Isfel u se jkun fdat b’missjoni delikatissima mhux biss filKorea t’Isfel u l-Mongolja imma wkoll fir-rigward tal-Korea ta’ Fuq u ċ-Ċina.

Skont Mons, Joseph Farrugia, il-kwalitajiet intellettwali, spiritwali u umani straordinarji ta’ Mons. Xuereb kienu determinanti biex intgħażel għal din ilmissjoni tant delikata.

L-aħbar tan-nomina ta’ Mons.

Xuereb xterdet mad-dinja Kattolika kollha u ġiet ikkumentata minn diversi esperti tad-diplomazija Vatikana, b’wieħed diplomatiku jgħid: “Monsinjur

Il-Papa Franġisku jikkonsagra lill-Isqof Alfred Xuereb fil-Bażilka ta’ San Pietru, fil-Vatikan Xuereb hu wieħed mill-aktar alleati qrib tal-Papa Franġisku u jaf jaqra tajjeb moħħ ilPapa.”

F’Malta kulħadd feraħ imma laktar fir-Rabat fil-gżira Għawdxija, fejn qabel l-ordinazzjoni ta’ tiegħu fil-Vatikan, l-isqof ta’ Għawdex Mons. Mario Grech, kien wera l-apprezzament tiegħu għall-kwalitajiet tal-isqof ilġdid u feraħlu f’isem id-djoċesi.

Mons Farrugia qalilna li ħasra li ma kienx ordnat fil-katidral t’Għawdex ħalli l-Għawdxin u Maltin setgħu jattendu għal dan ir-rit tant sinifikattiv.

“Imma Papa Franġisku ried jirriserva għalih din l-ordinazzjoni ta’ wieħed mill-kollaboraturi ewlenin tiegħu. Ried li jkun hu li jordnah isqof fuq ilqabar tal-appostlu Pietru filBażilika Vatikana. Jistax ikollok unur akbar minn dan!” qal il-Mons. Farrugia.

Fil-Vatikan, għall-Konsagrazzjoni, minbarra qraba ta’ Mon-

sinjur Xuereb, kienu preżenti wkoll diversi dinjitarji Maltin . Fost dawn kien hemm, ilKardinal Prospero Grech, l-Arċisqof ta’ Malta Charles Scicluna, kif ukoll, l-Isqof t’Għawdex u anke rappreżentanti talIstat Malti, ilMinnistru għal Għawdex Justyne Caruana u l-Ministru u għall-Affarijiet Barranin Carmelo Abela.

Qabel jibda il-ħidma diplomatiku tiegħu bħala n-Nunzju tal-Vatikan fil-Korea t’Isfel u fil-Mongolja, Monsinjur Xue-

reb (fuq) kien mistenni li jżur Malta kif ukoll, ma jistax jonqos, id-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex fejn trabba.

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Tuesday April 3, 2017

Il-Festa l-Kbira avvenment uniku bħala parti miċ-celebrazzjonijiet Valletta 2018

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i tmiem il-ġimgħab bejn il-Ġimgħa 6, u s-Sibt 7 ta’ April, bħala parti miċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet ta’ Valletta 2018, il-kapitali Maltija Valletta li bħalissa qed tgawdi l-unur tal-Belt Kapitali Ewropea tal-Kultura, se tkun il-post fejn il-ġens Malti u t-turisti li qed iżuru Malta se jkunu parti minn avveniment uniku, dik li qed tiġi msejħa IlFesta l-Kbira.

Il-Beltin huma magħrufa għall-brijju li kapaċi joffru meta msejħa jiċċelebraw, kemm jekk il-festa tal-parroċċa, wara xi rebħa importanti fil-futbol, u/jew il-Karnival. Dan biex insemmu ftit għax dissena mhemmx waqfien ta’ ċelebrazzjonijiet fil-belt li wara snin mejta reġgħet mhux ħadet, imma ngħatat ir-ruħ.

Għal jumejn sħaħ il-kapitali Maltija mistennija tkun imballata bin-nies għal attivita` reliġjuża/soċjali li se tinvolvi lerba’ parroċċi tal-belt, li flimkien se jorganizzaw l-erba’ festi ewlenin, u ż-żewġ għaqdiet tal-banda tal-post, dik tal-La Valette u tal-King’s Own. B’ċertezza li wieħed jista’ jgħid li fost ittiżjin tal-erba’ naħat tal-Belt, it-toroq se jimtlew bil-mużika u brijju nazzjonali

assoċjat mal-festa Maltija.

Il-Festa l-Kbira, fuq sfond talfesta reliġjuża se jkollha s-sehem tal-parroċċi tal-Knisja Parrokkjali tal-Madonna tal-Porto Salvo u San Duminku, dik tal-Knisja Parrokkjali ta’ San Pawl Nawfragu, ta’ Santu Wistin, u tal-Knisja talMadonna tal-Karmnu. Il-voluntiera ta’ dawn il-parroċċi li ta’ kull sena jieħdu ħsieb l-armar tattoroq fil-festi rispettivi, did-darba se jingħaqdu biex iżejnu n-naħa tagħhom, allura kull parti tal-Belt Il-festa tibda nhar il-Ġimgħa meta jsir marċ u kunċert flimkien mill-baned King’s Own u La Valette fi Pjazza San Ġorġ. L-għada s-Sibt imbagħad, fil-jum tal-festa prorpja, se jsiru diversi attivitajiet madwar il-Belt Valletta u anke lIsla, għaliex bi ftehim ma’ Sport Malta, se tiġi organizzata wkoll ir-Regatta ta’ Jum il-Ħelsien fil-Port il-Kbir. Din ġeneralment issir fl-aħħar ta’ Marzu, imma għal din l-okkażjoni, bi programm ta’ 11 il-tellieqa tad-dgħajjes, ġiet trasferita għal nhar is-Sibt.

Aktar tard filgħaxija l-Arċisqof Charles

Għal serħan il-moħħ f’ambjent indipendenti Nelsons Grove Jekk bħalissa qed issibha diffiċli tkopri mal-ħajja.

Jekk fejn toqgħod sar kbir wisq għalik u ma tistax tlaħħaq aktar, qed noffrulek alternattiva.

Kompli għix ħajja indpendenti f’ambjent ta’ komunita` familjari u attiva, fejn għandek issib serħan il-moħħ, sigurta`, kura u attenzjoni. Tirtira iżda żżomm id-dinjita’ u l-indipendenza tiegħek.

Leandlease Retirement Living toffri dan kollu.

Itlobna biex nuruk dak li nofru Ejja arana. Issibna:

Nelsons Grove, 2 Newport St, Pemulwuy, NSW (Wara Woollworths)

Jekk trid xi tagħrif ċemplilna 02 9636 9163

Scicluna se jmexxi mument ta’ talb filwaqt li l-vari titutlari akkumpanjati minn banda – li fost dawk tal-Belt se jkun hemm ukoll, waħda miż-Zurrieq (tal-Karmnu) u oħra miż-Zejtun (il-Beland), jitilqu minn Pjazza San Ġorġ għal Triq ir-Repubblika lejn Bieb il-Belt.

Għal xit-8.00 p.m. se jkun hemm wirja pirotknika fl-inħawi tal-Forti Sant Iermu, u wara l-vari jaslu fi Pjazza Ħelsien. Minn hemm imbagħad, jerġgħu lura lejn il-Knejjes rispettivi, biex din il-festi li wieħed jista’ wkoll isejħilha storika tiġi fi tmiemha.

Alterna t għal da tiva w qabżu l k li -55

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 3, 2018

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

70th anniversary of the Maltese-Assisted passage

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly tnightly magazine magazine

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

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

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

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

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

Lawrence Scerri from Warrawong NSW

M

ay 31 this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Maltese-assisted passage to Australia post World War II migration.

Malta was the first country outside of

Britain to have had assisted passage to Australia.

It would be a good time for the Maltese organisations to mark this occasion sometime this year and not let it slip by. The Maltese have contributed so much to Australia and it is something for all to be proud of.

JM a charismatic PM We are for Malta

Marlene Cassar from St Albans, Vic. writes: am just back from a most wonderful experience from Melbourne’s Park Hyatt Hotel where I met Maltse Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his delegation that kicked off its short visit to Australia with a stop at the state of Victoria.

One does not need to support his political views to feel thrilled to meet this guy. He has charisma oozing from the whole of his personality and the way he talks makes one feel the urge to hug him, which I did.

I hope that the welcome we gave him will long be in his memory as it will be in ours.

I

Where were you?

Sam Sammut from Strathfield NSW writes: hen a concert attracts 400 people you have to admit that the Maltese community is not yet dead and buried. What is missing is those that are always talking and complaining about the participation of our youths.

The Ludwig Galea concert at Wentworthville Leagues Club featured two exciting young Maltese, James Cassar & Allee. Where are the business people? Do they only turn up when they want to be seen with the PM or President from Malta?

A reminder to the entrepreneurs from Melbourne; was Ludwig not good enough?

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Joe Sacco minn Parramatta NSW, jikteb rupp ta’ ħbieb spiss niltaqgħu filgħodu fis-shopping centre, imsomma nqattgħu ftit siegħat niddiskutu d-dinja.

Kulħadd espert, m’hemmx suġġett li jiskappalna, qisna dawk li jikkummentaw darba, darbtjen jew tlieta fit-Times of Malta. Fil-mira wkoll tkun ir-rivista The Voice of the Maltese. L-aktar jinsistu li ma jħobbux jaqrawha fuq l-internet u għalhekk jitilgħu ċ-ċentru La Valette jew filgruppi tal-Maltin biex jakkwstaw kopja pprintjata.

Ikun hemm min jikkritika għax ikun jew Laburisti jew Nazzjonalist akkanit u allura kull kumment jaħsbu propaganda. Dawn sintendi huma l-aktar nies li jippridkaw li huma “indipendenti” u qatt ma jindaħlu fil-politka. Iħobbu biss inassu u jgergru.

Meta ngħidilhom biex jagħtuni xi eżempju ta’ bias fil-Voice, donnhom jaqgħu filmuta. Ma jagħrfux iwieġbu.

Komplu edituri, “we are for Malta”.

G

Spjegazzjoni Tony Decelis minn Fawkner Victoria jikteb: l-qarrej Charles Camilleri minn San Bruno California. kien talab lil Malta Post permezz ta’ din il-paġna spjega dwar jekk kienx hemmx xi problem għal dawk li jkunu jridu jibgħtu “human remains” bilposta lejn Malta.

Il-Malta Post naqset serjament li twieġeb għal diversi mistoqsijiet li għamilnielha dwar is-suġġett. Iżd’issa sirna nafu li jekk wieħed ma jkunx irid jagħmel użu millposta, jista’, jekk irid jikkuntatja lill-awtoritajiet tal-Port Health ta’ Malta biex jibgħat il-“human remains” lejn Malta bis-sistema tal-freight.

Jidher ċar li hemm konflit bejn il-Malta Post u l-Awtoritajiet tal-Port Health ta’ Malta. Wieħed jittama li dawn il-konflitti burokratici jispiċċaw ħalli jkun jista’ jingħata servizz aħjar lill-klijenti ta’ Malta Post.

I

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday April 3, 2017

T

Q. I am going on an overseas trip and need $30,000. I his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese have an account-based pension and a managed investin which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Finanment both of which are doing very well. I have never cial Services helps our readers understand the complexities taken anything out of the managed fund but left it to associated with financial planning. If you need more advice grow. Should I withdraw the funds out of my account- send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. based pension or out of the managed investment?

A. The account-based pension provides culties in the future, you with ongoing tax-free monthly income you would not have hopefully for the rest of your life. If you given away half withdrew the funds from this investment your property at your monthly payments in the future could this point in your reduce because payments are normally a lifetime.. percentage of the balance calculated as at July 1st of each year. I would therefore Q. My mother is withdraw the funds from your managed 85 years old and fund. This could trigger some capital suffers with degains, but if you do not have a large tax- mentia. My faable income, your capital gains tax on this ther is 90 years withdrawal would probably be minimal if old and it is beany. coming extremely hard for or three term deposits maturing at differQ. I am 76 years old and am in the process him to continue to look after her. We ent intervals. Is this a good idea? of selling my house and purchasing another have therefore agreed for them to move with a granny flat attached. I have a friend in with me as I am 62 years of age and A. . Your friend is very smart. Having two or who is 50 and who has been boarding with have retired from the work force. Would three term deposits maturing at different inme for a few years and who will be moving I be entitled to anything from Centrelink tervals means that if you happen to need some in with me. Both of us have no siblings and when they move in with me? of this money in a hurry, you would break one for this reason I was contemplating purchasof the term deposits and lose the interest on ing the house in joint names so that when I A. You should qualify for the carer’s al- this money only. The other two term deposits pass on, the house will become hers and there lowance for each of them. This is about $127 would be left undisturbed. This is what we will be no capital gains tax for her to pay. Am per fortnight for each. You could also qualify mean by diversification.

I doing the right thing? for a carer’s pension but this is means tested which means that this depends on the Q. We have been married for three years A. I believe you should purchase the house in amount of financial and personal assets that and are expecting our first child. My husyour own name only. If you wish for her to get you have as well as your ongoing income. band is a bricklayer while I work in an ofthe house, just leave this request in your Will. fice. We have a mortgage of $320,000 on As this is your residential home, she will have Q. I have a term deposit of $120,000 ma- our townhouse that is worth $550,000. We no capital gains tax to pay when she inherits turing in the next couple of weeks. A friend have decided that I should stop working in it, but if the friendship was to experience diffi- recommended that I split this up into two order to raise our child myself. My husband has no insurance cover as it is very expensive because of his line of work. Can you please advise what we should do?

Q&A

A. You are to be commended on wanting to raise your child yourself as it is becoming very difficult these days to do so. However in your case it is very important that your husband gets himself some insurance cover as he would be the only breadwinner and if something happens to him you could find yourselves in serious financial difficulties.

In order for the insurance not to affect your “money in the hand” he may consider having most of his insurance premiums paid through his superannuation. He could also do this with his income protection, which in your case is the most important insurance cover that he requires. The premium for this could be partially paid through superannuation and partially paid out of super. He should contact an insurance broker and ask him/her to provide the best cover suitable for your personal situation.

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

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Tuesday April 3, 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

Monopolju

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aħda mill-memorji ta’ tfuliti, u ċert ta’ ħafna oħrajn, hija li nkun miġbur madwar mejda flimkien ma’ membri oħra tal-familja nilagħbu llogħba bl-isem Monopoly. Fil-verżjoni li kellna fil-familja, dakinhar l-unika waħda li stajt tixtri, il-parteċipanti jinfexxu jitfgħu ddadi, imexxu l-biċċiet rappreżentanti tagħhom madwar il-bord, jixtru l-proprjetà bil-flus tal-logħba, jibnu d-djar u l-lukandi, u jogħxew jitolbu l-ħlas lil ħaddieħor li jkollu l-isfortuna li l-biċċa tiegħu taqa’ fuq il-proprjetà tal-ewwel, iktar u iktar jekk ikollu l-bini.

Dan kollu apparti li wieħed jixli lill-ieħor li qiegħed imexxi l-biċċa tiegħu meta ħaddieħor ma jkunx qiegħed iħares, jew dak li jkun qiegħed imexxi l-bank b’serq sfaċċat eċċ eċċ!

Dik il-logħba verament tista’ tivvizzjak!

Il-logħba tispiċċa meta parteċipant wieħed ikun irnexxielu jakkumula l-biċċa l-kbira tal-ġid, u l-oħrajn kollha jkunu kważi fallew, bla flus u b’dejn lejn il-bank, u laħħar pass tagħhom iseħħ meta jerġgħu jispiċċaw fuq proprjetà ta’ ħaddieħor, bi ħlas ġdid li ma jistgħux iħallsu.

Fi kliem ieħor, din hija rappreżentazzjoni tas-sistema kapitalista. Min ma jiħux gost ikun dak il-kapitalist li jispiċċa rebbieħ, talinqas għall-ftit mumenti ta’ logħba, u nħallu li wieħed ikun tellief biss għall-ħajja ta’ vera...

Il-logħba li kellna aħna kellha proprjetà ambjentata f’Londra tar-Renju Unit, u naf li daż-żmien, hemm verżjonijiet oħra ambjentati f’pajjiżi oħra, inkluża Malta.

Kont sorpriż ftit ġimgħat ilu ninzerta programm fuq ir-radju ABC RN li kien qiegħed jitkellem dwar l-oriġini ta’ din illogħba,1 u bqajt skantat meta skoprejt li fiha anke iktar kapitaliżmu milli ħsibt! Dan li ġej huwa sinteżi ta’ dak li ntqal fil-programm.

L-istorja tiżvolġi f’Atlantic City, l-Istati Uniti, fejn mara blisem ta’ Elizabeth Magie kienet ispirata mill-ktieb Progress u Faqar (Progress and Poverty) tal-ekonomista u ġurnalista Henry George, ippubblikat fl-1879. Dan il-ktieb jittratta dwar il-għaliex il-faqar jakkumpanja l-progress ekonomiku u teknoloġiku.

Fih, George jipproponi li s-soċjetà għandu jkollha taxxa waħda, u waħda biss, li tkun fuq il-valur annwali tal-art. Ilħsieb wara dan hu li l-valur tal-art jiżdied minħabba fatturi esterni għas-sid, bħal investimenti fl-edukazzjoni, avvanzi tat-teknoloġija u żvilupp ta’ faċilitajiet fil-qarib tal-art, bħal sptarijiet, skejjel u infrastruttura eċċ.

Allura, taxxa fuq il-valur tal-art twassal għal redistribuzzjoni ta’ dan il-ġid lejn il-komunità li ġġeneratu, bit-taxxa tiġi reinvestita fi proġetti b’riżq il-komunità.

Dan il-ħsieb għadu magħna. Eżempju prattiku ta’ dan huwa t-taxxa fuq l-art (land tax) li titħallas mis-sidien tal-proprjetà fi New South Wales li huwa stmat mill-Valwatur Ġenerali ta’ NSW li jiswew ftit inqas minn żewġ terzi ta' miljun dollaru.

Din it-taxxa tmur lejn l-istat.

Taxxa simili (oħra) fi NSW hija l-hekk imsejħa rates, li wkoll ikkalkulata fuq il-valur tal-art, imma din id-darba titħallas lejn il-kunsill lokali, u jmorru biex iħallsu servizzi ċiviċi bħall-ġbir

tal-iskart.

B’differenza mal-idea ta’ George, dawn it-taxxi huma parti żgħira mid-dħul totali tal-gvern, u ma jirrappreżentawx id-dħul totali.

Lura fl-Istati Uniti, Elizabeth Magie ipproduċiet logħba fl1903 jisimha Landlord’s Game (Logħba ta’ Sid l-Art) li kellha l-intenzjoni li teduka lill-ġukatur dwar l-effetti tar-regoli ekonomiċi. Din il-logħba kellha żewġ settijiet ta’ regoli, u lġukaturi jiddeċiedu b’liema sett se jilagħbu.

L-ewwel sett ta’ regoli kien ta’ Prosperity (Prosperità), fejn min jiġi fuq proprjetà u jixtriha, iħallas taxxa li titqassam fost il-ġukaturi kollha. Il-logħba tintrebaħ mill-grupp kollu li jkun qiegħed jilgħab, meta l-ġukatur li jibda bl-inqas ammont ta’ dħul ikun irduppjah.

It-tieni sett kien ta’ Monopoly (Monopolju), fejn meta wieħed jixtri l-art, u kwalunkwe ġukatur ieħor li jkollu l-isfortuna li jaqa’ fuq l-istess art ikollu jħallas ir-renta. Din ir-regola twassal fi gwerra ta’ kulħadd kontra kulħadd, u fl-aħħar persuna waħda biss tirbaħ, wara li tkun faqqret u finalment falliet lill-oħrajn kollha.

L-għan ewlieni tal-logħba kienet li l-ġukaturi jifhmu d-dinamika tas-soċjetà u l-konsegwenzi ta’ sistemi differenti tattassazzjoni u turi li l-komunità kollha tirbaħ bl-ewwel sistema.

Wara li l-logħba għamlet suċċess mhux ħażin, Elizabeth biegħet id-drittijiet tal-logħba lill-Parker Brothers, li fl-1930 reġgħu ppublikaw il-logħba bħala Monopoly, bir-regoli talmonopolju biss! Għalhekk, l-intenzjoni ta’ Elizabeth li l-logħba sservi ta’ tagħlima (u tbeżbiża) fuq il-kuntrast bejn il-konsegwenzi ta’ sistemi differenti ta’ tassazzjoni xxejjen kompletament!

Għalija, dan mhu xejn ħlief każ ċiniku ta’ ċensura tal-ħsieb minn min għandu interess fl-istatus kwo tal-ħajja moderna, u min qiegħed igawdi minn sistema li twassal għal akkumulazzjoni tal-ġid u inugwaljanza kbira.

Issa fejn marru dawk id-dadi?....

Referenzi 1. http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/monopoly-misunderstood/9123392, retrieved 13/3/2018

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday April 3, 2017

Friends Foes & Fireworks: well received in Melbourne screenings M altese-Australian filmmaker Sarah Jayne Portelli expressed satisfaction in regards to the outcome of the world premiere at the Classic Cinema in Elsternwick Melbourne, of the film Friends Foes & Fireworks that she and her husband Ivan Malekin co-directed.

She told The Voice of the Maltese that the feedback they got from audience “was all good, and people enjoyed the film.”

The film, which last year signed to sales agent Turn Key Films also had a second screening last Saturday at the Lido Cinemas. Discussions are on going about the possibility of a limited cinema run at the same cinema through April.

Anybody interested in this production, that tells the story of an intimate New Year's Eve reunion of five female friends in the independent acting scene that becomes a test of relationships when old tensions spark, truths

are told, and rivalries are reignited, is advised to visit the film’s official website: https://www.friendsfoesfireworks.com The film, shot in a single night in seven locations across St Kilda in Melbourne, the craziest and most chaotic night of the year - NYE- completely improvised in acting and camera, is an ambitious Australian

The directors, Sarah Jane and Ivan (centre) with some of the cast at the World Premiere in front of the film poster (from left): Whitney Duff, Lara Deam, Genya Mik and Asleen Mauthoor Mumblecore/drama feature film exploring relationships, love, friendship, and the truths we try and fail to keep to ourselves.

across the community cooked traditional dishes to bring along and share. The audience was also treated to traditional music, dance, a Hindu welcoming prayer and even a yoga demonstration!

School leaders from local schools also attended the event. They included representatives from Glenwood High School, Blacktown Girls High School, John Palmer Public School and Parklea Public School.

The students spoke eloquently about what

Harmony Day means to them and how diversity makes the community strong.

Ms Rowland said, “Harmony Day is a wonderful celebration of modern multicultural Australia. Although we may come from different backgrounds, we strive to live and work together in harmony.

She thanked the local residents who joined her Morning Tea and “brought traditional dishes, made with love from their own kitchens to share amongst the community”.

Harmony Day comes alive in Glenwood F

ederal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland MP, on March 22 commemorated Harmony Day at the Glenwood Hub. For the third annual event, more than 100 guests came together to enjoy the occasion and to celebrate the diverse cultures and communities that call Blacktown city home The celebration included contributions from The Hindu Council, Sri Om Care, the Blacktown Bahá'í Community and PECOSA Australia. Local residents from

Michelle Rowland MP (front 7th from left) with the Glenwood residents who joined her to celebrate Harmony Day

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 3, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta Binance seeks new home in Cash surplus Malta’s friendly environment of €182.7m in year 2017

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alta, described as the cryptofriendly island nation, known for extending open arms to fintech and blockchain technology, has now been chosen by the cryptocurrency exchange Binance to be its home base, its CEO, Zhao Changpeng, (CZ) (pictured right) told Bloomberg.

Binance, founded last year in HongKong, has grown rapidly to become the largest exchange in the world by trading volume. In just 180 days, Binance became the largest on the planet.

In the opinion of 41-year-old Zhao, a Canadian-Chinese, establishing itself in Malta could open doors to even larger growth for Binance. As such, the exchange is negotiating with banks in Malta to set up a formal banking partnership Sharing the Bloomberg news, Malta Prime Minister Joseph Muscat underscored that policy by stating on Twitter, “We aim to be the global trailblazers in the regulation of blockchain-based businesses and the jurisdiction of quality and choice for world class fintech companies.”

If it succeeds, Binance, which now offers only crypto-to-crypto trading pairs, will be able to offer crypto-to-fiat trading pairs. In that sense, it would operate similar to U.S.-based exchange Coinbase, where users have direct links to their bank accounts and can withdraw and deposit fiat.

In April 2017, Malta rolled out an ambitious strategy for blockchain technology in a push for it to become a “Silicon Valley” of Europe. Currently, Malta is in the process of setting up a Malta Digital Innovation Authority to certify blockchain companies and establish a legal framework for initial coin offerings (ICOs).

Soon after Binance announced they would be starting operations in Malta with the support of the Malta government and

F

Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, the founder of Tron Foundation, Justin Sun, confirmed Tron’s expansion in Malta. He said that Tron is considering investing and operating in Malta along with strategic partner, Binance.

He further announced on Twitter that he is grateful to Malta’s PM for his support and is looking forward to building a blockchain island with the Malta Government.

or the second year running, Malta has registered a cash surplus in its public finances with National Statistics Office (NSO) for the twelve months of January to December 2017 indicating that there was a surplus of €182.7 million in the Consolidated Fund during the said year.

Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna said the government is confident that when the same figure is accounted on an accrual basis for general Government, this surplus would be maintained. “The Government intends to maintain this momentum in drastically reducing the national debt, which was accumulated over the years through runaway irresponsible expenditure,” the Minister said.

Government’s capital expenditure was recorded at €350.2 million, an increase of €39.9 million. Higher spending on investment incentives, the restoration of the Triton Fountain, road construction improvements together with an integrated health information system were a few of the main contributors.

At the end of December 2017, Central Government Debt went down in absolute terms by €103.1 million over the corresponding month the previous year.

Malta records highest increase of employment among EU states ompared to the previous quarter, in the Survey indicate an increase of 5.1 per cent C last three months of 2017 Malta man- in employment when compared to the coraged to record the highest increase in em- responding quarter of 2016. Total employployment amongst the 28 EU member states. It was 1.6% in the euro area compared to the same quarter in 2016 Estimates provided by the Labour Force

ment stood at 203,651, accounting to more than half the population aged 15 and over.

On average, 69 persons out of every 100 ages between 15 and 64 years were employed.

S&P reaffirms ‘A-/A-2’ ratings with positive outlook I

nternational credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) credit rating has confirmed Malta’s ‘A-/A-2’ long-term and short-term ratings. In its current report, it also reaffirms the outlook of the Maltese economy as ‘positive’that is supported by the expected continuing strong growth performance coupled with consistent current account surpluses, together with the improving budgetary position and fiscal management.

The report also outlines that the Maltese economy has enjoyed another year of strong, economic expansion driven by net exports. Investments in energy and logistics were also important contributors.

It notes that the structural shifts in the economy have created new employment opportunities and the unemployment rate de-

clined to 4 % in 2017. Reforms made by the government have improved participation rates, particularly among women.

The report further acknowledges that the fast pace of growth of the new economic sectors and the implementation of recommendations from the spending reviews have allowed a consolidation of public finances, leading to the narrowing of the budget deficit leading to a surplus, and the reduction of the general government debt.

S&P anticipates that the government’s strategy and policymaking will remain geared towards further fiscal consolidation. In its report, while highlighting Malta’s positive outlook, it indicates that the ratings could be raised if Malta maintains its economic growth and fiscal performance.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday April 3, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta

Ukraine awards Malta President Person of the Year for 2017 for Social and Political Activity

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E Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca , President of Malta, has been awarded Ukraine’s Person of the Year Award 2017 for Social and Political Activity that she has dedicated to all peace-loving people in Malta, Ukraine, and all over the world.

Reacting to the award in a recorded message broadcast during the ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, President Coleiro Preca expressed her gratitude for honour and its significance.

She said that it signifies the great friendship which, she was confident, would continue too develop between the Maltese and the Ukrainian people.

She went on to say that Malta and Ukraine share common fundamental values - the mutual commitment of both countries to peace and prosperity and the upholding of active democracies for the holistic well-being of the peoples of Malta and Ukraine make both countries close to one another.

The President also expressed appreciation to Petro Poroshenko and the Government of Ukraine for their efforts to match the efforts of the Government of Malta in strengthening the relations between Malta and Ukraine on political, social, and economic levels.

The ‘Person of the Year’ title is awarded to outstanding representatives of politics, culture, and the arts for their contribution to strengthening the Ukrainian independence, supporting, and promoting Ukraine,

its people, history, and traditions.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca (left) thus joins former recipients of this award that include Pope John Paul II, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Lithuanian President Valdas Adam-kus, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, and US Senator John McCain.

No end to Maltese generosity as Puttinu telethon raises €6.6m - €1.6m from people; Govt. pledges €5m

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record sum of over €1.6 million from the people was collected in the annual fund-raiser on Good Friday in aid of Puttinu Cares on the Xarabank programme on TVM, and the charity walk on the night between Thursday and Friday (see separate item). Adding to that, in a telephone call

Late night walk raises €80000

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he thousands of people who turned up in the midnight walk early Good Friday morning from Mellieħa to Senglea to raised €80,000 towards Puttinu Cares.

The annual walk that starts at midnight from the square in front of the Mellieħa parish church keeps pulling the crowds increasing every year, coniciding with the annual telethon late evening on TVM.

Florence exhibition showcases Valletta 18

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n exhibition, titled Valletta Capitale d’Europa, is currently being held at the Palazzo Vecchio’s Sala dei Gigli in Florence celebrating Valletta’s 2018 European Capital of Culture title in Italy. The exhibition is showcasing Malta maps from the national cartographic collection and includes two of the Camocio Siege Maps that have just made it to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

The exhibition is a joint initiative between Heritage Malta and the Maltese Embassy in Rome in collaboration with the Comune di Firenze under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici and Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection who visited the exhibition with Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista explained that the aim of this exhibition was intended to present Malta’s capital as an essentially Mediterranean city with a strong European character.

A return exhibition sealing this twinning project between Valletta and Florence will be hosted later this year in Malta as part of Heritage Malta’s cultural, artistic, and events programme for the second half of 2018.

Prime Minster Joseph Muscat who is currently in Australia, on behalf of the Government, pledged a further €5 million. With the two sums combined the total reached over €6.6 million.

This year's donation figure of €1,620,530 raised eclipses last year’s donation of €1.3 million.

This sum comes on top of another donation by the Maltese people during a fund raiser organised by the Community Chest Fund three months ago. In December, the L-istrina telethon collected over €6 million.

The money will go towards a fund that Puttinu Cares, NGO that provides accommodation for the families of Maltese receiving medical treatment in the UK, is amassing in order to fulfil its project of building 30 apartments in central London to make available to families of patients.

Dr Muscat said that Puttinu carries out very important work and this effort gives it more courage to assist those who need the treatments. The donation comes from the Economic and Social Development Fund, which is a saving fund from the Citizenship Investment Programme He said that the Government already donates great assistance amounting to thousands of euro for the treatment of Maltese patients in England and this donation will help Puttinu Cares achieve its aims.

Around 90 local patients travel to the UK with their families every month for medical care.

With this money in its coffers, Puttinu Cares can now begin the search for land or apartments in central London. In a statement it thanked people for their generosity and expressed its appreciation to the Office of the Prime Minister for its help.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

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Tuesday April 3, 2018

L-Ilsien Malti

l-kwestjoni talilsna f’Malta hi storja twila. Refgħet rasha mal-wasla tal-Ingliżi fil-bidu tal-miġja tagħhom f’Malta u ħarġet bil-qawwi wara l-1880 fejn l-Ingliżi bdew jagħmlu minn kollox biex isaħħu l-ilsien Ingliż u kemm jista’ jkun iwarrbu t-Taljan.

Dakinhar, għal żmien twil, it-Taljan kien meqjus bħala l-ilsien tal-amministrazzjoni, tal-qrati tat-tagħlim, eċċ, eċċ, għalkemm sintendi ma kienx attwalment ilsien il-poplu, għax ilkotra assoluta tal-poplu kien jitkellem b’dak li wħud kienu jqisuh bħala djalett – il-Malti.

L-ilsien mitkellem mill-poplu kollu għal żmien twil kien imwarrab.. u kienu wħud bħal Mikiel Anton Vassalli, li stinkaw kemm felħu biex dan l-ilsien jikseb l-għarfien tiegħu bħala lilsien tal-poplu.

Dawn in-nies sabu l-appoġġ talGvern Ingliż li wkoll beda jimbotta lMalti, jekk hux għax kien jemmen fil-Malti bħala lsien tal-poplu, jew jekk hux, kif isostnu dawk li kienu favur itTaljan, jiġifieri li l-Ingliżi kienu qed jinqdew bil-Malti biex iwarrbu t-Taljan, ma tantx jinteressani.

L-importanti hu li bil-mod il-mod ilMalti beda jingħata l-importanza tiegħu u daħal fl-amministrazzjoni, filqrati u forsi l-aktar importanti fittagħlim. Biex wara tmiem it-tieni gwerra dinjija l-kwestjoni tal-ilsna batiet mhux ħażin u l-ilsien Malti għamel passi ta’ ġgant fl-oqsma kollha għax sar ilsien uffiċjali u aktar tard lilsien Nazzjonali ta’ pajjiżna.

i semmejt aktar ‘l fuq, flimkien mal-influs ta’ għadd kbir L ta’ studenti barranin fl-iskejjel Maltin qed ikun ta’ theddid għall-ilsien Malti għax saħansitra f’xi skejjel għadd mhux ħażin ta’ studenti jikkomunikaw bejniethom bl-Ingliż (għadda dak iż-żmien ta’ meta xi Maltin/Awstraljani kienu jiġu lura Malta, u wara ftit taż-żmien jibdew jitkellmu bilMalti għax fl-iskola sħabhom kienu jikkomunikaw magħhom u bejnithom bil-Malti).

Il-Malti mhedded

Sintendi dan qed joħloq ukoll problema lill-għalliema għax wieħed ma jistax jgħallem lil dawn il-Malti bl-istess mod li wieħed jgħallem il-Malti lil studenti li fid-dar, fit-triq, eċċ jitkellmu bil-Malti.

Tibdil: Għall-agħar jew għall-aħjar?

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inħabba dan l-Awtoritajiet taledukazzjoni Maltin ħarġu bil-proposta li fl-iskejjel ikun hemm żewġ sistemi kif wieħed jgħallem il-Malti: dak preżenti għal dawk li l-islien tagħhom huwa l-Malti, u sistema ġdida fejn il-Malti jiġi mgħallem bħal kwalunkwe lsien ieħor barrani.

Barra hekk jiġi propost ukoll li jkun hemm aktar minn tip wieħed ta’ eżami, biex ikunu jistgħu jintlaħqu anke studenti barranin li jattendu skejjel Maltin.

Infatti qed jiġi propost li t-tagħlim talMalti għal dawn l-istudenti jkun obbligatorju.

Għalkemm din għadha proposta u lanqas biss ma ħarġet xi forma ta’ proposta miktuba għall-konsultazzjoni, milll-ewwel infetħu bibien is-sema. B’xi akkadimiċi jikkritikaw bil-kbir dan il-pass.

Trevor Zahra, awtur magħruf, stqarr li “ngħallmu l-Malti lill-barranin hija idea mill-isbaħ. Jiena tgħidx kemm ili ngħid li hemm bżonn nibdew ngħallmu lMalti lit-tfal barranin li qegħdin jiżdiedu dejjem aktar fl-iskejjel tagħna.

Dan jiswa kemm lilhom infushom biex jintegraw aħjar, kif ukoll sabiex l-iskejjel tagħna jibqgħu jiffunzjonaw bl-ilsien Malti, u ma naslux fi stat li jkollna kontinwament induru għall-Ingliż.”

“Iżda din li ngħallmu l-Malti bħala lingwa barranija anki lill-Maltin hija ġennata ... anzi agħar minn ġennata;

Iżda filwaqt li l-battalja bejn it-Taljan u lIngliż sfumat kważi fix-xejn, xorta l-ilsien Malti, bħal kull ilsien ieħor mitkellem minn ftit nies, baqa’ dejjem fil-periklu, fosthom periklu maħluq mill-midja u minn uħud mill-poplu li beda jwarrab kliem validissimu Malti (għax ma nafx għax wieħed juża’l-kelma “invitat” – bit-tornavit? - minflok “mistieden”) bi kliem barrani.. (l-aħħar li smajt “niggrivjaw” mill-kelma Ngliża “grief”).

Sfortunatament, f’ċertu lokalitajiet ta’ Malta aktar minn oħrajn (għalkemm dan mifrux ma’ Malta u Għawdex kollu) qed insibu aktar ġenituri li ma jħossux il-ħtieġa li jkellmu lil uliedhom bil-Malti (ħalli li wħud minnhom jkellmuhom b’Ingliż mgħaffeġ). Agħar minn hekk hemm uħud li saħansitra joġġezjonaw li wliedhom jiġu mgħallma ilsien pajjiżhom fl-iskejjel.

hija insult lill-Kostituzzjoni tagħna li tistqarr li l-Malti huwa l-Lingwa Nazzjonali; mhux nibdew inqisuh bħala lingwa barranija ġo daru stess”, qal.

Saret ukoll kritika ħarxa għal proposta li jkun hemm aktar minn tip wieħed ta’ eżami biex jassessja l-Malti.

Dan ġab reazzjoni mill-Ministru talEdukazzjoni Evarist Bartolo li sostna li l-passi kienu biex isaħħu l-Malti mhux idgħajjfuh. Semma’ kif hu kien diġà iddiskuta r-riskju li t-teknoloġija tista’ toqtol il-lingwa Maltija f’artiklu li deher fuq The Voice of the Maltese, indirizzat lejn il-Maltin ta’ barra.

“Waqt li l-letteratura Maltija sejra tajjeb ħafna u l-pubblikazzjonijiet huma b’saħħithomm, l-użu ta’ kuljum tallingwa fid-dinja diġitali hi minima u ftit hemm tama li dan jinbidel,” qal. Żied itenni li “il-Malti hu wieħed minn erba’ lingwi fl-Unjoni Ewropea li qiegħed fil-periklu li jiddgħajjef fl-era diġitali u kull wieħed minna għandu ddmir li jsaħħaħ u jxerred iżjed il-Malti.”

Huwa nsista li t-tagħlim tal-Malti bħala lsien barrani kien biss għall-studenti barranin li jattendu fl-iskejjel talIstat, u dawk l-istudenti Maltin li għandhom ġenituri barranin.

Saħaq li, “dawk kollha li llum jitgħallmu l-Malti mhu se jaraw l-ebda tibdil, u dan jinkludi dawk li jispeċjalizzaw fil-lingwa Maltija fl-istudji

tagħhom. Id-diskussjoni se tiffoka fuq li jsir sforz biex il-Malti jintuża minn faxxa ikbar ta’ nies, kemm Maltin kif ukoll barranin”.

“Mhux minnu li l-Maltin se jistudjaw Malti għall-barranin u li se jitneħħa lMalti bħala parametru għall-Università” kompla jgħid il-Ministru, anzi se jidħol ukoll biex student ikun jista’ jkompli jistudja fli-MCAST u Istitut talIstudji Turistiċi.

Bartolo qal li dan il-pass se jittieħed għax: “ Fl-iskejjel tagħna għandna mhux biss studenti li l-ewwel ilsien tagħhom hu l-Malti, imma bosta studenti oħrajn barranin kif ukoll studenti Maltin li l-ewwel ilsien tagħhom mhuwiex il-Malti. Ma’ dawn hemm ukoll għadd sostanzjali ta’ studenti b’xeħta vokazzjonali li, minkejja li l-ilsien nattiv tagħhom hu l-Malti, l-eżami li hemm bħalissa, billi hu akkademiku biss, mhuwiex adattat għalihom.”

Biss dan xejn ma niżel tajjeb malakkademiċi li sostnew li jekk il-Maltin li twieldu, trabbew, u kellhom edukazzjoni obbligatorja hawn Malta jibdew jistudjaw dan is-sillabu tal-Malti għallBarranin minflok is-sillabu li llum iwassal għall-eżami tal-Matsec u għalhekk dan l-eżami mhux veru se jkun eżami għall-barranin, iżda se jsir eżami għallMaltin ukoll. *Ikompli fil-paġna 15

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday April 3 2017

L-Isqof Grech hekk jaħsibha Qassisin Miżżewġa?

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ieħed minn dawk li nħobb nikkwota fir-rubrika tiegħi hu l-Isqof ta’ Għawdex Mons Mario Grech. Nagħmel dan għax ħafna drabi jitkellem bla ma joqgħod jogħmod il-kliem fuq materji li ħaddieħor joqgħod b’seba’ għajnejn kif jitkellem.

Eżempju ċar kien l-aħħar intervista li saritlu fuq il-Programm tat-TVM, Dissett, fejn l-Isqof Grech wieġeb għal domandi dwar fuq bosta temi oħra fosthom l-abort u l-IVF u l-abbużi mill-membri tal-kleru.

Fil- jiem meta konna niċċelebraw ilfesti tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira u l-Għid ilKbir, l-Isqof ma qagħadx lura milli jikkummenta dwar il-pruċissjonijiet tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira. Qal li fil-fehma tiegħu dawn għandhom tendenza li jirrendu r-reliġjon f’karnival (u dan iħossuh ħafna Maltin u Għawdxin).

Staqsa jekk kienx wasal iż-żmien li dawn jibdew isiru f’jum ieħor u filĠimgħa l-Kbira jsir pellegrinaġġ wara s-salib.

Fi kliem l-Isqof: “Illum għandna min jagħmel il-kostum, u meta tgħid kostum, fejn imur ilħsieb tiegħek biex imur minn purċissjoni għall-oħra, imma dan jagħmel sens? U jien esprimejt din ix-xewqa, tridx fil-Ġimgħa l-Kbira ma nagħmlux

minn dan ir-reċtar, pageants u minflok ni$rasferuhom għal ġurnata oħra u fil-Ġimgħa l-Kbira nagħmlu purċissjoni wara l-Kurċifiss, għax il-Kurċifiss huwa kollox?”

Fil-fehma tiegħi l-Isqof għandu raġun biex ibiegħ.

Naqbel ukoll ma dak li qal dwar l-ġuramenti li jsiru fuq il-Kurċifiss fil-Qrati fejn wera tħassib serju dwar l-użu u l-abbuż tal-kurċifiss fil-ġuramenti fil-qrati.

“M’għandi l-ebda rbit ma’ din ilprassi. Jiena ngħid li l-persuna għandha titwemmen għax hi sinċiera għax hija awtentika. Issa jekk m’intix awtentiku tista’ ġġib elf xhud u ġġib lil Alla xhud u xorta tkun giddieb” qal Mons. Grech.

Biss dak li x’aktarx waqqaf sewwa widnejn dak li kienu qed jisimgħu l-programm kien il-fatt li l-Isqof Grech qal li hu laqa’ b’sodisfazzjon id-drittijiet ġodda li ġew mogħtija lill-koppji tal-istess sess.

Stqarr: “Almenu l-persuni omosesswali għandhom id-dritt li ma jkunux iġġudikati għax aħna konna wisq niġġudikaw. Il-bniedem li huwa tant kumpless kif nista’ niġġudikah?

“Għandhom dritt li jiġu rrispetati, għandhom dritt għall-fedeltà u għandhom dritt għal dak kollu li jixirqilhom bħala koppja”

e nikkwota dak li wieġeb il-Patri DumS nikan, Patri Christopher Caruana f’intervista mal-Malta Independent meta mistoqsi dwar in-nuqqas ta’ vokazzjonijiet. Qal li hemm diversi raġunijiet, fosthom il-fatt li lfamilji għandhom wild jew tnejn, u għalhekk hu aktar diffiċli minn qabel li ġenituri jħeġġu lil uliedhom li jsiru qassisin jew patrijiet.

Filwaqt li sostna li l-ordinazzjoni ta’ nisa bħala saċerdoti ma kienetx fuq l-aġenda talKnisja, ma kienx daqshekk skjett dwar il-possibita’ li l-qassisin jiżżewwġu.

Qal li filwaqt li bħalissa hija kundizzjoni li biex wieħed jħaddan is-saċerdozju jkun miċħud miż-żwieġ, iżda din mhix parti ntrinsika mis-sagrament tal-Ordni Sagri. Infatti meta jkun hemm xi saċerdoti anglikani li wara xi żmien isiru kattoliċi, u dawn ikunu miżżewwġin, xorta jiġu aċċetatti bħala membri tal-kleru.

Għalhekk tejoritakment m’hemm xejn li hu nkompattibli bejn iż-żwieġ u s-saċerdozju.

Fil-fatt il-Knsija tista’ tasal biex ‘il quddiem, għalkemm mhux fil-futur immedjat, tibda taċċetta li s-saċerdoti jkunu jistgħu jiżżewwġu.

Biss mill-esperjenza tiegħu bħala patri, Patri Caruana qal li jkun diffiċli ħafna għal membru tal-kleru miżżewweġ li jaqdi dmirijiet bħala saċerdot u fl-istess ħin jagħti l-attenzjoni meħtieġa lill-familja tiegħu.

Insomma l-bieb għadu miftuħ....

L-ilsien Malti: It-tibdil *minn paġna 14 Qalu li min hu Malti ma għandux jistudja l-Malti bħala lingwa barranija. Jekk isir dan ikun hemm it-tentazzjoni li studenti Maltin jippreferu li jieħdu din ir-rotta li hija ta’ dannu kbir għall-ilsien Malti.

Sadanitant fil-Parlament, u wkoll barra, il-Ministru Evarist Bartolo, kompla jispjega x’kien il-ħsieb tal-Gvern dwar l-ilsien Malti u sostna li t-tagħlim tal-Malti bħala lsien barrani kien se jkun miftuħ biss għal tfal ta’ koppji barranin u mhux għat-tfal tal-Maltin. Ħabbar ukoll li kien qed jiġi propost li biex jidħlu fl-iMCAST u fl-Istitut Turistiku l-istudenti se jkunu jeħtieġu ċertifikat talMalti, biss dawn ikun jistgħu jagħmlu eżami ġdid tal-“Malti vokazzjonali” li se jinħoloq għal dawk l-istudenti li jista’ jkollhom diffikultà bl-eżami tradizzjonali u li ‘l quddiem beħsiebhom ikomplu jistudjaw f’istituzzjonjiet bħall-MCAST u lIstitut għall-Istudji Turistiċi.

Biss dan ukoll ġie kkritikat minn

għaqdiet akkademiċi, għax sostnew li dawn l-eżamijiet ma’ kellhomx jitpoġġew fuq l-istess livell bħal dawk tradizzjonali.

Il-Ministeru kien pront wieġeb li fuq kollox dak li kien qed isir kien ibbażat fuq rapport tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa u wara li ttagħlim tal-Malti bħala lsien barrani sar b’suċċess kbir fi Brussell u l-Lussemburgu.

Sadanittant, filwaqt li għaddejja din ilpolemika, tfaċċaw kummenti wkoll fejn ġie kkritikat il-ħtieġa li wieħed ikollu lMalti biex jidħol fl-Universita ta’ Malta.

Din mhix xi ħaġa ġdida għax mhux darba u tnejn kien hemm min argumenta li student Malti ma kellux jiġi miċħud milli jkompli bl-istudji tiegħu għax ma jkollux ċertifikat tal-Malti. ...U l-istorja għadha sejra u ma nistennix li se tinqata’ malajr, aktar u aktar meta hawn din il-polemika kollha, meta lanqas għadu biss ħareġ d-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni dwar din il-proposta.

Tgħid ir-riżultat ta’ dan kollu se jagħti spinta jew le lill-ilsien Malti?

Filomena Darmanin

(1920-2018) Filomena (known as Phyllis), was born in Valletta and emigrated to Australia in 1964.

She passed away on the 9th March 2018.

Her husband, Joseph Darmanin who was the bandleader and founder of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band, the only Maltese band in NSW, died12 years ago.

They had four children, Lilian, Marie, Victor (deceased) and Charles, 11 grand children and great grand children. RIP.

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 3, 2018

The ASEAN summit in Sydney T

he first ASEAN summit on Australian soil held in March followed from the launch of this biennial event in Laos in 2016.

As in Vientiane, the public face was all smiles and interlinked hands. At the photoop level, (see photo above) the summit acts as semaphore – the meeting is the message.

Sydney has lots of meetings to add layers of meaning to the message: a deeper and richer Oz–ASEAN mateship for the Asian century.

The ASEAN–Australia week features academic, educational, sporting and cultural events to ‘highlight the depth and diversity of links between Australia and Southeast Asia, and showcase Australian institutions’ engagement with ASEAN countries’.

Sitting high up the mountain, close to the leaders, there’s the Counter-Terrorism Conference and the Business Summit (with both a CEO forum and an SME conference).

Demonstrators and protests have overshadowed an agreement signed by Aus-

tralia and 10 ASEAN member states to bolster cooperation and coordination to counter terrorism in the region.

“Terrorism and violent extremism transcend national borders," said Home Affairs

Minister Peter Dutton. "Countering the threat requires a united and cohesive regional effort involving coordination between our respective national security and law enforcement agencies.”

Easier way for highly-skilled migrants to come to Australia T

he Turnbull Federal government will create a new visa to compete with other countries for “high-tech skills and talent”, with companies allowed to sponsor migrants for jobs paid more than $180,000. There will also be a new visa for start-up companies seeking talent in STEM fields like biomedicine and agricultural technology.

Both visas will require the migrant to have three years of relevant experience, while the

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sponsor companies will need to demonstrate they tried to hire Australians first.

“The Government recognises there is fierce competition globally for high-tech skills and talent, and that attracting these people helps to transfer skills to Australian workers and grow Australian-based businesses,” a Turnbull government media release reads.

There will not be a cap on the overall number of visas, but individual companies will have a limit on how many migrants they can employ. Businesses will be able to take up to 20 skilled migrants under the new stream per year, while start-ups will be able to take up to five.

The visas for jobs paid more than $180,000 will only be available to businesses with a turnover of more than $4 million. The start-up visas will be available to any that is authorised by an industry body, yet to be chosen by the government.

The migrants will have the option of a "transitional pathway" to permanent residence after three years in the country. The details of the scheme will be ironed out over the next few months before a 12month pilot begins on July 1.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday April 3, 2017

Gruesome death in Victoria

T

he family of a mother-of-four whose decomposing body was found in Kensington near Melbourne in the State of Victoria in January is appealing to the public to help solve her grisly death.

Police made the gruesome discovery after attending a public housing property at Lambeth St on January 3 on an unrelated matter.

Sarah Gatt, 40, was found in a bathtub and forensic testing revealed she died sometime between 20 – 24 April last year.

Homicide detectives believe a violent assault took place at the home prior to her death and conscious steps were taken to conceal her body and imply she was still alive several months after her death.

Ms Gatt’s family said they lost contact 18 months ago and described her as someone with ambition who took the wrong path in life. Her father, Victor Gatt, said he tried to Sarah Gatt ... she was killed a year ago steer his daughter in the right direction but she started taking drugs in her midteens.

Ms Gatt’s stepmother, Cheryl Gatt, said they used to visit antas, the Australian airline has added to its list of aviation prior to losing confirsts, with the national carrier now operating non-stop flights tact.

Three men and two from Perth to London using the 787-9 Dreamliner. The 14,498kilometre service is the first regular passenger service to directly women were all questioned by police link Australia with Europe.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the history-making route in April. However, no has been would be a watershed for travel, tourism and trade. “When Qantas one created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days charged, and all five and nine stops. Now it will take just 17 hours from Perth non-stop. were released pend-

Another first for Qantas

Now it’s Perth to London non-stop

Q

More funding needed to help elderly he Federal Government is under growing ages go out in the December quarter, that’s T pressure to significantly boost funding to a 17,500 increase on the September quarhelp elderly Australians remain in their own ter,” he said. But Labor’s aged-care spokes-

homes for longer ahead of the May 8 budget.

It is an issue thought to particularly affect the country’s ageing migrant population.

Emma Campbell, Chief Executive of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils, told SBS News, “This is particularly important for CALD (culturally and linguistically-diverse) Australians. We know that migrant Australians prefer to have care at home as they get older and we really hope that in the budget there’ll be sufficient funding and sufficient recognition of the needs in aged care and in particular, the provision of home care packages.”

Up to September last year, the government had issued around 74,000 Commonwealth home care packages with subsidies worth between $8,000 and $49,500 per year. But a Health Department update shows that by the end of 2017, 104,602 customers were unable to get funding at the level of their assessed need; a rise of more than 3,000 on the previous quarter. One in three had been on the waiting list for at least a year.

Federal Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said t“We still see 50,300 additional pack-

woman Julie Collins called it “an extraordinary moment of political spin,” saying that in the past year the waiting list has grown by nearly 15,000.

Sarah’s father, Victor ing further inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

From 2020 Jobseeker replaces Newstart

U

nder a new compliance framework, people could lose welfare payments if they fail to apply for jobs or don’t meet other requirements like study and training. This omnibus bill cleared the Senate a few days ago.

Liberal frontbencher Alan Tudge said the demerit-point system would enable early identification of people who need help, but create serious consequences for those “taking the taxpayer for a ride”.

People will no longer be able to use drug and alcohol dependence as a reasonable excuse for not meeting their obligations, while wait times for unemployment payments will also be increased.

From 2020, a new Jobseeker payment will replace Newstart and six other payments.

The amended legislation must go back to the lower house for approval, and then return to the Senate for a final sign-off before clearing parliament.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 3, 2018

Clontarf Town revisited It’s where Nunnu’s journey as an Aussie began ShelbyVassallo

O

ver 4,000km away from our humble roots in Rooty Hill, where my *Nunnu Sam eventually settled to raise his children and grandchildren, lies a place in Western Australia where his journey as a child migrant began.

While we were road tripping through Western Australia, we were fortunate enough to be able to visit a few of the places where Nunnu spent some time as a teenager.

The Clontarf Boys Town (currently Clontarf Indigenous College) is the first place we visited. Much of it is still the way Nunnu remembers it. The second place was a tiny, family home on Wallsend St in Collie.

When we arrived, we face-timed Nunnu so that he could direct us around and explore vicariously. The current owner of the house, Rob, noticed us poking around the front of the property and came out to say good day.

People in Collie are captured by history and he was just as intrigued as us when we told him that my grandfather used to live in this very house. He showed us around the yard and the house and told us stories of his own. Rob is slowly restoring the house, paying homage to its unique heritage as he goes.

We literally took a step back in time during our visit to Collie; the town is so well preserved. Along with the house, we spent a moment inside the Catholic Church (where Nunnu spent many Sunday mornings), explored the street where he worked as an apprentice

boarded with the Christian Brothers at an institution known as Clontarf Boys Town in Fremantle. Here Nunnu worked in the kitchen, ensuring that the Christian Brothers and other child orphans and migrants were fed.

While the Christian Brothers provided and cared for the boys, some of them were brutally tough. Over the years, many allegations of abuse have emerged which has resulted in numerous investigations into the treatment of the young European boys who re-sided at the home.

Another incident at Clontarf that captured headlines was the fatal bus accident of 1955.

Nunnu and uncle Charlie were on board the school bus when it was involved in a serious accident with a truck, resulting in the death of one of the young boys. Many boys lost their legs in the crash and up to 18 children were hospitalised for their injuries, including uncle Charlie who suffered neck injuries.

In a twist of fate, Nunnu initially sat on the right hand side of the bus (the side of the impact) but was asked by another boy to swap seats. Since then, Nunnu never sits on the right hand side of a bus.

Shelby Vassallo and her Nunnu Sam

butcher, stood on the platform at the original train station and walked across the swinging bridge that he so fondly remembers.

The early years In the early 1950’s, the Australian, Maltese and British governments established a post-war child migration programme that enabled children from Malta and the UK to migrate to Australia. In a desperate attempt to escape the poverty and aftermath of World War II, my great grandmother took a chance and sent two of her sons across the seas; first the adventurous uncle Charlie and shortly after, Nunnu Sam. The boys aged in their very early teens packed what little they had and left their entire family behind in Europe. They were just two of around 300 Maltese boys who migrated to Western Australia post WWII under this scheme.

After long and treacherous journeys at sea, the boys arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia. Upon arrival, they

*Continued on opposite page

The Clontarf Boys Town, currently the Clontarf Indigenous College

The plaque at the Clontarf Boys Memorial

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday April 3, 2017

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija

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.

KELMIET IL-GĦADD (ikompli) T.ċ. Mir-regoli li semmejna fl-aħħar ħarġa għandna nagħrfu nagħżlu bejn il-kitba ta’ erbgħa, erba’ u raba’. Fejn kieku tikteb ħamsa u għaxra, ikteb erbgħa, sebgħa, disgħa.

Ara: ġejna l-ħamsa, l-għaxra, l-erbgħa, is-sebgħa, id-disgħa; konna ħamsa, għaxra, erbgħa, sebgħa, disgħa min-nies; saru lħamsa, l-erbgħa, eċċ.

Fejn kieku tikteb ħames, għaxar ikteb erba’, seba’, disa’.

Fejn kieku tikteb il-ħames, il-għaxar ikteb ir-raba’, is-seba’, id-disa’.

Ara: xtrajt ħames, għaxar, erba’, seba’, disa’ kotba; ġie l-ħames, l-għaxar, ir-raba’, is-seba’, id-disa’ wieħed fost sħabu.

Hekk ukoll fejn kieku tikteb ħamest, għaxart, qis li tikteb: erbât, sebât, disât. Ara: għaxart ibħra, erbât ijiem, sebât iġfien, disât irjus.

Bħalma nsemmgħu u niktbu ħames allat flok ħamest allat, ħames antaċċoli, għaxar atturi, nistgħu wkoll niktbu erba’ allat, seba’ antaċċoli, disa’ atturi.

Nagħrfu wkoll nagħżlu bejn il-kitba ta’ tliet u tlitt, ta’ tmien u tmint. Ara: tliet soldi, tmien ħabbiet (ara Għadd 50), tlitt iħbieb, tmint ibwieb u mhux tmient ibwieb.

53. Iż-żieda tal-ittra t (ât) tinhemeżukoll mal-għadd ta’ tlieta sa disgħa meta dawn jingħaqdu f’waħda mal-kelma âx wara l-għadd ta’ għaxra sad-dsatax.

T.ċ. Il-kelma âx mhix ħaġ’oħra ħlief is-sura ta’ għaxar, imqassra f’ax. Għalhekk flok tlitt-għaxar, erbât-għaxar, eċċ., ngħidu u niktbu tlettâx, erbatâx, ħmistâx. (Din il-għada tinsab ukoll fil-Għarbi ta’ Barbarija). Il-kelma dsatâx (19) għandha tinkiteb bl-ittri ds u mhux bl-s (satax), għax ħierġa minn disgħa. Sbatâx tinkiteb bil-konsonanti s għax ħierġa minn sebgħa.

54. Wara kull kelma tal-għadd, l-isem ma jiħux l-artiklu.

Għalhekk insemmgħu u niktbu: żewġkotba, tliet kotba, erba’ skejjel, erbat ifran, għoxrin raġel, tletin qabar, elf lira, elfejn sold.

Clontarf revisited * Continued from opposit page

Nunnu and uncle Charlie parted ways for a while when Nunnu moved to board with a family in Collie; a small rural town located about two hours south east of Perth. Nunnu lived with the O’Brians, a working-class family who worked with horses and trotters.

While in Collie, Nunnu worked the land, began an apprenticeship at the local butcher and spent many afternoons swimming in the river behind the O’Brian’s family home. He worked hard, earning around £5 a week. It wasn’t a free ride though and at least three of those pounds were put aside for board.

Finally, after nearly five years spent in Perth, Nunnu received news from his mother that the rest of his family (his parents and other siblings) were leaving Malta behind too, and were soon to meet him and his brother Charlie in Sydney.

Longing to be back with the rest of their family the boys quickly reunited.

Il-kelma il li tidħol bejn il-għadd minn ħdax sa dsatâx, ma għandniex inqisuha bħala artiklu, imma biċċa mill-istess isem tal-għadd. Għalhekk jagħmel ħażin min jorbot din ilkelma il man-nom ta’ wara l-għadd u jikteb, ngħidu aħna: ħdax il-żiemel, tnax il-waħda, sittax il-qasba.

Sewwa wieħed jikteb: ħdax-il żiemel, tnax-il waħda, sittax-il qasba, bir- rabta ta’ linja bejn il-kelma tal-għadd u żżieda tal-kelma il.

T.ċ. Illi l-kelma il mhix artiklu imma biċċa mill-istess isem tal-għadd, jurih: (1) Il-grammatika Għarbija li tgħid: atnaxar markeb, tslett għaxar markeb u mhux atnax al markeb, tslettgħax al markeb (Gaudefroy, Sapeto, Machuel). Il-Malti jbiddel il-leħen ta’ -ar f’dak ta’ -il.

(2) L-ilsien Għarbi li f’xi bnadi ta’ Barbarija fejn is-suriet ta’ ħdax, tnax, tlettax, eċc.̇, meta warajhom għandhom nom, jieħdu ż-żieda ta’ en flok ar li mhix ħaġ’oħra ħlief l-il tagħna. (Ara Dictionnaire Français- Arabe, Belkassem Ben Sedira: Tsnachen ioum, arbatâchen dar, p. xliv. Bil-kitba Maltija: tnax-il jum, erbatâx-il dar).

(3) Illi qabel l-ittri ċ, d, n, ġ, r, s, t, ż, z, x l-ittra l ma tingħaqadx magħhom bħalma wrejna fil-Għadd 41 – itTieni Taqsima. Għalhekk insemmgħu u niktbu ħdax-il sufa, tnax-il tajra u mhux ħdax is-sufra, tnax it- tajra. (Ara Ġ. Vassallo, Il-Muftieħ, p. 46). Hekk ukoll sbatax-il ras u mhux sbatax ir-ras, għalkemm l-r billi sieħeb l-l tiġi li fi lsienna tinħass flokha u tinkiteb: tmintax irbiegħi minflok tmintaxil rbiegħi.

Nunnu went back to Clontarf to meet his brother. They left behind most of their possessions and they embarked on a 10-hour flight from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide.

Nunnu’s sacrifice and bravery at such a young and vulnerable age established the amazing life that my family and I enjoy today.

Aktar regoli u tifsir fil-ħarġa li jmiss He instilled in my father, who instilled in my siblings and I, the true worth of family, hard work, risk-taking and perseverance. Sixty-five years later and, as cliché as it sounds, he has come out on top. It was a privilege for us to be able to stand in the places where our journey as Australians began.

*Nunnu: Shelby’s name for her grandfather.

Dr Hugh McDermo! MP 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

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 3, 2018

Id-drawwa f’Malta tal-”Qarinza” K

elma Maltija antika li għajni dejjem għokritni minnha biex nipprova nifhimha sewwa hija l-Qarinza, kelma marbuta ma’ drawwa Maltija antika, u wkoll marbuta ma’ sena ġdida. Din l-użanza tradizzjonali tal-Qarinza kienet issir fiddjar tal-irħula Maltin.

Il-Qarinza kienet talludi għal ġemgħa ta’ daqqaqa u żewġ persuni oħra taparsi atturi li fl-aħħar tas-sena kienu jduru jdoqqu wara l-bibien. Mhux biss, imma meta dawn kienu jaslu fid-djar tal-ħbieb kienu jidħlu fl-intrati u wieħed minnhom kien jintefa’ fl-art jagħmilha tal-mejjet.

Wara li dawn kienu joqogħdu jdoqqu u jgħannu, il-mexxej talkumpannija kien taparsi jibda jqatta’ lill-mejjet biċċiet u bil-mossi taparsi jibda jqassam dawn il-biċċiet lil dawk li jkunu qed isegwu u miġbura fl-intrata. Biex it-taparsi ċerimonja tkun kompluta, fiha kien jitqassam ix-xorb u ħelu lil kulħadd … l-awguri għas-sena l-ġdida.

Meta dawn tal-Qarinza kienu jlestu kienu jmorru f’dar ta’ xi ħabib ieħor u x-xena tirrepeti ruħha. Hekk kienu jibqgħu sejrin il-lejl kollu. Minn fost il-grupp tal-Qarinza kien ikun hemm wieħed li jagħmilha tas-sultan li kien ibajjad l-għetiebi tan-nies bil-ġir abjad, biex hekk iwassal il-messaġġ tiegħu lil dik il-familja u jixtiqilha r-risq għas-sena l-ġdida.

Dwar dan it-tibjid tal-għetiebi kien hemm din it-taqbila:

Ġejna tal-Qarinza wara biebek wara biebek Ġejna tal-Qarinza Agħtina minn dak li għandek.

Agħtina minn dak li għandek.

Is-Sena t-Tajba u l-għatba mbajda Is-Sena t-Tajba u l-għatba mbajda Bajjadhielek is-Sultan Bajjadhielek is-Sultan Issa hu jrid xi ħaġa Issa hu jrid xi ħaġa imur ’itiha imur ’itiha ’l dawk it-tfal. ’l dawk it-tfal.

Patri Manwel Magri jagħtina taqbila oħra dwar dan it-tibjid talgħetiebi: L-għatba mbajda L-għatba mbajda bajjadhielek is-Sultan bajjadhielek is-Sultan ’tih xi ħaġa karità ’tih xi ħaġa karità Ħalli jitma’ ’l dawk it-tfal Ħalli jitma’ ’l dawk it-tfal Flok tiġieġa Flok tiġieġa ’tih dundjan. ’tih dundjan.

PeterPaulCiantar Jew l-oħra:

Qarinz, qarinz, qarinz Ġejt nitolbok wara Qarinz, biebek qarinz, qarinz Ġejt nitolbok wara biebek ara titfixkel fl-Imnara ara titfixkel fl-Imnara Tagħmel disa’ ħabbiet ħsara.

Tagħmel disa’ ħabbiet ħsara.

Din id-drawwa tat-tibjid bil-ġir abjad forsi għad hawn min jiftakarha, l-aktar dawk li joqogħdu fl-irħula antiki. Jiena niftakar lil missieri Karmenu jgħidli li fit-triq tagħna, Triq Mamo, ĦażŻebbuġ, kien hemm “Tal-Bibillu” li fl-antik kien jidħol għal dan ix-xogħol jew aħjar għal din id-drawwa. Kien iwassal minn qalbu x-xewqat tajba, u ma kien jagħmel xejn għall-flus.

Il-ġest kien ikun ferm apprezzat min-nies tat-triq. Kulħadd kien jieħu pjaċir li l-għada filgħodu - eżatt fl-ewwel jum tas-sena lġdida - malli kien jixref fil-bieb ta’ barra kien jara l-għatba tiegħu mbajda xi ftit bil-ġir abjad.

Din tal-ġir baqgħet ħafna aktar ħajja iżda r-reċti tal-Qarinza kienu spiċċaw ħafna qabel. Fil-fatt jingħad li din ma baqgħetx issir għaliex darba dak il-wieħed li taparsi kien jagħmilha talmejjet, miet tassew waqt li kien jilgħabha tal-mejjet, u sħabu baqgħu daqstant impressjonati li ddeċidew li jaqtgħu din iddrawwa għalk ollox.

Bħala konklużjoni ta’ dan l-artiklu ta’ min jistaqsi u janalizza biċċa biċċa d-drawwa tal-Qarinza *Tgħid il-mejjet kien jirrappreżenta s-sena li tkun se tispiċċa? *It-tqassim ta’ partijiet ‘mill-mejjet’ kienu jfissru s-sehem li kull wieħed kien imissu matulek ja sena, sehem li seta’ kien tajjeb u seta’ kien ħażin iżda dejjem sehem minn mejjet: issena li kienet intemmet? *Id-daqq u l-għana kienu biex bħallikieku jifirħu u jagħtu merħba lis-sena l-ġdida? *L-għoti tal-flus biex bħallikieku jawguraw ir-risq? *L-għatba mbajda biex is-sena l-ġdida tkun mimlija risq u hena u mhux swidija u diqa?

Min jaf x’kien’ ikollhom f’moħħhom missirijietna?!

Imma kien x’kien, dari l-Maltin kienu jafu jivvintawh iċ-ċajt ugħalkemm kien hemm min ma kienx jieħu gost, ħafna aktar kienu jiggustawhom.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday April 3, 2017

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

in the Bank-stown CBD area.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast Every other 3rd Thursday an outing.

Have to contact our Welfare Officer for Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357 an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 Greystanes Maltese Seniors 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Meets the last Wednesday of the mon- Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon th in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 GenThe Sutherland & St George eral Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips

Join us and make new friends.

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors

Maltese Group

Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm.

Meetings/Get Togethers are interestMeets every second Friday of the ing, informative & entertaining, so month: Miller Room, Memorial Av- come Join us and make new Friends enue Merrylands from 10.30am to For more information contact our Co12.30 am ordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 Llandilo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of each 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.

Lear! Maltese!

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

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

Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions

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

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

22 The Voice of the Maltese 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

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

Tuesday April 3, 2018

Community Community News News

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 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

La Valette Social Centre

Activities throughout the year La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847’ Email: lavalette@bigpond.net.au

Every Thursday: Maltese Respite Care Service

10.15 a.m.: Mass in Maltese in the Main Hall Morning Tea and Lunch, Bingo and Boċċi Everybody is wlecome Every Saturday: Kitchen and Bar open from 5.00 p.m.

Taditional Maltese cuisine, rabbit, ravioli and pastizzi; Boċċi from 6.00 p.m. Live Dj from 6.00 p.m.

Bingo starts at 8.00 p.m. with jackpot from $100 to $500 DJs Emanuel Grech and Sam Mifsud (alternate Saturdays) Last Saturay of month: Għana Night with Saver Bonanno and friends ___________________________________

MASS TIMES: Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 4.45 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. Sunday: St Dominic’s Chapel: 9.00 a.m.

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

l-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS flIimma Awstralja bis-servizz tagħ-ha, l-qarrejja xorta qed jiġu mħeġġa biex x’ħin iridu jistgħu jidħlu fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż: www.tvm.com.mt.

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

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

Australian High Commission’s Tbookhein page, Malta now has a new Faceand the High Commis-

sioner a Twitter account that could both be accessed by the readers.

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

Join us on Facebook:

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

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday April 3, 2017

S po r ts.. on 2 pages

Malta’s National rugby team squad

Thrashed by Finland

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Malta rugby win play-off place T

alta suffered its third straight defeat (the second he Malta rugby national team made rans to make it four wins out of four. in four days) from as many matches under new the country proud as it romped to a Malta won with 14 tries and five connational coach Tom Saintfiet, by going down 5-0 to Finland in an international friendly in Turkey. Four record 89-3 points victory at the Hibs versions. Daniel Holliday with three tries days earlier, Malta had lost 1-0 at the National Sta- Stadium against Andorra to convinc- and James O’Brien with one try and five dium against Luxembourg to a goal in added time by ingly win the Conference South 1 in the conversions were the tops corers with 15 European qualifiers and the right to take points each.

Daniel Da Mota.

Other tries where managed by James Whereas the result of the game against Luxemburg on Lithuania, winners of the Confercould have gone either way, against Finland Malta ence North 1 division later on this Kirk (2), and one each by Benjamin month in a promotion play-off.

Borg, Daniel Apsee, Clayton Cassar, were outclassed from start to finish.

It was an impressive performance Brandon Dalton, Luke Watts, Matthew The two matches served as warm-ups for the upcoming UEFA Nations League from September 7- from the Maltese who gave a lesson of Spiteri, Rob Holloway and Christopher November 20. Malta has been drawn to play against expansive rugby to the helpless Andor- Dudman. the Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan and Kosovo. *Due to the two *Maltese-Australian Mitchell Mallia, who made the trip internationals and all the way to Malta after being named in the national the Easter celebra- side’s 25-man squad for the two friendly matches must tions Malta’s Pre- have been very disappointed not to have made his debut. mier League took a Mitch, who played for Australia’s U/17 and U/23 nabreak with Balzan tional sides, needed a clearance from FIFA but the clear- NPL Vic: Green Gully v Oakleigh Cannons 2-1 enjoying top place. ance did not arrived by the time of the friendlies, goal each side of half-time gave Green Gully a deserved two-goal lead, a margin they managed to maintain till the final whistle. In form striker Nick Krousoratis gave the Greens the lead in the first-half and ome side Blacktown Spartans supporters.

Kieren Dover added a second early in the second. were extremely lucky to escape Parramatta dominated possession in Oakleigh made a game of it by scoring in the 77th with a draw on Saturday night, when the first half but sadly to no avail as minute, but Gully had all the answers to keep the oppothey faced a Parramatta Eagles side the only time they beat the rivals’ de- sition at bay and record a third straight win. desperate to obtain their first win of fence the ball from a Charles Abou the season. In the end the match fin- Serhal smashed against the crossbar. NPL 2 West: Sunshine GC v Werribee City 0-3

Green Gully sail on but SGC falter again in Victoria State

Eagles still winless despite brilliant display

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ished scoreless but the fans were pleased with the Eagles’ performance, certainly their best of the season.

Parramatta FC, who had been forced to make changes due to injuries in the past few weeks, promoted a handful of Under 20’s players in this match, and with a few player position switches, it proved effective as the Eagles produced a display of football that delighted the coaching staff and

The game followed the same pattern in the second half, but all Parramatta could get was a share of the spoils.

In the previous match at the Melita Stadium against the Mounties Wanderers, Parramatta played second fiddle throughout and lost by 4-1.

A goal by Nrama Yalda before half time when the score was already 2-1 for the visitors was all the Eagles could contribute.

Sydney FC make sure of top position after Jets’ dip in form

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n the A-League Sydney FC have made sure of the title with two matches to go. They enjoy an 11-point lead over Newcastle Jets who lost their last two outings while the leaders won both theirs away from home.

DAY 24 RESULTS - DAY 25 Despite their 2-3 CC Mariners v Sydney FC 1-0 dip in form, Perth G v Sydney FC 5-2 Newcastle J v Melbourne C 0-3 Adelaide U v Newcastle J Neccastel are Melbourne C v W Sydney W 3-1 Melbourne C v W Sydney W 3-0 assured of the Brisbane R. v CC Mariner 1-0 Perth G v Melbourne V 1-0 runner up spot. Adelaide U v Wellington P 3-1 Wellington P v Brisbane R. 2-2

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oor results continued to come for Sunshine George Cross who slumped to a 3-0 at home defeat to second bottom side Werribee City.

The Cross put up a good first half effort and created a couple of good scoring opportunities without converting.

Werribee lifted their game in the second 45 minutes while SGC faded away without a whimp. This was the team's fourth defeat from six matches and the third successive game without scoring a goal.

FFA Cup round 4

Green Gully v Moreland City 3-0 Mill Park v Sunshine George Cross 0-3 he two Maltese backed Victorian club eased into the fifth round of the FFA Cup with easy 3-0 wins. Green Gully romped home past NPL2 club Moreland City with a brace from Kieren Dover and a second half goal from Nick Krousoratis.

The Georgies had a morale boosting win against Division II side Community club Mill Park with Calvert Mbarga netting twice to add to Nick Markovski first half opening goal.

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24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 3, 2018

S po r ts.. on 2 pages

Malta with high hopes for medals R are have been the occasions when a Maltese contingent taking part in multi-sport events with levels higher than the Small Nations Games, expects to win medals.

One such occasion is the Commonwealth Games. However, this time Malta has high hopes of winning more medals in the forthcoming Games in the Gold Coast April 4-15.

Indeed very few medals; in the previous occasions that Malta participated and raised its flag along with the other Commonwealth countries at the Games, it was only on three occasions that four athletes have won any medals, one silver and three bronze, in two different disciplines.

Malta’s first participation was at the titled British Empire and Commonwealth Games hosted by Cardiff in Wales in 1958. After that it also took part in the Games in Perth West Australia, in 1962.

The next participation arrived eight years later, in 1979 when the “British” Commonwealth Games were at Edinburgh, Scotland, followed 12 years later (1982), with those in the Queensland’s capital, Brisbane in Australia.

The 1990 participation in Auckland, New Zealand, proved to be the most successful until then when Laurie Pace won the bronze in Judo.

After that, the Games Malta’s participation became a regular four-yearly event. In 1994 it was Canada’s turn to host, in Victoria, followed in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Malta returned to the podium in 2002 in Manchester, UK through shooter William Chetcuti who won the bronze.

William Chetcuti has been Malta’s most “consistent” athlete by winning another bronze in his sport in Melbourne, Australia, in 2006. But a female athlete, Rebecca Madyson climbed the highest podium for Malta by winning the silver medal, also in shooting at the same edition.

Since then Maltese athletes also participated in the Games of 2010 in Delhi, India, and 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland but they returned to Malta empty-handed.

In the upcoming Games, at the Gold Coast, both Malta’s NOC officials and athletes are looking forward and hoping to add more medals to the four won until now.

At a celebration hosted by the Australian High Commissioner in Malta, H.E Ms Julienne Hince, to celebrate the Games, that was also attended by Dr. Clifton Grima, the Secretary for Sports, officials from the Malta Olympic Committee and a number of athletes who would be representing Malta in the Gold Coast, told The Voice of the Maltese that they have high hopes for a better showing and more medals with best chances in shooting, in lawn bowls, through the Australia-based athletes, and perhaps even cycling and squash.

Malta is to compete in Athletics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Lawn Bowls, Shooting, Squash, Wrestling and Weightlifting.

Since the first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930, the Commonwealth Games have been conducted by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II).

Unique distinction

The Games have a unique distinction in the world of sport – for they are dedicated as no other sporting event is to the principles of democracy and equality among nations.

This is the fifth time Australia is staging the Games. The previous four were held in Sydney (1938), Perth (1962), Brisbane (1982) and Melbourne (2006) – making Australia the nation that has hosted the most number of Games.

Nine nations have hosted the Commonwealth Games; 18 cities in seven countries have hosted the event.

The Opening Ceremony will welcome thousands of fans, athletes and officials for an event that is expected to be a momentous day for the Gold Coast. It will be the biggest event in its history, setting the tone for 11 amazing days of worldclass sporting competition.

There’ll be spectacular, uplifting and surprising moments of theatre, breathtaking visual effects, dancing and music.

As a showcase of culture, colour, unity and diversity, the Opening Ceremony is expected to epitomise the spirit of the Gold Coast and Queensland, and the Carrara Stadium will be the centre stage for glamour, theatre and entertainment as the venue for the Opening Ceremony.

Australian High Commissioner to Malta, Ms Julienne Hince (seventh from left) with Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima (on her right) with athletes and MOC officials