The Voice of the Maltese No. 187

Issue 187

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

Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora

September 4, 2018

The new Paola Square after the completion of the first part of the regeneration project of the area known as Pjazza Antoine De Paule at the heart of Paola (Raħal Ġdid).

See caption on page 11

The fountain ‘Ulied Paola’

An aerial view of the new-look Pjazza Antoine De Paule

Zgħażagħ għall-futur tal-komunita’ ta’ barra

2 The Voice of the Maltese

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ultant żmien, u l-aktar meta jitfaċċaw xi rjus LawrenceDimech kbar minn Malta, ilkwestjoni dwar l-involviment tal-ulied, u l-ulied l-ulied tal-Maltin fil-komunita’ jerġa’ jisponta. Huwa argument importanti u jiġbor fiħ ħafna aspetti; għalhekk mhux faċli li jifthiem minn kulħadd.

Il-komunita Maltija fl-Awstralja għandha storja twila u ta’ min jistudjaha bl-akbar reqqa. F’dawn l-aħħar sittin sena rnexxilna nżommu ħajjin ħafna mill-kultura tagħna l-Maltin bħall-festi, il-lingwa, l-ikel Malti, il-banda, iċċentri Maltin, użanzi reliġjużi u oħrajn. Ħafna jgħidulek li ż-żmienijiet inbidlu u llum mank għandna “żgħażagħ Maltin” li huma emigranti mwielda Malta, iżda żgħażagħ ta’ dixxendenza Maltija; għalhekk dħalna f’ħafna iktar diffikultajiet biex inkomplu dak kollu li jagħmilna Maltin fl-Awstralja.

Ta’ min ifaħħar it-tentattivi li saru u qegħdin isiru biex dejjem ngħaddu dak li hu Malti lit-tfal tagħna u anke li dawk ta’ warajhom speċjalment li issa għandna ċittadinanza Maltija li tasal u tħaddan magħha l-generazzjonijiet li jiġu warajna. M’hemmx limitu la darba nżommu il-kontinwita’.

Iżda mhux dejjem faċli. Diġa nsibu diffikultjiet biex inrabbu lil uliedna f’pajjiz bħall-Awstralja, aħseb u ara kemm se tkun faċli biex inżommu ħaj fihom dak kollu li jagħmilna Maltin waqt li nintegraw mal-użanzi Awstraljani.

Hemm baħar jaqsam. Kif nikkomunikaw? Kif nispjegaw il-kultura u l-istorja lit-tfal tagħna?

Uhud għadhom maħkuma mill-influwenza kolonjali li trabbejna fiha, imma jien tal-fehma li tfaċċat tieqa importani kif nistgħu nikkomunikaw ħafna aħjar ma’ dawn iżżgħażagħ Maltin li minħabba l-faċilita’ li l-passaport Ewropew joffrilhom, iridu jgħaddu minn process xi ftit twil minn meta japplikaw sakemm jakkwistaw ilpassaport/ċittadinanza Maltija.

Nistgħu nagħmlu użu effettiv minn dan lispazju. Dawn iż-żgħażagħ resqu lejna.

Huma jridu l-passaport Malti. Iżda passaport/ċittadinanza Maltija għandhom ifissru ħafna aktar min xi vjaġġ lejn l-Ewropa.

F’dan il-perijodu ta’ stennija, irridu nressqu lill-applikanti lejn il-kultura, it-tradizzjonijiet u l-lingwa tagħna b’mod strutturat u effettiv.

Inkunu wkoll qed niftħulhom tieqa jekk mhux bieb lejn l-komunitajiet Maltin fl-Awstralja jew naħat oħra. Inkunu qed inwasslulhom tagħrif aktar siewi li jista’ jagħti nifs qawwi lill-komunitajiet u attivitajiet fid-diaspora li ftit ftit qed josfru.

Tagħlim siewi jista’ jinkiseb minn dawk iżżgħażagħ li jixtiequ jkunu dehen tal-antenati tagħhom. Jista’ jkun hemm pagni elettroniċi apposta jew materjal stampat ko-ordinat u mmirat lejnhom.

Dan il-pjan jista’ jagħtina ħajja ġdida. Fejn jidħlu l-ġenerazzjonijiet ta’ wara kull tentattiv li ppruvajna falla, għalhekk inħoss li dan hu pjan effettiv li jista’ jħajjar u jattira żgħażagħ ta’ nisel Malti lejn entitajiet stabbli u varji li għandna fid-diaspora jew

Tuesday September 4, 2018

oħrajn li jistgħu jinħolqu.

Hekk kif dawk ta’ dixxendenza Maltija, ħafna minnhom bogħod tnejn, tlieta u anke erba’ ġenerazzjonijiet, iressqu l-applikazzjoni għaċ-ċittadinanza, għandhom jiġu mogħtija tagħrif siewi dwar l-istorja, ilkultura, u dwar it-tradizzjonijiet Maltin.

Meta jkun possibbli għandhom jiġu mitluba jattendu xi sezzjonijiet dwar it-tagħrif li jkunu ġew mogħtija. Blebda mod mhu qed ineħħulhom xi dritt iżda qed noffrulhom tagħrif utli li hu parti integrali biex veru tkun Malti/Maltija.

Daż-żgur li mhux dejjem hu faċli! Ippruvajna ħafna skemi u xejn ma rnexxa. Jien tal-fehma li b’ko-ordinazzjoni bejn ir-rappreżentanti tal-Gvern u l-għaqdiet stabbiliti Maltin imxerda matul l-Awstralja, dan is-suġġeriment għandu jiġi studjat ħalli naraw kif laħjar jiġi mwettaq.

Dawk imbgħad li jakkwistaw iċ-ċittadnanza minflok jirċievu ċ-ċertifikat id-dar bil-posta, għandhom, dejjem fejn hu possibli, jattendu ċerimonja addattata li turi kemm għandna għax ngħożżu ċ-ċittadinanza Maltija li minhabba d-dixxendenza tagħha qed tiftħilna bieb lejn il-pajjizi tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Ħafna aktar min hekk qed inżommu l-Malti fina.

Dan il-pjan jista’ jagħtina nifs ġdid. Fejn jidħlu l-ġenerazzjonijiet ta’ wara, kull tentattivli ppruvajna falla, għalhekk ninsab persważ li dan hu pjan effettiv li jista’ jħajjar u jattira żgħażagħ ta’ nisel Malti lejn il-komunitajiet stabbli li għandna fid-dijaspora.

Il-Gvern Awstraljan ilu żmien li daħħal eżami obligatorju għal dawk li jridu jsiru ċittadini Awstraljani biex dawn juru li tassew jkunu jafu l-kultura bażika Awstraljana. Ħadd ma qal li dan imur kontra xi dritt li għandu l-applikant.

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday September 4, 2018

What it means to be an Executor

Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers

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by PaulSant

f you have been appointed an Executor, you have been entrusted with the task of carrying out the dutiful administration of a testator’s Estate in accordance with the testator’s will. The original signed will is usually kept in safe custody at a law firm, or sometimes with a bank or similar institution.

The original will is needed to obtain a grant of Probate from the Supreme Court of NSW before any distribution can be made, as well as knowledge of the known assets and liabilities, drafted as an inventory.

Once a grant of Probate has been obtained, the Executor is responsible for collecting the Estate's assets, paying liabilities of an Estate, and distributing the assets as per the testator's instructions in the will. There are strict legislative requirements in regards to keeping records of the financial transactions and accounts of an Estate.

Usually Executors will instruct a law firm to obtain the grant of Probate. Law firms are equipped to meet the financial record keeping requirements involved in the administration of an Estate, having stringent trust account requirements and procedures already in place. Legal fees to obtain Probate are regulated based on the value of the Estate.

On receiving instructions, a law firm will apply for and obtain a grant of probate, and subsequently administer the Estate, carrying out the collection and distribution of assets in accordance with

the will, meeting with the Executors to duly execute paperwork and sign forms as required, and advising of updates throughout the process.

Such an application does not commence until at least 30 days after the death at which time the death certificate has usually issued and should be made within 6 months of the date of death.

Where there are beneficiaries who are minors under a will

If you are an Executor of a will, and one or more beneficiary is a minor under the will, being either under the age of 18 or the specified age for when they are to receive their inheritance, the will likely specifies that an inheritance is to be held ‘upon Trust’ until they attain 18, or another specified age such as 21.

As an Executor, you become the Trustee for the “Minor’s Trust” that is created from the will. Similarly to a family trust having a trust deed as it’s trust document, being the source of the family trust, a Minor’s Trust as it’s source has the Will and subsequent grant of Probate being the trust documents that specify whether funds can be accessed prior to attainment of the designated age and for what purpose.

A will may, for example, allow capital, to which a minor shall become entitled, to be expended upon education costs by the guardians of the minor beneficiary.

PAUL SANT (SOLICITOR)

PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL For All Your Legal Needs

Now at: 21 George Street

Parramatta Phone: 8599 8877

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

If a family trust exists prior to a Minor’s Trust coming to fruition under a will, the trusts cannot be pooled. They are from different sources and have their own trust documents. Your role as a trustee of a Minor’s Trust includes: • Protecting assets of the trust • Developing an investment strategy for low-risk investments that are not speculative • Annually reviewing the investment strategy • Making decisions about requests for trust funds • Ensuring all expenses are for the benefit of the minor • Acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries • Acting impartially between all beneficiaries • Keeping proper accounts for all aspects of the trust.

Using lawyers to administer an Estate removes much of the burdensome work that being an Executor may otherwise entail. Probate lawyers know and understand the processes and are able to complete administration promptly and in accordance with the law, with minimal involvement required of the Executors.

There is no need for you to worry about paperwork and unknown processes during a time of grieving.

If you have found yourself an Executor and are feeling overwhelmed, contact Paul and his Probate team at Longton Legal will be happy to guide you through the process.

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

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 4, 2018

This is the first of a three-part article in which Andy Busuttil (right) reflects on the substantial contribution made by Malta and the Maltese to the British forces and the Anzacs during their invasion of Gallipoli during WWI. Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions that marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces. The sacrifice of the Maltese in support of their allies must never be forgotten.

Malta and the Anzacs I

n April this year I had the heartfelt pleasure of returning home to Malta and spending three weeks in a place that is both heart and soul for me. Our visit this year coincided with Anzac Day and I was surprised to learn that a memorial was to take place at the Pieta Military Cemetery. So my wife and I decided to go as observers.

My interest in Gallipoli had extended over many years es- days and the fact that growing up in Marsa, one of the pecially since I had performed a number of concerts in poorer parts of Malta, was a struggle. He was obviously major festivals in Australia exploring the Turkish and not a saintly child. In fact he acknowledged that he tended Anzac sides of the conflict. I had in fact performed these to be quite a naughty one! He spoke of the time he took concerts with a number of Australian folk musicians in- some medals that belonged to his dad, my grandfather cluding Eric Bogle who is renowned Worldwide as one of John, to sell them so he could go to the pictures. He took the finest songwriters about the conflict on the Dardanelles. them to a local shop that sold second hand goods to see The focus of memorials of Anzac Day in Malta has been what he could get for them. the deaths of so many young men and women (especially The shopkeeper told him to come back later in the day nursing staff) amongst the Allies in the Dardanelles and the and he would give him some money for them. The shopfact that Malta had been the ‘hospital ship’ for soldiers se- keeper was, in fact, a friend of my granddad and my dad verely wounded and evacuated. It was also the burial place had just unwittingly laid the trap for himself. My grandfaof many in cemeteries around the Islands. ther was duly informed that the youngster had taken his The Pieta Military cemetery which contains the highest medals and attempted to sell them. In those days punishnumber of WWI Anzac graves on the island, is a focus of ment was not spared and no doubt the youngster found it Anzac memorial activities and we were fortunate to be difficult to sit down for a while. there for the Anzac day service this year.

I was curious about the medals. I asked what they were Now we step back to the year 2000. My father had been di- for and the answer shocked me. “He was in Gallipoli”. agnosed with lung cancer and had surgery to attempt to re- They had been awarded to him as a participant in the Darmove it. While the operation appeared to be a success, danelles’ invasion during WWI. My father then went on to secondaries eventually had appeared and his prognosis was say: “your mum’s dad and grandfather were both in Galnot promising. He didn’t have that long to live and he and I lipoli as well.” were sitting at the dining table in my parents’ house in SydMy mother’s grandfather was in fact a stoker on HMS ney’s Western suburbs. I was talking to him about his life Grampus when it landed the 11th Battalion of the Manchesand decided to record the conversation for posterity’s sake. ter Regiment in Suvla Bay. This was also the location for At this point of the narrative, the reader may well be ex- some of the fiercest fighting undertaken by the Anzacs and cused for wondering what this has to do with the Anzacs it features in the seminal Anzac song here in Australia and and their allies and the invasion of Gallipoli in 1915. The internationally called ‘The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ answer of course, will become very clear as this particular by Eric Bogle. conversation unfolds.

My maternal and paternal grandparents were both atWhat will also become clear was the fact that the contri- tached to the British armed forces. The nature of their servbution our Maltese ancestors made to so many struggles in ice remains unclear to me and there appear to be no records the history of our little islands, and indeed the history of of their place in the Maltese contingent in the Dardanelles the Western world, has been so hidden from historical nar- that I could find. However, it was quite likely that they rative. It is time for us all to lift this veil and recognise our were both part of the Maltese Labour Corps who landed forebears and the extraordinary courage that they showed supplies and performed other duties in Anzac Cove. for such little return. Their story also needs to be told.

Back to the dining table. Dad was talking about his early *to be continued in the next issue The Anzac Day memorial that took place this year at the Pieta Military Cemetery

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Tuesday Sptember 4, 2018

Talk on “Elder Abuse”

Left: Ms Dorothy Campbell talking to senior citizens about “Elder abuse”

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bout 120 members of the Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group recently attended talk at one of their weekly meetings at Merrylands Community Centre about Elder Abuse given by Ms Dorothy Campbell, a volunteer Community Speaker with Senior Rights Victoria.

Ms Campbell mentiond a number of important points. She explained that “Elder Abuse”, is any act that causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as family or

Antoinette Caruana re-elected President of La Valette SC

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or the third successive year, at the annual general Meeting, the members re-elected Antoinette Caruana as the President of the La Valette Social Centre at Blacktown NSW. The rest of the committee is: Godfrey Sultana as Vice President, Frances Fitzpatrick (Secretary), Antoinette Mangion (Treasurer), Cassandra Vassallo (Ass. Secretary), Angelo Borg (Ass. Treasurer), and Jim Zammit, Lawrence Falzon, Sam Mifsud, Eddie Busuttil, Greg Caruana, Joe Abela & Andy Cutajar as members. There were 101 members present and 14 proxy votes.

friends.

She said that “Elder Abuse” includes emotional abuse, financial abuse, social abuse, neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

It is estimated that 2–7% of older people (over 65) in the community suffer such an abuse.

She pointed out that there is a wide range of ways that older people may be abused, and that there’s no one way of dealing with abuse: “No 'one size fits all' solution”.

Financial abuse is 40–50% of the work of Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV).

Most often the abuse is by an adult son or daughter.

Seniors Rights Victoria provides a free, confidential support and help service for older people dealing with abuse. Their services include a helpline, free specialist legal services, short-term support and advocacy and community education.

If needed, and on order to facilitate the reporting of abuse, SRV provides interpreters with no charges involved. Anybody wishing to avail themselves of the service can phone 1300 368 821.

Reports from Melbourne

by PaulVella

Commemorating Father’s Day 2018

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he Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group (RMASG) celebrated Father's Day with a Luncheon with the attendance of around 112 members.

The association’s secretary, Paul Vella, who acted as MC for the day greeted all those present, including a number of distinguished guests.

The singing of the Maltese National Anthem and Advance Australia Fair followed, after which, the champagne bottles on the tables were opened and a toast offered to all fathers present. Then the meals were served.

DJ Tony provided the entertainment and the members were invited to the dance floor. In a message for the occasion RMASG President Salvina Vella delivered a short message and wished all the fathers among the attendees a good day.

A payer was then said in memory of the fathers who are no longer with us. General Consul of Malta in Victoria, Ms. Joanna Pisani and Fr Edwin Agius, MSSP Rector at Parkville, also delivered messages, and birthday and anniversary wishes aimed at those celebrating these events around this time were made The function that proved to be a huge success thanks to a number of people, wrapped up with the Reskeon theme song.

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 4, 2018

The Institution of the Feast of Corpus

This seventh article in the series tries explains the message behind the tapestry titled:

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he scene on this tapestry represents the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in veneration in front of the Eucharist.

The focal point of the tapestry is the Monstrance with the Host in the centre of the altar surrounded with splendour and light. Above, is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove on top of which is God the Father. Angels are seen flying high above the altar.

The Doctors of the Church, twelve figures on the left and thirteen on the right plus a profile, are shown in Council establishing the dogma of Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist.

In the foreground are prominent dignitaries whom we associate with the devotion of the Holy Eucharist. Starting from the left, there are two Bishops and Fathers of the Church: St Augustine and St Ambrose who seem to be communicating with each other.

In the centre are St Jerome and St Thomas Aquinas discussing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in deep adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exposed before them on the altar.

Next to St Thomas is a Cardinal who may be St Bonaventure engaged in conversation with a Franciscan Father.

On the right side of the altar is a pope who could be Urban IV, the founder of the feast of Corpus Domini.

The presence of the pope in this tapestry is an answer to Luther’s disobedience to the pope. The latter seems to be whispering something in the ear of a monk, perhaps suggesting that Thomas should write the “Office of the Blessed Sacrament”.

Behind St Bonaventure is a priest, whose presence is of utmost importance as it is the priests and the ordained monks who through their Ordination bring about the sacrament and the sacrifice of the Eucharist.

It is interesting to note that among this illustrious gathering are different grades of the hierarchy. One can notice the presence of a pope, a cardinal, bishops, monks and priests, all in different vestments. This implies that the artist did not only want to enrich his painting but also to emphasize the importance of the proper habit for monks and priests.

The presence of so many members of the clergy is an answer to the various versions of anticlericalism upheld by the Reformers whose urge was to reduce the role in society of the clergy and to place limits on them.

Looking closely at the tapestry one can notice a thurible that is used dur-

ing the liturgy in church as well as during processions. It shows the cult and veneration that has to be shown to the Eucharist; that this sublime and venerable sacrament should be hailed with particular veneration and solemnity, and carried with reverence and honour in processions through streets and public places.

This was to be held every year on a special fixed day – the feast of Corpus Domini.

Notice also six columns supporting the structure of the church. They could represent the six prominent scholars mentioned above: Pope Urban IV, Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome, Thomas, and Bonaventure.

Why is The Institution of the Feast of Corpus Domini given such prominence in this Flemish tapestry? For a complete answer one has to delve into the history at the time of the Reformation.

One should also bear in mind that there is a reason why the artist gives the altar such prominence in the tapestry.

Carlstadt, Luther’s friend, raised a mob at Wittenberg and destroyed the altar and images of Christ and of the Saints. The same was done elsewhere.

Luther removed sacred images from the churches.

The reason the Blessed Trinity is given such prominence brings to mind three concepts brought together: St Augustine’s Treatise about the

The Flemish Tapestries in the Conventional Church of the Order of St John in Valletta

Dr. DorisCannataci

Blessed Trinity, De Trinitate that although criticised by Luther was upheld by the Council of Trent.

“Counter-Reformation Piety focuses on the Eucharist.

In 1648 Jean de Heen with Baroque exuberance and in tradition of still-life painting of the Netherlands, combines the beauty of nature with the gift of the Risen Christ.”

This scene, generally known as La Disputa was painted by Rubens in 1609 for the Church of St Paul, in Antwerp. It can be compared to one of the magnificent works of Raphael in the Vatican, commonly called La Disputa del Sacramento. The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is the unlimited love of God towards man.

This panel is complemented by a series of triumphs in the history of the Church in this same series of tapestry.

References

1. Ibid., Session XIII (11 October 1551), Chapter 5, 695.

2. JOHN McMANNERS, The Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, ed. John McManners, London.

3. HANNIBAL P. SCICLUNA, The Church of St John in Valletta, 193.

4. These are all taken from the paintings of Rubens, which were commissioned by Isabella of Spain, Archduchess of Austria, for the Poor Clares Convent of Madrid between 1625 and 1629.

A (The) Voice loud and clear

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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feel I must thank The Voice of the Maltese magazine for its cooperation re my request for help to pass on my invitation to those willing to travel with me and my friend to Malta, the Blockchain Island, to learn more about the country’s new projects in this ingenious invention.

The response has been phenomenal. I needed only three other persons to join us; instead I got 15 requests. In the end we settled for the number that we requested. If anything, this shows that the magazine indeed has a strong, loud voice that its readers listen to.

We (all five of us who have in common, our interest in banking or IT) are currently in Malta in search of information. At the end of our three-week visit if conditions are to our liking, some of us will make plans to settle in Malta.

It is still early days yet but in the few days

Marsaxlokk fishing village buzzing with food lovers Sunday evening

that we have been on the island we could already see that Malta, though such a small country has a lot to offer by way of employment particularly for young people like us. I-Gaming is also up that street.

In the meantime I am keeping my promise to all the others who expressed interest in my venture, and whom I had to disappoint as I had only planned on a group of five people, to keep them posted with all the details.

We have already made some contacts with people in the know and are planning on meeting a few others before we return home. It could be a big decision to make,

The Maltese Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco (NSW) Inc. is organising its 31st Annual Dinner Dance on October 13 at 7.30 p.m. at Mandavilla Function Centre, (1788 The Horsley Drive Horsley Park NSW).

Joe Apap will provide the music. Special guest: Joe Galea All proceeds will go towards the Don Bosco missions Book early. Phone: Marlene 96319295

at HORSLEY PARK

The Voice of the Maltese 7

as though some of us already have Maltese citizenship and distant relatives in Malta we would then have to embark on the task of either getting a release from our present jobs in Australia, or for two of the others, to abandon their University studies. Hopefully, when it comes to the crunch we would make the right decision.

And by the way, Malta is an amazing island. We have also taken time to visit some exciting places. The Sliema/St Julians and the Qawra/Bugibba areas are a mecca for leisure. We have also been impressed by the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, that is so beautiful in the morning and really comes alive late evening with so many restaurants.

When we visited the place on a Sunday night for dinner, we found it difficult to find an empty table on the shoreline in the main street crammed by restaurants. It was so crowded, mostly taken up by about a thousand people enjoying their food served by the restaurants across the road. – CharlesMangion

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 4, 2018

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly tnightly magazine magazine

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

If you require a printed copy we can also oblige.

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

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

What a shambles!

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Michael Borg from Wollongong writes:

he Australian people and all those who live in this great country do not deserve the shambles that we are in when it comes to its government. Why can’t we have a settled government, or rather a settled leader?

So Liberal Turnbull has been given the boot by his own party after just three years as their leader. His party voted him in to take over from what probably was Australia’s worst Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.

The same happened during the last Labor administration with Kevin Rudd being forcibly replaced by Julia Gillard as Prime Minister and leader of the party, who in turn was sacked by her own comrades seemingly entertaining second thoughts about Kevin Rudd and now want him to lead them into the next general election.

Australia is a rich country. Its resources make it one of the world’s top nations. But when it comes to leaders we are way off, led by misguided politicians for the last decade. Those chosen to lead have fallen by the wayside due ti incompetence and the country is not using its full potential.

Australia needs a strong leader who needs to lead his party, whatever that is, but more important, to gather enough support from the people in general, not just his mates to put us on top of the ladder once again.

The current crop of politicians a becoming irrelevant to us. We do not need a Trumplike politician but somebody who could take decisions.

What a contrast with tiny Malta that despite its size has a strong voice, sometimes louder than those so much larger, and has become a leading country in the EU.

Congratulations Violeta – don’t get carried away

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Molly Farrugia from Rockingham WA writes:

wish to congratulate young Violeta for making not only her country but also us the Maltese community proud of her after her recent achievements in the entertainment business. Thank you also The Voice for carrying the exclusive report about her success.

Those following her always knew she had the potential and the personality to make good in the music sector, but what she did in the US could really give her the boost she needs to establish her in the culture she so loves.

This is only a beginning and it would be tough for her to reach the heights and the success she must be aiming for. But she has two important things on her side: she is young and has got talent.

I am sure that as they have already been doing, her parents are well behind her. Just an advice for her parents from somebody who knows what it means to have parents like them.

Do not push your daughter too hard... and for Violeta: Don't get carried away. Just keep your feet on the ground and you will do fine. Success will come.

Unknown landowners - all property in Malta should be registered

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Maurice Cauchi from Melbourne writes: altese living abroad should be advised that all property in Malta should be registered otherwise they might lose it!!

Referring to ‘Notification to unknown land owners’ (July 25) and similar notices, I would like to point out that one can expect unknown land owners to exist not only in Malta, where printed newspapers are readily available. Tens of thousands of Maltese citizens still live overseas, many of whom had left their property when they left Malta decades ago.

The current measures to contact such persons are simply inadequate and it is quite possible that some owners might be deprived of their property simply because of inadequate information being made available to them.

More serious attempts need to be made to ensure that citizens are treated as such wherever they happen to live and not restrict the definition of the term merely to local residents.

Tuesday September 4, 2018

Il-festa ta’ Santa Liena f’Melbourne

The Voice of the Maltese 9

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agħrufa bħala waħda mill-akbar festi Maltin fl-Awstralja, il-festa ta’ Santa Elena li jorganizzaw kull sena s-St Helena Maltese Australian Social Club ġiet iċċelebrata fuq tlett ijiem u għalkemm it-temp ma tantx kien favorevoli, mill-bqija, skont il-President Reno Grima, u Victor Bartolo l-festa reġgħet kienet suċċess.

Il-festi reliġjuzi tmexxew minn Fr Edwin Agius MSSP u saċerdoti oħra, filwaqt li s-segretarju tal-Għaqda Desmond Calleja assista. Kienu preżenti wkoll 18-il għaqda Maltija bl-istandardi, filwaqt li l-Maltese Choir of Victoria żied isebaħ lokkażjoni bil-kant.

Fost dawk li ħadu sehem fil-festa u sebbħu l-atmosfera kien hemm il-Maltese United Brass Band u żewg baned oħra, ilMaltese Own Band u l-Malta/Melita Gozo Concert Band li għad kif giet imwaqqfa.

Ma naqasx lanqas il-ballu tal-festa bil-popolari Adam Scicluna jerġa’ jsaħħar lil dawk preżenti kemm waqt il-ballu, kif ukoll fil-Croatian Hall. Oħrajn li pprovdew id-divertiment kienu Dj Dominic u l-kantant lokali George Spiteri.

Preżenti għall-festa kien hemm ukoll dawk li marru għaliha minn Sydney f’kowż organizzat apposta minn Joe Borg tal-gdaymaltaaussie show, u oħra minn Moe Gippsland.

L-MC tal-ballu u l-programm tal-varjeta kien ixxandar, Emanuel Brincat.

Maltese weekly radio programme gets “best “award on 2GLF 89.3 FM

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he Maltese Community Council of NSW's weekly radio programme on 2GLF 89.3 FM has been awarded the station’s Annual Award plaque.

Anthony Pace-Feraud, the manager of the Maltese programme told The Voice of the Maltese, “We are appreciated as a long-standing respectable programme that has been presenting our weekly programme from this station since about 2002. We have always worked harmoniously with the station management who are happy to have us on board”.

The station’s judges chose the Maltese weekly segment for the award among many other ethnic programmes.

The President of the MCC of NSW Emanuel Camilleri accepted the award on behalf of the MCC. The plaque is permanently exhibited at the station, but the MCC will have a replica for permanent showing at its head office in Parramatta West.

The MCC produces this weekly programme with the help of volunteers.

2GLF FM 89.3 is broadcast on Sundays at 11 am. It can also be heard on demand through the Internet.

Għall-attenzjoni tal-qarrejja

Il-qarrejja li jixtiequ juru l-fehmiet tagħhom dwar xi suġġett huma mħeġġa jagħmlu dan.

Imħeġġa wkoll li ma jħallux għall-aħħar.

Indirizzaw l-emails lil maltesevoice@gmail.com Jekk ikunu ittri biex jiġu ppubblikati indikawhom bħala Letters to the editor.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

I l - m o da

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eta kont tifel żgħir, niftakar lil ommi ssemmi din il-kelma u ma kontx nifhem xi trid tgħid biha. L-ewwel darba li fhimt x’riedet tgħid biha kien meta kien hemm xi ħadd miexi fit-triq b’qalziet tal-istil bell-bottom, u ommi rrimarkat li dak l-istil kien popolari ħafna fis-snin sittin, imma dakinhar (f’xi waqt tas-sebgħinijiet) ma baqax jintlibes minn ħafna nies, u allura ma kienx moda. “Issa l-qliezet meħjutin dritti”, qaltli.

Allura fhimt il-moda bħala t-tendenza ta’ parti sostanzjali ta’ popolazzjoni li jagħmlu għażliet simili ħafna fuq stili tal-ħwejjeġ. Meta rajt qliezet bell-bottom fil-gwardarobba, li kienu ilhom ma jintlibsu s-snin, tgħallimt li l-moda tiġi u tmur, li tant għandha effett soċjalment b’saħħtu li n-nies jippreferu ma jużawx ir-riżorsi li diġà għandhom, li ma jmorrux jgħidu bihom in-nies li jidhru ‘antikwati’, u jridu li jakkwistaw il-ġdid, dejjem skont il-moda naturalment.

Wara ftit, skoprejt li moda antika tista’ terġa titfaċċa wara diversi snin. Allura dawk in-nies li jarmu ħwejjeġ li għandhom għax m’għadhomx moda, jispiċċaw jerġgħu jixtru ħwejjeġ tal-istess stil li kienu remew snin qabel, biex jibqgħu mal-moda.

L-eċċezzjoni ta’ dan ikun meta xi ħadd jaħżen il-ħwejjeġ antiki “forsi jerġgħu joħorġu moda” u tarahom jerġgħu jitperrċu marriħ (sakemm ma tkunx messithom il-kamla).

Hemmhekk fhimt x’inhi l-vera logħba, u min qiegħed jogħrok idejh bi tbissima wiesgħa. Ka-ċing!

Bqajt nikber, u skoprejt li l-moda ma tillimatx ruħha għal stili tal-ħwejjeġ. Tinsab fil-mużika, bl-istili jinbidlu matul is-snin; filmagni li jinsabu ġod-dar (appliances); fl-istili tax-xagħar; anke fl-iktar spejjeż għoljin fil-ħajja, bħall-bini tad-djar (inkluż iddekoraz- zjonijiet interni u l-għamara) u x-xiri ta’ xi karrozza.

Li wieħed jogħġbu stil wieħed minn ieħor ma fiha xejn ħażin, imma jien ninnota li diversi nies iħossuhom kważi obbligati jarmu xi ħaġa li għandhom, li għadha taħdem perfettament u anke taqdi lis-sid f’dak kollu li għandu bżonn, sempliċement għax issa hemm mudell ġdid, u dak irridu wkoll ħalli nkun mhux inqas minn ħaddieħor.

Dan jiġri komunement per eżempju bil-mowbajls u l-karrozzi, fejn niskanta nara lil min naf li huwa anke mhux sinjur jagħmel kwalunkwe sagrifiċċju biex jakkwista l-iġded u l-aqwa fis-suq.

Jien ukoll għandi l-gosti tiegħi f’dak li jogħġobni u dak li le, imma konxju ħafna li hemm forzi soċjali u kummerċjali li qiegħdin jagħmlu minn kollox biex imexxuni minn imnieħri biex jeħduli l-flus mill-but. L-attitudni tiegħi hija sempliċement li nimxi skont il-bżonn, u mhux skont l-aptit.

Apparti dan, hemm aspetti tal-moda li jħalluni nħokk rasi. L-ewwel waħda li tiġini f’rasi hija t-tendenza daż-żmien li jintlibsu qlieżet, ġijns l-iktar, imċarrtin madwar l-irkoppa, u ġieli f’ħafna postijiet oħra matul il-qalza (ara stampa fuq). Jien f’ħajti, meta ċarratt xi ħwejjeġ, kont nara x’se nagħmel biex insewwihom. Illum tmur tixtri qalziet, u titolbu mċarrat bħal tal-moda, inkella xejn! U Ġieżu Ġieżu!

Oħra li tifqagħni bid-daħk hi li nara lil min, ġeneralment ġuvintur żgħażagħ, jilbsu l-qalziet imtella’ biss sa’ nofs il-patata, u

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Tuesday September 4, 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

għall-grazzja t’Alla jkollhom flokk ta’ taħt minn hemm ‘il fuq!

Meta jimxu jkun ċar li għandhom xi ċinturin imdawwar magħfus sew biex ma jippermettihx jibqa’ nieżel ‘l isfel, u l-bqija talqalziet qisu bil-bażwa.

Dejjem insib ruħi nxengel rasi, ngħid bejni u bejn ruħi “int taf kemm tidher redikolu, ibni?”

Ftit ilu jien u l-mara konna qiegħdin induru l-ħwienet ta’ Sydney għal xi għamara u xtaqniha stil rustika. Malajr skoprejna li l-għamara rustika KOLLHA f’din il-metropoli jkollha daqqiet jew toqob fl-injam, magħmulin apposta. Jiġifieri min jimmanifattura din l-għamara, jimpjega lil xi ħadd b’martell u skarpell, jew xi għodda oħra, idur l-għamara u joqgħod jagħtiha d-daqqiet!

Aħna d-disinn ta’ diversi mudelli ta’ dan l-istil għoġobna ħafna, imma din tad-daqqiet ma tinżlilna xejn. Meta staqsejna jekk hux possibbli li nixtru mudell partikulari mingħajr id-daqqiet, qalulna mela le, tridu tħallsu xi $1000 iktar! Irridu nħallsu iktar, biex ma jfottuhiex qabel ma jbiegħuhielna!

Spiċċajna biex xtrajna mudell li kellu l-inqas daqqiet żgħar li stajna nsibu. X’tagħmel?

Dan l-aħħar iltqajt ukoll ma’ użu tal-kelma moda f’kuntest li ma stennejtux. Is-sena li għaddiet, sar l-istħarriġ fl-Awstralja dwar jekk għandux jiġi permess iż-żwieġ bejn persuni tal-istess sess. Bħal ma nafu, dan l-istħarriġ irriżulta fl-affermattiv, u l-Parlament Awstraljan għadda l-liġi neċessarja. Waqt dawn l-avvenimenti, kien hemm min ikkummenta bil-miktub li daż-żmien sar ‘moda’ li tiddikjara li int omosesswali.

Jien ħassejt li dan il-kumment kien insult għal min huwa omosesswali, għax irriduċa kwestjoni pjuttost serja tal-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta’ bniedem, li tifforma parti importanti mill-identità tiegħu jew tagħha, għal għażla libera li wieħed jagħmel, u implika li wieħed jista’ faċilment jibdel din l-orjentazzjoni daqs kemm tista’ tibdel xi stil ta’ lbies tippreferi.

Ma’ kien hemm l-ebda rikonoxximent għall-għeruq profondi psikoloġiċi ta’ din l-orjentazzjoni, u d-diffikultajiet li wieħed jistqarr din l-orjentazzjoni f’soċjetajiet, komunitajiet u familji li għadhom, anke sal-lum, pjuttost ostili għalihom.

L-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta’ bniedem mhix moda, u lanqas mhi għażla.

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Joseph Vella Bondin - kantant, għalliem, awtur, u riċerkatur tal-mużika Maltija The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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ull min isegwi l-kitba tiegħi marbuta mal-mużika Maltija żgur li jaf sewwa kemm nikkwota dak lil dak li jien inħobb insejjaħlu ‘Il-Bibbja tal-Mużika Maltija’ ….qed nirreferi għall-ktieb, The Great Maltese Composers; historical context, lives and works ta’ Joseph Vella Bondin (publikazzjoni APS Bank) rebbieħ tal-premju Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb (Kotba 2016) fil-Kategorija Riċerka Bijografika u Storjografika.

Lil Joe ilni nafu, l-ewwel fil-qasam tal-kant - kien baxx imfittex sewwa fil-qasam mużikali f’Malta. Wara sirt nafu f’diversi intervisti fil-programmi mużikali ‘Siesta’ fuq Radju F.M.Bronja.

Joe kien joħroġ elementi oħra tiegħu fosthom ukoll awtur ta’ diversi radjudrammi (xi wħud minnhom rebbieħa anke tal-BBC).

Kont napprezzah ukoll għall-mod ċar kif kien iwieġeb fuq irRadju. Bħala l-għajxien ewlieni tiegħu hu kien ukoll għalliem.

F’intevista li għamiltlu xtaqtu jgħidli dwar ir-radjudramm tiegħu, qalli li fid-Dell fuq idi, kien xebbaħ ħajjet il-bniedem ma’ zokk ta’ sigra li jaqa’ fuq xmara u li l-kurrent tagħha jieħdu fejn irid. Qalli, “Kienu c-cirkostanzi li għaddejt minnhom li ħaduni fid-diversi oqsma , izda l-akbar lealtà li kelli kien lejn it-tagħlim, il-professjoni tiegħi. Minnu kont naqla’ l-ħobża ta’ kuljum, u minnu ġew il-mezzi biex nissussidja l-kitba u l-kant.”

Dwar il-ktieb tiegħu The Great Maltese Composers; historical context, lives and works, li żgur swielu xogħol u riċerka kbira kemm f’Malta u wkoll barra minn Malta, Joe jgħid li meta kellu 17-il sena kien joqgħod il-Ħamrun, u darba minnhom waqt li kien miexi flimkien ma’ ħuh John fi Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp fi triqtu lejn l-Azzjoni Kattolika, mar fuqhom Dun Gużepp Cachia li kien għadu kemm waqqaf il-kor tal-Ħamrun u talabhom jidħlu membri. Hemm bdiet l-avventura tiegħu fil-kant.

Iżid jgħid li meta kien ikollhom xi quddiesa kbira li riedu jesegwixxu, xi maestri di cappella kienu jinqdew bil-kor fost ixxogħlijiet li kienu jiktbu dawn il-kompożituri Maltin biex isemmgħuhom fil-knejjes. Wiehed minn dawn kien Frankie Diacono. Fil-quddiesa ta’ missieru Carlo kien kien hemm biċċa solo għall-baxx li Dun Gużepp kien jgħidlu biex ikantaha hu.

Wara li kienu ppratikawha, Mro Diacono talbu jidħol fil-kappella tiegħu, u wara ftit taż-żmien beda jkanta mhux biss ma’ Mro Diacono imma tista’ tgħid ma’ kull maestro di cappella li kien jagħmel il-mużika fi knejjes Maltin.

Aktar ma Joe beda jkanta aktar beda japprezza l-bravura tal-kompozituri Maltin, u ħass li minkejja l-ħila tagħhom ftit wieħed kien jaf dwarhom, għalhekk beda r-riċerka dwar il-mużika u jikteb u jippubblika xi artikli, li wassluh biex jikteb il-kotba li fihom ġabar dak li rnexxilu jsib, l-aktar “Il-Mużika ta’ Malta sa l-Aħħar tasSeklu Tmintax; Il-Mużika ta’ Malta fis-Sekli Dsatax u għoxrin; Girolamo Abos – Stabat Mater

PeterPaulCiantar (ippubblikat fil-Amerka) u The Great Maltese Composers.

Hu għandu wkoll divesi artiklu f’The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, (Londra: Macmillan, 2001), l-ewwel darba li tagħrif wiesa’ dwar il-mużika u l-kompożituri Maltin deher f’dizzjunarju prestiġġjuż internazzjonali.

Il-kitba tad-drammi Fejn tidħol il-kitba tad-drammi kemm dawk li ttellgħu fit-teatru Manoel u wkoll fl-Istitut Katoliku, dawn jolqtu d-diversi aspetti tal-ħsieb. Ħafna minnhom huma wkoll ippubblikati. Ridt inkun naf jekk fil-fatt xtaqx li kiteb u ppreżenta aktar minnhom, inkella jekk ir-riċerka tal-mużika Maltija ħaditlux ħafna ħin u ma ħallitlux ħin għall-kotba tad-drammi.

Il-filosofja tiegħu hi, li dak li nagħmlu fil-ħajja hu materja ta’ għażla. “Li wieħed jikkonċentra fuq ħaġa tkun a skapitu ta’ ħaġ’oħra. Kelli ħafna pjanijiet ta’ kitba kreattiva u mhux drammi biss. Li nista’ ngħid hu li fil-mument meta kont qed nagħmel irriċerka kont inħoss li dik, almenu f’dak il-ħin, kienet aktar importanti minn kull ħaġ’oħra li stajt nagħmel,” qalli.

Il-Muzika Maltija Mhux faċli li l-karriera ta’ Joe Bondin tagħsara f’artiklu wieħed skont il-wisgħa pprovdut f’paġna waħda għax hi karriera ta’ bniedem sħiħ iddedikata għal dak li hu sabiħ fl-arti u l-kitba. Iżda xtaqt naf mingħandu dak li tassew iħoss li għandu jsir biex pajjiżna jindokra aktar is-sabiħ ta’ missierijietna u nimxu aktar il quddiem fl-oqsma tal-kitba u l-mużika Maltija.

Fejn għandha x’taqsam il-mużika Joe jixtieq li pajjizna juri wisq aktar rispett u apprezzament lejn il-wirt mużikali serju ta’ Malta li jmur lura aktar minn ħames sekli, l-aktar fuq dimensjoni nazzjonali-politika u meta entitajiet pubblici bħall-Orkestra Nazzjonali, il-Malta International Music Festival, u oħrajn jiġu biex jagħmlu l-programmar tagħhom.

Temm jgħidli, “Jekk indur għall-kitba ma’ nistax nifhem għaliex drammi li jiffurmaw il-patrimonju tagħna huma minsija, u li kontra dak li jsir f’pajjizi mgħarrfa u mdawlin aktar minna, dejjem nagħmlu l-ġdid u qatt tal-imgħoddi.”

Caption to picture on front page:

The new look Piazza Antoine De Paule in Paola

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Joe Vella Bondin (lemin) jirċevi rikonoxximent millPrim Ministru Joseph Muscat

he new Paola Square after the completion of the first part of the regeneration project of the area known as Pjazza Antoine De Paule at the heart of Paola (Raħal Ġdid).

The now completed project has seen the transformation of the public space in Pjazza Antoine De Paule at the heart of Paola (Raħal Ġdid) is expected to change the way residents in the Southern part of Malta socialise and recreate themselves in open areas and spaces.

The second part of the project will be an access to the area known as the Gaddafi Gardens, now Gnien il-Mediterran.

A fountain-monument entitled ‘Ulied Paola’ dedicated to Paola residents and those who have a connection with the locality has also been built.

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 4, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta

PM Joseph Muscat believes in dialogue

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t a meeting in Malta with the Czech Prime Minister, Andrej Babis, during which they also discussed the migration issue, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat pointed out to his guest that he believes in dialogue and that each country listens and understands each other.

The Prime Minister said that during their meeting the two leaders agreed on some points, and also had divergent views on other issues.

When it comes to migration, they tried to understand each other better The two Prime Ministers: and said that despite that in the past year, arrivals of migrants from Africa Joseph Muscat (left) and decreased by 80%, there is still need of stronger action. He said there is no Andrej Babis single solution to migration, and that among the solutions is that of providing assistance for the development of countries where migration originates and more border controls.

Joseph Muscat stated that Malta adheres to international maritime regulations and rescues lives, adding that it wants EU member states and non-government organisations that carry out work at sea, to also adhere to international regulations.

Andrej Babis said the Czech Republic does not accept migrants who enter illegally in other European countries because it believes that this is not the solution, but that agreement is reached with Libya and that assistance is given to the migrants in their African esearch company Coindesk has countries. classified Malta in first place in its He said that since 2014, his country has always said that the quota system with which legislative framework in the field of European countries share migrants who enter in other countries, is not acceptable because Distributed Ledger Technology and the Czech Republic has a low rate of unemployment. His country is concerned with the crypto currency. migration problem in Europe, and is ready to assist but not with sharing of migrants.

Malta has been classified in first place.

Despite difference of opinion on some issues, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that In its latest survey Coindesk, which spesuch meetings are in no way a waste of time as he believes in the power of dialogue cialises in crypto currency legislation and it is extremely important that they sit down together and at least try to understand placed Malta ahead of Japan, Switzereach other’s point of view. land, the US, Singapore and the UK among the best models in the sector, .

The Chairman of FinanceMalta, Kenneth Farrugia said that Malta has quickly identified the possibilities of what crypto currencies and blockchain technology can offer, which is why it was a pioneer in the creation of an environment that attracts and supports this industry in Malta oody’s Investor Service has once is sustained it will even upgrade the rating in the best way possible. again given the thumbs up sign to for Malta to A2.

In July Malta’s Parliament passed three Malta by affirming its A3 Rating with a Moody’s notes Malta’s recent track Bills into law, confirming it as the positive outlook. Moody’s also highlight- record of strong economic growth, an ele‘Blockchain Island’. As a result, the ised Malta’s sustained progress on public vated per-capita income and very high land established a regulatory framework sector debt reduction and the prospects for scores in terms of global competitiveness. for blockchain technology that include further fiscal consolidation on the back of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority It stated that while its small size and a buoyant economic performance.

Act, the Innovative Technological Aropenness make it susceptible to external The international rating agency points out shocks, Malta is able to weather such rangement and Services Act, and the that if the improvement in fiscal strength storms due to the high level of competiVirtual Financial Asset Act. tiveness as well as elevated wealth levels.

Moody’s deems Malta’s institutional strength as ‘High’, reflecting the country’s robust policy framework, enhancements to institutions and policymaking framework of public-sector entities.

It acknowledges that Malta's fiscal conalta will see the founding of the world’s first blockchain-powsolidation efforts are bearing fruit as the ered University that plans to attract the best academics from fiscal surplus is expected to hover around 200 of the most prestigious universities.

2.5 per cent in 2018 and 2019. This, couOxford University research fellow Joshua Broggi (right) is seeking pled with strong economic growth, will accreditation to establish Woolf University that will use blockchain continue to contribute towards a rapid retechnology to enforce regulatory compliance, eliminate or automate duction of Malta’s debt-to-GDP ratio acbureaucratic university processes, and manage the custodianship of cording to Moody’s. sensitive financial and personal data.

The report explains that while growth, is Woolf, developing an accredited platform on which students and expected to moderate from recent highs, it teachers can connect all over, will be providing new opportunities for notes that Malta’s economic growth will both students and academics. It focuses on Oxbridge-style tutorials remain strong in both 2018 and 2019. that prioritise personal interactions between teachers and students.

Malta classifies world’s best for cryptocurrency legislative framework

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Moody affirms Malta’s high rating with positive outlook

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Malta to have first blockchain-based institution attracting best academics M

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday September 4, 2018

Roundup of News About Malta Malta offers to serve as bridge-builder in Peace talks between Israel and Palestine

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alta, which enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Israel and Palestine, has reaffirmed its willingness to serve as a bridge-builder between the two entities.

The offer to host the restarting of the peace process between them was made by Carmelo Abela, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion during talks in Valletta with his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Maliki who on his part said during a joint news conference at the end of the talks, that Malta has the potential of being a just mediator between Palestine and Israel.

Minister Abela said that the offer was made to both sides and that if they feel and agree that Malta can serve as an opportunity to restart the peace process, Malta was available “to do whatever it takes”.

He went on to say that in the wake of reemerging tensions in the Middle East, Malta will continue to support conditions conducive to a political horizon for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and expressed the belief that the European Union and the United Sates should collaborate and move forward with a common mission.

Al-Maliki said Malta has a crucial role in talks between the two sides. “The USA is not anymore a fair broker when they have decided with Israel against Palestine. Malta supports Palestine but also enjoys excellent relationship with Israel and this really qualifies Malta to play that role. There is no contradiction between the one and the other,” he added.

The Minister stated that Maltese-Palestinian relations are stronger than ever, not only on the political level but also on the trade, culture, and people-to-people levels and

they are expected keep being further strengthened.

On the political front, Minister Abela pointed out that, through the memoranda of understanding signed and the political consultations held, Malta and Palestine will have good opportunities to address issues of mutual interest, to further consolidate their strong bilateral relations and collaboration, and to explore opportunities for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

Malta’s Prime Minister fraudulently impersonated by Bitcoin peddlers alta’s Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat for the Malta Banker’s Association is reM found himself unwittingly in the cen- ported having referred to blockchain as a tre of an investment scam as conmen fabri- “banker’s dream”, while Prime Minister

cated a fake Instagram account in his name.

As already noted Malta has taken a number of steps in order to become one of the globe’s most welcoming and proactive countries when it comes to cryptocurrency and blockchain tech and in fact it has become known as “Blokchain Island”.

As the nation starts to position itself as a leading virtual currency hub, leading exchanges like Binance and OKEx have plans to move to the island, while research from Morgan Stanley has indicated that the country was the global leader in cryptocurrency trading volume.

Meanwhile, in an interview, a spokesman

Joseph Muscat has called cryptocurrency the “future of money.”

Minister Carmelo Abela (left) with Riyad al-Maliki at the Foreign Affairs Ministry

Cittadella Regio finalist

T

he Cittadella in Gozo has been selected among five finalists from 102 submitted in the prestigious RegioStars Awards 2018.

An expert jury is now working to determine the winning project.

The one that gathers the most votes also receives the prestigious Public Choice Award! The public has until midnight October 7 to cast the vote for its favourite.

The 2018 RegioStars will reward the best Cohesion Policy projects in five different categories: achieving industrial transition; promoting a low carbon lifestyle; making public services better and more accessible; dealing with migration in the long term; and preserving the EU's cultural heritage.

Readers are called upon to go online, log on to www.votecittadella.com and cast their vote.

MALTESE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION of NSW Inc

Invites you to attend our annual Festa Marija Bambina/Maltese Cultural Award on Friday September 7 at 7.30pm at La Valette Social Centre 175 Walters Rd Blacktown 2148.

This year we are celebrating our 30 years anniversary and the MCA has chosen two awardees: Emanuel Bill Schembri, and a group, The Maltese Welfare Association.

Please phone Mary Ramundi on 96881432

14 The Voice of the Maltese

F

Tuesday August 7, 2018

ejn fis-snin ħamsin u sittin l-emigrazzjoni kienet fuq fomm kulħadd, għax ħafna Maltin u Għawdxin raw lill-għeżież tagħhom jemigraw minn pajjiżhom, ħafna minnhom, minħabba li ma sabux xogħol biex imantnu lilhom infushom u lill-familja f’pajjiżhom, illum ir-rota daret waħda sew għax minflok, għandna l-emigrazzjoni bir-reverse b’ħafna barranin deħlin Malta l-aktar biex jaħdmu, imma mhux biss.

L-Immigrazzjoni

Filwaqt li fis-snin li semmejt, f’Malta kien hawn nuqqas ta’ xogħol, issa ninsabu f’qagħda fejn minflok, ċertu xogħol qed jiġri wara l-ħaddiema.

Sintendi, dħul hekk kbir ta’ ħaddiema barranin qed joħloq ukoll ċerti problemi (li ktibt dwarhom xi ġimgħat ilu).

Bħalissa l-aktar kwestjoni f’ilsien in-nies, fil-midja eċċ., hi tal-immigranti li ma jidħlux f’pajjiżna bid-dokumenti kollha meħtieġa, dawk li jaslu Malta bil-baħar.

Għal xi snin din il-problema ma kienetx fil-quċċata tal-aħbarijiet, iżda faqqet malbidla fit-tmexxija tal-Gvern Taljan. Għal għadd ta’ snin l-għadd ta’ immigranti li kienu jidħlu Malta bil-baħar kien wieħed negliġenti. Mal-bidla fil-Gvern Taljan... gvern li fi ħdanu għandu Ministri li assolutament ma jridux jaċċettaw immigranti f’pajjiżhom, is-sitwazzjoni nbidlet.

Issa bdejna naraw tentattiv sfrenat biex limmigranti ma jitħallewx jidħlu fl-Italja, u sfortunatament, il-Gvern Taljan deffes lil Malta għax jippretendi li Malta, l-iċken pajjiż fl-Unjoni Ewropeja, kellha tiftaħ ilportijiet tagħha għal dawn l-immigranti.

Kif kont għedt, il-Gvern Malti żamm iebes.

Ma qagħadx għat-thedid tal-Gvern Taljan, li l-aktar hu ġej mill- il-Viċi Prim Minsitru u Ministru tal-Intern Taljan, Salvini.

Filwaqt li l-Gvern Malti mexa mal-obbligi morali u legali tiegħu u daħħal lil

dawk l-immigranti li ġew salvati millForzi Armati Maltin fl-ibħra ta’ Malta, ma aċċettax immigranti oħra li ġew ‘salvati’ (nikteb ‘salvati’ minkejja li kultant jidħol id-dubbju jekk dawn ikollhomx sehem fiddħul tal-ilma u l-waqfien tal-mutur taddingi li jkunu fuqu) minn NGOs jew bċejjeċ tal-baħar oħra fejn l-obbligu li jiftaħ il-port kien ta’ ħaddieħor.

Saru xi eżenzjonijiet, imma dan wara li

...U l-Unjoni Ewropeja?

M

inn dak li seħħ fil-każ li semmejt fuq jidher ċar, li kif qal l-Ewroparlamentari Alfred Sant, l-Unjoni Ewropea għandha kriżi istituzzjonali dwar l-immigrazzjoni għax la tħaddan politika komuni u lanqas m’għand-ha tweġiba komuni dwar l-immigrazzjoni.

Minħabba f’hekk ir-responsabbilta’ spiċċat f’idejn il-pajjiżi ndividwali, b’kulħadd irid jaħseb għal rasu u jaġixxi kif ifettillu.

Hekk wasalna biex meta jispiċaw iffaċjati b’dawn l-immigranti, pajjiżi bħal Malta u l-Italja jridu jaħsbu għal rashom.

Il-Prim Ministru Malti rrnexxielu, għal darba darbtejn, jikkonvinċi lil għadd ta’ pajjiżi tal-UE jieħdu għadd ta’ immigranti li niżlu Malta. Iżda dawn il-pajjiżi għamlu dan għax riedu, għax l-UE qatt ma waslet li ġġiegħel lill-pajjiżi kollha membri tagħha jieħdu l-immigranti.

Minħabba f’hekk, (u forsi aktar minħabba l-mod arroganti kif l-Ministru Taljan Salvini ttrata din il-kwestjoni) il-

Gvern Taljan ma rnexxielux jeħles millimmigranti tad-Diciotto.

Għalkemm ngħiduha, il-Gvern Taljan ilu li sab mezz kif jeħles minn ħafna mill-immigranti li qed jidħlu l-Italja. Dan billi lawtoritajiet Taljani qed jagħtu karta talidentità lill-immigranti li jaslu fil-patijiet tagħhom u jagħlqu għajnejhom billi jħalluhom imorru fejn iridu. Uħud minn dawn anke jispiċċaw Malta... bil-Gvern Malti jkollu jara kif jista’ jibgħat lil dawn lura lItalja.

Għalkemm hawn tqum il-kwestjoni tassistema taż-Żona Xengen (sistema li permezz tagħha kull min għandu karta talIdentita` ta’ xi pajjiż tal-UE jista’ jmur minn pajjiż għall-ieħor bla xkiel). Din qed tagħmilha faċli għall-immigranti li jaqsmu minn pajjiż għall-ieħor tal-UE, anke jekk skont it-Trattat ta’ Dublin dawn suppost jibqgħu fl-ewwel art tal-UE li jirfsu fuqha.

Insomma problema li diffiċli li wieħed isib tarf tagħha malajr.

L-immigranti illegali jistennew qabel setgħu jitniżżlu f’port fl-Italja minn fuq id-Diciotti

l-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat irnexxielu jikkonvinċi lil pajjiżi oħra biex jieħdu lil dawk l-immigranti li jiddaħħlu Malta.

Iżda l-aktar konflitt li qajjem kjass bejn Malta u l-Italja, u anke internazzjonalment, kien tal-immigranti li kienu għaddew mis-Search and Rescue Maltija u mbagħad ġew salvati mill-vapur tal-qawwa tal-baħar Taljana, id-Diciotti.

Il-Gvern Taljan, jew Salvini (ma nafx għax dan għandu daqshekk għal Malta) oġġezzjona li l-bastiment jidħol l-Italja.

Sostna li minflok salvahom, il-Gvern Malti kien eskorta lid-dingy bl-immigranti. Il-Gvern Malti pront wieġeb li ma kienu veru xejn għax meta l-patrol boat Maltija resqet lejn id-dingi, ma kienx hemm indikazzjoni li dan kien fil-periklu, u n-nies ta’ fuqu nsistew li mhux Malt riedu jidħlu imma f’port Taljan (Attwalment l-iskop ta’ ħafna hu li jidħlu l-Italja biex minn hemm ikun aktar faċli li jmorru f’pajjiżi oħra Ewropej).

Fl-aħħar id-Diciotti tħalla jidħol Catania, iżda dawk ta’ fuqu ma tħallewx jinżlu l-art.

Dan l-inċident mhux biss wassal għallfirda fl-Italja, iżda spiċċa biex il-kwestjoni tispiċċa fi ħdan l-Unjoni Ewropea, li iżda falliet li ssib soluzzjoni, bil-Gvern Taljan jhedded li ma kienx se jagħti l-kontribuzzjonijiet finanzjarji tas-soltu lill-Unjoni.

Imma finalment minkejja t-tehdid kollu tiegħu, Salvini kellu jaċċetta li l-immigranti jitniżżlu l-art... anke jekk ipprova jiġbor ġieħu billi sostna li wħud kienu se jintbagħtu lejn l-Albanija, u l-Irlanda.

Imma l-biċċa l-kbira spiċċaw l-Italja billi l-Knisja aċċettat li tieħu ħsiebhom hi.

Tuesday August 7, 2018

Kriżi fil-Knisja

F

’Malta mhix biss il-kwestjoni dwar l-immigranti li qed tiddomina, laktar f’rapporti tal-aħbarijiet filmidja lokali, imma wkoll f’dik internazzjonali. Din hi, “tal-membri tal-kleru li ma għarfux irażżnu x-xewqat sesswali tagħhom u spiċċaw biex infexxew f’atti xejn xierqa ma tfal taħt l-eta’.”

Biex is-sitwazzjoni tissokta taggrava, meta saru jafu b’dak li kien qed jiġri,xi kapijiet tal-kleru żammew mat-tradizzjoni tal-antik li jaħbu u jippruvaw iżommu kollox mistur ħalli mingħalihom ma joħolqux skandli.

Issa f’daqqa waħda kollox sploda f’wiċċ il-Knisja, b’uħud saħansitra jiippuntaw subajgħhom anke lejn il-Papa, tant li l-Papa Franġisku mhux biss talab apoloġija, imma ammetta li f’dil-kwes-

Il-Maltin nonfquhom

A

ktar ma jmur il-Maltin qed jimirħu ‘il barra minn xtutna, mhux għax-xogħol, imma għad-divertiment fuq btajjel.

Jidher li filwaqt li l-mezzi tat-trasport żdiedu u tjiebu, il-firxa ta’ pajjiżi li jagħżlu l-Maltin biex iżuru ma baqgħux biss l-Ingilterra u l-Italja. Biss hemm xi ħaġa li baqgħet ma nbidlitx, dik li meta jsiefru lMaltin iridu jixtru... mhux biex jieklu, imma jonfqu biex jiddevertu u jżuru l-ħwienet u sswieq ikaxkru lura lejn pajjiżhom ħwejjeġ, żraben, rigali, eċċ, eċċ. (minkejja li ħafna mill-oġġetti mixtrija llum issibhom fis-swieq Maltin, kultant anke bl-istess prezz).

Kemm dan hu minnu jidher minn statistika tal-Eurostat turi li mill-2012 il-Malti huma t-tieni l-aktar poplu fost il-pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropea li nefaq flus waqt il-btajjel tiegħu.

Il-Maltin nefqu medja ta’ €646 fuq kull safra, filwaqt li l-medja fl-UE kienet ta’ €336. Dan jiġifieri li kważi jonfqu d-doppju tal-medja Ewropea. Żgur li s-somma rasgħal-ras kienet tkun akbar kieku wieħed kellu jneħħi l-Maltin li jsiefru fuq vjaġġi qosra ta’ xogħol, billi ġeneralment f’dan ilkaż wieħed ftit li xejn ikollu ħin biex jixtri.

L-uniċi li nefqu aktar kienu mill-Maltin kienu dawk li jgħixu fil-Lussemburgu li rriżulta li nefqu €768, mentri fit-tielet post ġew l-Awstrijaċi b’€607. L-istatistika turi li l-inqas turisti li jonfqu huma tal-Latvija b’€107 fuq kull safra li għamlu.

tjoni l-Knisja falliet.

Din is-sitwazzjoni qed ikollha effett anke fuq il-poplu Malti b’uħud li kienu jemmnu b’għajnejhom magħluqa dak kollu li ġej min-naħa tal-kleru, jibdew jitħassbu. jekk mhux ukoll jiddubbitaw.

Aktar u aktar meta fil-midja lokali tfaċċaw żewġ każijiet ġodda ta’ allegati abbużi li jikkonċernaw lil Malta. Wieħed hu ta’ Mons Eucharist Sultana (fuq illemin), eks-Arċipriet tal-Paroċċa taxXagħra f’Għawdex li hu allegat li bejn l-1998 u l-2002 abbuża minn abbati, abbużi li ġew irraportati f’Lulju li għadda.

Imbagħad hemm dak ta’ Dun Felix Cini (fuq ix-xellug), li kien mixli “b'attenzjoni żejda” fuq 17-il tifel u tifla fl-Italja, fejn kien iservi madwar 15-il sena ilu. Fl-2008 il-proċess kanoniku tas-Santa Sede iddeċieda li Dun Cini ma jingħatax il-piena li twassal għat-tkeċċija mis-saċerdozju, imma jibqa’ saċerdot tal-Knisja Kattolika.

Dan il-proċess sar wara li hu għamel programm terapewtiku residenzjali ta’ sentejn fl-Italja. Fl-2014 ġie trasferit lejn Malta anke minħabba problemi ta’ saħħa ta’ ommu, fil-parroċċa ta’ Bormla.

Skont il-Kurja, f’Malta Cini mhux saċerdot “fulltime” (jien qatt ma smajt b’saċerdot part-time) u jqaddes biss f’okkażjonijiet rari bil-permess li jqaddes f’ċirkustanzi partikolari bħal xi funerali ta’ qraba u ġirien, u okkażjonijiet speċjali.

Quddiem dan kollu l-Arċisqof Charles Scicluna stqarr li minflok ragħajja dawk is-saċerdoti li jabbużaw mit-tfal huma lpup ħattafa. Din hi “traġedja tħares kif tares lejha,” qal, u nsista li din hi “pjaga li rridu niġġeldulha”.

L-Arċisqof Scicluna appella lil min ikun abbużat biex jitkellem kemm jista’ jkun malajr. Qal li “ma jistax ikun li quddiem l-abbuż, aħna jew nagħlqu għajnejna, nagħlqu ħalqna, jew intarrxu widnejna”.

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Ipprofittaw ruħhom

G

ħalkemm it-tqala, xi drabi toħloq ċerta tbatija u problemi, hija meqjusa bħala żmien ta’ ferħ u stennija. Il-maġġoranza assoluta tan-nisa jagħmlu minn kollox biex jissalvagwardaw it-tarbija li jkollhom f’ġufhom, iżda mhux hekk żewġ nisa Bulgari ta’ 25 u 23 sena, li ftit deher li jimpurtahom mill-istat li kienu fih.

Dawn iż-żewġ nisa tqal taru lejn Malta, daħlu f’ħanut tal-ħwejjeġ fTas-Sliema u serqu l-portmoni ta’ turista li kienet fil-ħanut.

Il-pulizija ma damux ma arrestawhom billi ġew identifikati minn fuq is-CCTV. In-nisa tressqu l-Qorti u għalkemm stennew li forsi l-qorti se tkun lenjenti magħhom, għarralhom għax intbagħtu l-ħabs għall-erba’ xhur kull wieħed.

Fis-sentenza tiegħu l-Maġistrat Joe Mifsud saħaq li l-aġir ta' ftit barranin qed jagħmel ħsara kbira lir-reputazzjoni ta' ħafna persuni oħra mhux Maltin li jinsabu Malta.

Insista li filwaqt li l-Qorti dejjem ipproteġiet il-ħajja mill-konċepiment sal-mewt naturali tagħha, dawn iż-żewġ nisa naqsu milli jipproteġu t-tfal tagħhom mhux imwielda u ssieħbu f'organizzazzjoni kriminali li ġabithom Malta biex jisirqu.

Altru milli l-Maġistrat għandu raġun, għax b’xorti ħazina f’Malta sikwit qed ikollna żjarat minn Bulgari u xi oħrajn li l-għan tagħhom ma jkunx ta’ btala, imma biex jisirqu.

Dr Hugh McDermott 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

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday August 21, 2018

Scott Morrison is Australia’s 30th Prime Minister in 117 yrs S

cott Morrison, 50, became the 30th Prime Minister of Australia since 1901 after trouncing Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop in a three-way race for the Liberal Party leadership. He is the seventh PM in the last 11 years.

Energy minister Josh Frydenberg was elected deputy leader in an “absolute majority”, the highest office for any Australian Jew. He was sworn in using the Jewish holy book, the Torah. Their election was considered as a “generational change”.

Mr Morrisson, the son of a police commander and local-government councillor affectionately known as “ScoMo" - has served as treasurer since 2015. He is a pieeating footy-loving conservative Christian who wields serious political clout, having “stopped the boats” and bolstered Australia’s economy.

Morrison lives in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney’s south with his wife Jenny, and their two young daughters. He is a devout Christian who worships at a Hillsong-style Pentecostal church in Sydney.

After completing high school, he went on to accomplish an honours degree in applied economic geography at the University of New South Wales.

A federal election is due in the next nine months. Former Liberal Party leader John Hewson said personal vendettas rather than policy differences had driven this latest leadership spill. Others said it doesn’t matter who is steering the Titanic; the iceberg is still out there.

They were referring to Tony Abbot MP and his right-wing media conservative mates who waged a consistent war against the PM Turnbull.

After John Howard's four terms in office from 1996-2007, there have been five Prime Ministers. First, it was the Labor

New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison with his wife and two daughters

Party in 2010 and 2013, with Julia Gillard toppling the incumbent Kevin Rudd, and then Rudd seizing back the leadership from Ms Gillard.

In September 2015 Malcolm Turnbull stole the position from Tony Abbott during a leadership spill. John Hewson led the Liberal Party in the four years to 1994 and was at the helm when the Coalition was defeated at the 1993 federal election. He then lost a leadership spill to Alexander Downer in 1994.

Julie Bishop MP Minister for Foreign Affairs (2013-2018) has tendered her resignation from cabinet. She was also Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and served as Deputy PM under Abbot and Turnbull.

First elected to Parliament from Western Australia (Curtin) in 1998. She will continue to serve in Parliament.

Australia has had 30 Prime Ministers since federation in 1901; six of them since 2007:

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

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

Edmund Barton (1901)’ Alfred Deakin (three times: 1903-04; 1905-08; 1909-10); Chris Watson (1904); George Reid (1904-05); Andrew Fisher (three times: 1908-09; 1910-13; 191415); Joseph Cook (1913-14); Billy Hughes (1915-23); Stanley Bruce (1923-29); James Scullin (1929-32); Joseph Lyons (1932-39); Earle Page (1939); Robert Menzies (twice: 1939-41; 1949-66); Arthur Fadden (1941); John Curtin 1941-45); Francis Forde (1945); Ben Chifley (1945-49); Harold Holt (1966-67); John McEwen (1967-68); John Gorton (1968-71); William McMahon (1971-72); Gough Whitlam (1972-65); Malcolm Fraser (1975-83); Bob Hawke (1983-91); Paul Keating (1991-96); John Howard (1996-2007); Kevin Rudd (twice: 200710; 2013); Julia Gillard (2010-13); Tony Abbott (2013-15); Malcolm Turnbull (2015-18); Scott Morrison (2018 –) Source: National Archives of Australia

All out against Tony Abbott’s appointment A

chorus of Indigenous individuals and groups have come out against the appointment of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to the newly-created position of "special envoy on Indigenous affairs".

Mr Abbott was given the role after being excluded from Prime Minister Scott Morrison's ministry, in an effort to heal the wounds of last week's damaging leadership coup. But predictably, words were

*continued on page 17

Tuesday August 21, 2018

Dying man wins $1m compensation for abuse

P

aul Bradshaw from Perth Western Australia who suffered abuse at the Castledare and Clontarf orphanages run by the Christian Brothers is to be awarded $1 million and under the terms of the settlement he will also have his costs paid by the trustees of the Christian Brothers.

It is believed to be the highest single payment awarded in Australia as a result of legal action against the Christian Brothers.

Bradshaw took legal action over sexual abuse he suffered in the 1950s and 60s.

Outside the court Mr Bradshaw, who only has six months to live, said money was not what had motivated his fight.

“I wasn’t going for the money. Justice is all I wanted. I didn’t want any money. I just wanted an apology off the Christian Brothers - I would’ve been happy with that.

“The money I get will be going to my family so they don't have to grow up being … like, I lived on the street most of my life.”

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Racis m in Aust ralia brought “to new level”

I

n his provocative speech in the Australian Senate that brought racism in Australia to a new level, Senator Fraser Anning called for a return to a “European Christian” immigration system and a ban on Muslims migrating to Australia. Senator Anning also said, “the final solution to the immigration problem, of course, is a popular vote”.

Catholic Religious Australia in a statement said it was concerned about increasing incidences of racism in Australia, with Senator Anning’s speech bringing this to “a new level by means of an important Parliamentary process”.

CRA president Sr Monica Cavanagh RSJ said, “hard-won national values, such as esteem for fairness and tolerance, received a blow” through Senator Anning’s speech.

Dr Falzon for the federal seat of Canberra

D

r John Falzon has resigned as national chief executive of the St Vincent de Paul Society to seek federal Labor preselection, vowing to continue “the fight against inequality within parliament”.

Dr Falzon’s immediate resignation from the charity comes after 17 years of service, including the last 12 years as chief executive of the national council.

He will seek preselection as a Labor candidate in the newly created federal seat of Canberra.

A leading voice of Australia’s social sector, Dr Falzon has also served on the board of the Australian Council of Social Service.

He said he was deeply grateful to the

Tony Abbott & the Indigenous people

*from page 16

particularly harsh from the other side of the aisle, with Labor's Linda Burney and Pat Dodson coming out swinging.

"The prime minister has an Indigenous Advisory Council, an Indigenous Affairs Minister, an Indigenous person - Ken Wyatt - in his cabinet and there are three other First Nations people within the Parliament ... The last thing Indigenous affairs needs is Tony Abbott blundering around in that space," Federal Labor MP Ms Burney told SBS News.

She said his role in the Indigenous affairs space when he was prime minister was "disastrous", specifically how he "cut $500 million out of the Indigenous affairs budget".

members of the St Vincent de Paul Society for the faith and support they gave him as national chief executive.

“During my time as Vinnies CEO I worked closely with governments, oppositions and crossbenchers to influence and shape legislation to address the causes of inequality,” he said.

1 “I was pleased to see the organisation grow into a powerful and highly respected advocacy voice for social justice and progressive social change.”

Dr Falzon first revealed he was running for Labor preselection in July and said at the time he hoped to drive progressive change from within the party. His intention was reported on page 17 in The Voice of the Maltese (issue of July 24).

“The Australian project of working towards being the most successful multicultural society on earth has received a setback. More fundamental still, the Christian principles upon which Australian law and customs are built have been completely ignored, The inclusive ideal, which is fundamental to multiculturalism, is thus threatened.

Catholic Religious Australia regrets this tendency and will actively oppose it.”

Religious Freedoms

T

he Federal government is currently working on its response to a review into religious freedoms that was prompted by the same-sex marriage debate. Former attorney general Philip Ruddock led the review and handed his report to the federal Government in May. The wait is now on Attorney-General Christian Porter’s lap. He is working on the government’s response. Gay rights advocates fear the report could have a direct and damaging impact on vulnerable people, and have called for it to be released as soon as possible.

The Law Council told the Ruddock review panel it had not seen any evidence to suggest human rights to religious freedom was not properly protected or disproportionately limited in Australia.

The panel also heard from Christian groups that argued religious schools should be able to teach children the value of malefemale marriage without being reported to authorities over discrimination.

The Western Australian MP says the new Morrison’s ministerial shake-up could lead to “bold” changes to the policies.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

SOMANZ grants Prof Stephen Gatt top honour A

Tuesday September 4, 2018

t its 2018 National Scientific Congress in Cairns in tropical Far North Queensland, the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) has granted Professor Stephen Gatt Honorary Life Membership, regarded as its highest honour.

This is indeed a rare honour. It has only been granted five times in the society’s 30 years of history. It has never been granted to an intensive care and anaesthesia specialist until now.

Professor Gatt planned, established, staffed and directed, for more than a decade, the first obstetric intensive care unit in Australia and, most probably, the world, given that Australia was the first country to have formal Fellowship in Intensive Care, well ahead of the US and UK. Dr. Gatt was in the first tranche of 12 qualified specialists.

Prof. Gatt, an MD graduate of the, then, Royal University of Malta, has maintained strong ties with Malta and the Maltese overseas.

For over 30 years he has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors of St. Dominic’s Home for the Elderly in Sydney, Australia. On the world stage, for 10 years, he was the President of the Federation of Maltese Abroad (FOMA).

He has been honoured with the Order of Australia (Medal - OAM) and the Malta National Order of Merit (Member – MOM), and been knighted twice - in the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (SMOM) – Knight, IInd Class, of Magistral Grace in Obedience and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (OHS) Knight Grand Cross Commander with Star of Jerusalem.

Professor Stephen Gatt He is also intimately involved in the altruistic and humanitarian activities of both the mentioned lay Catholic religious orders.

George Cross Medal at RSL Clubs

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n Sydney, NSW, there’s a small but vibrant Maltese RSL SubBranch, the Maltese Ex-Servicemen's Association of NSW that holds its meetings at Wenty Leagues Club on a quarterly basis. Although small in numbers, the Maltese RSL SubBranch is very active and in line with the RSL policies.

Every Anzac Eve, they take part in a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Cenotaph in Martin Place to remember the many Service Men & Women that paid the supreme sacrifice in all wars. On Anzac Day, the Sub-Branch Members march proudly in the main street of the city of Sydney. Some of these members have served in the

Australian Armed Forces during war and peacetime.

This year the Maltese Sub-Branch has embarked on a project that will see it presenting a number of framed replicas of the George Cross Medal with a copy of the letter that was awarded to Malta in April of 1942 by H.H King George V1, to a number of its members.

In awarding Malta the George Cross, King George's letter to the Maltese Nation reads "To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion which will long be famous in history".

The first presentation was made on Saturday August 11 to the Seven Hills/Toongabbie RSL Club, as no doubt there are a lot of Maltese members at the club. It was felt to be a good idea to have this significant piece of history placed in a prominent spot amongst the club’s WWI and WWII memorabilia.

Below: Committee members from the Seven Hills/Toongabbie RSL made the Maltese ex-servicemen welcome. They felt onoured to receive a replica of the George Cross medal The Maltese RSL Sub Branch can be contacted via cnmifsud@gmail.com

Il-festa ta’ San Gejtanu f’Sydney u f’Melbourne The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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esta oħra tradizzjonali li l-Maltin ħadu magħhom mix-xtut ta’ Malta hija dik tal-patrun tal-Ħamrunizi, San Gejtanu. Is-St Geatan Committee ta’ Melbourne iċċelebraw l-40 anniversarju ta’ din il-festa u fakkru wkoll l-ewwel kumitat tal-1978 li kien kompost minn Paul Deguara, Tony Hilli, George Aquilina u Carmen Micallef.

Dis-sena wkoll kien hemm tlett ijiem ta’ ċelebrazzjonijiet. Dawk religjuzi saru filknisja ta San Martin de Porres f’Avondale Heights. Sar il-ballu tal-festa fl-Ultima Function Centre Keilor Park, filwaqt li filjum tal-Ħadd ħarget il-purċissjoni bl-istatwa sabiħa tal-qaddis patrun. Ħadu sehem ukoll il-Maltese Own Band u lMMG Concert Band. Wara l-purċissjoni ġie oranizzat is-solitu brijju f’St Martin de Porres Church Hall.

Għal din l-okkażjoni l-kumitat tal-festa jippubblika wkoll ktejjeb interessanti fejn il-President ta’ bħalissa, Jimmy Chirkop fakkar fix-xogħol li wettqu s-sitt Presidenti ta’ qablu f’dawn l-aħħar 40 sena.

Dawk li jixtiequ jgħinu lill-kumitat ta’ Melbourne jistgħu jiktbu lis-segretarju, St Geatan Society Inc., 4 Chadwell Place Kings Park Victoria 3021.

Fi NSW il-Ħamrununiżi mhux biss jiċċellebraw il-festa tal-patrun iżda għandhom ukoll iċ-ċentru tagħhom f’100 Jackson Street Marsden Park, u tassew li għandhom biex jiftaħru meta jgħidu li lpropjeta` li jużaw illum hi kompletament tal-membri.

Bħas-soltu, il-festi saru f’dan iċ-ċentru,

Membri tal-kumitat ta’ San Gejtanu ta’ Melbourne. Fuq wara (mix-xellug): Mario Hili, Rita Hili, Maryanne Cassar, u Angela Chircop; bil-qiegħda: Jonathan Hili, Joe Meli, Jim Chirkop u Joe Cassar billi l-ewwel organizzaw dinner dance li dis-sena kien mimli u ssokta l-Ħadd biħruġ tal-vara ta’ San Gejtanu. Il-festi ntemmu bil-logħob tan-nar.

Dis-sena l-festi tal-Ħadd, kemm ta’ Marsl-Maltese Welfare (NSW) għal darden Park u wkoll tas-Central Coast ħabtu b’oħra organizza sessjoni ta’ tagħrif. fl-istess jum, li hi ħasra. Wieħed jittama li Fejn is-soltu laqgħat bħal dawn isiru fisl-kumitati rispettivi jirranġaw din is-sit- sala tal-knisja ta’ Greystanes, din id-darba wazzjoni għall-quddiem. l-laqgħa saret fic-Ċentru La Valette fi Blacktown. Il-kelliema kienet is-sinjura Marie Louis Muscat mill-Fiducian Financial Service li tant saret popolari għallmod kif tfisser sewwa l-proceduri delikati fejn jidħol tibdil fil-liġijiet tal-Gvern u anke fil-qasam finanzjarju.

F’din il-lejla Marie Louise tkellmet dwar tibdil li sar fl-aħħar baġit tal-gvern Federali li jolqot ħafna lill-pensjonanti Maltin, kif ukoll dwar il-vantaġġi u żvantaġġi meta xi ħadd jiddeċiedi li jieħu d-deċiżjoni li jnaqqas mir-responsabbilitajiet u jidħol f’xi proġett ta’ ħajja indipendenti jew aged care facility.

Grazzi għas-suċċess ta’ din il-laqgġa lorganizzaturi ħabbru li se jorganizzaw laqgħa oħra bħal din fil-10 ta’ Ottubru li ġej fi Greystanes li fiha se jingħata tagħrif dwar it-tibdil radikali li sar fil-Kunsilli Lokali tal-inħawi li jolqot lil ħafna Maltin li joqogħdu f’dawk l-inħawi. Min hu interessat li jattendi għandu jikkuntattja lillMaltese Welfare Tel: 02 96319295.

Nathalie Gatt, vici/President tal-Maltese Welfare (NSW) (xellug) tippreżenta rigal ta’ rikonoxximent lil Marie Louise Muscat

Sessjoni ta’ tagħrif mill-MW NSW

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Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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

TEHMIŻTA’ PARTIĊELLI MAL-ARTIKLU U MA’ XI KLIEM IEĦOR Inqisu li niktbu sewwa bħal u mhux pħal.

(5) Il-partiċelli bi, fi, mehmużin ma’ partiċelli oħra u xi minn daqqiet ma’ xi nomi wkoll, jingħaqdu f’kelma waħda. Ara: bħâl, bil, bla, bih, biex (= bi-âx), fil, bxejn, fiex (= fi-âx), fih, flimkien, flok, fost (fi-wast).

Man-nomi, jinkitbu magħżulin, bl-appostrofu bejniethom biex juru n-nuqqas tal-i. Ara: b’Alla, b’ilsienu, f’għonqu, f’rasu.

(6) Il-partiċella minn quddiem kelma li tibda b’vokali xi drabi ssir mn u tingħaqad magħha b’ħażż ta’ sing. Ara: mn-Alla. Meta l-kelma tibda b’konsonanti, tibqa’ minn.

Ara: minn fuq, minn hawn, minn hemm, minn għajr.

Il-minn mixruba f’mn ma tiħux l-appostrofu għaliex warajha ma tiftiehem l-ebda vokali nieqsa. Ħażin min jikteb mn’Alla flok mn-Alla.

(7) Il-partiċella xi quddiem kelma li tibda b’konsonanti jew b’vokali, bħal fi u bi, tinkiteb x’. Ara: x’għandu, x’minnek? Kif ukoll xi (sħiħa) quddiem kelma li tibda b’żewġ konsonanti: xi tgħidli? xi ġralek?

Meta xi tfisser il-kelmiet waħdiet (alcuni, Taljana, some, Ingliża) tinkiteb xi, sa quddiem vokali Ara: xi ommijiet, xi wħud u mhux x’uħud.

(8) Il-partiċella âx (= iex) tingħaqad f’kelma waħda ma’ partiċelli oħra bħalma huma minn (mn), bi, fi, għal, ma(għ), ta(għ) li jsiru mniex, biex, fiex, għaliex, miex, tiex bl-â miksura f’ie.

(9) Il-partiċella xin ukoll tingħaqad mal-pronom hu, hi, huwa, hija, huma jsiru xinhu, xinhi, xinhuwa, xinhija, xinhuma.

(10) Il-partiċella kemm, qabel nom, tinhemeż mal-partiċella il b’ħażż ta’ linja u ssir kemm-il.

Din il-partiċella mhix l-artiklu l- ta’ qabel innom, imma partiċella oħra li tridha l-kelma kemm. Ara: kemm-il raġel, kemm-il wieħed, kemmil xkora, kemm-il darba.

T.ċ. Kif urejna, l-ismijiet tal-għadd minn ħdax sa dsatax jieħdu wkoll il-partiċella -il. Ara: ħdax-il ktieb, dsatax-il bniedem.

70. Il-Partiċella ma’, ta’, da(n), di(n), sa, bi, fi, minn, għal, bħal, lil, ġo, jingħaqdu mal- artiklu kull meta l-kelma, li tiġi wara u li tibda b’konsonanti, tkun teħtieġl-artiklu.

Ara: bieb tal-kawba li qiegħda flok bieb ta’ l-kawba, mort maz-ziju flok mort ma’ z-ziju, dal-waqt flok dan il-waqt, dil-mejda flok din il-mejda, mort salĦamrun flok mort sa l- Ħamrun, mejjet bil-għatx flok bi l-għatx, sibtu fil-ġnien flok fi l-ġnien, tfajtu fix-xkora flok tfajtu fi x-xkora, wasalt fil-għaxija flok fi l-għaxija, ħriġt mill-bieb flok minn il-bieb, minNaxxar flok minn il-Naxxar.

(1) Il-partiċelli da(n), di(n), dak, dik quddiem nom, fil-Malti, jitolbu l-artiklu: jiġifieri ma jimxux fuq ilsna oħra tal-Ewropa bħat-Taljan u l-Ingliż (questo uomo, quella casa, eċc.̇, this man, that house).

Ara: dak il-bieb, dik il-mejda, dak ir-raġel jew darraġel, din id-dar jew did-dar.

(2) Il-prepożizzjonijiet bl-artiklu magħhom mal, tal-, dal-, dil-, sal-, bil-, fil-, ġol-, lill-, għall-, bħalljibqgħu magħqudin bil-ħażżtas-sing li bih l-artiklu jsib ruħu marbut mal- kelma (Għadd 40).

Ara: mal-baħar, tal-baħar, sal-baħar, bil-baħar, għall-baħar.

(3) Dawn il-prepożizzjonijiet barra minn fi u bi, iħobbu jinfirdu mill-artiklu meta l-kelma ta’ wara tibda b’vokali sew tal-leħen kemm tassura. Hawnhekk l-artiklu l- imur mal-vokali ta’ wara u magħha jieħu sehem fis-sillaba ta’ wara. Ara: ma’ l-iskejjel, ta’ l-oqsma, sa l-isqaq, ġo l-isqaq, bħall-isqof, għall-arja.

Imma ikteb: fl-iskejjel, bl-oqsma, flisqaq.

(4) L-artiklu l- mehmuż malpartiċelli jixxebbah u jingħaqad mal-konsonanti ta’ bidu lkelma meta din tkun waħda minn dawn l-ittri: ċ, d, n, r, s, x, t, ż, z, ġ(leħen ta’ ċ). (Ara Għadd 41).

Għalhekk niktbu tar-raġel, maċ-ċirku, sad-dar, min-nofs (minn-nofs), bħas- soltu, eċċ. flok tal-raġel, mal-ċirku, sal-dar, minn il-nofs jew mill-nofs, bħal il-soltu, eċċ.

Aktar regoli, eżempji u tifsir fil-ħarġa li jmiss.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

TLIET ĠAWHRIET – The poetry of Manwel Pace

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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anwel Pace is largely unknown as a poet for a very simple reason. He never published his poetry under his own name, and he did not tell anyone about it, not even his own family!

Born in Bormla in 1898, he grew up at a time following WWI when Malta was going through some years of cultural and political turmoil after the “Sette Giugno” riots of 1919. Those around him knew Manwel as a quiet family man who worked as a clerk at the dockyard, but certainly not as a poet. However, he did write and he published his poems under a variety of pen names.

Manwel wrote during the late 1920s and early 1930s as “Hannibal Malta”, as “Maleth” and other names. Some of his poems published in the Pronostku Malti at the time actually won prizes and, contemporary poets amongst whom the renowned poet Karmenu Vassallo, were very keen to find out who this unknown poet was. But that was to remain a secret for another three decades.

In 1964, Karmenu Vassallo, nown as, “Il-Poeta tan-Nirien”, who had suspected that Manwel Pace might be the poet involved all along, asked Manwel directly and he confirmed that he was indeed the poet.

However, the story does not end there.

Manwel Pace died in 1975. Years later, whilst his son Joseph was going through some papers that his father had left behind, came upon a veritable treasure trove of Maltese poems.

He found poems like “Din L-Art Helwa”, “Lil Ħuti l-Ħaddiema” and many others handwritten on copy-book paper by his father. They were all in ‘mint’ condition.

No one had seen or read these poems since the time they were written, many of them decades earlier. Naturally, Joseph found himself in a bit of a

Book review:

by Michael Brincat-Lisano

quandary.

He was not sure whether he should maintain his father’s secret and leave these poems where he found them or whether he should publish them so that they could be enjoyed and appreciated by a wider audience. He decided to publish.

“Tliet Ġawhriet” (Three Diamonds) brings together the poetry of Manwel Pace. It includes introductions by Prof.

Oliver Friggieri who describes Manwel as a “prudent poet”, and also by Dr. Paul E. Heywood.

An extract from Karmenu Vassallo’s earlier book Vatum Consortium, not only comments on Manwel’s poetry but also describes how he found out about it. Joseph Pace, writes a loving description of his father’s life giving details and insights that only a son or daughter can convey.

Here is an excerpt from Manwel’s patriotic poem “Din L-Art Ħelwa”. Read this aloud and the passion and sentiments behind each word will jump out and come to life:

Message to all Maltese Australians from the Maltese Chaplaincy in South Australia

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The Episcopal Ordination for Darwin Bishop-elect Fr. Charles Gauci

altese born, Fr. Charles Gauci, currently administrator of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide is appointed by Pope Francis to be the seventh Bishop of Darwin.

He is widely applauded by his peers who admire him for his deep spirituality and real commitment to evangelisation, and with Australian Catholic Bishop Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge saying about him: “he will be a great gift to the Church in Darwin with all its challenges and also a good addition to the Bishop’s Conference because of his long and varied experience as priest and teacher of faith”.

Fr. Gauci’s Episcopal Ordination is an occasion for all Maltese individuals and organisations – social or commercial – to demonstrate their unity and pride in their Maltese heritage by doing what they can to financially assist with the staging of Fr. Gauci’s Episcopal Ordination. Those wishing to donate have the following options available to them.

DIRECT DEBIT: EFT details Catholic Church Diocese of Darwin BSB 085-933 Account Number 12-911-5837Please use your surname and add EO to it in the Reference e.g. La VelleteEO CHEQUES made payable to Catholic Church Diocese of Darwin. P.O. Box 476, Darwin. NT 0801 For further information of how to donate – email: pastorallife@darwin.catholic.org.au

Fr. Gabriel S. Micallef O.F.M.

(Chaplain to the Maltese Community, South Australia . Ph :(08) 8353 7136 – Fax: (08) 8353 7245 – Mobile: 0438 569 963 – Email: kappmalti@adam.com.au)

Sussidju mill-FMLS lil ħames studenti tal-ilsien Maltin Il-Federazzjoni tal-Iskejjel Maltin fl-Awstralja (FMLS) qed tniedi sussidju ta’ $100 għal studenti li joqogħdu u jispiċċaw l-eżami fil-lingwa Maltijatal- VCE/HSC /SACE f’din is-sena, l-2018.

L-iskema tgħodd għall-ewwel ħames studenti fl-ordni li japplikaw.

Għad-dettalji u formula biex wieħed jikseb dan is-sussidju, japplika lill-Federazzjoni Tal-Iskejjel Tal-Malti: edwigeborg@hotmail.com inkella: federationofmalteselanguageschoolaustralia.com

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

he Australian High Commission’s in T Malta has its own Facebook page, while the High Commissioner has a Twitter account. Both be accessed by the readers.

Ħadd ma għandu jedd fuq artna, Malta tagħna, tal-Maltin; ‘Mhix għall-bejgħ jew għat-twellija’, Ħa jifhmuha l-barranin!

‘Li fi Sliem ma’ Ħbiebna ngħixu’, Hija r-rieda tal-Maltin.

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

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

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

Dan 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

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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

The Ċittadini

present direct from Malta:

Xagħra Association of NSW Annual Tal-Vitorja Dinner Dance on Saturday, September 15

Guest of Honour: Fr Anthony Bajada

Come and join us at

Balmoral Function Centre, 47-49 Balmoral Rd, BLACKTOWN from 6:30pm onwards

5-Course Meal, beer, wine & soft drinks, tea/coffee Entertainment by Roc-A-Tac & Giuseppe Verdi Brass Band

Malta’s Queen of Country Music

Also brilliant comedy by The Cittadini: Is-Senduq in Sydney on October 14 at 2pm at the Wentworthville League Club

For tickets phone: Monica Ledger: 9896 0712 or 0414 859386; Joe Borg: 96 242280; Julie Farrugia: 96 367679; Dorothy Gatt: 96 361834.

Donation of $20. Kids: $12

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Main events for 2018

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

Contact: Josephine/Ray: 9627 4182 or 0439 974 182; Vicki Micallef: 0425 210 436

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

Xagħra Assoc of NSW Inc: Fr Anthony Bajada NSW Programme

Sept 13: 7:30pm: Celebrates welcome Mass @ St John the Evangelist Riverstone Sept 14: 7:00pm Concelebrates mass @ Horsley Park Church Sept 15: 7:00pm: Guest of Honour @ Annual tal-Vitorja Dinner Dance, Balmoral Function Centre, 49 Balmoral Road, Blacktown. Tickets refer to contacts below Sept 16: 2.00 pm: Horsley Park Festa: Procession with Statue of Our Lady of Victories.

3:00pm: Concelebrates Mass @ Horsley Park Church - Our Lady of Victories.

Sept 18: 7:00am: Outing to Wollongong – Bus will be organised, refer to contacts below Sept 20: 10:15am: Mass for the Elderly who meet weekly for respite @ La Valette SC Sept 21: 7:30pm: Mass @ St John the Evangelist Riverstone Sept 22 6:00pm: Celebrates Vigil Mass @ Our Lady Queen of Peace - Greystanes 7:20 pm: La Valette SC to meet the Maltese community who socialize there Sept 23: 7:00 pm: Ħamrun Club to meet the Maltese community who socialize there Sept 28: 7:30 pm: Celebrates Farewell Mass @ St John the Evangelist – Riverstone Sept 30: 7:00 am: Outing for the day, Bundeena Ray/Josephine Bigeni: 9627 4182 or 0439 974 182 Vicki Micallef: 0425 210 436

L-aħbarijiet PBS (Malta)

Il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tagħha, imma l-qarrejja xorta mħeġġa biex jidħlu fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti: www.tvm.com.mt. għallaħbarijiet kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż Il-website hi aġġornata tul il-jum kollu għalhekk wieħed jista’ jieħu stampa ta’ li jkun qed iseħħ

La Valette Social Centre

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

A special bus trip to Festa tal-Bambina On September 9: Bus to St Mary’s Cathedral Bus leaves the La Valette Centre at 12pm and Old Prospect Rd Greystanes at 12.30 pm.

Cost $20. Everybody is wlecome Contact Frances 0412320432 or the Centre 9622 5847

Every Saturday: Kitchen and Bar open from 5.00 p.m.

Traditional Maltese cuisine. 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 or Sam Mifsud

Last Saturay of month: Għana Night with Saver Bonanno and friends

Stedina...

Il-Fathers Maltin tal-Arċidjoċesi ta’ Sydney jistiednu lill-Komunita` Maltija, u l-familji għall-festa tradizzjonali fid-9 ta’ Settembru:

tal-Vitorja

Fis-2.30 pm: Il-purcissjoni fejn jingħad ir-Ruzarju, u wara tibda l-quddiesa fil-Katidral ta’ St Mary’s College Street Sydney.

Dawk li għandhom xi għaqda, mistiedna jieħdu magħhom ilbnadar jew standardi tal-għaqda.

Familji li għandhom xi tfal jew żgħazagħ li jkunu jridu jilbsu xi kostum Malti jew tal-preċett, u jimxu fil-purcissjoni, iċemplu lil: Antoinette Mascari 9899 1938.

--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 for details to: Maltesevoice@gmail.com

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday September 4, 2018

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

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

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 97.7fm SBS 2.

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

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 Coast 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

OLQP Festa on October 7 3.30pm: Mass 4.30pm: Short Fireworks & Procession From 4.30pm: Food Stalls; Amusements; Rides; Market Stalls; Entertainment: Malta Rugby League Club 8.30pm: Fireworks Display Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church 198 Old Prospect Rd, Greystanes

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports...

Tuesday September 4, 2018

Ray Farrugia to make competitive debut as Malta’s national football team coach

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alta has not won a competitive match in its last 10 international outings and only avoided defeat in one, against Lithuania 11 months ago at the National Stadium, therefore it is not only the players and those involved directly Malta Premier League Football

Champions Valletta pointless

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with the national team that they expect some kind of improvement when Malta kicks off its commitments in the new UEFA Nations League this coming Friday at the Faroe Islands under national coach Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia who would be making his competitive debut.

The competition itself commences on Thursday with the match between world champions France and Germany.

Malta is drawn in Group D3 with the Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan and Kosovo. It kicks off with two matches in a four-day span. Three days after meeting the Faroes, at the Tórsvøllur Stadium, on the 10th, Malta, hosts Azerbaijan at the national Stadium.

Ray Farrugia is eagerly waiting his debut and in order to start the campaign on a positive note has named his final 23-strong squad that has a blend of youth and experience that he hopes would also form the team’s backbone for the upcoming years.

He has in fact has called on the experienced players to share the responsibility of taking the young members of the national squad under their wings in order to help

ay 2 of the Premier Football League in Malta before the recess for international duty by the National team in the UEFA Nations League, Sliema Wanderers and Valletta stole the limelight. The former by beating ‘old time ‘ rivals Floriana 1-0 and Valletta for their second reversal in as many matches by going down 2-1 to Hibernians.

This season already claimed its first victim with Floriana replacing their coach.

While Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, and Birkirkara top the league ladder, Valletta and Floriana are still pointless in the company of newly promoted Pieta and Senglea.

Beating Floriana’ was no easy task for Sliema, but they deserved their success. So too did Hibernians over Valletta who missed many scoring opportunities.

After beating Balzan on the opening day Birkirkara confirmed their perfect start to the season by beating Pieta. Ħamrun Spartans’ pre-season reshuffle is paying dividends. They kept their unbeaten two-match run with a scoreless draw against Gzira United. Both stand on four points.

Balzan recovered from the defeat against Birkirkara by beating Qormi 4-2. They are level on points with Tarxien and Mosta after the former’s 5-1 thrashing of St Andrews and Mosta’s victory over Senglea.

Results Day 2 Sliema W v Floriana 1-0 Hibernians v Valletta 2-1 Birkirkara v Pieta H 2-1 Balzan v Qormi 4-2 Gzira Utd v Ħamrun S 0-0 Tarxien R v St Andrews 5-1 Mosta v Senglea 2-0 The League resumes on September 14.

he Georgies’ five years stay in the NPL1 came to an end following a 4-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory last Sunday. It followed on the previous week’s loss against North Geelong.

Against the Victory following a low key opening 20 minutes, the Georgies defence presented the young Victory side with two gift goals within the space of five minutes as doom and gloom descended on the SGC camp. Victory added a third goal to take a 30 half-time lead. George Cross took control of the match in the second half and goals by Karl Barecevic (68th minute) and Jungho Kim (80th) gave them new hope, but it was Victory who sneaked another gift-wrapped

NS Mariners v Parramatta Eagles 2-2 Parramatta wrapped up their disastrous season with a 2-2 away result at third-placed North Shore Mariners that did not do them much good by way of their final placing in the league standing, as with Macarthur Rams winning their match, the Eagles finished bottom but one, just two points better off than wooden spoonists Blacktown Spartans. Both were relegated to Division 3.

Had Parramatta performed as good as they did in this match they would have avoided

the embarrassment of the low position. They finished their match with only ten men after the sending off after two yellow cards of Charles Abou Serhal with 30 minutes to go.

North Shore must have thought they had the game done and dusted after scoring twice in quick succession midway through the first half, but the Eagles found their spirit again and with 10 men and a missed penalty, still managed to score two goals from Matthew Lecce and Abuzar Awaz to end their final game in the division on a high.

NPL 2 NSW

National team coach Ray Farrugia them to develop into established national team players. The squad includes two foreign-based players, Apollon Limassol’s Andrè Schembri and US Pistoiese’s Zach Muscat.

Sunshine relegated to Communty football

NPL 2 West: Sunshine GC v Melbourne V Nth Geelong W v Sunshine GC

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2-4 2-1

Parramatta Eagles are relegated

goal in injury time.

The task of survival became so much harder for the Georgies the previous week when their four weeks unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 loss at North Geelong. They had taken a sixth minute lead six minutes through a Jungho Kim free kick.

Sunshine George Cross have a lot of soul searching to do before facing life next season back in Div.1 of Community football. The club will move into new premises next season and it is essential new blood steps up to stop the slide and get back to the top leagues.

NPL Vic: Green Gully v Kingston City Hume City v Green Gully

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1-3 2-2

he Greens’ dismal run continued on Sunday with their 3-1 home defeat against Kingston to finish in the third last play-off spot. They have not won a game since May and must now pull out all stops in their play-off clash to be played at AAMI Park on Sunday September 23.

Wasted opportunities proved costly for Green Gully who had more than their share of chances in the first half but found themselves trailing 1-0 at the break. Kingston scored two further goals to take a 3-0 lead with the Greens getting aconsolation from a eorge Lambadaridis penalty (89th min.)

A week earlier they could only draw 2-2 in an exciting away game with Hume City, scoring from an own goal and got the second from Kieren Dover.