The Voice of the Maltee No.198

Issue 198

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

Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora

New New Marsa Marsa Junction Junction Project Project (7 (7 flyovers) flyovers) costing costing €70m €70m

February 26, 2019

Pictures show how the largest investment on any single artery in the Maltese road network (€70m) the Marsa Junction project would look like when completed See story on page 5)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Passing on the leadership of the Maltese/Australian community to the next generations (third and final part)

“You can take the man out AndyBusuttil of Malta but you can never, ever take Malta out of the man”

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n part 2 of this article in the last issue of The Voice I ended with the story of a young 3rd generation Maltese young man who was moved to tears by Skorba's performance that depicted the homeland with which he identified; Malta. This week we pick up with a continuation of the story about young Maltese/Australians for whom the ties to Malta are of such significance.

There is this woman I met in October last year in Queensland at a music and dance camp. She was one of the dancers who performed a piece in one of the concerts.

Her last name is Farrugia, which we immediately recognise as a Maltese surname. Our names are in many instances unique and immediately identifiable.

Emily performed a dance that left many with their jaws on the ground. It was an amazing and extraordinarily beautiful performance for someone barely 20 years old. I went up to her afterwards and talked to her about her heritage.

She has a double-barrelled last name with Farrugia being one of them. She took this name from her mother's side of the family. I asked if she did 'identify' as Maltese. Her answer was immediate: "Absolutely!"

Emily (pictured below) said she would love to go back and see her homeland. She too is third generation and of mixed marriage (Maltese/Anglo Australian). Although Australian she too has a deep sense of her Maltese heritage of which she is very proud.

It is apparent that both Emily and the young man I mentioned in my previous article, and many like them, could well be the next leaders yet we cannot seem to engage them.

There are reasons for this but we haven’t yet d e t e r m i n e d what they are.

They will need to have a reason to engage. They are young and infinite in their lifet i m e s .

T h e y haven’t yet experienced the ravages of age and the need for greater commu-

nity support. They are invincible and durable and have no need for a supportive community in that sense but they are also yearning for something that deeply and spiritually connects them to their origins.

The question is ‘how can we give this to them?’ So the question appears to have now shifted from ‘what can they give to us their community?’ to ‘what can we, the community give to them that they can value and hold on to?’

We have been the leaders of an older generation of immigrant Maltese and done so successfully. Have we successfully identified what we can give to our younger Maltese/Australians?

Perhaps in one small part I stumbled across this in forming Skorba for the purpose I did. In my life story, I was Maltese from beginning to end. The best I would ever hope for was 'integration' rather than 'assimilation'. I worked at this and eventually succeeded, I think. However, my resistance to being 'Maltese' was slowly but surely being overcome and was to be replaced over the last two decades or so of my life with a growing passion for my homeland.

My first trip home was two years ago and was for me an absolute realisation that you can take the man out of Malta but you can never, ever take Malta out of the man.

I sobbed all the way in and sobbed all the way out when it was time to leave. Skorba had given me the key to my homeland and I am so grateful for that.

Coming back to the two youngsters I mention in my articles; I now find that my purpose in life is to make sure that I and my Maltese brothers and sisters feel no shame in their heritage. More to the opposite, a deep sense of self-respect in our extraordinary history, in our magnificent contributions, our love of each other and others, our generosity and kindness, are what we need to have as our focus.

We have integrated. We have contributed hugely to this great country. We have supplied it with doctors of renown, politicians of heart and soul, professionals of every kind, wonderful artists, musicians and dancers, top class executives and volunteers, builders, healers, creators and leaders of the nation.

We ought to be truly honouring of who we are and what we have done over the centuries while fighting for our right to survive and exist. All of this from an island no longer than 30kms and not wider than 15; a surface area of 316 square kilometres. This tiny patch of land, limestone with a mere scraping of soil and no reliable water supply has played a part in the history of the World that perhaps no other land has.

This is who I am. Who I am can never be seen as separate from my homeland and my people who have given so much over the centuries and who have contributed so much and so often been so poorly rewarded for their efforts. It is now time for us to look at ourselves and say with dignity that we are indeed of Maltese stock and fully integrated Australian citizens.

This more than anything is who I am. To be able to facilitate this development in our younger generation would be a marvellous and enduring gift for me and if one of my last thoughts on this planet would be that I have succeeded in doing this, I would die happy.

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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The Voice of the Maltese 3

his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of Q. My mother is in respite at present but moving to an aged care fathe Maltese in which Marie Louise Muscat from cility as she cannot continue to live at home. She does not wish to sell the family home and is short by $200,000 to pay the Refundable Ac- the Fiducian Financial Services helps our readers commodation Deposit in full. I am happy to pay this for her but I understand the complexities associated with finanwish to make sure I will get it back once she passes on as I have other cial planning. If you need more advice send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. siblings. What should I do?

A. You need to understand that once your $25,000 as concessional mum passes on the RAD is paid to your contributions and these mother’s estate and not paid partially back include your employer’s to you. In order for you to ensure that you contributions also. do receive it back, you should have a solicitor set up this loan arrangement in a Q. I am 75 years old, a legal manner and make sure that your sib- widower and have four lings are aware of this so that when the children. One of my time comes you get back the money you daughters has been paid as well as your normal share of the looking after me since estate. This would avoid problems in the her mother passed away four years ago. I future. know that she is strugQ. I am 40 years of age, single and have gling financially and I my sole beneficiaries to maintain this very little in superannuation. I have a would like to help with her children’s investment. Do they have to keep it as schooling.

Is there anything to consider full time job and have around $2,000 a joint investment or can this be split surplus income every month. I was con- if I do this? in half so that they will each own a sidering making a $1000 non-conces- A. I believe this to be a very good gesture. managed fund without the need to sell sional contribution into super every If you are a pensioner than you can only any of it. month. Is this advisable? gift up to $10,000 per annum with no more than $30,000 over a five-year pe- A. With managed funds these can norA. Building your superannuation is a riod.

If you gift more, this would still be mally be transferred to each beneficiary very good idea, however there are other in specie, which means without the need treated as your asset. things to consider. As you are 40 years to sell down the underlying assets. As the If you are not a pensioner than you are old you cannot touch your superannuainvestment will be coming from a denot limited to any amount.

This could tion until the age of 60 and retired. I ceased estate it will not trigger capital cause some friction in the family, however would therefore consider salary sacrificgains tax until such time that it will be ing this amount rather than investing it in it is your money and for you to do what- sold. ever you wish with it. superannuation as a non-concessional One child may decide to keep the investcontribution (i.e. after tax money).

Q. I am in the process of getting my ment indefinitely while the other child At least by salary sacrificing you are re- Will reviewed. One of my assets is a may need to sell part of his share of the ducing your taxable income. Keep in reasonably large managed investment. investment and therefore having two sepmind that you are only able to make up to I wish my two children who are also arate investments gives them the flexibility of pursuing their needs.

Q. My wife and I have just married. It is the second marriage for both of us. I am 59 and my wife is 58 years old. We have purchased a new house that is unencumbered. I am happy for my wife to retire as we can easily live on my income. We both have decent superannuation funds. Can my wife use her superannuation to start an income stream now that she will be retired?

A. Yes as your wife is over the age of 57 she can commence an account-based pension. She can take a monthly payment with a minimum amount of 4% per annum and no maximum amount. As she is under the age of 60 this will be treated as taxable income, but she will receive a tax rebate of 15%.

She also has a tax-free threshold of $18,200 so she will probably end up paying no tax anyway. Once she turns 60 years of age this income will be completely tax-free and does not need to be shown on her tax return.

Q&A

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

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

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Something magical happens each time you enter these city walls. Architectural excellence captivates your visual senses, as every step leads to a landmark of historical value. Walls and pavements that line the grid of narrow streets whisper secrets and mystics to passersby, whilst the air fills up with modern art, live music, and an array of celebrations. The Unesco World Heritage Site could perhaps best be described as a place where history meets the present; where every explorer can find something they love. How will your Valletta story unfold?

€70m Marsa Junction Project flyovers

The Voice of the Maltese 5

Tuesday February 26, 2019

It will be the largest investment on any single artery in the Maltese road network

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he implementation of the third phase of the Marsa Junction Project by Infrastructure Malta that will consist of seven flyover structures is in full swing.

The laying of the foundations for the first two of the seven flyover structures of the project, which is an investment of €70 million, is intended to upgrade the principal road link to the southern parts of Malta Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg announced that the current phase that would be connecting Triq Giuseppe Garibaldi to Triq Aldo Moro should be ready by the middle of summer.

The Minister described the project as the largest investment on any single artery in the Maltese road network. It will forever transform the way in which Malta looks at road infrastructure.

He explained that the new multi-level intersection includes the highest, the longest and the widest flyover structures ever built in Malta. The tallest bridge would rise over four storeys to surpass a lower flyover beneath it, whilst the two longest ones, extending over 400 metres, will connect Triq Garibaldi and Vjal Santa Lucija to Triq Aldo Moro.

The widest of the seven structures will include four vehicle lanes, which will fork into two different flyovers, each with two lanes.

Minister Borg said that these flyovers and over 12 kilometres of new or reconstructed lanes, grade-separated at three different levels, would create direct northbound and southbound connections between Triq Aldo Moro, Vjal Sir Paul Boffa, Vjal Santa Lucija, Triq Giuseppe Garibaldi and Triq il-Marsa.

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The new Mars a Junction Project will consist of seven flyovers to eliminate traffic

He said, “This development will eliminate traffic lights waiting times, and related congestion emissions, for over 100,000 road users who travel through this junction every day.”

He explained that this is a project that has been long awaited by the thousands of residents and workers who everyday need to travel to and from the south, and who for years suffered from unbearable traffic congestion and poor air quality. “An appropriate infrastructure is essential for our country to continue,” he said.

Contractors have been excavating and casting the first clusters of over 460 concrete and steel piles required to support the seven flyovers’ 42 pillars. These columns will be supporting 350 horizontal beams, ranging from 25 metres to 35 metres long, to form the seven flyover structures that would replace the Marsa Junction’s old traffic lights system.

As soon as the piles of the first flyover structure are ready, Infrastructure Malta will cast the concrete platforms on which the

flyover’s pillars will be constructed. The first two flyover structures will include 14 pillars. The contractors are also excavating and building over two kilometres of walkthrough culverts for the laying of new high voltage electricity cables to reinforce the area’s existing electricity network.

An additional 13.5 kilometres of water, sewage, storm water, electricity, Internet and other telecommunications underground networks will also be installed beneath the new road surfaces as part of this phase of the project.

The third phase of the Marsa Junction Project, that is co-financed through the EU’s Cohesion Fund and Connecting Europe Facility, will also introduce over 1.6 kilometres of new footpaths and cycle lanes in the area between Marsa and Paola and include three pedestrian bridges, four new bus laybys, 0.6 kilometres bus lanes and a 380-space park and ride facility.

Over 250 new street lamps will illuminate the junction’s lanes and segregated footpaths.

The project’s first phase started towards the end of 2017, with the demolition of two old factories to make way for the flyovers that are being constructed this year.

The second phase, which was completed late last year, included the reconstruction of Triq il-Gvern Lokali, Triq Ġużé Gatt (the northern end of Triq il-Gvern Lokali) and the widening and rebuilding of Triq Aldo Moro to a ten-lane road.

The new roads were reinforced with stabilising layers of geotextile and geogrid that reduce the impact of subsurface water infiltration and increase the structures’ lifetime by strengthening the road foundations.

A journey of a lifetime

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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e are repeatedly reminded that the Maltese community in Australia has aged. Indeed most of the Maltese have been in Australia since the fifties. Migration from Malta has virtually stopped. Maltese do not see emigration as an option anymore.

However, this does not mean that people do not seek better avenues for themselves. Life is full of opportunities, and Australia is still rated as one of the best countries in the world to live and work in.

The Voice of the Maltese met one of the newcomers, a very new Australian. In our popular February, Personality of the Month feature we would like to share her experiences with our readers.

Daniela Galea

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aniela Galea never thought she would relocate to and live in Australia. “I always thought of it as a far away, and large country overflowing with greenery and the world’s most beautiful beaches, and of course, home to the kangaroo and the koala.”

But life is full of surprises and in 2017. Daniela’s husband Karl was offered a role within the Australian office of an international telecommunications company. That marked the start of their Australian adventure.

“We shipped our belongings, and when my eldest son Guze’ was one-and-a-half years and my secondborn Mattia was just three weeks old, we left our home in Malta and embarked on a journey of a lifetime. It did not take us very long to settle in our new home and integrate into our new community in the little town of North Sydney”.

Daniela graduated and worked in Malta as a lawyer for over eight years. She has gained experience across the various legal sectors while working for one of Malta’s leading firms. For some years, this was the main point of contact for a broad base of yachting clients.

However, after a while she shifted her focus and specialised in the areas of succession law, estate planning, and property law in general.

Throughout her legal practice in Malta, Daniela had the opportunity to provide legal advice to and assist many families of Maltese descent living in Australia who held or inherited immovable property in Malta.

She told us that this made her aware “that many of the Maltese

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

Please Note:

Due to last minute material in particular the report about the unprecedented serious weathery conditions on the Maltese islands that left a trail of devastation we felt needed to be inserted in the current issue (see page 11), the article by Peter Paul Ciantar had to be left out. It will return in the next issue

who migrated to Australia years ago are now facing legal issuesor are simply interested in obtaining legal advice relating to the estate which they inherited or still own in Malta”.

With her legal expertise in this very area, it was decided to reach out to families and colleagues in Australia who may be seeking legal advice under Maltese law. This led to the founding of her legal practice and the setting up of her website www.danielagalea.com.

While in Malta, besides her law career, she furthered her studies and read for a Masters of Arts Degree in Bioethics. “Bioethics is very close to my heart, and I hope to further my experience in this field, which is concerned with ethical questions relating to human life and how this is affected by the advance of medicine and technology.”

Daniela was overjoyed when she was asked to be involved in the Bioethics Programme offered by the University of Notre Dame, Sydney where she lectures and facilitates workshops for medical students in their foundation years.

Above all, Daniela is a wife to Karl and a mother of two beautiful boys, Guze’ and Mattia. They fill her days with a lot of work but mostly joy and everlasting memories. They bring hope to her challenging days and give her life meaning and purpose.

Daniela and Karl consider Sydney as their home, and they will be forever thankful for the beautiful moments spent in the countless parks, the numerous beaches, and the memorable road-trips that only a place like Australia can give.

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Il-Karnival ta’ Malta 2019 (28 ta’ Frar–5 ta’ Marzu): Tuesday February 26, 2019

Festival storiku storiku Festival tradizzjonali uu tradizzjonali

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ssa kollox hu lest u għal ġimgħa sħiħa, kienu jorganizbejn nhar it-28 tax-xahar u l-5 ta’ zaw il-Karnival Marzu fil-Gzejjer Maltin ikollna l-jiem qabel ir-Randan brijjużi tal-Karnival, avveniment li jnessi biex jixxalaw, u lil ħafna l-problemi tal-ħajja u li donnu wara jagħmlu sjlibbishom maskra oħra biex taħtha jaħbu sagrifiċċju. dak li l-veru huma. Oħrajn, aktar passivi, Maż-żmien sar jieħdu sehem bħala spettaturi jitgħaxxqu magħruf bħala bil-ħila artistika ta’ dawk li b’ħafna spejjeż ċ e l e b r a z z j o n i Kostum elaborat filu għal xhur sħaħ qabel il-jiem hekk unika, għall-inqKarnival tal-2018 magġrufa bħala “tal-bluha” jpoġġu l-im- as fl-Ewropa li maġnazzjoni tagħhom, l-ewwel fuq il- jamalga s-sbukarta mbagħad fil-bini ta’ karrijiet ikku- ħija tal-karrijiet artistiċi grotteski u minn luriti u artistiċi mill-isbaħ. ftit taż-żmien lil hawn anke satiriċi, ma’ Il-ħila tal-artist Malti ma tidhirx biss fil- kostumi u żifniet elaborati li jagħmluh karrijiet imma wkoll fil-kostumi li kapaċi okkażjoni esklussivament Maltija. joħolqu biex ilibbsu lit-tfajliet u ġuvintur li Din l-attivita ġeneralment tippromwovi jakkumpanjaw il-karrijiet biex iqajjmu l- festival li fih il-parteċipanti jkunu jistgħu brijju fit-toroq ewlenin tal-belt Valletta f’- jaqsmu l-esperjenzi tagħhom fi spazji mifMalta, u triq it-Tiġrija fir-Rabat Għawdex, tuħa madwar il-belt u l-irħuli Maltin u biex joħolqu atmosfera ferriħija, u jieħdu Għawdxin. Wara kollux hu wkoll mod ta’ sehem fil-kompetizzjonijiet taż-żfin. divertiment u laqgħat soċjali li jgħinu Il-Karnival ta’ Malta hu storiku u festival jinżammu drawwiet Maltin. tradizzjonali li jaf l-għeruq tiegħu lillMatul iż-żmien il-Karnival ta’ Malta tjieb ħakma f’pajjiżna tal-Kavallieri ta’ San ħafna fil-kwalita`u baqa’ jiġbed lejh Ġwann. Ilu jkollu post importanti fuq il- żgħażagħ li jingħataw kull ċans li juru kalendarju kulturali Malti għal ftit anqas ħilithom u jimirħu fuq l-esperjenza ta’ minn ħames sekli. Kien ġie introdott għall- oħrajn veterani fil-bini tal-karrijiet. mill-Gran Mastru Piero de Ponte fl-1535.

Interessanti l-fatt li minkejja li wħud millDan il-festival li tipikament jinkludi bal- politiċi tant huma sensittivi għall-kritika, lijiet bil-maskri, kostumi u kompetizzjoni- wara li minn xi snin ilu s-sidien tal-karrijiet jiet tal-maskra grotteski, festi lussużi tard ingħataw ukoll iċ-ċans li jekk iridu jistgħu billejl u parata mimlija kuluri ta' ̉Żiemel bil-kuċċier karrijiet allegoriċi ppreseduta imzejjen għall-Karnival mir-Re tal-Karnival, b’baned ħafna snin ilu jimmarċjaw u xalaturi bil-kostum, isir fil-jiem qabel Ras irRandan, żmien ta’ sawm u astinenza fejn il-poplu jħejji ruħu għall-festi tal-Ġimgħa lKbira.

Dak iż-żmien li kien ġiet introdott (għal tlett ijiem) in-nies kienu jsumu 40 jum, allura

jdaħħku bil-politiċi u/jew jużawhom b’mod satiriku u sakastiku fil-karrijiet, sirt issib politiċi li jieħdu gost, u kważi jiffastidjaw ruħhom li ma jiġux “użati”.

Għalkemm kull sena l-attivitajiet ewlenin tal-Karnival, l-aktar fejn tidħol il-parata tal-karrijiet grotteski u ż-żfin, ikunu konċentrati fil-kapital Maltija Valletta, u fejn għandu x’jaqsam Għawdex, fir-Rabat, b’danakollu għadd ta’ rħula wkoll jorganizzaw il-karnivali hekk imsejħa spontanji tagħhom. Fosthom jispikkaw ta’ ĦalGħaxaq f’Malta, u fost kulħadd dak tan-

Nadur fil-gżira Għawdxija.

Fejn għandu x’jaqsam tal-aħħar, dan hu attrazzjoni ewlenija li tisboq kull attivita` oħra, tant li kiseb l-għarfien tal-Ministeru għal Għawdex. Il-Ministru li tmexxih, Justyn Caruana qalet li bil-għan li kompli tippromwovi lil Għawdex bħala destinazzjoni turistika distinta għal matul is-sena kollha permezz ta’ diversi attivitajiet u inizjattivi, dan tan-Nadur hu fost l-attivitajiet li l-Ministeru jorganizza taħt il-kappa tal-Karnival Reġjonali għal Għawdex.

M’għandux jonqos li fost għadd ta’ inizjattivi oħra li saru u qed isiru, se jerġa’ jkun ta’ attrazzjoni mhux biss għallGħawdxin imma fori aktar għat-turisti, kemm Maltin u wkoll barranin. Il-Karnival tan-Nadur se jsir b’kollaborazzjoni sħiħa mal-Kunsill Lokali.

Il-Ministeru jinvesti wkoll fondi mhux biss għal dan l-hekk msejjaħ Karnival Reġjonali li se jsir bejn l-1 u l-5 ta’ Marzu, imma mis-ena l-oħra wkoll fil-karnival tas-sajf li għalih attendew ħafna dilettanti tal-karnival.

Il-Ministru qalet li kemm ilkarnival spontanju kif ukoll dak organizzat qed isiru b’mod kordinat biex ikun hemm programm b’saħħtu li jattira l-folol li jħobbu l-karnival, u li huma ħafna, fosthom eluf ta’ Maltin li kull sena f’dawn il-jiem jimlew illuandi u appartamenti tal-kiri . Uħud mill-Maltin li jitilgħu Għawdex f’dawn il-jiem, jagħmlu dan l-aktar biex isegwu, u ġieli anke jieħdu sehem fil-Karnival tan-Nadur Hu fatt magħruf li minħabba li ġeneralment min jieħu sehem fih jilbes kostumu u maskri grotteski oriġinali kemm jista’ jkun, mhux faċli li wieħed jagħraf il-persuna, ikun hemm anke professjonisti li filħajja ta’ kuljum iġibulek suddizzjoni li la ma jarafahom ħadd, allura jazzardaw jitbelħu huma wkoll.

Il-Kunsill Lokali tan-Nadur jorganizza lKarnival spontanju bejn l-1 u 5 ta’ Marzu, dejjem wara nżul ix-xemx.

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

A publication that reports the facts

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

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Paul Zammit from Harvey WA writes: was so proud to read in the last issue of The Voice the progress Malta has been making of late in a number of sectors, particularly in the economic and tourism fields. You did well to report them with such prominence.

This is the only publication that reports the facts about Malta without any comments thus giving the readers the chance to form their own opinion about the goingson on the island.

Other publications and/or websites that are supposedly aimed at the Maltese community, including those created by some Maltese organisations that should be serving the readers, just publish word for word, most probably finding it easy to use the cut-and-paste

Ġurnaliżmu kif għandu jkun

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Mario Griscti minn Ta’ Xbiex, Malta jikteb:

rċevejt The Voice of the Maltese, (Ħarġa Nru 197) li tagħha ntikom ħajr mill-qalb għax verament twassal aħbarijiet kif inhuma u dan hu xempju ta’ ġurnaliżmu kif għandu jkun, iffokat fuq l-aħbar, veritier lejn l-avvenimenti li jinqalgħu u metikoluż, prudenti u skrupluż fil-kummenti jew żidiet oħra.

Għandkom tkunu verament kburin li tmexxu dan il-ġurnal. Qegħdin tagħmlu ġid bla tarf lill-Malti bħala lsien u saħansitra bħala grammatika. Grazzi għal tagħrif tassew siewi.

Qed iżżommu l-Ilsien Malti ħaj fl-Awstralja, b’imħabba patrijottika inimitabbli.

L-artikli f’The Voice...huma wkoll ta’ interess, u r-ritratti stampati, m’għandniex xi ngħidu, ikomplu jlewwnu l-aħbar, l-artiklu u kitbiet oħrajn.

method from the so-called independent English language media in Malta that normally follow the agenda of those who have always been hostile to the progress and achievements of the Maltese people.

I would also express my agreement to a short paragraph published about the record number of “tourist” from Australia that visited Malta last year. You were so right to point out that The Voice must have contributed towards this record. I agree wholeheartedly.

X’nostalġija !

K

Paul Borg minn Penrith, NSW jikteb: emm tajtuni gost fil-ħarġa ta’ The Voice of the Maltese li għaddiet li fiha ppubblikajtu r-ritratt fil-faċċata ta’ quddiem ta’ dak li kien Bieb il-Belt minn ġewwa, meħud mill-bidu ta’ Triq ir-Repubbika, u anke l-fatt li tajtuna wkoll iċ-ċans li nxebbħu dak li kien hemm ma’ dak li hemm issa.

Tassew ġibtuli nostalġija kbira għax dak iżżmien li kien għad hemm dak il-bieb kont għadni tifel ċkejken ngħix Malta. Qed ngħid għall-aħħar snin tal-ħamsinijiet. Dan kien ftit wara li l-gvern tal-ewwel snin tas-sittinijiet waqqa’ dik il-ġawhra ta’ bieb (City Gate).

Jien niftakar li taħt it-taraġ tax-xellug kien hemm ukoll ħanut żgħir tal-kafe`, x’aktarx bl-isem ta’ Café Riche. Kont għadni żgħir, mhux żgur kelli għaxar snin għalhekk ngħid li forsi oħrajn aktar anzjani minni jiftakruh.

Niftakarni wkoll jien u ħija mmorru ma’ missieri l-belt u nitilgħu u ninżlu niġri dawk it-taraġ fuq kull naħa.

Kemm kien sabiħ dak il-bieb! Kien hemm tlett bibien fil-fatt, wieħed kbir, fin-nofs, u li kienu jgħaddu minnu l-karozzini u xi karozzi żgħar, u tnejn oħra iżgħar fuq kull naħa minn fejn kienu jgħaddu n-nies. Kif tidħol minnhom kont issib bankina.

Ikun ta’ siewi wkoll jekk forsi f’xi ħarġa oħra ġġibu wkoll ir-ritratt ta’ Bieb il-Belt min-naħa ta’ barra kif kien fl-istess żmien.

Kemm kien sabiħ! Ma nista’ naħfer qatt lil min kienet ġietu l-idea li jwaqqgħu biex bena ieħor ġgantest, f’forma kwadra li ma kien fih gost ta’ xejn.

Tagħmlu tajjeb jekk minn xi daqqiet tfakkruna fil-postijiet li kienu popolari u li llum inbidlu b’bini li ftit jagħmel ġieħ lil kif kienu l-ibliet u l-irħula Maltin. Bħala suġġeriment, naħseb li jkun tajjeb li ġġibu kif kienu fi żmien l-antik u llum. Grazzi mil-qalb.

Nota: Nassiguraw lil dan il-qarrej li s-suġġeriment tiegħu se jintlaqa’ - L-editur *Aktar ittri f’paġna 9

Tuesday February 26, 2019

More letters from our readers

Who is going to fill the void?

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Carmen Barbara nee Gauci from Greystanes NSW:

s a family, we felt extremely upset to read in the last issue (No. 197) of The Voice that the Maltese Chaplaincy will soon be vacant due to the departure of Rev Fr Noel Bianco.

I don’t often go to La Valette, but I got to know Fr Noel when he came to Greystanes for the Reflections during Lent. There was a good turnover of Maltese not just from Greystanes but from Wentworthville and Merrylands as well.

So this service will not be available this year.

My Mother in law has been attending La Valette Social Centre Respite Service for the last decade. She looks forward to the Maltese Mass on Thursdays. I can assure you this has been a priceless time for her.

In winter when it is extremely cold the Mass on Thursday will be her weekly Mass.

My mother in law turned 97 in January

and has been in Australia since 1949.

She had picked up the English language over the years when she was younger. Unfortunately now she has reverted to just the mother tongue.

We still speak Maltese all the time at home! When we have visitors, we then have to go bilingual. But not mum. Ever since she turned 80 years she speaks to everyone in Maltese!

We end being her translators. But now who is going to fulfil her spiritual needs?

Who is going to fulfil the void of listening to spiritual talks in Maltese when my husband and I (both first generation Maltese) start talking only in Maltese as we age! Or where are we going to go to attend a Mass in Maltese?

I would like to be the voice for my mother in law and thousands of Maltese who will eventually speak only Maltese as they experience old age.

Ferħa bla temma!

X

’aktarx ħafna jafu li l-Maltin iħobbu jilagħbuhom (il-flus).

Mhix xi aħbar la għal dawk li jgħixu f’Malta u lanqas dawk barra.

Fil-fatt jingħad li xi Maltin anke ġarrew it-tendenza li jilagħbuhom barra l-pajjiż.

Fl-ewwel snin tas-seklu l-ieħor f’Malta ġie mdaħħal il-Lottu (kien iddaħħal bl-għan li d-dħul minnu jmur ħalli l-Gvern ikun jista’ jdaħħal l-edukazzjoni obbligatorja fil-pajjiż). Minn dakinhar il-Lottu mhux talli qatt ma waqaf, talli wkoll żdied logħob ieħor fosthom isSuper 5, fejn darba fil-ġimgħa jitilgħu ħames numri u min jaqtagħhom jirbaħ somma sabiħa.

Mhux darba jew tnejn li minħabba li għal xi ġimgħat ma jkun hemm ħadd li jaqta’ l-ħames numri l-premju jingħadd ma’ dak tal-ġimgħa ta’ wara u jibqa’ jsir hekk ġimgħa wara l-oħra sakemm xi ħadd jaqta’ l-imbierka numri u jirbaħ somma kbira.

Mhux l-ewwel darba li t-total anke qabeż il-miljun Ewro. Meta l-premju jikber daqshekk jiżdiedu l-lagħba u aktar nies jippruvaw xortihom billi jixtru aktar biljetti.

Jingħad li meta l-premju jilħaq somma kbira jonqos ilbejgġ ta’ xi oġġetti essenzjali minħabba li jkun hemm min ‘jitlef moħħi’ u minflok jinfoq flusu fil-logħob.

Hekk seħħ ftit tal-ġimgħat ilu b’dawk li lagħbu nnumri 5,10,15,20,25 fis-Super 5 stennew il-premju u malajr bdew jippjanaw x’se jagħmlu bit-€350,00, sakemm.... tħabbar li attwalment kien hemm 77 persuna li qatgħu l-ħames numri, xi ħaġa li qatt ma seħħet qabel.

Għalhekk il-ferħa ta’ min bassar in-numri u nefaq ilflus fil-biljetti malajr inbidlet f’diżappunt meta saru jafu li kellhom jaqsmu s-somma bejniethom biex spiċċaw biex ħadu biss b’€4,545.47.

Imma għall-inqas ħadu xi ħaġa, mhux hekk?

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Quantum leap?

Tony Brincat from Brighton Victoria writes: rofs Maurice Cauchi has raised the issue with the Council of the Maltese Living Abroad (CMLA), about the Arts Council of Malta in regard to the Maltese community in Australia.

I do agree with him that out of the 183 money awards given in 2017, varying from as little as a few thousand Euro to a maximum of $15,000 none have been made to the Maltese community in Australia.

As far as I know, the Council’s aim is also to promote Maltese culture abroad. This council has not made the slightest difference to the average Maltese living in Australia. Perhaps it can explain this major disappointment.

P

Għall-attenzjoni tal-qarrejja

Il-qarrejja li jixtiequ juru l-fehmiet tagħhom dwar xi suġġett huma mħeġġa jagħmlu dan, u li ma jħallux għall-aħħar. Indirizzaw l-emails lil maltesevoice@gmail.com. L-ttri għall-pubblikazzjoni indikawhom: Letters to the editor.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

Il-każ Huawei

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ħal xi snin issa diversi pajjiżi tal-hekk imsejjaħ ‘Punent’, bdew iħarsu b’suspett lejn il-kumpannija ġganteska Ċiniża tat-telekomunikazzjoni Huawei. Dan is-suspett hu li tteknoloġija tal-Huawei tista’ tintuża biex il-gvern Ċiniż jispjuna bil-moħbi fuq il-komunikazzjonijiet f’pajjiż li fih jintuża.

Dan is-suspett hu bbażat l-iktar fuq tliet osservazzjonijiet. Lewwel hi l-fundatur, Ren Zhengfei, li qabel ma beda l-kumpannija fl-1987 kien uffiċjal fl-armata Ċiniża. It-tieni li jeżisti kumitat talPartit Kommunista Ċiniż fil-kumpannija. It-tielet hi li hemm liġi Ċiniża li tobbliga lil organiazzazzjonijiet biex jikkollaboraw f’xogħol ta’ ġbir ta’ tagħrif b’valur nazzjonali.

Minħabba f’dan, xi pajjiżi, bħall-Istati Uniti, l-Awstralja u New Zealand, iddeċidew li ma jħallux lil Huawei tforni t-teknoloġija tagħha f’dawn il-pajjiżi għall-infrastruttura futura tat-telekomunikazzjoni tal-ħames ġenerazzjoni (5G), li qiegħda tiġi żviluppata.1 Għalxejn Zhengfei stqarr li qatt mhu se jagħmel xejn biex jagħmel ħsara lil kwalunkwe pajjiż ieħor, jew li jippreferi li jagħlaq il-kumpannija milli jmur kontra l-privatezza ta’ xi klijent.2 Bint Meng Wanzhou, kap finanzjarju tal-kumpannija għadha arrestata fil-Kanada mixlija bi frodi u b’talba ta’ estradizzjoni lejn lIstati Uniti mdendla. Ukoll maniġer ta’ Huawei fil-Polonja ġie mkeċċi mix-xogħol wara li ġie mixli li kien spjuna f’dak il-pajjiż.3 Jien ngħid għalija, ma nsibx l-istqarrijiet tal-fundatur Zhengfei partikolarment konvinċenti, u lanqas nistenna li l-pajjiżi li ħadu pass gravi daqs li jeskludu din il-kumpannija speċifikatament millpjanijiet tal-investimenti futuri fit-telekomunikazzjoni, biex jerġgħu lura minn din id-deċiżjoni sempliċement abbażi ta’ dawn l-istqarrijiet, jew l-istediniet biex jippruvaw it-teknoloġija u jrabbu esperjenza magħha qabel ma jieħdu pass bħal dan.

Madankollu, l-iskop ta’ dan l-artiklu mhux wieħed li jmaqdar jew jipponta s-swaba lejn Huawei, imma li jitwessa xi ftit l-argument.

Jien naċċetta li jekk il-gvern Ċiniż irid, jista’ joħroġ ordni u m’għandi l-ebda dubju li tiġi obduta anke jekk min jirċeviha jkun kontriha.

Wieħed faċilment jara li sitwazzjoni bħal din tista’ tinħoloq f’każ ta’ emerġenza politika jew militari, jew kunflitt jekk mhux ukoll gwerra.

Jien fil-fatt niskanta li d-diskussjoni hi biss limitata għal suspetti ta’ spjunar, jien tbeżżagħni wkoll l-abbiltà li tagħmir jingħata struzzjoni biex jiffunzjona ħażin jew jieqaf għal kollox.

Imma l-punt tiegħi hu dan. F’sitwazzjoni ta’ xi kunflitt militari jew gwerra, il-gvern Ċiniż biss jista’ joħroġ ordni bħal din? Ma jistgħux kwalunkwe pajjiż ieħor involut f’emerġenza tal-pajjiż, fejn il-kostituzzjoni tiġi sospiża u l-pajjiż jitmexxa taħt liġi marzjali, joħroġ kwalunkwe ordni li jħoss neċessarja biex jiddefendi lintegrità u s-sigurtà tal-pajjiż?

Taħseb li f’sitwazzjoni bħal din l-Istati Uniti ma toħroġx ordnijiet lill-kumpanniji l-kbar tagħha, is-sisien fl-infrastruttura tat-telekomunikazzjoni, bħal Cisco, Apple, Google eċċ biex tiddefendi ssigurtà tal-pajjiż u tieħu vantaġġ militari f’xi kunflitt?

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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

kitba ta’

IVAN CAUCHI

Le? U ejja!

Anke llum, fejn kunflitt militari bejn il-potenzi l-kbar (Ċina, Russja, Stati Uniti) ma jeżistux (għalkemm tensjoni hemm kemm trid), nafu li l-Istati Uniti tiġbor informazzjoni (spjunat) fuq iċ-ċittadini tagħħa stess, apparti ċittadini barranin, u fuq kapijiet tal-istat ħbieb tagħha bħall-Kanċillier Ġermaniż Angela Merkel, minn telefonati, messaġġi tal-mowbajl, traffiku tal-internet u metodi oħrajn.

Ukoll, l-aġenzija tal-ispjunar Ingliża taqra l-informazzjoni minn fibri ottiċi li jduru madwar id-dinja għall-internet.4 Dan kollu ħareġ mir-rivelazzjonijiet tal-Amerikan Edward Snowden, li bħalissa qiegħed eżiljat fir-Russja.

Kien ukoll svelat li apparat tal-kumpannija ġganteska Amerikana Cisco, waqt l-esportazzjoni tagħhomġieli ġew imwaqqfa bil-moħbi mis-servizzi sigrieti Amerikani, u jsirulhom modifikazzjonijiet li jippermettu s-sorveljanza qabel ma jerġgħu jiġu ssiġillati bis-siġilli tal-fabbrika.5 Wieħed jista’ jara li biżgħat leġittimi jeżistu, u minn kull naħa.

L-anġli fis-sema qiegħdin.

Fl-Awstralja, il-parlament federali għadu kif għadda leġislazzjoni li jippermetti lill-Ministru tal-Intern jagħti direzzjoni lil min għandu infrastruttura kritika fil-pajjiż biex jagħmel, jew ma jagħmilx, ħaġa li għandha riskju li tkun ta’ preġudizzju għassiġurtà tal-pajjiż. Definizzjoni wiesgħa kemm tridha. Kemm hi differenti mill-leġislazzjoni Ċiniża li semmejt qabel?

Tifhmunix ħażin, dawn il-biżgħat mhumiex mingħajr fundazzjoni.

Madankollu hemm iktar minn mod wieħed kif jistgħu jiġu affrontati.

Per eżempju, l-Ingilterra s’issa ħadet l-attitudni li riskji simili jistgħu jiġu mmaniġġjati permezz tal-arkitettura tan-netwerk, u li m’hemmx bżonn ta’ projbizzjoni kompluta.

Il-BT, kumpannija ġganteska Brittannika tat-telekomunikazzjoni qed tuża teknoloġija tal-Huawei f’partijiet tan-netwerk 5G li mhumiex fil-qalba. Operaturi oħra kbar bħal Vodafone ukoll jixtiequ jaħdmu ma’ Huawei għax dawn huma avvanzati fit-teknoloġija 5G. Malta wkoll ma ħaditx it-triq tal-projbizzjoni ta’ Huawei, anzi ffirmat ftehim li fih din il-kumpannija se tuża lill-Malta bħala vetrina għat-teknoloġija avvanzata tal-5G tagħha.6 Dan għal darb’oħra jpoġġi lil Malta fuq quddiem fl-isfera tat-teknoloġija tat-telekomunikazzji u l-IT. Fl-istess ħin, se jkun interessanti li nosservaw jekk il-gvern Malti u l-kumpanniji tat-telekomunikazzjoni fil-pajjiż jieħdux xi miżuri ta’ prekawzjoni biex jittaffew ir-riskji għas-sigurtà tal-pajjiż li jistgħu jiġu antiċipati, kemm permezz tal-arkitettura li tingħażel kif ukoll fl-għażla strateġika ta' fornituri alternattivi ta’ apparat ta’ dan it-tip.

Referenzi

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46465438, retrieved 20/2/2019 2. http://fortune.com/2019/01/18/huawei-ren-zhengfei/, retrieved 20/2/2019 3. https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/chinese-telco-huawei-sacks-accusedspy-detained-in-poland-20190113-p50r1t.html, retrieved 20/2/2019 4. https://mashable.com/2014/06/05/edward-snowden-revelations/#GBjdrEYdBPqc, retrieved 20/2/2019 5. https://www.infoworld.com/article/2608141/internet-privacy/snowden—thensa-planted-backdoors-in-cisco-products.html, retrieved 21/2/2019 6. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/14/c_137324156.htm, retrieved 21/2/2019

Unprecedented destructive weather hits Maltese islands

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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aleforce winds, heavy rain and rough seas late Saturday evening and all of Sunday in what was described as one of the worst weather ever to hit the Maltese islands the past weekend had temperatures plummeting to unusual lows and caused unprecedented damage in a number of localities in Malta and Gozo.

It literally took Malta by storm as the overall damage is estimated caused could run into the tens of thousands of Euros.

Many trees in busy roads were uprooted and power lines all around the country were damaged making a number of roads dangerous to drive in as winds toppled billboards onto the roads and stone walls were destroyed.

Malta's east coast took the full brunt of the bad weather The weather has also affected sports events, primarily the Malta Marathon that was scheduled for Sunday, and the quarter-finals of football’s FA Trophy

(see page 24). Political parties also postponed their activities scheduled for Sunday.

The weather conditions prompted Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to say that weather experienced was not normal for the Maltese islands, and advised the people to stay indoors and not venture out if they could do without.

During the storm that hit the Maltese islands over the two days the Civil Protection Department received 300 calls for assistance, 250 of them concerning uprooted trees, roofs, rubble walls, electricity poles and damaged sign.

A number of its members worked incessantly during the night to clear the roads and on Sunday they helped to evacuate persons from the Park Towers in Sliema amd Vittoriosa due to floods.

Battered boats and flooded buildings were the order of the day, and a number of police vehicles were almost washed away by the sea (picture above).

The gale force wind has caused widespread destruction but no injuries have been reported so far.

Force 9 gale force winds that in some instances reached around 101 km/h resulted in waves at times reaching a height of up to 12 metres particularly in areas

on the coast in Sliema, St Julians and Xemxija, St Paul’s Bay, Valletta and Marsaskala.

Apartment blocks and restaurants along the Sliema-St Julians promenade suffered extensive damage.

In Xemxija the waves deposited live fish from the nearby fish farms onto the roads and several people stopped their cars to pick them up. Some even tried to sold their ‘catch’ on Facebook.

As of this Thursday Malta is embarking on a whole week of Carnival celebrations, with carnival floats doing the rounds in Valletta’s main streets. Some of the floats that had been under cover also suffered considerable damage and their owners would be hard pressed to mend the damage. But only one float was completely damaged.

A farmers’ organisation reported that the storm had caused considerable damage amounting to some €50,000, adding.

Weatherwise, Malta returned to normality on Monday.

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta

Maltese have highest positive opinion about their country among EU states

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n a survey conducted

by Eurobarometer indicates that 87% of the Maltese population feel that the current situation in Malta is either very good or rather good. The Maltese are also optimistic about their future with 95% saying that the economic situation in Malta is good or very good.

These are the highest positive opinions about one's own country among the 28 Member States where the EU average is 50%, placingMalta at the same level as Denmark, Luxembourg and Sweden, and just 1% lower than Ireland.

The survey further shows that 96% of Maltese are very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the life they lead regarding their personal and economic situations, which is 13% percentage points higher than the average for the whole of the EU.

7% drop in criminal offences

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riminal offences in Malta during 2018 dropped by 7% when compared to the previous year. According to criminologist Professor Saviour Formosa from CrimeMalta Observatory, this is by far the biggest drop in recent years.

The statistic includes interesting trends, among which a 46% drop in pickpocketing, an increase in financial crime by technological means, a drop in crime reported in the St Julians area and an increase in crime in the Valletta area.

During the year 15,925 crimes were reported to the Police authorities, a drop of 1,211 compared to 2017. Fraud-related crime increased by 31% in 2018, particularly online financial crime, and drug-related crime increased by 12%, going up to 348 reports, the highest figure since 2004.

Confidence in the government stands at 63%, compared to the average figure in the EU, which stands at 35%.

Asked about the main issues facing Malta at the moment 50% of Maltese respondents mentioned migration, followed by housing (29%), environment, climate and energy issues (28%), crime (19%), and rising prices and inflation (19%).

Fieldwork for the Eurobarometer report was conducted November 8–22 last year. A total of 503 face–to–face interviews were conducted with respondents residing in Malta and aged 15 years and over.

The majority of Maltese respondents, 61%, identified migration as a challenge for Malta and for the EU. Other issues that are currently challenging the European Union are terrorism (27%), environment (11%), the public finances of member states (11%), and crime (10%).

At 35%, confidence in political parties in Malta is double the average in the EU, whilst confidence in justice and the legal system stands at 49%, compared to 51% in the EU. Requested to express their perceptions about the EU, 35% of respondents stated that things in the EU are generally going in

MIA shows €30.3m profit for 2018

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alta International Airport, MIA, recorded a sharp increase in profits in 2018 compared to 20017. Its profit has topped the €30.3 million mark which is €6.1 million more than the previous years’

Unemployment down by 10%

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nemployment in Malta in January was 1,796, which is a drop of 10% compared to the same month last year according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

€24.2 million.

MIA said in a statement that performance improved in both its aviation and non-aviation activities. Group revenue for the year that ended on December 31 was €92,191,719 up from €82,369,154 in 2017.

Aviation revenue grew by 11.1% to €65.5 million, largely attributable to an increase of 13.2% in traffic, which reached a new all-time high of 6,808,177 passenger movements in 2018.

the right direction. In contrast, respondents across the EU are not as favourable as only 29% stated that things were going in the right direction; 51% stated that they were going in the wrong direction. Confidence in the Police stands at 68% About the EU, 61% of respondents in Malta identified migration as a challenge not only for Malta but also for the EU. Other issues that are currently worrying the European Union are terrorism (27%), environment (11%), the public finances of member states (11%), and crime (10%).

DBRS affirms Malta’s ‘impressive’ progress

On the back of the positive credit ratings

by Fitch and Moody’s, another reputable agency, DBRS, has confirmed Malta’s sovereign credit rating at ‘A (high)’ with a stable outlook It notes that the ‘A (high)’ rating is mainly supported by Malta’s strong external position, the low reliance on external financing, the favourable public debt structure, and the households’ strong financial position.

It further acknowledges that Malta has continued to outperform the EU average growth rates with broad-based expansion, noting that over the previous year, in the third quarter of 2018 Malta’s economic momentum remained strong, with GDP growth reaching 7.5%. It stated that from 2013 to 2018 the potential GDP growth jumped from 6.1%. As a result, the GDP per capita continued to converge to EU average levels in 2018.

DBRS expects Malta’s debt-to-GDP ratio, currently one of the lowest in the EU, to continue on a steep downward trend.

On the financial sector, DBRS said the Maltese financial system remains sound, and noted that between 2019 and 2022 the International Monetary Fund projected an annual average GDP growth rate of 3.8% In his reaction to the report Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna said, “The year 2019 started well with the issue of three positive credit ratings that have all confirmed Malta’s good standing in terms of its economy and public finances when compared to its peers.”

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta

‘Maltese people can start to Malta in continuous efforts to facilitate peace in ME feel the impact of technology’ T

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rime Minister Joseph Muscat’s pledge to make Malta the Blockchain Island is close to becoming a reality. Following a two-year agreement signed between the Ministry for Education and Employment (MEDE) and Learning Machine, with effect from the next scholastic year education certificates and credentials of all students in educational institutions would be on blockchain.

In this way Malta will become the first country in the world to use blockchain Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in this way. It is the result of a pilot project in the past two years with MCAST and ITS students, among others.

Academic credentials like diplomas, school leaving certificates, and transcripts would be issued to Maltese students in an internationally portable, instantly verifiable digital format. Educational institutions will also continue to receive official accreditation certificates on the blockchain for instant verification of status.

This comes after MEDE and three educational institutions: the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST), the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), and the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) successfully completed the world’s first national pilot of Blockcerts blockchain credentials.

During his address at the signing, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said, “in 2017, we said Malta should become ‘the blockchain island’. And it has. Malta is leading its peers when it comes to emerging technologies and digital innovation”.

This means that Learning Machine, together with all its Maltese stakeholders, is delivering world-class innovation.

he Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela highlighted the importance of continued engagement in the Middle East and reiterated Malta’s continuous efforts to facilitate peace in this region.

Speaking at a Ministerial Meeting to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East, in Warsaw, organised jointly by Poland and the USA, he said that unless there is peace in this region there could be no peace in other parts of the world, and that a lasting peace in the Middle East is possible only through joint and coordinated efforts by all.

He said that Malta continues to pursue an allinclusive dialogue and if all actors so wish, stands ready, to support any initiative that aims to breathe new life, in concrete and tangible terms in the peace process with the scope of advancing the prospects of peace through the revival of negotiations at the earliest possible date.

While participating in an action planning session on countering terrorism and illicit financing, Minister Abela said that terrorism has become a crime with no borders and subject to various jurisdictions. He reiterated that only through closer cooperation between governments and the law enforcement authorities of various countries, could the fight against terrorism be properly fought.

Foundation to commemorate National anniversaries in 2019 T

he Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali (FĊN) has launched a programme of events commemorating anniversaries of national importance during 2019 including four main ones, namely, Freedom Day, Malta as an EU Member State, Sette Giugno (7th June) and the end of the Cold War. During the launch tasking FĊN with the organisation of the events, Minister for

Malta now a member of ECOSOC s of January this year, Malta started its lated work of a number of UN specialised tenure as a member of the United Na- agencies, their functional commissions, and A tions Economic and Social Council other regional commissions.

(ECOSOC). This results from its successful by-election last June in New York.

ECOSOC, which is of vital importance to the UN system, is mainly responsible for coordinating the economic, social and re-

As a member of ECOSOC, Malta will work towards serving the international community in line with its commitment to the objectives and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici said: “In our culture strategy, we always promote an inclusive sector, and thanks to our huge investment, we are bringing about more cultural growth by reaching out to more audiences, through engagement and accessibility.

“Thanks to such initiatives brought by the likes of entities such as Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali, we keep on providing outlets to promote creativity and engagement within culture and the arts, whilst keeping in mind future generations and their cultural legacy.”

The FĊN board, chaired by Professor Oliver Friggieri, was appointed to develop a vision for the commemoration of each anniversary. It will be assisted by a technical team of various professionals tasked with interpreting the vision for each anniversary, propose a programme of events, identify initiatives that best capture the spirit of these historical events and, finally, execute them.

The Foundation that was founded in 2013 has a series of events and initiatives lined up, starting with the commemoration of Freedom Day’s 40th anniversary that will include a new edition of Ġensa and a documentary, presenting intellectual analysis of the events tied to Freedom Day

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Wara ċensiment tal-Knisja f’Malta:

W

ara li fl-aħħar kontribuzzjoni tiegħi irreferejt għall- tixrid tal-kelma t’Alla. Biex nagħmel hekk qed nirreferi għallistħarrġ li sar mill-Knisja lokali permezz ta’ ċensiment, fehmiet li taw xi membri tal-kleru lill-midja lokali, Dun Joe Intajjeb li wara li kkummentajt dwar ir-riżultat, issa nikteb guanez, Direttur tal-Istiut tar-Riċerka tal-Knisja, DICERN; Dun Rene Camilleri, Fr. Hilary fil-qosor dwar ir-reazzjoni.

Tagliaferro, Agostinjan, u Dun Mhix dik tal-bniedem fit-triq, Ġorġ Dalli. imma ta’ dawk impenjati ftitSintendi hemm fehmiet diverġenti, imma Ir-reliġjon mhux folklor jew kultura.

“Il -Knisja f’Malta għandha tħares lejn iljidher li hemm qbil, li għalkemm il-quddiesa hija importanti mhix kollox.... u li l- Knisja fi Franza, l-Italja, il-Ġermanja u paakbar inkwiet li joħroġ mill-istħarriġ huw jjiżi oħra li fehmu l-bżonn li jinqatgħu l-fatt li man-niżla tal-figuri ta’ nies li jat- mir-reliġjon konvenzjonali. Ir-reliġjon hija tendu l-quddies nhar ta’ Ħadd, hemm ukoll dwar il-qalb, l-imħabba mhux il-moħħ u ddutrina. nuqqas kbir ta’ reliġjożita.

Min-naħa ta’ Fr Hilary jsostni li jekk irridu Kif sostna Dun Inguanez, “Aħna ffaċċjati minn kriżi ta’ Fidi. L-attendenza għall-qud- niġbu aktar nies jinħtieġ li l-Knisja tati diesa tal-Ħadd, għalkemm importanti, aktar spazju lil-lajċi u lin-nisa billi dawn jitħallew jieħdu parti attiva’ u jħossuhom mhix il-problema ewlenija” Tal-istess fehma Fr. Hilary. Isostni li dik parti millli wieħed jattendi l-quddiesa nhar ta’ Ħadd Knisja daqs mhix kollox. Aktar importanti kif wieħed kemm iħosiġib ruħu barra mill-knisja, kemm wieħed suhom il-qassisin u jimxi mal-kmandament tal-imħabba.

Dun Rene` Camilleri li sa ftit ilu kien il- r-reliġjużi.

Bħal Dun Vigarju Episkopali għall-Evanġelizzazzjoni, kien aktar iebes fi kliemu. Saħaq li Rene` jagħma għadux jagħmel sens li l-Knisja mel xi mistotgħammed it-trabi u tagħti l-Ewwel q s i j i e t : Għaliex isTqarbina lit-tfal żgħar.

Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro Sostna li ma jagħmilx sens li l-Knisja tagħti sistema tasjkun iżomm sħun? s-sagramenti lil dawn it-tfal meta l-ġenituri sound f’ċerti Fr Rene` semma l-importanza li tagħhom, jew ma jemmnux inkella ma jip- knejjes mhix wieħed iħossu li jippartieni, imma tajba biżżejprattikawx ir-reliġjon. sfortunatament għal diversi raġuni“Jiena mhux sorpriż b’dawn il-figuri,” jed? Għaliex jiet ħafna ma jħossuhomx li japparsaħaq waqt li nsista li għalkemm il-mes- hemm nuqtienu. saġġ tal-Knisja jibqa’ dejjem rilevanti, il- qas ta’ teknoDifett ieħor hu l-fatt li (u nikKnisja bħala istituzzjoni qed issir dejjem l o ġ i j a kwotah bl-Ingliż) “we continue to moderna? inqas rilevanti.

Dun Joe Inguanez dish out to grown-ups and untelliiridu Insista li dan hu ċar meta wieħed iqis li Kif 90% ta’ dawk li ħadu sehem f’dan iċ-ċen- jżommu l-attenzjoni tan-nies jekk dawn ma gent people the same they used to have in siment stqarru li jemmnu f’Alla, iżda jkunux qed jisimgħu sewwa? Qed ikun childhood” . Allura għal ħafna r-relġjom mbagħad ħafna minnhom donnhom ma hemm il-preparazzjoni meħtieġa qabel issir tieqaf f’dak il-punt ta’ tfulija u issa li kibru il-quddiesa? Xi kwalita ta’ kant u mużika jitilfu kull interess fir-reliġjon. jridux jafu bil-Knisja.

Dan jikkonfermah Dun Joe Borg li jsostni Dun Rene insista li waqt li l-attitudnijiet qed tindaqq?

Fr. Hilary għandu raġun, u jien inżid: li l-kleru ma jistax jibqa jirrepeti li-stess tal-poplu nbidlu drastikament, il-Knisja baqgħet toffri l-istess prodott u fi kliemu illum li kulħadd hu mdorri b’kull kumdita`, test mil-liturġija.

“It’s enough to say that there is a consenqed noffru ċertu kumditajiet fil-knejjes dan wassal biex emarġinat lilha nnifisha.

Huwa jistaqsi “Malta nbidlet kompleta- tagħna? Eżempju: Kemm għandna knejjes sus that several priests are failing in their ment imma aħna mbdilna? Dejjem l-istess. li fix-xitwa għandhom sistemi biex dak li homilies, that several commentators during the liturgy seem to be happier hearing their own repetitive comments than creating any enthusiasm among the congregation.”

Sfortunatament hemm dawk il-membri tal-kleru li jqisu s-saċerdozju bħala mod ta’ State Member for Prospect privileġġ u mhux ta’ servizz, bħala uffiċjali u mhux qaddejja tal-poplu.

For issues concerning: Dan mhux jiġbed in-nies lejn il-Knisja u Ageing and disability - community għalhekk parti mis-soluzzjoni hi li l-kleru joħroġ mit-tempju u jitħallat mal-poplu services -education - environment - health - housing - planning biex isir jaf aħjar lill-poplu, kif jaħsibha lpoplu, il-weġgħat tal-poplu u jara fejn jista’ - Police - transport - water jgħinu Jinħtieġ ukoll li l-kleru jkollu viżjoni pasP: (02) 9756 4766 torlai komuni u mhux kulħadd jaqdef għal rasu.

E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164 *Ikompli f’paġna 15

Reazzjonijiet u Soluzzjoni

Dr Hugh McDermott MP

Tuesday February 26, 2019

L-ostji S

The Voice of the Maltese 15

e nkompli fuq ton reliġjuż, u din id-darba dwar is-sagrament tat-tqarbin li l-maġġoranza ta’ dawk li jattendu l-quddies jirċevuh. Imma ħafna minn dawn forsi ftit jaħsbu dwar minn fejn jiġu dawk l-ostji li malajr jinħallu fil-ħalq.

Sal-ġurnata tal-llum f’Malta għad għandna min jipproduċi dawn l-ostji li minn żmien żemżem kienu jsiru mill- u fil-kunventi tas-Sorijiet.

Illum f’Malta baqa’ biss żewġ kunventi li jagħmu dawn l-ostji. Dawn huma, tas-Sorijiet tan-Nazzarenu taż-Żejtun u dawk Franġiskani tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesu fl-Imsida.

Tal-ewwel ilhom jagħmlu l-ostji għal dawn l-aħħar ħamsin sena filwaqt li lFranġiskani bdew jipprovdu lill-parroċċi u l-knejjes l-oħra bl-ostji madwar 70 sena ilu.

L-ostji jinbiegħu lill-knejjes u lill-parroċċi bl-użin għall-prezz ta’ bejn €23.29 u €27.95 kull kilo. Kilo jkun fih madwar 4000 ostja. Il-fdaliijiet tal-ostji (dak li jibqa’ wara li jinqatgħu l-ostji tondi) jiġi ppakkjat u jinbiegħ ukoll fil-ħwienet.

Imma din l-industrija artiġġjanali wkoll qed tiltaqa’ ma problemi, għax barra li anqas nies qed jattendu għall-quddies, u allura jiġu kkunsmati anqas ostji, il-ħanut talFranġiskani Konventwali ta’ Birkirkara bl-isem ta’ Emmaus, li jbiegħ affarijiet reliġjużi qed jimporta l-ostji mill-Italja.... u jbiegħhom bi prezz orħos minn tas-sorijiet. Għalhekk xi parroċċi u knejjes qed iħarsu lejn il-prezz u jixtru ostji ta’ barra.

Insomma l-kompetizzjoni f’kull qasam tagħmel tagħha, biss kun tassew ħasra li minħabba kwestjoni ta’ flus din l-industrija artiġġjanali tista’ tinqered ukoll.

Reazzjoni wara The King...tassew Re tal-marċi s-Surmast Archserje tant popolari ċ-Ċensiment Iwieled ibald Mizzi, imtiegħu Commissario f’Ħal-Qormi Montalbano. *minn paġna 14

Hemm bżonn li l-kleru jwarrab ftit illingwa morali u legali u joffri tagħlim li jifhmu aktar il-poplu.

Biex isir dan jinħtieġ li l-membri tal-kleru jkollhom taħriġ aħjar.

Min-naħa tiegħu Dun Ġorġ Dalli attribwixxa in-nuqqas ta’ attendenza għall-quddies għal bosta fatturi fosthom il-fatt li s-soċjetà saret aktar sekulari, flimkien malfatt li fil-Knisja hemm reżistenza għallbidla u li tul is-snin il-Knisja abbużat mill-poter li kellha.

“L-ikbar abbuz li għamlet il-knisja kien il-poter zejjed.”

Sostna li n-nies setgħu tbiegħdu millKnisja minħabba l-attitudni li ħadet dwar kwestjoniet bħad-divorzju u l-ivf.

“X’iġifieri inti tgħid li bl-ivf qed joqtlu.

Dan x’diskors hu,” qal Dun Gorġ Dalli li kien ċar ukoll dwar l-emfasi fuq dak li hu ċeremonjali.

“U issa kulħadd qed jagħtih għall-bażilki.

Imbagħad kanonċi u monsinjuri u dan l-imbarazz kollu għax dan imbarazz għall-bxara t-tajba ta’ Ġesù Kristu. Dan imbarazz. Dan aljenazzjoni.”

U ntemm b’dak li qal Fr Joe: “I do not think that the Church is wrong in emphasising the regular attendance at Mass. Ours is a sacramental church; hence it is important for Catholics to understand that the Mass is a sign and an instrument of salvation.

“However, in my opinion it would be wrong if the Church were to make this ‘the’ central issue. The greatest emphasis should be on the Sermon of the Mount and specifically on the Beatitudes. This is the core of the Good News and the Gospel of joy.”

fl-1952 hu meqjus bħala wieħed millaqwa surmastrijiet tal-banda u kompożitur ta’ ħila kbira.

Fost ħafna marċi popolari li kiteb għall-baned Maltin insibu wieħed millisbaħ bl-isem ta’ The King . Dan hu marċ li ssokta jikseb ilpopolarita’ fl-ewwel snin tar-radju Super One li kienu jdoqquh f’kull okkażjoni li jkollhom.

Dan il-marċ ma baqax limitat biss għallbaned Maltin, iżda spiċċa jindaqq anke minn diversi baned Sqallin, li x’aktarx wassal biex jiġi saħansitra wżat mill-istazzjon televiżiv Nazzjonali taljan ir-RAI Uno fis-

Fil-fatt is-serje hi miktuba minn Sqalli ferm magħruf li inċidentalment jġib kunjom ferm komuni f’Malta, Andrea Camilleri.

Fil-fatt waqt xi xeni f’episodju li ġie trasmess xi jiem ilu dehret banda li għal aktar minn darba daqqet dan il-marċ.

Din is-serje televiżiva għandha udjenza kbira u huwa kkalkulat li allura dan il-marċ instema’ minn madwar disa’ miljun telespetatur... Tassew li The King ġie ppruvat li hu r-Re tal-marċi.

Nissuġġerilkom li tidħlu fuq is-sit talYoutube u tisimgħu l-marċ: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=XusqT1Hg8Hc.

aktar fil-ġurnali.

Jidher li dawk li kważi qatt ma kkummentaw xejn dwar din il-ħolqa bejn iżżewġ Gżejjer, għax forsi kif għedt fl-aħħar artiklu tiegħi, kienu jqisuha bħala xi ħolma, issa ntebħtu li din hi realta`, allura ħarġu qatta’ bla ħabel kontriha.

Mhux hekk biss, issa tfaċċaw ideat ġodda, fosthom li minflok titħaffer mina, issir xorta waħda speċi ta’ mina, imma din tinbena fuq il-qiegħ tal-baħar (lemin).

L-aħħar li smajna dwarha kien lill-Prim Ministru jħabbar li meta din il-mina tkun qed lesta u tinfunzjona t-trasport pubbliku bejn Għawdex u l-Belt Valletta se jkun

Imsomma nittamaw li fil-futur mhux bogħod inkunu nistgħu naqsmu bejn iżżewġ Gżejjer mingħajr ma noqogħdu nħabblu rasna jekk il-baħar hux imqalleb jew le.

Il-mina bejn Malta-Għawdex-Malta d-diskussjoni dwar il-mina proposta biex mingħajr ħlas. Jidher għalhekk li dan jista’ Ipliettgħaqqad lil Malta ma’ Għawdex kom- jkun mod kif inqas nies jużaw il-karozzi tqajjem interess u anke xi polemika, l- tagħhom.

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Border protection and medical transfers

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roposed new laws making it easier for asylum-seekers to get medical treatment were passed in the House of Representatives (picture right) despite opposition from the Morrison Government. The Coalition tried to derail the Labor amendments at the last minute with advice from the solicitor-general arguing the laws were unconstitutional.

But Labor changed its proposed laws to explicitly say a panel of doctors judging medical transfers would not be paid, getting around the constitutional issue.

The amendments were originally made in the Senate. Under the constitution, the

Major political parties hacked

P

rime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed that all Australian major political parties were hacked by a “sophisticated state actor” in a breach of security.

Mr Morrison provided an update to Parliament on the investigation into the cyber attack on February 8.

“During the course of this work we also became aware that the networks of some political parties, Liberal, Labor and Nationals have also been affected," Mr Morrison told Parliament. Our cyber experts believe that a sophisticated state actor is responsible for this malicious activity.”

Security sources indicated China could be the source. The Prime Minister insists there has been no electoral interference but has stepped up cyber security in response.

“We have acted decisively to protect our national interests. The methods used by malicious actors are constantly evolving, and this incident just re-enforces yet again the importance of cyber security as a fundamental part of everyone's business".

Senate is not allowed to make bills increasing the spending of public money.

Following the defeat, Prime Minister Scott Morrison attacked the “damaging impact of what Labor has done tonight”.

Despite heavy pressure from the government, six crossbench MPs sided with Labor to inflict a series of defeats on the coalition on the floor of the lower house.

“I believe we can keep our borders secure, we can uphold national security, but still treat people humanely,” Labor leader Bill Shorten told parliament. Under the negotiated amendments, a medical panel of two doctors would assess requests for medical transfers from Manus Island and Nauru.

The Home Affairs minister would have 72 hours to make a decision on whether to agree to a medical transfer. The minister will only be able to reject the transfer on national security grounds or if the person has a substantial criminal record and poses a threat to the Australian community.

Ahead of the vote, Catholic Religious Australia issued a statement supporting the amendments.

CRA president Sr Monica Cavanagh RS said, “This will go a long way to ensuring that the sick in our care, are afforded the

dignity and respect we all deserve.”

She went on to say, “Members of Catholic Religious Australia are deeply disturbed by the continuing policy of ‘show no mercy’ being visited upon refugees and asylum-seekers, held in indefinite detention on Nauru and Manus Island. We believe this Bill is a touchstone for a mature and civil society.”

In response to the passing of the contentious medevac bill against the government's wishes, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced plans to reopen the Christmas Island detention centre at the cost of more than $1 billion.

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps has blasted the government's plan to send sick refugees and asylum seekers from Manus Island and Nauru to Christmas Island, rather than hospitals on mainland Australia. Ms Phelps said it was a subversion of democracy as the intention of the medevac legislation was to provide sick people in offshore detention treatment on the mainland.

Next NSW election March 23

T

he next New South Wales state election is scheduled to be held on Saturday March 23 March 2019. It will elect the 57th Parliament of New South Wales, including all 93 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and 21 of the 42 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council.

The eight-year two-term incumbent Lib- rently led by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, eral/National Coalition government, cur- will attempt to win a third four-year term.

The Labor opposition, currently led by Opposition Leader Michael Daley, as well as by the Greens crossbench, will challenge it.

A win by the Coalition would mark the first time a Coalition government has won a third term in office in the state since 1971.

New South Wales has compulsory voting, with an optional preferential ballot in single-member seats for the lower house and single transferable vote with optional preferential above-the-line voting in the proportionally represented upper house.

The election will be conducted by the New South Wales Electoral Commission (NSWEC).

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

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

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Queenslanders to have a say about euthanasia

Q

ueenslanders are being asked for their views on euthanasia as part of a historic and wide-ranging review into aged, palliative and terminally-ill care. The issues paper, will ask Queenslanders to consider contentious issues such as whether assisted suicide should be available in the state, how it should be defined, under what circumstances a person should be eligible to access assisted suicide and whether or not it should be limited to persons aged over 18.

The community will have until April 15 to respond before the committee embarks on a series of public hearings across the state.

Parliament’s Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee was last year tasked with conducting the year-long inquiry.

Committee chair Aaron Harper said there had been 51 attempts nationwide to bring in assisted suicide laws, but it had never before been attempted to in Queensland. “It’s historical, it’s significant. We want to hear the views of the Queenslanders, The input of Queenslanders, whether they are a doctor, a nurse or a parent or indeed a spouse of those who have passed away, their views are critical.

The committee will look at euthanasia legislation within Australia as well as overseas and will report back in November with the option open to suggest new laws to the Ten acts competed in Eurovision - Australia House.

Decides for a chance to head to Tel Aviv.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Radical Sth Australian abortion Bill n a pastoral letter, Bishop of Port Pirie IDiocese and Apostolic

Administrator of the Adelaide Archdiocese Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ (right) said a bill before State Parliament drastically reduced safeguards for the unborn.

“We should all be extremely concerned about the proposed Abortion Law Reform Bill introduced late last year by Greens MLC Tammy Franks. “This bill treats abortion simply as a medical procedure without moral significance,” he said.

“There is no need for a medical opinion or a doctor’s involvement and no reason need be given for an abortion. It will be the most radical abortion law in the country. There is no sense of the sacredness of life.”

Bishop O’Kelly said under the proposed amendments, abortions might be conducted even well into the ninth month of pregnancy.

“The unborn deserve love and protection, not destruction,” he said.

Veteran to sing for Australia at Eurovision Song Contest ate Miller-Heidke, the veteran singer- ners-up were Electric Fields with 2000 and 2018, who came 20th.

K songwriter beat nine other contenders Whatever in second place.

Australia will compete with Malta and 38 with her song Zero Gravity, a song she says To date, the strongest entrant among Aus- other nations in the Eurovision final with

was inspired by coming out of depression after the birth of her son, Ernie, in 2016.

She will head to the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 18 as Australia’s bid for global glory.

It was the first time in Australia’s fiveyear history of competing in Eurovision that the vote went out to the public. Eurovision - Australia Decides was broadcast live on SBS from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 10 competing artists were as diverse in styles as they were in age and experience. Stepping up alongside Miller-Heidke with bids to represent Australia were indie band Sheppard, pop-opera singer Mark Vincent, electronica duo Electric Fields, drag queen and reality show winner Courtney Act, The Voice winner Alfie Arcuri and alumni Aydan Calafiore, 16-year-old singer Leea Nanos, Bachelor Girl’s Tania Doko and rocker and former Killing Heidi front woman Ella Hooper.

Eurovision started after the war to unite people and bring people together through music.

Miller-Heidke won both the jury and the public vote that was split 50:50. The run-

tralia’s Eurovision career has remained Dami Im. She classified second in 2016 with her song, Sound of Silence. Other artists who have stepped up are Guy Sebastian in 2015, who came in fifth, Isaiah Firebrace in 2017 ninth, and Jessica Mauboy in

Israel hosting the competition following the victory of Israeli singer Netta Barzilai and her song, Toy, last year.

During the three-week entry period last year more than 700 songs were entered by artists into the competition

Mediterranean Conference Centre celebrates 40 years of sterling service

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

D

uring the spectacular show that marked the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Tourism Minister, Konrad Mizzi announced that in the next three years, over a six-week period each year, Malta would be hosting the Cirque du Soleil the biggest theatrical company in the world that would be performing at the MCC in Malta.

The venue, a 16th century building in Valletta built over 400 years ago by the Knights of Malta as a hospital, now the Mediterranean Conference Centre has long been one of Valletta's most remarkable landmarks.

Located towards the tip of Valletta peninsula, the MCC nowadays stands for distinction with magnificent views across the Grand Harbour. During the British rule and for a number of years it also served as a hospital. It included the caring of the wounded in the Crimean War (for a short while) by the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, then known as "The Lady with the Lamp".

At the time, Malta also served as an important military station for the training of troops prior to their dispatch to the front, as a supply depot of foodstuffs and ammunition, as a repairing yard, and as a base hospital.

The MCC that used to be known as the Knights Hall, had also served as an examination hall for students sitting for their GCE exams, and a cinema hall for schoolchildren from all over Malta members of the “Cinema Club”. The activities were held in the few parts of the building that had not been destroyed during the war years.

The auditorium at the Mediterranean Conference Centre

But in 1978 plans were made to restore the historic building and in 100 days, then Minister for Public Works Lorry Sant left no stone unturned to finish the restoration works in the shortest time possible. In 100 days the building was complete and fur-

a national and international level. It was used for visits by Queen Elizabeth II, for twice holding the Commonwealth leaders summit, the Malta summit that gathered the European and African leaders, various editions of the song festival for Europe and Junior Eurovision, and for concerts by renowned artists and dancing shows.

In addition, it is also used for conferences and events including product launches, exhibitions, conventions, banquets, and theatrical performances.

The spectacle on February 11 served as an overview of the major events registered in the diary of the centre during the past 40 years. An archives video footage was presented mixed with the music by the Mediterranean Orchestra, conducted by Italian musical director Bruno Santori, and singing by local and foreign artists.

Among the array of top singers from Mediterranean countries, were four from Malta, Mary Spiteri, Chiara, Ira Losco and Destiny.

Addressing the guests at the celebration, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat Prime said that the Mediterranean Conference Centre that was built to treat everyone has become a building that receives everyone.

Currently, the Government is carrying out €10 million investments at the Centre, including the creation of a virtual museum that would provide visitors with an experience of the centre’s history with the use of digital technology. *The Cirque du Solei company established itself with a new style in circus arts with great spectacles of entertainment. It was set up in Canada and employs some 4,000 persons, 1,300 of them artists. Productions

by Cirque du Soleil were performed in 60 countries, with 180 million people watching the shows during a period of 35 years.

A €10 million investments Cirque du Soleil to perform for three years running at Centre nished as a conference centre that could hold meetings and spectacles. It was commemorated with a stage concert in the centre’s Republic Hall of the centre on February 11, 1979.

Since then the centre has become one of the finest venues in the Mediterranean for a range of events been used for a number of big events and important occasions on La Valette Hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre

Get ready for big promises in election year 2019

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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Joe Zabar

(Deputy chief executive of Catholic Social Services Australia)

fter a tumultuous 2018 for the federal Parliament, the early months of 2019 are likely to move into hyperdrive as the major parties begin positioning themselves for the upcoming election.

Each of the major parties has access to a war chest to fund their many promises.

Labor’s funding will come primarily from proposed tax changes. The Coalition is relying on additional tax receipts from a bumper year of company profits. Both will make big spending promises while pledging to bring the budget back to surplus.

The cooling of the housing market in Sydney and Melbourne will make Labor’s capital gains and negative gearing policy changes tricky to implement.

Talk of a US recession and some uncertainty around the Chinese economy may affect the Government’s expected tax receipts beyond 2019, making the Coalition’s likely tax cuts and budget surplus harder to deliver.

Many Australian families remain anxious about cost-of-living pressures, especially those in Sydney and Melbourne who are also facing a slide in the value of their homes.

Wages growth remains relatively low, which is exacerbating

a sense of financial unease for many Australian families. For those families on welfare or with single incomes, the outlook for 2019 may be even bleaker.

The problem for many families is that they have no capacity to increase their earnings. We have almost 1.8 million Australians without work or looking for more work. Despite strong profits, businesses are yet to share the spoils of the recent gains with their employees.

Disturbingly, the Fair Work Commission, our independent industrial relations body, accepts that its 2018 National Minimum Wage (NMW) decision will leave some workers in poverty.

While the commission concedes that the minimum wage is not a living wage for workers with families, they are neither willing nor able to address the financial realities of those sole parents and single-earner couples with children who are struggling to meet the increasing costs of living.

The hip pocket nerve is twitching, sending signals to both the major parties that families need a break from the relentless imposition of fees and charges from financial, health, insurance, and phone and energy companies.

Both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will be carefully weighing up options in the hope of wooing voters their way.

Meanwhile, Julie Bishop 62 years old, former Perth lawyer and the first female foreign minister and deputy to four Liberal Party leader ended her 20-year career in Federal Parliament. She is not standing for election again.

*Joe Zabar is the deputy chief executive of Catholic Social Services Australia. Source Eureka Street

L-ebda progress dwar il-futur tas-saċerdot Malti fi Blacktown L

Rev Vincent Long Van Nguyen (fl-istampa lemin) u l-anqas ma’ naħat oħra biex ilMaltin ikollhom saċerdot Malti fl-inħawi tal-Western Suburbs.

Is-superjur tal-MSSP, Fr Ivano Burdin qal lil The Voice li kellu jiktbilna xi ħaġa iżda bqajna ma rċevejna xejn. Sadanittant fiċ-Ċentru La Valette ta’ Blacktown saret l-aħħar tislima lil Fr Noel Bianco waqt quddiesa li fiha ħadu sehem ħames saċerdoti, l-kappella fiċ-Ċentru Malti, inkluż is-superjur talLa Valette fi Blacktown NSW MSSP fl-Awstralja Fr Burdin.

Is-sala taċ-Ċentru biex tati l-aħħar tislima lil saċerdot Malti li temm is-servizzi tiegħu għallaħħar darba fis-17 ta’ Frar 2019 bħala direttur spiritwali u kappillan tal-Maltin kienet mimlija.

Wieħed jittama li tinstab soluzzjoni perma-

-istorja li ppublikajna b’mod esklussiv fl-aħħar ħarġa ta’ The Voice taħt ir-ras, Deċiżjoni xokkanti: L-MSSP jirtiraw miċĊentru La Valette qajjment ħafna interess u ħafna Maltin xtaqu li jkun hemm progress posittiv.

Sakemm ġejna biex nippubblikaw din ilħarġa tal-magazine ma kien għadu sar lebda progress la mal-Isqof ta’Parramatta

nenti għax il-Maltin, l-aktar dawk anżjani fl-inħawi fejn jgħixu il-maġġoranza assoluta, għandhom dritt li jkollhom saċerdot Malti.

Wasal iż-żmien li ma nibqgħux niddibattu min se jwassal dan is-servizz, iżda meta se jitkompla. Il-kapijiet tal-Knisja f’Malta ilhom għal ħafna żmien jafu b’din is-sitwazzjoni ta’ nuqqas ta’ saċerdoti Maltin iżda jidher li qatt ma tpoġġiet fuq quddiem tal-aġenda tagħhom.

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

ktar regoli u tagħrif uffiċjali dwar kif wieħed għandu jikteb il-Malti skont kif A maħruġ mill-Kummissjoni fi ħdan l-Akkademja tal-ilsien Malti f’Malta. Dan hu żoeda mat-tagħrif li diġa’ tajna f’għadd ta’ ħarġiet li għaddew. Jittratta dwar L-Or-

tografija ta’ Neoloġiżmi Anglo-Sassoni u Rumanzi fil-Malti.

Wara li rajna l-ewwel tliet regoli li fuqhom tfasslu l-aġġornamenti u l-forom tal-ortografija, f’din il-ħarġa se nkomplu b’aktar regoli.

Ċ. Regoli Partikulari

1. Kliem barrani li jibda bil-vokali ‘i’ (eż. importanti, immaġinazzjoni, inklinat, injorant,introduċa).

Kliem barrani li fl-ilsien barrani jibda bil-vokali ‘i’, jibqa’ jżomm l-‘i’ bħala parti integrali tal-kelma wkoll meta lkelma ta’ qabel tispiċċa b’vokali.

Nota: Fil-każijiet kollha ta’ kliem missellef li jibda bilvokali ‘a’, ‘e’, ‘o’, jew ‘u’, ilMalti jżomm din il-vokali.

Jidhrilna għalhekk li għandna nżommuha fil-każ tal-vokali ‘i’ wkoll.

2. Verbi missellfa li jibdew b’konsonanti mtennija Xi verbi li jibdew b’konsonanti waħda fl-oriġinal, isiru Maltin billi jiddupplikaw din ilkonsonanti (to land – illandja; to challenge – iċċalinġja; to shoot – ixxuttja).

F’każijiet bħal dawn, il-vokali ‘i’ li tinkiteb quddiem il-

Printed copies of The Voice of the Maltese available at your home by mail

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e are now in a position to arrange for you to receive a printed full-colour hard copy of The Voice of the Maltese at home every fortnight (24 publications) at the low cost of $120.

(Australia only, other countries by request).

A printed copy would be an ideal present for mum, dad or a relative who either do not have Internet access or are not computer literate.

Anybody interested should contact us on: maltesevoice@gmail.com for further information. We are not only an online publication, but also print on demand.

kelma għandha titqies bħala vokali tal-leħen u taqa’ meta (a) ma jkollhiex tifsira grammatikali (p.e. imperattiv), (b) ilkelma ta’ qabilha tispiċċa b’vokali.

Nota: Verbi oħra mnissla ma joħolqux diffikultajiet ortografiċi. Dawn li fil-għerq tagħhom jibdew b’vokali (aċċetta, introduċa, implika, eduka, obda, umilja), iżommu din il-vokali.

3. Kliem missellef b’aċċent żdruċċjolu Daħal ħafna kliem b’aċċent żdruċċjolu fil-Malti.

Dan għandna ninkorporawh fl-ortografija – múżika, éduka, télefon, indústrija, íntegru, insípidu, ímputa.

Nota: Inħallu għall-grammatiċi li joħolqu r-regoli għallgrammatika Maltija f’dan il-każ.

4. Żewġ vokali ħdejn xulxin f’nofs ta’ kelma (a) Kliem missellef li jkun fih il-ħoss ta’ żewġ vokali ħdejn xulxin li jinħassu mingħajr il-qadi ta’ konsonanti dgħajfa, għandhom jinkitbu mingħajr il-konsonanti qaddejja – hekk, p.e. ‘ideal’ u mhux ‘idejal’/‘ideali’ u mhux ‘idejali’; ‘idea’ u mhux ‘ideja’; ‘reali’ u mhux ‘rejali/‘realtà’ u mhux ‘rejaltà’; ‘poeta’ u mhux ‘poweta’.

Nota: Noqogħdu ftit attenti hawn. Għandna niktbu/nibqgħu niktbu ‘rjal’ u mhux ‘real’ meta din tfisser ‘royal’, ‘fjur’ u mhux ‘fiur’, ‘Inkwiżizzjoni’ u mhux ‘Inkuiżizzjoni’.

Jidher li hawn tidħol regola tal-fonetika. Meta l-ħsejjes ta’ ‘j’ u ‘w’ huma ċari, dawn għandhom jinkitbu flok il-vokali ‘i’ jew ‘u’. (b) Meta sillaba f’kelma tispiċċa b’vokali ‘i’ jew ‘u’ u s-sillaba ta’ warajha fl-istess kelma tibda wkoll b’vokali, tidħol il-konsonanti qaddejja ‘j’ jew ‘w’ bejniethom, u din ilkonsonanti dgħajfa titqies mas-sillaba ta’ wara.

(ċ) Mir-regola ta’ hawn fuq joħorġu wkoll żewġregoli ġodda li jirrigwardaw xi prefissi barranin (bħal ‘ko’- u ‘ri’-). Fi kliem bħal dan iż-żewġ vokali (waħda tal-prefiss u l-oħra talkelma) jinkitbu ħdejn xulxin – p.e. koalizzjoni, koordinazzjoni, riorganizzazzjoni, riorjentazzjoni, għaliex il-prefiss mhux parti integrali mill-kelma. (d) Għandna nżommu wkoll żewġ vokali ħdejn xulxin (iżda mhux ‘ia’) meta dawn jaħbtu f’tarf ta’ kelma u meta l-aċċent ikun żdruċċjolu – p.e. ‘ateu’ u ‘atei’ u mhux ‘atew’ u ‘atej’.

Nota: Fi kliem li fih żewġvokali ħdejn xulxin fl-aħħar sillaba imma hemm ukoll konsonanti finali (x’aktarx ‘m’), ilMalti jwaqqa’ l-aħħar konsonanti u jaċċenta l-ewwel miż-żewġvokali. F’dan il-każ, l-aħħar vokali tinbidel f’konsonanti dgħajfa – minn museum ngħidu ‘mużew’; minn mausoleum ngħidu ‘musulew’. *Fil-ħarġa li jmiss nittrattaw dwar kliem fl-ilsien barrani u dak oriġinali

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Malta’s HC at the National Multicultural Festival

The EU Heads of Missions at the inauguration of the EU Village. Malta’s HC Charles Muscat is second from right front

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he High Commission for the Republic of Malta to Australia joined the other EU Member State embassies and High Commissions, as well as the EU Delegation, at this year’s National Multicultural Festival on February 16 in Canberra.

The EU Village, once again, welcomed numerous festivalgoers, keen to find out more about each of the 28 participatory countries at 25 EU Member State representation stalls, and those for Norway, Latvia and Lithuania.

Malta’s High Commissioner for Australia, HE Mr. Charles Muscat was among the dis-

tinguished guests at the official opening of the EU Village that was held with a gathering of all participating EU diplomatic missions and the Australian Capital Territory Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Mr. Chris Steele, Commissioner for International Engagement, Mr. Brendan Smyth and HE Michael Pulch, Head of the EU Delegation.

Malta’s stall proved to be very popular as hundreds of visitors gathered at the Malta stall for information on Maltese culture, traditions and tourism. Tourism brochures and Visit Malta promotional items were provided to all those interested in visiting

GGFC artwork unveiled in honour of John Vella

the Maltese Islands, courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority.

This year’s stall also welcomed a representative from the Maltese Food and Beverage Distributor, who offered samples of Maltese delights.

This year’s edition of the National Multicultural Festival reaffirmed its place within the cultural calendar of the Australian capital, as a feast of culture, ethnicity, cuisines and colour of the cultures that form Australian society. It was a unique celebration of the coming together of all cultures while appreciating sameness in diversity.

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recently deceased member, Mr. John Vella, bequeathed a sum of three thousand dollars to the George Cross Falcons Club in Wollongong.

He was a member of the George Cross Falcons Club and for a number of years in the 1980s, as part of the Club’s programme he taught the Maltese language to school children at Warrawong, a suburb of Wollongong.

After years living in Australia, and after the death of his wife Trisha John returned to Malta, but in 2017 he returned to visit his sons Gino and Aldo, and daughter Lisa. He couldn’t miss a visit to the GCFC and meet old friends, which he did.

Unfortunately, in the first half of 2018 John got sick and after a short illness he passed away. The news of his passing shocked all those who knew him.

With the donation, in John’s honour the committee decided to commission a leadlight artwork depicting the church of Mgarr Malta to be exhibited in a prominent place at the club.

The unveiling of the artwork on February 4 coincided with the seniors’ lunch at the club. It was made in the presence Mr. Paul Scully MP Member for the NSW Seat of Wollongong, Ms. MaryAnn Saliba Mayor of Shellharbour and George Bartolo OAM Vice Chair MCC, who were the official guests,

GGFC President Louis Parnis, Shellharbour Mayor Ms. Maryanne Saliba, Mr. Paul Scully MP Member for Wollongong and Mr. George Bartolo OAM in front of the artwork that was unveiled at the club

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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

Australian High Commission on facebook; HC on twitter

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he Australian High Commission’s in Malta has its own Facebook page, while the High Commissioner has a Twitter account.

Both can be accessed by the readers.

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

L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

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

Grand Parenting has become an important part of our later life.

What are the Legal and Social obligations?

Can we become part or full-time grand parents?

Ways to understand each one’s role within the family unit.

These and other relevant questions will be discussed at our next Information night

The Joys and Challenges of Grand Parenting Wednesday March 27 at 7.30pm at St George Preca Rooms, OLQP Church Old Prospect Road, Greystanes MAIN SPEAKERS: Solicitor Paul Sant & Counsellor Carmel Gauci Discussions will include looking after (or caring) for children by uncles, aunties etc All are welcome - Free admission – Light refreshments.

English/Maltese spoken For more information phone (02) 9631 9295

Community Wheels Inc.

Connecting you with your community Our Lady Queen of Peace Band is organising heavily subsidised music lessons for all ages 8 and up, at any level.

Lessons will be arranged for small groups or private tuition for anyone interestd in learning a concert band instrument with the aim of becoming a Band Member

To register your interest or for more information

Antoine - 0405 233 144 - president@olqpmalteseband.com Roderick - 9670 2020 - secretary@olqpmalteseband.com

Community Wheels is your local community organisation that provides door-to-door transport services to eligible people (+65 yrs old) 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

THE MALTESE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF NSW Proudly presents one of Malta’s best Showmen!

Ian James Vella – JANVIL in a brilliant Entertainers Show supported by Australia’s own popular Maltese singer Stacey Saliba on Sunday March17 at 2.00pm “Starlight Room” - Wentworthville Leagues Club FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: Dorothy Gatt: 9636 1834; Monica Ledger: 9896 0712 Charles Mifsud 0421 662 298

Donation: Adults $25; Children u/15yrs: $10

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Wentworthville Leagues Club 50 Smith Street, Wentworthville

94 Main Street, Blacktown: Tel: 02 9622 7799

Tel: 02 8868 9200

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

Learn Maltese!

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

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

Teachers urgently needed - Paid positions

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

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

Join us on Facebook:

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

The Voice of the Maltese 2

Tuesday February 26, 2019

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 Bankstown 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.

Maltese Group

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

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors 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: Llandilo Maltese Seniors

Meets on the first Wednesday of each

Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

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

SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38.

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

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

VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford Central 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

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 lapplikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lil: edwigeborg@hotmail.com Għal tagħrif ieħor ċemplu fuq 0412 115 919. Ħalli nnumru tat-telefon u nċemplulek lura.

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee

Main events for 2019

Sunday March 10: Fete Sunday June 30: L-Imnarja Sunday October 20: Fete Saturday Nov. 9: Dinner Dance Sunday December 1: Feast

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

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Shooters clinch sport’s top honours for ‘18

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hooters Brian Galea and Eleanor Bezzina (right) clinched the main titles in the Sports Malta Awards’ (Għazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali) for 2018 on finals’ night that was held last Saturday.

Galea (trap shooting) and Bezzina (trap shooting) respectively won the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards by getting the most votes from members of the GħĠS (sportswriters).

The basketball men’s national team lifted the Team of the Year title, Anna Calleja, the Special Olympics director won the Official of the Year award, and the National Waterpolo team coach Karl Izzo, got the Coach of the Year title. The People’s Choice Award went to Fabio Spiteri ((Triple Iron Man).

Other annual awards were made to: Youths (boys): Kijan Sultana (Squash); Girls: Sara Xuereb (Ten Pin Bowling) - for the second year running; Special Olympics: Men: Matthew Bugeja; Women: Fiona Ellul Bonici

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Inclement weather cancels Malta Marathon

or the first time in its 40-year history, severe inclement weather caused the cancelling of the Malta Marathon that was scheduled for last Sunday. On the eve of the event the organisers said that their decision was based on the weather conditions and in the interest of the safety of the participants, the volunteers, the general public and all third parties involved.

More than 4,000 athletes, hundreds of them foreigner who flew over for the event, had been expected to take part in Sunday's Malta Marathon 2019

Green Gully kick off 2019 campaign in style

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Scott Muscat is new U/23 European 8Ball Champ

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alta’s Scott Muscat (above) became the new Under 23 European 8Ball pool champion after beating home player Cormac Kerr 7-5 in the final of the 2019 European Championships that were held February 9 to 16 at the INEC Arena in Killarney, Ireland.

Scott was one of four Maltese players that participated in the Under 23 singles category. The others were Ryan Pisani, who reached the semi-final stage, and Dejan Grech and Ryan Falzon who were eliminated in Round 2.

At the Championships Malta was also represented in the team events with five teams, two in the Men’s and one each in the Under 23, the Under 18’s and the Over 50’s.

In the teams’ event Malta A reached the final where it lost 8-3 against England, the B team just missed out reaching the semifinals after by losing to Portugal, the U/23 team lost in the semi-final stage against Northern Ireland, and the Juniors were eliminated in the quarter-final stage.

In the Men’s Singles, Marcel Micallef was a losing quarter-finalist. The others were eliminated in previous rounds. Christ Mills won the Over 50’s Singles title.

34th minute and the same player put them ahead n the 53rd minute. After a see-sawing match the Greens secured all three points from a penalty converted by Alex Salmon in the 89th minute

reen Gully commenced their 2019 campaign by winning their first two matches in the NPL Victoria. On the opening day they beat Altona Magical 1-0 away, and in the next match at Green Gully Reserve on Sunday defeated Heidelberg United 4-2.

Altona Magic 0 Green Gully 1 *Against Altona a goal ten minutes from time by new English recruit Alex Salmon gave the nine-time VPL Champions, Green Gully all three points. New Gully goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson proved pivotal as he saved a Dušan Bošnjak penalty mid-way through the second half.

Green Gully 4 Heidelberg United 2 *In Sunday’s game the Greens took the lead after eight minutes through Alex Salmon, but the visitors first drew level two minutes later through Sean Ellis, and then went ahead with a comical own goal when goalkeeper Jarrod Tyson allowed a simple back-pass to slip under his foot and into the net.

Gully fought back to draw level before half time with a goal from Matt Fletcher in the

* Meanwhile, the State League Division 1, season for Caroline Springs George Cross kicks off on March 23 with an away game against Banyule City. As their new stadium is not due to be completed until May the Georgies would be playing the nine of their first eleven matches at away grounds. Hyundai A-League They are scheRESULTS Day 20 duled to make W. Sydney W v Perth Glory 1-1 their league de- Melbourne V Melbourne C 1-1 but at their new Wellington P. v Sydney FC 0-1 home ground at Newcastle J v Adelaide 0-0 the City Vista CC Mariners v Brisbane R 3-5 RESULTS Day 19 Sporting Com4-0 plex on Sunday Perth Glory v Brisbane R P. v Melbourne V 1-1 May 12 against Wellington 1-1 Sydney FC v CC Mariners Brimbank Stal- Adelaide v W. Sydney W 1-3 lions.

Newcastle J v Melbourne C 3-1

he surprisingly bad weather at the weekend played havoc with the football programme in Malta when the Premier League was scheduled to make way for the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy. However, three of the four had to be called off.

The only match played on Saturday between Pietà Hotspurs and Gżira United, was abandoned in the 88th minute after a hailstorm.

The second quarter-final,between Mosta and Birkirkara, and Sunday’s Tarxien Rainbows v Balzan, and Hibernians v Valletta were also called off. *In the only league programme played the

previous week, Hibernians regained sole command of the League ladder when they made hard work of defeating St Andrews 21, while Valletta who had been sharing top spot with them dropped two points in a 3-3 draw against ever improving Senglea.

Gzira and Birkirkara shared the spoils in a draw and dropResults - Day 18 ped further be- Hibernians v St Andrews 2-1 hind the front- Valletta v Senglea 3-3 runners.

1-0 Gzira U v Birkirkara Ħamrun’s fine Mosta v Ħamrun S 1-0 run ended by Sliema W. v Tarxien R. 2-1 losing against Balzan v Pieta H. 3-0 2-0 Mosta Qormi v Floriana

Bad weather plays havoc with FA Trophy Qfs

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