The Voice of the Maltese No. 206

Issue 206

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

Fort nightly magazine for the Diaspora Fortnightly

June 18, 2019

Malta hosts 6th EUMed7 Summit

Photos courtesy of DOI Jason Borg/Jeremy Wonnacott/ Omar Camilleri /Clinton Fenech

French President Emmanuel Macron admiring the view of the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barracca with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat indicating the strategic points to his guest ahead of the sixth edition of the EUMed7 Summit on Friday. Malta also hosted five other leaders (below). At the end of the Summit the leaders from the Southern EU member states signed the Valletta Declaration (report on Page 12)

(Antonio Costa (Portugal)

Alexis Tsipras (Greece)

Nicos Anastasiades (Cyprus)

Pedro Sanchez (Spain)

Giuseppe Conte (Italy)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Mark Buttigieg MLC shares his Maltese roots in inaugural speech

Tuesday June 18, 2019

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ewly elected MLC Mark Buttigieg used his inaugural address at NSW Parliament’s Upper House to affirm the positive role of Maltese migrants to Australia, reflecting on his own journey from immigrant roots to his election to the NSW Legislative Council.

In front of a packed gallery of supporters, (below) the long-time Sutherland Shire and St George area resident who was 53 on June 11, said, “My journey to this place started in 1955 with my grandfather and grandmother, Gilardu and Annunziata Mercieca, who stepped off the ocean liner Surriento just down the road from here at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

My uncle Robert vividly remembers those first steps on Australian soil.

Together with his wife and four children – my lovely mum Carmen, my uncles Robert and Vincent, who are with us today, and my Aunty Josephine, who is no longer with us –

my grandfather shouldered a massive wooden box that contained everything the family had brought from Malta.

The sharp edges of the box cut into his shoulder as they walked up from Circular Quay, past this very Parliament, on their way to rental accommodation in South Dowling Street, Darlinghurst.

They would not have even known what this building was, let alone imagined that their first grandchild would be giving his inaugural speech to the New South Wales Parliament in that same building some 65 years later.

It was my Nannu Gilardu who first sparked my interest

in politics. He was a blacksmith and secretary of the labour club in his village of Naxxar in Malta. Today I am wearing his original Malta Labour Party badge.

In 1978, at age 12, I was sitting with him at the dining table of my grandparents' place at 349 Bunnerong Road, Maroubra.

The year before, my dad, Victor born in Hamrun; mum, Carmen born in Naxxar; and sister, Fiona had moved from 14 Keating Street, Maroubra to Sylvania Waters Mr Buttigieg MLC spoke of his experience working as an electrician and joining the Electrical Trade Union.

“In 1982 at 15 years of age I began an electrical apprenticeship with the then-Sydney County Council; I worked as an electrician with them for 30 years. My first act was to become a member of the Electrical Trades Union, which I have remained a member of ever since.”

Mark holds an arts degree in political science and an economic degree with first-class honours.

He acknowledged Labor’s recent election defeats and remained optimistic about the party’s future.

“Losing elections by being honest does not imply the policies are wrong. Progress is always more difficult to explain than the status quo but this is no reason to abandon progress.”

Mr Buttigieg MLC charted a path forward for Labor and Unions including reaching out to a broader constituency such as small business.

“The ALP can and should represent the interests of both working people and small business people because they are increasingly becoming one and the same constituency.”

He expressed his gratitude for his election to the NSW Upper House. “I will be standing up for the rights for working people and sticking to our principles of social justice and equality of opportunity.

I want to specifically thank the people of NSW and all those people who voted for me because they have faith that I will stay true to those Labor Party principles. I intend to live up to that faith."

Tuesday June 18, 2019

he Voice of the Maltese 3

T

Q. I am 63 years of age and retired. I have an accounthis is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the Maltese based pension that I opened in July 2014. I have just rein which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fiducian Financently found a part-time job of 3 days a week and do not cial Services helps our readers understand the complexities asneed the income from the account-based pension. Am I allowed to stop the income or do I still need to take it sociated with financial planning. If you need more advice send an email to Marie Louise via: maltesevoice@gmail.com. monthly?

A. . As you no longer need the income same way they would from your account-based pension you deem income on could decide to roll the funds back into su- money in the bank or perannuation and leave them in accumu- a term deposit.

I would therefore lation. You can then ask your employer to pay the employer superannuation contri- recommend that you butions into this fund to continue to see it leave them as two separate account grow.

If you left the investment as an account based pensions to enbased pension then you will need to take sure your age pension an income from it and at your age the min- is not affected. imum amount of pension that you will need Q. I am 50 years of to take is 4%. age and have three Q. I am a pensioner and have two ac- s u p e r a n n u a t i o n count-based pensions. One of these pen- funds. I was thinksions belonged to my late husband who ing of merging the passed away in February 2018. I was three superannuations into one in funds. You should then be able to make an thinking of merging the two account- order to simplify things. Do you think informed decision before making the based pensions together. Can I do this this is advisable and what should I look move. for prior to making this move?

I would recommend that you see a finanor will it affect my age pension? cial planner who would look into these deA. . If you started your account-based pen- A. . I think merging the three superannu- tails for you and be able to help you decide ation funds into one would definitely simsion before 1 January 2015 then you have on which superannuation fund is best to what we know as a deductible amount. plify things and could also reduce your maintain. ongoing fees.

However, you need to make This means that the money that you are currently receiving from this income sure that you preserve your insurance if Q. We have a home on half an acre that we purchased in 1982. I have just been stream is not being treated as income for you have insurance in them.

You need to check which of the three has given approval from council to sub-dithe Centrelink Income test.

The second account-based pension came performed the best over the years, what vide. I plan to sell the land for $450,000. in your name in Feb 2018 and therefore are the ongoing costs for each superannu- Will I have to pay capital gains tax on has no deductible amount and therefore ation fund, and what insurance cover if the land when I sell it? We only purCentrelink are deeming the income the any do you have within each of these chased the land and house for $80,000 in 1982.

A. As you purchased the house in 1982 this is pre capital gains tax. You will therefore not have to pay tax on the proceeds from this land. Had you purchased it after 20 September 1985 when capital gains tax was introduced, you would have had to pay tax on the portion of land that you would be selling, as you will be changing the title on this land.

Q. I am 76 years of age, a widower and in the process of selling my home to move into a retirement village. I should have a surplus of about $400,000 and I was told that I could invest some of this money into superannuation. How much of these surplus funds can I invest in superannuation?

A. You are able to use the downsizing strategy. Anyone who downsizes his home and is over the age of 65, and has been living in the house for at least 10 years can contribute up to $300,000 into superannuation. This contribution needs to be made within 90 days of receiving the proceeds from settlement. .

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 June 18, 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?

A broadcaster, writer and poet

The Voice of the Maltese 5

Tuesday June 18, 2019

he name of Joe Axiaq has become synonymous with the Special Broadcasting ServT ice (SBS). He has been a broadcaster,

journalist, senior producer and executive producer for several years. Alongside Joe’s services to radio, he is also a writer and a poet.

Joe Axiaq

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oe was born in Żebbuġ, Gozo. After attending the Primary School in the village, he studied at the Lyceum, Secondary School in Victoria, Gozo and matriculated in 1973. He was to follow the Teachers’ Training College when he decided to go to Australia.

Upon arrival to Australia, he joined Telstra as a Paying and Administrative Officer, while he continued his studies in radio and administration. With fond memories of Malta and the urge to stay connected to his birthplace and culture, he took the opportunity to be involved in the Maltese community.

He was a founder member of the Maltese Literature Group in 1979, which was active for several years in organising an annual Literary Night at the AMP Theatre in Melbourne, as part of the Maltese Cultural Festival. Joe was also a co-founder of the Malta Youth Group in 1976 that organised various cultural and social activities for the Maltese youths in Victoria.

The Malta Youth Dancers was established through the same group; ten young couples learned to dance Il-Maltija (the Maltese Traditional Dance) and represented the Maltese community in several multicultural festivals.

One of the highlights of the group was David Azzopardi’s singing tour in 1977, performing to huge audiences in Festival Hall, Melbourne Town Hall and Dallas Brooks Hall. As a committee member and performer of the group, Joe Axiaq was at the forefront of such events.

All through his working career, and involvement in the Maltese community, creative writing remained an integral part of Joe’s life. As he says to The Voice of Malta: “And although, now I’ve lived in Australia, more than I lived in Malta, I still think and write in Maltese. In Maltese, the words are precise and express clearly what I want to say, without searching for the expression.”

Although he loves creative writing, Joe wrote various historical articles and analysis mostly on Żebbuġ, Gozo, and the Maltese in Australia, which are published in several Maltese papers and magazines. He published a study on the life and works of Dr Joe Abela, an educator, philosopher and leading community leader in Australia, ‘Dr Joe Abela, Ħajtu u Ħidmietu’ (Dr Joe Abela, his life and his work).

He also published many poems that are found in various magazines, anthologies and papers. A good selection of his poems was published in his first book ‘Bejn Vjaġġ u Ieħor’, (In Between Travelling) in 1979 and ‘Irjieħ’ (Winds of Change) in 1987. ‘Imxi Ftit Passi Miegħi’ (Walking Few Steps With Me) which was published in 2014, covers his main poetry written between 1973 and

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH

2013.

A collection of his short stories was published in 2016 in ‘Il-Bogħod li Jifred’ (The Distance that Separates Us). Fr Geoffrey Attard is precise in his remarks about this book: “Born in one of the loveliest villages of Gozo, Axiaq spent his childhood in his native Żebbuġ which is situated on one of the island's highest plateaus almost ready to project itself into the sea. Axiaq must have had a beautiful childhood, next to idyllic.

Gozo in the late 1960s and early 1970s was still safe from the dangerous watermarks of what has been untowardly called progress.

The years he spent in Gozo before leaving the island in the mid1970s has provided our writer with a wide range of ideas which he has translated into enjoyable and readable literature. One cannot underestimate the new experience which Joe Axiaq delved into, when he chose Australia to be his newly-adopted country.

It is a collection of different stories that though fictitious are certainly a mirror of the truth. Axiaq has tried to present the reader with particular instances in the lives of the Maltese who have lived in Australia for a generation or two but who can still be recognised within the multi-cultural society they live in, due to their traditions and linguistic accents. I believe that Axiaq has succeeded in depicting the authentic lifestyle adopted by the Maltese in their country of adoption.”

Currently, Joe is finishing his first novel, which like most of his short stories, although fictitious reflects the isolation, the resilience of the Maltese, settling in a new continent far away from their families, when communication was difficult.

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Malta and the Maltese praised at both Houses of the NSW Parliament

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arliament House in NSW continued to echo the name of Malta and the Maltese community that is so highly respected. In both Houses in the last few weeks, Malta and the Maltese were given prominence and highly praised. (See also Mark Buttigieg MLC’s inaugural speech on page 2).

Julia Finn MP the member for Granville and a very good friend of the Maltese community speaking in the Legislative Assembly on June 6, said: Sette Giugno is recognised as the day when Maltese nationalism first surfaced during the British colonial period and the move towards independence and selfgovernment began. Sette Giugno commemorates events from 7th June 1919 when, following a series of riots in Malta, British troops fired into the crowd killing four people and injuring 50.

This led to increased resistance and support for the political parties that had challenged the British presence on the island.

Last weekend, I was privileged to join the Maltese Community Council of NSW and members of Australia's Maltese community to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sette Giugno at the Maltese Bi- centennial monument at Civic Park, Pendle Hill.

Britain assisted the Maltese to expel Napoleonic French troops and in 1802 the Treaty of Amiens resolved that Malta would return to the Order of St John. But many Maltese did not want to return to their former rulers and requested to remain under British protection. Malta became a part of the British Empire and a strategic stronghold in the region.

In the aftermath of World War I the cost of living on the island escalated, and the Maltese colonial government failed to provide adequate supplies of food. There were also widespread concerns about profiteering as prices rose much faster than wages.

On 7th June 1919, the Malta National Assembly met in Valetta, with some pressing for self-government. A crowd of thousands grew in support outside, with some demonstrators tearing down British flags and rioting. A British soldier panicked, and shots were fired into the unarmed crowd killing three and injuring 50. (a fourth man was similarly killed the day after).

To this day the four men who were killed are recognised for their sacrifice. They were: Lorenzo Dyer from Vittoriosa; Giu-seppe Bajada from Gozo; Emanuele Attard from Sliema; and, Carmelo Abela from Valletta.

In 1921, following Sette Giugno, the British Government accepted the need for change, which led to a new constitution and elections for the first Maltese president.

His Excellency, President George Vella, sent a message to the Maltese Community

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Council on the occasion of the 100th anniversary.

I share part of that message: “I join you in commemorating the uprising of 1919 and the subsequent development of Malta's political and social journey to our self-government, independence and freedom from colonial rule.

The uprisings of Sette Giugno and the subsequent tragic deaths are now part of our shared history.

We continue to maintain this yearly appointment primarily to salute the memory MPs Julia Finn, Chris Bowen and Dr Hugh and the bravery of the people McDermott at the commemoration of Sette who sacrificed their lives Giugno at Pendle Hill, NSW and the many others who were injured in the summer of 1919. were 175,000 people of Maltese descent Secondly, this appointment shows that we living in Australia. never forget the injustices and the hardIn 1988, as part of Australia's bicenteships experienced by our forefathers in the nary, the Maltese monument was unveiled early 20th century. Therefore on this day, in Pendle Hill to recognise the history of we celebrate the debt of these victims but Maltese migration to Australia, and in also the first dawning lights of a free and 2019 we commemorate together the 100th independent Malta. anniversary of Sette Giugno.

It is indeed admirable that the Maltese Many of those people of Maltese descent community in NSW celebrates the shared are well known to members in this place, anniversary and maintains a vibrant con- including the Hon. Mark Buttigieg, a newly nection with Malta's historical roots. elected member in the other place, and forFurthermore, I am pleased to observe mer member for Riverstone, John Aquilina. that you continue to provide the Maltese I also recognise the work of the Maltese community with a unifying network aimed Community Council of NSW, which is to promote Maltese culture, language, his- based in my electorate. They are ably reptory and traditions.” resented by president Emanuel Camilleri, The Maltese community in New South secretary Miriam Friggieri and others.

Wales, and in my electorate in particular, The council, a non-profit organisation, prohas made a huge contribution to modern vides social, cultural, recreational and welmulticultural Australia. Sette Guigno is an fare support to the Maltese community important commemoration for all of us. across NSW. It is an umbrella organisation Many of the early residents of Greystanes for 11 affiliated Maltese associations and were from Malta, and Greystanes still has aims to preserve and promote Maltese idena large Maltese-Australian community and tity, culture, heritage and language. identity. Every year Our Lady Queen of I thank the council for the invitation to Peace Parish in Greystanes hosts a Mal- join them to commemorate the 100th antese-style festa based on feast day celebra- niversary of Sette Giugno and for their ontions in Malta. going work across New South Wales.

Maltese Australians have a long and Maltese share their heritage proud history in Australia. In 1810 the first Dr Hugh McDermott, the Member for Malta-born people arrived in Australia as convicts, which was followed in 1838 by Prospect, another good friend of the Malthe first free settler. In 1883 the first or- tese community, expressed similar sentiganised migrant group arrived, with 61 ments during his speech regarding the Maltese labourers recruited to work on the 100th anniversary event at Pendle Hill.

He further stated that he lives in sugar plantations in Queensland.

In 1948 Maltese were offered assisted Greystanes “and my neighbours are Malmigrant passage to Australia and by 1954 tese who came to Australia many years in excess of 10,000 Maltese had settled in ago. They have made this nation of AusAustralia – many of whom chose to make tralia a greater place by sharing their heritage and sharing their culture with us. I Western Sydney their home.

At the time of the 1981 census, 57,000 acknowledge 7th June (Sette Giugno) and Malta-born people were living in Australia I look forward to continuing to commemand at the time of the 2016 census there orate this important day.”

The Voice of the Maltese 7

‘No lasting peace, stability withPresident George Vella out social justice’ – tells ILO centenary session Tuesday June 18, 2019

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ddressing global leaders at the centenary session (108th ILO Conference ‘Work for a Brighter Future’) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, President George Vella said, “There can never be lasting peace or stability without social justice”.

In his opening statement to the session that brought together governments, employers, and workers’ representatives who have long dedicated themselves to achieving decent work for all within the context of an everevolving and at times unpredictable future of work, the President lauded the ILO’s “untiring contributions and initiatives directed at a brighter future for workers across the globe”.

President Vella expressed his steadfast conviction, built throughout his political and medical careers, of the necessity of social justice, and how there “can never be lasting peace or stability without social justice”. In this context, he referred to the concept of labour rights as “a prerequisite not only for any society’s economic growth, but also its security”.

He added that sustainable economies that deliver results to all citizens ensure that nobody is left behind. This is the essence of what President Vella termed “ethical leadership”.

He referred to the positive economic growth of the Maltese economy, which makes the country “best-placed to achieve social justice for present and future generations”. He said Malta has the fastest-

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The President of Malta, HE George Vella addressing the 180th ILO centenary session in Geneva growing economy in the EU that provides the country with the opportunity to be proactive in shaping the future of employment.

President George Vella pointed out that the “unwavering principles of social justice, social inclusion, and social mobility” are geared towards “making work pay”.

The President mentioned statistics that show how over 600 million new jobs need to be created by 2030 just to keep pace with the growth of the global working age population, and how there are some 780 million women and men who are working “but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of two US dollars a-day poverty”.

He also referred to the fourth industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence and automation, which makes it all the more imperative for us to “strengthen and safeguard the fundamental human rights of all workers, independently of their age, gender, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation”, the President said.

President Vella maintained that leaders’ aims should be to transition to this new world of work “fairly and justly”, and how such a global forum as the ILO provides the “opportunity to shape not just the year ahead…but the next century of progress and success of the International Labour Organisation”.

Minister Dalli in talks with Turkish Minister

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r. Helena Dalli, the Minister for European Affairs and Equality was also present for the ILO conference and accompanied President George Vella on a number of meetings.

In a meeting with the Turkish Minister for Family Affairs, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk she discussed a number of issues mostly related to industrial, migration, integration and equality.

She explained Malta’s initiatives in favour of the integration of foreigners working and living in Malta, and pointed out that thanks to measures introduced by the current administration, Malta now has the largest number of women in the workforce and that the next step would be to reach equality in all sectors of society particularly the number of women in Parliament.

Minister Dalli and President George Vella also held meetings, with the High Commissioner of the United Nations for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades.

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ...

The Voice of the Maltese for fortnightly magazine fortnightly tnightly 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, e-mail address and residence of the writer, and be emailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

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

Retirement - What is it?

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Joseph Buttigieg from Toongabbie NSW writes:

ay back in 1980 when I was a young man of 32, working in the Railways, one of the Managers was retiring after 45 years of service and I asked him: “What will you do with your free time now?” And he said: “Nothing”.

That got me thinking because I didn’t have a trade, I was just a clerk, so I wasn’t sure what I would be doing either.

So I thought right, I’ll take a permanent second job –running to stay fit and healthy.

After jogging for about six months, I joined a running club and started to compete in all the Fun Runs around the Sydney metropolitan area and there were plenty of them in the 1980’s. Then I got serious and took part in the City to Surf and even half and full marathons. By 1987 I was running the City to Surf in 48.08 and the marathon in 2.40.

When I retired from work five years ago and had more spare time, I joined the Baulkham Hills Athletic club and started training for the World Masters Athletic Championships which was held in Perth, October 2016. I had a great time competing with athletes of my own age group from

about 27 other countries.

Now that I’ve been there and done that, I enjoy competing in Park Runs which have spread all over Australia and many parts of the World. These Park Runs are always on Saturday morning at 8.00am, so wherever you go in Australia and overseas, there’s always a good chance of joining a local 5k Park Run and run with the locals on a Saturday morning.

All you have to do is register online and take the barcode with you, they will scan it and by the time you get home the race results are on the screen in your computer. Best of all Park Runs are free to join and cost nothing to race, but they do ask you if you could volunteer at least three times a year.

By the way if you don’t run, you can walk the 5k and if you’re raising a family, you can always push the pram or walk the dog if you have one; everyone is welcome. At the moment I’m pleased to say that at a ripe old age of 70, I’m running the 5k in 20.37, they say that as you get older, age becomes your enemy, so I’m staying friendly with my age for as long as possible! *In the previous issue the letter about Israel Folau was written by John Buttigieg, erroneously stated as hailing from Melbourne.

Prosit lill-MCC NSW u lil Skorba

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Alexia Cassar minn St Albans tikteb:

agħti prosit lill-MCC NSW għall-mod kif organizzaw it-tifkira tas-Sette Giugno u nifirħilhom li rnexxielhom jattiraw għal dan l-aveniment daqshekk membri parlamentari Awstraljani, fosthom anke ministru. B’hekk intwera li s-sehem talMaltin f’dan l-istat hu apprezzat.

La semmejt din l-attivita` rrid ukoll nirringrazzja mill-qalb lil The Voice tal-artiklu ippublikat fl-aħħar ħarġa dwar is-Sette Giu-

gno. Interessani ħafna, u hekk sirt naf aktar dħalt f’kull dettal tiegħu biex issa sirt naf xi jfisser dan il-jum u għaliex hu daqshekk importanti għal Malta u l-poplu Malti.

Jien ngħix fl-istat ta’ Victoria, preċiżament fejn hawn għadd ġmielu ta’ Maltin. Bħal f’kull sena niġi nżur għal xahar sħiħ membri tal-familja fl-inħawi ta’ Parramatta li mbagħad inroddilhom l-ospitalita` f’dari.

Waqt li kont hemm attendejt maghom għadd ta’ attivitajiet, u minbarra t-tifkira li semmejt stednuni wkoll fil-La Valette SC għal-lejla mill-grupp Skorba. Veru ħadt gost bil-ħila ta’ dawn in-nies u bil-mużika li jipprovdu, hi differenti milli wieħed ġeneralment jisma’. Veru għandna nies kapaċi!

Hi tassew ħasra li dan il-grupp ma jiġix ukoll mistieden ħalli jirrepeti l-programm mużikali tiegħu fi stati oħra fejn tgħix ilkomunita`Maltija. Jien ċert li jekk jiġi nnaħa tagħna, imqar b’rappreżentazzjoni f’Melbourne, ikollhom l-istess laq-għa mill-Maltin f’dan l-istat bħal ta’ NSW. Għalhekk inħeġġeġ lill-MCCV biex jara kif jagħmel u jaħdem ħalli l-kultura ta’ Skorba titgawda wkoll hawnhekk.

Hemm bżonn li minkejja li l-popolazzoni Maltija fl-Awstralja qed tiċkien, għallinqas inżommu ħajja l-kultura u l-istorja tagħna kif urew tant tajjeb Skorba.

The Voice of the Maltese 9

1214 on Queen’s Birthday Honour List

Tuesday June 18, 2019

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he awards in this year’s Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honour list has the highest ever percentage of women recipients in the Order of Australia, 40%. The Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC who is also Chancellor of the Order of Australia, announced the 1214 awards for the last time as Governor-General before retirement on June 10.

The list includes: 993 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia, and 221 meritorious and military awards.

The Voice of the Maltese has been officially notified that in this year’s list there were no Malta-born awardees. However, we did notice some familiar Maltese names and in line with protocol we contacted them.

Two are: Anthony Michael Schembri from Redfern NSW. He was awarded the Australian Medal (AM) for significant services to hospital administration, and to medical research. He was born in Australia. His father was born in Kercem Gozo. He is very proud of his Maltese connection.

Dr Marguerite Virginia Evans-Galea. She too was awarded the AM for significant service to women in STEMM as an advocate and role model.

She is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Anthony Officer, Women in Michael STEMM Australia, Schembri since 2014. She is married to Charles Galea, also born in Australia, but his parents were born in Mosta Malta. They are originally from Mackay in Queensland but currently reside in Brunswick West Victoria.

Other awardees There were a few others in the Military Section of the awards that we were unable to contact. They are: Lieutenant Colonel Simon Martin Vella Bonavita, from ACT. For distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations as the Chief of Future Operations for Train Advise Assist Command - South, Kandahar, Afghanistan while force assigned to Operation HIGHROAD from July 2017 to May 2018.

Rear Admiral Gregory John Sammut AM CSC RAN from NSW: Officer (AO) Military Division Order of Australia for distinguished service as the Head Future Submarine Programme, and the General Manager Submarines.

In announcing the list, the Governor-General congratulated all the recipients on behalf of all Australians.

“They have made an enormous contribution to their local communities and to the entire nation and deserve our thanks, admiration and to be celebrated,” the Governor-General said.

He said that over the last five years, it had been his greatest honour and privilege to recognise over 80,000 recipients through the Honours and Awards System.

“These awards are our opportunity to say to fellow Australians, ‘thank you – without you and your tireless service we wouldn’t be the community or nation that we are’.

“Some names on the list are well known. Many more are known only to those they help and serve day-in-dayout. They are all wonderful people and are all worthy of recognition and celebration.

“This is the greatest part of our system; it doesn’t matter who you are, where you are from or whether you’re known

to millions or just a few. If you have constantly put others ahead of yourself, served tirelessly and made a difference you can be nominated, recognised by a grateful nation.”

He encouraged Australians, that if they see someone with an Order of Australia lapel Dr Evans-Galea badge, or an Order of Australia post nominal after their name, to recognise they are extraordinary and have served their community and nation.

“And if, in doing so, you think of someone you know that is similar then consider nominating them for an award so that they too can be celebrated.”

“It is great that the overall number of nominations and upward trend of Australian women being acknowledged through the Honours system continues to grow. We would all welcome higher recognition of magnificent Australian women.”

A full list is available www.gg.gov.au

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Perspettiva

L-aspirazzjoni I

d-dizzjunarju ta’ Aquilina jgħid li din il-kelma tfisser xewqa kbira għal xi ħaġa. Ftakart fiha waqt laħħar elezzjoni Federali tal-Awstralja, fejn ir-rebħa xejn mistennija tal-koalizzjoni governattiva LiberaliNazzjonali ġiet parzjalment spjegata minn xi analisti u politikanti b’parti mill-popolazzjoni meqjusin li għandhom aspirazzjoni fil-ħajja jippreferu l-kontinwità milli jirriskjaw politika kompletament differenti u ekonomikament ridistributtiva talpartit Laburista.

L-aspirazzjoni fil-prinċipju hija ħaġa tajba. Huwa tajjeb li wieħed ifittex kwalità aħjar tal-ħajja, li jkollu livell ta’ saħħa aħjar, li jara lil uliedu javvanzaw anke iktar minnu, li jkun iktar komdu, li jkollu ħin liberu iktar eċċ.

Dan iwassal biex bniedem jistinka, jaħdem, jippjana. Ikollu enerġija iktar minn ta’ madwaru, għax għandu skop f’moħħu u jrid jilħqu.

L-aspirazzjoni hija wkoll attribut ta’ organizzazzjonijiet. Waħda mill-komunikazzjonijiet ewlenin tal-aħjar minnhom ġeneralment tkun stqarrija ċkejkna imma maħsuba fil-fond, li biha tistqarr ilmissjoni tagħha, per eżempju li toffri sistemi moderni ta’ telekomunikazzjoni li bihom jisseddqu l-komunitajiet, jew li jiġu żviluppati soluzzjonijiet għall-mard tal-bniedem, li jkunu ċittadini tajba fis-soċjetà u l-bqija.

Dawn l-attitudnijiet huma kollha pożittivi, madankollu jistgħu jduru u jsiru negattivi, jew ikollhom xi aspett negattiv? Jien naħseb, dażgur li iva.

Per eżempju, meta bniedem ifittex kwalità aħjar tal-ħajja, ikun iktar komdu eċċ, ħafna jinterpretawha fis-soċjetà tal-lum li jrid ikun finanzjarjament aħjar. Għalhekk, jista’ jinfexx f’ħafna xogħol, ġieli f’iktar minn post tax-xogħol wieħed, ħafna sahra eċċ biex jakkwista iktar flus, imma li wieħed iħares lejh minn barra jista’ jistaqsi jekk verament il-kwalità tal-ħajja hix qiegħda tiġi għallaħjar.

Irrid nagħmilha ċara li hawn ukoll min jaħdem daqs kelb mhux b’kapriċċ, imma li tant jitħallas biċ-ċenteżmi li bilfors irid jaħdem ħafna sigħat biex ikun jista’ jlaħħaq mal-ħajja. Illum spiss sirt tisma’ bil-ħaddiema li jibqgħu fqar (working poor).

Jien kultant nistaqsi lili nnifsi jekk dak li naraw kultant fuq itteleviżjoni, fi programmi apparentement innokwi u ta’ kuljum,

Tuesday June 18, 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

b’ħafna tlellix, tant attraenti u sbieħ, b’ħafna nies jidħqu u jitbissmu, jidhru tant kuntenti mdawrin b’oġġetti li ħafna jistgħu biss joħolmu bihom, humiex filfatt intenzjonati biex iħajruna nibdlu lħolm li naraw fil-ħolm tagħna u nagħmlu minn kollox biex indawruh f’realtà.

Forsi l-aktar eżempju ċar għalija talattitudni huwa l-programm Better Homes and Gardens fuq it-TV Awstraljan, li jagħti ħafna tagħrif utli dwar kif wieħed jista’ jtejjeb id-dar jew il-ġnien tiegħu. Imbagħad għamlu żmien iġibu segment fil-programm li jippreżenta djar b’arkitettura favoluża li diffiċli li timmaġina ‘l xi ħadd fihom ħlief jekk tkun miljunarju, jew tidħol f’xi dejn ta’ barra minn hawn.

X’inhu l-iskop, ħlief li jxennqu linBiex tixxennaq? nies? Fl-aħħar tal-programm, ma jonqosx li tissemma d-daqqa ‘life is getting better all the time’ (ilħajja kull ma jmur qed titjieb). Iva? Għal min? Għal kulħadd?

Ktibt ftit qabel dwar l-organizzazzjonijiet, u l-ambizzjonijiet pożittivi tagħhom. Jista’ jkollhom ambizzjonijiet oħra, forsi mhux mistqarra, imma li wieħed jistennihom, li forsi ma jkunux negattivi imma li jistgħu isiru hekk. L-ewwel eżempju li jiġini f’rasi huwa l-għan tal-impriżi kummerċjali biex jagħmlu profitt.

Dan mhux ħażin fih innifsu, xejn affattu, imma ħafna drabi jkun hemm l-istennija li l-profitt irid jiżdied kull sena, u dan jista’ jsir b’mod leċitu jew illeċitu, b’mod etiku jew le.

Jistgħu jittieħdu deċiżjonijiet li jfissru tagħsir tal-ħaddiema, żieda tal-istress tagħhom fuq il-post tax-xogħol, nuqqas ta’ servizz adekwat lejn il-klijenti, it-tnaqqis tal-kwalità fil-prodotti jew servizzi.

Fi kliem ieħor, l-organizzazzjonijiet bil-mod il-mod isiru biss magni fejn il-profitt jiġi l-ewwel u qabel kollox, u l-bqija huma biss kliem fieraħ li jingħad biex ma ssirx kritika.

Biex nagħti eżempji, kif wieħed jista’ jispejga li organizzazzjoni bħall-Volkswagen, waħda mill-aqwa produtturi tal-karozzi fiddinja, tistalla softwer fil-karozzi biex litteralment tigdeb waqt li qed isirulha testijiet ta’ kemm tarmi dħaħen? Kif wieħed jista’ jispjega li banek fl-Awstralja jnaqqsu flus mill-kontijiet tal-klijenti tagħhom għal servizzi li ma tawx, jew għal pariri finanzjarji li suppost kienu qiegħdin jagħtu meta l-klijenti kienu fil-fatt mejta?

Jien ngħid li jkun jaqbel għalina li individwalment naħsbu sew fuq x’inhuma l-iskopijiet u ambizzjonijiet li għandna f’moħħna, jekk humiex raġjonevoli u jekk jiswewx is-sagrifiċċji li rridu nagħmlu biex nilħquhom. Uħud forsi jistħoqqilhom investiment ta’ ħinna u xogħolna, u oħrajn forsi le. Ħajja waħda għandna!

I

Tuesday June 18, 2019

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Il-kompożitur Żebbuġi Pietro Paolo Pullicino

llum ħsibt li nikeb dwar il-kompożitur importanti Dun Pietro Paolo Pullicino, 294 sena minn twelidu, fit-30 ta’ Ġunju 1725 f’ĦażŻebbuġ, ir-raħal fejn għix u miet fl-età ta’ 61 sena, fil-Kunċizzjoni (8 ta’ Diċembru) tal-1786. Hu kien ukoll qassis u maestro di cappella tal-parroċċa ta' Ħaż-Żebbuġ li għaliha kkompona xogħlijiet mużikali.

Ftakart fih wara li dan l-aħħar smajt intervista li kont għamilt ħafna snin ilu lil Joe Vella Bondin, storiku magħruf sewwa fil-qasam tal-mużika ta’ pajjiżna.

F’din l-intervista, fost diversi kompożituri oħra, Vella Bondin semma, lil Pietro Paolo Pullicino. Semmiegħ kemm għall-importanza tiegħu fil-qasam tal-mużika u kemm għax kien jaf li bħali kien Żebbuġi, allura ta’ interess speċjali għalija. Vella Bondin stqarr b’dispjaċir li ħafna mixxogħlijiet mużikali ta’ Pullicino huma mitlufa.

Kienet daqqa ta’ ħarta għalija u minnufih għedt lili nnifsi li jekk Pullicino ikkompona xi xogħlijiet mużikali għallPeterPaulCiantar parroċċa ta' Ħaż-Żebbuġ, mela fl-arkivji tal-parroċċa hemm xi xogħlijiet tiegħu, u jekk hemm, mela, nagħtuhom il-ħajja għax Dun Pietro Paolo Pullicino huwa kompożitur Malti tas-seklu 18 u importanti ħafna.

Vella Bondin Sa minn kmieni Pullicino kellu żewġ kien ippubbvokazzjonijiet, dik soda għas-saċerdozju lika (Sunday u inklinazzjoni qawwija għall-mużika.

Times of Huwa kien ġej minn famija tradizzjonalMalta tal-25 ment ta’ nutara. Missieru kien in-Nutar ta’ Lulju, Arcangelo Pullicino u nannuh min-naħa 1975), kiteb ta’missieru kien ukoll nutar. dwar ħames Minn tiftix li għamilt, kemm bis-saħħa kompożituri ta’ Joe Vella Bondin kif ukoll ta’ Mons.

Maltin imĠwann Azzopardi (għal ħafna snin kuportanti tasratur tal-Mużew tal-Katidral u tal-Museku 18: żew Wignacourt), sibt li Mons. Azzopardi Girolamo jaf b’xogħlijiet ta’ Pullicino li jinsabu Abos, M’Ankemm fil-Mużew Wignacourt fir-Rabat gelo Vella, kif ukoll f’dak tal-Katidral tal-Imdina.

Francesco Qalli li l-mużika tiegħu hija sparpaljata u Azopardi, Beli l-mużikoloġista Awstraljan Richard Dinigno Zerafa vall, ħadem fuq xi xogħlijiet ta’ Pietro u Pietro Paolo Paolo Pullicino.

Pullicino.

Anke Joe Vella Bondin, fil-ktieb tiegħu Pietro Paolo ‘Il-Mużika ta’ Malta sal-aħħar tas-seklu Pullicino tmintax’ (Pubblikazzjoni Kullana), kiteb beda l-istudju li madwar tletin mill-kompożizzjonijiet mużikali tiegħu jinsabu fl-arkivju mużkali tal-Kuntiegħu ma’ vent tal-Karmnu fl-Imdina.

M ’ A n g e lo Fil-biċċa l-kbira, Pullicino kiteb ixVella u komxogħlijiet mużikali tiegħu bejn l-1762 u lIl-knisja ta’ San Filep f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ (mingħajr Navi) fi pla jistudja 1767 fl-eta`ta’ bejn is-37 u t-42 sena. żmien il-kompożitur Żebbuġi Pietro Paolo Pullicino f’Napli meta kellu madwar 29 sena. Hu kien jaf sew lill-famuż kompożitur Malti mir-Rabat Francesco Azopardi. Irrid ngħid li ħafna studjużi u riċerkaturi, meta jiġu biex jiktbu dwar ilkompożitur Francesco Azopardi, jirreferu ħafna wkoll F’dawk iż-żminijiet x’aktarx li kien maestro di cappella għall-kitba tal-kompożitur Pietro Paolo Pullicino.

Dan iż-Żebbuġi jistħoqqlu aktar għarfien, l-aktar fir-raħal tal-parroċċa ta' Ħaż-Żebbuġ, għax l-aktar mużika li kkomtiegħu.

Qatt ma abbanduna raħal twelidu, u għal ħafna pona kienet għal żewġ soprani u baxx – li x’aktarx kienu disponibbli għalih f’dawk iż-żminijiet fil-cappella di mu- snin ħadem ħafna fil-qasam tal-mużika met kien maestro di cappella tal-knisja. Id-dar tal-familja Pullicino kienet sica tal-Parroċċa ta’ Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Skont Joe Vella Bondin l-idjoma barokka tinħass sewwa wara l-Knisja Parrokkjali.

Fil-ktieb tiegħu, Dun Salv Ciappara (studjuż tal-istorja ta’ fix-xogħlijiet mużikali ta’ Pietro Paolo Pullicino li huma kollha xogħlijiet ta’ mużika sagra b’enfasi fuq il-vuċi. Jidher Ħaż-Żebbuġ) jgħid li fid-dar tagħhom kien hemm ritratt ukoll li fil-kitba mużikali tiegħu dan il-kompożitur Żeb- ta’ dan Pietro Paolo Pullicino, u jsemmi wkoll xi kombuġi kien intenzjonat li jsostni l-liturġija u mhux li jiddom- pożizzjonijiet tiegħu, fosthom ‘Messa de Requiem’ (1765).

L-ewwel xogħol mużikali ta’ Dun Pietro Paolo Pullicino inaha.

Allura hawn wieħed jikonkludi li Pullicino kien qed jaqdi li jsemmi Ciappara huwa ‘Messa prima’ (1754). Aktar tard ż-żewġ funzjonijiet importanti tiegħu, ta’ saċerdot (anzi din il-quddiesa ġiet irriveduta. L-aħħar xogħol mużikali li saċerdot eżemplari li jgħin il-liturġija) u ta’ kompożitur u ħareg mill-pinna ta’ Pietro Paolo Pullicino u li jsemmi Ciapmaestro di cappella. para kien ‘Domine Ad Adjuvandum’ (1782), li Pullicino L-importanza tiegħu tidher ukoll mill-fatt li f’artiklu li Joe ikkompona erba’ snin qabel mewtu.

Jistħoqqlu aktar għarfien

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta

Climate change a priority at Malta ‘EUMed7’Summit

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eaders from Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain joined Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Friday as he hosted the sixth Southern EU Countries Summit known as ‘EUMed7’ to build a united front on key economic and political issues before next week’s European Council meeting.

At the end of the Summit, the leaders signed the 29-point Valletta Declaration and reconfirmed their commitment to act in coordination at all levels so as to actualise the goals of the declaration and to hold the next summit in France.

Key European Union jobs, migration issues, climate change, and other issues of common interest in the Mediterranean region were at the top of the agenda in Malta's capital, Valletta.

The EUMed7 leaders were in agreement that there should be a focus on climate change, as such, they reaffirmed their commitment to the objective of climate neutrality, that should be reached by 2050, taking into account different national specificities, and will strive to ensure the EU’s leading role in submitting an ambitious long-term strategy and updating its NDC by 2020.

They expressed concern about the proliferation of plastic pollution and the effect that it is having on the marine environment and beyond. They, therefore, welcomed the adoption of a Directive on single-use plastics that would contribute to reducing the negative effects of plastic pollution in our seas EUMed7 is made up of seven EU countries that have their shores overflowing onto the Mediterranean. It was formed in Brussels on December 17, 2013. The first summit took place on September 9, 2016, in Athens, where talks focused on coordi-

Prime Minster Joseph Muscat (centre) together with the other leaders of the Southern EU member states in a family photo in front of Castille

nating action on relevant issues from economic growth to regional security.

At a final news conference in front of his office in Castille at the end of the discussions, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the main focus of the summit was to reach “common ground” on the priorities of the EU for the next five years.

The other six leaders at the summit – the Presidents of France (Emmanuel Macron), and Cyprus (Nicos Anastasiades), and the Prime Minister’s of Spain (Pedro Sanchez), Italy (Giuseppe Conte), Portugal (Antonio Costa) and Greece (Alexis Tsipras) - also took part in the joint news conference.

Economic and social policies were also in focus, with the leaders agreeing on the need to discuss a “European minimum salary” to face high unemployment levels across Europe. When it came to the EU's African policies, these should always take into account migration, Muscat said.

He added that the leaders had signalled “un-

‘Women4IT’ project launched

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ithin the next two years, 700 women who do not have digital skills will be given training to improve their job opportunities in a project entitled ‘Women4IT’ that is aimed for at least 100 of these women to find work related to IT. It is estimated that nine out of every ten employees require digital skills but there are not enough of them with the required reflected in double-digit growth rates by the skills to work in the jobs being created. professional, scientific and technical and adTo this end, benefitting from almost ministrative and support sector and the con€350,000 in funds from the European ecostruction and real estate activities sectors. nomic zone and Norway, the CommunicaOther notable private sector increases were tions Authority and the Agency Tech.MT registered in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector that includes iGaming, the has launched ‘Women4IT’ intended to deinformation and communication sector, and velop the digital competence of young women who currently do not have enough the financial and insurance sector.

Worth noting is the growth in the wholesale skills in this digital age and are therefore at and retail trade sector which grew by 5.0 per risk of being excluded from the workforce.

The project is intended to avoid anyone cent and the manufacturing sector, where gross value added increased by 3.5 per cent. being excluded from the technological revThe €214 million increase in nominal GDP olution. By means of this project, the colduring the first quarter of this year was dis- laboration with employers will continue for tributed in a €72 million increase in compen- another two years to train 700 women.

Tech.MT CEO Dana Farrugia said that sation of employees, a €125 million increase in business profits, and a €17 million in- with the way the digital economy is develcrease in revenue from production and im- oping, the risk of exclusion for those without digital skills is real. ports taxes.

Malta’s economy sustains robust growth

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uring the first quarter of this year (January-March), the Maltese economy continued to be amongst the top performing economies in the European Union, growing by 4.9 per cent. In nominal terms, GDP has increased by 7.4 per cent.

The year-on-year quarterly economic growth rate compared remarkably well with the average growth rate of 1.2 and 1.5 % in the Euro Area and the EU28 respectively.

Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna said he was pleased to note “the robust growth momentum recorded in the last five years that has continued during the first quarter of this year confirming that the higher level of generated wealth for our families can and will be sustained”.

Economic growth continued to be broadbased as the increase in the gross value added for all sectors reached €187 million. This was

wavering support” for Cyprus, in the wake of recent escalations in tension with Turkey.

Among other priorities discussed were migration and cooperation with African countries to help to manage migrant flows, with both Malta and Italy stressing the need to tighten EU immigration and asylum policies.

All the leaders voiced their concern over the conflict in Libya, which, in the coming months, also risks fuelling migrants’ departures from the country.

“We need to work together for a cease-fire in Libya and promote political dialogue,” Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said.

French President Emmanuel Macron asked for more solidarity in EU migration policies. He promised the new EU leaders will be chosen based on a common agreement.

Malta is open to discussing the idea of implementing a European minimum wage and focused on developing economic and social pillars. Spain's Pedro Sanchez also spoke in favour of this proposal.

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Roundup of News About Malta

Malta Air – Ryanair officially establish new Malta-based subsidiary airline

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he Government has announced the setting up of another airline for the Maltese Islands, Malta Air that will be owned by the world’s largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair to be based in Malta.

The setting up of Malta Air, an innovative partnership that forms part of the government’s vision to develop Malta into an aviation hub in the heart of the Mediterranean, was made possible through efforts and talks over the last nine months between by the Ministry for Tourism and the Ryanair.

Through this agreement that has just been sealed, Ryanair has formally acquired the shares in a specifical set-up subsidiary of Malta Air Travel Ltd (Malta Med Air). The Irish airline will be registering some 60 planes on Malta’s aircraft register and creating over 300 jobs on the island.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said it was a proud and auspicious day for the group, adding that the investment in the new airline represented an investment in Malta.

He described the negotiations that led up to the agreement as “the toughest and most difficult” he was a part of in the last 13 years. he said that through the venture the group would be investing up to $1bn in Malta.

In so doing it is establishing a formal presence in Malta through a dedicated Maltese airline company, through which, the Ryanair group will manage its Malta-based aircraft and other routes operated to and from Malta.

The Ministry for Tourism paved the way for this transaction by offering the Ryanairgroup, the required technical assistance through Malta Air Travel Ltd, which incorporated the new company.

This initiative is part of the wider ongoing efforts by the Ministry to consolidate and improve on the successful tourism results currently being recorded. Through this agreement, the Government of Malta will be strengthening the ties which the Ryanair

group has in Malta.

Malta Air will aim to increase its presence in Malta and operate additional routes to non-EU destinations, thereby widening Malta’s outreach, connectivity, and giving further exposure to Malta, particularly through the branding of the Malta-based aircraft in the ‘Malta Air’ brand.

In his comments on what is being described as a fantastic deal for Malta, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi said, “Just as importantly, we've built a bond of trust with a world-renowned company, and demonstrated that we are open for business, and open to the world."

Ryanair will seek to immediately: Transfer its six Malta-based aircraft (worth over $600m) to the Maltese register; Transfer its 200 Malta-based crew onto local contracts paying local Maltese taxes; Increase its Malta-based fleet to 10 aircraft within three years and create over 350 jobs; Brand its Malta-based fleet in Malta Air colours for summer 2020, and Transfer Ryanair-based

s of June 4, Qatar Airlines has started operating daily direct flights between Malta and Doha. The daily flights will cover the summer period and shift to four times a week in winter. The inaugural flight from Doha landed at Malta International Airport marking the start of a direct service between both countries.

The new Malta service, the latest addition to Qatar Airways’ rapidly expanding European network, is also opening new connectivity options for Qatar Airways’ customers. It will strengthen Malta’s connections to the rest of the world, allow tourists from new markets outside Europe

to discover the island. It will also soon offer customers from Malta and vice versa members of the Maltese community in Australia, another alternative airline to use to visit the respective continents.

Maltese passengers can now book their journey to and from Malta through a dedicated website.

An Airbus A320 aircraft will operate the new direct services to Malta.

Qatar Airways Country Manager for Italy and Malta, Mate Hoffmann, described Malta as one of Europe’s architectural gems and a key new addition to his airline’s European network.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary (centre) signing the agreement, with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (Standing second right) and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi (right) in attendance

Qatar Airways inaugural flight to Malta

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aircraft from Italy and Germany onto the Malta AOC. The Government of Malta will retain veto rights on a change to the company’s name, and a transfer of the AOC or AOL to the oversight of a civil aviation authority outside of Malta.

With respect to Air Malta, Minister Konrad Mizzi highlighted that the government would continue to invest in Air Malta which is growing and focusing on a different business model, main airports and hubs, cargo, and medium-haul destinations.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the deal “is good news for business and tourism and does not come at the expense of Air Malta. This development runs parallel to our strategy of making Air Malta the airline of the Mediterranean. It has a different business model, and we firmly believe that the two airlines can reciprocally strengthen each other, operating in different markets.’

Dr. Muscat pointed out that the government’s aim is to reach as many markets as possible and to bring visitors to Malta using as many routes as possible, thus enhancing its connectivity. “We are certain that once a visitor sets foot on these islands, he or she will want to come again, and that it will be easier than ever to do so,” the Prime Minister said.

670,000 passengers go through MIA in May

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uring May, Malta International Airport registered a growth of 4.8 per cent in passenger traffic compared to the same month last year. The number of passengers that used the Airport during that month totalled over 670,000.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Jiġu sospiżi l-permessi għal twaqqigħ u tħaffir

Il-PN b’membru Parlamentari ġdid

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-avukat Għawdxi Kevin Cutajar, persuna nieqsa mid-dawl, ħa l-ġurament ta’ lealtà lejn il-Kostituzzjoni bħala Deputat tal-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti (fuq) wara li ġie kkoptjat fil-Parlament bħala Deputat tal-Partit Nazzjonalista wara r-riżenja ta’ David Stellini u wara żewġ votazzjonijiet mill- Kumitat Eżekuttiv tal-PN. Fl-ewwel votazzjoni il-laqgħa l-Eżekuttiv bi 42 vot kontra 40 kien għażel lil Jean Pierre Debono. Iżda wara li tqajjmu dubji dwar il-validita` tal-votazzjoni, Debono ma aċċettax il-ħatra. Ġimgħa wara mbagħad saret it-tieni votazzjoni u din id-darba l-vot mar b’mod unanimu favur Cutajar.

Ftit jiem wara mbagħad fil-Parlament, id-Deputat Prim Ministru u Ministru tasSaħħa Chris Fearne ressaq il-mozzjoni biex Cutajar jinħatar membru parlamentari filwaqt li Adrian Delia, il-Kap talOppożizzjoni issekondaha. Il-mozzjoni għaddiet u Cutajar ingħata l-ġurament tal-ħatra.

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ara tliet inċidenti separati fi ftit tal-ġimgħat li fihom waqa’ bini biswit siti ta’ kostruzzjoni, ilPrim Ministru Joseph Muscat sejjaħ laqgħa mas-sħab kollha fl-industrija talbini, u fi tmiemha, ħabbar li b’effett immedjat waqqaf kull permess ta’ twaqqigħ jew skavar f’siti ta’ kostruzzjoni.

Fil-jiem li ġejjin il-laqgħa se tissokta biex fost kollox jiġu diskussi regolament ġodda li l-Gvern kellu jippubblika għall-konsultazzjoni pubblika l-bieraħ.

Il-Prim Ministu qal li l-liġijiet ta’ bħalissa diġa jipprovdu dwar ta’ min hi r-responsabilità. Semma kif il-perit irid iħejji lmethod statement, is-site manager jara li x-xogħol isir skont l-istatement, u li l-kuntrattur irid isegwi l-method statement.

Qal li minkejja dan, kienu qed iseħħu affarjiet li ma wieħed ma seta jagħlaq għajnejh għalihom.

Il-konsultazzjoni pubblika dwar ir-regoli l-ġodda se ssir mas-sħab kollha nvoluti flindustrija tal-bini bl-iskop li l-Gvern jieħu d-deċiżjonijiet meħtieġa u fl-istess waqt jifhem l-argumenti ta’ kulħadd. Wara, ilKabinett japprova r-regoli l-ġodda u dawn jidħlu fis-seħħ b’mod immedjat.

Ir-regoli l-ġodda se jinkludu żieda filmulti, minn €500 għal €10,000 għal min jiksirhom, u minn €1,200 għal €50,000 għal sidien li jibqgħu għaddejjin bix-xogħol minkejja li tkun inħarġitilhom notice.

Dr. Muscat qal proġetti ta’ kostruzzjoni kbar diġà joperaw skont dawn ir-regoli u

li l-inċidenti li seħħew dan l-aħħar kienu fuq proġetti żgħar. Bir-regolamenti lġodda, l-istandards se jibdew japplikaw għal kull proġett ta’ kostruzzjoni.

Dwar il-miżura temporanja ta’ sospensjoni ta’ kull xogħol ta’ twaqqigħ u skavar, qal li kien se jerfa’ r-responsabilità.

Xejn ma jeħlisa...

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eru l-politika telgħet għall-irjus u xejn ma jidher li jeħlisa milli jingħata pinzellata politika, kif intwera dan l-aħħar fil-festa ta’ San Filep f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Il-baned għandhom sehem kbir f’dawn ilfesti. F’wieħed mill-każini, waqt li qed jindaqqu xi innijiet, fost dawk merfugħa fuq l-ispallejn, kien hemm Dr Marlene Farrugia tal-Partit Demokratiku.

Video li fih id-deputata Farrugia tidher mgħollija fuq l-ispallejn tkanta b’mod dispreġġjattiv kontra l-PN spiċċa fuq il-midja soċjali bis-Segretarju Ġenerali tal-PN Clyde Puli, jikteb li...

Farrugia ċaħdet li b’xi mod kienet ingħaqdet ma dak il-kant, anzi nsistiet li anqas intebħet x’kien qed jiġri. Intqal li lvideo seta’ kien manipulat.

U l-Każin tal-Banda spiċċa żżeffen finnofs, għax kif stqarr il-Kumitat tal-istess Każin huma qatt ma jdaħħlu l-politika u malli grupp żgħir instema’ jkanta innijiet politiċi mill-ewwel ħa passi. Iddeċieda li lquddiem ħadd ma jitħalla jintrefa fuq l-ispallejn fil-każin.

Awstraljan il-Qorti wara bewsa mhux f’waqta B

ewsa mhux f’waqta wasslet lil Awstraljan, li kien fuq btala f’Malta, jispiċċa l-Qorti mixli li attakka sesswalment wejter.

Skont l-allegat vittma, l-akkużat sewgieh

fit-toilet biesu fuq għonqu u beda jipprova jmissu bil-għan li jkollu x’jaqsam miegħu.

Il-vittma kien qal fil-Qorti li huwa gay u li kien għadda indirizz lill-istess anzjan ta’ gay

Dr Hugh McDermott MP State Member for Prospect For issues concerning:

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

P: (02) 9756 4766 E: prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au

2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164

club f’Malta. Qal ukoll li l-Awstraljan tbaxxa biex ibusu, iżda hu kien resaq lura, mnkejja li fi kliemu, l-anzjan baqa’ jipprova.

Min-naħa tiegħu, l-akkużat qal li kien tkellem fit-tul mal-vittma dwar il-fatt li ttnejn li kienu gay. Ammetta li meta pprova jbusu l-vittma qallu biex jieqaf imma kien tard wisq għax kien laħaq biesu fuq għonqu. Qal li dan għamlu bl-ebda intenzjoni ħażina, iżda biex jawguralu għax kellu l-kuraġġ jgħid li hu gay. Iżda ċaħad li ipprova jmiss il-parti privata tal-wejter Il-qorti emmnet il-verżjoni tal-akkużat u ddeċidiet li l-bewsa ma tistax titqies bħala att sesswali. Innutat ukoll li l-akkużat waqaf minnufih meta nduna li l-allegat vittma ma kienx qed japprova.

U l-akkużat seta’ jkompli bil-vaganza tiegħu mal-ħabib li kien qed joqgħid miegħu fl-istess lukanda.

Insomma verżjoni moderna ta’ “and they lived happily after”

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Dik l-imbierka ċikkulata Huwa maghruf minn kulħadd kemm iċċikkulata hi tentazzjoni għal ħafna nies, fosthom dawk li għalihom xejn ma tagħmlilhom ġid. Xbajna nisimgħu kemm il-ħelu, l-aktar meta jittieħed kuljum u bla moderazzjoni, jagħmel il ħsara lis-saħħa.

L-awtoritajiet tas-saħħa f’Malta ta’ sikwit iwissu dwar il-ħsara li tagħmel iċ-ċikkultata u ħlewwiet oħra. Għalhekk ftit ilu iddeċidew li jwaqqfu l-bejgħ ta’ ċerti oġġetti, fosthom iċ-ċikkulata, ħelu u xarbiet bizzokkor mill-canteens tal-Isptarijiet tal-Istat.

U min taħsbu li ħareġ jipprotesta? Propju t-tobba u l-infermiera, bil-president talUnjon tal-infermiera jilmenta li mhux sew li huma jiġu fdati b’ħajjiet n-nies imbagħad ma jiġux fdati bl-għażla ta’ x’jieklu.

Iżda l-Ministru tas-Saħħa, Chris Fearne, kien pront wieġeb li ma kienx se jmur lura mid-deċiżjoni. Fuq kollox l-awtoritajiet ma kienu qed iżommu lil ħadd milli jiekol u

jixrob dak li jrid fl-Isptarijiet, imma ħassew li ma kellhomx jipprovdu post fl-Isptar stess minn fejn jinxtraw l-affarijiet meta mbagħad il-poplu jiġi mwissi dwar il-konsum tagħhom.

Jekk it-tobba u l-infermiera jridu jieklu u jixorbu li jridu jistgħu faċilment jixtruhom minn barra u jdaħħluhom l-Isptar magħhom.

Naqbel mal-Ministru Fearne (lemin), għax jekk it-tobba ul-infermiera jafu jagħżlu x’jixtru biex jieklu u jixorbu, mhux hekk ilpazjent u min iżurhom. Fuq kollox jekk jien ngħidlek toqgħod lura minn xi ikel u

Għawdex tassew sar popolari

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ktar ma jgħaddi ż-żmien, il-Gżira Għawdxija qed issir popolari matturist barrani u ma’ dawk lokali. Tant

Nicole, flimkien ma’ ommha Debbie u missierha Matthew wara r-rebħa

Rabtija bint Debbie Scerri tirbaħ id-dritt li tirrappreżenta lil Malta fil-Miss World

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xorb, jagħmel sens li jien stess inpoġġilek taħt imnieħrek dawn il-prodotti għax-xiri?

icole Vella, tfajla grazzjuża ta’ 19-il sena mir-Rabat, Malta, studenta fil-fakulta`talpsikoloġija fl-Universita`ta’ Malta, rebħet il-konkors tas-sbuħija Miss World Malta u b’hekk kisbet id-dritt li tirrappreżenta lil Malta fid-69 edizzjoni tal-konkors Miss World li se jsir f’Pattaya, it-Tajlandja fis-7 ta’ Diċembru li ġej.

Nicole, hija wkoll kantanta u żeffiena bint il-kantanta popolari Debbie Scerri li fost kollox kienet anke kantat f’isem Malta fil-Eurovision Song Contest tal-1997. Nicole rebħet minn fost 26 tfajla.

li għadda ż-żmien li fis-sajf Għawdex ifur bin-nies igawdu l-btajjel tas-sajf, u f’ċerti festi, fuq quddiem dik ta’ Santa Marija.

Illum Għawdex sar popolari matul is-sena kollha, l-aktar meta tinzerta xi vaganza nhar ta’ Ġimgħa jew it-Tnejn u allura jkun hemm dik li bl-Ingliż isejjħu ‘long weekend’.

Minbarra n-nies li jmorru Għawdex għal xi jum jew ftit jiem, hemm dawk li għandhom residenza f’Għawdex. Attwalmenmt l-għadd ta’ Maltin b’residenza fil-gżira ġar ta’ Malta kulma jmur qed dejjem jikber.

Dan il-moviment kollu ta’ nies qed joħloq problemi kbar ta’ trasport bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer bir-riżultat li ġieli, minkejja li t-traġit tal-vapuri li jaħdmu saħansitra mingħajr skeda – bi tliet vapuri ġejjin u sejrin ma jaqgħtu xejn - xorta jkun hemm min ikollu jistenna ħin twil biex jirnexxielu jaqsam bejn il-gżejjer.

L-Awtoritajiet fehmu l-ħtieġa tar-raba’ vapur biex jgħin fit-trasport tal-passiġġieri, karozzi, kif ukoll inġenji oħra..... u tal-inqas għax-xhur tas-sajf inkera vapur ieħor li se jibda jaħdem f’dawn il-jiem. Ħalliha li anke hawn iddefset il-politika għax il-Gvern ġie mixli li qed jittratta lillGħawdxin bħala ċittadini tat-tieni klassi minħabba li l-vapur li ġie mikri ilu mibni (Għax bħallikieku l-vapur ser jintuża millGħawdxin biss).

Biss l-Awtoritajiet diġa għamluha ċara li qed isiru negozjati ħalli jinġieb vapur ieħor li se jiżdied mal-flotta tal-Gozo Channel.

Fil-fatt suppost li minn xhur ilu beda servizz ieħor bejn iż-żewġ Gżejjer, b’katamaran li jkun jista’ jwassal il-passiġieri millPort-il Kbir għal Għawdex f’qasir żmien.

Imma nqala’ ntopp, billi meta nħarġet issejħa għal dan is-servizz u ntgħażlet kumpannija, il-kumpannija li ma ntgħażlitx marret il-Qorti ssostni li min rebaħ il-kuntratt ma kellux dak kollu li kien speċifikat fis-sejħa għas-servizz.

Allura se jkollna nistennew sakemm tinqata’ din is-sentenza.. u bil-mof kif jimxi lQorti f’każijiet bħal dawn naħseb li jkollna nistennew mhux ħażin.

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 18, 2019

People always get it right

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Minimum Wage is to rise by 3 %

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round 2.2 million Australian workers will receive a pay rise after the Fair Work Commission increased the national minimum wage by 3 per cent, amounting to an extra $21.60 a week. The 3 per cent increase will apply to workers who have their pay set by the national minimum wage or a modern award.

Delivering the decision, Fair Work Commission (FWC) president Iain Ross said the economic conditions justified a lower increase than the 3.5 per cent pay rise awarded last year.

“We are satisfied the level of increase we have decided upon will not lead to any adverse inflationary outcome and nor will it have any measurable negative impact on employment,” said Justice Ross.

“However, such increases will mean an improvement in the real wages of employees who are reliant on minimum wages and an improvement in their living stan-

dards.”

The Australian Council of Trade Unions, which had called for a larger 6 per cent or $43 a week increase, labelled it a win for workers but said it was not enough to be considered a "living wage".

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate to a new low 1.25 per cent in a widely anticipated attempt to stimulate the economy.

ew Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that “We listened to the verdict of the people. The people always get it right. There’s no point complaining about what happened on the field. When you look at the scoreboard at the end of the day, we were defeated by about 77-68 will be the final score”. But he did say “there is no doubt that vested interests did play a role”.

“We will be a united team. I’ve been elected unanimously by the Labor Party to lead. We had a leadership team. We have a gender balance. We have talent.

Regarding the shock loss, the new leader said. “I think the senior members, all of us, have to accept responsibility, that those many millions of Australians who rely upon us and the tens of thousands of people who have worked on our campaigns, need us to do better next time,” he said.

“And today, we resolve to do just that.’’

Macquarie in NSW was one of the last electorate declared with Susan Templeman (pictured right), a good friend of the Maltese community winning in a photo finish.

Liberal/Nationals elected 77 seats (51.69%). Labor won 68 (48.41%), with six crossbenchers making up the new 151member House of Representatives.

First water restriction in a decade W ater restrictions have been introduced after an Australian city loses an Olympic-size swimming pool every two minutes. Sydneysiders will have three months to adjust to new water rules before $220 fines are dished out.

Sydney residents can now be fined for using sprinklers or hosing their lawns, in an attempt by the state government to introduce early water restrictions to fight off drought in the city.

The NSW capital entered level one water restrictions after dam storages dropped from 95 per cent to 53.3 per cent in two years.

It is the first time in decade that Sydney has turned to water restrictions, but an expert wants the city to adopt one of Melbourne's long-running water campaigns.

Sydney should be following Melbourne’s lead on water conservation, a water scientist has urged as the Harbour City enters restrictions for the first time in a decade.

“We’ve lost so much of our supply in an incredibly short period,” Western Sydney University urban water expert Ian Wright told AAP. “Water is trickling into our dams but it’s pouring out of people’s taps. On average, we’re losing about an Olympic-size swimming pool roughly every two minutes and 15 seconds.”

While water restrictions aren’t mandatory until dam levels hit 50 per cent, Dr Wright welcomed the early move and said it would raise awareness in Sydney of the need to better conserve water.

But he wants authorities to go further and adopt Melbourne’s daily target of 155 litres per person.

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

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

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday June 18, 2019

The also came by plane

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he newly-appointed Labor home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally (pictured right) accused Peter Dutton of losing control of Australia’s air borders. Now the Opposition wants to shift the political spotlight from “boat people” to these record numbers of “airplane people”.

“This is evidenced by the explosion in ‘airplane people’ arriving into Australia,” Senator Keneally said.

The number of people applying for asylum who arrived by plane has skyrocketed to nearly 28,000 last financial year up from 18,290 in 2016-17 and 9,554 in 2015-16.

Chinese and Malaysian applicants account for the bulk of the increase. Head of strategic policing and law enforcement at the

Australian Strategic Policy Institute, John Coyne, said asylum seeker plane arrivals is something Europe and the United Kingdom have struggled to contain.

“If we are not careful we could become like them. What happens is that the vast majority of people who do not receive or have their asylum claims recognised never leave the United Kingdom,” Dr Coyne said.

Knights of Malta head bans Latin mass

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n a letter he wrote to the worldwide Sovereign Order of Malta, its Grand Master, Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre has forbidden the use of the traditional Latin Mass for all liturgical celebrations within the order.

He wrote that it was his duty to ensure the communion that unites all members of their religious family “is present in every aspect of our order’s life”.

Constable Jacob Vella

Police under siege

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onstable Jacob Vella 24 years was attacked in Sydney southwest with a home-made spear when with his partner were executing an arrest warrant at a home in Sadleir just before 7 am.

He was allegedly attacked and slashed across the neck and arm. Officer Vella stumbled out of the house, clutching his neck and screaming for help before collapsing near the road. Constable Vella, who joined the force in 2017, was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he underwent surgery. He remains in a stable condition.

Police Association NSW is worried about these violent attacks; it shows that police are under siege.

When Pope Benedict of the order, and was not XVI eased restrictions an announcement of a on use of the 1962 new decision, Marianna Roman Missal, known Balfour, the order’s diploas the Tridentine rite, matic public affairs and in 2007, the papal inpress officer, said. struction permitted the “The Grand Master ismajor superior to desued the letter, containing cide the matter for reno novelty, aimed only at ligious institutes or fostering unity in the societies. order,” she wrote in a se“I have thus decided, ries of email responses to as supreme guarantor Grand Master Fra questions. of the cohesion and Giacomo Dalla Torre The letter does not incommunion of the tend to interfere with order ... that henceforth all the liturgical members’ personal preferences as “each ceremonies within our order must be per- member has his or her own right to particformed according to the ordinary rite of ipate in any celebration preferred,” she the church – rite of St Paul VI – and not wrote. the extraordinary rite – Tridentine rite,” “The letter was intentionally issued to put Fra Dalla Torre wrote. an end to any form of discrepancy regardHe requested that all members, chaplains ing liturgical celebrations. The Order of and volunteers be informed of the decision Malta has 13,500 members worldwide and and to ensure that the decision be “imme- is present in 120 countries including Malta diately put into practice” and respected. and Australia,” she said. “As its religious Despite the way the letter was worded, it superior, the Grand Master is responsible was meant to reaffirm existing guidelines for encouraging uniformity and cohesion.”

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija u dawk li matul is-sekli ħadmu għall-iżvilupp tal-ilsien Malti

Il-ħsieb wara din il-paġna hu biex il-qarrejja, l-aktar dawk ilMaltin li jgħixu barra u li kif inhu xieraq jinteressaw ruħhom dwar l-ilsien Malti, jiksbu għarfien ukoll dwar dawk in-nies li matul iż-żmien taw sehem għall-iżvilupp tal-ilsien Malti, kemm

mitkellem u wkoll miktub. Minbarra li nippubblikaw dak li qed isir jew sar biex jitkattar l-għarfien għall-Malti, qed inġibu wkoll il-bijografiji ta’ xi personalitajiet li taw sehemhom fl-oqsma tallingwistika u l-letteratura Maltija. Illum:

NINU CREMONA: wieħed mil-kolonni l-kbar tal-ilsien Malti

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biebu kienu jsibuh bħala s-Sur Nin. Qed ngħid għal Antonio ‘Ninu” Cremona, kitteb ta’ proża u poeżija li Ġuże Aquilina kien iqisu bħala wieħed mll-kolonni l-kbar tal-ilsien Malti li skont kif kien jgħid, kien influwenzat minn Ġanni Vassallo, li qabbdu t-triq talMalti fi żmien meta kien għadu preġudikat kontra l-Malti. Jibqa’ magħruf għall-ħidma kbira tiegħi fuq ir-regoli tal-kitba grammatika Maltija Antonio Cremona li għex bein l-1880 u l1972. Hu twieled fis-27 ta’ Mejju 1880 iben Feliċ u Margaret née Pace fir-Rabat, Għawdex. Safa ltim minn missieru meta kien għad kellu biss tliet snin u mar jgħix ma’ zijuh f’Tuneż fejn attenda l-iskola talChristian Brothers u aktar tard is-St Charles College.

Tliet snin wara reġa’ lura Malta u ssokta bl-istudji tiegħu fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex kif ukoll dak f’Malta, fil-Furjana, fejn sar jaf lill-poetaNazzjonali,Dun Karm.

Fl-1900 beda jaħdem ta’ skrivan malGvern u erba’ snin wara, wara kors fl-Ashton School of Hygene fl-Università ta’ Liverpool, inħatar spettur tas-Sanità. Fl1928 sar l-editur responsabbli mit-traduzzjonijiet u l-pubblikazzjonijiet kollha tal-Gvern, u fl-istess waqt kien jgħallem ilMalti fil-klassijiet ta’ filgħaxija. Fl-1936 sar l-ewwel għalliem tal-Malti fil-Liċeo.

Matul is-snin is-Sur Nin kien ukoll wieħed mill-eżaminaturi tal-Malti fl-Università, u wieħed mill-Fundaturi tal-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti (illum magħrufa bħala lAkkademja tal-Malti). Kellu l-kariga ta’ Viċi-President u kien wieħed mill-edituri tar-rivista tal-Għaqda, Il-Malti.

L-akbar kontribut tiegħu fil-Malti kien fittfassil tal-alfabett Malti li seta’ jintuża minn kulħadd. Dan seħħ wara li l-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti kienet ħatritu biex jifforma parti minn kummissjoni, li fost loħrajn kellha wkoll lil Ġużè Muscat Azzopardi u lil Dun Karm Psaila. F’laqgħa li saret fit-18 ta’‛ Diċembru 1821, l-alfabett kien approvat b’xi tibdil żgħir.

Wara li l-alfabett kien approvat, Ninu Cremona beda l-ħidma tiegħu fuq ir-regoli tal-kitba u tal-grammatika Maltija li fl1924 ġie stampat fi ktieb mill-gvern flhekk magħruf bħala Tagħrif fuq il-Kitba Maltija. Wara, il-ktieb sar il-Manwal Uffiċjali tal-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti.

Ġuże Aquilina jgħid li ħadd daqs Cremona ma xerred u ddefenda l-ortografija talGħaqda tal-Kittieba talMalti permezz tal-kotba tiegħu dwar Tagħlim fuq ilKitba Maltija fl-iskejjel.

Cremona kien kittieb prolifiku. L-ewwel kitbiet tiegħi kienu proża u poezija fil-ġurnal Il-Ħabib. Kien ukoll iħobb id-drama u l-aqwa xogħol tiegħu f’dan il-qasam kien id-dramm Il-Fidwa talBdiewa, imsejjes fuq l-istruttura klassika tal-Griegi.

Bejn is-snin 1921-25 anke ħabrek biex issir riforma flortografija Maltija fil-Kummissjoni tal-Għaqda talKittieba tal-Malti fuq ilwidna biss, kif jiktbu l-alfabeti. Beda wkoll jistħarreġ il-mekkaniżmu morfoloġiku tal-Malti li hu lsien Semitiku ta’ nisel Għarbi (l-Għarbi tal-Magħreb). Hu studja lGħarbi waħdu u qabbel ilmorfoloġija tiegħu ma dik tal-Malti.

Jingħad ukoll li Cremona kien strumentali li jikseb il-fondi għall-Għaqda tal-Malti biex din tixtri d-drittijiet tal-kitba ta’ novella ta’ Sir Temi Zammit. Seta’ li kieku ried jixtrihom għalih personali mbagħad jagħmel bagatella billi jippubbikahom hu, imma kien ġeneruż biżżejjed li jpoġġi fuq quddiem lill-Għaqda.

Fost il-kotba li ppubblika nsibu Weraq mar-Riħ (1932), Rand u Rihan (1945) u Mis-Siġra ta’ Ħajti (1970). Ippubblika wkoll għadd ta’ novelli, fosthom, Ktajjen Maqtugħa (1968). Fil-qasam lingwistiku nsibu X’inhu l-Malti Safi (1925), A Manual of Maltese Orthography and Grammar (1929), Tagħlim fuq il-Kitba Maltija (lewwel volum fl-1935 u t-tieni volum fl1938). Ippubblika wkoll A Historical Review of the Maltese Language (1945).

Xandar ukoll bosta bijografiji, bl-aktar waħda li baqgħet tissemma tkun dik ta’ Mikiel Anton Vassalli u Żminijietu (1937), u dik ta’ Rużar Briffa fl-1963 (is-sena li fiha miet il-poeta). Fiha jagħti tagħrif dwar it-twaqqif tal-Għaqda tal-Malti (Università) fl-1931 minn Rużar Briffa u Ġużè

Bonnici fl-1931.

Cremona xandar ukoll għadd ta’ studiji, fosthom, L’Antica Fondazione della Scuola di Lingwa Araba a Malta (1955), u La Marina Maltese dal Medio Evo all’Epoca Moderna (1964). Kien ukoll espert il-Folklor u ppubblika studji fostom: Maltese Funeral Customs (1922), Race, Language, and Myth (1922), Mourning and Funeral Customs in Malta (1923), Some Myths and Beliefs in Maltese Folklore (1923), Weather and Husbandry Lore in the Isles of Malta (1925), Is the Maid of Mosta a Myth?

(1934) u Folklore u Lsien Malti (1944).

Fl-1946 ġie mogħti l-midalja tad-deheb Ġużè Muscat Azzopardi u fl-1960 ġie mogħti l-Grad Honoris Causa tad-Dottorat tal-Letteratura mill-Università Rjali ta’ Malta għall-ħidma kbira tiegħu fil-qasam letterarju, grammatikali u xjentifiku talIlsien Malti.

L-aħħar xhur ta’ ħajtu sa meta miet nhar it-Tlieta, 4 ta’ Jannar 1972, qattagħhom f’Għawdex . L-Għaqdiet tawh ġieh b’pubblikazzjonijiet speċjali b’tifkira tiegħu, fosthom għadd 18 tal-Leħen il-Malti fl-1973.

Rapid Maltese:

Tuesday June 18, 2019

learning the language through music

E

arworms MBT has recently launched a series of ten podcasts that teach Maltese as a foreign language. Each podcast consists of a rhythmical dialogue between a learner and a native speaker, embedded in catchy music.

The especially composed melodies, with their rhythmic repetitions of Maltese and English, help learners to subconsciously acquire a collection of verbs, nouns and connecting words, all while picking up the correct accent.

The first volume of Rapid Maltese is a survival kit full of essentials for typical situations: taking a taxi, at the hotel, at a restaurant, requesting, polite phrases, find-

The Voice of the Maltese 19

ing your way, numbers, dealing with problems, etc. For learners who are interested in trying the Earworms method, the first track of this volume is available, free of charge, through their website: Track 1 Charles Daniel Saliba, who specialises in teaching Maltese as a foreign language, told The Voice: “After publishing the Maltese for Foreigners book series and Maltese per stranieri book series, many learners of Maltese as a foreign language were continuously asking me for more listening and speaking resources.

“For this reason, Vanessa Saliba and I worked with Earworms, an international company that, from its inception in 2005, has developed this concept of learning a language though music. This concept has been used for years in the classroom and is very entertaining and helpful for different purposes.

These podcasts, which can be downloaded instantly, can be used wherever you are, whatever you are doing.”

Marlon Lodge, founder of Earworms, states: “As a language teacher the greatest task for me was always getting all the material that was learned in the classroom, from the page of the text book into the long term memory of my students. Learning through music is relaxing, enjoyable and highly effective.

“Rapid Maltese is one of the latest ad-

ditions to the range and we are sure that in combination with Charles Daniel Saliba's courses, this will be an unsurpassable learning package.”

Earworms podcasts are also available for learners of Arabic, Cantonese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese-European, Portuguese-Latin American, Russian, Spanish-European, Spanish-Latin American and Turkish.

For more information about Saliba’s publications one should visit: www.charlesdanielsaliba.com.

To purchase Earworms podcasts, visit, www.earwormslearning.com. Earworms MBT is offering a 20% discount on all Earworms titles when the coupon code Malta is inserted in their website’s shopping cart.

allowed for the writing of the dissertation.

The ISSI is a centre of excellence in teaching and research associated with islands and small states, hosting world-renowned scholars and lecturers, and ensuring the highest academic and professional standards.

Watch the promotional video, and

discover the numerous opportunities that studying with ISSI can offer to one’s career advancement, personal development and networking https://www.um. edu.mt/issi/aboutus.

The University of Malta offers scholarship for the waiving of the fees; access this link for further information https://www.um.edu. mt/journey/feesfunding/scholarships/masterresearchphd.

For further information about living in Malta follow this link: h t t p s : / / w w w. u m . e d u . m t / s t u dentlife/lifemalta The deadline for the application is the 30th June. Anybody requiring further information, including enquiries about ISSI’s PhD programme, is being requested to write to islands@um.edu.mt.

Distance tuition and Scholarships at the Islands and Small States Institute of the University of Malta

T

he Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) of the University of Malta is offering a Master by research in Islands and Small States studies (full-time or part-time), commencing in October 2019. Full information about the course can be accessed through this link: https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/se arch?level=Postgraduate&entity=issi The course is intended to be interdisciplinary and relates to economic, social, environmental and political issues associated with islands and small states.

Students will normally be expected to spend the first two weeks of October in Malta for face-to-face tuition.

The remainder of the course will be conducted on line by distance tuition.

Students may also opt for part-time study, in which case more time will be

Queen Elizabeth ll – Longest serving English monarch O 20 The Voice of the Maltese

n the second Monday of June, Australian states and territories observed the Queen's Birthday, that is except in Western Australia and Queensland. As Western Australia celebrates Western Australia Day (formerly known as Foundation Day) on the first Monday in June, the Governor of Western Australia each year proclaims the day on which the state will observe the Queen's Birthday, based on school terms and the Perth Royal Show.

It sounds strange, but the Queen – Elizabeth II – celebrates two birthdays each year. Her actual birthday is on April 21 and as already indicated, her official birthday (usually) in June.

So two birthdays, and Queen Elizabeth II also has two ceremonies to mark the beginning of her public office. The first was her coronation as Queen but the second was her ‘coronation’ as God’s servant. In this second untelevised ceremony, the Queen stood dressed in a simple white dress, devoid of decoration.

Information provided by Diduno reports that on that occasion, as she entered a place too sacred to be televised, Handel’s anthem ‘Zadok the Priest’ was sung and the symbols of the Queen’s status were removed; including, the crimson velvet robe, the diamond diadem and the coronation necklace.

The Archbishop anointed her with holy oil and poured it onto her hands and head, symbolic of the fact that she was being set apart as God’s servant; to love and serve her people with all her actions, heart and mind.

This moment in the Queen’s life was recorded by the Royal Biographer William Shawcross who wrote: “It was the moment when the holy oil was applied to her, rather than her crowning with St Edward’s crown of solid gold, that was of supreme importance to the Queen. Indeed, it was the most solemn and important moment of her entire life.”

Loving in a personal way The queen, who was 93 in April, is described as down-to-earth and values personal relationship and personal interaction. She also loves people and is equally relaxed in a school or residential care facility as she is in the company of world leaders and authorities of large businesses and corporations.

Despite the fact that the Queen is the most famous woman in the world and employs more than 1200 people, she still chooses to feed her own dogs.

While she does not possess any formal power to make political decisions, her per-

Tuesday June 18, 2019

History and the Christian Connection

sonal authority has brought nations together in unity. Her commitment as the Head of the Commonwealth and her 40 years of service and attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings around the world, have played a vital role in providing a venue for leaders of governments to meet and discuss important global issues.

Former Prime Ministers have said that they have found Her Majesty to be very helpful in her comments.

Drawing strength from the gospel Queen Elizabeth II is the longest current reigning monarch and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Her ‘normal’ 40-hour week includes a weekly meeting with the British Prime Minister, weekly church commitments and overseas and local travel commitments.

How does she keep this up? What is the secret to the Queen’s remarkable consistency of character and extraordinary contribution to the nation, the Commonwealth and the global community?

It is a question she herself answered back in 2002.

“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try and do what is right, to take the long term view, to give my best in all the day

brings and to put my trust in God…I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.”

Many commentators have noted the depth of her trust in God but few have explored it.

The Queen is a woman who has always looked in two directions; upward towards God and outward towards her people. Her sincerity toward God and her people was expressed in her coronation vows and her 21st birthday radio address.

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service…But I will not have the strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in with me…God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”

Sixty-one years later, in her 2008 Christmas broadcast she said, “I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life.

“Countless millions of people around the world continue to celebrate His birthday at Christmas, inspired by his teaching.

He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.

What a wonderful long-term role model whose strength lies in her commitment to ‘look both ways’.

Are we ‘looking both ways’ in our lives?

GrahamMcDonald (The DIDUNO Network)

[Quotations are taken from, The Servant Queen and the King she serves. (2016). Jointly published

by Bible Society, HOPE and LICC, Swindon, UK.]

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday June 18, 2019

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Central Coast Santa Maria Festa

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Parish Warnevale (cr Minnesota & Sparks Rd) Woongarrah Sunday August 11 from 3 pm until fireworks at 6 pm Dinner Dance on August 10 at Helekulani Bowling Club 50 Natuna Avenue Budgewoi from 6 pm to 11pm For more information contact Charlie 439 399 98 or 0404 194 020

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.

For Sale:

Indoor Double Crypt with accessories.

Pinegrove Minchinbury Padre Pio Stage F. Available Immediately New .. Never Used.

Mob: 0412030978

Aftermath of Sette Giugno

In search of Manwel Attard’s relatives or descendants t the Sette Giugno uprising in 1919 in Valletta Malta one hundred years ago, one of the four victims was Manwel Attard. It is believed that Manwel has relatives/descendants in Australia.

He had a son, John, (deceased) who resided in Australia. A relative of Manwel has contacted me in order to help him find others. I am therefore asking any such or descendant to please contact me by email: cnmifsud@gmail.com, so I can forward the details to him. I think it would be a wonderful experience for him to connect with relatives.

Charles N. Mifsud, Sydney NSW.

A

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

Xaghra Association of NSW Inc. Annual Tal-Vitorja Dinner Dance

Saturday, 21 September 2019 Come & Join us at Balmoral Function Centre, 47-49 Balmoral Rd, BLACKTOWN from 6:30pm onwards 5 Course Meal, beer, wine & soft drinks, tea/coffee Entertainment by Roc-A-Tac & Giuseppe Verdi Brass Band Contact: Josephine/Ray: 0439 974 182 or, 0448 100 034 M'Ann Teuma: 4579 6771 Vicki Micallef: 0425 210 436

La Valette Social Centr e

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

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

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

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

MASS TIMES: Saturday: St Francis Chapel: 5.30 p.m.

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

AUSTRALIAN HC on facebook & twitter

he Australian High Commission’s in Malta T 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 fil-website tal-istazzjon Malti: www.tvm.com.mt. għallaħbarijiet kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż Il-website hi aġġornata tul il-jum kollu.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday June 18, 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 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

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Sports on 2 pages Tuesday June 18, 2019

Four from Malta for European Games in Minsk

A

s of June 21 until the 30th, Malta will be taking part in the European Games to be held in Minsk, Belarus. The MOC has chosen Maltese-Australian Alexander Smyth (Cycling), Michael Galea (Trap Shooting), Eleanor Bezzina (Air Pistol 25m) and Jeremy Saywell (Judo) to compete in four of the 15

sports disciplined on the programme.

Around 4,000 athletes from 50 countries are expected to take part.

Ten of the 15 disciplines will provide Olympic qualifications for Tokyo 2020.

This is the second time Malta will be participating in the European Games having previously taken part in the 2015 edition

New coach Eric Vasiliadis

in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Maltese athletes will be involved in competitions as from this Saturday (June 22) and will end on Wednesday June 26.

Eleanor Bezzina who won won a Gold medal in the Air Pistol (10m) discipline at the Games of the Small States of Europe will be Malta’s flag bearer.

The rebuilding at CS George Cross starts

G

eorge Cross, a club founded by Maltese immigrants will soon be making use of its new sporting complex at Fraser Rise. They will be moving there after making use of Chaplin Reserve for the past 38 seasons.

The move has coincided with the name change for the club, from Sunshine George Cross to Caroline Springs George Cross.

The club’s juniors team ‘inaugurated’ the new facilities at the new venue the past weekend The new bistro at the new Car(June 15-16) where they oline Springs George Cross FC played their first matchCity Vista Sporting Complex es.

The seniors and renamed as 'Georgies On Vista' serves are due to play their first match on Sunday, July 7 against Clifton Hill.

As a team, George Cross are on a rebuilding phase after replacing coach Corey Smith with Eric Vasiliadis.

The Committee is determined to turn things around and along with the new coach they are also on the lookout for more experienced players.

Their first new signing

has been George Slefendorfas who last played with the Georgies in 2011. He made a welcome return by getting on the score sheets.

Disappointing

State League 1 North-West

T

Keilor PSC 4 CS George Cross 0 he rebuilding of a football team cannot be complete without achieving good results on the football field. Therefore George Cross need to improve when it comes to their performances in the State League. Their latest result, the 4-0 loss at Keilor Park in Round 11 was a great disappointment.

The home team took an early lead, but the Georgies should have been at least level when good scoring opportunities were frittered away.

Keilor added a second three minutes into injury time, and five minutes after the restart George Cross again missed a sitter when George Slefendorfas shot from two metres out smashed against the post. Within two minutes Keilor added a third to kill off the game, and despite the Georgies efforts, it was again the home team that scored a fourth tally late in the game.

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Sports on 2 pages

Tuesday June 18, 2019

Alexander Isak (left) scores Sweden’s third goal during their UEFA European Qualifier against Malta

Sweden, Romania too strong for Malta

M

alta’s national football team ended its commitments in the Group F Euro 2020 qualifiers for the season in disappointment, with two defeats against Sweden, 3-0 away, and 4-0 at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium against Romania. The losses were expected, however the performances left much to be desired, especially in the home game against Romania.

At the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden made their superiority count. It was a no contest as they just swopped Malta in superior quality. They managed to get control of the match very early, aided also by a number of mistakes before they even settled down by the Maltese. They took their chances to run out easy victors. They took the lead in their very first attack through Robin Quaison.

Malta came near to levelling from an Effiong header just before the break, but it was Sweden who once again dominated the sec-

NPL Vic:

I

ond half, scoring two more times, through Viktor Claesson on 50 minutes and Alexander Isak on 81.

Three days later, on Match Day 4 of the qualifiers, Malta faced Romania for the first time in an international match. Malta coach Ray Farrugia had backed his team to rise to the occasion but he must have been very disappointed that errors led to the visitors running up a three-goal inside the first 35 minutes, mostly due to defensive errors.

Romania drew ahead early on through George Pușcaș, and the same player doubled in the 29th minute. Alexandru Chipciu all but sealed the issue four minutes later.

Malta did manage to build some threatening moves but the finishing was horrendous and despite having Cipciu red carded the Romanians scored a fourth in a breakaway.

In the Group F standing, Malta is in fifth place with three points from four matches,

Green Gully miss a penalty and victory

Dandenong City 2 Green Gully 2 t was tough and intense on Friday night as the Greens earned a hard fought point in the 2-2 thriller at Dandenong City. The home team took a 16th minute lead, but Gully were on level terms within eight minutes when Matthew Fletcher scored with a well place shot.

James Kelly put City 2-1 ahead after 29 minutes, but was sent off three minutes later.

Nick Kalmar almost drew Gully level but his fierce drive struck the crossbar.

Gully went all out for the equaliser and it duly arrived in the 80th minute from a Teeboy Kamaraheader. Gully had a golden opportunity to take all three point when they were awarded a penalty but much the delight of the Dandenong players and supportersAlex Salmon blasted his shot way into the dark sky.

Green Gully 1 Bentleigh Greens 1 *The battle of the Greens at Green Gully Reserve ended in a 1-1 draw with both goals coming in the dying embers of the match. Bentleigh dominated for long stretches, but appeared to have lost the match when Green Gully were awarded a soft penalty in the 88th minute. Up stepped Alex Salmon to score his 14th goal for the season. Bentleigh refused to surrender and much to the disappointment of every Gully supporters they leveled from an impossible angle with the last kick of the match.

one above bottom team Faroe Islands.

Next up for Malta in this qualifying group are two away matches, on September 5 in Norway, then in Romania three days later.

Parramatta slide to fourth straight loss

P

NPL 3 NSW Men’s

Inter Lions FC 4 Parramatta 2 arramatta suffered their fourth straight defeat at the hands of Inter Lions FC on Saturday night at Valentine Sports Park going down 4-2. The Eagles’ starting line-up was forced to make numerous changes due to injury, suspension, and the mid season transfer window, with Under 20’s players having to back up. It showed, as the home side took the lead on 12 minutes.

As the match wore on, Parramatta slowly worked their way back and levelled on the half hour through new signing, Sheldon Tweedie, only for the Lions restored their lead seven minutes later, and then add a third the 44th minute. Four minutes on the second half conceded a fourth, but the managed to pull one back through Ahmed Elrich on 85 minutes.

Dunbar Rovers 3 Parramatta 0 *A the start of Round 2 Parramatta FC suffered their 11th defeat from 14 outings, this time 3-0 away against at Dunbar Rovers that dropped them to drop to 13th position (from 14) on nine points. The Eagles conceded after 25 minutes, and before half time had Khalid Allybokus, red carded. They somehow kept the score down to that goal by half time. But Dunbar scored two more by Fornito in the second half (69th and 83rd).