The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers ) Issue 94 o on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e February 3, 2015 Australian Day on January 26 all those who regard this continent as their home proudly saluted the nation. The Maltese-Australian community joined in by organising special events to commemorate the occasion. One of the largest and most successful was held by the MCC in NSW where the Maltese choir (above) under Choir Director Marisa Previtera (inset) and young singer A-Lee (in red) featured prominently. Marisa also acted as MC. (Report pages 2 and 3). Elsewhere, Darling Harbour was the centre of the celebrations (below) 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Australia Day successfully celebrated by the Maltese community of NSW T he Maltese Charles Mif- contribution the Maltese community has community sud recited given to Australia, while the Mayor of Holjoined the the acknowl- royd explained the history of the district and rest of Australia in edgement to its connection with the Maltese community. The Malta High Commissioner who spoke celebrating Natiothe Dharug nal Day at an event people tradi- in both English and Maltese expressed his that attracted a large tional owners gratitude for being given the opportunity to crowd at the Holof the land share this occasion with the Maltese comroyd Reception while Fr N. munity of NSW. He spoke of the excellent Centre in MerryB i a n c o relationship between the two countries and lands NSW that was MSSP read a community that has integrated well and is used very successthe Australia well respected. The concluding remarks delivered by fully for the first Day prayer. time. The evening In his wel- Charmaine Cassar, a hard working member featured music, pacome speech, of the Maltese Australia Youth Committee. triotism, comrade-y Maltese Com- dispelled any myths about the relationship and some excellent munity Coun- between the young and the old generations. Malta HC Charles Muscat and Charmaine Cassar cil of NSW Charmaine said that our Maltese commuspeeches. nity in Australia is Once again, the celebrations reiterated the Lawrence Dimvery much alive, and respect and high regard that Australia, ech, said that the is succeeding in enthrough its politicians has for the Maltese key to a successgaging the younger community. Apart from H.E Charles Muscat, ful transition for Maltese-Australians the High Commissioner for Malta in Aus- our community and keeping up with tralia and NZ and Mrs. Muscat this celebra- is that between what our elders have tion attracted the Mayor of the City of the past and the achieved until now, there Holroyd Clr Greg Cummings and his wife, future rather than having to the Hon Chris Bowen, Federal Shadow must be continure-invent the wheel. Treasurer, and a number of MPs, including ity. “Many may think He highlighted Julie Owens, Dr Geoff Lee, Andrew Rohan, that the older MalJulie Finn standing for Michelle Rowland, the progress achtese community is and Clr Lisa Lake. Others attending were ieved by the resistant to pass on Ken Sharp from the Order of Australia Com- MCC in meeting to the younger comthe challenges of mittee and Fr Noel Bianco and Fr L.Testa. munity, but this is A special message was also received and modern technolfar from the truth. read from the Hon Victor Dominello MP, the ogy. He conclud“I have never been ing by stating MPs Dr Geoff Lee (left) and Hon. Chris Bowen Minister for Citizenship and Communities. The key speaker at the event was Dr Barry that “we may project an image of maturity that so encouraged and so praised for the work York OAM, Maltese historian at the Mu- brings with it nostalgic moments, but we are that we do.” She concluded by saying: “It is important seum of Australian Democracy at Old Par- still very active and productive.” liament House Canberra. (Read his speech A very interesting visual presentation of that we keep the connection between the on opposite page). the Maltese community’s contribution to past and the future and move forward toMarisa Previtera as the MC and Choir Di- Australia compiled by Emanuel Camilleri gether” The evening was wrapped up with a visual rector was responsible for a very successfully and Augustine Borg was then presented and rendition of both national anthems. Reand well-run evening. The activity opened by was very well received. 15-year- old Australian Maltese singer A-Lee The recipients of the Order of Australia freshments were served before and after the and the choir of the Maltese Culture Associ- present were then acknowledged and intro- event. The organisers through The Voice wish to thank all those who have assisted ation rendering the theme of the evening: We duced (see photo opposite page). are one but we are many, which indeed viThere were more speeches, by MPs Chris especially the Holroyd City Council and the brated through the whole proceeding. Bowen and Dr Geoff Lee; all praising the NSW Government Sections of the vast crowd that atteneded the Australia Day celebrations organised by the Maltese Community Council of NSW Tuesday February 3, 2015 We are one but we are many The Voice of the Maltese 3 I Key speech by Dr Barry York, OAM, at the January 25 Australia Day function organised by the Maltese Community Council of NSW at Holroyd Centre, Merrylands, Sydney about the Dutch too. My dad, Loreto, used to tell me a story about his dad, my nannu Salvu Meilak. In the 1930s, when my dad was a teenager, Salvu would take him up to the flat roof of the family home at night in Malta and, with his pipe would point to the stars in the sky. Salvu (“Tan-Nassi”), from Ghajnsielem, Gozo, had been a merchant seaman and had travelled widely on the ships. He would point to one particular star and say, “Loretu, that star is Canada; a fine country”. Then another star: “That star is England, the mother country” - yes, he was a ‘Stricklander’! Then another star: “That is America, lots of work there”. Then finally, pointing to the brightest star, he would say: “Son, that is Australia, the land of the future”. Neither Salvu nor his son could have imagined that one day Loretu would end up permanently settled in Australia and, despite having only four years of schooling and working in factories, would become the first Maltese-born Maltese Mayor of an Australian city: Melbourne’s fine multicultural city, Brunswick. Today, it hardly raises an eyebrow when someone born overseas of non-Englishspeaking background becomes a Mayor. Australia has changed; the world has changed. My parents came here in 1954 as assisted migrants, lawfully by boat. But I ask: would their commitment to a better future and their contributions and achievements have been any less had they arrived unlawfully and somehow been admitted? This is a question that all of us who were migrants can ask ourselves, and I think we know the answer. Today we are here to mark Australia Day, but there is another anniversary I’d like to mention this year. In my opinion, it is much bigger than Australia Day, but relevant to it. Eight hundred years ago, a The awardees of the Order of Australia. From group of left: Lino Vella, Doris Athansio Lawrence barons in Dimech, Nancy Serg-Borg and Sam Vella England had my first Australia Day in Australia 60 years ago, in Melbourne. I don’t remember it at all – I was only 3 - and I’m sure my parents would have been too preoccupied with other things to give it much attention. My parents and I had some months earlier disembarked from the migrant boat Himalaya at Station Pier. We travelled a couple of kilometres to my uncle Joe Meilak’s place in West Melbourne. He was a wharfie and had migrated from Malta in 1925. He was a kind-hearted, barrel-chested, Gozitan. The little workers’ cottage in Hawke Street, West Melbourne was rather crowded with other new arrivals and we ended up having seven different lodgings in our first two years in Melbourne, mostly in boarding houses, before buying our home in Brunswick in 1956. I spent thirty years growing up in Brunswick. It was a microcosm of Australian multiculturalism before the term existed. In my street, we had many nationalities: Greeks, Italians, Maltese, Latvians, English, Irish, Scots, Yugoslavs, and Dutch. I grew up thinking that Anglo-Australians were a colourful exotic ethnic minority. What united us was the fact that we were all low-income wageworkers with more important things on our minds than being nasty to one another because of our national or ethnic differences. And we were united, kind of, by the English language, which was grasped to varying degrees by people in the street. It was the unifying language in my old street just as today it is becoming the unifying language of our planet. There was occasional nastiness in the street. And it wasn’t only the old Australians against the new. When a Lebanese family moved into the street, I was approached by a Dutch neighbour, who spoke with a thick Dutch accent, who in a panic told me that the Lebanese were taking over Brunswick and ‘we’ had to do something about it. I politely told him that the same thing was probably once said rose up and rebelled against their king. In those days, kings ruled arbitrarily and regarded themselves as 'divine'; thus they were above the law. The barons’ revolt compelled the king John - to agree to a charter of reforms known as the Magna Carta. For the first time, a monarch was forced to agree to be subject to the law, and not above it. From this Great Charter was also established certain rights we take for granted today, including the right not to be arrested and detained for a long time without being charged. The spirit of Magna Carta influenced the revolutions in England in the C17th and in America and France in the C18th and C19th. It truly changed the world. In Australia, its spirit was revealed at the Eureka Stockade in 1854, which led to representative government. Today, people in some other countries fight to establish its basic principles while we who achieved the principles may now have to defend them. I mention the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta because I think on an occasion like Australia Day, rather than claim specific traits for Australian identity that are really shared by pretty much everyone on the planet, we might reflect on the British heritage that essentially shaped modern Australia. Our multiculturalism works because its foundation is the rule of law that has been built over centuries on particular values that have come to see diversity as strength. No, I am not becoming conservative in my old age. These values and this heritage were, and are, revolutionary ones. In finishing off, I do wonder what I would say to my children, now both young adults, were I to take them onto the top of my roof at night and point to the stars. The world has changed so much, even in my lifetime. We are all so interconnected now as a human race, economically and in terms of capacity for travel and global communications that it would seem strange to speak of any one country as ‘the future’. ‘We are one but we are many’ applies to our common humanity. And the stars out there are a fine reminder of that fact. 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Australia’s unlikely WW1 history in Malta -The recollections of a 93-year-old Maltese private T he story of Australia tralians at the time underHall in Pembroke that stood its worth. was built for the 1915 That is why the Australian Gallipoli campaign was reHigh Commissioner to Malcently featured on Australia’s ta, Jane Lambert is calling for The Sunday Telegraph newsits restoration. She told The paper and the news.com.au Voice of the Maltese she news portal. Both published would like to see Australia an article by Malta-based Hall in Pembroke restored as Charles Miranda that centred a place for the community to on the emotional recollections use for events and activities, of former Maltese servicewhich would be in keeping man, Lino Camilleri, now 93, with the original purpose of and current Australia’s high the building. This year 2015 commissioner Jane Lambert’s will mark the centenary of call for the restoration of the the Gallipoli campaign but 93-year-old WWII veteran Hall. also the centenary of the conLino Camilleri Australia Hall, whose story struction of Australia Hall, is barely known in Australia which was completed in Nosurvived military service in vember 1915 and officially inWW2 but is today a sad carcass of a Corp he was not a direct combatant, but augurated on January 28, 1916. once dignified public building follow- was tasked with defending the barracks “It would be very welcome if during ing a gutting fire that left the building and the hall that most locals knew had the centenary year plans for the restoraa special role in the Great War. As an tion of Australia Hall were announced. with no roof. “I think it has a very strong place in the Getting emotional, and with tears 18-year-old he was posted to the barhistory of the Gallipoli and the ANZAC welled in his eyes as he reminisced racks beside the hall for three years. He remembers the stage productions story but perhaps it has been a story about his days in military service in Malta during the Second World War, and entertainment for the Australian that has not been well known,” she Lino Camilleri, told Charles Miranda and British troops at Australia Hall. said. “That is quite surprising even when “You make me cry remembering these “It was a colourful time even though the windows were blacked out, inside you consider just the statistics. There old stories.” Lino, a former Private - who was it was well lit and everyone would were about 55,000 troops from the Galawarded an MBE by the Queen in have a good time until the sirens went lipoli campaign brought to Malta for and we had to go to the care, so it is surprising their experiences shelters or slit trenches,” here were not recorded or understood he said. in any way outside the local Maltese “The seating capacity community. The 100th anniversary of was for 1000 and it was a the Gallipoli campaign and also the one and only, very popu- centenary of the First World War is a lar place for servicemen. time for reflection and looking back in It is very important for history and making sure we haven’t Australia and I hope forgotten the important things that something is done. It is need to be remembered.” sad to see it how it is As the High Commioner said, by the now.” end of the war over 55,000 Anzacs Australia Hall was built from the Gallipoli campaign were as an entertainment and taken to Malta - 4000 alone in May recreation hall for conva- 1915 after the first week of the landings H.E. Jane Lam- lescing wounded soldiers - to be treated for various wounds. bert at the di- belonging to the Auslapited Hall she tralian and New Zealand Continued on page 3 wants restored A r m y C o r p s 1990 for services to the Crown as head (ANZAC) in Novemof the British Legion in Malta as well ber 1915, by the Ausas representing Australia’s RSL - re- tralian Branch of the called the friends he lost, the future Red Cross at the time wife he gained (having met her in an of the Turkish camair raid shelter) and the joy he felt with paign. It raised funds the Luftwaffe failing to destroy Aus- from donations from tralia Hall, that forms a critical part of the public believed to the ANZAC Gallipoli story and the be predominantly from bond today shared between Malta and NSW, to finance it as a A dilapitaded Australia Hall recreation centre. It that the Australian governAustralia. As a member of the Royal Army Pay was indicative Aus- ment wants to restore The Voice of the Maltese 5 Tuesday February 3, 2015 From page 2 The hall on the corner of ANZAC Street and Alamein Street and extensive gardens, then surrounded by a number of field hospitals and their barracks, was built for the men as they recovered and could be returned to the frontline. The chiselled distinctive Australian Coat of Arms is still there, as is a stone declaration confirming it was built on donations. In 1970 the Hall was given to the Labour Party in exchange for the party’s building in Marsa that housed its headquarters, then known as Freedom Press to be transformed into Malta Shipbuilding. Unfortunately, in December 1998, the ceiling of trusses and sheeting was gutted by fire but its sturdy four walls still remain standing. Today it is just a shell of its former self with its interior totally gutted out and left in a state of utter dilapidation. It is not only the Australian High Commissioner that wants it to be restored. Malta Heritage Trust chairman Mario Farrugia also wants restoration, whether by the new developers or the Australian Government through a trust arrangement. Servicemen and women enjoy a function at Australia Hall (Richad Ellis photo) He said there had been about 800 Maltese volunteers who went to Gallipoli as muleteers or to dig the trenches and some even fought within the Australian ranks or worked as stevedores unloading the ships. There are about 300 Anzacs buried in Malta, dying from wounds suffered in Gallipoli. “I think there are so few of the lasting physical links between our two cultures, it would be a shame if something was not done,” he said. “With a degree of effort and determi- nation you could get it back to what it was.” Meanwhile, the president of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Lawrence Dimech said that many attempts were made in the past to turn Australia Hall into a home away from home for Australian-Maltese visiting Malta. “We are hoping that this historical Hall can be preserved and that the Australian government gets really interested especially on the centenary of ANZAC” he said. Il-Piers Festival 2015 f’Port Melbourne F Parti mill-udjenza ssegwi l-ispettaklu waqt il-Piers Festival Il-preΩentazzjoni talMaltija Rosemary Attard il-25 ta’ Jannar il-Multicultural Arts Victoria organizzat ir-raba’ Piers Festival 2015 fuq Princes Pier, Port Melbourne li g˙alih attendew ˙afna nies, anke jekk milli jidher ftit li xejn ing˙atat pubbliçita`, speçjalment fost il-Komunita` Maltija min˙abba li meta attendejna a˙na ftit li xejn iltqajna ma’ Maltin, filwaqt li persuni millkoumunitajiet Taljani, Griegi, Torok u o˙rajn kienu aktr numeruΩi. Fl-istess ˙in il-komunitajiet li semmejt ipprovdew divertiment ta’ muΩika, kant u Ωfin b˙ala parti mill-kultura tag˙hom. G˙al darb’o˙ra l-Maltin kienu neqsin. Kien hemm esebizzjoni ta’ stejjer ta’ ˙afna emigranti minn pajjiΩi differenti li kollha ppreΩentaw l-istorja tag˙hom ta’ kif ˙allew pajjiΩhom u ©ew jibdew ˙ajja ©dida fl-Awstralja. G˙all-inqas hawn kellna parteçipazzjoni Maltija bis-sa˙˙a tas-Sinjura Rosemary Attard, is-Segretarja tal-Grupp Letteratura Maltija tal-Victoria. Rosemary, dakinhar ta’ 18-il sena, ˙alliet Malta flimkien mall-familja tag˙ha, fuq l“Arosa Kulm” fit-8 ta’ April 1956 b’511 Maltin fuqu. Óafna minnhom kienu nisa u tfal. Rosemary ippreΩentat kwadru kbir b’˙afna tag˙rif nteressanti dwar il-vja©© tag˙ha lejn l-Awstralja. Wara g˙add ta’ problemi min˙abba li meta l-vapur wasal Freemantle fit-8 ta’ Mejju nstab li d-dg˙ajjes tas-salvata©© kienu f’kundizzjoni ˙aΩina, il-passi©©ieri kellhom jistennew xi ˙amest ijiem sakemm iddg˙ajjes issewwew qabel issoktaw il-vja©© tag˙hom lejn Melbourne fejn waslu fis-16 ta’ Mejju. Paul Vella 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Jay’s tragedy the highlight in a difficult summer in WA S ummer might soon be over, but whereas New South Wales residents swelter through day-after-day of sunshine, beaches have been plagued by persistent shark sightings up and down the coast, and most of the people in Western Australia, particularly those close to Cheynes Beach, 65km east of Albany on WA’s south coast still cannot forget the tragedy in which 17-year-old Jay Muscat was fatally mauled by a shark, thought to have been a great white up to five metres long nicknamed Bruce. As a result of that attack, another when a 3.5 metre shark attacked a dolphin cruising about in the area, and yet a third, when another 17-year-old, Sam Smith suffered a bite to his hand after he tried to film the shark while spearfishing, Newcastle beaches were closed for an unprecedented number of days. Obviously, what stole the headlines this summer – also reported by The Voice of the Maltese (on page 17 in issue No. 92) has been the shark attack that killed Jay Muscat, an ocean fanatic who lived for diving, who was spearfishing with a friend of his, Matt Pullella at a dive spot about 40m from shore at Three Stripes. Jay was bitten on the leg and died from his injuries, while Matt warded off the attack after managing to fire his speargun at the animal before scrambling on to rocks and calling for help from fishermen nearby. The Voice managed to locate Jay’s family in Albany. His grandparents, 70year-old Joe Muscat hails from Nadur, Gozo. He arrived in Australia in 1962. He is married to Doris from Sliema. Jay’s parents, Mark Anthony and Sheryl, are both born in Australia. Jay’s family, his friend Matt Pullella and about 100 mourners attended an emotional memorial car cruise to remember and pay tribute to the young victim. A convoy of cars under police escort left Albany bound for Cheynes Beach, where mourners laid flowers and a cross. His parents, Mark and Sheryl and younger sister Ebony were too distraught to address the mouJay Muscat, rners. Statements victim of a were read on theshark attack ir behalf reiterating their devastation, reducing many to tears. The Albany Senior High School chaplain Leon Durrant spoke passionately about Jay, “a student with a cheeky smile and mischievous nature who was last year’s ASHS Countryweek volleyball team captain and fairest and best player before graduating in November”. In a fresh tribute on social media Matt, who survived after firing his speargun into the mouth of the shark saluted his diving partner, saying: “Rest easy brother! The family is “devastated over the sudden tragic passing of Jay” and friends of the family said they were finding it difficult to face life without their beloved son. The organiser of the tribute in the name of friends and locals and a close friend of the Muscats, said the teenager’s grieving parents, Mark and Sheryl, gave their blessing to the memorial drive. “They’re doing all right and they were happy that we wanted to do this as a tribute to Jay,” he said. “We can take some comfort in knowing Jay passed doing something he loved.” A fellow member of WA Undersea Albany, the spearfishing group that Mr Muscat was a member of, said divers regularly encountered sharks and knew the risks. The death comes 13 months after WA’s last fatal shark attack on surfer Chris Boyd, 35, who was taken near Gracetown in the Southwest. The death of Jay took the state’s statistics to ten in ten. Hundreds have gathered in Albany for the funeral of teen shark victim Jay Muscat Friend of Jay, Matt Pullella Over the past decade ten people have lost their lives in WA as a direct result of a shark attack, and whilst other Australian states surpass WA for shark attacks and other regions in other countries suffer from similar statistics, it is the recent increase in frequency of attacks in WA that has pulled it, unfortunately, into the spotlight. It’s thought the warmer weather and increased marine life are possible reasons for the prolonged presence of the sharks with CSIRO shark expert Barry Bruce saying that the creatures were common along the NSW coastline but only get noticed when they stop near a heavily populated area, like Newcastle. SHARK ATTACKS, SIGHTINGS IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS: JANUARY 2015 • Mollymook, NSW: A 17-year-old boy is treated in hospital after being bitten on the hand • Newcastle, NSW: A Five-metre great white is spotted numerous times, closing beaches for a record seven consecutive days • Bondi, NSW: Sharks are sighted twice in four days, prompting lifeguards to temporarily close Sydney’s most famous beach DECEMBER 2014 • Albany, WA: Jay Muscat, 17, is killed by a great white while spearfishing at Cheynes Beach • Perth, WA: A catch-and-kill order is issued for a white pointer spotted over two weeks near popular Warnbro Beach, which was closed for days • Adelaide, SA: A shark is sighted at Glenelg Beach, forcing swimmers out of the water • Port Douglas, Qld: Daniel Smith, 18, is mauled and killed in front of mates while spearfishing at Rudder Reef • Perth, WA: While surfing at Port Boulevard, Cameron Pearman, 13, is bitten by a two-metre shark, suffering minor leg injuries NOVEMBER 2015 • Bondi, NSW: Two great white sharks are discovered dead in nets within a week OCTOBER 2014 • Port Macquarie, NSW: Competitive surfer Ryan Hunt, 20, is bitten on the foot by a shark at Wallabi Point. He kicks it away Tuesday February 3, 2015 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Galea execution may be a case of mistaken identity T one at Auburn in 2012 related to a he body of 34-year-old Darren have seen the white Toyota Corolla with two Galea was found dumped under drug activity and a 2011 drive-by Auburn’ Duck River Bridge men in the Wentshooting at Merrylands related to a after an execution-style murder last worthville area in the Nomads bikie gang dispute. year. Now Police believe that Galea early hours of JanuDavid Banks, president of the Parraary 16. may have been a victim of mistaken matta & District Orchard Society said: They are also hopidentity, as there was nothing in his ‘‘He (Galea) was a quiet chap; the last ing someone can past to suggest any links with orthing he’d be involved in is bikies or shed light on Mr ganised crime or drug activity. drugs Galea's movements Mr Galea was kidnapped, taken to the Mr Banks went on to say that a red the night before, on cattleya hybrid is being grown at Timreserve and shot in the head just January 15. after midnight on January 16, onee Orchids nursery at Mondrook in They know 2014. His hands were bound Darren’s honour. Once it blooms, an he drove and his body was dumped. application would be sent to the Royal from Merry- Horticultural Society in London to His white Corolla hatchback lands to his was set alight near his home have the name Memoria Darren Galea home about officially registered. in South Wentworthville Darren Galea... killed over a year ago 4pm and NSW two hours later. A year later, Homicide Squad that a Dan il-progett hu sponsorjat milldetectives have lodged an appeal for infriend at a service station on MerryCABRA-Vale Diggers club formation to help find the family man’s lands Road at 8.20pm saw him. The Servizzi ta’ kura killers. Police are hopeful someone may next four hours before his execution are a mystery. multikulturali u ‘‘Effectively, he’s been komunitarji working, spending time with his family and growing orchids,’’ Anthony Sciberras Detective Inspector Henney said, adding (Psychologist) that there was nothing in Mr Galea's past to suggest any links with organised crime or drug activity, which is why they believe it T˙ossok iddisprat u bla g˙ajnuna? could have been a case Imdejjaq? of mistaken identity. "By all accounts, Mr T˙ossok iΩolat jew eskludit? Galea was close to his T˙ossok wa˙dek u ma tistax family, worked hard at tikkumbatti l-˙ajja? his job as a manager of a fast food restaurant, G˙andek bΩonn min jg˙inek jew and kept mostly to titkellem ma’ xi ˙add? himself. There is certainly nothing in his past to indicate why he would be targeted in this fashion," he said. Bejn l-10 a.m. u nofsinhar fis-Sala Ballistics testing on tal-Knisja Stella St u Boulevard St the bullet that killed Mr Galea established links to two other shootings in Sydney - SEM I NA R bil-lingwa Maltija Nhar it-Tlieta, 3 ta’ Marzu 2015 Fairfield A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW for all your travel needs. Tel (02) 9622 7799 [email protected] 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ... Australia Day: What a celebration! Charmaine Cassar from NSW writes: The Voice of the Maltese on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e o is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly online publication specifically targeting all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian scene. is online magazine is sent via email by request. Subscription is free. Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: [email protected] Letters for publication in The Voice either in Maltese or English should be e-mailed to: [email protected]. Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese I am on such a high right now! Just got home from one of the best Australia Day celebrations I have ever been to. Hearing what our past generations thought about this country I call my home through the words of Dr Barry York, sharing his story about his Maltese grandfather telling his father that Australia is the future. It didn't just stop there, the words of pride kept flowing through our High Commissioner, his Excellency Charles Muscat, pointing out that we are just as proud Maltese as being Australian. Member of Australian Parliament Chris Bowen, the mayor of Holroyd Greg Cummings and Dr Geoff Lee of Parramatta gave their views on the Maltese and their contributions to Australia... And I was so honoured and privileged to conclude the ceremony, highlighting everything I feel to be an Australian of Maltese heritage and thanking Australia for all the opportunities it has given us all. Never ever forget where you came from, from Malta to here - we love Australia just as much as we do the Maltese Islands Terrorism affects us all Anthony Cassar from Greenwich, NSW writes: I feel I must commend Chris Muscat for his comments (The Voice of the Maltese No. 93) about the killing of the 17 innocent people in the terrorist attack in France. While condemning such brutal acts, I think we should also take stock of the repercussions of such acts. They not only bring sufferings to the relatives of the people killed, but also, as we are seeing through the news media, to the people who go about doing harm to nobody, but yet, after such acts, live in fear, either because of possible reprisals or just the fear phobias. I am sure that by now, in this instance, like it or not, the French people must be wary of the perils in their streets. I am talking here about all the people, not only those who belong to any religion, be they Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, even atheists for that matter. What happened in Paris was not about religion. That was just an excuse by the extremists who don’t care about anything or anybody so long as they reach their goals of disrupting our daily life. Nobody likes to live in fear, but terrorism, and the fact that politicians keep harping on the possibility of other attacks is so frustrating. Sometimes the media wrongly gives the impression that it is only the west that suffers from occasional terrorist acts. In this time, we should also turn out sights on Africa, to mention just one other region. Nigeria, particularly northeast of the country, is a case in point where the terrorist organisation Boka Haram brutally kills and kidnaps young people, be they Christians or Muslim, and keep the country hostage. Since July 2009 and June last year Boko Haram are reported to have killed more than 5,000 civilians in attacks occurring mainly in northeast, north-central and central Nigeria. They have also abducted more than 900 men, women and children, and are now also converging on other neighbouring countries. There’s also Al Qaeda and the Islamist rebel group ISIS. The quicker the powerful countries unite to destroy these organisations and others like them, the better it would be for us all peacelovers to live the way God wants us to be, in harmony with each other. The Voice of the Maltese 9 Tuesday February 3, 2015 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? /2 Australia Hall must be preserved Charles N. Mifsud, fom Burraneer NSW writes A ustralia Hall at Pembroke in Malta is again in the news and has even featured in Sydney’s main press media. In 2010 when I was in Malta for the Convention of Maltese Leaders from Abroad, together with Mr. Col Willis the former Australian High Commissioner to Malta (who has since retired in Malta), Mr. Tony Cassar Darien a former General Manager & Director of Teatru Manoel, the late Alfred Fenech OAM, Lawrence Dimech and a young Maltese-Australian lady who lives in Malta but whose name escapes me at the moment, we PM abbott has lost the plot James Borg from Williamstown Victoria writes: What is wrong with our British born Prime Minister? First he revived the British Imperial honours in 2014 and now on Australia Day decided to give a knighthood to the 93year-old Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of the Queen Elizabeth. I was reading the other day what Pope Alexander VI once said: “ Do you know what is more poisonous than failure in war or politics? The answer is “ridicule”. Mr. Abbott, being a devote Catholic may well heed the former pontiff’s advice. The Duke, or is it Sir Philip now, has more honorifics that one could memorise. I really think PM Tony Abbott has lost the plot. visited the site of Australia Hall. We all agreed then, that this building, which is a magnificent memorial to the Anzacs and to Malta, “the Nurse of the Mediterranean” should be preserved and restored to its former glory and put to good use. I further believe that the Governments of Malta & Australia should assist financially in its restoration. The Maltese Banks should assist as well as they have profited greatly from dealing with Maltese living abroad. We have to generate increased awareness for the need to preserve this historic building in Malta. Nikkuppjaw lil xulxin bl-addoçç! Brian Tonna minn Blacktown NSW jikteb: inn zmien g˙all-ie˙or jien nirçevi qabda emails li jien insejj˙ilhom vjolenti u li jimbuttawk, biex tibda tobg˙od u tis˙et lil kull reli©jon o˙ra barra dik Kattolika. Donnu li r©ajna lura lejn iΩ-Ωmien meta f’Malta kienu jg˙idulna li a˙na biss, ittfal ta’ Gonzi (l-Arçisqof) sejrin il-©enna. Kienu jg˙idulna wkoll li ˙add mhu aqwa minna l-Kattoliçi. Ninkwieta wkoll g˙ax dawn l-emails ©ejjin minn nies li jippretendu li huma intelli©enti. G˙adhom ma jafux li din il-kwalita` ta’ propaganda hija bil-wisq aktar kontro-produttiva. Mhux sewwa li tasal biex tinsulenta, tkasbar u anke twaqqa’ g˙ar-redikolu dak li int ftit tifhem fih. Ma na˙sibx li nie˙du pjaçir li kieku xi ˙add kellha jniedi xi kampanja kontra r-reli©jon li n˙addnu a˙na, ji©ifieri l-biçça ‘l kbira ought to mark this special event and not minna l-Maltin, jew kontra Alla li nqimu let it slip by. a˙na l-Kattoliçi. One way to remember this important hisLi kellu jse˙˙ dan, g˙alkemm ma nqis lili torical anniversary milestone is the feast nnifsi xi bniedem fanatiku, imma xorta celebration of Our Lady of Victories. I nkun minn tal-ewwel li nipprotesta jekk xi would like to know if other activities are ˙add ikasbar jew iΩeblah dak li nemmen being planned this year for the 450th an- fih. Le, mhux sewwa li bla ma na˙sbu niversary for the Maltese community in nikkupjaw u nççcirkolaw dak li jriduna Australia? nag˙mlu l-estremisti. M 450th anniversary of the 1565 Great Siege of Malta Lawrence Scerri from Warrawong, Wollongong-Illawarra NSW writes: T his year marks the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. The fort of St Angelo in Birgu, Vittoriosa stood to hold off the Ottoman Turkish invasion of Malta. The Maltese community in Australia 10 The Voice of the Maltese The letter to the editor by one of our readers published in the last issue of magazine (Crimes of socalled Islamists hurting even their own people) seems to have started an interesting debate on the subject among other readers (see page 8). The feedback mostly favoured the arguments put forward in the first letter. Tuesday February 3, 2015 It was pointed out that the latest protests the world is currently witnessing surfaced over a terror strike over a derogatory cartoon on Islam, apparently made by a Christian, or rather, by a non-Muslim. This is not the first time that such protests have taken a bloody turn. It will definitely not be the last. But there’s no justification whatsoever for violent reactions. It is not our intention in this article to write about terrorism or zerotolerance, but an attempt to understand the psyche behind these protests. It does not matter what religion is being criticised, not even whether the person criticising it belongs to the same religion. Joseph Cutajar Religion should not be more important than human life W e have seen violent protests in various parts of the world whenever any religious sentiment is hurt which goes to show that sometimes, what matters is that people seem to think that Religion is more important than Human life. What many people fail to understand is that no religion can ever be hurt, that the original religious teachings are not Extreme Islamists harmed by any person’s views for it or cold bloodedly to the contrary. kill a fellow MusThe fact of the matter is that all relilim during the atgions teach only one thing – that God is tack on the one. If that is true then how can anyChalie Hebdo body believe that followers of one God magazine in the can be shamed by followers of another? streets of Paris From time immemorial people have chosen to follow a belief or religion that they find convenient, either because they are born into it or because the people influencing them, believe it. Very few people choose to actually learn the teachings of any religion in depth. The outcome of this is that people are able to mindlessly criticise another religion or twist its teachings to serve their own are instigated. Countless opinions are formed on purposes. In a recent article I read, an opinion writer by the people of all religious faiths based on these riots. Some are termed infidels, and others terrorists. name of Rati Hegde illustrates this by giving a What is forgotten however is that innocent people clear example, pointing out that in many instances are harmed. The latest victims of such a mindless women bear the brunt of obsolete rules and tradiact, in Paris (in this case, but there are others in tions in all religions because people in influential other parts of the world), the hostage victims, must positions choose to project these rules as part of have never even dreamed of this fate when they their religious teaching. stepped out of their house that day. They were not When a cartoonist (in this case) chooses to depict Islam derogatorily, does he do any service to his own even remotely related to the publishing of the carreligion? No. When people choose to put up offensive toons. But they are not the only ones. Thousands of people all over the world are killed images of Hindu gods and goddesses are they sucevery year due to some people deciding to poke fun cessful in saying that their religion is better? No. When a book becomes a success because it ques- at a religion that either they do not believe in or that they choose to question. tions ancient Christian beliefs, is the author doing Freedom of expression cannot be more valuable a service to mankind? Definitely not! Then why do than human lives. This alone is the strongest reapeople indulge in such acts? son why religions should not be played with. HuThe answer might be, that it is because man manity, the strongest religion of all, the only loves to instigate others into doing wrong deeds. It could also be that man loves to poke holes into the religion worth following, is the religion that dies in such actions. The most important lesson to learn beliefs of others, and gives him a high to see that is that the end result of such mindless actions is a one mindless act of his or one command of his ‘domino effect’- everybody falls, nobody rises in sways thousands of people. this game. It is no surprise that one finds many people who Besides, freedom of expression does not equate to are intolerant to their beliefs being questioned, one having the right or the freedom to insult othbeing probed. Mindless riots are a result of such ers. intolerance as also intolerance to such riots that The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 11 MCC Oral history project - Maltese Personalities I n order to preserve our Maltese-Australian heritage for posterity, the MCC of NSW has embarked on videorecording the settlement experiences of Maltese personalities. The oral history interviews are con- ducted in English on Wednesdays mornings. The time taken varies from 60-90 minutes and are done by Mark Caruana, who has been doing such interviews since 1982. At the end of the interview, the person interviewed is asked to do any necessary editing and to furnish four photos to be included in the DVD cover. Couple get double the delight The MCC will produce seven DVDs, five of which go to the family, one to the MCC Archives and one to the National Library in Canberra. A donation of $50 to cover costs would be appreciated. Anybody wishing to have his settlement history recorded, is requested to contact Emanuel Camilleri on 9822 0228. Rita and Fortunato in their garden Veggies and flowers thrive altese-Australian couple, ForM tunato and Rita Vella who have lived in Prospect, a suburb in the West of Sydney for 25 years, recently were in the news when they won the Ward 3 for Best Residential Garden category of the Blacktown Council competition. In its “My Garden” section the digital edition the Blacktown Advocate featured the Vellas’ award and said that whereas some gardeners have a knack far cultivating delicious vegies, others know how to make flowers thrive. It said that the Vellas are skilled in both. Following a visit to their residence, it reported that the Vella couple’s so-called greenthumbs’ flair is evident from the moment you see the well-manicured front yard, where a winding patch is lined with white roses that gives the entrance an inviting cottage theme. It went on to describe the scene in the husband and wife team’s backyard, saying that it adopts a more modern look and a serene setting thanks to the sound of a water feature that creates a soothing effect. It sits among ferns and statuettes into the vegetable patch were lemon trees, chives, prickly pear, tomatoes, garlic, and capsicum ensure there’s a healthy supply for dinner. Asked for his comments, Fortu- nato said: “We just did the garden bit by bit. I’m not a man for sitting down.” For her part, Rita said that like many who love toiling away in their backyards, she loved the calming influence gardening offered. “We feel good when we do the gardening outside,” she said. “It keeps you healthy and active.” MALTA TRAVEL Incorporating Pendle Hill Travel A division of Felice Travel Pty Ltd ABN 71 073 235 408 Licensed Travel Agent Lic. No 2TA4425 Join Charlie Felice on a Tour of USA West! Its all inclusive - flight, top hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, transfers and insurance! Only 4 couples left! Looking for a single lady. First come first served! Call Charlie on 9631 2689 165 Dunmore St., Wentworthville NSW 2145 Phone: (02) 9631 2689 Fax: (02) 9636 5949 Email: [email protected] Website: www.maltatravel.net.au 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Roundup of News About Malta CHOGM dates announced he Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be hosted this year in Malta with the theme ‘Adding T global values’ is to be held between November 27 and 29. The announcement of the dates was made at a joint statement released by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma in Malta. The meetings will be taking place at a number of historic venues around the island and the heads of State and of govFort St Angelo, in Vittoriosa that will be ernment retreat will be held at Fort St Angelo, in Vittoriosa. in full use during CHOGM in November The CHOGM is held every two years and is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policymaking body, bringing together the representatives of 53 countries. In this year’s meeting the CHOGM will hear the views of the citizens of the Commonwealth through forums for youth, women, business and civil society. ollowing the first ever terrorist attack curity Services and Opposition leader The Prime Minister said that the Comon a Maltese investment in Libya, on Simon Busuttil to discuss the attack on the monwealth’s strength as an institution lies the Corinthia Group’s (International Corinthia Hotel in which he called for a in its diversity and the CHOGM was an opHotel Investments) Corinthia Bab Africa bipartisan approach to the situation. The portunity to review where governments Hotel in Tripoli, that left 13 people death, call was also echoed by Busuttil after the stand on issues that affect their people. including the two terrorists reportedly af- prime minister evacuated 13 Maltese emSharma said that the meeting, which filiated to the Islamic State group ISIS, ployees of the Corinthia Hotel to Malta brought together countries in various stages Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reiterated and other Maltese nationals in the country. of development, was a change to plan prachis call on the international community to Busuttil said he agreed with the govern- tical solutions for global challenges, based have a United Nations peacekeeping force ment that all Maltese nationals in Libya on shared values and principles. help Libya rebuild its institutions, if must return to Malta immediately. Libyan factions demand its help. Fire breaks out outDelivering a statement to the House of side the Corinthia in Representatives, he warned the conseLibya after the terquences of a failed state in Libya where rorist attack in Tripoli civil conflict has seen two rival governments the democratically elected one in Tobruk, and another set up in Tripoli. alta stands ready to discuss concessions He further warned of a consequential with the newly elected radical left party chain of events that would see a migration Syriza government in Greece that are reasonof people into Europe, the threat of terrorable, but would be against writing-off its ism and the prospect of energy failure if €181 million debt with Malta, Minister for Libya keeps sliding into anarchy. Finance Prof. Edward Scicluna told the The PM had a meeting with the Malta Semedia following a Eurogroup Session during which Eurozone Finance Ministers were informed of the latest developments regarding the recent Greek elections. “Any concession may be put on the table for discussion, except for study by the Institute for Climate Change and itive and negative impacts on Malta’s environment writing off any of the €181 million Sustainable Development from the University and public health, the economy and overall busi- outstanding debt,” the minister of Malta found that Traffic congestion is costing ness climate, the study shows. said. Malta €274 million a year. The study will assess three policy actions and their As a Eurozone member, Malta It also found that by 2020, the total cost to the impact projected in the future, proposing measures was one of the countries that country through accidents, congestion, climate aimed at reducing traffic and congestion and esti- helped Greece with its bailout, and change and pollution and noise would increase to mate their cost. They include, increasing the effi- Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said €317 million. Of these, €89 million would relate ciency of public transport, through further use of that this commitment cannot be igto traffic accidents, €15.3 million in air pollution park and ride schemes; use and deployment of noncosts, €51.2 million in climate change costs, €10.4 road modes, and more efficient use of the road net- nored. He said: “There are two sides to million in noise costs, and a massive €151 million work, through intelligent transport services. in costs resulting purely from traffic congestion. The report said that improving roads could “ease this debate: the new Greek adminMeanwhile, preliminary results for traffic con- temporarily congestion levels” but not have sig- istration is saying that the repayment programme is not gestion in Malta following a study by the Euro- nificant impacts on reducing it. pean Commission’s Joint Research Centre in 2012 The study claims that by increasing the marginal sustainable; on the other hand, show that the average number of seconds of delay costs of using a car, where it becomes less of a member states forked out taxpayper km in Malta is estimated at 16.93 seconds benefit to use private transport when other public ers’ money to help Greece and we whereas the European average is 5.74 seconds. forms are sufficient, could have a better impact on will keep on insisting to have our The growth in car dependence has had both pos- reducing traffic. money back,” he said. Government, Opposition agree on bipartisan approach re Terrorist attack on Maltese investment in Libya F Discussions YES, debt write-off NO M Traffic congestion costing Malta €274 million a year A The Voice of the Maltese 13 Tuesday February 3, 2015 Roundup of News About Malta 2014 tourist arrivals hit 1.714m mark, is 7.8% more than 2013 T ourist arrivals in the twelve months between January and December 2014 year amounted to a record 1,714,533, an increase of 7.8 per cent over 2013. Total nights went up by 4.9% per cent, reaching 13.5 million. Total tourism expenditure during 2014 was estimated at €1.5 billion, 6.1% higher than that recorded for the same period in 2013, while total per capita expenditure stood at €905. In the last month of 2014 (December) arrivals were estimated at 66,619, an increase of 1.4% compared to the same month in 2013. Excluding the passengers who stayed overnight on board their berthed cruise ship, total arrivals amounted to 66,232. Inbound tourists from EU member states went up by 7.7% to 55,512, with the largest proportion of tourists aged between 45 and 64, followed by those within the 25-44-age bracket. Total tourist expenditure was estimated at €51.7 million, an increase of 4.4 per cent more than in the same month in 2013. A total of 53,136 inbound visits were carried out for holiday purposes, while a further 8,176 were undertaken for business. s we know, on October 13 last year, Malta’s capital, Valletta, A was awarded the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture 2018. Now it has also been shortlisted amongst the 20 nominees for the title of European Best Destination 2015. However, Valletta can only win this title if people vote for it. In order to increase the chances it needs to increase the number of votes, therefore we would like to encourage our readers to go for it on www.ebd2015.com. Voting closes on Tuesday February 10. We also urge our readers to share this information with their contacts so we can increase the ranking for our beautiful Valletta! Nine boutique hotels approved in Valletta T he authorities tasked with applications from entrepreneurs to set up boutique hotels in Valletta have approved nine applications out of the 14 submitted. Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon said in Parliament that the applications were a sign of the rejuvenation of Valletta. Replying to a Parliamentary question after MP Claudio Grech expressed concern for residents about the designation of part of a Street for late night activities, Falzon said that although residents lived in the periphery, the idea was to concentrate culture-related activities near residences and other activities away from them. He added that a balance had to be struck if Valletta was to come alive and not just be a museum, and that much progress had been made in breathing life into Valletta over the past 19 months. 335,249 Licenced motor vehicles A ccording to NSO, at the end of 2014, the number of licensed motor vehicles in Malta stood at 335,249. Of these, 79.3% were passenger cars, 12.8% goods-carrying vehicles, and 5.5% motorcycles. Buses and minibuses accounted for less than one per cent. During the period under review 4,782 new licences issued. The majority of them (3,858 or 80.7% of the total) were issued to passenger cars, followed by motorcycles (449 or 9.4%). Newly licensed ‘new’ motor vehicles amounted to 2,015, (42.1%). Govt. plans to strengthen national carrier Air Malta The government is looking at ways of strengthening Air Malta that go beyond its original restructuring, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has revealed that the government is looking at ways of strengthening the island’s national carrier, Air Malta that go beyond its original restructuring. As such, it will listen to the advice of aviation experts in order to review its position as the national airlines’ shareholder and suggest ways through which the government can strengthen it. During a discussion pro- gramme, the Minister said his government honoured the restructuring plan – that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had insisted was a priority - that it had found in place but added that it could not rest solely on that it. He plans to see the company become commercially viable and relevant in both the airline and tourism sectors. “Air Malta is indispensable to Malta’s tourism,” Zammit Lewis said. “Throughout the years, the airline operated routes that made sense for tourism but did not make sense to the airline from a commercial standpoint. This is why Air Malta must be seen as an integral part of our tourism.” Air Malta has gone through a massive restructuring imposed by the EU after the government saved it from bankruptcy in 2010 with a €52 million loan. Two years later the EU approved €130 million in State aid on condition that the airline was restructured. Since then Air Malta almost halved its workforce, reduced the number of planes in operation and cut capacity. 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Kliem barrani fil-Malti M atul iΩ-Ωmien fl-Ilsien Malti da˙al ˙afna kliem barrani. Wara influss qawwi ta’ kliem Taljan, f’dawn l-a˙˙ar snin f’ilsinna da˙al ˙afna kliem mill-Ilsien IngliΩ - kliem li biçça minnu seta’ ma da˙alx g˙ax g˙alih g˙andna kelma Maltija pura. Hekk spiççajna li biex ng˙idu li ‘nistieden lil xi ˙add’, maljar ikun hemm min jg˙id ‘ninvitawh’ b˙alikieku g˙andna xi vit u qed nuΩaw it-turnavit biex norbtuh. Imma minbarra l-kwestjoni jekk g˙andniex naççettaw çertu kliem barrani f’ilsienna - (personalment ma nsib xejn ˙aΩin li fejn m’g˙andniex kelma Maltija nuΩaw kelma barranija) - issa hemm ukoll il-mistqosija dwar kif g˙andu jinkiteb dan il-kliem. In˙alluh kif inhu, jew natuh bixra Maltija? X’g˙andna niktbu: Ba©it jew budget? Fjuwil jew Fuel? Mani©er jew manager? Çermen jew chairman? Plejer jew player? Billi minn ftit taΩ-Ωmien ilu l-midja bdiet tispelli kliem li ©ej minn ilsna barranin - attwalment kliem mill-IngliΩ - kif jin˙ass, ˙afna kienu ja˙sbu li kienet ittie˙det deçiΩjoni dwar kif g˙andu ji©i miktub dan il-kliem. Dan sa˙ansitra stqarru l-Professur tal-Filosofija fl-Università ta' Malta, Joe Friggieri. “Sa ftit ilu kont g˙adni na˙seb li lKunsill kien ˙are© direttiva li dalkliem g˙andu jinkiteb kif jin˙ass. Kont ˙adt din l-impressjoni g˙ax bdejt nara fil-gazzetti kliem b˙al ‘ba©it’, ‘fjuwil’, ‘çermen’, ‘mani©er’, ‘mowbajl’, ‘plejer’, u l-bqija. Issa tg˙allimt li ma kienet ittie˙det l-ebda deçiΩjoni dwar dan,” qal Friggieri. Attwalment id-deçiΩjoni li kien ˙a lKunsill tal-Malti kien propju dwar xi kliem b˙al ‘skond’ ‘b˙al meta’, ‘billejl’,’ ‘g˙al g˙arrieda’, ‘m’a˙niex’ , ‘m’huwiex’ ‘l-ewwel nett’; li ©ie deçiΩ li jinktbu ‘skont’, ‘b˙almeta’, ‘bil-lejl’, ‘g˙alg˙arrieda’, ‘ma˙niex’, ‘mhuwiex’, ‘l-ewwelnett’, u g˙add ta kliem ie˙or li wie˙ed jista’jsib fil-lista li ˙are© minn dan l-istess Kunsill. Issa mistenni li sa nofs dis-sena lKunsill jie˙u deçiΩjoni dwar kif g˙andna nispellu kliem li ©ej mill-IngliΩ. Sintendi hawn ˙afna fehmiet dwar dan. Jien naqbel ˙afna ma’ kif irra©una lProfessur Friggieri fejn jg˙id li kliem b˙al, ‘ikkowçja’, ‘ibbawnsja’, ‘ixxreddja’, ‘ikkrossja’, ‘iddabbja’, ‘iffawlja’, ‘iççekkja’ u ‘ibbukkja’ jista’ ji©i aççetat g˙ax, “li t˙alli lkelma bl-IngliΩ f’nofs il-verb to˙loq problemi li qatt ma kellna s’issa.” Imma©injaw niktbu ‘ ibbounceja’, ‘ibbookja’ L-istess g˙al dawk in-nomi li biΩΩmien fil-plural ˙adu forma Maltija, b˙al ‘swiçç’ li ssir ‘swiççijiet’ (‘qis li titfi s-swiççijiet kollha qabel to˙ro©’), ‘bord’ li ssir ‘bordijiet’ (‘il-kumpanija titmexxa minn erba’ bordijiet’). Qal li fejn din l-assimilazzjoni ma se˙˙itx, g˙andna n˙allu l-kelma kif tinkiteb fil-lingwa ori©inali, ji©ifieri bl-IngliΩ. “Mela g˙andna niktbu ‘lecture’, ‘tutorial’, ‘postman’, ‘reporter’, mhux mod ie˙or.” L-istess argumenta g˙al ‘budget’, ‘fuel’, ‘manager’, u g˙al kliem kompost b˙al ‘hard disk’, ‘long play’, ‘on line’, ‘out of bounds’, ‘full up’, ‘hairdresser’, ‘vacuum cleaner’, ‘breakfast show’, ‘point of order’, u l-bqija. Issa naraw biex se jo˙ro© il-Kunsill tal-Malti!!! Diffiçli biex jinbidlu ’intervista li l-Isqof ta’ G˙awdex Mons Mario F Grech (fuq) ta lill-©urnal tal-Óadd Illum qal li kien diffiçli ˙afna li tibdel il-mentalita’ ta’ g˙add ta’ kappillani u saçerdoti li huma marbuta wisq mal-Knisja b˙ala binja u s-sagristiji. Huwa sostna li l-Knisja je˙tie© li tadatta ru˙ha g˙aΩ-Ωminijiet tal-lum, filwaqt li tibqa’ fidila lejn il-van©elu. Il-Knisja ma tistax tibqa’ mag˙luqa fiha nnifisha mitlufa fi strutturi li jag˙tu sens falz ta’ sigurta’ u tispiçça b˙ala m˙allef bla ebda ˙niena. IΩda biex issir din il-bidla jin˙tie© li l-kappillani u s-saçerdoti jibdlu l-mentalita’ tradizzjonali tag˙hom. Kliem tassew g˙aqli u ta’ viΩjoni. Id-Dejn ta’ Malta jonqos Sinjal poΩittiv g˙all-ekonomija Maltija huwa l-fatt li d-dejn nazzjonali qed jonqos. Fil-fatt skont l-a˙˙ar rapport tal-Eurostat bejn ittieni u t-tielet kwart tal-2014, Malta kellha t-tieni l-akbar tnaqqis fid-dejn nazzjonali minn fost il-pajjiΩi kollha tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Dan it-tnaqqis ifisser ukoll li, imqabbel mas-sena ta’ qabel, id-dejn nazzjonali ta’ pajjiΩna naqas b’madwar 0.5% tal-prodott gross domestiku. Barra Malta, kien biss f’disa’ pajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Ewropea li d-dejn nazzjonali wera tnaqqis fuq is-sena ta’ qabel. G˙aldaqstant, filwaqt li fil-medja tal-Unjoni Ewropea d-dejn nazzjonali Ωdied b’1.3% tal-©id nazzjonali, f’pajjiΩna kellna tnaqqis. Dan l-iΩvilupp Ωied id-distakk fid-dejn nazzjonali bejn Malta u l-bqija tal-pajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Malta fil-fatt g˙andha livell ta’ dejn nazzjonali li niΩel ta˙t talÌermanja u wasal qrib tal-Olanda, li huma l-aktar pajjiΩi rispettati fejn jid˙ol immani©jar ta’ finanzi pubbliçi. While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema Email: [email protected] Tel: (00356) 23497000 The Voice of the Maltese 15 Tuesday February 3, 2015 Mix-xena tal-˙ajja Maltija 2 Armati mhux ˙aΩin G˙adu fuq quddiem ˙as-soltu l-©urnal Maltatoday g˙amel l-ist˙arri© regolari tieg˙u dwar issa˙˙a politika tal-partiti politiçi u l-fiduçja tal-poplu fil-mexxejja tal-istess partiti. Ìeneralment dan l-ist˙arri© isir b’telefonati lil madwar xi 500 ru˙ li jkunu mag˙Ωula mid-direttorju tat-telefon. G˙alhekk kultant tqum il-mistoqsija dwar kemm wie˙ed g˙andu joqg˙od fuq dawn list˙arri©. It-twe©iba aktarx tkun li ma tantx wie˙ed jista’ joqg˙od fuqhom g˙ax, kif ilfehma ta’ madwar 500 ru˙ tista’ tirrappreΩenta dik ta’ daqshekk eluf ta’ Maltin? IΩda min-na˙a l-o˙ra, speçjalment fejn jid˙lu l-elezzjonijiet, l-ist˙arri© li sar fil-passat, l-aktar mill-Maltatoday kwaΩi dejjem kien qrib dak li finalment ˙are©. Skont l-a˙˙˙ar st˙arri© tal-Maltatoday , minkejja li l-Gvern Laburista, issa nistg˙u ng˙idu li qieg˙ed f’nofs it-terminu tal˙ames snin tieg˙u, xorta jidher li g˙adu laktar b’sa˙˙tu. Fil-fatt irriΩulta li l-Partit Laburista qieg˙ed disa' punti perçentwal fuq il-Partit Nazzjonalista f’dik li hi popolarita`. Dan hekk kif g˙all-mistoqsija lil min tivvota li kieku kellha ssir elezzjoni ©enerali g˙ada, 31% wie©bu lill-Partit Laburista, filwaqt li 22.4% wie©bu lill-Partit Nazzjonalista. Anke fejn tid˙ol it-tellieqa bejn Joseph Kultant nistag˙©bu kif f’çerti pajjiΩi jidher li hemm daqshekk armi fl-idejn. IΩda na˙seb li ˙afna qatt ma mma©inaw kemm g˙andna armi fostna f’Malta, g˙ax dan sar mag˙ruf biss dan l-a˙har wara li saret mistoqsija Parlamentari fil-Kamra tar-RappreΩentanti. Mit-twe©iba li ng˙atat irriΩulta li l-ammont ta’ armi re©istrati mal-Pulizija, inkluΩ snieter, machine guns, submachine guns, pistoli u air guns, ila˙˙aq it-total ta’ 96,425. L-akbar ammont hu dak ta’ snieter li jid˙lu fil-kategorija ta’ shotguns, liema ammont ila˙˙aq 55,962. It-tieni l-akbar ammont ta’ armi hu l-pistoli, li l-g˙add re©istrat tag˙hom ila˙˙aq g˙al 10,553. L-ammont ta’ rifles re©istrati hu ta’ 7,856; revolvers 5,369; air rifles 4,765; air pistols 3,272; u muzzlegun 1,299. Hemm ukoll 755 air rifle re©istrata; 705 airsoft rifle; 650 percussion cap pistol; 633 shotgun tat-tip tactical; 501 machine gun; 477 submachine gun; 421 air pistol; 391 carbine; 380 flintlock pistol; 321 percussion rifle; 243 pin fire revolver; 219 muskett; 170 paintball gun; u 107 percussion revolver. B Muscat, mexxej tal-Partit Laburista, u Simon Busuttil, mexxej tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, l-ist˙arri© qed juri li fejn tid˙ol fiduçja, tal-ewwel g˙andu 15-il punt vanta©© fuq ir-rival tieg˙u. Min-na˙a l-o˙ra jidher li Busuttil qed jirba˙ lura xi ftit minn dawk li fl-2008 ivvutaw PN u mbag˙ad fl-2013 lill-PL. G˙alkemm imbag˙ad jidher li Muscat PROFESSIONAL FREIGHT SERVICES PTY. LTD. qed jiggwadanja fost dawk li vvutaw PN Melbourne: (03) 9335 2499 Unit 6, 4-6 Commercial Crt, Tullamarine, Vic., Australia, 3043 fl-a˙˙ar elezzjoni, li [email protected] wie˙ed minn kull SYDNEY, BRISBANE & ADELAIDE TEL: 1300 360 703 www.pfs.net.au g˙axra minnhom qed jippreferi lil Muscat mill-mexxej - PARCEL SERVICE TO MALTA Nazzjonalista. - NO WEIGHT LIMIT - FULL CONTAINERS TO OR FROM MALTA AT COMPETITIVE RATES - AIRFREIGHT SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE Tippreferi l-kçina tal- iskola - NITKELLMU BIL-MALTI Ix-chef Nicole Pisani an l-a˙˙ar il-©urnal prominenti IngliΩ, The Guardian, ippublika storja dwar Nicole Pisani, chef Maltija ta’ 34 sena li kienet chef f’wie˙ed mir-ristoranti ta’ fama internazzjonali f’Soho, f’Londra mag˙ruf bl-isem ta’ ‘Nopi’ fejn, kif ng˙idu a˙na l-Maltin, wie˙ed irid i˙allas, ‘biz-zalza” biex jiekol. Issa Pisani ddeçidiet li twarrab minn dan il-post importanti u tmur tmexxi l-kçina tal-iskola primarja Gayhurst f’Hackney. Hawnhekk trid tipprovdi ikliet g˙all-istudenti bil-prezz ta’ ta' 92 çenteΩmu Sterlina r-ras. Li Nicole Pisani se tiggwadanja Ωgur hu ftit tal-mistrie˙ billi issa mhux se jkollha bΩonn ta˙dem 16-il sieg˙a kuljum kif kienet tag˙mel qabel. D A$ 55.00 A$ 85.00 1 Carton A$120 2 Cartons A$180 3 Cartons A$220 25 x 30 x 25cm 40 x 30 x 45cm 40 x 30 x 45cm *Prices quoted are from receival at our depot to arrival port Malta *Destination Port fees will apply. Storage or duties, if any, may also apply. FOR YOUR FREIGHT REQUIREMENTS FROM MALTA CONTACT AGENTS:- TRISTAR FREIGHT SERVICES LTD AIRWAYS HOUSE 22 TOWER STREET MSIDA MSD 06 MALTA TEL: 21338161 FAX: 21334188 www.tristarmalta.com 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 A quick glimpse at Australia Labor wins Queensland -Political comeback for the history books A nnastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) the “accidental Premier” has produced the political comeback for the history books and produced a new landscape. The new Labor Premier of Queensland triumphantly said, “who would have thought three years ago, we would have been making history tonight?”. The Liberal National Party (LNP) has lost the biggest majority government in Queensland’s history in just one term. The majority was huge. In the last election, less than three years ago, the LNP led by Campbell Newman won the election with 78 seats against just 7 seats for Labor and 4 others. In the 2015 election the Premier lost his seat of Ashgrove as well. As we go to print there were still some seats in doubt put the final result could be Labor Party 46 seats to 40 for LNP. A catastrophe and a devastating blow that is having a far reaching effect coming after the debacle in the State of Victoria where the LNP also lost government after just one term. LNP seems to have lost so badly because it has spent the last 18 months selling its asset off-loading programme. Queensland has proved time and time again it is against privatisation. The combative-style of the government led by Campbell Newman (a former Mayor of Brisbane) also played badly with voters. He also sacked 14,000 full-time equivalent public servants, after promise that public service “had nothing to fear”. The Queensland government same as the Victorian LNP government suffered as well with unpopular decisions taken by the Federal LNP government. In fact Tony Abbott did not make very many appearances in Queensland during the election. Talk of a challenge to Tony Abbott is gaining momentum. The push for a Republic Aussie convicted of an Invented crime he United State government has said that if the appeal were allowed, Australia is on again Tacknowledged that the conviction “the Court should not confirm he push for an Australian Republic is on again. The of David Hicks, an Australian man Hicks's material-support conviction.” TOpposition Leader Bill Shorten said that 114 years held since 2007 in Guantanamo Bay Mr. Hicks said he was hoping at last ago Australians found the courage and good will to for providing material support for ter- to see justice done. “I did not commit transform this continent into a Commonwealth. He said: “In the 21st century, let us live up to their example – lets us declare that our head of state should be one of us.” Mr. Shorten said that while he was not yet pushing for a second referendum on the proposal, after 16 years it was time for a debate on national identity. He added that no leader can “end” a conversation about our nation’s sense of self. No leader can “settle” the question of Australian’s global role and responsibilities and no leader should take pride in trying. In 1999 a republican referendum was held in November and the republic movement was defeated. However, another referendum on the issue is not likely while Queen Elizabeth 11 is still reigning. Malcolm Turnbull MP a senior Liberal, was the Chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, a position he held until 2000. 60 years married ongratulation are in order to Margaret and AnC thony Blackman marking their 60th anniversary on Valentine’s Day having married February 14, 1955 in Hamrun Malta and set sail for Australia two weeks later. They lived in Brunswich Victoria, where they raised two sons, Kevin and David. Anthony began work as a teacher and would become principal of Fawkner East Primary School. They moved to Safety Beach four years ago. They have two grandchildren. rorism is was not legally valid, and is therefore innocent. Mr. Hicks was was captured in Afghanistan in the late 2001 and turned over to the US, before being taken to Guantanamo Bay in the first batch of prisoners to be incarcerated there. He has already figured in a key U.S. court decision that expanded the rights of detainees held in the offshore prison. Initially charged with multiple crimes, including conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, attempted murder, and aiding the enemy, Hicks ultimately pleaded guilty to a single charge of providing "material support'' to terrorism. He was held for five-and-a-half years before being convicted to give an Alford plea – which is not recognised in Australia. In 2013 he appealed, arguing that the law used against him was passed after 9/11 and could not be applied retroactively. In its reply, the U.S. argued that the review court should refuse to review the case because Hicks had entered a guilty plea. But in a crucial concession, the military commission's chief prosecutor any crime and I only pleaded guilty in an Alford plea agreement to escape the indefinite solitary confinement I was suffering in Guantanamo Bay, I am just sorry it has taken so long to clear my name” he said. The detention centre located in Guantánamo Province at the southeastern end of Cuba, still holds 127 men who have not been charged or faced trail. It is believed that since it opened Guantanamo Bay, 779 prisoners have been held there. Of those, 642 have been released or transferred. Of the 127 remaining detainees 55 men, were cleared for release five years ago. David Hicks talking to the media The Voice is not just a news portal; We comment, we fight for your rights. We believe in freedom of expression; We are read in the right places. The Voice of the Maltese 17 Tuesday February 3, 2015 A quick glimpse at Australia Prince Philip among Abbott’s honours’ list for Australia Day O n Australia Day 2015 Prime Minister Tony Abbott awar-ded a knighthood to HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. So what do we call the Bri-tish royal now, Sir Prince Philip? Would the Queen reciprocate in her honour list and award our Tony as Sir Anthony Abbott? Most likely! Another Australian was awarded a knighthood, Angus Houston the former Air Chief Marshall. Sir Angus led the Australian response to the MH370 and MH17 tragedies and in 2012 he chaired a wise-men’s panel to find ways to resolve the vexed challenge of asylum seekers arriving by boat. Australia also bid farewell to old boxer, prisoner of war Tom Uren (1921-2015), the former Minister in Whitlam and Hawke governments who died aged 93. Rosie Batty the Victoria mother whose courage shone a light on domestic violence victims was named Australian of the Year while children’s author Jackie French an advocate for young people with learning difficulties was named Senior Australian of the Year. Drisana Levitzke-Gray 21-year-old, born deaf is the Young Aus- Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and Rosie Battie honoured on Australia Day tralian of the Year. Virgil Bugeja from St Julian’s, Malta also received the OAM. Aussies in Afghanistan Julie Bishop our roving Foreign Minister was in Afghan-istan recently and indicated that there is almost no chance that Australian troops will withdraw from this country entirely. Retired Major General John Cantwell also cautiously supported an exten- sion that does not impose” great risk or great cost”. About 400 Australian troops remain in Afghanistan. By the end of next year the number is expected to fall to a residual force of as few as 20 to 30 for defence cooperation. The size of the Australian contingent depends on talks with the US and European countries, with Australia unwilling to maintain a presence alone. Living to be 150 years a ‘reasonable assumption’ It is kind of remarkable that some- cept cuts to government benefits and medicine and research into drugs that Ihighly where in this world today, it’s pay a greater share of the health costs. could prove life expectance and quality. probable that a child has been The University of NSW faculty of Life expectancy for Australians has born who will live to be 150, that’s a long time.” Treasurer Joe Hockey quoting from the next intergenerational report was renewing his push to sell the budget and why we should ac- How much for education? B y the time a child is born in Sydney this year he reaches year 12 in 2032, the annual cost of a private education is expected to be as high as $68,626. This is double the current tuition fees at Sydney’s most expensive schools, with several now charging more than $30,000 a year. The Australian Scholarships Group modelling released recently forecast the cost of private schooling in Sydney to be the most expensive city in Australia to educate a child. The breakdown is $175,109 for primary school, $350,043 for high school and $7,123 for pre-school. The average tuition for senior students at Catholic schools in the Sydney diocese is about $2,200. medicine dean Peter Smith said the prospect of people living 150, while “scary’ was a “reasonable assumption. It is not science fiction anymore especially with the advances in stem cell been climbing dramatically over the past 100 years. A boy born between 2010 and 2012 can expect to live to 80 and a girl to 84 years. This is up from 55 and 59 years respectively in 1910. MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY Proudly serving the areas of: Acacia Gardens, Blacktown*, Girraween, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Pendle Hill, Prospect*, Quakers Hill*, Riverstone, Rouse Hill*, Schofields, Seven Hills, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie*, Vineyard *Parts of 230 Prospect Hwy, Seven Hills 2147 Ph: 9671 4780 Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/mrowlandmp Twitter: @mrowlandmp 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Traditions play a big part in celebrating certain feasts June 29 - Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (L-Imnarja) This religious feast has been celebrated since before the time of the Knights of St. John, before 1530, and is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. Its significance is more social than religious with most of the activity taking place at the Buskett Gardens on the outskirts of Rabat. The Maltese love this feast and they are very enthusiastic about it. The activity starts at the gardens from early evening of the day before, and goes on well into the night. Some people eat on site, with the main dish (traditional dish) being rabbit stew. Many stay overnight under the trees, listening to traditional songs (G˙ana). On the day itself, farmers participate in exhibitions and competitions by presenting their best produce and various farm animals. In the afternoon, enthusiasts are treated to horse and donkey races in the streets of Rabat close to Saqqajja Hill, and traditional banners known as Palju, are presented to the winners. August 15 – Feast of St Mary 1943. In the latter, the connection with Malta makred the end of the bombardments by the ‘Aeronautica'. The morning is taken up by various State ceremonies including a parade by the Armed Forces of Malta, while in the afternoon, an avidly contested traditional rowing boat regatta is held in the Grand Harbour. In the evening, at least four towns in Malta and Gozo celebrate the centuriesold feast of Our Lady as a Child (Maria Bambina/Our Lady of Victory), that following the end of the Great Siege of 1565 changed its name to Il-Madonna tal-Vitorja. September 21- Independence Day After so many centuries of dominance by foreign powers, Malta attained its Independence from Britain in 1964, and the Maltese flag was raised for the first time at national festivities. The main celebrations for Independence were held at the Independence Arena (also known as Ix-Xaghra), in Floriana very close to the monument that was installed at the end of the Mall Gardens to commemorate this event. Malta became an independent state as a Constitutional Monarchy, with the Queen of England Elizabeth II as the head of state. December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is very dear to the Maltese people, especially with those born or living in the town of Bormla (Cospicua). It is also a public holiday. The Catholic believers are encouraged to go to church on this day, which also marks the final religious day specifically connected to a town or village in Malta. December 13 - Republic Day Malta became a Republic state on this day in 1979. This meant that the Queen of England was no longer the Head of State and was replaced by a President of Maltese nationality. This was made possible following further negotiations with the British government. The occasion is marked annually by placing wreaths over the monument of Republic Day in Marsa. Also on this day, the President of Malta presides over the annual Investiture Ceremony on behalf of the Government and people of Malta and ays d i l o al h art 2) n o i t Na alta (p in M This popular Maltese festa of the Assumption, also known as the feast of ‘Santa Maria', marks the ascent into heaven of the Virgin Mary. It comes at the peak of the summer season of religious village feasts and is celebrated in seven towns and villages, namely: Għaxaq, Gudja, Ħ'Attard, Mosta, Mqabba and Qrendi in Malta, and Victoria in Gozo. It is also a public holiday. The period leading to this feast and a few days later are greatly welcomed by most workers as many of the factories are in shut down for about two weeks. That way, the workers are able to enjoy a long holiday. Many spend these holidays, ether in Gozo or by travelling abroad. September 8 – Victory Day This date marks the end of the Great Siege of 1565, the end of the French occupation of Malta in 1800 and co-incidentally enough, also the armistice of the Fascist regime in Italy in pays public tribute to a number of Maltese citizens (and foreigners) who distinguished themselves in different fields of endeavour. December 25- Christmas day Composite picture showing activities during the feast of St Peter and St Paul, otherwise known as l-Imnarja Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is a much awaited event in Malta, particularly by little children - it is time for families to get together and celebrate what must be the most popular day of the year. Around Malta, on Christmas Eve, traditional processions are held in every town and village with statutes of Baby Jesus while the culmination is reached with the Midnight mass. On Christmas day itself, most people have lunch with their families and exchange gifts. It is the time of family get-togethers The Voice of the Maltese 19 Tuesday February 3, 2015 Il-Karnival t’Ghawdex - Xi drawwiet Bejn il-Ìimg˙a 13 u t-Tlieta 17 ta’ Frar f’Malta ji©i organizzat il-Karnival, li fih fost kollox wie˙ed ikun jista’ apprezza l-˙ila artistika ta’ g˙add ta’ Maltin u G˙awdxin espressi fil-bini ta’ karritajiet grotteski u kostumi li ji©u esebiti waqt sfilati f’Malta u f’G˙awdex. F’dan l-artiklu, il-kittieb G˙awdxi minn Victoria, ilKav. Joe M Attard (lemin) jag˙ti ˙arsa u lejn xi drawwiet u anke dwar dak li jse˙˙ f’G˙awdex tul dawn il-jiem li ˙afna jsej˙ulu, “tal-bluha”. I lu ftit mhux ˙aΩin li tgerbu l-festi talEwwel tas-Sena. Listudenti re©g˙u lura fuq il-bankijiet taliskola u kul˙add mar lura fuq il-lant taxxog˙ol, imma d-dilettanti tal-Karnival ma waqfux minuta j˙ejju g˙all-wasla ta’ dawn il-festi folkloristiçi u tradizzjonali li ilhom mag˙na sa qabel ©ew i-Kavallieri, fl-1530. D˙alna fi Frar u issa riesaq fuqna b’pass mg˙a©©el il-Karnival. Il-Kunsill tal-Kultura fi ˙dan il-Ministeru g˙al G˙awdex nemmen li ˙adem bis-s˙i˙ biex ikollna Karnival ikkulurit li jo˙loq atmosfera ta’ festa u g˙al mument kul˙add iwarrab fil-©enb il-problemi u r-rutina tal˙ajja ta’ kuljum u jo˙ro© jiddeverti billi jie˙u sehem, inkella jgawdi l-ispettaklu li jsir kemm fil-Belt Victoria u wkoll fittoroq, fl-imsiera˙ u fl-ir˙ula tag˙na. Jien trabbejt fl-ambjent tal-Karnival g˙ax missieri, Alla ja˙firlu kull sena kien jara x’jivvinta biex jid˙ol fl-enclosure u jiddeverti lill-folla. Ta’ tifel kont nie˙u gost nara attivita’ s˙i˙a g˙addejja filworkshop tieg˙u – min jisbog˙ xi maskerun, min jarma l-float, min jivvinta xi apparat biex fl-enclosure issir xi operazzjoni medika inkella jittella’ xi rokit filqamar flimkien ma’ praspar o˙ra. Dak iΩ-Ωmien tar u g˙adda, u donnu li l-Karnival tilef ˙afna mill-komiçita’ ta’ ˙amsin sen’ilu! Imma dejjem jibqa’ Ωmien ta’ divertiment u aljenazzjoni! G˙alhekk il-GΩejjer Maltin l-aktar, f’dawn il-jiem ji©u m˙e©©a li g˙al mument jinsew il-kontroversji u d-diskussjonijiet tal-politika, tal-partiti, tal-kaΩini, talkaçça u ta’ dak kollu li jipprova jifridna, u jxiddu l-kostum u jo˙or©u jiddevertu jew jing˙a-qdu ma’xi kumpanija taΩ-Ωfin ˙alli jifir˙u u jferr˙u lil ˙addie˙or. Il-Karnival fil-gΩira ta’ G˙awdex dissena – b˙al wara kollox f’Malta - jibda lÌimg˙a 13 ta’ Frar bil-Karnival tradizzjonali u spontanju fiç-çentru tarRabat u bil-Kumittiva fi Pjazza San Ìor© filg˙axija, u jibqa’ sejjer sat-Tlieta 17 ta’ Frar bis-sehem tal-kumpaniji bil-kostum u Ωfin, il-baned, il-karrijiet trijunfali, ilmaskri grotteski u x’naf jien. L-g˙ada s-Sibt filg˙odu fi Pjazza San Fran©isk isir il-Karnival tat-Tfal flimkien maΩ-Ωifna tal-Kumittiva, g˙ax l-iskejjel tag˙na wkoll jag˙tu s-sehem ikkulurit tag˙hom. Lil dawn jin˙tie© nikkultivahom g˙ax huma l-organizzaturi tal- Kar- O Ωmien ˙elu kif g˙addejtli Ωmien ta’ meta kont bla ˙tija It-tifkira biss ˙allejtli Biex il-g˙ira n˙oss g˙alik Int ma’ ter©a’ iΩjed g˙alija U sal-mewt indum nibkik! Gor© Pisani nival tal-©ejjieni. Tista’ tg˙id li l-iskejjel kollha jie˙du l-impenn bis-serjeta’ u b’çerta professjonalita` tant li ˙afna drabi jonfqu iktar milli jda˙˙lu. Filg˙axija fl-istess jum, issir il-Parata Karnivaleska u spettaklu ta’ kuluri minn Triq ir-Repubblika sa Triq Fortunato Mizzi fil-Victoria. Ìeneralment il-qofol tal-Karnival ikun il-Óadd wara nofsinhar. Billi dis-sena Pjazza Indipendenza (mag˙rufa wkoll b˙al It-Tokk) saret aktar tixba˙ lil xi kamp tal-Battalja billi qed isirilha xi xog˙ol fil-pavimentar, kmieni wara nofsinhar jibda defile’ matul Triq ir-Repubblika u wara jsir spettaklu ta’ Ωfin fi Triq Fortunato Mizzi bis-sehem tal-kumpaniji taΩ-Ωfin, maskri grotteski, karrijiet trijonfali, baned u l-Kumittiva. It-Tnejn filg˙axija jkun hemm defile` ie˙or tul triq ir-Repubblika, u wara jirrepeti ru˙u l-programm tal-Óadd. IlKarnival fil-Belt ewlenija t’G˙awdex ji©i fi tmiemu t-Tlieta bil-Gran Final fi Triq ir-Repubblika flimkien mal-programm tal-jum ta’ qabel. Bosta drabi matul il- jum it-Tnejn ˙afna mill- Kunsilli Lokali jorganizzaw il-Karnival fl-ir˙ula tag˙hom. Sakemm kont qed nikteb kont mg˙arraf bil-programmi fix-Xag˙ra u n-Nadur matul il-Óadd. Çert li r˙ula o˙ra ma joqog˙dux jistennew dan il-jum biex itellg˙u lejliet ta’ divertiment, imma bla dubju jispikka l-mag˙ruf Karnival spontanju tan-Nadur li ji©bed lejh ukoll ˙afna Maltin li jitilg˙u apposta. Hawn mhu eskluΩ ixidd il-maskra u jo˙ro© iterraq marra˙al. Nies barra mirra˙al ukoll issibhom hawnhekk jixxalaw. F’dan ir-ra˙al ma jsirx biss programm fil-pjazza tar-ra˙al kmieni wara nofsinhar il-Óadd imma jsir Karnival u divertiment s˙i˙ ukoll bejn ilÌimg˙a u t-Tlieta. Fix-Xag˙ra ssir iΩΩifna tal-Kumittva filPjazza tal-knisja ta’ Gesu` Nazzarenu flimkien ma’ divertiment ie˙or. Aktar divertiment ukollquddiem il-knisja parrokkjali. Fix-Xewkija nsibu ˙afna dilettanti talKarnival jie˙du sehem fil-karnival çentrali waqt li anke jorganizzaw diverti-ment fir-ra˙al tal-G˙ammiedi. Fl-G˙arb se nkun qed nippreΩenta serata karnivaleska organizzata mill-Kunsill. Anke dak taΩ-Ûebbu© jipprezenta spettaklu tal-Karnival fil-pjazza ewlenija. Çert li l-ir˙ula kollha kemm huma mux se joqog˙du lura milli joffru xi tip ta’ spettaklu fil-qalba tar-ra˙al Bla dubju li l-©enituri u l-g˙alliema jindunaw bl-atmosfera li ta˙kem lil pajjiΩna f’dan iΩ-Ωmien, g˙ax l-istudenti jkollhom g˙ad ta’ btajjel qabel ma jer©g˙u lura lejn l-iskejjel wara l-eΩamijiet ta’ nofs issena u qabel jid˙lu g˙al Ωmien ir-Randan. Kien hemm xi snin meta wie˙ed kien seta’ jara wkoll il-Kukkanja iΩda din issa ilha ftit ma ssir fil-belt Victoria. Ìie li kellna wkoll xi ©irja fl-enclosure wara xi qasqus (catch the pig) imma din ukoll, ilha li nqatg˙et. Il-Karnival ukoll g˙andu l-˙elu assoçjat mieg˙u, u f’dan iΩ-Ωmien fil-vetrini tal˙wienet tal-˙elu titfaçça l-“Prinjolata” li ˙afna nies tg˙idx kemm jag˙mlu g˙aliha. Tajba u ma fihiex xewk! Il-perlini wkoll huma assoçjati ma’ dawn il-festi tradizzjonali u folkloristiçi tal-Karnival. Meta konna g˙adna tfal niftakar ukoll li konna ner˙ulha ni©ru wara xi jeep jew trakk armat bil-palm u b’xi erba’ g˙annejja jdoqqu, ikantaw u jg˙annu waqt li jwaddbulna xi Ωew© perlini li kollha jg˙ibu hekk kif jisba˙ l-Erbg˙a filg˙odu, Ras ir-Randan, li jag˙ti bidu g˙al erbg˙in jum ta’ sawm u astinenza, g˙al min irid jid˙ol wa˙da f’qoxortu u ja˙seb ftit minn xiex kellu jg˙addi l-Img˙allem Divin biex jifdina u jsalvana. 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Francis Ebejer, kittieb u drammaturgu (1925-1993) F rancis Ebejer twieled Óad-Dingli fit-28 ta’ Awwissu 1925. Kien l-ikbar fost seba’ a˙wa. Missieru u ommu kienu g˙alliema. Studja fl-iskola primarja tal-Gvern u fil-Liceo. Bejn l-1942 u l-1943 Ebejer studja l-mediçina fl-Universita` ta’ Malta, iΩda ma kompliex u beda ja˙dem b˙ala interpretu tal-IngliΩ-Taljan mal-8th Army tal-Qawwiet Brittaniçi fit-Tripolitanja, fl-Afrika ta’ Fuq (1943 - 1944). Huwa g˙amel kors ta’ sena fil-Letteratura fl-Universita` ta’ Malta. Imbag˙ad mexa fuq il-passi ta’ missieru u sar g˙alliem tal-IngliΩ. Wara sentejn ta˙ri© f’St. Mary’s Training College, f’Middlesex, l-Ingilterra (1948 - 1950), hu n˙atar kap tal-iskejjel primarji tal-Gvern u baqa’ f’din il-kariga sal-1977. Francis Ebejer kien jikteb bl-IngliΩ u wkoll bil-Malti. Beda lkarriera tieg˙u permezz ta’ drammi fuq ir-radju, televiΩjoni u stejjer qosra li kienu pubblikati fi New York bejn l-1980 u l1992, u o˙rajn imxandra fuq il-BBC. Xi xog˙lijiet tieg˙u nqalbu g˙at-Taljan, l-OlandiΩ u sa˙ansitra g˙all-ÌappuniΩ. Wara Ebejer kiteb serje ta’ novelli bl-IngliΩ u tliet drammi bil-Malti. Bejn l-1961 u l-1962 huwa kien Fulbright Scholar (Stati Uniti). Ebejer kien president onorarju tal-Moviment Letterarju Malti u membru tal-Kunsill tal- Akkademja tal-Malti. Fis-snin ˙amsin kien jikteb l-iΩjed g˙ar-radju, waqt li s-snin sittin raw lil Ebejer, issa iΩjed matur, jikteb ix-xog˙lijiet teatrali importanti tieg˙u. It-tliet opri kbar tieg˙u “Vaganzi tas-Sajf” (1962), “Boulevard” (1964), u “Menz” (1967) g˙amlu suççess kbir u taw lil- letteratura Maltija l-ewwel drammi intelletwali. L-a˙˙ar dramm ta’ Francis Ebejer kien “Il-Ìa˙an ta' Bin©emma”, miktub fl-1986 g˙asSena Internazzjonali taΩΩg˙aΩag˙. Ebejer kiteb ukoll xi drammi blIngliΩ, fosthom The Malta Baron and I Lucian, A Wreath of Maltese Innocents, Wild Spell of Summer, In the Eye of the Sun, Come again in Spring, Bloddy in Bolivia, Requiem for a Malta Fascist, Leap of Dolphins, The Golden Tut, li w˙ud minnhom ©ew ippublikati f’kotba, kif ukoll The Cliffhangers. li mbag˙ad inqaleb g˙allMalti b˙ala “L-Imwarrbin”. Huwa reba˙ diversi premjijiet u unuri g˙ax-xog˙lijiet teatrali kif ukoll televiΩivi tieg˙u. Fost o˙rajn, ing˙ata l-Premju Letterarju Malti erba’ darbiet. Francis Ebejer miet ˙abta u sabta f’Ìunju tal-1993 fl-eta’ ta’ 68 sena. Monument ta’ Francis Ebejer jinsab f’ra˙al twelidu, Óad-Dingli. Huwa ng˙ata g˙add ta’ premjijiet u titli kemm f’Malta u wkoll barra g˙ax-xog˙ol tieg˙u fid-drama. Minbarra li kien membru tal-Akkademja tal-Kittieba Maltin, kien koll membru onorarju tal-Accademie de Vaucluse (Franza). Kont taf?... Tag˙rif lingwistiku, ortografiku, grammatikali u kulturali dwar illingwa Maltija ma˙ru© mid-Dipartiment tal-Malti fi ˙dan il-Kulle©© San Injazju, Malta biex l-ilsien Malti jing˙ata l-valur li jist˙oqqlu. il-Malti l-konsonanti jistg˙u F jkunu: a) Xemxin jew Qamrin b) S˙a˙ jew Dg˙ajfin ç) Rotob jew Qawwija d) Likwidi Illum naraw ftit eΩempji, dwar ix-Xemxin u l-Qamrin. Ix-Xemxin huma disg˙a: ç, d, n, r, s t, x, z u Ω. Jissej˙u hekk g˙ax ibiddlu l-artiklu fihom. EΩ, iç-çirku flok ilçirku; id-dar flok il-dar Il-Qamrin huma 15: b, f.©, g, g˙, h, ˙, j, k, l, m, p, q, v, w. Jissej˙u hekk g˙ax ma biddlux l-artiklu fihom. EΩ, Il-bir mhux ib-bir il-fanal mhux if-fanal,eçç. Fil-˙ar©a li jmiss nag˙tu tag˙rif dwar l-o˙rajn Tinteressak il-kitba? Id-direzzjoni ta’ The Voice t˙e©©e© lill-qarrejja li j˙ossu li jew g˙andhom talent g˙all-kitba inkella li ja˙sbu li bi ftit g˙ajnuna jistg˙u jrabbu l-kunfidenza g˙all-kitba, biex jekk iridu jistg˙u jibag˙tu x-xog˙ol tag˙hom lil: The Voice of the Maltese. Email address: [email protected] Biex tikteb Malti tajjeb G ˙aliex kelma b˙al ˙sieb jew ried ©ieli ssibha miktuba bl-ie u ©ieli ming˙ajrha? Kelma tista’ tinkiteb bl-ie f’çerti kaΩi u ming˙ajrha f’kaΩi o˙ra g˙ax tkun inbidlitilha s-sitwazzjoni u tkun ©iet f’ambjent differenti (eΩ. ˙sieb - ˙sibijiet; ried, riedet ridt, riduni, ma riditx). Tajjeb li nkunu nafu xi rqaqat fuq l-ie. Fil-Malti g˙andna l-vokali ie, li hija meqjusa vokali wa˙da g˙ad li mag˙mula minn Ωew© sinjali. G˙alkemm illum fil-Malti Standard aktarx inlissnuha b˙ala i twila, bqajna niktbuha ie kif kienet tinstema’ fl-img˙oddi. Jidher li din il-vokali tag˙na Ωviluppat mill-vokali a twila tal-G˙arbi, g˙ax ˙afna kliem Malti li g˙andu l-ie, fl-G˙arbi nsibuh bl-a twila (eΩ. G˙. salâm, kitâb, M. sliem, ktieb). Anke fil-Malti stess, l-a twila u l-ie ©ieli jkunu varjanti ta’ xulxin, tuΩa liema trid (eΩ. tuffi˙at / tuffi˙iet, ©ab / ©ieb). Meta l-aççent jiççaqlaq minn fuqha u jimxi lejn tarf il-kelma, ma tistax tibqa’ twila u allura ssir i qasira jew e qasira (eΩ. missier > missir-ijiet, ˙sieb > ˙sib-ijiet, ˙iere© > ˙er©-in, riedu > ridu-ni, bierek > berikna, mietet > mitit-li). Dan iççaqliq tal-aççent lura jista’ ji©ri iktar minn darba fl-iΩvilupp ta’ kelma, u kull darba l-ie titlef it-tul, ter©a’ tin˙ataf u tiqsar (eΩ. nieda > ned-iet > nedit-ilhom). St Nicholas Festa Committee (NSW): 2015 Calendar of events March 22: Autumn Fiera; July 5: Lejla fil-Buskett; October 18: Spring Fiera; December 6: Festa ta’ San Nikola The Voice of the Maltese 21 Tuesday February 3, 2015 Community News Follow The Voice of the Maltese online magazine every fortnight. Now we also have our our facebook page. So join us. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese Tune In to Radio and Television Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fridays 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday each month at 1pm. MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, each Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. Presenter Emmanuel Brincat. MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Merhba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programme Sunday at 11am 2GLF FM 89.3, or on demand: www.893fm.com.au In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Program on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com Maltese Programmes on TV and Web The GDAY MALTAUSSIE SHOW on TVS is broadcast in Sydney Every Saturday at 2pm; Repeats on Mondays 5 pm and Tuesdays 7.30 am Watch direct via HYPERLINK: http://ww.tvs.org.au; http://ww.tvs.org.au The SBS MALTESE NEWS Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre, 59b Franklin Street (cr with Young Street) Mays Hill NSW. Phone: 02 98220228 Maltese living at the Central Coast Group Meetings are held every secondt Monday of each month, starting February 9, 2015 at Wyong RSL, cnr Anzac & Margaret Street Wyong from 10 am to 12 noon. For more information Tel: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 On SBS Radio - Day Time Analogue Digital Tuesday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 Thursday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 To tune into digital radio you need receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard on digital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38 and SBS. Radio 3 is on Channel 39. Analogue is the present FMwavelength. Digital radio can also be accessed by a smart phone and/or by going online at HYPERLINK: http://www.sbs.com.au, www.sbs.com.au VIVA MALTA VIVA MALTA on Central Coast Radio: February 12 and 26 - from 6 pm 7 pm on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford NSW. Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au. L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.05 am on SBS2 Meetings of Day Care Maltese Groups in NSW Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month from10:00am to 12 noon. The group meets in the Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights. Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Come and join us and make new friends.. Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meets every second Friday of the month; Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am Llandillo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1pm. Greystanes Maltese Seniors Meets on the second Monday of the month n the George Preca Centre of The Maltese Language School of NSW The Maltese Language School of NSW invites applications for Maltese language classes at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre located at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young Street) Mays Hill (next to Parramatta West Public School). Both young and adult students may apply. For more information contact Mary Pace-Feraud on 9601 2189 or email: [email protected] You can have full access The Voice of the Maltese online anytime by logging to: http://www.maltesewelfare.com.au and click on The Voice sign OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Ongoing: We meet every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm Our Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining. Come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298 *(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of NSW). Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street Mays Hill NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School) 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 C Co om mm mu un niit ty y N Ne ew ws s THE MALTESE GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. G˙arfien lill-Voluntiera asal iΩ-Ωmien li nag˙tu ©ie˙ u W rispett lill-anzjani tag˙na fis-Seniors Week 2015. Óu din l-opportunita’ biex tipproponi lil xi ˙add li ja˙dem ta’ voluntier fil-komunita’ u ˙aqqu ringrazzjament. Il-Maltese Welfare (NSW) qed jirçievi applikazzjonijiet minn individwi ta’ dixxendenza Maltij li ghandhom ‘l fuq minn sittin sena u residenti fi NSW biex ikunu parti mill-Quiet Achievers – Night of Recognition li din is-sena se jsir nhar l-Erbg˙a, 18 ta’ Marzu 2015 fis-St Dominics’ Annunciation Hall, Walters Rd, Blacktown NSW. Biex tinnominaw lil xi ˙add jin˙tie© tiksbu formola tal-applikazzjoni billi ççemplu lis-segretarju tal-Maltese Welfare (NSW), Emanuel Camilleri 9822 0228 0409 744 376 inkella ΩΩuru l-website: http://www.maltesewelfare.com.au tniΩΩluha minn hemm u tibag˙tuha mhux iktar tard mis-27 ta’ Frar 2015. Nominate a Volunteer I We now have a Facebook page that former members are invited to join. It is: Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland: https://www.facebook.com/pages /Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland/ 396193070527203?ref=hl. It is open to all who have an interest in the Maltese culture. L-a˙barijiet tal-PBS (Malta) G˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lillSBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, ilqarrejja m˙e©©a li x’˙in iridu jid˙lu fil-website: www.tvm.com.mt u jsegwu la˙barijiet ta’ Malta. Din tkun a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bi stejjer li jkunu qed ise˙˙u. Mhux biss, imma min irid isegwi dak li jkun g˙addej, kull filg˙odu ˙in ta' Malta fuq il-website jittellg˙u wkoll l-a˙barijiet tal-jum ta' qabel. Forthcoming Functions: Sunday February 15: BUS TRIP First Bus Trip: Goolwa for lunch. Later relax in Victor Harbour. 8.30 a.m.: buses Leave from the Maltese Guild. Be there at least by 8.10 am. Trip Includes Morning Tea/Coffee. 10 am first stop at Strethalbyne. 12.30 pm: 2-Course Lunch at Golwa Hotel. After lunch You can have a good healthy swim in the sea or play games and Bingo. 6.00 p.m. (approx.): Return to Centre. Tuesday February 17: ASH WEDNESDAY MASS Ashes Mass to be celebrated by Fr Gabriel Micallef. Confession at 10 am followed by the Mass at 10.30 am at Maltese Cultural Centre. After Mass Lunch as usual, followed with games of Bingo and other Games. Saturday February 28: 38th ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE t’s that time of year again when we direct a spotlight on our seniors during Seniors Week. Take this opportunity to nominate someone who in your view is a genuine volunteer within our general community and deserves to be recognised. The Maltese Welfare (NSW) is seeking nominations for people of Maltese descent over 60 years old, residents of NSW to take part in its annual Quiet Achievers – Night of Recognition to be held at St Dominics’ Blacktown, on Wednesday March 18, 2015. Nominations are to be made on an application form that can be obtained by phoning the Maltese Welfare secretry, Emanuel Camilleri on: 9822 0228 - 0409 744 376, or visit the website: http://www.maltesewelfare.com.au. Applicatons have to be submitted by not later than February 27, 2015. Malta Society of New Zealand Maltese Cultural Centre 6, Jeanes Street Beverley S A 5009 Phone Tuesday’s only: 8243 0868. AH: 8254 6988/0421 791 327 Admission from 6.30 pm for 7 pm start Dinner is included: Complimentary glass of champagne with orange, nuts and crisps, bread roll and butter on tables. Main course to be advised later, with platers of fresh fruit for Dessert. From 10.45 pm help yourself to Coffee or Tea with Cakes. Beer - wine - soft drinks available from the Licensed Bar Entertainment by The Godfathers Band Admission: Members $20.00; Non Members $25 Children $10.00. Book from: Joseph Briffa (Phone: 8254 6988 Mob. 0421 791 327l Mary Craus (Phone 8281 2329 or 0420 699 617); Rita Bornhoeft 8248 1008 or 0401 860 632) or from any committee members February 27/28, March 1: WEEKEND GRAPE PICKING Grape Picking g˙all-Griffith. Nitilqu l-Ìimg˙a fis-6.00 a.m. InΩuri fabbrika tal©obon, salami u wine tasting. Lura l-Óadd (6.00 p.m.) Prezz (twin share) inkluΩ breakfast tas-Sibt u l-Óadd u dinner tas-Sibt, $380. G˙al tag˙rif u biljetti ikkuntattjaw lil: Mary Said: 0421 285 698 jew lil Christ Sciberras: 9627 5356 FRIENDS OF PROVIDENCE HOUSE NSW (Formed in November 2011) Founder /Coordinator: Jim Borg Structure: Secretary: Marisa Previtera; Treasurer: Rita Kassas Official Bank Account: Commonwealth Bank of Australia: BSB: 062 416 A/C 10199448 Aim of Association: Raising funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta Money raised so far: 2012/2013 - $ 2,500 and 2013/2014 $35,000. Method of fund raising: Functions, tours, donations, raffles, sponsors. Percentage of funds raised donated to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta – 100% Future fund raising: Donations direct to the official bank account, sponsorships, tours, functions and raffles. The Friends of Providence House NSW is the official Ambassador of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta in Australia Contact details: Jim Borg, Co-ordinatorPhone: (02) 9636 7767 (Mb) 0418 825 591 Email: [email protected] Proudly supported by: The Voice of the Maltese 23 Tuesday February 3, 2015 Community News GEORGE CROSS FALCONS CLUB Inc. (25-27 Lake Ave Cringila NSW 2502, (02) 4273 0906 [email protected]) Monday Seniors’ Day Every Monday Home-made cooked twocourse meal, tea and coffee Bingo and dancing lessons, computers available for usage. Cost only $5.00. Sponsored by MCCI Illawarra. Phone 42 746121 and leave message St John Sydney Xewkija Ass. ÓAMRUN ASSOCIATION LTD ABN: 22 080 314 156 100 Jackson Street, Marsden Park, NSW 2765 Ph: 02 9838 1111 Email: [email protected] Secretary: Robin McGarrigle 0407701004 President: George Zahra 0407434651 VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW IL-klabb se jorganizza din il-lejla mimlija kant, Ωfin u çajt, nhar is-Sibt 14 ta’ Frar, fis- 7.00pm fil-klabb stess, f’100 Jackson St. Marsden Park. -------------------------------------------------------Id-divertiment se ji©i pprovdut minn CHARLIE u VINCE, u SURPRISE YOUNG FLOOR SHOW ---------------------------------------------Donazzjoni ta’ $12. G˙all kull tag˙rif u biljetti çemplu lil Agnes: 9626 6753, jew Mary: 0421 285 698 Il-kçina u l-bar ikunu miftu˙in g˙al kull ikel u xorb Malti La Valette Social Centre Sunday February 8: The feast of St Paul’s shipwreck The feast starts at 5pm with mass accompanied by the La Valette choir under the direction of Victor Floridia. A procession with the statue of St Paul accompanied by Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band follows Afterwards there will be entertainment provded by Sam Mifsud. After mass the bar and the kitchen will be will be open Entry is free; everyone is welcome to attend. For any information call the centre on 9622 5847 Presents: Easter Dinner Dance Saturday March 14 at 6.30 p.m. at Mandavilla Function Centre 1788 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park 5-COURSE MEAL (including beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, coffee) Music provided by Charlie Camilleri and the Mustangs Band Price: Adults $55.00 Children (Under 12) $30 For further info contact: Sam: 46841617; Rose: 96285424; Elija: 96226047; Martin: 0417237524 Learn Maltese! MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc. Classes are available for students from 6 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 this magnificent Mediterranean island. Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM For more information and enquiries Call Mary on 9601 2189 Or email: [email protected] 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. 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 3, 2015 Sports Extra time goal gives Socceroos first ever AFC Asia Cup title A goal by James Troisi seconds before the end of the first period of extra-time gave the socceroos a Australia’s players celebrate the winning of the AFC Asian Cup after defeating Korea Republic in the final dramatic 2-1 victory over Korea Republic in the final of the Asia Cup while South Korea beat Malta Premier at Stadium Australia. It took Uzbekistan 2-0 after extra League football host Australia 120 minutes time. In the other quarters, of football before they se- UAE defeated Japan 5-4 in cured could claim their first a shoot-out after the game ever Asia Cup title on Sat- ended in a 1-1 draw, while In the last two rounds, runaway lead- goals in a 32-minute spell beat urday and since joining the Iraq got the better of Iran in rers Hibernians could only manage Sliema 5-3. Balzan also joined Hibs, Valletta Asian Football Confedera- a shoot-out with a 7-6 win two points from a possible six and tion in 2006 and four years after the two sides were were minutes away from losing their and Birkirkara in the Championship after losing in the final to a locked 3-3 at the end of the unbeaten run. On both occasions, Pool. Floriana also assured a fifth first against Birkirkara, and then last plce finish but Sliema could end up late extra-time winner aga- game and extra time. inst Japan. In the semi-finals, Aus- Saturday against Mosta they had to- in the relegation pool. Massimo Luongo had put tralia faced UAE and beat come from behind to salvage anyRound 21 the Socceroos in front on 44 them 2-0 with goals by thing in 1-1 draws. Against Birkirkara they struck deep Hibernians v Mosta minutes only for Son Heung- Sainsbury and Davidson, 1-1 Edison Luis dos Santos (H); Haruna min to take the game into while South Korea beat Iraq into added time to preserve their Babangida (M) record after Birkirkara had taking an extra-time with a stoppage- by the same score to clinch early 2-1 lead, and then against Mosta Balzan v Valletta Gianmarco Bojan Kaljevic (B) time equaliser for the Ko- a final place. they even survived the loss of a Ryan FenechPiccioni, (Valletta) rans. In the end, the Aussies Luogo chosen best player player, who was red carded before Birkirkara v Sliema W. 1-1 claimed the title of Kings of Rafael R. Ledesma (B); Trevor Cilia (S) they levelled the score. Massimo Luongo emerged Asian football in front of a Floriana v Tarxien R. 1-1 However, they maintained a 14- Matteo as the star of the AFC Asian Piciollo (F); Obinna Ajoku sell-out crowd of 76,385. point lead over second-placed ValDarlington (T) Hosts Australia and two- Cup Australia 2015 as the letta who surprisingly lost to Balzan Ûebbu© R v Qormi 1-0 Rashid Yussuff times Asia Cup champions Socceroos midfielder not by 2-1 last Saturday. only found the back of the Naxxar L.v Pieta H. 1-1 South Korea had emerged As a result, Valletta, who won both from Group A with the Ko- net in the final as Australia their matches, reduced the gap be- Angus Buhagiar (N); Claudio Frances (P) reans winning the group and secured the title, but also tween them and the leaders to 11 RESULTS: Round 20 1-1 Australia finishing runners won the Most Valuable points to becoem the leaders’ main Hibernians v Birkirkara Andrei Agius (H); Nikola Vukanac (B) challengers. up three points behind after Player Award. Valletta v Naxxar L 3-0 Record attendance In the previous round Valletta had Lateef Elford-Alliyu 2, Djamel Leeflang, the Koreans’ 1-0 victory. Well over 600,000 fans at- beaten Naxxar rather easily by 3-0, Balzan v Sliema W After that, in the quarter2-1 Gianmarco Piccioni (2), Bojan Kaljevic (2), finals, Australia defeated tended 32 games in 23 days in but came a cropper against Balzan. Ryan Darmanin (B); Pedro dos Santos Calcado In Round 20 Balzan had come back (2), China 2-0 with two splen- five cities, well exceeding the Bocar Djumo (S) from two goals down and with four Floriana v Mosta 3-1 did goals by Tim Cahill, organisers’ target of 500,000. Hibs close to losing unbeaten run Valletta come a cropper against Balzan Australia A-League Perth, Victory in six-goal thriller The A-League programme resumed with Round 15, and with leaders Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory sharing six goals between them in an entertaining draw, the match finishing 3-3. Perth Glory scored two late Results of matches played by Parramatta) Friendly: Parramatta FC v Sydney U. 1-0 Pre-season competition: Parramatta v Blacktown S.1-2 goals to salvage . They looked dead and buried when Kosta Barbarouses put Victory two goals ahead in the 57th minute, but Rostyn Griffiths and substitute Jamie Maclaren each found the back of the net twice to rescue a point for the league leaders. With Wellington Phoenix featuringin a late KO match Monday, Adelaide U. jumped into second spot after an easy 7-0 win over Newcastle Jets. RESULTS: Round 15 Perth Glory v Melbourne C 3-3 Adelaide Utd v Newcastle Jets 7-0 Central Coast v Sydney FC 1-5 Melbourne C. v Western Syd. W 2-1 Brisbane Roar v Wellington Ph. (LKO) Standings Perth Glory Adelaide U Melbourne V Wellington Ph Sydney FC Melbourne C. Brisbane R. Central Coast Newcastle J. West.Sydney P 15 15 15 14 15 14 13 15 15 13 W 10 9 8 9 5 5 3 2 1 0 D 3 2 5 1 7 4 3 6 5 4 L 2 4 2 4 3 5 7 7 9 9 F 28 29 31 28 20 22 14 13 12 8 A 18 14 18 14 16 25 19 26 35 20 Pts 33 29 29 28 22 19 12 12 8 4 Vito Plut, Matteo Piciollo, Douglas Moreira Cobo (F); Ian Zammit (M) Ûebbu© R v Pieta H. 2-1 Tarxien R. v Qormi 2-1 Mathias Muchardi, Lee Galea (Z); Orosco Anonam (P) Carlos Menendez Hevia, Matthew Tabone (T); Alfred Effiong (Q) Standings Hibernians Valletta Birkirkara Balzan Floriana Mosta Sliema W Tarxien R Naxxar L. Pieta H. Ûebbu© R. Qormi P 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 21 21 21 21 W 18 14 13 9 7 7 6 4 4 4 4 4 D 3 1 3 7 7 4 6 8 7 6 6 5 L 0 6 5 5 7 10 9 8 10 11 11 12 F 64 50 40 34 36 23 24 20 22 17 25 20 A 12 16 21 31 39 41 30 33 34 35 47 36 Pts 57 43 42 34 28 25 24 20 19 18 18 17
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