The Voic(edr iivoenf b yt thhe evo iicMe of aiitsl retaedesrse ) Issue Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora February 11, 2020 221 Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora

Malta will be spending €50 million in the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project, an invest - ment aimed at improving air quality in the Grand Harbour area that would reduce air pollution from cruise liners visiting the Malta by more than 90%. (See report on page 12

Pope Francis to make Malta visit (See page 9) 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 An edited version of the keynote speech delivered by Ruby Vella at the MCC of NSW Australia Day 2020 event. Two island homes shaped Ruby’s identity uby Vella a 17-year-old student by a familiar culture which I felt from Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner so connected to in a completely School, Castlecrag is a third-gener - unfamiliar country. My 11-year- aRtion Maltese, her parents were both born old self was fascinated by the in Australia, father Steve is second gener - Maltese accent and I longed to ation Maltese and her mother Amanda is learn the language and to be Anglo-Australia residing in Leichhardt able to understand whether my NSW. Speaking to a packed hall at the cousins were really whispering Maltese community’s celebration of Aus - about me, the ‘odd Australian’, tralia Day at Merrylands NSW Ruby ex - in Maltese”. plained very clearly the connection “During my stay in Malta, I between the girl in the small island of learnt the importance of faith Malta called Katerina who caught a king - to the Maltese culture and of fish and Ruby who lives in an island con - the bravery as its people have tinent: endured centuries of inva - sions. The country’s experi - Katarina ġibtlek lampuka, ences moved me during the Katarina qabbad in-nar Second World War in which Katarina iftaħ it-tieqa ħalli joħroġ 14,000 bombs were dropped. id-duħħan. Malta was the most bombed In an emotional speech, Ruby Vella said place on Earth.” that both these islands are home to her, one “However, the Maltese peo - figuratively and one literally. This story is ple fought on and in unity, Ruby Vella delivering her key- from her childhood, the bridge between were awarded the George note speech on Australia Day her Maltese and Australian heritage. Cross so as to bear witness to the heroism Gozo, an island off the mainland, they In fact, she continued, it is a metaphor for and devotion of its people.” This award were absorbed into one of the biggest cel - the two island homes that have shaped her symbolises Malta’s bravery and strength ebrations she has ever experienced; the identity. She feels very lucky to be of both as a country and the courageous spirit that festa ta’ San Gużepp, in Qala where peo - Australian and Maltese heritage. Her two is unique to its people”. ple threw confetti down from overhanging ethnicities have influenced her throughout Ruby was also struck by the beautiful balconies and the parish priest stopped to her life and have helped shape the person blue bays and the contrasting ancient al - share a beer with the community amidst she is today. leyways and churches that were unique to the celebrating crowd down below. “When I was 11 years old, I visited Malta Malta. She was amazed by the pristine The most important feature of Maltese for the first time with my family. I was struck Mediterranean waters of the blue lagoon culture she said is the love and gathering off the island of of family, where memories, laughter and a Comino and the lot of food are shared. beautiful historical Ruby’s grandparents emigrated to Aus - buildings in Mdina tralia from Malta in 1968 and were wel - (known as the comed into Australia where they started a ‘Silent City of completely new life and raised their three Malta’) made from children. This decision was not an easy limestone with ex - one to make, and it requires a very brave quisite doorknock - person to make this journey to an un - ers that the city is known country. famous for. This land has provided her grandfather She became fasci - with the chance to make connections be - nated with the tween the Maltese and Australian cultures practical nature of as he has written books, spoken on the the Maltese when radio and worked with the Maltese Com - she witnessed glass munity Council in order to recognise Mal - smiths creating the tese Australians. “After Christmas, both most exquisite my Maltese and Australian sides of the vases; the door family unite in celebration to share a post- knockers are in the Christmas meal”. shape of angels, This gathering was a common example of lions and fish. her racially diverse country and represents Ruby (centre) with Julia Finn State Member for Granville When her family Australia’s mixture and undivided em - and Susan Templeman Federal Member for Macquarie. took her for a trip to brace between different cultures. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 3

Due to the proximity of the Australia Day celebrations in Malta with the publishing of the last issue, we could not include the important speeches delivered by Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Australia to Malta Ms. Julienne Hince and His Excellency the President of Malta George Vella in The Voice of the Mal - tese. They were very important and we believe it would be fitting to publish them today on the next pages.

DHer Eexcellepncye thne Hiignh Cogmm pissioeneor opf le to people links Australia to Malta Ms. Julienne Hince’s speech on the occsion of Australia Day

he commemoration of the annual Australia Day in Malta organised and hosted by H.E. the High Commissioner for Australia in Malta Julienne Hince and her staff, was held on board the largest commercial catamaran oper - ating in the Mediterranean, the Saint John Paul II. It was the last sTuch occasion hosted by the HC whose term of office has just come to an end. The venue an innovation as it turns out, because such celebra - tions normally took place in the Chancery, was indicative of the High Commissioner’s pride in a vessel that was crafted by Aus - tralian shipbuilders, INCAT in Tasmania. Ms Hince expressed her thanks to the Portelli Family and Virtu Ferries for hosting the event on the ship. In her speech for the occasion, HE Ms Hince gave some back - ground to the history of the catamaran that was built by Incat’s founder Bob Clifford, who as a schoolboy, his love of fishing and sailing led to him to start building seacraft at home. “Bob’s love for the ocean and continuing interest in building ships led him to found and develop one of the most successful and esteemed ferry building companies in the World,” she said. Ms Hince then referred to the catastrophic fire conditions Aus - tralia is currently going through. She mentioned the devastation to large swathes of the bush, and to some of the country towns and communities. “We are very grateful for the outpouring of support for Australia including the many offers of assistance and donations from Malta,” she added. The High Commissioner pointed out that the Australian Gov - Ms. Julienne Hince, High Commissioner ernment was well resourced and well organised and has allocated of Australia to Malta addressing guests an initial $2 billion to a National Bushfire Recovery Fund to un - at the commemoration of Australia Day dertake recovery, rebuild and resilience activities. Ms Julienne Hince said that Australia and the EU have a close She sent her condolences to her fellow Australians who have trading relationship, and share many values including a commit - lost loved ones, and to the hundreds more grieving over houses, ment to the rules based order. She hopes that an FTA will generate land, pets and wildlife. new market opportunities, for goods and services and promoting Ms Hince said: “To those who ask, ‘how can we help?’ I would two-way investment, and looks forward to Malta helping to say continue to buy Australian, visit Australia, study in Australia achieve this ambitious arrangement. and invest in Australia. Much of Australia is not affected by bush - “A point that out Prime Minister has made to all ambassadors is fires - indeed many tourism sites are operating normally.” the overarching professional goal to deepen people to people One part of Australia which may be lesser known, and which links. People matter most,” she said. she fully recommended to visit, is Tasmania, the Apple Isle, As well as the resident community in Australia, it is estimated which, she said, is famous for beautiful land and seascapes, fertile that roughly 50,000 Australians visited Malta in 2019. soils and wonderful fresh produce, you are probably imbibing When it comes to relationships between the two peoples, the High Tasmanian produce now. Commissioner said: “The strong relationship between Malta and As Australian Ambassador to Tunisia, HC Julienne Hince also Australia is outstanding and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting took the opportunity to acknowledge the assistance of His Excel - with the Maltese community when I was at home in Australia too”. lency Zyed Bouzouita Ambassador of Tunisia and his staff. She Her speech was also a farewell speech as she was departing said that the Tunisian Embassy in Malta assisted her greatly in Malta at the conclusion of her posting. She said that she would advancing Australia’s relationship with Tunisia. have moments of withdrawal from Malta’s welcoming people She said that the Australian Government was pleased to fund the and the Mediterranean beauty of the islands. International Institute for Justice in delivering a training programme She concluded by thanking the people who have supported her in Tunis for magistrates and police prosecuting terrorist cases. most closely over the past three years, especially her embassy On the matter of trade, the HC maintained that one way to mul - staff and those who kept her residence and its inhabitants alive, tiply exchange of goods and services is through an Australia-EU dressed, fed, and able to entertain and host other guests. Free Trade Agreement. Five rounds of negotiations, the latest in She also expressed thanks to the most compact and collegiate Canberra in October have already been concluded. diplomatic corps she had the pleasure of serving with, and wished Initial goods market access offers have been exchanged with the new Government of Malta harmony and success. the EU and there will be exchange services and investment and Before wrapping up she requested the guests to join her in of - government procurement market access offers ahead of the next fering a toast to His Excellency, the President of Malta, Dr round this February. George Vella and Mrs Vella, and to the people of Malta. 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 Speech by H.E. George Vella, President of Malta during the celebration of the Commonwealth of Malta proud to sustain close Australia National Day cooperation with Australia he President started by continued to solidify with the commending High signing in 2017 of the EU-Aus - Commissioner Ms Juli - tralia framework agreement, and enne Hince for the cho - the President said that Malta was sen venue for the also confident that ongoing nego - Tcommemoration, which he said, tiations for the EU-Australia free reminded one of “Our beloved trade agreement would continue Mediterranean Sea and Tasman - to pave the way to boost trade and ian shipbuilding craftsmanship, sharing of best practices and provided an excellent and ex - Another important multilateral citing meeting. forum the President mentioned is He also extended his heartfelt the historical past and member - condolences, sympathy and sup - ship to the Commonwealth. He port to the Australian people that said that although the two coun - were badly hit by months of rag - tries are geographically located ing fires, and assured Her Excel - miles apart they both actively be - lency the HC that the Australians lieve in the core principles of pro - were not alone, “the Maltese peo - moting human rights, democratic ple would continue to provide norms, inclusive growth and sus - support and assistance.” tainable development for all. President George Vella said that In fact, Australia is currently the ongoing ecological disaster in serving as Vice-Chair of the Com - Australia and other widespread monwealth Ministerial Action climate change effects should be Group and was instrumental in of grave concern to us all. the development of the Common - He hoped that in 2020 world wealth Charter. leaders would take the lead and President Vella mentioned other the world recognises the impor - initiatives taken by Australia and tance of cooperation and action, said that Malta too has been ac - particularly in relation to “our tively contributing to the Common - shared environment”. wealth successes which he In this regard he quoted Pope mentioned. These include the Com - Francis’ declaration about climate monwealth Small States Centre of change, that it “demands a collec - The President of Malta, H.E. George Vella reply - Excellence, which it is hosting. tive response capable of placing ing to the Ausrtalian High Commissioner’s He was also pleased that Aus - the common good over particular speech at the commemoration of Australia Day tralians also take great interest in interests”. to look at Australia with great interest and the Mediterranean region, particularly Turning to political and commercial re - hundreds of Maltese continue to visit for the Maltese islands, and their customs lations between Malta and Australia, he touristic and work-related opportunities. and traditions. In fact, during 2019, the said that diplomatic relations between the President Vella maintained that Malta is figures of incoming of Australians respective countries date back to 1964, proud to sustain close cooperation with amounted to over 50,000. and throughout the years they continued Australia and collaborate both at the bi - President Vella is confident that Malta’s to transform and develop into close com - lateral and multilateral level. rich historical past, long standing tradi - mercial, people-top-people and educa - He explained that at the bilateral level tions and vivid Mediterranean culture are tional ties. the trade delegation led by Malta’s Prime three of the leading reasons Malta is such Due to the two countries’ geographical Minister in 2018 was an important mile - a popular destination with Australians. position, President Vella said that past stone. It continued to develop further the Add to that the cosmopolitan charm of colonial relations in the 20th Century respective commercial relations. the island’s evolving social fabric and Malta looked at Australia as a faraway At the cultural level the two countries transformed infrastructural landscapes land of opportunities and fascinating sustain cooperation and throughout the that are also novel interesting aspects of landscapes, and it became home to thou - year organised various events, particu - the Maltese island “that we call home”. sands of Maltese migrants and their re - larly during the 2017 Maltese Presidency The President believes it is now time to spective families. of the European Council, which included push this friendship a step further and ex - He mentioned the figure of 175,000 as an Aboriginal exhibition, that was a per - plore new avenues for cooperation and being the total number of people claim - fect example of the to countries’ vibrant augured that both Maltese and Australian ing Maltese ancestry in a number of cultural exchanges. High Commissions recognise the impor - towns in Australia, therefore it was no He said that such initiatives are very im - tant role of cultural diplomacy and fur - surprise that most of the Maltese have a portant to further explore our respective ther facilitate cultural exchanges, first-or second-line relative living there. cultures, traditions and historical past. particularly for younger generations. “Malta is proud of its Maltese Diaspora President George Vella: “I believe we President Vella concluded his speech by and proactive communities who although should develop this sector further and thanking High Commissioner Ms Juli - fully integrating and adapting to Aus - through innovative cultural cooperation enne Hince on behalf of the people of tralian customs and society continue to better represent the uniqueness of our re - Malta for “the excellent cooperation and maintain a strong link to their mother- spective peoples.” solid diplomatic participation in our re - country, customs, and hopefully also the At the multilateral level Malta is gional and local affair,” and wished her Maltese language,” the President said. pleased that dialogue and cooperation be - all the very best for her future diplomatic He went on to say that Malta continues tween Australia and the European Union career. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 5

MCCV at Melbourne’s Australia Day flag raising event ustralia Day 2020 has come and Flag raising parade in Melbourne. It was the Participants in photograph: (from left): gone. In the last issue of The Voice first time in many years that the Maltese com - Joe Camilleri, Consul General Mario of the Maltese magazine we man - munity participated in a state held event. Farrugia Borg, Ron Gauci, Annie Caru - Aaged to include reports about commemora - The group proudly marched down ana, Tim Gauci, Rebecca Gauci tions held in NSW and in Malta prior to the Swanston Street with nearly 1000 people Maurici and Carli Gauci. Front: (from day itself. There have been other celebra - representing more than 80 community left) : Miriam Farrugia Borg, Adam Far - tions in other states with the full participa - groups. As the group walked down rugia Borg, Marlene Ebejer, Elizabeth tion of the Maltese community, which we Swanston Street in their colourful traditional Mantouzas, Antonia Camilleri, Lisa Za - could not include due to our deadline. Maltese costumes holding the Maltese flag mmit and Charlene Trestrail One of these was in Melbourne where on the and waving the Australian flag, they were tion of the MCCV after he noticed in the actual date of Australia Day, January 26, the introduced as one of the smallest groups. 2019 ceremony that the Maltese were not Maltese Community Council of Victoria There were 13 proud people telling stories represented. (MCCV) participated in the Australia Day of their Maltese heritage as people cheered The MCCV now also looks forward to them on. In the crowd outside the Mel - participating in the 2020 Moomba Parade bourne Town Hall was the Maltese Consul on March 9 and is encouraging people to General for Victoria, Mario Farrugia Borg, get involved. It looks forward to continuing who could be seen with a look of pride to promote Maltese culture, heritage and across his smiling face. well-being. In fact, it was Mr Farrugia Borg who Enquires to [email protected] or phone on brought this spectacular event to the atten - 03 9387 8922.

We offer legal services in Melbourne (Lt Collins Street) and Werribee. Family law is our specialty. • wills, powers of attorney, • manage deceased estates, and provide organiseLd bey Hjolrasley PMark Cġomamurnirtyi Sjoa cial Group • purchase and sell property • purchase and sell businesses. For the Maltese Community & Friends Marlene Ebejer (speaks Maltese) Saturday March 7 at Mandavilla Function Centre an accredited family law specialist Horsley Drive, Horsley Park • divorce, children, property, • child support, intervention orders. Entertainment provided by: Heartbeat • Maltese Wills, Powers of Attorney Cost $65.00pp: includes Maltese antipasto, 3-course meal, • Maltese Property matters. beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee and more. Phone: 03 9741 1722 www.ebejerlawyers.com.au) Bookings call: Theresa Quattromani 0402 178-781, email [email protected] Josephine Borg 0402 040 954 , We get to the point, provide the right Come and join us for a fun time. advice and get the work done at a rea - sonable price. The proceeds of the evening with go to The Cancer Council 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers Family law: if my partner wasted money during our relationship, can I get more out of what is left? by Paul 2. Acted recklessly, negligently, reached. Payment for accommodation, Sant or wantonly with matrimonial assets, and other reasonable day to day living ex - n many relationships, one partner and overall the effect has reduced or penses, will not be added back into the may spend more money, albeit on minimised the value. pool: Omacini & Omacini (2005). gambling, drinking, or shopping, Polito & Polito [2009] Mantle & Mantle [2014]: Husband un - than the other. Here, we will briefly dis - In this case, the wife sought an add back successfully contended his Wife’s post- I of $121,344, due to the husband’s gam - separation spending of $122,000 in a cuss what relevance you or your former bling, drug and alcohol addictions during month was wanton or reckless. The court partner’s spending habits may have, if concluded the wife’s explanations about the court were to decide a property set - the relationship. The court, based on the evidence, noted the husband’s conduct in how the money was spent were reason - tlement between you. able based on the evidence. In answering the question above – the losing $139 per week over 5 years and 7 short answer is no. The court approaches months (with 1 year of unemployment What else could be added back? therein) was reckless, negligent or wanton how finances were brought in and ex - If legal fees are paid from a bank ac - pended during relationships with the conduct, which reduced or minimized the value of the assets. count that would otherwise be property view of taking the good with the bad. The of the parties, that amount will almost al - principle was established in the case of The Judge went on to note that use of al - cohol and marijuana was for entertain - ways be added back. Guidelines for Kowaliw & Kowaliw in 1981, where the doing so were established in a 2004 case, court stated: ment, and an amount of $30 per week was reasonable to spend on entertainment. He Chorn & Hopkins , recently re-confirmed “You share in the fruits of the relation - in Trevi & Trevi (2018). ship, as well as the losses, with each not determined the loss from the husband’s conduct amounted to $32,264 and in - The guidelines may be summarised as necessarily equally”. follows: However, that is not the be all and end cluded as an add back in the property all. Section 75(2)(o) of the Family Law pool. 1. Ultimately, how to treat monies ap - plied to legal costs is a discretionary Act 1975 allows the court to consider What about money spent after separation? “any fact or circumstance, which in the matter – the Judge may decide. opinion of the Court, the justice of the In Todd & Todd [2014] the Judge found 2. In reaching a decision, a Judge case requires to be taken into account”. the husband removed almost $1.4 million should look at the source of the funds. from the asset pool, after separation. Ap - 3. Where funds existed at the time of Negative contributions proximately $400,000 was applied to separation, and it can be established Under section 75(2)(o), an argument gambling. The Judge made a 12% adjust - that both parties had an interest in those may be made that one party is entitled ment in favour of the wife, by way of sec - funds, they should be added back as a to an adjustment on the basis of a nega - tion 75(2)(o). notional asset of the party. 4. Generally, where a party has paid tive contribution from the other party. Reasonable living expenses Following from Kowaliw, you would legal fees from funds they obtained need to satisfy the court that your former It is often the case that the party who va - post-separation, either from income, or partner either: cates the former matrimonial home may a gift or inheritance, such funds are not 1. Embarked on a course of conduct reside in rental accommodation, where added back as a notional asset. intended to reduce or minimise the there is no family member or other real 5. Similarly, if one party has borrowed value or worth of matrimonial assets; property owned by the parties to make use monies after separation, and applied in or of, until such time as a final settlement is payment of legal fees, that loan or debt would not be included as a liability in the balance sheet between the parties. PAUL SANT Conclusion Addbacks are the exception, not the (SOLICITOR) rule – the court’s task is to: “examine and make findings about the particular PARTNER AT LONGTON LEGAL circumstances surrounding expenditure, For All Your Legal Needs and determine… the manner in which overall justice and equity indicates the Now at: diminution in the pool ought be treated,” 21 George Street Kouper & Kouper (2009). If you require family law advice, Paul Parramatta Sant has extensive experience and would Phone: 8599 8877 be pleased to discuss how he may be of assistance. Also at: Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney. Ph: 8355 9999 We have provided you with an overview Email: [email protected] of the topic above but you should consult a professional for advice specific to your Maltese Spoken circumstances. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 7 Waslu l-jiem tant mistennija,

Jdoseaphw Cutakjar tal-bljuagħmhlu la-ħsej - jes bil-bottijiet jew b’xi borom ull sena fi Frar, bħal f’ħafna pajjiżi u kzazen. madwar id-dinja, f’Malta ssir dik li Iżda l-organiz - l-Maltin iħobbu jsibuha bħala “il- zaturi ġabu lill- fKesta tal-bluha” il-Karnival, ħamest ijiem Karnival proprja ta’ attivitajiet ta’ brijju u kuluri, li din is- li jibda s-Sibt sena se jsir bejn il-Ġimgħa 21 u t-Tlieta l- filgħodu l-aktar 25 ta’ Frar, avveniment festiv u ta’ xalar li għat-tfal tal- bħal dejjem jiġi ftit taż-żmien qabel jibda iskejjel li kienu r-Randan. jsegwu l-parata Tul il-jiem tiegħu wieħed ikun jista’ jam - u ż-żifna li kie- mira l-ħila tad-dilettanti (aktar professjon - net tfakkar fir- isti f’dak li jagħmlu) tal-Maltin li jużaw rebħa tal-Maltin l-artistrija tagħhom biex jipprovdu l-isbaħ u l-Kavallieri kostumi u l-isbaħ karrijiet li jkun ilhom fuq it-Torok fl- jibnu x-xhur ħalli mbagħad joħorġuhom Assedju l-Kbir fit-toroq, l-aktar dawk ewlenin tal-kapitali tal-1565. Maltija Valletta, jifirħu huma u jferrħu lill- Fiż-żifna kienu jieħdu sehem bejn l-24 u u fil-ħamsinijiet tas-seklu l-ieħor, u hekk eluf li jogħxew jammirawhom. t-30 persuna, bejn tfal u kbar, u kienet baqa’ għal ħafna snin wara, matul il-jiem Huwa wkoll żmien li fost kulħadd, hu l- tibda minn quddiem il-Palazz tal-Gran tal-Karnival kienu jiġu organizzati balli - għaxqa tat-tfal, li jissaħru b’dak li jaraw, Mastru fi Pjazza San Ġorġ kienet tibda jiet, kemm fil-każini kbar, popolari tal- bil-brijju li joħolqu dawk li jakkumpanjaw persuna lebsin kostumi ta’ kavallieri u ta’ kapitali Maltija, kif ukoll fi swala u il-karrijiet u maskeruni oħra li għal dawn Torok, kollha jġorru xi injama forma ta’ lukandi oħra madwar Malta. il-jiem ġieli jinsew is-serjetá u jtuha għax- xabla u tarka biex iħabbtu ma’ xuxlin Ġeneralment, fil-biċċa ‘l kbira kienu xalar. Sa anke jinżebgħu biex speċi juru taparsi jiġġieldu. jieħdu sehem kumpaniji taż-żfin li fl-istess “wiċċ b’ieħor” u ġieli wkoll figura li Kien ikun hemm ukoll erbat irġiel jiem kienu jitilgħu fuq il-karrijiet iduru “mhix tagħhom”, bħal irġiel jilbsu ta’ nisa iżommu lasta twila b’bandiera u tfajla mal-belt fil-parata tal-karrijiet għad-daqq u viċi-versa. Dan l-aktar fil-karnivali spon - ħelwa tirrappreżenta lil Malta. Kienu jsi - tal-baned jew diski. Kienu jsiru wkoll tanji ta’ xi rħula, l-aktar kompetizzjoni bi premjijiet f’Ħal Għaxaq Malta, u n- Karru grottesk minn attraenti ħafna għar-reb - Nadur Għawdex. Karnival ta’ ħafna snin bieħa ta’ dawn il-ballijiet. Din tal-Karnival f’Malta hi ilu għaddej minn ħdejn Premjijiet oħra, m’għand - tradizzjoni sa minn żmien il- it-Teatru Rjal. Impressjo - niex xi ngħidu, kienu jik- Kavalieri ta’San Ġwann, u nanti l-folla madwaru kompetu għalihom l-istess jingħad li daħlet mal-Kaval - kumpaniji li jkollhom il- lieri. F’dokumenti storiċi karrijiet fl-isfilata, li wkoll jingħad li l-ewwel Karnival kienu jiżfnu, jew fi Pjazza f’Malta sar fl-1560. Dakinhar San Gorġ inkella f’Misraħ għadd kbir ta’ iġfna ta’ prin- il-Ħelsien qabel ma’ nbena ċpijiet Insara kienu nġabru l-Parlament il-ġdid. fil-port lesti ħalli jsalpaw lejn Dawn il-kompetizzjonijiet Tripli fil-Libja. mhux biss għadhom isiru, F’din l-okkażjoni, kun - imma frott tal-ħidma eċċel - trarju għal li seta’ jsir qabel, lenti u ma taqta’ xejn ta’ il-Gran Mastru kien ta l-per - min imexxihom, u wkoll il- mess li jintlibsu l-maskri fil- gvern, il-premjijiet ta’ flus pubbliku, hekk li l-poplu ma żdiedu sew għax kulħadd qagħadx lura u beda hu sar jifhem u jirraġuna li din wkoll jilbes ta’ maskerat bla l-okkażjoni saret ukoll at - xkiel u jiddeverti b’ċertu entujażmu. buha bħala l-Għarusa tal-Parata. trazzjoni turistika. Maż-żmien ħafna mil-ewwel drawwiet Iż-żifna, għad-daqq ta’ xi żewġ daqqaqa Fiż-żminijiet reċenti l-Karnival beda jsir tal-Karnival bdew jitwarbu u jidħlu kienet tintemm bir-rebħa tal-Maltin – dej - fuq ħamest ijiem. Jiftaħ nhar ta’ Ħamis bl- oħrajn. Anke minħabba regoli u liġijiet jem bir-rebħ – fuq it-Torok. It-tfajla kienet isfilata tar-Re tal-Karnival, karru li jkun ġodda, kien tilef ukoll l-ispontanjetá bil- tiġi merfugħa fuq l-ispallejn ixxejjer u ikkummissjonat mill-Għaqda tal-Karnival għan li ma jiġi offiż ħadd. B’danakollu titfa’ l-bews lill-folla. li tħalli x-xogħol f’idejn artist/artisti grazzi għall-organizzazzjoni xorta baqa’ Fl-antik, biex tinżamm it-tradizzjoni l-or - magħfurfa sew mhux biss għal-imħabba jsir aktar attraenti. ganizzaturi tal-isfilata kienu jitolbu per - tagħhom għall-Karnival imma wkoll Il-Karnival kien jibda nhar ta’ Ħamis bit- mess għall-Karnival lill-Gran Mastru li għall-ħila li jippossjedu. tfal jiġġerrew mat-toroq b’wiċċhom mbagħad joħroġ il-bandu. niżbugħ, ħafna drabi bin-nugrufun, Il-Maltin tassew li jafu u jħobbu jixxalaw *Ikompli f’paġna 19 uu 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ... From a follower Malta has now become a leader Charles Zammit from Penrith, NSW become a leader. The Voice of the Maltese writes: Well done indeed. Though we live so ffoorrttnniigghhttllyy mmaaggaazziinnee many miles apart, we as Maltese citizens ou hit the nail on the head when are so proud of you! If I could, I would is is a bi-lingual (in English you titled your main item in the return home tomorrow! and Maltese) fortnightly mag - Roundup of news about Malta azine that specifically targets pYages, ‘PM Robert Abela building all Maltese living abroad with bridges’, as from what I have learned by emphasis on the Australian watching and listening to the TVM news Where is the and Maltese scenes. bulletins, Malta’s new Prime Minister is truly making an impact. e magazine can also be read in money going? In the short time since succeeding Dr George Abela from Altona Victoria wites: flipbook format online. A pdf copy Joseph Muscat as PM, Dr Abela has not is also sent via email on request. only managed to smooth the road ahead rom bushfires to floods within a few If you require a printed copy we and mend any cracks that might have ap - can also oblige. days! This is Australia, a land of ex - peared in the island’s armour, but even tFreme weather. Editors: gained such popularity among the people The Federal Government was caught Malta: Joseph Cutajar with his early decisions, that it is as if there napping this time around as it only inter - Australia: weren’t any stoppages at all. vened when the damage was already done. Lawrence Dimech: MOM, Malta’s progress in so many sectors We need more preventative measures and OAM, JP therefore continues to surpass much bigger a clear picture of how and where all these email address: countries and has become an example for millions of donations are being spent. Is it [email protected] others to follow. It is not a follower but has reaching the very persons that are left homeless and penniless? We need answers. Letters for publication in The Voice Għaqda reliġjuża magazine, either in Maltese or English Anchored in Australia should include name, e-mail address Maltija għall-Maltin and residence of the writer, and be e- M. Borg minn Sunshine Victoria jikteb: but craving for Malta mailed to: [email protected]. majna li hawn fostna f’Melbourne, is- Paul Farrell from Perth, Western Australia writes: Now you can also superjur ġeneral tal-Missjunarji ta’ San PSawl (MSSP), Fr Mark Grima li sintendi would like to add my name and com - join us on facebook: qiegħed jistħarreġ is-sitwazzjoni fl-Aw - ments with those already expressed in stralja mal-kap t’hawnhekk, Fr J. Taliana Ithe last issue of the magazine about Andy https://www.facebook. MSSP. Busuttil’s article in a recent issue of The Nittama li s-sitwazzjoni fi NSW tiġi stud - Voice of the Maltese . com/groups/thevoice - jata bir-reqqa wkoll għax ma rridux nitilfu I have been following Andy’s contribu - ofthemaltese l-uniku saċerdot Malti li din l-għaqda tions since they first appeared in the maga - Maltija għandha wkoll f’dak l-istat. zine years back. I also follow his musical skills by attending whenever I can, to his, and his Skorba group’s concerts. Dr Hugh McDermott MP This man’s love for Malta is second to none. Every time he writes he manages to State Member for Prospect show that although he left Malta at a very young age, his heart and his mind are still For issues concerning: there. I dare say they still belong to Malta Ageing and disability - community despite living for most of his life in Aus - tralia. I also appreciate the the fact that this services -education - environ - magazine keeps strengthening our link with ment - health - housing - planning Malta. - Police - transport - water There are still Maltese people like him (and me) in Australia who though settled to P: (02) 9756 4766 this vast continent still crave for Malta, but E: [email protected] because we are now anchored and have our closest families here, are unable to re - 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164 turn. However, Malta is the first country we think of when we plan our holidays. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Pope Francis to make Malta visit ope Francis is to visit Malta shortly, it has been learnt. No date has as yet been set but a Papal visit is a certainty. The Gov - Pernment and the Malta Church Au - thorities have been informed that the Holy See has accepted one of the many invitations Malta had ex - tended to the Pope. The latest invitation was made by President George Vella during a pri - vate audience he and his wife had with him at the Vatican in Septem - ber last year. Details could be an - nounced soon. This would be the fourth visit by the Head of the Roman Catholic Church to Malta. Pope Benedictus XVI made the last visit ten years ago in April 2010. Pope John Paul also paid two visits, in May 1990 and again in May 2001 for the beautifica - tion of Nazju Falzon, Maria Adeo - data Pisani and Dun Ġorġ Preca who was later canonised as a Saint.

Mesatiny lgavte aa stun’nsing p eDr - estiny for Eurovision formance in the Final to win the second edition of X Fac - Dtor Malta and earn the right to rep - resent Malta in the forthcoming Eurovision 2020 to be held in Rot - terdam, Holland, in May. The 17-year-old with Nigerian and the five young 15-16-year-old girls Maltese roots was born in making the astonishing group Birkirkara, Malta. Her father, Ndu - F.A.I.T.H, and the only male final - bisi Chukunyere was a footballer ist, Kyle Cutajar gave more proof if with Hibernians and later also be - any was needed, that Malta really came a coach. He was present to has got talent in the music sector see her daughter give an explosive Even though the jury panel – in - performance. cluding Malta's 2002 and 2016 Though only 17, Destiny is no representative, Ira Losco – was stranger to Eurovision as in 2015; crucial on finding the four final - she not only represented Malta but ists, they had no say in the final re - also won the Junior Eurovision sults. The voting was 100% up to Song Contest with a song titled the public at home. "Not My Soul". After a first round, where each fi - Destiny, has already been in a Eu - nalist performed an original song, rovision Song Contest stage just the voting was frozen and the acts last year as Michela Pace's backing vocalist. took the stage for the duet round that didn't impact the first elim - Saturday’s was not her first talent show. In 2017, she also audi - ination. During the duels round, Michela Pace (Malta 2019) per - tioned for Britain's formed with Kyle. Got Talent and even Shortly after Kyle Cutajar was eliminated, and the three remain - Destiny ing acts performed another song, this time in Maltese. F.A.I.T.H singing qualified for the live shows. were the next to be eliminated. her way Destiny and Justine Shorfid got to perform once more. Destiny’s to victory The X Factor Malta final was so interpretation of “He Lives In You” from Lion King was fiery as spectacular. All four one could get on the world’s best stages. Eventually she was an - finalists were at nounced as the winner. their best and Malta made its debut in Eurovision back in 1971 and has been though there was in the contest 32 times since - without a victory. Best result is just one winner, the two runner-ups in 2002 (Ira Losco - 7th Wonder ) and 2005 runner up, 16-year- (Chiara - Angel ). In 1922, Mary Spiteri classified third with Little old Justine Shorfid, Child . 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020

A version of this series in kitba ta’ English may be found in the author's blog at: IVAN https://ivancauchi. CAUCHI Perspettiva blogspot.com

il-ħarġa numru 219 ta’ The Voice of the Maltese xahar ilu, kesħin, fejn ir-riskju ta’ tifrix ikun żgħir. Pkornt kteibt dwvar l-espeerjenzna persoznali tiejgħi ou tal-fanmilja iIs sa jidheer li hewmm mewġ a fkavur li unerġgħur nitgaħallmu? mit- tiegħi nivvjaġġjaw fix-xlokk tal-Awstralja waqt li t-traġedja tradizzjonijiet kulturali aboriġeni, saflaħħar. tFan-nirien ta’ din is-sena kienet qiegħda tiżvolġi, u b’barka kbira Madankollu hemm problema oħra, predominanti, u din hi t-tib - rnexxielna nisgiċċaw l-agħar effetti tagħha, ħlief għal riħa persis - dil tal-klima. Il-problema hi li n-nixfa qiegħda tiżdied u t-tem - tenti ta’ duħħan, u jum minnhom ċpar folt ta’ duħħan. peratura medja qiegħda tiżdied, u għalhekk hemm limitu ta' Illum se nittratta l-politika madwar ir-risposta tal-gvern federali ġranet fis-sena meta dan il-’ħruq kiesaħ’ jista’ jkun effettiv. Awstraljan. Din hija l-problema ewlenija li għandna quddiemna, u mhix Bħal ma nafu, disgrazzjatament kien hemm iktar minn tletin imwiet waħda li se tissolva malajr, lanqas jekk il-gvern Awstraljan jiġrilu ta’ persuni, elfejn dar mitlufa, stima ta’ biljun ħlejqa li mietu u ħdax- bħal San Pawl, jara d-dawl tal-Mulej u jikkonverti (mhux għax il miljun ettaru maħruqin, 1 u l-istorja għadha ma spiċċatx. hemm xi sinjali li l-konverżjoni hija fil-qrib). Ftit snin wara li konna ġejna l-Awstralja, fl-2009 kienet seħħet L-ewwelnett, it-tibdil tal-klima ħtija tat-tniġġiż tal-karbonju hija traġedja ta’ nirien oħra msejħa s-Sibt l-Iswed, li kienet meqjusa problema globali, u tinħtieġ soluzzjonijiet fejn il-pajjiżi ta’ madwar l-agħar traġedja tat-tip tagħha fil-pajjiż. id-dinja jaħdmu id f’id biex isolvuha. Biex inkunu ċari, soluzzjoni Din kienet seħħet f’Victoria fejn kienu mietu 173 ruħ, jiġifieri tfisser li l-ewwel nieqfu nżidu mal-problema fuq medda ta’ 10-30 iktar minn din id-darba, imma l-art maħruqa kienet ‘biss’ 400,000 sena (inniġġżu mhux iktar mill-abbiltà tal-pjaneta li tassorbi t- ettaru. 2 Jiġifieri din is-sena, inħarqet art iktar minn għoxrin darba tniġġiż kollu), u mbagħad inkomplu nnaqqsu t-tniġġiż. (s’issa) dik ta’ dakinhar. It-tieni problema hi li anke jekk il-pajjiżi kollha tad-dinja jwettqu L-organizzazzjonijiet tat-tifi tan-nar, ilkoll statali, ilhom jaħdum li wiegħdu fil-Ftehim ta’ Pariġi u jieqfu hemm, id-dinja mhix mis - bis-sħiħ biex jagħmlu li jistgħu, u suċċessi kellhom bis-sħiħ, iżda tennija li tisħon biss sa 1.5C fl-2100 iktar miż-żminijiet pre-indus - l-iskala tal-problema wriet li r-riżorsi li għandhom m’għandhiex trijali li hija l-mira dikjarata, imma sa 3.0C. 5 Id-dinja diġà saħnet x’taqsam ma’ x’hemm bżonn. 1C! Huwa ċar li l-pajjiżi jridu jirduppjaw l-ambizzjoni tagħhom. Il-gvern Awstraljan għaraf li hemm bżonn kbir ta’ għajnuna, u Fil-fatt, l-Awstralja x’qed tagħmel? daħħal idejħ fil-but sew u wiegħed l-ammont konsiderevoli ta’ $2 Infakkar li sa nofs Diċembru tas-sena l-oħra, xahrejn biss ilu, l-Aw - biljun fuq medda ta’ sentejn biex titwaqqaf aġenzija li xogħlha jkun stralja kienet qiegħda f’konferenza dwar dan is-suġġet f’Madrid, u li terġa tibni mill-ġdid wara l-ħruq. 3 Hemm wiegħda oħra ta’ iktar targumenta li minflok tnaqqas it-tniġġiż tagħha daqskemm fondi jekk dan ma jkunx biżżejjed. Ipprovda wkoll riżervisti tal- imwiegħed fil-Ftehim ta’ Pariġi (tnaqqis ta’ 26-28% mis-sena 2020 armata biex jassistu, u fondi oħra ta’ assistenza diretta. sa 2030), għandha titħalla tapplika kreditu kbir mill-ftehim ta’ qabel, Dan kollu huwa tajjeb, u hemm ukoll diversi appelli nazzjonali u dak ta’ Kyoto, ħaġa li hi biss qed tipproponi li tapplika. internazzjonali biex jinġabru fondi ħalli l-bini mill-ġdid jerġa’ jsir. Jekk dan isir, ifisser li jkollha bżonn tagħmel 10% biss tax- Il-problema li nara jien hu li dan ix-xogħol, li huwa neċessarju, xogħol li hemm bżonn ta’ tnaqqis fit-tniġġiż, pożizzjoni li kienet huwa biss il-kura. Jiġifieri, azzjoni li tittieħed wara l-marda. Fejn ikkritikata bl-aħrax mill-pajjiżi parteċipanti l-oħra. 6 hi l-prevenzjoni, jiġifieri li nippruvaw inżommu lil diżastru bħal Jekk lanqas aħna li qiegħdin inbatu u għandna x’nitilfu ma nuru dan milli jseħħ? ħeġġa, kif se nikkonvinċu ‘l pajjiżi oħra biex jistinkaw għalina? In-nirien jistgħu jinxtiegħlu minn sajjetti, ħsarat ta’ linji jew Fejn hi l-prevenzjoni? makkinarju tal-elettriku, jew minn vandali. Kien hemm diversi rapporti u stqarrijiet inklużi tal-kapijiet tal-gvern Awstraljan, li Referenzi waħħlu f’vandali għal dan id-diżastru, imma fil-fatt mhux iktar 1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/australian-bushfires-pho - minn 1% tal-art maħkuma min-nirien ta’ dan l-istaġjun huma at - tos-before-and-after/11854888, retrieved 4/2/2020 tribwiti għal din il-kawża. 2 https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday, retrieved 4/2/2020 Huwa maħsub li din id-darba l-maġġoranza tal-fjammi ġew 3 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-06/scott-morrison-bushfire- 4 recovery-bill/11844096, retrieved 4/2/2020 mixgħula minn sajjetti mingħajr xita. 4 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/australias-fires-reveal- Problema oħra hi li hemm ħafna materjal kombustibbli li mhux arson-not-a-major-cause/11855022, retrieved 4/2/2020 qed jiġi mneħħi fil-ħin, bħal ma kien ikun mill-aboriġeni fiż- 5 https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/warming-projections- żmien ta’ qabel il-kolonizzazzjoni Brittannika tal-kontinent. Dan global-update-dec-2018/, retrieved 4/2/2020 għax il-kolonizzaturi bidlu l-użu tal-art għal waħda agrikola u 6 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-16/australia-climate-carry- warrbu t-tagħrif tradizzjonali ta’ ħruq ta’ spiss fi staġunijiet over-credits-slammed-cop25/11793818, retrieved 4/2/2020 A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese

website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au Tel (02) 9622 7799 Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell blacktown@breakaway- Streets, Blacktown NSW travel.com.au ..... for all your travel needs. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 11 Il-festi tradizzjonali Maltin – fl-antik kienu tlieta ewlenin a nafx jekk minn fost il-qarrejja għad hawn min jif - takar b’xi wegħda li kien għamel lil martu li jekk jiżżewwiġha jeħodha fil-festi ewlenin fil-gżira Maltija u jixtrilha xriek qubbajt li jkun tal-qannebusa ‘għax Mminnu tiggosta s-sinjura għarusa’. Imma naħseb li ħadd ma jiftakar dan, għax din id-drawwa hi waħda antika mhux ħażin. Illum għad hawn min tiġih il-kurżitá li jkun jaf liema huma dawk it-tliet festi ewlenin (tal-wegħda!) li l-antiki tagħna kienu jagħmlu għalihom bil-gzuz. Hu għalhekk li llum se nikteb dwar dawn u l-użanza l-antika. Il-festi ewlenin ta’ dari kienu San Girgor, li dejjem jaħbat l- PeterPaul Erbgħa fuq l-Għid il-Kbir, u allura d-data dejjem tinbidel; Ciantar San Ġwann (l-24 ta’ Ġunju); u l-Imnarja (d-29 ta’ Ġunju). tax-xalata kienet iġġib kuntentizza u anke allegrija. Minn Dawn it-tliet festi kienu jlaqqgħu ħdejn il-baħar folol ta’ nies hawn kien jibda l-għana u sax-xalata jkunu diġà nħanqu jekk mill-ibliet u l-irħula kollha ta’ Malta. ma jkunux ukoll sikru bl-inbid. L-għanja sabiħa ta’ Manuel Illum dawn it-tliet festi għadhom ħajjin u anke għadhom Cilia, ‘Xalata għal San Pawl il-Baħar’, tfakkarna f’dan. jiġbdu l-folol lejhom, għalkemm forsi llum mhux daqs dari. Bħala xalata niftakar dik li aħna ż-żgħażagħ konna norga - Naturalment, mhux dawn biss kienu l-festi tradizzjonali nizzaw l-għada tal-festa tar-raħal tagħna. Konna nisten - Maltin li fihom il-poplu kien jiffesteġġja bil-kbir. Kien hemm newha minn sena għall-oħra. Xi ħbieb tiegħi kienu jgħiduli ukoll festi oħrajn meqjusa importanti fil-kalendarju Malti, li l-aktar parti tal-festa li jkunu qed jistennew kienet tkun bħal Lapsi, il-Vitorja, il-Milied u oħrajn, li llum għadhom ħa - dik tax-xalata tal-għada tal-festa; jien qatt ma qbilt jjin, tneħħi forsi dik ta’ Lapsi. magħhom. Meta wieħed isemmi Lapsi jiftakar f’Għar Lapsi li jiġbed l- Niftakar li l-għada tal-Festa ta’ San Filep f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ, aktar nies mis-Siġġiewi minħabba li Għar Lapsi huwa tefgħa wieħed minn fostna kien jikri karozza għal ġurnata ta’ ġebla biss bogħod minn dan ir-raħal sabiħ u antik. mingħand id-De Lux tar-Rabat u erħilna nagħmlu jum sħiħ F’dawn il-festi tradizzjonali l-Maltin kienu jħejju u jiddandnu niġru madwar Malta. Konna nieqfu biss għal xi ikla pastizzi kemm jistgħu għax għalihom okkażjoni bħal din kienet tiġi u l-ikla ta’ nofsinhar li dejjem kienet tkun waħda kbira, jew darba f’sena. Illum differenti u anke l-mod kif fl-antik kienu aħjar esaġerata. jiċċelebraw dawn il-festi kien differenti ħafna. It-tiżjin mal-karozza mikrija, b’xi nkwadru tal-qaddis mal- Żgur li l-għana kien l-akbar attrazzjoni għalihom. body tal-karozzza fuq quddiem, ma kienx jonqos. L-akbar Magħhom kien ikun hemm it-tombla għall-kbar, filwaqt li burdell kien fi nżul ix-xemx aħna u deħlin fir-raħal tagħna. t-tfal kienu jiddevertu b’xi ħabel, bandla, żibeġ u xi logħob Kien ikun hemm serbut sħiħ ta’ karozzi tax-xalata barra r- ieħor. Dawn il-festi tradizzjonali (barra l-Milied) l-antiki raħal biex ilkoll flimkien nidħlu wara xulxin għall-pjazza tagħna kienu jiċċelebrawhom dejjem għall-beraħ. fejn ikun hemm il-banda ċkejkna tistenniena għall-marċ tax- Ix-xalati ma kinux jonqsu. Anzi dari kienu mfittxija ħafna. xalata. Kienu jiġu organizzati fl-irħula tista’ tgħid fil-Ħdud kollha Bħalna kienu jagħmlu rħula oħra. Fil-fehma tiegħi l-akbar matul is-sajf meta l-Maltin kienu jinġabru għad-dell taħt is- waħda kienet tkun dik tal-Ħamrun, l-għada tal-Festa ta’ San siġar jew f’xatt il-baħar, wara l-ikel ta’ nofsinhar. Flimkien Gejtanu. L-għors tiegħi kien meta mill-gallerija tad-dar tan- ma’ xi serduq bil-patata l-forn u xi timpana Maltija kien nanna tal-Ħamrun (fi Triq Barbara) kont nittawwal lil dawk imiss ix-xorb ta’ nbid magħmul minnhom stess. il-mijiet ta’ żgħażagħ għaddejjin b’allegrija kbira tul Triq il- In-nisa kienu jiddandnu bl-ikel tajjeb tagħhom u joffru lil ta’ Kbira tal-Ħamrun. ħdejhom xi patata sħuna jew xi biċċa timpana, filwaqt li l-irġiel Ma kienu jaqtgħu xejn, serbut twil ta’ karozzi tal-kiri mim - bit-tazza nbid (kultant anke bil-flixkun) f’idejhom iħarsu lijin żgħażagħ b’ enerġija u allegrija jkantaw l-innijiet ta’ San laġenba lejn il-kulur u jduqu t-togħma bnina tiegħu u jiftakru Gejtanu. Il-ħornijiet tal-karozzi kienu jinstemgħu sa minn f’dik id-dielja jew l-għenba li minnha jkunu sawru l-għasra. mili ’l bogħod. Kulħadd ixejjer il-bnadar tal-każin, nofsu Dari ma kienx hawn trasport ta’ karozzi u għaldaqstant il- barra mit-twieqi tal-karozzi. Maltin kienu jmorru għal dawn il-festi rikbin fuq il- Din ix-xalata tal-għada tal-festi għadha ftit ħajja imma żgur karozzini armati u mżejnin bil-palm u l-liedna, jew fuq mhux daqs ta’ dari. Jgħiduli li l-aktar li għadha ħajja fl-irħula il-karettun, marsusa kemm jistgħu bit-tfal ċkejknin fil-ben - tan-naħa t’isfel ta’ Malta meta jitilgħu għax-xalata tal-għada niena ta’ taħt il-karettun. Povra u miskina bhima li trid tal-festa lejn l-Għadira jew l-Armier. Jgħidu wkoll li fil-festa tiġbed ġibda sewwa! tagħhom li tiġi fix-xitwa, ta’ San Pawl tal-Belt jitilgħu bil- Din ix-xalata kienet tnissel lill-familji bil-ferħ, għax il-ħsieb brjju lejn il-Buskett.

Fl-antik il-festa tal-Imnarja kienet waħda Ix-xalati ta’ wara l- mit-tliet festi ewlenin tas-sena f’Malta festa tar-raħal, kienu u għadhom popolari 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 Roundup of News About Malta PM advocates for equal pay for equal work t a meeting with the administration of Malta’s largest trade union, the General Workers’ Union, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the law needs to be amended so that employers would be obliged to give Aequal pay for equal work. He also agreed with the GWU’s proposal for trade union membership to be mandatory on workplaces. GWU secretary Mr Josef Bugeja stated, that according to a study carried out at workplaces where employees are not affiliated to a union, the issue of equal pay for equal work stands at 19% €50 million Grand Harbour Clean Air Project in favour of better air quality launched alta is embarking on a €50 million investment project aimed at improving air qual - ity in the Grand Harbour area. The Grand Harbour Clean Air Project that was an - nMounced by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital projects Ian Borg, is set to reduce air pollution from cruise liners visiting the Malta by more than 90%. The Grand Harbour Clean Air Project that is to be implemented by Infrastructure Malta, includes the development of the electricity infrastructure required for cruise liners to switch off their gas or heavy-fuel-oil-fired engines and plug in instead to shore side electricity points to power their services whilst they are berthed at port. This service will eventually be extended also for Ro-Ro vessels. With the help of this new project, by switch - ing off their auxiliary engines cruise liners PN in turmoil: three resign, but not Delia visiting Valletta will emit 93% less nitrogen he Opposition Nationalist Party in Robert Abela. dioxide, 92.6% less particulate matter and Malta is in turmoil and a number In spite of a troubled last two months of 99.6% less sulphur dioxide. of MPs are in rebellion with a ma - 2019 and the election of a new leader, Launching the project, Minister Ian Borg jority them forming part of the PN par - Robert Abela and the Labour party not (pictured below) said that the maritime indus - T try, which includes the cruise liner sector, liamentary group requesting party leader only did not lose ground, but Abela is Adrian Delia (pictured above) to step proving to be a model new leader and was an essential contributor to Malta’s econ - down, something that he publicly de - Prime Minister. He enjoys a lot wider omy. Between 2014 and 2018 the industry clared on the party TV station, that he is trust rating than the Opposition Chief, had seen an increase of 30% in sea passen - not prepared to do. He said “that would who not only has failed to make any gers, and an increase of 13% in cruise liners be betraying those who wanted the party headway, but worse, fallen even extra be - in ports between 2014 and 2017. to return to the people”. hind. Last year Malta welcomed 372 cruise liners This all follows a meeting of the PN Meanwhile, while this has been going on, carrying more than 900,000 passengers. Parliamentary group that discussed the PN deputy leader for party affairs Robert These numbers previous Sunday’s MaltaToday survey Arrigo announced he was resigning from mean more eco - that showed the PN Leader’s trust rating his post, and in a parting message to fellow nomic growth and hitting its lowest ever level since getting MPs, warned that the “aim to oust has now more employment the leadership over two years ago. turned to destruction of the party”. in an important sec - The survey indicated that the after three Two more resignations followed, by Gen - tor for an island weeks as Prime Minister and Labour eral Secretary Clyde Puli and MP, Kristy state like Malta. Party Leader Robert Abela scored a trust Debono from PN general council presi - By reducing air rating of over 62.5%, the highest ever dent. pollution in the re - achieved by any party leader, while the In another twist, former PN Minister gion, the Grand Opposition leader registered a dismal Louis Galea who had been called in and Harbour Clean Air 13.5%. entrusted by Delia with drafting a reform Project will con - At the parliamentary group’s meeting of the party, has asked the party execu - tribute towards EU 17 MPs had urged Delia to consider tive to take all necessary steps to choose and national climate whether he should stay on as leader and a new leadership team. He also accused change objectives that he had to reckon with the disastrous Adrian Delia and PN Secretary Clyde in line with the polling against the new Labour leader Puli that they had ignored all warnings. Paris Agreement. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 13 Roundup of News About Malta MIA kicks off ambitious €100m Terminal Expansion Project alta International Airport (MIA) has revealed details of an invest - ment of about €100 million in a TMerminal Expansion Project that will see its terminal double in size and islands through several improvements deliver a 5- star airport that the Maltese islands can be proud of. The company’s CEO, Alan Borg said he wanted the Malta International Airport to re - flect Malta not look just like any other air - port. The Terminal Expansion Project would double the building’s current footprint from18, 000sq.m. to 31,200sq.m. and in - clude an increase of 25 check-in desks, four additional security lanes and 15 more gates. Mr Borg also announced that the com - pany’s traffic forecast for 2020, indicates that through a combination of increased oper - check-in hall, the security screening Area, passenger numbers would rise by another 2- ational space, a superior F&B and retail and at the departure gates. 3% to reach 7.5 million movements. offering, a stronger sense of place, and the Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Julia Far - “The Terminal Expansion Project will use of cutting-edge technologies.” rugia Portelli who was present at the news equip us with the capacity to handle fur - This project will mainly focus on improv - conference explained the Terminal Expan - ther traffic growth and enable us to offer a ing the experience and airport processes at sion Project as another great investment 5-star airport experience,” he said. key points of the passenger journey that would certainly leave a positive im - He explained that this would be achieved through MIA, most notably within the pact on Malta’s tourism industry. January was Malta’s Biggest increase in Tourist arrivals in 2 019: 2.8m. ourist arrivals to Malta in 2019 amounted to over third driest ever energy consumption 2.8 million people, an increase of 6% over 2018. n 2018, Malta registered the TDecember arrivals amounted to144, 706 tourists, an ince records started being kept in biggest increase in energy Malta 97 years ago, January this increase of 18% on the same month the previous year. cIonsumption among European Total expenditure by tourists in 2019 reached €2.8 Syear was one of the driest months Union countries. Eurostat figures with only 15 mm of rain and lots of billion, an increase of almost 6% over the previous show that the increase was 6%. year. strong winds that continued to make Malta was among fifteen coun - things worse. In her reaction, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia tries that registered an increase Portelli said the figures reflect the effects of planning Met Office statistic indicates that in energy consumption. Con - last month was the third driest Janu - by the authorities. She noted that over the last four sumption remained static in six years tourist arrivals have increased by one million. ary in the last 20 years. The driest other countries, while six others was in 2006 with only 8.6 mm of registered a decrease in con - rain. The second driest was in in sumption of energy. Unemployment now 1,642 2018, with only 12.8 mm of rainfall. The greatest increase in con - nemployment in Malta up to the end of last year In January 2009 there was a record sumption was registered by stood at 1,642, a drop of 7% in the 12 months of rainfall, The Met Office measured Malta, Ireland, Latvia and Lux- 2U019, NSO has indicated. The number is 34 less than 248 mm of rain. embourg. it was in the previous month, November.

DBRS confirms Malta’s A (High) rating with stable prospects redit rating agency DBRS has confirmed Malta’s credit rating support the economy in the event of a negative shock. at A (High) level with stable prospects. It assigned the level as The report is the second positive credit rating report at the begin - aC result of improvement in the island’s economic performance and ning of this year, following that of Fitch. the prudent fiscal policy, after the Government improved its financial Key rating drivers were Malta’s extremely strong economic per - situation with a surplus in government finances and a reduction of formance and its increasingly diversified economy coupled with debts that went down to almost 43% of the gross domestic product. the improvement in public finances. DBRS acknowledges Maltese In its report, DBRS observed that since Malta joined the European financial system remains sound and notes the general budget bal - Union, on average, the GNP increased by 30% and during the past ance as a percentage of GDP switched to an average surplus of seven years its economic growth has grown on average by 7.0% ris - 2.1% for 2016 to 2018 from an average deficit of 2.7% from 2004 ing by more than three times the average of the EU states. to 2015. Finance Minister Edward Scicluna welcomed the rating. He said Since 2016, Malta’s budgetary surpluses have been both in nom - DBRS has acknowledged that Malta’s current public finance posi - inal and structural terms. The report notes that the debt-to-GDP tion and debt dynamics provide the government valuable room to ratio in 2019 is expected to be one of the lowest in the EU. 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday Febraury 11, 2020

idher li minkejja li xi xhur ilu, wara għadda minn l-istess tiġrija, kien hemm li kien ittieħed vot ta’ fiduċja mir - min ħaseb li se jiġri l-istess lill-Partit buħ faċilment mill-mexxej tal-Partit Reġa’beda Laburista u seta’ jagħti tama ġdida lill- JNazzjonalista li wassal biex l-istess PN u lill-mexxej tiegħu Adrian Delia. Adrian Delia jiddikjara li l-kwestjoni Attwalment xi ftit tal-biża’ li jiġri l-ist - dwar it-tmexxija tal-partit kienet għad - jberraq fil-PN ess ħakem ukoll lil dawk li jappoġġjaw diet u li allura kien issa qed iħares biex lill-Partit Laburista, l-aktar wara li meta jissaħħaħ, reġa’ beda jberraq Gvern”. Il-Partit Nazzjonalista ma ggwa - tħabbar ir-riżultat tal-elezzjoni għall- L-aħħar għawdx feġġ wara li l-Partit danja xejn wara li politikament il-Gvern mexxej Laburista, Chris Fearne, li kellu Nazzjonalista lanqas biss ipprova jsemmi kien ħa l-ikbar daqqa. “...l-aħħar mewġa tama qawwija li jinħatar hu, ma attendiex li wara l-kriżi li nqalgħet matul l-aħħar issa għaddiet” u l-Partit Nazzjonalista ma għal xi attivitajiet organizzati f’dik l- xhur tas-sena, il-Gvern kellu jirriżenja u apprfittax ruhu mill-okkażjoni. okkażjoni mill-PL. ssir elezzjoni ġdida. Biss kien hemm min ittama li attwalment Iżda jidher biċ-ċar li l-Partit Laburista Kif ikkummenta l-eks-deputat Nazzjon - xorta kien għad baqa’ ċ-ċans li l-affarijiet rnexxielu jegħleb l-isfida u ħareġ aktar alista, Franco Debono il-PN “tilef oppor - jinbidlu. Dan billi kien għad baqa’ t-tiġrija b’saħħtu. tunità tad-deheb biex jikkapitalizza għall-ħatra tal-mexxej tal-Partit Laburista, Dan ġie ippruvat minn: mit-terremot politiku li għadda minnu l- u wara dak li seħħ fi ħdan il-PN meta kien

Stħttwalmrent rdaki lġi ħa retġ mainln -daMn l- maexlxetj aġdi d Tse ojegħdleba sewy lill- istħarriġ ħasad mhux biss lil dawk mexxej Nazzjonalista Adrian li jappoġġjaw lill-Partit Nazzjonal - Delia, iżda saħansitra jkollu riżul - iAsta, iżda saħansitra lill-partitarji Laburista. tat aqwa minn dak li qatt kellu Żgur li ħadd ma basar li wara dak kollu Joseph Muscat. li għaddew minnu, b’xi ħadd ġdid fit- Skont l-istħarriġ Abela huwa fdat minn 62.5% tal-Maltin fil - waqt li l-Kap tal-Oppożiz - zjoni Adrian Delia jgawdi biss l-fiduċja ta’ 13.5% tal- elettorat. Dan huwa l-inqas li Delia qatt kiseb fl-aħħar sentejn, u d-differenza hija l-ikbar waħda li kellna bejn mexxejja politiċi billi. Id- differenza bejn Abela u Delia hija ta’ 49%. Forsi agħar minn hekk għal Delia hu l-fatt li fost dawk li vvutaw għall-Partit Naz - zjonalista fl-aħħar elezzjoni 22.5% Gvern Laburista għadda minn jiem tassew urew fiduċja f’Abela, filwaqt li diffiċli, fejn kien attakkat u kkritikat Delia kiseb biss 10% aktar minnu. mhux biss f’Malta, fejn saħansitra saru di - Abela kiseb ukoll riżultati tajba mostrazzjonijiet kontrih, imma wkoll fost dik is-sezzjoni meqjusa l-futur minn barra, minflok mar lura żamm il- ta’ Malta għax fost iż-żgħażagħ, l- vantaġġ fuq l-Oppożizzjoni Nazzjonalista, Prim Ministru wkoll kiseb aktar u fil-fatt anke kabbar il-vantaġġ li kellu. fiduċja minn Adrian Delia. Filwaqt Skont l-istħarriġ, li kellha ssir elezzjoni li Delia jgawdi 9.4% taż-żgħażagħ bħalissa, il-Partit Laburista jikseb 49.2% tmexxija tal-PL, u wara r-riżultati li kien f’dik li hi fiduċja ta’ bejn 18 u 35 sena, u l-Partit Nazzjonalista 23.8%. Li jfisser iġib fl-istħarriġ il-mexxej ta’ qabel, Joseph Abela kiseb 64.6%, differenza ta’ 55.2%. distakk ta’ 25.4%. L-istħarriġ innota wkoll Muscat, ftit bassru li fl-ewwel stħarriġ, il- Impressjonanti l-fatt li minkejja li l- li minn Diċembru ‘l hawn il-PN naqqas 6% ta’ dawn li kienu lesti jafdawh bil-vot. Għalkemm għall-ewwel kien hemm kummentaturi Nazzjonalisti li ppruvaw While visiting Malta Stay at: ma jagħtux daqshekk importanza għall- istħarriġ bil-mexxej Nazzjonalist innifsu The Diplomat Hotel, jgħid li filwaqt li kien jagħti kas tal-istħar - riġ, ma kienx se jwasslu jirriżenja għax 173 Tower Road Sliema “Inħares lejn is-surveys u l-eħfef ħaġa hija li taqbad u titlaq … meta kollox ikun kon - Email: [email protected] tra trid tiġġieled aktar”. Email: sales@ Bil-mod il-mod bdew jidhru aktar talbiet Tell: ((00356)) 23497000 biex il-PN jifli sew l-istħarriġ, u saħansitra bdew jaslu l-ewwel kummenti dwar kemm hi tenibbli l-pożizzjoni ta’ Delia wara dan ir-riżultat. *għal paġna 15 Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 15

Ribelljoni il-kritika tkompli żżid, dik li Riżenji ta’ tliet f’nofs il-ġimgħa li għaddiet kellha tkun laqgħa tal- uffiċjali tal-PN BGrupp Parlamentari Nazzjonalista aqt dan it-taqlib kollu li għaddej biex jiddiskuti r-rapport tal-Avukat minnu bħalissa l-Partit Nazzjonalista, Louis Galea li kien mqabbad minn f’temp ta’ 24 siegħa tħabbru r-riżenji l-istess Delia ħalli jirrikmanda r-ri - tWa’ tliet uffiċjali importanti. formi meħtieġa biex il-partit ‘l Beda l-Viċi Kap Robert Arrigo, Kirsty Debono quddiem, spiċċat f’maratona ta’ irriżenjat minn President tal-Kunsill Ġenerali, ħames siegħat diskussjoni dwar t- filwaqt li, l-Ġimgħa rriżenja wkoll is- Segre - tmexxija tal-PN. tarju Ġenerali tal-partit, Clyde Puli. Ingħad li fi tmiem il-laqgħa, Delia, It-tlieta li huma ħadmu mill-qrib ma’ Adrian li jidher li kien mitlub iwarrab mit- Delia minn mindu b’vot tat-tesserati ftit aktar tmexxija ħa nota ta’ dak li ntqal u as - minn sentejn ilu, għażluh bħala l-l-Kap tal-partit sigura lill-grupp li se jmur lura u awtomatikament il-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni. fil-Grupp biex jinfurmah bid- It-tlieta wrew li kienu mweġġa’ b’dak li kien qed deċiżjoni tiegħu dwar dak li ntqal. iseħħ minn xi membri tal-grupp Parlamentari. Skont min attenda, Delia wiegħed li kien se jikkonsidra l-pożizzjoni tiegħu, adanitant jidher li iżda lanqas għaddew ftit minuti, li kif if - minkejja l-pressjoni faċċja lill-istampa Delia stqarr ċar u tond li kollha Delia, mhux Delia mhux se jċedi ma kienx se jirriżenja u se jmexxi l-partit bSeħsiebu jċedi, għax fuq Net TV, waqt dawk li ma ridux jaċċettaw din ir-realtà. tiegħu fl-elezzjoni li jmiss. Kienet stqarrija maratona ta’ ġbir ta’ fond f’għeluq snin l- Ippruvajt, insejħulu bridge building, li li wasslet biex dak li ma kienx tant moħbi eks mexxej Eddie Fenech Adami qal: nasal, iżda int tista’ tibni, tasal u tibni l- ħareġ fil-beraħ... “Għalfejn qiegħed hemm il-PN? X’irridu? pont kollu, madankollu n-naħa l-oħra jrid L-ewwel li saffar is-suffara kien il-MP Jien għalfejn qiegħed hawn? Min qalli niġi ikun hemm rieda ta’ xi ħadd li jrid jasal Jason Azzopardi li fuq il-Facebook li Delia fil-PN? Ta’ ftit nies? Tad-deputati? Tal- ukoll, li jekk jien wettaqt mitt pass, hu kien wiegħedhom li se jirrifletti fuq dak li membri Parlamentari? Tiegħi? jwettaq pass wieħed”. nqtal u jerġa’ jkellimhom. Indirettament sostna li li PN mhux tad- Indirettament ikkonferma li ma kienx se “Inħossni wżat u l-fiduċja tiegħi abbużata. Deputati Nazzjonalisti u li l-partit hu ta’ jċedi għall-pressjoni li qed issirlu biex Ħassejt li ħlejna l-ħin,” saħaq Azzopardi dawk, li fl-istruttura msejħin il-Kunsilliera iwarrab, u stqarr: wara l-kummenti ta’ Delia. “Dan mhux jew it-tesserati li jemmnu li l-PN huwa l- “Wasal iż-żmien li niddeċiedu jekk il-PN ġust. Dan mhux sew.” aqwa għodda li tista’ tgħin u tkun ta’ hux il-partit tal-ftit, jew il-partit tan-nies. Żied jisħaq li Delia kien messu kien aktar servizz għall-pajjiż. U jien se nibqa’ leali lejn in-nies, u mhux raġel u qalilhom minn qabel li kien iddeċieda Ħafna nterpretawh bħala li huma l-Kun - se nitradixxi lin-nies”. li mhux se jirriżenja u mhux "uża" l-laqgħa. silliera u t-tesserati li Insista li l-maġġoranza assoluta tad-deputati jistgħu jneħħuh minn qalulu biex jirriżenja, iżda minflok mexxej tal-Partit. Anke WELCOME ALL THE WAY semagħhom, Delia se jiġi jaqa’ u jqum mill- tefa’ wkoll it-tort ta’ dak FROM MALTA pożizzjonijiet tagħhom u minn kif tħossha li ġara u qed jiġri fil- dwaru l-maġġoranza assoluta tal-elettorat. Partit Nazzjonalista, Warajh ħarġu oħrajn fosthom Therese Co - mingħajr ma semma’ xi modini Cachia, li qed jingħad li għandha kategorija u ismijiet fuq interess fit-tmexxija tal-PN, sakemm final - l-fazzjoni li opponietu: ment l-istampa b’titli kbar bdiet tgħid: Jien urejt rispett kbir Updated: 17 PN MPs want Delia out, only lejn dawk li ma qablux, four support him (Malta Independent) ; Maġġoranza ta' 17-il SINGER: MIKE SPITERI Deputat Nazzjonalista jridu lil Delia jitlaq LINE DANCING BY KATE (illum) . Tal-aħħar ikkwotat ukoll lil deputati tal- PN jgħidu: 'Qed nis - tennew lill-President isejħilna' . Dan billi l- President jista’ jneħħi IN AID OF PUTTINU CARES lil Delia minn Kap tal- Oppożizzjoni (għal- Saturday: $65 kemm xorta jibqa’ kap p.p. tal-PN) jekk il-maġ- 15 Feb 2020 ġoranza tad-deputati AT LA VALETTE SOCIAL CENTRE BLACKTOWN SYDNEY Nazzjonalista juru li Doors open at 7.00 p.m. ma għandhomx fidu- COME AND JOIN ċja f’Delia. 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020

Black summer he Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison has written to state and territory leaders seek - Ting their approval of draft terms of ref - erence for a royal commission into the devastating bushfire season. “We owe it to those we have lost,” Mr Morrison told the first day of parlia - ment. He put forward former defence Biggest ever clean up force chief Mark Binskin to lead the proposed royal commission and wants the probe to look at when the federal – calls for a royal commission government is able to step in above ederal Parliament first sitting for year to date this bushfire season. state counterparts in natural disasters. 2020 (above) was entirely dedicated to Meanwhile, the European Union's climate The Prime Ministe also wants it to bush fire tributes as the nations' horrific monitoring system reported that last month look at how states were performing on fFire season continues. It has claimed 33 lives. was the warmest January on record globally, reducing fire risks in the face of hotter, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor while in Europe temperatures were a balmy longer and drier summers. As politi - leader Anthony Albanese began the day at a three degrees Celsius above the average Jan - cians reflected on the catastrophic traditional church service in Canberra. uary from 1981 to 2010. Across a band of summer, climate protesters rallied out - Bushfire-affected NSW communities are countries stretching from Norway to Russia, side Parliament House. facing one of the nation's biggest-ever temperatures were an unprecedented 6 de - Elsewhere in Parliament, Nationals clean-up in our nations' history. Federal grees above the same 30-year benchmark,. Party leader Michael McCormack Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the average The last five years have been the hottest on forced to fend off a challenge from for - cost to clean up a site was about $50,000 record, as was the ten-year period 2010- mer leader Barnaby Joyce. The Greens with the price rising if hazardous materials 2019. Temperatures were likewise higher also elected a new leader in Adam like asbestos were involved. than normal in New South Wales, Australia, Bandt following the sudden resigna - Some 300 homes, another 260 facilities where massive bushfires devastated large tion of Richard Di Natale. and 5200 outbuildings have been destroyed areas of the state. Climate change and the ccording to the Aus - tAralian Elec - fossil fuel industry toral Commission, the fossil fuel industry continues to bankroll the Federal election campaigns of Australian political parties, recent data has revealed. Clive Palmer's Mineralogy, which tipped $83.7 million into the United Australia Party, was the most significant fossil fuel donor during the election. The sector do - nated $1,894,024 to political campaigns before last year’s election - with Woodside, Adani and gas lobby group APPEA, among the biggest donors. The top three fossil fuel industry donors, excluding Clive Palmer-linked companies, donated $692,299 to various parties. The Coalition received the most from the fossil fuel industry, receiving $1,147,376, while Labor took in $725,448. Mr Palmer failed to win a seat in the upper or lower house at the May 2019 elec - tion, despite his company’s cash splash and tens of millions spent on advertising. Liberal donations in total reached $165m,. while Labor took in $126m,, The Greens re - ceived some $20m. and One Nation $3m, Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 17

Gn Noavemyber, Q uceenosland nversion Health Minister Steven Miles introduced legisla - tion that would ban the “Ihighly destructive” practice of ctonhversioen threraapy, dpefiney d as practices that attempt “to change or suppress a person's sexual ori - entation or gender identity”. The legislation would create penalties of up to 18 months jail time for health service providers performing services deemed to be conversion therapy, such as aversion therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy and counselling aimed at changing a person's gender identity or sexual orientation. LGBTIQ+ conversion therapy is opposed by the Australian Med - Fr Michael Kelly ical Association, the SJ (left) receiv - Australian Psycholog - ing the honours Coronavirus – impact ical Society, and the on the economy Royal Australian and ustralian treasurer, Josh Frydenberg New Zealand College Order of Malta honours has warned the economic impact of of Psychiatrists. Athe coronavirus will be “significant” as The Queensland Law Australian businesses brace for a hit to Society also expressed Australian Jesuit priest their bottom lines. concerns about the bill, he Sovereign Order of meritis” awards are specifi - The federal treasury is scrambling to suggesting that the Malta has recognised an cally for clergy. model a range of scenarios with some current definition of ATustralian Jesuit priest in “It is in recognition of Fr forecasts suggesting the local economy conversion therapy in Thailand for his efforts to get Kelly’s own physical as well could suffer a hit of up to $2.3 billion. the legislation is “ex - Pakistani Christian refugees in as moral support for displaced “We don’t know how severe and sus - tremely broad” and the kingdom resettled in third people, something which is at tained the spread of the coronavirus will may have unintended countries. the heart of the work of the be,” Mr Frydenberg said. consequences. The Order’s ambassador to Order. Fr Kelly has been The federal government has imposed a The organisation Thailand H.E.Michael Mann, working with the embassy of travel ban on non-citizens travelling from agreed that conversion presented Fr Michael Kelly SJ the Sovereign Order of Malta China blocking thousands of Chinese stu - therapy is a “reprehen - with the Grand Cross “pro for many years to help these dents and tourists heading to the country. sible practice", but piis meritis” pro Merito wonderful people meet their The SARS outbreak of 2003, which lasted wrote that the broad Melitensi . immediate health needs and, about six months, is estimated to have cost definition and the Established in 1920, the importantly, to find them $US40 billion to contain globally. prospect of criminal Knightly Order pro Merito safety and a future in third * For factual health information about prosecution "may fet - Melitensi is given in recogni - countries.” novel coronavirus, readers are encouraged ter otherwise legiti - tion of those activities that Fr Kelly is the English-lan - to follow advice from NSW Health that is mate aspects of have conferred honour and guage publisher of La Croix available online from NSW Health: psychological and psy - prestige on the Sovereign International and founder of health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases chiatric treatment.” Order of Malta. “Pro piis CathNews .

As p ub r- iangti-dihscrimtin attiono law fobr “merely eaxpre ssbing ..i. ggenuinoely theld lic sub - religious beliefs in good faith”. Attorney-General Christian Porter Amissions said the bill’s approach to statements of belief was a “common- close on the sense position”. Govern - “In essence, the bill simply takes the uncontroversial position ment’s draft that, on their own, mere written or spoken words are not discrim - religious ination – provided they express genuine religious beliefs and are discrimina - stated in a way that is not malicious and does not harass, vilify, tion bill, a threaten, intimidate or urge criminal offences.” professor But Monash University associate professor of constitutional law warned the Luke Beck said the practical effect of the right to make statements bill in - of belief was to establish “the right to be a bigot”, noting there cluded pro - was still room for statements that insulted, offended, ridiculed or Associate visions that humiliated others. He also noted the proposed bill ruled out only Professor may be “serious” intimidation. Luke Beck “motivated While many faith groups, including the Catholic and Anglican by a desire churches, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Na - to allow people to be nasty to others”. tional Imams Council, have been pushing for greater religious In explanatory information accompanying the bill, the Govern - freedoms in the bill, the Uniting Church has been among those ment said it would not be discrimination under any Australian saying there needs to be more protection for vulnerable groups. 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 14, 2020

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija u dawk li matul

Kiiesn k-ittisebe u kta ħlafina liħl-leatterdatumra Mualtij ag immħa aAlfolnsl M-airia żvistitiutil tual-kparitpá, l -atktar dlaw-k ili kliesnui meminrati leMjn iż-żagħalżatgħi . Galea kien ukoll benefattur kbir u għamel karitá ma’ għadd ta’ Hu magħruf li qassam ħafna minn ġidu lil dawn l-istituti. ALFONS MARIA GALEA - magħruf ħafna għall-kitba, u wkoll għall-karitá iffiċli tgħid għal xiex l- aktar tard, fl-1915 ġie mlaħħaq aktar li jibqa’ magħruf bħala t-Teżorier tal-Kurja tal- Alfons Maria Galea, hux Isqof. Dgħal kitbietu inkella l-karitá li Sadanittant kien diġá magħruf gġamel tul ħajtu, għalkemm għall-karitá li kien jagħmel, l- dawk midħla tal-letteratura aktar wara li kien ta l-art biex Maltija jsostnu li fost kollox seta’ jinbena l-Istitut tas-Sależ - tispikka kitbietu. jani ta’ Don Bosco f’Tas- Is-Sur Fons, kif kien magħruf, Sliema, li mbagħad infetaħ twieled fil-belt kapitali Maltija fl-1904. L-Istitut serva bħala Valletta fit-23 ta’ April 1861. ċentru ta’ rikreazzjoni u biex Kien jingwalá ħafna ma’ ħuh. jiġbor is-subien li kienu jgħixu Flimkien ħadu l-edukazzjoni hemmhekk. tagħhom minn taħt idejn il-kit - Erba’ snin wara fetaħ ukoll il- tieb Annibale Preca. It-tnejn li Juventutis Domus u l-Oratorju huma, wara marru wkoll jistud - tas-subien għat-tagħlim tad- jaw għal tmien snin sħaħ għand Duttrina, kif ukoll ċentru fejn il-Ġiżwiti f’Għawdex qabel int - jitgħallmu l-bniet, u fl-1939 bagħtu jissoktaw bl-istudji tagħ- waqqaf l-Istitut ta’ Santa Eliża - hom għand il-Freres, f’Marsilja, betta tas-Sorijiet Franġiskani fi Franza. f’Tas-Sliema. Filwaqt li ħuh spiċċa biex Is-Sur Fons kien ukoll donator issieħeb mal-Ġiżwiti, min-naħa tal-isptar tal-Blue Sisters u tiegħu, ta’ 19-il sena, wara li pprovda l-għajnuna finanzjarja rtira missieru fl-1881, Alfons li kie hemm bżonn lill-Kunvent Maria daħal fin-negozju tad- tal-Bon Pastur, f’Ħal Balzan. Ta drappijiet, u fl-1893, fl-etá ta’ wkoll is-sehem tiegħu u kien 32 sena iżżewweġ lil Elizabeth donator regolari fil-missjoni. Asphar, bint negozjant Indjan Fejn għandha x’taqsam il-kitba tad-drappijiet u l-ħaġar prezzjuż jibqa’ magħruf għall-kontribut li kienu jgħixu Malta. Wara ż-żwieġ il- Il-ħajra għall-kitba żdiedet fih u kien tiegħu lil-letteratura Maltija b’għadd ta’ koppja marru jgħixu Tas-Sliema. jgħid li l-akbar xewqa tiegħu kienet, li pubblikazzjonijiet li ħafna minnhom kienu Grazzi għall-interess li rawwam fih Anni - jħalli n-negozju għal kollox u jiddedika l- maħsuba biex jedukaw u jgħallmu lil bale Preca, Alfons beda jikteb bil-Malti. L- bqija ta’ ħajtu għall-kitba. dawk fost il-Maltin li kienu neqsin mill- ewwel xogħol b’ilsien art twelidu kien Fl-1899 beda joħroġ sensiela ta’ Kotba iskola, l-aktar dawk fqar. it-traduzzjoni ta’ stejjer qosra mit-Taljan. tal-Mogħdija taż-Żmien li kisbu popolaritá Alfons Maria Galea għamel ħdax-il sena kbira u sal-1915 kien diġá ippubb - jippubblika xogħlijiet letterari, l-aktar bi - lika 150 ktieb mis-sensiela. Fost il- jografiji ta’ nies li għexu ħajja qaddisa, u kotba f’din is-sensiela kien hemm wkoll ittraduċa mil-Latin għall-Malti Nirien kullimkien ir-rumanzett popolari ‘Ġenoveffa’ wħud mill-Kotba Mqaddsa. Fost dawn Dwar in-nar li qered nofs l-Awstralja, ta’ Dun Amabile Sisner, li għamel kien hemm, Ktieb il-Qwiel, Is-Salmi, L- fis-sajf twil tal- 2019-2020 27 sena kappillan fil-Parroċċa ta’ għanja tal-Għanjiet, Ġob, Iżaija, Il-Kotba Ħal Balzan. tas-Slaten u Il-Kotba tal-Makkabin. Nirien kullimkien. Sadanittant, fl-1896 Alfons Maria Flimkien mal-Professur, il-Mons. Pietru Inqerdu siġar għatxana ġie maħtur Teżorier fil-Kumitat tal- Pawl Saydon u Dun Pietru Pawl Magri be - u magħhom djar u bhejjem. Missjoni. Kien hemm li ntebaħ li jniethom, bejn l-1926 u l-1932, ittraduċew Ħitan ta' njar bi storbju infernali biex in-nies setgħu jikkontribwixxu il-kotba kollha tal-Bibbja għall-Malti. ġrew b'ħeffa li qatt ħadd ma ra qabel l-għajnuna finanzjarja kien jinħtieġ L-aħħar ktieb li ppubblika kien Il-Ktieb joħonqu l-krib ta' annimali nofs maħruqa. li jkunu konxji tal-faqar fid-dinja, ta’ Baruk. Dwaru b’sodisfazzjon kien għalhekk għaqqad il-ħsieb fi - kiteb hekk: “F’ħajjet Alla issa għandkom Ħafna jaħsbu li dan hu għelm tal-aħħar ħaqq. lantropiku tiegħu mal-ħila fil-kitba il-Kotba kollha tal-Bibbja bil-Malti… Politikanti jibżgħu biss jitħassbu fuq u kull xahar beda jippubblika l-An - minnkom jonqos jekk ma taqrawhomx; il- problemi mingħajr ħalla. nali tal-Propagazzjoni tal-Fidi. kelma tagħhom hi l-kelma ta’ Alla, u mhux Ta' min hi l-ħtija? Fl-1921 inħatar Senatur u baqa’ le tal-bnedmin li kitbuhom.” Tagħhom, tiegħek u tiegħi. fil-kariga għal sitt snin, sal-1927. Alfons Maria Galea miet fl-età ta’ tmenin Maurice Għal bosta snin kien ukoll il-Presi - sena fil-Kunvent tal-Bon Pastur f’Ħal Cauchi dent tal-Anglo-Maltese Bank u Balzan nhar it-30 ta’ Lulju 1941. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Recognised for excellent and loyal sports broadcasting ejtu Deguara, a stalwart of the Melbourne Maltese community, was awarded a special certificate bGy Radio Station 98.9NW FM and the Maltese programme for his excellent, loyal and continuing service to broad - casting mostly in the sports section. Now retired and living in Gowanbrae with his beautiful wife Mary, Gejtu was Vice President of the Maltese Commu - nity Council of Victoria for 16 years and for six years in the San Gejtanu Festa Committee. Emmanuel Brincat, the instigator of this certificate of recognition spent 16 years together with Gejtu on 3ZZZ and later on 98.9 North West FM. He praised Gejtu for his loyalty and deep commit - ment. “Gejtu deserves this recognition, he has feet on the ground and knows the com - munity in Victoria inside out” Em - manuel told The Voice . The Voice of the Maltese is always grateful to Gejtu for his continuing sup - port both to The Maltese Herald , and for the past six years The Voice of the Mal - tese. Gejtu (centre) wife Mary and Emmanuel Brin - cat, seen presenting him with the certificate.

tIlt -mKinna parġnnai 7 val ta’ Malta 2020 Minn xi snin ‘l hawn il-Gvern beda jagħti permess li tirritorna s-satirika, kemm fil-karrijiet, imma wkoll li biex idaħħku setgħu jerġgħu jibdew jużaw ukoll il- politiċi, u sakemm ma joffendux, anke l-knisja. Ir-re - goli ntlaqgħu ferm tajjeb. Fl-antik il-karrijiet satiriċi kienu jsiru u kien hemm anke nies li lesti jaqgħu għaċ-ċajt billi jitilgħu fuq il- karrijiet u joqogħdu għall-issuttar tal-pastizzi, tal-per - lini, il-kosbor u l-bajd. Il-Ġimgħa, is-Sibt u l-Ħadd, l-aktar fl-aħħar jumejn filgħaxija kienu, u fil-fatt għadhom, jiġbdu folol kbar lejn il-belt għall-isfilata tal-karrijiet. It-Tnejn mhux daqstant, minħabba li huwa jum tax-xogħol imma ris - ervat għall-kompetizzjonijiet taż-żfin. Tul il-jiem wieħed għadu jara nies li jilbsu l-kostumu, fosthom dawk biex idaħħku, l-aqwa li jieħdu gost huma. Forsi ħafna mill-qarrejja għadhom jiftakru lil dak il-persunaġġ, Ġorġ Farrugia, li kien jilbes u jimita perfettament lil Charles Chaplin, u l-mod kif kienu jit - tantaw lill-maskerati, fosthom billi jgħidulhom: “maskarat tini perlina għax warajh għandek xadina”. Intant, fl-aħħar jum, it-Tlieta jisplodi l-brijju. Qabel fl-aħħar jum il-kumpaniji kienu jieħdu l-karrijiet fil- Pjazza u wara li jagħmlu ż-żifna jibdew ifarrkuhom. Mhux hekk illum…. Tant jiswewhom flus! Minn xi snin lil hawn, dan l-aħħar jum bħal jgħaqqad kollox. Mhux biss issir l-isfilata fil-belt imma il-karri - jiet jibqgħu ħerġin bi brijju kbir mill-kapitali Maltija u jibqgħu sejrin fit-triq ewlenija u mdwwla tas-subborg tal-Floriana, Triq San’Anna. Ġeneralment hawn issir l-aħħar ċelebrazzjoni vera u proprja li ttemm il-jiem tal-bluha fost il-ferħ tal-folol kbar li ta’ min kmieni jinġabru biex iduqu l-aħħar togħma tal-Karnival Malti u jsellmulu għas-sen’oġra. Hemm ħafna aktar xi tgħid dwar il-Karnival Malti, imma l-ispazju ma jippermettix. 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020

alta and its means port and islands xlokk, which is the (Gozo and Maltese word for CMomino), an archi - Marsaxlokk: much more southeast. The pelago in the middle word is related to of the Mediter - the name for the ranean Sea (between than just a fishing village dry sirocco wind Sicily and the Northern African coast), are tered harbour, replete with traditional that blows from the Sahara, comparable to home to a most remarkable concentration luzzu’s and larger fishing vessels lining the the equivalent Catalan word, xaloc. The in - of intact built heritage, including the high - harbour in a colourful display that has been habitants of the village are called the est density of UNESCO World Heritage the subject of countless photo shoots, as Xlukkajri and are, traditionally, fishermen Sites in any nation-state anywhere. well as for its secluded and untainted by trade. The island is packed with interesting archi - swimming zones. It also has a number of In the 1930s, Marsaxlokk bay was used tecture, brillia military outposts built by the British to as a staging post by four-engined Short C- nt turquoise sea, charming cities and a laid- protect its harbour during World War Two. Class flying boats of Britain's Imperial Air - back vibe with a city, Valletta, one of the UN - Some of these still stand today. ways as they pioneered long-distance air ESCO sights, that was built by the proud Marsaxlokk village is only 6.5 kilometres travel to across the British Empire. During Knights of St. John. In 2018 it was that year’s away from Malta International Airport. There the Second World War, it was the base for European Capital of Culture. are no hotels in the village, but some guest the Fleet Air Arm with a base at Kalafrana. Malta's patrimony in stone ranges from houses have cropped up of late and a stay In 1989, the famous summit meeting be - the oldest free-standing stone architecture there is ideal for those seeking a relaxing time tween Soviet and US leaders Mikhail Gor - in the world, to one of the British Empire's away from it all. The village offers a limited bachev and George H.W. Bush was held most formidable defensive systems, and number of accommodation options, such as on-board a ship anchored in the bay. includes a rich mix of domestic, religious self-catering apart - and military architecture from the ancient, ments that get good medieval and early modern periods. reviews from cus - With superbly sunny weather, attractive tomers. beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 Inhabited and well- years of intriguing history, there is a great known since antiq - CatholicCare deal to see and do. uity, Marsaxlokk There are a number of things to do on this was used as a port European Island, but one of the first things by Phoenicians, Home Care Services that I would advice visitors to do is to visit Carthaginians and the small picturesque fishing village of also has the remains Marsaxlokk. It is a small village (with of a Roman-era har - close to 4,000 inhabitants), but by far the bour. Originally a largest fishing village on the island. part of the city of About 70% of the Maltese fishing fleet is Żejtun, the fishing based there; therefore it is no surprise that village became a fishermen coming from this port catch separate parish in most of Malta’s fish supplies. the late nineteenth The traditional fishing village where century. Due to the colourful boats clutter the bay and the association of Mar- shore is lined with fresh fish restaurants is saxlokk Bay with located in the South Eastern part of Malta, the Roman and Do you know any seniors in adjacent to Żejtun, Marsaskala and Birżeb - Punic remains at our community who could buġa. Tas-Silġ, it is some - One should particularly also visit the fish - times referred to as use a little help at home? ing village on a Sunday morning when the Portus Herculis. The open-air local fish market sells the morn - Tas-Silġ site in - CatholicCare home care services can help ing catch. If you happen to be living in a cludes megalithic self-catering accommodation, you can remains, scattered seniors to enjoy living independently in choose to make your own purchases to edifices belonging their own home with comfort and cook up at your leisure. Otherwise just pick to three distinct tem - confidence. one of the many roadside restaurants to in - ples. Call CCareline to find out more. dulge in a selection of fish offered by some The name of the finest fish restaurants on the island. Marsaxlokk comes CatholicCare CCareline 131819 This village is also well known for the from the Arabic CatholicCare.org peaceful walks around the coast and shel - word marsa, which Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 21

Gozo round and about by Charles Spiteri

Young writers applauded at Gozo Live presentation total of 345 writers from 15 different schools in Gozo sub - Amitted entries as Gozo Live , a non- governmental and voluntary educational organisation, run by Barbara Day, celebrated Gozo’s young writers. This is the sixth year running that Gozo Live , a non-governmental and voluntary educational organisation, The 37 entries have been include- run by Barbara Day, organised the d in Gozo Live’s annual. event. All the submissions at the Gozo Live Chairperson, Frank Gozo College Middle School were Abela presenting a student with a highly applauded. certificate and a copy of the book. Steven Muscat exhibit in Victoria Creativity in writing was cele - teven Muscat, a 40-year-old self-taught artist from Vic - brated as a student from each Bishop Grech celebrates toria (right), exhibited his works at the Banca Giuratale, school read its entries and shared Sin Independence Square, Victoria. Mythology and history their inspirations, hopes and ishop Mario Grech marked his were Muscat’s source of inspiration for the exhibition. dreams with the large and receptive 14th year of his episcopate Explaining his work, the artist said: “I always use recycled audience. Pamela Zerafa, Educa - Bwith a concelebrated Mass at the wood, it’s something alive. I feel more inspired when I have tion Officer for English, who Good Shepherd church, Taċ- to strip old paint from the wood to create something new”. hosted the event interviewed each Ċawla, Victoria. The occasion also Besides wood, Steven he also used leftover wall paints reader. marked the feast of Francis de lying around. “Put together these two recycled materials Sales, patron saint of journalists and my exhibition starts coming to life,” he added. Jobs Plus employers information session s part of the VASTE Programme currently under - taken under Operational Programme II – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014 – 2020 “In - vAesting in human capital to create more opportunities and promote the well-being of society”, project part-financed by the European Social Funds, Jobsplus held an employers In - formation Session at the ITS in Qala. The objective of the session held through the assistance of the Gozo Business Chamber, was to provide more informa - tions and questions were made from the floor. Joseph Borg, President tion on the services available to particular vulnerable of the Gozo Business Chamber, closed the session. groups. Daniel Borg, CEO of the Gozo Busi - ness Chamber intro - duced the session, while Olivia Farrugia, (right) Head of the Inclusive Employment Services Division from Jobsplus provided an overview of the objective of the ses - sion. Other presentations were delivered by a The audience at the number of personnel Jobs Plus informa - and various interven - tion session 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss

Maltese Community Council of Victoria Inc. L-MCCV qed jilqa’ applikazzjoni - jiet għall-pożizzjoni ta’ għalliem/a Learn the Maltese language; the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions, and part-time tal-ilsien Malti fil-binja about the amazing history of the magnificent islands of Malta and Gozo tagħhom f’14 Watt Street, Our trained and experienced teachers are qualified in language teaching Sunshine, Victoria. and have Maltese study credentials. L-applikanti għandu jkollhom Classes available for students from six years to adult at all levels of ability għarfien sew tal-Malti kemm in the Maltese language. miktub kif ukoll mitkellem. Classes are held at Horsley Park Public School Ibgħat applikazzjoni bid-dettalji 1759 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park NSW akkademiċi lill: (entry from Walworth Road) [email protected] On Saturday morning from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq: Classes for Term 1 commenced on Saturday February 8. 0412 115 919 . Ħalli n-numru tat- For more information email: [email protected] telefon u nċemplulek lura. Mobile: 0400-376-607 L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta) If interested in adver- Please Note tising on The Voice of Għall-attenzjoni tal-qarrejja Il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja the Maltese magazine in order to reach the Qarrejja li jixtiequ juru l-fehmiet bis-servizz tagħha, imma l-qarrejja xorta tagħhom dwar xi suġġett imħeġġa mħeġġa biex jidħlu fil- website tal-istazzjon widest audience possible, partcularly among www.tvm.com.mt . the Maltese diaspora is requested to write for jagħmu dan b’email li jindirizzaw lil Malti: għall-aħbarijiet details to: [email protected] [email protected]. kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż.

Community Wheels Inc.: Connecting you with La Val ett e Soci al Ce ntr e your community La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847 Community Wheels is your local community organisation that pro - Saturdays: Kitchen and Bar open from 5.00pm Traditional Mal - vides door-to-door transport tese Cuisine. 6.00p,: Boċċi. 8.00p.m.: Live DJ and Bingo. services to eligible people (+65 yrs old) to: Last Saturday of the Month: - Għana Night with * attend medical appointments Saver Bonanno and friends * go shopping (including assist - ing clients with shopping bags) Every Thursday: Maltese Respite Care Service: * meet a friend for a chat or Mass in Maltese in the Main Hall at 10.15am. coffee, and Tuesdays: From 9am: BOĊĊI for members and friends *go on bus tours etc. For more information contact the centre Available in the Parramatta ______City Council and parts of MASS TIME: Saturday : St Francis Chapel: 5.30 p.m. Cumberland Council areas. (when a priest is available) For information call: 88681400

FESTA TA’ GENEROŻITA` IN AID OF ID DAR-TAL-PROVIDENZA, MALTA organised by The Friends of Providence House NSW Sunday 23rd February 23 from 2.00 pm La Valette Social Centre,175 Walters Road, Blacktown Events for 2020 Featuring : Charlie Muscat & James Cassar Supported by : Martin Vella, Sunday March 8 Natasha Tatarinoff, Brittany & Katelyn Vella, and The MCA Choir Fete Enjoy An Afternoon of Great Entertainment, Prizes & Family Fun! Sunday July 5 Lucky Donor Envelope Prizes & Raffle Drawn onThe Day Lejla fil-Buskett Maltese food & drinks available from 12 Noon Sunday October 18 Donation: Adults $10 Children u/15yrs: free Fete Bookings from: Jim Borg: 9636 7767 or Miriam 0419 476 924 Saturday November 14 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Dinner Dance La Valette Social Centre Sunday December 6 Festa San Nikola Tel: 9622 7799 Tel: 9622 5847 Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 23 CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss

minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, TTuunnee iinn ttoo avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess. SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38 . Programmes can be accessed on - RRaaddiioo aanndd line (live or catch up) at: sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app. TTeelleevviissiioonn For television news from Malta - MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or SBS2 TV 32 ( (Viceland) on Thurs - on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 days and Sundays at 8am. pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 10-11am. VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 To tune into digital radio you need a Community Radio in Gosford Cen - MELBOURNE: on 98.9 North West receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. tral Coast NSW. Aired on Thursdays FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. Tuning in is by station name not fre- every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm. and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Pre - quency. Digital radio can also be Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. senter: Emmanuel Brincat. heard via digital TV. Web streaming: www.coastfm.org.au MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3. SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet Magazine) & Thursday (Merħba): Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti are now on SBSTV Viceland HD 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l- Channel 31 every Sunday at 8.00 Ray Anastasi istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. a.m. and on Thursday at 8.00 a.m. (Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn On SBS Radio fuq l-Internet: www.893fm.com.au ) BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Day Time Analogue and Digital Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays Tuesdays and Fridays: 12:00-13:00 On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am) 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 97.7fm SBS 2. Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet 5.15pm . Maltese Community Radio Adelaide: Maltese Programmes on 5EBI 103.1fm: Avviż lill-qarrejja Sunday : 7.30am; Monday : 8.00 am; Monday 6.00pm Contact: Bernadette Buhagiar: 0420 944 205. Email [email protected] Ron Borg: 0418 843 850. Email [email protected] Tiixtiieq llii jjkollllok kopjja f’’iidejjk ta’’ The Voiice? Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups nfakkru lill-qarrejja li T he Voice of the Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month. Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm. Maltese , mhux biss magazine online , Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella iIżda wkoll l-uniku tax-xorta tiegħu fl- Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at Maltese of Bankstown Awstralja li wkoll jiġi ippubblikat. 10 am. Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month in the Bankstown CBD area. Fil-fatt huma ħafna dawk li ilhom li Maltese Seniors Central Coast Every other 3rd Thursday an outing. bdew japprofittaw ruħhom minn dan u Have to contact our Welfare Officer for an Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357 abbonaw ħalli anke jibdew jirċevu kop- appointment. For all information and re - Greystanes Maltese Seniors ja pprintjata bil-posta d-dar bi ħlas. ferral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 439 Minħabba l-bogħod li hawn fil-konti - 000 12 or 0414 267 652 Meets on the second Monday of each month at the George Preca Centre of nent Awstraljan, il-ħlas tal-posta minn Daceyville Maltese Seniors OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, stat għall-ieħor tvarja, għalhekk dawk Meets the last Wednesday of the mon-th Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon kollha li jixtiequ li jibdew jirċevu kopja in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General pprintjata tal-magazine kull darba li Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. The Sutherland & St George joħroġ biex ikunu jistgħu jżommuha Note : The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Maltese Group Join us and make new friends. Meets every First Wednesday of the f’idejhom, huma mħeġġa biex jab - Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. bonaw għal sena sħiħa ħalli jagħmlu Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meetings/Get Togethers are interest - Meets every second Friday of the żgur li jkollhom kopja kull darba. ing, informative & entertaining, so come Biex dan isir wieħed għandu l-ewwel month: Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Join us and make new Friends Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am jikkomunika b’email ħalli jagħmel it- For more info contact our Coordinator: talba lil [email protected] fejn Llandilo Maltese Seniors Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 Meets on the first Wednesday of each 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298 . jitlob tagħrif dwar il-ħlas ta’ abbona - ment għal sena fl-istat fejn jgħix. Im - *(All Groups are co-ordinated by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a bagħad jekk ikun irid jissieħeb ma’ sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa dawk kollha li mhumiex kuntenti biss li Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner jaqraw il-magazine online, imma wkoll with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School). li jkollhom kopja tiegħu, jgħarrafna. 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 SSppoorrttss

The Parramatta Melita Eagles squad after their tournament victory. (Photo: Tadashi Miyashita) Melita Eagles’ triumph in New striker he Eagles' t the Parramatta Eagles club in NSW Cup that was played in Melbourne over the new signing, Mthey eare sltilbl basokingu in threirn triumeph tAoustrualia Drayn weaekenmd betweeenn six t teams fTormer Sliema at winning the first edition of the with roots in the Maltese community. Wanderers football tournament for the Maltese Cultural The tournament, organised by Caroline striker, Jean Borg, A with the Cup. Springs at City Vista, was such a huge success that it will to become an Jean, the first annual event over the Australia Day Malta-born sign - weekend. ing in 42 years since Ray 'Zazu' Victoria State clubs Caroline Farrugia in 1978, George Cross and Green Gully, both impressed at the considered as pertaining to the high - tournament and est grade among the participants, and finished as the better quoted for victory, in the end, Eagles’ leading had to make way for Parramatta goal scorer with Melita Eagles who rose to the chal - three goals, in - lenge and eventually won the title by cluding a double beating Altona City SC 5-3 in the in the final . final. (Photo: Anth.Theuma A young Tony Vella in a Floriana shirt (left) , and a recent photo of him Valletta become joint leaders with Floriana Vale legendary Tony Vella eigning champions Valletta won’t surrender their Premier League title that hile Australia was celebrating Australia Day easily. In fact, after halting Floriana’s unbeaten run the previous week by beat - on January 26, Maltese football enthusiasts iRng them 1-0, at he weekend even managed to become joint leaders with 35 points. wWere mourning the death of one of their own, leg- This results from Floriana’s failure to not go beyond a 2-2 draw against Gzira, endary footballer Tony Vella who died aged 88. and Valletta’s 3-1 defeat of nine-man Balzan. It all points out to the probability With his brother Lolly, Tony was a product of the that the Citizens’ hopes of a successful defence of the RESULTS - Day 17 famous Floriana Ajax team. He established himself Premier Championship keeps gaining ground. as a mainstay with the club and Maltese football. Floriana v Gzira U 2-2 Floriana’s failure to gain just one point from a possible Valletta v Balzan 3-1 A product of the Floriana Ajax team, between six in their last two outings completely erased their four- 1949 and 1955 Tony won five league titles and the Hibernians v Senglea 1-1 point lead at the top after 17 matches. Birkirkara v Mosta 2-1 triple crown in season 1949-50. He also repre- In Round 16, Gzira, lost their opening game under a sented the Malta FA XI 14 times before moving to Gudja v Sliema W 1-0 new manager, but managed to gain some hope of an im - Sta Lucia v Tarxien 3-1 Australia with his brother Lolly in 1955. provement by holding Floriana to a draw in Round 17. In Australia he first played for Footscray JUST Meanwhile, elsewhere, Tarxien finally broke the duck Sirens v Ħamrun (Mon) and in 1971 joined Green Gully Ajax as their sen- by winning their first match of the season by beating Day 16 ior coach and player. In his first year at the club Hamrun who keep sliding down the table after failing to Valletta v Floriana 1-0 the Green Gully won their first ever championship win a match from their last 10. This led to the Spartans Sirens v Hibernians 2-0 and put them on the football map in Victoria. sacking their Italian coach and getting contracting a new Sliema W v Gzira U 2-0 Tony helped the growth of football Australia. He one. Balzan v Birkirkara 0-0 also played for Footscray JUST, George Cross, Sliema did themselves a world of good by beating Mosta v Senglea 1-0 Lions, Polonia, Pasco Vale and St Albans, and Gzira the previous week, but then came a cropper on Tarxien v Ħamrun S 3-2 even represented Victoria State and Australia. Saturday by losing to Gudja. Sta Lucia v Gudja 2-1