No. 132 July-August 2015 Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc
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No. 132 July-August 2015 President’s Perspective 2 MHA Event August 2015 11 Sir Temi Zammit—Man Know the facts about pokies 3 Making History MANSI celebrates its 40th 4 Maltese community pays last 12 Anniversary respects to ‘Laurie’ Spiteri MCCV Inaugural Latrobe Valley 5 Isle Landers—Boat migration 13 Maltese Festival and Malta Nisġa Cook Off 2015— 6 Il-Festa ta’ Santa Liena 14 A degustation feast of ic c elebrata f’Mebourne exquisite Maltese food Newport Maltese Association 15 News Ħu Ħsieb Saħħtek: L-artrite u 7 Comedy Luncheon l-ug iegħ fl-għadam Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc. MCCV Survey on Third Gener- 16 477 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, AUSTRALIA Mediterranean Diet– Lifestyle 8 ation of Maltese in Australia & Well –Being Phone: (03) 9387 8922 | Fax: (03) 9387 8309 Anniversary Mass at St 16 Patrick’s Email: [email protected] | Website: www.mccv.org.au MHA Events May & June 2015 10 Community Calendar 16 Editor: Dr Edwin Borg-Manché | Sub-Editor: Andrew Gatt The Great Siege of Malta 1565 n 29 July SBS informed the discontinue funding of the two Maltese Community additional hours of Maltese programs Councils of Victoria and that SBS agreed to after considerable NSW that its decision to cut community protests two years ago. O When in 2013 SBS reviewed its radio the two hours of Maltese radio programs has been confirmed and the broadcasts schedule, savagely cutting outcome is final. SBS gave its funding Maltese programs from nine to two situation as the reason for the cuts. hours per week, the largest reduction for any community, SBS had similarly This follows the recent protests that failed to consult with the Maltese both Councils made to SBS, the community before announcing its petition they submitted to the SBS decision. Board supported by over 3,000 signatures and the meeting between At the meeting, the Maltese Maltese community leaders and SBS delegation emphasised the unfairness of funding effective 6 August for two of the criteria applied by SBS in management representatives held on 22 the current four hours of Maltese July. reviewing the radio broadcasts schedule language radio programs per week, at in 2013, particularly the very low SBS advised that the SBS Board was 12 noon on Tuesday and 2.00 pm on weighting (only 15%) given to the consulted about this difficult decision Thursday on SBS Radio 3. The only ageing criterion in the assessment of and was fully briefed about the two remaining Maltese programs are on community need. community’s response during the past the analogue SBS Radio 2 schedule few weeks. The SBS Board which are broadcast at 12 noon on As the 2011 Census clearly understands the impact of the changes Friday and 2.00 pm on Saturday. establishes, the Maltese community has a very high proportion of people over on the community, and has spent much A Joint Media release by the Maltese time deliberating these impacts 65 years of age, who rely heavily on Community Councils of Victoria and SBS Maltese radio broadcasts for before this decision was taken. SBS New South Wales stated that the explained that its funding no longer information relating to aged care Maltese delegation argued strongly and services and other entitlements permits the provision of these persuasively against the cuts, additional services. provided by the Commonwealth and reiterating the points that were made in State Governments. Information is also Following a Joint Submission sent to their Joint Submission. They relayed to them in these broadcasts in SBS on 7 July, Maltese community highlighted the outrage that the Maltese relation to specific services provided leaders from the Maltese Community community feels at the latest SBS and available to them through the Councils of Victoria and New South decision that will deprive the ageing Maltese community and religious Wales, representing the majority of Maltese community of any broadcasts organisations. Many of them rely on Maltese living in Australia, attended a in their language for five consecutive these broadcasts for their participation meeting with SBS management on 22 days each week from Sunday to in community activities. It provides July via video link between Melbourne Thursday. them with a sense of comfort and and Sydney to protest against the latest The Maltese community leaders security and a quality of life that they Maltese radio program cuts. criticised SBS for again failing to would not otherwise enjoy. On 1 July SBS had issued a media consult with the Maltese community release announcing its decision to cease before reviewing and deciding to Continued on page 5 Page 2 • MCCV News No. 132 July-August 2015 President’s Perspective ver the last few days on our TV screens we challenge government legislation and procedures in the have followed the sad plight of thousands of interest of the accused and disadvantaged refugees. refugees making their way to Europe from I believe that what is really needed in Australia is for the O Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. We have seen community to get the message across to our government them crossing in rubber dinghies to Greek islands from through a well-organised and effective civil rights Turkey and marching through Hungary in their desperate movement to constantly oversee government policies and, attempt at reaching Austria and Germany to make a future in appropriate cases, challenge them in the courts. for themselves and their families. One can't help but admire Establishing such a movement would not be difficult. their spirit to overcome all odds. It was pleasing to note the One just has to observe the multitudes who regularly show welcome extended to them by the German and Austrian up at public rallies organised by community groups to communities. This is in sharp contrast to the treatment protest against unfair government policies. The latest meted out by the Australian Government to refugees who example were the Light the Dark—Australia Says Welcome happen to venture close to our shores. rallies held on the last day of August in cities across the Australia has dehumanised refugees to the extent that a country to show solidarity with the asylum seekers from large section of the Australian community appears to war-torn countries who recently lost their life in their accept that the cruel and shameful conditions we impose desperate search for safety and peace in Europe. upon them is justified as a means of "stopping the boats". It is only through such movements that politicians can be One can recall the Government’s reaction to the release of held accountable. the report of Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, who detailed the Il-Bambina appalling conditions and suffering of refugee children held We are fast approaching Malta’s national feast day of Our in detention. Australia’s policies have been denounced by Lady of Victories on 8 September otherwise known as Il- the rest of the world, most notably in the New York Times Festa tal-Bambina. We celebrate this feast every year with in its editorial Australia’s Brutal Treatment of Migrants. a Mass on the day at St Paul’s Chapel in Parkville and a It is scandalous that the Australian Border Force Act, High Mass at St Mary Star of the Sea Church in West effective from July, imposes severe penalties including Melbourne on the following Sunday. imprisonment of professionals and other staff for publicly disclosing any information relating to the conditions Malta’s Independence Day imposed on those held in detention. This is further proof of On Monday 21 September the Maltese community will a government demanding secrecy to ensure that the also be celebrating Malta’s Independence Day. From 21 Australian population is kept in the dark. Sept 1964 Malta gained its independence from Great It seems that the community has been conditioned to Britain and ceased to be ruled or subject to direction of become complacent and disinterested to the extent that it another nation. It marked a clean and long overdue break fails to observe core values including a fair go for from a history of domination and rule by others. The everyone. MCCV will be hosting a function at the Maltese One recalls the public protests regarding the cruel Community Centre in Parkville to rejoice in, and recount treatment of livestock exported from Australia and a the great progress made as a sovereign state and member of government prohibition of live exports pending agreement the European Union with freedom to determine its own on slaughtering procedures. There have been little or no future. protests when it comes to the cruelty imposed on fellow Back on Deck human beings as a direct result of Australian government actions. I have recently returned to the Maltese Community Centre The establishment of a civil rights movement to after a long absence due to ill-health. I wish to take this challenge and to hold government to account for the opportunity to thank the many people who visited me in treatment of people who seek refuge in this country is long hospital and also those who sent get well cards. It was very overdue. It is not acceptable for a community to allow comforting to me and my family. human beings to be detained for long periods of time and, as a result, suffer from serious medical and psychological conditions. Victor Borg One can only admire the efforts of David Manne and MCCV President Julian Burnside QC who have displayed a willingness to No. 132 July-August 2015 MCCV News • SOME MYTHS ABOUT POKIES Here are some interesting myths about pokies and the facts about your actual chances of winning.