MCCV News Editor: Dr Edwin Borg-Manché No

Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc.

477 Royal Parade | Parkville Victoria 3052 | Australia Phone: (03) 9387 8922 Fax: (03) 9387 8309 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mccv.org.au MCCV News Editor: Dr Edwin Borg-Manché No. 123 January-February 2014 www.mccv.org.au European Commission speaks out on right of EU citizens to vote in European elections In this Edition

• President’s Column: Our Se- 2 cond Generation • MCCV Survey on Second Generation Maltese in Australia

• Notes from MCCV Council 3 Meeting • Logo and memento design competition launched

• MCCV Library now more 4 From left: Prof. Maurice Cauchi , Mr Victor user-friendly Grech and H.E. Mr Charles Muscat • Controversial Maltese 5 ‘Citizenship for Sale’ Scheme finally endorsed by the European Commission On 29 January 2013 the European these seats from all their citizens, • Petition by Maltese-Australians Commission called on Malta and four irrespective of whether they live in their against citizenship scheme other EU member states to stop own country or not. There are five disenfranchising EU citizens by not exceptions to this practice, namely • MHA Event February 2014: 6 allowing them to vote in European Denmark, Ireland, Cyprus, the United The Arab Years in Malta Parliamentary elections unless they Kingdom and Malta. permanently reside in their home • Generation AusMalts (GAM) 7 countries. Figolli Baking Masterclass Each of the 28 member states of the European Union, including Malta, has • Eddie Fenech Adami’s auto- 8 the right to elect Members of the biography launched European Parliament (MEPs) to represent views of the population. The • Bushfire Summer 9 number of members for each country — a novel by Lou Drofenik is proportional to the size of the • A life with a Difference: An population: Malta was initially autobiography by Dr Victor allocated five seats which were Chircop Sullivan increased to sixfor the 2014 election after the signing of the 2007 Lisbon • Innovative ‘seniors-only’ exer- 10 EU Justice Commissioner Ms Viviane Reding Treaty. cise park in North Sunshine The European Parliament comprises • Il-Laqgħa ta’ Jannar tal-Grupp This subject has been brought to the Letteratura Maltija 751 members (MEPs). Following the fore recently, partly because there is a joining of the latest member country, significant number of Maltese now • Mario Sammut celebrates two 11 Croatia, in July 2013, some living and working in Europe, who have great anniversaries adjustments will be made to the long felt this practice to be allocation of seats, but Malta will • Reskeon Seniors' first meeting discriminatory. for 2014 continue to have six seats. A couple of weeks ago the EU Justice It is of interest to note that most Commissioner Viviane Reding objected • Community Calendar 12 members of the EU allow voting for Continued on page 4 J a n u a r y - February 2014 • N o . 1 2 3 • MCCV News The President’s Column MCCV Survey on Second Generation Our Second Generation Maltese in Australia

his might as well be called 'the unknown generation' because we know very little about who they are, what are their aims, what they have The Maltese achieved and a multitude of other factors which affect them. In Community comparison, census statistics tell us a lot about those who were born in Council of Victoria TMalta, but not much about those born outside Malta and living in Australia. is conducting a In a survey being carried out currently by the Maltese Community Council of survey to obtain a Victoria, a number of interesting observations are already becoming apparent, even at this preliminary stage. This group of persons that can be included as picture of the Second Generation 'second generation ' consist of a very wide age group, and include children as well of Maltese in Australia about as those who have now reached 70 years of age. So it is not surprising that their whom we really know very little. habits and aims in life can be quite variable. The survey questionnaire is However, certain characteristics seem to appear fairly clear, even at this early stage in this study. Firstly, most of the respondents claim that they are 'Maltese- now available to complete Australian' rather than 'Australian', or even 'Maltese'. This implies that while they online. If you are a second gen- have integrated well within the Australian society, they still believe that the belong eration person of Maltese back- to the larger Maltese community, even though they do not participate much in ground, click here to fill out the Maltese functions, or belong to Maltese organisations. survey questionnaire online. This basic ground-swell feeling of 'belonging' can be seen by the fact that many Don’t forget to click the have visited Malta several times, and even have Maltese passports, or intend to Finished button at the bottom apply for one. of the form to submit your In spite of this, however, it is remarkable, although a well-known fact, that the response. vast majority of these persons have lost their command of Maltese language almost completely. Some, especially the older respondents, may be able to speak Alternatively, if you prefer to the language, but most of them hardly ever use it to communicate with family or complete the survey in MS friends. Word format, you can download One reason of this is the fact that there is a high rate of intermarriage among the form from the MCCV second-generation Maltese. When one of the parents speaks English or a different website (click here to language, it becomes patently difficult to maintain the Maltese language as the download). Completed forms common language within the family, and much more difficult when children start school when peer group pressure to conform becomes paramount. In spite of all may be returned in electronic or the efforts at teaching Maltese language, this has become a major problem within hardcopy form. the community. BY EMAIL: Scan the completed As a result of this, very few second-generation persons actually listen to form and email it to the email Maltese radio. This compounds problems of communication with this group of Maltese within the community. Some admit to using internet for keeping in touch address of Prof Maurice Cauchi with Maltese news from Malta, but it explains the fact that communication with [email protected] Maltese-second generation persons has become almost impossible, and the only way to contact them is through their parents who still have good contact with the BY POST: Post completed form Maltese community through belonging to associations or by listening to the to: Prof Maurice Cauchi, MCCV various radio programs. President, Maltese Community One mustn't be too pessimistic about these outcomes. While language is Centre, 477 Royal Parade, practically lost, there is still an interest in Maltese culture which we must do our Parkville, Victoria 3052 best to maintain. In this respect one can only praise efforts by certain groups within the community which are helping to raise interest within the younger The information provided generation though various activities. will be treated in the strictest Perhaps equally important, we realise that this group of Maltese have on the confidence. whole done quite well for themselves. They have a much better standard of education than their parents ever got from Malta. They have integrated well within Please pass this information society, speaking English which is indistinguishable from that of other native-born and request for survey Australians, which certainly helps in the process of integration within society. participation on to your children, One gets the impression that for a second-generation Maltese, being partly friends and acquaintances. Maltese, a Maltese tradition and background is considered as a plus, of which they are proud. This is something which we should encourage in whichever way we can. Prof Maurice Cauchi Prof. Maurice Cauchi MCCV President MCCV President 21 February 2013

Page 2 M C C V N e w s • No. 123 • January - February 2014

Convention for Maltese Living Abroad 2015 Logo and memento design Notes from Council Meeting FEBRUARY 2014—Council Meeting competition launched On Wednesday 5 February 2014 at the Council Meeting Malta’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs is the following items were discussed: planning to organise the 4th Convention for the Maltese Living Abroad in Malta during Maltese Interpreters needed. From time to time we early April 2015. It is the intention of the receive requests from hospitals and other institutions that Organising Committee of this Convention require Maltese interpreters for their patients and other to involve to the fullest not only the Council clients. It would appear that the Maltese community is for the Maltese Living Abroad (CMLA) suffering from a dearth of interpreters. With the ageing who represent all Maltese Abroad, but the thousands of Maltese living around the world themselves. of the population, often associated with loss of the English language, we are bound to require more and With this purpose in mind, the Organising Committee within more interpreters. Anyone who is a qualified interpreter the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is launching an should contact the Maltese Centre (9387 8922) to make international Logo and Memento Competition open for all themselves available. Maltese nationals living abroad. Both logo and memento can be the same or different design(s) and should epitomise the Membership of the MCCV. According to the spirit of Malta’s Diaspora and the Greater Malta concept. Constitution, persons who help in the running of the Centre may apply to be considered as 'Volunteer Artists may opt to make submissions for either the logo or members'. Anyone who wishes to be included in this memento or both. All participating works should be category should apply to the secretary, MCCV (9387 forwarded to the nearest Malta High Commission, Malta Embassy or Malta Permanent Representation. The final work 8922) and fill in the appropriate form. will be chosen by an independent team of judges in Malta. Survey of 2nd Generation Maltese. Currently the Works must be submitted at the nearest Malta High MCCV is conducting a Survey to find out more about Commission, Malta Embassy or Malta Permanent the needs and aims of persons belonging to the second Representation by Friday, 30 May 2014 at noon. Works generation. Associations and individuals are asked to received after this date and time would not be considered. encourage their children and their friends to fill in a form, which can be completed online, downloaded from The contact details for the Malta High Commission in the MCCV website or obtained from the Maltese Centre. Canberra, Australia are as follows: Postal address: 38 Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, ACT 2606 Maltese language classes. Classes for 2014 have started Email: [email protected]  again this year at the Maltese Centre. Please contact Ms Edwidge Borg at the Maltese Centre (9387 8922). Maltese classes Functions at the Centre. The problem of sound in Victoria for 2014 production at the Maltese is still unresolved, mainly because the Centre is not adequately insulated and it has Registration for Maltese language classes in Victoria become difficult for association to utilise the centre for for 2014 for children and adults is now open, dinner dances and other functions requiring a high level of music. Further assessment is being undertaken to see  Classes for children from Prep to VCE level on if a solution can be found to this problem.  Saturday mornings from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm at Taylors Lakes  Classes for adults on Thursday evenings from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm at the Maltese Centre in MCCV News Parkville. The MCCV News is published by the Maltese Commu-  For those who wish to advance in the study of nity Council of Victoria every two months to inform the Maltese community about activities, news and infor- Maltese, a VCE class for adults will be held. mation that would be of interest to it. Young and adults, who wish to learn Maltese in Contributions should be forwarded to the Editor either other Centres in Victoria and for all other by email at [email protected] or alternatively by post information, should call 0412 115 919 or email to: [email protected] The Editor—MCCV News, Maltese Community Council Edwidge Borg of Victoria, 477 Royal Parade, PARKVILLE VIC 3052 Maltese Language Classes Co-ordinator—MCCV

Page 3 J a n u a r y - February 2014 • N o . 1 2 3 • MCCV News European Commission speaks out on right of EU MCCV Library now citizens to vote in European elections more user-friendly Continued from page 1 A considerable amount of work has to this practice, emphasising that the Implication for Maltese living abroad been done on the MCCV library to citizens of the European Union member The key implication of this ensure that it is more user-friendly, countries should be allowed to exercise recommendation for Maltese living with books ordered and displayed their right to free movement within the abroad is the recognition that Maltese according to subject matter. EU. citizens,regardless of their country of Commissioner Reding stated that residence, are automatically also We have also been working on the “The right to vote is one of the citizens of the EU with equal rights to Archives section of the library. Archives are always an important fundamental political rights of other EU citizens, including Maltese part of any collection of books or citizenship. It is part of the very fabric citizens living in Malta. It is also a fact other objects in order to ensure that that other EU countries (such as, Italy) of democracy. Depriving citizens of the main library does not become allows voting rights to its citizens, their right to vote once they move to cluttered with duplicates or material another EU country is effectively wherever they reside, including voting not quite suitable for display. The tantamount to punishing citizens for for their members of the European archive room has been set up with having exercised their right to free Parliament. appropriate shelving against the movement. Such practices risk making A frequent objection to universal walls. We thank Mr Freddie Asciak them second-class citizens.” voting rights relates to the fact that and Mr Joe Azzopardi for their hard In late January Commissioner Viviane voters should be held responsible for work. Reding issued “guidance” to EU the parliament they elect and, living far member states with “rules in place from home, they are not likely to be leading to a loss of voting rights for affected by the results of their voting. Visiting Maltese Ph.D citizens in national elections, simply Such an argument may hold for Student uses MCCV Library because they have exercised their right elections of members of parliament of for his research to free movement in the EU”. the home country, but is hardly relevant Andrew Pace, a PhD student from to the election of the European Commissioner Reding noted that, the University of Manchester, “While under the existing EU Treaties, Parliament. Arguably, citizens of the England, is visiting Melbourne as member states are competent to EU should be given the right to vote, part of his research on the evolution determine who can benefit from the wherever they happen to be living at of Maltese right to vote in national elections, any one time. (Currently, one has to be għana in disenfranchisement practices can living in Malta for 6 months within the Australia. He is negatively affect EU free movement previous 18 months to have the right to particularly rights. Disenfranchisement practices are vote in local or European elections). interested in also at odds with the founding premise Postal voting the ways of EU citizenship which is meant to One major stumbling block in għana differs give citizens additional rights, rather undertaking elections within the between Malta than depriving them of rights.” Maltese community living abroad is the and Australia, both in the “We are calling on member states to current laborious way of distributing music itself and show greater flexibility and are issuing votes and actually voting. There is no the community proportionate guidance to the five such thing as postal voting in Malta. around it. countries concerned so that citizens can With every election, Maltese living get back on the electoral roll of their abroad have to traipse back to Malta to Andrew has found the MCCV home country. I hope member states register their vote, if they are entitled to library in Parkville to be a fantastic will be ready to address these very vote – a costly and time-consuming resource of Maltese books, video concrete concerns, because exercise. and audio tapes, newspapers and disenfranchisement is a big deal for the In order to make voting for the EU a magazines, whilst the Ċentru’s staff individuals concerned,” Ms Reding possibility, it is essential that a less and its visitors provided him with an endless supply of detailed local said. paranoid and more practical method for knowledge. If anyone would like to In effect, the EU has recommended casting the vote (namely a postal vote speak with him about their that Malta and the other four member or voting at Consular offices) will have experiences with għana, please do states should reconsider their position to be established.  get in touch with me at and allow their citizens to vote for [email protected] or election of EU members of parliament, on 0479127482. He will be in irrespective of whether they live in their Melbourne until early March.  home country or not.

Page 4 M C C V N e w s • No. 123 • January - February 2014 Controversial Maltese ‘Citizenship for Sale’ Scheme finally endorsed by the European Commission

The last edition of MCCV News had citizenship under the scheme. schemes from undermining the values that included a detailed report on the Welcome The new regulations giving effect to this the EU has been built upon, as well as Reception that the MCCV held at the and other changes were published in Legal guidelines for access to EU citizenship via Maltese Centre in Parkville for the Leader Notice 47 of 2014 in early February. national schemes.” of the Opposition, Dr Simon Busuttil in 89% of MEPs votes against Malta It also called on Malta “to bring its early November 2013. selling EU citizenship current citizenship scheme into line with In response to a question raised by one of On 16 January an overwhelming majority the EU’s values, and on member states that the attendees, Dr Busuttil had given a clear of MEPs (89%) voted against the sale of have adopted national schemes which explanation of the issues that had arisen Maltese citizenship. 560 voted in favour of allow the direct or indirect sale of EU about the Individual Investor Program, adopting the resolution against the sale of citizenship to third-country nationals to better known as the Citizenship for Sale citizenship, and only 22 MEPs voted bring them into line with the EU’s values.” scheme proposed by the Malta government. against the resolution. 44 MEPs abstained MEPs were concerned about schemes In mid-February 2014, following the from the non-binding voted in the established by various EU member states intervention of the European Parliament European Parliament. and in particular Malta, which result in the through a strongly worded motion calling The joint motion, signed by the EPP, the sale of national, and hence EU, citizenship, upon Malta “to bring its current citizenship socialists, the greens and the liberals, called a European Parliament statement said. scheme into line with the EU’s values” and on the Commission to “assess the various Parliament called on the European subsequently by the EU Commission, the citizenship schemes in the light of Commission to state clearly whether these government of Malta gave in to pressure European values and the letter and spirit of schemes respect the letter and spirit of the from the two bodies and agreed to add a EU legislation and practice, and to issue EU treaties and EU rules on non- one year residency requirement as one of recommendations in order to prevent such discrimination.  the conditions to the acquisition of Maltese Petition by Maltese-Australians against citizenship scheme

On 29 January at the start of the sitting of by uproar from the parliament Opposition leader Dr Simon government benches. Busuttil’s presented a petition against the “I inform [Dr Busuttil] that I Individual Investor Programme signed by was not even considering what over one thousand Maltese-Australians. The he was saying: I was laughing presentation led to a shouting match in at a joke made by my parliament as Dr Busuttil accused Foreign colleague,” Dr Vella said. Minister Dr George Vella of treating the Dr Busuttil was strongly petitioners with disdain. critical of the Minister for The petition, which was signed by over Foreign Affairs’ response, 1,000 Maltese citizens living in the Australian noting how the Minister had states of Victoria and New South Wales, was just confirmed that he was organised by a committee named Maltese disregarding a petition signed Pride led by Mr Victor Borg and Mr Joe by 1,000 Maltese expatriates. Stafrace in their personal capacity. The Dr Vella raised a point of Dr Manduca (left) presenting the petition to Dr Simon Busuttil Maltese Community Council of Victoria was order, stating that Dr Busuttil not involved in this initiative. may have been justified in his criticism had he that “Such was the case last Sunday when a On 23 January Dr Philip Manduca had said anything original. But he emphasised that petition objecting to the ‘sale of Maltese delivered the petition signatures on behalf of he was already aware of the petition and what passport’ signed by over 1,000 people was the organising committee to Dr Busuttil at PN it called for. presented in Parliament by the Leader of the Headquarters in Pieta’ . Dr Busuttil then continued his point, amid Opposition. This was met with derision and The petitioners objected to the sale of some heckles. “I hope that the government noisy laughter. Maltese citizenships and insisted that the listens to them, and does not treat them with “At a meeting of the Maltese Community scheme should be changed to achieve political disrespect as the minister did today,” he Council of Victoria (MCCV) held last consensus, to include proper investment concluded. Wednesday, this behaviour was roundly requirements and a reasonable residency condemned. It showed disrespect for the period. They also insisted that the due MCCV President’s letter views of a large number of people, not only diligence process should be government’s sole In response to the inappropriate reaction by those who actually signed the petition, but the responsibility. some MPs in parliament that had been raised many others who hold the same opinion. Dr Busuttil read out the petition, but he at the February MCCV Council Meeting, “While the MCCV was not in any way spotted Dr Vella laughing as he mentioned MCCV President Prof Maurice Cauchi wrote involved in organising the petition, we down and praised the committee that organised the a letter to the editor of The Times of Malta, here believe everyone is entitled to their petition. which was published on 9 February. opinion, a situation which has to be respected, “The Foreign Affairs Minister may laugh as In his letter, Prof Cauchi referred to even by MPs. Such a blatant lack of respect much as he wants at the signatories, but I can “snippets of information transmitted from simply did not go down well among the assure him,” Dr Busuttil said, but stopped PBS to Australian television (SBS) [that] can, viewers and many of us feel offended by such halfway through his sentence after being met on occasion, be a cause of dismay.” He wrote a reaction.,” Prof Cauchi’s letter concluded.

Page 5 J a n u a r y - February 2014 • N o . 1 2 3 • MCCV News MHA Event — February 2014 The Arab Years in Malta

By Joseph Borg The first presentation event of the Maltese entirely on Arabic Historical Association of Australia for this year originating from Sicily was delivered by Joseph Borg, the new (which also was under President of the association. He spoke about Arabic domination). the Arab Years in Malta. Malta was resettled by Muslims and a large He started the discussion by putting the number of slaves, who following questions: could have been Muslim  What language was spoken in Malta prior to or Christian slaves, the Arab invasion of 870 AD? around 1040 AD. They rebuilt the City (now  What happened to the Maltese during this called Medina, pictured above) and settled on In 1224, he expelled many Muslims invasion? the island and started to re-built society. The from Sicily and colonisation from the  Was Malta occupied during the years Byzantines attacked the island again in 1048-9. Italian mainland took place. It is possible following the invasion? The Arabs asked for a peace treaty but this was that a number of Muslims were also refused unless they handed all their wealth and expelled form Malta and that this island  What about Christianity at the time? Did it their women to the Greeks. The defenders was repopulated with people from flourish? realised that the number of slaves was larger Celano in Abruzzi (Luttrel). This is  What happened when the Normans arrived? than that of the free men. So they asked the verified by Ibn Qaldun.  What people resettled Malta and were did slaves to fight on their side and if they won the Because of the abrupt nature of the battle they would be given their freedom. The they come from? Arab take-over, the language spoken at slaves sided with the Arabs and the Greeks the time disappeared. Arabic became the  What is the origin of today’s Maltese and of were defeated. Hardly the action of Christian new speech and as was stated earlier it place-names? slaves who would have been released by the was introduced by Muslims from Sicily. It is generally accepted that the Maltese Greeks had they won the battle. Over the years, this language has been people, prior to the arrival of the Arabs, spoke In 1090, Count Roger invaded Malta. He modified, firstly by the introduction of a language which probably was a hybrid, with rescued the Christian slaves present on the Latin script and then, over the many Punic, Latin and Greek being in the mix. Over island. They went with him to Sicily were he years, by the introduction of Italian, the later years it was more than likely that they promised to build them a town where they Spanish, French, English and a host of spoke some form of Greek or Low Latin. could live or else they depart for their own other words that make the language what Over the last few years, historians in Malta countries. Malaterra, Roger’s scribe, did not it is today. One only has to look at the have discovered new information from various report whether any of the slaves were Maltese. language of Pietro Caxaro’s ‘Cantilena’ sources suggesting that the Arab take-over was He used the term ‘christian slaves’. A treaty to realise how the language has changed catastrophic for Malta. According to some was signed between Roger and the Arab Qa’id over a period of 350 years. Arab sources, especially Al-Himyari, it is on the following terms: the recognition of Place names in Malta all have an suggested that the fortress of Malta was Roger as overlord by the islanders, and the Arabic nomenclature. There are some demolished as were the churches. The masonry payment of a tribute consisting of horses, places which still have a Greek origin, was sent to Tunis to build the palace of the mules, arms and ‘infinita pecunia’, as well as like Xlendi. Otherwise they are all of Qa’id. The island was laid to waste and left an annual tribute. However, he allowed the Arabic roots. None are of Punic origin. unpopulated for over 170 years. Talbi suggests Arabs to stay and administer the island. He was After the presentation, the audience that this happened because the Maltese had in Malta for only a week. participated in many questions. Quite a broken their treaty with the Muslims by After Roger’s death in 1101, Malta seemed few refused to believe that the events as supporting the Byzantines in their attempt to re to have come under Arab influence again. suggested by Mr Borg could have -conquer the island sometime before 870 AD, Roger II, son of Count Roger, had to re- happened. They believe that Maltese folk as recorded by Ibn al-Atir. conquer Malta in 1127. According to remained hidden on the island and that One can therefore read in this that the whole Wettinger, Roger II left a Christian garrison on they carried their tradition as of old. population of the island was either massacred the island and reorganised the administration. Others argued that the fact that there are or taken as slaves. So the Christian faith as we Luttrel takes a much stricter position and says basically hardly any Arab archaeological know it also disappeared from the island. Some that the Norman Conquest did not have much artefacts suggest that they were not as people argue that maybe some small number of influence on life in Muslim Malta. According hard as Mr Borg suggested. Of course, people escaped and hid in caves to escape the to him ‘Malta was never really Norman at all’. the best piece of evidence is Mdina, Arabs. This of course could have been so, but In 1175, Bishop Burchard of Strasbourg, who which was built by the Arabs. However, the number would have been very small and passed Malta on his way to Egypt reported that Mdina has seen many modifications, most probably over the years, when Arabs Malta was inhabited by Saracens. especially of its buildings due to visited the island to cut timber, to fish in the Tomb stones found on the site of the Roman earthquakes etc. Unfortunately, waters around the island, to capture donkeys Domus in Rabat were of Muslim people and archaeologists cannot dig up Mdina. that were running wild and to collect honey, date to the twelfth century, suggesting that However, recently, when the authorities they would have come in contact with adverse Muslim influence was alive and well even then. were digging trenches for infrastructure, results. The real integration of Malta with the quite a lot of Arabic pottery was found. The argument for this can also be deduced Sicilian Kingdom must have started as late as It seems, however, that everybody in from the Maltese language that we speak 1220, when Frederick II of Hohenstaufen attendance enjoyed the presentation.  today. According to two Maltese Linguists, (1194-1250), the grand-son of Roger II, came there are no remains of Punic in the Maltese to Sicily to reorganise his Sicilian Kingdom. language. In fact, modern Maltese is based Page 6 M C C V N e w s • No. 123 • January - February 2014

GAM is a group of Aussies with Maltese bloodlines. Working in conjunction with the Maltese Community Council of Victoria, GAM is about linking Australian-Maltese youth with their Maltese heritage to preserve the Maltese culture for generations to come. Like us on Facebook.com/Generation AusMalts (GAM). Generation AusMalts (GAM) Figolli Baking Masterclass By Rita Catania

It’s fair to say that when you are As is customary in Malta, a proper Figolli background together for some Maltese Maltese, or from a Maltese blessing will also take place at the end of the connection and fun; especially for the background, when you think of Easter Masterclass to replicate the tradition of younger generations. Overall, it is hoped that time, apart from the obvious, one of people taking their Figolli out onto the streets activities like the Masterclass and various the things you also associate with this or to a mass, in order to have their Figolli others organised by different organisations period is Figolli! You know...those blessed on Easter Sunday by their local parish throughout the year, will inspire the younger decorated, almond filled biscuit priest! generations (and their family), to keep the shapes, given out as gifts and enjoyed If successful, the Figolli Masterclass will connection with their Maltese background on Easter Sunday, often with a cup of be the first in a series of cooking classes alive, hopefully encouraging them to want to tea or coffee! GAM hopes to offer, designed to teach, experience the culture first hand, if they haven’t already.  A popular tradition on the islands, inform, and bring those from the same making Figolli is one of the ideal Maltese customs to pass down to the generations as the family grows. There’s something about the sweet waft of a freshly baked Figolla flowing through the family home that all generations should experience - and smell! Not to mention the anticipation of decorating the naked shape as it cools down, bringing it to life with coloured icing and other sweet decorations. In the lead up to Easter this year, Generation AusMalts (proudly supported by Nisga and the Maltese Community Council of Victoria Inc.), will be running a Figolli Baking Masterclass for those who wish to learn how to make this sweet Maltese tradition. Those involved will be guided by some of the best Figolli bakers around Melbourne, in small groups, whilst they pick up some baking tips and tricks from those who are experienced and in the know! Students will even be supplied with some wrapping and ribbon, of which they can use to be package up their Figolla when completed. Amidst the flour, icing and rolling pins, GAM will also have a special guest who will fill the students in on the activities that occur during Holy Week in Malta and Gozo – the biggest event on the Catholic Church’s calendar. After all, Figolli are just one of the many elements that make up a whole week of religious spectacles including - processions, pageants, pictures, displays, bells ringing, band marches, statue carrying and passion plays. It’s certainly a time where the Maltese culture truly comes alive, which GAM feels is an equally important component for people to learn about. Page 7 J a n u a r y - February 2014 • N o . 1 2 3 • MCCV News Eddie Fenech Adami’s autobiography launched

On 21 February 2014 the Hilton Hotel in St Julians, Malta was the venue for the long-awaited book launch of former Maltese prime minister and President Emeritus Dr Eddie Fenech Adami’s autobiography, Eddie: My Journey. Among the hundreds present for the occasion were several former political adversaries. The President of Malta, Dr George Abela, Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat and Leader of the Opposition and PN leader Dr Simon Busuttil were among the guests in attendance. Maltese celebrity Tenor Joseph Calleja sang during the evening. The evening recalled the life and times of a key protagonist in Malta’s political history for more than half a century. Dr Fenech Adami turned 80 last week. The autobiography, which is recounted in the first person, covers all the major events in Dr Fenech Adami’s long political career. Dr Fenech Adami admitted that he had not read through the book co-authored by editor-in-chief at Times of Malta Steve Mallia prior to its publication, but having done so now, he is thoroughly pleased with the end result. In a short introductory video traversing his long political career, Dr Fenech Adami had the 800 guests laughing when he recounted a meeting with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. (From left) Dr Simon Busuttil, Dr Joseph Muscat “Berlusconi turned to my wife Mary and and Dr George Abela at the book launch [photo: in Italian asked her: ‘Tell me, how does Jonathan Borg] your husband make love to you?’” environment for persons with disabilities As expected, one of the highlights of who for some reason or another cannot his political career was Malta’s accession stay living with their family. Since then to the EU, which Dr Fenech Adami drove Id-Dar tal-Providenza has supported its to a successful conclusion as Prime Bologna, who confirmed his fear at the residents to participate in and enjoy the Minister and leader of the Nationalist time that Malta’s situation could damage quality of life within the community. Party. the European enlargement project. At the moment, Id-Dar hosts He recalled that it had been “only “Anything that could put the EU approximately hundred persons between logical” for him to call a general election enlargement project in danger was a the ages of fourteen and eighty years. It soon after winning the EU referendum in problem. But I had great confidence in also offers respite services on a regular 2003, despite scepticism by then European Fenech Adami and in the end everything basis to families of persons with Commission president Romano Prodi. worked out well,” he said. disabilities, thus offering them support to He recounted the moment when just It was a brief exchange between the two enable the disabled family member to after the referendum he informed Mr Prodi former prime ministers and friends. continue to live within their family. that he would be holding an election. Mr Dr Fenech Adami underlined Mr The book may be ordered online from Prodi’s reply was: “Are you mad?” Prodi’s efforts at the time to ensure Malta the following websites: “It was only logical for me to hold an made it into the EU and obtain a deal that http://www.bdlbooks.com/biographies- election because I believed the people best suited the country. and-memoires/4625-eddie-my- would not be changing their mind in a The book is published by Progress Press journey.html couple of weeks and that meant I would and all proceeds from its sale will go to http://maltaonlinebookshop.com/produ win,” he said, adding his modus operandi Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi, Malta, ct/eddie-my-journey/ had always been based on logic. which was founded by Mons. Michael Dr Fenech Adami was surprised by a Azzopardi in 1965 with the aim of offering [Sources: www.timesofmalta.com; live Skype interview with Mr Prodi, in a home with a warm and family-like www.independent.com.mt] 

Page 8 M C C V N e w s • No. 123 • January - February 2014 Bushfire Summer A novel by Maltese-Australian writer Lou Drofenik

Year: 2013 ISBN: 9780646913926 Set during the 2009 Victorian Black Saturday Bushfires, this novel is a story of courage, loss and the realization that miracles can and do happen. The fires which devastated the tiny community of Cooper Creek affected the lives of those who experienced them in ways nobody expected. Lolly Winter, widowed after six months of marriage, buys a house in Cooper Creek and moves in. Fran Lupone who lives on the next property Garth Evans in this story is one of the has come to terms with her violent past. child migrants sent to Western Australia This summer she discovers a secret her from Malta in the 1950’s. In this novel programme which had dreadful life long aunt kept from her when she brought her he and his sister Molly were sent by effects on the children involved and also to Australia from Italy. Garth Evans their mother under the Government listened to the stories of those involved lives in isolation further up the road, his sponsored scheme to Western Australia, in this scheme both in Malta and in life embittered by a childhood spent in where Garth was taken to Bindoon and Australia. an orphanage. Molly to St. Joseph’s Orphanage for As for the events of Black Saturday Over the course of this dry, hot Girls. Though both Garth and Molly are 2009 the author lived through them and summer culminating in a catastrophe of fictional characters their lives are based she gratefully survived thanks to her son immense proportions, these people on stories of Maltese children sent to Peter to whom she dedicated this book. come to terms with their frailties, their Australia at that time. The image on the front cover is a photo connections to each other and to the land The author’s interest in Maltese child of the Bushfire Memorial Tree which they love. migration started in 1993 after she was an initiative supported by the Bushfire Summer sweeps the reader watched the harrowing BBC world’s blacksmiths to forge a metal into a summer etched in the Australian documentary: The Leaving of Liverpool gum tree to honour the people lost in the psyche. This novel is a celebration of not realising that three hundred and ten Fires, the firefighters and the people in people in rural communities, their Maltese children were also involved in the bushfire affected communities.  generosity of spirit and their undeniable this scheme. From then on she read acts of heroism when disaster strikes. whatever she could about this A life with a Difference: An autobiography By Dr Victor Chircop Sullivan, Architect and Neuro-Psychologist

Publisher: Sid Harta Publishers It also describes his travels around the Year: 2011 world, advising foreign governments on ISBN: 9781921829918 social and psychological matters, a change in his profession, looking after and helping What makes us what we are and do mentally ill people and the tribulation he and what happens to us during our endured caring for his elderly brother. lifetime? What events, insights, achievements and hardships do we All this has given Dr Chircop Sullivan experience? endurance and an excellent understanding as to how to cope with life and how to This autobiography delineates a respond to a variety of events.  varied and colourful life, covering the joy, adventures and hardship endured by Dr Victor Chircop Sullivan. It discussed his childhood days, migration, professional life, achievements and turbulent days during World War Two.

Page 9 J a n u a r y - February 2014 • N o . 1 2 3 • MCCV News Innovative ‘seniors-only’ exercise park in North Sunshine

An innovative seniors-only exercise All participants will also have three park in North Sunshine, a western visits to Victoria University’s Footscray suburb of Melbourne with a large Park campus where researchers will tell Maltese community, is helping older you all about your muscle strength, people stay fit and active. Victoria balance skills and general health. University PhD researcher Ms Myrla Both locations are easily accessed with Sales said the park’s platforms, steps, public transport and a warm welcome, bridges and bars were specifically individual support and refreshments will designed to give seniors a fun workout be provided on each visit. for all the skills they need in their day- “As researchers we’re keen to measure to-day lives, while incorporating extra how using this park helps increase safety features like soft, non-slip rubber strength and balance because if it has surfaces and rounded edges. benefits it has for maintaining strength, the impact we expect it to then it’s “This is designed to help keep you in balance and other key skills in older something we would like to replicate all shape for all the skills in daily life like people. over Australia,” Mrs Sales said. climbing stairs, lifting shopping bags, Those who sign up for the research To learn more about this research doing the gardening or keeping up with project will be randomly assigned to one project contact Mrs Myrla Sales at your pet or grandchild at the park,” Mrs of two groups: one group will join the Victoria University on mobile Sales said. twice weekly exercise sessions of 1 to 1.5 number 0447 017 820 “This is something different that has not hours each at the Sunshine North or [email protected] .  been done before and what’s great is exercise park for 18 weeks, with that it allows people to be outside in the guidance from an exercise physiologist. fresh air, with their friends or making The exercises will be done in pairs and new ones and keeping up their skills to highly supervised for safety and correct Maltese Ex-Services stay active.” technique. The other group will enjoy Association of Victoria Researchers behind the project are now organised social activities including inviting over-60s to give the new cards, checkers, chess and other board facility a trial so they can measure the games. Malta George Cross RSL Sub Branch

Il-Laqgħa ta’ Jannar tal-Grupp Letteratura Maltija New committee for 2014-15 President Mr Emmanuel Spiteri Secretary Mr Joe Sammut Treasurer Mr Joe Stafrace Members: Mr Alfred Asciak Mr Alfred Gatt Mr Alfred Farrugia

Fuq wara mix-xellug għal-lemin: Joe Lofaro, Charles Attard, Alfred Xuereb, Rosemary Attard, Rose Lofaro, Michael Xuereb, Salvina Vella, Manwel Cassar, Marie Louise Anastasi u Ray Anastasi. Fuq quddiem: Fr Emmanuel Adami, mssp, Joe Camilleri, Frank Bonett, Joe Bonett, Josephine Cassar, Anzac Day March Bernadette Cassar. Mhux fir-ritratt, Paul Vella (wara l-camera), Maria u Armando Catania, Dr Victor Sammut u Fr Dom De Giorgio. Friday 25 April 2014

Laqgħa tal-Grupp Letteratura Maltija tal- Borġ “Bħal tifel”, “Ċrieki” u “Fil-Kappella”, Assembly time: 11.00 am Victoria, saret nhar il-Ġimgħa, 31 ta’ Jannar, u tnejn minn tiegħu “Ħin għalija” u fiċ-Ċentru Malti ta’ Parkville. Madwar 20 “Parabbola”. Michael Xuereb qara’ poeżiji Venue: Federation Square membri attendew, u qraw xi materjal minn ta’ Mary Meilak “Ġejja x-xita” u l-poeżija tagħhom jew ta’ kittieba oħra. Joe Camilleri “Omm” tal-Poeta Nazzjonali Malti, Dun Look out for Association Banner. qralna l-kitba tiegħu, “Ċensa tikteb liz-zijiet Karm Psaila. Għal aktar informazzjoni fuq il- If in doubt seek Marshall advice. f’Malta”; Dr Victor Sammut qralna xogħol Grupp jew biex issiru membri, iktbu lil

ta’ Publius Bugeja, “Kulħadd għandu salib” Rosemary Attard, Segretarja, fuq u “Ipokrita`” kif ukoll “Meta” ta’ Jimmy [email protected] u dawk li Members participating in the ANZAC Buhagiar; filwaqt li Manwel Cassar qara jixtiequ jirċievu kopja tal-Folju kull xahar March must be dressed in proper poeżiji ta’ Andrew Sciberras “Moħħ” u permezz ta’ email, għandhom jiktbu lil Paul attire. STRICTLY No Tee Shirts. We “Mater Dololosa”, żewġ poeżiji ta’ Ġorġ Vella fuq [email protected] 

Page 10 M C C V N e w s • No. 123 • January - February 2014 Mario Sammut celebrates two great anniversaries by Paul Vella Mario Sammut is a well-known and Maltese radio program respected personality within the Maltese that had been going for Community in Victoria. He is celebrating 30 about eight years, along years in broadcasting and 25 years as with the Presidency of Honorary Vice-Consul of Malta in the La the Maltese Club. It was Trobe Valley. January, 1986, and With his wife, Vivienne, and three today, 28 years later he children under the age of eight years, he is still involved with the arrived in Australia in 1983. By January radio station: doing the 1984 he was enlisted as a possible broadcast Maltese Program on on Radio 4EB in Brisbane by a Maltese Tuesdays, 5.30-7.30 pm, presenter, Reno Galea. He never imagined and for the last 15 years that someday he was going to be a also presenting a broadcaster in Australia. Breakfast Show on Life in Australia was very different. They Wednesdays 6.00-9.00 had to get used to the new way of life but, at am. Lately he is also the same time, he ventured into something doing the Monday’s helping your fellow Maltese migrants in totally different and never imagined that 30 Breakafast Show. Needless to say, the show is their needs regarding Government affairs. years on, he would still be volunteering as a in English and last December he was radio broadcaster. honoured by the Station with the “Presenter of During all this time he also managed to squeeze in about 18 years as President/ Thirty years is a long time and if he had the Year Trophy”. Founder of the Maltese Community Centre to document what happened during this Back in 1988, the Maltese Show on 3GCR of the Latrobe Valley, again something that time, I am sure that, that would be a very was awarded the “Silver Logie Award” from he feels proud of and knowing that with his interesting book. He had to take a course in the Walter Shauble Ethnic Broadcasting help and guidance the Maltese of the Valley radio broadcasting and studio techniques. Foundation for the best Ethnic Show in have a Centre to be proud of, that actually After work he had to drive about an hour to Australia for non-metropolitan areas. A great belongs to the Maltese. get from his home to the radio station and honour indeed. getting back at around 11 pm was not fun at This year, Mario will also be celebrating In 2004, Mario was awarded the all. But in two weeks’ time, along with his 25 years broadcasting the Maltese program “Victoria’s Award for Excellence in wife, he ventured for the first Maltese Radio “Ejjew Oqoghdu” on 3ZZZ, Australia’s Multicultural Affairs”. Show, on Sunday, from 4 to 5 pm. They had Biggest Ethnic Community Station. This has In 2005, he was presented with a medal to get the children with them and make them been a very difficult and, at the same time, from the Federation of Ethnic Communities sit quietly in the studio during the hour’s rewarding experience, as the travelling to Council of Australia” for his commitment broadcast. Soon after, the broadcasters had a Melbourne every Saturday is quite a and contribution to Australia Multi- meeting and he was elected Convenor of the commitment, both timewise and financially Culturalism. Maltese Programs on 4EB. too. In 2012, Mario was awarded the “Order Eighteen months later the family moved To top it all up, in March this year, he will of Australia Medal” for services to the to Morwell, in Victoria, and the story also be celebrating 25 years as Hon. Vice- Maltese Community of Victoria, especially repeated itself. No sooner they arrived that Consul of Malta in Latrobe Valley and through broadcasting. he was asked by the Maltese broadcaster on Gippsland. A great honour and something that Congratulations to Mario and best wishes 3GCR Gippsland FM to take over the he cherish all his life with the feeling of for the future.  Reskeon Seniors' first meeting for 2014 By Paul Vella, PRO The Reskeon Seniors Group had their first meeting in 2014 on 5 February, at Merrilands Community Centre, Reservoir. As thanksgiving for last year and praying for a good new year, the Group organised a Mass on this first meeting. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Emmanuel Bonello, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, North Reservoir. (See picture on Page 12.) After Mass, the couple Margaret and Victor Tanti were presented with some flowers on the occasion of celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Then it was time for members to play two 10-game Bingo sessions. While the men enjoyed a game of bocce outside, others preferred to stay in the spare room discussing different Visitors from Malta: (from left to right) Paul Azzilla, Lourdes topics. Psaila, Lina Zammit, Vivian Micallef (sister of Paul and Lina) Continued on page 12 and Joe Zammit

Page 11 J a n u a r y - February 2014 • N o . 1 2 3 • MCCV News Reskeon Seniors' first meeting for 2014 LEARN MALTESE Continued from page 11 For Travel, Pleasure or Work On the first meeting of Reskeon Seniors Group, we had a visit Join us and embrace our beautiful by a couple who were on a visit to Melbourne from Malta. The culture and language couple, Lina and Joe Zammit, enjoyed the day with us and Classes open to both adults and children promised to attend more meetings while holidaying in Melbourne. Lina is the sister of member Paul Azzilla as well as Please contact us on 9387 8922 or 0412 115 919 the daughter of the late Annetta Azzilla, who passed away last or email us on [email protected] year after celebrating her 100th birthday with the Group.

Reskeon Seniors’ open the new year with a mass

For up-to-date and more detailed information, Community Events Calendar visit our website at www.mccv.org.au

Date Event

Wed 5 March at 7:00 PM MCCV Council Meeting - Maltese Community Centre

Get-Together and seafood night – St Gaetan’s Society Sat 8 March at 7.30 PM - St Martin de Porres Church, 158 Military Road, Avondale Heights

Sun 23 March Bus trip across the NSW border – St Gaetan’s Society

Wed 26 March at 6.30 PM MCCV Executive Committee Meeting - Maltese Community Centre MCCV Council Meeting -- Maltese Community Centre, 477 Royal Parade, Wed 2 April at 7.00 PM Parkville Comedy Fun Luncheon – Newport Maltese Association Sun 6 April - Maltese Community Centre, Parkville GAM Figolli Baking Masterclass Sun 6 April at 1.00 PM - Maltese Community Centre, Parkville Wed 16 April at 1.00 PM Luncheon – Newport Maltese Seniors Group

ANZAC DAY MARCH 2014 – Maltese Ex Services Association of Victoria Fri 25 April at 11.00 AM – Federation Square, Melbourne and Shrine of Remembrance

Mother’s Day Lunch – St Gaetan’s Society Sun 27 April at 12.00 PM - St Martin de Porres Church, 158 Military Road, Avondale Heights

Wed 30 April at 6.30 PM MCCV Executive Committee Meeting - Maltese Community Centre

Mother’s Day Dance – Moreland Maltese Elderly Citizens Assn Sun 4 May - Firenze Receptions, 134 McBryde Street, Fawkner

Sun 4 May Bus trip across the NSW border – St Gaetan’s Society

Wed 7 May at 7.00 PM MCCV Council Meeting -- Maltese Community Centre

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