The Voic(edr iivoenf b yt thhe evo iicMe of aiitsl retaedesrse ) Issue Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora August 20, 2019 210 Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora

MMeelllliieeħħaa BBaayy (also known as Għadira Bay) -- MMaallttaa’’ss mmoosstt ppooppuullaarr ssaannddyy bbeeaacchh 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019

TNhe firsta of at seriieso of arnticlesa abolut t hed Maltieseg herones whio gtavye thei r aVll so tihatv our haome - Malta! land in the Mediterranean could become what it is today. A history to be proud of, and to celebrate, and one that must recognise the magnificent contribution made by our ancestors.

Immigration and hen I first came to Aus - to me. In feeling this way I Assimilation: tralia as a 12-year-old, I know I was not alone amongst did my very best to as - my compatriots in the Maltese similate into the dominant Anglo based Australian com - Diaspora. munity. I didn't want tWo stand out as a 'foreigner' and Many of us felt this way, per - especially not as one from an origin in the Southern haps ashamed of our language Mediterranean region. and our national background. I desperately wanted to belong and felt that there was re - We didn't know enough about ally nothing of any value in my 'wog' background that our origins to feel that sense of Andy Busuttil would be appreciated by my newfound countryfolk. Worst pride in our homeland and, still, I did not believe in my own value as a Maltese na - more importantly, a sense of tional. pride in ourselves. I did not adequately understand the history of our people We tended to approach our new homeland and its people and the extraordinary contributions we had made over the from a subservient position rather than one of equality and millennia to the history of the world. pride in ourselves. We often reacted with physical violence Consequently the value of our history and of the people when called 'wogs' but I wonder if we ever truly believed who had constructed that history, the Maltese, was also lost that the denigration was not justified.

Language and Cultural Identity:

Language is the basis of cultural identity. When a language dies, the culture dies with it. When a language is oppressed, it is a direct reflection of the fact that people are oppressed. Il-Malti, Maltese, is the national lan - guage of our homeland, and a co-offi - cial language of the country alongside English, but first and foremost Mal - tese is the 'first' language. The Maltese language only became the 'first' language of our homeland with the coming of independence in 1964. Up until that point English and Maltese were given as the dominant languages with English the prevailant language. After independence, Mal - tese was declared as the national lan - guage and mentioned as the dominant The Siege of Malta (1565): The capture of St Elmo by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio (c. 16th Cent.) language. The language of the Courts especially in the English speaking na - connection would give me. also became the Maltese language. tions, we cringed away from our back - The outcome for me was quite ex - Prior to the establishment of English grounds and only celebrated those traordinary and will be explained as a first language, from the earliest things we held culturally dear in the later in this series. I was extremely times of Knights' domination, Italian privacy and sanctity of our own lucky in that the doorway to this re- was the dominant language. It was the homes. We became 'converted' to the connection was provided by my love rising of Fascism in 1934 that saw it di - dominant culture and, wherever pos - and practice of music. minish. sible, encouraged our children to emo - The Pride of Malta: We can still see the influence of Ital - tionally and psychologically leave ian even in our national remembrance Malta for good. As a child growing up in Malta the days: Sette Giugno, (7th June) for ex - The consequences of this for my gen - history books always focused on the ample. We could also see it in the eration of immigrant were severe and grand achievements during The Great naming of our streets, which moved perhaps will remain with us for the Ottoman Siege of Malta (L-Assedju l- from 'strada' to 'triq' once Prime Min - rest of our lives. Kbir) and the second Great Siege, that ister Dom Mintoff made the move I am speaking in generalities here which occurred during WWII when back to the traditions of the Maltese and using my own experience and my the Axis powers attacked Malta. language. memory of my earlier family life to However, the heroes of these events, This recognition of the relationship guide my recollections. However, it as reflected in the literature, were in - between language and identity was would be interesting to see how many evitably the Knights of St John and critical to the building of our own na - of you, the readers, would share these Great Britain respectively. The Maltese tional identity and, consequently, our recollections and experiences. people were portrayed as mere passen - own sense of dignity. At one stage, not so long ago, I de - gers who seemed to do nothing more Our Cultural Cringe and Re-estab - cided that there was no point in dis - than wait for events to unfold and for lishing Relationship: tancing myself from my Maltese these horrendous events to be over. community here in Australia. I want- For those of us who were overseas, ed to re-connect and to see what that *Continued on page 3 Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 3

*from page 2 When I was in both Primary and High school in Malta, Sette Giugno didn't come into my consciousness. Neither did the occupation of Malta by the In 1798 Grand Master French forces of Bonaparte in 1798 figure to any great extent either in my consciousness or ima- gination. Ferdinand von Hompesch I do remember some vague references to Hom - pesch (the Grand Master capitulated to the French and who capitulated to the French and left the Maltese to their fate under a tyrannical rule), but the real meaning of what colnese - fMta ltteseh ande pr ovMiding oaur lprtogeenitsors e to their fate quently happened was lost on my with greater educational and social op - young mind. portunities. However, Napoleon's con - At the time I didn't deeply realise that tinuing desire for expansion proved Hompesch had not only surrendered costly and consequently, the money Malta as a matter of principle, due to supply became constricted and so little the Knights' promise that they would came of these ideas and promises. never raise arms against another Chris - Instead, Napoleon's forces committed tian nation but he had done so in ex - the one crime that the Maltese found change for estates and pensions in intolerable. They began pillaging the France for himself and his Knights. He churches to obtain gold, silver and had, in effect, sold out the Maltese for other valuables to finance their cam - financial gain. paigns abroad. From a history that always recorded While this was not the only aspect of the bravery and stoicism of the their rule that the Maltese found ab - Knights, this was indeed an act of gross solutely objectionable it must have cowardice and one that betrayed the been close to the last straw for a popu - futures of their Maltese subjects. Judas lation that Iscariot must have been the inspiration had been behind this act! domi - Mind you, by the time Hompesch was nated and the Grand Master, the Knights were oppressed certainly not in the same league as for cen - those who had taken over Malta in turies. GM Ferdinand von Hompesch 1530. Hence the Their governance of the Islands had tyranny, of the French 'ħakkiema' or degraded to a point where the Maltese the pillag - occupiers. did not regard them with any sense of ing of the The consequence of French positive appreciation, respect or awe. churches, tyranny was an uprising by Regardless, Malta and the Maltese the op - thousands of Maltese, were seen as mere possessions to be ac - pressive loosely described as 'irregu - quired (in the case of the Knights for regime lars' who blockaded and the price of a bird!), utilised and then and their then besieged the French in sold off or abandoned when they were broken Valetta. These 'irregulars' no longer of sufficient use or, as was promises were, in the main, Maltese the case with the Knights at the time of to the peasantry armed with pis - Napoleon, when it was no longer expe - Maltese tols, muskets and farming dient to remain. people, tools. The leadership came from It is true that the French did come in led to the Emmanuele Vitale with grand ideas about liberating the undoing the better-educated groups and included Emmanuele Napoleon Bonaparte arriving to start Vitale, a notary, Vincenzo Borg, a mer - the occupation of Malta on June 9, 1798 chant and a clergyman by the name of Francesco Caruana. They must be named and their names not forgotten. It was not the first time that Maltese 'ir - regulars' had featured powerfully in our history. However, inevitably they were always referred to dismissively, in this rather disparaging way. Earlier I mentioned Sette Giugno and what it now appears to mean to many Maltese around the World. This, of course, is the celebration of the mem - ory of the many thousands of Maltese who rose up against the unfairness of the British rulers, and the greed of a number of merchants who were taking advantage of the poverty and depriva - tion of the working class Islanders, in particular, of the time. *to be continued 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 Il-konsultazzjoni dwar ir-riforma fil-kostituzzjoni ... Il-President jappella lill-Maltin ta ’ barra jieħdu sehem fid-dibattitu l-President ta’ Malta, l-Eċċellenza Tiegħu Dr George Vella appella, anzi saħaq li huwa d-dmir tal-Maltin li jIgħixu barra li huma wkoll jagħtu s-sehem sħiħ tagħhom fid-dibattitu u l-konsultaz - zjoni li għadha kif ġiet imnedija u li mis - tennija tieħu tlett xhur dwar ir-riforma kostituzzjonali. Il-President għamel l-appell waqt laqgħa ta’ aktar minn siegħa li kellu ma’ Joseph Cutajar u Lawrence Dimech, ir-rappreżen - tanti ta’ The Voice of the Maltese , fil- Palazz il-belt Valletta li tulha wera kemm hu intiż dwar il-komunita` Maltija fl-Aw - stralja miż-żmen tiegħu bħala ċ- chairman tal-Kunsill tal-Maltin ta’ Barra. Fejn għandha x’taqsam ir-riforma Kosti - tuzzjonali, il-President nieda websajt li fuqha l-politiċi, individwi, għaqdiet mhux governattivi u korpi kostitwiti oħra jistgħu jgħaddu s-suġġerimenti u jipproponu l- bidliet li jixtiequ jaraw. Il-President qal li wara, is-suġġerimenti jiġu analiżżati u jitħejja rapport dwar xi ri - formi li huma mixtieqa. Min jixtieq jgħaddi xi suġġerimenti jista’ jidħol fuq is-sit: https://riformakostituz - zjonali.gov.mt/. Jista’ wkoll jagħmel dan billi jibgħat ittra dwar is-suġġett. Fil-laqgħa ma’ The Voice , il-President semma fost l-oħrajn il-parentela tiegħu mal- kok magħruf u sid ta ‘ għadd ta’ ristoranti f’Melbourne, Shane Delia, u l-istima li għandu għal dawk ta’ taħtu, dawk li servew fil-Kunsill tal-Maltin ta’ Barra, kif ukoll għal John Aquilina, l-eks politiku Awstralja li bħalissa qed jagħti servizz siewi lil pa - jjiżna mill-pożizzjoni ta’ Ambaxxatur għal Malta fir-Repubblika taċ-Ċina. Il-President faħħar is-sehem tal- magazine (The Voice) u r-rwol tiegħu biex dejjem ikun hemm għaqda soda Il-President George Vella (fin-nofs) fil-laqgħa ma’ Lawrence bejn Malta u l-Awstralja, kif ukoll il-kultura Matija. The Voice Dimech (xellug) u Joseph Cutajar fil-Palazz il-belt Valletta qed jgħin ukoll biex it-tieni u t–tielet ġenerazzjoni ta’ Maltin, fil - Fejn għandha x’taqsam il-MCCF, qal li kull sena dejjem trid waqt li jkomplu jgħidu li huma Awstraljani ta’ dixxendenza tara kif tista’ żżid il-fondi minħabba li t-talbiet ma jaqtgħu xejn. Maltija, jibqa’ jimbotta ħalli l-ilsien Malti ma jintilifx. Semma li fl-ewwel sitt xhur ta’ din is-sena l-fondazzjoni F’diskursata mill-aktar kordjali, l-President semma mhux biss diġa`qassmet fondi daqs kemm qassmet is-sena l-oħra kollha. ħidmietu mil-lat diplomatiku imma wkoll setturi li jaqgħu taħt ir- Dwar il-possibilta` tiegħu li jerġa’ jżur l-Awstralja, din id-darba responsabbilta` tiegħu, fosthom il-fondazzjoni tal-Community bħala President, qal li l-arranġamenti diġa` bdew isiru, imma Chest Fund (MCCF) li tant tgħin lil dawk li jinħtieġu l-għajnuna, għadu kmeni wisq biex jgħid li hemm xi deċiżjoni definita kemm finanzjarja u xort’oħra. dwarha.

e Voice of the Maltese is not just a Readers please note news portal or feature magazine. We The next issue of comment and fight for your rights. We The Voice of the believe in freedom of expression ... and Maltese ,, No.. 211, we are read in the right places. is to be published on September 10 Tuesday August 20, 2019 T he Voice of the Maltese 5 Q. I have a defined benefit of $1200 per fortnight and for his is a monthly service offered by The Voice of the this reason I am on a part age pension and this is being cal - Maltese in which Marie Louise Muscat from the Fidu - culated on the Income Test. I need to withdraw $30,000 Tcian Financial Services helps our readers understand the from my account-based pension to go on an overseas trip and was asked whether I want this money as a lump sum complexities associated with financial planning. If you or as a pension payment. Which is the most beneficial for need more advice send an email to Marie Louise via: mal - me, as I do not want to pay any more tax than I have to? [email protected]. A. Whether you take the $30,000 as a This will trigger lump sum or as a pension payment you capital gains on will not pay any tax. However if you took which you would have it as a pension payment Centrelink will to pay capital gains treat this as income and as you are being tax, but because you tested on the Income Test your part age would have lowered pension may drop further. If you took the your taxable income sum as a lump sum Centrelink will treat through salary sacri - this withdrawal as a commutation and fice, the tax payable thus it will not affect your age pension at may not be too high. all. Continue to do this Q. I am 60 years of age, working and annually and by the have around $180,000 in superannua - end of four years the tion. I have a managed fund that is per - proceeds from your forming quite well valued around managed funds would Q&A be in superannuation. Q&A $400,000. I would like to cash this man - link know that you are making this gift and aged fund in and invest the proceeds in You should speak to your accountant in re - gards to the tax implications prior to going also update them with the balance of your superannuation. What should I look at bank account as this should show a reduc - prior to doing this? ahead, or a financial adviser as I do not know your current circumstances and can tion of your assets once the trip is paid for A. First of all you can only invest only comment in general. and you could also get an increase in your $100,000 per annum as non-concessional .fortnightly pension payment.. contributions into superannuation. You Q. I am a pensioner and going on an Q. My husband and I each have a life ex - should start salary sacrificing as much as overseas trip with my sister. I am plan - pectancy annuity that was taken out for you can of your salary in order to reduce ning to pay for my sister’s trip, which a 15-year term in September 2004. Our your taxable income as much as possible. will be approximately $10,000. Can I last payment from this annuity is Sep - Concessional contributions are made up do this and will it affect my age pension tember this year. Should I let Centrelink of employer contributions as well as salary entitlement? know that these annuities have matured sacrifice and together you cannot make A. You can pay for your sister’s trip. You in September? more than $25,000 per annum. are able to gift up to $10,000 during the fi - A. You should definitely let Centrelink You can then sell no more than $100,000 nancial year without it affecting your age know. Annuities taken up before 20 Sep - of the managed fund and invest it in super. pension entitlement. You need to let Centre - tember 2004 were 100% exempt from the Centrelink asset test and for this reason your received a higher age pension. How - ever a portion of the monthly payments was treated as income for the Centrelink Income test. Once these annuities mature, you should inform Centrelink immediately as this could mean that your pension will in - crease if it is being calculated on the In - come Test. Q. I am 71 years of age and have just in - herited $250,000 from my mother’s es - tate. I am currently working 20 hours per week for the next four weeks so I believe I have passed the work test. Can I invest the full $250,000 into superannuation? A. Although you would have passed the work test for this financial year if you are working 20 hours per week for the next four weeks, because you are over the age of 65 you can only invest $100,000 as a non-concessional contribution into su - perannuation this year. You can do the same thing next year and invest a further $100,000 into superan - nuation if you so desire, but you cannot invest more than $100,000 this year.

This document contains factual information only and is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion in re - lation to the topic/s discussed. Fiducian recommends that you seek advice from a pro - fessional to address any issues that may be raised by this article. Fiducian accepts no liability for any loss suffered by anyone who has acted on any information in this document 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 ... u sssa jmiss il-Vitorja ara ċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tal-festa ta’ Santa Marija ftit CatholicCare tal-jiem ilu, fi tmien irħula f’Malta u Għawdex, u f’għadd ta’ stati fl-Awstralja mill-komunita` Maltija, Home Care Services kWif ukoll il-festi l-oħra li jagħmlu x-xahar ta’ Awwissu ferm if - fullat b’dawk li huma ċelebrazzjonijiet, fit-8 ta’ Settembru jmiss oħra kbira, it-8 ta' Settembru festa pubblika li tfakkar il-ġrajja ta' żewġ assedji li saru fuq il-gżejjer Maltin. Din il-ġurnata taħbat ukoll mal-kommemorazzjoni tat-twelid tal-Verġni Marija, magħrufa aħjar bħala l-Bambina, festa li tiġi ċċelebrata fil-belt tal-Isla, u l-irħula tan-Naxxar u l-Mellieħa f' - Malta, u x-Xagħra f'Għawdex. Matul dan il-jum isiru diversi attivitajiet, reliġjużi u mhumiex. Dawn fil-fatt jibdew jum qabel b'attività kulturali li ssir f'Misraħ l-Assedju fil-Belt, li tinkludi qari letterarju, mużika u wirjiet artistiċi. Fil-Belt Valletta, fi Triq ir-Repubbblika ssir parata mill-Forzi Armati ta' Malta li tibqa’ sejra sa quddiem il-Kon-Katidral ta' Do you know any seniors in San Ġwann. Fil-post jingħata salut lill-Prim Ministru ta' Malta filwaqt li jindaqq l-Innu Malti. our community who could Aktar tard issir quddiesa pontifikali bil-preżenza tal-ogħla aw - use a little help at home? toritajiet tal-Pajjiż. F'din il-ġurnata titqiegħed ukoll kuruna min- naħa tal-President ta' Malta fuq il-Monument tal-Assedju l-Kbir. CatholicCare home care services can help Wara nofsinhar issir ir-Regatta tradizzjonali tad-dgħajjes fil- Port il-Kbir organizzata mill-Kunsill Malti għall-Isport li fiha seniors to enjoy living independently in jieħdu sehem l-hekk magħfrufa għal din l-okkażjoni bħala dis - their own home with comfort and tretti, ta’ Bormla, il-Birgu, Birżebbuġa, il-Marsa, Marsamxett, confidence. il-Kalkara u l-Isla. Isiru għadd ta’ tlielaq imqassim f'żewġ kat - Call CCareline to find out more. egoriji, Open u ta’ taħt il-21 sena. Kull rebbieħ jingħata l-palju. Id-distrett rebbieħ finalment jingħata l-hekk magħrufa Shield . CatholicCare CCareline 131819 Il-komunita` Maltija fil-bliet ewlenin fl-Awstralja u anke f’xi CatholicCare.org pajjiżi oħra, ukoll tfakkar u tiffesteġġja din il-ġrajja.

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Malta leads in international ocean cean governance is not just about European Commission Karmenu Vella commitment but also about deliv - who emphasised that the oceans are re - ery. This is an issue that requires ceiving more political attention than ever an international integrated approach and a governance and that the European Commission would O He stated that at the national level, Ocean continue to work to prevent unregulated global action plan. This was the outcome Ambassadors could play a pivotal role in fishing. He invited the Commonwealth of the first international meeting of ocean raising public awareness while sensitising ambassadors recently hosted by Malta. Secretary General to commence discus - government, businesses, and civil society sions on a possible agreement between the The meeting, organised by the Ministry to promote action in favour of the health for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion two parties on ocean actions. and sustainability of the oceans. UN Special Envoy for the Oceans, Am - headed by Minister Carmelo Abela to - He noted that throughout the years, gether with UN Special Envoy for the bassador Peter Thomson praised this Oceans Ambassador Peter Thomson, proactive initiative and said Malta was at brought together the UN, the EU, Com - the forefront of tackling the issues related monwealth, global ocean ambassadors and A strong message to international ocean governance. other organisations to discuss the protec - that healthy oceans Commonwealth Secretary General Patri - tion and restoration of the world’s ocean ‘ cia Scotland remarked on the responsibil - for current and future generations. and the preservation ity that this moment puts on national European Commissioner for the Environ - governments to make a difference in un - ment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Kar - of marine areas are derwater action and the blue economy. menu Vella and Commonwealth Secretary “If not now, when, if not us, who”, she viewed as a priority said. General Patricia Scotland also participated. Malta’s foreign policy has sought to con - The representatives (pictured above in a Ms Patricia Scotland accepted Commis - tribute towards furthering the development sioner’s Vella proposal to begin discus - family photo in front of Castille Palace) of international ocean governance. He sa’id affirmed that it is time to move from ocean sions for a joint agreement between the that the decision to take a proactive global Commonwealth and the European Com - discussion towards ocean action, and that lead in uniting all concerned partners to the meeting is only the first of a regular mission raise awareness on a future joint action Other international organisations attend - appointment for Ocean Ambassadors, or - plan, sends a strong message that healthy ing the meeting included the International ganisations, and other stakeholders to oceans and the preservation of marine Maritime Organisation, the Food and come together in a strategic meeting al - areas including its biodiversity is viewed Agriculture Organisation and the UN De - lowing for an open and frank exchange of not just regionally but also internationally velopment Programme, the European views in order to strive to save the future asP oa ipnrtinogri toyu. t that this meeting attested to Commission, the EU Presidency, the of the oceans. the participants’ commitment to the Commonwealth Secretariat as well as In his opening remarks Minister Carmelo oceans, that sustain the livelihood in many states with a special interest in the oceans Abela stated that being a Mediterranean ways Minister Abela appealed to the rep - and hosts of upcoming international maritime archipelago, Malta reviews the resentatives that, following the first events on oceans. sustainability of the world’s oceans as a achievement of accepting to unite together The President of the Intergovernmental top priority and that as a result it has taken to discuss ocean governance, to move to - Conference on the BBNJ Ambassador this proactive initiative to put a spotlight gether towards an effective multilateral Rena Lee and Ambassador Vidar Helgesen on the role of Ocean Ambassadors in safe - cooperation system that would deliver re - representing the Norwegian government’s guarding the health and sustainability of sults in tackling such a global challenge. initiative on a sustainable ocean economy our seas. The conference was also addressed by were also present. 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Your letters/ L-ittri tagħkom ... The non-showing of the Maltese News July 21 SBS Director Audio & Language Content gives version, explaination This is a reply by Mandi Wicks, the Director Audio & Language Content at SBS to the The Voice of the Maltese letter by Marisa Previtera, that was also published in the last issue of The Voice of the ffoorrttnniigghhttllyy mmaaggaazziinnee Maltese, entitled: SBS disservice to the Maltese community: Enough is enough! It is is is a bi-lingual (in English also in reply to the comments by Emm. Farrugia, titled: SBS letting us down! and Maltese) fortnightly mag - have investigated internally to find out Sunday 21 July. azine that specifically targets what happened to the Maltese news on I understand your concern and your feed - all Maltese living abroad with Sunday 21 July. back has been passed on to our program - emphasis on the Australian IThere were three ICC football matches, ming team in television. Unfortunately, and Maltese scenes. broadcast back to back from 0600 to 1215. from time to time, there will be special e magazine can also be read in Eleven international news services were event programming which will impact the flipbook format online. A pdf copy impacted on that day including Cantonese, regular schedule. This is the case for all tel - is also sent via email on request. Mandarin, Russian, Polish, Maltese, Mace - evision networks. donian, Croatian, Serbian, Portuguese, Once again, I am sorry for the inconven - If you require a printed copy we Urdu and Hindi. ience to you and the community. can also oblige. There are seven ICC matches in total Editors: which will impact up to 16 different inter - The Voice of the Maltese would like to re - Malta: Joseph Cutajar national news services. Only one game will ceive the views of our readers across Aus - Australia: impact the Maltese service and that was on tralia on this issue. Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: Prosit tal-festa fil-LV The power of [email protected] Paul Debono minn Fairfield jikteb: eta kont ngħix Malta qatt ma kont this media Letters for publication in The Voice wieħed li nħobb il-festi, u fl-Aw - Lawrence Camilleri, Naxxar, Malta writes: Mstralja rari attendejt dawk li jorganizzaw l- magazine, either in Maltese or English għaqdiet u ċ-ċentri Maltin. Imma wish to commend The Voice of th Mal - should include name, e-mail address għall-festa ta’ Santa Marija organizzata fiċ- Itese not only for its content but also for and residence of the writer, and be e- Ċentru ta’ La Valette fi Blacktown, atten - the hold it seems to have over its readers, mailed to: [email protected]. dejt. Ġejt imkaxkar minn xi qraba li jgħixu and most probably even on the community fl-inħawi li wkoll riedu jiġbdu magħhom xi leaders. Now you can also ħbieb li ġew minn Malta. A few weeks ago I booked two adverts to join us on facebook: Ma ddispjaċinix, għax għax kienet orga - appear in successive issues with the hope nizzata tajjeb ħafna. Għalhekk nifraħ lill- that I could rent two apartments I have in organizzaturi tal-festa, inkluż id- dinner Malta/Gozo for August and September. The https://www.facebook. dance li permezz tiegħu stajt nerġa’ niltaqa’ first advert was published on issue 208 com/groups/thevoice - ma’ ħbieb li kien ilni ma nara. Allura jekk (July 16). I cancelled the second booking xejn, avvenimenti bħal dawn jiswew biex as I did not need to. ofthemaltese iqarrbu aktar lill-komunita`Maltija. Three days after the appearance of the first advert I was inundated with readers’ re - quests from Australia, the UK and Canada, and even from Malta either wanting to rent Dr Hugh McDermott MP for themselves or on behalf of relatives State Member for Prospect wanting to spend their holidays in Malta. I had to disappoint many people. If I had For issues concerning: more to rent I could also have done it with - out a sweat. I even had requests for a num - Ageing and disability - community ber of months for next year. services -education - environ - For me this shows how powerful an ad - vertsing media The Voice has become. ment - health - housing - planning By the way, I gladly forfeited the cost of - Police - transport - water the second advert. By the way please take my advice those P: (02) 9756 4766 of you who in need of holday accommoda - E: [email protected] tion and intend to rent an apartment or 2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164 house in Malta, especially it it is for long let, not to leave it till late. When you decide act upon it or you would be left stranded Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 9 Lawrence Dimech alta, jew aħjar il-popolazzjoni Maltija, għaddejja minn fażi tranżitorja li qed toħloq ċerta ansjeta jekk mhux ukoll kritMika. Mhux Kull progress għax din xi ħaġa ġdida għal Malta għax meta Malta assoċ - jat ruħha mal-Unjoni Ewropeja daħlet għal obbligi stretti kif ukoll regoli internazzjonali li kellha taċċetta. Dawk bħali li kellhom iħallu pajjizhom biex ifittxu xogħol f’pajjiżi kbar u mbiegħda, fejn tidhol sewwa t- fih it-tajjeb u taħlita ta’ kulturi u ġnus differenti, sibna ma’ wiċċna peri - jodi ta’ tbatija u ta’ qtugħ il-qalb. Taħsbu li ma kienx hemm Maltin li emigraw lejn l-Awstralja li kellhom jgħixu 10 f’kamra waħda jew f’xi stalla taż- żwiemel inkella xi shed l-Jeħkk illuam Mażlta qeid tnimport a ħtaddiemea Torgok jewħ Serbiu biex tat-tiġieġ? Fl-Awstralja għandna nies li jitkellmu b’200 ilsien differenti. itejjbu l-infastrattura, wara l-aħħar gwerra, l-Awstralja aċċettat Taħlita mhux ħażin, imma l-Gvernijiet dejjem irnexxielhom jit - eluf ta’ barranin mill-Ewropa biex bnew is-Snowy Mountain għallmu mill-esperjenza fil-Kanada u l-Istati Uniti biex ħolqu Scheme, l-akbar proġett ta’ inġinerija fl-Awstralja li dam jin - nazzjon kulturali u lingwistiku li hu l-għira tad-dinja. Sintendi bena 25 sena, sal-1974. Tnejn minn kull tliet ħaddiema jaħdmu mhux dejjem kien hekk. fuqu kienu barranin minn madwar 30 pajjiż differenti. Meta emigrajna lejn l-Awstralja fil-ħamsinijiet kien hemm L-arranġament Schengen fetaħ beraħ il-fruntieri fl-Ewropa. Il- diskriminazzjoni ħarxa. Kuljum tisma’ min jgħidlek “wog go pajjizi tal-UE jistgħu jgħixu u jaħdmu fejn iridu, waqt li home” “hawn ma rridux barranin”. Ix-xogħol li ma kienux nħolqot ukoll problema bl-immigranti illegali. iridu jagħmlu l-Awstraljani, dak ta’ kedda u strapazz kienu Tul is-sekli l-Maltin tħalltu mal-barranin iżda dejjem żammew jagħmluh dawk li kienu jsejjħulhom “new Australians” bħalna il-kultura tagħhom, u żammew il-lingwa tagħhom ukoll meta l-Maltin, frazi sabiħa izda li saret frazi ta’ disrispett. forzi qawwija kienu ppruvaw joħonquha. Mhux f’kollox tista’ tipparaguna dak li għaddejna minnu fl- M’għandiex nifhem li anke fil-ġejjini l-poplu Maltu mhux se Awstralja, ħamsin jew sittin sena ilu għal dak f’Malta tal-lum, jibqa’ magħqud. Kull proġress iġib miegħu diffikultajiet, dubji iżda xebħ hemm. Tisma’ min jilmenta għax il-wejters, eċċ u frustrazzjoni iżda pajjizna ma setax jibqa’ staġnat fil-passat. huma barranin. Fl-Awstralja rari issib ristorant li mhux tac-Cinizi, Indjani, Taljani eċċ. L-Awstralja nbniet mill-barranin, u llum wieħed minn kull tlieta hu mwieled minn ġenituri barranin. Inħolqot soċjeta multikulturali li bin-nuqqasijiet kollha tagħha, taħdem b’effiċjenza.

Ħaddiema Torok fuq il-lant tax-xogħol fl-akbar proġett fit-toroq Malti, fil-proġett tal-Marsa Did you know...? l Tasmania (TAS), which is separated from main - land Australia by the Bass Strait is the smallest state in Australia. It’s capital, Hobart, was founded in 1804 as a penal colony, and is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. l Australia's total land area is about 7,688,287 square kilometres. Western Australia is Australia's largest state, with a total land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (976,790 sq mi); the Australian Capital Ter - ritory is the smallest (2,358sq km). 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019

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

awn diversi skejjel u inizjattivi fl-Awstralja li Ijlgħall-mu lM-lingwa għażiaża tagħlna flt-istati Aws tral f- is-sistema jani, il-biċċa l-kbira lil studenti li jkunu għadhom qHed jibdew l-istudji tagħhom. Il-quċċata tat-tagħlim tal-Malti hawnhekk huwa l-eżami fil-livell tal-iskola sekondarja (high school) tas- sena 12. Kull stat għandu l-isem tiegħu għal dan l-eżami (VCE f’Victoria, HSC fi NSW, SACE edukattiva f’South Australia). Għal dawn l-aħħar snin, il-Malti dejjem kellu problema waħda – l-għadd ta’ studenti li kienu qed joqogħdu għal dan l-eżami f’sena partiko - lari, meta jingħaddu madwar l-Awstralja kollha, huwa iżgħar minn dak li huwa meqjus li huwa l-minimu li juri liA hemm in w- straljana teress biżżejjed biex l-awtoritajiet edukattivi jinvestu fih. Din is-sena mhi l-ebda eċċezzjoni, fejn ix-xahar li għadda, del - egazzjoni mill-Federation of Maltese Language Schools (FMLS) ġiet mgħarrfa għal darb’oħra li l-Malti huwa f’xifer l- irdum u jekk ma jkunx hemm żieda fl-istudenti li humu mik - tuba, il-Malti nistgħu ngħidulu bonswa fil-kurrikulu uffiċjali edukattiv Awstraljan. Jien familjari l-iktar bis-sitwazzjoni ta’ NSW. Hawnhekk, stu - denti tal-iskola li jridu jkollhom iċ-ċertifikat tal-HSC fil-Malti jridu jkunu ppreżentati minn skola akkreditata, u fi NSW l-unika skola akkreditata fil-Malti hija s-Saturday School for Commu - nity Languages ta’ Seven Hills, fejn il-lezzjonijiet bil-Malti jsiru Jien ukoll ngħallem il-Malti f’kull livell sal-HSC, lil gruppi jew minn Charles Galea, wieħed mill-pilastri tat-tagħlim tal-Malti individwi, fi Blacktown u l-madwar, wiċċ imb’wiċċ jew onlajn. fl-Awstralja, li għandna nkunu grati għax-xogħol tiegħu fuq Dan huwa servizz privat bl-isem Dwejret il-Malti. Iktar tagħrif medda twila ta’ żmien. jista’ jinkiseb minn [email protected] . Jekk hawn xi ġenituri li interessati li wliedhom li għadhom l- Għal min joqgħod fi stati oħra tal-Awstralja, inħeġġiġkom biex iskola jġibu dan iċ-ċertifikat, inħeġġiġhom jikkuntattjaw lill- tikkuntattjaw lill-organizzazzjonijiet li jaħdmu fl-istati tagħkom iskola f’dan l-indirizz: [email protected] . għal iktar dettalji. Li naf bihom huma dawn li ġejjin: L-adulti ta’ NSW għandhom ftit iktar għażla. Għalkemm ma’ • Victoria: MCCV (Maltese Community Council of Victoria) ; jistgħux jagħmlu l-kors sħiħ u jiġu assessjati matul is-sena kif MLTAV (Modern Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria) ; isir għat-tfal tal-iskola, marki li jgħoddu għall-marka finali, jist - VSL (Victorian School of Languages) għu jippreżentaw ruħhom u joqogħdu għaż-żewġ eżamijiet • Queensland: Skola Maltija Mackay (orali u kitba) bħall-istudenti l-oħra. • WA: Maltese Association WA L-aktar skola antika komunitarja fi NSW hija l- Maltese Lan - Jekk hemm organizzazzjonijiet jew individwi oħra involuti f’dan guage School of NSW li taħdem f’Horsley Park, u tirreferi studenti il-qasam li ma semmejtx hawn fuq, toqogħdux lura milli tiktbu interessati fl-HSC għal klassijiet speċjalizzati. Tistgħu ġġibu aktar lill-edituri ta’ The Voice ħalli tħabbru s-servizz tagħkom. tagħrif minn [email protected] . Lill-bqija tal-qarrejja, jekk hemm xi nitfa ta’ interess fil-lingwa Skola komunitarja oħra stabbilita hija Skola Maltija li topera Maltija, iktar u iktar jekk tixtiequ li ġġibu ċertifikat uffiċjali tal- minn Rouse Hill, Greystanes, Cringila u Cobbitty. Wieħed jista’ Malti mill-awtoritajiet edukattivi tal-istat tagħkom, inħeġġiġkom jikkuntattjahom fuq [email protected] . tavviċinaw lil min jista’ jgħinkom. Aħna qegħdin hawn għalikom. Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 11 ‘Il-vapur tal-art’ (Il-Ferrovija) f'Malta – It-tie let parti – Il-ferrovija ta’ Malta inawgurata bl-akbar pompa l-ferrovija f'Malta ġiet inawgurata bil-kbir waqt ċeri - monja nhar l-Erbgħa, 28 ta' Frar, 1883. Bir-raġun, għax kien hemm investiment qawwi ħafna għal dawk iż- żminijiet, kien sar ukoll ħafna xogħol ta' tbatija kbira. Dakinhar iċ-ċerimonja bdiet billi l-Isqof Monsinjur Carmelo IScicluna, flimkien mal-membri tal-kleru, mexa mill-Knisja PeterPaul tal-Vitorja fil-kapitali Maltija sat-terminus li kien ħdejn it- Ciantar Teatru Rjal. Hemmhekk ġie milqugħ mill-General Manager tal-Malta Railway u membri oħra tal-kumpannija. Il-biljetti mill-Belt għar-Rabat kienu jiswew hekk: Naturalment, għal ċerimonja bħal din tal-inawgurazzjoni L-ewwel klassi singli - xelin; bir-ritorn - xelin u nofs kien hemm preżenti wkoll il-Gvernatur Sir Arthur Borton u It-tieni klassi singli - tmien soldi; bir-ritorn - xelin l-Prim Imhallef Sir It-tielet klassi singli - Adrian u Lady Dingli. erba’ soldi; bir-ritorn - sitt Wara li sar it-tberik tal- soldi ferrovija li dakinhar Il-ħaddiema kellhom kienet b'żewġ magni u ħlas speċjali ta’ żewġ b’seba' vaguni mżejna soldi għat-tielet klassi. bil-bnadar u l-palm, Il-kumpannija tal-fer - għamlet l-ewwel vjaġġ rovija aktar tard kienet tagħha mill-belt Valletta ħarġet ukoll passijiet li għar-Rabat. bis-saħħa tagħhom min Fi triqitha minn staz - kien jivvjaġġa bil-fer - zjon għall-ieħor inġabru rovija kien ikollu ħafna nies biex jaraw tnaqqis fil-ħlas. din li kienu laqqmuha “l-vapur tal-art” għad - (Ikompli fil-ħarġa li jmiss) dejja, jistagħġbu b’dk li kienu qed jaraw u jin - Xellug: Il-mistednin fexxu f’ċapċip kbir u distinti jaslu fl-istaz - tixjir tal-imkatar. Il- zjon ta’ taħt l-Imdina vjaġġ ħa 25 minuta. fil-vjaġġ inawgurali tal-1883. Mal-wasla fl-istazzjon tar-Rabat, il-Gvernatur Taħt: xi biljetti tal-fer - għamel diskors għall- rovija okkażjoni li fih semma li bis-saħħa tal-ferrovija t- trasport f’Malta kellu jagħmel pass kbir ’il quddiem. L-għada taċ-ċerimonja uffiċjali l-ferrovija bdiet taħdem b’mod regolari biex iġġorr lill-pubbliku. L-ewwel vjaġġ minn dawn kien jit - laq mill-belt fis-6.30 a.m., filwaqt li l-ewwel wieħed mir- Rabat kien fil-5.15 a.m. L-aħħar vjaġġ tal-jum għall-ferrovija kien ikun mill-Belt fis-7.30 p.m. u mir-Rabat f’xi s-6.45 p.m. Il-biljetti kie- nu mqassmin f’dawk singli u oħrajn bir- ritorn, filwaqt li l-ħlas tal- ferrovija kien imqassam fi tliet taqsimiet. 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 Roundup of News About Malta DBRS: Malta’s economic growth is three times over EU average et another international rating agency has recognised Malta’s economic progress by giving it aY very positive rating. Coming on top of other such results, DBRS has confirmed Malta’s A level rating with stable prospects. It said that Malta has regis - Maltese very satisfied tered an economic growth that was more than three times the EU member states’ average. with the life they lead The reason DBRS economists said classified the Maltese economy in A altese are very satisfied with the uation is bad. Next come the Hungarians, credit rating is because last year the life they lead, and the majority of at 80%, and third the Italians Italians, with economy kept on growing with rates of them say that their family’s fi - 76%. 7 per cent and also managed to maintain nMancial situation is good, and rate the pro - Asked to name the two major problems the 2017 rhythm. vision of public services as very good. they think Malta is facing, 49% of the It further predicted that the economic This results from the latest Standard Eu - Maltese surveyed mentioned migration as growth would moderate both due to in - robarometer Survey conducted between their most worrying issue, while 43% said ternational factors and also as the econ - June 7 and July 1 in which 96% of the their concern is housing. omy has almost reached its capacity. At Maltese respondents stated that on the In the other EU member states, the most the same time DBRS observed that here whole they are very satisfied with their life pressing issues are unemployment, the are some sectors that may prove prob - in Malta., with 86% of them even saying cost of living and pensions, while migra - lematic to sustain the growth. that their family’s financial situation is tion placed in fifth position and housing in The economists noted that the Govern - good with 82% rating the provision of eighth. ment’s finances were assisted by the public services as very good. The Maltese also believe that migration economic growth with the result that it The survey indicates that over 85% of the is the most important challenge facing the again registered a budget surplus and Maltese consider that Malta’s economic EU with six out of every 10 naming this debt decreased to 46% of the Gross Do - situation is good, the fourth highest among challenge. Estonians, Czechs, Dutch and mestic Product. The surplus in Govern - European citizens, with only 7% consid - Slovenians also share the same concern. ment finances was achieved even ering it to be bad. Not only that, but a third For Denmark, Ireland, Finland and Swe - without the introduction of the citizen - of the Maltese believe that in the coming den, the most pressing issue is climate ship investment programme (IIP). year the Maltese economy would even change. The international economists observed continue to improve. The June Eurobarometer survey showed that measures on the market, including Only 9% of the Maltese citizens surveyed a solid increase in the positive perception the increase of woman workers, the for - said that their situation is bad. of citizens about the EU in all sectors with eign workers and more elderly persons The figures resulting from the survey the European Commission describing the who stay active in the labour market contrast with the European Union average result as the best since June five years ago. avoided the inflationary effects in the where only 49% of those interviewed said Compared to last year’s survey, confi - economy, which is also gaining from re - that their national economy is good; 47% dence in the EU generally has increased to form benefits in the energy sector. said it is bad. 44% while the overall positive opinion DBRS agency stated the trend in gov - The most pessimistic are the Greeks, about it has increased in 23 of the 28 mem - ernment debt reduction would continue. 93% of whom said that their economic sit - ber countries, including Malta. Gozo - The Beauty, History and Culture of an Island inister for Gozo Dr Justyne Caruana re - ferred food of Gozo, ten legends from Gozo, infor - cently launched, Gozo – The Beauty, His - mation on the Citadel, Victoria, villages and island Mtory and Culture of an Island , a book by historian events; patron feasts; and the celebrations the Min - Joseph Bezzina and illustrations Daniel Cilia (pic - istry for Gozo organises on a regional scale. turd left). He said that everything is based on written docu - She said that the book, promoted as a showcase ments scanned at the National Archives, which he for Gozo and, published on the initiative of the manages, as well as other archives. Ministry, is a gift to all the distinguished guests Minister Justyne Caruana pointed out the impor - who visit Malta’s sister island. It shows the tance of Gozo’s culture and history, both as a tourist beauty, history, and culture of the island. product and even more for its identity and national The author of the book, Dr Joseph Bezzina, ex - patrimony. plained it is divided into seven chapters: general Gozo – The Beauty, History and Culture of an Is - information on Gozo and Comino; tracing 7000 land, is on sale at all leading booksellers in the Mal - years of history; its people, language, and the pre - tese islands Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 13 Roundup of News About Malta Malta’s plan for blockchain-powered agency he government of Malta has again to streamline the process of company reg - tive, clear regulation. broken new ground in the blockchain istration, and according to Schembri, the The government’s stated objectives are to sector by announcing plans to run a new model will eliminate unnecessary bu - switch over as many processes as possible Tnew government department powered by reaucracy, while ensuring more efficient to blockchain-powered systems, demon - blockchain. registration and support services for com - strating its commitment to the technology. In a first-of-its-kind move in Europe, the panies within the country. Meanwhile, as part of the well-needed government announced that in a bid to de - Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the rent reform, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat liver efficient services, the new Malta Busi - new MBR would harmonize with the work has also announced that upon the coming ness Registry (MBR) would be run on already being done by the Malta Financial into force of the reform, all rental agree - blockchain with the help of artificial intel - Services Authority, which is actively mov - ments are to be registered on Blockchain. ligence. MBR is a national agency created ing its processes over to blockchain-pow - This will ensure that rental agreements are out of the Registry of Companies of Malta, ered solutions. safeguarded within a secure environment, which will be powered by blockchain. The move is the latest step in Malta’s for the benefit of both the lessor and the It comes against a backdrop of technolog - Blockchain Island initiative, first an - lessee. Subsequently, this will also prevent ical innovation on the island, with the ju - nounced in April 2016, in which the coun - any false records from being registered. risdiction emerging as one of the leading try moves towards becoming a Malta was one of six EU states to sign a global destinations for blockchain and world-leading destination for the joint declaration of cooperation for devel - cryptocurrency businesses. blockchain sectors through a combination oping blockchain tech, alongside France, Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary of attractive business conditions and effec - Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus. for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation said that the new depart - ment reflects the government’s commit - – 77th anniversary of Operation Pedestal – ment to leading the “digital revolution.” The premises would serve as the beating heart of the technological activity in Malta, and reflect the government’s drive to remain One of most decisive episodes in at the forefront of the digital revolution. The new department replaces the Registry Malta’s recent past remembered of Companies, and will turn to technology n the days leading to the celebrations all over Malta of the commemoration of the feast of Santa Maria (Assumption of Our Lady) on August 15, which is also a public Iholiday, President George Vella and Mrs Vella attended a commemorative service marking the 77th anniversary of Operation Pedestal (Santa Maria Convoy). Maltese Economy to Addressing the commemorative service that was presided by Malta Emigrants’ Com - mission Monsignor Alfred Vella and Chancellor of St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral Reverend maintain fast pace Simon Godfrey, the President explained that Operation Pedestal (also known as ‘il- he Central Bank expects Malta’s eco - Konvoj ta’ Santa Marija’ ), is probably one of the most decisive episodes in Malta’s nomic growth over the coming years to recent past. Tremain strong, averaging 4.4% between He said that on this special day, “we remember and salute the victims of Operation 2019 –2021. Growth in private consumption Pedestal and others who bravely gave their lives to protect peace and stability in Europe and government expenditure expected to re - and the Mediterranean”. main robust, and investment should recover The President confirmed that this is also a celebration of the bravery and determina - from the contraction recorded in 2018. tion of the Maltese population of the post-war period who, through renewed sacrifices, Compared with the Bank’s previous pro - rebuilt the country into a modern and peaceful nation, the state we all can enjoy today. jections, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Representatives from the Royal Navy Association (Malta Branch), Armed Forces of growth has been revised marginally down - Malta (Maritime Section), relatives of the sailors who had been on duty for Operation wards in 2019, due to a delay in a major in - Pedestal and ignitaries from the British High Commission and the US Embassy were vestment project in the private sector. present. During the projection horizon, GDP growth will be supported by domestic demand, mainly reflecting robust growth in private consumption and investment. Referring to prospects for the next two and a half years, the Central Bank stated that next year Malta’s economy is expected to grow by 4.3%, and by 3.5% in 2021. It said that that economic growth is motivated mainly by private consumption and Gov - ernment expenditure, which are expected to remain strong, whilst for this year and the next, the export contribution is expected to be negative as a result of a weak inter - national scenario and a higher growth rate in imports. It is forecasting that Government will con - tinue to register a surplus in public fi - nances, in a way that by 2021 the debt rate compared to the wealth generated by the Maltese economy will drop below 40%. 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019

Disinn ttal-Malta Transport ta’ parti minn kif se jiġi l- proġett magħruf bħala s-Central Link meta jitlesta

Taxi Tal-Linja 0.6% 16.6%

Oħrajn 0.3%

Inwessgħu t-toroMqixi ?! ħalkemm il-mistoqsija tar-ras ta’ dan l-artiklu mhix qed 1.0% issir direttament, imma minn dak li jinkiteb fil-midja Karozza 80.6% lokali, din hija l-mistoqsija li xi wħud qed jistaqsu. L-aktar minnhom huma 7.3% lesti li jużaw din il-kwalita’ ta’ trasport. Gwara li f’dawn l-aħħar ftit snin nistgħu ngħidu li l-infrastruttura Attwalment dawk li l-aktar li jużaw it-trasport pubbliku huma tal-Gżejjer Maltin fejn jidħlu t-toroq ingħatat spinta qawwija. dawk ta ċerta eta: 18.5% ta’ dawk li għandhom bejn il-51 u l-65 Wara li lesta t-Triq tas-Salini (dik li minn San Ġiljan tieħdok għal sena u 39% ta’ dawk ta’ aktar minn 65 sena. San Pawl-il-Baħar), li kien ilha tkaxkar mhux ħażin, il-Gvern ta’ Fl-istess stħarriġ instab li 51.6% tal-Maltin ħassew li l-proġett tas- bħalissa beda diversi xogħlijiet fit-toroq Maltin u Għawdxin, fos - Central Link huwa bżonnjuż u għalhekk iriduh isir. Kienu biss thom il-bini tal-punt tar-Regional Road (li tieħdok mill-Imsida għal 19.5% li huma kontrih. San Ġiljan), li tlestiet fi żmien sentejn. Dan ir-riżultat jagħati stampa differenti minn li jidher f’ċertu Imbagħad minn pont wieħed għadda għal sfida akbar, dik ta’ midja fejn il-kummenti kontra dan il-proġett kien jisboq bi kbir ta’ ħdejn iċ-ċimiterju tal-Addolorata fejn se jinbnew seba’ pontijiet dawk favur. Imma wieħed irid iqis li dawk li jiktbu fil-midja mhux fuq xulxin biex tittaffa l-konġesjoni tat-traffiku fit-toroq tal-inħawi. bilfors jirrappreżentaw il-fehma tal-maġġoranza tal-poplu. Issa għadu kif ġie approvat ukoll il-proġett imsejjaħ tas-Central Ma ninsewx lanqas il-politika partiġġjana li tidħol f’kollox. link li jgħaqqad ir-Rabat (Malta) mal-Imrieħel. Dan barra Sadanittant l-Oppożizzjoni ħarġet qatta bla ħabel kontra l-proġett, twessiegħ u bini ta’ toroq oħra. fejn mhux biss issemmi l-għadd ta’ siġar li jistgħu jinqalgħu, imma Din il-ħidma kollha ġabet ukoll kritika magħha, mhux biss dik li wkoll għax sostnew li l-Gvern għandu jħares lejn soluzzjoni per - minħabba dan ix-xogħol se jinqalgħu għadd ta’ siġar (imma fil- manenti, fosthom dik tat-traġitt tal-massa. fatt se jitħawwlu ferm aktar minflokhom), imma wkoll għax uħud Attwalment il-Partit Nazzjonalista dejjem saħaq dwar is-sistema qed isostnu li bit-twessiegħ tat-toroq il-Gvern mhux se jsolvi l- tal-metro, u mistoqsi dwar din l-alternnativa, il-Ministru Ian Borg problema tat-traffiku, anzi se jżidha, għax qed jgħidu li b’hekk qed wieġeb: “Qed jagħtu soluzzjoni għal 20, 25 sena oħra. Ma tistax iħajjar lin-nies jixtru u jużaw aktar il-karozzi privati.. u allura fi - tistenna 25 sena oħra biex ikollok soluzzjoni.” nalment wara xi snin il-karozzi tant jiżdiedu li dawn it-toroq mill- Insomma, veru li f’ċerti każi b’dawn il-proġetti l-ambjent jista’ ġdid ma jservux għat-traffiku li jkun hemm. ġieli jieħu daqqa ta’ ħarta, imma hu wkoll fatt li diffiċli li wieħed Imma min-naħa l-oħra hemm dawk li jsostnu li dan l-irraġunar iżomm il-progress. ma jagħmilx sens, għax il-poplu Malti għandu kultura tal-użu tal- ost l-aktar punt li qed jis - karozza privata tiegħu, u allura avolja jekk ma jsirx twessiegħ u semma’ fejn jidħol l- bini ta’ toroq ġodda, ir-rata tal-karozzi se tibqa’ tiżdied. Fiżvilupp infrastrutturali fit-toroq Stħarriġ li sar dan l-aħħar mill-gazetta ta’ nhar ta’ Ħadd Illum hemm, il-qerda tas-siġar. Hawn donnu jagħti raġun lil dawn tal-aħħar. Infatti jirriżulta li 16.8% biss moviment qawwi li jsostni li l- li jippreferu li jużaw it-trasport pubbliku, imqabbel mat-80% li jip - IGvesrn -m’sgħaniduġx, lia biexr jogħġob lis-sewwieqa jaqla’ siġar li preferu l-karozza privata tagħhom. għandhom ħafna snin, għax dan se jikkawża ħafna ħsara fl-ambjent U jidher li s-sitwazzjoni mhux se tinbidel fil-ġejjieni qrib għax u jaffettwa s-saħħa. Bħala protesta mal-elf pesuna inġabru fit-triq mill-istess stħarriġ ħareġ li dawk li l-aktar li mhumiex lesti li jużaw tar-Rabat biex jipprotestaw kontra it-tneħħija tas-siġar. it-trasport pubbliku huma ż-żgħażagħ ta’ bejn it-18 u l-35 sena li *Ikompli f’paġna 15 Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 15

Skandlu jew sinjal taż-żminijiet? assis mill-Mosta, Fr David Muscat, jgħid li hu favur li tfal li jitwieldu b’difetti minħabba l-flus.” mhux darba jew tnejn spiċċa fil-kri - fiżiċi għandhom jiġu mneħħija. Min-naħa tiegħu minkejja l-kritika kollha tika minħabba xi kummenti dwar ti- Il-qassis mhux talli attenda, iżda wkoll u l-kundanna min-naħa tal-Arċisqof, Mus - Qbdil fil-Knisja li xejn ma jaqblu mal-ideat ħass li kellu jagħmel diskors li fih qal: “bil- cat mhux talli ma rtirax mill-pożizzjoni kemxejn tradizzjonali tiegħu. Iżda dan l- mod il-mod drajtu (lil Norman) u bdejt tiegħu, iżda sostna li dak li għadda minnu aħħar spiċċa biex saħansitra jkun l-istess nifhem x’qed jgħid. Għax minkejja li l- jidher li ma kienx biss attakk personali fuqu Arċisqof Mons Charles Scicluna li ħareġ lingwaġġ jidher mod is-sustanza bdejt imma wkoll fuq dawk l-10,000 li vvutaw stqarrija fejn qal li l-Knisja tiddisassoċja nifhem x’inhi. Illum inħoss li bit-tajjeb u l- favur Imperium Europa . ruħha mill-fehmiet ta’ Fr David u li l-ide - ħażin tiegħu Norman, żera’ żerriegħa fil- oloġiji li jiżirgħu l-mibegħda u d-diskrimi - qlub li se tagħti frott ‘il quddiem.” nazzjoni abbażi tar-razza jew kultura li Żied jgħid: “dawk l-10,000 vot (li Norman jmorru kontra t-tagħlim tal-Knisja Kattolika. kiseb fl-elezzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew Imut l-iskultur Ganni Dan wara li da-qassis ftaħar li għall- f’Mejju li għadda), 6,000 minnhom ma ewwel darba f’ħafna snin ma attendiex ntirtux. Li jfisser li dawn tant jemmnu Bso-Snibtn ici li għall-ħruġ tal-vara ta’ Santa Marija tal- f’dan l-ideal li ma jridux ikollhom x’ - għadda 17 ta’ Mosta, għax ipprefera minlfok li jattendi jaqsmu ma’ ħaddieħor u dik tathom ġewwa. AIwwissu miet għal riċeviment ta’ jum it-twelid Norman Ngħiduha kif inhi min qed jitkellem fuq, l-iskultur Lowell, bniedem pro-nazista u l-mexxej ngħidu aħna, li l-Malti sar barrani f’daru magħruf Malti tal- Partit Imperium Ewropa, li saħansitra stess? Ħadd. U kulħadd iridu l-barrani Ġanni Bonnici 18-il jum qabel fl-4 ta’ Settem - bru li ġej kien jagħlaq 87 sena. Hproepjum metma xi konnesstjalio, inkonrporia s-? sin - Ganni, Mosti, nqala’ dan l-in - jal tal-ajkla tan- jibqa’ magħruf Uċident fil-midja Nazisti mas-salib għal għadd kbir ta’ monumenti artistiċi, lokali deher dan ir- tal-Ordni tal-Kaval - fosthom dak tal-Indipendenza fil-Mall il- ritratt (lemin) ta’ xi lieri ta' San Ġwann, Furjana, u tal-ANZAC fl-Argotti. murtali maħduma fuq sfond iswed, Ġanni ħadem ukoll u baqa’ magħruf għall- mill-Kamra tan-Nar flimkien ma' linji kruċifissi li jinsabu fil-knejjes ta’ Santa ta’ Santa Marija tal- bojod u ħomor. Luċija, San Bastjan Ħal Qormi, il-kappella Mosta, li kellhom L-ajkla, li ilha tin - tas-sorijiet ta’ Santa Katerina, Ħ’Attard u jiġu sparati fil-festa tuża minn partiti dak tal-Kappella tal-Pwales. tal-istess lokal il- faxxisti bħala sim - Xogħlijiet tiegħu jinsabu wkoll f’għadd ta’ Ħamis li għadda. bolu mill-bidu tal- pajjiżi barra minn Malta, fosthom fl-Ewropa, Imma x’hemm mhux tas-soltu? għoxrinijiet, illum huwa simbolu li jidher l-Awstralja, il-Kanada u l-Istati Uniti. Huwa propju l-istampa li hemm fuq kull frekwenti ħafna fi gruppi ġodda neo- Ġanni Bonniċi kien beda l-istudji tiegħu murtal li fiha xebħ ċar ħafna mal-istess faxxisti. wara li fl-1954 rebaħ Borża ta’ Studji fl- simbolu li kien użat mill-Partit Nażista fil- Sintendi dan qajjem polemika sħiħa, aktar iskola tal-Arti u ssokta l-istudji f’Ruma Ġermanja. u aktar meta r-ritratt deher proprju meta fejn kiseb Diploma fl-Iskultura. Jidher li min għamel d-disinn fuq il-mur - nqala’ l-inċident ta’ Fr Muscat li inzerta Lura Malta beda l-ewwel jgħallem iċ- wkoll mill-Mosta. ċeramika u sar espert bħala ċeramista u Kien hemm min staqsa jekk dan kienx in - skultur. Ħadem ukoll fit-terrakotta, il- minn paġna 14 tenzjonat, u jekk kienx hemm xi relazzjoni ġebel, il-bronż, l-irħam u l-konkrit. IMsi-n-snaiħaġ tieagħru l/ -Gvern għamilha ċara bejn il-kamra tan-nar u l-qassis. Tul ħajtu huwa ngħata l-unur ta’ Membru li fil-parti ‘l kbira minn dawk is-siġar Kelliemi għall-kamra tan-nar qal li ma ra tal-Ordni Nazzjonali Għall-Mertu (MOM), kienu se jitħawwlu mill-ġdid u saħansitra xejn offensiv fl-użu tal-emblema u Ġieħ il-Mosta. fl-istess triq finalment se jkun hemm ferm aktar siġar milli hemm bħalissa minħabba li se jitħawwlu mijiet ta’ siġar ġodda. While visiting Malta Stay at: Għal darb’oħra l-Oppożizzjoni anke hawn ikkundannat il-qlugħ tas-siġar, għalkemm meta mistoqsi dwar jekk hux The Diplomat Hotel, kontra kull qtugħ ta’ siġar, il-mexxej tal- Oppożizzjoni stqarr li ma jistax ikun kon - 173 Tower Road Sliema tra għal kollox għat-tneħħija tas-siġar, sakemm ma jkunx hemm alternattiva oħra Emaiil:: [email protected] u basta jitħawwlu aktar siġar. "We cannot be dogmatic and say no trees Tell: ((00356) 23497000 will be uprooted as a result of infrastruc - ture works but we have to ensure this is done only if necessary and we have to plant more instead,” Delia said. U naħseb li minkejja kollox hawnhekk Delia għandu raġun. 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019

Abortion decriminalised in the State of NSW

Pro-choice, pro-life protesters face off on Macquarie St, as MPs debate abortion bill

he NSW Lower House MPs voted to them with a standalone health care act to tion in the state of NSW. remove terminations from the state's regulate the procedure. It was mentioned Sydney’s Catholic Archbishop Anthony criminal code resulting in the de - that the old law was passed when all legis - Fisher said according to an SBS News re - cTriminalisation of abortion. The bill to de - lators were men. port that he is “deeply saddened” the bill criminalise abortion passed 59 to 31, but it The major parties were given a conscience passed the lower house and described it as created a split within the Liberals, with vote on the bill, which saw the house split. “abhorrent”. many of the party's 35 MPs opposing the Pro-choice and pro-life activists faced off “If civilisation is to be judged by how it bill. in rival rallies, blocking Sydney's Mac - treats its weakest members, New South The proposed laws will now be scrutinised quarie St outside the NSW Parliament as Wales failed spectacularly today,” the by the Parliament's social issues committee MPs debated a bill to decriminalise abor - Archbishop said in a statement before proceeding to a vote in the upper house where the bill is expected to pass. A majority of Labor MPs also voted for the The Parliament abortion debate bill, along with the Greens, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, and independent MPs Mr Greenwich and Greg Piper. Many cheered and clapped after the bill was passed. The final vote came after almost three days of debate, with more than a dozen amendments put forward. The bill, which was co-sponsored by 15 MPs from across the political divide, allows abortion on re - quest for women up to 22 weeks' gestation performed by a registered doctor. Women beyond 22 weeks would need the consent of two doctors. The bill overturns 119-year-old laws mak - ing abortion a criminal offence, replacing

uthorities gated. are inves - “(The depart - Atigating ment) will thor - whether a letter cAircul alteed otn tsoeciarl m fedria oomughly pinverstiigasteo thin s social media activity,” reportedly written by Cardinal George Pell the spokeswoman said. (left) , is in violation of prison rules. Cardi - She went on to say that “any prisoner found nal Pell, 78, is the highest-ranking Catholic to be contravening prison regulations faces dis - cleric to be found guilty of child sex abuse. ciplinary action.” Authorities are investigating whether the The spokeswoman did not confirm whether letter, dated August 1 and spread on Twitter, the letter was written by Cardinal Pell. breaches rules forbidding prisoners from In March Cardinal Pell was sentenced to posting on social media or using the Inter - serve at least three years and eight months in net, or asking others to post on their behalf. jail for child sexual abuse. A spokeswoman from the Department of He has appealed against the conviction, and Justice of Victoria, where Cardinal Pell is in is awaiting a ruling of the Court of Appeal fol - prison, said the letter was being investi - lowing a two-day hearing in early June. Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 17

Second sentence through deportation he Australian Morrison Government’s treatment of prison - The Minister is doing this without any real public scrutiny as peo - ers who successfully rehabilitate while in jail has come ple just don’t know it happens,” Br Paxton said. under question, with claims that some are being subjected “On the one hand our correctional systems are supposed to reha - Tto a "second sentence" through deportation. bilitate people, and if they are successful in doing this, why does Prison chaplain Br Martyn Paxton speaking to Southern Cross the Commonwealth feel the need to then deport these same people said he was frustrated that while the key message to prisoners was on character grounds? to rehabilitate when some did decide to turn their life around, they Br Paxton said the deportations make a “mockery of what we are were still not welcomed back in the wider community. Under leg - trying to achieve, which should be rehabilitating prisoners and then islation he described as “lacking in humanity”, he said men he was letting them have a second chance in our community”. ministering to in the prison system and who were not Australian “Where is the humanity in ripping families apart? What worries citizens were facing the prospect of being deported to their home me are the people who are left behind, the mothers, wives and chil - country upon their release. dren.” “It seems to me that when the Immigration Minister does this he A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Department said the gov - is trying a man and sentencing him over and above the imposition ernment was committed to protecting the community from the of the courts, and thus it is a violation of the separation of powers. “risk of harm posed by foreign nationals who engage in criminal conduct or behaviour of concern, and that the safety of the Australian public is a pri - mary consideration and a decision to cancel Freedom a visa may be made. Australia and China of speech he chair of Australian parliament's powerful Security and Intelligence TCommittee Andrew Hastie, a Liberal MP backbencher, warned Australia against in Australia underestimating China. he High Court of Australia has But despite warning backbenchers to found a public servant breached the stop publicly speaking their mind to the Tcode of conduct by criticising govern - media, PM Scott Morrison was unfazed ment policy on Twitter. by Mr Hastie's intervention. He said An - Michaela Banerji (picturd right) was fired of public service rules. It said the legisla - drew is not a minister in the government in 2013 from the then Department of Im - tion governing the public service did not and is free to make comments he wishes. migration and Border Protection after it impose an unjustified burden on the im - Others said Hastie's condemnation found she was behind an anonymous Twit - plied freedom of political communication, would not damage Australia's attempts ter account critical of the agency. Using the and therefore Ms Banerji's sacking was to rebuild the already rocky relationship name "LaLegale", she posted thousands of lawful. between the two countries”. tweets concerning topics including offshore The full bench of the court unanimously In a statement, a spokesperson from the processing and Australia's international ob - found the relevant provisions were consis - Chinese Embassy in Australia said ligations to refugees. tent with maintaining an apolitical public strongly deplored Hastie's rhetoric, urg - All but one was sent from outside the of - service. Comcare had argued anyone enter - ing "certain politicians to take off their fice and on her own mobile phone. None of ing the public service must know the job coloured lens. “It goes against the world them disclosed confidential information. "involves acceptance of certain restraints", trend of peace, cooperation and develop - Following complaints by departmental an important aspect of which is to "exercise ment. It is detrimental to China-Aus - staff, an investigation was launched into caution when it comes to making criticisms tralian relations." whether Ms Banerji breached the public of the government". service code of conduct. When she received her termination notice in September 2013, she suffered post-trau - matic stress disorder and a month later lodged a workers' compensation claim. The claim was refused on the basis that the sacking was "reasonable administrative ac - tion" - a decision which was affirmed by an internal review in 2014. She then took it to the Administrative Ap - peals Tribunal, which found her termina - tion was "not reasonable administrative action taken in a reasonable manner" and upheld her compensation claim. As well, the tribunal found the public service's rules around the use of social media and making public comment "unacceptably trespassed on the implied freedom of political commu - nication". However, the High Court found in a judg - ment the tribunal erred in its interpretation 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019

Tagħrif dwar il-kitba Maltija u dawk li matul is-sekli ħadmu għall-iżvilupp tal-ilsien Malti Biex awtur ikollu l-qarrejja jrid jikteb il-kotba u biex fil-pajjiż magħruf bħala bħala missier il-ktieb Malti. ir-raġuni ma ikun hemm il-kotba, dawn iridu jiġu mitbugħa, u biex jinxtraw kinetx għax kiteb xi ħafna kotba imma għax ħa l-inizjattiva, il-pubbliku li jrid jaqra jrid ikun jaffordja li jixtrihom. Ħafna uħud jgħidu s-sogru, li beda jippubblika l-kotba bil-Malti u ftakru f’dan ftit tal-jiem ilu meta miet Pawlu Mizzi, li kien bhekk ressaqhom lejn il-qarrejja biex kabbar il-letteratura. Pawlu Mizzi - Missier il-ktieb Malti ejn ma kienet sorpriża meta mal- mewt ta’ Pawlu Mizzi nhar il-5 ta’ Awwissu fl-eta`ta’ 89 sena kull min jXgħożż il-kotba bil-Malti għamel eloġji sħaħ dwaru, l-aktar, m’għandnix xi ngħidu l-awturi Maltin li permezz tiegħu ħafna raw ix-xogħol letterarju tagħhom jasal għand il-kotra. Pawlu Mizzi, li twieled ir-Rabat Għawdex fit-28 ta’ Ottubru 1929 jibqa’ magħruf li bena Dar il-Ktieb Malti u welled l-enċiklo - pedija Heritage bl-għan li din tiċċelebra l- wirt storiku, kulturali, politiku u letterarju , u ċ-ċivilizzazzjoni Maltija. Huwa studja fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex u wara fl-Università ta’ Malta, fejn kiseb Baċelerat fl-Arti u aktar tard diploma fil- qasam tal-librerija. Għallem f’diversi ske - jjel u serva wkoll bħala librar fl-MCAST. Għal xi zmien, bejn l-1948 u l-1962 Pawlu għamilha ta’ ġurnalist meta ġie mitlub mill- Allied Newspapers biex ikun il-korrispondent tat- Times of Malta u l- Berqa għal Għawdex. Wara serva wkoll bħala direttur tal-gazzetta Il-Ħajja u kien direttur ukoll tal- Mediterranean Film Stu - Pawlu Mizzi dios . Kien ukoll fost il-kollaboraturi fl-1971, kien Il-Gaġġa ta’ Frans Sammut. kienu jmorru l-iskola. U minn dawk li ewlenin meta f’Malta ġie ffilmjat il-film Għalkemm Pawlu Mizzi nnifsu ma kienx jmorru l-iskola min kien jista’ jixtri ktieb? Cristoforo Colombo. xi awtur tal-kotba, imma kien strumentali Kont bdejt biex noħloq is-suq. Kont in - Forsi l-aktar li Pawlu jibqa’ mfakkar kien biex l-awturi tal-kotba Maltin saru jistgħu bigħhom bis-seba’ xelini u nofs (ewro tal- meta fl-1970 waqqaf il-Klabb Kotba jperrċu x-xogħlijiet tagħhom mal-erbat ir - lum). U biex noħloq suq ridt nagħmel Maltin (KKM) li iktar tard saret il- jieħ ta’ Malta, u anke f’ħafna okkażjonijiet speċi ta’ sensiela” . kumpannija Midsea Publications. Il-Klabb barra xtutna. Ried joħloq suq għall-ktieb Malti u Kotba Maltin kien pijunier għall-ktieb Dak li jidher li qanqal f’Pawlu Mizzi l- rnexxielu bil-kbir biex bhekk sar pjunier Malti u kotba dwar Malta. Permezz tal- ħolma kbira li eventwalment issawret fil- f’dan is-settur. KKM il-ktieb bil-Malti sar affordabbli Klabb Kotba Maltin kienet proprju Fost il-mijiet ta’ kotba importanti li ppub - b’aktar faċilita`għal dawk li jħobbu jaqraw osservazzjoni ta’ Mikiel Anton Vassalli blika matul l-istorja tal-KKM u l-Midsea bil-Malti. Kien iffissa prezz li seta’ jint - meta qal li l-Maltin bla tagħlim tal-Malti Books, ta’ min isemmi It-Testment il-Ġdid laġaq mid-dilettanti tal-qari. Kienu ma jistgħux jimxu ‘l quddiem. – l-ewwel Bibbja popolari bil-Maltin mod - spiċċaw il-faxxikli, xi erba’ paġni li ħafna Skont Pawlu Mizzi meta ġie biex ern, Il-Miklem ta’ Erin Serracino Inglott, kienu jixtru kull ġimgħa minn wara l-bieb. iwaqqaf il-Klabb Kotba Maltin żamm f’ - Id-Dizzjunarju ta’ Ġużè Aquilina, Il-ġabra L-ewwel ktieb li Pawlu Missi ippubblika, moħħu li: “Ftit kienu jaqraw, dawk biss li ta’ poeżiji tal-Poeta Nazzjonali Dun Karm Psaila li saret mill-Professur Oliver Frig - gieri, u Rajt Malta Tinbidel ta’ Herbert Ganado. Pawlu Mizzi kellu wkoll xi pubblikaz - zjonijiet personali fosthom I l-Parroċċa t’Għawdex : Studju kulturali ta’ epoka 1432-1689 , serje ta’ leġendi dwar Malta u Għawdex, u Della Descrizione di Malta ta’ Ġan Franġisk Abela Fl-1992, l-istat Malti onora lil Pawlu Mizzi meta tah il-Midalja għall-Qadi tar- Repubblika, u fl-1974 ġie maħtur Kaval - lier tas- Sacra Ordina Militare Constan- tiniana de San Jorge . Pawlu Mizzi kien miżżewweġ lil Maria Scicluna u kellu tlett itfal: Annamaria, Ginette u Joseph. Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 19 Sister Sandra Cassar visits Melbourne ister Sandra Cassar, a member of the Congregation of Nuns, The Daughters of the Sacred Heart who has served in the Missions in Kenya for the last 37 years, aftera 37 years in Kenya Ssince 1982, recently visitd Melbourne. Sister Sandra She was first sent to an outstation in 3ZZZ. Listeners Hangue near the Diocese of Garissa were very interested and six months later to Hola not far in her missionary from Impekatoni where she stayed for work. 14 years. In 2003 she went to Satalite She was also in - close to the capital Nairobi and then vited to tell her story finished in Limuru. All the time she to a number of Mal- was lacking all the luxuries of life but tese Associations happy in her job. and at the same time She currently looks after a group of to accept contribu - girls teaching them sewing and com- tions to help her to puters and is now hoping to collect the achieve her dream. 10,000 euros needed to buy a special She also attended embroidery machine that can be used one of the meetings by the girls for stitching logos on gar- of Reskeon Maltese ments. Association Seniors Up until now, these girls have been Group where she re- undergoing sewing lessons. It all counted her experi - started when Sister Sandra discovered ences and her a room with four old sewing machines dreams. inside them and decided to teach these Sister Sandra enj- girls how to use them. oyed meeting the With help of contributions from lar- members and in ge organisations, she managed to get turn also listen to a large number of sewing and knitting their stories. She machines and taught the girls how to was impressed by sew uniforms and other garments for how these members the locals so that they could afford still enjoy the com- them. pany of other fellow Sister Sandra felt the call to go to the Maltese and for the Missions at age 15 when she was liv- way they still pre - ing with her family in Malta. After serve their culture and heritage. ciation’s treasurer, George Topolc - making sure that they were involved A collection was then made among sanyi, presented her with two special in missionary work, she joined the the members and presented to her as religious wooden crosses (above) . Congregation of The Daughter of the part of her target to raise enough Anybody wishing to make a donation Sacred Heart. which was close to her money to fulfil her dreams. to help Sr Sandra’s cause in the mis - father’s heart. She was entertained by Reskeon sion is requested to get in touch with She was recently in Melbourne where member Charlie Sacco who sang some her by email: [email protected] she was interviewed on the Maltese Maltese songs for her, which she en - programme on Community Radio joyed and appreciated, while the asso- Paul Vella

Sister Sandra (arrowed) with members of the

Reskeon Group a 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss Il-Grupp Festa Santa Marija ta’ Sydney jiċċelebraw ħalkemm il-festa liturġika ta’ Santa Marija Kunċizzjoni ġeneralment titfakkar fil-15 ta’ Awwissu, bħas-snin mgħoddija l-Grupp Festa SGanta Marija ta’ Sydney reġgħu iċċelebrawha fl-ewwel ġimgħa ta’ Awwissu billi organizzaw id- Dinner Dance għall-okkażjoni s-Sibt 3 ta’ Awwissu bil-partċipazzjoni ta’ Charlie Muscat u l-Brandy Band, il-brava żagħżugħa Natasha Tatarinoff u l-banda popolari Our Lady Queen of Peace li pprovdew id-divertiment lil sala mimlija. Fost id-divertiment kien hemm ukoll żfin u briju mal- orkestra, il-banda u l-istatwa ta’ Marija Assunta. Ta’ nko - raġġiment kien il-fatt li għadd sabiħ ta’ dawk li attendew kienu Maltin tat-tieni u tielet ġenerazzjoni. L-għada l-l-Ħadd l-istess Grupp iċċelebra l-festa ta’ Santa Marija Assunta fiċ-Ċentru La Valette b’attendenza oħra sabiħa. Fr. Lonnie Borg li nġieb min Melbourne ap - posta, qaddes bil-parteċipazzjoni tal-kor tal-Għaqda Il-purċissjoni bil- Kulturali ta’ NSW u l-qari bil-Malti minn studenti tal- vara ta’ Sant Marija Maltese Language School ta’ NSW. Wara l-quddiesa saret il-purċissjoni bl-istatwa tal-Madonna akkumpanjata mil-Banda Our Lady Queen of Peace., imbagħad sar Fr. Lonnie Borg flimkien mat-tfal riċeviment fis-sala taċ-Ċentru b’divertiment offrut mil-banda, minn li ħadu sehem fil-purċissjoni Charlie Muscat, Wayne Place u Natasha Tatarinoff. Greg Caruana, il-President tal-Grupp ta ħajr lill-kumitat tiegħu, lill-isponsors u l-volontieri li ħadmu biex l-attivtajiet kienu suċċess.

Il-vara ta’ Sant Marija

Our Lady Queen of Peace Band is or - ganising heavily subsidised music les - sons for all ages 8 and up , at any level. Lessons will be arranged for small groups or private tuition for anyone interestd in learning a concert band instrument with the aim of becoming a Band Member To register your interest or for more information Antoine - 0405 233 144 - president@olqpmaltese - band.com; Roderick - 9670 2020 [email protected]

To advertise on The Voice of the Mal- tese magazine in order to reach the widest audience possible, among the Maltese Diaspora to write for informa- tion to: [email protected] Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 21 CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss Maltese Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco (NSW) Stedina lill-komunita` Il-Maltese Chaplaincy 32nd Annual Dinner Dance javżaw li din is-sena Saturday 12th October from 7.30 pm at Mandavilla ċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-Vitorja fil- Function Centre Horsley Park. Music: by Joe Apap. Katidral ta' St Mary's f’Syd - Book early. Contact Marlene on 02 9631 9295 ney se ssir fit-8 ta' Settembru. Fis-2.30 pm tibda l-purċissjoni, u wara ssir il- quddiesa bl-Malti u bl-Ingliż. Il-festa tal-Vitorja mal-LVSC MALTESE LANGUAGE La Valette Social Centre qed Aktar dettalji jingħataw SCHOOL OF NSW jorganizza trasport għall- ‘l-quddiem. Fl-istess waqt A Division of the Maltese Community Katidral ta St Mary ta’ Sydney qed ifakkru li f’każ li Council of NSW Inc. il-Ħadd 8 ta’ Settembru ikun hemm xi tfal li jixtiequ għall-festa tal-Viittoria jieħdu sehem fil-purċissjoni 12.00pm: it-trasport jittlaq miċ- billi jilbsu xi kostum Malti Classes are available for students from six ċentru fi Blacktown, u fin-12.30 jew tal-preċett iċemplu u years to adults at all levels of ability in the p.m.: minn ħdejn il knisja ta’ jħallu d-dettalji tagħhom. Maltese language. We have trained and ex - Greystanes Old Prospect Rd. Lpeerieancerd tneach eMrs qualaifiedl itn leangsuaege ! Għal kull tagħrif u booking Għal kull tagħrif wieħed teaching and with Maltese study credentials. ċemplu ic-centru: 9622 5847. iċempel lil Fr Tarcsio Learn the Maltese language, the culture, Micallef MSSP: 9380 8398. lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the Ibbukjaw kmieni amazing history of the island. Teachers urgently needed Xaghra Association of NSW Inc. - Paid positions For more information and enquiries Phone 9601 2189 or Email: Annual Tal-Vitorja Dinner Dance [email protected] Saturday, 21 September 2019 Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Come & Join us at Balmoral Function Centre, Schools Programme. 47-49 Balmoral Rd, BLACKTOWN Member of the NSW Federation of Community from 6:30pm onwards Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language 5 Course Meal, beer, wine & soft drinks, tea/coffee Schools of Australia; Entertainment by Roc-A-Tac & Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated Giuseppe Verdi Brass Band with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Contact: Josephine/Ray: 0439 974 182 or, 0448 100 034 Not-For-Profit organisation. M'Ann Teuma: 4579 6771 Vicki Micallef: 0425 210 436 AUSTRALIAN HC on La Valette Social Centre facebook & twitter La Valette Social Centre Inc. 175 Walters Road, Blacktown Tel. 96225847 he Australian High Commission’s in Malta has its own Facebook page, while the High Every Thursday: Maltese Respite Care Service TCommissioner has a Twitter account. 10.15 a.m.: Mass in Maltese in the Main Hall Both can be accessed by the readers. The High Commission’s Facebook: Morning Tea and Lunch, Bingo and Boċċi https://www.facebook.com/AusHCMalta/ Everybody is wlecome The Commissioner’s Twitter handle: Every Saturday: Kitchen and Bar open from 5.00 p.m. https://twitter.com/AusHCMalta Traditional Maltese cuisine, rabbit, ravioli and pastizzi; Boċċi from 6.00 p.m. Live Dj from 6.00 p.m. Bingo starts at 8.00 p.m. with jackpot from $100 to $500 L-aħbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta) DJs Emanuel Grech and Sam Mifsud (alternate Saturdays) Il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lill-SBS fl-Awstralja : Għana Night with Saver Bonanno and friends bis-servizz tagħha, imma l-qarrejja xorta Last Satu_ra_y_ _of_ m__o_n_th ______mħeġġa biex jidħlu fil- website tal-istaz - zjon Malti: www.tvm.com.mt . għall- MASS TIMES: Saturday : St Francis Chapel: 5.30 p.m. aħbarijiet kemm bil-Malti u bl-Ingliż Sunday: St Dominic’s Chapel: 9.00 a.m. Il- website hi aġġornata tul il-jum kollu. 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss

On Demand: Ethnic Maltese Council 11am) Il-Ħadd 11.00 am: l-aħħar aħbarijiet minn Malta, mużika, tagħrif, kultura, TTuunnee iinn ttoo avviżi u suġġetti ta’ interess. Radio and UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) Radio and tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com Television SBS Radio 2 on Channel 38 . Television Programmes can be accessed on - MELBOURNE: on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or line (live or catch up) at: on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays To tune into digital radio you need a phone, using the SBS Radio app. 10-11am. receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not fre- For television news from Malta - MELBOURNE: on 98.9 North West quency. Digital radio can also be SBS2 TV 32 ( (Viceland) on Thurs - FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. heard via digital TV. days and Sundays at 8am. and Mondays 7.00 to 8.00pm. Pre - VIVA MALTA senter: Emmanuel Brincat. SBS MALTESE NEWS: L-Aħbarijiet on COAST FM 96.3 on SBSTV twice a week nationwide; Community Radio in Gosford Cen - MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 Sunday 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32) tral Coast NSW. Aired on Thursdays (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBSTV32. every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm. Magazine) & Thursday (Merħba): Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – SYDNEY: listen to the MCC radio Web streaming: Ray Anastasi programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3. www.coastfm.org.au Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti On SBS Radio mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l- BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Day Time Analogue and Digital istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays Tuesdays and Fridays: 12:00-13:00 (Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 97.7fm SBS 2. fuq l-Internet: www.893fm.com.au ) 5.15pm

Maltese Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups Community Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Council of Meets on the last Tuesday of the Month. Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm. Victoria Inc. Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of Stella L-MCCV qed jilqa’ applikazzjoni - Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights at Maltese of Bankstown jiet għall-pożizzjoni ta’ għalliem/a 10 am. Group meets 3rd Wednesday of month part-time tal-ilsien Malti fil-binja in the Bankstown CBD area. tagħhom f’14 Watt Street, Maltese Seniors Central Coast Every other 3rd Thursday an outing. Sunshine, Victoria. Have to contact our Welfare Officer for Enquiries call: Sam 9534 2357 an appointment. For all information and L-applikanti għandu jkollhom għarfien sew tal-Malti kemm referral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 Greystanes Maltese Seniors 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 Meets on the second Monday of each miktub kif ukoll mitkellem. month at the George Preca Centre of Ibgħat applikazzjoni bid-dettalji akkademiċi lill: Daceyville Maltese Seniors OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Meets the last Wednesday of the mon- Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon [email protected] th in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 Gen - Għal tagħrif ieħor ċempel fuq eral Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. The Sutherland & St George 0412 115 919 . Ħalli nnumru tat- Note : The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Maltese Group telefon u nċemplulek lura. Join us and make new friends. Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meetings/Get Togethers are interest - Saint Nicholas Meets every second Friday of the ing, informative & entertaining, so month: Miller Room, Memorial Av - come Join us and make new Friends Festa Committee enue Merrylands from 10.30am to For more information contact our Co - 12.30 am Remaining main ordinator: events for 2019 Llandilo Maltese Seniors Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 Sunday October 20: Fete Meets on the first Wednesday of each 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298 . Saturday Nov. 9: Dinner Dance *(All Groups are co-ordinated by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a Sunday December 1: Feast sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Events are held at the Good Shepherd Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner parish hall, 130-136 Hyatts Road, with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School). Plumpton NSW Tuesday August 20, 2019 The Voice of the Maltese 23 SSppoorrttss oonn 22 ppaaggeess The story of Caroline Springs GEORGE CROSS

unday 30th of June 2019 will go down as being one of the greatest days ever in the 72-year-old history of Victoria state’s George Cross Football Club. When captain George Tsiakalakis led the team onto the plush new stadium at City Vista Court in Fraser Rise that Sunday afternoon, many long- Stime followers of this historic club could not believe they were actually seeing their long held dream finally come true.They were there to be part of history (above) . Moving from a Third World ground to a modern stadium by Victor Brincat rom the very be - When the club was in its heydays in the splashed out on luring big name players to ginning in 1947 – Part One – early 1960’s the only concern for people the club and as everyone knows this cost this Maltese sponsored and sup - running the club at the time was to win tro - big money. How wise would it have been Fported club has always struggled to make phies at any price. At the time George Cross if a fraction of what was paid to players ends meet, but with the continued backing had the largest following of any club in Vic - were invested in a plot of land to establish of many loyal supporters, George Cross has toria and money was never an issue. a solid foundation for the club! survived and withstood the test of time. Unfortunately, most of the money was It wasn’t to be and the club was to pay a heavy price for many years that followed. August 1962 at Olympic In its fledging years the club used the open Park: George Cross paddocks of Royal Park and Princes Park (striped shirts) v South close to the city of Melbourne, but when Melbourne Hellas (1-1) George Cross joined the inaugural State League competition in 1958 the club moved to their first enclosed ground at Campbell Reserve in Moreland. Between 1958 -1980 George Cross could not settle down anywhere and went on a yearly walk-about and used no fewer than seventeen grounds as their home ground. Home grounds used included the Show - grounds, Olympic Village in Heidelberg, Elsternwick Park, Tracy’s Speedway in Maribyrnong, Schintler Reserve in Footscray, Selwyn Park in Albion, No.1 and No. 2 grounds at Olympic Park, Junc - tion Oval in St. Kilda, Carlton Cricket Ground, Martin Reserve in Fawkner, Par - tridge Reserve in Thomastown and back to Selwyn Park in 1980 for one game. The club also had to play home games at Green Gully Reserve, Kim Reserve in Al - tona BT Connor Reserve in Reservoir and Seaford Reserve in Frankston. (to be continued in the next issue) 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday August 20, 2019 SSppoorrttss oonn 22 ppaaggeess Former Malta coach Victor Scerri dies at 91 The passing away of a true gentleman n the first few days of August Maltese football mourned the loss of football legend Victor Scerri, the former national team goalkeeper, na - tional team coach and administrator who died on August 4 aged 91. IVictor, born on July 17, 1928, was a true gentleman on and off the football pitch. He was a Sliema Wanderers icon serving the club as their goal - keeper, and coach for most of his footballing career, though he knows his beginning as a senior player with Melita in the 1946/47 season. He kept goal for Malta in the historic first official international friendly match on February 24, 1957 against Austria at the Empire Stadium in Gzira that Malta lost 3-2. At club level, he spent most of his career with Sliema though he also played a few matches with Floriana. A serious injury in 1963 cut short his playing career. After that, he embarked on a coaching career mostly with Sliema but also had spells with Gzira United and Msida St Joseph before he was appointed Malta’s national team coach for less than two months in 1973 (Sept. 28 – Nov. 11). He had a second spell at the helm of the national team that lasted for five years (Oct 29, 1978 – Dec. 21 1983). His second spell coincided with Malta’s scoreless draw against West Ger - many in the European Championship qualifier in Gżira in February 1979. He was also in charge when Malta beat Iceland in Messina on June 5, Victor Scerri spent the last few years convalesc - 1982. ing. Above receiving the former MFA president Under his charge Malta played 29 matches, won five, drew 3 and lost 21. Valletta’s run in Europe halted by Astana NPL 3 NSW Men’s: alletta’s European competitions’ adventure fied to meet Ferencvaros in the second quali - Parramatta relegated came to an abrupt end last Thursday fol - fying round. After getting eliminated by the for 3rd successive year Vlowing a 4-0 defeat against 4-0 Astana in the Hungarians they were given the chance to play second leg of their Europa League third round in the Europa League where they met Astana. Parramatta FC 2 Granville Rage 2 match in Malta. It gave their opponents from Astana proved much too strong. They com - arramatta FC grabbed their first Kazakstan a 9-1 aggregate victory over the two pletly dominatd Valletta in the first leg where draw of the 2019 season by shar - legs. Astana had won the first leg 5-1. their only goal in a 5-1 loss was scored by iPng the spoils with Granville Rage Valletta had started their European commit - Fontanella, and then were a disappointment in FC, 2-2 at Melita Stadium, but they ments in the UEFA Champions League by the return at the Centenary Stadium where they confirmed their relegation from the beating Dudelange (Luxembourg) and quali - never got going and lost 4-0. NPL3 competition for 2019. It is their third successive relegation, The visitors took a 30th minute NPL State League 1 North-West: VIC GG sound a warning lead but Parramatta levelled through Green Gully 6 Dandenong 6 GC’s 6-week unbeaten ends Sheldon Tweedie (50th min) and CS George Cross 1 Preston Lions 4 Victor Anyimba put them in front. ith football finals just around the corner The Rage equalised 10 minutes later. Green Gully sounded out a warning to eorge Cross six weeks’ remarkable unde - In the end Parramatta were probably aWll other final contenders with a devastating 6- feated streak came to an end when they lucky to get away with a draw. 2 defeat of Dandenong Thunder Saturday. Gwere outclassed 1-4 by table-toppers Preston in It now looks certain that the un - Gully took the lead after 13 minutes through front of the biggest crowd of the season at City charted waters of NPL4 will await Matthew Fletcher, but Thunder levelled after Vista Court Stadium. The visitors had the game Parramatta in the 2020 season. 30 minutes. Nick Kalmar again scored for sewn up within 26 minutes by racing to a 3-0 Gully nine minutes later and Fletcher and Tee lead. George Slefendorfas pulled one back for Bankstown 5 Parramatta FC 4 Boy Kamara ended the game as a contest with the Cross but Preston got their fourth. * Previously the Eagles lost a two more tallies. Brimbank Stallions 2 CS George Cross 4 thrilling match at Bankstown 4-5 with An own goal increased the Greens’ lead. Dan - Mark Symington 2, Sheldon Tweedie denong pulled a late goal back but Jonathon * The previous week George Cross came from and Ahmad Elrich scoring Parra - Bounas put the icing on the cake for 6-2. behind to beat Brimbank 4-2. They fell behind matta’s goals. Stefan Giglio saved a afer 20 minutes when goalkeeper Ryan Gauci Hume City 1 Green Gully 3 penalty for Parramatta. with a spectac - partially saved a penalty but was beaten from ular save. *Green Gully cemented their place in the fi - the rebound. nals with a decisive 3-1 win over Hume City. The Georgies drew level from another penalty Parramatta FC 0 Hawkesbury 2 They took the lead on the stroke of half time by Andre Lopes soon after, forged ahead (46th) *In the other match Parramatta’s 0- from Matthew Fletcher and the same player through George Slefendorfas, and added two 2 home defeat finished with them gave them a 2-0 interval lead while Nick more from Dominic Swinton and Slefendorfas’’ ending the game with only 10 men Kalmar sealed it in the 88th, before Hume got second. Brimbank scored a consolation in time after the red carding of Khalid a consolation goal. added on. Kallybokus.