The Voic(edr iivoenf b yt thhe evo iicMe of aiitsl retaedesrse ) Issue Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora February 11, 2020 221 Fortnightly magazine for the Diaspora Malta will be spending €50 million in the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project, an invest - ment aimed at improving air quality in the Grand Harbour area that would reduce air pollution from cruise liners visiting the Malta by more than 90%. (See report on page 12 Pope Francis to make Malta visit (See page 9) 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday February 11, 2020 An edited version of the keynote speech delivered by Ruby Vella at the MCC of NSW Australia Day 2020 event. Two island homes shaped Ruby’s identity uby Vella a 17-year-old student by a familiar culture which I felt from Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner so connected to in a completely School, Castlecrag is a third-gener - unfamiliar country. My 11-year- Ration Maltese, her parents were both born old self was fascinated by the in Australia, father Steve is second gener - Maltese accent and I longed to ation Maltese and her mother Amanda is learn the language and to be Anglo-Australia residing in Leichhardt able to understand whether my NSW. Speaking to a packed hall at the cousins were really whispering Maltese community’s celebration of Aus - about me, the ‘odd Australian’, tralia Day at Merrylands NSW Ruby ex - in Maltese”. plained very clearly the connection “During my stay in Malta, I between the girl in the small island of learnt the importance of faith Malta called Katerina who caught a king - to the Maltese culture and of fish and Ruby who lives in an island con - the bravery as its people have tinent: endured centuries of inva - sions. The country’s experi - Katarina ġibtlek lampuka, ences moved me during the Katarina qabbad in-nar Second World War in which Katarina iftaħ it-tieqa ħalli joħroġ 14,000 bombs were dropped. id-duħħan. Malta was the most bombed In an emotional speech, Ruby Vella said place on Earth.” that both these islands are home to her, one “However, the Maltese peo - figuratively and one literally. This story is ple fought on and in unity, Ruby Vella delivering her key- from her childhood, the bridge between were awarded the George note speech on Australia Day her Maltese and Australian heritage. Cross so as to bear witness to the heroism Gozo, an island off the mainland, they In fact, she continued, it is a metaphor for and devotion of its people.” This award were absorbed into one of the biggest cel - the two island homes that have shaped her symbolises Malta’s bravery and strength ebrations she has ever experienced; the identity. She feels very lucky to be of both as a country and the courageous spirit that festa ta’ San Gużepp, in Qala where peo - Australian and Maltese heritage. Her two is unique to its people”. ple threw confetti down from overhanging ethnicities have influenced her throughout Ruby was also struck by the beautiful balconies and the parish priest stopped to her life and have helped shape the person blue bays and the contrasting ancient al - share a beer with the community amidst she is today. leyways and churches that were unique to the celebrating crowd down below. “When I was 11 years old, I visited Malta Malta. She was amazed by the pristine The most important feature of Maltese for the first time with my family. I was struck Mediterranean waters of the blue lagoon culture she said is the love and gathering off the island of of family, where memories, laughter and a Comino and the lot of food are shared. beautiful historical Ruby’s grandparents emigrated to Aus - buildings in Mdina tralia from Malta in 1968 and were wel - (known as the comed into Australia where they started a ‘Silent City of completely new life and raised their three Malta’) made from children. This decision was not an easy limestone with ex - one to make, and it requires a very brave quisite doorknock - person to make this journey to an un - ers that the city is known country. famous for. This land has provided her grandfather She became fasci - with the chance to make connections be - nated with the tween the Maltese and Australian cultures practical nature of as he has written books, spoken on the the Maltese when radio and worked with the Maltese Com - she witnessed glass munity Council in order to recognise Mal - smiths creating the tese Australians. “After Christmas, both most exquisite my Maltese and Australian sides of the vases; the door family unite in celebration to share a post- knockers are in the Christmas meal”. shape of angels, This gathering was a common example of lions and fish. her racially diverse country and represents Ruby (centre) with Julia Finn State Member for Granville When her family Australia’s mixture and undivided em - and Susan Templeman Federal Member for Macquarie. took her for a trip to brace between different cultures. Tuesday February 11, 2020 The Voice of the Maltese 3 Due to the proximity of the Australia Day celebrations in Malta with the publishing of the last issue, we could not include the important speeches delivered by Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Australia to Malta Ms. Julienne Hince and His Excellency the President of Malta George Vella in The Voice of the Mal - tese. They were very important and we believe it would be fitting to publish them today on the next pages. DHer Eexcellepncye thne Hiignh Cogmm pissioeneor opf le to people links Australia to Malta Ms. Julienne Hince’s speech on the occsion of Australia Day he commemoration of the annual Australia Day in Malta organised and hosted by H.E. the High Commissioner for Australia in Malta Julienne Hince and her staff, was held on board the largest commercial catamaran oper - ating in the Mediterranean, the Saint John Paul II. It was the last Tsuch occasion hosted by the HC whose term of office has just come to an end. The venue an innovation as it turns out, because such celebra - tions normally took place in the Chancery, was indicative of the High Commissioner’s pride in a vessel that was crafted by Aus - tralian shipbuilders, INCAT in Tasmania. Ms Hince expressed her thanks to the Portelli Family and Virtu Ferries for hosting the event on the ship. In her speech for the occasion, HE Ms Hince gave some back - ground to the history of the catamaran that was built by Incat’s founder Bob Clifford, who as a schoolboy, his love of fishing and sailing led to him to start building seacraft at home. “Bob’s love for the ocean and continuing interest in building ships led him to found and develop one of the most successful and esteemed ferry building companies in the World,” she said. Ms Hince then referred to the catastrophic fire conditions Aus - tralia is currently going through. She mentioned the devastation to large swathes of the bush, and to some of the country towns and communities. “We are very grateful for the outpouring of support for Australia including the many offers of assistance and donations from Malta,” she added. The High Commissioner pointed out that the Australian Gov - Ms. Julienne Hince, High Commissioner ernment was well resourced and well organised and has allocated of Australia to Malta addressing guests an initial $2 billion to a National Bushfire Recovery Fund to un - at the commemoration of Australia Day dertake recovery, rebuild and resilience activities. Ms Julienne Hince said that Australia and the EU have a close She sent her condolences to her fellow Australians who have trading relationship, and share many values including a commit - lost loved ones, and to the hundreds more grieving over houses, ment to the rules based order. She hopes that an FTA will generate land, pets and wildlife. new market opportunities, for goods and services and promoting Ms Hince said: “To those who ask, ‘how can we help?’ I would two-way investment, and looks forward to Malta helping to say continue to buy Australian, visit Australia, study in Australia achieve this ambitious arrangement. and invest in Australia. Much of Australia is not affected by bush - “A point that out Prime Minister has made to all ambassadors is fires - indeed many tourism sites are operating normally.” the overarching professional goal to deepen people to people One part of Australia which may be lesser known, and which links. People matter most,” she said. she fully recommended to visit, is Tasmania, the Apple Isle, As well as the resident community in Australia, it is estimated which, she said, is famous for beautiful land and seascapes, fertile that roughly 50,000 Australians visited Malta in 2019. soils and wonderful fresh produce, you are probably imbibing When it comes to relationships between the two peoples, the High Tasmanian produce now. Commissioner said: “The strong relationship between Malta and As Australian Ambassador to Tunisia, HC Julienne Hince also Australia is outstanding and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting took the opportunity to acknowledge the assistance of His Excel - with the Maltese community when I was at home in Australia too”. lency Zyed Bouzouita Ambassador of Tunisia and his staff. She Her speech was also a farewell speech as she was departing said that the Tunisian Embassy in Malta assisted her greatly in Malta at the conclusion of her posting. She said that she would advancing Australia’s relationship with Tunisia. have moments of withdrawal from Malta’s welcoming people She said that the Australian Government was pleased to fund the and the Mediterranean beauty of the islands.