The Voice of the Maltese No. 100

The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers )

Issue 100

o on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e

April 28, 2015

We have reached the 100

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ith this issue, The Voice of the Maltese has reached an important milestone. It is the 100th edition of the magazine that has grown from the humble beginnings of a four-page newsletter mailed to a few hundreds into this bumper 24-page online magazine sent and read by well over 15,000.

The 100th issue of a publication is normally the make or break stage.

For us it is the making stage.

Our enthusiasm for this publication grows with each issue thanks mainly to the feedback from our readers who not only read it themselves but also share it with others, either by emailing it on or printing

copies to hand to friends or relatives not familiar with the Internet.

The Voice of the Maltese was initially established to cater for the Maltese-Australians, but it has grown beyond our expectations. It is now emailed around the world, not only to communities and individuals forming part of the Maltese diaspora, particularly in Canada, UK and USA, but also to Malta, and readers of other nationalities who are interested in Malta.

The Voice is produced by Joseph Cutajar (left) and Lawrence Dimech

(Australia-right) pictured here flanking President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at the launching of the recent Convention in Malta.

The IVth Convention for the Maltese Living Abroad 2015

he participants in the IVth Convention for the MalT tese Living Abroad pose for a commemorate photo with the political leaders (from left): Minister

George Vella, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Op-

position Leader Simon Busuttil at the venue of the meetings, the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta (See full report on pages 2, 3, 4 and 5)

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Ir-Raba’ Konvenzjoni tal-Maltin li Jg˙ixu Barra (fuq erba’ pa©ni) atul l-a˙˙ar ©img˙a l-Ministeru tal-Affarijiet BarM ranin ta’ Malta organizza r-raba’ Konvenzjoni g˙all-Maltin ta’ Barra li fiha ˙adu sehem, minbarra

g˙add ta’ osservaturi u anke rappreΩentanti tal-ambaxxati barranin f’Malta, delegati, u˙ud minnhom membri f’g˙aqdiet ta’ Maltin li jg˙ixu f’pajjiΩi b˙all-Awstralja, il-Bel©ju, l-E©ittu, l-Emirati G˙arab Mag˙quda, Franza, l-Italja, il-Kanada, ilLussemburgu,ir-Renju Unit u l-Istati Uniti tal-Amerka.

L-akbar kontin©enti kien dak mill-Awstralja b’madwar nofs il-mitt delegat.

Il-Konvenzjoni, li kienet mill-aktar interessanti u li fiha saru g˙add ta’ su©©erimenti mid-delegati bil-g˙an li jkun hemm aktar g˙arfien g˙al xi nuqqasijiet jew xkiel li l-Maltin ta’ Barra j˙ossu li qed iΩommhom bog˙od mittwettieq ta’ kundizzjonijiet li jqarrbu lejn it-tijib tad-dis-

aspora Maltija.

Tul it-tlett ijiem ta’ laqg˙at saru diskorsi minn mexxejja politiçi Maltin, ewlenin fosthom il-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscat, il-Ministru tal-Affarijiet Barranin George Vella u l-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni Simon Busuttil.

G˙add ta’ mexxejja ta’ g˙aqdiet tal-Maltin ta’ Barra, u anke individwi, f’papers li ppreΩentaw, fissru s-sitwazzjoni li jinsabu fiha u wkoll qalu x’ja˙sbu li jista’ jsir biex isir it-titjieb li jixtiequ jaraw.

Fil-˙ar©iet ta’ wara din ta’ The Voice of the Maltese be˙siebna n©ibu g˙all-attenzjoni tal-qarrejja il-fehmiet ta’ w˙ud minn dawk li ppreΩentaw il-fehmiet tag˙hom.

Appell tal-President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca waqt il-mer˙ba lid-delegati:

“Niççelebraw dak kollu li hu Malti u li jag˙milna ©ens mag˙qud rapport minn Joseph Cutajar

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l-Konvenzjoni ©iet illonçjata millMinistru tal-Affarijiet Dr George Vella fl-14 ta’ April. Imbag˙ad ing˙ata bidu uffiçjali fil-kappella Russa fil-Palazz tal-President f’San Anton l-ewwel waqt quddiesa ççelebrata mill-Isqof t’G˙awdex Mario Grech, imbag˙ad mill-President ta’ Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca fil©nien privat tal-Palazz. Wara diskors g˙all-okkaΩjoni t˙alltet u tkellmet mar-rappreΩentanti li fil-jumejn ta’ wara kellhom jie˙du sehem fil-Konvenzjoni.

L-ewwel tkellmet bl-IngliΩ biex tat mer˙ba lill-Maltin u G˙awdxin li filfatt jg˙ixu ‘l bog˙od minn arthom, imma li xorta wa˙da jqisu lil Malta u G˙awdex b˙al darhom u pajjiΩhom.

X’taqitilhom li jkollhom iç-çans li jsa˙˙u r-rabta bejniethom. Imbag˙ad qalbet g˙all-Ilsien Malti, li, qalet, “jddistinwina b˙ala nazzjon a˙na fejn a˙na fid-dinja”. Hija ttamat li jibqg˙u j˙addnu dan l-Ilsien u wkoll jg˙adduh lil uliedhom.

Hija ssoktat tg˙id li l-preΩenza taddelegati hija prova çara ta’ kemm “a˙na l-Maltin irnexxielna nimir˙u lil hinn minn pajjiΩna, u nil˙qu l-aspirazzjonijiet tag˙na, inkunu fejn inkunu. Fil-fatt, il-Maltin u G˙awdxin ˙utna jinsabu f’kull rokna tad-dinja,” qalet. Ûiedet li hija konvinta li l-preΩenza qawwija tal-Maltin madwar id-dinja hija xi ˙a©a li nistg˙u nibnu fuqha, u li tista’ tiΩviluppa aktar, g˙all-©id tal-komunità s˙i˙a Maltija, irrispettivament

ta’ fejn tinsab.

Il-President sa˙qet li wara kollox, b˙ala komunità wa˙da, “a˙na marbutin flimkien b’kultura u l-valuri komuni, u li g˙andha twassalna biex nikkontribwixxu g˙all-©id ta’ xulxin.”

Qalet li minn meta ˙adet il-©urament ta’ President ta’ Malta sostniet li matul il-proçess tal-Presidenza tag˙ha tkun qrib tal-Maltin u lG˙awdxin li huma mxerrdin malerbat irjie˙ tad-dinja, u anke ssa˙˙a˙ il-kuntatt mag˙hom.

Il-President kompliet tg˙id li riedet turi li g˙aliha l-Maltin ta’ barra huma parti minna u trid tg˙inhom jibqg˙u jg˙oΩΩu l-identità Maltija. “Irrid infakkarkom li Malta tibqa timmissjakom u tibqa bΩonnkom,” Ix-xewqa tag˙ha qalet li hi li kull min jixtieq li jipparteçipa b'xi mod fil-˙ajja ta’ pajjiΩna jsib l-opportunità li jag˙mel dan permezz tal-Presidenza.

*g˙al pa©na 3

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Il-parteçipanti u l-mistednin jippuΩaw g˙al ritratt kommemorattiv mal-President ta’ Malta (fin-nofs bl-a˙mar) meta nediet ir-IV Konvenzjoni tal-Maltin ta’ Barra fil-©nien privat tal-Palazz ta’ San Anton

*minn pa©na 2 Hawn semmiet li waqqfet il-Fondazzjoni g˙all-©id tas-Soçjetà bil-g˙an li tag˙mel riçerka rilevanti, xierqa u f'waqtha g˙aΩ-Ωmienijiet soçjali tallum, u timpenja ru˙ha mas-soçjetà g˙all-promozzjoni tal-paçi u lg˙aqda fost il-poplu Malti, u kull minn jinsab fostna.

Semmiet ukoll il-Malta Community Chest Fund li ftit jiem wara kellha ssir fondazzjoni, (fil-fatt saret hekk nhar l-Erbg˙a), bil-g˙an li minnu jitkompla li jitqassmu aktar minn €3.5 miljun kull sena b˙ala appo©© finanzjarju g˙all-kura ta’ Maltin li jkunu g˙addejjin mill-kançer, jew mard kroniku sever ie˙or.

Sostniet li din l-g˙ajnuna tista’ ting˙ata biss permess tal-©eneroΩità tal-Maltin u l-G˙awdxin kollha, jg˙ixu fejn jg˙ixu, u appellat lil kull minn jista’ joffri l-g˙ajnuna tieg˙u, kemm finanzjarja kif ukoll, b’kull mod ie˙or, biex jag˙mel dan minn qalbu.

“Nemmen li fid-dinja tal-lum, ˙afna nies, inkluΩ iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ huma aktar motivati u g˙andhom sens ta’ parteçipazzjoni u entuΩjaΩmu kbir,

biex jag˙tu mill-˙in tag˙hom, g˙all©id ta’ ˙addie˙or,” qalet.

Sa˙qet li hi kburija li hi l-President tal-Maltin u l-G˙awdxin kollha, u riedet li flimkien “niççelebraw dak kollu li hu Malti, dak li jag˙milna poplu, ©ens mag˙qud u li dejjem fittex il-paçi, lest li juri solidarjetà ma’ kull minn ikollu bΩonn, u fl-istess ˙in, poplu ferrie˙i u lest li jilqa’ lil

kul˙add.”

Fl-a˙˙arnett awgurat lill-Maltin li jissoktaw jag˙tu viΩibilità mill-aqwa lil pajjiΩna, u lil niesna, u temmet tg˙id: “Nawguralkom li tkomplu ΩΩuru lil pajjiΩkom kull meta tistg˙u.

Hawnhekk dejjem se ssibu lil min jistenniekom u jilqag˙kom.”

(Ara wkoll pa©ni 4 u 5)

Tmien Ωg˙aΩag˙ membri tal-MAYC li mpressjonaw lill-Konvenzjoni bl-entuΩjaΩmu tag˙hom g˙al Malta jippuΩaw mal-President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au

Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW for all your travel needs.

Tel (02) 9622 7799 blacktown@breakawaytravel.com.au

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

l-interessi tal-Maltin ta’ barra l-istess b˙al tal-Gvern Malti u s-soçjetà Maltija

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l-ewwel jum proprju tal-konvenzjoni, ir-rappreΩentanti talKomunitajiet Maltin ta’ Barra ©ew indirizzati mill-Prim Ministru u l-Ministru tal-Affarijiet Barranin ta’ Malta li feta˙ il-konferenza, u l-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni.

Min˙abba li l-ftu˙ tal-konvenzjoni ˙abat xi jiem biss wara ttra©edja fil-Ba˙ar l-Abjad, il-l-Ba˙ar Mediterran li fiha g˙erqu mad-900 ru˙ li kienu fi triqithom li ja˙irbu l-problemi ta’ pajjiΩhom u jibdew ©ejjieni ©did fl-Ewropa, il-kelliema politiçi kollha sellmu l-memorja tag˙hom.

B’turija ta’ rispett lejn dawk li tilfu ˙ajjithom f’din it-tra©edja, ilMinstru George Vella ippropona minuta silenzju b’tifkira ta’ dawk li sejja˙ l-“unknown migrant” (il-migrant mhux mag˙ruf).

Wara, il-Ministru tkellem dwar il-konvenzjoni u qal li dan kien apputament importanti meqjus b˙ala opportunita’ biex wie˙ed jirriafferma l-weg˙da dwar il-˙sieb tal-gvern li jie˙u ˙sieb il-komuIl-Ministru George Vella waqt id-diskors tal-ftuh nita’ Maltija li tg˙ix barra. Semma fost kollox li mhux façli tissodisfa lil kul˙add imma jinsab sodisfatt li ntla˙aq l-g˙an li ji©u passat u mag˙mula biss minn ©enerazzjonijiet ta’ dari. G˙all-kunindirizzati l-karatteristiçi ewlenin u l-aspirazzjonijiet ta’ dawk li trarju, f’din il-Konvenzjoni stess Ωdiedet anke l-parteçipazzjoni taljg˙ixu f’pajjiΩi fejn wie˙ed isib il-Maltin. ©enerazzjoni Ωag˙Ωug˙a.”

“Mer˙ba lkoll f’Malta - l-pajjiΩ li huwa tag˙kom daqs kemm huwa Qed issir ˙idma biex kif imwieg˙ed, il-˙iliet kbar u l-kuntatti ta’ tag˙na”, il-Ministru qal lill-mi©emg˙a. Huwa sa˙aq li tul il-jiem diversi Maltin li jg˙ixu barra minn Malta li bnew isem u reputaztal-konvenzjoni, fi spirtu kostruttiv kienu se jaqsmu l-˙sibijiet u zjoni f’xi qasam jew ie˙or min˙abba s-suççessi li kisbu fil-pajjiΩi idejat biex jitkompla x-xog˙ol li di©a` nbeda u jitfasslu pro©etti tal-addozjoni, ji©u wΩati ©˙all-©id ta’ pajjiΩna. ©odda li jolqtuhom direttament u prinçipalment.

Il-Ministru qal li l-Konvenzjoni ©iet imfassla wkoll biex turi li llum Il-Ministru beda bil-premessa li l-interessi ta’ dawk il-Maltin li jg˙ixu il-©urnata l-Maltin m’humiex biss imxerdin f’g˙add ta’ pajjiΩi li tradizbarra huma l-istess interessi tal-Gvern Malti u tas-soçjetà Maltija, u li zjonalment huma assoçjati mal-emigrazzjoni. g˙alhekk li x-xog˙ol li qed jitwettaq huwa msejjes fuq su©©erimenti Sa˙aq l-impenn tal-Ministeru tieg˙u li jassigura li l-Maltin kollha u rakkomandazzjonijiet li spiss jaslu lil-gvern min-na˙a tag˙hom. huma fejn huma jkunu jistg˙u jag˙tu l-kontribut tag˙hom lis-soç“Kif ˙afna minnkom jafu, dak kollu li l-Ministeru g˙all-Affarijiet jeta’ Maltija. “Malta hi miftu˙ha kompletament g˙all-idejat innoBarranin qed iwettaq fil-konfront tal-Maltin li jg˙ixu barra minn vattivi fl-oqsma kollha turistiçi u ekonomiçi, qal.

Malta qed isir fuq konsultazzjoni wiesg˙a ˙afna. Konsultazzjoni, Interess qawwi fil-wirt nazzjonali Malti li iktar minn qatt qabel qed tkun il-qafas tad-deçiΩjonijiet kollha li qed nie˙du g˙as-servizz tag˙kom.” l-Ministru g˙alaq ukoll l-avveniment il-Óamis b’diskors li fih Qal li kien jinsab çert li permezz tat-twaqqif tal-Kunsill g˙allsemma l- interess qawwi fil-wirt nazzjonali u kulturali Malti fost itMaltin li Jg˙ixu Barra u sussegwentement, it-twaqqif tad-Direttorat tieni u t-tielet ©enerazzjoni tal-Maltin li jg˙ixu barra. Qal li kienu ˙afna tal-Maltin li Jg˙ixu Barra fi ˙dan il-Ministeru tal-Affarijiet Bar- dawk li wrew interess fil-kultura lokali u li xtaqu jibqg˙u f’kuntatt ma’ ranin, ta bidu g˙al pa©na ©dida fil-˙idma li qed issir mill-Gvern u dak li qed ise˙˙ u partikolarment fil-mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni. s-soçjeta’ Maltija “ma ˙utna li jg˙ixu barra minn Malta”.

Huwa appella biex il-komunitajiet Maltin jibqg˙u attivi anke Il-Ministru Vella appella lid-delegati biex ikomplu jie˙du sehem b’mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni moderni, u Ωied li l-konvenzjoni ta’ b’mod attiv fl-inizjattivi li jindirizzaw il-qag˙da tal-komunita’ din is-sena kienet differenti mill-o˙rajn ta’ qabilha min˙abba li ©iet Maltija. Fakkar li wara l-a˙˙ar Konvenzjoni tal-2010, il-Parlament ukoll miftu˙a g˙aΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙.

Malti rratifika l-Att No XX tal-2011 (Kap 515) li bih twaqqaf KunSemma li tidher kontradittorja li waqt li ˙afna lmentaw li l-Ilsien sill b’responsabilita’ li jissorvelja l-kwalita’ tal-˙ajja ta’ komuni- Malti qed jintilef mill-komunitajiet Maltin li jg˙ixu barra, imma fltajiet u individwi Maltin li jinsabu barra biex jiffaçilita’ iΩ-zamma istess waqt f’˙afna mill-konvenzjoni ntuza l-IngliΩ. Qal li u tkabbir ta’ l-identita’ Nazzjonali u jkabbar rabtiet bejniethom u madankollu dan kien me˙tie© biex ji©i Ωgurat li l-parteçianti mal-Maltin f’arthom. Ωg˙aΩag˙ ma j˙ossuhomx im-warrbin.

Qal li b’differenza mal-o˙rajn li saru fl-img˙oddi, il-˙sieb ewlieni Huwa fa˙˙ar il-valur u l-livell g˙oli tal-papers li ©ew ippreΩentati wara din il-Konvenzjoni, hu li ma jsirux biss ta˙ditiet mill-Maltin u sa˙aq li l-kritika kienu se jag˙tu kasha u se ja˙dmu biex fejn li jg˙ixu f’Malta me˙tie© is-sitwazlill-Maltin li zjoni titjieb. jg˙ixu barra. IΩda Il-Ministru Vella Konve-nzjoni ˙e©ge© lill-parte-çiminnhom u g˙alipanti biex ikomplu hom. joffru kritika kostÓa gost li t-tema ruttiva dwar dak li ewlienija kienet qed ise˙˙ fosthom.

‘Perspettivi Bil-g˙an li jintuΩ©odda’, g˙ax hu aw is-servizzi u lkruçjali li ma ˙iliet tad-Diaspora nibqg˙ux bl-istess Maltija l-ministeru idea stereotipata li qed ifassal lista ta’ d-diaspora Maltija nies b˙al dawn Dehra ©enerali tal-ftu˙ uffiçjali tar-IV Konvenzjoni tal-Maltin ta’ Barra hija mag˙luqa filg˙all-quddiem.

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The Voice of the Maltese 5

Tuesday April 28, 2015 l-ewwel jum tal-konvenzjoni tkellmu wkoll il-Prim FSimon Ministru, Joseph Muscat u l-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni, Busuttil li t-tnejn li huma, qabel g˙addew biex iwasslu l-messa©©i tag˙hom direttament lejn x’g˙andha tfisser din il-laqg˙a tal-Maltin li Jg˙ixu

Barra, semmew b’çerta dieqa l-kriΩi umanitarja li kien g˙ad kif se˙˙et fil-lejl tal-jumejn ta’ qabel u li fiha ntilfu aktar minn 800 ru˙ fit-tra©edja fil-Ba˙ar Mediterran.

InΩammet ukoll minuta silenzju b’rispett lejn il-memorja tal-vittmi.

Busuttil dwar l-importanza tal-Ilsien Malti

Il-Prim MInistru Joseph Muscat (xellug) u l-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni Simon Busuttil fil-ftu˙ tal-konvenzjoni

I Il-Prim Ministru ˙eg©e© biex il-Konvenzjoni ma tkunx wa˙da ta’ memorji u nostal©ija l-indirizz tieg˙u lill-parteçipanti f’dar F il-Mediterran g˙all-Konferenzi, ilPrim Ministru qal li din il-konvenzjoni

ma kelliex tkun wa˙da ta’ memorji u nostal©ija, imma programm li j˙ares ‘l quddiem. Li tkun viΩjoni g˙all-futur.

Qal li l-migrazzjoni llum inbidlet. Flimg˙oddi kienet one-way ticket (lejn na˙a wa˙da). L-ewwel kien hemm mew©a ta’ Maltin li ˙allew lil pajjiΩhom fi tfulithom imbag˙ad ji©u lura biex igawdu l-©id li g˙amlu bil-˙idma tag˙hom f’Malta. Illum iΩ-Ωg˙aΩag˙ Maltin qed i˙arsu li jitilqu barra biex jiksbu esperjenza f’g˙add ta’ oqsma u ji©u lura biex jaqsmu dak li tg˙allmu ma’ ˙addie˙or.

Sostna li llum g˙andna fenomenu ©did g˙aliex g˙add ta’ Maltin jemigraw aktar

minn darba, inkella jiddeçiedu li ji©u lura f’pajjiΩhom wara biss ftit tas-snin.

Joseph Muscat appella biex ir-rappreΩentanti tal-entitajiet differenti barra minn Malta jing˙aqdu u ja˙dmu flimkien. Sostna li permezz tal-konver©enza jista’ jkun hemm mani©©ar a˙jar tarriΩorsi.

Qal li Malta ta’ b˙alissa lesta tilqa’ lideat u lil dawk kollha li g˙andhom x’joffru. Sa˙aq dwar il-˙tie©a tal-g˙aqda u qal li meta ni©u g˙al affarijiet nazzjonali l-Maltin nog˙lew ‘l fuq millparte©©janiΩmu u nippruvaw insibu dak li jg˙aqqadna.

Il-Prim Ministru qal li l-problema hi lframmentazzjoni. Filwaqt li kul˙add g˙andu l-fehmiet tieg˙u l-g˙aqda bejn il-komunita` g˙andha tibqa’.

l-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni Simon Busuttil, filwaqt li wieg˙ed l-apo©© lill-gvern g˙al xi miΩuri li seta’ jie˙u dwar it-tra©edja ta’ ftit tal-jiem qabel, qal li kull familja Maltija barra minn Malta g˙andha sservi ta’ ambaxxata g˙al dak kollu li hu Malti.

Kompla jg˙id li l-awtoritajiet g˙andhom jg˙inu lill-anzjani li jg˙ixu barra minn Malta biex jikkomunikaw billi juΩaw l-Ilsien nazzjonali. Sostna, li dan huwa ferm importanti.

Busuttil qal li l-Kunsill g˙all-Ilsien Malti fl-a˙˙ar g˙axar snin ˙adem ˙afna biex jipprote©i l-Ilsien nazzjonali, u li ç-çittadini Maltin li jg˙ixu barra g˙andhom jag˙mlu l-a˙jar tag˙hom biex jippromwovu l-lingwa Maltija.

Sostna li fil-fehma tieg˙u l-kisba talpassaport Malti llum saret liberali ˙afna g˙al dawk li l-aqwa interess tag˙hom hu l-pajjiΩ minn fejn ori©inaw. Qal li madankollu g˙ad hemm u˙ud li jsibuha diffiçli biex jiksbuh, xi ˙aga li g˙andha ti©i rimedjata.

Qal li l-Ilsien Malti u l-passaport Malti ssa˙˙ew l-ewwel bil-kisba talIndipendenza fl-1964 imbag˙ad 11-il sena ilu meta Malta ssie˙bet fl-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Huwa qarreb aktar lejn it-ton politiku meta nnota li bejn l-2004 u l-2020 Malta se tkun ibbenefikat bi €2.5 biljun mill-fondi tal-UE u dawn g˙inu biex titjieb l-infrastruttura u fi pro©etti kulturali.

Sostna li l-Maltin li qed jg˙ixu barra wkoll g˙andhom jibbenefikaw minn dawn il-fondi.

6th CMLA Council meeting assesses important issues

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t the 6th meeting of the Council for Maltese Living Abroad (CMLA) that was chair-ed by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George W. Vella, the Council assessed a number of important issues, some of which were raised during the Convention, and discussed the way forward.

This meeting held back-to-back with the Convention for Maltese Living Abroad, an event that brought together Maltese people from different countries and diverse walks of life for three days of talks, discussions and workshops, among other activities. and chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George W. Vella, The Council investigated different practical models of voting systems employed in other countries that allow their citizens to vote from their countries of residence.

Other items on the Council’s agenda were the updating of Act XX of 2011, which es-

tablished the Council; developments in the processing of biometric passports; the teaching of the Maltese language among the Maltese communities in foreign countries; as well as the role of the youth and A©enzija Ûg˙aΩag˙ in the future of the Maltese Diaspora.

The Council is composed of 15 members from Maltese communities abroad in Australia, Canada, USA, the United Kingdom and the other European Union countries (pictured above) . The Council meets in Malta at least once

annually, apart from holding videoconferences.

The aim of the Council ultimately remains the protection and promotion of the rights and interests of the Maltese Living Abroad.

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Centenary of ANZAC commemorated in Malta with Moving Remembrance Service In Malta, the Australian High Commission commemorated the centenary of Anzac The Monument Day with a beautiful and very moving Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the Pieta Milceremony at the Pietà Military Cemetery, the place that has hosted the service since itary Cemetery 1979 and where the highest number of ANZAC war graves in Malta are situated. surround-ed by wreaths Malta has played a significant role in sense of national identity. Indeed, the and during the Gallipoli Campaign with spirit lives.

The very well-attended service of remany Australians and New Zealand casualties being evacuated to Malta for membrance at the Pieta Military Cememedical treatment. In fact, as of the tery was held in the presence of H.E. Ms spring of 1915, hospitals and convales- Jane Lambert, the High Commissioner cent camps were established on the is- for Australia in Malta, who also delivlands of Malta and Gozo, to deal with ered a welcome address, the President the many thousands of sick and of Malta H.E. Mrs Marie Louise Coleiro wounded from the Gallipoli and Sa- Preca, Ms Jill Camilleri, on. Consul for New Zealand, the Speaker, Dr Anglu lonika campaigns.

Despite the courageous efforts of the Farrugia, Deputy Prime Minister Mr doctors and medical staff, some of the Louis Grech in the absence of the Prime casualties could not be saved and they Minister who was attending a similar were buried on Malta. Of those buried commemoration in London; Dr George on Malta there were 202 Australian and 72 New Zealanders.

Anzac Day ceremonies are held not only in towns and cities across Australia and New Zealand, but also around the world, including the UK and Malta where the day has been commemorated since 1916, just a year after the Gallipoli Campaign. Originally the commemoration included two services, one for nonCatholics at the Pieta Cemetery, and another at the Addolorata for Catholics.

Malta is also the country outside of Australia and New Zealand that hosts an ANZAC Memorial Monument. It was built on the initiative of Maltese-Australian Associations and is situated at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana.

ANZAC Day is an occasion when the world acknowledges the service of the Australian and New Zealand veterans and those who are currently serving in military and peacekeeping operations.

Saturday’s ceremony was clear proof if any was needed, that the spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualifies of courage, mateship, equality, self-sacrifice and loyalty continues to have meaning and significance for one’s respective Their Exellences, the Malta President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca (left) and the Austalian High Commissioner to Malta Jane Lambert at the Remembrance Service.

Mr Lawrence Dimech, president of the Maltese Community MCC (NSW) after laying his wreath

Vella, the Foreign Affairs Minister in the Maltese Government, members of the Diplomatic Corp; community groups and associations; military representatives and members of the public.

The day began with a prayer by Fr Meli, chaplain of the Armed Forces of Malta, while His Honour Judge Peter Zahra SC, District Court of New Zealand, delivered a commemorative address. Ms Jill Camilleri also read a message, while Turkish Am-

bassador H.E. Mrs Ayse Sezgin, also read remarks from Former President of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Attaturk’s “The Tribute to Anzacs who died at Gallipoli.

The service continued with the laying of wreaths, starting with President Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, followed by the Speaker, members of the Diplomatic Corp, military representatives and community groups and associations, including the Maltese-Australian Association.

Mr Lawrence Dimech, president of the Maltese Community Council of NSW, and Mr Jack Gaw, on behalf of all members residing in Australia and New Zealand also laid wreaths.

*to page 7

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Tuesday April 28, 2015

A section of the participants at the Anzac Day Service in Malta

*from page 6 Colonel Mark Mallia, the Deputy Commander AFM read an ode, a minute’s silence was observed, and the buglers played The Last Post.

In addition to the ceremony two information panels were unveiled by the Malta President and Mr David Symons, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Area Director.

ANZAC Day at Merrylands U

nder a hot sunny day the Merrylands RSL Sub Branch held a Memorial Service to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of ANZAC. The Holroyd City Brass Band led the parade, followed by Australian and New Zealand Military personnel who marched to the sound of World War I music directed by musical director Andrew Yule.

Among the dignitaries and politicians who formed part of the parade was Mr. Emanuel Camilleri, vice president of the Maltese Community Council of NSW proudly wearing his father’s war medals.

Mr Camilleri, who placed a wreath on the war memorial on behalf of the Maltese Community, was also the main speaker.

His passionate address was an inspiration, to the huge crowd that gathered to watch the parade, and who did not know that Malta played such an important role in 1915, and that the island hosts the only ANZAC Me-

morial Monument outside Australia and New Zealand. The monument is situated at the Argotti Gardens in Floriana.

Right: Emanuel Camilleri flanked by the duly elected member for Glanville Julia Finn (left), and Julie Owens, Federal member for Parramatta.

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165 Dunmore St., Wentworthville NSW 2145 Phone: (02) 9631 2689 Fax: (02) 9636 5949 Email: charlie@maltatravel.net.au Website: www.maltatravel.net.au

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

Thanks for most interesting articles The Voice of the Maltese on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e o

is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly online publication specifically targeting all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian scene. is online magazine is sent via email by request.

Subscription is free.

Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Letters for publication in The Voice either in Maltese or English should be e-mailed to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese

Edward Cachia from Petrie Terrace, Brisbane writes: would like to thank historian Mark Caruana for his very interesting and informative articles about the early Maltese in Australia. This man seems to be so dedicated to go to such lengths to do this research. It must be so hard to find all this information and I would like to express my gratitude for his work.

The passion Mark Caruana has for the subject is evident in his articles. I am sure that like me, all those who read his articles appreciate his contribution to make this magazine the best ever-Maltese publication we have ever had.

I

I also liked reading the article by Lina Brockdorf. She brought smiles to my face as she took me back to my childhood in Malta. I remember so well my mother’s aprons and how safe I could feel when she used to cuddle me and pull me close to her particularly when I felt that the world was crushing down on me following some mishap.

I never cared if the apron was dirty or not, but I also used to like the smell of my favourite food on her. Strange, but true.

Articles such as I mentioned are always most welcome by us readers. People like me like to reminisce about those old days of our childhood in lovely Malta.

Give our young generation a voice Manwel Falzon from Balmoral writes:

F

or the past few months, on reading about the activities organised by associations and clubs in various parts of Australia catering for the Maltese community, I felt that despite the fact that most of them are so active, in their activities they rarely target the young people coming from Maltese families.

Because of this the young generation might feel marginalised and are therefore bound to forget their Maltese roots, which is a pity.

Having said that, however, I give full credit to the youths forming the MAYC at the La Valette SC for working hard to revive the Maltese spirit and to try and keep alive the Maltese traditions, as their recent fete so clearly shows.

While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema

Email: sales@diplomat.com.mt Tel: (00356) 23497000

I don’t know what happens in all the other organisations. I just like to take a look at the activities that are publicised in the Community News pages on The Voice of the Maltese and I am not aware of any activity that is bound to attract the younger generation.

It is well and good to try and keep the old folk happy by organising dinner activities, the so-called “teatrini” and the outings. This helps those who have been in Australia long enough to feel nostalgic about Malta, but what happens when some of the organisers themselves are unable to keep up?

Our associations and clubs need the young people to survive, and they would do well to infuse new, young blood n their organisations in orer to give a voice to our youths.

I would like to read others’ views on this as I feel it is very important.

Clarification Maryann Camilleri writes:

P

lease allow me to correct the wrong impression one might have gotten when you published the article about me (Issue No. 97).

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Editorial team of The Voice of the Maltese for their extensive promotion of the Maltese Easter Feast article, as featured in the April edition of the Feast Magazine.

The Voice had stated that I held the position of Principal of the Maltese Language School. Whilst I am a very proud past student and past admin support person of the Maltese Language School, please kindly note that I have never held the position of Principal.

Explanation is noted, the Editors.

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Did-darba se nΩur Malta g˙ax il-kurΩita` g˙elbitni Peter Vassallo minn St Albans, Victoria -a˙˙ar li Ωort Malta, fejn twelidt, L kien madwar erba’ snin ilu. G˙alija dan il-pajjiΩ li nifta˙ar li huwa art twe-

lidi minn dejjem kien jog˙gobni, anzi kwaΩi ng˙id jaffaxxinani, minkejja li kien hemm xi nuqqasijiet li urtawni, fosthom li donnu li w˙ud, fosthom anke istituzzjonijiet governattivi, kienu jqisu lilna l-Maltin li ng˙ixu barra, b˙ala xi stran©ieri.

Fil-verita` fl-a˙˙ar Ωjara kien hemm xi affarijiet li tawni ©ewwa u ddiΩappuntawni xi ftit, b˙al fil-kaΩ, pereΩempju li minkejja li jien Malti, fejn jid˙ol in-noll tat-trasport pubbliku kien kont meqjus daqs barrani. Dan mhux kas ta’ g˙ax iΩommuli bil-g˙oli, g˙ax wara kollox in-noll xorta kien ir˙is, imma kont in˙ossha ©ewwa li anke b’passaport Malti kienu jqisuni b˙ala xi barrani.

Dawn affarijiet Ωg˙ar imma jdejquk, biss b’danakollu qatt ma wasalt li mmaqdar jew ma’ xi barranin ng˙id xi ˙a©a kontra din il-gΩira li kien be˙siebni ner©a’ nΩur fl-2017.

Imm’issa tant qed nisma’ u naqra affarijiet sbie˙ dwar dak li qed ise˙˙, u hawn ukoll niΩΩi˙ajr lil The Voice of the Maltese tal-a˙barijiet u t-tag˙rif li jwasslilna, li g˙andi kurΩita’ kbira li ner©a’ nasal wasla s’hemm f’dan issajf u l-btala li din id-darba kont se nie˙u fi New Zealand, minflok nibdilha ma’ wa˙da f’Malta.

Donnu li din id-darba se nΩur Malta aktar g˙ax il-kurΩita` qed teg˙libni biex nara x’qed jinbidel. Óbieb li Ωaru lil Malta s-sajf li g˙adda

u anke sa Diçembru, urew entuΩjaΩmu kbir ifissruli, mhux biss il-bidla li qed tara l-gΩira f’dik li hi infrastruttura, imma wkoll fil-mod kif in-nies qed t˙ares lejn il-pajjiΩ. Qed ng˙id g˙al dak li bl-IngliΩ isej˙ulu l-good feel factor, fejn in-nies ikunu ottimisti u jistennew aktar titjieb fl-mod kif jg˙ixu.

G˙andi kurΩita` kbira ˙alli nduq minn din il-poΩittivita`.

Punt ie˙or li qed jimpressjonani hu lfatt li skont l-istatistika, kull xahar qed jiΩdiedu t-turisti biex igawdu minn dak li g˙andha x’toffri Malta, li g˙alkemm pajjiΩ Ωg˙ir hija mimlija b’dak kollu li wie˙ed iknu jixtieq meta jmur fuq btala. Ìeneralment, fl-img˙oddi meta kont ninΩel Malta kont inqatta’ ˙afna mill˙in ma’ familjari o˙ra li g˙ad g˙andi hemm miΩ-Ωew© na˙at tal-©enituri, li llum it-tnein huma mejtin, u nie˙u gost nixrob il-birra mal-˙bieb, niekol l-ikel Malti, ng˙um fil-ba˙ar çar u nadif li jdawwar lil Malta, u nitg˙aΩΩen.

Did-darba iΩda, flimkien ma’ marti u Ω-Ωew© uliedi be˙siebni ndur kemm jista’ jkun postijiet storiçi u muΩewi-

jiet. Irrid lil uliedi jsiru jafu aktar dwar Malta u dwar l-istorja tag˙ha li hija ferm aktar rikka minn dik tal-Awstralja.

Nixtieqhom jibdew jag˙tu kas aktar il-wirt kulturali ta’ Malta u minbarra li fuq xewqa tag˙hom stess ipprovdejtilhom xi kotba ˙alli jsiru jafu x’g˙andhom jistennew, bdew issa jid˙lu fuq g˙add ta’ siti fuq l-Internet dwar Malta biex iΩidu l-g˙arfien tag˙hom Barra minhekk tant qed naqra dwar attivitajiet li ji©u organizzati ta’ kuljum f’Malta li g˙andi ˙erqa kbira li nie˙u sehem fihom u fejn nista’ nattendi bil-familja kollha. G˙andi tant xewqa kbira li nara lil uliedi li huma wkoll i˙ossuhom li minbarra li huma Awstraljani, huma wkoll Maltin.

G˙edt dan kollu imma ara ma ta˙sbux li g˙andi xi ndiema li qed ng˙ix fl-Awstralja. Dan hu post meraviljuΩ u g˙andu ˙afna x’joffri. Anzi nissu©©erixxi lil min ftit ˙are© mill-istat fejn jg˙ix biex jag˙mel minn kollox u jekk ikollu çans iΩur bliet o˙ra fi stati differenti li kollha g˙andhom xi ˙a©a differenti x’joffru.

Thanks and congratulations Sandra Borg, St Albans, Victoria, writes: am sure that I would be expressing the IMaltese wish of the readers of The Voice of the magazine in congratulating Joseph Cutajar and Lawrence Dimech for producing this magazine and on reaching this important stage, the 100th issue of this most informative publica-

tion.

On behalf of the followers of this publication I also want to express, my heartfelt gratitude for the way you have kept this high level of content and the attractive way you present the articles.

Now that you have reached this goal, I pray that God gives you the strength to keep up this good work.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Perspettiva Ir-Rifuġjati Umani?

A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: http://www.ivancauchi. blogspot.com

kitba ta’

IVAN CAUCHI

I

l-©img˙a l-o˙ra kien hemm a˙bar kerha ˙afna. Ma kinetx ©ejja mill-Awstralja, fejn nemmnu li qed inwaqqfu xi invaΩjoni kbira ta' rifu©jati. Ìiet minn art twelidna - Malta, u l-pajjiΩi ta' madwar. Ìie rrappurtat li dg˙ajsa twila g˙oxrin metru nqalbet filBa˙ar Mediterran, filba˙ar ta' bejn Lampedusa, Malta u l-Libja, b'madwar 900 ru˙ abbord. Huwa rrappurtat li salvaw biss 28 ru˙.

G˙alkemm din hija tra©edja kbira u tal- Twiebet bil-katavri ta’ w˙ud biki, ara biss ta˙sbu li mill-vittmi tal-a˙˙ar tra©edja din hi xi ˙a©a unika. fil-Ba˙ar Mediterran li sarilHuwa kkalkulat li s- hom funeral u ndifnu f’Malta sena l-o˙ra, 3,500 rifu©jat g˙erqu waqt li kienu qed jippruvaw jaqsmu mill-Afrika Ukoll ta˙sbux li dan huwa dejjem riΩultat tal-maltemp li sikwit ja˙kem lill-Mediterran.

Is-sena l-o˙ra, g˙arqa ta' tliet mija kienet ikkawΩata mill-kuntrabandisti tan-nies jg˙arrqu dg˙ajsa apposta g˙ax in-nies ta' fuqha rrifjutaw li jiΩbarkaw g˙al fuq dg˙ajsa iΩg˙ar.

Dawn huma stejjer li jqallbulek l-istonku. Lanqas tkun trid tismag˙hom dwar annimali, a˙seb u ara dwar il-bnedmin.

Jien l-iskantament tieg˙i jiikompla, u jitkattar, meta naqra lkummentarju politiku dwar din is-sitwazzjoni. U g˙al darba, m'inix nirreferi g˙all-politika tal-partiti, imma l-politika tal-pajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Is-sena l-o˙ra, kien hemm operazzjoni fil-Ba˙ar Mediterran f'ib˙ra internazzjonali, imsemmija Mare Nostrum immexxi millItalja. Skont ir-rapporti, fi Ωmien sena salvat 140,000 2. Wara xi kummenti minn pajjiΩi tal-UE li kienet qed tqum wisq flus, din ©iet mibdula b'operazzjoni iΩg˙ar imsejj˙a Triton, li topera biss sa 30 mil nawtiku mill-kosta Taljana.

Il-Prim Ministru Malti, Joseph Muscat wissa li d-dinja u lEwropa g˙ad ikunu ©©udikati ˙aΩin ˙afna jekk ma jsir xejn u dawk li huma komdi jag˙lqu g˙ajnejhom lejn tra©edji b˙al dawn3. Jien in˙oss li dan il-kliem g˙andu mnejn ikun profetiku.

Dawk li g˙andhom g˙al qalbhom it-tbatija u l-periklu li jg˙addu minnu r-rifu©jati, ilhom jg˙ajtu g˙al Mare Nostrum biex ter©a tibda' jopera. Issa bil-mewt ta' aktar minn 700 ru˙ tal-©img˙a lo˙ra, l-g˙ajta biex dan ise˙˙ jista' biss jikber.

Imma jien nistaqsi, daqshekk biΩΩejjed? Li nsalvaw lin-nies mill-g˙arqa biΩΩejjed? Li ni©©ieldu lit-traffikanti tan-nies biΩΩejjed? Li nwaqqfu lin-nies iddisprati milli jirkbu fuq bastimenti jaqg˙u biççiet biΩΩejjed?

X'se jsir minn-nies li jaslu sal-kosta, li qed ja˙arbu mill-kunflitti, mill-©lied, mill-persekuzzjoni, mill-©u˙? X'se jsir minn min huwa mwerwer mill-ISIS? Se ng˙idu lill-Libjani jibnu kampijiet ©odda fil-kosta tal-Libja, li b˙alissa huwa biss pajjiΩ imfarrak, pajjiΩ fallut fejn g˙adu ma rkuprax mir-rivoluzzjoni kontra Gaddafi, fejn il-gvern le©ittimu

lanqas m'g˙andu sa˙˙a ja˙dem mill-kapitali Tripli?

U dawn il-kampijiet se jibqg˙u jikbru ming˙ajr tmiem, sakemm il-kunflitti u l-persekuzzjonijiet jieqfu? Dan huwa biss assurd.

Jien in˙oss li hemm bΩonn li noqtlu Ωew© g˙asafar b'©ebla wa˙da. Apparti Ω-Ωieda ta' forza fil-Mediterran li tkun lesta li toffri salvata©© f'emer©enza, hemm bΩonn ta' miΩura ta' prevenzjoni.

Hemm bΩonn li l-pajjiΩi tal-UE, flimkien ma pajjiΩi o˙ra ta' rieda tajba, li jiddeċiedu li jaççettaw g˙add imdaqqas ta’ refu©jati ©ejjin mill-Afrika, kull pajjiΩ skont il-mezzi tieg˙u. Dan l-g˙add irid ikun imdaqqas biΩΩejjed ˙alli j˙ajjar lil dawk li huma ddisprati fil-kosta tal-Libja li hemm tama g˙alihom jekk imorru f'kampijiet mg˙ammra u bis-sigurtà garantita, japplikaw u jistennew hemmhekk, minflok ifittxu li jaqsmu l-ba˙ar b'periklu kbir g˙al ˙ajjithom.

Ma jistax ikun li l-pajjiΩi tat-tramuntana tal-Ewropa, li huma fost l-iktar g˙onja fid-dinja, ja©ixxu qishom din il-problema ma teΩistix.

Jien wie˙ed minn dawk li emmint fil-pro©ett Ewropew, li nibet fl-1951 minn sitt pajjiΩi wara t-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija b˙ala l-Komunità Ewropeja g˙all-Fa˙am u l-Azzar. Wara, fl-1958 saret ilKomunità Ekonomika Ewropeja u fl-1993 l-Unjoni Ewropeja.

L-Artiklu numru tnejn tat-Trattat tal-Unjoni Ewropeja jitkellem dwar is-solidarjetà. Jien nistaqsi, fejn hi din is-solidarjetà? Hu evidenti g˙alija li l-pajjiΩi li qed i©arrbu din il-mew©a qawwija ta' rifu©jati, ewlenin fosthom Malta u l-Italja, qed jit˙allew wa˙edhom mil-pajjiΩi l-o˙ra tal-UE, u pajjiΩi g˙onja o˙ra madwar id-dinja, biex jaffrontawhom.

G˙ajb g˙al min jag˙mel biss tabirru˙u li jemmen f'dan ilprinçipju!

Referenzi 1. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32376082, retrieved 20/4/2015 2. http://ecre.org/component/content/article/70-weekly-bulletin-articles/855-operationmare-nostrum-to-end-frontex-triton-operation-will-not-ensure-rescue-at-sea-of-migrants-in-international-waters.html, retrieved 20/4/2015 3. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150420/local/migrants-boat-may-havebeen-carrying-900-some-locked-in-hold-when-it.564511, retrieved 20.4.2015

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Tuesday April 28, 2015

An Educator at Large Travel as an education ... and more ... or not!

M

y fascination for overseas travel began as a teenager. It wasn’t until many years later, though, that I was able to experience it firsthand.

On my first trip abroad I boarded a boat from Malta to Sicily, from where I started a three-week tour organised by the Youth Travel Circle. We used various means of land transport and visited some remarkable European cities including Rome and Innsbruck until we got to a Bavarian youth centre.

The tour included many organised physical, recreational and cultural activities. It was also a great opportunity to socialise with like-minded people and develop friendships, some of which became lifelong and enduring.

Having had a taste for meeting other people and other cultures, I couldn’t wait until my next trip. It was some years of saving before joining a group of other working young people on a trip to London and Paris and their regions. If the first trip was an adventure and an eye opener, the second trip enhanced my education as how best to get along with diverse personalities; experience the breadth and depth of art and culture in museums, art galleries and live theatre.

Much more interesting than any classroom Ancient History lesson were the guided tours to Rome’s ancient sites and monuments, Pompeii’s relics, as well as Athens’ Parthenon, the site of the Oracle and, later in Turkey, walking the marble road in Ephesus, finishing in Kusadasi.

Over the decades, I continued to tick off items on my “bucket list”. Each of the tour groups I joined over the years never stopped to be amazed at the great creativity and inventiveness of ancient cultures throughout the world; across Northern Australia, throughout most of the South American continent and across Asia.

There were the pre-Inca and Inca empires, whose peoples invented “Lego”, or interlocking large blocks of stone to build massive walls which stand to this day as testament to their engineering ability. They invented an uncannily mathematically precise system to record, using knots in twine, numbers and quantities of goods that were traded between tribes and countries. Others recorded their contemporary history, knowledge and important events by carving along ancient temple walls.

All the places I’d been to have been recorded in photos taken and compiled for progeny and, as we do, for reminiscence. Now, in the digital age, one could not possibly store photographs by the thousands in print form. Therefore elec-

By Lucy Calleja

(Retired head teacher)

tronic records are kept and backed many times over. As the “bucket list” becomes shorter, inversely the collection gets bigger, so flash drives had to give way to an external hard drive.

I must say that, as much as I love travelling abroad, I take pride in having also made an effort to tour across and around Australia, my second and adopted homeland.

And certainly, the many aforementioned positive personal self-growth and educational experiences can be found in domestic travel adventures, regardless of the length of stay; e.g. a caravan trip aro- und Australia or a weekend cultural getaway to one of our adopted nation’s capital cities.

One continues to be enthralled by the sight of the “Gallery” in Kakadu national park, with all the intricate ancient paintings; the frugal life lived to ensure care of land and their understanding of where waterholes were geographically, over the millennia of ice ages and droughts, information passed on by the elders, that Aboriginal rangers now explain to tourists.

Every aspect of their stories should be a reminder to us all that the first nations and tribes in Australia were very knowledgeable and careful with land and water resources across the continent.

The various trips opened my eyes also to the abject poverty which besets remote communities in Australia, as well as in rural societies of many Asian countries that are, quite frequently, governed by corrupt regimes. Local guides are often too reticent to divulge much of what goes on outside the cities’ bureaucracies, for fear of retribution.

The tourist dollar is very important to prop up the economies of these countries that have been ravaged by wars. However, it is not the ordinary workers who see much or any of the wealth that is mostly in the hands of the ruling few.

On a brighter note, travel, especially organised by companies for young people of certain age groups, can be an absolutely adventurous affair. Many a young couple have met on such tours around the world, although the internet has now made such meeting places, to some extent, redundant. Still, travel is usually a rite of passage for most young people before they settle down to a more responsible life of careers and family.

A blight on the travel industry is the reality of shady and criminal characters that use travel for no other reasons than to exploit children and young, underage people for their own perverse and exploitative “enterprises”, namely paedophilia and child pornography, trafficking and slavery. Some networks

are, abhorrently, on a global scale.

To exploit one child is one crime too many, but there are many children, especially in poor communities, who will never know a real, innocent and carefree childhood. Every society, no matter how poor, must guard against the robbing of children’s innocence and dignity.

Thankfully, most travellers do so to work, for business, family reunions and holidays. Travel that is mostly tourism to countries that have opened up in the last decade or two, usually involves concerted efforts by tour organisers to visit schools and communities who graciously accept any materials and other donations to supplement the meagre basics supplied by their governments.

As I continue to plan my annual trip overseas, especially every time that I also include some days in Malta, foremost in my mind is to have a break from my now fairly routine retired life. However, continuing education is also a lure, as is my hobby of photography; not to mention supporting the local economies wherever I am. This is directly by making use of local facilities and hospitality, and also by “investing” in local products and mementoes which can pass through customs on my return to Australia.

So whilst, as with all things in life, there are some downsides and harsh realities when we explore the world around us, we can also look forward to the many positive and educational experiences associated with travel.

Foremost, travel broadens our minds, whether it is through learning another language, trying different cuisines, making new friends or learning about different cultures.

As the great Maya Angelou once said, “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry.

But by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”

As we approach the European summer, when many readers head off on another trip, I wish all prospective travellers a safe and enjoyable time. Also, ensuring smart travel; having appropriate travel insurance; notifying family of your planned itinerary and making sure all your travel documents are up-to-date.

This will make for happy travelling and many fond memories on your return.

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Roundup of News About Malta

Mediterranean migrants crisis:

Imam Mohammed El Saadi and Bishop Mario Grech who conducted the service walk past the coffins with the bodies of the victims of the April 19 tragedy

Malta holds funerals for sinking victims

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he tragedy at sea on April 19, when an estimated 900 people died as they were crossing the Mediterranean from Libya when, according to Italian police the captain crashed their boat by mistake against a merchant rescue ship, has been dominating the news, evenmore so in Malta after the bodies of 24 of the migrant were brought to Malta for burial. Twenty-eight survivors – two of whom turned out to be smugglers, and have since been arrested, were also brought to Malta by the Italian coast guard vessel Bruno Gregoretti on Monday morning.

On Thursday, amidst a morose atmosphere, in the presence of an emotional Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the President of the Republic, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, various ministers and other mourning dignitaries outside the Mater Dei Hospital morgue, Malta held funerals for the unidentified migrants that included a 10-yearold boy, killed in the worst ever recorded capsizing of a migrant boat in the Mediterranean. He was placed in a white coffin.

The attendees also included Italian home affairs minister Angelino Alfano and European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Migrants who themselves made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life joined Maltese government officials and international representatives in a white marquee

erected on the helicopter pad outside Mater Dei hospital.

An interfaith ceremony conducted by Imam Mohammed El Saadi and Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo, that included readings from the Quran and the Bible respectively, after which the migrants - with no known families to return their remains to - were buried in common graves at the Addolorata Cemetery.

In his speech, the Imam likened life to a journey of migration. He said all those who had died were brothers before God and told the congregation that all people were migrants and that life was a journey.

“We need to reconcile God to our lives once again and carry out a thorough examination of ourselves on this sad day,” El Saadi said.

On behalf of the Muslim community of Malta he also thanked the Maltese and Italian authorities and police and armed forces as well as the various entities “that had stood up for the migrants in the past in the name of anonymity and into our hearts as our neighbours,” he said.

Bishop Mario Grech focused his reading and speech on merciful love. He said the victims were fellow human beings, regardless of creed, nationality or race.

“These victims have escaped from a situation of extreme desperation to a better life, and they have died as unidentified people. We feel their loss as fellow humans and this gospel shows us that mercy and love can bring these victims out

The latest tragedy brought the number of deaths in such incidents so far this year to 1,750.

Following the promptings of Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, on Thursday the European Union leaders held an emergency EU summit in order to find ways to stem the number of people risking their lives. (See opposite page.)

More than 21,000 people are estimated to have reached Italy alone this year, with another 13,000 crossing in the eastern Mediterranean and 1,800 reaching Spain.

Malta, Italy and Greece have been advocating for the EU to double resources for maritime and border controls; a system for processing migrants on the ground in Africa; a fairer distribution of genuine refugees within the EU and military action against the traffickers in the Mediterranean. This would be similar to the anti-piracy operation in the Horn of Africa; a plan to improve existing searchand-rescue operations; sharing the burden of settling the refugees more equally among EU countries. They also want the EU to take a more active role in conflict resolution in Syria, Libya and Iraq.

Italian prosecutors gathering witness testimony said that the migrants who took the boat that capsized on Sunday had been kept on a farm outside the Libyan capital, Tripoli, for up to a month before embarking, and had paid smugglers €700-€7,000 each.

Tuesday April 28, 2015

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Roundup of News About Malta

Malta to host EU-AU migration summit

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alta is to host a special summit agreed to increase support to countries on migration between the 28 like Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Mali and EU countries, members of the Niger to monitor and control the land borAfrican Union and other key countries. ders and routes, and to deploy European The summit, which was called in the migration liaison officers in key countries wake of the biggest migrant shipwreck in to gather information on migratory flows.

Asked whether he was convinced the the Mediterranean last weekend, will take summit would help stem the migrant displace later this year. asters, Dr Muscat said: ‘Lives will be lost This follows Thursday’s EU extraordiat sea just the same. It’s not enough. If we nary summit called specifically after the don’t stop migrants from getting on ricklast tragedy at sea. ety boats lives will be lost. We also need Addressing a press briefing in Brussels, to show criminal networks that they will Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat said be brought to justice”.

Malta would be rediscovering its “natural vocation” as a bridge of getting together Through Europol, the EU has agreed to “the souls of this huge humanitarian cristep up cooperation against smuggling netPrime Minister Joseph Muscat addressing sis. works and by deploying immigration offijournalists in Brussels after the EU summit cers to third countries.

“We look forward to a genuine debate on an exceptionally thorny issue,” he said, fronts – efforts for (border control) Operation The UK and France, both UN Security adding that human rights NGOs will play a Triton would be trebled, though he admitted Council members will kick off discussions it isn’t enough. It was also sending a signal in an attempt to obtain a UN resolution manhuge role in the summit. dating the destruction of boats used by At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister to criminals that the game has changed.

About the conclusions reached, Muscat smugglers.

Joseph Muscat said it wasn’t a groundbreaking summit, but it was significant on two said they were “a lot of what we expected” The EU leaders have pledged considerably with the consoli- greater support including vessels, aircraft dation of previous and experts. It will allocate €9 million Fronideas. “The no- tex's Triton border mission and enhance its table exception is operational capability. the very clear poIn order to try and stem the flow of such litical signal that tragedies, the summit agreed to strengthen Europe is ready to its presence at sea; fight traffickers in accoract against the dance with international law; prevent illegal criminal network migration flows, and reinforce internal solhe government led by as they increased their support managing illegal idarity and responsibility.

Prime Minister Joseph despite only having one counselmigration flows Muscat celebrated what it lor elected out of their nine. and profiting from (Link for the summit conclusions: has described as a ‘historic’ vicThe Labour Party’s victory is innocent lives.” http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press tory by becoming the first time similar to the general and EuroThe summit also -releases/2015/04/23-special-euco-statement/) that an incumbent government pean Parliament elections. It was has won local elections during its the first local elections that legislation. It secured the overall Labour contested as the party in success with 53.5% of the votes. government.

The PM pointed out that this was For the first time, the LP obthe best result ever achieved by a tained the leadership of Floriana ra Matthew Festing, Grand party in government in local cou- in Malta, and also Munxar in Master of the Sovereign Milincil elections.

Gozo that previously belonged to tary Order of St John (left), paid a Though Nationalist Party lost the Nationalist Party. The PN that three-day official visit to Malta duras it only obtained 44.6% of the gain votes from some Labour ing which he met the country’s votes for the 34 localities, its leaning southern localities, also leaders, President Marie Louise leader, Simon Busuttil also ex- regained the majority in St Paul’s Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Jopressed delight, as loss is 8.9% Bay after losing the locality to seph Muscat, Opposition leader Silower than the 2012 17-point Labour in 2012. mon Busuttil, Speaker Anglu Farmargin. Two percent of the votes The PN leader said the results rugia and Archbishop Charles Sciwent to AD and independent can- show that the PM is no longer incluna. didates, but AD chairperson Ar- vincible and support towards Dr He also made a visit to a number nold Cassola said he was happy Muscat is gradually melting awof sites around the island, including ay. He said that the PN was back the St John’s Co-Cathedral and the in business and that it had reSt Ursula cloistered nuns in Valduced the gap by half. letta, St Paul's Grotto in Rabat, the The Labour Party that had Upper Barrakka Gardens and gained the majority of seats in Gozo in the 2013 general elec- Birgu, where he was involved in the laying of a wreath at the Great tion, continued to make strong Siege Monument in the main square. The town’s local council also named him an honorary citizen. gains in the sister island.

Festing, an Englishman who was elected as the 78th Grand Master Nineteen out of the 34 councils will have new mayors. They in- of the Order in March 2008, succeeding Fra Andrew Bertie upon his clude four women and a number death, announced the donation by the Knights of Malta of a mobile of youths, foremost of who is 18- clinic to be used at Haywharf for the medical examination of miyear-old Terence Agius who will grants who are brought to Malta.

Terence Agius: Mayor at 18 be the youngest ever Mayor.

He said the Order was committed to help out, and that the whole of Europe needed to concentrate its efforts on improving the situation.

Labour party wins local council elections by 54% - but everybody is happy

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Grand Master of Order of St John pays three-day state visit to Malta

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14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Wara r-riΩultat tal-elezzjonijiet f’34 Kunsill Lokali ...

Kul˙add Kuntent – Kul˙add Jiççelebra

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a nafx jekk qattx qabel lelezzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali li saret dan l-a˙˙ar kienx hemm elezzjoni politika o˙ra fejn kul˙add ˙are© kuntent ... fejn kul˙add ˙are© jiççelebra u jifta˙ar li reba˙.

IΩda dak li rari ji©ri, jekk fl-fatt qatt ©ara, se˙˙ meta ˙ar©u r-riΩultati talelzzjonijiet g˙all-Kunsilli Lokali. IlPrim Ministru u l-Kap tal-Partit Laburista Joseph Muscat, li ried imqar ma©©oranza b’vot wie˙ed, ˙are© lin-nies jiççellebraw g˙ax kiseb ma©©oranza ta’ eluf ta’ voti; ilKap tal-OppoΩizzjoni u l-Partit Nazzjonalista, Simon Busuttil iççelebra wkoll mal-partitarji tieg˙u g˙ax sostna li l-partit tieg˙u kien rebbie˙ f’dawn l-elezzjonijiet g˙ax tejjeb ilperçentwal ta’ voti. U sa˙ansitra çÇerperson tal-Alternattiva Demokratika Arnold Cassola qal li kien kuntent g˙ax kien hemm Ωieda lg˙add ta’ voti li kiseb il-Partit tieg˙u.

IΩda, kif di©a` bdew jistaqsu xi ©urnali u kumentaturi politiçi, x’inhi rrealta’?

Mhux g˙alkemm wie˙ed iwie©eb.

Dak li ˙add ma jista’ jmerih il-fatt li l-Partit Laburista huwa teknikament ir-rebbie˙ ta’ din l-elezzjoni b’ma©©oranza ta’ kwaΩi 54% tal-voti mitfug˙a.

Huwa fatt ukoll li l-Partit Nazzjonalista Ωied sewwa fil-voti meta wie˙ed ixebba˙ ilvoti li kien ©ab fl-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsill Lokali tal-2012 ma dawk tal-lum. Hi Ωieda mhux Ωg˙ira meta rnexxielu jnaqqas l-iΩvanta©© li kellu ta’ 17% g˙al wie˙ed ta’ 9%.

Bla dubju li kull partit politiku g˙andu ttatitika tieg˙u, u psikolo©ikament li wie˙ed jiççelebra, anke fuq l-inqas ˙a©a poΩittiva, hija mportanti biex dak li jkun jg˙olli lmoral tieg˙u u tal-partitarji.

Imma kif qed jag˙mlu di©a` çerti annalisti, wie˙ed jistaqsi kemm attwalment g˙andhom g˙ax jiççelebraw il-partiti?

Wie˙ed jista’ jasal g˙all-konkluΩjoni li veru li l-Partit Laburista g˙andu g˙aliex jifra˙ g˙ax irnexxielu jikseb ma©©oranza hekk sabi˙a, meta fl-istorja tal-Kunsilli, darba biss kien hemm elezzjoni g˙all-Kunsilli lokali li ntreb˙et mill-partit li kien qed jiggverna.

Kien g˙amilha Gvern Nazzjonalista, iΩda dakinhar din kienet wa˙da minima, tant li lanqas kien kiseb 50% tal-voti.

Min-na˙a l-o˙ra kemm jista’ dan il-fer˙ ma jkunx xi ftit imtappan g˙all-Partit Laburista meta naqqas il-voti fil-ma©©oranza tallokalitajiet, g˙alkemm imbag˙ad Ωied sewwa fit-13-il distrett, dak t’G˙aw-dex?

Min-na˙a l-o˙ra kemm jista’ jifra˙ il-Partit

Il-mod kif g˙add ta’ ©urnali talÓadd irrappurtaw ir-riΩultat Nazzjonalista meta attwalment din hi t-tielet telfa wara l-o˙ra f’dawn l-a˙˙ar sentejn u nofs? Aktar u aktar jekk wie˙ed attwalment ixebba˙ il-perçentwal tal-voti li ©ab f’din lelezzjoni ma dik tal-elezzjoni ©enerali f’Marzu tal-2013 meta d-differenza bejn iΩ-Ωew© partiti kienet ta’ 11%.

Fuq kollox wie˙ed ma tantx jista’ jibbaΩa wisq fuq dawn l-elezzjonijiet, g˙ax meta kien fl-OppoΩizzjoni l-Partit Laburista kemm-il darba reba˙ l-elezzjonijiet talKunsilli, biex imbag˙ad spiçça biex tilef lelezzjoni ©enerali.

Mhux ta’ b’xejn li quddiem mistqosijiet b˙al dawn l-editur ta’ The Sunday Times, fleditorjal tieg˙u Ray of hope for PN? Stqarr “While it is patently undeniable that Labour has lost votes this time around and that the Nationalist Party appears to be on the upswing, nothing, absolutely nothing can be discounted.

“As such, he would do well not to underestimate the power of incumbency and not count those particular chickens before they hatch.”

Min-na˙a tal-editur tal-Malta Independent on Sunday ikkumenta: “But, whether this result has any bearing on the next general election or not – it is extremely difficult to see how Labour can lose a 37,000 majority in three years’ time – it is the first time since 2013 that the Nationalist Party has had something to smile about.”

Min-na˙a l-o˙ra dan ir-riΩultat Ωgur li ta nifs lill-Partit Nazzjonalista u l-aktar lillmexxej tal-Partit, billi xi w˙ud kienu bdew jiddubitaw kemm kien qed jirnexxilu

jmexxi ‘l quddiem lill-PN. Bilkemm ma kienx hemm min beda jiddubita jekk fuq kollox it-tmexxija tal-Partit kienx qed jirnexxielha tirba˙ lura l-fiduçja tal-poplu, l-aktar meta f’çertu st˙arri© il-mexxej talPartit Laburista, Joseph Muscat dejjem baqa’ kwaΩi bl-istess vanta©© fuq Simon Busuttil.

Fil-verita’ jien nemmen li ma nafx kemm il-PN jista’ jaffordja li jibdel il-mexxej tieg˙u b˙alissa meta dan g˙adu biex ng˙idu hekk qed jirranka u jag˙mel sforz biex jibni l-partit mill-©did.

Biss xorta wa˙da, Busuttil g˙amel uΩu s˙i˙ mir-riΩultat ta’ dawn l-elezzjonijiet biex isa˙˙a˙ il-poΩizzjoni tieg˙u. U g˙alkemm attwalment ma reba˙x dawn l-elezzjonijiet, ˙are© jitkellem b’ton trijonfali u sa˙aq li fi Ωmien daqshekk qasir irnexxielu jitla’ nofs it-tela’ u li dan ir-riΩultat wera li fuq kollox “Muscat mhux invinçibbli.”

Na˙seb, li anke t-tmexxija Laburista mhix g˙al kollox sodisfatta bir-reb˙a li kisbet.

Veru li ta˙t it-mexxija ta’ Dr Muscat ilPartit reba˙ is-seba’ elezzjoni (bejn dik ©enerali, dawk tal-Unjoni Ewropeja u taltKunsilli) li kkuntesta.

Veru wkoll li f’dawn l-a˙˙ar elezzjonijiet, il-PL, bl-eççezzjoni ta’ dik tal-Kunsilli Lokali tal-2012, dejjem kellu bejn wie˙ed u ie˙or, reb˙a b’54% tal-voti. IΩda jibqa’ lfatt li meta wie˙ed ixebba˙ l-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsill tal-2012 ma tal-2015, isib li lPL mar lura sew kemm b˙ala perçentwal kif ukoll b˙ala voti attwali. *g˙al pa©na 15

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Mix-xena tal-˙ajja Maltija 2

Ir-reazzjoni tal-‘Le’

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l-istess jum li saret l-elezzjoni g˙all-Kunsilli Lokali sar ukoll ir-referendum dwar il-kaçça li ntreba˙ mill-kamp tal-‘Iva. Imma dwar dan di©a’ ktibt fl-a˙˙ar ˙ar©a.

Sfortunatament dan ir-riΩultat wassal biex u˙ud minn dawk li vvutaw ‘Le’, ˙ar©u b’kampanja fuq is-siti soçjali fejn mhux biss ˙aduha qatta bla ˙abel kontra l-Prim Ministru, iΩda sa˙ansitra kien hemm min ipprova j˙ajjar lit-turisti biex ma jΩurux Malta min˙abba l-kaçça. Tant li l-istess promoturi tal-‘Le’ ˙assew li kellhom jo˙or©u stqarrija biex jiddisassoççjaw ru˙hom minn dawn ilkummenti g˙ax sostnew li huma xtaqux jag˙mlu ˙sara lil Malta.

Sa˙ansitra kien hemm min issu©©erixxa li l-Maltin jibbojkotjaw lil G˙awdex billi skont dawn kienu lG˙awdxin li taw ir-reb˙a lill-‘Iva’.

Hemm mod u mod

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robabbli di©a smajtu bilkontroversja li nqalg˙et meta fuq il-midja soçjali deher riitratt li kien juri lillPatri Mark Montebello jbierek iç-çrieket tal-g˙erusija ta’ koppja gay.

Bilkemm la˙aq deher dan ir-ritratt li l-©urnali ma ment fiç-çelebrazzjoni ta’ riti sagri u fir-ritwali tal˙ar©ux bi prominenza kbira l-a˙bar li l-Arcisçof Knisja.

Mons Charles Scicluna kien bag˙at g˙al dan ilKien biss wara li ntalbet spjegazzjoni tal-prassi patri ‘ribellus’, u s’intendi malajr bdew g˙addejjin msemmiha li l-Kurja sostniet li t-tberik taç-çrieket il-kummenti u l-istennija li f’din il-laqg˙a kien se mis-saçerdoti kellu biss isir fil-kaΩ ta’ g˙erusija u jikser lil dan il-patri. Ωwie© bejn mara u ra©el.

IΩda b’sorpriΩa g˙al ˙afna wara din il-laqg˙a Attwalment meta l-Arçisqof intalab spjegazzjoni ˙afna ©urnali ˙ar©u bl-a˙bar: L-Arçisqof jinko- dwar dan il-komunikat qal hekk: “Jiena ˙e©©i©tu ra©©ixxi lil Patri Mark Montebello biex ikompli jkompli fil-pastorali tieg˙u mal-persuni gay. Imma bil-˙idma pastorali tieg˙u ma’ persuni omosess- ftehimna wkoll li f'din il-pastorali wie˙ed g˙andu wali. jirrispetta l-prassi u d-dixxiplina tal-Knisja. Dan Komunikat li ˙ar©et il-Kurja wara din il-laqg˙a ifisser li ma jitbirkux çrieket ta' g˙erusija u Ωwie© kkonfermat dan, g˙aliex fil-Knisja dan it-tberik huwa riservat g˙al g˙alkemm Ωie- g˙erusija u Ωwie© bejn ra©el u mara.” det li l-Arçisqof “Imma fl-istess ˙in, jien ma stajtx ma nintalab lil Patri kora©©ihx ikompli fil-kuntatt pastorali ma' dawn hemm, mhux g˙ax din hija biss Mark biex ikom- in-nies li huwa parti essenzjali mis-saçerdozju ˙a©a mistennija fl-elezzjonijiet pli jsegwi l- tag˙na.” tal-Kunsilli lokali, iΩda wkoll prassi u d-dixInsomma hemm mod u mod kif wie˙ed jitratta g˙ax kul˙add jaf li hemm nies li xiplina tal-Knis- kaΩijiet b˙al dawn u personalment na˙seb li ljappo©©jaw lill-Partit Laburista, ja fil-ministeru Arçisqof ta’ eΩempju tassew tajjeb kif g˙andhom u sa˙ansitra jammettu li dan tieg˙u, speçjal- isiru l-affarijiet. g˙amel il-©id, iΩda j˙ossu li ma ˙adux dak li stennew.

PROFESSIONAL FREIGHT SERVICES PTY. LTD. Fil-fatt l-istess Prim Ministru Melbourne: (03) 9335 2499 kemm-il darba stqarr dan u qal Unit 6, 4-6 Commercial Crt, Tullamarine, Vic., Australia, 3043 li jrid isir kull sforz biex dawk li sales@pfs.net.au SYDNEY, BRISBANE & ADELAIDE TEL: 1300 360 703 ˙aqqhom jinqdew. G˙al-kemm www.pfs.net.au imbag˙ad min-na˙a l-o˙ra g˙andek il-mexxej tal-Partit - PARCEL SERVICE TO MALTA Nazzjonalista jsostni li l-Partit Laburista reba˙ dawn l-elezzjoni g˙ax xtara l-voti permezz - NO WEIGHT LIMIT tal-pjaçiri li g˙amel.

Dan jo˙loq problema o˙ra g˙al - FULL CONTAINERS TO OR FROM MALTA AT dawk li jippruvaw ibassru rCOMPETITIVE RATES riΩultat tal-elezzjoni li jmiss, g˙ax kemm wie˙ed jista’ jorbot - AIRFREIGHT SERVICES ALSO fuq dawk il-Laburisti li ma AVAILABLE ˙ar©ux jivvutaw issa li se jag˙mlu l-istess fl-elezzjoni - NITKELLMU BIL-MALTI ©enerali li jmiss?

Dan, mhux g˙ax biss nistenna li wara dan ir-riΩultat, se jsir minn kollox biex il-Gvern jipprova jaqdi li dawk li qed jil1 Carton A$120 mentaw, iΩda wkoll g˙ax meta 2 Cartons A$180 tasal l-elezzjoni ©enerali ˙afna A$ 85.00 3 Cartons A$220 A$ 55.00 jinsew l-ilmenti personali u jmorru jivvutaw g˙al dak il-par25 x 30 x 25cm 40 x 30 x 45cm 40 x 30 x 45cm tit li jappo©©jaw. *Prices quoted are from receival at our depot to arrival port Malta Veru li forsi dan ma ©arax fl*Destination Port fees will apply. Storage or duties, if any, may also apply. a˙˙ar elezzjoni ©enerali meta lPartit Laburista reba˙ l-elezzjoFOR YOUR FREIGHT REQUIREMENTS FROM MALTA CONTACT AGENTS:ni, iΩda x’aktarx li dawk li abTRISTAR FREIGHT SERVICES LTD bandunaw lill-PN m’g˙amlux AIRWAYS HOUSE 22 TOWER STREET dan sempliçament min˙abba li MSIDA MSD 06 MALTA ma nqewx personalment, iΩda TEL: 21338161 FAX: 21334188 aktar g˙ax ma kienux kuntenti www.tristarmalta.com bil-Gvern.

Wara r-riΩultat tal-Kunsilli Lokali *minn pa©na 14

Mhux ta’ b’xejn li fil-kummenti u d-diskorsi tieg˙u wara r-riΩultat Muscat sa˙aq li lGvern irid ja˙dem aktar biex jikkonvinçi lil dawk li ma ˙ar©ux jivvutaw u dawk li ma vvutawx g˙all-Partit Laburista biex fl-elezzjoni li ©ejja jivvutaw g˙al dan il-partit.

La semmejt lil dawk li ma vvutawx, nistaqsi, kemm dan attwalment effetwa r-riΩultat?

L-ewwelnett ta’ min jg˙id li f’din l-elezzzjoni ˙ar©u ferm aktar jivvutaw nies milli fl-elezzjoni tal-2012. Hawn min isostni li dan g˙ax ma’ din l-elezzjoni kien hemm ukoll il-votazzjoni g˙ar-referendum dwar ilkaçça. Ta’ min jg˙id ukoll li fl-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali jivvutaw ukoll dawk ir-residenti tal-EU li jg˙ixu Malta.

Jidher li ˙afna minn dawn ma vvutawx, kif ukoll ma kienx hemm dak l-g˙add kbir ta’ Maltin li jg˙ixu barra u li fl-elezzjoni ©enerali ©ew Malta biex jivvutaw (Nuqqas ta’ interess, jew g˙aliex din id-darba l-prezz tal-vja©©, minkejja li kien issussidjat kien og˙la mis-soltu?).

IΩda biex ni©i lura g˙all-mistqosija tieg˙i, kemm attwalment minn dawk li ma xe˙tux il-vot jappo©jaw lill-Partit La-burista?

Diffiçli tg˙id, g˙alkemm il-partiti nnifishom, billi dawn ikollhom l-ismijiet ta’ min ivvota jew le, jista’ jkollhom xi kwalita’ ta’ twe©iba g˙al dan. Biss bla dubbju li l-vot ta’ protesta qieg˙ed

Fr Mark Montebello (nofs) flimkien mal-koppja li birkilhom iç-çrieket

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

A quick glimpse at Australia

Rain, winds and flooding batter NSW

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bout a quarter of a million Australian homes and businesses had no power, while about 4,500 people were isolated by flood waters as the roads were cut off and a spokesman for the New South Wales State Emergency Service said they would not be able to reach them for a few days after a "once in a decade" storm battered Sydney and nearby area last week.

Devastating winds lashed cars and homes, and the storm system also brought destructive flooding that washed away houses and brought down trees onto streets and buildings.

The emergency services received 13,000 calls for help due to flooding and carried out 144 rescue tasks.

Entire houses were washed away in the Hunter town of Dungog and 60 homes were evacuated in Milperra, while countless homes were damaged by fallen trees.

More than 200,000 homes and businesses lost power and the SES received more than 12,000 calls for assistance, performing more than 132 rescues.

The damage bill is likely to be hundreds of millions of dollars.

Up till the time of writing, the storm had already claimed four lives, and the dangerous conditions prompted the New South Wales Police department to issue pleas on social media for people to not attempt driving through flooded areas.

According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the adverse weather was caused by an intense low-pressure system. The strongest wind gusts peaked at 135 km/h (85 mph) and it was estimated that about 200 millimetres (7.87 inches) of rainfall fell in the area on Tuesday April 21 alone.

Climate scientist Professor Matthew England from the Climate Change Re-

search Centre said that Devastating storms in NSW are a sign of things to come as global temperatures rise.

He said that the eight-year gap between a one-in-100 year storm in 2007 and another last week shows extreme events are occurring more frequently.

He told ABC radio that records are being broken far more often than they should be.

An 86-year great grandmother from Gillieston Heights, named as Anne Jarmain, died while driving through floods.

She when her car was washed away at Maitland. Reports indicate that she had planned to do a quick trip, to duck into Maitland for some milk.

She had no power and dwindling food supplies two days after Gillieston Heights was hit in the horrific storm that began on Monday night. Her neighbours had tried to talk her out of it, but the strong-willed great grandmother refused to listen.

Her small silver hatchback had joined a procession of cars trying to cross flooded Wallis Creek on Cessnock Road shortly before 9am when a car in front of it stalled. She tried to go around the stalled Falcon, but it was quickly caught in the fast flowing waters.

About a dozen people ran into the water, but the car was swept away.

Transport NSW, which provides public transportation throughout the New South Wales area, issued a warning that many public services across the region were disrupted because of the weather. It also posted a video on its Facebook page showing CCTV footage of floodwaters rising in a train station.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday April 28, 2015

A quick glimpse at Australia

Tax minimisation schemes L

ynton Crosby, Australian electoral guru to British PM David Cameron angrily rejected a Labor attack on his personal taxaffairs as a “made up negative story”.

Labor called on Mr. Crosby to explain his links to two companies based in Malta, well known as a low tax haven for European wealth.

The Evening Standard reported Labor’s claim that Mr. Crosby was a director of Ruthland Ltd and a shareholder in Ruthland Holdings Ltd. Both companies share a Maltese address with Bentley Trust (Malta), a financial services firm offering “legitimate mitigation” of tax.

Labor did not accuse Mr. Crosby (above) of anything illegal; however, tax minimisation has been a hot topic in the led-up to May’s general election, with the British government criticised over the HSBC tax evasion scandal. Tax minimisation has also been prominent in recent months in Australia, linked with companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, BHP Billion and Rupert Murdock’s media empire.

Dementia: Australia’s Second biggest killer igures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics F showed dementia is now Australia’ second biggest killer, overtaking stroke and other cerebrovascular dis-

eases.

The bureau found Alzheim-er’s disease and other dementia accounted for about 11,000 deaths in 2013, an increase of more than 5 per cent over the previous year.

About 330,000 Australians are living with demen- tia and this is expected to grow to almost one million in 2050.

A drug used to treat stroke could also be effective in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, Australian and Chinese researchers have found.

Scientists from the University of South Australia and Third Military Medical University in Chongquing China found that the drug Edaravone arrested the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and improved the mice’s memory and ability to learn.

2516 assaults on Police on duty last year Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures reveal that seven NSW Police officers are physically assaulted every day, with those on the beat claiming they feel like “second-class citizens’’ because of-

Vaccinate or lose benefits he Abbott government has announced T tough new stance on immunisation.

Parents who do not vaccinate their chil-

dren could be prevented from accessing childcare payments and family tax benefits.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said about 14,000 out of 39,000 children who had not met immunisation requirements would be impacted by the announced changes.

Data from the National Health Performance Authority showed that as 2012-13, affluent areas, where families may not qualify for government payments, had some of the lowest percentage of children under five who were fully immunized.

These areas include South Yarra in Melbourne, Annandale, Manly, Paddington, Killara and Neutral Bay all in Sydney.

fenders continue to escape punishment.

According to statistic, last year alone, 2516 police officers were assaulted on duty, which equates to 6.8 every day. The data also shows 6528 incidents of resisting or hindering an officer on duty, up 6403 on the previous year.

Police Association vice-president Pat Gooley has been reported saying that the figure should be zero. He called on the courts to start cracking down on offenders and the government to step up and introduce mandatory sentencing.

He said: “It’s interesting that we have seen a decline in the assault figures across the state but no drop in assaults on police.

No assault on a police officer is acceptable

but there’s no deterrent. It’s morale sapping; police aren’t punching bags. These people need to know that there will be repercussions.’’

Justice and Police Minister Troy Grant said he was working with the Police Commissioner to look at ways to better protect officers.

MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY Proudly serving the areas of: Acacia Gardens, Blacktown*, Girraween, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Pendle Hill, Prospect*, Quakers Hill*, Riverstone, Rouse Hill*, Schofields, Seven Hills, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie*, Vineyard *Parts of

230 Prospect Hwy, Seven Hills 2147 Ph: 9671 4780 Email:

Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au

www.facebook.com/mrowlandmp Twitter: @mrowlandmp

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Malta: It’s so

much more than sun, sea and sand

he Maltese Islands are great for famT ilies. Malta, Gozo and Comino offer a wonderful setting for a holiday in which parents and children can share the joys of discovery, experience the thrill of an action-packed vacation or just savour the simple pleasures of relaxation. All in a safe and tranquil environment that few other destinations can rival.

Summertime in Malta is synonymous with outdoor living. There is no shortage of beaches to choose from: some fully-developed resorts offering all the requisite facilities, others more secluded, quieter and more pristine.

But Malta is so much more than just sun and sea. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, the islands offer endless opportunities for sightseeing and exploration.

Prehistoric temples, roman ruins, medieval castles and walled cities, formidable forts, splendid churches and wayside chapels... these are just a few of the historical attractions that families can visit for that unique travel-back-intime experience.

Some of these locations are venues for colourful historic re-enactments, pageants involving dozens of animators dressed as soldiers, noblemen and ladies, knights in shining armour, with their swords and lances, muskets and canons.

Direct shipping service to and from Australia/Malta I

n 1990, Herbert Portanier founded the company Professional Freight Services Pty Ltd (PFS) and soon after, along with his Malta Agents, Tristar Freight Services, established a direct shipping service from Australia to Malta & vice–versa. The service has now been operating for the last 25 years serving the Maltese-Australian community with their shipping requirements.

With continuous movement of families either emigrating to Australia or Maltese returning to live or retire to Malta, the need for the movement of personal and household effects is always in high demand.

The introduction of containers has made these moves a very attractive proposition as a container is delivered to the person’s door and after loading all the contents; the container is shi-ped to Malta on a direct vessel that now takes only 30 days.

Some Interesting facts one should know about Australia Below are some interesting information about Australia, including the animals found on this continent, its major cities, highest mountain, unique landscapes, population, indigenous people and much more. * As of 2012, Australia has an estimated population of over 22 million people. * Australia is the world's 6th largest country by area. * Due to its large size and isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is sometimes known as the ‘island continent’. * The largest cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. * A desert area known as the ‘outback’ covers much of the land. * The name ‘Australia’ comes from the Latin word ‘australis’, meaning southern. * It is estimated the humans have lived in Australia for around 45000 years. * The indigenous people of Australia are Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait

Islanders. * The highest mountain on mainland Australia is Mt Kosciuszko, standing 2228m (7310ft) above sea level. * The world's largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is found off the north-eastern coast of Australia. * Australia has a range of different landscapes, including urban areas, mountain ranges, deserts and rain forests. * Australia is home to a variety of unique animals, including the koala, kangaroo, emu, kookaburra and platypus. * Although they usually keep to themselves, there are a range of dangerous snakes in Australia, such as the Brown Snake, Tiger Snake and Taipan. * Australia has over 750 different reptile species, more than any other country in the world. * Australia is a relatively wealthy country with a high life expectancy.

The ships sa-il to Malta to the Freeport. Containers from Malta can be sent direct to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelai-de, Brisbane or Perth.

For those who do not require a full container, PFS & Tristar offer a service to take small loads and they combine the containers with various clients’ shipments.

However, the most successful aspect of this business has been the parcel service where the numerous visitors to Australia can send a carton back to Malta usually with souvenir, starting from only $40.00. The main attraction is that the charge is based on the size of the carton with no weight limit.

PFS & Tristar also have an airfreight service where clients require their items to arrive faster. This is handled as Airfreight Excess Baggage and the transit is about one week only. Arriving at the airport with more than your allowance can cost you $1600 for 20 Kilos whilst on this Unaccompanied Excess Baggage service, the cost is only about $200.00.

In 2010, Herbert Portanier retired from the business with Eddie Ibrahim taking over. He is still operating the business from the same premises and the same staff, which is very experienced dealing with the Maltese, are still employed by PFS. (More information as to rates turn to page 15)

AvviΩ: Trid tirreklama?

Il-komunitajiet Maltin fl-Awstralja li jkollhom il-˙sieb li jorganizzaw xi attivita` u jkunu jixtiequ li jg˙arrfu biha lill-qarrejja ta’ The Voice of the Maltese permezz ta’ reklam, huma m˙e©©a biex jibag˙tu ttag˙rif dwarha lil: maltesevoice@gmail.com kmieni kemm jista’ jkun u millinqas ©img˙a qabel tkun se ssir l-attivita`˙alli jing˙ataw ilpubbliçita’ li jixtiequ fil-˙in u ma jo˙or©ux diΩappuntati

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Alfons Maria Galea:

A

lfons Maria Galea twieled il-Belt Valletta fit23 ta’ April 1861. Óa l-ewwel tag˙lim tieg˙u ming˙and il-kittieb mag˙ruf Annibale Preca u wara li studja g˙al tmien snin g˙and il-©iΩwiti ta’ G˙awdex, attenda l-kulle©© tal-Frères f’Marsilja.

Fl-1881, meta missieru rtira, Galea ˙a f’idejh innegozju tad-drappijiet, u fl-1893 iΩΩewwe© lil Elizabeth Asphar u mar jg˙ix Tas-Sliema. Huma kellhom ˙amest itfal.

Il-familja ta’ martu kienet mill-Indja u kellha wkoll negozju tad-drappijiet u tal-˙a©ar prezzjuΩ.

Alfons Galea qassam ˙afna minn ©idu lill-istituti tal-karità, u ta l-art biex jitwaqqaf l-Istitut tasSaleΩjani ta’ Don Bosco f’Tas-Sliema li ©ie inawgurat fl-1904.

Galea ˙aseb ukoll g˙al çentru fejn jitg˙allmu lbniet u g˙alhekk fl-1939 waqqaf l-Istitut ta’ Santa EliΩabetta tas-Sorijiet Fran©iskani f’TasSliema.

Galea n˙atar Senatur u serva fis-snin 1921-1927.

G˙al bosta snin kien il-President tal-Anglo-Maltese Bank u aktar tard, fl-1915, la˙aq it-teΩorier tal-Kurja tal-Isqof.

Alfons Maria Galea huwa mag˙ruf l-aktar g˙allpubblikazzjonijiet tieg˙u bil-Malti li kellhom lg˙an li jedukaw u jg˙allmu lill-poplu bla skola,

filantropu u edukatur (1861-1941) b’mod speçjali lill-fqar.

Bis-sa˙˙a ta’ Annibale Preca, Galea beda jikteb bil-Malti u l-ewwel xog˙ol tieg˙u kien ittraduzzjoni ta’ stejjer qosra mit-Taljan. Fil-fatt ix-xewqa kbira tieg˙u kienet li jirtira min-negozju u l-kummerç u jiddedika ˙ajtu g˙all-kitba.

F’Settembru tal-1899 beda jo˙ro© Il-Kotba talMog˙dija taΩ-Ωmien li saru popolari ˙afna tant li baqa’ jippubblikahom sal-1915, san-numru 150.

Is-Sur Fons kompla jippubblika x-xog˙lijiet tieg˙u g˙al ˙dax-il sena, il-biçça l-kbira minnhom bijografiji ta’ persuni li g˙exu ˙ajja qaddisa.

Huwa ttraduça wkoll u˙ud mill-Kotba Mqaddsa mil-Latin g˙all-Malti, hekk li f’medda ta’ sitt snin bejn l-1926 u l-1932, flimkien ma’ Dun Pietru Paul Magri u Dun Pietru Pawl Saydon ©iet tradotta l-Bibbja kollha bil-Malti.

Meta ˙are© l-a˙˙ar ktieb, Il-Ktieb ta’ Baruk, isSur Fons kiteb b’sodisfazzjon: “F’˙ajjet Alla issa g˙andkom il-Kotba kollha tal-Bibbja bil-Malti... minnkom jonqos jekk ma taqrawhomx; il-kelma tag˙hom hi l-kelma ta’ Alla, u mhux le tal-bnedmin li kitbuhom.”

Alfons Maria Galea miet nhar it-30 ta’ Lulju 1941 fil-Kunvent tal-Bon Pastur, f’Óal Balzan, fletà ta’ tmenin sena.

(Tag˙rif me˙ud minn le˙˙ il-Malti tad-Dipartiment tal-Malti fi ˙dan il-Kulle©© San Injazju, Malta)

Alfons Maria Galea

Biex tikteb Malti tajjeb In-Nom u l-Artiklu 1. In-Nom huwa l-isem ta’ xi ˙add jew xi ˙a©a.

EΩ.: ra©el - g˙asfur - ˙uta – ktieb 2. In-nom jninqasam f’: a) Komuni jew ordinarju. EΩ.: bniedem, skola, libsa. b) Proprju jew ta’ nies, pajjiΩi, bliet, kotba, ©urnali eçç.

EΩ.: Toni, Malta, Venezja, Ûmien l-Ispanjoli. ç) Konkret jew li jaqa’ ta˙t is-sensi tag˙na.

EΩ.: ©ebel, ˙axix, ba˙ar, g˙oljiet. d) Astratt jew li ma jaqax ta˙t is-sensi tag˙na.

EΩ.: ir©ulija, safa, ˙ela, ˙mura. e) Verbali jew li ©ej minn verb.

EΩ.: Ωfin minn Ωifen; tisfir min saffar. f) Kollettiv jew ta’ affarijiet f’daqqa.

EΩ.: mer˙la, ˙obΩ, ri©ment. ©) Ta’ Materjal jew li ©ej minn xi materjal.

EΩ.: ˙adid, injam, ©ild, qasab.

3. In-nom jista’ jkun ta’: a) G˙add i) Singular jew wie˙ed. EΩ.: ktieb, bidwi ii) Plural jew ˙afna. EΩ.: kotba, bdiewa. b) Ìens i) Maskil jew wie˙ed. EΩ.Ú tifel, si©©u. ii) Femminil jew wa˙da. EΩ.: tifla, mejda.

4. L-Artiklu fil-Malti hu l-ittra (l) li tinhemeΩ b’sing

mal-kelma ta’ warajha. EΩ.: l-ors, l-arblu, l-g˙alqa.

5. L-artiklu quddiem il-konsonanti Qamrin jie˙u lVokali tal-Le˙en u jsir (il); u quddiem il-konsonanti Xemxin jinbidel fihom. EΩ.: il-˙anut iΩda id-dar.

6. L-ittra (i) li titpo©©a quddiem l-artiklu hija talle˙en u g˙alhekk taqa’ meta qabilha ta˙bat kelma li tispiçça b’vokali. EΩ.: rajna l-ba˙ar mhux rajna ilba˙ar.

7. L-artiklu jinkiteb l- quddiem: a) kelma li tibda b’vokali. EΩ.: l-artal, l-ilma, l-omm *b) kelma li tibda b’g˙. EΩ.: l-g˙erf, l-g˙olja, l-g˙ana. *ç) kelma li tibda b’h. EΩ.: l-hena, l-herra, l-hemza. d) Xi kelmiet li jibdew b’Ωew© konsonanti li mbag˙ad dawn jie˙du l-vokali al-le˙en quddiemhom.

EΩ.: l-iskola, l-imsielet, l-irdum * Dawn in-nomi nistg˙u jie˙du wkoll l-artiklu il-. EΩ.: il-g˙alqa jew l-g˙alqa; il-hena jew l-hena.

8. In-nomi li ma je˙dux l-artiklu huma: a) l-ismijiet tan-nies. Ez.: Karmnu, Gerit, Salvu. b) xi ismijiet ta’ pajjiΩi, bliet, ir˙ula. Ez.: Franza, Ruma, Marsa. ç) In-nomi bil-Pronomi MehmuΩin. Ez.: idi, ˙uk, rasha.

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Community News The group from Reskeon Seniors that made the trip to Dayesford

A Trip to Daylesford by the Reskeon Seniors aylesford is a lovely country town in Victoria, with D the Hepburn Springs as its main attraction. This town was the venue for the latest trip enjoyed by members of the Reskeon Seniors earlier this month.

The group boarded the Midland coach from the car park at St. Joseph the Worker Church in North Reservoir in the morning and then proceeded to the Calder Highway through Woodend, stopping at Trentham for a cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits. After this brief stay we continued on the journey to our final destination, Daylesford where we arrived in time for lunch at a lovely park near the lake.

Some brought there own lunch, while others chose to have lunch at the Daylesford Bowling Club where they enjoyed a hearty meal finished up with a glass of wine. We were well looked after by the chef and the waiting staff.

Back on the coach, and before starting the trip back home, we visited the Chocolate Mill that specialises in Belgian chocolate.

Everybody had the chance to sample the chocolates and some couldn’t resist taking their chocolate purchase home. We returned back to Reservoir at around 4.30 pm.

With the help of our coach captain, Ron, it turned out to be a most enjoyable trip Paul Vella (paul.vella44@gmail.com)

Some of the day trippers sampling chocolate at the Chocolate Mill

One of the beautiful views to be found at Dalesford

THE MALTESE GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. Maltese Cultural Centre 6, Jeanes Street Beverley S A 5009 Phone Tuesday’s only: 8243 0868.

AH: 8254 6988/0421 791 327

Cordially invites you to celebrate Mother’s Day on Saturday May 9 (Hall Entry at 6 pm for 6.30 pm start) Price: $20 Adults, Children Under 12 Years old $15.

Includes: supply of band with Self Singers, dinner dessert, and bottles of champaign on tables for celebration.

Tea and coffee with some cakes to be supplied late in the night also included in the price.

All drinks can be bought from the Guild Bar for the normal Guild cheap prices.

Entertainment provided by 2nd Take Band Book early as that day is very close.

This event is being organised on the request of some of the members Book your seats From the president, Joe Briffa (Tel.: 8254 6988 or 0421 791 327), the secretary Rita Bornhoeft (Tel.: 8248 1008 or 0401 860 632), the v/president Mary Craus (Tel.:8281 2329 or 0420 699 617).

All are welcome Email: malguild@adam.com.au Website: www.malteseguild.webs.com

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Community News La Valette Social Centre Il-Festa ta’ San Ìor© Preca 175, Walter Road Blacktown NSW il-Óadd 3 ta’ Mejju: Il-festa ta’ San Ìor© Preca se ti©i ççelebrata fiç-Çentru Malti ta’ La Valette. Tibda fit-3.00p.m. b’riflessjoni dwar il-˙ajja ta’ San Ìor© Preca.

Dan ikun film b’kummentarju bil-Malti.

Wara ssir quddiesa bl-akkumpanjament talkor ta’ La Valette; imbag˙ad issir il-purçissjoni bil-vara ©dida tal-Qaddis Malti.

Takkumpanja l-banda OLQP Maltese band.

Il-president u l-kumitat ta’ La Valette qed jistiednu lill-g˙aqdiet kollha Maltin g˙al din il-festa u jie˙du mag˙hom il-bandalori jew standardi tag˙hom.

Dawk li jixtiequ jattendu g˙andhom jg˙arrfu lil Francis jew iç-Çentru sal-25 ta’ April.

Tel.: 9622 5847

Tinteressak il-kitba?

Id-direzzjoni ta’ The Voice t˙e©©e© lill-qarrejja li j˙ossu li jew g˙andhom talent g˙all-kitba, laktar bl-Ilsien Malti, imma mh-ux biss, inkella li ja˙sbu li bi ftit g˙ajnuna jistg˙u jrabbu l-kunfidenza g˙all-kitba, biex jekk u meta iridu, jew jitolbu l-g˙ajnuna tag˙na, inkella sempliçement jibag˙tu xxog˙ol tag˙hom lil: The Voice of the Maltese biex narawh. Email address: maltesevoice@gmail.com Lesti nippublikaw il-kitbiet tag˙kom.

DAY COROWA - BRIGHT CHESTNUTS PICNIC & POKIE WEEKEND COACH TOUR SATURDAY May 16-17 2015 DAY 1: 7.00 am: Depart from next to Deer Park Hall at 50 Station Rd, with “Around Australia Coach Tours” luxury coach, and travel north to Nagambie and stop for morning tea.

We continue journey to Mulwala. Visit “Club Mulwala” for a 3-hour stay, (no meal supplied). Try your luck at the Pokies. Afternoon travel to Corowa; check into motel with time to relax. NIGHT will make 3-hour visit to The Mulwala Ski Club, with dinner supplied. After enjoying the evening with a chance to win the jackpot, return to motel for rest, and relaxation.

DAY 2: After breakfast depart to our motel in Corowa and travel to picturesque Alpine town of Bright to admire its beautiful autumm colours while frolicking around town and to satisfy our tastebuds with morning tea. We continue to the John Valli Chestnut Farm for a hearty BBQ lunch including drinks in the fresh and pristene alpine air. AFTERNOON: Travel to Euroa or Avenel for afternoon tea; then start journey home, arriving early evening.

CONTACTS FOR RESERVATIONS Frank Mintoff : 9363 5325; Frank Galea: 9314 4231l Doris Bonello: 9743 9934; Bill Deguara: 9366 9956; Christine Attard: 9364 5049l Joe Attard: 9361 1396

COST: $115. 00 per person Twin share – Single supplement $45.00 Deposit: $50.00 on booking, to guarantee a place.

TOUR COST INCLUDES :

*Five-str coach travel *Quality Motel accommodation *Dinner Day 1 & Continental b’fast on Day 2 * BBQ lunch including drinks oin Day 2 Only two Pokie Clubs visited on tour Every endeavor will be made to follow the above itinerary; however some changes may occur.

Kull qalb trid o˙ra

iex tipproduçi magazine b˙al dan, li B wara kollox hu frott tal-passjoni li g˙andna biex inwasslu t-tag˙rif lillMaltin barra minn art twelidhom, ma jin˙tie©x biss xog˙ol u ˙in, imma wkoll spejjeΩ.

Biex jittaffew u˙ud mill-ispejjeΩ nippruvaw insibu sponsors ˙alli jg˙inuna.

G˙ad m’g˙andniex biΩΩejjed minnhom, imma bdejna, u ta’ min jag˙tihom ˙ajr.

Kull qalb trid o˙ra, g˙alhekk in˙e©©u lill-qarrejja biex i©ibu dan quddiem g˙ajnejhom u kemm jista’ jkun juΩaw is-servizzi u/jew jixtru l-prodotti ta’ dawk li qed jirreklamaw/jisponsorjaw fil-magazine.

Follow The Voice of the Maltese online magazine every fortnight and also join us on our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/g roups/thevoiceofthemaltese

Fuq Radju Malta (www.pbs.com.mt) kull nhar ta’ Ìimg˙a fis-2.30 p.m. TippreΩenta Josephine Zammit Cordina

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW

A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Learn Maltese!

Classes are available for students from 6 years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials. Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of the island.

Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM For more information and enquiries Call Mary on 9601 2189 Or email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com Supported by the Minister of Education and Training and the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme.

Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW; Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Community News Tune In to Radio and Television Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bil-Malti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l-istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet Maltese Radio Programmes (On Demandwww.893fm.com.au >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am) Fi programm ta’ sieg˙a nhar ta’ Óadd MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on fil-11.00 ikun fih l-a˙˙ar a˙barijiet www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fridays minn Malta, muΩika, tag˙rif, kultura, 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday avviΩi u su©©etti ta’ interess g˙alleach month at 1pm.

Maltin MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, Day Time Analogue Digital Radio SBS On each Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. Presenter EmSBS Radio 3 12:00-13:00 Tuesday: manuel Brincat.

Thursday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thurs- Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 day (Merhba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordi- Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 To tune into digital radio you need receiver nator – Ray Anastasi or device with a DAB+ chip.

In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio proTuning in is by station name not fregramme Sunday at 11am 2GLF FM 89.3, or quency. Digital radio can also be heard on demand: www.893fm.com.au on digital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on ChanIn BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Pro- nel 38 and SBS. gram on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Radio 3 is on Channel 39. Analogue is Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm the present FMwavelength. Digital radio UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in can also be accessed by a smart phone and/or by going online at HYPERLINK: to link: www.unclesamdj.com http://www.sbs.com.au, www.sbs.com.au Maltese Programmes on TV and Web VIVA MALTA The GDAY MALTAUSSIE SHOW VIVA MALTA on Central Coast on TVS is broadcast in Sydney Radio: May: 7th (2nd year anniverEvery Saturday at 2pm. sary) and 21st; June: 4th and 18th Repeats on Mondays 5 pm and Tuesfrom 6 pm -7 pm on COAST FM 96.3 days 7.30 am Community Radio in Gosford NSW. Watch direct via HYPERLINK: Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. http://ww.tvs.org.au; http://ww.tvs.org.au Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au.

L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.05 am on SBS2

The SBS MALTESE NEWS

Meetings of Day Care Maltese Groups in NSW Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month from10:00am to 12 noon.

The group meets in the Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights.

Maltese Seniors Central Coast Group Meetings for Maltese living at the Central Coast: are held every second Monday of each month from 10 am to 12 at Wyong RSL, cnr Anzac & Margaret Street Wyong.

For more information Tel: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652

Malta Society of New Zealand

We now have a Facebook page that former members are invited to join. It is: Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland: https://www.facebook.com/pages /Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland/ 396193070527203?ref=hl.

It is open to all who have an interest in the Maltese culture.

The Maltese Language School of NSW

The Maltese Language School of NSW invites applications for Maltese language classes at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre located at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young Street) Mays Hill (next to Parramatta West Public School).

Both young and adult students may apply.

For more information contact Mary Pace-Feraud on 9601 2189 or email: malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmail.com

L-ahbarijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

G˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lillSBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, ilqarrejja m˙e©©a li x’˙in iridu jid˙lu fil-website: www.tvm.com.mt u jsegwu la˙barijiet ta’ Malta. Din tkun a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bi stejjer li jkunu qed ise˙˙u.

Mhux biss, imma min irid isegwi dak li jkun g˙addej, kull filg˙odu ˙in ta' Malta fuq il-website jittellg˙u wkoll l-a˙barijiet tal-jum ta' qabel.

Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Greystanes Maltese Seniors

Meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Come and join us and make new friends.

Meets on the second Monday of the month n the George Preca Centre of OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon

Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meets every second Friday of the month; Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am

Llandillo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1pm.

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Ongoing: We meet every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm Our Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining.

Come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

*(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of NSW). Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street Mays Hill NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School)

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Community News ÓAMRUN ASSOCIATION LTD

100 Jackson Street, Marsden Park, NSW 2765 Ph: 02 9838 1111 Email: hamrunassociations@three.com.au President: George Zahra 0407434651 Secretary: Robin McGarrigle 0407701004

GEORGE CROSS FALCONS CLUB Inc. (25-27 Lake Ave Cringila NSW 2502, (02) 4273 0906 gcfc@exemail.com.au)

Seniors’ Day Every Monday

MOTHER’S DAY DINNER DANCE

IL-klabb se jorganizza Dinner Dance g˙al Jum l-Omm nhar is-Sibt 9 ta’ Mejju fis- 7.00pm fil-klabb stess, f’100 Jackson St. Marsden Park.

-------------------------------------------------------Se jkun hemm 3-course meal b˙al ta’ New Year’s Eve bil-©elat b˙ala deserta. Xorb ie˙or inkluΩ alcohol jista’ jinxtara mill-bar.

-------------------------------------------------------Id-divertiment se ji©i pprovdut nill-Brandy Rock ‘n Roll Band ---------------------------------------------Prezz: Kbar $45; Tfal ta˙t it-12-il sena $20 G˙al tag˙rif u biljetti: Mary Said: 0421 285 698, jew George Zahra: 0407 424 651

MALTESE PAST PUPILS and FRIENDS OF DON BOSCO NSW Spiritual Retreat - Sunday May 3: a retreat at Somersby in the Central Coast

A bus is to be organised to the beautiful surrounds of St Francis of Assisi Retreat Centre, Lutana Rd, Somersby.

The retreat will be in English and past pupils and parishioners of St Marys are very welcome to join us.

Bus leaves Wenty Leagues Club at 8.30am. Back by 5.30pm.

For bookings, contact Christine Sapienza on 9822 7549.

SAINT NICHOLAS FESTA COMMITTEE Important dates for the remainder of 2015

Sunday July 5: Lejla fil-Buskett ; Sunday October 18: Spring Fiera; Sunday December 6: Feast of St Nicholas For further information call Bill Schembri: 0416 261 415.

Home-made cooked two-course meal, tea and coffee Bingo and dancing lessons Computers available for usage.

Cost only $5.00. Sponsored by MCCI Illawarra.

Phone 42 746121 and leave a message

The Voice is not just a news portal;

We comment,..... We get your message across... We fight for your rights...... We believe in freedom of expression... and we are read in the right places.

St Helena Maltese/Aust. SC Full Programme for 2015 MAY 2 (Saturday): Mother’s Day function at Melrose MAY 16 (Saturday): Function at Albio MAY 24: (Sunday): Half yearly meet t Parkville JUNE 20: (Saturday): Function at Albion JULY 18: (Saturday): Function at Albion AUGUST 21: (Friday): Feast Mass at Ardeer AUGUST 22: (Saturday): Feast dinner dance at Melrose AUGUST 23: (Sunday): 35th Anniversary feast at Ardeer SEPTEMBER 19: (Saturday): Functioin at Albion OCTOBER 24: (Saturday): Function at Parkville OCTOBER 25: (Sunday): AGM meet at Parkville NOVEMBER 14: (Saturday): Function at Holy Eucharist DECEMBER 19: (Saturday): Xmas function at Melrose.

(For bookings or more information phone Victor: 0412 99 13 25)

UTS Sydney - Free English classes As part of its Teachers Training for 2015, the University of Technology (UTS) Sydney - Insearch is offering free English classes designed to improve one’s speaking and listening skills. Following is the programme for this year:

Up till May 28 (6.00pm-8.00pm Tuesday & Thursday evening) July 6 - July 31 (1.30pm to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday) August 11 - October 15 (6.00p.m8.00pm Tuesday & Thursday evening) October 20 -December 23 (6.00pm8.00pm Tuesday & Thursday evening) If interested call 92188646, fax 92114334 or email: david.noble@insearch.edu.au Student Centre, Ground Floor, 187 Thomas Street Sydney NSW 2000 (corner Quay & Thomas Street Chinatown).

Students must be at least 16 years old

FRIENDS OF PROVIDENCE HOUSE NSW (Formed in November 2011) ANNOUNCES:

18 Day Fly – Cruise – Stay – Tour Commencing September 19, 2015 Visiting Perth – Bali – Thailand – Malaysia – Singapore.

Fantastic Tour – Great value – All inclusive from $3650 p/p Proceeds to be donated to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta.

P W D L Pts For brochure or bookings call Jim Borg on (02) 9636 7767. 30 26 4 0 52 Note: Donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza can now be made 30 19 6 5 42 30 20 3 7 41 in Australia at any Commonwealth Bank.

30 15 8 7 30 30 11 10 9 29 A/C Name: Friends of Providence House NSW 30 9 9 12 22 ------------------------BSB: 062 416 A/C No. 10199448 30 9 5 16 18 7 9 14 17 This will save you the normal bank fees. Please supply name30 30 6 9 15 14 30 5 9 16 12 and address so an acknowledgement can be issued.

30 5 8 17 12 30 5 6 19 11

Proudly supported by: Cnr Main & Campbell Sts, Blacktown.

Contact George Vella Tel (02) 9622 7799

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday April 28, 2015

Sports

Hibs are champions for 11th time - Balzan in wonderland as they secure Europe place

Hibernians were crowned Champions for the 11th time in their history. They achieved the feat three matches from the end, in Round 30. Until then they were unbeaten and looking forward to going through the entire campaign without a defeat. But in the next round, on Sunday they were foiled as Balzan surprisingly beat them, 3-1. Victory took Balzan to wonderland as it won them a fourth place finish and secured for them a historic place in a European competition, the Europa League.

Hibernians’ achievement cannot be underrated and we will look at their achievements this season in the next issue. They were the best throughout the season but the day on Sunday belonged to Balzan. Victory puts them seven points ahead of Floriana and with only two more matches to go till the end, they cannot be overtaken.

They achieved all this under the watchful eyes of their very enthusiastic honorary president and main sponsor, Australia-based Anton Tagliaferro, who must still be pinching himself to find out if this is all for real.

He told The Voice of the Maltese: “It was really, really great, I felt very happy and lucky to be part of it. Just a fantastic team

spirit, the coach has Balzan players congratulate done a brilliant job in themselves after their unexpected the dressing room; win over champions Hibernians the team is very united.”

Since he arrived in Malta about a month ago, Balzan won all their four Premier League matches fairly convincingly scoring 15 goals and conceded only three.

“I like to think my presence at every training session, meeting key players for coffee/lunch to see that all is OK with them and my pre-match short and Hibs, but we need the points, we need the points’. punchy pep talks made a little difference.

“And they gave their all. One player played “My speech before the gameon Sunday revolved around the message that Hibs are al- the second half with a concussion; the goalready Champions but we have trained hard keeper played with a hurt shoulder for the and well all week and we still need the points last 20 minutes; lots of players with knocks - with the key message which I kept repeat- but still chasing every ball. Just brilliant ing being ‘remember boys when you are out team-spirit, I was so proud!” there, good luck to Results Round 31 Round 30

Second loss in a row for Malta in Rugby

A

disappointing start led to Malta’s rugby union national team losing their second game in Division 2A against Switzerland the thee points – 20-23 at the Hibs Stadium on Saturday.

A shoddy defensive display cost the national team dearly early on by the first 15 minutes the Swiss were leading 18-0 before the Maltese made a semblance of a recovery. They struck back on 24 minutes with a try and a conversion for 7-18, and before the interval added three more points from a penalty.

The Swiss again started the second half brightly to go 23-10 ahead, with Malta replying with a try and a conversion, and then a penalty for a 23-20 loss.

Despite their efforts they failed to salvage anything.

Balzan v Hibernians

3-1

JP Mifsud Triganza, Gianmarco Piccioni.

Luke Sciberras (B); Clayton Failla (H)

Valletta v Birkirkara

2-1

Stever Borg, Hamza Barry (V); Ryan Scicluna (B)V

Floriana v Naxxar L.

Igor Coronado 3, Matteo Piciollo (F); Daren Falzon (N)

Sliema W. v Mosta

4-1 5-1

IPedro ds Calcado 2,Alex Muscat 2, Mateus RD Santos; Adrian Borg (M).

Pieta H. v Ûebbu© R

3-1

Kyle Cesare, Claudio Frances, Jose G daSilva (P); Luke Montebello (Û)

Qormi v Tarxien R.

Marcelo .L Mattos, Alex Nilsson, Leighton Grech, Jonathan Bondin

Hibernians v Floriana Birkirkara v Ûebbu© R

3-1

Matheus B da Silva, Ryan Camenzuli, EltonAC Morais (B); Mauricio OR Britto (Û)

Valletta v Sliema W

3-3

Balzan v Qormi

5-1

Abdelkarim Nafti, Ryan Camilleri, Roerick Briffa (V); Mateus R dos Santos, Marko Potezica, Pedro ds Calcado (S

Bojan Kaljevic (2), Gianmarco Piccioni, Elkin S. Valero, Amir Arab (B); Alfred Effion (Q)

Tarxien R v Mosta 4-0

3-1

Jorge Pd Silva 2, Clayton Failla (H); Steve Bonnici (F)

2-1

Obinna A Dalington 2 (T) Harunda Babangida (M)

Naxxar L. v Pieta H

0-0

Football: PS4 NPL 1 NSW Melbourne Victory Parramatta still without a win in last five games strengthen hold on top of standings Parramatta (formerly Melita Eagles) figured in a scoreless drab draw

Australia A-League

F

ollowing back-to-back victories, and with the other challengers dropping points, Kevin Muscat’s Melbourne Victory have managed to consolidate the top positioninf the A-League. They now enjoy a threepoint lead over Sydney FC. Melbourne V, stand on 53 points. while Adelaide United and Welington Phoenix stay incontention four points behind Sydney.

Melbourne Victory secured their place with an entertaining 3-1 win at home to the Central Coast Mariners .

They will now enjoy a week off before hosting a semi-final, while the Mariners, whose season is over, said goodbye to long-serving duoJohn Hutchinson and stalwart striker Matt Simon, who will be released at the end of the season.

Results: Round 27 Brisbane R. v Newcastle Jets Western Syd. v Perth Glory Adelaide U v Melbourne C Wellington Ph v Sydney FC Melbourne V. v Central Coast

Wellington v Central Coast Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC Western Syd. v Adelaide U Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Vic. Perth Glory v Melbourne City

Round 26

2-1 1-2 4-1 1-2 3-1

3-2 3-4 2-1 0-1 3-1

at home against South Coast Wolves and then lost Saturday’s match away against Blacktown Spartans 1- Results Round 7 0. Therefore they are still without a Blacktown S v Parramatta FC 1-0 win since round one and are third South Coast v Brownrigg 3-2 6-2 Sutherland v Rockdale CS from bottom with only four points.

5-1 The teams below them are Marconi, Sydney O. v Marconi S 1-4 Blacktown C. v Manly U. with one win, and Rockdale CS who Sydney 1-1 U v Appia LT are still searching for their first victory Round 6 from seven outings.

0-0 Parramatta FC v Wolves Top team Sydney United lead the Marconi 0-3 v Blacktown S wqy with 16 points, two more than Brownrigg v Sydney Utd 1-3 crosstown rivals Sydney Olympic and Manly U. v Sydney O. 0-2 Rockdale CS v Blacktown C 1-1 APIA. 2-1 Parramatta’s next matches are, away Appia LT vv Sutherland tp Bonnyrigg WE on Saturday and PS4 NPL 2 NSW then at home at the Melita Stadium Bankstown C. v Mounties W 1-1 St George’s Mounties W. 5-1 against APIA on May 9