The Voice of the Maltese No. 138

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

Issue 138

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

In Malta, any sport - except that which requires snow - can easily be practised and though there are no mountains, since a few years, abseiling has also become quite a popular pastime as young and old make full use of the most spectacular places, steep cliffs, slabs and crevasses around Malta and Gozo to practice the sport. When you’re in Malta try it with a guide and get excited by the adrenalin.

You’ll love it and never forget it.

October 11, 2016

2 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Large movements of refugees, migrants, a most acute crises of our times – PM says

The Saga

$2m cut in budget equates to end of 20 languages programmes

T

he saga of the SBS Radio programme and the Maltese community is taking many twists and turns. As The Voice of the Maltese pointed out in issue No. 135 (dated August 30), this continuous struggle with SBS Radio for a fair and adequate share of airtime was taken up by the Shadow Minister for Telecommunications, the Federal member for Greenway Michelle Rowland MP. Ms. Rowland has also released correspondence regarding her meeting in Canberra with Mr. Michael Edeid, CEO and Managing Director of SBS. Mr. Edeid indicated that the SBS would be implementing a review of language groups at the conclusion of the 2016 Census and this will happen in 2017. He also emphasised that the Government Budget measures and funding cuts have left the SBS with a $10 million budget black hole, and $2 million will need to be taken out of the SBS Radio budget. This hole according to the CEO Edeid equates to ending the funding of 20 language programs.

Is the CEO of SBS hinting that the 20 language programmes belonging to the “weaker” communities will be on the chop? Past decisions indicate that SBS will not touch the larger and more vociferous communities, criteria or no criteria.

Mr. Edeid also conceded that SBS has opted not to allocate funding to the Maltese community for digital content and social media because the community in Australia is ageing and in turn less likely to use these platforms.

Really Mr. Edeid? An ageing listening audience, therefore, would be a strong argument for the additional hours of radio airtime on the analogue system and not less.

Mr. Edeid rightly so keeps mentioning the cuts in funding by the Government to the SBS yet in the last year it has set up a new Food channel and added a 24/7 digital radio station for the Arab community, not to mention the huge managerial bureaucracy.

SBS Radio was established to service and give a voice to the ethnic communities and not to become a huge autocratic establishment. It is hoped that during the scheduled consultation with the communities scant regard be given to the latest census results.

It is a well-known fact that thousands of elderly persons found it extremely cumbersome to go “on line” and finally gave the census away.

SBS Radio must revise its criteria for assessing air-time. More weight must be given to the communities that are less serviced and to admit that radio is vital to the elderly than most other methods of communication.

D

uring his resent visit to New York for the 71st United Nations General Assembly, the Maltese Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat also attended an important summit for Heads of State and Government representatives that addressed the large movements of refugees and migrants, a milestone that addressed a most acute crises of our times.

He also co-chaired a Round Table titled, ‘Addressing the root causes of large movements of refugees - Summit for Refugees and Migrants’, pointing out that the root causes of large refugee flows affects everybody and that a global response is needed more than ever before. He said tackling the root causes of migration or refugees is a first step forward and towards comprehensively addressing the migration and refugee flows.

His contribution to the round table was considered very important coming from the leader, of a country in the Mediterranean a popular route for refugees who try to escape conflicts and wars in their country to find a better future for themselves.

We at The Voice also consider Muscat’s views too important to leave out. That is why we are publishng them.

He said that everybody acknowledges that the reasons for which people migrate vary, yet at the very core they all share the vision of better opportunities, greater safety and a brighter future elsewhere.

He added that when speaking about root causes, an important distinction needs to be made between the causes of economic and increasingly climate-related migrants, and on the other hand the root causes of refugees.

He eferred to the International Refugee Convention and its protocols that defines a refugee and the very reasons why migration in search of asylum

takes place, they being, persecution, civil wars and internal conflicts, violence and discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, membership in social groups or political opinion, that all lead to fear, for one’s safety, and for one’s life.

“In such desperate circumstances, fleeing one’s country becomes a logical step, sometimes the only step,” he added.

He said there are more than 60 million refugees and internally displaced persons uprooted as a result of conflicts and breaches to their human rights making it the highest level of forced displacement since World War II. Wars in Afghanistan, Somalia and Syria alone are responsible for more than half of this world refugee population, he said.

He believed there’s an obligation to address the worrying numbers of new and protracted conflicts in the world through more resolute mediation efforts reinforced by early warning system, conflict prevention, conflict resolutions, peacekeeping and peace building.

Muscat said there’s need to invest in more preventive diplomacy and support international and regional mechanism that uphold international law, in particular human rights, and that war must always be a last resort.

“We also need to consider the underlying factors fuelling conflicts, one of which is illicit arms trafficking and illicit arms trading. Taking control of the illicit global arms trade is a practical and measureable step in curbing the developing or progress of a conflict.”

He called for action against human traffickers and to treat them as criminals, and in order to combat the crime, urged the leaders at the summit to try them before an international court for taking advantage of the vulnerability of persons fleeing from conflicts.

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Tuesday October 11, 2016

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Another service offered by The Voice of the Maltese providing legal information to our readers

Lending money to your children

by PaulSant

Anor (No.2) [2011] a father Paul Sant was born in Sydney and his gave his son and daughter in PROFILE parents migrated from Mgarr, Malta. law $240,000.00, which they He graduated from Sydney University with a BA, LLB Should you have a used to buy a house. There in 1980 and at that time was one of the first Ausformal agreement? were no terms of repayment, tralian-born Maltese speaking qualified Solicitors in no formality in the agreement, New South Wales.

It is not uncommon for parents to want to Between December 1980 and February 1985 Paul give their children a helping hand to estab- the parties had no capacity to lish themselves in the competitive prop- pay and most importantly worked as a Solicitor in a National Law Firm and reerty market. This is particularly the case there was no demand of re- turned to Turner Freeman as a Partner between for residents of Australian capital cities, payment until the family law 2013 and January 2016. In the meantime, he established his own practice at Westmead and Toongabwho have benefited from generous levels proceedings began.

The Court determined the fa- bie and from the start had and continues to have a of capital gain over time, and now sit on valuable and often unencumbered nest ther would never have re- significant number of clients with a Maltese backquested that the funds be ground. eggs.

In January 2016 Paul accepted Partnership with an repaid had the parties not sepUnfortunately, perhaps years down the track, your child may find themselves in a arated. Given that there was International Law Firm, Longton Legal and now with his son Andrew. The firm has offices in position where the only sensible solution no expectation that the money works Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai. He specialises in be repaid, the advance was is separation from their partner spouse or areas of Property, Conveyancing, Family Law, Wills, de facto partner. What does this mean for characterised a gift.

Estates and Civil Litigation.

What are the the generous parent that has advanced Paul is based in the Sydney Office, however regularly money to their child? Will they ever see characteristics of a loan? sees clients at Parramatta. the money again or will it form part of the At a very minimum, you asset pool over which the former partner should consider the following before ap- Where money is advanced by a parent can make a claim? to their child, at law it is presumed to proaching your solicitor to draw up the be advanced as a gift unless there is loan documents: Was it a loan or a gift? sufficient evidence for the basis of an 1. A loan transaction should occur at The first legal challenge will be to deterinference to the contrary. ‘arm’s length’. mine whether it was a loan or a gift. In 2. Limitation Period - A loan is es2. There needs to be evidence of an most cases, it will come down to whether sentially a contract. Parties to a conagreement, either orally or in writing, as there was ever an expectation that the tract have a period of 6 years from the to the terms of the loan and any formal money would be repaid to the parents. date of any breach of contract to comloan agreement should include as a In the case of Sulo & Colpetti [2010] a mence proceeding in an attempt to enminimum: father gave to his married adult son two force the contract. a. the time period in which the loan has advances of $150,000 in the form of purA failure to make a repayment in acto be repaid, ported loans without interest and “recordance with the terms of the loan is b. the interest payable, and payable on demand”. The money was used an example of a breach. Upon the exc. the minimum repayments. by the husband and wife to purchase proppiry of the 6 year period, the innocent erties as joint tenants. A loan document 3. Most importantly, you should conparty is statute barred from enforcing was drawn up by solicitors and signed by sider whether the terms of the loan the loan. the husband and his father. agreement are capable of performance The judge determined that although the by the borrowers. If the agreement is Why is the difference between advances looked like loans on paper, never complied with, it will be near im- a loan and a gift important? “there is no evidence that the husband’s fapossible to enforce the agreement as a If the money advanced was a gift by the ther intended to actively pursue a claim genuine loan, at least within the family parent to their child, it will be treated as a against the husband for the monies“. As a law jurisdiction. financial contribution by the partner result, the Court did not characterise the Beware of the Extra Hurdles! whose parent advanced the money, totransaction as a loan.

Even if you have cleared the above hur- wards the acquisition, conservation and In the case of Maddock & Maddock & dles, it is improvement of matrimonial assets. This not yet means that the money will form part of the s m o o t h pool of assets that will be divided between sailing. the husband and wife.

(SOLICITOR) The weight allocated to that particular Y o u contribution will depend on many factors, m u s t PARTNER AT LONGTONLEGAL t a k e including the length of the relationship.

If you are thinking about loaning your note of For All Your Legal Needs Incl.: Family Law, Property & Construction Law, Conveyancing, the fol- children money, or if you have parents you wish to borrow from, you should seek inCorporate & Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Immigration lowing: 1 .

P r e dependent legal advice before any money Law, Wills & Contested Estates s u m p - is advanced. tion of Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 The advice you are given can impact Advanupon whether that money is ultimately reParramatta by appointment cement payable.

Ph: 02 8355 9999 (Reception) & 02 8015 7923 (Robin) We have provided you with an overview of the Email: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au topic above but you should consult a profeswww.longtonlegal.com.au sional for advice specific to your circumstances.

Maltese Spoken

PAUL SANT

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

The tunnel (left) and a couple of tanks with fish and marine life at the Malta Aquarium

Attractions – historical or otherwise ”When daylight came, they did not recognise the land, but they sighted a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting away the anchors, they left them in the sea as they loosened the ropes that held the rudders.

“Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the vessel struck a sandbar and ran aground… Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold…The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.” (from the Acts of the Apostles)

BrianDecelis THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM ut you might ask, what does all B this has to do with the title of this contribution?

Admittedly only a sparse link to the fact that one of the attractions that has sprung up in Malta over the past few years was the national aquarium

on the Qawra seafront across from the island where St Paul was shipwrecked.

What strikes you immediately as you approach its building is its uniquely designed star- fish-shaped dome that seems to span from the sea to the land.

At a not insubstantial €15m – partly funded by the EU – the aquarium was opened in 2013. It spans an area of approximately 20,000 square metres, with 26 tanks and over 130 species of The Dancing Fountains at SmartCity

The star-fish-shaped dome of the Aquarium that seems to span from the sea to the land fish and marine life. The largest is 12metres long with a tunnel enabling you to pass through and see the sharks swimming above your head – yes, just like the Sydney aquarium!

And if all that marine life was not enough, the aquarium was designed with a Maltese history running theme throughout. And for a photographer like me it was an amazing experience because you can take as many pictures as you like.

DANCING FOUNTAIN nother photo opportunity (alA though a bit harder to capture) is another attraction opened within months of the aquarium – this time in the southern part of the island: Malta’s biggest water fountain at SmartCity. It features scores of water jets that are choreographed with music and light up beautifully at night. There are shows lasting around 5-10 minutes every half an hour but the fountain still operates in between shows.

These are just two of Malta’s newest attractions – but as I have already mentioned in previous articles, some true gems have been the renovations of centuries old attractions that might not swim or dance but will still entrance visitors to our islands!

Tuesday October 11, 2016

The Voice of the Maltese 5

DIK L-IMBIERKA MANDOLINA! M

eta kont g˙adni f’dar ommi u missieri, fuq il-gwardarobba kbira tal-kamra tassodda tag˙hom kien hemm mandolina antika li ma nafx minn fejn kien akkwistaha missieri: g˙ax missieri, g˙alkemm kien muΩiçista, qatt ma kellu esperjenza ta’ strumenti tal-korda, aktar u aktar tal-mandolina.

Insomma, dik l-imbierka mandolina kienet il©ugarell tag˙na l-a˙wa …. kul˙add jitla’ fuq issi©©u b’sa˙˙tu li kien hemm fil-kamra tas-sodda u nog˙lew g˙al fuq il-gwardarobba mastizza (xog˙ol missieri li kien mastrudaxxa gwapp) biex nil˙qu dik il-mandolina. Wara li kien jirnexxilna n©ibuha, er˙ilna nferfru s-swaba’ ta’ idejna l-leminija u niggustaw il-˙oss imdamdam u stunat tag˙ha.

Na˙seb li l-kordi mhux skurdajniehom biss iΩda tertaqniehom. Ommi qatt ma kienet tag˙ti kas jekk konniex nag˙mlulha ˙sara jew le lil dik il-mandolina Naplitana, basta noqog˙du kwieti u fer˙ana nilag˙bu! Missieri ma tantx kien jie˙u pjaçir jara dik il-mandolina tiddeterjora …. iΩda fla˙˙ar qata’ qalbu!

L-a˙wa kbirna u kul˙add telaq minn dar ommi u missieri …. kul˙add iΩΩewwe©. Id-dar ta’ tfuliti tbattlet u dik l-imbierka mandolina ma nafx x’sar minnha. Staqsejt lil ˙uti …. iΩda ˙add minnhom ma raha iΩjed b’g˙ajnejh. IΩda dik l-imbierka mandolina baqg˙et f’qalbi.

Meta binti Gabriella xtaqet titg˙allem il-vjolin, jien naturalment xtrajthulha mill-ewwel biex ninkora©©iha u waqt li kont g˙and ‘Carabott tal-istrumenti’ ta’ Triq il-Merkanti lBelt (illum g˙alaq) rajt mandolina kollha trab u li donnha kienet imwarrba. Minnufih mo˙˙i u qalbi kklikkjaw f’daqqa …. ftakart f’dik l-imbierka mandolina li kellna d-dar f’ÓaΩÛebbu©.

Nostal©ija Tbissimt u g˙ajnejja xeg˙lu. “Jaqaw ti˙ajjar g˙aliha dik il-mandolina Naplitana?” staqsieni s-Sur Carabott. U jien irrakkuntajtlu l-istorja kollha …. li fl-antik kellna wa˙da d-dar, eçç …. Hu pront qalli: “Ixtriha la tog˙©bok.” G˙edtlu li ma kontx nafx indoqqha u wie©ibni: “Forsi xi darba ssib il-˙in u titg˙allimha. Hekk jew hekk il-muΩika tafha inti.”

Is-Sur Carabott kien jafni sewwa, kemm ix-Xandir (g˙ax b˙ali kien ja˙dem hemm) kif ukoll li kont mid˙la sewwa talbaned u l-muΩika f’pajjiΩna. U din il-mandolina xtrajtha ….

Ma kinetx ir˙isa g˙al dak iΩ-Ωmien g˙ax kienet mandolina

Mro. John G. Micallef JPG

PeterPaulCiantar antika u tassew Naplitana. Mort id-dar biha, mimli nostal©ija ta’ meta konna g˙adna tfal. G˙attejtha b’investa u flok li tfajtha fuq il-gwardarobba, sibtilha post fil-gwardarobba u ˙allejtha hemm g˙al snin twal, lanqas biss indenjajt ru˙i n˙ares lejha …. L-aqwa li qeg˙da g˙andi.

Mhux darba jew tnejn li meta marti Pauline, jitlg˙alha ssemmili xi naqra wkoll din il-mandolina g˙ax tg˙idli li jiena b˙at-tfal …. nit˙ajjar minn kollox. “Basta xtrajtha u nfaqt ilflus fiha u mlejtli gwardarobba …. lanqas biss t˙ares lejha”, ta’ sikwit tlissen marti b’çerta rabja. U jiena nisma’….

G˙addew is-snin, anzi snin twal, kwaΩi tletin sena, u f’mo˙˙i ddur din l-imbierka mandolina. Issa d˙alt fl-età talpensjoni u darba fost l-o˙rajn kont qieg˙ed fit-Teatru Sir Temi Zammit tal-Università ta’ Qroqq nisma’ orkestra sabi˙a ÌermaniΩa ta’ mandolini li ©iet Malta tag˙ti kunçert flokkaΩjoni tal-50 anniversarju mit-twaqqif tal-German Maltese Circle. Issa˙˙art b’dak il-˙oss romantiku li taf tippreΩenta l-mandolina. Imtlejt b’entuΩjaΩmu liema b˙alu.

John G. Micallef F’dak il-kunçert inzerta li kien hemm preΩenti wkoll ˙abib antik tieg˙i John G. Micallef membru fil-Kumitat tal-UKAM (Unjoni tal-KompoΩituri u Awturi Maltin) kif ukoll g˙alliem fl-Iskola tal-MuΩika Johann Strauss. Fejn kien jg˙allem ilmandolina! Illum John m’g˙adux mag˙na u mar jiltaqa malMulej.

Mimli bil-˙e©©a bil-kunçert tal-mandolini ghedtlu kemm jaffaxxinani dan l-istrument u kemm xtaqt nitg˙allmu.

“Imma issa jien ‘Sixty plus’ John,” g˙edtlu. Mimli ˙e©©a ta’ Ωag˙Ωug˙, we©ibni, “jiena 86 sena (dakinhar). Ejja ng˙allimhielek jiena.” Dan li kont qieg˙ed nistenna!

Wara l-kunçert mort id-dar u ˙ri©t il-mandolina minn ©olgwardarobba. Fittixt il-metodu ‘Branzoli’ (metodu tajjeb ˙afna g˙all-ewwel ta˙ri© fil-manolina) li kien ilu g˙andi s-snin. L-g˙ada filg˙odu mort g˙andu u bdejt l-ewwel ‘pinnati’ (g˙ax il-mandolina tindaqq bil-pinna) ’il fuq u ’l isfel fuq l-iskala tal-sol .

Il-Kanzunetta Naplitana Xita u mhix, kont immur tas-Sliema darba fil-©img˙a filg˙odu, im˙ejji kemm nista’ biex nag˙mel l-a˙jar li nista’.

Ta’ kuljum nipprova nsib il-˙in biex nipprattika.

Issa wkoll il-˙oss tal-mandolina qieg˙ed aktar isa˙˙arni, mhux g˙ax sirt xi mandolinista gwapp, iΩda g˙allinqas naf intektek xi ˙a©a. John dejjem kien g˙idli li mxejt mhux ˙aΩin!

U din l-imbierka mandolina tkompli . Illum il-©urnata sirt nifli aktar il-kanzunetta Naplitana g˙ax tista’ tg˙id f’˙afna kanzunetti Naplitani dejjem ikun hemm dawk il-ftit battuti ta’ dan l-istrument romantiku u Naplitan g˙all-a˙˙ar.

Illum ma jg˙addix jum li ma nag˙milx dawk il-ftit battuti fuq dan l-istrument li dejjem sa˙˙arni u jfawwarni b’nostal-©ija.

Min jaf kieku naqdu xi orkestrina tal-mandolini b˙al ma kien hawn fl-antik!!! Il-©enerazzjoni tal-eta’ tag˙na zgur li tapprezza.

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Marisa Previtera during her presentation at the Cabra-Vale Diggers Club

Lawrence Dimech and Marisa at the Merrylands Bowling Club receiving the grant on behalf of the MCC of NSW

Presention by MCC NSW at 2016 Exhibition of Projects

T

he Maltese Community Council’s Welfare Worker, Marisa Previtera, was recently invited by ‘2016 Exhibition of Projects’ to do a presentation about the Education and Social Interaction Project for which it won a grant from the Marconi Club in 2015.

The presentation at the Cabra-Vale Diggers Club was intended to demonstrate and exhibit what the project was all about. Marisa spoke of sourcing Educational and Information Sessions, such as Staying Healthy, Gentle Exercises, Guest Speakers from key Government Agencies such as Fair Trading NSW and Centrelink, as well as educational outings for the group, and traditional celebrations such as “ A Day in the Buskett”.

She pointed out that they were of great benefit of the Maltese Seniors Group in the Fairfield area, adding that such projects help to reduce the social isolation of the ageing Maltese seniors in the Sydney area.

This was only one of several grants that have been won from various ClubGrants, including the former Holroyd ClubGrants where the MCC received grants for similar projects in the former Holroyd area, from the Merrylands Bowling Club and the Merrylands RSL Meanwhile, the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre received a small grant from Merrylands Bowling to install a much-needed airconditioning system at the centre to

provide a comfortable and safe venue for the seniors groups who attend meetings and activities at the centre.

The welfare work of the MCC continues to expand and the Welfare Worker is currently working on a Visitation Scheme for the benefit of elderly Maltese seniors who find themselves isolated, perhaps due to ill health or other reasons and would welcome and benefit from a regular visit from Maltese speaking

G˙all-Anzjani r©iel

volunteers in the community.

If there are any Maltese speaking volunteers, who would be happy to give a few hours per week to visit Maltese elderly in Nursing Homes, or in their own homes to provide companionship, they should contact Marisa Previtera on Mobile: 0414 863 123 or via email marielouise12@bigpond.com for more information. Training for this Visitation Scheme would be provided.

Fejn imorru jqattg˙u l-˙in l-anzjani r©iel Maltin ta’ NSW kull l-a˙˙ar Tlieta tax-xahar? M’hemmx dubju li l-inizjattiva tal-MCC ta’ NSW li ti©bor lill-anzjani r©iel fiç-Çentru ta’ Franklin Street f’Parramatta West irnexxiet g˙ax l-attendenza qed dejjem tikber. In-nostal©ija ma tonqosx waqt li ssib lilmin jirrakkonta xi storja jew praspura mill-img˙oddi. Fl-istess waqt ilplatti tal-pastizzi, il-bigilla u ikel tradizzjonali ie˙or Malti flimkien maxxarba l-aktar maghrufa tal-Malitn, ma jonqsux, ©ejjin il-˙in kollu.

Min jit˙ajjar jattendi, jista’ jçempel lil Emm. Camilleri 0409 744 376

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Tax-Xag˙ra fi NSW iΩommu t-tradizzjoni u jistiednu saçerdot G˙awdxi

D

onnu li saret tradizzjoni li kull sena l-G˙aqda Xag˙ra ta’ NSW li ©©ib minn G˙awdex saçerdot biex jg˙addi ftit taΩ-Ωmien fost il-komunita` ferm attiva fl-Awstralja. Dis-sena ©abu lil Fr Dominic Sultana li skont ma qalilna twieled fl-isptar San Luqa f’Malta fid19 ta’ Frar tal-1980, “g˙ax l-isptar t’G˙awdex kien on strike u ommi kellha twelled f’tal-Pieta”. Imma sintendi, ©ie mg˙ammed fil-knisja tax-Xag˙ra.

Fr Dominic ©ie ordnat saçerdot fis-27 ta’ Awwissu tal2005. Huwa g˙amel xog˙ol pastorali fi New York, fl-Istati Uniti, u studja fl-Universita` Pontificia Teresianum ta’ Ruma.

Fi NSW is-saçerdot G˙awdxi kellu programm intensiv ˙afna. Huwa ©ie me˙ud iΩur g˙add ta’ komunitajiet u

knejjes fejn isor©u l-Maltin u l-˙afna qraba li g˙andu f’dawn in-na˙at tad-dinja.

Fost il-˙afna çentri li Ωar kien hemm ukoll il-Maltese Resource Centre tal-MCC ta’ NSW f’Parramatta West.

Hawnhekk kien akkumpanjat minn Ray u Josephine Bigeni fejn gie mdawwar mal-post u ©ie spjegat lilu xxog˙ol fejjiedi u kontinwu li jwettaq dan iç-çentru.

FUQ: Fr. Dominic Sultana (it-tielet mil-lemin) jidher waqt iΩ-Ωjara tieg˙u fl-MCC ta’ NSW. Fir-ritratt jidhru wkoll u˙ud minn dawk li ltaqa’ mag˙hom. Mix-xellug: Oscar Calleja, Reggie Bonnici, Josephine u Ray Bigeni, Emm, Camilleri u Marlene Dimech

51 years of Maltese Festa at Greystanes he Festa ta’ Maria T Bambina at Greystanes NSW is now 51 years old. This year’s celebrations on festa weekend were at full swing. The devotion and enthusiasm is still there thanks to a hard-working committee led by Joe Spiteri.

Since festa day was transferred from the long weekend in October interstate and intrastate visitors have disappeared.

Attendance was also down but there was no lack of festa fever, and the church function was well attended.

The current parish priest Fr Paul Marshall is also a festa enthusiast

and this makes a huge difference.

This Festa tal-Bambina at Greystanes is one of the oldest in NSW, and the Maltese community is still proud of its traditions, that is, the procession

the statue, the Maltese brass band and the fireworks display.

The festa committee also produces a splendid souvenir booklet full of excellent photographs and articles.

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

Congratulations to our President for her well-deserved UN award The Voice of the Maltese on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e o

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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.

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Sandra Borg from St Albans writes: wish to congratulate Malta’s President, H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca for the international award, the Agent of Change that she was presentd with by the

I

Thanks past president; hoping for support to the new one at LVSC

Greg Caruana from Blacktown NSW writes: ollowing the article on The Voice of the Maltese (issue No. 136 September 13), Change at the top at La Valette Social Centre, I would like to add my thanks to the former president Gejtu Pace for his services to this centre in the years he was leading the committee.

After the election of the new President Antoinette Caruana by an absolute majority at the Annual General Meeting, I sincerely appeal that our new president will now be given full support by the new committee similar to that given to the previous president.

Editor’s Note: The Voice has received other similar written comments regarding the aftermath of the LVSC AGM. Therefore, it appears that members have some concerns. However, it is advisable during this transition period that all concerns be taken up and resolved with the committee. The media should be the last resort.

F

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

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

United Nations organisation for her sterling service and her incessant work towards eradicating gender inequality in the world.

To get this international recognition says a lot for her our President. She makes us proud and we also thank The Voice of the Maltese magazine for bringing her achievement to our notice. Being aware of accomplishments by our Maltese compatriosts is something we should all appreciate.

Since the President’s visit to the Maltese community in Australia and her attitude towards us, we have grown to love her even more as we see in her a humanitarian always looking for means to improve the well being of the people around her, and even beyond.

She is a fine example for us all and to hear such important world figures say about her, that she has been a true champion for gender equality, and that she inspires women for all they can be, is something we must all understand more.

Finally, the President showed us what stuff she is made up of when she said that she would not be happy until gender discrimination is eliminated. This is something those in power should always strive for.

Thanks all for the Horsley Park Festa Fr Dominik Karnas, CSMA, PP writes: t Our Lady of Victories Catholic Parish, Horsley Park, we celebrated our 53rd Parish Feast. I thank God for this special celebration. The weather was against us and did not allow us to enjoy all the activities that we had prepared but we still joined together for Rosary, accompanied by Our Lady Queen of Peace Band and the very talented Angela Arduca singing the Ave Maria.

Following that we celebrated Mass with Fr Damian Mosakowski, Paulin father from Mossvale, Fr Dominic Sultana from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu in Gozo, Fr Stan Skibicki from The Entrance, our own Fr Marek Okarma and myself, Father Dominik Karnas.

The Marion School choir also sung beautifully throughout the mass. After the liturgy we joined together in our Marion Hall to “Celebrate Community” with some entertainment, chocolate wheel, food and drink.

I want to express to all who came and took part in our feast, my special gratitude.

A

Tuesday October 11, 2016

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Science: believers and sceptics I

t may be said that the world is divided into science believers and science sceptics who sometimes come to blows on topics that vary from global warming to vaccinating a newborn child. Controversial issues are not only plentiful but, with advancing science, are likely to become more challenging.

Friction between scientific ideas and ethical standards are not unknown today as they have been practically through any moment in history, starting with the worries of Galileo several centuries ago down to the most recent concerns about genetic engineering of embryonic DNA. Take vaccination for example. Science emphasises that not only is it necessary to vaccinate our children against the common killing diseases, but that public health principles demand that the public is covered against them to ensure ‘herd immunity’.

And yet we find that the acceptance of this doctrine varies enormously, with the vaccination rate in Malta being over 90 per cent, whereas in places like Australia it stands at around 80 per cent – well below the level necessary to produce protection within the community.

This considerably increases the risk of epidemics within the community, as has happened recently in the UK and other places.

Other issues that have proved to be bones of contention between scientists and sceptics include climate change, genetically modified crops, embryo research, as well as, in places like the US, controversy about evolution and other issues relating to the

literal interpreta- Profs MauriceCauchi tion of biblical stories, which is so rampant in the US for instance.

Other challenges have arisen from new approaches to medical practice – including the flourishing of alternative medicine – which are often based on doubtful or nonexistent science. These have challenged well-established scientific principles and attracted converts who may claim a wikipedia-based knowledge.

One might blame these controversies on a lack of a basic scientific education, which ignores method and concentrates rather on details.

Science teaching often involves familiarity with some scientific facts of theoretical or practical significance, which is fine as far as it goes. What must be appreciated, however, is that science demands proof, derived by well-established and testable methods.

In medicine, for instance, no drug is acceptable unless it goes through a thorough process of investigation, the gold standard being what is called a ‘double blind controlled trial’, where a new drug is tested for serious complications, efficacy and therapeutic effect in comparison with control, with a special effort to control psychological (placebo) effects in both patient and administrator.

It is so much easier for the average person to accept the word of a friend or guru rather than undertake a serious investigation of a particular fad or theory.

It is also a fact that most objections to science come not from those who have never had the advantage of an education.

Lack of interest in vaccination does not come from the uneducated people in Africa who would gladly accept the advantages of these products if they were made available to them.

Sceptics seem to arise more frequently in the western world where general education is not lacking, in those who believe that they have a right to object without being scientifically qualified to do so.

This may be related to access to easy knowledge.

It is very easy for anyone who can read and is minimally computer literate to check on current knowledge from that cornucopia of information provided by the Internet.

It is, however, very easy to be biased and selective in one’s searches for knowledge if one does not have the necessary background to assess the value of such knowledge. One example will suffice.

If one is worried about, say, the complications of a certain drug or procedure, one could easily find this out by looking under a term like ‘complications’, and a long list of complications can be found.

This can frighten any reasonable person, but does not give a balance of risks of taking the particular drug against not taking it.

Complications are not unknown with most medications or medical procedures but these have to be balanced against the far greater risk of not taking them.

The same holds for vaccinations, and, indeed, with most scientific advances.

The need for encouraging scientific education in schools has long been recognised, and yet, science is still considered a difficult and even boring subject, which reflects more on the teachers than on the subject itself.

These days the need for the study of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is recognised worldwide. Added to these should be an appreciation of how science should be evaluated and how one can think scientifically to exclude myths and fads.

10 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Perspettiva A©ir mhux etiku fil-pajjiΩi K suppost avvanzati A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: http://ivancauchi.blogs pot.com

kitba ta’

IVAN CAUCHI

ull tant Ωmien, titfaçça storja li turi kemm it-tali pajjiΩ juri kemm l-etika fit-tmexxija filfatt ma tiswiex ˙abba. Storja minn dawn tittratta t-Timor tal-Lvant, li fl-2004 nnegozjat ftehim mal-Awstralja fuq il-fruntiera marittima bejn iΩ-Ωew© pajjiΩi. It-Timor tal-Lvant trid li dan ilftehim jer©a’ ji©i nnegozjat, min˙abba li waqt in-negozjati li kienu saru, l-Awstralja kienet spijat fuq in-na˙a TimoriΩa, tant li ©abet informazzjoni kunfidenzjali li tg˙addiet lin-na˙a Awstraljana biex ikollha vanta©© waqt in-negozjati.

L-istorja, kif irrappurtata mill-programm tal-ABC Awstraljana Lateline, hi li spiji Awstraljani kienu qed jin˙bew wara g˙ajnuna li kienet qed ting˙ata lil Il-pubbliku ta’ Timor jipprotestaw dan il-pajjiΩ fqir Asjatiku, biex jistallaw l-isfruttar tar-riΩorsi ta’ pajjiΩhom mikrofoni fil-palazz tal-gvern f'Dili, il- min-na˙a Awstraljana kapitali tal-pajjiΩ. Meta l-Prim Ministru TimoriΩ gerger ma’ dak li ma kienx komdu b'dak li kien g˙addej.

KaΩ çelebri ie˙or huwa dak ta' Edward Snowden, Amerikan li Awstraljan, dakinhar Julia Gillard, fuq li kien ©ara, din ça˙det dan kien ja˙dem mas-servizz sigriet Amerikan, is-CIA (Central Intelu bag˙tet fit-Timor lill-persuna li allegatament wettaq l-ispijar!1 Dan huwa kaΩ tassew tal-mist˙ija. Ma jidhirx li l-a©ir Awstral- ligence Agency) u ma kuntrattur tal-NSA (National Security Agenjan huwa illegali skont il-li©i Awstraljana, g˙ax l-a©enziji ta' in- cy) li kixef programmi estensivi ta' sorveljanza globali min-na˙a telli©enza Awstraljana g˙andhom il-funzjoni li ja˙dmu fl-interess Amerikana tal-Internet u t-telefonati, b'kollaborazzjoni ma' gvernimhux biss fil-qasam tas-sigurtà nazzjonali u r-relazzjonijiet bar- jiet o˙ra, fosthom Awstraljani, Brittanniçi u KanadiΩi. Dan kien jinkludi spijar anke fuq mexxejja ta' pajjiΩi ˙bieb, b˙all-Ìermanja.4 ranin, imma wkoll fl-interess tas-sa˙˙a ekonomika nazzjonali.2 Ma nistax ukoll ma nsemmix lil Julian Assange, Awstraljan li Fin-nofs hemm l-isfruttar ta' medda fuq il-ba˙ar imsej˙a Greater Sunrise, li hija stmata li g˙andha riΩorsi ta' petroljum li huma huwa l-fundatur tal-organizzazzjoni Wikileaks, li l-missjoni stmati li jiswew $40 biljun - ammont konsiderevoli fil-kuntest tag˙ha hi li tippubblika materjal li kien iççensurat jew ristrett li jinvolvi gwerer, l-ispijar u l-korruzzjoni.

Awstraljan, a˙seb u ara fil-kuntest TimoriΩ.

Dan kien irçieva, u l-Wikileaks ippubblika, materjal li kien Madankollu, dan l-a©ir huwa sewwa? Tajjeb li min hu g˙ani juΩa s-sofistikazzjoni tieg˙u biex jie˙u vanta©© minn min hu irçieva minn Bradley Manning, analista tal-armata Amerikana, fuq il-gwerra fl-Iraq u l-Afganistan, li kien jinkludi vidjo fejn dg˙ajjef?

Probabbli tg˙iduli li dan ilu jsir, xejn ©did. Dan jag˙mlu sewwa? ˙elikopter Amerikan spara fuq, u qatel ©emg˙a ta' individwi li Tajjeb li l-persuna li kixef dan l-a©ir, li ji©i rriferut b˙ala x-Xhud kienu n˙asbu li huma ©ellieda, imma li fil-fatt kienu tfal Iraqqini X, jitte˙idlu l-passaport biex ma jkunx jista' jmur personalment u ©urnalisti.5 Manning laqqat 35 sena l-˙abs g˙ar-rwol tieg˙u, u Assange ilu jag˙ti xhieda dwar dak li se˙˙ mal-Qorti Permanenti tal-Arbitra©© (Permanent Court of Arbitration - PCA) u titte˙idlu xhieda tliet snin f'kenn fl-ambaxxata tal-Ekwador f'Londra bil-biΩa’ li ji©i ma˙tuf mill-Istati Uniti. dwar il-kaΩ, fl-interess (dikjarat) tas-sigurtà nazzjonali?3 B˙ala prinçipju, mhux tajjeb li ji©i ppubblikat materjal li jpo©©i Tajjeb li l-Awstralja targumenta li l-PCA m'g˙andhiex ©urisdizzjoni fuq dan il-kaΩ, wara li kienet ikkritikat liç-Çina li f'periklu lil persuni li qed jag˙mlu xog˙ol fejjiedi. Dan çertament g˙amlet l-istess punt fuq il-kaΩ tal-gΩejjer fil-Paçifiku li qed tibni kien ir-riΩultat ta' parti mill-materjal li kien ˙are© ming˙and Snowden u Manning. baΩijiet militari fuqhom?

Madankollu, huwa tajjeb, u ˙afna wkoll, li a˙na, iç-çittadini li Ta' min jg˙id li l-Awstrala abbandunat dan l-argument ftit jiem g˙andna tant drittijiet fuq il-karta imma ftit li xejn fil-fatt meta ilu, wara li l-PCA rrifjutah.

Il-punt li nag˙mel hawn huwa li f'dan il-kaΩ, l-Awstralja tg˙id ninΩammu fl-injoranza ta' dak li verament g˙addej, insiru nafu li qed timxi fl-interess nazzjonali strett tag˙ha, akkost ta' kollox. bil-˙mie© li qed jitwettaq f'isimna, awtorizzat minn dawk li Qed ti©bed lejha b'kemm g˙andha sa˙˙a. Fejn hu l-fier? A˙na ntellg˙u biex jiggvernawna, u mwettaq minn dawk li jit˙allsu mit-taxxi li jittie˙du mill-g˙araq ta' ©binna. napprovaw a©ir b˙al dan?

X'eΩempju qed tag˙ti liç-çittadini tag˙ha? X'messa©© qed itReferenzi tina?

1. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-25/east-timor-greater-sunrisespy-scandal/6969830, retrieved 28/9/2016 X'qed jag˙mlu l-gvernijiet tag˙na, f'isimna? A˙na napprovaw?

2. Intelligence Services Act 2001, Section 11, as amended; Australian Huwa dan is-sens ta' gvernijiet mhux jimxu fl-interess tal-poplu Government li qed iwassal lil çerti persuni li jkunu jafu b’li jkung˙addej, nor3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/asio-raided-lawyer-representmalment g˙ax ikollhom aççess g˙al din l-informazzjoni, li j˙ossu ing-east-timor-in-spying-case/5132486, retrieved 29/9/2016 li moralment g˙andhom jie˙du azzjoni biex jikxfu dak li qed isir 4.http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-23123964, retrieved u jsaffru s-suffara (whistleblower).

29/9/2016 F'dan il-kaΩ Awstraljan u l-ispijar Awstraljan fuq il-gvern tat5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/judge-toTimor tal-Lvant, ix-Xhud X jing˙ad li kien direttur tas-servizz sentence-bradley-manning-today/2013/08/20/85bee184-09d0-11e3-b87csigriet Awstraljan ASIS (Australian Secret Intelligence Service), 476db8ac34cd_story.html, retrieved 29/9/2016

Tuesday October 11, 2016

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Who Would ISIS Vote For? H

“

illary Clin- by GwynneDyer Secondly, without those assets, terrorists must ton's weaknot engage in frontal assaults and stand-up batness while she was Secretary of State tles against powerful opponents (usually govhas emboldened terrorists all over the world to ernments) who do have them. attack the US, even on our own soil,” wrote Thirdly, it can therefore only succeed by Donald Trump on Facebook after the bombing tricking those more powerful forces into doing in New York on September 17. “They are hopthings that really serve the terrorists’ purposes. ing and praying that Hillary Clinton becomes What is the ultimate goal of Islamic State and President, that they can continue their savagery similar jihadi groups? Obviously, it is to come and murder.” to power in various parts of the Muslim world.

Mrs. Clinton replied two days later by brandIf they ever manage to become a government ing the Republican presidential candidate a “rethey may develop further ambitions (for then cruiting sergeant for the terrorists.” Indeed, in they would have a large army and lots of an interview on Israeli television this month, money), but taking power is the crucial first Mrs. Clinton said Islamic State was praying for step. a Trump victory. There’s clearly a lot of prayClearly the terrorists do not have mass suping going on, but whose victory are the jihadi fanatics really port in their own countries, or they would already be in power. praying FOR? In order to build that mass support – it doesn’t have to be maThere’s no point in asking them, because they are likely to lie jority support, but they do need a lot of people behind them – about it. At least half of them are smart enough to realise that they need a villain that will push people into their arms. if Islamist extremists openly express a preference for one canThat villain can be either the government that currently rules didate, American voters will tend to back the other. (Tactical the country, or a foreign power that invades the country, but in voting is a time-honoured practice, but it does encourage tacti- either case it must be provoked into behaving very badly. Only cal lying.) torture chambers and/or cluster bombs will make the mass of Besides, it’s really hard for the opinion pollsters to contact a the population so desperate that they turn to the revolutionaries statistically valid sample of the fighters of Islamic State by for help.

To get the torture and the bombing going, the target government phone. We’re going to have to figure out their views without their help – but happily, this is not very hard to do. Their must become so frightened and enraged that it starts using them weapon is terrorism, and there is a clear, universally acknowl- on a large scale. That’s what the terrorism is actually for: to make governments over-react and behave very badly. Then the terroredged doctrine on how that weapon works.

Well, it was univerists might actually Who to vote for, Donald sally acknowledged in build enough support Trump or Hillary Clinton? the 1970s and the to win.

1980s, when the Terrorism is not just world was littered blind hatred. It is a with revolutionary technique used by movements using terruthless but intellirorist methods. The gent leaders with coleaders themselves herent strategies and wrote about how terclear political goals, rorism served their and the violence is goals, and a generanever “senseless”. tion of Western miliBin Laden’s strategy tary leaders studied in carrying out the how best to combat it.

9/11 attacks, for exUnsurprisingly, they ample, was to procame to the same voke the United conclusions about States into invading how terrorism actuMuslim countries. ally worked – and It worked, and the that it didn’t work invasions gave a huge very well. boost to the popularSo the revolutionary ity of the jihadi movement. Indeed, movements either won (occasionally) or Islamic State and its else gradually faded away. The generation of Western military clones could never have gained power without those invasions.

All terrorism is a kind of political jiu-jitsu, in which a relatively leaders who had actually confronted terrorism and learned how to respond to it got old and retired, and the knowledge was lost. weak group tries to goad a far stronger force into doing someSome truly stupid things were said and done in the first years thing very big and stupid. Terrorism doesn’t just thrive on overafter the 9/11 attacks in 2001. “They are attacking us because reaction. It cannot succeed without it.

So now ask yourself: which of the American presidential canthey hate our values!”, for example, or “We’ll invade Iraq and root them out!” (There were no terrorists in Iraq before the in- didates is more likely to over-react to a terrorist provocation?

Okay, so now you know whose victory the terrorists are really vasion.) But a new generation of Western soldiers has finally grasped how terrorism works. The terrorists themselves, of praying for. course, knew it all along.

Three basic facts about terrorism. First, it is the weapon of *Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose artichoice for the weak, because it does not require a large army, cles are published in 45 countries. From time to time he also contributes to The Voice of the Maltese. sophisticated weapons or a lot of money.

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Roundup of News About Malta

87% of foreign investors consider Malta good for investment T

he results of a global survey conducted by Ernst & Young (EY) consultancy company titled Malta’s Attractiveness Survey 2016, The Future is today paints a very optimistic view of Malta with four out of every five foreign investors considering it to remain attractive for investment. It also indicated that this year’s scores of 87% of respondents in favour of Malta are the highest in the last three years.

Malta’s tax regime remains attractive and has now been rated as the strongest factor luring foreign investment. However, it might be wise to sound a note of caution on this, the survey indicates.

EY’s survey forms part of its global initiative that gathers the views of foreign direct investors in various countries and regions. For this year’s survey, top executives representing current foreign direct investors responded to questions on Malta’s FDI attractiveness and related themes.

Nonetheless, the country needs to remain proactive to exploit fresh areas for investment as well as create fresh opportunities to retain current foreign investors and attract new ones, the survey found.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents believe Malta will remain attractive in three years' time, and expansions by 53% of current FDIs in a year’s time, and a long-term presence in the country by 79% of them is envisaged.

The attractiveness scoreboard shows that for existing investors corporate taxation, the stability of the social climate and the stability and transparency of the political, legal and regulatory environment are among the most attractive FDI parameters for Malta.

As in previous years, the majority of respondents (71%) believe that iGaming will drive Malta’s growth in the next five years. ICT and telecoms (50%), followed by different financial services (47%), are the next most popular choices.

The survey found that a solid majority of respondents (71%) also believe that Malta is keeping pace with regulatory changes in competing jurisdictions, with the scenario increasing the need to strive to build a healthy and robust ecosystem for these serviced industries to continue to boost their interest in Malta, today and tomorrow.

Least attractive remain Malta’s domestic and regional market, its limited R&D and innovation environments and its transport and logistics infrastructure.

The presentation was made in the presence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, who both also expressed their ‘opposite’ views’ as to the future of investment.

The Prime Minister said that Malta would continue to experience positive resuls in the economy, while Busuttil said corruption, which he sees a the country’s problem, was hindering investment.

Qatari leading company acquires 78.5% stake in Malta-based bank

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Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, addressing the media in the presence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (right)

l Faisal Holding, one of Qatar’s leading private companies has made its first financial services investment in Europe, and particularly in Malta, by acquiring a 78.5% stake in Banif Bank Malta for an undisclosed amount. The group said this will be its first financial services investment in Europe but hoped that it will only be the first of many investments in the region.

Al Faisal Holding, which was established in the 1960s as a small trading company in spare parts is very important in Qatar especially for attracting many foreign investments and creating immense career

Malta to focus on core issue s during EU counc il preside ncy

D

uring its six-month EU council presidency that starts in January 2017, Malta would be focusing its attention and efforts on a number of core issues of importance to the EU and Malta alike, with immigration, security, competitivity and the EU single market in the forefront.

Addressing the Core Group of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSEC), Parliamentary secretary Ian Borg said that as soon as Malta takes over the presidency it would call for a meeting of senior officials from EU Mediterranean and North African states to see what was holding them back from starting to implement a migration agenda agreed upon during last November’s summit in Val-

letta. Malta feels it was most importance that an action plan is drawn up to follow up that meeting.

Malta would also push for – at minimum – a broad agreement on the reforms necessary to the Common European Asylum System that would see that all member states would participate in the burden-sharing on the issue of immigration that is currently mostly being carried by Border States in the southern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.

He said during the Presidency, the country would also work to push through legislation to turn the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) into a fullyfledged agency, and focus on security, competitivity and the EU internal market.

opportunities. It has played a significant role in the development of the Qatar economy and infrastructure, and been able to keep pace with the prosperity and growth of Qatar.

Making the announcement at a press conference that was also addressed by Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said, the agreement has great strategic importance for Malta because Banif is the third largest player in the island’s commercial banking sector.

He was confident that the new owners had a business outlook similar to that of the government. While referring to the recently announced investments from Jordan, Azerbaijan, China and the US, he added that this investment was also a signal that Malta is open to business from all parts of the world.

Sheikh Faisal said Malta was chosen because it is developing at a fast pace and is well positioned in surrounding markets. He added: “There is great potential for expansion.

We have found strong support by the government and the people here. Malta is a good place to invest.”

The remaining shareholding in Banif Bank is equally split between four Maltese shareholders,

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Roundup of News About Malta

Tourist arrivals surpass quarter million barrier in just one month

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or the first time ever, tourist arrivals to Malta surpassed the quarter of a million barrier with records arrivals estimated at 256,782, an increase of 3.4 per cent when compared to the same month last year.

The National Statistics Office

January-August figures show 8.3 % increase over 2015 (NS0) indicated that 228,428 visited the island on holiday, and 7,295 for business purposes The number of tourists from EU states went up by 2.1% to 220,149 with the UK registering

the largest absolute increase of 21,509 more tourists compared to same period last year; Italy followed with 12,923 more tourists.

Significant growths were also recorded from Germany, France, Scandinavia, Spain, Netherlands and the US. Total nights spent in Malta went up by 0.7 per cent when compared to August last year, amounting to 2,375,917 nights, while total tourist expenditure was estimated at €270.9 million.

In the first eight months of the year (January - August) arrivals totalled 1,308,519, an increase of 8.3 per cent over the same period last year, while total tourism expenditure, estimated at €1,156.9 million, is 3.6% higher than that recorded for 2015, an increase of €40 million more in direct revenue in the economy.

In a statement, the Malta

Tourism Authority said that the tourism industry is reaping the benefits of MTA’s strategy to diversify the source markets, attract a relatively younger age tourist motivated by both leisure and business reasons.

In his reaction to the published figures, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said: “This is truly a historic achievement.”

During a visit to the Institute of Tourism Studies’ main campus in St Julian’s for Freshers’ Week, the Minister explained that Malta’s tourism competitiveness could only be sustained if growth is accompanied by the development of, and investment in human resources.

To this end, the government has been engaging all related stakeholders to secure their commitment towards measures designed to enhance the working conditions and the professional quality of the tourism workforce.

Minister Louis Grech (left) greeting British HC Stuart Gil

Malta hosts 1st IMO Maritime Summit or three days, October 3-6, register has become one of the F Malta hosted the first ever leading flag States with over 70 Malta-UK relations will still Maritime Summit, under the aus- million gross tons registered.

He thanked the shipping stakepices of the International MarOrganisation (IMO), with holders for the support and the remain strong after Brexit itime the participation of key shipping trust they have afforded to Marr. Louis Grech, Minister plained why the British Govern- Ministers and policy makers. It itime Malta over the years to beMfor European Affairs and ment was being cautious on discussed the future of the ship- come one of the leading shipping Implementation of the Electoral when it would invoke Article 50 ping industry and the role it nations in the EU and the world.

Manifesto, told the new British High Commissioner to Malta, Mr Stuart Gill that despite Brexit, Malta wants to maintain strong ties between the two countries, and in fact was determined to ensure that the two countries would continue to have excellent bilateral relations on many fronts During a courtesy call to introduce himself to Minister Grech, the British HC said Brexit was a challenging process and this ex-

of the Treaty, since the UK had to work out what kind of new relationship it should have with the Union.

Minister Grech said that because of the complexities of the issues concerned and, in the wake of Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, next year, the Ministry for European Affairs is setting up a Brexit Unit that would ensure better co-ordination and smoother processes.

would continue to play.

Malta has been a member of the IMO since 1966 when it was established at a UN convention that June. As an international maritime centre and in particular as one of the largest shipping registers in the World, Malta is an active participant of the IMO. Addressing the European Community Ship Owners Association, ECSA, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi said that nowadays, the Maltese

He said the Maltese Government felt privileged at the trust being shown by the industry.

He reiterated Malta’s uninterrupted support for the work of IMO and the importance the government continues to attach to the further development and upgrading of the marine sector in a sustainable manner to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Fost l–aqwa imma xorta nilmentaw

I

Il-Ministru Michael Farrugia jniedi d-dokument tal-Politika Nazzjonali kontra l-Alko˙ol

Titnieda Politika Nazzjonali dwar l-abbuΩ tal-alko˙ol

B

il-g˙an li ti©i mi©©ielda lproblema tax-xorb alko˙oliku fost Ωg˙aΩag˙ ta’ ta˙t l-eta` u waqt is-sewqan, ilgvern be˙siebu j˙arrax il-pieni, g˙alhekk il-Ministru g˙all-Familja u Solidarjetà Soçjali Michael Farrugia nieda d-dokument tal-Politika Nazzjonali dwar lAlko˙ol g˙al konsultazzjoni pubblika.

Huwa fisser li dan id-dokument qed iressaq g˙add ta’ proposti li permezz tag˙hom se jkunu indirizzati g˙add ta’ sfidi, fosthom ixxorb fost dawk li g˙andhom inqas minn sbatax-il sena, li jin˙oloq aktar g˙arfien dwar l-uΩu eççessiv tax-xorb, filwaqt li ti©i indirizzata l-problema tas-sewqan ta˙t l-influwenza tal-alko˙ol.

Hemm 24 proposta ma˙suba li jg˙inu li jintla˙aq dan il-g˙an.

Fost dawn hemm disg˙a li speçifikament huma mmirati lejn Ωg˙azag˙ ta˙t l-eta`, l-infurzar ta’ le©iΩlazzjoni bit-tama li tillimita bl-aktar mod tan©ibbli l-bejg˙, ixxiri, il-konsum u l-provvista ta’ prodotti tal-alko˙ol lil dawk ta˙t is-sbatax-il sena; tmienja lejn ilkonsum mill-publiku in©enerali u sebg˙a direttament lejn il-problema tas-sewqan ta˙t l-influwenza tal-alko˙ol.

Fost kollox hemm proposti pieni aktar ˙orox g˙all-bejjieg˙a u ddistributuri li jinstabu ˙atja li jiksru l-li©i.

Qed ukoll ji©i propost li jkun hemm pieni aktar ˙orox kontra dawk li jinqabdu jsuqu ta˙t l-influwenza tax-xorb alko˙oliku.

Lanqas hu permess li sewwieqa ta’ vetturi tal-passi©©ieri, b˙al

taxis, mini buses u xarabanks jixorbu l-alko˙ol qabel jew waqt ix-xog˙ol.

Il-Ministru semma wkoll g˙add ta’ kampanji edukattivi li se ji©u mnedija b’kollaborazzjoni malpulizija u l-ministeru tal-edukazzjoni biex ti©i spjegata l-˙sara li ssir mill-abbuΩ tal-alko˙ol.

l-midja saret iffissata fl-istatistika. Kull ©img˙a nisimg˙u u naqraw statistika dwar kemm ja˙dmu nies, kemm ©ew turisti, kif sejrin il-partiti u l-mexxejja tag˙hom... insomma statistika dwar kollox.

Statistika li ˙arget waqt li qed nikteb dan l-artiklu, hi dwar is-servizzi tas-sa˙˙a ta’ diversi pajjiΩi madwar id-dinja, b’©urnal internazzjonali li jispeçjalizza dwar is-sa˙˙a, ''The Lancet'', jqabbel is-servizzi tas-sa˙˙a f’188 pajjiΩ tad-dinja.

O˙ro© il-g˙a©eb Malta ©iet klassifikata fl-14-il post minn fost tant pajjiΩi.

U ma ©ejnix ferm aktar ‘il quddiem g˙ax morna ˙aΩin f’dak li g˙andu x’jaqsam mal-obeΩità kif ukoll fir-rigward tal-HIV u t-tipjip.

Malta kisbet l-og˙la punti (100) f’diversi indikaturi, fosthom dwar kemm g˙andna livell g˙oli ta’ sanità, livelli g˙oljin ta’ servizzi mediçi waqt ittwelid, u livelli g˙oljin ta’ t˙ejjija g˙ad-diΩastri.

Malta kisbet riΩultat tajjeb ukoll dwar kemm tipprovdi servizzi ta’ sa˙˙a b’xejn, prevalenza baxxa tal-Hepatitis B, u rata baxxa ta’ suwiçidji fost lo˙rajn.

G˙idt o˙ro© il-g˙a©eb g˙ax min jisma’ u jaqra lmidja lokali ˙lief ilmenti dwar is-servizzi tas-sa˙˙a ma jismax... ma jaqrax.

Tg˙id dan g˙ax a˙na lMaltin insibuha ˙afifa biex nilmentaw, imma mbag˙ad insibuha bi tqila wisq biex nag˙tu prosit, u nammettu li l-affarijiet sejrin tajjeb?!?!

Kwestjoni ta’ interpretazzjoni

W

ara s-snin mqanqla tas-sittinijiet fejn ilkwestjoni politika reli©juΩa kienet tiddomina x-xena lokali, il-mexxejja tal-Knisja Maltija dejjem Ωammew lura fejn tid˙ol il-politika u qag˙du attenti kif jitkellmu fwar materji li jistg˙u jqanqlu polemika politika.

Biss bil-˙atra tal-Arçisqof preΩenti, Mons.

Charles Scicluna, l-affarijiet inbidlu. Ma damx ma stqarr li ˙add ma kien se jΩommu milli jikkummenta dwar dak li kien qed ji©ri fil-pajjiΩ.

Attwalment, l-Arçisqof Scicluna, li bl-iktar mod çar, tbieg˙ed mill-prattika tal-predeçessuri tieg˙u li joqog˙du attenti u jΩommu ‘l bog˙od mill-isfera politika, fl-a˙˙ar xhur g˙adda diversi kummenti fl-omeliji tieg˙u dwar in-nuqqasijiet tal-politiçi.

Sintendi dan ©ab diversi reazzjonijiet, fosthom minn partitarji Laburisti, l-aktar dawk li g˙andhom çerta eta`, li kkritikaw bl-a˙rax lillArçisqof. Sa˙ansitra l-eks-deputat Nazzjonalista, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando sa wasal biex qal li n˙olqot koalizzjoni biex tg˙in lill-Partit Nazzjonalista u li jiffurmawha hemm, "il-Knisja lokali mmexxija mill-Arçisqof Scicluna, il-midja 'indipendenti' u xi uffiçjali amministrattivi."

Kliem iebes fil-konfront tal-Arçisqof meta wie˙ed iqis li ˙afna minn dak li qal l-Arçisqof flomelija tal-quddiesa ta’ Jum l-Independenza jag˙mel sens. IΩda wie˙ed ma jistax jag˙ti tort g˙al kollox lil dawk li ˙ar©u jg˙idu li bi kliemu lArçisqof seta’ jitqies b˙ala li qed jag˙ti palata lill-

Partit Nazzjonalista.

G˙ax sa˙ansitra saçerdot ˙are© jikkritika lill-Partit Nazzjonalista li interpreta kliem l-Arçisqof b˙ala kritika g˙all-Gvern preΩenti.

Infatti, Fr David Muscat, fil-gazzetta l-Arçisqof The Times, wissa lillCharles Scicluna partitarji Nazzjonalisti biex joqog˙du lura milli juΩaw il-knisja u kliem l-Arçisqof g˙al skopijiet parti©©jani, g˙aliex ikunu qed jag˙mlu ˙sara kbira lill-knisja.

G˙amel referenza g˙at-tattika li qed juΩa’ l-Partit Nazzjonalista, li jpin©i lill-Arçisqof Charles Scicluna b˙ala alleat tal-Partit.

Fr Muscat sa˙ansitra allega li r-reazzjoni talPartit Nazzjonalista g˙al kull omelija talArçisqof qed turi li g˙alihom l-Arçisqof huwa attivist minn ta’ quddiem tal-Partit tag˙hom.

U na˙seb li dan hu propju l-qofol kollu talkwestjoni, mhux attwalment x’jg˙id l-Arçisqof, iΩda l-mod kif dak li jg˙id qed ji©i nterpretat minn u˙ud biex jippruvaw jag˙mlu gwadan politiku.

Tg˙id kieku min-na˙a tal-Kurja jkun hemm appell biex kliem l-Arçisqof ma ji©ix uΩat kif jaqbel lil xi partit ma jistax iwaqqaf çerta’ kritika u suspetti?

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Leo Brincat approvat

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if ©ie mbassar mil-midja lokali – Leo Brincat ©ie approvat b˙ala Awditur tal-Unjoni Ewropea, biex ng˙idu hekk b’vot unanimu, g˙ax attwalment ma ttie˙ed l-ebda vot, billi fil-Kunsill tal-Ministri f’kaΩijiet b˙al dawn jittie˙ed vot jekk wie˙ed mill-Ministri preΩenti (jkun hemm Ministru minn kull pajjiΩ talUnjoni Ewropea) li jitlob li ssir votazzjoni.

IΩda l-polemika tal-˙atra ta’ Brincat ma

David Casa... fera˙ imma vvota kontra?

waqfitx. L-ewwelnett g˙ax min-na˙a talOppoΩizzjoni ntqal li b’dak li se˙˙ ilGvern Malti se jidher ikreh mal-Parlament tal-UE, g˙ax l-insistenza li jsir Brincat se titqies b˙ala sfida lil dan il-Parlament. Óalli mbag˙ad kien hemm min wie©eb li allura bl-istess ra©unar il-Parlament Ewropew ©ie sfidat mill-Ministri tal-pajjiΩi kollha tal-UE billi kienu dawn li approvaw lil Brincat minkejja l-vot tal-Parlament talUE. Qamet polemika wkoll g˙ax ©ie svelat li MEP Nazzjonalista - David Casa, l-ewwel kien fera˙ lil Brincat meta dan kien g˙adda mill-ewwel test meta sarlu lgrilling, biex imbag˙ad l-istess deputat ivvota kontra Brincat fil-votazzjoni talParlament Ewropew.

Ta’ min jg˙id ukoll li min st˙arri© li sar dwar dan il-kaΩ mis-sit elettroniku: illum.com.mt fejn ivvutaw 2,100 persuna, jirriΩulta li 72% jew 1,500 persuna li ˙adu sehem f’dan l-ist˙arri© jemmnu li l-Partit Nazzjonalista ˙adem kontra n-nomina ta’ Brincat g˙all-Qorti Ewropea tal-Awdituri.

Min-na˙a l-o˙ra mbag˙ad, kienu kwaΩi 25%, li jemmnu li l-votazzjoni marret kif

D

Mangion Walker f’Lulju u ftit jiem ilu Caroline Magri. It-tnejn ommijiet. Ûew© kaΩijiet fejn dawk mixlija bilqtil sofrew problemi mentali, tant li l-ist˙arri© tal-Pulizija kellu ji©i sospiΩi. Ûew© kaΩi fejn il-vittma kellha relazzjoni ma’ dak mixli bil-qtil.

Mill-1800 sal-lum, nafu li nqatlu 137, u li 40% minnhom kienu kaΩijiet fejn ir-ra©el qatel lil martu.

ssa g˙andna lverΩjoni talIFace-book bil-

Malti wkoll.

Veru li xi kliem uΩat mhux daqshekk feliçi, imma dan hu avvanz kbir g˙alina l-Maltin, g˙ax tal-inqas ilsienna, issa ng˙aqad ma xi mitt ilsien ie˙or uΩati mill-Face-

Q

book.

Jekk trid taqleb g˙all Malti. Mur fuq id-dropdown menu tal-Facebook fuq firrokna tal-lemin, g˙aΩel Settings, imbag˙ad Language u g˙aΩel Maltese mil-lista li tidher fuq l-iskrin. Issejvja ttibdiliet li tkun g˙amilt. U hemm int, g˙andek il-Facebook bl-ilsien Malti.

Issa naraw kemm attwalment se jkun hemm Maltin li jag˙mlu dan.

It-tajr jg˙id tieg˙u ... jattakka lill-AirMalta

t-tajr ma jitkellimx, iΩda donnu li xorta Itenzjoni b’xi mod isib mezz ta’ kif ji©bdilna l-atli l-ajru huwa r-renju tieg˙u.

Dan urieh propju meta g˙add ©mielu ta’ tajr attakka ajruplan tal-AirMalta… u min˙abba fih l-ajruplan kellu ji©i rtirat mis-

G˙alih çajta ... g˙all-Qorti Le

al li g˙amel dak li g˙amel b˙ala çajta. Imma l-qorti ma qablitx u sabitu ˙ati. Óaddiem tal-Gozo Channel, sab pakkett flus ta’ madwar €3,000 li fuq baggage trailer li kien qed juΩa impjegat ie˙or. Qabdu u tefg˙u fil-boot tal-karozza tieg˙u.

Tistg˙u ta˙sbu x’panik qabdu dak li ma sabx il-pakkett. Irrapporta l-uffiççju tal-Gozo Channel u malajr bdiet it-tfittxija. Sag˙tejn wara dak li ˙a l- pakkett qal lil min kien ifittex li dan g˙amlu b˙ala çajta, biex jara r-reazzjoni.

marret min˙abba li l-kaΩ Panama tefa’ dell ikrah fuq Brincat, li f’vot ta’ sfiduçja kontra l-Ministru Konrad Mizzi, ivvota malGvern. Dawn jemmnu li dan il-kaΩ kollu tefa’ dell ikreh fuq Malta.

Kienu biss 1.35% li qalu li Brincat ma kienx kompetenti, u kien g˙alhekk li lma©©oranza vvutat kontrih.

Insomma, issa Brincat ©ie aççettat u feta˙ post fil-Parlament Malti g˙al deputat ©did billi sintendi dan kellu jirriΩenja mill-Parlament Malti biex jie˙u postu fil-Qorti talAwdituri.

Issa Facebook bil-Malti

In-Nisa fil-Mira? onnu li f’dawn la˙˙ar snin kienu n-nisa fil-mira tal-qtil.

Infatti f’dawn l-a˙˙ar sitt snin kien hemm 12il kaΩ ta’ qtil ta’ nisa li nafu bihom fil-gΩejjer Maltin. Medja ta’ wa˙da kull sitt xhur.

Din is-sena, s-sitwazzjoni kienet ag˙ar g˙ax f’inqas minn tliet xhur, inqatlu Ωew© nisa, u fiΩ-Ωew© kaΩi hemm elementi tassew komuni..

L-ewwel Eleanor

Leo Brincat... issa fil-Qorti tal-Awdituri

Din taç-çajta sa˙ansitra ©iet aççettata mit-tmexxija tal-Gozo Channel, iΩda mhux tal-istess fehma kien il-Magistrat wara li x-xhud stqarr li attwalment waqt it-tfittxija, avolja kien jaf li qed issir it-tfittxija ˙alla ˙afna ˙in jg˙addi qabel irritorna lpakkett.

Dak li ˙a l-pakkett ©ie kkundannat jag˙mel 50 sieg˙a ta’ xog˙ol fil-komunità ming˙ajr ˙las u mmultat €152.

Naqbel mal-Ma©istrat, g˙ax hemm çajt u çajt.

servizz biex jissewwa mill-in©iniera talkumpanija.

L-irtirar tal-ajruplan wassal g˙al dewmien fit-tluq ta’ g˙axar titjiriet tal-AirMalta.

Tg˙id it-tajr ried iwissina biex noqog˙du attenti kif nid˙lu fl-ispazju tieg˙u?

Leo’s Vehicle Rentals Guaranteed cheapest rates All vehicles in NRMA road Service

Low holding Deposit Discount for weekly rentals Shuttle service to the Airport

Phone: 9622 2208 Mob: 0418 405 271 102 Kildare Rd Blacktown NSW 2148

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

A quick glimpse at Australia

Australia, ‘a nation that can no longer house its own children’

I

n a major speech, The case for the Middle Class to the McKell Institute in Melbourne, Chris Bowen Labor Shadow Treasurer said Australia has become “a nation that can no longer house its own children and warned, with soaring home prices cutting young people out of the market and a generation facing a crisis in affordability.”

Mr. Bowen said the growing wealth of the super-rich one per cent - and the relative decline in middle-class incomes - has caused the surging popularity of nativist parties like the Nick Xenophon Team and Pauline Hanson's One Nation, Donald Trump in the United States and the success of the "Brexit" campaign.

Labor's chief economic spokesman said the declining rates of home ownership

among younger Australians, which for many is now just a "pipe dream", are of most concern.

"Overall home ownership in Australia is at a 60-year low. In 1982, 62 per cent of people aged 25-34 owned their own home. By 2012, this had collapsed down to just 42 per cent," Over the last 25 years, young people have gone from having to pay just five times, to now having to pay up to 15 times their annual income to purchase a new home." he said.

"Hawke and Keating understood that while undertaking the opening up of the economy, this was only one part of the story. As they floated the dollar, deregulated foreign involvement in our financial system and brought down tariffs, they instituted Medicare, provided the social wage and lifted school retention rates.

Chris Bowen

They understood that these were vital reassurances."

Chris Bowen is the federal Member for McMahon in NSW. His wife is of Maltese descent.

One in a 50-year weather event in South Australia he State of South Australia was hit by T more than 80,000 lightning strikes, including a direct attack on a power station, during savage storms that brought down 22 electricity transmission poles. It was an unprecedented state-wide power blackout “one in 50-year” weather event. Experts said it had nothing to do with wind generation.

Bruce Mountain, director of carbon and energy markets at consultants CME said the state's power supply dipped by 40 per cent after the weather knocked out transmission lines from interstate and gas-fired generators close to Adelaide could not increase production quickly enough to make up the demand.

"The loss of so much capacity led quite quickly to the automatic disconnection of the interconnectors and hence the cascading failure of the South Australian power system," he said.

The prevailing expert view of the causes of

the blackout did not prevent the PM Turnbull and senior colleagues focusing on renewable energy Australia-wide, with Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg directed by the Prime Minister to gather state energy ministers to discuss the supply issue.

Forty per cent of SA's electricity generation is from wind turbines. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten hit back, saying it was "disgraceful" that Mr. Turnbull and his team were playing politics over a natural disaster and that Mr. Joyce would be all over the Greens "like a rash" if they used a bushfire, for example, to talk about climate change.

"The fact that 20 transmission towers were blown down by almost cyclonic winds is not due to a renewable energy target; it's due to the weather," he said. Greens Energy spokesman Adam Bandt described Mr.Turnbull's position as "reprehensible."

An angry SA Premier Jay Weatherill denied renewables were to blame, describing the incident as a "catastrophic failure of infrastructure which brought down our network, there will [always] be somebody who will use a crisis to pull out their real agenda, which is they don't like renewable energy," he said.

The October long weekend

abour Day observed in NSW, ACT, SA, L and Qld is an annual public holiday that celebrates the eight-hour working day, a victory for workers in the mid-late 19th century.

The argument for the eight-hour day was based on the need for each person to have eight hours labour, eight hours recreation and eight hours rest.

In the early 19th century, most labourers worked 10- or 12-hour days for six days each week. The 1850s brought a strong push for better conditions. A significant part of the push began in 1855 in Sydney. On April 21 1856, in Melbourne, the stonemasons’ workers staged a well-organised protest. They downed tools and walked to Parliament House. Their fight was for an 8-hour day, effectively a 48-hour week to replace the 60hour week. The government agreed to an 8-hour day for workers employed on public works, with no loss of pay.

The win was a world first but did not end all labour problems. Many working conditions were harsh and demanding, and women were paid a lot less than men. *Continued on opposite page

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday October 11, 2016

A quick glimpse at Australia

Driverless cars soon

A

report by the NSW standing committee on road safety concluded that opening up NSW roads to driverless cars is likely to be held back in the same way as different track gauges for states stymied the railway industry more than a century ago unless a national approach is taken to the new technology. The national regulation of autonomous vehicles will maximise the road safety benefits of the technology while minimising the risks.

Driverless technology in Australia is developing rapidly, and unless a national approach is taken, the committee warned the country runs a major risk of fragmentation due to each state taking its own approach. "Perhaps the single most important thing we can do is to be prepared," it said.

Late last year in Adelaide, Volvo conducted the first test of an autonomous vehicle in the southern hemisphere. Several months later, South Australia passed laws allowing on-road trials of driverless vehicles. Ford announced that esearch published by the CSIRO in in 2021 it's planning to release an au2011 showed that while shark attacks tonomous car without a steering wheel, brake or throttle pedals, designed for ride-sharing. in Australia have increased in the past 20 years, the number of fatalities has remained

Shark attacks in Australia steady (about one per year).

R The rise in attacks in recent decades "coincides with an increasing human popula-

October long weekend

*from opposite page But the victory for the 8-hour day was significant and several hundred building workers marched in a parade in May 1856 to celebrate their win. * October 13, 2015 amendments to the Holidays Act 1983 were passed prescribing that from 2016, Labour Day public holiday is to be observed on first Monday in May and the Queen’s Birthd, a public holiday is to be observed on the first Monday in October.

We are in Daylight Saving Time

aylight Saving Time (DST) in Australia began at 2am on the first Sunday in OcD tober (October 2), when clocks were put forward one hour. It ends at 2am (which is 3am Daylight Saving Time) on the first Sunday in April, when clocks are put back one hour.

Daylight Saving Time is the practice of advancing clocks one hour during the warmer months of the year. In Australia, Daylight saving is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. It is not observed in Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia.

Australia uses three main time zones, Australian Western Standard Time (AWST; UTC+08:00), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST; UTC+09:30), and Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST; UTC+10:00).

The individual state governments regulate time. Some of them observe daylight saving time (DST). Australia's external territories observe different time zones.

Standard time was introduced in the 1890s when all of the Dominions adopted it. Before the switch to standard time zones, each local city or town was free to determine its local time, called local mean time.

Now, Western Australia uses Western Standard Time. South Australia and the Northern Territory use Central Standard Time, while New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) use Eastern Standard Time.

tion, more people visiting beaches, a rise in the popularity of water-based fitness and recreational activities and people accessing previously isolated coastal areas."

It concluded that: "The increase in shark attacks over the past two decades is consistent with international statistics of shark attacks increasing annually because of the greater numbers of people in the water."

NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair announced the government will install a further 85 smart drumlines along the north coast. Former Prime Minister and part-time surfer Tony Abbott (pictured) weighed into the debate and went one step further.

As well as advocating for shark nets, he called for the state government to adopt controversial shark culling, declaring: "If it's a choice between people and animals, I'm on the side of the people every time."

But another surfer, federal Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker, said his community is strongly opposed to shark culling. Smart drumlines are baited hooks attached to buoys that send alerts to authorities once a shark is hooked so it can be tagged.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

A sixth sense? How we can tell that eyes are watching us?

HarrietDempsey-Jones (Postdoctoral Researcher in Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford)

W

e’ve all had that feeling that somebody is watching us – even if we’re not looking directly at their eyes. Sometimes we even experience a feeling of being watched by someone completely outside our field of vision. But how can we explain this phenomenon without resorting to psuedoscientific explanations like extrasensory perception (or a “sixth sense”)?

The human fascination with eyes lies at the heart of the issue. Eyes are the window into the soul, goes the saying. And it’s no wonder we’re so interested in them – the human brain is highly tuned to lock onto the gaze of others.

It’s been suggested that there’s a widespread neural network in the brain just dedicated to the processing of gaze. Scientists have already identified a specialised group of neurons in the macaque brain that fire specifically when a monkey is under the direct gaze of another.

We also appear to be wired for gaze perception. The mechanism that detects eyes and shifts our attention towards them may be innate – newborns just two to five days old prefer staring at faces with direct gaze, for example, (over averted gaze).

It’s not just our brains that are specialised to draw us to the gaze of others – our eyes are also exceptionally formed to catch attention and easily reveal the direction of gaze. Indeed, our eye structure is distinct from almost all other species.

The area of our eye surrounding our pupil (the sclera) is very large and completely white. This makes it very easy to discern the direction of someone’s gaze.

In many animals, by contrast, the pupil takes up a lot of the eye, or the sclera is darker. This is thought to be an adaptation to camouflage the eye in predators – cleverly hiding the direction of gaze from potential prey.

But why is gaze so important that it needs all this specialised processing? Basically, eyes provide us with insights into when something meaningful is happening. Shifts in attention from another person are able to, almost reflexively redirect our attention in line with their gaze.

Our heightened attention to gaze is thought to have evolved to support cooperative interactions between humans, and is argued to form the foundation for many of our more complex social skills.

Disturbances of normal gaze processing are seen across a wide range of conditions.

For example, people on the autistic spectrum spend less time in general fixating on

the eyes of others. They also have more trouble extracting information from eyes, such as emotion or intentions, and are less able to tell when someone is looking directly at them.

On the other extreme, highly socially anxious people tend to fixate on eyes more than those with low anxiety, even though they show increased physiological fear reactions when under the direct gaze of another.

You may not realise it, but eye gaze affects something so primitive as our psychological reactions to other people. It is a large cue in establishing social dominance. Also, here’s a tip: direct gaze makes people appear more trustworthy and attractive (you’re wel-

Probably nobody there

come).

This also seems to apply to animals. One study suggested that dogs may have evolved to adaptively react to our gaze preferences. It found that dogs in a shelter that gaze at humans while furrowing their inner brows (momentarily making their eyes look larger) get adopted significantly faster than dogs that didn’t.

Gaze also helps unconsciously regulate turn-taking in our conversations – people more often than not look away while talking (as compared to when listening), and we typically exchange a mutual gaze with our partner to indicate a changeover between talking and listening. Try messing with this natural gaze flux – you will probably weird out your conversational partner.

The truth about gaze detection Because the human eye gaze is optimised for easy detection, it is often easy for us to work out whether someone is looking at us.

For example, if someone sitting right opposite you on the train is looking at you, you

can register the direction of their gaze without looking directly at them. However, it turns out we can only reliably detect such gaze within four degrees of our central fixation point.

However, we can use other cues to tell when someone is looking at us in our peripheral vision. Typically we also rely on the position or movement of their head (such as a turn towards you).

We also rely on head or body cues when the potential watcher is in the dark or is wearing sunglasses. But, interestingly, you may not be right about being watched as often as you think. It turns out that in uncertain situations, people systematically overestimate the likelihood that the other person is looking at them. This may be an adaptation to prepare us for interactions that are about to occur, particularly if the interaction may be threatening.

But what about the feeling that someone outside your field of vision, such as behind you, is watching? Is it really possible to “sense” that? This has long been a source of scientific investigation (the first study on this was published in 1898) – probably because this idea is very popular.

Some studies have found that up to 94% of people report that they have experienced the feeling of eyes upon them and turned around to find out they were indeed being watched.

Sadly for those who wish we were X-men, it appears much of the body of research supporting the “psychic staring effect” appears to be suffering from methodological issues, or unexplained experimenter effects.

For example, when certain experimenters act as the watcher in these experiments, they seem to be more “successful” at getting people to detect their stares than other experimenters. It is almost certainly an unconscious bias, perhaps due to initial interactions with the experimenter.

Memory biases may also come into play. If you feel like you are being watched, and turn around to check – another person in your field of view might notice you looking around and shift their gaze to you. When your eyes meet, you assume this individual has been looking all along. Situations where this happens are more memorable than when you look around to find no one looking at you.

So remember – the next time you think someone you can’t see is watching you, it could be your mind playing tricks on you, no matter how real it feels. (originally published by

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Tag˙rif dwar il-kitba Maltija

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ktar regoli u tag˙rif uffiçjali dwar kif wie˙ed g˙andu jikteb ilMalti, ma˙ru© mill-Kummissjoni fi ˙dan l-Akkademja tal-Malti.

IL-WIEÓED U TLETIN REGOLA Konsonanti (we˙idha jew b’vokali warajha) miΩjuda f’tarf il-kelma, twaqqa’, fl-ewwel taqsima, vokali ta’ aççent ˙afif.

G˙alhekk minn féraq, séla˙, ©íbed, qáfel, biΩ-Ωieda tal-konsonanti t f’tarf il-kelma, g˙andna fràqt, slà˙t, ©bìdt, qfìlt fejn l-ewwel vokali b’aççent ˙afif waqg˙et.

T.ç. Hawn naraw li l-vokali tal-a˙˙ar tie˙u l-aççent s˙i˙ u aktarx titbiddel fil-le˙en.

Fuq il-kitba ta’ dawn, minn féhem, déher, xég˙el, bág˙ad g˙andna wkoll nibnu fhimt, dhert, xg˙elt, bg˙adt. Kif ukoll minn xaba(g˙), waqa(g˙), tala(g˙), refa(g˙), ©ama(g˙), ra©a(g˙) g˙andna niktbu xbajt, wqajt, tlajt, rfajt, ©majt, r©ajt fejn l-g˙ tal-a˙˙ar tbiddlet fil-konsonanti j.

Hekk ukoll biΩ-Ωieda ta’ konsonanti b’vokali warajha (sillaba) minn feraq, sela˙, talab, silef, ©ibed, nag˙mlu: fraqna, fraqtu; sla˙na, sla˙tu; tlabna, tlabtu; slifna, sliftu; ©bidna, ©bidtu; hekk ukoll minn tala(g˙), sama(g˙), ra©a(g˙), niktbu tlajna, smajna, r©ajna, eçç.

T.ç. (1) Jo˙or©u minn din ir-Regola dawk il-verbi ta’ aççent ˙afif meta jing˙aqdu maΩ-Ωieda tal-pronomi mnisslin -ni, -ha, -na, -kom u -hom. Ara: ©abar, qatel, xorob li jag˙mlu ©abarni, ©abarha, ©abarna, ©abarkom, ©abarhom; qatilni, qatilha, qatilna, eçç.; xorobni, xorobha, xorobna, eçç. u mhux ©barna, ©barha, ©barkom, ©barhom, eçç.

(2) Ta˙t din ir-Regola, fuq il-kitba ta’ ©ibed, ©bidt, ©bidna, ©bidtu, bl-ewwel Ωew© konsonanti mlaqqg˙in (© u b), bil-vokali ta’ bejniethom imwaqqg˙a, g˙andna wkoll nibnu kliem minn din ix-xorta li jibda bl-g˙ b˙al g˙amel, g˙odos, g˙atas, g˙otor, g˙aΩel, eçç. u niktbu g˙milt, g˙dost, g˙tast, g˙tort, g˙Ωilt, eçç. imma l-konsonanti g˙ ma tistax fil-Malti tinstema’ ming˙ajr il-vokali tag˙ha u din il-vokali tie˙u kemm il-le˙en ta’ a, ta’ o, ta’ e, eçç.

G˙all-˙effa ta’ min jikteb u ta’ min irid jaqra u jag˙raf il-le˙en, niktbu: g˙amilt, g˙odost, g˙atast, g˙otort, g˙aΩilt, eçç. Hekk ukoll biex nag˙Ωlu g˙óla minn g˙éla niktbu g˙olejt u g˙elejt mhux g˙lejt li tista’ toqg˙od g˙at-tnejn. Din il-kitba tista’ wkoll timxi fuq dik ta’ wasalt, waqaft, wiritt li jinkitbu flok wsalt, wqaft, writt.

T.ç. Kif minn qafel niktbu qaflet u mhux qafelt, hekk ukoll minn ©ama(g˙) niktbu ©emg˙et u mhux ©emeg˙t, eçç.

IT-TNEJN U TLETIN REGOLA Konsonanti (we˙idha jew b’ittri o˙ra warajha) miΩjuda f’tarf il-kelma, jekk l-ewwel vokali tkun ta’ aççent twil jew s˙i˙, tbiddlilha ˙ossha f’ma˙tuf u tqabbeΩ l-aççent fuq ilvokali tal-a˙˙ar taqsima.

G˙alhekk minn bierek, ©èbbed g˙andna berìkt, ©ebbìdt.

U fuq dawn, minn fieraq, qieg˙ed, xieg˙el, bieg˙ed ng˙idu u niktbu: feràqt, qeg˙ìdt, xeg˙ìlt, beg˙ìdt.

G˙alhekk ukoll, wara li nag˙Ωlu l-kitba ta’ xieg˙el minn xég˙el, ta’ Ωieg˙el minn Ωég˙el, ta’ qieg˙ed minn qág˙ad, ta’ bieg˙ed minn bág˙ad, nifhmu wkoll li minn

bierek niktbu berìkt u minn xég˙el, xg˙èlt, minn Ωieg˙el, Ωeg˙ìlt u minn Ωég˙el, Ωg˙èlt, minn qieg˙ed, qeg˙ìdt u minn qág˙ad, qg˙àdt, minn bieg˙ed, beg˙ìdt u minn bág˙ad, bg˙àdt; kif ukoll nag˙rfu niktbu xeg˙ìlna, xeg˙ìltu (fix-xog˙ol) u xg˙èlna, xg˙èltu (il-lampa); qeg˙ìdna, qeg˙ìdtu (dil-©ebla) u qg˙àdna, qg˙àdtu (bilqieg˙da).

Fuq it-tiswir ta’ ˙àllas li tag˙mel ˙allàsna, ˙allàskom, ˙allàshom g˙andna wkoll niktbu kliem tal-istess aççent b˙al ˙òtba, xèwqa li jissawru u jinkitbu: ˙otbìtna, xewqìtna; ˙otbìtkom, xewqìtkom; ˙otbìthom, xewqìthom u fuq dawn imbag˙ad kliem b˙alma huma sòg˙ba, ©ìmg˙a li jinkitbu sog˙bìtna, sog˙bìtkom, sog˙bìthom; ©img˙ètna, ©img˙ètkom, ©img˙èthom (u mhux ©ìmeg˙tna, ©ìmeg˙tkom, eçç.).

Aktar regoli fil-˙ar©a li jmiss.

20 The Voice of the Maltese Dr Karmenu Mallia: Bajtar taxXewk: a novel in Maltese; a Horizons Publication, 2016; 335 pp.; €12.

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t is an undisputed fact that every writer, consciously or unconsciously, will invariably include in his work not only traits of his own personality, but will also draw freely from the attendant experiences of his personal life; because not only is life the greatest teacher, but also the greatest source of inspiration for the writer who would want to write a novel, a poem or an essay, helping him, regardless of his talent, to further improve his own particular style.

There is no question about Karmenu Mallia’s literary talent: he is one of Malta’s most prolific writers, poets and essayists, at ease in French, Italian, English, Esperanto and, of course, Maltese. And lateely he has been churning out some of his finest novels to date.

The many varied and colourful experiences of a long life seem to paying off very nicely, and Maltese literature is getting richer thereby.

His latest work is the Maltese novel Bajtar u Xewk, another

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Welcome to Mer˙babik brilliant work in which he has once again broken new grounds both in style, presentation and the theme itself.

Blind Omar lives in Paris, but he was born on the tiny island Mediterranean of Mer˙babik.

Helpless and getting on in years, he gets his nephew Francis to read him the letters he had received years before from the island, and which he had never found time to read.

Over to a Profs Ramon, who is elected leader of the Social Party in Mer˙babik and eventually sets up a home for the elderly.

In spite of political differences Ramon and his wife Lola befriend Profs Peppinu and his fiancée Nina, and all get together to give a helping hand at the Home.

The story begins in Paris and ends on the island of Mer˙babik, at the home for the elderly, around which the story gradually unfolds, with the characteristics of the island itself and the idiosyncrasies of its locals providing a dramatic back drop for what the author seems very happy to set

on stage with his very fertile imagination, his very own retouched experiences and his oft very witty sense of humour.

Going through the book, the reader will at once identify the island in question; will be at one with the references subtly hinted at, will be delighted with the superbly descriptive picture that Mallia paints of the island, amused at the way he goes about, sometimes sarcastically, in his reference to its locals, with their character, their customs and their good and bad traits.

Indeed, the author is at his best when he occasionally waxes philosophical between The Beginning and The End, the two points that hold the whole story in place. Personal experience also plays a huge part here.

Mallia, now in his 80’s, is here somehow penning a sort of an autobiography, indubitably covering his days in Paris and then what came after that. Sweet-sad nostalgia lurks all over the place, sometimes with a hint of sadness, at others highlighted by some witty remark or a pithy aside.

But the most interesting and innovative factor in the story is the metaphor applied to the humble prickly-pears: the fresh ones on Omar’s plate in Paris and the marble ones sculpted on the wall

Dr. Karmenu Mallia of the house for the elderly, a meta-phor which immediately brings to mind stark reality and the contrast between life and death.

Thus this novel may be summed up as an essay on life in its totality; in two phases, in fact: A Beginning and An End, between which every life is punctuated, including all the factors that sum up humanity, the good and bad tastes and the final (bitter) realisation not only of the brevity of life itself but also of its futility, complemented by man’s relentless struggle to survive.

Very neatly printed by Horizons, this thick novel can be enjoyed as a story for its own sake; but it can also offer a highly interesting philosophical study, as it mirrors stark reality in its best form.

AlfredPalma

Celebrating a love of learning languages early 20,000 students naN tionwide, aged 4 to 18 years, entered the inaugural

Competition delivers on SBS’s purpose to inspire Australians to explore and celebrate diverSBS National Languages Comsity.” petition which aims to encourThe 72 national finalists from age and celebrate a love of across the country were anlearning languages in Ausnounced August 30. An SBS tralia. SBS and Community judging panel including DirecLanguages Australia (CLA) antor of Audio and Language nounced six national winners Content, Mandi Wic-ks, SBS Katerina Buck Vaiga Karthik Kathir J. Sakthivel across three age categories.

Arabic24 presenter Heba KasThe theme for the 2016 SBS National sponded in Russian while the People’s soua and TV scre-enwriter, columnist Languages Competition is ‘what does Choice winner Raaid Ahmed Mollah (14, and author Benjamin Law, selected one learning language mean to you?’ The Wyndham Vale VIC) responded in winner from each of the three categories.

SBS winner in the junior category, Na- Bangla.

In addition, Community Lan-guages SBS Director of Audio and Language Australia selected 24 entries from the 72 talie Chung (6, Acacia Ridge QLD) illustrated what learning Cantonese means to Content Mandi Wicks said: “We’re national finalists, who were eligible for her and the People’s Choice winner thrilled with the huge response we have the People’s Choice Competition. One Vaiga Karthik wrote what learning received from across the country to the winner per category was voted by the inaugural SBS National Languages Com- public August 30 - September 9.

Tamil means to her.

In the secondary primary category, petition. It’s been wonderful to see the The winners, as selected by the SBS winner Kathir Jana-ki Sakthivel (11, range of beautiful illustrations and writ- judging panel and the public vote, were Cranbourne Victoria) responded in ten submissions, which indicate how im- presented with their award and prize at Tamil and People’s Choice winner portant language is to many young the SBS National Languages CompetiAnah-id Andisheh Far (10, Bonner ACT) Australians today. tion Awards Ceremony in Sydney on “Australia is one of the most multicul- October 8. responded in Persian.

To view the 72 national finalist entries, and In the senior category, SBS winner Ka- tural and multilingual nations, and we terina Buck (18, Beckenham WA) re- believe the SBS National Languages more information, go to sbs.com.au/nlc.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday October 11, 2016

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Maltese Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco 29th Annual Dinner Dance Date: Saturday October 29 at the Mandavilla Reception Centre (1788 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park NSW) Time: 7.30 pm - Donation $60.00.

Dress: Semi Formal Entertainment: by Joe Apap.

Special Quest & MC Joe Galea *All proceeds from this event will go towards the Don Bosco Missions.

For bookings: Marlene on 02 9631 9295

IL-MALTESE BOWLERS SOCIAL GROUP TA’ NSW •Jistiednu nisa u r©iel Maltin li j˙obbu l-lawn bowls biex jing˙aqdu mag˙hom, jie˙du sehem fil-log˙ob u jag˙mlu ˙bieb ©odda.

• Jilqg˙u wkoll lil dawk li jixtiequ jitg˙allmu jilag˙bu dan l-isport. Dawn jing˙ataw lezzjonijiet b’xejn.

• Jilag˙bu log˙ba lawn bowls darba fixxahar fir-Rosehill Bowling Club u klabbs o˙ra.

• G˙al aktar tag˙rif çemplu lis-segretarju, Tony Pace-Feraud (0400 376 607) jew email lil: maltesebowlersnsw@hotmail.com Nhar il-Óadd 13 ta Novembru se ti©i msej˙a l-laqq˙a Generali Annwali fir-Rosehill Bowling club.

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Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc. Invitation for celebrations marking Fr. Claude Borg’s 65 years of priesthood

he Maltese Community Council of NSW is offering its support in organising Fr. Claude Borg MSSP’s celebration of 65 years to the priesthood, a milestone in his pastoral care towards Maltese migrants in Australia.

The Cardinal and the current Bishop of Parramatta will be invited to the celebration, a concelebrated Mass at Horsley Park Parish Church on Sunday Dec. 11 at 11.30 am, as Fr Claude was the first Maltese parish priest at Horsley Park in the sixties.

After Mass, there will be light refreshments at the Marion Hall. One is kindly asked to bring a plate to share on this joyous occasion.

This is a formal invitation for associations to promote and lend their support in making this milestone, in Fr Claude’s priestly career, a memorial occasion.

More details: John Beale: 0416 449 816 or email john@korenbeale.com

Printed copies of The Voice of The Maltese

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n response to a number of inquiries, we wish to inform readers of The Voice of the Maltese magazine that we can now supply hard copies in colour of the magazine to our readers who requst it, at a price. Therefore, anybody interested in acquiring copies of the (printed) magazine is kindly requested to get in touch with us personally or by email to: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

The magazine can also be delivered by post at a price to any state in Australia. As the cost of postage varies from state to state, one is kindly requested to get in touch with us to work out the details.

THE CITTADINI Present direct from Malta:

Óamrun Association Ltd ABN: 22 080 314 156

Il-Óadd 23 ta’ Ottubru Il-Vintage Car Show Wara li l-Óadd li g˙addasaret il-Laqg˙a Ìenerali ta’ kull sena tal-klabb, issa l-attivita` li jmiss hija l-VINTAGE CAR SHOW li wkoll se ssir fil-klabb il-Óadd 23 ta’ Ottubru G˙al kull tag˙rif çemplu li: George Zahra: 0407 434 651, jew il-klabb: 9838 1111

Mary Rose Mallia and Renato

COMEDY with The Cittadini Sydney Show: Sunday on November 20 at La Valette Centre, Blacktown at 2.00 p.m.

Donation: $22.00 Children U/12: $10.00 For Tickets: Monica: 9896 0712 or 0414 859 386; Doris: 9636 2295

Tajjeb tkun taf

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-g˙aqdiet tal-Maltin li jkunu jridu jag˙mlu xi avviΩi u/jew li jirreklamaw f’The Voice of the Maltese huma m˙e©©a biex jg˙arrfu littmexxija ta’ The Voice bix-xewqa tag˙hom minn kmeni. Barra minhekk, jekk ikunu iridu jibag˙tu xi materjal g˙all-pubblikazzjoni jin˙tie© jag˙mlu dan mil-inqas ©img˙a qabel il-pubblikazzjoni.

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

C o mmunity Co mmunity N ews La Valette Social Centre Melbourne Cup Lunch

TUESDAY November 1: La Valette Social Centre 175 Walters Road Blacktown It being a holy day: 10. 00 a.m.: Mass Cost $25 per person that includes morning tea and a two-course Lunch.

There will be sweeps, lucky door prizes, and hat competition. Entertainment DJ for Dancing

Cherry picking bus tour to Orange

TUESDAY December 6: Bus leaves Blacktown Centre; 6.30 a.m.: Leaves Greystanes.

Lunch at Orange RSL at own expense For more information: Frances: 0412 320432 or La Valette: 9622 5847

Meeting every last Tuesday of Month A special group for men. Meetings at 10 am at The Maltese Resource Centre Meet friends and enjoy Maltese food.

59b Franklin Street, Mays Hill (Parramatta West).

For more information: Emanuel 0409 744 376

Kull qalb trid o˙ra

iex tipproduçi magazine b˙al dan, li wara B kollox hu frott tal-passjoni li g˙andna biex inwasslu t-tag˙rif lill-Maltin 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 lillqarrejja 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.

Tinteressak il-kitba?

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arrejja li j˙ossu li, jew g˙andhom talent g˙all-kitba, l-aktar bl-Ilsien Malti, imma mhux biss, jew li jkunu jridu li kitbiet tag˙hom ji©u ppublikati f’The Voice of the Maltese, huma m˙e©©a jibag˙tuhomlna f’dan l-indirizz tal-email: maltesevoice@gmail.com

Share it with The Voice If you have a story to tell that you believe could make interesting reading and you would like to sha-re it with The Voice of the Maltese readership, get in touch with us by email at: maltesevoice@gmail.com

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Learn Maltese!

Friday 11th November 2016 - At Hobsons Bay Altona.

For bookings please ring: Chev. Joseph Attard: 0400 357 001 Saturday 12th November 2016 Venue: Melrose Receptions, Melrose Drive, Tullamarine (Carrick Room) Time: 6.30pm till late Music: DJ “Dominic” Meal: 3-Course plus Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks Cost: $55 per person Sunday 13 th November 2016 Including 1 hour Sketch by “The Cittadini” from Sydney Venue: St Martin’s Deporres, Military Road, Avondale Heights Time: 5.30pm till late Music: DJ “Starlight Johnny” Cost: $22 per person Food and drinks can be bought at the hall.

To book your tickets for Saturday and Sunday, please ring: Victor: 0412 991 325, Mary: 9370 5164, Joe: 9311 8968 or Reno: 0412 990 664

Classes are available for students from six 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.

Teachers urgently needed. Paid positions

For more information and enquiries Phone 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.

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Community News Tune In to Radio and Television

Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fridays 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday each month at 1pm.

MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. and Mondays (from November 14) 7.00 to 8.00pm. Presenter Emmanuel Brincat.

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Mer˙ba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programmes on 2GLF FM 89.3. Thursdays 2p.m. to 4p.m. Martese Caruana presents Golden Mix. Available on demand. Follow same procedure as for MCC programmes, except select programe in reference.

In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Programme on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com Listen to John Borg & Ronnie Borg every Saturday at 1.00 p.m. on RADIO 2RRR 88.5FM or on the Internet www2rrr.org.au ON DeMAND

The SBS MALTESE NEWS

Isma’ l-programm tar-radju bilMalti mill-Kunsill Malti ta’ NSW minn fuq l-istazzjon 2GLF 89.3FM. Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On Demand minn fuq l-Internet www.893fm.com.au (On Demand >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am) Il-programm tal-Óadd 11.00 am: l-a˙˙ar a˙barijiet minn Malta, muΩika, tag˙rif, kultura, avviΩi u su©©etti ta’ interess.

On SBS Radio Day Time Analogue and Digital Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 To tune into digital radio you need a receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard via digital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38.

The radio programmes can be accessed online (live or catch up) at sbs.com.au/maltese and via mobile phone, using the SBS Radio app. For television news from Malta - SBS 2 TV on Thursdays and Sundays at 8am.

VIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford Central NSW. Aired on Thursdays every fortnight from 6 pm -7 pm.

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au.

Maltese Down Under TV

Screens on Melbourne’s C31 (channel 44) Sundays @4pm; Mondays at 2p.m.; Tuesdays @2.30 pm. Others in Australia/the World can watch via live stream on: www.c31.org.au/series/1313 or the c31 app.

Also on demand: www.c31.org.au/series/1313

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

Day Care Maltese Groups meetings in NSW

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month.

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

Maltese Seniors Central Coast

Have to contact our Welfare Officer for an appointment. For all information and referral matters call Censina Cefai: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652

Daceyville 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 Join us and make new friends.

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

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

Maltese of Bankstown

Group meet 3rd Wednesday of the month at New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner Parade, Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Club).

Every other 3rd Thursday they have an outing. For enquiries call Sam 9534 2357

L-a˙barijiet tal-PBS (Malta)

kemm bil-Malti u wkoll bl-IngliΩ G˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lillSBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, ilqarrejja m˙e©©a wkoll biex x’˙in iridu jid˙lu fil-website:www.tvm.com.mt u jsegwu l-a˙barijiet ta’ Malta, bil-Malti u bl-IngliΩ.

Il-website hi a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bil©rajjiet li jkunu qed ise˙˙u dak il-˙in.

Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Sunday October 16: Classic Cars, Motorbikes &Truck Exhibition followed by The Big Fete-Fiera Saturday November 12: Dinner Dance Sunday 4 December: St Nicholas Feast.

For more information: Joe Fenech 0412 009 957 or PRO Emm. Vella 045 677 064

The Voice: the most popular by far

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he Voice of the Maltese online magazine is by far the most widely read publication among the Maltese Diaspora, with subscribers from Australia, Canada, the UK England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ieland), Ireland Rep., Belgium, France, Italy, India, the Caribbean island of St Kitts & Nevis. But not only. It is also gaining popularity in Malta and it keeps growing with every issue.

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

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24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday October 11, 2016

Sports Malta’s best player, goalkeeper Andrew Hogg saving on Jesse Lingard at Wembley

First half goals down a spirited Malta at Wembley

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the national team’s performance in a generally was parried by goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Otherwise England controlled from start to one-sided game. It was only thanks to a fine performance by English-born goalkeeper An- finish and Gareth Southgate, England's interim drew Hogg, and countless missed scoring op- manager must have been pleased by his team’s portunities by the English players that Malta dominance but disappointed by the finishing.

The Maltese players could not match their opavoided a humiliating defeat. Hogg made five world class saves, twice on Wayne Rooney, on ponents technically but the 2,000 Maltese supheaders by debutant Jesse Lingard and Dele porters in the 82,000 Wembley crowd at least must have admired them as they showed adAlli and Theo Walcott.

For 95% of the time the match was played in mirable commitment and fighting spirit.

England took the lead through a David SturMalta’s half of the field. Malta only ridge headed goal on 29 minutes and extended threatened on 81 their lead seven minutes later through Dele minutes with an Alli. But despite staying in command throughhile all the championship contenders around them kept dropping points this early in the season, Balzan have kept their heads and after only shot on goal by out the remainder of the match England could just seven matches have opened a seven-points led over nearest chal- Andrei Agius from not add to the first half goals.

On Tuesday 11th Malta travels to Lithuania. an acute angle that lengers, Birkirkara and Hibernians.

Newly promoted Hamrun Spartans are doing better than expected in fourth position, a point ahead of a disappointing Valletta who have not yet RESULTS – DAY 1 found their rhythm on the way to defending their title. he Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Seav Melbourne V 1-1 Balzan registered two victories since the last issue, both matches they son in Australia started by setting a Brisbane Wellington v Melbourne C 0-1 single round attendance record with W. Sydney v Sydney FC 0-4 were expected to win. They beat St Andrews 3-0 and Gzira United 3-1.

Birkirkara, who next face Balzan, dropped five points in the last two out- 106,365 people pouring through the Perth G. v Central Coast 3-3 ings as after drawing 1-1 with Valletta they unexpectedly lost to Pembroke. turnstiles across the five matches over Newcastle J v Adelaide 1-1 It was the latter’s first victory and they are still anchored to the bottom of the weekend. Sydney’s derby at ANZ Stadium attracted a a dothe league ladder. St Andrews also lost their mestic club single match attendance record of 61,880 RESULTS – DAY 7 Balzan v St. Andrews 3-0 next match, against 1-1 Mosta, a loss that Valletta v Birkirkara 1-1 led to their coach, Hibernians v Gzira 3-1 Sliema v Floriana or the first time ever, Malta’s Under 21 goal in the second half as Malta achieved the 5-2 Joe Borg becoming Hamrun S. v Mosta Pembroke v Tarxien R. 2-2 the first casualty team has managed to get beyond the five- double after also winning 2-1 away.

It brought Malta’s points’ tally to eight, withthis season as he point mark in an international competition folDAY 6 3-1 lost his job, to be lowing 1-0 home win over Latvia in a Group 1 one more home match to go, home against Balzan v Gzira U 2-1 Pembroke v Birkirkara Moldova on Tuesday. Malta has leapfrogged Floriana v Hamrun S. 1-1 replaced by Danilo UEFA U/21 championship.

1-0 Doncic.

Hamrun’s Jake Grech scored the all-important over Latvia and Moldova into fourth place.

Mosta v St Andrews verybody knew that Malta faced a mammoth task on Saturday in the second World Cup 2018 Group F qualifier against England at Wembley Stadium and Maltese football fans feared the worst after the 5-1 defeat against Scotland. But as it turned out, on paper, a 2-0 loss is considered to be a respectable result, particularly for keeping their goal intact in the seciond half.

Otherwise there was nothing positive about

Balzan open 7-point lead at the top

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Hyundai A-League starts with record attendance

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Double over Latvia earns Malta Under 21 record points’ tally

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