The Voice of the Maltese No. 146

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

Issue 146

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

Celebrations, citizenship ceremonies, protests mark Australia Day 2017

(Se reports on pages 2, 3 and 4)

January 31, 2017

2 The Voice of the Maltese

I

t was another Australia Day and another successful celebration by the NSW Maltese in Sydney.

For the third year in succession the Maltese community Council of NSW commemorated their event at the beautiful Holroyd Function Centre

Keynote speaker Paul Sant LLB

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Maltese celebrate Australia Day at Merrylands.

During this assembly, the Maltese say thank you to their country of adoption. Keynote speaker Paul Sant LLB talked about his early life in Australia, about his parents who came from Mgarr Malta emphasising that this country gives everyone a chance to succeed irrespective of his/her background.

The president of the MCC, Emanuel Camilleri explained the role of the MCC as an umbrella body delivering for the benefit of the community the many programmes now available from its headquarters at 59b Franklin Street Parramatta West while it co-ordinates the Maltese Language School, the weekly Radio programme and DayCare centres across the State.

Fr Noel Bianco recited the Australia Day prayer while the focus of the afternoon was the attention given to the recipients of the Order of Australia present The MCC choir for the occasion, at the event namely: Lino Vella, Lawrence Dimech, Doris Athanasio, Nancy Serg, Albert Vella, Fr John R Briffa, Fr Carmelo Sciberras, Dr George Boffa and Profs Peter Castaldi.

Young Violeta Bozanic, of Maltese descent , made her debut by playing and singing her original songs.

A real talent with a clear melodious voice. The choir of the Maltese Cultural Association under the direction of Marisa Privitera performed traditional Maltese and Australian songs designed for the occasion.

The concluding remarks were delivered by Dr Hugh McDermott MP and Dr Geoff Lee MP while others present were Julia Finn MP, Kevin Connelly MP, Consul General S. Guisti and Federal MP Sussan Templeman.

George Bartolo acted as MC. The organisers thanked the Cumberland City Council and Multicultural NSW for their assistance with this popular annual event.

Top picture: The recipients of the Order of Australia: (from left): Lino Vella, Doris Athanasio, Lawrence Dimech, Dr George Boffa, Fr John Briffa, Nancy Serg, Fr Carmelo Sciberras, Albert Vella and Prof Peter Castaldi.

Photos by Patrick Bartolo

Violeta Bozanic

The Voice of the Maltese 3

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Xag˙ra Ass: A duty to celebrate Australia Day together

A

s it has done for the last four years, the Xag˙ra Association of NSW has once again celebrated Australia Day at the Mandavilla Function Centre at Horsley Park. The first time the function was organised in honour of Bishop Joe Bonello who was in Australia from Honduras and paid the association a visit in NSW. Since then Australia Day has become an annual event celebrated on the last Saturday before the actual date.

Josephine Bigeni from the Xag˙ra Association told The Voice that as a Maltese/Australian community it is their duty to celebrate this day together. “It is a great opportunity to socialise and catch up with each other, enjoy the delicious food prepared by the Mandavilla team headed by Martin and Mary Xiberras and dance to the music provided by the MalteseAustralian entertainer, Joe Apap”, she said.

It was again a great turnout and Ms Bigeni wished to thank everyone who helped in the organisation and all those who attended, for their continuous support This is also one of the as-

sociation’s foremost fund-raising activities.

Every year on this occasion the Xag˙ra Association invites a priest from Malta, to follow a programme of religious & cultural activities to outreach to the Maltese com-

Above: The Xag˙ra Association committee (from left): M'Ann Teuma, Vicki Sciberras, Mary Sultana, Josephine and Raymond Bigeni, Paul Xiberras.

Left: Joe Apap entertaining the crowd at the celebration munity (which is in the community and othgreat need of Maltese ers who benefit from priests) and also take them. part in the Tal-Vitorja Ms Bigeni concluded by celebrations in differ- thanking the Maltese ent parishes in NSW. media, including The One of the Xag˙ra Voice of the Maltese for asAssociation's goals is sisting in the advertising to continue with such of this event, and initiatives and to sup- Michelle Said, the official port other worthy photographer on the causes for the good of night.

Presentation Day at the Saturday School of Community Languages hat an exhilarating experience it was to see that tese students made up of Michael Cuschieri, the leader W the Maltese language is alive and shoulder-to- of the group, Joy Decelis, Georgia Tabone, Jasmine shoulder with other languages at the Saturday School of Callaghan and Gemma Newton gave a superb rendering

Community Languages at The Hills Sports High Centre!

The Maltese language has been taught at this school for more than two decades to generations of students, and many of those who learned it are now giving services to the Maltese community in various ways.

During the presentation of the Awards a group of Mal-

of the song ‘Treat You Better’. The delicate voices of our girls and the sweet sound of the guitar, was a treat to the audience, and without doubt was one of the best items on the programme.

The Maltese Awards were presented by Ms Mechel Pikoulas, Supervisor and Maltese tutor Mr Charles Galea Although a small class, the talent in this class is extraordinary. We wish all the students great success in Maltese in 2017.

We need more students in this class. Students who are in Year 7 or beyond should enrol in our class ASAP to keep it going for the future. It is an amazing experience to be in such a class. One can apply directly to the Saturday School of Community Languages online or call Charles Galea on 0400485239 or carmelgl108@gmail.com for more information.

– CharlesGalea Left: the students who received the awards pictured with their tutor. Back row (from left): Georgia Tabone, Jemma Newton, Jasmine Callaghan, Joy Decelis, Caitlyn Lee. Front: (l to r): Michael Cuschieri, Naomi Sant, Charles Galea (tutor) and Joshua Sultana

4 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Celebrations and protests mark Australia Day 2017 O

n January 26 Australioans celebrated Australia Day, an occasion that means something different to everyone. For some it is a chance to relax and meet up with friends and family to celebrate over a snag. For some it marks the day they become Australian citizens, but it is also a day of mourning and remembrance of Australia's brutal beginnings so did not celebrate, and in fact there were protests all over Australia.

As is the norm, last Thursday hundreds of events took place around Australia, including citizenship ceremonies. A huge number of families fired up the barbeque or spent the day at the beach, but other, who are in favour of changing the date of the national holiday came together in the so-called Invasion Day in rallies opposing the date on which Australia Day falls, which is the anniversary of the first fleet landing in Australia, “and the ensuing killings of Indigenous people”.

Thousands gathered in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in particular.

Some of the protests, particularly in Sydney even turned violent as clashes March from The Block in nearby Redfern up George Street to Sydney’s Town Hall (ABC News)

between police and protesters erupted at a march through the inner city.

Marking the growing debate around the date of Australia Day, people marched through the heart of Sydney's Aboriginal community, Redfern, into the city and up to Victoria Park where the Yabun festival was being held.

In Melbourne hundreds of people also gathered at Parliament House to hear Aboriginal speakers talk about their ancestors and what Invasion Day meant for them. They said there was still a long way to go until Indigenous Australians receive equal rights, and called for Australia Day to be moved to another day. Many in the crowd held Aboriginal flags and signs calling for sovereignty.

One of the organisers of the Brisbane protest said the term “Australia” was a direct contradiction and denial of the hundreds of tribal countries that exist on the continent, whose sovereignty has never been ceded.

In Brisbane, people rallied outside state parliament chanting “change the date” and “always was, always will be Aboriginal land” as they marched through the city

to Musgra-ve Park in West End, which is a gathering spot for the local Indigenous community. They were entertained to live music and food.

Hobart had their largest crowd to date at the protest, with Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre president, David Warrener, telling the crowd the date was not appropriate and it continued to be a day of invasion.

Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner added to the debate, arguing changing the date was something for Australians to consider.

At a march in Alice Springs, which was tied in with protests against the treatment of children at the Don Dale Detention Centre those at the peaceful demonstration chanted "there's no pride in genocide" and called for January 26 to be a day of national mourning, not celebration.

Opinions split on the date with some saying Australia Day was one of sorrow for many Aboriginal people and signifies the colonisation and the genocide when Captain Cook landed out there in Botany Bay. For others the day signifies their survival,.

Indigenous elder Uncle Max Harrison said he hoped the public “could understand and look at our cultural day within this day that they call Australia Day.” An indigenous elder among the thousands of protesters in Melbourne. (ABC News)

The Voice of the Maltese 5

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Malta in the Spotlight at World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Conference, Beijing

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veryone at the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Conference in Beijing was marvelling at the large and beautifully decorated Reception Hall, and the air was full of excitement from the buzz of diplomats, representing more than forty countries, and the hundreds of agents from a formidable number of the largest and most reputable travel agencies in China.

But centre stage in all this, and very much in the spotlight as the hottest new destination for outbound Chinese tourists, was Malta Among the diplomats at the Beijing International Hotel was H.E. John Aquilina, the Ambassador of the Republic of Malta. He told The Voice of the Maltese that the venue was ideal to promote Malta as a vital new-found destination for Chinese tourists.

Although Malta and its beautiful assets are largely unknown in China, slowly the veil of obscurity is being lifted, and tens of thousands of prospective Chinese tourists are being exposed to Malta’s fascinating landscape, history and climate.

“I was greatly honoured to have been selected from among the vast number of persons in the Diplomatic Corps of China to give the Speech as the Conference’s Guest of Honour, alongside Dr Cheng Hong, the Vice Mayor of Beijing,” the Maltese Ambassador said.

He added that time did not permit for him to go into a detailed explanation of Malta’s wonderful assets.

However, he was able “to point peo-

ple in the right direction.”

“Besides advising the attentive audience of Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, I also extolled Valletta’s virtues as the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2018,” he said.

Valletta is the 47th of 181 of the world’s major cities which have become members of China’s WTCF. Mr Aquilina informed the impressed gathering about the major article in the October 21, 2016 edition of the New York Times highlighting Malta’s outstanding tourist assets.

He also went on to advise the gathering of the American major broadcaster CNN which on December 21,

2016 placed Malta in the second place among the top 15 places in the world to celebrate Christmas.

And as for the future, Mr Aquilina referred to the Bloomberg Pursuits article of January 4, 2017, which placed Malta in the fifth position of the top 20 places in the world as tourist destinations for 2017.

At the conclusion of the speech Mr Aquilina was mobbed by travel agents hungry to seek more information about Malta.

“All indications are that we have only just slightly exposed the tip of the iceberg of potential for Chinese tourists to Malta,” Mr Aquilina told The Voice.

Ambassador John Aquilina greeting Dr Cheng Hong, V/Mayor of Beijing; and on right with WTCF Secretary-General Mr Song Yu

6 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Soon after the United States’ Presidential election, the last Democratic Presdent Barack Obama said that not all was lost. A new leader would lead the Democrats onward. In an interview with the New York Magazine, Obama offered four names for the title that once was his – the future of the Democratic Party. One of the names is that of Pete Buttigieg, a

budding politician destined to be the first person of Maltese descent to be the President of the USA. The Voice of the Maltese has asked Louis J. Vella, Hon Consul General for Malta in California USA for his observations and thoughts about Pete Buttigieg. The following article is based on what Mr. Vella said about Pete:

‘USA could have a President of Maltese descent’

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here on earth is South Bend, Indiana? Could it be the place where the term “Bend it like Beckham” originated? Or is it maybe a place where someone could really be “sent round the bend”?

The city of South Bend, Indiana is a beautiful metropolis of over 100,000 inhabitants located in the mid-West of the USA. It derived its name from a geographical feature that created a region situated precisely at the southernmost bend of the magnificent St. Joseph River.

The earliest known settlers of this area known then for its rich food and great natural resources were the Miami and the Potawatomi Indian tribes.

Nowadays South Bend Indiana is more known as the home of the Fighting Irish, American football team of the famous University of Notre Dame.

However, the city of South Bend is much more, a lot more. It is not my intention to dwell on the many great characteristics of this fine city but not many know that South Bend Indiana has a very strong Maltese connection: Very influential ties to Malta, I might add.

Besides my good friends the Deguara family, South Bend is home to the first family of the city. The Mayor of South Bend is none other than Pete Buttigieg, a first-generation Maltese.

Mr Buttigieg is serving his second term as Mayor, a noteworthy achievement, while harnessing an approval rating higher than most city mayors anywhere in the US for cities the size of South Bend or larger.

Pete’s father, John Buttigieg was born in Malta only a block away from the historic landmark parish church dedicated to San Gaetano, patron saint of Hamrun.

It has been a few decades since John moved to the United States but to this day, he holds many beautiful memories of his younger years growing up in Hamrun.

Dr. John Buttigieg is the head of the English Department and a professor of literature at the University of Notre Dame. When his busy schedule allows, John enjoys visiting Malta and

spend time with family South Bend and friends. His son, Pete Mayor Pete Buttigieg, has also visButtigieg: ited Malta on many occandidate for casions. Only a few chair of the months ago, he was inDemocratic vited to participate in the National ComCommonwealth He-ad mittee Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which was held in Malta in November 2015.

Pete was born on January 19, 1982, in South Bend Indiana. After graduating from St. Joseph High School he went on to Harvard University where he graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Literature. Later he also graduated from Oxford Uni- time when the Republican Party has versity in Philosophy, Politics and the US Presidency and a majority in Economics, where he attended as a the US Congress.

Rhodes Scholar.

Writing about Pete after meeting Pete is a Management Consultant, him at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at and a US Navy Veteran deployed to Notre Dame recently, New York the Afghanistan conflict for a seven- Times reporter Joshua Lott said: month tour with the Macy Reserves.

“If you went into some laboratory to He is also the recipient of a number concoct a perfect Democratic candiof honours and awards including the date, you’d be hard pressed to imJohn F. Kennedy Fenn Award. Pete prove on Pete Buttigieg, the plays the piano well enough to have 34-year-old second-term mayor of performed with the South Bend Sym- this Rust Belt city, where he grew up phony Orchestra. He also runs mara- and now lives just two blocks from thons. his parents.”

It will take a much lengthier article Two years ago, The Washington to name all of Pete’s achievements, Post called Pete “the most interesting but to the people of South Bend Indi- mayor you’ve never heard of.” ana, he will always be known as Whether Mayor Pete will win this, Mayor Pete, the 34th Mayor of the his latest challenge, remains to be city of South Bend. Pete Buttigieg be- seen. He will be going against some came mayor in 2011 when he was seasoned opponents, and we wish only 29. He was re-elected in 2015 him the very best. However, win or with roughly 80% of the vote. lose one thing is for certain, this will He is known for his vision and for not be the last we will hear of Pete the way he managed to transform Buttigieg, the Maltese Mayor of South the city of South Bend to a vibrant Bend Indiana. and economically sound city with inEarlier this month Pete was one of novative, sometimes risky ideas that seven Democratic candidates vying paid off in a big way. to lead the Democratic Party that reAt 35 years old Pete Buttigieg has cently took part at a debate organnow set his sights on the chairman- ised by The Huffington Post just over a ship of the Democratic National month ahead of the election for the Committee which is one of the most chair the Democratic National Compowerful positions within the Demo- mittee. The audience was quite imcratic party in the United States at a pressed with his contribution.

The Voice of the Maltese 7

Tuesday January 31, 2017

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

Dating Websites and Pre-nups

by PaulSant

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or many years pre-nuptial agreements have been a no-go-zone for Australian lawyers, dubbed as risky and inevitably unenforceable. However, more recently the approach towards pre-nuptial agreements has softened as more and more lawyers have decided to help clients take full advantage of s90B of the Family Law Act 1975, which allows specifically for parties contemplating marriage to enter into binding financial agreements regarding the division of property in the event of separation.

It is true that where prenuptial agreements have been challenged, the Courts have been stringent in their examination of the validity of the document. However, when done correctly, they are enforceable and can be an efficient asset protection tool. The legislation is clear in its intention to expressly empower individuals to create privately negotiated agreements that are binding in law provided that all of the requirements of the legislative sec-

tion are met.

Of course, like any legal strategy, there are risks and pitfalls. For example, it is essential that both parties sign the agreement in the absence of any undue or illegitimate influence. This will mean that providing your future spouse with a prenuptial agreement not open to negotiation, at a moment’s notice before the wedding, will not meet the stringent criteria for a validly executed binding financial agreement.

Do you need a prenuptial agreement?

If you answer “yes” to all of the below questions then you should definitely consider getting advice regarding a binding financial agreement. In fact, if you answered “yes” to ANY of the below questions, you should consider contacting a family lawyer for advice on whether drafting a prenuptial agreement is a commercially viable option for you.

1. Thinking about marrying your partner?

2. Are you a high income earner?

3. Do you have superannuation?

4. Have you accumulated assets prior to the relationship?

PAUL SANT (SOLICITOR)

PARTNER AT LONGTONLEGAL For All Your Legal Needs Incl.:

Family Law, Property & Construction Law, Conveyancing, Corporate & Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Immigration Law, Wills & Contested Estates Level 4, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Parramatta by appointment Ph: 02 8355 9999 (Reception) & 02 8015 7923 (Robin) Email: paul.sant@longtonlegal.com.au www.longtonlegal.com.au Maltese Spoken

5. Do you have children?

6. Are you worried about the risk of being labile to pay spousal maintenance on separation?

7. Do you want to avoid Court?

Example of enforcement The Full Court of the Family Court recently considered a similar situation in the matter of Kennedy & Thorne [2016]. A 68year-old property developer married a 36year-old bride from overseas.

The husband’s lawyers prepared a prenuptial agreement that was signed before the parties married, and a second agreement was signed during the course of the relationship. Three years later the couple separated.

The Court held the following: 1. the fact that the husband required an agreement before marriage, cannot of itself sustain an allegation of duress; 2. the agreements were negotiated by the independent legal representatives of each party, and amendments made during the course of the negotiation; and 3. the wife had independent legal advice against entering into the agreement, and decided not to follow the advice.

Ultimately the binding financial agreements were both upheld. This case represents a notable confirmation of the judicial stance in support of Binding Financial Agreements prior to marriage.

However, there are also many cases that, all too commonly, exemplify the dangers of a poorly drafted binding financial agreement.

For more information contact us on 8355 9999, and one of our experienced family lawyers will help you decide whether such a path is suitable for you.

We have provided you with an overview of the topic above but you should consult a professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

Retain Your Independence

etting older is a fact of life, unfortunately, and G while many of us hopefully enjoy vitality in our senior years, sometimes we need a little extra help to

get us to and from places, or just around the home.

Via My Aged Care, the Australian Government delivers funded in-home aged care to those of us who want to remain living independently.

The services provided can include anything from: • Social Support - if you’re living alone and would like a companion to sit down with you for a coffee, or take you on group outings • Transport - if you need assistance getting to and form appointments • Home Maintenance - if you need help cleaning, gar-

dening or fixing up things around your home • Meal Preparation - if preparing healthy meals is becoming a burden, someone can assist you with the preparation to ensure you get the nutrients you need There are many more services available, and for those of us eligible for government funding, all it takes is a call to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your needs and organise an assessment.

We at CORE Community Services employ caring male and female bilingual staff who deliver in-home care throughout South West Sydney.

If you aren’t eligible for government funding, give us a call on (02) 8717 1500, and we can’t talk through other funding options.

8 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?

Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

The Voice of the Maltese on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e o

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

Subscription is free.

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

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

How to watch Maltese TV direct on Chas. Farrugia, Golden Bay, Rockingham, WA home TV screen ecently on a visit to my house, a friend may already about it.

Rwas surprised to see me watch Maltese costWhatyouyoumuch.needSome is a TV set with an HDMI TV programmes, FROM MALTA direct on my TV screen. In fact I have been doing it for some months now and my wife and I have been spending pleasant evenings doing it. By the way, the evening programmes we watch are produced in the morning in Malta. They are mostly magazine programmes.

He was amazed that he too could do it. So today I also wish to share how I do it to The Voice of the Maltese. It is easy and it won’t

Fejn qed nonqsu

JM Zarb minn Footscray, Victoria jikteb: a˙seb wasal iΩ-Ωmien li lill-komunita` Maltija fl-istat ta’ Victoria ma nkomplux nitmejlu biha u norganizzawlha biss tombla, dinner dances jew nostal©ija. Wasal iΩ-Ωmien li wie˙ed jibda jaqsam il-problemi man-nies tat-triq u mistoqsija x’inhuma d-diffikultajiet tag˙hom u g˙aliex ˙afna drabi ma jipparteçipawx f’dak li jkun g˙addej madwarhom.

Meta staqsejna lilll-Maltin jekk iridux il-vot fl-elezzjoni ta’ Malta? G˙aliex f’çerti okkaΩjonijiet importanti f’dan l-istat isiru bi stedina biss jew g˙al tal-klikka?

G˙aliex il-kapijiet tag˙na f’dan l-istat jo˙or©u jattakkaw bl-a˙rax lill- Gvern ta’ Malta jew jorganizzaw petizzjonijiet, imbag˙ad u rari tisma’ minn g˙andhom dwar il-˙niΩrijiet li jsiru kontra l-komunita` Maltija (fost l-o˙rajn) mill-Gvernijiet Statali jew Federali?

Forsi g˙alhekk li hawn din l-apatija kollha?

EΩempju, g˙aliex lill-grupp Etnika ˙aduhom fiç-çentru ta’ Parkville u mhux fil-kaΩin talg˙annejja jew f’xi çentru li jesa’ 400 ru˙?

Nista’ nibqa’ sejjer ©img˙a s˙i˙a nistaqsi.

G˙andna bΩonn mexxejja ta’ sinsla u lesti biex ji©©ieldu g˙ad-drittijiet tag˙na, dejjem.

N

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

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

port (if yours is not an old TV set, it should have it), laptop (with an HDMI port, which most have) and a cheap HDMI cable that you can buy from any TV or computer shop.

Most of us who own a computer are familiar with the way we can stream TV programmes from all over the world. Most of the people I know stream TV programmes from Malta’s top TV stations that stream their programmes.

Some also stream programmes on demand.

It might not be that comfortable to watch the programmes on TV, particularly if there’s more than one person in the room. The best way would be to watch it on a big screen, on TV. So all one needs to do is connect the HDMI cable from the laptop to the TV set, chose the HDMI port you want to use from the remote, and watch the streamed programmes… and there you have it!

That way you can also enjoy pictures, videos and even high-definition movies and shows from the Internet.

Grazzi li ΩΩommu l-kultura u l-identita` b˙ala ©ens wie˙ed Paul P. Borg minn Birkirkara, Malta jikteb:

awrence u Joseph, grazzi ˙afna tal-˙idma L tag˙kom kif ukoll tat-tag˙rif li bis-sabar kollu twasslulna.

Hu dejjem ta' sudisfazzjon li wie˙ed jara Maltin lil hemm barra minn xtutna jaraw kif jag˙mlu u jΩommu ˙ajja l-kultura li tg˙aqqadna u li tag˙tina identità b˙ala ©ens wie˙ed a˙na fejn a˙na fid-dinja.

Minn dan il-bog˙od minn pajjΩ g˙al pajjiΩ, li bis-sa˙˙a tag˙kom donnu jiçkien. Ibqg˙u Ωguri li napprezzaw ˙idmietkom.

Nawgura lilkom, lill-familji u lill-qarrejja kollha sena mimlija sa˙˙a, hena u ©id!

L-edituri: Óajr lilek u wkoll lil dawk kollha li juru l-apprezzament tag˙hom g˙al dan il-pro©ett. G˙allinformazzjoni tieg˙ek Joseph Cutajar jag˙mel ixxoghol fuq il-magazin minn Malta fejn hu residenti; Lawrence Dimech ja˙dem mill-Awstralja.

Fr Attard sorely missed

Barry York from Canberra ACT writes: wish to express my sadness at the passing of Fr Lawrence Attard. I met him in Malta long ago, and we corresponded for many years. He leaves a great legacy in terms of Maltese migration historiography, as his work was meticulously researched and his scope encompassed Maltese migration to all significant locations.

I

The Voice of the Maltese 9

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Aborigines and citizenship BarryYork*

I

n one of the items on the pages ‘A quick glimpse at Australia’ in The Voice magazine, titled 'Going backwards' (17 January- page 17), it is claimed that any Aborigines born before the 1967 referendum were 'not considered Australian citizens'. It is not so.

Anyone born in Australia after the passage of the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1948, including all Aborigines, were Australian citizens.

None were 'non-persons' in law.

This does not mean that racism and discrimination did not exist but having citizenship opened the way for the significant improvements that have happened since then. That is

why the earlier generations of Aboriginal activists fought hard for citizenship and, more importantly, citizenship rights.

The 1967 Referendum altered the Australian Constitution to allow Aboriginal Australians to be counted in the Census. They had been counted previously, but not completely and it was now obligatory to do so.

The Referendum, supported by 90% of the people, also allowed the Commonwealth to make special laws for Indigenous Australians.

There's a long way still to go, especially in remote communities, but in my lifetime I can recall the headline news when the first Aboriginal Australian graduated with a full university degree. It was in 1966 and his

name was Charles Perkins.

Today, 30,000 Indigenous Australians have university degrees.

On almost every measure, there has been progress but there is still not equality and the most serious problems in our society disproportionately affect Indigenous Australians, especially in remote areas.

And to our shame, as a society we are still too willing to accept conditions and circumstances for Indigenous Australians that we would never tolerate for non-Indigenous Australians. *Dr Barry York is an historian. He worked for Museum of Australian Democracy on the museum’s Oral History Programme for many years, He retired in May 2016.

For the attention of the Maltese Diaspora:

Malta’s EU Presidency and Ideas from Europe

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s part of Malta's EU Presidency, Malta is launching the next round of Ideas from Europe, and is searching for Maltese Innovators solving global challenges.

Originally launched as part of the Netherlands' EU Presidency, Ideas from Europe is a pan-European competition to find business solutions to global challenges.

Individual member states hold local competitions to identify the idea and innovator that will represent their country. Innovators present their idea at the SME assembly. The top 12 are provided the required support to improve their reach, scale and impact.

With a drive from the European Commission to make Ideas from Europe a biennial event, the Maltese Government has chosen to lead the next round as part of the country’s EU Presidency.

The Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business (MEIB) has partnered with Deborah Webster, the Founder of AMANI Circle, to conduct the search.

From access to power, water and housing to education, healthcare & finance, Malta is looking for Maltese/dual citizens, and innovators residing in Malta, working on solutions to societal and environmental issues.

The competition is open to all Maltese nationals, regardless of where they reside.

The Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business together with Deborah Webster, are leading the search, and are taking an active approach in tapping into the Maltese Diaspora and communities with a strong Maltese presence including Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Greece, UAE

and the Benelux.

The event to choose the Maltese representative, which will be open to members of the public, will take place in Malta on 7th March 2017. The event will also be streamed, providing Maltese Embassies and Consulates the opportunity to host local events in their host countries.

The deadline for entries is February 10.

A panel of judges will review entries.

Shortlisted innovators will be invited to present their idea in person on March 7.

The winning idea and innovator will rep-

resent Malta and will be part of the official launch of the next round of Ideas from Europe, taking place on April 6.

Shortlisted innovators will receive feedback and guidance on how to improve their idea to have further impact.

This is a unique opportunity to discover workable solutions to global challenges and for innovators to be able to maximise their impact.

Further information is available on www.ideasfrommalta.com, www.ideasfrommalta.com.mt, Facebook and Twitter.

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10 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Perspettiva D˙ul Universali A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: https://ivancauchi. blogspot.com

kitba ta’

IVAN CAUCHI

M

atul l-a˙˙ar sena, kien hemm interess ©did f'idea li kienet instemg˙et xi nofs seklu ilu, dik ta' d˙ul universali, li kien t˙abat g˙aliha l-mibki Martin Luther King, meta kien stqarr “irridu nikkreaw xog˙ol g˙al kul˙add, jew inkella d˙ul”.1 G˙al min ma semax biha, id-d˙ul universali (ukoll imsejja˙ d˙ul baΩiku) huwa pagament mill-gvern jew minn entita` stabbilita minnu liç-çittadini kollha, ming˙ajr eççezzjoni, irrispettivament jekk ja˙dmux jew le. Tista' tqisha b˙ala g˙ajnuna soçjali li tg˙aqqad flimkien l-g˙ajnunet lo˙ra kollha, inkluΩa dik g˙al nies qieg˙da, bid-differenza li tkun mog˙tija lil kul˙add.

Tg˙iduli, x'inhu l-vanta©© tag˙ha, jew xi problema qed tipprova ssolvi?

L-ewwel ˙a©a, tissimplifika s-sistemi kkumplikati ta' g˙ajnuna soçjali li jeΩistu f'diversi pajjiΩi, li jridu ji©u rregolati u mg˙assa, u l-amministrazzjoni diffiçli tag˙hom fejn applikazzjoni trid ti©i miflija sabiex ji©i aççertat jekk dak li jkun hux eli©ibbli, qabel jing˙ata l-g˙ajnuna.

Persuna llum jista' jkun eli©ibbli g˙al diversi skemi. Idd˙ul universali hija skema wa˙da, li g˙aliha kul˙add eli©ibbli, punt.

Biex intikom idea tal-ispiΩa ta' amministrazzjoni tas-servizzi soçjali illum, fl-Awstralja, huwa rrappurtat li l-pajjiΩ jonfoq $3 biljun fis-sena, sempliçement biex jamministra l-iskemi eΩistenti ta' g˙ajnuniet soçjali li jeΩistu llum.

Mhux mag˙ruf kemm sistema sempliçi ta' d˙ul universali tqum biex ti©i amministrata - Ωgur mhux xejn, imma Ωgur ˙afna inqas minn dik tal-lum.

Hemm ukoll il-potenzjal li ji©i eliminat il-faqar fil-pajjiΩ.

Il-kritika li ssir g˙al sistema b˙al din hija li illum tista' ting˙ata iktar g˙ajnuna lil min g˙andu bΩonn iktar, peress li wie˙ed jista' jkun eli©ibbli g˙al iktar minn skema wa˙da. Bid-d˙ul universali, hemm biss skema wa˙da g˙al kul˙add.

Kritika o˙ra hi li jekk wie˙ed ikollu d˙ul ming˙ajr il-bΩonn li ja˙dem, inaqqas l-inçentiv li jfittex ix-xog˙ol. Mill-banda l-o˙ra, peress li d-d˙ul universali ma jitwaqqafx meta wie˙ed ja˙dem, m'hemmx id-diΩinçentiv li jeΩisti llum fejn ˙afna mill-g˙ajnuna soçjali ma tibqax eli©ibbli g˙aliha malli tibda' ta˙dem.

Naturalment, il-flus iridu ji©u minn x'imkien. L-ewwel parametru li jrid ji©i kkunsidrat huwa x'inhu l-livell ta' pagament li qed jissemma. Hemm propost li dan isir mat-tneh˙ija tal-ewwel faxxa ta’ taxxa fuq id-d˙ul, li s-soltu tkun ta’ 0%, Naturalment m'a˙niex qed nitkellmu dwar nies li jsiru sinjuri. Per eΩempju fl-Awstralja, kieku l-pagament ikun ta' $10k fis-sena g˙al kull wie˙ed mid-dsatax-il miljun adult fil-pajjiΩ, il-piΩ ikun ta' $190 biljun fis-sena, kwaΩi eΩattament daqs il-piΩ tas-servizzi soçjali (apparti l-Medicare) tal-lum li jiswew $170 biljun fis-sena.2 Hemm interess madwar id-dinja f'dan is-su©©ett. Pro©etti pilota g˙adhom kif bdew fil-Finlandja u l-Kanada. Mill-banda l-o˙ra, referendum fl-Isvizzera wera li tliet kwarti tal-votanti kienu kontra l-proposta.

Jien na˙seb li dan l-interess se jiΩdied, mhux jonqos. Meta wie˙ed jikkunsidra l-iΩvilupp mg˙a©©el tat-teknolo©ija, wie˙ed ma jistax ma jistaqsix kemm a˙na 'l bog˙od minn rivoluzzjoni ©dida industrijali, b'numru kbir ta' nies li mistennija jispiççaw bla xog˙ol. Dan di©à se˙˙ fil-passat wara l-invenzjoni tal-magni, u tal-kompjuter li l-effetti tieg˙u g˙adu jin˙ass.

Illum hemm diversi teknolo©iji ta˙t testijiet li g˙andhom il-potenzjal li jitfg˙u miljuni ta' nies bla xog˙ol, u kollha f'salt. Nista’ nsemmi l-vetturi awtomatizzati, li kapaçi jwaqqfu mix-xog˙ol lil tant xufiera, per eΩempju tat-taksi u anke ta' servizzi ©odda b˙allUber3; it-twassil tal-pakketti fid-djar minn vetturi li jtiru (drones),

li qed ji©u ttestjati mill-kumpannija Amazon4, li taffettwa dawk il˙addiema postali li baqa’; il-printers ta' tliet dimensjonijiet, fejn di©a` rajna anke djar s˙a˙5 mibnija, jew a˙jar ipprintjati, li g˙andu l-potenzjali li joqtol tant u tant xog˙ol ta' in©inerija.

Jien nara l-potenzjali li mases ta' nies se jispiççaw ming˙ajr d˙ul. Normalment, meta t-teknolo©ija thedded l-impjiegi tannies, l-awtoritajiet jinsistu fuq li wie˙ed jitg˙allem ˙iliet ©odda u jipprova industrija o˙ra.

Il-problema hi li t-teknolo©ija tant qed tavvanza malajr u f'firxa wiesg˙a ta' industriji, u li tant qed tawtomatizza xog˙lijiet manwali, li qajla se jibqa' postijiet tradizzjonali tax-xog˙ol. Wisq nibΩa' li meta l-gvern jassumi li min jitlef xog˙ol jista' jfittex u jsib ie˙or, basta jqum naqra fuq tieg˙u, din il-˙a©a se tkun inqas u inqas fattibbli g˙al ˙afna nies bla xog˙ol, u dan na˙seb li mhux se jdum biex ise˙˙.

G˙alhekk, sistema ta' d˙ul baΩiku, li tkun iffinanzjata iktar u iktar minn dawk l-intrapriΩi li bbenefikaw milli ˙elsu mill-impjegati tag˙hom, tista' tg˙in sabiex dawk in-nies li jkunu bla xog˙ol, jew li m'g˙andhomx biΩΩejjed xog˙ol biex imantnu lilhom innifishom u l-familji tag˙hom, ikunu jistg˙u jg˙ixu talinqas barra mill-faqar.

Fl-Awstralja, wara r-riforma biç-çentralizzazzjoni tat-taxxa fuq id-d˙ul (income tax) li bdiet biex tiffinanzja t-tieni gwerra dinjija6, imbag˙ad il-©lidiet il-kbar industrijali u politiçi dik fuq ilGST lejn tmiem is-seklu g˙oxrin, qed inxomm ©lieda kbira ©ejja fis-snin li ©ejjin, fuq id-d˙ul universali!

Referenzi

1. “Where do we go from here?”; Martin Luther King, Jr; 11th Annual SCLC Convention, Atlanta, Ga; 16/8/1967 2. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-27/is-universal-basic-income-dangerous-idea-of-2016/8149398, retrieved 23/1/2017 3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-14/uber-launchesgroundbreaking-driverless-car-service-in-us/7845820; retrieved 23/1/2017 4. https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-PrimeAir/b?ie=UTF8&node=8037720011, retrieved 23/1/2017 5. http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/design/worldsfirst-3d-printed-house-is-completed-after-just-45-days-inchina/news-story/05c819dfc0dc6bf7ec0fd2abfed23edd, retrieved 23/1/2017 6.http://archive.treasury.gov.au/documents/1156/HTML/docshell.asp?URL=01_Brief_History.asp, retrieved 23/1/2017

Tuesday January 31, 2017

The Voice of the Maltese 11

Il-Festa ta’ San Anton Abbati K

waΩi mal-bidu ta’ kull sena ©dida, ir-Rabat igawdi Tradizzjonalment issir minn attrazzjoni u tradizzjoni speçjali li g˙alkemm ma il-purçissjoni bil-vara bdietx fi ˙danu, kien il-lokal li taha popolarità kbira. ta’ San Anton Abbati Qed nirreferi g˙all-festa tat-tberik tal-annimali, marbuta malqaddis San Anton Abbati, li jsir wara l-purçissjoni li to˙ro© ilÓadd filg˙odu wara l-quddiesa mill-Knisja San Mark, mag˙rufa aktar b˙ala l-Knisja Santu Wistin tar-Rabat.

Il-festa ta’ San Anton Abbati (251 - 356) ta˙bat fis-17 ta’ Jannar. Dis-sena ©iet iççelebrata fil-15 tax-xahar. It-temp din iddarba ma ppermettiex li ssir bil-pompa tas-soltu. Il-quddiesa saret xorta wa˙da, imma l-vara tal-patrun tal-animali baqghet ©ewwa, u t-tberik tal-annimali sar g˙all-kenn tal-kunvent li lAgostinjani fet˙uh biex ma jit˙assrux festi.

Nibda biex ng˙id li San Anton Abbati huwa l-fundatur talmonastiçiΩmu Nisrani u fil-letteratura jippreΩentawhulna b˙ala eremit jg˙ix wa˙du ma˙qur ˙afna mix-xitan. Miet fl-età ta’ 105 snin, g˙al dak iΩ-Ωmien (u anki llum) età eççezzjonali.

Miet fuq il-Muntanja Kolzin ˙dejn il-Ba˙ar l-A˙mar. Sena wara San Atanasju kiteb il-˙ajja tieg˙u.

Il-knisja li jie˙du ˙siebha l-Patrijiet ta’ Santu Wistin fir-Rabat g˙andha rabta speçjali ma’ San Anton li huwa wkoll protettur tal-annimali. Dan il-qaddis mill-E©ittu huwa wkoll wie˙ed mill-protetturi tal-pesta u anke tal-mard tal-©ilda.

Il-qaddis u wkoll wie˙ed mill-protetturi tal-Kavallieri, li xerrdu u kabbru d-devozzjoni lejh f’Malta. Normalment, flistampi narawh bil-le˙ja kbira (g˙ax kien jg˙ix fid-deΩert) u dejjem b’˙anΩira ma©enbu.

Dan l-annimal baqa’ dejjem marbut ma’ San Anton Abbati, g˙ar-ra©uni li l-Patrijiet Antonjani kienu jrabbu l-annimali g˙all-karità u nhar il-festa kienu joqtlu ˙anΩira li bix-xa˙am tag˙ha kienu jfejqu l-feriti … b˙al ingwent mediku. Kien Ωmien ie˙or.

Fil-Knisja San Mark fir-Rabat hemm altar li hu ddedikat g˙al istudjuΩi ja˙sbu li hija dan il-qaddis. L-altar huwa lxog˙ol ta’ Xandru Aza˙˙ar wie˙ed fin-na˙a taxzopardi (1791 - 1871), skulxellug x˙in tid˙ol mill-bieb tur Ûejtuni u alljiev ewlieni tal-knisja. Il-kwadru tal-mag˙ruf Marjanu Gerta’ fuq l-altar huwa sabi˙ ada. Din l-istatwa hi l-at˙afna u antik (1720). Hu trazzjoni tal-purçissjoni li wkoll marbut mal-fratellanza ssir fir-Rabat. antika li ©©ib l-istess isem talInteressanti wkoll jing˙ad PeterPaulCiantar qaddis imwaqqfa f’din illi dan il-qaddis ji©i wkoll knisja.

Din il-fratellanza hi l-unika li hawn f’Malta lejn San Anton iççelebrat fit-30 ta’ Jannar fil-Knisja Koptika.

Il-purçissjoni bl-istatwa ta’ San Anton Abbati fir-Rabat ©enAbbati. Fuq il-muzzetta sewda l-fratelli g˙andhom salib partikulari li bl-IngliΩ jissejja˙ Tau-Cross … salib tradizzjonali eralment tkun wa˙da sempliçi iΩda fiha l-karatteristiçi tag˙ha.

Is-soltu il-Korp tal-Pulizija jibg˙at Ωew©t Ωwiemel tal-kaval(salib Ruman) ming˙ajr il-parti ta’ fuq.

(G˙al min ma jafx, il-muzzetta hija b˙al kappa li tintlibes fuq lerija li jag˙tu bidu g˙all-purçissjoni.

Wara ji©u t-tfal u l-kbar bl-annimali tag˙hom li jrabbu b˙ala l-ispallejn u li tinqafel fuq in-na˙a ta’ quddiem mill-kleru, fospets, b’˙afna minnhom, partikolarment il-klieb, ji©u mΩejna thom papiet, kardinali, isqifijiet, kappillani u anke fratelli.)

Ta’ min jg˙id ukoll li fl-antik kien hawn devozzjoni kbira lejn g˙all- okkaΩjoni, imbag˙ad jie˙du posthom iΩ-Ωwiemel dan San Anton Abbati. Fil-fatt din id-devozzjoni lejh hija im˙ejjija g˙all-okkaΩjoni.

Tradizzjonalment jidher ukoll l-istandard tal-Fratellanza ta’ mifruxa ˙afna, tant li fost o˙rajn insibu wkoll kappella firSan Anton Abbati, imbag˙ad ti©I l-fratellanza, il-patrijiet ra˙al tax-Xag˙ra, G˙awdex, iddedikata g˙alih.

Intant, minbarra l-fratellanza u l-altar, fil-knisja ta’ San Mark Agostinjani tar-Rabat u fl-a˙˙ar l-istatwa sabi˙a u devota ta’ hemm ukoll statwa antika tal-qaddis. Din hi hi tal-injam, bl- San Anton Abbati. Ma jonqosx lanqas is-sehem tal-banda L’Isle Adam li tferra˙ lil dawk preΩenti bil-marçi u l-innijiet u timxi wkoll wara l-istatwa.

Meta t-temp jippermetti, il-purçissjoni to˙ro© mill-bieb ewlieni tal-Knisja San Mark, tg˙addi g˙al fuq is-Saqqajja u tid˙ol fi ‘Vjal Santu Wistin’ biex tintemm fil-pjazza ta’ quddiem il-knisja.

Malli tintemm il-purçissjoni jsir it-tberik tal-annimali u ˙add mill-partiçipanti ma jmur id-dar b’idejh vojta g˙ax jitqassam il-˙obΩ, il-˙elu u xi santa ta’ San Anton Abbati … tradizzjoni li tmur lura g˙all-img˙oddi meta l-Patrijiet Agostinjani kienu jqassmu l-˙obΩ lill-foqra.

It-tellieqa tat-tfal ukoll hija tradizzjoni u tintrabat sewwa ma’ din l-ewwel festa tas-sena l-©dida. Óasra li min˙abba l-maltemp din is-sena l-festa w˙ud mit-tradizzjonijiet marbuta ma’ din il-festa fuq barra kellhom jit˙assru.

Dis-sena l-festa ttapnet bil-maltemp u t-tberik sar fil-knisja

12 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta EU Commission V/President Frans Timmermans

Deputy PM Louis Grech

EU Commission supports Malta’s solutions for Union

Head of EP in Malta now EU President’s speechwriter

P

eter Agius, the head of the Eus one would expect, Malta’s Presidency that the European Commission would support ropean Parliament in Malta, of the European Union Council keeps Malta when it presents the solutions towards has been asked to join new Eurodominating the local Malta scene and the last the future of the EU. pean Parliament President Antofew days the Ministers and Parliamentary SecHe told the media that though it was early nio Tajani’s cabinet as his speechwriter. He will be taking retaries were busy chairing a series of informal days, he was struck by the consensus around up his new prestigious post on meetings of the Council of EU Ministers, in the table, but one gets the confirmation that the February 6. The term expires in Malta and Brussels in order to present their smaller the member state the bigger the sucMay 2019. programmes of laws and discussions to differ- cess of the Presidency.

Dr Agius, 38, had been head of ent Euro Parliament ComHe added: “This gives the EU in Malta since 2012. Prior mittees at the European Malta the opportunity to to that he was employed with the Parliament. steer the European Council of Ministers in Brussels The meetings in Malta Union in the right direcfor 10 years. were held at the Grand tion in the next couple of Before joining the EU he read Masters’ Palace in Valletta where the large hall months, to show the leadership that Europe Law at the University of Malta. that had previously served as the House of Par- craves for and it is in the very capable hands He graduated LL.D in 2000 and liamentary was used for the first time for EU of Louis Grech and the very capable hands of LL.B in 2003. In 2006 he graduCouncil meetings after it was changed into a Prime Minister Muscat that I am looking forated Masters in European Law at temporary venue for the Presidency. ward to the next couple of months. The comthe Université Libre de Bruxelles.

The European Ministers discussed a number mission would be in full support of what the He joined the legal services of of items on the agenda leading to the more Maltese government has put on the table.” the Council of the European concrete ideas to be dealt with during the forIn the meantime, in Brussels, the Maltese Union in Brussels in 2002. mal summit that would discuss, among other Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries took In his reaction, Dr Agius said it things, the future direction the EU should take, part in meetings in which they presented and was a great privilege to be asked to set against the background of the 60th anniver- discussed a number of programmes on issues be Mr Tajani's speechwriter and sary celebrations of the Rome Treaty in March. ranging from EU funds to employment the encould not let the opportunity go.

At a news conference at the end of the first vironment, consumer protection and others. meeting of the EU Ministers, that The hall at the Grand Masters’ Palace that previously housed the House of Parliament discussed the general themes now being used for EU Council meetings Deputy Prime Minster Louis Grech expressed his satisfaction for the way discussions have turned out. He sounded positive that solutions to a number of problems currently facing the EU could be found Meanwhile, at the same meeting with the media, Frans Timmermans, the vice president of the European Commission gave Malta the thumbs up. He said

A

‘EU Presidency facing unique challenges’

The Voice of the Maltese 13

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Roundup of News About Malta

Unemployment Foreign Affairs Minister: One now under 3,000 cannot give up on Med. Region

F

or the first time, at the end of last year (December 2016) the number of persons registering for work stood at less than 3,000. Figures indicate the number of unemployed at being 2,912, compared to 4,615 in the corresponding month of 2015. All age groups except those of under 20 registered decreases.

Compared to December 2015, registrants for work decreased irrespective of how long they had been registering.

The largest decrease was recorded among persons who had been registering for over one year. The number of persons with a disability who were registering for work also decreased by 44 to 354.

Males accounted for 77.1 per cent of total registrants with a disability.

The largest share of males (17.9%) on the unemployment register sought occupations as craft and related trades workers. The largest share of females on the unemployment register (35.1%) sought occupations as clerical support workers.

TI classifies Malta 47th in corruption perception index

A

ddressing members of the Diplomatic Corps in his annual New Year meeting with them, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella (above) said that the country’s energies in the coming six months are primarily being directed towards achieving a successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union, but not only.

He outlined situations in neighbouring countries, with a particular emphasis on Libya, as well as the situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, including Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the Western Balkans, and Turkey. He pointed out that the situation in Malta’s Mediterranean neighbourhood in 2016 remained as precarious as the previous year.

He said: “This is a region that has all the potential to be a vibrant and lively economic centre and a beehive of cultural activity. Instead, it is heavily laden with conflict, instability and socio-economic challenges.” He added, “It is incumbent upon us to give particular attention to our Southern neighbours”.

The Minister went on to say, “We cannot afford to give up on this region. The EU needs to continue to present itself as a reliable partner and to be there consistently to help create the right conditions for a bright future”.

Record year for cruiseline visitors

igures published by the National StatisF tics Office (NSO), indicate that 2016 was another record year for cruiseline passengers visiting Malta. Vessels entering Malta’s Grand Harbour last year carried a total of 682,222 passengers, an increase of nearly 2% on 2015.

Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis welcomed these positive figures.

NP: 171 Environment proposals

he Nationalist Party has launched a docT ument with its proposals for the environment that contains 16 key focus areas and 171 proposals.

Launching the proposals, NP leader Simon Busuttil said a PN government would seek to ensure that the Environmental and Resources Authority would be transformed from what he described as “the toothless entity it was today”, and be given all the necessary resources to protect the environment.

alta has been classified in 47th position out of 176 in Transparency M International’s annual corruption perception index, that is 10 places down on last year.

It has obtained 55 points on a scale of 100, one point less than last year, sharing the position with two other EU member states, Cyprus and Czech Republic, and eight points less than the average of 43 points for all the countries listed in the index.

According to TI no country out of the 176 in the index obtained an absolutely clean certificate when it comes to corruption in public life. Denmark and New Zealand are best placed with 90 points.

Two out of three countries evaluated obtained less than half of the points in the scale.

Malta’s National Philharmonic Orchestra at the concert in Brussles

Success for Joseph Calleja, national orchestra at opening of Presidency enor Joseph Calleja and the NaT tional Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO) directed by Brian Schembri

Joseph Calleja and NPO director Brain Schembri

did Malta proud once again at the Le Boeuf Theatre at the Bozar Cultural Centre in Brussels, Belgium.

Before a capacity crowd of around 2000 that included Malta’s President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the Maltese President of the Regions Committee at the EU Karmenu Vella, foreign ambassadors resident in Brussels and other distinguished guests Calleja and the NPO brought the house down with

their versatility.

The highlights of the concert were the executions of compositions by Maltese composers Charles Camilleri, Joseph Vella and Carlo Diacono.

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca addressing the audience said that the European project needed to be sustained with respect, dignity, peace and well being. She added that for Malta, hosting the EU Presidency was a historic moment.

Referring the contest the President described it as a celebration of the identity and values that being together the EU members states.

14 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Konservattivi vs. Moderati N

a˙seb li malli taqraw t-titlu millewwel tg˙idu “©ej bil-politika mill©did”. Dan billi ˙afna drabi dawn iΩ-Ωew© kelmiet jintuΩaw ˙afna fil-qasam politiku fejn sa˙ansitra anke partiti politiçi jing˙ataw it-timbru ta’ “Konservattivi” u “Moderati”. IΩda l-konservatiΩmu u lmoderniΩmu jeΩisti ukoll f’diversi setturi o˙ra – fosthom fil-Knisja.

G˙al min g˙andu çertu eta’ Ωgur jiftakar kemm dawn iΩ-Ωew© kelmiet intuΩaw meta Papa Gwanni XXIII permezz talKonçilju Vatikan it-Tieni ©ab bidliet kbar fil-Knisja Kattolika, b’g˙add ta’ membri tal-kleru, fosthom kardinali je˙duha bi kbira kontra çerti bidliet. Sa˙ansitra kien hemm minn tbieg˙ed mill-Vatikan min˙abba f’hekk.

Hekk ©ara dan l-a˙˙ar f’Malta meta l-Isqfijiet Maltin ˙ar©u pastorali qasira fejn spjegaw l-intenzjonati li jsie˙bu fit-triq tat-tfit- txija lil dawk il-persuni li jixtiequ jaqraw l-istorja ta’ ˙ajjithom fid-dawl ta’ Ìesù.

“Dan jg˙odd ukoll g˙all-koppji u lfamilji li jinvolvu persuni separati jew divorzjati u li llum qeg˙din f’rabta ©dida.

U˙ud minn dawn il-persuni, g˙alkemm tilfu l-ewwel Ωwie©, ma tilfux it-tama tag˙hom f’Ìesù. Fosthom insibu min jixtieq ˙afna jkun f’paçi ma’ Alla u malKnisja, tant li qed jistaqsina x’g˙andu jag˙mel biex ikun jista’ jqerr u jitqarben”.

L-Isqfijiet jistiednu lil min jinsab f’xi qag˙da b˙al din u jixtieq g˙ajnuna biex ikompli jdawwal il-kuxjenza tieg˙u, ˙alli jfittex saçerdot li jakkumpanjah.

L-g˙oti tal-fakulta’ lis-saçerdoti li jqarbnu lil dawk li huma divorzjati u miΩΩeww©in mill-©did ma niΩlitx tajjeb ma’ kul˙add, sa˙ansitra anke ma xi membri tal-kleru stess. Attwalment dan se˙˙ ukoll barra minn Malta meta din ilkonçessjoniji ng˙atat min-na˙a talVatikan, tant li kien hemm min ukoll ikkritika lill-Papa.

Jidher li kien hemm min allega li l-isqfijiet Maltin marru lil hinn minn dak li qal il-Papa, tant li wie˙ed mill-esperti tal-Li©i

Kanonika Amerikana sostna li l-linji gwida tal-Isqfijiet Maltin kien “diΩastru Malti” u sa˙ansitra sostna li l-Isqfijiet kienet qed imexxu lill-kattoliçi Maltin fittriq tad-dnub.

Il-biçça ssoktat tikber meta portal kattoliku ÌermaniΩ ˙are© jallega li l-Isqof t’G˙awdex, Mons Mario Grech, hedded lil dawk is-saçerdoti li rrifjutaw li jqarbnu lid-divorzjati b’sospensjoni ‘a divinis’.

Din l-a˙bar xterdet fuq siti elettroniçi o˙ra madwar id-dinja u wassal biex ilKurja t’G˙awdex to˙ro© stqarrija: “Nikkomuni-kaw li dak li qed jing˙ad f’çerti sezzjonijiet tal-midja (internazzjonali) b’referenza g˙all-Isqof Mario Grech, ji©ifieri li hu ‘hedded lis-saçerdoti li ji©u sospiΩi (a divinis) jekk jirrifjutaw li jqarbnu lil min hu divorzjat u miΩΩewwe© mill-©did, assolu- tament mhux minnu.”

Hemm min qed jg˙id li din l-istorja tassospensjoni setg˙et bdiet minn saçerdot G˙awdxi li o©©ezzjoni g˙all-konçessjoni li taw l-Isqfijiet u sa˙ansitra baqa’ jirrifjuta li jqarben lil dawk divorzjati.

Jien ma nistag˙©ibx b’çerti reazzjonijiet,

Isqof Mons Mario Grech

g˙ax kull bidla li ssir se ikun hemm min jo©©ezzjona g˙aliha. U bidla b˙al din, wara li g˙al tant snin id-divorzjati kienu miç˙uda s-sagramenti, u fuq kollox wara l-©lieda f’Malta kontra d-d˙ul tad-divorzju, Ωgur li se tixxokkja lil dawk li huma konservattivi u li ftit li xejn jemmnu li wie˙ed irid jimxi maΩ-Ωminijiet.

Skoss g˙all-Ordni ta’ Malta l-kwistjoni tal-moderati vs il-konservatIKavallieri tivi wasslet ukoll biex l-Ordni talta’ Malta tispiçça bl-inkwiet mal-Vatikan.

Dik li bdiet b˙ala kwistjoni nterna fi ˙dan l-Ordni meta l-Gran Mastru Fra Matthew Festing li g˙andu 67 sena keçça lill-Gran Kançellier tal-Ordni, Albrecht von Boeselager, wara li dan kien imda˙˙al fit-tqassim ta’ kontraçettivi fi kliniçi f’Myanmar immexxija mill-a©nezija umanitarja talordni bil-g˙an li jipprevjeni l-HIV/AIDS. Il-kwwestjoni spiççat f’saqajn il-Vatikan, meta dan Boeselager talab li ssir inkjesta dwar it-tkeççija tieg˙u.

Jidher li l-Gran Mastru oppona t-talba talVatikan g˙ax sostna li l-Ordni kienet sovrana. Imma ng˙ata x’jifhem li l-Papa ma

qag˙adx g˙al dan u talab lill-Gran Mastru biex jirriΩenja.. kif fil-fatt g˙amel.

Ta’ min jg˙id, hu hawn jo˙ro© biç-çar, il-©lieda bejn il-moderati u l-konservativi, u li l-Gran Mastru kellu l-appo©© tal-Kardinal Raymond Burke, kardinal konservattiv li sikwit jikkritika lill-Papa preΩenti.

Sadnittant il-Papa kellu ja˙tar delegat pntifikali biex jie˙u ˙sieb l-Ordni.

Festing kien ilu jmexxi l-ordni, l-akbar wa˙da tal-kavallieri fid-dinja, mill-2008.

L-Ordni tal-Kavallieri ta’ malta hija mag˙mula minn 13,500 kavallier; madwar 50 minnhom huma reli©juΩi, b˙all-partijiet, min˙abba li ˙adu l-voti tal-karita`, ilkastita` u l-ubbidjenza. Min ji©i elett Gran Mastru minn fost il-kavallieri, jing˙ata lkariga g˙al g˙omru.

Passaport Malti b’sa˙˙tu l-passaport Malti huwa meqjus b˙ala wie˙ed Ifid-dinja. minn fost l-aktar l-passaporti b’sa˙˙ithom Meta ng˙id b’sa˙˙ithom ifisser

wie˙ed mill-aktar passaporti li permezz tieg˙u tista’ tmur f’pajjiΩi ming˙ajr ma g˙andek bΩonn ta’ visa... u g˙alhekk jag˙milha aktar façli biex wie˙ed iΩur diversi pajjiΩi tad-dinja.

Di©a’ ng˙ad xi ˙a©a dwar is-sa˙˙a tieg˙u fil-˙ar©a ta’ The Voice Nru 144 fil-pa©ni dwar l-a˙barijiet mill-Awstralja meta f’artiklu ssemmew l-aktar passaporti b’sa˙˙ithom fid-

dinja. Ta’ min jirrepeti hawn, li l-passaport Malti huwa kklasifikat fid-disa’ post (attwalment hemm 28 pajjiΩ qabel Malta imma f’kull livell tal-klassifika hemm aktar minn pajjiΩ wie˙ed) u permezz tieg˙u wie˙ed jista’ jΩur 150 pajjiΩ ming˙ajr il-˙tie©a ta’ visa.

Fl-ewwel post insibu l-Ìermanja b’157 post... mhux tant il-bog˙od min-numru li g˙andha Malta.

Allura mhux ta’ b’xejn li hemm ˙afna li jixtiequ li jkollhom passaport Malti.

The Voice of the Maltese 15

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Pro©etti ©odda ma˙suba biex tittaffa l-problema tat-traffiku

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ktar ma jg˙addi ΩΩmien aktar qed ikun diffiçli biex f’çertu ˙in wie˙ed imur minn post g˙all-ie˙or. Ilproblema tal-ivja©©ar kulma jmur qed tiΩdied.

Il-problema tant kibret li dan l-a˙˙ar intqal li lkon©estjoni tat-traffiku qed tqum lill-ekonomija Maltija €200 miljun fissena u jekk is-sitwazzjoni tibqa’ kif inhi fis-sena 2050 din se til˙aq €1.2 biljun fis-sena.

IΩda kif jista’ jkun li wie˙ed ibiddel is-sitwaz-

Nuqqas kbir ta’ sensittivita’ tit ilu ktibt dwar in-nuqqas ta’ sensi- determined to hole the party ship. Because they F tivita’ ta’ çerta artikolista bl-isem ta’ are going to inflict another muscat-led governDaphne Caruana Galizia, li fil-kitba ment on us and they deserve to be kicked out

of parliament for that.Vote for those who are not afraid to fight labour.”

Minkejja li ˙afna minn kull na˙a politika kkritikaw dan l-attakk fuq bniedem li kien g˙addej minn diffikultajiet kbar ta’ sa˙˙a, din il-blogger baqg˙et issostni dak li kitbet. Sa˙qet li DeMarco kellu jag˙mel g˙aΩla bejn is-sa˙˙a u l-politika.

Mhux ta’ b’xejn li mistoqsi dwar dan DeMarco wie©eb: “twe©©a’, twe©©a,’ g˙ax ovjament mod wie˙ed jattakkani g˙al assenza mhux ©ustifikata… imma meta jkollok assenza ©ustifikata, wie˙ed kien japprezza xi ftit sensittività”.

Jien ng˙id li twe©©a’ aktar meta l-attakk ikun ©ew minn xi ˙add li huwa meqjus b˙ala çampjin tal-Partit tieg˙ek.

Malajr, fuq il-midja soçjali ippubblikaw ritratti millprofil tieg˙u, fejn niΩΩel li studja l-li©i fl-Università ta' Benin u li huwa residenti Lausanne, l-IΩvizzera.

Bosta staqsew kif Lokri li mal-President qal li ja˙dem lejl u nhar biex isostni lil Guaranteed cheapest rates uliedu, jidher jag˙mel uΩu All vehicles in NRMA road Service minn vettura lussuΩa, u jg˙id li siefer jumejn Franza Low holding Deposit g˙al ra©unijiet ta' negozju.

Discount for weekly rentals Óafna attakkawh ukoll g˙all-fatt li rrimarka li lanShuttle service to the Airport qas kellu ©lekk biex jid˙ol Phone: 9622 2208 Mob: 0418 405 271 quddiem il-President, u safrattant ©abu ritratti 102 Kildare Rd Blacktown NSW 2148 tieg˙u liebes il-©lekk.

tag˙ha fil-konfront taç-Chief of Staff talPrim Ministru, nqdiet minn sitwazzjoni diffiçli ta’ sa˙˙a g˙al skop politika.

Issa l-istess artikolista ma tatx kaΩ ta’ minn x’hix kien g˙addej il-viçi-kap Nazzjonalista, Dr Mario DeMarco. Allegat li “Mario Demarco and other Nationalist MPs seem to be going out of their way to communicate the message that it is irrelevant to them whether the Nationalist Party wins the upcoming general election or not.” Óe©©et lil dawk li jappo©©jaw lill-PN: “don’t vote for the nationalist mps who haven’t vocally and visibly thrown their weight behind Simon Busuttil. Don’t vote for those who are

Is-Sa˙˙a tal-Midja

ulma ma jmur aktar K jing˙ata ra©un lill-fraΩi: the pen is mighter than the

sword. Minkejja li l-kompjuter ˙a post il-pinna, ilmidja stampata, viΩiva jew soçjali ssa˙˙ew u qed ikollhom effett qawwi fuq il˙ajja ta’ kuljum. Wie˙ed irid joqg˙od attent qabel jg˙id jew jie˙u xi azzjoni, g˙ax jikxfulu g˙ajnu.

Hekk ©ralu Innocent Lokri, li f'laqg˙a mal-President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

NiΩel g˙arrkupptejh jappella biex ma ji©ix deportat flimkien mal-familja tieg˙u minn Malta.

zjoni jekk nibqg˙u sejrin blistess rata ta’ Ωieda fil-karozzi fit-triqat tag˙na, meta wie˙ed jie˙u f’kunsiderazzjoni li matul is-sena li g˙addiet Ωdiedu aktar minn 12,000 vettura fit-toroq tag˙na, - ji©ifieri Ωieda ta’ aktar minn 32 vettura kuljum, biex issa l-g˙add ta’ vetturi jla˙˙aq 358,947 f’popolazzjon ta’ madwar 440,000 ru˙. Sintendi dan ma jinkludix dawk il-karozzi u vetturi o˙ra li jkunu Malta temporanjament billi sidhom ikunu f’Malta fuq vaganza jew fuq xog˙ol.

U sadanitant il-kobor talGΩejjer Maltin jibqa’ dak li hu.

Sadanittant, il-Gvern qed jipprova jsolvi parti millproblema billi jag˙mel infrastritturi ©odda fosthom il-bini tal-flyover tal-Kappara li mistennija tkun lesta sa tmiem dis-sena u l-bini ta’ junction (ara ritratt) qrib iççimiteru tal-Addolarata filMarsa.

Din il-junction li l-Unjoni Ewropeja approvat is-somma ta’ €38.8 ghall-bini tal-ewwel faΩi, se tkun tikkonsisti fi tliet pontijiet (flyovers) li jistg˙u jg˙addu minnhom in-nies flimkien ma’ pajsa©© ta˙t lart g˙adha kif ©iet approvata mill-Awtorita’ tal-ippjanar. F’dan il-pro©ett se jkun qed isir ukoll Park & Ride b’ 290 parke©©.

Leo’s Rentals Vehicle Rentals Leo’s Vehicle

16 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

A quick glimpse at Australia

MPs expenses now to be fixed

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rime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised sweeping changes after the resignation of the Health Minister Susan Ley. The new Health Minister is now Greg Hunt (pictured).

Under the new plan, a new independent body will be established to oversee “work expenses” of all federal politicians and MPs will be required to report their spending every month, instead of twice a year.

The new body – to be modelled on a similar British authority – will monitor and adjudicate on all expenses claims.

Acting Special Minister of State Kelly O’Dwyer said the “parliamentary expense system needs to change” and that the government was following through on its inprinciple acceptance of the recommendations of an inde-

pendent review of the system. She said the changes would be made in the first half of the year, saying there was a need to “streamline the current system”.

“A clear definition of what official business is, is obviously at the centre of the changes that need to be made - and will be made - by the government to give the Australian people confidence that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are respected, and they can have confidence in the system,” she said.

Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Australia

etween July 2015 and January 2017, 15,897 people disB placed by the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have arrived in Australia, according to the Turnbull government. Of these, 9155 were part of the additional 12,000 places announced by former PM Tony Abbott in September 2015.

This regular intake will increase from 13,750 to 16,250 in this financial year and 17,750 the year after that.

Senator Zed Seselja, the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, said: “Locations have been identified for the settlement of the additional intake of Syrian and Iraqi humanitarian entrants across a mix of metropolitan and regional settlement areas, in all states and territories.”

At least half of Australia's special intake of 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees will be settled in one part of western Sydney within 12 months, prompting community leaders to plead for more federal government support to deal with the unusually high

intake.

Fairfield City Council, which welcomed 3,000 humanitarian arrivals from the two war-torn countries in 2016, has been told by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to expect the same again. Overall, the council area took in triple their usual annual humanitarian intake last year.

Stephen Bali, president of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils and Blacktown CC mayor, said local governments need be properly equipped to meet their settlement and social cohesion responsibilities.

He called for detailed demographic information "to ensure councils are investing their efforts in the right kinds of services".

The ten local government areas with the most humanitarian arrivals in 2016e: Fairfield (NSW) 4,712, Hume (VIC) 2,378, Liverpool (NSW) 1,409, Logan (QLD) 926. Brisbane (QLD) 866, Salisbury (SA) 704, Melton (VIC) 456, Wyndham (VIC) 446, Stirling (WA) 443 and Playford (SA) 440.

Massacre in the centre of Melbourne

T

he man accused of the Bourke Street Melbourne deadly rampage has been charged with with five counts of mur-

der.

Five people, including a three-month-old baby and 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, were killed when the 26-year-old driver allegedly drove into the mall crowd after lunchtime.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton says

With great sadness

ra’ Prof RichF ard Divall AO, OBE has put down

his baton as he died in Melbourne after a long illness at aged 71. He was a musical director of the Victoria State Opera for nearly 30 years; a multi-talented maestro who conducted 150 operas.

Fr Divall treasured his association with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and was a good friend of the Maltese community in Melbourne. He has left a lasting legacy to the world of music through his research into the music of Malta and Australia.

the accused, Dimitrious Jimmy Gargasoulas had surgery because he was shot in the arm during the police chase.

The 26-year-old was known to police and had been driving erratically, doing doughnuts around Flinders Street Station in the centre of Melbourne (750 meters from Swanston Street to the west of William Street) after allegedly stabbing his brother much earlier that morning.

He had been bailed on an assault charge just five days before the massacre.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined

Daniel Andrews the Premier of Victoria and laid a wreath at the memorial site on the steps of the old GPO in the mall.

“The loss of fellow Australians in such a shocking, wanton, criminal attack is tragedy,” Mr Turnbull told reporters. “Above all we are with you in love, and our thanks, our admiration, for the heroism of those who rushed to the aid of the victims.”

Opposition leader Bill Shorten also laid a wreath and said an “evil, murderous hoon” had attacked one of Melbourne's iconic places.

The Voice of the Maltese 17

Tuesday January 31, 2017

A quick glimpse at Australia

Seventh Premier of NSW in a decade

G

ladys Berejiklian (on right), the first female Premier of the Liberal party speaking at her first media conference after being unanimously elected Liberal leader by her party room and before being sworn in as NSW Premier has vowed to address the housing affordability crisis, declaring it “the biggest issue people have across the state”.

“I want to make sure that every average, hard-working person in this state can aspire to own their own home,” she said. She outlined her government's key priorities as local infrastructures, such as schools and hospitals, housing affordability and a strong economy. Sydney’s median houses prices are $1,123,991 (Melbourne $795,447) In a prepared speech, Ms Berejiklian outlined two major influences that will determine the type of premier she will be: her Armenian migrant parents and public education.

Ms Berejiklian's father, Krikor, was a boilermaker who worked on the Sydney Opera House; her mother, Arsha, a nurse. “They made us believe we could be anything we aspired to be, Ms Berejiklian said, referring to herself and her

two sisters. “That's certainly what I bring to the job today.

Gladys Berejiklian was born in Sydney of Armenian parents and is very proud of her cultural background. She arrived in Sydney from Jerusalem and Syria in the 1960s. She is the first woman Liberal leader and the seventh Premier of NSW in a decade. The new premier is single and has no children. She is the member

Fair trade not free trade

resident Donald Trump has killed P America’s involvement in the TransPacific Partnership free trade deal with Australia, New Zealand, Japan and eight other Pacific nations.

The new US President signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the TPP. It is a major blow to the Australian government, and also New Zealand.

Speaking after Trump signed the executive order consigning the 12-nation TransPacific Partnership free trade deal to the dustbin, Australia’s PM Malcolm Turnbull hinted bringing China into a reworked Trans-Pacific Partnership to replace the US or rewriting the deal to exclude Washington.

Among the other options under consideration in the wake of the Trump retreat is the possible inclusion of Indonesia. “Well, the original architecture was to enable other countries to join,” Trade Minister Steve Ciobo told the ABC from New York.

Mr Trump said he was pursuing what he called “fair trade”, as opposed to purely free trade, and he had China and Japan in his sights.

He called out Japan for making it “impossible to sell” American cars in Japan. “If you want to sell something into China and other countries it’s very, very hard,” the US President told a meeting of chief executives of some of America’s biggest companies

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), or the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) was a trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States of America and Vietnam.

The finalised proposal was signed on February 4. 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand, concluding seven years of negotiations. Due to the US withdrawal from the agreement January 23, it currently cannot be ratified.

for Willoughby Her surname is a metonym for Australian multiculturalism. Her deputy is Dominic Perrottet and the National Party Leader’s name is John Barilaro. (The Queensland Premier is Annastacia Palaszczuk). That is Australia today.

Private battles were given as reasons for Mike Baird’s sudden exit from public life, after almost ten years in politics.

The 44th Premier of NSW was born on April 1, 1968 and was elected Premier on April 14, 2014 after the resignation of Barry O’Farrell. He resigned on Friday January 20 this year.

Australia Day: Alfred Borg honoured posthumously

lfred J. Borg from Glen Alpine A NSW, a former Campbelltown City Councillor who died last December 20,

is among those to be honoured (posthumously) in the Australia Day Honours List 2017. He is the only person of Maltese descent in the list that The Voice could identify. He was honoured for services to local government and the community of Campbelltown NSW. (His story was featured in the last issue of The Voice of the Maltese - page 21).

The Honours List recognised 475 men and 252 women in 31 categories. Julia Gillard, the first female Prime Minister and Anna Blight, the first female premier of Queensland to win an election in her own right, Victoria’s Governor, Linda Dessau and Tasmanian Governor Kate Werner were amongst those appointed Companions of the Order of Australia, the highest honour in the Order of Australia.

18 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Malta lags behind in matters of intercultural relations between different groups in our society

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research study by Dr Gordon Sammut, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology of the University of Malta has found that whatever helped improve relationships between different cultures in other countries did the opposite in Malta, and that the Maltese seem to be closing the door on foreigners who want to integrate, perhaps leading to conflict between different ethnic groups on the island.

This leads to a worrying situation that Malta lags behind a number of other countries in respect of offering its immigrants the opportunity for integration. Therefore this calls for appropriate social and public policy measures to address it.

The findings by two international studies led by Dr Sammut, and another one by Professor Maryanne Lauri, were the subject at a symposium organised by the Faculty for Social Well-being at the University of Malta and the EU-funded Re.Cri.Re Project, themed ‘Multiculturalism, integration and contact among socio-ethnic groups in Malta’.

The first study by Dr Gordon Sammut and Professor Maryanne Lauri investigated intercultural relations between the Maltese and five other ethnocultural groups, looking into their attitudes and expectations towards migrants.

Although a number of Maltese expressed a preference for assimilation (where migrants are expected to take on the values and practices of their host society) and also for exclusion, their main preference was for multiculturalism, where diverse ethnocultural groups live together in mutual tolerance and respect without forfeiting their respective identities.

Dr Sammut said that while this is positive, the Maltese were less likely to prefer multiculturalism than were other groups.

Surprisingly, and in contradiction to much of the literature, the Maltese who felt most secure and who expressed highest self-esteem were least likely to embrace a multicultural ideology. Those Maltese with more ethnic friends, and who met these friends more frequently were more likely to endorse multiculturalism.

Regrettably, the study also found that the more contact that ethnic groups have with the Maltese, the less these groups aspire to multiculturalism.

Over three quarters of Maltese respondents report meeting their foreign ‘friends’ rarely or never, whilst 46% report having no friends who are not Maltese. The dire situation extends further to the migrant population in Malta.

The study reveals that migrants who favour integration report lower levels of wellbeing in Malta than those who do not. Additionally, immigrants who report higher levels of contact with the Maltese also report lower preferences for integration.

Amongst the various groups, the Maltese and the Arab groups report the highest preferences for assimilation into Maltese society.

According to Dr Gordon Sammut this suggests that part of the reason why Malta has so far been spared conflict with its Arab migrant community is the fact that Arabs in M a l t a strive to assimilate rather than integrate. Despite this Dr Gordon Sammut tendency, the study further reports a convergence of antipathy towards Arabs by most other groups.

The researchers suggest that the lower preference among the Maltese for multiculturalism, as well as their higher preference for assimilation and for exclusion relative to other ethnic groups, is a cause for concern.

This is particularly true in respect of the prevailing negative perceptions of Arab migrants. In respect of attitudes between groups, all six groups rated the others positively (though to varying degrees), except for the Maltese and Asians who both rated the Arab group negatively. In fact, for all groups but one, attitudes towards the Arab group were lowest.

More light was shed on this topic in the second study, carried out by Dr Sammut and colleagues from foreign universities, where the researchers examined perceptions of Arabs and their integration.

From their interviews with Maltese respondents, the researchers identified a range of arguments made in relation to the integration of Arabs in Malta, which they classified into cultural, socio-political, psychological, religious, stigma and economic arguments.

While a number of these arguments were positive, for instance, in favour of cultural diversity, international relations and trade, the courtesy and friendliness of their Arab acquaintances and their economic contribution, there were more negative arguments than positive. These mainly centred around respondents’ negative perceptions of Islam and what they saw as an insurmountable disparity between cultural values and practices.

Their findings led the researchers to express concern about the ways in which the Maltese tend to essentialise Arabs, making pejorative generalisations particularly on the basis of their religion.

They note, however, that respondents who have had contact with Arabs were far more likely to perceive them positively, which led the researchers to call for the promotion of more contact with Arabs; for more positive portrayals in the media and for greater public understanding of Islam.

The researchers call for improved measures that foster mutual tolerance, respect and harmony between all ethnocultural groups in Malta. Dr Sammut has called on the Maltese to find a way for transforming cultural diversity into added value.

The symposium included an opening address by Minister Dr Helena Dalli, Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties

The Voice of the Maltese 19

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Ja Ba˙nan!

“Lili, sie˙eb? G˙id, lili?” Óares madwaru qisu kien qed jibΩa’ minn xi ˙add. Imma ma©enbna ma rajt lil ˙add. Biex inkun sinçier mag˙kom, kont se naqbad il-bastun u nxejjirulu. Imma l-ewwelnett dan jien qatt m’g˙amiltu f’˙ajti. M’iniex t’hekk.

KarmenuMallia Qatt ma kont. It-tieni g˙adda minn mo˙˙i hekk f’tebqa tg˙ajn, li ©rat xi ˙a©a li ma kontx qed nifhem sewwa. “Mhux lilek, xbin” qalli. “Ma rajtux? Ja biçça...” U baqa’ sejjer.

G˙all-erwie˙, g˙edt f’qalbi, imma min jismag˙ni ma©enbi ma kien hemm ˙add. U billi sibt ru˙i wa˙di, emmnuni, qisni mi©nun ˙affift il-pass. Kien dalam, it-triq ba˙˙. U jien f’˙in b˙al dak is-soltu ma ssibnix barra.

G˙ax hemm min m’g˙andux x’jag˙mel. Ba˙nan u mhux, jekk tkun ˙adt qatg˙a, tkun ˙adtha. Trid toqg˙od attent/a g˙ax ix-xitan issibu kullimkien g˙alkemm ma tarahx.

Meta kont abbati, is-Sibtijiet filg˙axija l-knisja kienu jkantaw il-kumpieta. Illum dan spiçça. Kont nismag˙hom ikantaw bil-Latin: “quaerens quem devoret”, bla ma kont nifhem xejn.

Ma nafx g˙aliex, imma dawn it-tliet kelmiet kienu jolqtuni sew. Forsi min˙abba l-le˙en imqanΩa˙ ta’ qassis minnhom, forsi g˙ax il-kliem minnu nnifsu jolqtok. Ma nafx.

Kultant bla ma nafu g˙aliex ˙a©a tolqtok aktar minn

o˙rajn u dan ma tkunx tista’ tispjegah jekk ma jkunx xi psikologu. Imsomma meta kbirt tg˙allimt il-Latin, u dilfraΩi li kont nisma’ fil-kumpieta s-Sibtijiet il-knisja sirt naf xi tfisser: “Hu u jfittex biex jibla’”, g˙ax-xitan. Issa jeΩistix jew le, in˙allih g˙al ˙addie˙or jippruvah.

L-istess b˙all-kelma “ba˙nan”, smajtha darb’o˙ra f’˙ajti.

Kien ˙ija. Ta’ a˙wa li konna ma konniex no-qog˙du nfettqu. Li nisimg˙u konna ng˙iduh.

Mela darba kont nieΩel it-tara© tad-dar tag˙na u kont se ne˙odha g˙al isfel. L-isptar kien jirba˙ni li ma kienx ˙ija.

“Ba˙nan,” qalli, “g˙andek il-po©©aman ma©enbek.

Ta˙seb li dan g˙amluh g˙alxejn ?”

Hawn ukoll, meta kbirt tg˙allimt it-tifsira tal-kelma “po©©aman”, kelma Taljana, li tfisser: fejn tpo©©i jdejk, u wara tg˙allimt ukoll li bil-FrançiΩ jg˙iduha “garde fou” li kelma b’kelma tfisser: “˙arsien g˙all-im©ienen” jew a˙jar: parfapett, ilqug˙.

Dawn iΩ-Ωew© kelmiet, ji©ifieri po©©aman u garde-fou fihom x’tomg˙od u j˙arsu lejn il-˙ajja minn lenti differenti. It-tnejn g˙andhom il-filosofija tag˙hom. Imma dik ilkelma FrançiΩa naraha daqsxejn kies˙a. Il-FrançiΩi ˙asbu li kull min ikun tiela’ jew nieΩel it-tara© hu mi©nun?

Imma xorta jibqa’ l-fatt li g˙andhom ra©un. IΩ-Ωew© kelmiet g˙andhom b˙ala g˙an tag˙hom is-sa˙˙a talbniedem: ilqug˙ g˙all-im©ienen.

Imma ner©a’ ndur g˙all-kelma ‘ba˙nan’ li a˙na ˙adna mill-G˙arbi. Jekk dil-kelma taqsamha fi tnejn issib li tibda bi tliet ittri: ‘ba˙’ (jekk iΩΩid ˙ o˙ra, ti©i ‘ba˙˙’). Ba˙nan qisha tfisser ‘xejn’, ‘m’intix f’sensik’, ‘m’intix f’siktek’. F’kelma wa˙da, m’intix tg˙ix.

Hemm hi t-tifsira ta’ ‘ba˙’ (imma ba˙˙ b’˙ wa˙da!) u ba˙˙ u xejn m’hemmx x’tag˙Ωel minnhom.

G˙alkemm li kieku jkollok titkellem fuq dan ma’ xi filosfu ma kontx tibqa’ b’xejn, g˙ax min jaf kemm kien jid˙ollok f’argumenti biex jipperswadik jew li tassew ifissru l-istess jew li g˙andhom xi differenzi li a˙na Imbag˙ad forsi jΩerΩaqielna minn ta˙t: “Kemm int ba˙nan xbin”.

Tg˙id ma jkollokx aptit tibag˙tu jsaqqi l-˙ass tal-Marsa?

Demise of Mr. George A Borg Olivier former Honorary Consul in Brisbane

T

he death has been announced of Mr. George Borg Olivier who was Honorary Consul for Malta in Brisbane from March 2009 to October 2015.

In a release by the Maltese High Commission Mr Borg Olivier was described as a man who dedicated service to the Maltese-Australian community in Brisbane and the vicinity, and maintained cordial relations with the local Australian government ultimately enhancing the warm relations between Malta and Australia.

Before his appointment as Malta’s Honorary Consul in Brisbane, Mr. Borg-Olivier was Managing Director of a managing consultancy company. He also authored the Lazarus IT Disaster Recovery Planner, a comprehensive template for the recovery of IT services.

Before coming to Australia he graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst and served as a commissioned officer of the Royal Malta Artillery.

A Memorial Service is to be held on Wednesday February 1 at 12.30pm at the Allambe Memorial Gardens, Somerville Chapel, 129 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Nerang.

20 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Tag˙rif dwar il-kitba Maltija

A

ktar regoli u tag˙rif uffiçjali dwar kif wie˙ed g˙andu jikteb ilMalti, ma˙ru© mill-Kummissjoni fi ˙dan l-Akkademja talMalti. laqa’ tin˙ass u tinkiteb fisIT-TISWIR TAL-KELMA suriet tefag˙ni, belag˙ni, Il-g˙erq u s-sura ewlenija tal-kelma (ikompli) laqag˙ni, laqg˙ek, laqg˙u, 5. Sew fit-tiswir kemm fit-tusig˙ tal-kelma ewlenija, il- laqag˙ha, laqag˙kom, laqkonsonanti dg˙afjin â (ie), j, w u l-konsonanti g˙ jid- ag˙hom. Hekk ukoll minn deffsu flok xulxin. wassa’, qatta’, xabba’ nag˙mlu wessag˙ni, wessag˙kom; G˙alhekk minn tefa(j) g˙andna tfiet, minn tafa(g˙): qattg˙ek, qattag˙hom; xebbag˙-ha, xebbg˙u. tfajt, tfajna, minn ©ie (©â): ©ejt, ©ejna, minn rema(j): Naraw g˙alhekk illi fl-ewwel u fit-tieni persuna g˙add rmiet, rmejna, minn rafa(g˙): rfajt, rfajna, minn xewa(j): farrad u mkattar (singular u plural) tal-passat, il-g˙ titxwiet, xwiekom. Hekk ukoll meta l-kelma titwessa’: biddel fil-konsonanti j. Ara: bΩajt, bΩajna, bΩajtu flok Minn sâr g˙andna sawwar, sûra (û flok uw) bΩag˙t, bΩag˙na, bΩag˙tu. " târ " tajjar, tajra Meta l-g˙ f’tarf il-kelma jkollha warajha r-rabta ta’ x " fâr " fawwar, fawra. (xejn) dil-konsonanti tibqa’ siekta u l-vokali ta’ qabilha T.ç. (1) Il-konsonanti j meta ta˙bat f’tarf il-kelma tie˙u l-le˙en twil. Ara: ma nistâx, ma tistâx, ma jistâx; ma b˙ala konsonanti tal-g˙erq fis-sura ewlenija, tibqa’ nibqâx, ma tibqâx, eçç. flok ma nistag˙x, ma tistag˙x, eçç.

Il-g˙ tibqa’ wkoll siekta u ti©i li ma tinkiteb xejn filsiekta, u flokha, b˙alma rajna, tin˙ass u tidher ilvokali a. Ara: xtara(j), bena(j), beda(j), heda(j), feda(j), verb ta li hija s-sura g˙alhekk niktbu tajt, tajtu flok ˙eba(j), g˙ela(j), g˙eja(j), g˙atta(j), rabba(j), naqqa(j). g˙atajt, g˙atajtu, ag˙tajt, ag˙tajtu, kif ukoll âti (imperTin˙ass u tinkiteb f’tiswir il-kelma, u g˙alhekk ng˙idu attiv) flok ag˙ti. IΩda mbag˙ad mog˙ti u mhux môti.

Il-g˙ tg˙ib ukoll fil-kelmiet tal-g˙add: erbg˙a, sebg˙a, u niktbu: xtrajt, bnejt, bdejt, hdejt, fdejt, eçç.

Fin-nomi u a©©ettivi mnisslin mill-verbi, il-konsonanti disg˙a, sew meta dawn ja˙btu qabel nom (ara: erba’, j ti©i li tidher jew tinxorob fil-vokali a, i u u. Ara: rema(j) seba’, disa’ ˙abbiet) u sew meta jing˙aqdu mat-t = rimi, (rimja); mela(j) = mili, (milja); qara(j) = qari, (qarja); marbuta (ara: erbat ijiem, disat ijiem, eçç. Flok erbag˙t, ©era(j) = ©iri, (©irja); x(t)ara(j) = xiri, (xirja); ˙eba(j) = ˙abi; disag˙t ijiem).

(3) Il-g˙ f’tarf il-kelma meta tinstema’ b˙al ˙ b˙al filbena(j) = bini; mexa(j) = mixi, (mixja); rabba(j) = trobbija, torbija; wera(j) = wiri, (wirja); dag˙a(j) = dag˙a; xewa(j) = kelmiet drieg˙, qieg˙, u©ig˙, Ωag˙Ωug˙, tlug˙, qlug˙, xuwa jew xiwi; g˙ena(j) = g˙ána; hena(j) = hena; kera(j) = dmug˙, g˙andha dejjem tinkiteb g˙. Fost il-verbi li semkera jew kiri. Hekk ukoll minn: beda(j) = bidu; ˙exa(j) = mejna li g˙andhom l-a˙˙ar konsonanti siekta hemm ˙axu u ˙axi. A©©ettivi: ˙ela(j) = ˙áli; mexa(j) = miexi; xi tnejn li g˙alkemm ta’ g˙amla wa˙da g˙andhom la˙˙ar konsonanti tal-g˙erq li tin˙ass fil-le˙en ta’ ˙ u ©era(j) = ©ieri.

(2) Il-konsonanti g˙ f’tarf is-sura ewlenija tal-kelma g˙alhekk g˙andha dejjem tinkiteb, u le titbiddel fl-ittri tibqa’ siekta u, kif g˙edna, nistg˙u nuru n-nuqqas ta’ ta’ j jew ta’ ˙. Dawn huma: Ωebag˙ u forog˙ li jindin l-ittra b’g˙elm ta’ appostrofu. Ara: baqa’, sata’, stemg˙u b˙al Ωeba˙ u foro˙ u g˙alhekk f’tiswir il-kelma g˙andhom jinkitbu: Ωbag˙t, Ωebag˙, Ωbag˙na, Ωbag˙tu; bala’, qata’ flok baqag˙, satag˙, balag˙, qatag˙. Din ilg˙ ti©i li tidher g˙aliha l-konsonanti j f’tiswir il-kelma. frog˙t, forog˙, frog˙na, frog˙tu u mhux Ωbajt, Ωeba’, ΩbaAra: baqag˙ li ssir bqajt, bqajtu, bqajna; satag˙ li ssir stajt, jna, Ωbajtu; fro˙t, foro˙, fro˙na, fro˙tu, b˙alma xi w˙ud dlonk jiktbu. stajtu, stajna, eçç.

Din il-g˙ tin˙ass imbag˙ad u tidher meta jinhemeΩ Aktar regoli u tifsir fil-˙ar©a li jmiss. mag˙ha l-pronom. Hekk siekta fis-suriet tafa’, bala’,

Taqbiliet popolari mill-gΩira G˙awdxija

W

ara li fl-a˙har ˙ar©a tajna xi ezempji ta’ taqbiliet li forsi aktar huma mag˙rufa mal-G˙awdxin min˙abba li fost kollox anke jissemmew xi postijiet li l-aktar li huma mag˙rufa, u jinsabu fil-gΩira ©irien ta’ Malta, fil-˙ar©a ta’ The Voice tal-lum nissoktaw b’o˙rajn.

Kif wie˙ed jista’ jara fost it-taqbiliet hemm wa˙da partikolari li kif jg˙id ilMalti, b˙al tinki lill-partitarji tal-aktar Ωew© kaΩini mag˙rufa fil-belt Victoria (ir-Rabat) u li huwa mag˙ruf li hemm çerta pika bejniethom. Dawn huma lkaΩini tal-Istilla u tal-Iljun li tant jissemmew g˙all-inizjattivi, l-aktar dawk kulturali, li jo˙olqu.

Fit-taqbiliet tal-lum insibu wa˙da partikolari li ssemmi l-festi ta’ xi r˙ula.

Imma hu x’inhu, ninsabu çerti li t-tabiliet se j©ibu tbissima fuq fomm min jaqrahom.

Ta’ l-Istilla Qatta silla; Ta’ l-Iljun Qatta gremxul.

San Çirillu Karamellu, Kemm i˙obb it-tursin, Kull filg˙odu u filg˙axija Sieg˙a jqatta’ bil-vjolin.

Ir-re tal-Ingilterra Da˙al Malta jixtri t-terra.

Min i˙obbni g˙andi kejla, Min iridni g˙andi sieg˙, G˙andi twal u g˙andi l-qosra, G˙andi l-koroh u g˙andi s-sbie˙

San Ìwann ©ewwa x-Xewkija, L-Imnarja ©ewwa n-Nadur, Santa Marija r-Rabat, Tal-Virtu` rrid immur.

Kuruna ja kuruna, Kuruna minn tal-ward, Kuruna ‘l-ommna Marija, Re©ina tas-sema u l-art.

O Óelu Ìesu` Tkunx g˙alija m˙allef, IΩda Salvatur.

San Ìor© tag˙na biss U mieg˙u ˙add ma jmiss.

Sitt kordi fiha l-kitarra, Tlitt iswaba fiha l-id; Ommi ˙abbtet lil missieri, Jien in˙obb lil min irrid.

Sitta u sitta tnax, Min hu g˙ami ma jarax, Denbu tar-rix, Biex ikakki ma jbatix.

Inse©, inse©, ja mekkuk, Fqira g˙ixt u fqira mmut.

The Voice of the Maltese 21

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Sleep deprivation affects one’s body Keep Your hen one’s body doesn't ple things can become chalenough sleep it suf- lenging and it also affects your WAget Heart Beating fers. lack of sleep affects emotional response. A lack of hen asked what the most important organ in the your mood and your short- sleep has also been linked to W body is, most people would instantly say “heart”, term memory. Processing sim- serious health conditions. and that’s no surprise!

From the moment of conception, a tiny heart starts beating - signalling new life. Just as equally, the moment a heart stops beating signals the end of life, so it’s important we keep our heart happy and healthy.

The Heart Foundation recommends the following to keep your heart beating strong: *Be smoke-free *Manage your blood cholesterol and blood pressure *Manage diabetes *Be physically active: At least 30 minutes of exer m cise a day *Achieve and maintain a healthy weight *Enjoy a variety of nutritious foods *Look after your mental health People who have depression or are socially isolated have a greater risk of heart disease.

Why sleeping pills are not a safe alternative

M

illions all over the world suffer from insomnia or inadequate sleep. Yet, while it may be tempting to resort to sleeping pills, they cannot address the root of the problem.

Rather, sleeping pills provide a short-term fix.

Furthermore, those frequently prescribed Benzodiazepines, like Xanax and Valium, which are used to treat anxiety disorders by increasing drowsiness can, unfortunately, be worry-

ingly addictive too. In addition, Barbiturates suppress the central nervous system and act very much like anaesthetics and sedatives.

As with all drugs, there's a list of side effects that accompany sleeping pills. Besides being addictive, they can cause constipation, dizziness, a tendency to lose focus and memory, stomach pain, weakness, uncontrollable shaking and parasombias (doing things without realising).

C ommunity s Co mmunity N New ews Saint Nicholas Festa Committee Main events for 2017 Sunday March 12: Fete Sunday July 2: Lejla

fil-Buskett Sunday October 15: Fete Sunday December 3:

St Nicholas Feast.

Feast

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

The Friends Of Providence House NSW together with The Óamrun Club are organising a Fund Raising Night for Id-Dar tal Providenza, Malta Saturday February 18 from 6.00pm At the Óamrun Club, 100 Jackson Street Marsden Park.

Entry by donation of $10 for Adults (children free) There will be a marathon of Maltese entertainment Traditional Maltese food & drinks A great night for the whole family with lots of singing, dancing & prizes Bookings essential for those wishing to have dinner there.

Contact Greg Caruana: 0411 517 187; r Jim Borg: 0418 825 591.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BREAKAWAY TRAVEL BLACKTOWN 9622 7799

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 jridu jitg˙allmu jilag˙bu dan l-isport, li jing˙ataw lezzjonijiet b’xejn.

• Jilag˙bu log˙ba darba fix-xahar 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 Il-logħba li jmiss hi l-Ħadd 12 ta' Frar fis-1:00 pm. fir-Rosehill Bowling Club.

FEDERAZZJONI TAL-ISKEJJEL TAL-MALTI INC. (AWSTRALJA

Registration for the 2017 Maltese Language classes is now open: MacKay Qld: Skola Maltija assisi@mackay.net.au NSW: The Maltese Language School of NSW –

malteselanguageschoolnsw@hotmal.com Akkademja Maltija ta’ NSW skolamaltijasydney@yahoo.com.au Saturday School of Community Languages - carmelgl108@gmail.com VIC: Maltese Community Council Maltese Language Classes – admin@mccv.org.au

22 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Community News Tune In to Radio and Television

Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5-6 pm, Fridays 5-6 pm and Saturdays 1011am.

MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, every Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. and Mondays 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 2 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

Maltese Seniors Social Welfare Day Groups

Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the last 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.

La Valette Social Centre

Feast of St Paul - February 12 SUNDAY February 12: 5.00 a.m.

Mass in the main hall with La Valette Choir. Followed by a procession with the statue to the Chapel accompanied by Our Lady of Peace Maltese Band.

Entertainment provided by a DJ Kitchen and Bar would be open.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

For information: La Valette: 9622 5847

Meeting every last Tuesday of the month

A special group for men. Meetings at 10 am at The Maltese Resource Centre, 59b Franklin Street, Mays Hill (Parramatta West).

Meet friends and enjoy Maltese food.

For more information: Emanuel 0409 744 376

Join us on facebook:

https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese 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

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Meets every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm. Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining, so come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

*(All Groups are co-ordinated by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with a sponsorship from Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School).

The Voice of the Maltese 23

Tuesday January 31, 2017

C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y N Ne ew ws s Make a difference this year at Clean Up Australia Day

D

o you like a clean and beautiful neighbourhood, streets, bushlands, creeks and parks?

Then join your neighbours, friends and family for Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday March 5 and pick up litter in your local area.

Every year thousands of volunteers donate their time to clean up litter and so making an invaluable contribution to preserve our beautiful environment.

Being involved is easy – you can either create your own clean-up site with your community, family and friends or join one of the existing clean-up sites. Each registered site will be provided with Clean Up Kits and support.

For more information or advise on a Clean Up site, contact Nicole Collas on 9840 9690 or Marika email: Marika.Kahle@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

IL-KLABB TAL-ÓAMRUN - QUDDIESA Fl-Ewwel ©img˙a tax-Xahar fit-3 ta’ Frar fis-7.00pm fill-klabb stess. Qabel, fis-6.45pm jing˙ad ir-ruΩarju.

Iç-çelebrant ikun Fr. Anthony Scerri. Il-membri u lpubbliku ©enerali m˙e©©a jattendu.

Wara mistiedna g˙al kikkra te jew kafe`

Printed copies of The Voice of The Maltese

n response to a number of inquiries, we wish to inform Inowreaders of The Voice of the Maltese magazine that we can 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.

Tinteressak il-kitba u trid tippubblika?

arrejja li j˙ossu li g˙andhom talent g˙all-kitba, l-aktar blQ 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˙tu l-kitbiet tag˙hom, b’email lil: maltesevoice@gmail.com.

PereΩempju jinteressa lill-qarrejja stejjer dwar kif forsi waslu g˙ad-deçiΩjoni li j˙allu art twelidhom, Malta biex jemigraw g˙al art o˙ra bil-g˙an li jfittxu ©ejjieni a˙jar.

Kull qalb trid o˙ra... mhux hekk? iex tipproduçi magazine b˙al dan, li wara kollox hu frott tal-passjoni li B g˙andna biex fost kollox inwasslu tag˙rif interessanti lill-Maltin barra minn art twelidhom, ma jin˙tie©x biss xog˙ol u ˙in, imma wkoll spejjeΩ.

Biex jittaffew u˙ud minn dawn l-ispejjeΩ qed nippruvaw insibu sponsors ˙alli jg˙inuna. G˙ad m’g˙andniex biΩΩejjed minnhom, imma bdejna, u ta’ min jag˙tihom ˙ajr.

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

Quiet Achievers Night of Recognition ‘17 on March 8

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he Maltese Welfare NSW has informed The Voice of the Maltese that this year’s Quiet Achiever’s Night of Recognition, would be held on Wednesday March 8. This prestigious event honours Maltese volunteers, in the Maltese community in Australia.

The Maltese Welfare encourages members of the community to nominate any persons who have voluntarily contributed much of their time in helping the community. As from this year, there is no age limited.

For more information and nomination forms, anybody interested should phone 02 9631 9095.

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

Learn Maltese!

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 NotFor-Profit organisation.

24 The Voice of the Maltese

Tuesday January 31, 2017

Sports

Malta’s only top level female referee retires

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fter 19 years as a football official, and only a few weeks after she was awarded il-Midalja g˙all-Qadi tar-Repubblika following her achievements in the sector, FIFA referee Esther Azzopardi has decided to call it a day.

Mrs Azzopardi, the first woman to take up refereeing in Malta and also to make the grade, began her career in 1997. Ten years later, she obtained the FIFA badge.

Throughout her career she proved to be a top official distinguishing herself with her integrity and no-nonsense control.

In 2016 she was chosen to control matches from the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in Jordan. She officiated in over 65 international games from the UEFA Women’s Champions League as well as Women’s Euro and reached the pinnacle of her career by refereeing World Cup qualifiers. Locally, she has taken charge of

Surprise results favour Balzan!

Malta Premier League he results on Day 20 of the Premier League in Malta, all went against the grain resulting in RESULTS – DAY 20 Balzan increasing their lead at the top Balzan v Tarxien R. 2-2 of the league ladder to two points Hibernians v Birkirkara 2-1 Valletta v S Andrews 1-1 over Hibernians.

4-3 Gzira v Floriana 2-1 On Saturday Tarxien spoilt Balzan’s Mosta v Sliema W. v Hamrun S. 1-0 day by holding them to a 2-2 draw; Pembroke DAY 19 Valletta also disappointed in a 1-1 Balzan v St Andrews 2-1 draw against St Andrews; Mosta won Valletta v Birkirkara 1-0 Hibernians v Gzira U 3-0 Standing P W D L Pts their first Sliema W v Floriana 3-1 match since 3-0 v Mosta Balzan 20 12 6 2 42 September Hamrun 7-1 Tarxien v Pembroke Hibernians 20 12 4 4 40 Valletta 20 10 7 3 37 - 13 and Pembroke got their first Birkirkara 20 10 4 6 34 win after eight games defeating Floriana 20 9 6 5 33 Hamrun 1-0.

Tarxien R. 20 7 7 6 28 Then Sunday, Birkirkara denied Sliema W 20 8 3 9 27 Hibernians the chance to overtake Hamrun S. 20 8 2 10 26 St Andrews 20 5 7 8 22 Balzan at the top by defeating them Gzira U 20 4 4 12 16 2-1, while relegation-threatened Pembroke 20 3 4 13 13 side Gzira United did themselves a Mosta 20 3 4 13 13 good favour beating Floriana 4-3.

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A-League:

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over 50 Premier League matches.

Having fulfilled her ambitions, and after becoming a mother three years ago, she has decided to retire.

In his reaction to Esther’s surprise decision, MFA Director of Refereeing Kevin Azzopardi said Esther was a role model for all referees and her success inspired many, particularly women, to take up refereeing.

“Her achievements, both in the domestic scene where Esther established herself as one of the leading referees in the country, and on an international level helped to raise the profile of Maltese refereeing.”

Expressing her willingness to use her vast experience and knowledge for the benefit of Maltese match officials she be taking up new roles as Referee Observer and Refereeing Ambassador for female recruits within the Association’s Refereeing Department.

Sydney FC stretch lead to 11 pts

here’s no stopping Sydney FC it seems. In front of a crowd of more than 30,000 fans, they came from behind to beat a 10man Melbourne Victory 2-1 in an intense clash at Etihad Stadium to preserve their unbeaten record and increase their lead at the top to 11 points over closest challengers Victory.

Day 17 also proved disastrous for Melbourne’s other club, City.

They went down 2-1 at Newcastle to relinquish their third spot to Brisbane who beat Western Sydney 2-1.

Perth Glory also lost ground after a 2-0 away loss. It helped Central Coast leapfrog over Adelaide to leave them in bottom spot.

RESULTS – DAY 17 Melbourne V v Sydney FC 1-2 Newcastle J v Melbourne C 2-1 Brisbane v W. Sydney 2-1 Central C v Perth G 2-0 Adelaide v Wellington 2-2 DAY 16 Sydney FC v Adelaide 2-0 Perth G v Melbourne V 2-1 Melbourne C v Central C. 2-1 Wellington v Brisbane 0-1 W. Sydney v Newcastle J 2-0 P W D L Pts Standing Sydney FC 17 13 4 0 43 Melbourne V 17 10 2 5 32 Brisbane R 17 7 6 4 27 Melbourne C. 17 7 5 5 26 Perth Glory 17 5 6 6 21 Newcastle J 17 5 5 7 20 Wellington 17 5 4 8 19 West Sydney 17 3 9 5 18 Cent. Coast 17 3 4 10 13 17 2 5 10 11 Adelaide

Rugby League International Saturday at New Era Stadium

Let’s support Malta team

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he Maltese community in NSW in particular is called upon to give its wholehearted support to the Malta Knights in their upcoming international fixtures against the Philippines this coming Saturday, February 4 at the New Era Stadium Cabramatta Leagues Club, NSW. It will only be their second game on Australian soil in the last decade.

It will be a tough match for Malta’s national rugby league team which will go all out to improve its ranking after dropping to 20 last November.

It promises to be an entertaining day/evening, not just with Rugby League action but also with culture, music and food.

The U17's Junior International

Maltese Heritage side will also be in action against their Philippine counterparts in a curtain raiser that kicks off at 4.15 p.m. The big match kicks off at 7.30 p.m. The price of an entrance ticket is $10 for Adults. There will be free entry for kids under 16.

The Malta Knights team under the guidance of coach Peter Cassar, who will be picked from a squad made up of: Jake Attard, Nathan Benson, Tyler Cassel, Luke Cauchi, Nathan Falzon, Jake Grace, Aaron Grech, Kyal, Greene, Jake Lennox, Blake Phillips, CJ Rapinette, James Redman, Beau Sciberras, Ben Stone, Matthew Thompson, Jonathon Trott, Anthony Vella, Thomas Vella, Jake Webster, Aaron Weston and Dean Zammit.