the voice of the maltese no. 122

Issue122 online magazine

(driven by the voice driven by the voice of its readersof its readers)

March 1, 2016

The Voice of the Malteseonline magazine

The culinaryThe culinaryand artisticand artisticskills of theskills of the

Maltese chefsMaltese chefs(See caption page 3)(See caption page 3)

2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday March 1, 2016

The article published in theVoice of the Maltese ofFebruary 2, regarding pen-

sioners and travel overseas re-strictions prompted us to delvedeeper into this change being con-sidered by the Federal Govern-ment. According to information ob-

tained from the Department ofHuman Resources currently, trav-ellers can remain absent fromAustralia for 26 weeks beforetheir pension rate is adjusted. Thiswill decrease to six weeks for those who leave Australia onor after January 1, 2017. Once the pensioner has been overseas for a period of six

weeks, their payment rate will change depending on thenumber of yearsthey lived in Aus-tralia during theirworking life.If you are paid

Age Pension underan international so-cial security agree-ment, (Malta has acurrent reciprocalagreement) theamount that youreceive while out-side Australia isdetermined ac-cording to thatagreement.If you have returned to live in Australia within the last two

years and you have started receiving old-age pension duringthis period, you cannot be paid outside Australia until thetwo-year waiting period has passed. This rule also applies ifyou were previously paid under an international social secu-rity agreement while you were living outside Australia andyour old-age pension continues to be paid once you have re-turned to live in Australia

If you are affected by this rule and you travel outside Aus-tralia while remaining an Australian resident, your absence isgenerally considered to be temporary and is counted as partof the two-year period. If you are affected by this rule and

you travel toMalta, a countrywith which Aus-tralia has an in-ternationalsocial securityagreement, theagreement mayallow you tocontinue to getold-age pension.Michelle Row-

land MP,shadow ministerfor small busi-ness, citizenshipand multicultur-

alism, member for Greenway told The Voice of the Maltese,“Around 40 percent of Australian pensioners were bornoverseas. That means Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts to the pensionwill hurt 190,000 migrant pensioners, that's unfair. “Many pensioners save up for years to go on one big trip to

visit family friends overseas. Understandably, they expect toreceive their pension for the bulk of this time. I don’t thinkit’s unreasonable for migrant pensioners to go on one big trip

to see their family and friends at theend of their working life. That’s whyLabor voted against these changes thatwill hit migrant pensioners. It’s alsowhy Labor opposed the Liberals' planto cut pension indexation, increase thepension age to 70 and cut a $1 billionfrom pensioner concessions”. The Voice of the Maltese also con-

tacted the office of Australia’s PrimeMinister and the Malta High Commis-sion for their views but no reply wasforthcoming as we went to press.

A u s t r a l i a n s ’old-age pensionsagain targeted

Changes to the working life formula

Tuesday March 1, 2016 The Voice of the Maltese 3

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MalteseMaltese

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...... for all your travel needs.

website: [email protected]

Tel (02) 9622 7799

New Maltese TV show on C31Anew Maltese TV production in

Australia titled DownUnder,catering for the Maltese com-

munity started broadcasting a 30-minute programme on Channel31(Melbourne). The show, to be pro-duced on a weekly basis, started lastSunday, February 28 at 4pm.

The production, intended to informand entertain the audience throughstories that inspire and strengthen thepride of all Maltese Australians, willshowcase the Maltese cultural her-itage, featuring the arts, music, food,travel, cultural events, stories of spe-cial interest and sport.

In order to really be inclusive of allM a l t e s eA u s t r a -lians, pro-grammeswill be inboth Mal-tese andEngl ish ;some seg-m e n t swill be inMaltese,some inEngl ish ,and someothers inboth languages.

As the demand for such a pro-gramme has been very high, and inorder to reach a wider audience, allsegments featured on C31 will also beavailable on Maltese DownUnder TVprogramme’s online platforms and onits Vimeo channel with this link:https://vimeo.com/user48830308and its FaceBook page: facebook.com/MalteseDownUnder.

The producers told The Voice of theMaltese the demand for such a progra-mme has been very high, and in facthave had interest from ot-herstates/territories around Australia aswell as New Zealand, the US, Canada,UK and Malta itself!

The team of the Maltese DownUnderis made up of, Marlene Scicluna (ex SBSradio) - Director/Executive Produ-cer/presenter/assistant editor, Mark

Avellino -ExecutiveP r o d u c -e r / p r es e n t e r -f i l m i n g ,and FulyaK a n t a r -maci - Ed-itor.

There’salso theM a l t e s eTV groupthat hasb e e n

formed recently for this purpose, con-

sisting of a number of Australian pro-fessionals, of Maltese descent willevaluate the programme on a regularbasis.

In the meantime, those interested ingetting in touch with the members ofthe production team, should get intouch with Marlene for interviews inMaltese, and with Mark Avellino forinterviews in English.

Both can be reached on the produc-tion’s general email address: [email protected] to organise a suitableday/time for interviews.

The same email address can also beused for any other dealings with theproduction team.

Marlene Scicluna (left) interview-ing the President of Malta, H.E.Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca in Malta

The culinary and artistic skills ofThe culinary and artistic skills ofthe Maltese chefs on showthe Maltese chefs on showWe cannot blame you if you thought that

the items published on the front pageare works of art, marble sculptures, by somerenowned artists. You are wrong.

In fact, they are the work of Malta’s chefs,in this case, various pastry chefs or culinaryartists who demonstrated the art of prepara-tion, cooking and presentation of food atthis year’s exhibition titled Malta KulinarjaCulinary Malta, organised by the Malta ChefsSociety.

For the items pictured (front and right) the‘artists’ made use of white and dark choco-late and icing. During the 2016 show mem-

bers of theChefs Soci-ety also pre-pared mealspleasing tothe eye aswell as tothe palateunder thew a t c h f u leyes of vastcrowds atthe MFCC atTa’ Qali.

(caption to (caption to front page)front page)


Although due to the strain andall that they had been throughin wartime the physique of the

Maltese looked rather weak when thewar was over, the morale of the Mal-tese was very high.The war not only left a great number

of victims, it also left a number of dis-abled, and devastated towns and vil-lages around Malta. It had itsrepercussions.

There were 5,524 totally destroyedhouses that had to be rebuilt; 5,077damaged houses that needed great re-pairs and some of them half pulleddown, and 4, 848 other houses thatwere damaged by blasts. This broughtthe total of destroyed or damageddwellings to 29,674.

The first important and urgent issuewas to construct and reconstructhouses in order to locate families whowere still refugees, and a large num-ber of persons who were still living inshelters. The reconstruction was fi-nanced by the British Governmentand work was carried out by the WarDamage Commission. It is indeed a pity that certain houses

and blocks of buildings had to be builtin great haste and as such, many pre-war houses had beautiful architecturewere replaced by very unsymmetricalhouses that gave the impression ofutility dwellings.

Due to malnutrition, lack of waterand hygiene a good number of Mal-tese suffered from Tuberculosis, In-fantile Poliomyelitis and there were afew cases of Bubonic Pest. The Med-ical Health Department began totackle the situation quickly and saw tothese needs.

Food still had to be rationed longafter the war was over. Besides,scarcity of many commodities such ascrockery and household needs werealso rationed. I like to just mention

MALTA: Echoesfrom the past

DorisCannataci

World War II In Malta - The Aftermath

one such item, thermos flasks. In 1945Malta received a consignment of 5,000of them, and there were 22,000 appli-cations for them.

Many necessities, such as clothes,shoes and other items could only beobtained by means of coupons issuedby Government departments.

I remember quite vividly the timewhen I accompanied my eldestbrother to the Police Station at StPaul’s Bay to get the American Bundlewe were entitled to. This was awoollen blanket folded in four. Insideit were a few items of clothes: a vest, askirt, a dress, a pair of shoes and a fewother items. What we could wear wekept, the rest we exchanged withother persons who had received simi-lar a bundles.

One of the greatest problems imme-diately after the war was unemploy-ment. Thousands of men who wereemployed with the British Servicesand thousands of workers at theDockyard were made redundant.

In Malta we had no factories at thetime; and there was no alternativework for tens of thousands of work-ers, skilled or unskilled. The onlysafety valve was emigration. An Emi-gration Department was set up and

emigration was opened mostly toAustralia and Canada. I am sure thatthe majority of the readers of TheVoice of the Maltese in Australia andother countries must be descendantsof these expatriates who reluctantlyleft Malta in the late 1940s and the ma-jority in the 1950s in search of a betterfuture for themselves and their fami-lies.Generally the head of the family, the

father would be the first to emigrateon his own to find work and a houseto live in. After some time the rest ofthe family, that is, the mother andchildren - who were quite numerousat the time – followed, to join him andsettle in their new homeland.

After a time young girls who werestill single but already engaged, gotmarried to their future husband byproxy before joining him in the newcountry that was to be their newhome. Others who were not engagedbut still single could also be marriedby proxy. In the 50s and 60s manyMaltese girls got married in this wayas there was a shortage of lads on theIsland.After the war the Maltese did not for-

get their duty to thank God for listen-ing to their prayers and saving themfrom the tremendous horrors of war.As an act of thanksgiving several pil-grimages were organised in bothMalta and Gozo. Processions andother liturgical functions gradually re-sumed.

In spite of all the hardships and thescars of war, the brave Maltese notonly did not give up hope but evenlooked forward to a better future andmade giant strides forward in varioussectors. Today in Malta we can enjoya very good standard of living.

It has been a great pleasure for medear readers, to share with you part ofmy childhood experience duringWorld War II. I wish to thank all thosewho expressed their appreciation formy contribution in the past few issuesof the magazine.

(end of series)

Then British Prime Minister, SirWinston Churchill inspectingthe war damage at the dockyardduring a visit to Malta

tralia, pressure for the men’s returnbegan to increase. The referendumhad been held and defeated by theAustralian people. How could Hughes now justify keep-

ing them out when his referendumhad been beaten? Perhaps the answerlay in the racism that affected Aus-tralian society at that time. Indeed, inofficial policy until 1944, the Maltese

were regarded as “semi-white” underthe White Australia policy.Finally, under pressure from the Bri-

tish Colonial Office, which was out-raged by the Australian discrimi-nation against the Maltese (who, afterall, were British subjects by birth), theHughes’ government arranged for themen’s return to Sydney. They hadbeen stranded at Noumea for tenweeks.

At this point, the story should haveended. But a new, more disturbingchapter began. On returning to Syd-ney on the “St Louis” the men weretransferred to an old hulk in SydneyHarbour, the “Anglian”, and were de-tained there under armed guard.

Supporters of the men became moreactive. Men like Gerald Strickland, theGovernor of New South Wales,worked behind the scenes in his ca-pacity as Governor of the State. Alsoon the Maltese side were the pro-British elements of Australian societywho felt that the bonds of Empiremight be weakened if AustralianBritish subjects were seen to be clearlydiscriminating against Maltese Britishsubjects.

Finally, under such pressure andwith no legitimate reason for continu-ing the men’s incarceration on hulk,Prime Minister Hughes agreed to theirrelease and admission into Australia.


In 1916 in Malta, 214 Maltese (in-cluding a number from St Lucia inGozo) boarded the French mail-

boat “Gange” to Australia. It wasscheduled to arrive in Melbourne (enroute to Sydney) on October 28, theday on which a referendum was totake place to impose conscription inAustralia. But the arrival of the boat-load of Maltese labourers was exactlythe evidence the anti-conscriptionistsneeded!

Prime Minister Billy Hughes (pro-conscription) took prompt action onlearning of the French vessel’s arrivaloff the coast of Western Australia. Theanti-conscriptionists went to absurdlengths in promoting the Maltesebogey: even warning of an imminentMaltese invasion of Australia!

Hughes was panic struck, fearingthat this might turn the tide againstthe conscription vote. He resorted toSection 3(a) of the Immigration Act,which stipulated that any person seek-ing to disembark at an Australian portcould be classified as a ‘prohibited im-migrant’ if he failed a dictation test inany European language.So the Maltese were given a dictation

test in Dutch! They all failed and be-came prohibited immigrants. Theywere not allowed to disembark whenthe ship arrived in Sydney. In earlyNovember, the vessel headed off withits bewildered Maltese passengers stillon board, for Noumea, New Caledo-nia.

There, they lived in a nightmarishlimbo. Their families back in Maltawere poor to begin with, but now lan-guished in a state of near starvation asthey awaited non-existent remittancesfrom their husbands. Back in Aus-

e “Children” of Billy HughesCentenary of the incident of thearrival in Australia of the ‘SSGange’ with Maltese Immigrants

The SS Gange that carriedthe Maltese labourers ontheir way to Australia in 1926

...that one out of four internet users in theEU experienced last year at least onecommon security related problem whileusing Internet?...that a bit less than one young internetuser (aged 16-24) out of two experienceda common security problem in Croatia(49%), Hungary (47%) and Portugal(44%)?.…that less than 10% of internet userscaught a virus or another computer infec-tion in the Netherlands (6%), the Czech

Republic (8%) and Slovakia (9%)?…that abuses of personal informationsent over the internet were the most fre-quent in Malta (8%) and Italy (6%)?...that 9% of internet users in Belgiumhad financial losses because of fraudu-lent messages, compared with very fewor none in the Czech Republic, Estonia,Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Slovenia andSlovakia?

(Source: Eurostat, Information society statistics)

Internet security in the European Union


Huma afna dawk id-drawwiet liwie˙ed jorbot mal-Ìimg˙aMqaddsa u l-ir˙ula u l-ibliet

Maltin kollha li jfakkru l-©rajjiet tal-mewt u l-qawmien ta’ Ìesu`Kristu.Imma m’g˙andux jonqos li dawk li fostiç-çelebrazzjonijiet ta’ dawn il-jiem jor-ganizzaw ukoll il-purçissjonijiet, bladubju li l-aktar li jispikkaw. G˙alkemm hemm afna xeb˙ ma’ dak

li jse˙˙ fl-ibliet u l-ir˙ula Maltin immaf’dan l-artiklu se niffoka l-aktar f’dak liniftakar u g˙addejt minnu jien fi tfulitifir-ra˙al tieg˙i, f’ÓaΩ-Ûebbu©, lokalantik bi storja kbira, li wkoll influenzar˙ula o˙ra, l-aktar dawk tal- madwar.Óafna minn dawn id-drawwiet g˙ad-

hom marbuta mal-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsatal-lokal, filwaqt li o˙rajn issawru ma’˙sibijiet u drawwiet o˙ra u libsu dehra©dida. Ma neskludix li fi bliet u r˙ulao˙ra jista’ jkun hemm xi drawwiet dif-ferenti.

L-Erbg˙a tat-Tniebri kien il-jum ta’ors kbir g˙at-tfal li konna nkunum˙ejjija fil-knisja biex meta jasal il-waqt, hekk kif kienet tintefa` l-a˙˙arxemg˙a tal-kandelabru, in˙abbtu s-

si©©ijiet ma’ xulxin.La semmejt is-siggijiet, niftakar sew li

g˙all-funzjoni ta’ Óamis ix-Xirka, minikun se jid˙ol fil-knisja kien speçi ta’jikri s-si©©u minn ˙dejn il-bieb ewlienital-knisja g˙al sitt ˙abbiet il-wie˙ed. Fejn g˙andhom x’jaqsmu l-priedki tal-

eΩerçizzi ta’ Ωmien ir-Randan fil-knisja,dawk g˙an-nisa kienu jsiru g˙alihomg˙all-habta tat’ tlieta ta’ wara nofsin-nhar qabel it-tfal ji©u mill-iskola udawk g˙all-ir©iel aktar tard fil-g˙axija,wara x-xog˙ol.

Il-priedki tal-eΩerçizzi dak iΩ-Ωmienkienu jsiru aktar ta’ twerwir u biza’

b’dak il-le˙en o˙xon u solenni ta’ xiqassis jew patri xih li kien idamdamknisja, milli priedki ta’ Gesu’ mimlim˙abba, ˙niena u tjubija b˙alma jsirullum. Kollox tbiddel !!!…

Ni©u g˙all-Purçissjoni tal-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira li fir-ra˙al ta’ ÓaΩ-Ûebbu© kibretbis-s˙i˙. Tant li kif jixhdu l-folol kbar lijattendu biex isegwu l-purçissjoni,˙afna jqishuha b˙ala l-akbar wa˙daf’Malta. Imma anke bliet u r˙ula o˙rali jkollhom il-purçissjoni raw progresskbir.

*Ikompli f’pa©na 7

PETER PAUL CIANTAR laqa’ l-istedinata’ The Voice of the Maltese biex b’kitbietu jkunjista’ jg˙addi b’mod regolari l-˙sibijiet u l-esper-jenza twila tieg˙u ta’ xandar, kompoΩitur/muΩ-içist u g˙alliem tal-muΩika u lekçerer, lill-qarrejja. Peter Paul, imwieled ÓaΩ-Ûebbug, Malta, u jg˙ix

ir-Rabat, huwa mag˙ruf u rrispettat ˙afna g˙all-˙idma tieg˙u fl-oqsma li beda jipprattika sa minnmeta ta’ 20 sena, kiseb diploma fil-muΩika(A.Mus.L.C.M.) mir-Royal College of Music’ ta’Londra.

Fejn g˙andu x’jaqsam ix-xandir huwa beda l-karriera bi programmi g˙at-tfal fuq ir-Rediffu-sion (Malta), u wara ©ie mog˙ti mpjieg fiss b˙alaproducer max-Xandir Nazzjonali.

Kien mag˙ruf ˙afna g˙all-programmi li ffukaw l-aktardwar l-Istorja ta’ Malta, il-muΩika serja, dik operistika u l-folklor, u g˙al snin twal ippreΩenta programm muΩikali ta’kuljum, ‘Siesta’ fuq l-eks stazzjon tar-radju ‘Bronja’.

G˙al g˙add ta’ snin, kien koordinatur tal-programmi rad-jufoniçi mal-PBS u attenda g˙al diversi korsijiet immexxijaminn u˙ud mill-aktar xandara mag˙rufin fid-dinja.

Minbarra x-xandir, g˙al numru ta’ snin, Peter Paul kienukoll g˙alliem tal-muΩika u segretarju u PRO ta’ diversi ku-

mitati, l-aktar fil-qasam kulturali. Kien ukoll ©ur-nalist mal-gazzetta Times of Malta u membru ta’bordijiet ta’ ©urija ta’ festivals lokali u barranin.

B˙ala kompoΩitur kiteb marçi g˙al g˙add ta’baned, fosthom il-King’s Own, filwaqt li ˙afnamill-marçi festivi tieg˙u ©ew irrekordjati fuq di-versi LPs u CDs. Huwa kkompona wkoll g˙add ta’sigli g˙all-programmi tieg˙u g˙ar-radju, u reba˙diversi konkorsi g˙all-muΩika serja organizzatimill-Performing Rights Society ta’ Londra.Peter Paul hu wkoll muΩiçist u jdoqq il-Bb Bari-

tone, is-synthesizer u l-mandolina.B˙alissa g˙adu jippreΩenta programmi muΩikali

fuq l-sitazzjon Radju Malta Nazzjonali, jifformaparti mill-Kumitat g˙all-Festi Nazzjonali u hu

kittieb ta’ diversi artikli, l-aktar dwar su©©etti kulturali umuΩikali g˙all-gazzetti lokali. Fl-artikli tieg˙u g˙al din ir-rivista online, Peter Paul se jid˙ol

fil-fond dwar su©©etti varji li Ωgur g˙andhom jintlaqg˙u fermtajjeb minn dawk il-qarrejja li jg˙oΩΩu dak kollu li hu Malti. Fl-ewwel Ωew© artikli (minn din il-˙ar©a) se jikteb dwar id-

drawwiet, litur©içi u o˙rajn f’Malta waqt il-festi tal-Ìimg˙aMqaddsa li din is-sena d-dinja Kattolika tfakkar fl-a˙˙ar©img˙a qabel l-G˙id il-Kbir, bejn l-20 u s-27 ta’ Marzu.

Il-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsa f’MaltaFunzjonijiet u drawwiet (l-1 Parti)

PeterPaulCiantar

An 11-year-old Mal-tese young singer,Veronica Rotin,

who was born in Tarxien,but moved to Melbournewith her family when shewas only two and returnedto her birthplace six yearslater at age eight, recentlyagain visited Melbourneand NSW along with hermum, Fiona, and sister,Kelly.

Veronica started singingalong with her older sister,Kelly, when she was onlythree. She used to sing thetunes heard on the radio,and on her return to Maltawhen she was eight. shestarted taking vocal lessonsfrom Maltese singer GillianAttard at La Voix Academy.

She has since participatedin a number of musicalevents and talent competi-tions and managed to sharea number of national andinternational successes.

While Vero-nica was inMelbourne, she was inter-viewed by Mario Sammuton his proramme on 3ZZZ,Ejjew Oqogħdu, in mypresence. She mention-edthat her first important en-deavour was her participa-tion in the prestigiousItalian TV show Io Cantopresented by Gerry Scottion Canale 5.

She was selected to be onthe show after a series of au-ditions. She performed onthe television show on sevendifferent occasions, getting

great feedback from thejudges, and managed tomake it to the finals.

In Malta Veronica alsoparticipated in, and won anumber of singing competi-tions, one of which earnedher the right to take part inan international contest atLake Pearls, Macedona.That was in July 2014. Shewon the overall prize, beat-ing other contestants whowere much older than her.

In September 2014, Ver-onica won the junior sectionof the popular Italian sing-ing contest "Il Cantagiro" inRome, and soon after waschosen to be guest singerduring the interval of theJunior Eurovision 2014show that was held in Malta.That same year she was in-

vited to sing in the Roman-ian TV Talent Show "NextStar" where she performedtwo of her favourite num-bers, Mamma Knows Bestand And I am telling you.

This exposure presentedVeronica with a number ofopportunities and in July2015 She took part in theXIII International ChildrenMusic Contest (VITEBSK2015) which was part of theXXIV International Festivalof Arts (Slavianski Bazaar inVitebsk) in Belarus. Thenon November 8, participatedin the popular Italian Canale5 show Tra Sogno e realtathat was transmitted in

Malta.Despite her young

age, during her in-terview Veronicaimpressed bothbroadcasters withthe relaxed way shehandled the ques-tons, and when shewas requested tosing part of theMaltese Nationalanthem she exe-cuted it beautifully.

At the end of theinteview Veronicawas presented witha Boomerang and aminiature panet-tone.


*Ikompli minn pa©na 7

Fi tfuliti t-tfal fir-ra˙al tieg˙ikonna nissellfu Ω-Ωimarri min-g˙and Dun Anton Galea (Ta’Mundu). Illum baqa’ biss tog˙-ma zg˙ira tag˙hom. Flokhomda˙lu kostumi biblici u ta’ sul-dati Lhud u Rumani li trid seba’mitt g˙ajn biex tiflihom.

Drawwa unika li marbuta bissma’ ÓaΩ-Ûebbu© hi kif iΩejnu l-vari. Niftakar lir-reffieg˙a tal-vara l-kbira li kienu jiltaqg˙uf’ma˙Ωen fi triq ta’ Baskal it-Tur-ment (li tag˙ti mit-triq il-Kbirag˙al triq Sant’ Antnin) u lkollflimkien jag˙mlu l-bukkettisbie˙ kollha pari©© fuq kampjunli xi ˙add ikun fassal ftit qabel.

Kien isir fil-lejl ta’ nhar Óamisix-Xirka u x’˙in ikunu lestikollha, sbi˙ il-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira,tarhom kollha kburiniwa˙˙luhom dawn il-bukkettiwie˙ed wie˙ed f’posthom udritti mal-vara l-kbira, fil-waqt lifil-knisja jkunu g˙addejjin il-viΩti tas-Sepulkru.

Fil-fehma tieg˙i fi Ωmien il-Gimg˙a l-Kbira l-knisja fir-ra˙altieg˙i kien ikollha dehra mill-isba˙, bid-damask iswed mal-©nub bl-emblemi tal-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira fuq in-navi tal-korsija ub’dak id-drapp vjola li jg˙atti l-kwadri tal-artali tal-©nub u tan-navi. Kienu jag˙tu dehra ta’©abra u devozzjoni kbira.

Is-sehem qawwi tal-kaΩini tal-baned tar-ra˙al fil-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira taw imbuttatura biexÓaΩ-Ûebbu© jitfawwar b’entuΩ-jaΩmu f’dawn il-jiem speçjali. Il-Banda San Filep minn dejjemkellha sett marçi sbie˙ tal-Gimg˙a Mqaddsa li kienu l-g˙irata’ xi w˙ud mill-baned Maltin.

Ma nistax nifred il-Gimg˙a l-Kbira mill-marçi antiki ta’ Melilliu o˙rajn li nsibu fil-librett tal-marçi funebri tal-banda tag˙na.Dawn, flimkien mal-˙oss taç-

çuqlajta ˙ier©a mill-kampnarital-knisja jzejnu bil-bosta l-misra˙ tag˙na li laqa’ fih min jafkemm il-purçissjoni tal-Gimg˙al-Kbira li diffiçli tg˙id meta saretl-ewwel darba.

Óafna vari kienu marbutawkoll b’mod indirett ma’ xig˙aqdiet tal-lokal, hekkpereΩempju l-vara l-Kbira kienujerfg˙uha membri tal-Banda SanFilep, filwaqt li dik tad-Dulurikienet f’idejn reffieg˙a minn ta’San ÌuΩepp. Il- membri tal-g˙aqda tat-teatrin tal-lokalkienu jie˙du ˙sieb il-vara tal-Veronika, u g˙all-Marbut mal-kolonna kont tara Ωg˙aΩag˙reffieg˙a mill-Azzjoni Kattolika.Il-vara tal-Orazzjoni fl-Ortkienet f’idejn xi membri tas-soç-jeta tad-duttrina tal-MuΩew.

Niftakar ukoll li kienu jerfg˙u˙addiema tax-xatt mir-ra˙altag˙na, u minbarra li rieduja˙sbu g˙all-fjuri u xemg˙a tal-vara, riedu ja˙sbu wkoll g˙all-iscouts li bid-daqq tat-trombijew bugles (kif konna nsej-˙ulhom fi tfulitna) kienu jΩejnul-purcissjoni tag˙na.

(It-tieni parti fil- ar©a li jmiss)

Fi Ωmien il-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira l-knejjeskien ikunu dehra ta’ ©abra u devozjoni

Il-vara hekk imsej˙a ‘ill-monument bi Kristu mejjet.Din u l-vari l-o˙ra f’dan l-artiklu huma ta’ ÓaΩ-Ûebbu©

Veronica at the 3ZZZ radio station studio with (from left): JoeStafrace, (who accompanied her), Mario Sammut and Paul Vella

Maltese young singerVeronica Rotin on visit to Melbourne- interviewed on 3ZZZ

PaulVella (Melbourne)

Conrad Mizzi from Bronte, NSW, writes:

In his correspondence to the magazine,(Issue No. 121) Chev. Tony C. Cutajar

demanded that the Prime Minister DrMuscat censures his consultant Glenn Be-dingfied over his “abusive” dig at theArchbishop. May I ask Chev. Cutajarwhat prompted the dig in the first place? As head of the Catholic Church in Malta,

Archbishop Scicluna publicly criticisedthe Prime Minister on a matter that hadabsolutely nothing to do with religion andthe Catholic Church.

This is not the first time that Mons Sci-cluna interfered in matters of political na-ture. Therefore, as, according to the Chev.Mr. Bedingfield should tone down his lan-guage, the same applies to the Archbishop.

What is it to the Archbishop if the NewYear’s message was filmed in a kitchenor the way lights were installed atCastille? Doesn't he have more pressingmatters to deal with?

Have your say/Xi trid tghid?Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ...

onl ine magazineonl ine magazine

The Voice of the Maltese

is is a bi-lingual (inEnglish and Maltese) fort-nightly online publication

specifically targeting allMaltese living abroad with emphasis on the

Australian scene. is online magazine is

sent via email by request.Subscription is free.

Editors: Malta: Joseph CutajarAustralia:Lawrence Dimech: MOM,

OAM, JPemail address:

[email protected]

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Letters for publication in The Voice ei-ther in Maltese or English should bee-mailed to: [email protected].

Now you can also join uson facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoice-ofthemaltese


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

Email:Email: [email protected] Tel: (00356) [email protected] Tel: (00356) 23497000

Min jikriha joqg˙od g˙aliha!

Irrid inwiegeb lill-korrispondent Chev.Tony Cutajar li fl-a˙˙ar ˙ar©a ta’ TheVoice of the Maltese ta˙t it-titlu “Un-

called for comments” ikkritika lis-Sur Be-dingfield g˙al xi rimarki li ©ie rrappurtat lig˙amel fuq twitter indirizzati lejn l-Ar-çisqof ta’ Malta, Mons Charles Scicluna.Ninsab ferm diΩappuntant b'dan is-sinjur, l-

ewwelnett g˙aliex da˙˙al il-politika fin-nofsf’dan il-magazine, u t-tieni g˙ax ma kitibxbil-Malti meta r-rapport li rrefera g˙alih kienbil-Malti. Hemm ra©uni g˙al dan?Ma nistax nifhem g˙aliex, pereΩempju kellu

jsejja˙ il-messa©© tal-Ewwel tas-Sena tal-Prim Ministru (li a˙na wkoll stajna nsegwuminn fuq l-Internet) “kontroversjali”, u li fil-fatt ma kienx, imbag˙ad qal li ma ˙ax gostg˙ax dan Bedingield indirizza xi rimarki, lihu sej˙ilhom “crude” lejn l-Arçisqof.Imma ma tistenniex li xi ˙add iwie©eb lill-

Arçisqof meta dan min-na˙a tieg˙u g˙addarimarki li ma kellux jg˙addi dwar il-mes-sa©© tal-Prim Ministru? Kienu rimarki b˙altal-Partit fl-OppoΩizjoni, li politikamentg˙andu dritt jag˙mel, u ta’ xi gazzetti li majarawx g˙ajn g˙al g˙ajn mal-gvern?

Meta l-Arçisqof qal li qal da˙al fejn makienx jesg˙u, allura g˙aliex ma kellux ji©imwie©eb u ikkritikat g˙al li qal? Ma kienxqed jitkellem fuq xi domma tal-fidi, immajikkritika sarkastikament lill-PM.Ma rridx nidher li qed inda˙˙al il-politika

f’dak li qed ng˙id, imma qed nirra©unag˙ax ˙assejt li xi ˙add ried jiddritta t-tg˙awwi© tal-kavallier.Hawn irrid infakkar x’©ie rrappurtat li qal

l-Arçisqof f'intervista fuq it-televiΩoni wara

Jason Aquilina from Seven Hills, NSWwrites:

Uncalled forcomments?

l-messa©© tal-PM. Qal hekk: “Nispera limeta l-Prim Ministru jid˙ol fi kçina dintkun ta’ veru”.

Glenn Bedingfield, li jing˙ad li hu partimill-istaff tal-Prim Ministru wie©eb fuqtwitter billi kiteb, “L-Arçisqof jawgura li l-Prim Ministru meta jid˙ol fi kçina tkun ta’veru. Tal-inqas il-Prim Ministru ma da˙alxf’xi kamra tas-sodda tat-tfal”. Dan x'aktarxqalu bmod sarkastiku b'referenza g˙al metaxi membri tal-kleru nstabu ˙atja li kkor-rompew xi tfal fl-istituti.

La l-Arçisqof niΩel fil-livell ta’ ra©el tat-triq kellu jistenna reazzjoni simili. Anzijkolli ng˙id li milli jidher aççetta dan g˙axma nafx b'xi reazzjoni tieg˙u.

Kien kaΩ ta’ min jikriha jrid joqg˙odg˙aliha!

X’hemm ˙aΩin, jew g˙aliex il-kavallier˙a l-linja ta’ xi o˙rajn f’Malta li jopponulill-Gvern? Wie˙ed jistenniha minn partitfl-oppoΩizzjoni li jipprova jsib fiex jikkri-tika lill-Gvern, imma li xi ˙add jo˙ro©g˙onqu f’magazine b˙al dan biex jag˙melhekk, ma stennejtiex.

Biex ikompli jΩid id-doΩa l-kavallierqalilna li stenna lill-PM li jiççensura lil Be-dingield min˙abba f'dak qal. SkuΩani sinjur,imma lanqas li kieku l-PM m’g˙o©bux liqal xi ˙add mill-istaff tieg˙u, dan g˙andujo˙ro© fil-pubbliku?

Imma l-pubbliku, u l-aktar a˙na li ng˙ixutant bog˙od x'jinteressana?

The Canberra Philatelic Society isdedicating its Biennial Stamp Exhi-bition to commemorate the cente-

nary of the incident known as ‘TheChildren of Billy Hughes’ or ‘Il-Maltin ta’New Caledonia’ this coming March. The Exhibition’s logo (pictured) is a com-

posite design of a Maltese Cross inside theSouthern Cross to denote ‘Maltese in Aus-tralia’. A few souvenirs are being pro-duced with this logo that may be of interestto the Maltese community in Australia.

In partnership with the Gozo PhilatelicSociety a special Double Postcard is beingproduced with one half stamped in Maltawith the Special Commemorate Postmarkproduced for this occasion, and the otherhalf stamped at the show with a SpecialCancel of the Exhibit Logo.

This is in-cluded aspart of theSupportersClub Mem-bership thatalso inc-ludes theAustralianIssue ‘Ani-mals inWar PNC’with the exhibition Logo; An InternationalPre-paid envelope produced by AustraliaPost with the ‘Anzac Memorial’ in Maltaand also overprinted with the exhibitionLogo and a beautiful WW1 Minisheet pro-duced by MaltaPost also overprinted withthe exhibition logo.

These memberships are restricted to thefirst 100 and only a few are left. Cost is$100. Other souvenirs are being producedwith the special exhibition logo overprint.

If interested, one is requested to contactthe treasurer at [email protected], ortake a look at this site: http://www.canber-rastamps.org/Canberra-Stampshow-2016-Souvenir-information.pdf

Australia Post will also be producingsome souvenirs with this special Exhibi-tion Logo that can only be obtained fromthe Show at the Hellenic Club in the ACTbeing held from Friday March 18 to Sun-day 20th. The Deputy High Commissionerof Malta will be opening the exhibition at10.30 a.m. on the 18th.

JohnVassallo, (Treasurer, Canberra StampShow 2016)

Joseph Caruana from Redmond, WA writes:

Way back in December I wrote a letterto The Voice of the Maltese that was

published in the January 5 issue of the mag-azine expressing my delight and that of myfamily to be visiting Malta during Christ-mas time. We returned home at Redmondat the end of January and have been tryingto recover from such a great experience formost of this month, February.We will never forget the visit. We experi-

enced the best that Malta could offer duringthis period of the year. To add to that, wealso had what the locals described to us asperhaps the best weather for ages, sunny al-most every day. We took the opportunitynot to only to visit the most wonderful andinteresting heritage sites, but with a copyof the calendar of events in hand (thanks toThe Voice) also took part in events, bothcultural and social.

We also made a trip to Gozo where wehad a weekend break at one of the hotels,and mixed with the friendly people ofMalta’s sister island that seems to be boom-ing with trade, particularly the restaurants,especially those serving genuine Gozitanfood. We visited a number of restaurantsand most said they are on a roll. They arebeing kept very busy thanks to moretourists and Maltese visiting and spendingtime on the island.

One day I befriended an old couple,tourists from Scotland. The man was 90,his wife looked even older but I did notdare ask her age. He told us he was born in1925 in Edinburgh and has made severaltrips to Malta, since his first in 1943 whenhe was only 18 and served in the Britishforces during World War II.

Since then he has been visiting the islandat least once a year. He told us he has wit-nessed the changes and agrees with those

who describe Malta as the ‘gem in theMediterranean’. He went on to tell us thatvisiting Malta stimulates him and that Godwilling, he would visit again either later inthe year or early the next.

Oh how I long to reach the stage when Icould retire and return to Malta for good!


Canberra Stampshow 2016 March 18-20

Malta truly ‘a gem in the Mediterranean’

Antoine Vassallo GPS secretary StampsGozo writes:

Thank you for giving so much impor-tance to this philatelic initiative.

The page 8 note on the The Voice’s Feb-ruary 16 issue includes an incorrect detail. Gozo Philatelic Society is a Voluntary

organisation completely autonomous andseparate from MaltaPost. GPS was respon-sible for the handstamp and its design -and paid MaltaPost to issue it.

The SS Gange postmark

Il-laqg˙a mhux mistennija tal-bidu ta' Frar ta' din is-sena bejnil-Papa Fran©isku tal-Knisja Kattolika Rumana u l-PatrijarkaKirill tal-Knisja Ortodossa Russa wasslet g˙al diversi kum-

menti eççitati fil-midja internazzjonali. Çertament li

din kienet laqg˙astorika, g˙axkien ilha masse˙˙ sa mill-qasma, jew ix-XiΩma l-Kbira,bejn il-knisja ta'Kostant inopl i(Ortodossa, fil-Lvant) u dik ta'Ruma (KattolikaRumana, fil-Pun-ent), li saret elfsena ilu, fl-1054,u li kienet ankewasslet biex iΩ-Ωew© na˙at jis-komunikaw lill-prelati ta' xul-xin.1

Din il-laqg˙asegwiet o˙ra qa-bel bejn il-PapaFran©isku u l-mexxej spiritwalitad-dinja Or-to-dossa l-Patrijarka Ekumeniku, Bartilmew I, lejn tmiem l-2014.2

Din qed ti©i meqjusa b˙ala pass fit-tama li l-g˙aqda tal-Insaratmur minn ˙olma g˙al realtà, proçess li ilu g˙addej mill-Kunsilltal-Vatikan II. Imma kemm hija probabbli li sse˙˙ ˙a©a b˙al din?

L-ewwelnett, irridu niççaraw li m'a˙niex nitkellmu dwar id-dinja Protestanta, li tirrappreΩenta bejn wie˙ed u ie˙or terz tad-dinja nisranija.It-tieninett, apparti l-intenzjonijiet tajba li qed jing˙adu, wie˙ed

ma jridx jinsa l-˙wejje© ta' sustanza li jifirdu d-dinja KattolikaRumana minn dik Ortodossa. Hemm Ωew© kwestjonijiet ewleninli jridu jing˙elbu qabel dawn iΩ-Ωew© frieg˙i kbar jer©g˙u jikkun-sidraw ru˙hom a˙wa ta' vera. L-ewwel hi l-poΩizzjoni tal-Knisja Kattolika Rumana li l-knejjes

l-o˙ra kollha jaççettaw lill-Papa b˙ala l-kap tal-knisja kollha. Dinhija bbaΩata primarjament, imma mhux biss, fuq li l-Papa ji©ikkunsidrat suççessur tal-Appostlu Pietru, li Ìesu` sejja˙lu b˙alal-©ebla li fuqha kien se jibni l-knisja tieg˙u, 3 u li miet martrif'Ruma stess. Ktibt 'mhux biss', g˙ax il-Papa matul iΩ-Ωmien qabel ix-XiΩma,

kien rabba status speçjali, u beda ji©i msejja˙ biex jie˙udeçiΩjonijiet meta jinqalg˙u kwestjonijiet madwar id-dinja Nis-ranija.Fil-fatt, il-knejjes tal-Lvant kienu jqisu lill-Papa b˙ala 'l-ewwel

fost l-indaqs' (bil-Latin primus inter pares), titlu li wara x-XiΩmal-Kbira bdiet ti©i attribwita lill-Patriarka ta' Kostantinopli (il-Pa-triarka Ekumeniku msemmi iktar qabel).It-tieni kwestjoni hija msej˙a Filioque, li hija kelma bil-Latin li

tfisser 'u mill-iben'. Sal-Kunsill ta' Nicaea (fit-Turkija ta' llum)fis-sena 325 W.K., id-dinja Nisranija kienet tistqarr li 'l-Ispirtu s-Santu ©ej mill-Missier'. Mill-Kunsill ta' Kostantinopli (illum tis-sejja˙ Istanbul, fit-Turkija wkoll) fis-sena 381 W.K., il-Knisja ta'Ruma bdiet tistqarr li 'l-Ispirtu s-Santu ©ej mill-Missier u mill-

Iben', ˙a©a li l-knejjes tal-Lvant m’aççettawx.Din hija kwestjoni pjuttost fundamentali, imma fil-fatt kemm

g˙andha ting˙ata importanza fil-˙ajja tal-Insara? Jien m'iniex teo-logu. Ma studjajtx it-teolo©ija. Imma jien li nniΩΩel 'Kattoliku

Ruman' metamitlub biex ni-dentifika twem-mini, g˙andi po-Ωizzjoni, li hidin li ©ejja:

Meta niltaqa'ma xi tifel jewtifla bil-©u˙,ilestu biex jorq-du barra fit-triqat ta' Sydneytard billejl, fejnil-familja tag˙-hom tikkonsistifi tfal o˙ra fl-istess sitwazzjo-ni; meta niltaqa'ma' nies li ilhomsnin miΩmuminil-˙abs 'il bog˙-od mill-familjau lanqas bissg˙adha inqat-g˙atilhom is-sentenza tag˙-hom (fejn nof-

shom ji©u fil-fatt misjuba mhux ˙atja u lliberati); meta naqradwar miljuni ta' nies li kellhom jitilqu ji©ru minn darhom g˙axxi ˙add ie˙or iddeçieda joffrilhom l-g˙aΩla li jew jaççettaw t-twemmin tieg˙u jew il-mewt - nassigurakom li mhux il-Filioqueji©ini f'rasi l-ewwel. U lanqas it-tieni.

Li ji©uni f'rasi huma l-kliem ta' Ìesù: “dak li tag˙mlu mal-iΩg˙ar fost dawn ˙uti, tkunu qed tag˙mluh mieg˙i”.4

Li l-ispekulazzjoni teolo©ika ikkontribwiet g˙al din il-qasmatant profonda u dejjiema bejn dawn il-pilastri tat-twemmin Nis-rani, g˙alija huwa sors ta' niket, u anke ta' frustrazzjoni kif dawnil-knejjes wara elf sena g˙ad ma rnexxielhomx jer©g˙u jitqiesub˙all-a˙wa. Çert li nistg˙u naççettaw li nifhmu l-misteri tal-fiditag˙na b'mod daqsxejn differenti, u nibqg˙u nitkellmu!

Biex immur lura g˙all-ewwel kwestjoni, soluzzjoni possibblitkun li l-Knisja Kattolika tirrinunzja li tippretendi li l-Papa jkollus-supremazija fuq il-knejjes kollha, u mmorru lura g˙all-formulali ˙admet g˙al tant snin qabel ix-XiΩma, çoè dik li l-Papa jkun 'l-ewwel fost l-indaqs' kif kien meqjus fil-qedem. Dan jekk il-kne-jjes tal-Lvant jaççettaw.

Biex tag˙mel hekk, hemm bΩonn ta' umiltà straordinarja mill-Knisja Kattolika, u g˙alhekk jien pjuttost pessimist. Umli humaindividwi, b˙al diversi qassisin li ltqajt mag˙hom matul is-snin,u çertament dan il-Papa Fran©isku tant ma˙bub. Imma umli l-is-tituzzjoni tal-Knisja Kattolika? U dawk Ortodossi?

G˙iduli intom.

PerspettivaA version of this series inEnglish may be found inthe author's blog at: http://ivancauchi.blogspot.com

kitba ta’

IVAN

CAUCHI


L-g˙aqda tal-Insara

Referenzi1. http://americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/pope francis and patriarch kirills -meeting cuba milestone road- christian unity, retrieved 21/2/2016.2.http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/11/30/pope_francis__patriarch_bartholomew_sign_joint_declaration/1113026, retrieved 21/2/2016.3. Matt 16:184. Matt 25:40

Il-Papa Fran©isku (xellug) u l-Patrijarka Kirill tal-Knisja Ortodossa Rumana jitg˙annquwara li ffirmaw ftehim f’Havana, Kuba, fit-12 ta’ Frar li g˙adda (REUTERS)


Fl-in˙awi ta’ Bankstown NSW hemm grupp ta’ Maltin lijiltaqg˙u darba fix-xahar filg˙odu. Dan il-grupp im-

mexxi minn Sam Galea g˙amel l-ewwel laqg˙a tieg˙u fil-post il-©did tag˙hom, il-Bankstown Community ResourceCentre f’Kitchner Parade.

F’jum sabi˙ u bit-temp jippermetti, il-laqg˙a saret fil-bitha. Il-kelliema speçjali kienet Marie Louise Muscat mill-

Fiducian Financial Services li tkellmet dwar id-diffikultajietu l-vanta©©i g˙al dawk li jippjanaw flushom. Óafna mill-preΩenti staqsew dwar id-ddifikultajiet finanzjarji li jil-taqghu mag˙hom tul ˙ajjithom

Fl-a˙˙ar indirizza wkoll lill-grupp, li ji©bed lejh g˙addkbir ta’ Maltin kull xahar u meqjus fost l-akbar fi NSW,Lawrence Dimech, il-ko-editur ta’ dan il-magazin. Huwatkellem dwar il-pensjonijiet u d-drittijiet taç-çittadin Malti.Ritratt fuq: In-nies li attendew flimkien ma’ Marie LouiseMuscat u Sam Galea fit-truf tar-ritratt.

Jiltaqg˙u ta’ Bankstown

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On the occasion of his retirement FatherJohn Robert Briffa SDB OAM was ho-

noured at a mass in the Don Bosco shrineat Engadine NSW on the very day of thefeast of St Francis De Sales. Fr Briffa wasthe spiritual director of the Maltese PastPupils and Friends of Don Bosco. A booklet featuring Fr Briffa’s biographywas also distributed. He is also featured inthe first edition of Lawrence Dimech’sbook, Telqu g˙al g˙onq it-Triq.Pictured below: Fr. Robert Briffa (fourthfrom left sitting) surrounded by hisfriends after the mass.

Fr. JR Briffa retires Sadly, despite her two classy

performances in the semi-final stage, 11-year-old VioletaBozanic failed to make it to theGrand Final of Australia’s GotTalent contest. However, allthose who voted for her aregrateful to have watched such a talentedgirl, full of confidence. The standing ova-tions she got at the end of her perform-ance will certainly boost her morale for abright future ahead.

Violeta’s mother, Roseanne Bozanic-Grima was born in Sydney, the daughterof Toni whose parents, Salvu andRosanna Grima reside at Xewkija, inGozo. She and her father Dejan must be

so proud of their little girl.Violeta performed during the

live show on Channel 9 on Feb-ruary 21 and the result was an-nounced four days later, onSunday.

Her family said it would liketo say a massive thank you to all thosewho supported Violeta. Her father saidthat she had an amazing support, encour-agement and kind comments throughwhat he described as fantastic journey onAGT. Many of those who watched Violeta per-

form are certain that she would be part ofthe music scene in Australia and Interna-tionally for a long time.

Violeta just fails to make it to Final

Roundup of News About Malta


Fitch affirms Malta’shealthy position as Awith outlook as stable

In two years’time, the Uni-

versity of Maltais planning tolaunch a ‘satel-lite’ device intospace it wouldbe doing in con-junction with theUniversity of Bir-mingham, theMalta AmateurRadio League(MARL), andthe Italian Astrodynamics Company, GAUSS Srl. Theproject is estimated to cost €25,000The 5x5x5 cm device weighing just 250 gram, and re-

ferred to as a PocketQube pico-satellite, will be launchedinto a sun-synchronous low earth orbit (LEO) and wouldbe used to validate on-board equipment to study theproperties of an ionised region of the Earth’s upper at-mosphere (known as the ionosphere).Two Maltese post graduate engineering students, Dar-

ren Cachia in Malta and Jonathan Camilleri, a Ph.D. stu-dent at the University of Birmingham, have joinedefforts and are developing the satellite platform and thescientific payload respectively.Darren Cachia, whose project was awarded an Endeav-

our Scholarship and is part-financed by the EuropeanUnion – European Social Fund (ESF) said that the chal-lenge is to design a reliable space-grade device usinglow-cost commercial off the shelf components, such asthe ones found in modern smart phones.

He added that, “Special software and hardware tech-niques are being developed to overlap the strengths andweaknesses of individual components, and improve thereliability of computation in the harsh radiation-filledenvironment of space. This relatively recent develop-ment brings space technology within the reach of Uni-versity students and opens the door for civilian spaceresearch.”This project will pave the way for a swarm of eight such

satellites that will spread over a large geographical areaand hence gain better coverage of changeable ionosphericconditions that affect radio communications.

The mission is expected to last about 18 months andwill relay information back to Earth that will be acces-sible to anyone owning a simple ham radio set. Infor-mation will be made available in due course to allowschools and interested individuals to participate usinginexpensive equipment.

Konrad Mizzi elected PL deputy leader for party affairs

Malta University project to launch ‘satellite’ into space

Affirming Malta's Long-term for-eign and local currency IssuerDefault Rating (IDRs) at 'A'

with Stable Outlooks, Fitch Ratingsexpects the Maltese economy to con-tinue to outperform that of its eurozonepeers, with projected average real GDPgrowth of 3.2% this year and the nextbroadly in line with the 'A' median.

In its most recent report, it said thatMalta’s exports' contribution to growthwill rise gradually as external demandrecovers and investment slows, whiletertiary industries will remain the mainengine of growth, in particular IT andprofessional services, the gaming indus-try, and healthcare services and tourism.

But due to the completion of large-scale energy investment projects andthe expiration of the EU funding cyclegrowth will be down from an estimated4.7% in 2015.

The current account surplus is set toimprove in 2016 as large import-inten-sive investments related to energy proj-ects fall. Recovering external demandwill support a gradual increase in serv-ices exports, which along with sturdytourism inflows, will push up the cur-rent account surplus to a projected av-erage of 3.1% of GDP in 2016-2017.

Fitch said Malta's headline fiscaldeficit is lower than the 'A' median andis forecast to narrow to 1.1% of GDP in2016 and 1% in 2017, down from an es-timated 1.6% of GDP in 2015.

Key to the improvement in 2016 isthe assumption that no additional cap-ital injection will be required for AirMalta as the company returns to prof-itability. Revenues will grow at aslower pace than nominal GDP, no-tably due to the reduction in incometax for those on low incomes. Mean-while, the pension reforms included inthe 2016 Budget and the upcomingwage settlement will push up publicspending.

General government gross debt is de-clining and is estimated at 64.3% ofGDP at end-2015 from almost 70% in

2013. It is set to decrease further overthe medium term to 60.5% in 2017.

Fitch also gave the thumbs up to theMaltese banking sector, which, it said,is robust, despite its substantial size(538% of GDP as of September 2015).Capitalisation and liquidity ratios ofsystemically important core domesticbanks (representing 239% of GDP) arewell above the minimum regulatory re-quirements, at 13.9% and 52.1%, re-spectively, as of June 2015, andprofitability is improving. However, the sector is largely concen-

trated with the two largest banks - Bankof Valetta and HSBC Bank Malta -holding more than 80% of loans to res-idents and more than 82% of deposits.RATING SENSITIVITIES

According to Fitch, future develop-ments that could individually or collec-tively, result in positive rating actioninclude: a further track record in con-solidating the public finances thatleads to a lower government debt/GDPratio and a significant decline in con-tingent liabilities.

When it comes to future develop-ments that could individually or collec-tively, result in negative rating actioninclude:, it mentioned, significant slip-page from fiscal targets leading to de-teriorating public debt dynamics, andcrystallisation of material contingentliabilities or a shock to the bankingsector that requires fiscal support.

A mock-up ofthe satellite

As expected, Energy and Health minister Konrad Mizzi(pictured right)was elected Labour Party’s deputy

leader for party affairs having gained 95.6% of the votescast in the party’s extraordinary conference. Mizzi, who wasuncontested, needed 50% plus one votes to get the post. Hemanaged to get the nod by virtue of 672 of the 696 validvotes cast by the delegates.After his election, the minister announced that as he is not

just a minister now and his role has changed. He and hiswife, Sai decided it is for the best for his wife not to renewher contract with Malta Enterprise.

For nine whole days in the midFebruary, Malta hosted five topmodels chosen by the American

Sports Illustrated magazine to shootvideos of the girls modelling its Swim-suit 2016 edition against a Mal-tese/Gozitan backdrop.

The models, Kate Bock, Kelly Roh-rbach, Tanya Mityushina, SamanthaHoopes and Robin Lawley had a fieldday. They enjoyed the island so muchthat they went on camera to expresstheir wonderful time on the islands.

Kate Bock for one, who was in herfourth year as a modeland had never evenheard of Malta, letalone visited, said theisland was a must forany traveller and thateveryone should visitMalta. She described itas a small island off thecoast of Italy, the quietgetaway in the middleof the MediterraneanSea, full of medievaltowers and narrow, me-andering streets.“It was so beautiful,”

she said, adding thatthere was tons of whitesandstone everywhere,“Really beautiful water, amazing co-astlines, and epic towering cliffs thatmake for great diving… I would defi-nitely recommend it as a place to go.

All five modelswere impressed with

the warm weather, the beautiful sunand the sea. They all enjoyed theirshort stay and were thrilled to jumpinto the clear waters of Malta.

The shooting, by photographer BenWatts took place all over Malta andGozo, particularly in Valletta, Birgu,Mdina, Marsaxlokk in Malta, andThe Azure Window, Victoria, Xlendiand Marsalforn in Gozo.


Roundup of News About Malta

President on State visits to Kosov and Albania

‘Malta is a must for any traveller;everyone should visit the island’

Kate Bock.. she was so impressed with Malta

One of the models onan assignment forSports Illustrated pos-ing in front of an ILove Malta graffiti

President Marie-Louise Col-eiro Preca made state visitsto Kosovo and the Republic

of Albania where she held bilat-eral meetings with the respectivecountries’ highest authorities anddiscussed various areas of collab-oration.

The President, who was accom-panied by Mr Preca and a Maltesedelegation that included the Min-ister for Foreign Affairs GeorgeVella, Michael Farrugia, the Min-ister for the Family and SocialSolidarity and Chris Cardona, the Minister for the Economy, In-vestment and Small Business.

In Albania where she had talks with the country’s President,Bujar Nishani, she described the meetings as “a testimony to thework and commitment of both sides to strengthen their engage-ment further.”Referring to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding be-

tween the ministers for foreign affairs of both countries, the Mal-

tese President said this was furtherproof of the consolidation of thebilateral relations between the twocountries, and is a further demon-stration of Malta’s will to help Al-bania in its EU accession process.She also reiterated Malta’s supportfor the Albanian aspirations to be-come part of the European Union.

During the visit the Presidentalso addressed the Albanian-Mal-tese Economic Forum held in theIranian capital, Tirana, and de-scribed it as a valid forum for

more solid economic exchanges.She previously visited Kosovo where she held talks with Atifete

Jahjaga, the President of Kosovo, and later also with the Speakerof the Kosovo Parliament and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. The President also remarked that Malta would like to revive the

agreement that Malta and Albania have on inter-country adop-tions, so that Albanian children could be matched with Maltesecouples for adoption.

Malta Musulmana!!


Terapija illegali

Il-Parlament Malti ma jdumx ma jibda jiddiskuti abbozz ta' li©iintitolat 'Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identityand Gender Expression’, li g˙andu l-g˙an li jsir illegali, l-

hekk imsej˙a 'terapija ta' kura fuq il-gays.Óafna jsostnu li din it-'terapija' hija, "perikoluΩa g˙as-sa˙˙a men-

tali tal-individwu u s-sa˙˙a fiΩika, u li f'xi drabi, tista' twassalg˙as-suwiçidju.

S'issa kienu erbg˙a, l-istati Amerikani li g˙amlu din it-terapijaillegali u fl-Ewropa, Malta mistennija tkun l-ewwel wa˙da. Kifqed isir daΩ-Ωmien, l-Abbozz ta’ din il-li©i tpo©©a g˙ad-diskussjoni pubblika qabel ma titressaq quddiem il-Parlament.Fost dawk li kummentaw dwar l-Abozz kien hemm il-Knisja per-

mezz ta’ position paper miktuba minn grupp ta’ esperti li qabbdetil-Kurja. IΩda malli l-position paper saret mag˙rufa mill-midja,mal-ewwel kien hemm reazzjoni qawwija dwarha.

Fost li kummentaw kien hemm l-istess Prim Ministru li, waqtattivita’ politika, qal: “possibbli f'pajjiΩna g˙andna min qieg˙edjg˙id li l-orjentazzjoni sesswali hija marda? Hawn min jg˙id litista tag˙ti t-terapija? Din hija l-akbar offiΩa lil min irid jg˙ix f'-soçjetà Ewropea”

Huwa qal li dan ma jne˙˙i xejn mill-fatt li l-Knisja tag˙mel ©idenormi. “Il-Knisja g˙andha dritt li titkellem. Imma jien in˙ossnifil-libertà ng˙id li dan il-Gvern se jibqa’ miexi 'l quddiem g˙aliexjemmen li l-progress i˙ares il-quddiem u mhux i˙ares lejn il-bar-ranin. Mhux se naççetta li xi ˙add omossesswa jitqies li huwamarid” B˙ala reazzjoni g˙al din il-kritika min-na˙a tal-Prim Ministru u

bnadi o˙ra, l-Arçisqof stqarr li l-position paper ma ©ietx mifhumasew, u sa˙ansitra f’The Times qal li t-terapija fuq persuni omosess-wali hija "no-go area". “Any conversion therapy which forcespeople to go against their decisions or their life choices is just ano go – a no go – and I want this to be absolutely clear.”

Sadanitant, fi stqarrija, il-grupp li kiteb dan ir-rapport sostna li

mkien ma stqarr li l-omosesswalita’ hija marda. IΩda kummenta-turi sa˙qu li l-fatt li ting˙ata l-idea li din hija kundizzjoni li tista’titfejjaq u sa˙ansitra l-uΩu tal-kelma terapija, jekk mhux diretta-ment, tal-inqas indirettament, tikkonferma li qed jing˙ad li din himarda.

Sadanitant b˙ala reazzjoni g˙al dak li qal il-Prim Ministru - il-Partit Nazzjonalista li kien g˙adu ˙alqu mag˙luq dwar din il-kwestjoni - ˙are© stqarrija fejn qal li hemm ftehim politiku lil-omoseswalita’ m’hix marda. Dwar l-abbozz tal-li©i qal biss li l-grupp parlamentari Nazzjonalista kien se jiddiskuti kif jag˙melis-soltu dwar li©ijiet o˙ra u mbag˙ad jag˙ti r-reazzjoni tieg˙u.Kien hemm min irrimarka li l-PN kien g˙adu ma ˙ax poΩizzjoni

dwar il-li©, minkejja li l-Abbozz kien ilu g˙axar ©img˙at g˙all-konsultazzjoni tal-pubbliku u l-g˙aqdiet. Hekk kienet ukoll il-fehma ta’ parti mill-midja, b’The Independent tg˙id: Gay andtrans PN officials condemn conversion therapy, PN still mum.

Il-©urnal kien qed jikkwota x’qalu Ωew© uffiçjali tal-PN: KarlGouder, is-Sindku ta’ San Ìiljan u Alex Mangion, KunsulierNazzjonalista f’Ó’Attard. Dawn stqarrew: “I am totally againstgay conversion therapy. As you know, being gay is neither a beliefnor an illness, which means that no conversion should ever fea-ture.” Imma ma’ g˙arfux iwie©bu x’kienet il-poΩizzjoni tal-partittag˙hom.Nifhem li l-oppoΩizzjoni qag˙det ferm attenta kif tirrea©ixxi g˙al

dak li qed jipproponi l-Gvern billi qed tag˙mel minn kollox ˙allituri li hija wkoll favur id-drittijiet ta’ nies LGBTI. IΩda jidher lidin il-kritika wasslet biex il-Partit Nazzjonalista fl-a˙˙ar jie˙udeçiΩjoni, u kif kont g˙oddni lestejt dan l-artiklu t˙abbar li fuqkollox l-OppoΩizzjoni kienet se tappo©©ja l-Gvern dwar din il-Li©i.

B˙alissa f’Malta, u na˙seb f’˙afna parti-jiet tad-dinja, g˙addejja sew id-dis-

kussjoni dwar il-Musulmani u kif i©iburu˙hom.

Filwaqt li qed naraw çerta sezzjoni tal-poplu, sfortunatment sezzzjoni li dejjem qedtikber, tg˙addi rimarki xejn sbie˙ dwar il-Musulmani, ˙are© l-istoriku Malti CharlesDalli li fi storja li dehret fil-Maltoday(8.02.2016) fakkarna dwar meta Maltakienet Musulmana. Sostna li fil-fatt, lif’çertu aspetti Malta g˙adha Muslumana.

Malta ma t˙addanx ir-reli©jon tal-Islam,g˙alkemm kulma ma jmur l-g˙add ta’ dawkli j˙addnu din ir-reli©jon fil-GΩejjer tag˙na,(fosthom Maltin) qed jiΩdied, immambag˙ad g˙andna ˙afna xi jfakkarna fl-Islam.Barra l-ismijiet ta’ ˙afna mill-ibliet u l-

ir˙ula tag˙na li jfakkruna fl-ilsien G˙arbi(F’G˙awdex kemm il-Belt u parti kbira mill-ir˙ula j©bu isem b’g˙eruq G˙arab), g˙andnambag˙ad l-ismijiet tal-festi ewlenin reli©juΩi©ejjin ibbaΩati fuq festi tal-Islam.Hekk g˙ad g˙andna r-randan (kelma li ©ejja

mir-Ramadan - ix-xahar li fi˙ isumu dawkli j˙addnu l-Islam), il-G˙id (l-isem li ©ejmill-festa- Eid al-Fitr - li jag˙mlu l-Musul-mani fi tmiem ir-Ramadan). G˙andnambag˙ad il-Milied (©ejja mill-kelma Mawlid– il-festa tat-twelid tal-profeta Musulman –il-profeta Muhammad.

Hemm imbag˙ad ukoll l-ismijiet tal-jiemtal-©img˙a li huma kliem, u anke n-numri.Anke l-kelma il-Ìimg˙a (Friday) ©ejja mill-fatt li f’dak il-jum il-Musulmani, kienu, kifg˙adhom sal-lum, jiltaqg˙u biex jag˙mlu t-talb tal- ‘Jumu’ah’.

L-istess Dalli jirribatti dak li tg˙allimna, lil-Maltin Ωammew il-fidi minn meta SanPawl niΩel fuq il-GΩejjer Maltin, g˙ax danisostni li waqt il-˙akma tal-G˙arab fuq il-GΩejjer Maltin, u g˙al ˙afna snin wara, ftitkienu dawk il-Maltin li Ωammew il-fidi nis-ranija.Dalli sa˙ansitra jg˙id li g˙addew ˙afna snin

minn meta n-Normanni ˙adu l-GΩejjer Mal-tin f’idejhom (1090) sakemm is-soçjeta’ Mal-tija kkonvertiet mill-©did g˙all-KristjaneΩmu(Sal-1492 il-ma©©oranza l-kbira tal-abitantiMaltin kienu g˙adhom i˙addnu l-Islam

Sa˙ansitra, biex din il-konverΩjoni se˙˙et©iet mg˙ejjuna mill-fatt li n-Normannipo©©ew taxxa fuq dawk li kienu Musulmaniu g˙all-˙abta tal-1492 qabdu l-Musulmani likien baqa’ Malta u ddiportawhom g˙all-beltTaljana ta’ Lucera.

Meta l-Ministru t’G˙awdex Anton Refalo uil-Ministru tar-TuriΩmu Edward ZammitLewis indirizzaw il-laqg˙a ©enerali tal-G˙aqda tat-TuriΩmu G˙awdxija, sa˙qu li s-sena li g˙addiet kienet wa˙da rekordg˙all-industrija Maltija f’dan is-settur, fil-waqt li Zammit Lewis ikkonferma li skontst˙arrig ikkummissjonat mill-ministerutieg˙u, it-turiΩmu jikkontribwixxi 50% tal-GDP fil-gΩira G˙adxija.

Huwa Ωied jg˙id jikkwota mir-rapport listabbilixxa li wie˙ed minn kull ˙amesG˙awdxin qed ja˙dmu f’dan is-settur u li l-industrija ©©enerat 30% tal-impjiegi fis-set-

tur privat fil-gΩira.Qal li l-prodott tat-turiΩmu G˙awdxi jippos-

sjedi attrazzjoni b’sa˙˙itha f’g˙add ta’oqsma, fost l-o˙rajn dik ta’ akkomodazzjonita’ kwalita`, il-mod kif wie˙ed jirrilassa, l-g˙ads (scuba diving) u attivitajiet o˙ra fil-bera˙.

Sa˙aq ukoll lil l-potenzjal t’G˙awdex u l-ambjent naturali tieg˙u ifissru li G˙awdexhu kapaçi li ji©bed lejh turisti differenti, fos-thom dak domestiku.

Meta semma l-industrija tal-cruise linersqal li fl-2015 Ωaru lill-G˙awdex 18-il vapurli kellhom fuqhom 9,600 passi©ier. Minbarral-benefiççji ekonomiçi immedjati dawn iΩ-Ωjarat qosra jipprovdu lill-vja©©aturi ç-çansli jduqu g˙all-ewwel darba dak li din il-gΩiratista’ toffri b˙ala destinazzjoni li jistg˙u jΩu-ruha g˙al aktar fit-tul.

Min-na˙a tieg˙u, il-Ministru g˙al G˙aw-dex, Anton Refalo qal li Ω-Ωieda fit-turiΩmufil-gΩira G˙awdxija kien ukoll riΩultat ta’ in-izjattivi, b˙all-programm ta’ attivitajietg˙all-Ìimg˙a Mqaddsa u fix-xahar tal-festital- Milied, fosthom Betlem f’G˙ajnsielem.

Huwa kkonferma li Ω-Ωidiet saru wkoll fit-turiΩmu internazzjonali u kienu b’riΩultat ta’aktar sforzi fil-marketing matul l-2014. likienu jinkludu l-parteçipazzjni f’fieri tat-turiΩmu internazzjonali titjib fil-website:www.islandofgozo.org u g˙add ta’ publikaz-zjonijiet promozzjonali.

Sensazzjonalizmu.

Avveniment sportiv f’Malta li kull senaji©bed lejh l-eluf ta’ parteçipanti bar-

ranin huwa l-Maratona ta’ Malta. Hekkukoll dis-sena g˙at-tellieqa tal-Óadd lig˙adda fuq distanza ta’ 42 kilometru. Immadid-darba minbarra l-isport, spikka wkollwaqt li fih miet wie˙ed mill-atleti, IngliΩ ta’55 sena.

L-atleta, bl-isem ta’ Michael Freeman,˙assu ˙aΩin inqas minn kilometru bog˙odminn tmiem it-tellieqa f’Tas-Sliema uittie˙ed b’ur©enza b’ambulanza l-isptarMater Dei fejnu miet ftit wara li wasal.

Ir-ra©el, minn Essex fl-Ingilterra li kienf’Malta flimkien ma’ martu, fejn issie˙bu

ma’ aktar minn 2000 atleta minn 50 pajjiΩ-biex ˙adu sehem fil-Maratona, x’aktar limiet b’attakk tal-qalb.

Ìie rrappurtat, dejjem skont martu, li©imag˙tejn qabel ©ie Malta, fl-Ingilterra,Freeman kien ˙ass u©ieg˙ fl-istonku u marjag˙mel xi testijiet mediçi. IΩda t-tobbaqalulu li ma kellu xejn xi jΩommu millijie˙u sehem fil-Maratona ta’ Malta u ji©rid-distanza.Imma minkejja l-parir xorta ma rnexxielux

jispiccaha. It-tellieqa ntreb˙et minn Marokkin qud-

diem tlett Marokkini o˙ra. (Ara rapport f’pa©na 24)


Mix-xena tal-˙ajja Maltija 2

Mhemmx dubbju li çerta sezzjonital-midja tg˙ix fuq is-sensaz-zjonaliΩmu, iΩda kultant dan

jolqot anke dik il-midja li hi meqjusa aktarserja, iΩda li sintendi ma tistax timmissjali tapprofitta ru˙ha minn xi storja li tista’tixtered f’le˙˙a ta’ berqa, g˙ax b’hekkiΩΩid il-qarrejja jew is-semmiegha tag˙ha.Hekk g˙amel l-istazzjon tar-radju u t-ele-

viΩjoni IngliΩ , il-BBC meta kiseb l-istorjadwar is-sejba ta’ ittri li l-Papa Pawlu IIkiteb lil filosofa Pollakka .... korrispo-nenza li tinfirex fuq 30 sena.Sintedni l-ispekulazzjonijiet u l-opinjoni-

jiet ma naqsux u biex tissokta tikber, fil-midja bdew jitfaççaw ritratti b˙al dan ta’fuq li juri lill-Papa Ìwanni Pawlu II ulilAnna Teresa Tymieniecka, flimkien waqtkampe©© ma’ nies o˙ra.F’Malta g˙alkemm il-midja, ©abet din l-is-

torja kienet kawta ˙afna, kif kienet il-KurjaMaltija, li meta ©iet mitlubha tati r-reazzjoni

g˙al din l-istorja llimitat ru˙ha billi rreferietg˙al dak li kteb il-Kardinal Vincent Nicholsfil-midia soçjali: “We love Pope St JohnPaul II: faithful to God, faithful to his vows,faithful to his loving friends".

Na˙seb li l-a˙jar taha l-Vatikanista FrReno Muscat. Qal li l-˙biberija bejnÌwanni Pawlu II u l-mara "ma svelat l-ebda sigriet jew skandlu; kienet ˙biberijabejn kollegi, kittieba u studjuΩi."

IngliΩ imut waqt il-©irjafil-Maratona ta’ Malta

Michael Freeman (picture from Facebook)

Wie˙ed minn kull˙ames ˙addiemaf’G˙awdex ja˙dmufis-settur turistiku

Il-Ministru tat-TuriΩmuEdward Zammit Lewis

Il-Ministru t’G˙awdexAnton Refalo

Immigration Minister PeterDutton has said that the one-

year-old girl known as Asha,the daughter of asylum-seekerparents who suffered seriousburns at the camp and taken toa Brisbane hospital for treat-ment won't be sent back toNauru.

At first the government said thegirl would have to be sent back tothe Australian-run detention cen-tre at Nauru, but amid protests bythousands over her deportation,the minister relented, particularlyafter doctors at Brisbane's LadyCilento Children's Hospital saidthey would not release Asha un-less a "suitable home environ-ment is identified".

Former immigration ministerScott Morrison said the policywould continue "absolutely"and "completely,” and the gov-ernment said its controversialoffshore detention policy wasnecessary, and aimed at pre-venting asylum seekers tryingto reach Australia on unseawor-thy boats.

Cameron Atfield QueenslandPremier Annastacia Palaszczukweighed in on the case again on

Sunday, saying the federal gov-ernment decision to allow Ashato go into community detentionwas "too slow and lacked empa-thy".

Earlier Mr. Dutton said thebaby girl would be taken fromthe Children's Hospital, whereprotesters had been camped formore than a week, and placed incommunity detention but didnot rule out an eventual returnto Nauru. He said the girl andher family would still be subjectto normal refugee processingand a spokesman confirmedthey would not be settled inAustralia. Doctors from the hos-pital said the baby's treatmenthad concluded and that theywere happy for the baby to goout into community detention.The Immigration Department

advised that there is no immi-nent plan for the family to re-turn to Nauru and the family'scase is under consideration.

Asha and her family are still onthe Australian mainland, accord-ing to the department of immigra-tion, but their exact location sincebeing moved into community de-tention is unknown.

Research by Labor MP andformer economics professor

Andrew Leigh shows that the in-come share of the top 1 per centhas doubled and the share of thetop 0.1 per has tripled over thepast three decades. “Inequality isone of the big economic issues ofour age,” he said.

“The richest three Australiansnow have more wealth than thepoorest 1 million. Inequality notonly challenges the fair go; italso makes it harder for a childborn into poverty to make it intothe middle class. At a local level,we also have strong evidencethat people in unequal neigh-bourhoods are less happy.” There was a marked difference in

the distribution of income in Syd-ney compared to the rest of NSW.In the Greater Sydney region 11.5

per centof all in-c o m ewent tothe top 1per centof earn-ers in2012-13but in re-g i o n a lNSW thepropor-tion isonly 7.4per cent.ACT hadA u s -t r a l i a ' s

smallest income share going to thetop 1 per cent – just 6.4 per cent ofthe total.

The bureau noted that incomethat tax-free income, includingsome income streams from su-perannuation, were not includedin the analysis. Government pen-sions and allowances were alsoexcluded.

Balmain had NSW's highest pro-portion of people receiving morethan $75,000 per year – 48.2 percent of all earners. It also had thestate's highest total median incomeof $72,591. But that was well shortof the median in Ashburton, a min-ing region in the north of WesternAustralia. It recorded Australia'shighest median total income of$93,902 in 2012-13.

Nationally, the median incomewas $44,940 in 2012-13 and theaverage was $58,389. Employeeincome (from full-time and part-time work) accounted for almost78 per cent of all personal in-come followed by investment in-come (12.4 per cent) and incomeearned by unincorporated busi-nesses (7.5 per cent). The ACT had the highest median

total income of $58,613; Tasma-nia had the lowest, $43,524.

Toorak in Melbourne's inner-east had the highest proportion ofpeople whose main source of in-come were investments (40.9 percent) followed by City Beach inPerth (37.8 per cent) and RoseBay-Vaucluse-Watsons Bay inSydney's east (36.7 per cent).

The Turnbull Governmentlike the Labor before it, is

still maintaining that no onewho seeks to enter Australia byboat will ever be permitted toresettle in Australia. There arestill 1459 people in detention inAustralia’s facilities in Nauruand Manus Island. Australia is trying to negotiate

with third countries likeMalaysia, Indonesia and thePhilippines to allow resettle-ment of asylum seekers. PMTurnbull ruled out acceptingNew Zealand’s offer to take 150asylum seekers from Australiaoffshore detention centres.

In a joint statement with NZcounterpart, John Key whilevisiting Australia, Mr. Turnbullsaid “we are utterly committedto ensuring that we give no en-

couragement, no marketing op-portunities to people smug-glers”.While Cambodia and PNG are

too poor and unattractive as re-settlement options, Australiaconsiders NZ to be too wealthyand attractive, which is a poten-tial draw for a new wave of peo-ple smugglers carrying asylumseekers.

Meanwhile Dr. Michael Dud-ley a psychiatrist at SydneyChildren’s Hospital and seniorlecturer at the University ofNSW wrote “public numbingand indifference toward stateabuses in Nazi Germany resem-bles the enabling Australia’simmigration centres to exist. Healso likens public complicity inthe detention regime to formerWhite Australia policy.

A quick glimpse at AustraliaA quick glimpse at Australia


No to NZ’s offer

State of inequality

Baby Asha detained into community detention

Asylum-seeker advocates gather outside Brisbane’s LadyCilento children’s hospital in support of one-year-old Asha

Asurvey by Ipsos Australia forMLC Weath found that many

householders in the top 10 percent struggle to save, while one in five lives “pay cheque to pay cheque. Lara Bourguignon the MLC general manager of corporate superannuation said, “It’s a paradox,the people who are earning more are also spending more and feel left behind, it may be becausethey are living in the major cities, living in the expensive areas, or working so hard that conven-iences such as eating out seem essential.”What constitutes a comfortable lifestyle was changing. It used to mean having access to a home,

food, healthcare and schooling. Now it extends to overseas holidays, private schools and the latesttechnology. Being a millionaire does not mean much nowadays, it will only buy you a doublebedroom flat in the city or an average suburban home.

Australia should send warships throughthe waters China claims around theislands it has built, says US Seventh

Fleet commander Joseph Aucoin, the admi-ral in charge of US naval forces in the Pa-cific. It is the first time a senior US militaryoffice has publicly urged Australia to carryout such an operation.

China’s fortification of islands it had builton reefs in the South China Sea would notstop the US sending its ships and aircraft inon freedom-of-navigation patrols. China isbeing accused of having placed surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island, which itclaims in the Paracel chain.In Sydney, Vice Admiral Aucoin said plac-

ing weapons on disputed islands introducedmore uncer- tainty to the region. “We willfly, sail and operate wherever internationallaw allows, including those areas,” he said.Asked if that meant he thought it would be

valuable if Australia carried out such patrols

within the 12 nauti-cal mile limitsaround the createdislands, Vice Admi-ral Aucoin said re-sponded “yes”.

Australia regularlysends warships andRoyal Australian AirForce patrol aircraftthrough the regionon intelligence-gath-ering missions thateffectively are alsofreedom-of-naviga-tion exercises, butthese so far have notpassed close to thedisputed structures.

Defence MinisterMarise Payne saidthat, as Aucoin hadnoted, freedom-of-navigation exercises were a matter for indi-vidual countries. “As we do now, and havedone for many years, Australian vessels andaircraft will continue to exercise rights underinternational law to freedom of navigationand freedom of overflight, including in theSouth China Sea,” she said.

Vice Admiral Aucoin said the volumes offreight, oil and other commodities carriedthrough the region were staggering and

China was one of the biggest beneficiariesof stability in the region.

“I wish it was not portrayed as US versusChina. We’re exercising our rights and free-doms under the law of the sea and thisshouldn’t seem provocative, relations be-tween US and Chinese forces were improv-ing, “even on the high seas”. He said aprocess recently had been introduced to re-duce the risks of unplanned encounters.

A quick glimpse at AustraliaA quick glimpse at Australia


MICHELLE ROWLAND MPFEDERAL MEMBER

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US versus China in the South China Sea?

Who are the battlers?

US Seventh Fleet commander Joseph Aucoin

The Australian population ticked overto 24 million on February 16, with

more than half of that growth driven bynew migrants. The milestone, reached17 years earlier than official predictionsmade at the turn of the century, seesAustralia draw level with Shanghai’spopulation, housing 24 million peoplein a thousandth of the space.

It is also twice the size that Prof TimFlannery, in a paper arguing for a much,much smaller Australia, set as the upperlimit of the country’s long-term carryingcapacity.

Flannery’s controversial goal popula-tion of just 6 million was reached in the1920s.

By the beginning of 2017, the popula-tion is projected to increase by 273,035(748 persons per day) to reach the24,056.535 mark. The natural increaseis expected as the number of births willexceed deaths by 129,620.

If external migration remains on theprevious year level, the population willincrease by 143,415, meaning that theamount of people who move into Aus-tralia (to which they are not native) tosettle (immigrants) will prevail over theamount of people who leave the countryto settle permanently in another coun-try (emigrants).

Australianpopulation

hits the24 ml mark

Perth’s Maltese community re-cently lost a pioneer of the post-war migration period when Felix

Calleja passed away at the age of 94.He is survived by his wife of 73 years,Rita, now aged 94, eight children(Charlie, Mario, Paul, Doris,Joe, Marianne, Margaret andAnnette), 24 grandchildren,and 26 great grandchildren. Felix commenced work when

he was seven working a 12–hour-day during winter (in-cluding four hours at school)and 14 hours in the summer. Hewas forced into full time em-ployment on his 11th birthday in1932 due to the deepening of TheGreat Depression. Felix entered the wall and floor

tiling trade because his olderbrothers were tilers. He workedin this trade until his 18th birth-day and the outbreak of war in1939. He then enlisted in theKing’s Own Malta Regiment (KOMR)and after completing recruitment train-ing was promoted to the rank of LanceCorporal. Another promotion to ser-geant followed while still only 18 andhe was assigned to Wied iΩ-Ûurrieq totake charge of 33 men to make earlydetection of any hostile invasion.

Close to the end of this 18-month as-signment one of his soldiers by thename of Tony received chest injuriesfrom an Italian bomber aerial attackand was hospitalised. Felix decided to

accompanyS u z a n n e ,Tony’s wifeon one of hervisits to

his hos-pital bed.By coin-cidence,a friendof Suz-anne’s,R i t aGrech,f r o mL i j a ,

was also visiting, andFelix and Rita met for the first time.Thus commenced a union that was tolast for 73 years.

Twelve months later Felix and Ritagot married as bombs rained downcompliments of the Nazi air force. Theair raid continued throughout thenight and forced Felix and Rita tospend their first night in the companyof strangers in an air raid shelter. Ayear later again during a Nazi air raid,Rita gave birth to their first child. By1952 Rita had given birth to five chil-dren.


Eulogy:

Felix and Rita lost their second childwhen she was only 10 months old dueto the wartime’s poor health and med-ical conditions. The surviving onesranged in age from 18 months to nineyears, and another one was on its way.

Felix decided to move his family togreener pastures by joining his twobrothers, in Perth. This decision provedto be easier to make than the actual de-parture that was heart wrenching for all.

The early 1950s were times of acuteshortages of building materials so Felix,like so many others, purchased a brick-making machine and made his own ce-ment bricks, and by 1957 completed hishome. It broke new ground for the localbuilding industry and regulations gov-erning them.

Felix laid much of his home floors intiles that breached local governmentbuilding by-laws. The Road Boardchanged the by-laws and Felix’s housebecame the first in the area to have tileson the floor.

Once settled Felix joined his brother,Joe and others to establish the MalteseSettlers Association, the forerunner ofthe current Maltese Association ofWestern Australia (MAWA). Joe wasits first president and Felix its secondtreasurer.

Felix’s involvement in the Maltesecommunity continued, off and on atvarious intensities, for the next 20years, but as age caught up with him hecontinued his support through hismembership of Maltese associations.

Felix became a successful self-em-ployed wall and floor tiler contributingto the construction of many iconicbuildings in Perth, including BeattyPark Aquatic Centre and a host ofmajor hospitals and government build-ings. Dermatitis forced him into retirement

and he became victim of a number ofaliments the worst of which was neu-ralgia, for the last thirty years of his life.It gave him pain in the jaw, particularlywhen eating and talking. Old age even-tually beat him and he died on January28 this year.

PaulCalleja

Felix Calleja as ayoung sergeantat 18 years

Felix Calleja(a pioneer of post war migration)

Felix (extreme right) at the presen-tation of the Maltese flag to Perth’sformer Federal Minister and Lord,Mayor Reg Withers (centre) in 1991.On left is Dr Paul-Psaila Savona

Felix (left) receivingthe Malta GeorgeCross 50th Anniver-sary Medal in 1992from Hon. ConsulDr AV Sciberras


Se nissoktawbl-eΩempji,

jew mudelli fil-Konjugazzjonital-Verbi li bde-jna fl-a˙˙ar˙ar©a billi llumnittrattaw xiverbi mag˙rufa

b˙ala Kwadrikitteru. Se nkompluwkoll nittrattawhom fil-mod IM-PERATIV u dak INDIKATIV,kemm fl-Imperfett (li juri g˙emilli g˙adu ma twettaqx), u wkoll fil-Perfett (li juri g˙emil li twettaq). Illum g˙andna Ωew© verbi.

Biex tikteb Malti tajjebIl-konjugazzjoni tal-Verbi (Mudelli)

nfixkeltfixkeljfixkeltfixkelnfixklutfixklujfixklu

ng˙arbeltg˙arbeljg˙arbeltg˙arblung˙arblutg˙arblujg˙arblu

fixkiltfixkiltfixkelfixkletetfixkilnafixkiltufixkluu

g˙arbiltg˙arbiltg˙arbelg˙rbletg˙arbilnag˙arbiltug˙arbluu

JienaIntiHuwaHijaAhna Intom Huma

(Fil-˙ar©a li jmiss nibdew il-Verbi Mnisslin)

JienaIntiHuwaHijaAhna Intom Huma

PERFETT

Fuq talba ta’ g˙add ta’ qarrejja,illum se nibdew nippubblikawregoli u tag˙rif uffiçjali dwar kif

wie˙ed g˙andu jikteb il-Malti kifma˙ru©a mill-Kummissjoni fi ˙dan l-Akkademja tal-Malti, li hi mag˙Ωulamill-G˙aqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti, uli wara kollox hi l-awtorita` mqabbdabiex tg˙idilna kif niktbuh, u tg˙ar-rafna dwar ir-regoli u xi tibdil li ©ielijsir fihom.

L-ewwel, kif inhu xieraq, se nittrat-taw l-ortografija, jew kif wie˙edg˙andu jikteb sewwa l-Malti. Or-tografija ©ejja mill-kelma Griega or-thos, li tfisser sewwa, u grapho,nji©ifieri nikteb.G˙alkemm ©ieli ttrattajna l-Alfabett

Malti hawnhekk, se nid˙lu aktar fil-fond skont kif inhu mag˙ruf illum filisenna mill-kittieba tal-Malti. L-Alfa-bett Malti hu mag˙mul minn 29 ittrali jinqsmu f’˙ames vokali u 24 konso-nanti.

1. Il-vokali huma: a,e,i,o u.Tag˙rifa çkejkna: L-ittri â u ê, bil-

˙oss imkarkar, jitfissru bil-le˙en u s-sura ta’ ie, fil-kelmiet b˙alma huma:©ieb, ©iena, ©iehom flok ©âb, ©âna,©âhom; diem, sieb flok dâm, sâb; ktiebflok ktâb; basliet minflok baslât, jienaminflok jâna. baliena minflok balêna;piena minflok pêna; mieta minflokmêta.

Skont il-grammatika, din il-kisra ta’le˙en (ta’ ie minflok â jew ê) g˙andhatitfisser b’ittra wa˙da; iΩda, biex majfittxux reqqa Ωejda fl-istampa,l-kummisjoni dehrilha g˙andna t˙al-liha timxi b˙al qabel, sakemm ’ilquddiem tista’ ting˙aqad f’ittrawa˙da.(M. A. Vassalli (Grammatica della Lin-

gua Maltese 1827) kien da˙˙al l-ittraY (bl-aççent ^ fuqha) minflok ie.

(1) a g˙andha le˙en ta’ a ma˙tufaf’kelmiet b˙alma huma Alla, sajda,qatg˙a. G˙andha le˙en ta’ a mkarkraf’kelmiet b˙alma huma: ˙mâr, dâr,dâ, tâ, râ, sâ, ˙â, dâm, sâm.

(2) e g˙andha le˙en ta’ e ma˙tufaf’kelmiet b˙alma huma héna, séna,télaq, tèllaq; ta’ e mkarkra f’kelmietb˙alma huma xêna, çêna, Frêdu u fil-kelma Maltija lê.(3) i g˙andha le˙en ta’ i ma˙tufaf’kelmiet b˙alma huma ì©bor, bíni,kíri; ta’ i mkarkra f’kelmiet b˙almahuma bîr, dî(n), fîni, bîni (eΩ.: bîni l-©u˙).(4) o g˙andha le˙en ta’ o ma˙tufaf’kelmiet b˙alma huma òrdni,òqg˙od; ta’ o mkarkra f’kelmietb˙alma huma kôk, vôpa, xkôra, skôla,môla, rôta, ©ô (©ewwa).(5) u g˙andha le˙en ta’ u ma˙tufaf’kelmiet b˙alma huma kùll, tieg˙u,mieg˙u; ta’ u mkarkra f’kelmietb˙alma huma sûra, û©a’, blû, lûra, (il-bira˙t) lûla.

2. Il-Konsonanti huma:b b’le˙en ta’ be fil-kelmiet: bajtra, biebç " çe " çajta, çempeld " de " dar, dubbienaf " effe " çoff, fdâl, çafçaf© " ©e " ©ewΩ, g˙aslu©g " gâ " gustuΩ, geΩwira, gar©, g˙ " g˙ajn " g˙arb, dmug˙, dg˙ajjef h " he " hena, fih, fiha˙ " e˙˙e " ˙awsla, ˙ur˙âraj " ja " jiena, dejjaqk " kappa " karkar, çkejkna, kçinal " elle " lejla, lewlum " emme " mnie˙er, mfissern " enne " min©ur, nidemp " pe " Peppu, çappasq " qa " qawwi, qartas, qerq r " erre " rag˙ad, rog˙das " esse " sassla, sinslat " te " tewma, tlietav " ve " çavetta, venvenw " wa " widna, werwer, wa˙du x " exxe " xemx, xewwexz " zeta " zunnarija, zokk, zakakΩ " Ωeta " ΩarΩar, ΩunΩan

3. Il-g˙amla u x-xe˙ta ta’ dan l-Alfa-bett jimxu ma’ dak li nisel il-kelmajrodd f’kull tiswira, fejn l-ittri konso-nanti, li fuqhom tinbena l-kelma,jibqg˙u dejjem s˙a˙ u l-vokali aktarxjitbiddlu.

Ara: rabat, rbit; demg˙a, dmug˙;G˙awdex, G˙awdxi; iblah, belha, boloh;xebah, xbieha; ra©el, r©iel; ˙ataf, ˙atfa;qattus, qtates; g˙arbiel, g˙eriebel, fejnkull ittra konsonanti ta’ nisel il-kelmabaqg˙et tidher s˙i˙a, wa˙da wara l-o˙ra, waqt li lvokali tbiddlu.G˙alhekk dawn l-ittri konsonanti jis-

sej˙u l-g˙eruq tal-kelma u g˙andhomjidh

Minn dan innisslu u ni©bru r-regolili nibdewhom fil-˙ar©a li jmiss.

Tag˙rif dwar il-kitba Maltija

Verbi Dg˙ajfin

FIXKEL GÓARBEL

MOD IMPERATIV

MOD INDIKATIV

IMPERFETT

fixkel g˙arbel


Maltese Radio ProgrammesMELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or onwww.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fri-days 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; LastWednesday each month at 1pm.

MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM,each Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. Presenter Em-manuel Brincat.

MELBOURNE: STEREO 974(93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Mag-azine) & Thursday (Mer˙ba): 6.00pm to8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi

In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radioprogrammes on 2GLF FM 89.3. Satur-days 6 to 8 a.m. Martese Caruana presentsNostalgia Music; Sundays from 10.00 -11.00 am: Il na Maltin. Both available ondemand. Follow same procedure as forMCC programmes, except select programein reference.

In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Pro-gram on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am;Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm

UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tunein to link: www.unclesamdj.com

Listen to John Borg & Glenn Cassar every Sat-urday at 1.00 p.m. on RADIO 2RRR 88.5FM oron the Internet - www2rrr.org.au ON DeMAND

The SBS MALTESE NEWS L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.00 am on SBS2

Isma’ l-programm tar-radjubil-Malti mill-Kunsill Maltita’ NSW minn fuq l-istaz-

zjon 2GLF 89.3FM.Jista’ wkoll jinstema’ On De-

mand minn fuq l-Internetwww.893fm.com.au

(On Demand >Ethnic >Maltese Council 11am)

Il-programm ta’ sieg˙a nhar ta’ Óadd fil-11.00 a.m. ikun fih l-a˙˙ar a˙barijietminn Malta, muΩika, tag˙rif, kultura,avviΩi u su©©etti ta’ interess g˙all-Maltin

On SBS Radio

Day Time Analogue and Digital

Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2

To tune into digital radio you need a re-ceiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuningin is by station name not frequency. Digitalradio can also be heard via digital TV.

SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38.The radio programmes can be accessed on-line (live or catch up) at sbs.com.au/mal-tese and via mobile phone, using the SBSRadio app. For television news fromMalta - SBS 2 TV on Thursdays andSundays at 8am.

VIVA MALTAVIVA MALTA on COAST FM 96.3Community Radio in Gosford CentralNSW. Aired on Thursdays every fort-

night from 6 pm -7 pm. (Next on March10). Presenter: Nathalie Gatt.

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

Tune In to Radio and Television

Community NewsCommunity News

Day Care Maltese Groupsmeetings in NSW

Fairfield Active Maltese SeniorsMeets on the first Tuesday of the Month.Group meets in Parish Hall, cnr of StellaStreet & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights.Maltese Seniors Central CoastHave to contact our Welfare Officer foran appointment. For all information andreferral matters call Censina Cefai: 02439 000 12 or 0414 267 652Daceyville Maltese Seniors

Meets on the last Wednesday of themonth in the Meeting Room One, No. 3General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus TripsJoin us and make new friends.

*(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of NSW) with theassistance of Multicultural NSW. Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: MarisaPrevitera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street (cornerwith Young St) Parramatta West NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School).

Merrylands Social Maltese SeniorsMeets every second Friday of themonth; Miller Room, Memorial AvenueMerrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am

Llandilo Maltese SeniorsMeets on the first Wednesday of eachmonth at the Llandilo Community Hall,Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1 pm.

Maltese of Bankstown Group meet 3rd Wednesday of the monthat New BCRG offices 15 Kitchner Parade,Bankstown NSW (opposite RSL Club).Every other 3rd Thursday they have anouting. For enquiries call Sam 9534 2357

Greystanes Maltese SeniorsMeets on the second Monday of eachmonth at the George Preca Centre ofOLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road,Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group

Meets every First Wednesday of the Monthfrom 10:00am-1:00pm. Meetings/Get To-gethers are interesting, informative & en-tertaining, so come Join us and make newFriendsFor more information contact our Coor-

dinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02)9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298.

THE AUSTRALIAN GENIES(We grant wishes for handicap children)

FUND RAISING NIGHTNhar is-Sibt 12 ta' Marzu fis-6pmfil-Balmoral Hall Function CentreBalmoral Street Blacktown NSW.

Divertiment mir-ROC A TAC Band,DJ Albert u

Kathlyn Vella u hutha.Donazzjoni ta’ $60.

Tfal ta˙t 12 il-sena nofs prezz.G˙all iktar tag˙rif çemplu lil

Sam Axiaq: 0425 844 203.John Zarb: 9679 8851.

Saint Nicholas FestaCommittee Events 2016

Sunday March 13: FeteSunday July 3: Lejla Fil-BuskettSunday October 16: FeteSunday December 4: Festa

Biex tipproduçi magazine b˙al dan, liwara kollox hu frott tal-passjoni li

g˙andna biex inwasslu t-tag˙rif lill-Maltin barra minn art twelidhom, majin˙tie©x biss xog˙ol u ˙in, imma wkollspejjeΩ. Biex jittaffew u˙ud mill-ispejjeΩnippruvaw insibu sponsors ˙alli jg˙inuna.G˙ad m’g˙andniex biΩΩejjed minnhom,imma bdejna, u ta’ min jag˙tihom ˙ajr. Kull qalb trid o˙ra, g˙alhekk in˙e©©u

lill-qarrejja biex i©ibu dan quddiemg˙ajnejhom u kemm jista’ jkun juΩawis-servizzi u/jew jixtru l-prodotti ta’dawk li qed jirrek-lamaw/jisponsorjawfil-magazine.

Kull qalb trid o˙ra


Wednesday, March 16 at 7.30pmat the Annunciation Hall171 Walters Road

Blacktown NSW

Awards are given to our Elderly Maltese fromNSW as nominated by the Maltese Community

Guest Artists for this yearMaltese Cultural Association Choir

All invited – Entrance Free – Refreshments served

In response to a number of inquiries, TheVoice of the Maltese wishes to advice that

we can now supply hard copies in colourof our magazine to our readers at a price.So anybody interested in acquiring copiesof the magazine can communicate with uspersonally or by email to:[email protected].

The magazine can also be delivered bypost. As the cost of postage varies one iskindly requested to get in touch with us towork out the details.

Readers can also request a printedcopy of The Voice of The Maltese

magazine by post


L-g˙aqdiet tal-Maltin, u jew min irid jag˙mel xi reklamfuq The Voice of the Maltese huwa m˙e©©e© biex jg˙arraflill-diri©enza, inkella jibg˙at il-materjal li jrid li ji©i ip-pubbikat mil-inqas ©img˙a qabel il-pubblikazzjoni tal-magazine. Dan ji©i pubblikat it-Tlieta kull ©imag˙tejn.

MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW

Classes are available for students from 6 years toadults at all levels of ability in the Maltese

language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials.

Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of the island.

Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM

For more information and enquiries Phone 02 9601 2189Or email: [email protected]

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 ofMaltese Language Schools of Australia; Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC

of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation.

Serata ta’ GhanaSe ti©i organizzata:

Óamrun Association Ltd ABN: 22 080 314 156

The Voice of the Maltese on-line magazine is by far the

most widely read publicationamong the Maltese Diaspora,with subscribers from Aus-tralia, Canada, the UK Eng-land, Scotland, Wales andNorthern Ieland), Ireland Rep.,Belgium, France, Italy, India,the Caribbean island of StKitts & Nevis. But not only. Itis also gaining popularity inMalta and it keeps growingwith every issue.

The Voice: The Voice: the mostthe mostpopularpopular by farby far

Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc.The 16th Annual - Quiet

Achievers Night of Recognition(Part of NSW Seniors Week)

The Cittadini

Iz-Zija ta’ KarluSunday April 10 at 2.00 p.m. atWentworthville Leagues Club

For tickets call:Monica: 9896 0712 or 0414 859 386Doris: 9636 2295Joe Borg: 9624 2280 or 0490 053 512

Donations: $12 Kids: $6,00

Special Guests:

Joe Galea and Ronnie Borg and Tony Fenech

Direct from MaltaNovember 2016:

Marie Rose Mallia and RenatoBrisbane Nov. 5; Melbourne Nov. 11, 12, 13

Sydney Nov. 20 (La Valette Blacktown)

Present

Learn Maltese!

A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc.

Il-Óadd 6 ta’ Marzu fl-4.00 p.m. fil-klabb stess li fiha se jie˙du sehem, minn Malta:

Frans Mifsud (ta’ Vestru) u t-tifel tieg˙u (daqqaq prim)flimkien mal-aqwa g˙annejja, kittaristi u

daqqaqa ta’ SydneyQed isir appell lid-delettanti u l-pubbliku ©enerali biex ma jitilfux din is-serata tradizzjonali Maltija.

Il-klabb ikun miftu˙ mit-3.00 p.m.Mil-kcina wie˙ed ikun jista’ jsib ikel u xorb Malti.G˙al tag˙rif çemplu lil: George: 0407 434 651, Krist: 0431 457 868

jew il-klabb: 9838 1111

-


The Maltese Community Council of NSW is conducting a computer class at Maltese Resource Centre59b Franklin Street, Mays Hill 2145 NSW every Friday between 10.00 am-12.00 For more information

contact Em. Camilleri: 0409 744 376

The Malta Community Chest Fund

MALTESE CHARITY DINNER DANCESaturday July 23, 2016

6.30 p.m. - 11.30 p.m.Grand star receptions

499 Grieve Parade, Altona North. vic 3025

Tickets: Adults $65 Children $40includes 4-coure meal, soft drinks, beer & wine

maltese music - maltese brass band - raffle ticketssilent auctions & major grand auction

enquiries & tickets: contact daniel 0404 096 560; lourdes 0402

813 179; joe 0420 547 696. email: [email protected]

(donations also welcome)

Proudly sponsored by:


METD OUTINGS - 201617th April – Apple Picking – Bilpin

$25/pp - $15/child including morning tea

14th August – St Maria Festa – Central Coast$35/pp including morning tea5

11th September – Il-Festa tal-Vitorja – City $25/pp

5th October - 23rd Anniversary Luncheon

Please support the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving DayCommittee by attending our fund-raising activitiesoutlined above. For more info, call one of the mem-

bers: Lina: 9629 4046; Doris: 0419 420 915; Maggie:9621 3125; Maria:0431 800 720

email: [email protected] PO Box 93, Kellyville 2155

THE MALTESE GUILD OF SA INC.Cordially Invites You to...

Lunch menu will be announced later on.Donaton: Members $7,00; Non-Members $10.00; Children $5.00

The 2016 Long Weekend Adelaide Cup Luncheon

to be held at the MALTESE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTREat 6 Jeanes St Beverley on Monday March 14.

Lunche served at 12.15 p.m.

Booking sare available from: The Guild office in person or phone the office on Tuesday’s onlyfrom 8.30am to 3pm on 8243 0868; the President Joe Briffa:8254 6988 or 0421 791 327; v/President Mary Craus: 82812923or 0420 699 617; the Secretary Rita Bornhoeft: 8248 1008 or0401 860. One can also phone Tuesdays only at our office on8243 0868 (9 a.m.-3.00 p.m.) or see anyone fro the committee.

La Valette Social CentreHoly Week, Easter programme

Thursday March 17: 10.30 am: Stations of the Cross atthe Centre. Lunch will be served as normal.

Friday March 18: 6.30pm: Our Lady of Sorrows.Mass and procession; Stations of the Cross with folklore

music (G˙ana) in the main hall.

Holy Thursday March 24: 7.00pm: Mass, Stations ofthe Cross and community adoration in main hall.

Good Friday March 25: 3.00pm: Liturgical celebrationof the Passion of Christ at Centre’s main hall.

Holy Saturday March 26: 4.30pm: Centre opens fordinner; 7.30pm: Bingo; 830pm: Easter Vigil.

Easter Sunday March 27: 10.15am: Mass, thenproces-sion with the Risen Lord, marches to be played.

Information: Chapel: 9622; La Valette Centre: 9622 5847

Sunday 17th AprilAdults: $25.00; Children - $15

Pick up points: 9.00am: Black-town Workers Club or at 9:15am: NearGreystanes Church

For bookings contact committeemembers: Lina 9629 4046 or Doris

0419 420 915

Organised by The Maltese Elderly

Thanksgiving Day Committee

Apple Picking

Bilpin Springs

Orchard

The Maltese Cultural Association of NSW Presents Film Night

Venue: Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Centre

San Gorg Preca Hall Old Prospect Rd, Greystanes

on Friday March 4 at 7pm

Presenting Malta’s singing sensation

IRA LOSCO including biographies of famous Maltese personalities

Everyone welcome: Entrance free & refreshments will be served at the end of the evening.

Unpaid members’ fees will be received at this event.

Mary Ramundi 96881432Charles C Mifsud 98718463

It is not only Gauci’s age that is signif-icant. He has ridden more than 2000winners, including 35 Group 1 victories,and had three Victorian Jockeys’ Pre-mierships alongside of his name beforehe’d blown out the candles on his 21stbirthday cake.

As a kid from Glenroy Darren caughtthe train to Caulfield’s community sta-bles to muck out boxes while his olderbrother Mick was learning how to rideas an apprentice with Don Shannon.

Back then Gauci was a 13-year-oldwhen he trained with the Victorian jun-ior soccer side but he never grew andsoon realised his ambitions of making itbig in football were limited.

Darren, a father of four, and at the topof his game in the early eighties, says hehas no plans to stop riding while he isstill enjoying it.

Explaining his humble beginnings in

the sport, he said he mucked out boxesafter school and started to ride a stablepony. Once he learned to ride a little bit,he just loved it and couldn’t wait to getto Caulfield from Glenroy.

"I fell in love with horses when I was10 years of age and that's what drove meto get up at the crack of dawn and goanywhere to get a ride. I'm very fortu-nate that thirst to be with the horse andride a winner is still burning inside, andwhat's even better, we're still in onepiece," Darren says.

The turning point in his career camewhen he moved to Frank King’s com-munity stables as an apprentice.

It took him six months as a junior be-fore he got on what he describes as a rolland says those achievements, includingGroup 1 victories, stand out. In 1978, then an apprentice, he was the

talk of racing, leading owners, trainers

and fellow jockeys marvelling at his rarebalance and poise for one so young.

At the age of 16 he was so small he'dhave to stand on an upturned waterbucket to look over the door of the stable.

His racing manager Peter Meilak, an-other personality of Maltese descentsays that as an apprentice, Darren won12 premierships, the metropolitan sen-iors three times in a row, the apprenticesin three successive years and in the sameyears he also won three provincial sen-iors and three provincial apprentices.

He won his first Group 1 for Bart Cum-mings on Taj Eclipse in the 1983. That waswhen he outrode his claim. From then onhe had to ride against the big boys. In his career, Darren benefited from good

rides offered to him by top Caulfield train-ers. He remembers the day he won atSandown in 1988 and provided him withone of his five wins from seven rides onthe eight-race programme.He believes one has to work at his fitness

in a sensible way and outside of theracetrck he still boxes with a fitness traineronce a week. Even if he weren’t a jockeyhe would keep fit because he likes doingthe work. “You have to work on your fit-ness without killing yourself,” he says.

With the highs came the lows but in-juries and falls are what Gauci describesas part and parcel of the job. His mostserious was a fall at Yarra Glen in 1988.It left him semi-conscious for eight daysbut he was back riding in 18 months.

In 2011 at Mornington when he crush-ed at vertebrae it took him 10 months torecover. While the rides have dried up. His rac-

ing manager, Peter Meilak says Darrennever complains about where he has toride, even the day when he was dis-patched to ride four roughies in plus40C heat in the country.


Spor ts 1 Spor ts 1

Legendary jockey Darren Gauci whoturned 50 on December 26, born in Mel-bourne of Maltese descent, is a sports per-

sonality with a great following among theMaltese community. Known simply as TheGauch, in a recent article on The Herald Sun byDaryl Timms described Darren Gauci as “theone-time wonder boy of racing”.It was stated that despite the decline in both the

quality and amount of rides he is offered, Darrenshows no signs of retiring, and quoted Darren’sfellow jockey Glen Boss, saying “jockeys don’tvoluntarily retire, that job is done for them byother people. He added: I don’t think theyounger generation realise how good he (Dar-ren) is. He has been good for a long, long timeand he still loves it and physically he is great.”Boss also describes him as, “one of the greatest

blokes, one of the most respected and goodguys in the room.”

Jockey Darren Gauci has no intention of quitting at 50 Jockey and fitness

fanatic Darren Gauciat the gym.

Australia A-League The Wanderers open 3-point lead

Brendon Santalab proved to be the ulti-mate super sub as he came up with a

brilliant late goal to give western SydneyWanderers a 2-1 win over Perth Glory onDay 21 that catapulted them to the top plac-ing, thanks also to Brisbane’s back-to-backlosses at Perth and Adelaide. The Wanderers thus continued their impres-

sive record of always scoring in matchesagainst Glory, now stretching to 12 consec-utive games.As for Perth, the defeat at the hands of the

Wanderers ends their club record five-gamewinning streak in the A-League, but they re-main right in the hunt for the top six.

Their 6-3 win over Brisbane equalled theprevious scorelines set by Central Coast vSydney FC (5-4, December 2007), Adelaide

United v North Queensland (8-1, January2011), Central Coast v Sydney FC (7-2, No-vember 2012) and Sydney FC v BrisbaneRoar (5-4, March).Following their convincing 3-0 victory over

Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United have surgedinto second spot, two below the Wanderers.

With their im-pressive run ofform they canset their sightson the Premiers’Plate.

Melbourne’stwo clubs, Vic-tory and City,forurth and fifthshare 32 points.

West. Sydney v Perth GloryAdelaide v Brisbane R. Melbourne V. v Sydney FC Wellington P. v Melbourne C.Central Coast v Newcastle J

Day 20Perth Glory v Brisbane R.Sydney FC v West. SydneyMelbourne V. v Adelaide Newcastle J v Wellington P.Melbourne C. v Central Coast

Latest results Day 21

2-13-01-02-10-1

6-31-10-13-24-1

The new season of the PlayStation 4National Premier Leagues NSWMen’s competition is set for a huge

year as it opens in round one on March12/13 with last year’s Premiers and NPLChampions Blacktown City taking onSydney United 58 FC while ParramattaFC (Melita Eagles) take on BlacktownSpartans at the Blacktown Football Park,and new boys Hakoah Sydney City Eastface Wollongong Wolves.As for Parramatta one hopes that the ar-

rival of a new breed of talent who wouldbe donning the red and white colours willhelp them to improve on last season’sperformances. They would be replacingsome outstanding talent from the 2015squad that defied the odds and battledhard to avoid relegation.

Sources close to the club toldThe Voice that they looking for-ward to some exciting times asthe new signings have indicatedto many that the Eagles meanbusiness this season, and won'tbe just making up the numbers.

Parramatta have lost captainPatrick Gatt and Juan Chavez toMounties Wanderers, RobertoSperanza to Blacktown City,Matthew Clowes and ShayneArdle to Mt. Druitt Town Ran-gers, John Tsironis and mostprobably Steven Wright whoseems to be heading overseas.

In come three former SydneyUnited 58 players, Ibrahim Hay-dar, Ante Tomic and TomislavBorovickic, two from MarconiStallions, Tomislav Mijicand Blair Brown, GosueSama (ex Spirit FC),Mitchell Davidson (exBankstown Berriesand Paul Gatsidis.

Franco Cosentinohas remained as FirstGrade Coach.

Meanwhile, when itcomes to other fixtureson the opening round,Manly tackle SutherlandSharks, APIA Leichhardtwill tussle with SydneyOlympic at Lambert Parkwhile Rockdale City Suns host the Bon-nyrigg White Eagles.

With new faces and a newly promotedteam, the 2016 season looks set to be thebiggest yet for NSW’s top tier competition,including Hakoah Sydney City East whoreturn to the competition after gainingpromotion taking out the 2015 PlayStation4 NPL NSW Men’s 2 competition.Football NSW will once again introduce

the special ‘Heritage Round’ that debutedin 2015. Round 12 marks the second an-nual Heritage Round, celebrating the richfootball histories of the clubs in thePlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues

NSW Men’s competition.Troy McColl, the Football NSW

Head of Competitions said: “It’s cer-tainly going to be a big year for all

clubs, players, officials and fans thisseason. During the off-season we have

already seen a number of fantastic sign-ings by PS4 NPL NSW Men’s clubs whichwill only further the excitement of thisever growing competition.”First day’s fixtures (March 12/13)Blacktown Spartans v Parramatta FCManly Utd v Sutherland Sharks FCBlacktown City v Sydney U 58APIA LT. v Sydney OlympicRochdale Suns v Bonnyrigg WWWollongong W v Hakoah SE

At a well-attended annual general meetingof the Parramatta Melita Eagles Sports

Club Ltd held at the Melita Stadium GranvilleSouth NSW, club president, Stephen Ellul ex-plained that thanks to the contribution fromthe juniors the fusion with the Granville Asso-ciation was working well. He said the soccerteams are practically self-sufficient. The meeting also recommended that an ap-

peal be made for the teams to be known asParramatta Eagles, not just Parramatta FC. Asuggestion to organise more social activitieswas accepted.

The executive was encouraged by the enthu-siasm of the many youths present at the meet-ing that elected the directors who are mostly

much younger than those found inother Maltese based organisations.

The new committee is made up of:President: Stephen Ellul; SecretaryJoseph Ellul; Treasurer John Caru-ana; Directors: Anthony Theuma,Mark Tanti, Tony Buttigieg, Ron Comfy wins for

the leading teams

Parramatta Eagles face the Spartans in season’s opener

As expected, the leading four teamskicked off the third stage of the com-

petition with victories, most of them com-fortable ones. Hibernians and Birkirkarahit six against Qormi and Mosta while Val-letta and Balzan also showed good formthough they had to work very hard againstSt Andrews and Pembroke. The latter alsogave Birkirkara a hard time.

Hibernians’ win over Qormi reveals thatQormi might be cracking.

Third-placed Balzan made it eight winsin a row by beating Pembroke and

Mosta, while Birkirkara at last showedsome semblance of a challenge with a 6-3win over Mosta, and then narrowly de-feated Pembroke.

After very disappointing results in thefirst two rounds of the Championship, andafter five consecutive defeats, duringwhich they also changed their coach,Sliema returned to winning ways by beat-ing Tarxien, and then shared the spoilswith Floriana.


Spor ts 2 Spor t s 2

VallettaHiberniansBalzanBirkirkaraFlorianaTarxien R.Sliema WMostaPembrokeNaxxarQormiSt Andrews

24 3324 3124 2924 2724 2424 2224 1624 1524 1324 724 524 3

Standing P Pts

Valletta v St AndrewsHibernians v QormiBalzan v Pembroke Birkirkara v MostaFloriana v Naxxar LSliema W. v Tarxien

RESULTS: Round 24

2-16-02-16-34-01-0

Valletta v QormiHibernians v St Andrews Balzan v MostaBirkirkara v PembrokeFloriana v Sliema w.Tarxien v Naxxar L.

2-0?-?3-0?-?2-23-0

Round 23

Parramatta Eagles FC general meeting

Youths’ participation huge encouragement

Results of trial matches played by Parramatta Eagles’ teams

First Grade: Parramatta E. v Hakoah 0-0Parramatta E. v Blacktown Spartans 2-2

U20: Parramatta E. v Blacktown S. 2-2 U18: Parramatta E. v Blacktown S. 1-5U16: Parramatta E. v Blacktown S. 0-3

Another Moroccan runner, this time Abdel Harim El Fethi(left) has won the Malta Marathon. He ran a strong race of

42 km to cross the finishing line first in 2:18.56. The Moroccanfollowed on last year’s win by his fellow compatriot, Muham-med Hajjy, victor on five occasions, but who this year finishedfourth, after battling very strong winds.

Fethi led from the start with other fellow Moroccans AhmedNassef, Lachem Morhazi and the defending champion Hajjy. The first Maltese runner to finish was Jonathan Balzan in eighth

place in 2:40.59. Croatian Nicolina Sustich was first among theladies, ahead of Malta’s Josann Attard Pulis.Charlton Debono from Gozo won the half marathon in 1.10.40.

Scotland’s Joasia Zakrzewski won the women’s race

Moroccan again wins Malta Marathon; first Maltese finishes eighth

Grima and George Ellul.

Malta’s Premier League Football

the voice of the maltese no. 122

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