The Voice NO. 72

Issue 72 e - m a g a z i n ee - m a g a z i n e

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

April 1, 2014

The Voice of the Maltese

The Voice of the Maltese is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly publicationspecifically targeting all Maltese living abroad, with emphasis on the Australian scene.

This electronic style magazine is sent via email by request. Subscription is free. Editors (Australia) Lawrence Dimech: [email protected] and

(Malta) Joseph Cutajar: [email protected].

On March 31, Malta has just commemorated the day, in1979, when it rid itself of foreign military basis with thewithdrawal of the British troops and Royal Navy and for thefirst time in millennia, Malta was no longer a military baseof a foreign power and instead, for the first time, the Mal-tese took real control of their lives and their own destiny.

See special article by Prof. Godfrey Pirotta (pages 2and 3) explaining the significance of Freedom Day

Malta marksMalta marks35th Anniversary35th Anniversaryof Freedom Dayof Freedom Day

The scene is the same, the Freedom Day Mon-ument at Vittoriosa; the occasion similar, butthere’s a span of thirty five years between thenPrim Minister Dom Mintoff (right) in 1979,and current PM Joseph Muscat in 2013, paytribute to a Malta Hielsa (a free Malta) bylighting the flame in the ceremony that hasbeen held annually since March 31, 1979.

In Malta people have not quite yetgrasped why we should be celebratingFreedom Day (March 31) when we

also celebrate Independence Day, andmany voices have been raised to have onenational day instead of the five celebratedevery year. Malta is not the only country to celebrate

both its Independence Day anniversary aswell as its Freedom Day anniversary as na-tional days. Several countries in EasternEurope do much the same with the addi-tion of a third important anniversary in theshape of Liberation Day. The issue is whyFreedom Day.As in other countries the reason for cele-

brating Freedom Day lies deep within his-tory. Malta was not just a British colonythat acquired its independence on 21stSeptember 1964 but also a major British,(and eventually NATO) fortress and navalbase, and remained so well after its inde-pendence. And there is enough evidenceto suggest that it would have remained sowell into the 21st century had not Maltadecided that enough was enough.

Indeed, Malta had served as a militarybase for the Order of St John and the oust-ing of the Knights from Malta resulted ina change of military masters rather than achange in the status of Malta.

This explains why an Australian Broad-casting Corporation documentary on Malta,Two Trumpets for St Andrew, filmed in1968, started-off by describing the Malteseas the camp boot polishers of every powerthat rose in the Mediterranean.

Independence did not change that al-though it was hoped that it would eventu-ally do that, but the strategic interests ofBritain had ingrained an economic de-pendence on British and NATO spendingthat was difficult to change for several rea-sons. There are of course economic andhistorical reasons for this. When in 1800 Britain decided to hold on

to Malta it did so because in the words ofthe Colonial Secretary of the time therewas no other place in Southern Europethat could extend the strategic and com-mercial interests of Great Britain as the is-land of Malta.

Malta was not only strategically placedat the very heart of the Mediterranean butpossessed the most magnificent naturalharbours in this sea, harbours that werealso very well protected by fortificationsof every sort.

Such wasthe impor-tance ofMalta toBritish mil-itary inter-ests that inhis first in-

structions to Malta’s first military Gover-nor, Sir Thomas Maitland, the Secretary ofState told him that the civil liberties of theMaltese must necessarily be always sub-ordinate to military exigencies. In fact,with two or three exceptions, all those ap-pointed to govern Malta were military of-ficers of very high rank.Not surprisingly, and in quite a short time

not only did Malta become increasinglymilitarised but its entire economy came todepend almost entirely on British militaryspending.

In 1911-12, a Royal Commission sent outto investigate the existing economic diffi-culties of Malta concluded that the wholeeconomy had been channelled into activi-ties “entirely imperial and unconnectedwith the special interests of the colony….. Asudden withdrawal of the British fleet andgarrison would reduce a large section of thepopulation to idleness and starvation”’ By this time such was the connection be-

tween British military interests and Maltathat the island began being described in of-ficial statements and correspondence asfortress Malta or the fortress of Malta. Andfifty years later another commission, thistime one appointed by the Labour Govern-ment of Mr Dom Mintoff (1955-58),reached a similar conclusion.

“It is astonishing, and ominously signif-icant, how much of the Report of the 1912Royal Commission applies today……Thecivilian economy is in fact an economicfossil.” The Report of 1958 by Balogh and Seers

went on to describe the Maltese economyas “almost unique in the world.” It is forthis reason that from the 1950s onwardsthe most common used term to describewhat was required was “diversification”,that is diversification of the economyaway from the military base.

That was what the Labour Party wantedin the years before Independence and whatthe Nationalist Party wanted to achieveafter Independence. But it was practicallyimpossible to do so as long as Malta re-mained a British and NATO base.In the first instance the fact that the whole

of tiny Malta constituted the military basebegan to obstruct Government economicplans. The government found itself needingto negotiate with the British authorities overits plans to expand the economic infrastruc-ture and tourism development. Most of theprime sites that now house Malta’s tourismcentres, such as St Julians, were still afterIndependence in British hands while Britaincontrolled the civil airport and substantialareas of the Grand Harbour.

While Britain did give up a number ofareas over the years it remained reluctantto hand over any of the prime real estate itcontrolled and its holdings remained prac-tically unchanged until 1972 when theywere forced to do so under a new treaty.

Secondly, despite much talk to the con-trary Britain and NATO were reluctant torelinquish their control over Malta. Whileit is accepted that given the opportunityBritain would have left Malta to its owndevices, it remained convinced that Maltawas still of some use to NATO. More importantly, knowing full well that

Malta had no other resources to fall backon but its strategic location and militaryfacilities, it feared that if Britain andNATO abandoned Malta the island wouldhave no alternative but to turn to someother super power to make up the loss ofincome and save thousands of jobs. Andof course the other superpower thatseemed capable of taking Malta under itsprotection was the Soviet Union. Thus, in order to ensure that this does not

happen, Britain increasingly allowedNATO to extend its presence in Malta.

Continued on page 3

2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday April 1, 2014

by Prof. Godfrey Pirotta

Freedom Day monument at Vittoriosa(Birgu), the focal point of celebrations

Malta marks 35th Anniversaryof Freedom Day

Continued from page 2

But NATO had not been a signatory tothe Defence Agreement signed betweenMalta and Britain in 1964 and the rights itenjoyed had been acquired by the organi-sation before the grant of Independence. At Independence NATO had also refused,

despite its use of Malta, to give guaranteesthat it would come to Malta’s aid if it wereattacked. This was an important issue forDr George Borg Olivier but despite hismany efforts NATO remained unmoved.

Both Britain and NATO, however, con-tinued to down play Malta’s strategic im-portance since they had no intention ofaiding economic development in Malta.But their public statements were not re-flected in private actions. Thus, soon afterthe MLP patched up its quarrel with theChurch, Britain and NATO becamealarmed at the prospect of Labour winningthe 1971 elections.

In 1969 Labour had publicly spelt out itsfuture position in which it made it clear thatMalta would no longer remain dependenton foreign military spending but wouldquickly build itself an economy based onlight manufacturing and the services indus-try. Military bases will onlybe tolerated for a short pe-riod of transition.

So by 1970 the BritishHigh Commission in Maltaand the US Embassy wereconspiring together to seehow they could help BorgOlivier win the comingelections. This interference in the Maltesedemocratic process indicates that Britainand NATO had every intention of keepingMalta within an economic structure thatsuited their interests rather than those ofthe Maltese people. Thirdly, and this is a significant point and

ties up closely with the above, British andNATO behaviour had nullified the prom-ise of an independent Malta as envisagedby Dr Borg Olivier’s government. The ev-idence is crushing.

In 1967 Malta’s Prime Minister headedto Italy on what was ostensibly an officialvisit to that country. However, archivedocuments in London and Rome show thatBorg Olivier had gone to Italy to seekAldo Moro’s assistance in the former’sdifficulties with the Atlantic Alliance.Borg Olivier in fact pleaded with Moro tohelp protect the island from NATO's utterrejection of Malta’s sovereign status andwhich, in the words of one Italian official,was treating Malta as if it was still acolony. Borg Olivier tried to circumvent this sit-

uation by applying for NATO member-ship. He believed that it was only bybecoming part of the NATO Council thatMalta could protect its interests. ButNATO rejected this application and thereason for that rejection demonstrates con-clusively that in the view of the organisa-

tion Malta was for all intent and purposestill a British colony. Malta, NATO’scouncil concluded, was still under the ju-risdiction of Britain. In other words therewas no reason to admit it to NATO as its

defence and external policy was still con-trolled by Britain.

Matters took a worse turn in that sameyear when Britain decided that it wouldscale down its operations in Malta know-ing full well that its actions would resultin a jump in unemployment rate to over25%. The crisis brought people out on to

the streets and Malta’s Parliament, for asecond time in its history, united to resistthis measure.

In fact in a motion moved in Parliamentby Borg Olivier and seconded by Mintoff,Malta’s Parliament declared that Britainand NATO were no longer allowed to useMalta’s military facilities as agreed in the1964 Defence Agreement. What thismeant in practice was that Malta was re-scinding that Treaty. In time Britain and Malta made up on the

issue but the Treaty was never rehabili-tated by Malta’s Parliament and theBritish, alarmed at the ever growing sup-

port in Malta for Labour’s policy of free-dom from British and NATO control overtheir island, eventually continued to payfunds agreed under the Defence Treaty.

But the events of 1964-1971 had incul-

cated into the minds of most Maltese thatas long as Malta remained a military basefor Britain and NATO it would never be al-lowed to pursue its own interests and pathsto economic development. It was in Britainand NATO’s interests that the life of theMaltese people remained inextricably tiedto their strategic interests. And these strate-gic interests had held the Maltese backsince the time of the Knights of St John. They could no longer be allowed to con-

tinue to do so after Independence. Maltaneeds to free itself from its history andstart afresh. The independence project aspiloted by Borg Olivier within a frame-work that envisaged a rapidly developingMalta but still strongly attached, if not de-pendent, on Britain and NATO for an in-definite future had failed.

It had failed because Britain and NATOsaw their control of Malta threatened bythe prospect of economic development inMalta. So Malta had no alternative but towrest freedom from the hands of these twoelements and chart a course based on neu-trality and freedom of action. FreedomDay represents the day when the Maltesetook real control of their lives for the firsttime.

Freedom Day represents the day whenfor the first time the Maltese took

Freedom Day 2014

March 31, 1979: British battleship HMS London leaving Grand Harbour 35 years ago. It marked the end of the presence of a foreign militry base in Malta

Tuesday April 1, 2014 The Voice of the Maltese 3

real control of their destiny

In 1969 Labour had publiclyspelt out its future position inwhich it made it clear that Maltawould no longer remain depend-ent on foreign military spending


“Il-Maltin huma mag˙rufa g˙all-generozita’ tag˙hom u f’dan il-lejlirridu nuruhom li a˙na wkollnapprezzaw dak li qed tag˙mlufil-qasam tal-voluntarjat. Is-servizz voluntarju jifforma wie˙edmill-akbar teΩori umani sbie˙ tal-im˙abba tal-proxxmu. Il-volun-tarjat dejjem ji©i mill-valurital-familja Maltija li hijamag˙rufa g˙all-©eneroΩita’tag˙ha. Is-sodisfazzjon ta’ min jag˙mel

xog˙ol volontarju ma ji©ix mill-flus jew mis-suççess personali,iΩda mill-fatt li dawn qeg˙dinjikkontribwixxu biex titjieb il-kwalità tal-˙ajja tan-nies. Dan hul-akbar valur tax-xog˙ol volon-tarju”.Hekk intqal fid-diskors ta’

mer˙ba li Lawrence Dimech, il-President tal-Maltese Welfare(NSW) g˙amel quddiem sala mim-lija nies meta ng˙ataw l-awardsannwali lill-anzjani Maltin waqtil-Quiet Achievers Night of Recog-nition imtella’ b’suççess kbir fl-Annunciation Hall, Dar SanDuminku fi Blacktown NSW.

L-attivita’ saret fil-preΩenza tal-Onor. John Robertson, Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni u l-Onor Andrew

Rohan li kienqieg˙ed jir-rappreΩentalill-Ministrutac-Çittadi-nanza u Af-farijiettal-Komunita`fl-iStat ta’NSW. PreΩenti

wkoll kienhemm KathieCollins mill-uffiççju ta’Michelle Row-land MP il-MinistruFederali fl-OppoΩizzjonig˙all-AffarijietEtnici.

L-Onor An-drew Rohan˙a parti attivafil-lejla metaippreΩenta ç-çertificati tal-unur lil 14-il per-suna mag˙Ωula b˙ala s-SeniorCitizens of the Year 2014 tal-ko-munita` Maltija fi NSW. Dawnkienu l-koppja Joe u ConnieApap minn Blacktown, Lilian At-

tard minn Greystanes, GerryCarabez minn Riverwood, TonyFenech minn Blacktown, DorothyGatt minn Greystanes, Sam Gatt

Ikompli f’pa©na 3

Dawk li ©ew onorati: Wara (mix-xellug): Sam Gatt, Dorothy Gatt, Tony Fenech, Gerry Carabez, Lilian Attard, Joe u ConnieApap. Bil-qieg˙da: Joseph Zahra, Fr Carmelo Sciberras, Victoria Mizzi, Giovanna Matkovic, Elsie u Joe Magro, u Emanuel Grech

Im˙abbra l-14 mag˙Ωula b˙ala ‘Seniors of the Year 2014’tal-komunita` Maltija ta’ NSW

Lawrence Dimech, il-President tal-Mal-tese Welfare (NSW) jindirizza l-14-iledizzjoni tal-Quiet Achievers Awards


Seniors of the Year 2014 tal-komunita` Maltija ta’ NSW

Parti mill-udjenza li attendiet g˙all-preΩentazzjoni tal-Quiet Achievers - Night of Recognition Awards fi NSW

Ikompli minn pa©na 2

minn Seven Hills, Emanuel Grechminn Blacktown, il-koppja Joe uElsie Magro minn Warrawong(Wollongong), Giovanna Matkovicminn Seven Hills, Victoria Mizziminn Dural, Fr Carmelo Sciber-ras minn Summerland Point(Central Coast) u Joseph Zahraminn Greystanes.Il-lejla bdiet bi preΩentazzjoni

˙elwa ˙afna mill-ahwa Joe u SamMifsud (Mifsud Brothers) likantaw kanzunetti popolari liferr˙u lill-udjenza.Id-diskors tal-g˙eluq sar mill-

Onor John Robertson li fa˙˙arbis-s˙i˙ ir-rwol li l-komunita`Maltija tag˙ti fil-qasam tal-volun-tarjat, speçjalment dawk l-er-batax li ©ew mag˙zula f’dinil-lejla.

Rita Kassasmexxiet il-lejlabis-soltu pre-cizjoni waqt liMarleneDimech uDoris Grimakienu l-qar-rejja.Lawrence Gattkien il-koordi-natur ta’ dinis-serata litibqa’ b˙alawahda mill-a˙jar li jiguorganizzatimill-komunita`Maltija fi NSW,kemm g˙al dikli hi preΩentaz-zjoni u wkollil-livell g˙oli

ta’ presti©ju. Nathalie Gatt ippreΩentat

bukkett fjuri lil Sr Giorgina Sul-tana OP b˙ala ˙ajr lis-St Do-minic’s Home for the Agedtal-koperazzjoni tag˙hom u tallij˙allu li din is-serata ssir fl-An-nunciation Hall.

Il-kumitat kollu tal-Maltese Wel-fare (NSW) li g˙al 14-il sena nfilaippreΩenta din is-serata ˙aqqu l-˙ajr tal-komunita` kollha. Óajrukoll lil Fiducian Financial Serv-ices (Tel: 1300 554 409) li kienurrappreΩentati g˙all-attivita’ minnMarie Louise Muscat u Ωew©haFrank.

L-Onor Andrew Rohan MP(xellug) li ippreΩenta ç-çerti-fikati, flimkien ma’ Joe uConnie Apap mill-Óamrun.Iilhom l-Awstralja 49 sena.

Taht: Joe u Elsie Magro, l-aktar persuni avvanzati fl-eta’li ©ew onorati din is-sena.Joe, Ûejtuni ta’ 84 sena uElsie, BormliΩa ta’ 82 sena


Breakaway Travel94 Corner of Main & Campbell Street,Blacktown NSW

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is a proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese

This year, the PBS (Malta)-sponsoredprogramme on SBS TV failed to be

aired on three occasions, they being,January 2 and 30, and the latest one onThursday March 20. (See the display theviewers saw on their TV sets when itwas scheduled to be on at 8 am). Malteseviewers are becoming frustrated withthese mishaps and we keep on receivingnumerous complaints.The Maltese community in Australia is

repeatedly being told that every effort ismade to prevent this from happening.As we always do, as we feel we have aresponsibility towards our readers, weinvestigate the reasons for the non-deliv-ery of such popular and anticipated pro-grammes.The first reaction we got this time from

SBS TV (Audience Relations) was theusual line “this is not our fault and wehope that this problem will be fixed”.The Voice was not satisfied with this re-

sponse and we delved deeper. TheMalta High Commission in Canberrareceived this reply from Paul Williams,the manager Overseas News Service –WorldWatch SBS TV.“My apologies from World Watch. An error occurred in

our programme recording area at SBS this morning re-sulting in 20th March’s bulletin of Maltese news fromPBS Malta not being available to go to air in all marketsexcept Western Australia. Perth and WA did get the pro-gramme but they were the only ones.“We have thorough guidelines and workflow procedures

aimed at preventing this from happening but unfortu-nately there was a gap in our process this morning and anerror occurred.

“On behalf of SBS please pass on my apology to the Mal-tese community and please also inform them the bulletinis available online at SBS ON Demand at this location:http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/#/Menu/News-and-Sport/News-and-Current-Affairs:International-News/Maltese-News”L-ahbarijiet is amongst the highest rating programmes

of SBS WorldWatch in language news bulletins. TheVoice will keep up its pressure until we do not have anymore blank screens on Thursdays or Sundays at 8 am onSBSTV2.

Readers of The Voice of the Mal-tese are being urged to log on to

http://www.starsandstripesmalta.com/News/News201403.html#US20140324, to read about a Euro Media Forumheld on March 24 at Europe House inValletta about Captain America: Theevolution & legacy of Joe Simon andJack Kirby's First Avenger, a film thatwill be screened at the Eden Cinemain Malta on Friday May 28.

During the forum that was sup-ported by the US Embassy and EdenCinemas, Comic Book researcherDavid Pace and Film researcherJustin Camilleri gave an insight intohow Captain America was MarvelComics' most popular character dur-ing the 1940s wartime period, howthe first Avenger was one of the mostpowerful forms of communicationand moral support for U.S Troopsduring World War II.

TV apologies yet again!

Captain America


Summer timein Malta

commencedat 2.00 a.m.of Sunday,March 30.It ends at

3.00 a.m. onthe last week-end of Octo-

ber 26

Many families are being left to carefor a loved one with a life-limit-ing illness on their own because

they are not aware of the range of pallia-tive care services available to them. Thisknowledge gap has led to the creation of anew Palliative Care Project to inform mi-grant communities that help is availableand can be tailored to their cultural needs.

Many migrant communities, includingthe Maltese community, have the percep-tion that palliative care is just for the endof life.Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria

(ECCV) Chairperson Eddie Micallef, ex-plains: “People often associate palliativecare with immediate death and loss of con-trol over one’s wishes and are thus reluc-tant to access palliative care services.” The Maltese community has low utilisa-

tion rates of palliative care services and isone of five communities participating inthe Culturally Responsive Palliative CareProject.

ECCV project workers have recentlybeen meeting with Maltese communityrepresentatives and palliative careproviders to create bi-lingual palliativecare information for the Maltese commu-nity.When reflecting on this process, Maltese

community reference group members toldECCV workers that they “have learnt thatpalliative care is not the end of the road,there is much to be done”. Others said:“palliative care is flexible, provides sensi-tive care to a person and helps them livelife to the last minute”.

During the meetingscommunity representa-tives also highlightedsome of the reasons be-hind the apparent reluc-tance to access palliativecare services: these in-

cluded community members being un-aware that in many cases palliative carecan be received at home and that servicescan be tailored to the individual and cul-tural needs of those receiving care, as wellas their families and carers.This input will now be taken on board by

Maltese bi-lingual health workers, who arebeing trained to deliver community educa-tion sessions later in the year.

The project is a joint venture betweenPalliative Care Victoria (PCV), ECCV andthe Multicultural Centre for Women’sHealth (MCWH) to inform communitiesthat palliative care can be accessed at anystage from diagnosis and can help to man-age symptoms and improve quality of life.The project also aims to deliver culturally

responsive care and thus increase migrantcommunities’ access to and use of pallia-tive care services.

One way for the wider Maltese commu-nity to participate in this project will be byattending bi-lingual community educationsessions in Melbourne in the first half ofthis year.

The sessions, to be delivered in Malteseby trained Maltese bi-lingual health edu-

ECCV Culturally responsive project promotescare available to those with life-limiting illness

More than 17,000 Victori-ans have received palliativecare in the past year.

cators, are aimed at all Maltese commu-nity members who are interested in find-ing out which palliative care services bestsuit their cultural and spiritual needs.

For more information about this projectand the Maltese community education ses-sions one should contact: Susan Timmins,ECCV Project Officer on 9349 4122

About ECCV

The Ethnic Communities’ Councilof Victoria Inc. (ECCV) is the

peak body for ethnic and multicul-tural organisations in Victoria. It is acommunity based, member drivenorganisation committed to empower-ing people from diverse multiculturalbackgrounds. ECCV is proud to have been the key

advocate for culturally diverse com-munities in Victoria since 1974. Forover 35 years it has been the link be-tween multicultural communities,government and the wider commu-nity.

The St. Albans Good Friday Asso-ciation Easter Pageant nowknown as Bacchus Marsh Good

Friday Association Inc will register ahuge milestone as it celebrates the 30thAnniversary (1984-2014) of the firstGood Friday Procession held at the Sa-cred Heart Church, St. Albans (votedthe event of the year by the BrimbankCity Council on Australia Day 2003).

The Hon Steve Bracks, then Premierof Victoria in 2003 presented to the As-sociation the Award for Excellence inpresentation of the Pageant and Com-mitment to the Community in Victoria

The citation as presented by the Victo-rian Multicultural Commission states:“The St. Albans Good Friday Associ-

ation Inc was established in 1992 to en-hance and build upon the great workalready set in place in the MalteseCommunity by the organisers of theGood Friday Procession, which com-menced in 1984.

Successful fundraising has ensuredthat the pageant has become a spectac-ular event with visitors from far andwide coming together to join in prayerfor peace and religious celebrations inthe western suburbs of Melbourne.”

We acknowledge the great work doneby Fidel Gauci, Victor Bonnici, Nicho-las Micallef, Charles Calleja and Car-melo Delia (all deceased). For the firstfew years Fidel, Victor and Charlesconducted the procession. We are grateful for the encouragement

and support Father John O’Reilly gaveto these volunteers and their helpers,and all the community members whoattended all the Good Friday Proces-sions over the yearsThe first Procession 1984 featured a few

individuals dressed in civilian clothesand one portrait Of Our Lady of Sor-rows painted by the late Charles Curmi.

The year 2014 will feature, Our Ladyof Sorrows Pilgrimage, Good FridayLiturgy and Good Friday Procession

and the Feast of the Risen Lord (L-Irx-oxt)

A number of Maltese Associationsplay a very valued part in the proces-sion carrying the allocated statues. Ateam of 24 committees will have dele-gated tasks with some other 40 helpers.Accessories were all imported fromMalta this year, and all the equipmentbelongs to the Association with fundsraised and donations

We have to acknowledge all the helpfrom all Associations and individualsin order to achieve our goals, and theconstant support we have received frommembers of the Maltese communitywho attended regularly our social func-tions. When we look back and reflect of how

many events have been held from socialsto stage plays, the trips and excursionsthat have been organised and the con-

stant advice and support it is no wonderthat our celebrations have attracted sucha wave of encouragement and a huge au-dience that gets increases every year.

Our Good Friday pageant is very tra-ditional, educational and religious, ithas always been our ambition to givemore meaning to the Easter celebra-tions just as much attention as is givento Christmas.

Most of us have been brought up inthis environment. We have participatedand appreciated the Easter Festivitiesfrom the Church services to all the pro-cessions with all the pageantry.

We can try to achieve similar heights,but to my mind, what has been estab-lished in Melbourne in the short spanof thirty years is nothing short of a mir-acle.

Continued on page 9


One of the oldest and most sought-after events organised for Good Friday and Easter are those by the St. Albans Good Friday Asso-ciation that this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary since its foundation by Lewis Stafrace in 1984. During these 30 years he hasalso been occupying the role of the association’s president. Therefore who better than him to tell us about…

By Lewis Stafrace (President and founder of St. Al-

bans Good Friday Association)

Easter

Festivities

in Melbourne

The statue of the RisenLord (L-Irxoxt) beingcaried around St Albans



We are proud to have established anevent that has been rewarded for thePresentation.

Here we need to work hard and en-courage our younger people to joinwith us and like a large family we canspend Easter together and enhance thefuture of this wonderful pageant andCelebrations.The feast of the Resurrection that com-

menced twelve years ago has completedour Festival. The work of art of theStatue of the Risen Lord by Alfred Cam-illeri Cauchi is in our opinion a gem, andone must see it in order to appreciate it.

All the members of the committeehave performed and are again expectedto carry out the tasks allocated to themso we can maintain the excellence andefficiency we have already displayed.We are also grateful to our clergy, par-

ticularly the late Bishop Joe Grech forhis advice and understanding, the Mis-sion of St. Paul, Father Denis Carabottour friend, confidant and former Con-sul General Clemente Zammit, and Fa-ther Phillip Gambin MSSP.

It is very difficult for me to detail allthe work and just mention a few per-sons. Therefore,may I say thanks to: My wife Maria, Joe and Phyllis Ellul, Em-

manuel Brincat, Robert Carabott, TonyCarabott, Gemma Orsini, Philippa Xuereb,Manny Persiano, Joe Cutajar, Louis Attard,Sam Baldacchino, Joe and Francis Busuttil,and Dominic Manion, Kate Falzon, Ronand Francis Offer, Frank Galea, GeorginaAgius, and Zarenu Agius.

The have helped and worked with us: Edwin (dec) and Mary Baldacchino, Lino

and Lisa Spiteri, George Aquilina, Linoand Lisa Spiteri, Mary and Charles Bonello,Mary Medina, (dec), Peter Paul Portelli,Louise and Ray Anastasi, Joe and Jason

Bartolo, Sylvia Busuttil, Alfred and ModdyAzzopardi, Charles Calleja (dec), GeorgeGatt, Joe Bayona, Christine Farrugia, TonySciberras, Mario Sammut, Alfie Xuereb,Joe Ghirxi, G. Vella, Charles Attard, PaulBonnici (dec), Alfred Attard, Joe Camilleri,Frank Sultana (dec) Terry Muscat (dec). Special mention to Charles Belli, Carmelo

Delia (dec), George Cassar, Vince Pulis, JoeMontebello, Waltzing Matilda Programme(Josephine, Harry Zammit Cordina), JoeBorg, Charles Baby Face Curmi (dec),Good Day Malta (Aussie TV Programme),board members and staff at Green GullySC, Brimbank CC and Councifficers.

Special mention also to: St. Maria, St. George, Stella Maris, St Sebas-tian, Reskeon, St.John, St. Joseph (TalQala), Vittoria, St Margareta, St. Andrea,Our Lady of Grace, Melton Maltese SC,St.Albans Melita Band, Maltese Own Band,Gozo-Malta City of Brimbank Band, Mal-tese Queen of Victories Band (SA), St. Al-bans Youth Club, St. Albans FC, all thebearers, helpers, the children taking part,their parents,friends, andalso anyonewho in someform or otherhas in the pa-st, and is stillhelping us.

Over theyears manyhave also do-nated fundstowards thei m p r o v e -ments of theProcess ion.They includethe following

associations:Reskeon, Maltese Australian Lalor -

Thomastown, Stella Maris, St. Margaret,St.Andrea, St. Sebastian, St. Maria, Hob-sons Bay Maltese, Malta Star of the Sea,Maltese Pensioners, Maltese PerformingArts, Ghaqda Teatrali Maltija, Green GullySC, Floriana SC, and the Maltese WesternRegion Community Council.

Apologies if unintentionally an indi-vidual or an association was omitted

Finally an appeal for all communitiesparticularly the Maltese, to attend ourServices, as your presence is of para-mount importance.

For programme and up to date informa-tion, one is advised to listen to: 3ZZZ(92.3FM) SBS Radio, Stereo 974, (Wednes-day & Thursday), Radio 3RIM And RadioNorth West F.M. Lewis Stafrace can also be reached by

email:[email protected] or telephone:03 9317 3825 and 0418176912.

A section of the crowd that always attends theSt. Albans Good Friday Association activities

Easter Festivities in Melbourne

Some of the statues being prepared tobe used in the Good Friday pageant


Roundup of News About Malta

The four new faces in Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat’s cabinet. From Left: Dr Justyne Caruana,Dr Chris Fearne, Mr Chris Agius and Dr Michael Falzon. Below: Dr Godfrey Farrugia who resigned.

Just over a year into the 2013 government,Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has beenforced to make a reshuffle to his cabinetdue to the nomination of Minister MarieLouise Coleiro Preca as President of theRepublic, but also following the resigna-tion of Minister of Health Dr Godfrey Far-rugia who thanked the Prime Minister foroffering him the post of Social PolicyMinister but said he could not accept theposition vacated by Minister ColeiroPreca. Dr Farrugia said in his letter to Dr Muscat

that when he became Health Minister, hesaw this as a golden opportunity tostrengthen his services for the dignity andneeds of patients. He added that he wasconvinced that in the year he had been inoffice he and his colleagues had createdthe basis for the sector to become sustain-able.

Meanwhile The Prime Minister also an-nounced that he has chosen Minister Kar-menu Vella to become Malta’s EuropeanCommissioner in October, while Parlia-mentary Secretary for the disabled and ac-tive ageing, informed the PM three monthsago that he did not wish to be consideredfor the new Cabinet as his vocation wasophthalmology, and he wanted to return tohis practice.As such, new ministerial responsibilities

have been announced with several minis-ters and parliamentary secretaries shiftingtheir responsibilities. Minister for EnergyKonrad Mizzi will not only retain respon-sibility for energy but will also gave theadded responsibility of health, with DrChris Fearne, becoming parliamentarysecretary for the sector.

Karmenu Vella’s tourism ministry is tobe handed to Edward Zammit Lewis, to

date parliamentary secretary for economiccompetitiveness.Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici isto be promoted to Justice Minister, alsotaking on responsibility for culture andlocal government, while Stefan Buon-tempo who had been responsible forsports, will be Parliamentary Secretaryunder his ministry.

Michael Farrugia too is being promotedto Minister for the family and social soli-darity. To date he was responsible for plan-ning and administrative simplication. Gozitan Justyne Caruana finds herself in

the cabinet, as parliamentary secretary re-sponsible for the disabled and active age-ing that had previously been theresponsibility of fellow Gozitan FrancoMercieca.

Michael Falzon has been appointed par-liamentary secretary in the Office of thePrime Minister with responsibilities forplanning and administrative simplifica-tion, while a newcomer, Chris Agius will

be appointed parliamentary secretary forresearch, innovation, youth and sports inthe Education Ministry. He had beenshadow minister for the sector in the pre-vious administration.Jose Herrera will change his responsibil-

ities, from culture and local government tocompetitiveness and economic growth inthe Economy Ministry.

The appointments will come into effecton Wednesday April 2 after Marie LouiseColeiro Preca relinquishes her post asMinister to be appointed President.With the reshuffle, the next Cabinet meet-

ing have this line-up Prime Minister: Joseph Muscat Parliamentary Secretary (Planning): Mi-

chael FalzonDeputy Prime and Minister for Euro-

pean Affairs and the implementation ofthe electoral manifesto: Louis Grech

Parliamentary Secretary (EU Funds):Ian Borg

Home Affairs and National SecurityMinister: Manuel MalliaMinister for Justice, Culture and Local

Government: Owen BonniciParliamentary Secretary (Local Gov-

ernment): Stefan BuontempoSocial Policy Minister: Michael FarrugiaParliamentary Secretary (Rights of Per-

sons with Disabilities, and Active Ageing):Justyne Caruana

Health and Energy Minister: KonradMizzi

Parliamentary Secretary (Health):Chris FearneTourism minister: Edward Zammit LewisEducation and Employment Minister:

Evarist Bartolo

Continued on page 11

Malta PM Affects Cabinet Reshuffle

At the end of an eight-hourmeeting, the Malta Environ-ment and Planning Author-

ity (MEPA) has approved theDelimara power station permit ap-plications and could have put torest yet another controversy follow-ing objections from the Opposition.The big debate centred around the

berthing of a floating gas facility inMarsaxlokk harbour that the Ene-malta project director said is to bepart of a national project intendedto provide security of supply, cleanair, a diversification of the energymix and reduce Enemalta's genera-tion costs.He went on to say that the project

was needed now because the energy com-pany was in urgent need of reform to avoidserious economic and social conse-quences. “We do not have luxury to post-pone decisions,” he said. MEPA’s planning directorate said the rea-sons for the application provided enoughjustification to recommend approval.Answering objections by Engineer Arthur

Ciantar, who pointed out that any accidentto the floating gas facility could have a"devastating" effect on the existing powerstation, EU’s expert George Papadakis, as-signed the risk assessment analysis of vari-ous accident scenarios said from apreliminary risk study the risk of fatalitywithin the immediate area of the LNG ter-minal was one in every 100,000 years. Therisk level dropped the further away from theplant one moved.

The Marsaxlokk mayor said his councilhad been campaigning for clean air since2007, and after deliberation, the council hasdecided it would support the project, includ-ing the floating gas storage unit because thiswould enable all power generation units tooperate on the cleaner gas. He said thequickest way to ensure clean air for his lo-cality was the current project as proposed,as long as the FSU was a temporary solu-tion until the gas pipeline became available.

Two separate votes on the gas-fuelledpower plant and the floating storage facilitywere taken and both went through with ninevotes against two.

The decisions were taken in the presenceof a large crowd at the Mediterranean Con-ference Centre in Valletta, that included anumber of MPs, mostly from the NP. So for the third time in recent weeks, ob-

jections raised by the Opposition to threegovernment projects, that included the IIPscheme, Enemalta’s Agreement with Chi-nese state-owned company Shanghai Elec-

tric Power on Chinese equity investmentand the LNG power plant at Marsaxlokkwere all defeated.

In its reaction, the Nationalist Party saidit was disappointed that the project was

approved without all the necessary riskstudies having been carried out and that,“MEPA has taken a decision that puts thePrime Minister’s partisan interests beforethat of residents and their safety”


Parliamentary Secretary (Research, In-novation, Youth and Sports): Chris AgiusFinance Minister: Edward SciclunaForeign Affairs Minister: George VellaMinister for Social Dialogue, Con-

sumer Affairs and Civil Rights: HelenaDalli

Transport and infrastructure Minis-ter: Joe MizziGozo Minister: Anton RefaloEconomy, investment and small busi-

ness Minister: Chris CardonaParliamentary Secretary (Economic

Growth and Competitiveness): JoseHerrera

Sustainable Development, the Envi-ronment, and Climate Change Minis-ter: Leo BrincatParliamentary secretary (Agriculture,

Fisheries and Animal Rights): RoderickGaldes

Meanwhile, Dr Godfrey Farrugia saidthat he had absolutely no intention of fad-ing away into the backbench wilderness,but would stay in the Labour movement,making sure the ‘Malta For All’ (MaltaTagħna Lkoll) election slogan actually be-comes a reality

In its reaction, in a statement, the Oppo-sition Nationalist Party said that the resig-nations continued to uncover the badqualities of Dr Muscat’s management style,

and that even those who were close to himwere now providing proof that Dr Muscatfirst used you then threw you away. It said that this was what he did with DrFarrugia and Dr Mercieca and what he hadalso done with the residents of the southwith his decision to anchor an LNG stor-age tank in Marsaxlokk Bay.It said that not only did Dr Muscat put all

imaginable spokes in the wheel for Dr Far-rugia not to be able to implement his re-sponsibilities as Health Minister, he alsohid for several weeks Dr Mercieca’s res-ignation from Cabinet and the people.A Prime Minister who hid from the peo-

ple a Cabinet minister’s resignation was aPrime Minister who placed his political in-terests before respect towards the people.It added that Dr Muscat had promised the

best Cabinet in Maltese history. After justa year, this was another promise from a se-ries had already evaporated, the PN said.Meanwhile, a source close to the Labour

Party told The Voice that the NPs state-ment but proves it is double-faced. It hadmade Dr Farrugia the target of a dirty cam-paign throughout, yet now it is tries to winsome points by expressing sympathy withhis position. When it comes to Dr Mer-cieca, his is not a resignation. He missedhis profession as ophthalmologist, a topone, and just wanted to return to his prac-tice. The NP too targeted him for muchcriticism throughout his tenure of office


Delimara gas plant, LNGvessel at M’xlokk approved


The crowd that attended the meeting that discussed the MarsaxlokkLNG plant. Inset: MEPA Mr Vince Cassar who chaired the meeting

Bonnici, M. Farrugia, and Zamit Lewis now Ministers



In one of his final commitments before theend of his five-year term of office on

April 4, President of the Republic of MaltaGeorge Abela, accompanied by his wife,children and grandchildren, and the Minis-ter of Foreign Affairs George Vella madean official visit to Rome where he met HisHoliness Pope Francis at the Vatican. Later, the Holy Father Francis received in

audience at the Vatican Apostolic PalacePresident Abela who subsequently metwith Cardinal Secretary of State PietroParolin, accompanied by Archbishop Do-minique Mamberti, secretary for Relationswith States.

During the private audience in the Pon-tiff's studio, two men spoke about the deepmark of Christianity in the history, culture,and life of the Maltese people, as well asthe good relations between the Holy Seeand Malta.

They also spoke about the pastoral visitsof Popes Blessed John Paul II and BenedictXVI. They made reference to the contribu-tion of the Catholic Church in educationand welfare, as well as to a recently con-cluded agreement between the Holy Seeand Malta aiming at a fruitful cooperation

in the service of the common good. In conclusion, there was a discussion on

the contribution of Malta in the EuropeanUnion, as well as certain situations in theMediterranean region, and the issue ofmigration to Europe, which involves boththe Church and government.

As everybody knows, like his papalpredecessors, Pope Francis receives allkinds of official gifts from visiting digni-taries: plaques, religious icons and lim-ited-edition books, however, it wasreported that in his meeting with theAbela family, he received somethingrather unique from little Luca Manconi,the three-year-old grandson of the Mal-tese President, who tagged along for hisgrandfather's audience with the pope.

When Luca and his parents joinedAbela's delegation at the end of the 20-minute private meeting, he presentedFrancis with a little plastic dinosaur.

The Pope seemed utterly charmed byLuca and his two-year-old cousin Geor-gia-May, taking them both by the handand walking to his chair. He also gave atender kiss to Luca's six-week-oldbrother, Matteo.

Pope gets unusual gift from President’s grandson

Compared to the precedingyear, tourist arrivals to Mal-

ta in 2013 registered a 9.6% in-crease, a Malta Hotels and Rest-aurants Association (MHRA)survey conducted by Deloittereveals. It also shows the tour-ism sector reaching national re-cord levels, with the hotel indu-stry recording the highest oc-cupancy levels over the last 5-year period, recovering from the

dip experienced in 2009.During the same period, when

it comes to hotel occupancy, anincrease of 8.7%, that is, an in-crease of more than 138,000nights of guest nights was reg-istered.

The MHRA said that com-pared to previous years, in thelast quarter of the past year thathalted recent trends of growthby private accommodations;

hotels took the bulk of touristarrivals.

The total of guest nights haveexceeded the one million markper year; with hotels registeringan average of 7.25 nights staywhile private accommodationregistering an average of 10.8nights.

When compared to the corre-sponding period in 2012, be-tween October and December

2013, occupancy in five starhotels increased by almost 7%;four by 1.9% and three star by9.5%. The survey also shows that2014 could also be another pos-itive year for the tourism sectorand hotel accommodation asthe first two months of the year,January and February have alsoregistered record tourist ar-rivals.

Survey reveals 9.6% increase in tourist arrivals in 2013

Malta President inAudience with Pope

Pope Francis holds by their hands Luca,left, and Giorgia May,

Malta President George Abela duringhis privatge audience with Pope Francis


The toxic smoke from a seven-week-long fire that has raged out of con-trol at the disused Hazelwood

open-cut coalmine owned by multina-tional energy company GDF Suez in theLa Trobe Valley has caused health prob-lems to the residents of the town of Mor-well in Victoria, 150 km southeast ofMelbourne.

Along with the majority of residents inMorwell, that has a population of around14,000, a large number of Maltese wholive in the area have also been affected bythe smoke from the coalmine and also faceserious health risks. The fire, that policediscovered to havebeen deliberatelylit, is causing evenmore problemswith temperaturesrising as high as the 30s is the work of anarsonist.

At one stage the Fire Services Commis-sioner Mr. Craig Lapsley said that muchof the fire had been suppressed, althoughsmoke was still coming from the open-cutmine. The CFA and police got a warm re-ception with long applause at an organisedrally by the locals.

A teacher said that one of her childrenhad begun coughing and heaving after thesmoke and ash began drifting across thetown, even though his asthma was notconsidered severe.

The La Trobe Valley consists mainly ofthe towns of Moe, Morwell, Traralgon andthe surroundings. The open-pit coal minethat is burning is located just on the out-skirts of Morwell. Some schools andhomes that were shut down and evacuatedare located very close to the mine.

The fire and smoke were very close toMorwell, which is located in a valley. Thesmoke from the mine slides down into thevalley and covers the town in a blanket ofhaze.My colleague and friend Mario Sammut,

who is also the Vice-Consul of Malta forthe La Trobe Valley and lives with hisfamily in Morwell, told me that nobody isaware of how much damage to health thistoxic smoke is causing to residents.

Explaining the situation at a personallevel, he said that if one lived in a placethat is hot, he would switch on the air con-

ditioner to cooldown; and if onelives in a coldplace, he could turnon a heater towarm up. “But,” headded: “We are liv-ing in a place fullof toxic smoke thatis causing damageto the health of res-

idents and you cannot get rid of that. Weare often told to leave home, but one canonly leave for a certain time, and has to re-turn home. It is not a situation in whichone simply packs up everything and goesto live somewhere else.”

On the health impact of the situation onlocal residents, Mr Sammut said that itwas very difficult for anyone to imaginewhat it is like to be in this kind of situationunless one was physically in such a place.“We are being told that the consequencesare minimal as long as it is for a short pe-riod of time. But this short period has al-ready been going for a number of weeks,”he added.

With theclosure of so-me schoolssituated nextto the mine,every morn-ing buses ta-ke studentsto other sch-ools, some tothe next townof Moe tenminutes aw-ay by car,which is notaffected bythe toxic sm-oke and ash.Mario Sam-

mut contin-ued to saythat four we-

eks after thefires began,the VictorianState govern-ment offeredr e l o c a t i o npayments of$500 per fam-ily to enablethem to leavethe area andto temporarilylive some-where else,maybe evenin a hotel fortwo or three days respite, but $500 doesnot go that far.

In the meantime, Mario Sammut hasthanked the High Commissioner of Maltain Canberra Mr Charles Muscat and theConsul General of Malta for the State ofVictoria Mr Victor Grech for staying inconstant contact with him in order to findout whether they can be of any assistanceto the Maltese community in Morwell.In the last few days, at the time of writing

this report (last week), the residents weretold by the authorities that the fire andsmoke were under control and they couldreturn home. However, Mario said that thestench of gas was intolerable, and this wasthe same the whole week.Mario went on to say that he couldn’t un-

derstand why the authorities were sayingthat the situation was under control whenthey are not. He said that a lot of the res-idents are very upset, particularly thosewho have not been compensated althoughthey have young children and sufferingfrom asthma. He said they have not re-ceived any assistance because they don’thave a health card, are on old age or dis-ability pension.Morwell residents are now faced with an-

other problem: the cleaning of their homesand property from the ash resulting fromthe fire. The State Government is provid-ing some money and the loan of specialvacuum cleaners to do the job. In somecases it has also promised the assistanceof professional cleaners.

Regarding the cleaning up of the ashdust, residents are being urged to contacttheir home insurance. However, it is worthnoting that in this case they would still beliable to pay the excess for the claim, from$100 to $500.

Mario told me, “One has to live in Mor-well to realise what the residents are goingthrough.”

‘One has to live in Morwell to realise what the residents are going through’

byPAUL VELLA

(Melbourne)

Mario Sammut, very closeto the people of Morwell

-V/Consul Sammut tells The Voice

A picture of the affected areaas appeared on abctv news

Morwell coalmine fire causes serious health risks to residents

Fix-xena politika, wara li battietsewwa d-diskussjoni dwar l-iskemataç-Çittadinanza, issa l-aktar materja

li tinsab fuq fomm il-politiçi, l-aktar dawkNazzjonalisti, u l-media lokali, hija dwarit-tanker tal-gass li se jkun ankrat fil-bajjata’ Marsaxlokk. Dan it-tanker se jkun qediservi biex jin˙aΩen fih il-gass me˙tie©biex l-impjant li hemm f’Delimaraji©©enera l-elettriku.

L-OppoΩizzjoni qed issostni li dan it-tanker jo˙loq periklu kbir g˙ar-residentita’ Marsaxlokk u l-madwar, u g˙alhekk

g˙andu jknu ankrat barra l-Port ta’Marsaxlokk.Min-na˙a tieg˙u l-Gvern jinsisti li r-rap-

porti kollha li saru mill-esperti jippruvawli dan mhux minnu. Isostni li jekk it-tankerjitpo©©a barra l-Port ikun ta’ periklu akbarmin˙abba l-elementi naturali, l-aktar il-ba˙ar qawwi. Il-Gvern qed jg˙id ukoll limalli ssir il-pipeline tal-gass li tg˙aqqad lilMalta mal-Ewropa, dan it-tanker jitne˙˙a.

U fil-kwistjoni da˙lu wkoll l-g˙aqdiettas-sajjieda. Filwaqt li Raymond Bugejas-segretarju tal-Ko-operattiva Nazzjonalitas-Sajd appella biex it-tanker jitpo©©abarra l-Port, l-G˙aqda Koperattiva tas-Sajd ma qablitx mieghu. Sostniet li makinetx se to©©ezzjona g˙al dan it-tankerfil-Port ta’ Marsaxlokk. Sadanitant Bugejaf’ismu u f’isem martu ressaq ittra uffiçjalifil-Qorti fejn talab li l-MEPA ma tiddisku-tix u tiddeçiedi dwar jekk g˙anduxjing˙ata permess ˙alli t-tanker ji©i sor©utf’Marsaxlokk qabel ma jsiru aktar studji.

Sintendi, kif ji©ri dejjem, malajr bdew il-kummenti fejn Bugeja, li b˙ala avukattieg˙u kellu lill-Presidental-Kunsill tal-Par-tit Nazzjonalista, ©ie mixli li qed jag˙meldan biex jag˙ti palata lill-OppoΩizzjoni.

Bugeja ça˙ad dan.Sadanitant il-Koper-attiva Nazzjonalitas-Sajd mill-ewwelg˙amlitha çara illi s-segretarju ©eneralitag˙hom kien qedjie˙u dan il-passming˙ajr l-appro-vazzjoni tal-membril-o˙ra.

Sa˙ansitra ©ewimdeffsa wkoll fin-nof il-˙ruq tal-mur-tali matul il-jiemtal-festa, g˙ax kel-liema tal-Partit Naz-zjonalista sostnew lihemm il-possibilta’li d-delettanti ta’Marsaxlokk ma jit-˙allewx ja˙arqu n-nar tal-festa min-˙abba li dan jista’jkun ta’ periklug˙at-tanker tal-gass. Sadanitant lejliet li

kellha ttittie˙ed id-deçiΩjoni dwar it-tanker mill-MEPA, Joseph Muscat uSimon Busuttil kellhom is-solitu “prie-dka” tal-Óadd: tal-ewwel f’BirΩebbu©a ul-ie˙or f’Marsaxlokk, il-lokalitajiet l-aktarmilquta’ mill-materja.F’BirΩebbu©a, wara li semma’ g˙add ta’

mpjanti, fosthom dak tal-mili tal-gassf’BirΩebbu©a u l-power station, Dr Muscatqa: “Dwar il-pro©ett ta' Mars- axlokkg˙amilna l-istudji kollha, qabbadna l-aqwa esp- ert li g˙andha l-Unjoni Ewro-pea u tana l-all clear. Óaddie˙or biexg˙amel impjant aktar perikoluΩ (l-impjanttal-mili tal-gass) m'g˙amel ebda rapport.Nippretendu li l-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjonijo˙ro© jg˙id x’ja˙-seb minn dawn il-pas-taΩati,” qal Muscat.Min-na˙a tieg˙u Dr Busuttil qal. “Huwa

minnu, li l-gvern Laburista g˙andu man-dat biex ira˙˙as il-kontjiet tad-dawl u l-ilma u li g˙andu l-obbligu li jibni powerstation ©dida, iΩda,” Ωied Busuttil,“m'g˙andux il-mandat li jpo©©i tanker tal-gass fil-port ta' Marsaxlokk. Muscat g˙an-du bΩonn jaddotta l-politika tar-ra©uni.”

Ûied isostni li r-residenti ta' Marsaxlokku BirΩebbu©a g˙andhom jg˙ixu f'darhomb'mo˙˙hom mistrie˙ u li g˙alhekk l-g˙adal-MEPAma kelliex tati permess biexjin˙oloq periklu bla bΩonn.

Allega li l- Gvern g˙amel minn kolloxbiex ja˙bi r-rapporti dwar it-tanker tal-gass: “L-a˙˙ar rapport ©ie ippubblikatinqas min-nofs sieg˙a qabel bdietdiskussjoni fil-Parlament. O˙or©uhom l-affarijiet kunu trasparenti. G˙amlu minnkollox biex ma jkunux trasparenti. G˙idhal-verità g˙ax jekk m'g˙andekx min xhiextibΩa' tista' tg˙idha l-verità,” sostna.


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Il-˙ames snin ta’ George Abela b˙alaPresident ta’ Malta jiskadu l-Ìimg˙a

4 ta’ April. Sadanittant, nhar it-Tlieta l-1 ta’ April, Marie Louise Coleiro Precattemm l-impenji tag˙ha b˙ala Ministruu membru Parlamentari b’diskors fil-Kamra tar-RappreΩentanti. Imbaghad il-Ìimg˙a ting˙ata uffiçjalment il-karigata’ President tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta.

Óaddiema Barranin f’Malta

Fl-a˙˙ar ta’ Ottubru tal-2013 kien hawn15,094 barrani li kienu ja˙dmu fil-GΩej-

jer Maltin. Minn dawn, 9,670 kienu ©ejjinminn pajjiΩi tal-Unjoni Ewropeja; il-bqijaminn pajjiΩi o˙ra.

Fl-4 ta’ April President ©didg˙ar-Repubblika ta’ Malta

..... Jing˙ataw il-permessiWara l-battibekki kollha u laqg˙a ta’tmien sieg˙at, il-Bord tal-MEPA appro-va l-permessi b’9 voti favur u 2 kontra. It-Tnejn li vvutaw kontra kienu, r-rap-preΩentant tal-Partit Nazzjonalista u daktar-Ramblers Association.

G˙all-President ta’ Malta GeorgeAbela, il-˙ames snin li g˙addew b˙ala

President ta’ Malta kienu esperjenzasabi˙a. Huwa qal dan tul diskors li g˙amelwaqt ikla mog˙tija f’©ie˙u u s-sinjuraAbela mill-Prim Ministru Joseph Muscatfil-Ber©a ta’ Kastilja l-Óamis li g˙adda. George Abela qal: “Kbirt u tg˙allimt fil-

kariga. Veru li jiena u marti se mmorru d-dar… iΩda se n˙allu din il-kariga b’çertumemorji. Sejrin lura d-dar b’memorjisbie˙.”

Huwa Ωied jg˙id li g˙alkemm il-perjodu

ta’ ˙ames snin g˙all-bidu deher wie˙edtwil, iΩ-Ωmien g˙adda malajr. Qal li g˙amel˙afna Ωjarat barra minn Malta u huwa imp-ortanti li meta jsiru Ωjarat barra minn Malta,jakkumpanjaw lill-President delegazzjonitan-negozju u l-Ministeru tal-Ekonomija.

Il-President qal li Malta hija ixxurtjata lig˙andha reputazzjoni tajba. “Irridu nkom-plu na˙dmu g˙al din ir-reputazzjoni. Min-na˙a tag˙ha, il-Presiden- za trid tkomplissa˙˙a˙ din ir-reputazzjoni taj-ba,” qal.

Semma li sabu l-koperazzjoni ta’kul˙add, u sa˙aq dwar l-importanza li

jkompli jissa˙-˙a˙ is-settur vol-ontarju.Huwa ˙eg©e© lill-Parla-

ment li jag˙mel ir-ri-formi kostituzzjonali me-˙tie©a ˙alli jissa˙˙a˙ ir-rwol tal-President. Qal lihemm bΩonn li l-Presi-dent ikollu awtonomijapolitika akbar. Fl-a˙˙arnett awgura lil

Marie Louise ColieroPreca li se tin˙atar fil-kariga ta’ President, ufissirha b˙ala, “bniedmabieΩla b’ru˙ soçjali.

Fl-ewwel sena ta˙t it-tmexxija tal-Gvernta’ b˙alissa, fl-2013, Malta irre©istrat

tkabbir ta’ 2.4% fil-GDP u hemm ukollx’juri li d-deficit se jibqa’ ta˙t it-3% tal-eurozone. Dan qalu l-Ministru responsabbli mill-Fi-

nanzi, il-Professur Edward Scicluna li Ωiedjg˙id li l-livelli ta’ nies ming˙ajr xog˙ol(6.4%) baqg˙u stabbli. Qal ukoll lil l-˙olqien tax-xog˙ol Ωdied bi 2.8%, u lin˙olqu 5,000 post tax-xog˙ol ©did, li1,500 minnhom kienu xog˙ol part-time.

Huwa spjega li daΩ-Ωmien il-poplu qedikollu inqas ulied, li jfisser li se jkun inqasnies minn kif kien isir fl-img˙oddi qedjid˙lu fid-dinja tax-xog˙ol.

Tenna li l-gvern ta’ b˙alissa ©ab direz-zjoni ©dida u sens ta’ stabbilita’, u filwaqtli semma l-bidla fis-sors tal-ener©ija, il-qalba tal-power station bl-LNG, u l-inves-timent fl-Enemalta miç-Çina, qal li dan©ab ukoll sens ta’ kredibilita.’Fl-istess waqt ˙abbar li l-ministeru tieg˙u

se jwaqqaf taqsima dwar it-taxxi li fihatinkorpora f’qasam wie˙ed, ix-xog˙olkollu li g˙andhom x’jaqsmu t-taxxi –taxxa tad-d˙ul, (Income Tax), mill-VAT umid-Dwana. Se jkunu jiffurmaw parti in-tegrali mill-politika ekonomika.


Mix-xena tal-˙ajja Maltija 2

Malta tirre©istra tkabbir ta’ 2.4%

fl-Ekonomija

Il-Presidenza ta’ Coleiro Preca se tibda minn qrib il-vunerabbli

Il-President George Abelajkellem lil dawk li attendewg˙aç-çena mog˙tija mill-Prim Ministru f’©ie˙u

George Abela jtemm ‘5 snin ta’ esperjenza sabi˙a’Min-na˙a tieg˙u, il-Prim Ministru Joseph

Muscat qal li din hija sena importanti fejnpajjiΩna qed jiççelebra anniversarji impor-tanti. Wa˙da minnhom hija r-Repubblikali din is-sena se niççelebraw l-40 anniver-sarju tag˙ha.

Qal li kien mument storiku dak ta’erbg˙in sena ilu meta twieldet il-Kostituz-zjoni Repubblikana, li fiha l-pajjiΩ id-deçieda li l-Kap tal-iStat ikun wie˙ed jewwa˙da minn uliedu.

Huwa sellem lil dawk kollha li servewf’din il-kariga. Qal li d-deçiΩjoni tal-PrimMinistru Lawrence Gonzi, li fl-2009 ˙atarlil George Abela kienet wa˙da tajba. Fis-ser il-Presidenza ta’ George Abela b˙ala“simbolu ta’ g˙aqda”, u li kienet Presi-denza li Ωammet il-valuri tal-Maltin, u limatulha fil-pajjiΩ idda˙˙lu drittijiet ©odda.“Din kienet Presidenza qrib in-nies li

kompliet tag˙ti identità lil Malta u lilMaltin,” qal il-Prim Ministru.

Il-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni Simon Busuttilukoll ta ˙ajr lill-President Abela g˙all-˙idma tieg˙u u qal li kienet Presidenza ta’poplu mag˙qud. Qal li l-Presidenza ta’George Abela Ωammet l-g˙aqda u wkollΩammet il-bog˙od mill-kontroversja poli-tika.

Kuntrarju g˙al kif dejjem sar, meta nharil-Ìimg˙a 4 ta’ April Marie Louise

Coleiro Preca tin˙atar id-disa’ President tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta, minflok fil-Kati-dralta’ San Ìwann, il-quddiesa tal-inawguraz-zjoni tag˙ha, mag˙rufa b˙ala tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, li se ti©i ikkon- çelebratamill-Arçisqof ta’ Malta Pawlu Cremona, sessir fid-Dar tal-Providenza fis-Si©©iewi.

Din hi xhieda çara tal-impenn tal-Presi-dent il-©did li n-nies b’diΩabilita’, il-foqrau t-tfal se jkunu fil-qofol tal-˙atra Presi-denzjali.

T˙abbar li l-programm ta’ madwar sittsieg˙at – fosthom sieg˙a g˙all-quddiesa –se jibda fis-2:00 p.m. meta sinjura ColeiroPreca t˙alli r-residenza tag˙ha f’Óal-Balzan ghal Óal-Luqa fejn se tiltaqa’ mal-pubbliku. Imbag˙ad tibqa’ sejra lejnid-Dar tal-Providenza g˙all-quddiesa.

Fi tmiem il-quddiesa se tibqa’ sejra s-Si©©iewi biex tiltaqa’ mar-residenti umbag˙ad ter˙ilha g˙ar-ra˙al fejn twieldet,Óal-Qormi biex tiltaqa’ mal-pubbliku, l-ewwe fil-pjazza quddiem il-knisja parokk-jali ta’ San Ìoe©, u wara quddiem il-knisjata’ San Bastjan. Minn hemm se tibqa’ sejr il-belt kapitali

Maltija Valletta fejn se ti©i milqug˙a minn©emg˙a ta’ tfal, u timxi tul Triq ir-Repub-blika g˙all-Palazz Presidenzjali fejn setie˙u l-©urament tal-˙atra.Hija tag˙mel l-ewwel dehra tag˙ha b˙ala

President tar-Repubblika mill-gallarija tal-Palazz biex issellem lil dawk li jkunupreΩenti fi Pjazza San Ìor©.

L-g˙ada s-Sibt il-President se tmurG˙awdex u tiltaqa’ man-nies quddiem il-Banca Giuratale fejn se ssir ukoll qud-diesa.

Il-Ministru Konrad Mizzi, responsabbli mill- Ener©ija u issa anke s-Sa˙˙a (ara pa©ni10 u 11) ˙abbar li mill-biera˙, 31 ta’ Marzu, beda r-ro˙s fil-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-

ilma, weg˙da li saret qabel l-elezzjoni. Se jkun ifisser €30 miljun fi bwiet in-nies u in-jezzjoni qawwija fl-ekonomija. Se jgawdu 47,000 familja li se jaraw ro˙s ta’ bejn il-25u l-35 fil-mija; 122,000 familja o˙ra se jkollhom ro˙s ta’ bejn it-30% u l-35%.Dwar id-dekasteru tas-sa˙˙a li wkoll ©ie fdat lilu war r-riΩenja t’ Dr Godfrey Farru-

gia, qal li l-problema hija wa˙da mani©erjali use jie˙u vanta©© mill-esperjenza ta’ DrChris Fearne li se jiffoka fuq l-esperjenza tieg˙u b˙ala tabib.

Beda r-ro˙s fil-kontijiet tal-ener©ija

Sam Dastyari, a Labour Senator of Iran-ian descent said that he thinks that fu-

ture generations will look back on currentoffshore asylum-seeking policies with thesame sense of embarrassment that Aus-tralians look back on the White Australiapolicy. He called for a renewed debate in the ALP

over offshore processing measures adoptedby former leader, Kevin Rudd. “It is notsomething that I am comfortable with”. There is criticism about the Federal Gov-

ernment’s handling of offshore processingon Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Thisincludes the secrecy of Operation Sover-eign Borders. While welcoming Tony Abbot for a quick

visit to his island, the Papua New GuineaPM, Peter O’Neill made it plain that hiscountry would only resettle “some” asylumseekers whose refugee claims are recog-nised, insisting that other countries in theregion should “carry the same burden”. There are 1300 asylum seekers in PNG.


A quick glimpse at AustraliaA quick glimpse at Australia

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

The Abbott Government is determinedto repeal the legislation making it un-

lawful to offend, insult, humiliate or intim-idate on grounds of race or ethnicity. Such a drastic move to repeal section 18C

of the Racial Discrimination Act woulddisempower the vulnerable or result inhardening of intolerant attitudes.

This is the opinion of Indigenous Coali-tion MP, Ken Wyatt who also said thatAustralia has come a long way in the last30 or 40 years and “what I wouldn’t liketo see is regression that allows those whohave bigoted viewpoints to vilify anygroup of people at all.”

Attorney General Senator George Bran-dis describes the existing law as “Ex-tremely invasive” and reaffirming thegovernment’s intention to “do away” withit. The PM says that the basis that freedomof speech should not be restrained “just toprevent hurt feelings”.

Brandis said, “people do have a right tobe bigots, people have a right to say thingsthat other people would find insulting”.

Ethnic, religious and indigenous groupsand leaders have urged the Government tothink again.

Corruption is reachingthe Liberal Party as

well. At the NSW Inde-pendent Commission Aga-inst Corruption detailshinted at the prospect oneof the most senior LiberalMinisters, Chris Hartcheris being implicated in cor-rupt activities involvingAustralian Water Holdingsand Eddie Obeid, the mostnotoriously corrupt figurein the discredited formerLabour Government.

It was said this was “anuncharacteristic display ofbipartisanship” or “thatcorruption acquaints a man with strangebedfellow”.

From State to Federal politics and thesix-month-old Abbott Government hasbeen plunged into its first ministerial cri-sis after Assistant Treasurer SenatorArthur Sinodinos fell on his sword, be-coming the first Federal victim of awidening corruption investigation byICAC. The senator will step aside as As-

sistant Treasurer for the duration of thecommission inquires.

Senator Fiona Nash the Assistant Min-ister for Health is also involved in a scan-dal. She is being accused of breachingthe government’s ministerial code ofethics and misleading the Senate aboutAlastair Furnival her chief of staff’s con-flict of interest. He had to resign.

Intolerant attitudeThe stench of corruption

PM Abbott in Papua New Guinea

After a 17-day vigil flight MH370 hasbeen lost and none of those on

board survived. The flight ended itsjourney in a remote area of the southernIndian Ocean, killing all 239 passengersand crew on board. Australia was also involved in the “re-

covery” operation after analysis of satel-lite tracking data showed the planecrashed into the South Indian Oceanabout 2,500 kilometres off the coast ofPerth.

Arthur Sinodinos... had to step aside

Sam Dastyari

Malaysia AirlinesMalaysia Airlinesdeeply regretsdeeply regrets

A quick glimpse at AustraliaA quick glimpse at Australia


FRIENDS OF PROVIDENCEHOUSE NSW

(Formed in November 2011)

Founder /Coordinator: Jim BorgStructure: Secretary: Marisa Previtera; Treasurer: Rita Kassas

Official Bank Account: Commonwealth Bank of Australia: BSB: 062 416 A/C 10199448

Aim of Association: Raising funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza, MaltaMoney raised so far: I2012/2013 - $ 2,500 and 2013/2014 -

$35,000.Method of fund raising: Functions, tours, donations, raffles, spon-sors. Percentage of funds raised donated to Id-Dar tal-Providenza,

Malta – 100%Future fund raising: Donations direct to the official bank account,

sponsorships, tours, functions and raffles.The Friends of Providence House NSW is the official

Ambassador of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta in Australia

Contact details: Jim Borg, Co-ordinatorPhone: (02) 9636 7767 (Mb) 0418 825 591

Email: [email protected]

The two State elections held on the 15th March gave the Liberal a good re-sult in Tasmania after 16 years in Opposition. Will Hodgman, 44, is the

new Premier. He is the son of Liberal veteran Michael Hodgman, former Im-migration Minister who died last year. He led the Opposition for eight yearsafter rejecting achance of minorityGovernment in 2010when the majority parties finished with 10 seats each and five to the Greens.In South Australia, Labour will be returned for a fourth term thanks to the

support of Geoff Brock MP, an independent.

The March 15 election returned a hung parliament. At the close of count-ing Labour held 23 seats, the Liberals 22 with two going for the Independ-ents. The Premier Jay Weatherill said Mr. Brock’s decision offered SouthAustralia stable government.

Looking at the Australian political map, we find that the Liberal/Nationalsnow hold the States of Western Australia, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Tasma-nia and the Northern Territory. Labour holds only South Australia and the ACT.

Year 2015 is the Anzac Day Centenary.More than 42,000 Australians have ap-

plied for the free pass in a ballot conductedby the Federal Government, but only 8,000will be granted for the centenary dawn serv-ice at Gallipoli. As well as the Australian al-location, 2,000 places will go to NewZealanders and 500 VIPs.

The centenary service has attracted unprece-dented interest but there’s only enough spaceat North Beach (Gallipoli) where the service isheld, for about 10,500 people. The Departmentof Veterans’ Affairs has been advising peoplewithout a pass not to travel to the service.

Bunyip aristocracy

No room at the inn

Joseph Skrzynski will not be appointedto a second term as SBS chairman.

According to Fairfax Media, Communi-cations Minister Malcolm Turnbull lob-bied strongly for the investment banker- whose five-year term expired, to re-main in the position but was overruledby the Prime Minister's office.In a statement released, Minister Turn-

bull praised Skrzynski as an “outstand-ing chairman” and said “SBS is astronger organisation for his leadership”.

Joseph Skrzynski's departure meansSBS could be without a chair for up tosix months during a politically-sensitiveperiod for the public broadcaster.

The Abbott government has launchedan “efficiency study” into ABC and SBSthat is due to report back in April with

suggested cost savings.Skrzynski was effectively sacked

around Christmas when he was in-formed he would have to reapply for hisjob. Deputy chair, Hass Dellal will beacting chairman until a permanent re-placement is found.

Since his appointment in 2009, JosephSkrzynski has overseen successful pro-grammes such as Go Back to Where YouCame From, the launch of NITV as afree-to-air indigenous television channeland an overhaul of foreign languageradio programmes.

Strzynski, a pioneer of the Australianprivate equity industry, was made anOfficer of the Order of Australia in 2008for his services to business and the non-profit sector.

New chairman for SBS

Practically all blue

Found Guilty

Graig Thompson 49yrs,former Labour MP and

secretary of the Health Serv-ices Union was sentenced toserve three months behindbars, with nine months sus-pended sentence for twoyears, for using more than$24,500 of Unions funds forpersonal benefit, includingpaying for sex. Thompson ap-pealed.The case is scheduled to run

for ten days from November24 in the Country Court.

Magistrate Charlie Rozenc-wajg said the sum was not re-garded at the higher end ofdishonesty offences but wasstill significant. The courtheard that Thompson hadagreed to repay the money.

The Gillard Governmentstuck doggedly to Thompsonmostly because of their situa-tion on the floor of the house.If Thompson would have re-signed or be declared bank-rupt and thus ineligible toremain in the House the mi-nority Gillard Governmentcould have fallen.

JosephSkrzynski

Gough Whitlam introduced the Australianhonours system in 1975 tossing knight-

hoods and the like aside but Tony Abbottwants the Imperial honours back. The newGovernor General has now become Sir PeterCosgrove and the outgoing GG is now DameQuentin Bryce. Australia will now have fournew knights or dames a year.

Malcolm Fraser bravely introduced knightand dames of the Order of Australia in 1976but the Hawke Govt gave that away tenyears later. Are we heading for the House ofLords in Canberra and Sir John Howard?


Ma kontx naf illi twelidekHu lejliet festa hekk kbira Ta’ San ©or© megalomartri Li d-dinja t˙obb, tammira!

G˙amlu sewwa tawk dan l-isem,Jiena çert l’int kburi bih;Kulfejn tmur, dlonk ©orru mieg˙ekU tif˙irek fis ag˙tih!

Il-Belt Pinto, b˙al Victoria,Kburin b’Ωew© tempji mis-sbie˙Li lil dal-Martri ta’ LyddaI˙obbuh, ng˙oΩΩuh bi s˙i˙!

Illum jien se nitfa’ ˙arstiFuq dal-Qaddis patrun tieg˙ekBiex fi tmiem dil-PresidenzaPass pass issa jimxi mieg˙ek.

U flimkien ma’ martek Marg’retJid˙ol jg˙ammar fid-dar tag˙komU jag˙tikom g˙omor, sa˙˙a,U li tgawdu lil uliedkom.

F’isem dan il-poplu tag˙naNiΩΩik˙ajr mill-fond ta’ qalbiTa’ dak kollu l’g˙amilt mag˙na –Ibqa’ çert sa nΩommok f’talbi.

Il-Maltin u l-G˙awdxin kollhaHuma ˙afna mkabbra bik;Int tassew iben denn Malta –Stima kbira g˙andhom g˙alik!

G˙aliex bit-tbissima tieg˙ekInti d˙alt f’tag˙na l-qlubU quddiem il-gwaj, in-niket,Arak tmil, malajr iddub.

U allura dan il-popluKif maΩ-Ωmien jista’ jinsik!Mur issa strie˙ fil-familja Dan-nazzjon hu kburi bik!

©or© Abela ©ie biex jibqa’U da˙al ©o qalb kul˙add –G˙al ˙idmietu, ir©ulituMinn quddiemna ma jg˙ib qatt!

Kav Joe M AttardVictoria G˙awdex

19-03-2014

In excellent weather conditions with tem-peratures reaching around 260C, around

112 members of Reskeon Seniors Groupwere recently entertained to a barbecuelunch prepared by members of the groupat Edwardes Lake Park.

After the meal some of the members en-joyed a chat while others took a walkalong the 2.5 km track around the beauti-

ful lake.This is a family park that boasts of free

gas barbecues and other facilities thatwere used by the members who did thecooking. A good time was had by all andthanks for making the day a pleasant andso enjoyable must therefore go towardsthose in charge of the cooking. -Paul Vella (Secretary, Reskeon Seniors Group)

Fi tmiem il-Presidenzatal-E.T. George Abela

Reskeon members enjoy barbecue lunch

Stedina - Çelebrazzjoni tal-G˙idfil-Kappella ta’ San Pawl De Piro House Stanley Street East Sydney

Is-Saçerdoti Missjunarji ta’ San Pawljistiednu lill-kommunita` Maltija g˙aç-

çelebrazzjonijiet li se jsiru b’tifkira sol-enni, g˙all-Passjoni, il-mewt u l-qawmienta’ Sidna Gesu Kristu.Il-Hadd 13 ta’ April: Óadd il-Palm, id-

da˙la solenni tal-Mulej f’Ìerusalemm.Ikun hemm it-tberik tal-palm u wara, fl-10.00 am, quddiesa b˙as soltu, fil-Kap-pella ta’ San Pawl De Piro House Stanley

Il-Óamis 17 ta’ April: Fis-7.00 pm,issir it-tifkira tal-ikla tal-Mulej, b’qud-diesa solenni; wara ‘S-Seba’ Visti tas-Sepurklu.

Il-Ìimg˙a 18 ta’ April: Fis-2.30 pm,tibda l-Via Sagra u fit-3.00 pm, ssir il-funzjoni tal-passjoni ta’ Sidna GesuKristu.Is-Sibt 19 ta’ April: Fis-7.00 pm, tibda

l-funzjoni tas-sahra tal-lejl qaddis, tal-qawmien tal-Mulej mill-imwied.Il-Óadd 20 ta’ April: Ji©i iççelebrat il-

Jum Qaddis tal-Qawmien tal-Mulej. Fl-10.00 am issir quddiesa, u wara kul˙addmistieden g˙all-kafe`. Fl-istess waqt, l-istss saçerdoti qed ukoll

jistiednu lill-komunita` Maltija g˙all-fun-zjonijiet li se ji©u organizzati f’dawn il-knejjes minn Fr Benedict Sant.

Fil-knisja ta’ Our Lady Queen ofPeace, Old Prospect Road Greystanes:

Mit-Tnejn 24 ta’ Marzu sal-Ìimg˙a 28ta’ Marzu fl-10.30: quddiesa. Wara jkunhemm priedka, min Fr Benedict SantMSSP

Fil-kapella ta’ San Pawl De PrioHouse Stanley Street East Sydney:

Bejn nhar it-Tlieta 8 ta’ April u l-Ìim-g˙a 11 fis-7.00 pm tibda l-quddiesa, uwara l-priedka minn Fr Tarcisio MicallefMSSP. IIl-Ìimg˙a 11 ta’ April huwa l-jum li fih

issir il-kommemorazzjoni tad-Duluri Il-Kapillan tal-Maltin f’Sydney, Fr Tar-

cisio Micallef MSSP i˙eg©e© lil kul˙addbiex jattendi. Jg˙id li wie˙ed m’g˙anduxjitlef l-opportunita li jisma’ l-kelmat’Alla, kif g˙ad g˙andna din l-opportu-nita’ tant sabi˙a, g˙all-okaΩjoni tar-Ran-dan u l-G˙id fejn ji©u iççelebrati dawnit-tifkiriet f’atmosferra Maltija.

F’isem is-Socjeta Missjunarja ta’ SanPawl, Fr Tarcisio Micallef (Chaplain forthe Community in Sydney), jixtieq l-G˙idit-tajjeb lil kul˙add u jirringrazzja lil kullmin jattendi g˙all-funzzjonijiet Ghal kull informazzjoni cemplu lil: FrTarcisio Micallef fuq: 9380 8398

Il-Maltin fl-Awstralja g˙adhom jg˙oΩΩu bis-s i it-tradizzjonijiet li trabbew fihom,jew huma stess, inkella missierijiethom jew ommijiethom f’art twelidhom, Malta.B˙al ma jse˙ fil-jiem tal-Milied, anke fil-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira u l-G id il-Kbir l-uΩanzili trabbew fihom jg inuhom jirrispettaw u jfakkru dawn il-jiem g˙eΩieΩ g˙ar-Re-ligjon Kattaolika.Kif wie˙ed jista’ jara mill-g˙add ta’ avviΩi f’din il- ar©a ta’ The Voice, minn g˙add

ta’ komunitajiet madwar l-Awstralja, ˙afna jqisu dawn il-jiem importanti daqs, uw˙ud anke aktar mill-Milied. In˙e©©u g˙alhekk li wie˙ed japprezza l- idma li ssirminn g˙add ta’ indvidwi li jistinkaw alli jΩommu dawn id-drawwiet ajjin billi jat-tendu g˙all-attivitajiet. Infakkru wkoll li fil- ar©a li jmiss se jkollna artiklu ©enerali dwar iç-çelebrazzjonijiet

tal-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira f’Horsley Park NSW.


Jekk g˙andek ’il fuq minn 65 sena uwaqajt darbtejn jew aktar fl-a˙˙arsitt xhur, dan l-artiklu jista’ jg˙inek

ittejjeb il-kwalità tal-˙ajja tieg˙ek.G˙alkemm afna waqg˙at ma j˙alluxkonsegwenzi serji, o˙rajn jistg˙ujwasslu g˙al ksur fl-g˙adam, ˙sara fir-ras, u wkoll itellfulek l-indipendenzatieg˙ek u tista’ tispiçça f’xi Dar jewsptar.

Hemm ˙afna ra©unijiet g˙ala per-suna anzjana tibda taqa’ spiss. Xidrabi dan ji©ri g˙al ra©unijiet lim’g˙andhomx x’jaqsmu mas-sa˙˙a,fosthom o©©etti li jo˙olqu periklub˙all-krakar u affarijiet fin-nofs fl-am-bjent fejn ng˙ixu.

Ra©unijiet o˙ra jirriΩultaw minn kun-dizzjonijiet mediçi mo˙bija b˙al:nuqqas ta’ sa˙˙a fil-muskoli min˙abbapuplesija; il-Parkinsons; problemi bit-tajrojd jew il-glandola tal-adrenal.

Jista’ jkun hemm problemi o˙ra fil-mixi jew fil-bilanç min˙abba l-artritejew Ωbilanç min˙abba problemi fil-widna.

Tista’ taqa’ min˙abba konfuΩjonimid-dimenzja jew problemi o˙ra fil-mo˙˙. Hemm min jaqa’ min˙abba˙ass ˙aΩin g˙ax tinΩillu l-pressjoni f’-daqqa jew qalbu titlaq ti©ri jew tim-missja.

Xi kultant waqg˙a tista’ tirriΩultaminn ri˙ tal-puplesija jew attakk tal-epilessija. Min jixrob alko˙ol eççessivg˙andu riskju akbar li jaqa’ ta’ spiss,mhux biss meta jkun ta˙t l-effett tax-xorb, u dan g˙ax ix-xorb eççessivjista’ jnawwar in-nervituri tas-saqajnjew tal-mo˙˙.

Hemm ukoll min ibati b’nuqqas ta’

vista min˙abba katarretti jew inxif fir-rita tal-g˙ajn. Çerti mediçini jistg˙ujwasslu g˙all-waqg˙at, fosthommediçini tal-irqad, dawk li ja˙dmu fuqil-mo˙˙ u dawk g˙all-pressjoni u l-epi-lessija. Jekk tie˙u aktar minn erbg˙a,jista’ jkollok riskju akbar li taqa’.

Biex ma tibqax taqa’:* G˙id lit-tabib jarak biex jeskludi l-mard li semmejna* Jekk g˙andek xi mard kroniku, jarahuwiex ikkontrollat bl-a˙jar mod* Jipprova jnaqqaslek mediçini lim’g˙andekx bΩonn

*Jag˙millek appuntament g˙all-bonedensity test biex jiççekkja s-sa˙˙a tal-g˙adam.

Biex tnaqqas ir-riskju fl-ambjent fejn tg˙ix:* Ne˙˙i twapet Ωg˙ar jew wajers lijistg˙u jwaqqg˙uk * T˙allix art imxarrba (speçjalment fil-kamra tal-banju) * Ixg˙el id-dawl ˙a tara fejn int miexi* Çaqlaq g˙amara li qieg˙da fin-nofs* Ara li t-tapit jew il-po©©aman tat-tara© hu mwa˙˙al sewwa * Tilbisx krakar.

Lejla ta’ Tag˙rif dwar Kif Nistg˙u Nevitaw Il-Waqg˙at

(Falls Prevention)

Qed titlef il-bilanç? Qed taqa’ ta’ spiss?Wie˙ed minn kull tlett anzjani jg˙addi minn dinl-esperjenza kerha, b’konsegwenzi x'aktarx serji.

X’nistg˙u nag˙mlu biex innaqqsu dawn il-konsegwenzi koroh?The Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc. se jkompli jaqsam mag˙kom tag˙rif dwar dan is-su©©ett importanti

Nhar l-Erbg˙a, 9 ta’ April 2014 fis-7.00 pmFiç-Çentru San Ìor© Preca (meeting rooms),

Our Lady Queen of Peace, Old Prospect Rd, Greystanes NSW

Dan it-tag˙rif se jing˙ata minn persuna ikkwalifikata bi ftehim mal-Fairfield Hospital Fall Prevention Team.

Kul˙add huwa mistieden. D˙ul b’xejn. Nitkellmu bil-Malti u bl-IngliΩ.

G˙al aktar informazzjoni tista’ ççempel 9631 9295

Sponsored by:

Kemm-il darba waqajt? - Kelmtejn mit-tabib

Fil-paçi u t-trankwilita` ta’ StFrancis of Assisi Centre, Somersby(˙dejn Gosford), madwar 30 per-suna qrib l-G˙aqda tal-Past Pupils& Friends of Don Bosco (NSW) iltaqg˙ug˙al jum ta’ rtir, “Lenten Reflection” likien organizzat mid-direttur spiritwalitag˙hom, Fr Carmelo Sciberras. L-irtirkien imqassam f’riflessjoni u diskussjonidwar: min int u fejn sejjer, ruΩarju, staz-zjonijiet tas-salib u benedizzjoni. Kienhemm ukoll ˙in liberu u g˙all-ikel.

Dan il-jum ta’ talb u devozzjoni kien it-tieni wie˙ed li organizzat f’dan il-lokal lihu tassew idejali g˙ax jinsab fost ˙afna©onna u si©ar li jwasslek biex tirrifletti utersaq ukoll lejn il-˙ti©ijiet sagri. Kienhemm trasport minn Wentworthville g˙aldan il-post imwarrab, iΩda li fih tassewtispikka l-˙emda u ser˙an il-mo˙˙.

L-organizzaturi qalulna li se jibdew jor-ganizzaw dan it-tip ta’ rtiri darba fis-sena,qrib Ωmien ir-Randan. Kul˙add hu mist-ieden jattendi. Huwa miftu˙ mhux bissg˙all-membri tal-G˙aqda Past Pupils &Friends ta’ Don Bosco (NSW) immawkoll g˙al kull min jixtieq jing˙aqadmag˙hom

Óemda, ser˙an il-mo˙˙ u paçi

On SBS Radio - Latest scheduleDay Time Analogue Digital

Tuesday: 12:00 - 13:00 SBS Radio 3Thursday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2To tune into digital radio you will need anew receiver or device with a DAB+ chip.Tuning in is by station name not fre-

quency. Digital radio can also be heard ondigital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38and SBS.

Radio 3 is on Channel 39. Analogue isthe present FMwavelength. Digital radiocan also be accessed by a smart phoneand/or by going online at HYPERLINK:http://www.sbs.com.au, www.sbs.com.au

VIVA MALTAVIVA MALTA on Central Coast RadioApril 10, and 24; May 8 and 22 from 6

pm -7 pm on COAST FM 96.3 Commu-nity Radio in Gosford. NSW.

Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. Web streaming is also available on:

www.coastfm.org.au.

Tune In to Radio and Television

Maltese Programmes – TV, WebThe GDAY MALTAUSSIE SHOW onTVS is broadcast in Sydney.Every Saturday at 2pm; Repeats on Mon-days 5 pm and Tuesdays 7.30 amWatch direct via HYPERLINK:http://ww.tvs.org.au; http://ww.tvs.org.au

Maltese Radio ProgrammesIn MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or onwww.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fri-days 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; LastWednesday each month at 1pm.In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio pro-gramme Sunday at 11am 2GLF FM89.3, oron demand on www.893fm.com.auIn BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Pro-gram on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00am to8.15am and Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pmTo listen to the Maltese Radio ofUNCLE SAM DJ from Australia tune into link: www.unclesamdj.comFRED FENECH: Every Thursday from5.00pm till 6.00pm on 2RRR FM 88.5.Can be reached from the Parramatta and Holroyd region'

The PBS MALTESENEWS

L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.05 am on SBS2

Meetings of Maltese SeniorsFairfield Active Maltese SeniorsMeets on the first Tuesday of the Month

from10:00am to 12 noon. The group meets in the Parish Hall, cnr

of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fair-field Heights.

Daceyville Maltese SeniorsMeets on the last Wednesday of the

month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville.

Note: The Groups also arrange regularBus Trips.

Come and join us and make new friends.For more information on any of theGroups please contact the Maltese Wel-fare Officer, Marisa Previtera, JP, on:0414 863 123

Greystanes Maltese SeniorsMeets on the second Monday of the

month in the Youth Room of OLQPChurch, 198 Old Prospect Road,Greystanes from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Llandillo Maltese SeniorsMeets on the first Wednesday of the

month at the Llandilo Community Hall,Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1pm.

Ongoing: We meet every First Wednes-day of the Month from 10:00am. to 1:00pm

Our Meetings/Get Togethers are inter-esting, informative & entertaining. We also have regular outings. Come Join us and make new Friends

For more information one should contactour Coordinator – Charles MifsudJ.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421662 298*(All Groups are Sponsored by The Mal-tese Community Council, NSW)

The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group

Notice to Former members of ...

Malta Society of New Zealand

We now have a Facebook page thatwe invite you to join. It is calledMainly-Maltese-in-Auckland.

We can be found online at:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland/396193070527203?ref=hl.

It is open to anyone who is Maltese orhas an interest in the Maltese culture.

Stella Maris Maltese Assoc. Inc(Melbourne) - Founded 1988

Activities for 2014April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th, July 5th.

All Family Get Together at St JosephThe Worker

Watch for more activities on The Voice

The Committee for 2014

President Charlie Xerri, V/President: LinoFava; Secretary: Frances Fava Tel: 039449 7290; Asst Secretary: Lilian Wessley;Treasurer: Paul Scerri; Asst Treasurer:John Darmanin. Committee Members:Sunny Micallef, Charlie Cach-ia, CarmenCachia, Antoinette Gauci, Manny Bugeja.

Community NewsCommunity News

The Maltese Community

Council (NSW) Inc. will be con-

ducting Computer Clases for

seniors from the MRC cnr

Franklin and Young Street,

Parramatta West.

Lessons Saturday mornings

from 10.30 to 11.30

For more information phone:Emanuel Camilleri on: 9822 0228

Computer Clases

for Seniors

HAMRUN ASSOCIATION Inc.IL-Kumitat tal-Klabb tal-Óamrun se jorganizza lejla speçjali

g˙all-Mother’s Day nhar is-Sibt 10 ta’ Mejju 2014 fill-klabb tag˙nali jinsab f’100 Jackson rd, Marsden Park. Il-˙in huwa mis-7.00pm sal-11.00pm

--------------------------------------------------------Ejjew u gawdu ikla ta tlett ‘platti’ g˙al A$30. Ix-xorb m’hux inkluΩ, imma jkun

jista’ jinxtara mill-bar fejn wie˙ed ikun isib Export Lager u birer o˙rajn, Kinnie,inbid u soft drinks, te u kafe’.

Ìibu lill-˙biebkom. Iddevertu, iΩfnu u kantaw mal-popolari Vince Bezzina--------------------------------------------------------

G˙all aktar tag˙rif çemplu lilEddie Ellul: 0410 407 423; Jew lil Mary Said: 0421 285 698



Is-Soçjeta` San Gejtanu ta’ Melbourne g˙adhom kemm ip-pubblikaw kalendarju bl-attivitajiet li g˙andhom ippjanatig˙al tul is-sena 2014. Ikun sewwa kienu jkollna iktarg˙aqdiet Maltin li jippublikaw bil-quddiem l-attivitajiettag˙hom ˙alli kemm jista’ jkun jonqsu l-attivitajiet tal-ist-ess xorta fl-istess jiem.

Programm - dak li jmiss:Il- Óadd 27 ta’ April: Mothers’ Day Lunch 12 pmIs-Sibt 10 ta’ Mejju: Festa San Ìor© Preca 7 pm

Il- Óadd 18 ta’ Mejju: Laqg˙a u ikla 12 pmIl- Óadd 15 ta’ Ìunju: NSW bus tripIs-Sibt 19 tal-Lulju: Anniversary Dinner 7.30 pm

L-attivitajiet (barra l-bus trips) isiru kollha f’St Martin dePorres Avondale Heights (Melbourne)

Ikkuntatjaw lil: Jmmy Chirkop: 0435847173; Rita Hili:93311430 jew Joe Cassar: 93742767.It-tieni parti ta’ dan il-kalendarju j˙abbruh aktar tard.

Attivitajiet G˙aqda San Gejtanu (Melbourne)

MALTESE AUSTRALIAN

ASSOCIATION OF QLD (IN)

Mothers Day Dinner Dance – 3/5/2014

Special Guest Artist - Fortunato

To be held from 6.30 pm at Jindalee Bowls Club

Sinnamon Rd. Jindalee. Phone: 33761240

Members - $35/ Non Members $40 (includes

Show, Buffet Dinner, Desert, Tea & Coffee)

For bookings please ring Lucy on 38089557/

0423406482 or Alex on 32009321 /0400900199

Book early to avoid disappointment

Mothers Day Lunch & Dance At La Valette Social Centre175 Walters Rd., Blacktown, NSW

On May 4, starting at 11.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m.Entertainment: DJ Uncle Sam

Entrèe: Three platters per table consisting of Ham, Salami,Cabanossi, Octopus, Olives, Crackers; Fresh Prawns per table

FIRST COURSE Lasagna

MAIN COURSE: Beef or Pork served with roast vegetablesand potatoes

DESSERT Cassata traditional ice cream; Tea & Coffee served with pastizzi & cannoli

Complimentary wine – 2 bottles per tableBeer and soft drink can be purchased at bar

Sponsored by CB Travel Adventures (02) 9622 5779

Donations $50 per person, tickets available through La ValetteSocial Centre on (02) 9622 5847 – Espedito Zammit: (02) 9625

2035 or 0414 674 936

Future events: Father’s Day Lunch & Dance: August 31

Happy Mothers’ Day

Bacchus Marsh Easter Pageant

(Managed By Bacchus Marsh Good Friday Association Inc.)

Invites All Communities to Our Lady Ta PinuShrine All Nations Marian Centre Flanagans

Drv, Bacchus Marsh, to attend and participate in:

Pilgrimage: OUR LADY OF SORROWS (April 5): mass 2.30 p.m. and

Procession at 3.30 p.m.;

Passion Pageant: GOOD FRIDAY (April 18):Liturgy at 2.00 p.m. and Pageant at 4.30 p.m.;

EASTER SUNDAY-Feast of Resurrection (Sunday April 20): mass at 2.30 p.m. and Pro-

cession at 3.30 p.m.

Ten- Life Size Statues – Biblical Characters - Ornaments

(All Welcome to Participate in the Pageants:)Men-Women and Children From all Communities

(Car Parking Entry from Flanagans Drv, Bacchus Marsh, Melbourne)

La Valette Social CentrePROGAMM TAL-G˙ID 2014

Il-Hamis 10 ta’April: Via Sagra fis-sala taç-Çentru. Tibda fi10.30 am. Wara ç-Çentru jinfeta g all-ikel u t-tombla.

Il-Ìimg˙a 11 ta’ April: Festa tad-Duluri. Fis-6.30pm ikunhemm quddiesa fil-kappella. Wara ssir il-purçissjoni bil-vara tad-Duluri g˙as-sala, fejn tibda l-Via Sagra bl-g˙ana

tal-fatt fis-sala taç-ÇentruÓamis Ix-Xirka 17 ta’April: Fis-7.00 pm quddiesa li fihajsir il-˙asil tar-ri©lejn. Wara l-quddiesa jsiru s-seba’ visti

u l-adorazzjoni tas-salib fis-sala taç-Çentru.IL-Ìimg˙a l-Kbira 18 ta’April: Fit-3,00 pm tibda l-fun-

zjoni tal- Ìimg˙a l-Kbira fis-sala taç-Çentru.Sibt il-G˙id 19 ta’ April: Iç-Çentru jifta˙ kmieni g˙all-ikel

fi 4.30pm. Fis-7.00 pm tibda l-funzjoni tal-G˙id. Wara lfunzjoni tibda l –bingo.

F’Sibt il-G˙id ma jkunx hemm quddies fil-kappellaÓadd il-G˙id 20 ta’April: Festa tal-Irxoxt. Nin©abru˙dejn iç-Çentru. Fl-10.00 am ssir quddiesa u warapurçissjoni bil-marçi u l-istatwa lejn il-kappella.

Kul˙add mistieden g˙al dawn l-attivitajiet. Il-kumitat jixtieq l-G˙id it-Tajjeb lil kul˙add.

G˙al aktar tag˙rif çemplu liç-Çentru: 9622 5847

Now meets every 3rd Friday of the month (unless stated) 11 – 1 pm at MRC Cnr Franklin & Young x Pitt Strs Merrylands (Mays Hills) at the Headmasters Cottage, behind Parramatta West Public School.

DATES: 2nd Friday: April 11, and: May 16; June 20; July 18; August 15; Sept. 19; October 17; November 21, and 2nd Friday: December 12.

Give a senior friend a lift. Everyone welcome. No need to book. Just come and enjoy each other’scompany. Please bring a plate of food to share.

Free Parking close by. Any suggestions welcome. Speak to Fred, Rita, Nancy, Francis

MRC MALTESE

SENIORS GET

TOGETHER

GROUP

Maltese Language SchoolsMaltese Language & Cultural Schools

If you wish to learn Maltese in SYDNEY call: 0402 002 454 or mail to:[email protected]

In MELBOURNE, contact:Edwidge Borg, MCCV Maltese Language Classes

http://www.mccv.org.au/index.php/languagehttp://federationofmalteselanguageschoolsaustralia.com

[email protected] in MELBOURNE, contact Emma Navarro on 0406 215 990 or

HYPERLINK “mail to: [email protected]” [email protected]

St Nicholas Festa Committee NSW2014 Calendar:

6th July: L-iMnarja

19th October: Spring Fiera

29th November: Night of En-

tertainment (Rock n' Roll)

7th December: San Nicholas

Festa

Community News

Continued

SUNDAY 4th May 2014Wentworthville Leagues Club 2 p.m.

Holy Trinity Association

Missions Fund RaiserFunctions and Outings for 2014

April 27: Picnic at NarragingiJune 14: Marsa Holy Trinity Din-

ner DanceAugust 17: Bus to Central Coast

Santa MariaSeptember 14: Bus to St Mary’s

CathedralOctober 18: Missions night dinnerNovember 23: Christmas bus trip

THE MALTESE GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA Inc

Easter Monday Luncheon Monday, April 21:

at Maltese Cultural Centre6 Jeanes Street Beverley

Lunch Menu will be advertised onthe Radio and on the Notice Board

The Maltese Guild Centre and barwill open from 9.30 a.m. onwards.

ADMISSION: Members: $7.00;Non-Members -$10.00;

Children - $5.00After lunch we will be playing

Bingo and other games.

To book: see or phone, Nina Abela:8340 0345, Joseph Briffa: 8254 6988, or

anytime on the mobile: 0421 791;George Craus: 82812329, or see

any committee member.

Activities for 2014MAY 3: Saturday Feast of the Cross/Mother’s Day at MELROSE TULLA-MARINEMAY 17: Saturday BYO at Errington,ST ALBANSJUNE 21: Saturday BYO at Errington,ST ALBANSJULY 19: Saturday BYO at Errington,ST ALBANSAUGUST 22: Friday Mass 7.30PM atCroatian Church ARDEERAUGUST 23: Saturday Feast DinnerDance, at MELROSE TULLAMARINEAUGUST 24: Sunday Feast & Concertat Croatian Church Hall, ARDEER SEPTEMBER 20: Saturday AT MO-ONEE PONDS BOWLING CLUBOCTOBER 18: Saturday BYO atErrington, ST ALBANSOCTOBER 25: Saturday AT MOON-EE PONDS BOWLING CLUBNOVEMBER 15: Saturday BYO atErrington, ST ALBANSDECEMBER 20: Saturday Xmas Fun-ction at MELROSE TULLAMARINE.

For information, Bookings phone:Victor: 0412 99 1325 or

Mary Abdilla: (03) 9370 5164

St Helena Maltese/AustralianS.C.Inc. (Melbourne)


Good Friday Activities 2014 (Our Lady of Victories Parish, Horsley Park)Preparations for the Good Friday Procession in Horsley Park, NSW are well underway and the Or-

ganising Group wishes to advise readers of upcoming important dates and activities.

From Tuesday April 1 - Friday April 4: 7.00pm: Lenten excercises in Maltese led by Fr John Taliana.

Sunday April 10: From 7.00pm: Reconciliation in the Church

Friday April 11: From 7.00pm: The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The function begins with a cel-

ebration of the mass, followed by the Stations of the Cross outside and a procession with the

statue of Our Lady of Sorrows back into the Church.

Friday April 18: Good Friday. Help is greatly needed early in the morning to install outdoor equipment

necessary for the procession such as PA systems, lights and barricades.

Church service begins at 2.30pm. The Church can only hold a certain amount of people, so be there

early. At 4.00pm, the Maltese Cultural Association NSW Choir will perform traditional dirges and hymns,

alternating with Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band which will play funeral marches.

The procession begins at 5.00 pm. All participants should be present by 4.00 pm to prepare for the

procession, rain, hail or shine.

There is the possibility that costumes would be available to wear, particularly by adults. For more infor-

mation about costumes, or any other, phone: Fred Cauchi on 0407 914 051.

SUNDAY 26th October, 2014Wentworthville Leagues club 2.p.m.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ic-Cittadini sponsored by Bank of Valletta plc and Pendle Hill Travel


Malta national football teamcaptain Michael Mifsud’sadventure in the A-League

in Australia lasted only six months.He is now back in Malta with hisfamily as a free agent and is talkingto local football clubs that are inter-ested in securing his services.

Michael, 33 on April 17, signed aone-year deal for Melbourne Heartahead of the 2013-14 season in Sep-tember thought to be worth around€200,000, but he failed to find hisgoal-scoring touch, the reason whythen coach John Aloisi signed himand in fact he only made 14 appear-ances in the first team scoring onlyone goal in the 10 2-1 defeat againstSydney FC in Round 10. The Heart re-leased him just six months into his con-tract.

It is an open secret that Michael Mifsudendured a frustrating stint in the A-League. It was made amply clear that hewas not in the new coach John van'tSchip’s plans, even though he was in thehis team’s, and Michael’s only win againstNewcastle Jets in Round 15.After that he did not figure in any of the

five successive wins under the Dutchcoach. That must have frustrated him andin fact after turning out for the club’s Fox-tel National Youth League team and per-forming quite well, Michael expected tobe back in favour.Michael said he was called up to join the

squad on two occasions after that, but hadto miss out as having been called up forthe Malta national team, heeded his coun-try’s call and returned to play for Malta.He was never called up again and accord-ing to Mifsud, for personal reasons he

asked to be released from this contract.In the meantime, Heart, who have been

taken over by English Premier Leagueclub Manchester City, have announcedthat Head Coach John van’t Schip wouldbe staying on board at the Club for a fur-ther three season.The supporters of Melbourne Heart had

mixed feelings about Michael Mifsud’sshort stay at the club. He was even calleda misfit, and at times ridiculed in com-ments on a number of websites.

Most probably he did not live up to hisreputation as a prolific scorer that pre-ceded him. It could have become a burden,particularly after Italian sports daily LaGazzetta dello Sport called him “Il MessiDi Malta” (Malta’s Messi) after he scoredtwo goals to give Coventry City an unex-pected 2–0 victory over Premier Leaguechampions, Manchester United, at OldTrafford.If anything, Michael Mifsud has so far had

a colourful football career. A prod- uct of

Sliema Wanderers, he made hisdebut in the Premier League inMalta during the 1997–98 season.

After that he joined Kaiser-slautern in Germany, then re-turned with Sliema and in 2005he was snapped up by NorwegianPremier League club Lillestrøm,where he was at one stage votedthe best foreign player in theleague. He was the club's topscorer in the 2006 season with 11goals in 19 appearances.In 2007 he joined Coventry City

in the Football League Champi-onship in England and in Septem-ber 2007 helped them beatManchester United.

After that, he also played for Barnsley be-fore returning to Malta to join Valletta,then Qormi where he failed to help themavoid relegation, and once again Vallettabefore signing for Heart.Now back in Malta he is sizing up the of-

fers, and in any case he cannot play forany club this season.

He is adamant that he would end hisplaying days and see out the final years ofhis career in Malta. Since his return to Malta, another of

Michael’s former team-mates, Soccerooslegend Harry Kewell has announced hewill retire from professional football at theend of the current Hyundai A-League sea-son.

It was a career that has made Kewell ar-guably the best and most influential foot-baller in Australia’s history. During hisprofessional career that has spannednearly 20 years, Kewell managed to cap-ture the public’s imagination and inspireddebate like few other sportspeople.

Spor tsSpor ts 11

Michael Mifsud ends A-League Adventure

Malta international MichaelMifsud in the Melbourne Heartjersey. He is back in Malta afteronly six months in the A-League

Snooker: Malta become European Champions

For the third time in its history, the Malta nationalsnooker team, made up of Alex Borg and Duncan

Bezzina has become champions of Europe by winning theEuropean Championships just ended in the Romanian cap-ital, Bucharest.

In the final Malta defeated the UK 4-2 after building a 2-0 lead following victories in the singles in which Borg de-feated Callum Dowling, while Bezzina got the better ofNick Jennings.The UK team got back in with a chance after winning the

doubles, and then Dowling beat Duncan Bezzina. How-ever, Alex Borg put Malta back on top by beating Nick Jen-nings, and then the Maltese players again combined to winthe second doubles event for a 4-2 winning score.

Malta had qualified to the finals after beating Poland 4-2in the semi-final stage

Alex Borg (left) and Dun-can Bezzina. They madeMalta proud in Bucharest

Brisbane Roar’s dominance in the A-League was convincingly proven

when they beat Melbourne Victory toclaim the Premiers Plate in sensationalfashion with a late Luke Brattan goal to inRound 24, and then in Round 25 overcamethe dismissal of Besart Berisha to defeatMelbourne Heart 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium.

The runner up position changed handsonce again withCentral Coast tak-ing over followingtwo victories, 2-1away against Mel-bourne Victory, andthen 2-1 at homeagainst West Syd-ney thanks to latewinner by BernieIbini.

Western Sydney stay third however, hav-ing beaten Perth Glory 3-0. Melbourne Victory missed a chance toclimb to second as they were held to a 1-1draw in a dramatic end-to-end affair athome to Sydney FC

Melbourne Heart suffered two losses,first at home by Central Coast 1-2, andthen against Brisbane. Adelaide United

boosted their chances ofa top-two finish with anunconvincing 1-0 winover Wellingtong, whileNewcastle thumpedWellington 5-0, but then lost 2-1 to bottomteam Perth Glory who scored two goals intwo minutes to snatch the unlikely win.

While Birkirkara retainedtheir two-point lead at the

top six rounds into the Champi-onship Pool after a narrow 1-0win over Balzan, Valletta keptapace after beating Sliema Wan-derers 2-0. But two very impor-tant decisions were reached in thetop two divisions as Rabat got rel-egated, while Pieta Hotspurs wonpromotion to replace them in thetop tier next season. Birkirkara needed to fight really

hard to defeat neighbours Balzan,and did so with a Paul Fenechgoal on 69 minutes when they

were playing with 10 men due tothe red carding of Joseph Zerafa.Balzan are still pointless in thesecond phase.

Valletta had what on paperlooked to be the tougher outingagainst Sliema, but they won thatchallenge by 2-0 in a disappoint-ing game.

Valletta got the goals deep intothe halves, th first on 40 minutesthrough Luke Montebello. Thesecond half followed the samepattern with Valletta the betterside but not taking their chancesuntil a minute into added time

through substitute Lateef Elford-Alliyu. Four minutes earlier Slie-ma had Admir Vladavic sent off

In the other match Hiberiansstrengthened their hold on thirdspot drawing 2-2 with Mosta. Gi-anmarco Piccione got a brace forMosta (41’ and 58’) while Hibsgot their levellers throughObinna Obiefule (51’)and JP Farrugia (71’).

Standing: Birkirkara(41 pts); Valletta (39),Hibs (34); Mosta (28);Sliema (27); Balzan (14)

In the Relegation Po-

ol Naxxar condemned Rabat toDivision 1 after beating them 2-0,while Qormi crept closer to safetywith a 2-1 win over Floriana, andTarxien topped the pool folowinga 1-1 draw against Vittoriosa. Standing: Tarxien (22), Florian(21), Naxxar, Qormi (20), Vitto-riosa (15), Rabat (4)

Supa IGA National Premier League 2 First Grade Results

Round 1Paramatta Eagles v Fraser Park 1-2Mounties Wanderers v CC Mariners 1-0Round 2Hills Brumbies v Parramatta Eagles 0-2 Macarthur Rams v Mounties W. 1-0

Parramatta Eagles next matches April 6: Melita Stadium: 3 pm: v Spirit April 12: Pluim Park: 6.30pm: v CC Mariners

Spor tsSpor ts 22

Brisbane RoarCent. Coast MW. Sydney W.Adelaide U.Melbourne V.Sydney FCNewcastle JWellington PhMelbourne H.Perth Glory

25 16 3 6 42 22 5125 11 8 8 30 33 3925 10 8 7 30 26 3825 10 7 8 43 32 3725 10 7 8 36 40 3725 10 3 12 34 36 3325 9 5 11 30 32 3225 7 7 11 34 43 2825 6 7 12 32 37 25 25 6 7 12 24 34 25

Standings P W D L F A PtsRESULTS - Round 24Adelaide U v Sydney FC Newcastle J. v Wellington PhBrisbane Roar v Melbourne VMelbourne H v Central CoastWestern Sydney v Perth GRound 25

Brisbane R. v Melbourne H.Central Coast v West SydneyMelbourne V v Sydney FC Wellington P v Adelaide UPerth Glory v Newcastle J

3-1

5-0

1-0

1-2

3-0

2-12-11-10-12-1

Frank and Draga Bonett live on large farm-land in Bulla. Frank has always had a love

for horses, and their daughter, Melita, grew upwith the same love and interest. Now Tara, theBonett’s granddaughter and Melita’s daughter,who is only seven, is following suite.Tara has already claimed a number of achieve-

ments at the beginning of her equestrian futureby getting named as the Junior HighpointChampion for 2013 at the Oaklands Pony Club.She won the award competing in the Under 12category.

Points were accumulated for horse and riderperformance in show jumping, showing andcross country-handy mount, a time trial eventwith a combination of both obstacles and speed.

Tara, who rode her pony, named ‘Mate’, waspresented with a sash, flower garland and amedal for placing first.A family history of horsemanship expands over

50 years; firstly with Frank, then his daughterMelita and now Tara.

- Paul Vella

No change at the top as Valletta keep pace with B’Kara


Results: (Round 5, 6)Championship PoolBirkirkara v Valletta 0-0Hibernians v Sliema 3-1Mosta v Balzan 4-2Birkirkara v Balzan 1-0Hibernians v Mosta ?-?Valletta v Sliema ?-?

Results: (Rounds 5,6)Relegation PoolNaxxar L. Vittoriosa v 3-3Tarxien v Qormi. 4-0Floriana v Rabat 5-0Naxxar v Rabat A 2-0Qormi v Floriana 2-1Tarxien v Vittoriosa 1-1

Brisbane Roar claim Plate three from the end

Young Tara Junior show jumping champion at seven

Tara with her pony, Mate

Documents

The Voice NO. 72