Victoria Gate Il
Transcription
Victoria Gate Il
The Voice of the Maltese (driven by the voice of its readers ) Issue 93 o on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e Victoria Gate The building of the 19-th century British Garrison Chapel now housing the Malta Stock Exchange (il-Borza) at Castille, in Valletta, started in 1855. It was completed two years later. January 20, 2015 The Victoria Gate in Valletta after restoration and rehabilitation. Originally, the Gate was the Del Monte Gate complete with drawbridge and named after La Valette’s successor, who carried on the construction of Valletta. After its demolition, in 1885 it was replaced by The Victoria Gate that was built to a design by Emanuel Galizia and named after Queen Victoria of England then the reigning sovereign. Il-Borza the chapel was converted into the Malta Stock Exchange by Architecture Project in 2001. The original shell was conserved. Inside, a new steel structure reorganised the space around an atrium. 2 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 The new NSW Labor Party leader talks to The Voice uke Foley was elected unopposed as sense of our shared Labor values. To me L the 23 leader of The NSW Labor these are the timeless values of a fair go Party. A committed Catholic, he was for all, and a helping hand for those in elected to the NSW upper house in June 2010. Known as a fierce, thoughtful intellect Foley is an avid reader with an interest in policy matters. The Voice of the Maltese managed to get these comments from the new leader: “It is with incredible pride and humility that I have assumed the leadership of Australia’s oldest and most storied political party, NSW Labor. Today, I'm looking towards the future. “I will lead a modern Labor Party - one that brings forward positive plans to address the challenges facing our state. A party that is focused on creating meaningful solutions, and never a mere party of protest. “I bring to these job ideas, energy, and above all a deep need. Values which have time and again proven to create the most prosperous, democratic and harmonious societies in the world. “I want our state to be the great economic powerhouse of Australia, the great employment generator in our nation and at the same time our nation’s social conscience. This means both ensuring economic growth and prosperity is shared across the community and that we never let those in need fall through the cracks. “I have three big priorities. I want to create jobs in all of our suburbs and regions. I want to invest in our hospitals, schools and TAFE’s creating a strong system for all. And I want to protect our natural environment.” Ann Aquilina elected president Spouses of Heads of Missions in New Delhi rs Ann Aquilina, wife of John to provide support M Aquilina, High Commissioner of for the spouses of the Malta to India and Ambassador-des- High Commissioners ignate to Nepal, has been elected as the president of the Association of the Spouses of the Heads of Missions in New Delhi, India, for 2015. The Association, which has a history dating back to 1922, was formed so as to provide support for the spouses of the High Commissioners and Ambassadors resident in New Delhi. “I am honoured to have been elected to this important position. I look forward to performing my duties diligently and conscientiously with the support of all members,” Mrs Aquilina told The Voice of the Maltese. The life of the spouse of a High Commissioner or an Ambassador can often be a difficult and lonely experience. Many spouses experience language difficulties, as well as estrangement from family members whom they have left behind. While the High Commissioners and Ambassadors are busy pursuing their professional responsibilities, the spouses are often faced with long periods of relative inactivity. This is particularly difficult for spouses who have sacrificed their own professional career in order to be with their High Commissioner or Ambassador husbands or wives. The Association, which has a history dating back to 1922, was formed so as and Ambassadors resident in New Delhi. It also helps to bridge the gap of isolation that may exist, and to enable the spouses to provide social and professional support to one another. Apart from the organisation of social activities, the Association also organises activities aimed at improving cultural interaction, as well as the historical understanding and appreciation of the city and country in which the spouses are living. Although such associations are found in most countries, the Delhi association is one of the oldest and largest worldwide. Mrs Ann Aquilina is a journalistic photographer who ceased professional duties prior to Mr Aquilina’s appointment to New Delhi. “I am delighted to be working in cooperation with all the other spouses in Mrs Ann Aquilina with her husband John, High Commissioner of Malta to India. order to provide them with strong and meaningful assistance,” Mrs Aquilina said. The Voice is not just a news portal; We comment, we fight for your rights. We believe in freedom of expression; We are read in the right places. The Voice of the Maltese 3 Tuesday January 20, 2015 Relazzjonijiet maç-Çina fl-Awstralja, u l-Gvern Malti - l-issikkar taç-çintorin jew money no problem? jikteb Lawrence Dimech -a˙˙ar artiklu li ktibt f’The Voice (Diçembru 9, 2014 pa©na 4), kont ˙allejt il-memorja tieg˙i tmur lura kmieni fis-sebg˙inijet meta l-Gvern ta’ Malta u dak talAwstralja kienu qed jersqu lejn g˙arfien diplomatiku maç-Çina (dak iΩ-Ωmien konna nsej˙ulha ç-Cina komunista). Illum, komunista jew le, kul˙add jissielet mill-a˙jar li jista’ biex ikun jista’ jag˙mel negozu mag˙hom. Irçevejt g˙add ta’ kummenti dwar dak l-artiklu, g˙alhekk ˙sibt li nissokta nikteb dwar l-istess su©©ett. Kien Ωmien eççitanti jekk mhux ta’ g˙e©ubijiet. Id-dinja tal-Punent kienet tag˙raf lil Taiwan (Formosa) u tinjora liç-Cina, dak iΩ-Ωmien pajjiz b’popolazzjoni ta’ aktar minn 900 miljun. Kien Ωmien ta’ ta˙wid bejn l-aqwa Ωew© potenzi tad-dinja u l-Amerika ta˙t Nixon bdiet tipprova tersaq lejn iç-Çina iΩda ma kienx façli tag˙raf kif se jibdew jinfet˙u l-bibien jew kif l-a˙jar se jibdew dawn il-kuntatti. Tfaççat g˙alhekk dik li baqg˙et tissejja˙ b˙ala l-ping pong diplomacy, id-diplomazija li ˙adet isimha mil-log˙ba tat-table tennis. Tim L Karikatura fir-rivista Amerikana Legend (Ottubru ‘71) turi lil Nixon jilg˙ab it-table tennis ma’ Mao Zedong Amerikan ©ie Il-Perit Dom Mintoff (lemin) fiΩmistieden ja- Ωjara tieg˙u fiç-Çina f’April tal-1971 g˙ti esibizzjonijiet fiç-Çina. Dan ˙arir sakemm ©ie nnutat li tim talse˙˙ f’April tal-1971. Il-President baskitbol minn Taiwan kien illandja Nixon Ωar iç-Çina f’Ìunju 1972. f’Perth, fin-na˙a ta’ fuq tal-AwIl-Prim Ministru Malti ta’ dak iΩ- stralja. Qam pandemonju s˙i˙. Ωmien, Dom Mintoff fil-fatt kien Ωar Id-delegazzjoni Ciniza riedet titlaq iç-Çina f’April 1972, ji©ifieir xahrejn lura lejn pajjiΩha immedjatament qabel il-President Amerikan. Mie- g˙ax ˙assita nsultata. Kienet saret g˙u kellu lil-Ambaxxatur g˙aç-Çina t˙ejjija u investiment serju biex içJoseph Forace li kien ukoll Kum- ÇiniΩi jag˙tu esebizzjonijiet malmissarju G˙oli fl-Awstralja. Awstralja kollha fil-log˙ba li kienu Deher çar g˙alhekk li waqt li r-re- esperti fiha. Kien ikun diΩastru u lazzjonijiet bejn Malta u ç-Çina kie- nsult diplomatiku g˙alhekk li kellnu fis-sod, ma kienux daqstant hom jitilqu lura ˙ewsrem lejn tajbin mal-Awstralja li dejjem kie- arthom. Kien lejl li qatt mhu se ninnet timxi mal-politika Amerikana. sa. Ic-Cinizi kienu f’kuntatt konIç-ÇiniΩi kienu jiddependu ˙afna tinwu bit-telefon ma’ pajjiΩhom g˙al fuqna l-Maltin fejn jid˙lu r-relaz- iktar minn 24 sieg˙a. Tensjoni talzjonijiet mal-Awstralja. ©enn. Dak iΩ-Ωmien l-Awstralja kellha L-aqwa rappreΩentanti tal-Gvern Gvern Liberali b’Sir William McMa- Awstraljan kienu de˙lin u ˙er©in hon b˙ala Prim Ministru (Marzu fil-motel. Iç-ÇiniΩi sejrin… mhux 1971-Diçembru 1972). Fl-Awstralja sejrin… qed ja˙sbuha. Fl-a˙˙ar irwaslet ukoll il-mawra tal-plejers ra©uni g˙elbet u ç-ÇiniΩi ddeçidew tat-table tennis ÇiniΩi liema mawra li se jissoktaw bl-iskeda tag˙hom flkienet sponsorjata mill-G˙aqda tat- Awstralja sakemm it-TajwaniΩi Table Tennis Awstraljana. jΩommu l’bog˙od minnhom. Ma setax jonqos g˙alhekk li lFinalment ma deherx li kien hemm Kummissjoni G˙olja Maltija fl-Aw- xi tentattiv biex ti©i mxekkla din iΩstralja ta˙t Joe Forace tkun in- Ωjara min-na˙a Awstraljana iΩda voluta serjament f’din iΩ-Ωjara kienet wa˙da minn dawk il-koinçimin˙abba li ç-ÇiniΩi kienu aktar denzi li ji©ru min˙abba nuqqas ta’ jafdaw lilna milli lill-Awstraljani. komunikazzjoni. Niftakar sewwa It-tensjoni fil-motel tul il-©img˙a li meta waslu ç-Çin- ç-ÇiniΩi damu f’Sydney baqg˙et iΩi f’Sydney. Sirna wa˙da ta’ sigurta` stretta. Fidnafu li fil-fatt waqt da˙la tal-motel kien hemm l-uffiçli kien hemm is- jali tas-sigurta` Awstraljana g˙assa solitu plejers, iΩda l-˙in kollu. din kienet delegazDak iΩ-Ωmien il-Konsulat Malti zjoni g˙olja biex te- mank kellu karozza jew allowances Ωamina fuq il-post u kollox kien isir bit-tqançiç. Kont is-sitwazzjoni poli- nag˙mel uΩu mill-karozza tieg˙i li tika. kienet fl-a˙˙ar Ωmenijiet tag˙ha. Id-delegazzjoni Çi- Minn xi daqqiet meta kont nistartniΩa okkupat kom- jaha, il-karozza kienet tag˙mel ˙oss pletament motel f’- qisu xi ˙add qed jispara xi tir (backWoollahra quddiem fire). Centennial Park, Darba minnhom f’kemm ili ng˙id ftit bog˙od mill- sibt ru˙i mdawwar bl-uffiçjali tasqalba ta’ Sydney. sigurta` hekk kif ittantajt no˙ro© B˙ala Konslu Malti mill-motel g˙ax ˙asbu li qed jispara fi NSW ©ejt imqab- xi senter. Tg˙idx kemm wissewni bad noqg˙od mag˙- biex ng˙id lill-Gvern jixtrili karozza hom u ma n˙alli- a˙jar. Mur g˙idilhom li dik ilhomx we˙idom im- karozza kienet tieg˙i personali g˙ax qar g˙al mument dak iz-zmien kien wie˙ed tal-“l-iswie˙ed. sikar taç-çintorin” u mhux iΩ-Ωmien Kollox kien miexi tal-“money no problem”! 4 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Messa©© f’Jum l-emigranti u r-refu©jati’... Knisja bla fruntieri: Omm ta’ kul˙add J um l-emigranti u r-refu©jati’ fil-Knisja Kattollika dejjem ji©i ççelebrat fit-tielet Óadd ta’ Jannar. Dan ikun iΩ-Ωmien meta nkunu ˙er©in mill-festi tal-Milied u bdejna s-Sena l-Ìdida kollna tama li din tkun a˙jar minn ta’ qabel. A˙na lkoll nafu li l-istorja tal-Milied, it-twelid ta’ Ìesu` Bambin, g˙alkemm hi ©rajja ˙elwa u kollha fer˙ imma hemm ukoll dak li hu Il-poster ma˙ru© inqas sabi˙ fiha, b˙al meta Marija g˙all-okkaΩjoni ma sabitx min jilqag˙ha f’dak ilmill-Kummissjoni mument li kienet waslet biex Emigranti ta’ Malta twelled. Nafu wkoll li l-istorja tatDun Alfred Vella twelid ta’ Ìesu` ma spiççatx fl(L-awtur tal-messa©©, u dig˙ar ta’ Betlehem imma fil-˙arba rettur tal-Kummissjoni Emtal-Familja Mqaddsa lejn l-E©ittu. study has put Australia’s national carrier, Qanigranti, u f‘isem Mons. Kellhom jg˙addu mill-esperjenza Philip Calleja, president taltas, at the top of their latest safety rankings for ta’ tant refu©jati li ja˙arbu u jdabthe world’s airlines. Airlinerankings.com, which istess Kummissjoni) bru rashom quddiem l-g˙adu li ried was launched in 2013, rated the Australian airline jag˙mel ˙erba mill-˙ajja ta’ Ìesu`. as the world’s safest back in 2013. Sfortunatament din l-esperjenza g˙adhom g˙addejjin minna In its latest research, which monitored a total of tant u tant persuni f’kull na˙a tad-dinja. Din hi esperjenza 449 airlines, Qantas once again took the top spot qarsa u li ma t˙alli l-ebda tog˙ma tajba, aktar u aktar meta according to seven specific safety criteria. They indawn l-istess persuni ma jkunux milqug˙in fil-pajjiΩ li fih jaslu clude whether the airline has an IOSA (International Air Transport Association operational safety u jfittxu kenn. Hemm ukoll id-diffikulta` l-o˙ra li jdumu, jew audit) certification, whether it is on the European ma jkun hemm qatt il-mument g˙alihom li jisbu stabbilita`. Union Blacklist, whether it is endorsed by the FedL-emigranti ˙utna g˙addew mill-esperjenza kiefra li kellhom eral Aviation Authority, whether the country of orii˙allu art twelidhom. Kienet diffiçli biex jibdew ˙ajja ©dida f’art gin meets all the safety parameters of the barranija imma fl-a˙˙ar irnexxielhom jag˙mlu suççess g˙alihom International Civil Aviation Organisation, and u g˙all-familja tag˙hom. whether the airline’s fleet has been grounded due Dan jag˙tina ˙afna sodisfazzjon, imma xorta jibqa’ l-fatt li to safety concerns. dawn ˙utna Maltin, minkejja l-meΩΩi moderni tal-komunikazA star is also taken off the total rating if the airline zjoni, huma mbeg˙din minna. Il-Maltin tat-tieni, it-tielet u loperates only Russian-built aircraft. ©enerazzjonijiet l-o˙ra illum huma parti mill-poplu li twieldu u The editors at Airlinerankings.com praised Qantas g˙exu fih g˙alkemm g˙andhom l-g˙eruq tag˙hom Maltin. for its “fatality-free record in the jet era”, as well ‘Jum l-Emigranti u r-Refu©jati’, kien okkaΩΩjoni g˙alina lkoll as its “extraordinary record of firsts in safety and biex niftakru u nitolbu g˙al dawn ˙utna kollha. Il-Papa operations”, adding that it “is now accepted as the Fran©isku g˙andu ˙afna g˙al qalbu dawn il-persuni u filworld’s most experienced airline”. messa©© tieg˙u g˙al dik il-©urnata, din is-sena riedna na˙sbu The 10 safest airlines (in alphabetical order) are: dwar li l-Knisja g˙andha tkun bla fruntieri u omm g˙al kul˙add. Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific A˙na ning˙aqdu ma’ dan il-˙sieb tal-Papa biex nitolbu Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, g˙alikom ˙utna Maltin, u fl-istess ˙in in˙e©©ukom biex Finnair, Lufthansa, Qantas and Singapore Airlines. ting˙aqdu mag˙na u tiftakru fittalb tag˙kom biex a˙na, l-Kummissjoni Emigranti, inkomplu l-missjoni tag˙na mill-a˙jar li The Maltese community in NSW says: nistg˙u b’riΩq ˙utna li qeg˙din nilqg˙u f’art twelidna. Artna li hi fil-bieb tal-Ewropa hi f’post vulnerabbli ˙afna u jolqotna ˙afna dan il-fenomenu. BilSunday, 25 January 2015 at the Holroyd Centre kura©© kollu rridu naffrontaw din is-sitwazzjoni tar-refu©jati u fl-ist17 Miller Street Merrylands (parking on site) ess ˙in nibqg˙u nservu ta’ ˙olqa An afternoon of celebration from 3.30pm mag˙kom Maltin ˙utna ‘l barra Special Guest: Dr Barry York OAM minn xtutna. Din hi missjoni li dejjem g˙amilna bil-qalb blAll welcome Entrance free. Light refreshments provided. im˙abba t’Alla u f’isem il-Knisja. Nixtiequlkom sa˙˙a u barka matOrganised by theMaltese Community Council of NSW ul is-sena kollha li g˙adna nibdew. Qantas is World’s Safest A We are One but We are Many Thank you Australia AUSTRALIA DAY 2015 The Voice of the Maltese 5 Tuesday January 20, 2015 Your Maltese Identity Maltese-Australians' Youth Committee (NSW) - Your Maltese Identity Survey 2015 T he Maltese-Australians' Youth Committee MAYC (NSW) which is a sub committee of La Valette, is compiling an online survey in regards to Maltese identity in Australia, also addressing three main points of the Maltese language in Australia, dual citizenship/Maltese passport, and cultural and sporting festivals for Maltese in Australia. The survey's results will help them to write up the paper that the group would be presenting to Maltese government officials in Malta at the 4th Convention for Maltese Living Abroad to be held in April in the Maltese capital, Valletta, as well as to help them gauge ideas for what the younger Maltese of our community are willing to do to keep it alive. The MAYC says that this is one’s chance to tell them about what matters to the Maltese-Australians living in Australia. All ages are welcome to complete this survey. The information resulting from this survey will be used to formulate a research paper on matters that are important to Maltese living outside of Malta, and enable them to put forward recommendations to Maltese Government officials to ensure the longevity of Maltese culture in Australia. MAYC will also be using the information to help them engage with the younger Maltese generations in our existing community. MAYC sees this as a rare and valuable opportunity to showcase and promote our Maltese-Australians to other Maltese Delegates at the last Convention for Maltese Living Abroad in March 2010 sharing a light moment The Convention for Maltese Living Abroad The Convention for Maltese Living Abroad is held every five years in Valletta, Malta, and is run by the island’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Delegates from MAYC have also been chosen to represent Australians among the Maltese diaspora and their interests at this international convention, marking a great opportunity to promote and address their concerns and passion for our heritage and identity. This convention invites the Maltese diaspora from all over the world to gather in Malta and discuss pertinent issues that affect our national and international identity, and strategies that seek to promote the survival of our culture in diaspora contexts. from all over the world. Further, it allows the younger Maltese-Australian generations to connect with the existing international Maltese community, and ensure its continuity in future generations. Explaining more about the paper they will be presenting at the convention, MAYC told The Voice: “Our paper posits our concerns for our Maltese community in Australia today. MAYC envisions new perspectives in forging resilient communities of Maltese-Australian youth, whilst seeking to integrate our efforts with the extant Maltese community. “This paper will address three areas that are in dire need of attention: 1) The reciprocal benefits of dual citizenship, and promoting these to Maltese-Australian youth; 2) Establishing networks between Australian and Maltese educational institutions, promoting study and exchange partnerships between universities, and highlighting the opportunity of Australian-Maltese High School Students to study Maltese language for their Higher School Certificate in Australia; 3) Forming partnerships between the Maltese and Australian Governments to promote Maltese culture in Australia, including creative arts and sports festivals featuring Maltese and Maltese-Australian artists, and promoting tourism for Australian-Maltese to visit Malta. “This survey will be based on the above three points in aid of voicing our needs as Maltese in Australia at the Convention for Maltese Living Abroad 2015.” The Voice of the Maltese is supporting MAYC’s inititive. We appeal to our readers to help them in their survey, the results of which would greatly benefit the Maltese community. To complete the survey one should go to this link on the Internet: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/maycnsw. Then click on the "next" button below the introduction. All responses should be submitted by midnight Sunday January 25. A proud sponsor of The Voice of the Maltese website: www.breakawaytravel.com.au Breakaway Travel 94 corner of Main & Campbell Streets, Blacktown NSW for all your travel needs. Tel (02) 9622 7799 [email protected] 6 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 National holidays in Malta represent important historical events or milestones Thousands of MalteseAustralians, particularly those born in Malta, but not only, who decide to spend their holidays in the Maltese islands, tend to plan their long vacations on dates that either coincide with a local public holiday, or with the celebrations of “their” village or town feast. They are normally occasions during which they try to meet a lot of familiar faces from their childhood days. When it comes to Maltese public holidays they all have a special significance for these islands. They commemorate specific events that marked dramatic change in the Maltese islands either religious or historical. Malta has five national holidays: Independence Day, Republic Day, Freedom Day, Feast of Our Lady of Victories and Sette Giugno. Public holidays in Malta are mostly linked to religious feasts dating back to many years of tradition, they being, New Years’ Day, Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck, Feast of St. Joseph, Good Friday, Workers’ Day, Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Feast of the Assumption, Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas Day. Below is information about these days in 2015, starting with a feast that has a lot of religious significance and kicks off the celebrations. February 10 - Feast of St. Paul It is mentioned in the Catholic bible that St. Paul landed in Malta on his way to Rome when the ship carryng him to be sentenced and later martyrd, was shipwrecked during a heavy storm back in A.D. 60. Paul stayed on the island for three months through the winter where he met the Roman governor on the island, Publius (later St Publius). At the time the Maltese were pagan, but after his meeting with St Paul, Publius converted to Christianity and was ordained as the first bishop of Malta. The Maltese chose this day to remember thevisit. After so many centuries St. Paul still remains very much loved by the local people and is recognised as the Father of Catholic Malta. March 19 - Feast of St. Joseph Though not having a direct connection with the country, the feast of St. Joseph is very important for the Catholic church in Malta, particularly as he was the husband of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus and the stepfather of Jesus. The feast is also a public holiday. The feast is enthusiastically celebrated in Rabat with a procession with the statue of St. Joseph that is carried around the town in the evening and as in most other feasts, with band marches and a fireworks display. March 29 - Good Friday This very important day in the Christian tradition commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Malta, there are many traditions related to this period of reflection, but on the day people mostly visit one of the 14 towns and villages that hold Good Friday pageants in the evening. These pageants take the form of long processions with artistic statues portraying scenes from the passion of the Christ, and a good number of people dressed in epic costumes representing characters from the Bible. March 31 - Freedom day This important and historic milestone commemorates the year in 1979 of the complete withdrawal of the British military basis and Royal Navy from Malta. For so many centuries many foreign countries had dominated the islands. Freedom Day ended that and Malta really became free to fend for itself. To mark the day a Freedom Day monument was built at Birgu (Vittoriosa), close to where the last British troops left Malta. May 1 - Worker’s Day Malta celebrates Workers’ day - also known as the feast of St Joseph the Worker - with many the other countries, promoting solidarity amongst workers and employees, and a healthier working environment. For Malta, the 1st of May has an additional meaning, the anniversary of the island becoming a full member of the EU June 7 - Sette Giugno This day commemorates the riots by the Maltese during the British rule June 7, 1919. Soon after the end of World War l there were price hikes on the island that angered the workers. As such they rioted in Valletta against British departments, and against local food importers for their excessive prices on commodities that earned them excessive profits. The Maltese also wanted to a representative government through which they could communicate their needs and start to upgrade the living state of the population. During the riots in Valletta, British troops fired on and killed four Maltese men. As a result of the riots the British were forced to make changes and handed the Maltese Assembly the responsibility for local affairs. The day is considered to be the first step that sparked the island’s independence process from British rule. It became known as Sette Guigno because at the time, the language was predominantly Italian. Part two in the nex issue Tuesday January 20, 2015 Id-disgrazzja tar-Royal Charter The Voice of the Maltese 7 (it-tieni u l-a˙˙ar parti) Jeg˙rqu madwar 430; Isalvaw biss 39 I l-katavri ta’ li mietu fit-tra©edja tal-vapur Royal Charter ittellg˙u l-art u wara ©ew midfuna f’çimiterji f’ra˙al qrib Moelfre. Fit-2 ta’ Novembru l-awtoritajiet fet˙u nkjesta ˙alli kitba ta’ jaraw il-ka©un tatJoe R. Scicluna tragedja. membru tal-g˙aqda Kien hemm li ing˙ata dan lmin qal li lunur. kaptan seta’ Fl-24 ta’ Ottubru kien ipppro2009 fir-ra˙al ta’ va jda˙˙al ilMoelfre, il-150 sena bastiment Pittura tal-g˙arqa tar-Royal Charter li mid-disgrazzja targ˙all-kenn Charter tinsab fil-Librerija statali ta’ Queensland Royal f’xi port qrib tpo©©iet plakka talsakemm war l-ib˙ra tar-Renju bronΩ li turi lil xbiha ta’ GuΩeppi Rugtg˙addi tUnit. gier jixxabbat mal-blat. Fuq wara hemm tempesta, Fost li salvaw jing˙ad li imnaqqax: Joe Rodgers A hero of the jew li kien kien hemm il-ba˙ri Geo- Royal Charter. Ta˙t hemm is-salib bi hemm millrge Suiacar x’aktar ta’ tmien ponot ta’ Malta. passi©©ieri li nisel Malti gej minn faMin kien tassew ÌuΩeppi Ruggier? xtaqu jaslu milja bl-isem ta’ Cassar. Huwa twieled il-Birgu fl-1829. Kien gej Liverpool Xahrejn wara li se˙˙et minn familja ta’ ba˙˙ara. Meta telaq wara xahrejn l-g˙arqa tar-Royal Char- minn Malta mbarka fuq bastimenti fuq il-ba˙ar ter, il-kittieb Charles Merkantili, u g˙al xi Ωmien ˙adem fuq ilu kien g˙alDickens mar Anglesey u vapur tal-passi©©ieri l-SS Great Britain hekk li l-vakiteb fid-dettal dak li li kien jivvja©©a bejn Liverpool u Melpur baqa’ sekien se˙˙. L-istorja ©iet bourne. Monument Ωg˙ir f’Molfre jjer fuq irimbag˙ad ippubblikata Fis-7 ta’ April tal-1860 wasal l-Awstralja li jfakkar id-disgrazzja rotta. fil-gazzetta The Uncom- u ©ie milqug˙ b˙ala eroj u mog˙ti somma Kienu biss mercial Traveller. Ωg˙ira ta’ flus tad-deheb b˙ala rikonoxxi39 li salvaw l-g˙arqa tar-Royal Charter, Fl-1860, Henry Nelson O’Neil, ˙abib ment g˙al dak li kien g˙amel. filwaqt li ma kienx possibbli li jsir ta’ Dickens kien ukoll pen©a kwadru li Meta ˙alla l-ba˙ar ÌuΩeppi beda mag˙ruf eΩatt kemm intilfu nies, fih inkluda l-figura ta’ ÌuΩeppi Ruggier ja˙dem f’˙anut tax-xorb li kellu fing˙aliex il-lista tal passi©©ieri kienet in- b’˙abel marbut ma qaddu, lest biex na˙a t’isfel ta’ ‘Water Street’ f’Livertilfet mat-tifrik. jaqbeΩ fil-ba˙ar minn fuq il-bastiment, pool, u kultant kien isuq lança fuq Ba˙ri li rnexxilu jsalva kien qal li sema’ u semmieg˙ A Volunteer. ix-xmara Mersey. lil wie˙ed mill-uffiçjali abbord jg˙id li Il-©rajja bag˙qet tissemma g˙all-fatt li Fl-a˙˙ar Ωmien ta’ ˙ajtu kien jie˙u l-bastiment kien qed i©orr ukoll nofs kienu mietu ˙afna passi©©ieri u wkoll ˙sieb il-vapur Great Britain jirrakkonta miljun lira sterlina f’deheb u flus. g˙ax il-bastiment kien qed i©orr kwan- lit-turisti li kienu jΩuruh stejjer u avvenMeta nstemg˙u x-xiehda kollha u tita` kbira ta’ flus tad-deheb. imenti ta’ meta kien fuq il-ba˙ar. Qatt ntemmet l-inkjesta l-kaptan ma nstabx L-a˙bar tad-disgrazzja dehret fl-Illus- ma re©a’ lura Malta. Hu miet fl-isptar ta’ li kien responsabbli g˙al li se˙˙, anzi trated London News tas-26 ta’ Novemg˙amel dak kollu li seta’ biex jevita dik bru 1859. Ippubblikat ukoll ir-ritratt Liverpool fl-eta’ ta’ 68 sena fl-10 ta’ Settembru tal-1897 u ©ie midfun fiç-çimiid-disgrazzja. tal-ba˙ri Malti, ÌuΩeppi Ruggier. terju kattoliku ta’ l-istess belt. Hekk kellu jkun id-destin tar Royal Il-©rajja ©iet ukoll irrappurtata filMitt sena wara, f’Ottubru 1959, il-vapur Charter li ©ie stmat li sewa l-˙ajja ta’ British Worker li kienet to˙ro© darba Hindlea inqabad f’maltempata madwar 430 persuna. Ftit il bog˙od fix-xahar. Din sej˙et lil Ruggier b˙ala tat-tag˙bija kwaΩi fl-istess post tar-Royal Charter ‘. minn fejn ˙abat u tkisser mal-blat, kien Rogers, ippubbikat ir-ritratt tieg˙u, u Imma lança tas-salvatagg la˙qet ˙ar©et filhemm bajja baxxa biç-çag˙aq. Li kieku kitbet dwar il-©rajja ta˙t ir-ras: Joseph pront mir-ra˙al ta’ Moelfre u salvat lill-ekr-ri˙ ©ibed il-bastiment lejha x’aktarx li Rodgers, The hero of the Royal Çharter. wipa©© kollu minn ˙alq il-mewt. ma kienx jitfarrak g˙ax seta’ jispiçça Ta˙t ir-ritratt kitbet, “Dan hu l-ba˙ri mkaxkar u jinkalja fuqha. Kien ukoll qalbieni li g˙am u wassal ˙abel lejn ix- Referenzi ikun qrib biΩΩejjed biex il-passi©©ieri xatt biex 39 persuna ©ew salvati fl- Raymond Aguis.com/maltese/ruggier. Hero of the Royal Charter - Joe Rodgers-GuΩeppi Ruggier Royal jaqbΩu g˙al fuq il-bajja u jsalvaw. g˙arqa tar-Royal Charter. Lifeboat List – Gold Medal 1959 F’dik it-tempesta bejn il-lejl tal-25 u sRaymond Aguis: Charles Dickens and a Maltese ÌuΩeppi Ruggier onorat Seaman - The Times February 2012 seb˙ tas-26 ta’ Ottubru, kienu g˙erqu Alexander Mckee: The Golden Wreck – the most dismal-130 vapur Ωg˙ir ie˙or, filwaqt li Xi snin ilu l-©rajja ©ie ukoll ippubb- astrous shipwreck in Welsh History kwaΩi elf biçç’o˙ra tal-ba˙ar, sofrew likata fil-Lifeboat Magazine u ng˙ad li Chris & Lesley Heldon: Life and death of the Royal ˙sarat kbar. Ftit aktar minn 800 persuna Ruggier kien ©ie onorat bil-midalja tad- Charter . The true story of the Treasure Ship wrecked Anglesey tilfu ˙ajjithom, kwaΩi d-doppju ta’ deheb tar-Royal National Lifeboat Insti- on Charles Dickens: The Uncommercial Traveller dawk li g˙erqu s-sena ta’ qabel mad- tution. X’aktarx kien l-unika li ma kienx (Everyman’s Library) 8 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Your letters/ L-ittri tag˙kom ... Crimes of so-called Islamists hurting even their own people The Voice of the Maltese on nlliin ne e m ma ag ga az ziin ne e o is is a bi-lingual (in English and Maltese) fortnightly online publication specifically targeting all Maltese living abroad with emphasis on the Australian scene. is online magazine is sent via email by request. Subscription is free. Editors: Malta: Joseph Cutajar Australia: Lawrence Dimech: MOM, OAM, JP email address: [email protected] Letters for publication in The Voice either in Maltese or English should be e-mailed to: [email protected]. Now you can also join us on facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese Chris Muscat from Balmoral, Victoria writes: I wish to comment on the most recent criminal act by Islamic extremists in France that killed 17 innocent people in an attack on the French satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine. I have many Muslim friends who have never did any harm to others. It frightens me to think that because of the killings by criminals calling themselves Islamists, they are being subjected to insults by some of their own neighbours who know them as honest to God people. I myself consider myself as a devout Roman Catholic but I have studied about most of the world’s religions. I respect them all as they all stand for the respect of human beings and the Almighty. They also all stand for love and peace. Unfortunately, since way back, humans have been using religions the way it suits them, and quite often commit wrong doings as an excuse to cover their misdemeanours. This is not reserved to the modern times or just to Islamist extremists. Since way back, the Christians too were guilty of inflicting death on others for the sake or religion. Remember the Christian Crusades? Some Islamic terrorists even claim that their terrorist attacks are revenge for what Christians did in the crusades. In fact, I do not believe the crusades should be referred to as the "Christian crusades". Most of the people involved in the crusades were not Christians...though they claimed to be. By the actions of many of the crusaders, they abused, misused, and blasphemed the name of Christ. Having said that, and following the recent terrorism my heart goes not only to the victims, but also to those of the Muslim faith. By their heinous behaviour the extremists are giving such a bad name to their religion. As such many who profess Islam have become targets and are afraid to even say they belong to that religion. One is bound to find extremists everywhere. Among the books in my office I have copies of the Bible, and the Koran. Sometimes people who visit me find it strange that as a Christian, I should also have a copy of the Koran. Little do they know there are similarities between our religions. On the other hand due to the recent atrocities, I don’t much blame those who might think so badly of the Islamic religion. It only takes one incident – in this case many – for many people to look at Islam as that which hates other human beings and wants to eradicate those of a different faith. These terrorists who use religion the way it suits them are the scum of the earth. They don’t care about other people, not even those who belong to their own. ISIS is a case in point, so too Al Qaeda. They just kill, be they Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Orthodox, even Muslims themselves. Their crimes target the freedom of expression and are mostly an insult to the teachings of their founder, Prophet Mohammad and the Ilam. No wonder that their behaviour is condemned by the entire world. It is worth repeating here, the statement by an Imam in Malta after the recent killings in cold blood of 16 people in France. He said that the Islamic world condemns them “irrespective of the identity of the perpetrators, their ideology or their motive”. He added that revering and loving Muhammad was not expressed by violence and bloodshed but by showing and materialising the true values of respect for the sanctity of the human life, tolerance and peaceful coexistence between cultures. “This heinous assault is a blow against the good relations between the French people and the Islamic world and the noble support of the French people for the Islamic just causes especially the Palestinian cause. “This coward attack is against Islam and Muslims because it damages the image of Islam, fuels Islamophobia, hatred and injustice against the peaceful and innocent mainstream Muslims,” he said. The Voice of the Maltese 9 Tuesday January 20, 2015 Have your say/Xi trid tghid? Soluzzjoni ta’ malajr Anthony Borg minn Blair Athol SA jikteb: an l-a˙˙ar kelli diffikulta’ kif se napplika g˙all-passaport Malti min˙abba li llum biex takkwista passaport Malti trid tmur personali fl-uffiççju talGvern u a˙na hawn f’South Australia, g˙alkemm g˙andna Ωew© Konslijiet Onorarji m’g˙andniex uffiççju u allura rridu mmoru Melbourne. Jien sibt min jag˙tini parir tajjeb u g˙aqli. Il-parir li ksibt kien wie˙ed sempliçi. Jien g˙andi passaport Awstraljan g˙alhekk biex ma nonfoqx ˙afna flus biex nivvja©©a g˙all-Melbourne se napplika g˙all-passaport Malti meta nkun Malta. Daqshekk hija façli s-soluzzjoni tal-problema li kif qaluli nholqot seba’ snin ilu meta l-Gvern Malti da˙˙al is-sistema tal-passaporti biometriçi. Issa dawk li l-passaport Malti rriduh biss biex immorru lejn l-Ewropa ng˙idilhom jag˙mlu zforz u l-ewwel iΩuru Malta, g˙ax “Europe starts in Malta”. D /2 Il-kaΩ misterjuΩ ta’ Monis Brian Tonna minn Blacktown NSW jikteb: A ktar ma naqraw dwar il-misteru ta’ Man Haron Monis li nqatel ma’ tnejn o˙ra fl-assedju ta’ Lindt Café, Martin Place Sydney wara li Ωamm 18il-ru˙ osta©©i, aktar qed jitqajjmu suspetti. Issa qed jing˙ad li l-ASIO kienu jafu li dan ˙arab u ©ie mog˙ti status ta’ refu©jat g˙ax kien jaf xi sigrieti dwar il-Gvern Iraqqin. G˙alhekk da˙al l-Awstralja b˙ala refu©jat u appo©©at mill-Amnesty International. Mhux biss, imma huwa wkoll allegat li Monis ˙adem mal-forzi tas-Sigurta’ fl-Iraq. Tinten l-affari! Foris kien g˙alhekk li l-awtoritajiet ma warrbuhx min-nofs, u g˙alhekk kellu ˙afna arja? Rakkont interessanti The Presepju at Kurnell Emanuel Farrugia, minn Bayswater, Perth, WA jikteb: T g˙idx kemm ˙adt gost ˙afna naqra r-rakkont dwar l-g˙arqa tal-bastiment Royal Charter. Xi snin ilu meta kont ng˙ix fi Brisbane di©a’kont qrajt xi ˙a©a dwaru, u xi ˙add kien anke wrieni ritratt tal-vapur, imma t-tag˙rif dettaljat li qrajt fl-edizzjoni Nru 92 ta’ The Voice qatag˙li aktar xi kurΩitajiet u ninsab ˙erqan li naqra wkoll it-tieni parti. Stejjer b˙al dawn fejn jissemmew Maltin li ftit li xejn wie˙ed jista’ jisma’ jew jaqra dwarhom, l-ewwelnett g˙aliex mhux kul˙add jaf fejn g˙andu jfittixhom, u anke g˙aliex trid ˙in mhux ˙aΩin biex tfittex dwarhom. Dawn huma artikli li qed jissoktaw jag˙mlu l-magazine mill-aktar interessanti g˙alina li ng˙ixu fl-Awstralja u li ftit jew xejn g˙andna fejn naqraw b˙alhom jekk mhux hawnhekk. Na˙seb li nkun qed nesprimi x-xewqa ta’ ˙afna qarrejja li ninsabu bog˙od minn art twelidna jekk in˙e©©e© biex iΩΩidu ttuna aktar stejjer minn dawn. Ma nafx g˙aliex imma l-istorja ta’ ÌuΩeppi Ruggier fakkritni f’g˙awwiem eroj ie˙or fi Ωmien il-kavallieri, Toni Bajada. g˙ax tg˙id, il-Maltin minn dejjem kienu g˙awwiema ta’ ˙ila. Joe Deguara, from Kurnell NSW, writes: M ay I take this opportunity to thank the Voice of the Maltese for publishing the article “Maltese build Artistic Nativity Scene at Kurnell” in the magazione’s special issue of December 23 (No. 91). I always knew how popular and well read The Voice is, but not to the extent of how many places it reaches, not just in Sydney or other cities in Australia but also all over. While I had the Presepju (nativity crib) open to the public on Christmas Day two carloads of people pulled up and one person said to me he came from Queensland specifically to see this Presepju. They spent the best of three quarters of an hour looking at it, admiring it and taking photos. When I asked this person how come he was visiting from Queensland he told me that the day before he had received The Voice and decided that he had to see this Presepju, so he booked to come to Sydney overnight. Before they left they thanked me and said it was not a waste of money for him to come from Queensland specifically to see my work as it was worth every cent he spent. Another person among the many to visit the Presepju was Father John Briffa. He was more than impressed and congratulated my friend Victor and myself on the display. Once again I hope all those involved with The Voice of the Maltese had a good Christmas and wish you all the very best for the New Year… and keep up with the good work you are doing. 10 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Perspettiva MuΩa ta' Immigrant Malti A version of this series in English may be found in the author's blog at: http://www.ivancauchi. blogspot.com.au Ósibijiet jg˙addu minn rasi Meta nsibni naqa' kwiet ‘Ffarijiet li g˙addew minnhom Dak li ©arrbu n-nanniet Min jaf x'˙asbu huma u jba˙˙ru Waqt li kienu fuq vapur? Fuq mew© xhur tlieta jew erbg˙a Titlaq minnu m'intx se tmur Lejn l-Awstralja qed imorru Dwar id-dinja, bil-maqlub Minn dil-gΩira çkejkna çkejkna 'Il bog˙od iktar tistax tmur? G˙aks u ©u˙ ˙allew warajhom Wara gwerra tal-babaw Jew kastig, sentenza kiefra Mill-pajjiΩ itturufnaw Ûg˙aΩag˙, xju˙, koppji, familji F'din l-avventura flimkien Telqu 'l-arthom, kull ma jafu Óallew bliet, r˙ula, widien Waslu f'kontinent kbir, sbejja˙ Qatt ma kienu mma©inaw Differenti wisq minn arthom Affarijiet li qatt ma raw Óajja Ωgur ma kinetx façli Niesna ©ew biex jistinkaw Óadmu, ˙admu u re©g˙u ˙admu Taw eΩempju fuq li taw Min i˙ott mill-bastimenti Ig˙abbi l-kaxxi tal-kartun Ja˙dem fl-g˙elieqi taz-zokkor Mistrie˙ ftit kemm jista' jkun Ójata f'fabbriki tal-˙wejje© Xi skrivan f'dipartiment Irabbi fniek, ti©ie© bl-eluf Anke jmexxi l-parlament! Wara x-xog˙ol fejn se niltaqg˙u? Ejja mmorru l-klabbijiet Naraw log˙ba tal-Melita Ikla spagetti bil-fniek Nhar il-Óadd itmur quddiesa Reli©jon la tinsieh qatt Festa jag˙mlu lill-qaddisa Banda ddoqq - dak huwa fatt X'wa˙da din kemm Ωmien qed jg˙addi Tfal qed jikbru, Ωg˙ar m'g˙adhomx Dlonk infittxulhom l-iskola Injuranti ma jibqg˙ux kitba ta’ IVAN CAUCHI X'wa˙da din! Tassew qalulna Parir - Malti tkellimhomx Xita ifhmu l-ilma ˙elu F'kamra baxxa ma t˙allihx! Jo˙ro© sejjer ma' dit-tfajla F'kamritu Ωgur ma ssibux Dlonk li jg˙idlek se jiΩΩewwe© Hawn id-dar issa ma jkunx Kull tant Ωmien ner©g˙u nit˙ajru Pellegrina©© 'l mnejn ©ejjin Qantas, BA, Emirati Jum fl-ajru ddum bil-˙in X'bidla din minn sen' g˙all-o˙ra Kemm wasalna d-dar malajr Qatt ma ˙lomna din il-˙a©a NuΩaw don li g˙andu t-tajr X'baqa' fina minn din Malta? Baqa' ng˙id, u Ωgur mhux ftit Post im©awhar ©ewwa qalbna Óbieb, familji u Ωijiet Din l-im˙abb' g˙al Malta l'g˙andna Fit-tfal tag˙na niΩirg˙u Kant, kultura, dik il-lingwa Id-dmir tag˙na li nseddqu Bushfires in South Australia Former Minister to co-ordinate recovery L ocal Recovery Coordinator and former state government minister Karlene Maywald (pictured left) has met councils and agencies affected by the bushfires in South Australia to determine how they can most effectively communicate, consult and engage with the community. The Sampson Flat bushfire destroyed 27 homes and scorched more than 12,500ha before it was declared contained. Ms Maywald said she expected to be kept “extremely busy” in her role co-ordinating tasks, determining who was available and the organisations best placed to help out. “We are not going to tell the community what are the most important jobs, we want them to tell us so we can …get people on their feet as quickly as we can,” she said. Ms Maywald, who has been appointed on an initial six-month contract, said tasks already under way included managing livestock, repairing fencing and dealing with insurance companies. “There are a lot of people with a lot of goodwill out there … and it is important we co-ordinate that desire to help with the jobs that most need to be done,” she said. Some 1356 people have registered to help with the bushfire recovery effort. Volunteering SA and NT chief executive Evelyn O’Loughlin thanked those who had offered their support and urged other people to consider volunteering. “This is the important time because the tasks will become more evident as people return to their properties,” she said. Several Maltese residents were affected by this catastrophic disaster, however, The Voice does not have reports of any fellow Maltese citizens that have lost their properties. Fundraisers for bushfire victims have been held around the state. To donate to the bushfire recovery effort, one should contact Volunteering SA on 1300 782 322 or visit: volunteeringsa.org.au Meanwhile, Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip have recognised the firefighters for their recent efforts in both Victoria and South Australia by sending this message: “Prince Philip and I send our sincere thanks and appreciation to the hundreds of firefighters and community volunteers who have risked their lives to contain the bushfires in South Australia and Victoria. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost their homes and personal possessions in the fires. I commend the courage and fortitude of the men and women who continue to assist with the emergency operations and those who are providing support to the people who are directly affected.” The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 11 MCC Oral history project - Maltese Personalities order to Iourpn rMalteseeserve Australian heritage for posterity, the MCC of NSW has embarked on videorecording the settlement experiences of Maltese personalities. The oral history interviews are conducted in English on Wednesdays mornings. The time taken varies from 60-90 minutes and are done by Mark Caruana, who has been doing such interviews since 1982. At the end of the interview, the person interviewed is asked to do any necessary editing and to furnish four photos to be included in the DVD cover. The MCC will produce seven DVDs, five of which go to the family, one to the MCC Archives and one to the National Library in Canberra. A donation of $50 to cover costs would be appreciated. Anybody wishing to have his settlement history recorded, is requested to contact Emanuel Camilleri on 9822 0228. Government increasing charges for Partner Visa Application As part of a range of measures being made by the Aus- available, such as applying for a visa under the skilled tralian Government to repair the budget and fund policy stream, which generally has quicker processing times. priorities, from January 1 this year, the Australian Gov- One is advised to visit the department’s website for more ernment has announced an increase in Partner Visa Ap- information at: www.immi.gov.au/Work. There is no provision to waive, reduce, or pay a Partner plication Charge. The Voice of the Maltese has been told that this is one of a range of measures that has been intro- or Prospective Marriage visa application charge in instalduced to achieve that objective. ments. For one’s application to be valid it is a legislative The increase will apply to permanent Partner visa sub- requirement that the VAC is paid and assessment of one’s classes (subclasses 100 and 801) and the Prospective Mar- visa application can’t commence until payments have riage Visa (subclass 300), and will apply to Partner visa been made. applications lodged on, or after January 1. As an alternative to the Partner visas, one should instead The government had announced its intention to increase also refer to the skilled pathway where they have suitable the Visa Application Charge in the Mid-Year Economic skills. Generally, skilled visas have quicker processing and Fiscal Outlook on December 15 last year. times. The amount will vary based on Changes to charges are as follows: one’s circumstances. However, one can calculate the total cost for the Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 visa by using the Visa Pricing Table Visa Name Provision Current VAC New VAC at www.immi.gov.au/fees-charges/ Visa Class visa-pricing-table.htm. BS Partner (partner 1124B(2)(a)(vii) table item 1 $4 575 $6,865 This increase will not affect valid permanent) 1124B(2)(a)(vii) table item 2 $2 290 $3,435 applications prior to 1 January 2015. The Visa Pricing Estimator is avail(subclass 801) 1124B(2)(a)(vii) table item 3 $1 145 $1,720 able at http://www.immi.gov.au/ Visas/Pages/Pricing-EstimaBC Partner (partner 1129(2)(a)(ii) table item 1 $3 085 $4,630 tor.aspx permanent) 1129(2)(a)(ii) table item 2 $1 545 $2,320 The new fee will only apply to Part(subclass 100) 1129(2)(a)(ii) table item 3 $770 $1,155 ner visa applications lodged on, or after January 1, 2015. This increase 1215(2)(a) table item 1 will not affect those who had lodged TO Prospective $3 085 $4,630 a valid application prior to that date. 1215(2)(a) table item 2 Marriage $1 545 $2,320 According to the Department of Im1215(2)(a) table item 3 (temporary) $770 $1,155 migration, if one can’t afford the in(subclass 300) creased VAC, there are other options MALTA TRAVEL Incorporating Pendle Hill Travel A division of Felice Travel Pty Ltd ABN 71 073 235 408 Licensed Travel Agent Lic. No 2TA4425 Join Charlie Felice on a Tour of USA West! Its all inclusive - flight, top hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, transfers and insurance! Only 4 couples left! Looking for a single lady. First come first served! Call Charlie on 9631 2689 165 Dunmore St., Wentworthville NSW 2145 Phone: (02) 9631 2689 Fax: (02) 9636 5949 Email: [email protected] Website: www.maltatravel.net.au 12 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Roundup of News About Malta PM outlines principles guiding government in 2015: Continued economic growth based on social justice, creation of opportunities While deploring the January 14 terrorist attacks in Paris that resulted in the killing of 17 innocent people, Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat said that, in the face of such events, people had to stay united and hold strongly to common values. Addressing the diplomatic corps at the exchange of New Year greetings at Castille, Dr Muscat went on to say: “There should be no space in our societies for hate speech, retaliation or prejudice towards any given religion or ethnicity. There can be no room for those who foment disquiet and conflict on presumed religious or racial grounds.” He went on to say that the principles that will be guiding his Cabinet in 2015 would be those of continued economic growth based on social justice and the creation of opportunities. As such, in the coming months the government will capitalise upon the successes registered in the economic field and seek to instil, among the Maltese people, a conviction that their hard work is being rewarded. Mentioning the important commemorations related to historical landmarks linked to Malta’s Independence, the declaration of Malta as a Republic, Freedom Day and membership in the European Union, he said that this reality sums up what his Government would continue to strive for in the year ahead. Referring to the situation in Libya he said Malta would continue to play a construcNP MEPs, Roberta Metsola (left) tive role to ensure that this and Therese Comodini Cachia Dr Joseph Muscat exchanging greetings with US Ambassador to Malta H.E. Gina AbercrombieWinstanley at Castille unsettling chapter in Libyan history was overcome as early as possible for the benefit of the Libyan people. “It is regrettable that the several rounds of peace talks led by the United Nations have been cancelled despite the unwavering efforts being made to bring the parties to the negotiations’ table. “Malta will continue to play its role in supporting those efforts geared at an all-inclusive dialogue that duly addresses the aspirations and concerns of all segments of Libyan society,” he said. Credit rater S&P reaffirms rating for Malta with stable outlook NP leader Busuttil demotes former ministers, I and appoints two MEPs as shadow ministers pposition leader Simon Busuttil has an- spend most of their time in Brussels and not shadnounced a new shadow cabinet that surpris- owing closely the government ministers. O ingly contains two who don’t even have a seat in Meanwhile in a news conference early last week Parliament but are members of the European Parliament. Claiming that prerogative as NP leader was to effect change, he ‘relegated’ former Ministers in the Gonzi government from the front bench promoted three woman MPs for a shadow cabinet 50 percent of which is made up of women. The idea behind Busuttil’s shake-up seems to have been to give a new façade to the party by demoting former ministers blamed by many in the NP for the party’s biggest ever defeat in the polls following murky allegations against them. Seasoned politicians like former finance minister Tonio Fenech, former health minister Joe Cassar, and former resources minister George Pullicino, have all been relegated to just spokespersons. Busuttil described his decision as exercising his prerogative as leader and made the changes necessary to renew the party. He admitted that his decision could hurt some of the former cabinet ministers, and denied that his decision was based on their failure to deliver. Only three former ministers, Mario de Marco, Chris Said and Jason Azzopardi have retained their position Party activists reportedly questioned the inclusion of two MEPs in the new shadow Cabinet and questioned the decision to appoint Roberta Metsola and Therese Comodini Cachia when they Dr Busuttil pointed out that his party’s three political priorities in the first months of this year would be, the high prices for petrol and diesel, the dignity of patients at Mater Dei Hospital and the lack of transparency in public contracts. He said NP wanted to make a difference in the people’s everyday lives, hence the three priorities that had been chosen for the near future. The rest of the shadow mnisters are, Beppe Fenech Adami, Claudio Grech, Marthese Portelli, Claudette Buttigieg, and Paula Mifsud Bonnici. nternational credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P), has confirmed Malta’s BBB+/A-2 long- and short-term rating and reaffirmed the outlook of the Maltese economy as stable. It said that thanks to investments in the energy sector, that are the direct results of government’s economic and energy policies, Malta would continue to grow more quickly than the eurozone. S&P further highlights that it expects Malta to continue to grow more rapidly than the eurozone as whole. Malta’s economic growth expected to equal 3% in 2014 and 2.5% in 2015. It also expects the deficit-to-GDP ratio to fall to 2.1 per cent and 2.0 per cent in 2014 and 2015, respectively MP calls for age of sexual consent be lowered to 16 peaking during adjournment time in S Parliament, former Health Minister and new government Whip Godfrey Far- rugia called for the age of sexual consent to be lowered from 18 to 16, in line with many EU countries and in reflection of a modern and evolving society. He said that apart from Cyprus, where the age of consent is 17, Malta is the only country in the European Union where the age of consent is 18. All the other coun- tries have an age of consent between 14 and 16. Dr Farrugia said the government has worked hard to address social injustices, including the introduction of Civil Unions, the Gender Identity Bill and giving 16year-olds the right to vote. However, the age of consent remains a “social wound” that could lead to abuse and heartache. He said said Maltese society has changed and our laws should keep up. The Voice of the Maltese 13 Tuesday January 20, 2015 Roundup of News About Malta EU survey finds Maltese rely heavily on personal transport A recent survey carried out by Eurobarometer found that that despite having the shortest distances in the European Union, the Maltese are among the highest users of private cars. The survey examined the current means of transport of EU citizens and their attitude towards various transport policy issues. Transport Policy issues have a strong bearing on the quality of our environment and more on the progress a country can make with improving the quality of its air. Transport is an essential component of our every day routine. As a result, it also contributes to our economic development and quality of our environment. The survey clearly shows that in Malta the majority of the citizens rely heavily on private motorised transport, as their vehicles are more luxurious and efficient than public transport. The survey also shows that the Maltese are eager to experience efficient and reliable new modes of transport including the introduction of the new public transport system. Initially, the survey examined the current means of transport that EU citizens used to get around on a daily basis, from using a car or motorbike, to public transport, cycling and walking. The survey also looked at various transport policy issues including the support for payas-you-drive, people’s readiness to buy a cleaner vehicle, reasons for not using public transport and finally about initiatives which can encourage citizens to reduce car usage. No wonder the locals’ real concerns are the traffic congestion that can build up in certain areas of Malta during rush-hour times around Valletta on weekdays and around the Northern localities on weekends. While on average 53% of the EU citizens said that they use a car as their main transport and 22% use the public transport to travel around on a daily basis, in Malta the figures are slightly higher with 65% and 26% re- Maltese among highest users of private cars spectively. Only 6% of Maltese walk it to work, while none of the people interviewed, cycled, to get around. Same as in Malta, the large majority of EU citizens said that they did not use public transport because it was not as convenient as using their personal car and because of a lack of route connections. The Maltese, clearly, did not indicate that the public transport was ‘too expensive’ for them not to make use of it. Those who primarily use their car to get around on a daily basis, asked on proposing improvements that would encourage car users to combine different modes of transport, 79% of the Maltese respondents replied that they would be encouraged to combine different modes of transport if it would be possible to transfer easily from one method of transport to another. Also 69% of the Maltese said that if termi- Maltese to be asked in Referendum whether to retain spring hunting n April 11, voters in Malta would be of the spring hunting season. If the people O asked to decide in a referendum on voted to retain it, the season would be whether spring hunting should be abol- opened immediately. If the people voted to ished. The people would be asked whether they agree that the provisions of the Framework for allowing a derogation opening a Spring Hunting season for Turtle Dove and Quail Regulations should continue in force?' Those wanting spring hunting to be retained should vote Yes, while those wanting the abolition should vote No. The referendum would be held on the eve abolish spring hunting, the season would not be opened. Dr Muscat said that political parties should not directly interfere in the referendum campaign and MPs were free to vote as they wished. He himself gave his personal view saying that consistent with his declarations over the years, he was in favour of spring hunting: “I am consistent with my position and I have an electoral mandate,” he said. nals were more attractive and efficient, they would be more willing to combine the modes of transports. The survey also found that 27% of the Maltese citizens would agree with the proposal of having their existing fixed car fees being replacement by a new scheme of charging that takes into account the car’s actual use. The survey clearly also shows that transport plays a fundamental role in one’s lifestyle. New operators for public transport A s of January 8 this year, Malta’s public transport will be run by a Spanish company. Autobuses de Leon has taken over the bus service retaining the name of Malta Public Transport. It will be using a total of 360 buses, about 100 more than Arriva had. Public Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said there would be one system covering both Malta and Gozo. Addressing a news conference chairman Felipe Cosmen said the changes agreed upon would be implemented gradually over the next year, and that one of the major changes would be in the payment system to be introduced in July that is paying by a card similar to the one used in the UK. The card would be given for free during the first year to encourage as many commuters as possible to have one. New routes and frequencies will be phased in over the coming months and the company will employ 100 new drivers immediately and another 200 by the end of the year. The company will get a government subsidy of €23 million this year, which will go up to €29 million next year. The previous company, Arriva had wanted €45 million for the route network that would eventually be in place. 14 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Referendum dwar il-kaçça fir-Rebbieg˙a: Joseph Muscat: Jien se nivvota “IVA”; Simon Busuttil: Anke jien M eta l-Prim Ministru, Dr Joseph Muscat, ˙abbar id-data tar-referendum dwar jekk g˙andiex issir kaçça fir-Rebbieg˙a u qal li hu kien se jivvota ‘iva’. Ir-referendum u se jsir wara li l-Qorti Kostituzzjonali Maltija qalet li kellu jsir minkejja li l-g˙aqdiet tal-Kaççaturi o©©ezzzjonaw g˙alih tant li da˙lu fil-Qorti biex jippruvaw iwaqqfuh. Filwaqt li qal li hu kien se jivvota favur li lkaçça tibqa’ ssir anke fir-Rebbieg˙a, biex jimxi mal-manifest elettorali, sa˙aq li dan ma kienx jorbot lill-membri Laburisti tal-Parlament li flimkien ma dawk kollha li jappo©©jaw il-PL kienu ˙ielsa li jivvutaw kif iridu. Fil-fatt insista li l-partiti politiçi ma kellhomx jinda˙lu f’dan ir-referendum. Sintendi l-istqarrija ta’ Dr Muscat, li kixef kif kien se jivvota, ˙asdet lil ˙afna, l-aktar meta wie˙ed iqis li din kwestjoni ta˙raq u ©eneralment il-politiçi Maltin ma tantx jo˙or©u jistqarru kif se jivvutaw. G˙alkemm id-dikjrazzjoni tal-Prim Ministru ˙asdet lil xi nies, ma ˙asditx lil Lino Farrugia u Carmel Cacopardo li qed imexxu Ω-Ωew© na˙at tal-munita rigward il-kaçça fir-Rebbieg˙a g˙ax il-Prim Ministru kien ilu jg˙id kif ja˙sibha dwar is-su©©ett u li dejjem kien konsistenti f'dak li qal. Sintendi ma naqsux il-kummenti b’min jallega li bi kliemu l-PM kien qed jibg˙at messa©© lill-partitarji Laburisti kif g˙andhom jivvutaw, filwaqt li o˙rajn insistew li dan g˙amel sewwa li qal kif kien se jivvota. Anke l-artikolista DCG li dejjem tikkritika lill-Prim Ministru, sa˙ansitra nsistiet li kull MP g˙andu jistqarr kif kien se jivvota. L-istqarrija tal-Prim Ministru po©©iet pressjoni fuq il-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni, Simon Busuttil biex hu wkoll g˙all-ewwel darba jg˙id fejn se ixaqleb fil-vot tieg˙u.. xi ˙a©a li ftit li xejn hi façli billi dan qatt ma kien qal kif ja˙sibha hu personalment. Imma ©img˙a wara li l-PN qal li kellu jo˙ro© il-qag˙da tieg˙u wara diskussjonijiet interni fil-Partit, is-Sibt, Simon Busuttil ikkonferma li hu wkoll se jivvota “Iva” ˙alli tibqa’ ti©i applikata d-deroga g˙all-kaçça fir-Rebbieg˙a, g˙ax kien il-PN li l-ewwel kiseb id-deroga mill-UE. Dan ifisser li l-kapijiet taΩ-Ωew© partiti ewlenin se jivvutaw favur. Warajhom, minkejja li ma ©ewx ippressati jimxu mad-deçiΩjoni tal-mexxejja tag˙hom, xi parlamentari o˙ra wkoll taw id-deçiΩjoni tag˙hom. Fil-11 ta’ April, se jsiru ukoll l-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali, u jekk il-partiti politiçi jirnexxielhom iΩommu l-bog˙od mir-referendum dwar il-kaçça, Ωgur li se ikunu nvoluti bil-kbir fil-kampanja dwar l-elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali, li ˙afna drabi jitqiesu ta’ termometru kif ja˙sibha l-poplu. It-tajjeb hu li dawn l-elezzzjonijiet se jsiru fi Ωmien tlett xhur, g˙alhekk mhux se ikollna xi kampanja twila g˙alkemm hawn ikollna kampanja politika s-sena kollha. Jidher li minkejja l-appelli kollha li filkampanja referendali dwar il-kaçça ma jkunx hemm post il-partiti politçi, mhux se ijkun il-kaΩ, g˙ax jidher li di©a` bdiet ittir lewwel xrara ta’ politika. Qabel Busuttil ˙are© jg˙id il-˙sieb tieg˙u, il-Partit Laburista ˙are© jg˙id jg˙id ‘Skiet li jtarrax minn Simon Busuttil dwar ir-referendum,’ billi kien g˙adu ma jaf x’inhi lpoΩizzjoni tieg˙u. Dritt kien wie©eb il-PN li sostna li l-Prim Ministru kiser il-weg˙da tieg˙u g˙ax il-PLu ˙are© stqarrija jattakka lill-Kap tal-OppoΩizzjoni dwar ir-referendum tal-kaçça. Il-PN sostna li kif fil-fatt g˙amel, id-deçiΩjoni ta’ Busuttil ˙ar©et wara diskussjonijiet interni fil-Partit. Il-PL kien sostna li n-nies kellhom dritt ikunu jafu kif ja˙sibha Simon Busuttil g˙ax kellu xhur s˙a˙ biex jiddeçiedi l-poΩizzjoni tieg˙u u ried biss li jilg˙ab g˙all-˙in g˙ax beΩa’jiddeçiedi. Fl-istess waqt il-PL Ωamm l-istess prinçipju li adotta fir-referendum dwar id-divorzju u se jag˙ti vot ˙ieles. “Iva” jew “le”? D awn li qed taraw fir-ritratt huma nies li huma kontra li fir-Rebbieg˙a ssir il-Kaçça. Ilkoll qed i©orru l-kelma ‘Yes”. It-tajba hi li fuq kollox jekk dawn iridu li l-kaçça titne˙˙a fir-Rebbieg˙a, se jkollhom imorru jivvutaw ‘Le” g˙ax fil-fatt il-mistoqsija tarreferendum se tkun jekk wie˙ed jaqbilx li ssir il-kaçça fl-ista©un tar-Rebbieg˙a u jekk dawn jivvutaw “Iva” jkunu qed imorrru kontra dak li tant ilhom jit˙abtu g˙alih. While visiting Malta Stay at: The Diplomat Hotel, 173 Tower Road Sliema Email: [email protected] Tel: (00356) 23497000 Ftit tal-istorja: Bejn l-1870-2011 f’Malta saru ˙ames referenda. O˙ro© il-g˙a©eb f’kull referendu reb˙et l-“IVA”... u did-darba? Qed ng˙ixu aktar! kont id-dokument ‘˙arsa fuq fuq lejn isSa˙˙a: Ewropa 2014’ l-istennija talg˙omor g˙an-nisa la˙qet 82.2 snin fl-2012, imqabbel mas-76.1 g˙all-ir©iel. G˙an-nisa, kienet l-og˙la fi Spanja (85.5 snin), waqt li g˙all-ir©iel kienet l-og˙la flIsvezja (79.9 snin). F’Malta, g˙an-nisa la˙qet it-83 sena u g˙all-ir©iel 78.6 snin. Id-differenza bejn listati membri tal-UE bl-og˙la u l-inqas stennija tal-g˙omor kienet 7.6 snin g˙an-nisa u 11.5 snin g˙all-ir©iel. S The Voice of the Maltese 15 Tuesday January 20, 2015 Mix-xena tal-˙ajja Maltija 2 U issa l-ir©iel! W Mario De Marco Beppe Fenech Adami Chris Said Jason Azzopardi Claudio Grech Marthese Portelli Claudette Buttigieg Paula Mifsud Bonnici Roberta Metsola Therese Comodini Cachia Il-kabinett “dell” nsomma ma nafx f’dan il-kaΩ inkunx qed Ig˙axnittraduçi sew il-kelma ‘shadow’ f’dell, fuq kollox dawn li se nitkellmu dwarhom xejn m’huma ‘dell’, anzi huma nies reali li llum jew g˙ada jistg˙u jkunu Ministri li jmexxu l-Gvern Malti tal-futur. Qed nitkellem dwar il-bidla li g˙amel ilmexxej Nazzjonalista f’dawk li jiffurmaw ix-Shadow Cabinet, fejn mhux biss idda˙˙lu wçu˙ ©odda li sintendi qalg˙u lil dawk li f’Amministrazzjon l-o˙ra kienu Ministri, iΩda sa˙ansitra, nistg˙u ng˙idu li saret l-Istorja. Hija l-ewwel darba li Ωew© persuni li mhumiex fil-Parlament Malti, iΩda biss membri Nazzjonalisti fil-Parlament tal-Unjoni Ewropeja, li ©ew mag˙Ωul biex jiffurmaw partu minn dan il-Kabinett “dell”. B˙as-soltu dawk li malajr jaqbdu l-kompjuter, l-iPad u ma nafx xiex, bdew afajjjru l-kummenti bl-addoçç u sintendi, issa drajniha sewwa li hemm çerti kummentaturi li jaqblu f’kollox mal-Gvern u jfa˙˙ru kull mossa li jag˙mel il-Gvern. Imbag˙ad hemm dawk li dak kollu li jag˙mel ilGvern huwa ˙aΩin u li tag˙mel tag˙mel lOppoΩizzjoni huwa tajjeb. Allura ma naqsux dawk li fa˙˙ru l-bidla li ta’ Busuttil, u sa˙ansitra sostnew li meta g˙amel din il-bidla dan wera kura©© kbir. Min-na˙a l-o˙ra kien hemm min sostna li dan ma g˙amel xejn ta’ barra minn hawn, kif ukoll li bit-tne˙˙ija tal-eks-Ministri, Busuttil ikkonferma li l-kritika li PROFESSIONAL FREIGHT SERVICES PTY. LTD. kienet issir lil dawn Melbourne: (03) 9335 2499 l-eks-Ministri Unit 6, 4-6 Commercial Crt, Tullamarine, Vic., Australia, 3043 kienet ©ustifikata. [email protected] IΩda hu biss iΩSYDNEY, BRISBANE & ADELAIDE TEL: 1300 360 703 www.pfs.net.au Ωmien li jisa’ jurina jekk il-bidla li g˙amel il-Kap tal-Op- PARCEL SERVICE TO MALTA poΩizzjoni kienetx g˙aΩla tajba jew le. - NO WEIGHT LIMIT Is-Saçerdoti g˙andhom jit˙allew JiΩΩew©u? M inn xi daqqiet, fid-diskursati u anke fil-midja, tqum il-mistoqsija dwar jekk il-qassisin g˙andhomx jit˙allew jiΩΩew©u. Din il-mistoqsija saret ˙afna meta bdew iqumu lkaΩijiet fejn membri tal-kleru bdew ji©u mixlija b’abbuΩi seswali fuq it-tfal. Dan billi kien hemm min sostna, g˙alkemm xejn mhu ppruvat, li Ω-Ωwie© jista’ jnaqqas l-inçidenza ta’ abbuΩi b˙al dawn. Dan l-a˙˙ar il-gazzetta ta’ kull nhar ta’ Óadd, il-Kull˙add, g˙amel il-mistoqsija lil membru tal-kleru, lil Patri Hilary Tagliaferro, li hu ferm mag˙ruf fil-qasam tal-isports, kif ukoll g˙all-mod kif jitkellem, ji©fieri li jg˙idha kif i˙ossha. ara li ©iet aççetatta t-talba biex meta jiΩΩeww©u n-nisa jkunu jistg˙u jΩommu kunjomhom, issa waslet id-daqqa tal-ir©iel. Fil-kaΩ tal-mara l-kwestjoni kienet li riedet tibqa’ ΩΩomm kunjomha, fil-kaΩ tar-ra©el, il-Kummissjoni Nazzjonali g˙all-Ugwaljanza ressqet proposta lillGvern biex l-ir©iel jibda ikollhom lg˙aΩla li jie˙du kunjom il-mara meta jiΩΩew©u. B˙alissa, meta koppja eterosesswali tiΩΩewwe©, il-mara tista’ tag˙Ωel li tie˙u kunjom ir-ra©el, li ΩΩomm kunjomha, jew iΩΩid kunjom ir-ragel ma’ tag˙ha. IΩda l-ir©iel m’g˙andhomx g˙aΩla. Issa qed ji©i ssu©©erit li r-ra©el jag˙Ωel jekk jie˙ux kunjom il-mara. Skont ilproposta, wara li tkun ittie˙det iddeçiΩjoni, il-koppja tiddikjara x’kunjom se jing˙ata lill-familja u lit-tfal. Biex tissa˙˙a˙ it-talba qed jing˙ad li t-tibdil g˙andu wkoll l-aspett kulturali, g˙aliex maΩ-Ωmien qed jintilfu bosta kunjomijiet fejn jibqa' ma jkunx hemm ulied maskili. Allura l-kunjom jista’ ma jintilifx jekk ir-ra©el jie˙u kunjom ilmara u dan il-kunjom imbag˙ad ji©i mg˙oddi lill-ulied. Ma nafx jekk din il-proposta ©ietx wara xi pressjoni min-na˙a tal-ir©iel. It-twe©iba tieg˙u kienet: “Iva, is-sacerdoti g˙andu jkollhom g˙aΩla libera fuq iççelibat u jkollhom dritt li jiΩΩew©u wkoll b˙al ˙addie˙or.” Huwa fisser kif, filverità, Kristu g˙aΩel ˙afna miΩΩew©in biex ikunu mieg˙u. Aktar minn hekk, fl-ewwel elf sena tal-Knisja, is-saçerdoti setg˙u jiΩΩew©u, liema drawwa g˙adha sostnuta sal-lum il-©urnata mill-Knisja Ortodossa. IΩda, Fr Hilary enfasizza: “Ilvalur taç-çelibat huwa kbir u importanti fil-Knisja u g˙andu jibqa’ ghal dawk li jridu j˙addnuh.” Tg˙id il-mexxejja tal-Knisja (fil-Vatikan) g˙ad jaslu biex jaççettaw dan??!! - FULL CONTAINERS TO OR FROM MALTA AT COMPETITIVE RATES - AIRFREIGHT SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE - NITKELLMU BIL-MALTI A$ 55.00 A$ 85.00 1 Carton A$120 2 Cartons A$180 3 Cartons A$220 25 x 30 x 25cm 40 x 30 x 45cm 40 x 30 x 45cm *Prices quoted are from receival at our depot to arrival port Malta *Destination Port fees will apply. Storage or duties, if any, may also apply. FOR YOUR FREIGHT REQUIREMENTS FROM MALTA CONTACT AGENTS:- TRISTAR FREIGHT SERVICES LTD AIRWAYS HOUSE 22 TOWER STREET MSIDA MSD 06 MALTA TEL: 21338161 FAX: 21334188 www.tristarmalta.com 16 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 A quick glimpse at Australia Iraq: chaos and confusion ustralian Prime Minister, Tony AbA bott has blasted, in his strongest term yet the US management of Iraq, Australia Day on January 26 O n January 26, 1788, the First Fleet of 11 ships from Great Britain arrived at Port Jackson, which now forms Sydney Harbour. Captain Arthur Philip led the First Fleet. He established the Colony of New South Wales, the first penal colony in Australia. By 1808, January 26 was being celebrated as “First Landing Day” or “Foundation Day” with drinking and merriment. Thirty years after the arrival of the First Fleet, in 1818, the Governor of Australia ordered a 30-gun salute, hosted a dinner ball at Government House and gave government employees a holiday. In the following years, employees of banks and other organisations were also given holidays. In the following decades, horse racing and regattas were popular activities on January 26. In 1838, Foundation Day was Australia's first public holiday. It was also the occasion of the first public celebrations of the founding of Australia. The shores of Sydney Harbour were crowded and there was a firework display. By 1888, January 26 had become known as 'Anniversary Day'. It was celebrated in all colonies except Adelaide. In 1888, the centenary of the arrival of the First Fleet was celebrated with ceremonies, exhibitions, banquets, regattas, fireworks and the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria. By 1935, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales, where it was still called Anniversary Day. In 1938, large-scale celebrations were held. These included a re-enactment of A ustralia has voted against a proposal in the United Nations Security Council demanding Israel end the occupation of Palestine territory within two years. Israel first occupied the West Bank and Gaza, 50 years ago. Australia and the US were the only two countries that voted against the draft reso- the landing of the First Fleet, which did not mention the convict status of many of the passengers on these ships. The re-enactment included the removal of a group of Aborigines. Shortly before the celebrations, a group of Aboriginal activists arranged a “Day of Mourning”. They used this to campaign for citizenship and equal rights for Aborigines. From 1946, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states. However, the public holiday was moved to the Monday nearest to January 26 to create a long weekend. Since 1994, the Australia Day public holiday has been on January 26 in all states and territories. The anniversary of the first permanent European settlement in Australia is not a cause for celebration for all citizens. Indigenous Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them and their culture, which was thriving for thousands of years before the arrival of the First Fleet. No to Palestine lution. It was the first time that Australia has voted against a proposed resolution during a two-year term on Council. Jordan presented the resolution on behalf of the Arab nations. following the 2003 invasion, branding it a period of “chaos and confusion”. Strong words indeed. The Iraq invasion was led by the US administration of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and strongly supported by John Howard, Tony Abbott‘s political mentor. In Bagdad during the Christmas period Tony Abbott hinted he could bolster Australian troops’ numbers in the worn-torn country. At present Australia’s commitment includes 200 special forces advisers and RAAF airstrike, for the fight against the Islamic State group. The Australian PM said that he will deepen further co-operation because Australia is not a country that goes forward seeking foreign fights, but where our vital national interest are threatened, where universal values are at stake, Australia should be a strong partner. Abbott: We will call ISIS “Daesh” he Australian PM has coined anT other name for the terror group Islamic State, the name they hate – Daesh. “I absolutely refuse to refer to it by the title that claims for itself (Islamic State) because I think this is a perversion of religion and a travesty of governance, I never use that term and I would strongly counsel people against ever using the presumptuous title that they have given themselves” said Mr Abbott. Daesh is an acronym formed from the Arabic spelling of the terror group’s name al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi Iraq wa al-Sham. For the opponents of ISIL in Iraq and Syria, the term most used to describe them is daesh therefore, our PM is urging us to follow the French and not call them an Islamic State any more. Eight countries voted in favour of the draft – one short of the nine needed to pass the resolution. Five chose to abstain, including Britain and South Korea. The US is one of the five permanent members of the Council with the power of veto so they would have vetoed the resolution regardless of the outcome. The Voice of the Maltese 17 Tuesday January 20, 2015 A quick glimpse at Australia Queensland state returns to the polls January 31 T he 2015 Queensland state election takes place on January 31 to elect all 89 members of the Legislative Assembly earlier than has been expected. The Liberal National Party, led by Premier Campbell Newman will seek its second term after defeating Labor at the 2012 election in the largest defeat of a sitting government in Queensland history. The LNP won 78 seats - the largest majority government in Queensland history - compared to seven for Labor, two for Katter's Australian Party, and two won by independents. Following Labor's defeat former Premier Anna Bligh resigned as Labor leader and was succeeded by Annastacia Palaszczuk. Months later, Ray More problems for Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek T he new international Airport to be built at Badgerys Creek, Southern Western Sydney has hit another problem this time from UNESCO, the UN’s world heritage body. There could be a threat to the national integrity of the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains was accepted on the World Heritage list in December 2000, when the Liberal/Howard government shelved plans for the airport. The Abbott government in April 2014 revived the airport 24-hour airport project at Badgerys Creek, which is eight kilometres from the World Heritage area. Getting younger he definition of young has shifted the T goalpost according to our photogenic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop. She says, “60 is the new 40. I like to say 30 but that would be ridiculous”. Minister Bishop has called on Australians to better value people aged over 60 as they “Still have a great deal to offer the economy and society. I think it would be good for there to be an acknowledgement that experience and the wisdom that comes from experience actually should count more than it does” she quipped. UNESCO repeatedly rejected Australia’s nomination of the Blue Mountains for World Heritage status between 1999 and 2000 citing plans that were being considered by the then Howard government. Sydney’s second airport has a history that goes back to 1965. In 1979, Badgerys Creek was first identified for a second airport. Annastacia Palaszczuk Hopper left the LNP to lead Katter's Australian Party while two further LNP MPs became independents, resulting in a total of 75 LNP seats, seven Labor seats, three Katter seats and five independent seats. Two by-elections saw Labor defeat the LNP, reducing the LNP to 73 seats with Labor on 9 seats. Annastacia Palaszczuk, born in 1969 is of German/Polish stock. Her father was elected to Qld Parliament in 1983. Served as Speaker and also served as Minister in Goss and Beattie Governments. Palaszczuk was also a Minister in Anna Bligh’s last government. Since the 2010 election the Newman government has lost two subsequent by-elections by huge margins after cutting 14,000 public service jobs in a Queensland dependent on the government largesse and the vanishing resource boom. The latest Newspoll, published by the Australian has show Newman’s satisfaction rating of 38% was well short of his dissatisfaction level of 51%, but the premier held a nine-point lead over Palaszczuk as preferred leader. The poll also showed Labor and the LNP level at 50% on a two-party-preferred basis, although political commentators said the number of seats required to change hands remained a tall order for Palaszczuk as she faces her biggest test yet in Queensland MICHELLE ROWLAND MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY Proudly serving the areas of: Acacia Gardens, Blacktown*, Girraween, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Pendle Hill, Prospect*, Quakers Hill*, Riverstone, Rouse Hill*, Schofields, Seven Hills, Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie*, Vineyard *Parts of 230 Prospect Hwy, Seven Hills 2147 Ph: 9671 4780 Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/mrowlandmp Twitter: @mrowlandmp 18 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Kumitat ©did g˙all-programmi Maltin tar-radju 3ZZZ f’Melbourne M al-Awstralja kollha hawn g˙add ta’ stazzjonijiet tarradju u t-televizjoni. Hawn ukoll g˙add ta’ radjijiet li speçifikament jimmiraw lejn semmieg˙a Maltin. Fost dawn ta’ min isemmi rRadju Komunitarju 3ZZZ li jxandar minn Melbourne programmi b’aktar minn 60 Ilsien differenti, fosthom ilMalti. Increase in passengers between Malta, Gozo C ompared to the corresponding period of 2013, the National Statistics Office noted that in the fourth quarter of 2014 sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered increases in vehicles and passengers and a decrease in trips. A total of 1,040,122 passengers travelled between the two Maltese islands in the last three months of 2014, up by 1.8 per cent when compared to the corresponding period last year. The highest number of passengers was recorded in October – 406,077, or 39.0 per cent of the total for the quarter. The number of vehicles increased by 3.8 per cent, totalling 298,695. The number of trips in October-December 2014 stood at 4,750, a decrease of 0.5 per cent over the same period in 2013. In November 2014, the relative drop in the number of trips and passengers was mainly attributable to the extraordinary demand and supply generated by the Free Travel to Gozo Weekend 15-17 November 2013. Fuq dan l-istazzjon il-Maltin g˙andhom tlett programmi ta’ sieg˙a kull wie˙ed fil- ©img˙a. Dawn jixxandru nhar ta’ Tnejn u l-Ìimg˙a fil-5.00 p.m., u s-Sibt fl-10.00 a.m. Barra minhekk g˙andhom programm ie˙or kull l-a˙˙ar Erbg˙a taxxahar fis-1.00 p.m. Ix-xandara fuq dan l-istazzjon li jtellg˙u l-programmi bil-Malti huma, Lewis Stafrace, Mario Sammut, Emmanuel Brincat u Paul Vella. It-3ZZZ huwa l-aktar stazzjon komunitarju tar-radju f’Melbourne li g˙andu xandara voluntieri u l-programmi tieg˙u jistg˙u jinstemg˙u ma’ Victoria kollha. Mhux biss, imma jistg˙u wkoll jinstemg˙u minn fuq linternett, kemm b’mod dirett, jew differit, sa minn sieg˙a wara li jixxandar il-programm. Jibqa’ hemm g˙al ©img˙a s˙i˙a sakemm jid˙ol programm ©did. Biex wie˙ed ikun jista’ jisma’ l-programmi li jixxandru fuq it-3ZZZ, kemm jidhol fuq l-Internetu jid˙ol fuq is- sit: http://www.3zzz.com.au. Fuq ix-xellug hemm kaxxa "listen to a show" biex wie˙ed ikun jista’ jag˙Ωel il-programmi. Ag˙Ωel "Maltese" milllingwi li hemm u ikklikkja fuq il-programm Malti li wie˙ed ikun irid jisma’. Ag˙fas ukoll "listen" u wara "OK". Biex tisma’ l-progrmm g˙andek bΩonn is-software "Real Player" jew "Real One". Jekk m’g˙andekx tista’ tniΩΩlu b'xejn minn fuq l-Internet. Il- MAYC shirts have arrived T he Maltese-Australians Youth Committee (MAYC) has announced the release of their first shirts! If interested, readers are urged to follow and share the link to their store on Teespring: http://www.teespring.com/store/maycnsw Anybody interested in buying any of their shirts, can choose between basic tee $20, v-neck $25, women's $25 or tank $20. However, unfortunately, their kids shirts $18 have to be purchased separately. Sizes vary depending on what shirt style you choose. In order to get one’s order though, MAYC have to hit their goal target of 50 sales on their adult shirts and 20 sales for kids - so one is advised to make sure to share this link with all one’s friends to buy their own shirt boasting that we are Maltese Aussies! Nobody would be charged for purchase until the campaign is deemed successful and MAYC reaches its targets. Teespring will then print their shirts and mail them out to whoever decides to buy one within 14-18 working days. Reaching their goal of 50 sales for adults and 20 for kids does not mean one would miss out as shirts could still be purchased up until February 4. MAYC said they wished to thank everybody for the support thus far and hope one would enjoy and wear their shirts with just as much pride as they do (Y) For more information regarding purchase via Teespring, log on their FAQ at http://teespring.com/faq. Shirts can be purchased at http://www.teespring.com/store/maycnsw Lewis Stafrace, il-Convenor il-©did g˙all-programm bil-Malti fuq 3ZZZ programm li jixxandar kull l-a˙˙ar Erbg˙a tax-xahar hu mniΩΩel ta˙t illingwa “Armenian” min˙abba li dan hu ˙in tal-istazzjon u mhux tal-Maltin. Il-programmi huma m˙awrin ferm. Fihom minn kollox, fosthom a˙barijiet, marçi ta’ baned Maltin, reli©jon, kanzunetti Maltin, letteratura, umoriΩmu, sports u ˙afna affarijiet o˙ra. Xi ©img˙at ilu saret il-Laqg˙a ©enerali annwali tal-Grupp Xandara Maltin tat-3ZZZ u ©ie ma˙tur kumitat. Ftit wara fiç-Çentru Malti ta’ Parkville, l-istess Kumitat iltaqa’ g˙all-ewwel darba biex jing˙aΩlu l-poΩizzjonijiet. Fost kollox Lewis Stafrace, in˙atar b˙ala l-Convenor il-©did biex imexxi il-Grupp. PoΩizzjonijet o˙ra ng˙ataw lil, Mario Sammut (deputat Convenor); Emanuel Brincat (segretarju); Paul Vella (teΩorier), Maryanne Brincat, Victor Borg u Edwina Mallia (membri ordinarji. Paul Vella The Maltese Cross T he Maltese Cross - the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John - was officially adopted by the Order in 1126. Its eight points denote the eight obligations of the knights: "to live in truth, have faith, repent one's sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and whole-hearted, and to endure persecution". With time, the eight points also came to represent the eight "langues" (national groupings) of the noblemen who were admitted into the brotherhood, namely those of Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille and Portugal, Italy, Baviere (Germany), and England (with Scotland and Ireland). The Voice of the Maltese 19 Tuesday January 20, 2015 G˙aliex din il-pa©na? M illi jg˙idulna l-qarrejja, din il-pa©na qed tkun segwita ˙afna. Hemm min, fost l-anzjani, li qalilna li qed tg˙inu jΩomm ˙aj dak li kien tg˙allem fi tfulitu fl-iskejjel Maltin, imma min˙abba li ftit kellu çans jipprattika l-Malti kemm ilu jg˙ix l-Awstralja, çerti regoli li huma ta’ g˙ajnuna biex wie˙ed jikteb Malti tajjeb b˙al insihom. Hemm ukoll min qalilna li t-tag˙rif qed jistimulahom meta ji©u biex jg˙inu lil uliedhom, fil-fatt aktar lil ulied uliedhom li qed jattendu xi lezzjonjiet dwar l-Ilsien Malti, ˙alli b’mod sempliçi jtuhom x’jifhmu li wara kollox, jekk timxi mar-regoli mhux daqshekk iebes li tag˙raf tikteb il-Malti. Biss barra dak li jidher f’din il-pa©na wie˙ed ta’ min ukoll i˙e©©e© il-qari, u hu g˙alhekk li f’din ir-rivista ninkludu wkoll kitbiet u artikli bl-Ilsien Malti. Tag˙rif lingwistiku, ortografiku, grammatikali u kulturali dwar il-lingwa Maltija ma˙ru© midDipartiment tal-Malti fi ˙dan ilKulle©© San Injazju, Malta biex l-ilsien Malti jing˙ata l-valur li jist˙oqqlu. L-istat Kostrutt L-Istat Kostrutt isir billi ng˙aqqdu Ωew© nomi ma’ xulxin, inwaqqg˙u l-ewwel artiklu u nibdlu lkelma ta’/tal- f’artiklu. EΩ. ix-xag˙ar tat-tifla = xag˙ar ittifla; is-sehem tal-mara = sehem ilmara. a B˙ala regola l-Istat Kostrutt ikun Nom + Artiklu + Nom. IΩda meta t-tieni nom ma ji˙ux artiklu, dan ma jinkitibx. Ez: l-g˙ajnejn ta’ Toni = g˙ajnejn Toni. a Meta l-ewwel kelma tkun fil-femminil u tispiçça bil-vokali ‘a’ l-kelma tie˙u t-T marbuta. EΩ: il-mara ta’ Nikol = mart Nikol; il-kelma tas-surmast = kelmet is-surmast. Follow The Voice of the Maltese online magazine every fortnight. Now we also have our our facebook page. So join us. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/the voiceofthemaltese T a q b i l i e t M a l t i n Ix-xhur tas-sena fil-qwiel Maltin (1) Illum: Jannar F orsi, u bir-ra©un, li l-anzjani jafu ferm aktar miΩΩg˙aΩag˙ dwar ilqwiel (proverbji), u anke idjomi Maltin g˙aliex donnhom kienu jg˙ixu bihom u meta wie˙ed i˙ares lura u ja˙seb dwarhom jag˙raf kemm tassew kienu g˙orrief niesna. Mhux ta’ b’xejn li jing˙ad, “kliem ixxi˙ Ωomm fih”. In-nanniet tag˙na kienu jo˙olqu qawl g˙al kull sitwazzjoni, drawwa, u kwaΩi g˙al kull ©rajja. Hekk pereΩempju g˙arfu wkoll li jo˙olqu qawl g˙al kull xahar tas-sena, ©eneralment dwar it-temp li wie˙ed jistenna kull xahar, li kwaΩi jinbidel kull xahar. B˙alissa ninsabu fl-ewwel xahar tas-sena, Jannar. Mieg˙u n-nanniet tag˙na kienu jorbtu l-bard u l-kes˙a, u çertament li dan li ©ej joqg˙od ferm tajjeb g˙al Jannar ta’ din is-sena g˙aliex f’Malta kien hawn kes˙a “xxoqq-il g˙adam”. G˙alhekk, fost l-o˙rajn kienu jg˙idu: “Il-bard ta’ Jannar ©ild (dahar) il-˙mar”. Hemm o˙rajna marbuta ma’ dan ix-xahar fosthom: “A˙jar il-bard ta’ Jannar mix-xemx li ma ssa˙˙anx”. “Dehxa ta’ Jannar fawra minn lewn in-nar”. “Meta Jannar tarah lewwiemi (lewliemi), ma tarax lillBidwi tant ˙ieni.” “Jannar il-bajtar g˙ajnejn il-far (©urdien)” “F’Jannar ag˙laq in-nag˙a© fil-g˙ar” “F’Jannar ix-xi˙ jew fis-sodda jew l-isptar”. “F’Jannar stenna xita, ksie˙ u nar (beraq)”. “Is-sajf ta’ Jannar: g˙ana tal-bidwi u tal-fqar”. “Il-©idra ta’ Jannar ag˙tiha l-˙mar”. Fl-a˙˙arnett, meta kienu jitkellmu dwar xi ˙add li jibΩg˙u minnu kienu juΩaw l-idjoma: “nibΩa’ minnu aktar mill-bard ta’ Jannar). Fi Frar nittrattaw xi qwiel Maltin marbuta mat-tieni xahar tas-sena. Joseph Cutajar A lilek tal-libsa twila, G˙idli xkielet illum sabie˙ Illum kilt il-˙obΩ bil-©obon, u tazza ilma xrobt sal-qieg˙ Is-Sinjura Barunessa Kellha Ωokra qatt ma tmissa Tmissa biss darba fix-xahar Biex ta˙silha bl-ilma çar Darba n-nannu kif iΩΩewwe© kera dar f'nofs il-Furjana F'nofs il-bit˙a sewwa sewwa Xettel si©ra tal-banana. Darba n-nannu nag˙su tajjar G˙aliex sema' t-t˙axwix Il-qattusa f'nofs il-bit˙a Kienet tiekol il-haxix. Tinteressak il-kitba? Id-direzzjoni ta’ The Voice t˙e©©e© lill-qarrejja li j˙ossu li jew g˙andhom talent g˙all-kitba inkella li ja˙sbu li bi ftit g˙ajnuna jistg˙u jrabbu l-kunfidenza g˙all-kitba, biex jekk iridu jistg˙u jibag˙tu x-xog˙ol tag˙hom lil: The Voice of the Maltese. Email address: [email protected] St Nicholas Festa Committee (NSW): 2015 Calendar of events March 22: Autumn Fiera; July 5: Lejla fil-Buskett; October 18: Spring Fiera; November 28: Night of Entertainment; December 6: Festa ta’ San Nikola 20 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Community News Follow The Voice of the Maltese online magazine every fortnight. Now we also have our our facebook page. So join us. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceofthemaltese Tune In to Radio and Television Maltese Radio Programmes MELBOURNE, on 3ZZZ 92.3FM or on www.3zzz.com.au. Mondays 5pm, Fridays 5pm, Saturdays 10am.; Last Wednesday each month at 1pm. MELBOURNE on 98.9 North West FM, each Friday 6.00 - 7.00p.m. Presenter Emmanuel Brincat. MELBOURNE: STEREO 974 (93180930): 97.4FM Wed (Maltese Magazine) & Thursday (Merhba): 6.00pm to 8.00 pm Co-ordinator – Ray Anastasi In SYDNEY, listen to the MCC radio programme Sunday at 11am 2GLF FM 89.3, or on demand: www.893fm.com.au In BRISBANE listen to the Maltese Program on 4EB on Tuesdays 6.00 -8.15am; Sundays 4.15pm to 5.15pm UNCLE SAM DJ (Maltese Radio) tune in to link: www.unclesamdj.com Maltese Programmes on TV and Web The GDAY MALTAUSSIE SHOW on TVS is broadcast in Sydney Every Saturday at 2pm; Repeats on Mondays 5 pm and Tuesdays 7.30 am Watch direct via HYPERLINK: http://ww.tvs.org.au; http://ww.tvs.org.au The SBS MALTESE NEWS Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre, 59b Franklin Street (cr with Young Street) Mays Hill NSW. Phone: 02 98220228 Maltese living at the Central Coast Group Meetings are held every secondt Monday of each month, starting February 9, 2015 at Wyong RSL, cnr Anzac & Margaret Street Wyong from 10 am to 12 noon. For more information Tel: 02 439 000 12 or 0414 267 652 On SBS Radio - Day Time Analogue Digital Tuesday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 Thursday: 12:00-13:00 SBS Radio 3 Friday: 12:00-13:00 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 Saturday: 14:00-15:00: 97.7fm SBS Radio 2 To tune into digital radio you need receiver or device with a DAB+ chip. Tuning in is by station name not frequency. Digital radio can also be heard on digital TV. SBS Radio 2 is on Channel 38 and SBS. Radio 3 is on Channel 39. Analogue is the present FMwavelength. Digital radio can also be accessed by a smart phone and/or by going online at HYPERLINK: http://www.sbs.com.au, www.sbs.com.au VIVA MALTA VIVA MALTA on Central Coast Radio: February 12 and 26 - from 6 pm 7 pm on COAST FM 96.3 Community Radio in Gosford NSW. Presenter: Nathalie Gatt. Web streaming on: www.coastfm.org.au. L-A˙barijiet on SBS TV twice a week nationwide Sunday at 8.00 am on SBS2 (Chan. 32); Thursdays at 8.05 am on SBS2 Meetings of Day Care Maltese Groups in NSW Fairfield Active Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Tuesday of the Month from10:00am to 12 noon. The group meets in the Parish Hall, cnr of Stella Street & The Boulevard, Fairfield Heights. Daceyville Maltese Seniors Meets on the last Wednesday of the month in the Meeting Room One, No. 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville. Note: The Groups also arrange regular Bus Trips Come and join us and make new friends.. Merrylands Social Maltese Seniors Meets every second Friday of the month; Miller Room, Memorial Avenue Merrylands from 10.30am to 12.30 am Llandillo Maltese Seniors Meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Avenue, from 11am to 1pm. Greystanes Maltese Seniors Meets on the second Monday of the month n the George Preca Centre of The Maltese Language School of NSW The Maltese Language School of NSW invites applications for Maltese language classes at the Alfred Fenech Maltese Resource Centre located at 59b Franklin Street (corner with Young Street) Mays Hill (next to Parramatta West Public School). Both young and adult students may apply. For more information contact Mary Pace-Feraud on 9601 2189 or email: [email protected] You can have full access The Voice of the Maltese online anytime by logging to: http://www.maltesewelfare.com.au and click on The Voice sign OLQP Church, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes from 10 am to 12 noon The Sutherland & St George Maltese Group Ongoing: We meet every First Wednesday of the Month from 10:00am-1:00pm Our Meetings/Get Togethers are interesting, informative & entertaining. Come Join us and make new Friends For more information contact our Coordinator: Charles Mifsud J.P.Phone (02) 9501 5525 – mobile 0421 662 298 *(All Groups are Sponsored by The Maltese Community Council of NSW). Please contact the MCC Welfare Officer: Marisa Previtera JP on 0414 863 123. The MCC offices are at 59b Franklin Street Mays Hill NSW (next to West Parramatta Primary School) The Voice of the Maltese 21 Tuesday January 20, 2015 C Co om mm mu un niit ty y N Ne ew ws s G˙arfien lill-Voluntiera asal iΩ-Ωmien li nag˙tu ©ie˙ u W rispett lill-anzjani tag˙na fis-Seniors Week 2015. Óu din l-opportunita’ biex Presents: tipproponi lil xi ˙add li ja˙dem ta’ voluntier fil-komunita’ u ˙aqqu ringrazzjament. Il-Maltese Welfare (NSW) qed jirçievi applikazzjonijiet minn individwi ta’ dixxendenza Maltij li ghandhom ‘l fuq minn sittin sena u residenti fi NSW biex ikunu parti mill-Quiet Achievers – Night of Recognition li din is-sena se jsir nhar l-Erbg˙a, 18 ta’ Marzu 2015 fis-St Dominics’ Annunciation Hall, Walters Rd, Blacktown NSW. Biex tinnominaw lil xi ˙add jin˙tie© tiksbu formola tal-applikazzjoni billi ççemplu lis-segretarju tal-Maltese Welfare (NSW), Emanuel Camilleri 9822 0228 0409 744 376 inkella ΩΩuru l-website: http://www.maltesewelfare.com.au tniΩΩluha minn hemm u tibag˙tuha mhux iktar tard mis-27 ta’ Frar 2015. Nominate a Volunteer t’s that time of year again when we direct a spotlight Iportunity on our seniors during Seniors Week. Take this opto nominate someone who in your view is a genuine volunteer within our general community and deserves to be recognised. The Maltese Welfare (NSW) is seeking nominations for people of Maltese descent over 60 years old, residents of NSW to take part in its annual Quiet Achievers – Night of Recognition to be held at St Dominics’ Blacktown, on Wednesday March 18, 2015. Nominations are to be made on an application form that can be obtained by phoning the Maltese Welfare secretry, Emanuel Camilleri on: 9822 0228 - 0409 744 376, or visit the website: http://www.maltesewelfare.com.au. Applicatons have to be submitted by not later than February 27, 2015. Malta Society of New Zealand We now have a Facebook page that former members are invited to join. It is: Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland: https://www.facebook.com/pages /Mainly-Maltese-in-Auckland/ 396193070527203?ref=hl. It is open to all who have an interest in the Maltese culture. L-a˙barijiet tal-PBS (Malta) G˙alkemm il-PBS ta’ Malta tforni lillSBS fl-Awstralja bis-servizz tag˙ha, ilqarrejja m˙e©©a li x’˙in iridu jid˙lu fil-website: www.tvm.com.mt u jsegwu la˙barijiet ta’ Malta. Din tkun a©©ornata l-˙in kollu bi stejjer li jkunu qed ise˙˙u. Mhux biss, imma min irid isegwi dak li jkun g˙addej, kull filg˙odu ˙in ta' Malta fuq il-website jittellg˙u wkoll l-a˙barijiet tal-jum ta' qabel. St John Sydney Xewkija Ass. Easter Dinner Dance Saturday March 14 at 6.30 p.m. at Mandavilla Function Centre 1788 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park 5-COURSE MEAL (including beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, coffee) Music provided by Charlie Camilleri and the Mustangs Band Price: Adults $55.00; Children (Under 12) $30 For further infoormation contact: Sam: 46841617; Rose: 96285424; Elija: 96226047; Martin: 0417237524 La Valette Social Centre Sunday February 8: The feast of St Paul’s shipwreck The feast starts at 5pm with mass accompanied by the La Valette choir under the direction of Victor Floridia. A procession with the statue of St Paul accompanied by Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band follows Afterwards there will be entertainment provded by Sam Mifsud. After mass the bar and the kitchen will be will be open Entry is free; everyone is welcome to attend. For any information call the centre on 9622 5847 FRIENDS OF PROVIDENCE HOUSE NSW (Formed in November 2011) Founder /Coordinator: Jim Borg Structure: 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, Malta Money raised so far: 2012/2013 - $ 2,500 and 2013/2014 $35,000. Method of fund raising: Functions, tours, donations, raffles, sponsors. 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] Proudly supported by: 22 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Community News GEORGE CROSS FALCONS CLUB Inc. (25-27 Lake Ave Cringila NSW 2502, (02) 4273 0906 [email protected]) Monday Seniors’ Day Every Monday Home-made cooked two-course meal, tea and coffee Bingo and dancing lessons, computers available for usage. Cost only $5.00. Sponsored by MCCI Illawarra. Phone 42 746121 and leave a message. (Numbers are growing and been reaching around 95 every Monday) ÓAMRUN ASSOCIATION LTD ABN: 22 080 314 156 100 Jackson Street, Marsden Park, NSW 2765 Ph: 02 9838 1111 Email: [email protected] Secretary: Robin McGarrigle 0407701004 President: George Zahra 0407434651 IL-klabb se jorganizza din il-lejla mimlija kant, Ωfin u çajt, nhar is-Sibt 14 ta’ Frar, fis- 7.00pm fil-klabb stess, f’100 Jackson St. Marsden Park. -------------------------------------------------------Id-divertiment se ji©i pprovdut minn CHARLIE u VINCE, u SURPRISE YOUNG FLOOR SHOW ---------------------------------------------Donazzjoni ta’ $12. G˙all kull tag˙rif u biljetti çemplu lil Agnes: 9626 6753, jew Mary: 0421 285 698 Il-kçina u l-bar ikunu miftu˙in g˙al kull ikel u xorb Malti The feast of Don Bosco will be held on February 1 at 10.30am at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Swanson Street, St Marys. A concelebrated Mass and a procession will be held. Refreshments. Please invite your friends and bring a plate with you. Please note.... We value our readers’ support. If you are one of the thousands of readers of the online magazine and you are not receiving The Voice of the Maltese on a regular basis please get in touch with us immediately on [email protected] It is of comfort to us that you read the online magazine regularly. The Editors INVITES YOU TO COME & CELEBRATE: AUSTRALIA DAY VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW The Maltese Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco NSW The Xaghra Association of NSW Inc. Date: Saturday January 24, 2015. Time: Doors open 6.30 pm for 7.00pm start. Place: Mandavilla Function Centre, 1788 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park Coffee & pastizzi. Also antipasto plus fruit platters. Entertainer: Joe Apap For more information contact: Ray & Josephine Bigeni: 9627 4182, Mob: 0439 974 182 M'Anne Teuma: 9627 4641 Learn Maltese! MALTESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL OF NSW A Division of the Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc. Classes are available for students from 6 years to adults at all levels of ability in the Maltese language. We have trained and experienced teachers qualified in language teaching and with Maltese study credentials. Learn the Maltese language, the culture, lifestyle, cuisine, traditions and about the amazing history of this magnificent Mediterranean island. Classes at: HORSLEY PARK - SEVEN HILLS - LUDDENHAM For more information and enquiries Call Mary on 9601 2189 Or email: [email protected] Supported by the Minister of Education and Training And the NSW Community Languages Schools Programme. Member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools of NSW. Member of the Federation of Maltese Language Schools of Australia. Supported by 16 Maltese associations affiliated with the MCC of NSW. The Maltese Language School of NSW is a Not-For-Profit organisation. The Voice of the Maltese 23 Tuesday January 20, 2015 Sports 1 Parramatta drawn in Grp B for 2015 PS4NPL Preseason Cup he Preseason Cup by Football NSW T has been split into two pools with the first lot of matches taking place Jan- uary 30 and the Grand Final being staged on Saturday March 7t/Sunday 8th. The competition will be structured as a round-robin format with the winning teams from both pools facing each other in the Grand Final. This will be a huge year for all 12 clubs involved with the introduction of newly promoted Parramatta FC (formerly Melita Eagles) making their debut after winning promotion into NSW’s top tier competition. Not only that, by the 2014 Pre-season Cup Champions Rockdale City Suns will be looking towards claiming back to back titles under coach Branko Culina. The 2014 final played at the Ilinden Sports Centre resulted in the Suns defeating Blacktown Spartans 3-2. All teams will be using the Cup as ideal preparation for the forthcoming PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 season with a number of teams sporting a flurry of new recruits in what’s shaping up to be a blockbuster season of football. Football NSW has announced that there will be a 2015 PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Preseason Cup commencing on January 30 2015 First Grade as well as organised friendlies for the Grade 12s right up to the Grade 20s. two The pools are: Pool A: APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Blacktown City, Rockdale City Suns, Sydney U, 58 South Coast Wolves, Pool B: Blacktown Spartans, Manly United, Marconi Stallions, Parramatta FC, Sydney Olympic, Sutherland Sharks Parramatta FC’s fixtures in the NSW Pre-Season Cup FRIDAY January 30: Blacktown Park rooty Hill: 7.30 p.m.: v Blacktown Spartans SUNDAY February 8: Melita Stadium: 7.30 p.m.: v Marconi Stallions SUNDAY February 15: Melita Stadium: 7.30 p.m.; Sydney Olympic SUNDAY February 22: Cromer Park: 7.30 p.m.; v Manl United SATURDAY February 28: Seymour Shaw Park: 7.30 p.m.; v Sutherland Sharks Before all matches (except for Blacktown in the U/20), there will also be Under 18 and Under 20 matches THE MALTESE GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. Maltese Cultural Centre 6, Jeanes Street Beverley S A 5009 Phone Tuesday’s only: 8243 0868. AH: 8254 6988/0421 791 327 Forthcoming Functions: Monday January 26: AUSTRALIA DAY LUNCHEON to be held at The Maltese Cultural Centre. Doors Open at 9 am, lunch at 12 noon: BBQ followed with Desert. Members $7, Non Members $10 Children $5 Sunday February 15: BUS TRIP First Bus Trip: Goolwa for lunch. Later relax in Victor Harbour. 8.30 a.m.: buses Leave from the Maltese Guild. Be there at least by 8.10 am. Trip Includes Morning Tea/Coffee. 10 am first stop at Strethalbyne. 12.30 pm: 2-Course Lunch at Golwa Hotel. After lunch You can have a good healthy swim in the sea or play games and Bingo. 6.00 p.m. (approx.): Return back to our Centre. Tuesday February 17: ASH WEDNESDAY MASS Ashes Mass to be celebrated by Fr Gabriel Micallef. Confession at 10 am followed by the Mass at 10.30 am at Maltese Cultural Centre. After Mass Lunch as usual, followed with games of Bingo and other Games. Saturday February 28: 38th ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE Admission from 6.30 pm for 7 pm start Dinner is included: Complimentary glass of champagne with orange, nuts and crisps, bread roll and butter on tables. Main course to be advised later, with platers of fresh fruit for Dessert. From 10.45 pm help yourself to Coffee or Tea with Cakes. Beer - wine - soft drinks available from the Licensed Bar Entertainment by The Godfathers Band Admission: Members $20.00; Non Members $25 Children $10.00. Book from: Joseph Briffa (Phone: 8254 6988 Mob. 0421 791 327l Mary Craus (Phone 8281 2329 or 0420 699 617); Rita Bornhoeft 8248 1008 or 0401 860 632) or from any committee members UTS Sydney Free English classes As part of its Teachers Training for 2015, the University of Technology (UTS) Sydney - Insearch is offering free English classes designed to improve one’s speaking and listening skills. The dates for the 2015 programme: Till January 30 (1.30pm to 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday) March 24 - May 28 (6.00pm-8.00pm Tuesday & Thursday evening) July 6 - July 31 (1.30pm to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday) August 11 - October 15 (6.00p.m-8.00pm Tuesday & Thursday evening) October 20 -December 23 (6.00pm-8.00pm Tuesday & Thursday evening) If interested call 92188646, fax 92114334 or email: [email protected] – Student Centre, Ground Floor, 187 Thomas Street Sydney NSW 2000 (corner of Quay & Thomas Street Chinatown). Students must be at least 16 years old 24 The Voice of the Maltese Tuesday January 20, 2015 Sports 2 Australia suffer defeat but qualify to KO stage K orea Republic, commonly known as South Korea, inflicted the first loss on hosts Australia in the final Group A match of the Asia Cup at the Brisbane Stadium on Saturday, beating them 10. It enabled the Koreans to win the group. However, though a great disappointment, the defeat did not prevent the Aussies from qualifying to the KO stage of the competition. In fact, both had already qualified before this clash. Australia qualify to the last eight from second place and now meet Group B winners China. South Korea meet Group B runners up, Uzbekistan Thursday. The Australia v South Korea match was decided with a goal scored for the Koreans on 32 minutes by Lee Jeong-Hyeop. For most of the first half both sides were proactive in attack, but lacked in the final third. The home side dominated possession Malta Premier League football T but failed to turn this into goals and in fact by the end of the session they only had two shots on target. South Korea defended well and scored in their only attempt on goal in the first 49 minutes (including four minutes of added time). At the restart many were asking whether Australia could come back for a second time in this tournament as they did in the opening match against Kuwait before wining 4-1. Play improved in the second half and became more balanced, but Australia failed to salvage anything and lost by that first half goal. In their first group stage match against Kuwait Australia found themselves a goal down after eight minutes but Cahill levelled on 44 minutes before Luongo, Jedinak from a penalty and Troisi added three Hibs register 11th successive win he 19th round of the Premier League in Malta reserved no surprises as Hibernians registered a very comfortable 4-0 victory over much improved Balzan to extend their unbeaten run and also register their 11th win ion the trot. Victory also enabled Hibernians to retain their 15 points lead over Valletta and Birkirkara who both also won their matches Balzan kept their fourth position in the standing despite lowering their colours for the first defeat after five positive results. Hibernians, Valletta and Bir-kirkara have also al- ready made sure of the first three top positions for when Australia’s Cahill (yellow shirt) heads against Kuwait. Top the second stage of the Cham- picture shows Lee Jeong-Hyeop after scoring against the hosts pionship Pool. Results so far Balzan, Floriana, Mosta and Sliema battle it out GROUP A for the other three positions. Australia v Kuwait 4-1 1-0 Among all these Sliema must be the most disap- Sth Korea v Oman Sth Kora v Kuwait 1-0 pointed after a defeat against bottom team Ûebbu© Australia v Oman 4-0 they are having a disastrous campaign by their Australia v Sth Korea 0-1 1-0 own standards and must improve to avoid a place Oman v Kuwait among the bottom six. GROUP B Round 18 RESULTS: Round 19 Hibernians v Naxxar L. 2-0 Hobernians v Balzan 4-0 Clayton Failla, Edison Luis dos Santos Valletta v Pieta H. 3-0 Edison L, dos Santos, Andrew Cohen, Hamza Barry (2), Luke Montebello Jorge P da Silva, Jurgen Degabriele Birkirkara v Tarxien R. 2-1 Birkirkara v Flroriana 2-1 Rafael Ledesma, Rafael R. Ledesma, Ryan Scicluna (B); Conor Borg (F) Valletta v Ûebbu© R. 2-0 Sliema W. v Naxxar L. Mosta v Tarxien R. 0-0 1-1 Abdelkarim Nfti, Lateef Elford Alliyu Matteus R. Dos Santos (M); Eduardo V Casado (T Pieta H. b Qormi Like Micallef more goals in the second half. In the second match Australia beat Oman 4-0. Goals by Mckay, Kruse, Milligan and Juric. 1-0 Standings P Hibernians 19 Valletta 19 Birkirkara 19 Balzan 19 Haruna Shola Floriana 19 Shodiya (B); Firas Aboulezz (T Mosta 19 Balzan v Floriana 3-2 JP Mifsud Triganza, Gianmarco Piccioni, Osa Sliema W 19 Guobadia (B); Steve Bonnici, Giovanni Galea (F) Naxxar L. 19 Ûebbu© R. v Sliema W. 2-1 Qormi 19 Carlo Monti, Mauricio Rodrigues Tarxien 19 Britto (Z); Bocar Djumo (S) Mosta v Qormi 3-1 Pieta H. 19 Ian Zammit, Diogo P. de Sousa,Jonas Ûebbu© R. 19 R. Ekani (M); Mauricio M. Latini (Q W 18 13 13 7 6 7 6 4 4 3 4 2 D 1 1 1 7 6 3 5 6 5 8 5 6 L 0 5 5 5 7 9 8 9 10 8 10 11 F 62 46 38 27 32 21 20 21 19 18 15 22 A 8 14 19 27 37 37 24 30 33 32 32 46 Pts 55 40 40 28 24 24 23 18 17 17 17 12 Uzbekistan v DPR Korea PR China v Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia v DPP Korea China PR v Uzbekistan China PR v DPR Korea Uzbekistan v Saidi Arabia 1-0 1-0 4-1 2-1 2-0 1-0 GROUP C UAE v Qatar Iran v Bahrain UAE v Bahrain Iran v Qatar 4-1 2-0 2-1 1-0 GROUP D Japan v Palestine Iraq v Jordan Jordan v Palestine Japan v Iraq 4-0 1-0 5-1 1-0 Cristiano Ronaldo makes it three Ballon d’Or wins F Cristiano Ronaldo and Nadine Kessler or the second time in a row and third time overall, Portugal and Real Mad-rid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned as the best player on the planet after an incredible season that included the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo received 37.66% of all votes ahead of Lionel Messi (15.76%) and Manuel Neuer (15.72%). During 2014, Ronaldo scor-ed a total of 52 in all competitions: La Liga, Champions League and World Cup Three of FIFA’s eight prestigious awards at Zurich’s Kongresshaus were presented to German winners. All the Individual honours: Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Women’s World Player of the Year: Nadine Kessler (Grmany) Coach of the Year: Joachim Low (Germany) Coach of the Year for Women’s Foot- ball: Relf Kellermann (Germany) Puskas Award (for best goal): James Riodriguez (Colombia) Fair Play Award: 2014 World Cup volunteers FIFA Presidential Award: Hiroshi Kagawa (Japan)