MHA August Lecture Lola s Story by Susan Pierotti 7:30 pm Tuesday 16 th August Maltese Community Centre, Parkville. Free - All welcome

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1 MHA Newsletter No. 7/ August 2016 Merħba! Welcome, members and friends of the MHA. Cold, wet Melbourne is no fun in Winter, so last month Mario Bonnici thought he would cheer us up with a virtual tour of Malta and Gozo A summary of his talk, which was held on 19 th July, can be found on page 2 with links to his PowerPoint and lecture recording. Two nights later we were privileged to attend a function in honour of the President of Malta, Mary Louise Coleiro Preca at the Maltese Community Centre in Parkville. A report is on page 4. Thank you, Edwidge Borg, for the photos. One of my favourite Maltese legends, that of San Dimitri, from Għarb, Gozo, can be found on page 8 Monday 15 th August is the Feast of the Assumption. It is a date dear to the Maltese, as it also commemorates Operation Pedestal, the arrival to a starving Malta of supply ships during World War 2, bringing much needed food, fuel and ammunition. It is a holy day of obligation in Australia but it can be difficult to find masses in the suburbs. St Mary Star of the Sea in West Melbourne, however, is offering masses at 12:30 and 6:30 pm on the Monday. The following Sunday, 21 August, a commemoration of Operation Pedestal will be held at The Shrine of Remembrance, followed by the Shelter of Peace. Benny Soler, president of the Maltese Australian Association, usually does a wonderful job. Unfortunately I cannot attend due to prior commitments. If anyone can take notes and/or photographs, I would really appreciate an article for the next newsletter. On the third Tuesday of the month, as usual, the MHA will be holding our monthly lecture in Parkville. On 16 th August at 7:30 pm, Susan Pierotti will describe Lola s Story. She will outline the process of bringing Lola Russell s autobiography to publication. Lola s story starts with her great grandfather, Antonio Azzopardi, Melbourne s first Maltese settler, and continues with Lola s amazing life in the Theatre and the Arts, in a Melbourne that is now largely forgotten. The Nativity of Our Lady is celebrated by many cultures around the world, usually on 8 September. In Malta, that day also commemorates the end of the Great Siege in 1565, and the 1943 surrender of the Italian Fleet in Malta during World War 2. In Melbourne, the Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group, on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, are organising three events to commemorate this feast: the Marija Bambina Mass on Thursday 8 th September at St Paul s Chapel, Parkville; a Mass and Procession at St Mary, Star of the Sea, West Melbourne on Sunday 11 th September; and the Vittoria Dinner Dance at Firenze Receptions on Saturday 10 th September. Details can be found in the notices on page 3. The 21 st September will be the 52 nd anniversary of Malta s Independence. Details of celebrations will follow as they become available. Here s hoping to see you at one of these events, or at the next MHA lecture on the 16 th August. Cheers, Charlie G Charles Gatt Phone: secretary@mha.org.au MHA August Lecture Lola s Story by Susan Pierotti 7:30 pm Tuesday 16 th August Maltese Community Centre, Parkville The fascinating story of Lola Russell, pioneer actress and Melbourne icon, the great granddaughter of Melbourne s first Maltese settler (More details on Page 3) Free - All welcome _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 1 of 10

2 Coming Events 15 August: Feast of the Assumption. Holy Day of Obligation. Mass at Star of the Sea, West Melbourne. 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm. (See p 3) 16 August: MHA Lecture Lola s Story by Susan Pierotti. 7:30 pm Maltese Community Centre, Parkville. Free. (See p 3) 21 August: Newport Seniors Fathers Day Luncheon 12:00 pm 21 August: Operation Pedestal Commemoration 12:00 pm Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance followed by Shelter of Peace, Birdwood Avenue. Maltese Australian Association (See p3) 27 August: St Helena Dinner Dance at Melrose St Helena Maltese Australian SC 6:00 Melrose Receptions, Tullamarine (See p 3) 7 September: 15 th Commemoration of 9/11. Queens Hall, Parliament House. Australian American Association (Vic) Contact Sam Muscat samcjm@bigpond.com 8 September: Bambina Mass St Paul s Chapel, Parkville, 7pm, followed by refreshments at the MCC. All welcome (See p 3) 10 September: Bambina Dinner Dance Firenze Receptions, Fawkner. Reskeon Seniors. Bookings: Salvina Vella (See p3) 11 September: Festa ta Marija Bambina St Mary, Star of the Sea, West Melbourne (See page 3) Also, Please refer to the MCCV Calendar: MHA Membership Subscriptions Help us to continue providing a service to the community with monthly Lectures and Newsletters about Maltese History and Culture $10 for a single or $15 for a family Payments can be made at the next lecture on 16 th August or by cheque to: Mario Bonnici 59 Binnak Drive, Watsonia 3087 MHA JULY LECTURE Malta a Panorama by Mario Bonnici Last month a number of members again braved the winter weather and attended our July activity. This was a PowerPoint presentation with various photographs of Malta and Gozo. Since many of our friends or family members are currently holidaying in Malta, we thought we will join them for a couple of hours, at least visually. The various photographs, numbering more than two hundred, took us on a trip around the two islands. We had a look at the restoration works and changes that are happening to the many historical buildings, bastions and forts, especially in Valletta. We also had a look at the various 'festa' celebrations, with their colours, bands, lights and firework displays, that take place in every village and town during these Maltese summer months. We also 'visited' the various turquoise bays and golden beaches, very popular during these months. Many of those present intervened with comments and other information on the photos. Considering that it was rainy night outside, everybody had a warm, colourful and enjoyable evening. As usual the evening ended with refreshments, good company and interesting conversations. Click here for Mario s PowerPoint and Lecture recording _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 2 of 10

MHA August Lecture Lola s Story by Susan Pierotti 7:30 pm Tuesday 16 th August Maltese Community Centre, Parkville Operation Pedestal Melbourne 2016 Sunday 21 August, 12:00pm Wreath Laying at the

3 MHA August Lecture Lola s Story by Susan Pierotti 7:30 pm Tuesday 16 th August Maltese Community Centre, Parkville Operation Pedestal Melbourne 2016 Sunday 21 August, 12:00pm Wreath Laying at the Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance St Kilda Rd Melbourne Followed by a Procession and Commemoration at the Shelter of Peace Birdwood Avenue All Welcome Maltese Australian Association Marija Bambina Mass Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group, on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, are organising the Marija Bambina Mass at St Paul s Chapel, next to the Maltese Community Centre, Parkville, on Thursday 8 th September at 7 pm. This will be followed by light refreshments at the Centre. For more information, phone Salvina Vella on Festa Ta Marija Bambina Susan Pierotti edited and brought to publication the memoirs of Lola Russell, City Kid, last year. Lola's story begins with the arrival in 1838 of her greatgrandfather, Antonio Azzopardi, Melbourne's first Maltese settler. Lola was a pioneer actress and tells a lively tale of teaching and the arts, in a city now largely vanished. Susan will speak about Antonio's descendant, Lola, her amazing life and how to get a very long memoir into print. Susan Pierotti established Creative Text Solutions in 2012 as a writing and editing business. She enjoys crafting people's stories into better stories. She has worked with numerous publishers and is also editor of a bi-annual trade magazine with an international readership. She is an Accredited Editor with the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers (ANZSI). CityKid will be available for sale after the lecture. Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group, on behalf of the MSSP, will organise a Mass on the occasion of the Feast of Marija Bambina on Sunday 11 th September, at St Mary Star of the Sea Church, corner Howard St and Victoria St, West Melbourne, starting with Rosary at 2.30 pm, followed by Concelebrated Mass and Benediction. Afterwards, weather permitting, there will be a procession with the statue of Maria Bambina, accompanied by the Maltese Own Band. For more information contact Salvina Vella on Vittoria Dinner Dance Reskeon Maltese Association Seniors Group are organising the Vittoria Dinner Dance, at the Firenze Receptions, 134 McBryde St, Fawkner, on Saturday 10 th September, from 6.30 pm till am. Five Course Meal, wine, beer and soft drinks. Musical Entertainment by DJ King Charlie. Merriment music by the Malta Gozo Brass Band. Donation: Members $50, non-members $55. For more information and bookings please phone Salvina Vella on _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 3 of 10

Maltese President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, visits the MCCV Charles Gatt Photos: Edwidge Borg On 21 July 2016, a number of us were privileged to attend a function at the Maltese Community Centre

The outside lights switched on, shining for the first time through the magnificent stained glass window of the centre.

Mr Victor Borg, president of the MCCV, commended President Coleiro Preca for her reputation as a champion for the disadvantaged.

4 Maltese President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, visits the MCCV Charles Gatt Photos: Edwidge Borg On 21 July 2016, a number of us were privileged to attend a function at the Maltese Community Centre in Parkville, in honour of the President of Malta, Her Excellency Mary Louise Coleiro Preca KUOM. We all stood as she entered the room with her entourage. The outside lights switched on, shining for the first time through the magnificent stained glass window of the centre. Mr George Saliba, president of the Maltese Newport Association and vice president of the Maltese Community Centre Victoria, officiated the ceremonies and welcomed the many distinguished guests. Mr Victor Borg, president of the MCCV, commended President Coleiro Preca for her reputation as a champion for the disadvantaged. He spoke about the many Maltese worldwide who had left Malta and endured considerable hardship to build a new life for their families. He acknowledged those who assisted the early settlers, and outlined the development of organisations such as the MCCV, which provide resources and support to the community. Now Maltese Australians excel in all walks of life. He asked Her Excellency to take a message home: that despite the distance and the years, we still hold Malta dear. The Honourable Robin Scott, minister for multicultural affairs, acknowledged the traditional owners of the land, welcomed the guests on behalf of the Australian government, and observed that many of his own relatives would not be alive were it not for the Maltese in WW2. He commended the Maltese in Australia for their hard work, their dedication to family and church, their help to the less fortunate, and their leadership role in multiculturalism. Hon. José Herrera, Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change in Malta, reminded us that the children and grandchildren of Maltese migrants are entitled to Maltese citizenship. He outlined the rise in prosperity of Malta after the hardships during and after WW2 and how Malta is now doing very well. She is becoming multicultural, sharing sovereignty with 27 countries in the EU, and has a lot to learn from Australia in that regard. All stood for the President of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca. She welcomed us, her Maltese brothers and sisters, and expressed her heartfelt thanks for helping making Malta great. She said that we will always share the same family and land of our forefathers. She praised us for maintaining our cultural traditions but also for being Australian and contributing to Australia s success and prosperity. Her message to us: Malta will always miss you. Malta will always be proud of you. Malta will never forget you. Tell your children, Malta will always make them welcome. Viva Malta! Viva Australia! She received a standing ovation. Victor Borg presented her with gifts, including a boomerang in the hope that she will come back soon. She presented Mr Borg with a memento, which will be placed in a showcase in the centre. Ray Agius from the St George Association gave the President a cheque for the Maltese Community Chest Fund. She posed with him for a photo, holding the new banner of the St George Association, as she hails from Qormi, whose Patron Saint is St George. The President then promised to meet everyone with a kiss from Malta. Not only was she true to her word, but she also found a few kind words for each of us. Viva Presidenta! President s Visit on Channel _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 4 of 10

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6 From Sam Muscat, Sam CJ Muscat JP President of the Australian American Association (Vic) "To foster friendship and understanding between the people of Australia and the United States of America" _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 6 of 10

Maltese musical history and its composers celebrated in new APS Bank publication The first comprehensive study of Maltese music to be written in the English language has officially hit the shelves.

7 Maltese musical history and its composers celebrated in new APS Bank publication The first comprehensive study of Maltese music to be written in the English language has officially hit the shelves. Titled The Great Maltese Composers: Historical Context, Lives, and Works, this APS Bank publication is written by the well-known Maltese music historian Joseph Vella Bondin. In his exposition, the author s aim was to organise the complex material in a way that makes clear how Maltese music has developed from its earliest manifestation as plainchant in its medieval cathedral in the old capital of Mdina to its post-independence manifestations in the second half of the twentieth century. The accent is, of course, on those composers who have contributed most significantly to this progress, for it is the composers themselves who are the root of any historical development in music. The Great Maltese Composers: Historical Context, Lives, and Works by Joseph Vella Bondin was officially launched on Thursday, 14 July 2016, at Le Méridien Hotel, St Julian s. Dr Gerard Hyland from the University of Warwick reviewed the book during the launch and deemed it a work of great scholarship and monumental erudition, which represents the distillation of many years of dedicated, meticulous research. It has truly been a labour of love, and is the author s magnum opus a great work that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to improve upon, given the expertise that he has been able to bring to bear as musician and academic. Commenting about the Bank s latest cultural initiative, APS Bank Chairman, Mr E. P. Delia said: This work is precious not only in the sense that it fills a literary gap for books about Maltese music written in English, but also because it is written for a general readership. We are proud to be sponsoring and publishing such a work and to be contributing to the enrichment of Malta s musical patrimony as well as Malta s international cultural profile. Further Reading: An ode to Malta s musical heritage an excellent article in the Times of Malta 14 July 2016 For further information about the book, please contact APS Bank by mktg@apsbank.com.mt _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 7 of 10

In 1736, Dun Mario Vella caused it to be rebuilt, leaving an annual legacy of five scudi for its maintenance.

8 About 1.5km from Gharb is the Chapel of San Dimitri. An older chapel had been built by Dun Frangisk Depena early in the fifteenth century. However, Bishop Miguel Balaguer Camarasa deconsecrated it on 24th May, 1657 and it fell into disrepair. In 1736, Dun Mario Vella caused it to be rebuilt, leaving an annual legacy of five scudi for its maintenance. On 11th April, 1809 the archpriest of Għarb, Dun Publius Refalo, blessed the chapel on behalf of Bishop Ferdinando Mattei. At the start of the second world war, at the request of the procurator Dun Paul Formosa, Papas Schiro` parish priest of the Greek Catholic community, celebrated Mass at this chapel that bears the name of a Greek saint. There is at San Dimitri a stone altar. The altarpiece, showing St. Demetrius on horseback with an old woman praying and a young man in chains, was restored by the Gozitan artist Wistin Camilleri. The mosaic pavement was laid in 1935, and the walls were coated with mosaic in Other paintings represent St. Paul, St. Aristarchus (one of his companions in Malta), the Assumption and the Holy Face of Christ. The chapel has a small sacristy and a pleasant zuntier. An old legend, narrated by the historian Agius De Soldanis, and the subject of poems by Mary Meilak and Ġużé Delia, relates the liberation from slavery of a young man who lived nearby. An old woman called Natalizja Cauchi and nicknamed Żgugina had only one son named Mathew. One night Barbary corsairs swooped on the island, broke into Żgugina s house, knocked her down and made away with her son. The Legend of San Dimitri The unfortunate woman ran weeping to St. Demetrius chapel and poured out her heart in passionate prayer. San Dimitri, bring me back my son, and I ll light your lamp with a measure of oil. St. Demetrius heard her supplication. She saw him moving in the painting, whence he rode out and set off in pursuit of the Turkish galley. Soon he was back holding the boy in his arms. Then he reentered the picture frame, but the horse s hoof marks remained imprinted in the rock. According to another legend, an earthquake toppled the rock on which the old chapel was built into the sea, but the chapel itself did not break up. Sailors and fishermen often said they saw Żgugina s lamp still burning under water! Another version of the latter part of the legend is that of a ship that dropped anchor close by. The anchor stuck and could not be recovered. Accordingly a sailor dived overboard to try to pry it loose. When he did not resurface, another sailor went to look for him. After a while both sailors surfaced and recounted to the awed crew how on the sea floor they had seen the chapel with the lamp in front of the painting still alight! Photo: Caroline Camenzuli San Dimitri Tal- Gharb.wmv by Caroline Busuttil (2:03) The poem of San Dimitri (Maltese) Other legends (in Maltese) _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 8 of 10

BANK OF VALLETTA PLC Australia Representative Office: 16 Watt Street Sunshine Vic 3020 Tel 9311 3222 Fax 9311 3216 Open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.

au E-Bulletin # 154 29th July 2016 Contents: New Minister for Environment Portfolio and Heritage Last Call to participate in the FAHS Survey (Stage one) Don Garden Guest Speaker at Port Melbourne

Heritage Society Exhibition: Cabinets of Wonder: Extraordinary Collections of Ephemera Managing your Digital Collection, Workshop, Stonnington History Centre Western Land Exhibition Community

Down Under is a Melbourne based community show catering for the Maltese community, showcasing Maltese cultural heritage, featuring the arts, music, food, travel, cultural events and sport.

9 BANK OF VALLETTA PLC Australia Representative Office: 16 Watt Street Sunshine Vic 3020 Tel Fax Open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm Uffiċċju Rappreżentattiv L-Ewwel Bank Rappreżentattiv Malti fl-awstralja Federation of Australian Historical Societies E-Bulletin # th July 2016 Contents: New Minister for Environment Portfolio and Heritage Last Call to participate in the FAHS Survey (Stage one) Don Garden Guest Speaker at Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society Digital Access to Collections GLAM Project ABC Restoration Australia - Call Out for Heritage Projects Featured Historical Society - South Australia Medical Heritage Society Exhibition: Cabinets of Wonder: Extraordinary Collections of Ephemera Managing your Digital Collection, Workshop, Stonnington History Centre Western Land Exhibition Community Talks Program, WA WA Australian History Foundation Grants Queensland Family History Society: Researching your Chinese Ancestry Professional Historians Association Conference, Victoria Maltese Down Under is a Melbourne based community show catering for the Maltese community, showcasing Maltese cultural heritage, featuring the arts, music, food, travel, cultural events and sport. 25 minute programmes screen on Channel 31 Melbourne or Channel 44 Geelong at 4:00 pm on Sundays and are repeated on Tuesdays at 3:00 pm Maltese Down Under is available on demand at _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 9 of 10

10 Frank Scicluna s Newsletters Highlights include: Newsletter 127 This special issue is dedicated to the visit of the Maltese President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, to Adelaide. Newsletter 128 President Coleiro Preca s visit to NSW (p1-7) and Melbourne (p8-10). Old Maltese Postcards: (p11) a detailed catalogue has been published by BDL books. George Bernard Shaw at the National Library by Charles Micallef (p12-13). In 1931, the 70 year old playwright visited Malta and the National Library. He was impressed with the treasures of the Maltese collection but, as he was a prominent member of the Fabian society with socialist views, his books were kept under lock and key. Two years later, in 1933, the Nationalist government passed an Anti- Sedition Law, which led to the arrest of 6 prominent Labour Party members for possession of seditious literature. Ironically, instead of destroying the Labour Party, the Nationalist government was dismissed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on November 2, The Constitution was suspended and later withdrawn. Newsletter 129: Successful Consul-on-the-Move launched in Adelaide (p2). Mr. Victor Grech, Consul General for Malta in Melbourne, was the first Consul to travel purposely to Adelaide to process passport applications. Other places will follow. Madre Gemma Camilleri Missjoni mill-kamra tassodda (p5) A book by Joseph Bezzina. Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus: (p6). First sent from Malta to London in 1960, the sisters welcome and comfort patients. Maltese Traditional Wedding: interesting customs. (p12) some Food and Drink in Malta: (p13-14) traditional Maltese food. Żjara lil Visitors Centre Cittadella Gozo Malta: (p14) Olympics and Sport: (p15-17) It's 'fire extinguisher' not 'fajerekstingwixer' Maltese language proposals finally unveiled: (p20) Kim Dalli in the Times of Malta. Interesting links: Malta Convoy Battle - British Pathe (1942) (4:30) Santa Maria and the Miracle of 1942 (4:12) Operation Pedestal. The Crucial Malta Convoy of 1942 (1:03:50) by George Digby World War II Operation Pedestal Malta Full Documentary (1:00:39) Malta s role in the surrender of the Italian battle fleet to the Allies in September 1943: an in depth article in the Times of Malta by Joseph Caruana Italian Fleet Surrenders - British Pathe (1943) (3:29) Battlefield Mysteries Ep 2 - Siege of Malta (45:40) The battle for Malta 720p HDTV (58:58) by Francis Dagostino The Battle for Malta (2013) (1:10:22) Maya Vision International - Presenter: James Holland On a lighter note, here are 12 hilarious images of Maltese life from the Bay Easy archives on Facebook. Ruined heritage - Fort Campbell remains abandoned and dangerous An article and video in the times of Malta A slideshow of Maltese traditional games Some lovely pictures of the Azure window in Gozo WATCH: Lifelong Comino Resident Fears Tiny Island's Future (5:21) A well as the above, Lovin Malta has a number of interesting and amusing links. ZZZ Melbourne Ethnic Community Radio - Maltese. If you miss a scheduled programme, you can catch it by clicking on LISTEN TO A SHOW. SBS Radio Maltese programmes on demand. Maltese Down Under is a series of 25 minute Melbourne based community TV programme, catering for the Maltese community. Watch the latest programmes, news, and radio from TVM in Malta. Bye for now, Saħħa u Sliem, Charlie G for the MHA _MHA_Newsletter_August_2016.docx Page 10 of 10

October 2017 NEWSLETTER

October 2017 NEWSLETTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Brian Ciappara 650-952-7970 Vice President: Joe DeBattista 650-438-2561 Secretary: Mary Vella Gomes 415-468-3747 Assistant Secretary: Carmen Micallef 415-586-2597 Treasurer: