Maltese Welfare.com Quiet Achievers 2006

Maltese Welfare (NSW) Incorporated

6th Annual event - 5th April 2006

Quiet Achievers – Night of Recognition

Another successful Night of Recognition

The Awardees:

From left standing: Prof S. Gatt, Manwel Mifsud, Terry Fenech, Paul Sammut, Marlene Dimech, Hon John Aquilina, E. L. Libreri, Charley Tonna, Frank Cefai, Joanna Pisani (Consul General).

Sitting: Mary Tabone, Vanna Zammit, Mary Mifsud, Julie Vassallo, Sr Pauline Balbi, Censina Cefai, Charles C Mifsud.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Maltese Welfare (NSW) Inc presented its Quiet Achievers Night of Recognition. This was a clear testimony of appreciation shown to 12 senior citizens chosen from among the Sydney Maltese community.

It was a very successful night. Yet again, the modern hall of the St Dominic’s Hostel, the Annunciation Hall, was packed to capacity as a show of solidarity to pioneers in the Maltese community commemorating Sydney Seniors Week 2006.

It was a night that made us truly proud. It was well-organized and enjoyed the patronage of the Hon John Aquilina, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly and in the presence of two local Federal Members of Parliament with high numbers of Maltese in their electorates.

The MC of the Night of Recognition was Rita Kassas who did an excellent task with dignity and grace. The Opening Speech was by Lawrence Dimech OAM, President of the Maltese Welfare (NSW), who explained the importance of rallying the whole community together to acknowledge and praise the senior citizens who have excelled in the voluntary sector. He reminded the gathering that the awardees were nominated and selected from among the community itself and therefore this adds greater prestige to their award.

Laurence Dimech thanked Fiducian Financial Service and Count Charles Said Vassallo of maltagenealogy.com for their financial support and assistance in sponsoring projects by the Maltese Welfare. He also thanked all committee members with a special mention to Maria DeCarlo for co-ordinating the entire program in all its aspects.

Victor Vella BA, MA, was the keynote speaker who gave a nostalgic overview on the meaning and impact of voluntary work as he remembers the many ways Maltese are involved in a voluntary capacity back home. His talk was described as one of a high caliber, well-researched, by a person who himself is very active in the Maltese community

A musical trio SKORBA then made its debut among the Maltese community. The trio is led by Andy Busuttil BSc, MHEd, who has experimented with melodies of Mediterranean countries neighbouring Malta. Such sounds were a first to an Australian-Maltese audience and evoked an association with pre-historic Malta, especially the world heritage temples of Malta. This was an innovative attempt of reconciling sounds and melody with indigenous Malta of the past, possibly unfamiliar to many Maltese, but certainly exotic and with a strong ethnic flavour.

As for the awarding of certificates, the organization was superb. Brief biographical details in Maltese and English were read out highlighting the extent of each senior citizen’s voluntary contribution. The citations were read by Nathalie Gatt, Marlene Dimech u Freda Micallef.

The first prestigious Premier’s Award by the Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care was given to Marlene Dimech for her 40 years of voluntary work with associations, the parish and the community. The award was presented to Marlene by the Hon John Aquilina.

The Consul for Malta, Joanna Pisani and Professor Stephen Gatt then presented the 12 awards to the following senior citizens:

Sr Pauline Balbi, Censina Cefai, Frank Cefai, Terry Fenech, Emmanuel Laurie Libreri, Charles C. Mifsud, Manwel & Mary Mifsud, Paul Sammut, Mary Tabone, Charley Tonna, Julie Vassallo and Vanna Zammit.

A thank you presentation was done by the Vice President of the Maltese Welfare, Lino Vella, to Sister Georgina Sultana for her regular assistance in offering such an excellent venue.

The Night of Recognition came to an end by a speech by the Hon John Aquilina who praised the Maltese community in general who has built this nation by its many voluntary contributions in many spheres of life.

Present at this award giving ceremony were the Consul for Malta in NSW Joanna Pisani, the Federal Members of Parliament, Louise Markus (Greenway) and Chris Bowen (Prospect).

Also in attendance was Professor Stephen Gatt, chairman of the Board of Directors of St Dominic’s Hostel, many of the hostel’s residents the, the President of the MCC, Charles Mifsud and a strong representation of Maltese associations. MBN TV filmed this event on TV which will be broadcasted on their channel in Maltese

Finally, a concise copy of the Maltese Community Directory compiled by the Maltese Welfare was distributed, which is also available on the website maltesewelfare.com.

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