This website is the official organ of the  Maltese Language School of Adelaide.   It is the first Maltese/South Australian site on the WWW. This unique website is the voice of the teachers and students of our school. Professor Maurice Cauchi of Malta describes Building Virtual Bridges as "one of the best websites I have seen so far by a Maltese Association."

The best description was published in The Advertiser, Adelaide's daily newspaper, when our site was selected as the HOMEPAGE of the WEEK - -Well, it is more than a homepage. It is a cross-cultural world devised by Frank Scicluna. He calls it Building Bridges site- and so it is, drawing together the links between Malta and Australia with a strong emphasis on South Australia being also a link to the Maltese Language School of Adelaide. There is a wealth of interest in this website, which features myriad links as well as constructed pages.
Samela Harris THE ADVERTISER (South Australian Newspaper).

Il-lingwa Maltija bis-shubija fl-Unjoni Ewropea se tiehu postha bhala lingwa ufficjali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea, fosthom l-Ingliz, il-Germaniz, il-Franciz u t-Taljan. Bhalissa l-Unjoni ghandha 11-il lingwa ufficjali u bid-dhul ta’ pajjizi godda fl-Unjoni Ewropea dan in-numru ta’ lingwi ufficjali jkompli jizdied, inkluz il-Malti.

Read more

It is with pleasure that I congratulate the Maltese Community Council on the publication of the second edition of its Maltese Resource Directory. This resource directory offers those from other cultures the opportunity to learn more about the Maltese helping further enrich our society. The South Australian Government is delighted to have been able to support its production by way of funding under the Multicultural Grants Scheme.
As with the first directory, published in 1997, this book is full of useful information about South Australia and Malta. The compendium of historical and cultural achievements of members of the Maltese community in South Australia, also lists organisations and activities of the Maltese in South Australia. From the fascinating story of Maltese immigration and settlement in South Australia to the details of the Maltese clubs and associations operating in South Australia today, including the evergreen Maltese Language School of Adelaide and the colourfully named Blue Grotto Maltese Radio Program, there is something for everyone in this publication.
The directory also reflects the tenacity and resourcefulness of a community which has not always had it easy, particularly in the early 1900s when, like many other groups, Maltese were banned from most types of employment. In the 2001 Census, 5,500 South Australians said they were of Maltese ancestry. The Maltese community has had a significant role in the promotion of multiculturalism for all South Australians.
Congratulations to the community, in particular congratulations to the Honorary Consul of Malta in South Australia and Editor of the Directory, Frank Scicluna, on its publication.
Hon. Mike Rann - Premier of South Australia.
TO ORDER A COPY OF THE DIRECTORY EMAIL ME TODAY
The book costs $15 (Australian Dollars) plus postage.

New Maltese Passports after 1 May 2004 - By MaltaMedia News - Apr 30, 2004,
The Director, Department of Civil Registration, announced that any Malta Passport issued after 1st May 2004 will include also the words UNJONI EWROPEA on the front cover, thus indicating that Maltese Nationals now enjoy also European citizenship.
This is one of the first tangible signs of Malta's new status as EU Member State. Passports will continue to be issued following the submission of the usual application form "A", duly filled in, two passport photos, the previous passport, and the payment of the relative fee. All passports issued prior to 1st May 2004 will remain valid until their respective expiry date. However, anyone wishing to have his/her passport replaced may do so by applying in the normal course of events. In case of any queries or further information one may contact the Passport Office on telephone numbers 21 222286 / 21 239658 or by e-mail: civil.registration@gov.mt

Residents of South Australia may contact the Hon. Consul of Malta in S.A.
Frank L Scicluna JP - franksc@tpg.com.au
Media Release 2/6/2004 Re-Passports

Australian citizenship symbolises our unity as a nation. It represents commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It also symbolises the sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or where we have decided to make our home.
In the following website you will find everything you need to know about citizenship and, in particular, the Government's invitation to all eligible permanent residents in Australia to join the Australian family by becoming citizens.
Why Australian citizenship?
Informazzjoni bil-Malti
Dual Citizenship

Most Maltese women up to the 1930s and even during the Second World War days used to wear the ghonnella. That headgear used to distinguish her from all other women of the world. The ghonnella covered the head and wrapped round the body from the waist upward; it did not cover the face, but with a little move hid it from curious eyes.
The ghonnella endowed Maltese women with a proud and pretty appearance. It became her, showed her sprightly and honoured her in people's eyes. The cover of ghonnella was like a charm which bewitched and enticed men to yearn for a more revealing look at the eager face hidden behind it while the big and alluring eyes shot through the little hoop in the ghonnella like the arrow of the Son of Venus.   Read more

GAMRI FARRUGIA - The Oldest Man in Malta is 104 years old this month
Interview by Charles Mizzi
Friday, 06 August, 2004
"I still drink a glass of wine every day, but I cut on my cigar smoking" - says Gamri Farrugia He was born on the turn of a new century when nobody heard of a flying machine, electricity was an unknown service in his village and most of Malta and Gozo. He used to walk from his village of Dingli to the train station in Rabat.

Read the full story

The picture of Malta's spectacular Grand Harbour is never complete without the colourful elegance of the dghajsa, the traditional passenger boat that has survived through the centuries incredble from Phoenician times.
Like an ageless ballerina dancing on the. water, the dghajsa may give the impression of fragility as it glides smoothly past the oil tankers and huge white tourist liners to cross the ancient harbour, from one special site to another... historical forts, bastions and underground silos, mediaeval palaces and winding wharves, busy shipyards and quaint little bays. But it is, in truth, quite a sturdy boat that can adapt itself remarkably well to both the oar and the modern outboard motor with a maximum of ten passengers if and when required.
The dghajsa is known to have offered the same reliable service to the fleets of the other imperial nations that once ruled over the Maltese Islands, from the French and the Knights of St John to the Arabs and the feudal lords of Europe.

Malta is a long way from Australia but, in the heart and mind of Josephine Cauchi, the sun -drenched Mediterranean island is always close at hand. Josephine Cauchi has lived in Adelaide since 1922 and has never returned to her homeland. However, when I met her in Adelaide to conduct an interview for the National Library of Australia's Oral History Project, it was clear beyond doubt that she is very much a Maltese-Australian woman who thinks of herself as Maltese. Despite nearly seventy years absence from Malta, Josephine Cauchi still makes Maltese lace in the traditional way, with the "trajbu" she brought out to Australia on the Orient liner Orsova, and still speaks the Maltese language. Mention the word "Malta" and her eyes brighten.
   Tell me more

Each year Australia commemorates the anniversary of Anzac Day on the 25th of April as the day when Anzacs landed onto the beaches of Gallipoli. The courage, honesty, endurance, resourcefulness and loyalty of Anzacs became an inspiration to this young nation.
Each year Australians remember with great pride and respect its great sons of Anzacs. They recall that from the deeds and sacrifices of the Anzacs at Gallipoli there emerged a powerful sense of Australian identity and culture. In fact, the young Turkish soldiers on one side and the young Australian soldiers on the other, were both innocent victims of cruel and imperialist policies of the major super powers of that time.
   Maltese Contribution

The University of Malta traces its origins to the founding of the Collegium Melitense in 1592. This college was run by the Jesuits and catered for non-Jesuit students. In 1578, Pope Gregory XIII empowered the Jesuits to confer the degrees of Magister Philosphiae and Doctor Divinitas. However, other subjects such as Grammar and the Humanities were also taught.
 History of Malta University

How do you like our school website?Please vote for us!

If you are interested in learning the Maltese Language and Culture enrol now in the Maltese Language School. Lessons for beginners and advanced are held at the Maltese Cultural Centre, 6 Jeanes Street, Beverley, South Australia every Friday from 7.00 pm onwards.
School will started again on Friday 23 July 2004 (Term 3)
ENROL HERE NOW

'Aboriginal Culture' is that broad-based term which covers most things aboriginal. This includes their Dreamtime, the development of their weapons and hunting methods, the legacy which is passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation, and that part of this legacy which has been adopted by other Australians, and that which the aboriginals have borrowed from other cultures, particularly the European settlers who came in 1788.
  Australian Aborigines
  Australian Government Website

Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija is reopening its physiotherapy clinic, which will be managed by a Maltese/Australian physiotherapist.
Marika Scicluna has been roped in through a scholarship sponsored by the government, Bank of Valletta and the Maltese Australian Business and Professionals Association in New South Wales.
The aim of the scholarship is to promote business relations between Malta and Australia.
Ms Scicluna, 27, from Adelaide, has practised physiotherapy for the past six years in a variety of private practice settings. However, for the last three years she has successfully managed her own physiotherapy clinic in South Australia.
She specialises in the treatment of back and neck injuries, sports injuries, work-related injuries, ergonomic assessments and exercise rehabilitation. Profits made from the clinic assist in the running of Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija. Anybody interested in her services should call the reception on 2163 4412 for an appointment.

The four scholarship winners are in this photo - from left - Marika Scicluna, Chris Abdilla, H.E. Dr. Ivan Fsadni, Malta High Commissioner in Australia, Antoine Mangion and Claire Darmanin
TIMES OF MALTA WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE 2004
• Iktar taghrif • Chris and Marika's Online Journal