AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION LINKS
:: THE BEAUTY OF THE MALTESE CULTURE - THE GHONNELLA
THE GHONNELLA - 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
World War II hit Malta on 11 June 1940 and it may be safely said that the enemy hostilities lasted till the capitulation of Italy, which was officially announced on 8 September 1943. Malta suffered heavy losses and many of its historical buildings and homes were destroyed. The Maltese people suffered moral and physical pain and hunger they had never experienced before. During a five-month period between December 1941 and May 1942 more than 800 Maltese were killed and nearly one thousand severely injured in action. Four thousand buildings were reduced to rabble.
The Maltese Community of South Australia in 1942, although very small in numbers (only 20 families) did try to help alleviate the sufferings of their compatriots back home. They organised a special celebration to raise money to be sent to their relatives and friends in Malta. The organisers and participants as well as those who supported this function received well-deserved admiration from the rest of the South Australian community for their charitable and heroic gesture.
Standing from left to right: Connie Vella, Eris Vella, Jane Sciberras, Doris Camilleri, Jeane Camilleri, Rita Schembri, Mary Camilleri. Doris Sciberrras and Mary Grima.
Sitting: Amy ?. Clare ? and Rita Grima.
[The information and photo supplied by Mrs. Rita Muscat nee Schembri and Mr. Daniel Caruana]
