Maltese Historical Association of Australia

Today is a very special day for me. It was 70 years ago today - 30th June 1954 - that my parents, Loreto and Olive, and I disembarked from the 'Himalaya' at Station Pier, Melbourne, to start a new life in a new country.
****

As a migrant child, I grew up to make a contribution in the field of immigration and ethnic history. I undertook much original research and had several books and research papers published. My generation of migrants' parents were too busy in the factories (like my dad) to pay attention to 'ethnic history'. But through their dedication and sacrifices, many of their children went to university and a few of us studied History and became aware of the new fields of research in the Australian story.
****

Forty years ago, I recorded my first proper oral history interview - which was with a Maltese migrant. I kept recording oral history interviews, including for the National Library, and currently have recorded 499 such interviews, mostly with migrants: Maltese, Italians, English, Poles, Lebanese and most recently a project about the Indian diaspora.

Among this audio-archive are more than 30 interviews, recorded in the mid 1980s, with migrants who came to Australia in the 1910s and 1920s - in other words, migrant voices from a century and more ago.
****

My Maltese dad had been stationed in London after the War with the Royal Air Force (which he joined in Malta in 1940) and married my Londoner mother in 1947. My parents benefited from the post-war assisted migration scheme - 'Ten Pound Poms' scheme. I was three (and travelled for free).
The 19,000 km voyage took about a month.

****
Life is full of irony. My mother told her brother and sister at Tilbury Docks that she'd be back in two years. My dad was really keen to emigrate to Melbourne but mum not so. However, they both believed the move would be good for me, their son, as London had experienced 'The Great Smog' of 1952, which killed thousands of Londoners in one weekend. It was mostly babies and the elderly who died (ie, the authorities ran out of coffins). My parents told me that I developed a bronchial problem because of the smog and I'd "cough my lungs up" in my cot.

They made the decision primarily for me.

My dad had two brothers in Melbourne - Joe Meilak and Michael Meilak. Joe, a wharfie, kindly nominated us for assisted passage and provided initial accommodation in his humble West Melbourne home.

****
Accommodation was a big problem for new arrivals. It didn't work out with Joe and his lovely wife, Daisy, and we then went to live in Coburg with uncle Michael. Again, it didn't work out and for the next 20 months we went from boarding-house to boarding-house - five in all, in Coburg and Brunswick. They weren't always nice places.

Then, in 1956, my hard-working parents put a deposit on our own home in Shamrock Street, West Brunswick. It was a joyous occasion, especially for me as a kid who had been technically 'homeless' from the age of three to five.

****
The irony was that my mother fell in love with Australia very quickly. She loved its wide open spaces, the friendliness of the people and the lack of formal hierarchy in the workplace. It took her a while to adjust to calling her boss "Stan" rather than "Mister Long".

My dad, who had been so keen to emigrate, hated it here in the early years. He found it "backward" and had expected Melbourne to be a mini-London. He never really adjusted to Australia and, despite having changed his name in London after the War, always said he was Maltese. He identified as Maltese rather than Australian, and never engaged in the hyphenated 'Maltese-Australian' concept. In his final years, he even said to me: "Leaving Malta was the worst mistake I ever made". (Though of course, he didn't just 'leave', he volunteered to fight Fascism and Na**sm and was sent overseas by the RAF).

****
My mum died 21 years ago and dad 15 years ago. They were typical migrants - hard working, determined to make a better life than they had back in their homelands, pursuing the elusive butterfly known as happiness. They settled well into the community of Brunswick, Melbourne, where they resided for 40 years. I feel privileged to have grown up there for 30 years, years in which my hometown was an unselfconscious multicultural community, very working class, dotted with factories, textile mills and quarries even in the residential areas.
****
I cannot know how I would have ended up had I grown up in London. And I am not nationalistic, so I don't say that "Australia is the best country in the world". But I am very grateful to my parents for bringing me here. I'm glad to have grown up in Australia and especially in a place like the old Brunswick.

I'm sometimes asked how I identify in terms of my own ethnicity. My mum identified as English and as Australian but retained the accent and manners of an English lady (with just an occasional hint of Cockney). My dad, as I said, regarded himself as Maltese. Personally, I think of myself as a Brunswegian or 'Brunswick boy'. Apart from that, I'm a cosmopolitan who could probably live happily in any modern industrial society in which English is a common language.

****
I hope none of this sounds braggadocious. I'm just celebrating my very special day: 30 June 1954.

****

Edward Curmi (1927-2017) was the son of Captain Henry Curmi (1890-1967) who was appointed Malta's first Commissioner to Australia in 1929 but returned to Malta after the year due to ill-health. He returned to Australia as Commissioner in 1936 and was based at his Melbourne office, 108 Queen Street, until retirement in 1952.
***
Henry Curmi was born at Sliema, Malta.
I interviewed Edward at his home in North Melbourne in 1984 for his memories of his father. This was part of my research into the history of the Maltese in Australia. Edward was born at Malta and came to Melbourne with his parents, Henry and Pauline, and siblings, in 1936.

Edward Curmi interviewed by Barry York 30 August 1984 Edward Curmi (1927-2017) was the son of Captain Henry Curmi (1890-1967) who was appointed Malta's first Commissioner to Australia in 1929 but returned to Mal...

More Australians and New Zealanders at Australia Hall this year.

Hoping to meet again with the owner to discuss the planning authority approvals and how we can help.

🇬🇧 In the photo, one can see the protective shelter covering Mnajdra. This site was excavated less than two centuries ago, and its condition has worsened due to exposure since then. Therefore, shelters were constructed to protect the site from natural deterioration caused by rain, wind and sun exposure.

Interested in visiting the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park? Purchase your ticket from our website: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/hagar-qim-and-mnajdra-archaeological-park/

🇲🇹 Fir-ritratt, tista' tara x-xelter protettiv li jgħatti l-Imnajdra. Dan is-sit ġie skavat inqas minn żewġ sekli ilu, u l-kundizzjoni tiegħu kienet affettwata b'mod negattiv minħabba l-espożizzjoni għall-elementi. Għalhekk, inbnew xelters biex jipproteġu s-sit minn deterjorament naturali kkawżat minn espożizzjoni għax-xita, ir-riħ u x-xemx.

Interessat/a li żżur il-Park Arkeoloġiku ta' Ħaġar Qim u L-Imnajdra? Ixtri il-biljett tiegħek mis-sit elettroniku tagħna: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/hagar-qim-and-mnajdra-archaeological-park/

Attention all,

Please be informed that Tuesday evening's presentation by Daniel Cilia is being postponed to the following week due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we are unable to proceed as planned due to circumstances beyond our control. Please join us next Tuesday the 25th at the same time for this presentation. Thank you very much.

Grazzi ħafna.

I wrote this in 1991, based on an oral history interview with Josephine Cauchi, in Adelaide. She migrated from Malta to Australia as a young woman in 1922 - that's 102 years ago.
The full interview is preserved by the National Library of Australia, for whom it was made in 1989.
She is no longer with us, but her story and voice live on through the recording.

Malta's flag stands out for its exceptional distinction: it is the only flag in the world adorned with a medal. This medal, the George Cross, was awarded to Malta for its courageous defense against German attacks during World War II. Despite being the most heavily bombed country of the war and facing severe food shortages, Malta refused to surrender, displaying remarkable resilience and determination. The strategic significance of Malta's location in the Mediterranean made its defense crucial in the broader context of the war. This historical context, coupled with the symbolism of the George Cross on its flag, renders Malta's flag truly unique among nations.

Like and share if you're proud to be Maltese and to celebrate the remarkable resilience and valor represented by Malta's unique flag. 🇲🇹

Country Flags with Mythical Creatures; Mythical creatures are spellbinding, mysterious, and have been used as powerful symbols throughout history.

Early 19th century painting attributed to the Schranz family - Wignacourt Tower clearly seen on the far left with Selmun Palace and St Paul's Islands in the background.

THE MALTESE EX SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA Inc.

ANZAC DAY
25TH APRIL 2024

To all Maltese Ex-Services Members,
descendants of Veterans and members of the Maltese Community
who are interested in participating in the march.

If you have medals, please wear them.

Kinfolk are welcome

Date: Thursday 25th April 2024

Meeting Point: The Maltese Centre, 477 Royal Parade, Parkville.
Time: 8.30 am.

Father Lonnie will hold a short Memorial Service at 9:00am
(You can park your car at the Centre car park and leave with us on a free tram ride down to Flinders Street)

Alternatively

You can meet us at Flinders Street, (Between Queen St & Elizabeth St)
Meeting Time: 10:15am & March off Time: 11:15am
(If you have any trouble finding us, ask a marshal for directions)

All are welcome for tea and coffee after the march

🇲🇹 The Siege of Malta (1940-1942) witnessed air raids by Axis forces in early 1942 during World War II ✈️🔥. February was a period of severe bombardment and hardship for the Maltese. The George Cross 🎖 was awarded to the entire Maltese population by King George VI in April 1942, in recognition of their bravery and resilience during this period. It is currently on display at Fort St Elmo – National War Museum.

🇬🇧 Matul l-Assedju ta’ Malta (1940-1942) il-qawwiet magħrufa bħala Axis attakkaw lil gżiritina bla ħniena fil-bidu tal-1942, fl-eqqel tat-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija ✈️🔥. Frar kien xahar ta’ bumbardamenti u tbatija għall-popolazzjoni Maltija. Il-George Cross 🎖 ingħata lill-poplu Malti mir-Re Ġorġ VI f’April 1942, bħala rikonoxximent għall-qlubija u r-reżiljenza tiegħu matul dan il-perjodu. Bħalissa jinsab għall-wiri fil-Forti Sant’Iermu – Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Gwerra.