THE GHARB CLUB OF MELBOURNE
From Franky DeBrincat - President
My name is Franky DeBrincat and I was born at Gharb and emigrated to Australia in 1974 where I have lived in this beautiful state of Victoria ever since.
For some years I had a dream to start a new club and celebrate the feast of our village, that is the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St.Elizabeth and what a dream it was. This celebration of the Gharb Festa will give all the migrants from Gharb living in Australia the opportunity to at least once a year meet and share their stories. The first step I had to undertake was to set up a new club and therefore called a few friends of mine from Gharb asking them if they will be interested in forming a small committee. I contacted Emmanuel Cauchi, Joe Mizzi, Sam Apap and Michael Apap who agreed to join the committee and assist me in carrying out my dream.
The first meeting was held on Saturday 22 April 2006 at my home in Banchory Grove. The committee decided on the name of the club which will be the Gharb Club of Melbourne. This was to be the first and only club from Gharb outside our village. The emblem of our new club, designed by my son Christopher, consists of a tower, the same as that of Gharb, resting on two flags on either side, the Maltese and the Australian flags. A golden crown sits above the tower and beneath it one finds the club’s name, Gharb Club of Melbourne,
The committee elected me as the first president of the club since I was the founder of the club. Joe Mizzi was elected as secretary, Emmanuel Cauchi as treasurer, Michael Apap and Sam Apap as public relations and with this the first committee of the new club of Melbourne was born.
A huge banner was designed depicting the club’s emblem in its centre. This was made by my wife Frances which she donated to the club as its official banner. The Mayor of Gharb, David Apap, donated another banner featuring the statue of the Visitation. David also offered to be the contact person in Gharb and assist us in any way possible.
The first feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Elizabeth was held on Sunday 2 July 2006 at 2.30pm at St.Bernadette’s Church North Sunshine. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Emanuel Bonello.
I wish to thank Sandro Pace, the web master of this site, who was willing to publish information about our new club and in turn keep the people of Gharb informed of what we are doing here in Australia I also wish to thank the committee, friends and volunteers for without their generosity and support this year’s feast would not have been possible.
Thank you and grazzi hafna
Franky DeBrincat
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2nd July 2006
The Għarb Club of Melbourne wishes to welcome you all to this inaugural celebration of the Feast of the Visitation of St Mary to St Elizabeth.
Most of us here today share some connection with the village of Għarb in Malta. It may be our birthplace, a family member or friend’s place of residence, or simply a favoured holiday destination. Those who share this connection understand the significance of the Feast of the Visitation of St Mary to St Elizabeth to the people of Għarb. As the people of Għarb unite together this weekend to celebrate this Feast, it is with great joy and pleasure that we too unite and celebrate together with them in this significant occasion.
Today’s events here at St Bernadette’s, up until a few months ago, had only been a mere dream shared by few. However, in recognising that this dream could in fact be realised, a committee of volunteers, all descendants of Għarb, consisting of Franky DeBrincat, Emmanuel Cauchi, Michael Apap, Sam Apap and Joe Mizzi, formed the Għarb Club of Melbourne. Collectively, this committee decided that the Festa ta’ l- Għarb will be celebrated here in Melbourne annually and would be dedicated to the Visitation of St Mary to St Elisabeth.
It is our vision that the Feast of the Visitation of St Mary to St Elizabeth will be the focal point of all those in Melbourne who share some connection with the village of Għarb, to come together and celebrate. As awareness of the Għarb Club of Melbourne grows, it is also our wish that more social events and activities be organised to help bring our community together.
On a final note, we wish to thank the mayor of Għarb, David Apap, for personally funding the Visitation Banner which will be welcomed and blessed here today by Father Bonello. The Visitation Banner will be used annually during our feast celebrations as a symbol of the Għarb Club of Melbourne.
Il-festa it-tajba lill-kulhadd u Viva iz-Zewg!
Blessing of the banner by Fr Bonello
The new committee of the Gharb Club of Melbourne
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15th July 2007
On behalf of the Għarb Club of Melbourne, I wish to welcome you all here at the St Bernadette’s Community Centre to this, our second annual celebration of the Feast of the Visitation of St Mary to St Elizabeth.
It was only twelve months ago when we came together to celebrate our inaugural Feast of the Visitation at St Bernadette’s Church. Little did we know, at the time, how successful the day would be. Not only were there many people with some connection to the village of Għarb in attendance, but there were also those who had no connection, yet whom came to join us in celebrating the Feast of the Visitation. The highlights of the Feast included the Blessing of the new Visitation Banner, representing the Għarb Club of Melbourne, and the gathering in the church hall which followed, where we had the opportunity to catch up and reminisce upon our childhood, share some of our memories, and have a laugh at the same time. We wish to thank all these that contributed in some way to the success of the event.
When the Għarb Club of Melbourne was formed, it was the vision of our committee of volunteers, which include Franky DeBrincat, Emmanuel Cauchi, Michael Apap, Sam Apap and Joe Mizzi, to increase our club’s awareness and ultimately be in a position where more social events and activities, can be organised in order to bring our community closer together. Following today’s celebration everyone will have the opportunity to join as members to the Għarb Club of Melbourne, in order to continue with our club’s growth.
Il-festa it-tajba lill-kulhadd u Viva iz-Zewg!
Blessing of the new banner by Fr John Taliana. This banner was donated to the Gharb Club of Melbourne by Tony and Liza Vella.
The New Banner
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22nd June 2008
On behalf of the Gharb Club of Melbourne, I wish to welcome you all here at the St Bernadette’s Community Centre to our third annual celebration of the Feast of the Visitation of St Mary to St Elizabeth.
It’s hard to believe that this is now the third year in which we are celebrating our feast, which not only commemorates the Visitation, but also serves as an opportunity for us all to come together.
Last year’s feast was a great success, with many highlights, which included the blessing of the new Collegiate of Gharb Banner, and together with the Banda Vizitazzjoni ta’ l-Gharb, having the opportunity to sell copies of their CD.
Our Club has been active in the community over the past 12 months. In July, the Club took part in the celebration at St Patrick’s Cathedral of Melbourne, to commemorate the Canonisation of the first Maltese saint, St George Preca, in which the Visitation Banner was carried through the Cathedral, before and after the High Mass. Furthermore, in August, the Club was invited to represent the village of Gharb during the welcoming of the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, to Melbourne.
On this day, the Club wishes to congratulate Monsignor Benedict Camilleri, a well known priest from Gharb, in celebrating the 50th year of his priesthood. On behalf of all Gharb descendants living in Australia, we thank the Monsignor for committing himself, over the past 18 years, in creating the Our Lady of Ta Pinu Marian Centre at Bacchus Marsh.
We hope you enjoy today’s celebration and welcome you to join us afterwards, for our social function and gathering, where everyone will have the opportunity to have their “tislijiet”, greetings and well wishes recorded for Maltese television.
Il-festa it-tajba lill-kulhadd u Viva iz-Zewg!
Reception for The Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi
6 August 2007
The Gharb Club of Melbourne was invited to a reception being held for the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, during his visit to Melbourne. The reception was held at the Maltese Association Hobsons Bay Community Centre. All Maltese clubs based in Melbourne had the opportunity to represent their association by bringing their club’s banner to the event.
Procession of the High Mass of the Thanksgiving Canonisation of St George Preca at St Patrick’s Cathedral
22 July 2007
The Għarb Club of Melbourne was asked to represent the village of Għarb in the Procession of the High Mass of Thanksgiving, to commemorate the Canonisation of the first Maltese saint, Saint George Preca. This event was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral of Melbourne on Sunday 22 July 2007.
During the concelebrated Mass, which was conducted by the Bishop of Sandhurst, Joe Grech, Franky DeBrincat and Emmanuel Cauchi carried the Għarb Club of Melbourne Visitation Banner though the Cathedral, before and after the Mass.
It was a privilege for the Club to be present at such a significant and unique event.
Procession of various Maltese banners to St Patrick’s Cathedral for the Thanksgiving Mass of the Canonisation of St George Preca
Bishop Joe Grech with members of the Gharb Club of Melbourne in front of St Patrick’s Cathedral
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31st May 2009
The Gharb Club of Melbourne welcomes you for the fourth year to the celebration of our beloved feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Elizabeth. This feast is very special to all of us and not just the people from Gharb. It has become an annual occasion where we can all meet and celebrate the feast with our relatives and friends.
This year we decided to honour our feast on the last Sunday of May for two reasons. The first is that the actual feast day of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Elizabeth is on the 31st May. The second reason is that this will give those people going to Malta and Gozo for the holidays the opportunity to attend this feast.
Many of those who attended last year’s feast were invited to send their greetings and well wishes to their loved ones back home in Gharb. These were recorded by Charles Belli on behalf of Super One TV. The messages were televised over two weekends, Sunday 28th September and 5th October 2008. In that same month the programs were shown at the Gharb Parish Hall, or as we all know it ic-Cirklu, to all the locals.
During the past twelve months the Gharb Club of Melbourne had the privilege to make a donation towards the costs of housing a group of young pilgrims staying at St Bernadette’s Parish before making their way to Sydney for the World Youth Day. We also made another donation to the Red Cross Bushfire appeal for the victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.
On 22nd February 2009 some of our members attended the unveiling of the bust of our first Maltese saint, Dun Gorg Preca at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The bust was unveiled by the then President of Malta Dr Edward Fenech Adami and blessed by the Archbishop of Melbourne Rev Denis Hart.
We hope you enjoy today’s celebration and welcome you to join us afterwards for our social function in the foyer.
Il-festa it-tajba lill-kulhadd u Viva iz-Zewg!
World Youth Day 2008
15th – 20th July 2008
On Friday 18th July 2008 Emanuel Cauchi, the treasurer of the Gharb Club of Melbourne, made a donation on our behalf to Fr John Taliana MSSP towards the costs of housing a group of young pilgrims staying at St Bernadette’s Parish. They arrived in Melbourne two weeks before making their way to Sydney for the World Youth Day celebrations. The money collected was spent on food and any other necessities required by the pilgrims. The great generosity shown by the parishioners of St Bernadette’s was very much appreciated by these young people who were also made very welcomed by the priests of the Missionary Society of St Paul.
Black Saturday Bushfire Appeal
7th February 2009
On Friday 13th February 2009 the treasurer of the Gharb Club of Melbourne made another donation on our behalf, to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. As we can all clearly remember the devastation of the Black Saturday bushfires, every cent was needed to help the unfortunate victims of this natural disaster. To this day we will never begin to comprehend what the people of these burnt towns must have suffered. Our donation was only a drop in the ocean when one looks at the money collected by all of the Australians living here and overseas. The total appeal raised over $300,000,000.
Unveiling of the bust of Saint George Preca
22nd February 2009
On February 2009 two of our club’s committee members attended the unveiling of the bust of our first Maltese saint, Dun Gorg Preca. This took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The bust was unveiled by the then president of Malta, Dr Edward Fenech Adami who was in Australia on his last official visit as President of Malta. The bust was then blessed by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Rev Denis Hart. The bust is made of bronze and is now placed in a prominent place in one of the cathedral’s gardens.
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11th July 2010
My dear friends and families from Gharb welcome! Today we’re celebrating the fifth year of our feast. What a joy it has been these last five years since we started celebrating the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Elizabeth. When we first came together on the 2nd July 2006, the Club had no idea what to expect, but we were surprised with the attendance. Many people from Gharb met for the first time while others had not seen or spoken to each other for thirty years or more. This only encouraged us to continue organising the feast.
To mark our fifth anniversary, the Club decided to commission a statue of the Visitation, a replica of the one in Gharb, except on a smaller scale. The statue was sculptured by Hubert Saliba from Xewkija. On the 6th December 2009 the statue was blessed by Bishop Nikol Cauchi during a concelebrated mass at Gharb. The statue left the shores of Malta on 6th March 2010.
I wish to share with you the events that took place over the past year. On 15th June 2009 the Club presented a certificate of appreciation to the Mayor of Gharb, Mr David Apap who was celebrating his 10th year as mayor, for his ongoing commitments and support to the Club. On 1st November 2009 two members of our Club were invited by SBS Radio to attend a recording session at their studios. Another seven clubs from Gozo who also celebrate their village’s feast were present. Our interviews were recorded by Alvin Scicluna from Gozo, to be televised on the TV in Malta. On 3rd January 2010 we welcomed the Mayor of Gharb, Mr David Apap and his family to Melbourne.
The Club welcomed its newest member Mr Tony Vella on 3rd April 2010.
On a very sad note, our dear friend Mr Joe Cauchi, ta’ Sander, passed away on the 28th June 2009. He always displayed great devotion towards the Vizitazzjoni and always encouraged me personally to continue celebrating this feast every year. He will always be in our hearts and prayers and is deeply missed.
Finally I wish to thank all the benefactors especially, Sam and Christine Cauchi, for all their generous donations towards the total cost of the statue. We hope you enjoy today’s celebration and we invite you to join us afterwards for our social function in the foyer.
Il-festa t-tajba lil kullhadd u Viva z-Zewg!
Bishop Hilton Deakin blessing the new statue of the Visitation
A new member joins the Gharb Club of Melbourne Committee
On Saturday 3rd April 2010, the Gharb Club of Melbourne welcomed Mr Tony Vella to his first meeting as a member of this committee. He’s always shown great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Elizabeth and his hard work and support will always be valued.
Certificate of Appreciation
15th June 2009
On Monday 15th June 2009 a certificate of appreciation, signed by all the members of the Gharb Club of Melbourne was sent to the mayor of Gharb, Mr David Apap to mark his 10th anniversary as mayor of this village. Since the Club’s inception in 2006, he has always supported our ideas. He personally donated the club a banner of the Visitation which we use every year for the feast. The Club wished to thank Mr Apap for his ongoing support and assistance. The certificate was presented to Mr David Apap by his brother Mr Michael Apap, a member of the Club, on the eve of the festa ta’ l-Gharb, Saturday 4th July 2009 at the parish square.
Television interview – Ghawdex Illum
1st November 2009
On Sunday 1st November 2009 two members of our Club, Mr Franky DeBrincat and Mr Emmanuel Cauchi were invited by SBS Radio to attend a recording session at their Melbourne studios. Another seven clubs from Gozo - Santa Marija, Santa Margerita, San Guzepp, San Pietru u San Pawl, tal-Vitorja, Qalb ta Gesu and San Gwann also attended. We discussed a range of topics including the ways our feasts are being celebrated. The interviews were recorded and compiled by Alvin Scicluna from Gozo, to be televised on the programme ‘Ghawdex illum’.
Members of the various organisations representing their villages from Gozo in Melbourne
Visit of Mr David Apap to Melbourne
3rd January 2010
On Sunday 3rd January 2010 Mr David Apap was invited by the Gharb Club of Melbourne for afternoon tea where he met all the committee members and their families. During this short holiday he had the opportunity to meet many migrants from Gharb and discuss matters on how to improve communication between here and Gharb using today’s technology. Mr Apap was given a wall plaque and a gift to commemorate this occasion.
In Loving Memory of Mr Joseph Cauchi
1938 - 2009
Mr Joseph Cauchi, Ta’ Sander, sadly passed away on the 28th June 2009 at the age of 71. He always displayed great devotion towards the Vizitazzjoni and always encouraged us to continue celebrating this feast every year. He will forever be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers and is deeply missed. May he rest in peace.
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28th August 2011
My dear friends and families from Gharb welcome! Today we are celebrating the sixth year of our feast. Last year’s feast was of special significance to us because we celebrated the feast with the new statue of the Visitation. It arrived in Melbourne on 10th June 2010 which marked a historical day in the club’s history. The migrants of Gharb who attended the feast were completely overjoyed when they saw the new statue amongst them. The church was packed and what made it also special to the committee, and me personally, was the big number of young adults who attended the feast and participated in the celebrations. This shows that in a very short time we have achieved what we set out to do six years ago that is to get together, young and old, at least once a year.
This year we commissioned a new timber pedestal, bradella, which was hand crafted from blackwood by Tony Curmi from Sannat who is married to Mary nee Vella from Gharb. He volunteered his time and work on this project. The cost of the material was donated by an anonymous person from Gharb. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Tony and Mary and also the anonymous benefactor.
Now I wish to share with you the events that took place over the past year. On 23rd May 2010 an exhibition was held at the Maltese Cultural Centre in Albion. The theme of this exhibition was ‘Festa Maltija’. We set up a stand displaying photos, books and banners of our club from the past five years. On 21st August 2010 the Sacred Heart Fontana Association organized a memorial mass for the six victims who were killed in the fireworks tragedy in Gharb. Members of our committee attended this mass as a sign of respect. We were all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Bishop Nikol Cauchi. Upon hearing this very sad news, the Gharb Club of Melbourne sent a message of sympathy to the family of Bishop Cauchi on behalf of all the migrants of Gharb. On 2nd December 2010 we organised a memorial mass for the late Bishop Cauchi at St Bernadette’s Church. The mass was attended by several migrants, not only from Gharb but from other Maltese villages. On 6th January 2011 the Club sent a message of well wishes to Mons Joseph Sultana upon his installation as archpriest of Gharb.
We, the committee, understand that it is your wish that the statue is kept in a church and we agree with you. Therefore we are trying very hard to achieve this and hopefully in the near future our lovely statue will be housed in a church where we may also be able to celebrate our feast.
In July 2011 the Gharb Club of Melbourne formed a new committee. We wish to thank past members for their commitment, hard work, support and contribution over the last five years.
Finally I wish to thank all the benefactors for their generosity. We hope you enjoy today’s celebrations and we invite you to join us afterwards for a social function in the foyer.
Il-festa t-tajba lil kullhadd u Viva z-Zewg!
The new committee of the Gharb Club of Melbourne for 2011
In July 2011, the Gharb Club of Melbourne formed a new committee. It consists of:
President: Franky DeBrincat
Secretary: Tony Vella
Treasurer: Emmanuel Cauchi
Public relations: Sam Apap
Public relations: Charlie Piscopo
We welcome and thank Charlie Piscopo for accepting this new role and wish to thank past members, Michael Apap and Joe Mizzi for their commitment, hard work, support and contribution over the last five years
Exhibition – Il-Festa Maltija f`Melbourne’
23rd May 2010
On Sunday 23rd May 2010 an exhibition was held at the Maltese Cultural Centre in Albion. This exhibiton was organised by the Maltese Community Council of Victoria. They invited all the Maltese clubs in Melbourne that celebrate their annual feast to display material, that is statues, banners, books, photos, etc., relating to the ‘festa Maltija’. The exhibition was officially opened by the Maltese Consulate General Mr Charles Mifsud. A television crew from the programme ‘Waltzing Matilda’ filmed highlights of this event to be shown on the Maltese TV.
Memorial mass for the victims of the fireworks tragedy in Gharb
21st August 2010
On Tuesday 21st August 2010 the Sacred Heart Fontana Association organised a memorial mass for the six victims who were killed in the fireworks tragedy in Gharb at St Mary Mackillop Church Keilor Downs. Members of the Gharb Club of Melbourne attended this mass as a sign of respect for the victims and their families. The mass was celebrated by Fr Charles Portelli and Mons Benedict Camilleri. It was transmitted live on the Xewkija and Fontana radio. A collection was taken up to assist the victims’ families.
Memorial mass for Bishop Emeritus Mons Nikol G. Cauchi
2nd December 2010
On Thursday 2nd December 2010 the Gharb Club of Melbourne organised a memorial mass for the late Bishop Emeritus Mons NIkol Cauchi at St Bernadette’s Church North Sunshine. The mass was concelebrated by Mons Benedict Camilleri, Fr Denis Carabott and Fr Edwin Agius.
The committee invited other Maltese clubs in Melbourne to attend this mass and bring along their banners, of which twelve accepted. The brother of the late Bishop Cauchi, Professor Maurice Cauchi and his family, attended and participated in the mass. Bishop Cauchi’s cousins, the Portelli and Cauchi families were also present. The mass was attended by several migrants, not only from Gharb but from other Maltese villages. Mons Camilleri, once the secretary of Bishop Cauchi and who also grew up with him, delivered the sermon. The Wyndham Maltese Choir sang appropriate hymns for this memorial mass.
A book of condolences was set up and all who attended were asked to write a message of sympathy. The club published a book as a tribute to Bishop Cauchi and holy pictures which were handed out during mass.
Upon hearing of the sudden death of Bishop Cauchi, the Gharb Club of Melbourne sent a sympathy card to his family in Gharb on behalf of all the migrants of Gharb living in Melbourne.
Funeral of Bishop of Sandhurst Joseph Grech
6th January 2011
On Thursday 6th January 2011 members of the Gharb Club of Melbourne attended the funeral of the Bishop of Sandhurst Joseph Grech at Bendigo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Bishop Joe was born in Balzan Malta . He was the first Maltese priest to be consecrated a bishop here in Australia. He worked tirelessly with the youth, the indegenous people and naturally with the migrants, regardless of where they came from. He died suddenly on 28th December 2010 at the age of 62.
The solemn yet moving service was full of ceremonial traditions and rituals led by Archbishop Cardinal George Pell and assisted by 32 bishops and 176 priests from across Australia. More than 4000 people attended the funeral including a large contingent from the Maltese community. His heritage also played a role in the service with some words spoken in Maltese, which was fitting for a man described ‘bishop of the world’.
Bishop Joe was laid to rest in the crypt of the same cathedral.
Arrival of the Statue of the Visitation in Melbourne
The statue of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Elizabeth was sculptured by Hubert Saliba, an artist from Xewkija, Gozo and was completed on 2nd December 2009. On Sunday 6th December 2009 the statue was taken to Gharb where a celebration was held during which the late Bishop Emeritus Nikola Cauchi blessed the statue. It remained at the Basilica of Gharb for three days for veneration.
The statue was carefully packed in a plywood box by the artist and taken to Malta by the Gozo Express Services on 9th March 2010. After all the paperwork was cleared by the Maltese customs office the statue left Malta on 11th April 2010 on the vessel CMA CGM PUCCINI. The statue finally arrived at the Melbourne Docks on 10th June 2010 on the Kitano vessel.
As we started enquiring about the documents we need to complete and submit to the customs office in order to receive the statue, we soon realised that this will take a lot of time and can only cause further delays. Therefore to assist with the customs clearance here in Melbourne, we hired a customs broker, Steve Pilcher, to handle all the necessary documents. Because there were several delays in Malta, we were running out of time, despite the fact we moved the feast back to July. Without his assistance it was impossible for the club to process all the paperwork in order to have the statue here for the feast in July.
On Thursday 17th June 2010 at 10.15am the statue of the Visitation finally arrived home by a delivery truck. The box was slowly and carefully opened by the committee members and thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary the statue was in a perfect condition.
Once again the committee thanks all the benefactors for their generous donations.
The new bradella for our statue of the Visitation
What is a bradella? A bradella, also referred to as a pedestal,is a wooden square box on which the statue is placed during the feast. The top part of this wooden box comes apart and is used as a tray to carry the statue during the procession. The bradella is crafted out of solid timber such as hardwood, oak, etc. and heavily carved.
In August 2010 someone who wishes to remain anonymous, donated a sum of money towards the feast. Together with this person, the committee decided to use this money for a new bradella for the statue of the Visitation. Joe Mizzi took over this project and approached a very well known carpenter, Tony Curmi, and asked him if he’s willing to make the bradella. He accepted to take on this project on one condition, that he’ll volunteer the time spent working on the bradella and will not charge the club any money for his work. Tony is a migrant from Sannat who happens to be married to Mary nee Vella from Gharb.
Tony started work on the bradella in September 2010 and completed this lovely piece of art in February 2011. It is crafted out of hardwood with heavy carving on each panel. The total cost of the bradella was $1910.00
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3rd June 2012
My dear friends and families from Gharb welcome! Today we are celebrating the seventh year of our feast. We were very fortunate last year to have three priests concelebrate mass, of which two were from our village - Mons Benedict Camilleri who is the rector of Ta Pinu Shrine in Bacchus Marsh and Fr Michael Galea who was here on holidays. Fr Michael read a poem that he wrote and dedicated to the migrants of Gharb. He was very welcomed by all those present and for this we thank you.
This year the Gharb Club of Melbourne ordered a new veil to hang above the statue of the Visitation, similar to the one at Gharb. We searched high and low for the blue fabric as it was very difficult to find the right shade. Finally we came across a fabric which believe it or not is called Elizabeth. Bearing this name made us feel as if it was designed for our statue and confirmed to us that we made the correct choice. The fabric came all the way from Holland. The crown that sits above the statue was made in Gozo by Hubert Saliba and is gilded in 24ct gold.
For the Gharb Club of Melbourne, the past twelve months were rather quiet. However I still wish to share with you the events that took place over this time. The committee was invited by Fr Emmanuel Bonello to assist in organising a dinner dance in honour of His Lordship Mons Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo. This took place at Luxor Receptions on Sunday 23rd October 2011. On 28th December 2011 committee members attended an anniversary mass for the late Bishop Joseph Grech at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo. On 7th January 2012 members of our committee together with migrants from Gharb greeted Mons Karm Gauci, ex-archpriest of Gharb, at Ta Pinu Shrine in Bacchus Marsh. In February we heard of the passing away of Cikku Cauchi from Gharb at the age of 103, the oldest person in Gozo. The committee sent his family a sympathy card on behalf of the Gharb migrants living in Melbourne.
Finally I wish to thank all the benefactors for their generosity. We hope you enjoy today’s celebrations and we invite you to join us afterwards for a social function in the foyer.
Il-festa t-tajba lil kullhadd u Viva z-Zewg!
Visit of Fr Michael Galea to Melbourne
18th August – 18th September 2011
The Gharb Club of Melbourne was very pleased to hear of the visit of Fr Michael Galea, from Gharb, to Australia. As it happened to coincide with our feast, the committee took this wonderful opportunity to invite Fr Michael to join the other priests in celebrating mass. He was very eager to do so as this gave him the chance to experience first hand our celebration of the feast of the Visitation and be amongst the Gharb migrants on this very special day.
As you may remember, Fr Michael wrote a poem dedicated to the migrants which we published in last year’s book. It was only fitting that the committee asked him to read this meaningful poem at the end of mass which he kindly accepted.
Dinner dance in honor of Mons Mario Grech Bishop of Gozo
23rd October 2011
Fr Emmanuel Bonello, the parish priest of St Joseph the Worker in North Reservoir, invited all the Gozo clubs in Melbourne that celebrate their feast to come together and become the Gozo Associations of Melbourne. The reason for this new committee was to mark the visit of Bishop Mario Grech to Melbourne.
A lot of planning goes into organising such an event, this being a dinner dance in honour of Bishop Mario Grech. Two meetings were held in North Reservoir on 10th July and 25th September at which two representatives from each club attended.
Fr Bonello asked each club to make a donation towards the purchase of a gift for the Bishop. The gift consisted of a golden chalice and a chasuble (pjaneta).
The dinner dance was held on Sunday 23rd October 2011 at Luxor Convention Centre. Each club was offered a minimum of thirty six dinnerdance tickets to sell to those interested in attending. Approximately four hundred and fifty guests attended.
The dinner dance was hosted by Marlene Galea and Fr Rob Galea was a guest performer for the evening. During the function Bishop Grech had the opportunity to meet each and every guest who attended.
Fr Bonello presented the gifts to the Bishop and his family and in return His Lordship presented a signed photograph of himself to the president of each club. The evening finished with marches played by a Maltese Brass Band.
Money raised from this event was donated to the Bishop’s various charity funds.
Visit of ex-Archpriest of Gharb to Melbourne
12th December 2011 – 12th January 2012
Members of the Gharb Club of Melbourne were very fortunate to meet Mons Karm Gauci, ex-archpriest of Gharb, during his visit to Australia. Mons Gauci was archpriest of our village for 11 years until 2010.
Whilst in Melbourne Mons Gauci visited Our Lady of Ta Pinu Marian Centre in Bacchus Marsh. He was asked to celebrate mass on two occasions. Following mass he had the opportunity to meet many people from Gharb who went there to see him. He was also invited to concelebrate an anniversary mass for the late Bishop Joseph Grech at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.
Recipient of the Neighbourhood Watch award
On 26th April 2012 Mr Emmanuel Cauchi, the treasurer of the Gharb Club of Melbourne, was awarded a State Award of Honour for 2011 for being an active member of Neighbourhood Watch for 25 years.
Mr Cauchi was one of the original members who started Neighbourhood Watch in North Sunshine in 1987. The members, in conjunction with the police force, worked tirelessly to provide a safe neighbourhood. One has to remember that Neighbourhood Watch members work voluntarily.
The Gharb Club of Melbourne congratulates Mr Cauchi for his achievement.
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(c) Sandro Pace 2012