On a glorious sunny autumn morning in Melbourne, the 70th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to the people of Malta was commemorated in a moving ceremony held at the Shelter of Peace. This event is organised annually by the Maltese Australian Association (MAA). This year, it also marked the beginning of a two-week program of special events commemorating the 70th anniversary organised by the Consul-General for Malta in Victoria, Mr Charles Mifsud and his committee.
Today’s ceremony began on the forecourt and cenotaph of the Shrine of Remembrance with a march led by the Australian Army Band, Pipe Major Hawthorn Agnew MUR, army cadets and scouts, the official party, honoured guests, ex-service associations and Maltese Community Associations.
The official party included the Hon Andrew Elmsbury MLC (representing the Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship the Hon Nick Kotsiras), the Leader of the State Opposition the Hon Daniel Andrews MLA, the British Consul-General in Victoria Mr Stuart Gill and the Consul-General for Malta in Victoria, Mr Charles Mifsud and several dignitaries or their delegates from the Royal Australian Navy, Army and Air Force.
>Maltese community organisations were well represented. The Maltese Community Council of Victoria was represented by the Public Relations Officer and Honorary Consul of Malta in Victoria, Dr Edwin Borg-Manché, and by the Welfare Director, Mrs Rosemary Attard.
During the march up the forecourt there were two flypasts of RAAF Museum planes over the Shrine of Remembrance for the occasion. The army cadets formed a guard of honour on each side of the Cenotaph with the eternal flame. To the Pipe Major’s sombre music, the MAA President Mr Benny Soler laid a wreath at the Cenotaph accompanied by Shrine and Returned Services League representatives.
Brigadier Keith Rossi AM, OBE, RFD ED, read the Ode to the Fallen and one minute silence was observed between the Last Post and the Rouse played by the Army Bugler. RAAF Chaplain Keith Lanyon offered prayers.
The march then proceeded to the Shelter of Peace, which is located on the east side of the Shrine over Birdwood Avenue and was built 20 years ago to mark the 50th anniversary of the George Cross Award.
At the Shelter of Peace Major Andrew Kopada, Acting Commanding Officer 5/6 RVE presented the Catafalque Party. MAA President Mr Benny Soler welcomed the official party and distinguished guests to the commemoration ceremony. Flight Lieut I Speirs RAAF Ret read the Prayer of Peace and Commander A Nye RAN read out the Royal Warrant of the George Cross to Malta. Major Kopada read a piece titled “Malta United in Defence”.
British Consul-General in Victoria Mr Stuart Gill read the Citation of the George Cross signed by King George VI on 15th April 1942, exactly 70 years ago today. The President of the Maltese Historical Association, Mrs Frances Bonnici, read “Homage to Malta” in English, while the President of the Maltese Literature Group, Dr Victor Sammut, read the same in Maltese (Tislima lil Malta).
The Hon. Andrew Elmsbury MLC then made a brief speech on behalf of Minister Kotsiras, who was unable to attend. “Today we celebrate the sacrifice made by the allied and commonwealth forces in World War II during the Siege of Malta and the 70th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta. It was bestowed on the people of Malta for the great strength and courage they displayed during the most dangerous and testing of times. Commemorations like today ensure that the meaning of the Siege of Malta is neither diminished nor forgotten. We dedicate ourselves to carry forward the legacy of freedom and democracy that the victory of Malta and the allies represents,” said Mr Elmsbury.
Mr Elmsbury commended the Maltese Australian Association for organising such a moving ceremony and for its positive contribution to the cultural diversity. “Here in Victoria we are blessed to have such a strong Maltese community. Across many spheres of society, the Maltese contribution has been positive and considerable, characterised by hard work, devotion to family, and commitment to community, he said. Mr Elmsbury said that he is proud to be Co-Chairman of Parliamentary Friends of Malta that was formed among Victorian State Parliamentarians last month.
In his speech, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Daniel Andrews MLA, referred to the venue of today’s event as “this sacred place, a precinct like no other, surrounded by symbols of loss and grief but also symbols of hope, courage, bravery and fortitude that has seen decency, freedom, democracy and fundamental respect for human rights prevail over so many challenges throughout our history.”
Mr Andrews said that “It is fitting to be in such a touching precinct to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the awarding of the George Cross to the people of Malta, whose fortitude, bravery and courage against that often used phrase ‘odds uncounted’ stands as a beacon to all that is right, a beacon to the values that our state is forged upon, and our great nation beyond that.”
Refering to the circumstances in Malta during the war, Mr Andrews said that “when we think about that military blockade and bombing, a sustained bombing the likes of which had never before been seen and indeed has never been seen since, when we think of the attempted starvation of the Maltese people and of all those that had travelled to Malta to defend them, when we think of the strategic significance of the island of Malta to other campaigns in North Africa and the ultimate outcome of that war, we should all be just so grateful to the Maltese community for their bravery, for their stoicism, for the sacrifice that they and those that had come to defend them showed during those two years.”
Speaking about the contribution of the Maltese community in Victoria, Mr Andrews said
that “it is a great honour to have the George Cross awarded to Malta but in many respects we should also pause just for a moment today and celebrate and honour the contribution that Maltese Australians have made to our multiculturalism, to our great state and our great nation. With a focus on hard work, on family and importantly on faith, the Maltese community has made a substantial contribution to Victoria, one that each and every member of our community with Maltese heritage should be abundantly proud of.”
Mr Andrews thanked and praised the Maltese Australian Association for organising such a moving ceremony to commemorate the bravery, stoicism and the ultimate victory of those back in Malta some 70 years ago.
After the speeches, wreaths were laid by the various dignitaries and Maltese community representatives.
Brigadier Keith Rossi AM, OBE, RFD ED, read the Ode to the Fallen and one minute silence was observed between the Last Post and the Rouse played by the Army Bugler. RAAF Chaplain Keith Lanyon offered prayers.
Consul-General for Malta in Victoria, Mr Charles Mifsud, read a piece about “Malta for Peace” refering to the two Sieges of Malta, the first being in 1565 and the second during World War II. “Out of both sieges Malta emerged in a state of utter devastation but totally unscathed in spirit and honour. From the last, the Maltese people also emerged with the firm resolve to become at last the designers of their own destiny. Today, Malta’s declared policy is one that promotes international peace. It is the harsh experience from its warrish past and its heroic resilience that motivate many nations to recognise Malta as a bulwark of world peace in modern times,” said Mr Mifsud.
The ceremony concluded with the Australian Army Band playing of the national anthems of Malta, the UK and Australia.
