The Maltese community in Victoria is mourning the sad loss of one of its prominent members, Charles Belli, who passed away on Sunday 18 December 2016, aged 84 years. The Rosary and a Funeral Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 69 North Street, Hadfield on Friday 23 December 2016 at 11.30 am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of Mass for burial at Northern Memorial Park, Box Forest Rd, Glenroy.
Charles had a heart of gold, always ready to help whoever sought his assistance. He was a very active volunteer at the Maltese Centre looking after the MCCV Library in Parkville.
For many years Charles edited and published the MCCV newsletter and also maintained the MCCV website. He also had his own website www.charbell.com, which is still accessible on the internet. It contains many links that are of particular interest to Maltese living abroad, including online links to Maltese TV and radio stations. He had another webpage at http://www.users.on.net/~charbell/wm.htm with links to back issues of the popular but discontinued TV program series Waltzing Matilda by Josephine Zammit Cordina.
Charles Joseph Belli was born on the 5th July 1932. He was educated at St Aloysius College in Malta. He arrived in Australia in 1954 aged 22 years. He married his wife Doris on the 17th September 1955. They have three children, Raymond, Anthony and Yvonne, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Charles and his wife built their home in West Street, Glenroy, where they raised their family and have resided since. Shortly after arriving in Australia Charles continued with his education and obtained a Certificate of Civil and Civic Industrial Chemistry (Oxford) at RMIT Melbourne and a Certificate of Business Management at Melbourne University.
Charles worked for over 8 years as Production Assistant and later Production Manager with the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. Later he spent almost 20 years at Port Philip Mills in Melbourne as Dye House Manager and Centre Controller.
Charles served on various sport and social committees in Malta and in Melbourne. For some 30 years he held the position of President of the Broadmeadows Soccer Club and other Executive positions on its executive committee.
At its meeting held in October 2016 the MCCV Executive Committee awarded an MCCV Community Award to Charles Belli for Community Services over a period of many years, including his significant contribution to the establishment and management of the MCCV library.
Sadly, three days later, on Sunday 18th December 2016, Charles Belli passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
MCCV President Victor Borg and the Executive Committee members extend their sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to his wife, Doris, his children Raymond and his wife Melanie, Anthony and his wife Eugenie, and Yvonne and her husband Vince and their families.
May God grant him eternal rest.
Serving the Maltese community in Victoria, Australia since 1958
