The Maltese Community Council of Victoria has announced the eligibility criteria that will be applied for the selection of successful applicants for scholarships to be awarded by Bishop Joe Grech Memorial Fund established last March.

The aims of the scholarship are to enable young persons of Maltese origin to continue in the footsteps of the late Bishop Joe Grech and, in particular, to encourage interest in Maltese culture.

For this purpose, the Scholarship will provide funds for one or more persons to visit Malta to participate in various cultural activities and appreciate the Maltese culture first hand.

While there are no minimum educational qualifications for applicants to apply for a scholarship, candidates should preferably be under 30 years of age. The intention is to eventually make two scholarships available, one for a male applicant and one for a female.

Candidates will be selected on the basis of their current and expected interest in Maltese history and culture. This could be demonstrated by, for instance:

• a knowledge of Maltese history and Maltese current affairs,
• participation in Maltese functions in Victoria,
• attendance at Maltese Historical Association meetings, and
• participation in activities of the wider Australian community.

Applicants will need to complete an application form and provide a CV highlighting their interests and activities by June 2012. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview. Eligibility will be limited to residents of the State of Victoria. The decision of the selection panel will be final.

The selection panel will consist of the following:

• a representative of the Maltese Community Council of Victoria,
• representative/s of the Bishop Joe Grech Memorial Fund,
• an eminent person of non-Maltese background, and
• other distinguished persons.

The funds available for the scholarship will be announced in due course. It will vary depending on the availability of funds, but it is not expected to be less than $500.

Successful candidates will be expected to continue their interest on their return from Malta. In particular, they would be expected to take part in efforts to generate interest in Maltese culture among Maltese-Australian youth.

Application forms will be made available in due course from the MCCV office at the Maltese Centre in Parkville. An electronic version will also be made available for downloading from the MCCV website.

Completed applications should be posted to:

The Secretary
Bishop Joe Grech Memorial Fund
c/- The Maltese Community Council of Victoria
477 Royal Parade
Parkville VIC 3052

They may also be scanned and sent electronically by email to: [email protected].