On Saturday 21 July 2018 the Maltese Community Council of Victoria will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary of its foundation with a Cocktail Party to be held at the Maltese Community Centre in Parkville at 7.00 pm. Maltese Community Awards for 2017 will be presented at the same event.
The MCCV invites members of Maltese community and their families and friends to join in the celebrations and take this opportunity to meet and catch up with old friends. To reserve tickets, contact the MCCV on 9387 8922. A Mass will be held at 6.00 pm at St Paul’s Chapel, Parkville.
MCCV founded 60 years ago
The MCCV was established on Saturday 6 July 1958 on the initiative of the Austral-Malta Association. There were one or two delegates from the Austral-Malta Association, Maltese Settlers Association, Malta Migrants Catholic Association, Melita Social Club, Melfare Club, George Cross Soccer Club, Melita Soccer Club, St. Fidelis Soccer Club, Ex-service Association, 17th Melbourne 1st Malta Boys Scouts Group, Star of the Sea Dramatic Company, and the monthly publication “Malta”.
The first meeting was held in St. Mary’s Mission House in Parkville, Melbourne, which was the home of the priests of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSSP). The Superior of the Order and Spiritual Leader of the Maltese community in Melbourne, Fr. Onoratius Galea, MSSP, generously made the venue available for the meeting. Together with several other priests of the Society, Fr Galea was among those who strove for the establishment and the success of the MCCV. Among those present at the inaugural meeting were the High Commissioner of Malta, Captain George Stivala OBE who attended as an official observer and was elected Patron by acclamation. The agenda for the first meeting included the selection of a name for the new organisation, the establishment of a Maltese cultural and recreational centre, a Maltese radio programme and general elections.
The first officials elected on the MCCV Executive Committee were: Mr. Paul Paris, President; Major J.M. Vella and Mr. J. Galea, Vice-Presidents; Mr. F. St. Angelo, Secretary; Mr. D. Puli, Treasurer; Mr. W. Esposito, PRO; Mr. J. Zammit, Assistant Secretary; Mr. P. Madiona, Assistant Treasurer; and Mr. J. Briffa, Asst.. PRO; while Messrs. B. Busuttil and G. Deguara were declared Auditors.