At the reception held on Saturday 31 August the outgoing Consul General Mr Charles Mifsud presented the Bishop Joseph Grech Memorial Scholarship 2013 to Ms Kristy Galea.
Kristy has completes a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Melbourne, a Certificate IV in Business Administration, and a certificate IV in Occupation Health and Safety at the Australian National Institute of Business and Technology. She also completed a Graduate Diploma and is now completing a Master’s degree in Teaching.
Kristy has been very involved with the Maltese community in Springvale. She plays the organ at the local church on a regular basis. She helps at the Wantirna Festa. She has been involved in working bees and helping in stores to raise funds for worthwhile projects.
She intends to promote Maltese music on Facebook and cooperate with the MCCV Youth group to further attract Maltese youth to become part of the Maltese community.
Before the presentation, Ms Rita Catania, who was awarded the inaugural scholarship last year, spoke about her first-hand experience of Maltese culture and history during her visit to Malta earlier this year.
Generation AusMalts interview with Kirsty Galea
Throughout the year, applications were called for the Bishop Joe Grech Memorial Scholarship; GAM would like to congratulate Kristy Galea on being the 2013 recipient. Kristy is the second recipient to win this scholarship and has won a $1,000 to put towards a flight to Malta and/or accommodation. Kristy received her award at the MCCV on 31 August from Maltese former Consul-General, Mr Charles Mifsud.
GAM caught up with Kristy to get to know her a little more…
GAM: Tell us a little about yourself?
Kristy: I’m 22 years old and was born in Australia. I was born, raised and still currently live in Springvale. After high school, I studied a Bachelor of Music and have recently completed my Masters in Teaching. I also currently teach piano at two schools and privately at home.
GAM: Where do your parents come from in Malta or Gozo?
Kristy: My mum and dad are both from Malta. My mum is from Rabat and my dad is from Mosta. Most of the relatives I have in Malta also currently live in Rabat.
GAM: Have you even been before?
Kristy: I was fortunate enough to travel to Malta on the ‘2012 Malta Discovery Tour’ organised by the MCCV, in affiliation with the Australian Catholic University. It was a fantastic and I highly recommend it to any person looking to travel to Malta to find out about its historical elements.
GAM: What made you apply for the Bishop Joe Grech Memorial Scholarship?
Kristy: After participating in the 2012 Malta Discovery Tour 2012, I was encouraged by MCCV Secretary, Edwina Mallia to apply for the scholarship. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get more involved with the Maltese community, and assist in promoting Maltese culture to young Maltese Australians.
GAM: What will be one of the things you look forward to doing / seeing in Malta or Gozo when you use your scholarship?
Kristy: I will be looking forward visiting my relatives that I had met for the first time last year. Even though I only got to know them for a short period of time, it was like we had known each other for years! They were all so lovely and welcoming, and I enjoyed spending time with them.
GAM: Why is your Maltese culture so important to you personally?
Kristy: It’s important to me because it is a large part of who I am. Growing up, my grandparents often told me stories about their life in Malta. They were so proud of their culture and I believe it to be a responsibility of young Australian Maltese to preserve this culture and share the deep history of Malta to all.
GAM: Why should other Australian-Maltese youth embrace their Maltese heritage and culture?
Kristy: Maltese and Gozitan heritage is a part of who we are. There is so much history to Malta and Gozo. To be honest, before being a part of the 2012 Malta Discovery Tour, I didn’t really know much about the history of Malta and Gozo. I realised how truly amazing Malta and Gozo were when visiting the sites, and I really encourage all Australian Maltese to make their way to Malta one day.