Yesterday, the Maltese delegation arrived at the nation’s federal capital, Canberra, which could not be more different from the vibrant city of Melbourne which we had just left behind.
Apart from the colder temperatures (at night it can go down to five degrees Celsius) the stark contrast lies in the acres of wide, open spaces, where all you can see for miles are parks and trees, behind which are quiet garden suburbs. Some Australians consider Canberra dull, but coming from a country where we are fast losing every bit of countryside we have left, the wonderful greenery fills us with unabashed envy.
Canberra was chosen as the seat of government because Melbourne and Sydney both wanted to be made the capital, so to put an end to the squabbling, the choice fell on Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, which falls right in the middle.
With the same population as Malta but spread over a considerably larger expanse of land, Canberra was carefully planned by Walter Burley Griffin in 1912 as “the ideal city”, where cultural heritage, unique landscapes and the Australian bush all co-exist. His ideas, which have yet to be fully implemented, are known as “the Griffin Legacy”.
After a wreath-laying ceremony by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at the Australian war memorial, the delegation was taken on a tour of the war museum; an amazing interactive experience which pays tribute to those who served their country. There is even a section on “Malta the George Cross island” on display.
Whereas in Melbourne the Maltese presence can be felt very forcefully, here in Canberra it is more subtle and understated, much like the city itself. In fact, there are only about 300 first-generation Maltese here, and about 1,200 if you include second and third generations. Rather than being concentrated in one spot, the Maltese here have dispersed, and only meet occasionally at places such as the High Commission offices where Maltese language classes are held, organised by the Maltese Association. And although the patriotism we have found in other parts of Australia is to be found here as well (“when you are Maltese you feel it in your blood” one elderly gentleman said), in Canberra it is more low-key.
Members of the Maltese community of Canberra and Queanbeyan gathered rather more quietly than we have been used to, to greet Dr and Mrs Gonzi at the High Commission.
Diane Ponton was born in Australia of Maltese parents, and is married to Ben, an Australian. It was Ben’s fascination with Mediterranean culture that spurred the whole family, including their two young children, to come for Maltese language lessons.
“I want to be able to follow what they are saying at family functions,” he joked.
Diane’s parents are John and Mary Muscat. “I’ve been here 44 years and my husband has been here 57 years – he came with his family when he was seven years old. His mother had seven children and was six months pregnant when she left Malta. Then she had four more after that,” said Mrs Muscat.
Not knowing a word of English, Mary found it very hard at first because Canberra is very isolated and she had no family here. “My next-door neighbour used to help me out with the language, but basically I learned it by myself. Then I lost my first child and that’s when I really wanted to go back home to Malta. Eventually, however I had my daughter Diane, and two other children, and it became easier. Where I live there are hardly any Maltese so when I meet Maltese friends it’s like winning the lottery.”
Dr Pauline Adams nee Caruana is originally from Rabat and, speaking to The Malta Independent, wanted to send her love to her mother Anna Maria Caruana who lives near the Roman Villa. She lectures in languages and mathematics at the University, and teaches Maltese at the High Commission. Dr Adams came to Canberra in 1975 with her husband, a foreign affairs official, with the intention of staying for three years; they have been here ever since.
Then there are the success stories, such as that of 32-year-old Omar Muscat. The owner of a trendy new café/restaurant called Cream in the heart of the city centre, he arrived here 20 years ago with his family when he was just 13 years old. Despite not having any business background and, in his own words, “not being one much for school” he is innately savvy when it comes to running a business.
“This area is developing into a thriving business district so I thought it would be an ideal location for such an establishment, where people can come and relax after a day’s work,” he said. “I also run another place with a business partner, which is a sandwich shop right under some office buildings.”
Asked what his secret is, he answers simply: “I employ good people who take care of things for me.”
He still enjoys visiting Malta every couple of years but can never imagine coming back for good. “I tried living there for nine months once, but the salaries are just too low. Plus I’m too used to my lifestyle here.”