I was shocked on Friday to see live TV footage of flames at the Centru Malti in Melbourne being extinguished by firemen of the Metropolitan Brigade, and the evacuation of some nearby families. The accident was apparently sparked off by a candle which, although snuffed out during a seven visits ceremony on Maundy Thursday, had somehow re-enkindled and completely destroyed the Centru’s board room.

Melbourne’s Centru Malti in Parkville, a prestigious part of the city next to the university campus, is one of the finest in the Maltese diaspora, and a living hub of socio-cultural activities that make one proud to be of Maltese descent.

Originally started by the Maltese Missionary Movement of St Paul, the Centru came to house the Maltese Community Council of Victoria (MCCV), a state which is host to the largest Maltese overseas community in the world. It was here, for example, that the Maltese Literature Group met; here too where the Maltese Historical Association of Australia was set up in 1987 and also here where you are most likely to hear a band play marches, or feast on bigilla, pastizzi and qassatat.

Might I suggest to the leaders of the MCCV that a fund be established and an account for donations indicated, so that the Maltese, especially those with fond memories of the Centru, can contribute to the restoration of the damaged parts of the building?

Henry Frendo

ATTARD