Maltese Community Council of VictoriaHistory The Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc. (MCCV) is a non-profit organisation which provides social, cultural, recreational and welfare support to all members of the Maltese Community in the State of Victoria. The MCCV is an umbrella organisation for some thirty Maltese associations which are currently affiliated to it. 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. At the second General Meeting held on Thursday 25 April 1968 at 477 Royal Parade Parkville, Mr. Anthony Bonnici, a practising barrister, was elected President and the following members as office bearers: Mr. Anthony Pace and Mrs. Violet Mercieca, Vice-Presidents; Mr. Nicholas Chircop, Hon. Secretary; and Mr. Francis Soler, Hon.Treasurer. Two years later, at the third General Meeting held on Sunday 8 February 1970 at the Melita Social Club in Coburg, Mr. Anthony Bonnici, was re-elected President. The fourth General Meeting was held at a different venue, 1 Harding St, Coburg, on 4 April 1976. The meeting marked a change in leadership, with Mr. Victor Borg, a practising solicitor, being elected President; Mr. Paul Borg and Dr. Gaetan Briffa, Vice-Presidents; Messrs. Ben Soler, Hon. Secretary; Mr. Joe Bartolo, Treasurer; Mr. C Portelli, Social Secretary; Mr. A Galea, PRO; Mr. V Pryce, Social Welfare Officer; Mr. J Galea, Asst Secretary; Councillors Messrs. G Cini, J Vella, G Bugeja, Dr. A Vella, N Chircop, C Camilleri, J Grech, J Eynaud, J Schembri, J Stafrace. The MCCV Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1976 with Mrs. Carmen Vella as the first President, Mrs. Lillian Calleja as Vice-President, Mrs. Terry Borg as Secretary and Mrs. Stella Galea, Treasurer. The other members of the first committee were: Mrs. Helen Soler, Mrs. Lina Stafrace, Mrs. Maria Briffa, Mrs. Irene Bonello, Mrs. Josephine Briffa, Mrs. Carmelina Camilleri, Mrs. Terina Camilleri, Mrs. Sandra Borg and Mrs. Connie Curmi. There were a number of other helpers, such as, Mrs. Lina Borg, who volunteered their time in those early days. In fact, over forty ladies attended their first meeting. The Ladies Auxiliary was to raise funds for the MCCV. They achieved this aim with their individual and collective hard work and determination. In the process, their members provided valuable assistance to the more vulnerable sections of the Maltese community, particularly the elderly. They organised their own functions and also contributed and assisted in community events such as the Annual Fete. The MCCV continued to grow and at the General Meeting held in Parkville on 9/4/78, the President reported that whereas at the time of the first General Meeting there were only five associations present, now there were 22 affiliated with the council, of which 20 were present. By 1986 the number of associations affiliated with the MCCV had increased to 27. The building of the Centru Malti in Parkville was the next most important project for the MCCV and its opening in December 1983 constitutes one of the most important landmarks in the annals of Maltese settlement in Victoria. It galvanised the various organisations forming the Maltese community and gave them a focal point and a sense of community bonding, which may have been lacking before. It gave them a stronger sense of purpose. The MCCV became an incorporated association under the laws of the State of Victoria on 12 July 1984. As an effect of the incorporation, the premises at North Sunshine passed from the trustees' hands and became registered in the Council's name. At the Annual General Meeting, held on 27 July 1986, after 10 years at the helm, Mr Victor Borg did not seek re-election to the Presidency and Dr Maurice Cauchi, a medical practitioner, succeeded him in that office. The MCCV's own monthly newspaper, Il-Maltija, was published under the editorship of Mr. Charles Camilleri in 1990. After almost 6 years leading the MCCV, Dr. Cauchi stepped down after the meeting of 5th February 1992 as he was re-settling in Malta.Mr. Joseph Borg took over the presidency initially in an acting capacity and later he was formally elected President at the Annual General Meeting on 26 July 1992. Messrs. Victor Borg and George Saliba were elected Vice-Presidents; Ben Soler, Secretary; Ms. Vivienne Kost; Asst. Secretary; Paul Borg, Treasurer; Joe Montebello, PRO; Frank Calleja, Welfare Officer; Charles Portelli, Asst. Treasurer. In 1992, the MCCV purchased a shop-front in Watt Street, Sunshine, jointly with the MSSP, after the demolition and sale of the building in Westmoreland Road, Sunshine. Various activities are organised with the scope of promoting Maltese culture and encouraging local Maltese talent. The MCCV organises annually the Maltese Cultural Festival and most recently has signified its support of the Maltese Government's Roots programme that encourages youngsters of Maltese origin to trace their Maltese heritage. The MCCV also contributes to the unity of the Maltese community throughout Australia. On the 25th and 26th January 1986, the Council hosted the first national welfare seminar which was held at the Centru Malti in Parkville with representatives from all the major Australian States. The Maltese Federal Council of Australia was born during that Australia Day long week-end in 1986 in Melbourne. Unfortunately it never really took off as it was envisaged. In October 1997, the MCCV started delivering Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) to Maltese frail elderly who need planned and co-ordinated services because of their complex care needs. It enables them to live independently in their own homes or in the community and delays their need to enter an institutional environment. The Council owns and runs the only Maltese public library in Australia at the Centru Maltiin Parkville. It has audio and visual material, apart from books. Having developed into an umbrella organisation for its affiliated members, the MCCV is recognised as the official and legitimate body representing the Maltese community of Victoria. (The contribution of Mr Albert W Agius) Official Website http://www.mccv.org.au
  
|
.