Aquilina, John (12.3.1950-)
Politician in AustraliaAquilina was born in Msida and emigrated with his family to Australia in 1956. He was educated at the Christian Brothers High School, Lewisham and graduated from the University of Sydney with BA and a diploma in education. He was a high school teacher of history and English for ten years, mainly in the western suburbs of Sydney. Aquilina was elected mayor of Blacktown, NSW (1977-81) and Alderman (1977-83). He has held several public appointments, including part-time commissioner, Ethnic Affairs Commission (1979-81). Member of parliament for Blacktown (1981-91), Aquilina has held various portfolios, including shadow minister for education and youth affairs and shadow assistant minister for natural resources and minister assisting the Premier on ethnic affairs. In July 1986 he was sworn in as Minister for Youth and Community Services and Assistant Minister for Ethnic Affairs, a post he held till 1988. In April 1995, Aquilina was appointed Minister for Education and Training. He is married to Anne, and they have one daughter Bridget, and two sons, Bede and Jeremy. Source: Maltese Biographies of the Twentieth Century (1997), editors Michael J. Schiavone and Louis J. Scerri
  
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