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Commonwealth Games adoption link with Malta explored

By Latrobe Shire Council - 10th January 2005 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council and the Vice Consulate of Malta and the Latrobe Valley, have begun to explore options for the ‘Adopt a Second Team’ program announced by the Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, in late October 2004.

Under the ‘Adopt a Second Team’ program, municipalities across Victoria are each adopting another Commonwealth nation as part of their preparations for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. "In Latrobe City’s case we were fortunate to be matched with Malta, as a significant part of our community originally comes from the Mediterranean Island, and there are strong existing ties," Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed, said.

Cr Lougheed said the ‘Adopt a Second Team’ program was aimed at building stronger communities by connecting people whether they live across the world or across the street.

"It’s important to recognise that this program in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games will be very much about celebrating and highlighting the attributes of other cultures such as through art, dance, music and heritage, as well as sport. While the Commonwealth Games itself is obviously the pinnacle of the sporting year, the ‘Adopt a Second Team’ program is all embracing," Cr Lougheed explained.

"It will also be a celebration that involves all the community whether they are third generation Australian, or migrants from one of the many lands that have contributed their culture, skills and energy to the society we enjoy here in Latrobe City today," Cr Lougheed added.

Latrobe City’s Deputy Mayor, Cr Darrell White, said the range of events that will be conducted under the ‘Adopt a Second Team’ program are yet to be finalised. "We have met with representatives of the Vice Consulate of Malta and the Latrobe Valley and both parties are very excited at the prospects this opportunity offers," Cr White said.

"Many Councils are using this opportunity to learn about other cultures, to foster cultural exchange and to build on existing relationships. In Latrobe City’s case, we will be encouraging not only our own community to become involved, but we hope to have large numbers of visitors from Maltese communities across the state and overseas," Cr White said.

Vice Consul and President of the Maltese Community Centre, based in Morwell, Mario Sammut, said more than two-thousand residents in the Latrobe Valley had connections with Malta.

"Many residents migrated in the late 1940s and early 1950s. They were eagerly met at Australian ports by representatives of the then State Electricity Commission (SEC) on the lookout for workers for the power industry, and as a consequence many Maltese settled here," Mr Sammut explained.

"Malta and Australia have traditional close links. Many Anzacs were treated on Malta for wounds they encountered at Gallipoli, and many WWII Diggers received medical attention on Malta after sustaining injuries in North Africa or in other parts of Europe.

"As a community, we are thrilled that Malta has been adopted by Latrobe City under the ‘Adopt a Second Team’ program, and we look forward to working with Council and organisations across the municipality in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games," Mr Sammut said.

Cr Lougheed said that while the three islands that made up Malta covered an area just 27 kilometres by 14.5 kilometres, and the population was just 400,000; the nation’s heritage and ancient culture attracted huge interest across the world.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com