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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-03 Daily Xml
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MALTESE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:35): It was my pleasure recently to represent the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Michael Atkinson, MP, on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the Maltese Senior Citizens Association of South Australia. Mr Frank Scicluna, the Honorary Consul for Malta, along with Mr Frank Grima, President of the Maltese Senior Citizens Association, and his dedicated committee welcomed several hundred guests to the main fundraiser for the association.

Like many other groups that migrated in the post-war years, this community has been dedicated to sharing and celebrating their cultural heritage and ensuring that the ageing members of the community are well provided for. Last year was a significant anniversary when 25 years of the Maltese Senior Citizens Association was celebrated. As a parliament we need to congratulate the volunteers of the association for making sure the needs of the older members of this community are being met and that their lives are enhanced by coming together, whether to share a meal, engaging in shared cultural activities or venturing on bus trips to beautiful South Australian locations.

Volunteers provide regular lunches, deliver meals and organise many events, including social functions, such as bowls and bingo. We all appreciate the fact that, without the many volunteers who support associations such as this, none of these services would be possible. I know I speak on behalf of the government and all members of parliament when I extend my appreciation to all volunteers for the selfless work they perform. The happiness, joy and friendships that are made possible every week is of enormous benefit and satisfaction to the older members of our community.

The Maltese community continues to positively contribute to our wider South Australian community. Today almost 5,000 South Australians claim Maltese ancestry, and the Maltese culture has brought tremendous strengths and benefits to our multicultural society. It is a well documented fact that older South Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse communities constitute the fastest growing proportion of the ageing population. Caring for and responding to the needs of the community in a way that is culturally appropriate and sensitive is something the South Australian government values and encourages.

Recently, at the instigation of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, Multicultural SA organised an aged care roundtable. The roundtable sought resolutions to concerns raised by ethnic communities about the availability and appropriateness of services for aged members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in South Australia. It is important that aged care service providers and community groups are responsive to the needs of their elderly and that they are adequately funded to do so. It was pleasing to note that the Maltese community was represented at that roundtable meeting.

Ethnic communities have been the pioneers for culturally appropriate aged care services, with many clubs and associations now having established programs for their elderly community members. Ethnic community organisations play a critical role in providing much needed social and cultural support for migrants to help them deal with these challenges. The Maltese community certainly stands out for its commitment.

On a personal level, I was very pleased to be part of a delegation to Malta with the Attorney-General in December 2003. The hospitality demonstrated and shown to the delegation by the Maltese government and its people was exceptional. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to visit not only the world heritage listed city of Valetta but also other equally historical cities and sites, and to see what the Maltese are doing to try preserve its history and beauty.

Australia and Malta have a strong and cooperative relationship, underpinned by past migration and many shared international perspectives. The South Australian government is firmly committed to a vision of South Australia that values and supports cultural and linguistic diversity, and the Maltese community in South Australia is a fine example to all South Australian multicultural communities in our state. Their work is very much valued and appreciated.

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