Funnily enough every now and then we read about the Maltese language and how we can preserve it here in Australia. We read about the shame because we might lose our language. Some say it's not worth encouraging relatives to learn Maltese because in Malta English is spoken more than Maltese.

Some complain in their own right that when we give speeches to our community in Australia during functions we give them in English.

It is a shame to lose the Maltese language, the Maltese culture and whatever is Maltese because the Maltese in Malta choose to speak English. That is why here we make sacrifices to teach Maltese. I am sure that Lucy Calleja will back me up. Lucy worked hard to run the Maltese classes in NSW.

When we have speeches in English, we also repeat them in Maltese, because the people attending our functions are not all Maltese. Even if our children are present, they might not understand everything, so it is nice to go bi-lingual.

This was done even recently when the prime minister met the community. I was even asked by Mr Frances Tabone, the Malta High Commissioner, to give my welcoming speech in Maltese and English.

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