Hear! Hear! Let me join the chorus in support of our own scholar of Maltese and promoter of Maltese high culture in Australia, Roderick Bovingdon.

I stand four square alongside Rev. Fr Leonard Testa, OFM Conv. (April 9) and gladly vouch for this exceptional individual, now in his twilight years, who has dedicated his entire adult life to the study and dissemination of Maltese in Australia. Always at the helm, he has in the face of the greatest odds single-handedly inspired us Down Under, his fellow countrymen, to take up the cause he so convincingly believes in.

It gives me great pleasure to reveal, after having known this gentleman for many years, that he has never wavered in his pursuit of his noble ideals; ever singing (sometimes literally) the praises of our native Malta to the outside world.

With savoir faire I thrust my wholehearted support behind that of Fr Testa. I am acutely aware of the widespread admiration Mr Bovingdon enjoys, both in Australia and his native Malta.

I humbly submit to the authorities concerned that this iconic individual deserves serious consideration for suitable honorary doctoral recognition of his contribution to and dissemination of Maltese studies (language, literature, linguistics, classical and traditional music, archaeology, welfare, mental health, broadcasting, as well as the founding of two Maltese language schools, exposure of the Maltese writer through his many published monographs) in Australia and beyond.

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