Lawrence Dimech writes:
Sam E. Vella OAM made a positive difference in many areas.
Sam was a true icon, a legend, a man that made a positive difference. His contribution not only to the game of football but the Maltese community in Australia was enormous. He passed away at Westmead General Hospital NSW on June 6, at the age of 86 years.
In 1948, Sammy’s parents, Frank and Josephine, had a family of seven facing an uncertain future as a fitter at the Malta Drydocks.
They, like a thousand others, decided to try Australia. Sam was, born in Żabbar but grew up at Paola. At 15 years, he found himself on board the Strathnaver bound for Australia.
On June 14, 1953, Sammy (as he was known) was among a group of youngsters who met under a tree at Centennial Park to form the Melita Soccer Football Club. At age 18 he was conscripted into the army as the war was raging in Korea.
Sam possessed leadership material but his driving force remained his Melita. He soon found himself as player, coach and club secretary. He married Myrl in June 1956 and they had Janene, Joanne, Lynne, Alan and Michelle, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. In 1995, Sam’s contribution was recognised by the federal government.
He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his lengthy service to soccer and the Maltese community. It was also in the same year that Parramatta Melita Eagles FC with Sammy as the president was left out of the National Soccer League.
It was such a huge shock that his whole life was affected and ended in hospital with a stroke. Sam served Parramatta Melita Eagles as manager, secretary and president. He established many contacts and was respected for his dedication and leadership by the soccer fraternity. He was inducted in the Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
His involvement was not only in sport. He held the position of treasurer of the Maltese Community Council of NSW for 28 years.
In August 1998, he organised the 50th anniversary reunion at the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour of the passengers who came on the Strathnaver. His voice was heard on Radio SBS in the sports segment as well as on 2GLF FM 89.3, and the old 2Ser FM.
Sam’s contribution will never be forgotten.
The many messages/condolences from Malta and all parts of Australia received by The Voice of the Maltese is a clear indication that Sammy is indeed a legend.
The funeral will be on June 14 at 1.30pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace church, Old Prospect Road, Greystanes, NSW.