Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day in Sydney recently marked a significant milestone, its 25th anniversary. To many in Malta this has no tangible meaning. Not so to the hundreds of senior citizens who attended the celebration in Sydney.
The generosity and kindness shown to them on the day, September 26, was a clear indication of respect, gratitude and love by our community. To the thousands who have celebrated the day since its inception, it has remained an indelible memory until death.
The symbol chosen for this event by a Maltese nun, Sr Mary Ann Grima, was significant. It was an olive tree that is robust and capable of regeneration – a symbol of peace, dialogue and heritage reminiscent of the Malta that Maltese elderly people left behind.
Gratitude and praise are due to many who helped and contributed. The occasion included Mass, morning tea, a generous, tasty lunch, music and entertainment.
The honour of cutting a 25th anniversary cake was given to Catie Mifsud Ellul and Emmanuel Micallef, the two eldest seniors present for the occasion.
Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day offers the warm experience of making new friendships and renewing old ones. There is also the deep satisfaction of having one’s contribution to society publicly acknowledged.
Mass this year was concelebrated by Fr Noel Bianco, MSSP, one of the dedicated migrants’ chaplains, and by Fr Anthony Bayada, who hails from Xagħra.
Antoinette Mascari proved to be an energetic master of ceremonies.
Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day, the inspiration of Sr Grima, now unfortunately ill for some time, flowed from the International Year of the Family.
Sister Grima wanted to honour the elderly who are often hardly remembered, barely recognised and little appreciated or thanked for their contribution to the establishment of the Maltese community in Australia and to the development of our new country, Australia.
Help comes from many sources, including Maltese businessmen. Sr Grima’s approach was simple and direct. She told businessmen that the Maltese community contributed much to their success and it was appropriate that they should give something in return. Thankfully, some firms remain very generous.
When the first Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day was organised, about 100 people responded and enjoyed the day together. At that time, there were different reactions. Some were pessimistic and discouraged. They thought that the flames of enthusiasm of the first effort would quickly die out. They were very wrong.
A few accepted Sr Grima’s invitation keenly and continued to lend their support and encouragement with significant success and benefit for many. Over the years, others have joined in. With none seeking recognition, praise or personal advancement, these good people have certainly travelled and arrived with honour and great merit.
So much so that when the Ken Wyatt, Federal Minister for the Aged Care, learnt of the occasion, he sent a letter of congratulations to the president and members of the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day committee. His letter was rightly given due mention during the celebration.
The occasion celebrates and acknowledges the contribution of elderly Maltese migrants and remembers those among them who are forgotten and abandoned. Some have, from the very start, supported Sr Grima’s mission and that of her worthy helpers.
This year, certificates of gratitude were presented to benefactors and contributors. Lawrence Buhagiar, consul general, and myself, patron of the METD, presented the certificates.
It is important to remember that there are needs; that there is loneliness and other heavy burdens, not rarely including the pain of abandonment, particularly among elderly migrants. These needs and sad situations are often hidden and remain unknown to visiting dignitaries from Malta.
Dr Boffa has been patron of the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day celebration in Sydney for the past 15 years. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Assisted Passages Scheme from Malta to Australia.
It was announced in the Maltese Parliament on May 31, 1948, by Dr Paul Boffa. Many of those present for the Maltese Elderly Thanksgiving Day had benefitted from the scheme.