The 60th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to the Maltese Islands means different things to different people.
Shortly after World War 2 ended, the floodgates of immigration were opened wide for the first time. Malta's fame and the courage of its inhabitants had spread like wildfire, and this presented the Island in a very different light.
From as early as the 1880s to just before the war, very little was known about the Island by mainstream Australians. Many regarded the Maltese as "semi-white' immigrants from a British Colony, unable to speak the English language.
Basking under the new name of the George Cross Island, Malta won approbation from all over the world. Many countries, like Australia, welcomed its people, whose indisputable bravery changed this misconception for all time.
Associations of Maltese settlers were not slow in taking advantage of the rare honour bestowed on their country and a number of them incorporated the words 'George Cross' in the name of their group or club. A few that come to mind are:
George Cross League. This association had its start in Sydney in the late forties, out of which, the Maltese Guild of Australia was born. In 1951 the Wollongong Maltese decided to form their own association. Later they agreed to affiliate themselves with George Cross League and the name was changed to George Cross Club. In the early eighties a splinter group was formed and called their soccer team Maltese Falcons. Later still, reconciled with the George Cross Club once more, their name became George Cross Falcons Club.
Today the name has reverted back to George Cross Club Wollongong, but throughout its many ups-and-down, the words George Cross has remained.
Sunshine George Cross Soccer Club. Formed in March 1947 this association is based in the state of Victoria; for more details see "Maltese Settlers in Australia" by Albert Agius or their website. It would be interesting to find out which member came up with the idea to incorporate the words George Cross in the name of their club or association. The continued pride in the name Sunshine George Cross can be surmised from the first page of their website newsletter. It informs one and all that And just a reminder to certain organizations and certain individuals, the club is still George Cross soccer club' and not the Georgies, a point that is lost on some in certain soccer circles!
Maltese Community Council of Victoria. Located in Parkville, a close suburb of Melbourne, not only does this centre display a replica of the George Cross in a showcase inside but also an escutcheon of the award, outside its front door. Maltese Ex-Servicemen Association. Wherever Anzac Day is held in Australia, it never fails to awaken memories of the award of the George Cross in many marching Maltese ex-servicemen. Their hearts must beat faster, knowing that the TV commentator is speaking highly of their fighting spirit and of Malta's brave stand in the world-wide conflict.
George Cross Island Association (New Zealand). The New Zealand branch of the Association was established in 1988 but ceased to function at the end of 1999. The branch holds correspondence, articles and newspaper cuttings relating to the Siege of Malta and activities and applications for membership of the Association. These records are held at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington NZ.
George Cross Park in the suburb of Campbell in Canberra. Twenty two Australian recipients of the George Cross medal are honoured here. They exemplify the best in our nation of Australia; duty, courage, selflessness, sometimes even when this meant, making the ultimate sacrifice. The recipients listed are not all highly trained military personnel. Some are ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary situations. The George Cross is awarded for acts of extreme heroism and courage. The last time it was awarded to an Australian was to Mr Michael Pratt in 1976. To the Maltese people, whether born in Malta or of Maltese descent, the GC is unique. As stated earlier, this decorative medal is normally given to individuals for outstanding bravery, as is the case with 22 Australians awarded this honour.
But in Malta's case, it was bestowed on the entire island, the entire people, the nation as a whole. It even found its way on the top left-hand corner of our flag, and as a schoolboy in the fifties and sixties, I remember that the return home address on envelopes always ended, not with a postcode but the words Malta GC.
To conclude, though sixty years have passed, to us Maltese by birth or descent, living in the Maltese islands or living outside Malta's shores, the GC continues to distinguish us as a brave courageous people. It enhances the good name of Maltese abroad and community structures such as the associations just mentioned (and maybe there are other migrant heritage icons I am not aware of) keep this heroic glorious past alive in the minds of our children and grandchildren.
Mark Caruana Sydney 2002
Nixtieq taghmlu l-attenzjoni halli tisimghuni fil-kwiet. Erba' ghanjiet fuq Malta nghanni kif fl-ahhar Gwerra ghaddiet Fl-annu elf u disa' mija is-sena disgha u tletin Xandru ser tinqala' gwerra Xokk kbir hadu l-Maltin. Fil-hdax ta' Gunju sewwa jiena kif smajt sejjer nghid. Bdew idoqqu s-sireni; ser jibda l-ewwel air-raid. In-nies semghu s-sirena kulhadd imsarnu go saqajh; Kulhadd jigri ghal gox-xelter; Kollox ihalli warajh! Fuq il-Gwerra ma nafx hafna Jekk nizbalja kulhadd jiskuzani; Ma kellniex wisq biex niggieldu Kellna biss tlett ajruplani. Suldati fuq il-kanuni Ghassa fuq is-swarijiet; Jimmarkawlek l-ajruplani Bil-lejl bis-searchlightijiet. Mill-air raid ma konniex nieqsa Lejl u nhar ma jieqfu qatt; B'dawk il-hsejjes tas-sireni Kienu jwerwru lil kulhadd. Tisma' l-bombi minn gox-xelter Qisek qieghed f'terremot; Hafna damdim minn tal-bombi Bil-biza' kulhadd jirtghod. Air raid wiehed wara l-iehor, Gox-xelter kulhadd jintrass. Hafna foga minn tal-bombi Sa tawhom maskri tal-gass. In-nies fix-xelter ippakkjati Irgiel, nisa, zghazagh u xjuh. Jitolbu lil tas-Sema Ghall-paci lkoll jitolbuh. Ikun diehel convoy Malta Bil-bombi kienu jgherrquh; Gie gabitha jonqos l-ikel Imsieken ser isofru l-guh. Fl-air raid tinzel fix-xelter Hemm ma tafx kemm kont ser ddum L-anqas cans torqod ma jkollok Bil-guh torqod, bil-guh tqum. Kulhadd kien bezghan mill-bombi Jahasra kulhadd kien fjakk; Hadd ma jaf x'ser jaqbad jaghmel Qabdithom marda tal-hakk. Meta l-air raid kien jispicca Wiehed jitla' jbiddel ilbiesu. Lil min tara dmugh icarcar Ikun tilef xi hadd min-niesu. Kull fejn tara bini mwaqqa' Hafna knantar fuq xulxin Lil xi nies siebu korruti; Xi ohrajn siebu mejtin. Ajruplani jigu bil-qtajja Bombi jitfghu kullimkien. Kull fejn jitfghu, bini jkissru, 'l Malta ghamlu terrapien. Il-guh beda jaghfas gmielu Ghax mnejn jixtru ma jsibux. Imma fidi kellhom f'qalbhom Li l-gwerra ma jitilfux. Dqiq u qamh minn qiegh il-bahar Kienu jghumu igibuh; Imhabba l-guh taghmel kollox Imsieken kienu jikluh. Xi nghidu ghal gox-xelter Hadd ma kien ihossu komdu. Kont qiesek qieghed go drainage B'dawk l-intejjen minn ta' l-umdu. Maltin ta' rieda qawwija Fiducja ghandhom fil-hniena. Gwerra ma ridux jitilfu Ghax il-Maltin nies qalbiena. Dejjem jitolbu lil tas-Sema Bil-kuragg qalbhom mimlija. Convoy dahal go Malta F'Awissu, f'Santa Marija. Il-Maltin ma qatghux qalbhom Minn ghedewwa perikoluzi; Bil-guh baqghu jiggieldu Urew li huma kuraggjuzi. Malta ghandha l-poplu ckejken Imma tajbin ghall-fruntiera; Iggieldu l-gwerra kollha U ghax qalbiena l-gwerriera. Poplu zghir ta' rieda kbira Mid-dinja gejna maghrufin Daru ghalina l-ghedewwa U ma gejniex tellefin. Vera haqqhom il-prosit Is-suldati li ggwerraw; Iddefendew 'l art tweldina U 'l uliedhom salvaw. Malta zghira, b'nies maghrufa, Li ahna nies qalbenin. Hitler ried jeqred lid-dinja U ma sabx tarf il-Maltin. Meta nisma' fuq il-Gwerra Qalbi weggha kbira thoss. Akkwestajna unur mid-dinja U ghaliex tawna l-George Cross. Hawn nispicca b'din l-istorja U ghaliex daqstant ghandi hin. Viva Malta, art tweldina, Viva Hutna l-Maltin. ******************
Nixtieq taghmlu l-attenzjoni halli tisimghuni fil-kwiet. Erba' ghanjiet fuq Malta nghanni kif fl-ahhar Gwerra ghaddiet Fl-annu elf u disa' mija is-sena disgha u tletin Xandru ser tinqala' gwerra Xokk kbir hadu l-Maltin. Fil-hdax ta' Gunju sewwa jiena kif smajt sejjer nghid. Bdew idoqqu s-sireni; ser jibda l-ewwel air-raid. In-nies semghu s-sirena kulhadd imsarnu go saqajh; Kulhadd jigri ghal gox-xelter; Kollox ihalli warajh! Fuq il-Gwerra ma nafx hafna Jekk nizbalja kulhadd jiskuzani; Ma kellniex wisq biex niggieldu Kellna biss tlett ajruplani. Suldati fuq il-kanuni Ghassa fuq is-swarijiet; Jimmarkawlek l-ajruplani Bil-lejl bis-searchlightijiet. Mill-air raid ma konniex nieqsa Lejl u nhar ma jieqfu qatt; B'dawk il-hsejjes tas-sireni Kienu jwerwru lil kulhadd. Tisma' l-bombi minn gox-xelter Qisek qieghed f'terremot; Hafna damdim minn tal-bombi Bil-biza' kulhadd jirtghod. Air raid wiehed wara l-iehor, Gox-xelter kulhadd jintrass. Hafna foga minn tal-bombi Sa tawhom maskri tal-gass. In-nies fix-xelter ippakkjati Irgiel, nisa, zghazagh u xjuh. Jitolbu lil tas-Sema Ghall-paci lkoll jitolbuh. Ikun diehel convoy Malta Bil-bombi kienu jgherrquh; Gie gabitha jonqos l-ikel Imsieken ser isofru l-guh. Fl-air raid tinzel fix-xelter Hemm ma tafx kemm kont ser ddum L-anqas cans torqod ma jkollok Bil-guh torqod, bil-guh tqum. Kulhadd kien bezghan mill-bombi Jahasra kulhadd kien fjakk; Hadd ma jaf x'ser jaqbad jaghmel Qabdithom marda tal-hakk. Meta l-air raid kien jispicca Wiehed jitla' jbiddel ilbiesu. Lil min tara dmugh icarcar Ikun tilef xi hadd min-niesu. Kull fejn tara bini mwaqqa' Hafna knantar fuq xulxin Lil xi nies siebu korruti; Xi ohrajn siebu mejtin. Ajruplani jigu bil-qtajja Bombi jitfghu kullimkien. Kull fejn jitfghu, bini jkissru, 'l Malta ghamlu terrapien. Il-guh beda jaghfas gmielu Ghax mnejn jixtru ma jsibux. Imma fidi kellhom f'qalbhom Li l-gwerra ma jitilfux. Dqiq u qamh minn qiegh il-bahar Kienu jghumu igibuh; Imhabba l-guh taghmel kollox Imsieken kienu jikluh. Xi nghidu ghal gox-xelter Hadd ma kien ihossu komdu. Kont qiesek qieghed go drainage B'dawk l-intejjen minn ta' l-umdu. Maltin ta' rieda qawwija Fiducja ghandhom fil-hniena. Gwerra ma ridux jitilfu Ghax il-Maltin nies qalbiena. Dejjem jitolbu lil tas-Sema Bil-kuragg qalbhom mimlija. Convoy dahal go Malta F'Awissu, f'Santa Marija. Il-Maltin ma qatghux qalbhom Minn ghedewwa perikoluzi; Bil-guh baqghu jiggieldu Urew li huma kuraggjuzi. Malta ghandha l-poplu ckejken Imma tajbin ghall-fruntiera; Iggieldu l-gwerra kollha U ghax qalbiena l-gwerriera. Poplu zghir ta' rieda kbira Mid-dinja gejna maghrufin Daru ghalina l-ghedewwa U ma gejniex tellefin. Vera haqqhom il-prosit Is-suldati li ggwerraw; Iddefendew 'l art tweldina U 'l uliedhom salvaw. Malta zghira, b'nies maghrufa, Li ahna nies qalbenin. Hitler ried jeqred lid-dinja U ma sabx tarf il-Maltin. Meta nisma' fuq il-Gwerra Qalbi weggha kbira thoss. Akkwestajna unur mid-dinja U ghaliex tawna l-George Cross. Hawn nispicca b'din l-istorja U ghaliex daqstant ghandi hin. Viva Malta, art tweldina, Viva Hutna l-Maltin.
Nixtieq taghmlu l-attenzjoni halli tisimghuni fil-kwiet. Erba' ghanjiet fuq Malta nghanni kif fl-ahhar Gwerra ghaddiet
Fl-annu elf u disa' mija is-sena disgha u tletin Xandru ser tinqala' gwerra Xokk kbir hadu l-Maltin. Fil-hdax ta' Gunju sewwa jiena kif smajt sejjer nghid. Bdew idoqqu s-sireni; ser jibda l-ewwel air-raid. In-nies semghu s-sirena kulhadd imsarnu go saqajh; Kulhadd jigri ghal gox-xelter; Kollox ihalli warajh!
Fl-annu elf u disa' mija is-sena disgha u tletin Xandru ser tinqala' gwerra Xokk kbir hadu l-Maltin.
Fil-hdax ta' Gunju sewwa jiena kif smajt sejjer nghid. Bdew idoqqu s-sireni; ser jibda l-ewwel air-raid. In-nies semghu s-sirena kulhadd imsarnu go saqajh; Kulhadd jigri ghal gox-xelter; Kollox ihalli warajh!
Fil-hdax ta' Gunju sewwa jiena kif smajt sejjer nghid. Bdew idoqqu s-sireni; ser jibda l-ewwel air-raid.
In-nies semghu s-sirena kulhadd imsarnu go saqajh; Kulhadd jigri ghal gox-xelter; Kollox ihalli warajh!
Fuq il-Gwerra ma nafx hafna Jekk nizbalja kulhadd jiskuzani; Ma kellniex wisq biex niggieldu Kellna biss tlett ajruplani.
Suldati fuq il-kanuni Ghassa fuq is-swarijiet; Jimmarkawlek l-ajruplani Bil-lejl bis-searchlightijiet. Mill-air raid ma konniex nieqsa Lejl u nhar ma jieqfu qatt; B'dawk il-hsejjes tas-sireni Kienu jwerwru lil kulhadd. Tisma' l-bombi minn gox-xelter Qisek qieghed f'terremot; Hafna damdim minn tal-bombi Bil-biza' kulhadd jirtghod.
Suldati fuq il-kanuni Ghassa fuq is-swarijiet; Jimmarkawlek l-ajruplani Bil-lejl bis-searchlightijiet.
Mill-air raid ma konniex nieqsa Lejl u nhar ma jieqfu qatt; B'dawk il-hsejjes tas-sireni Kienu jwerwru lil kulhadd. Tisma' l-bombi minn gox-xelter Qisek qieghed f'terremot; Hafna damdim minn tal-bombi Bil-biza' kulhadd jirtghod.
Mill-air raid ma konniex nieqsa Lejl u nhar ma jieqfu qatt; B'dawk il-hsejjes tas-sireni Kienu jwerwru lil kulhadd.
Tisma' l-bombi minn gox-xelter Qisek qieghed f'terremot; Hafna damdim minn tal-bombi Bil-biza' kulhadd jirtghod.
Air raid wiehed wara l-iehor, Gox-xelter kulhadd jintrass. Hafna foga minn tal-bombi Sa tawhom maskri tal-gass.
In-nies fix-xelter ippakkjati Irgiel, nisa, zghazagh u xjuh. Jitolbu lil tas-Sema Ghall-paci lkoll jitolbuh. Ikun diehel convoy Malta Bil-bombi kienu jgherrquh; Gie gabitha jonqos l-ikel Imsieken ser isofru l-guh. Fl-air raid tinzel fix-xelter Hemm ma tafx kemm kont ser ddum L-anqas cans torqod ma jkollok Bil-guh torqod, bil-guh tqum.
In-nies fix-xelter ippakkjati Irgiel, nisa, zghazagh u xjuh. Jitolbu lil tas-Sema Ghall-paci lkoll jitolbuh.
Ikun diehel convoy Malta Bil-bombi kienu jgherrquh; Gie gabitha jonqos l-ikel Imsieken ser isofru l-guh. Fl-air raid tinzel fix-xelter Hemm ma tafx kemm kont ser ddum L-anqas cans torqod ma jkollok Bil-guh torqod, bil-guh tqum.
Ikun diehel convoy Malta Bil-bombi kienu jgherrquh; Gie gabitha jonqos l-ikel Imsieken ser isofru l-guh.
Fl-air raid tinzel fix-xelter Hemm ma tafx kemm kont ser ddum L-anqas cans torqod ma jkollok Bil-guh torqod, bil-guh tqum.
Kulhadd kien bezghan mill-bombi Jahasra kulhadd kien fjakk; Hadd ma jaf x'ser jaqbad jaghmel Qabdithom marda tal-hakk.
Meta l-air raid kien jispicca Wiehed jitla' jbiddel ilbiesu. Lil min tara dmugh icarcar Ikun tilef xi hadd min-niesu. Kull fejn tara bini mwaqqa' Hafna knantar fuq xulxin Lil xi nies siebu korruti; Xi ohrajn siebu mejtin. Ajruplani jigu bil-qtajja Bombi jitfghu kullimkien. Kull fejn jitfghu, bini jkissru, 'l Malta ghamlu terrapien.
Meta l-air raid kien jispicca Wiehed jitla' jbiddel ilbiesu. Lil min tara dmugh icarcar Ikun tilef xi hadd min-niesu.
Kull fejn tara bini mwaqqa' Hafna knantar fuq xulxin Lil xi nies siebu korruti; Xi ohrajn siebu mejtin. Ajruplani jigu bil-qtajja Bombi jitfghu kullimkien. Kull fejn jitfghu, bini jkissru, 'l Malta ghamlu terrapien.
Kull fejn tara bini mwaqqa' Hafna knantar fuq xulxin Lil xi nies siebu korruti; Xi ohrajn siebu mejtin.
Ajruplani jigu bil-qtajja Bombi jitfghu kullimkien. Kull fejn jitfghu, bini jkissru, 'l Malta ghamlu terrapien.
Il-guh beda jaghfas gmielu Ghax mnejn jixtru ma jsibux. Imma fidi kellhom f'qalbhom Li l-gwerra ma jitilfux.
Dqiq u qamh minn qiegh il-bahar Kienu jghumu igibuh; Imhabba l-guh taghmel kollox Imsieken kienu jikluh. Xi nghidu ghal gox-xelter Hadd ma kien ihossu komdu. Kont qiesek qieghed go drainage B'dawk l-intejjen minn ta' l-umdu. Maltin ta' rieda qawwija Fiducja ghandhom fil-hniena. Gwerra ma ridux jitilfu Ghax il-Maltin nies qalbiena.
Dqiq u qamh minn qiegh il-bahar Kienu jghumu igibuh; Imhabba l-guh taghmel kollox Imsieken kienu jikluh.
Xi nghidu ghal gox-xelter Hadd ma kien ihossu komdu. Kont qiesek qieghed go drainage B'dawk l-intejjen minn ta' l-umdu. Maltin ta' rieda qawwija Fiducja ghandhom fil-hniena. Gwerra ma ridux jitilfu Ghax il-Maltin nies qalbiena.
Xi nghidu ghal gox-xelter Hadd ma kien ihossu komdu. Kont qiesek qieghed go drainage B'dawk l-intejjen minn ta' l-umdu.
Maltin ta' rieda qawwija Fiducja ghandhom fil-hniena. Gwerra ma ridux jitilfu Ghax il-Maltin nies qalbiena.
Dejjem jitolbu lil tas-Sema Bil-kuragg qalbhom mimlija. Convoy dahal go Malta F'Awissu, f'Santa Marija.
Il-Maltin ma qatghux qalbhom Minn ghedewwa perikoluzi; Bil-guh baqghu jiggieldu Urew li huma kuraggjuzi. Malta ghandha l-poplu ckejken Imma tajbin ghall-fruntiera; Iggieldu l-gwerra kollha U ghax qalbiena l-gwerriera. Poplu zghir ta' rieda kbira Mid-dinja gejna maghrufin Daru ghalina l-ghedewwa U ma gejniex tellefin.
Il-Maltin ma qatghux qalbhom Minn ghedewwa perikoluzi; Bil-guh baqghu jiggieldu Urew li huma kuraggjuzi.
Malta ghandha l-poplu ckejken Imma tajbin ghall-fruntiera; Iggieldu l-gwerra kollha U ghax qalbiena l-gwerriera. Poplu zghir ta' rieda kbira Mid-dinja gejna maghrufin Daru ghalina l-ghedewwa U ma gejniex tellefin.
Malta ghandha l-poplu ckejken Imma tajbin ghall-fruntiera; Iggieldu l-gwerra kollha U ghax qalbiena l-gwerriera.
Poplu zghir ta' rieda kbira Mid-dinja gejna maghrufin Daru ghalina l-ghedewwa U ma gejniex tellefin.
Vera haqqhom il-prosit Is-suldati li ggwerraw; Iddefendew 'l art tweldina U 'l uliedhom salvaw.
Malta zghira, b'nies maghrufa, Li ahna nies qalbenin. Hitler ried jeqred lid-dinja U ma sabx tarf il-Maltin. Meta nisma' fuq il-Gwerra Qalbi weggha kbira thoss. Akkwestajna unur mid-dinja U ghaliex tawna l-George Cross. Hawn nispicca b'din l-istorja U ghaliex daqstant ghandi hin. Viva Malta, art tweldina, Viva Hutna l-Maltin.
Malta zghira, b'nies maghrufa, Li ahna nies qalbenin. Hitler ried jeqred lid-dinja U ma sabx tarf il-Maltin.
Meta nisma' fuq il-Gwerra Qalbi weggha kbira thoss. Akkwestajna unur mid-dinja U ghaliex tawna l-George Cross. Hawn nispicca b'din l-istorja U ghaliex daqstant ghandi hin. Viva Malta, art tweldina, Viva Hutna l-Maltin.
Meta nisma' fuq il-Gwerra Qalbi weggha kbira thoss. Akkwestajna unur mid-dinja U ghaliex tawna l-George Cross.
Hawn nispicca b'din l-istorja U ghaliex daqstant ghandi hin. Viva Malta, art tweldina, Viva Hutna l-Maltin.
Sources: Several websites on the Internet Past issues of The Maltese Herald
A special thanks to B'Kara born Gus Borg, author of Children of Maleth, for proofreading the text Zejtun-born Mattew Caruana, for composing an ghanja tal-fatt for today's historic occasion.