Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of the Anzac Centenary grants program I am pleased to inform the House that the Maltese Ex-servicemen's RSL Sub-Branch association will commemorate their ancestors contribution to the Australian war effort with a fitting memorial in Sydney's west. The $3,500 grant will be used to erect a plaque memorialising the contribution of Maltese Australian soldiers in World War I as a part of the commemoration of hundred years of ANZAC.

Australia has a particularly interesting wartime connection with Malta, and it is a wonderful example of the often untold story of our multicultural forces. Eight hundred Maltese citizens worked as contractors under Maltese officers at Gallipoli. In addition to that, 40 Maltese men, who had immigrated to Australia, fought with the Australian Imperial Forces during World War I. Of those 40 Maltese soldiers, seven died in action, including one on Anzac Beach on 25 April 1915.

These soldiers will be commemorated on a plaque and honour board in Civic Park in Pendle Hill, displaying their proud history to all who use the park. Another plaque and honour board will be on display at the Maltese Resource Centre in Parramatta. This, of course, would not be possible without the dedication of the Maltese ex-servicemen's association, in particular Andrew Jospeh and Charles Mifsud, who have dedicated their time to ensure that the service and sacrifice of our Maltese Australian soldiers is not forgotten.