FROM AUSTRALIA
WITH LOVE
By Christina Gillgren
Every time I visit Malta which I left permanently around 1978 i am amazed by
the buoyant economy and Malta's ability to survive despite economic
conditions both globally and in Europe in particular..( we stopped in Rome
in 1992 and the recession there was bad... but in Malta they had to 'import'
labour to keep up with demand!)
Malta always strikes me as existing in its own time warp, and this is not a
criticism but rather grudging admiration born out of dual feelings for the
island. On the one hand, my fondness for it has never diminished, and if
anything I am more aware of my pride in my ethnic background and ancestry.
On the other hand, I have changed in living overseas and in Australia and
feel that it would take some time to re-adjust to the pecularities of living
on an island as small as Malta.
When I think of Malta, the first image is always the view when you come down
the coast road at st andrews heading towards St Paul's bay. The 'White
Rocks' have always been one of my favourite swimming spots, when not at the
other end of the island at Delimara. I have a soft spot for Marsascala, but
the development there has changed it dramatically and I will have to
re-adjust to this.
The places I visit religiously on every visit include Mdina, (including a
stop for coffee at La Fontanella (if I remember correctly). Dingli, a drive
along the cliffs to Ghar Lapsi and then on to Fomm ir-Rih (a particular
favourite of mine) ending up at L'Ahrax tal-Mellieha is the usual tonic to
counter the endless sandy beaches of Perth, Western Australia where I now
live. The cliffs also bring back to memory the wonderful experience of
sailing around the island in a Mirror 10 sailing dinghy in younger, more
energetic, days, and the awesomeness of the cliffs when you are looking up.
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I am currently a doctoral student in political and social history at
Murdoch
University, Western Australia. In addition, I lecture and tutor in History
and Cultural studies (Race and Ethnicity) at two universities. I am very
interested in political issues and am on a number of policy committees that
cover equity and access issues especially as they relate to migrants and to
women. In my spare time I also enjoy writing fiction - mostly short stories.
E-mail to Christina
Gillgren.
