This was the message of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, during her first two engagements as part of her visit to Australia.
During a meeting which President Coleiro Preca had with Maltese businessmen and professionals in Perth, she spoke about the pride that she feels every time she hears of the successes that the Maltese people achieve overseas, particularly in Australia and that “Malta has been, and will always be proud of their achievements, whatever these achievements are, and in whatever sector they are achieved, be it business, sports, culture and social work amongst others.” The President praised those present, as through their successes, they are continuously giving visibility to Malta.
She then visited the city port of Fremantle. This city port was the first Australian port of call, for over 300 Maltese unaccompanied child migrants in the late 1940s and early 1950s. President Coleiro Preca visited the child migrant monument as well as the Welcome Walls, on which hundreds of names of child migrants are engraved, including those of Maltese children. Speaking to the Maltese migrants who had arrived here under the scheme, President Coleiro Preca apologised for the decisions which were taken in the past, even though these might have been in the best interest, and expressed sadness at the consequences which some of the child migrants suffered. “If it was possible to turn back the clock, I would put all my efforts to erase this sad and heartbreaking part of our history”. However, the President said that the opportunity that Australia gave to many thousands of Maltese to prosper is something that cannot be forgotten.
The President’s engagements in Perth continue later on today with a meeting with the youths of Maltese descent, as well as a meeting with the Maltese Community in Perth.
She was accompanied by the Maltese High Commissioner in Australia, Mr Charles Muscat and Mr Paul Calleja, Honorary Consul of Malta in Perth.