What’s your connection to Brimbank?
I’m connected through various associations in the western suburbs, including the St Sebastian Association (St Albans), the Malta Rabat Senior Citizens Association (Keilor Downs) the Maltese Cultural Association (Albion), and I always get invited to compere the dinner dance and the fiesta of St Sebastian each year. Now I’m retired so my wife and I periodically go and visit each one. They also keep me informed of their activities and in turn I broadcast them as public service announcements.
What do you like best about working in the area?
I like the company of the Maltese community and keeping our seniors active. I like to mix with them and hear the stories of how they got here. The landscape of Brimbank is an attraction as well.
What could make it better?
From what I’ve seen, the green area has to be maintained because it’s an area that’s in full development. The green areas are an attraction for all families, as recreation activities, soccer areas, they keep the community of Brimbank together. Developers are all over the place.
When did you begin broadcasting and what topics do your segments cover?
I’ve been in broadcasting for over 21 years, always as a volunteer. I started on 3ZZZ and then I moved on 98.9 north west FM and I’ve been on that station for another 15 years, and I’m still doing that. I present two programs a week, on the Monday and the Friday. I present the fresh news from Malta of the day and I also have a religious content in the program, not too long. I present local singers of Maltese background, literature from Malta and e-books, and also the Maltese brass band, they are all in the two programs. Sports segments are included.
So you have a strong connection to Malta?
I was born in Malta and came over when I was 19, and the next birthday was 78 (laughs).
Who was the best person you’ve interviewed?
The best person I can say was the only Maltese bishop in Australia, the late Joseph Grech. He was an inspiration to me and a lot of other people. He was a very down to earth person. He knew what the lay people were after and he didn’t hold back on anything that he thought would be the right thing for the Maltese community. He was open, frank and down to earth, not bombastic about holding such a high position.
We talked about his background, how he happened to be here and how he was looking after the Maltese people religiously; he was very much loved in the western suburbs, “Bishop Jo” we called him.
Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your life?
Apart from my father, who was widowed very early, Bishop Jo is second in line. My father was a very hard-working Maltese man, he was widowed for 13 years and he brought myself and my sister up together with an aunt. My father worked very hard until he died, very early at 61.
Are you a family man?
I am married to Mary Anne and we have two children, Martin and Tania. Martin is married to Marigold and they have two girls, Alexandra and Elizabeth, and Tania is a single mother with son Charlie and partner Graeme
