The emergence of C-MOM

calleja@wiznet.net.au

They have been referred to as Malta's forgotten children. Over three hundred of them sent unaccompanied to Western Australia during the 1950`s and 60`s. They were sent from the perceived dismal life prospects in Malta to an expected wealth of opportunities down under. For some, vision and reality coalesced blessing them with successful lives in business or profession. For others, vision and reality polarised, cursing them with a life of tormented memories, pain and regret.

Over forty years had settled on their childhood years before the world began to realise that much of the child migration scheme had not unfolded according to the script. The media went in a frenzy unearthing sad stories of child abuse. Governments and institutions initially scrambled for cover then finally put their hands up, became contrite and offered compensation.

But one group of children was seemingly left out of all of this activity and attention – the Maltese. All investigations, discussion and exposure focus on the British and Irish child migrant. The Maltese former child migrant stood in the shadow of the British and the Irish organisations, relying on them to gain some closure to their unfinished business.

That has now changed. They are no longer content to sit on the bench. They formed their own team, determined to play their own game and equally determined to gain their own results.

The Child Migrants of Malta (C-MOM) was conceived within the Maltese Professional and Business Association of Western Australia and delivered by the Christian Brothers Ex Residents and Student Services. It aims to have a monument erected in Malta to commemorate a unique experience in Maltese history. It also seeks to achieve greater recognition in Malta for former child migrants. C-MOM further wishes to encourage the Maltese Government and Church to take steps to document and preserve all records relating to Child migration.

Three men who have distinguished themselves in their individual careers spearhead this new organisation.

C-MOM chairman is a former child migrant and academic, Professor David Plowman. David has published over 100 books, monographs and journal articles on Australian economics and industrial relations. He has also carried out consultancy work with major Australian employer and employee groups, government departments and the Japan Institute of Labour Studies. Professor Plowman was the foundation Head of the School of Management at the University of Western Australia. He continues to be active in teaching and publishing.

Recently retired Executive Director of Public Health at the Health Department of Western Australia, Dr. Paul Psaila-Savona is C-MOM`s deputy chair. He had held this highest statutory office for ten years. Dr. Paul Psaila-Savona is a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine with the Royal Australian College of Physicians and a Member of the Faculty of Occupational Health with the Royal College of Physicians (London).

Patron of C-MOM is The Hon David K Malcolm AC CitWA, Chief Justice of Western Australia.

The Hon David Kingsley Malcolm AC was appointed Chief Justice of Western Australia in 1988. In 1990 he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia. In 1992 he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia.

He is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Crime Research Centre at the University of Western Australia, President of the Western Australian Branch of the International Commission of Jurists and a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for the Reform of Criminal Law.

The C-MOM committee has representatives from former Maltese child migrants, the Maltese Professional and Business Association of Western Australia and the Christian Brothers Ex Residents and Students Services (C-BERSS).

C-MOM`s committee has arrived at the following terms of reference which it hopes will be supported by a large and broad section of the Maltese community around the world before being presented to the Maltese Government and Church.

Between 1950 and 1967 the Maltese Government, with the assistance of the Catholic Church of Malta, was responsible for over 300 child migrants being sent to Western Australia or South Australia. C-MOM is seeking recognition of this unique historical event that affected the children concerned, their families, their country of origin and their country of adoption. C-MOM has resolved in the following terms:

That the Government of Malta erects a monument dedicated to former Maltese Child migrants and located at an appropriate site at the Barrakka, Valletta, Malta. That the monument include the name of each former child migrant, the date of the child leaving Malta, the age at the time of leaving Malta, and the institution to which the child was sent.

That the Government of Malta organises an unveiling ceremony of the monument and an accompanying reception for former Maltese child migrants. That the Government of Malta provides financial and/or travel assistance for former child migrants wishing to attend the unveiling ceremony.

That the Government of Malta documents all information that will enable former Maltese child migrants to access their records on a private and confidential basis. Such records to include all documents (or copies of documents) held by all authorities, including Church authorities, and to be available to relevant migration authorities in Western Australia and South Australia.

That the Government of Malta provides sufficient funding to ensure that the National Archives of Malta digitise all available records relating to child migration from Malta.

That the Government of Malta provide funds and facilities to allow the recording of former Maltese child migrants’ accounts and for their stories to be included in the Maltese Migrant Museum and Web site if they so wish.

That the Government of Malta issue a formal statement acknowledging that despite the good intentions of former Administrations, the Child Migration Scheme that resulted in over 300 children being sent to Australian institutions was not universally successful or always in the best interests of the children concerned. That the Government of Malta express its sorrow and regret for those instances where psychological, social, or economic harm has occurred, in particular as the result of family separation or as the result of abuse or assault.

That the Catholic Archbishop of Malta issues a formal statement acknowledging that despite good intentions the Child Migration Scheme that resulted in over 300 children being sent to Australia was not universally successful or always in the best interests of the children concerned. That the Church express its sorrow and regret for those instances where psychological, social, or economic harm has occurred, in particular as the result of family separation or as the result of abuse or assault.

That the Catholic Church in Malta be actively involved in assisting with the erection of the proposed monument and in the provision of documentary information.

One of C-MOM `s initial concerns is to locate as many former Maltese child migrants as possible, inform them of the nature of the project and to invite them to participate in its operation.

Maltese former child migrants interested in learning more about the project are asked to contact the

Tel (08) 9345 2809

Email paul.psaila.savona@health.wa.gov.au

Female Maltese former child migrants are greatly under represented in C-MOMs` current database. C-MOM is therefore, particularly, interested in making contact with this group of former child migrants.

Any reader knowing the whereabouts of Maltese former child migrants are urged to inform them of this notice.

C-MOM also will require strong support from a broad section of the Maltese communities around the world.

The support group has already received expressions of support from leading Church and Government officials in Western Australia.

C-MOM intends to communicate with all Western Australian State politicians, all Western Australian Federal politicians, all state Premiers, notable Maltese in Australia and Malta, all Maltese communities in Australia, USA, Canada, NZ, UK and other areas in the world, Maltese and Australian Church hierarchy to seek their support to their project. They expect to attract wide coverage from the Maltese media and sections of the Australian media. Recently, Professor Plowman was interviewed by the BBC about former Maltese child migrants and the work of C-MOM.

These individuals and organisations will be contacted in the near future. If you wish to have your name supporting the petition e-mail calleja1948@optusnet.com.au or contact Dr. Paul Psaila-Savona at the contact numbers mentioned above.

Maltese need to get behind this project, not just to do to do the child migrant proud, but also to do the Maltese proud. C-MOM is confident you will not let them down.

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