The Maltese Community in Australia
Maltese is an ancient language which has always intrigued linguists, according to Kenneth Katzner in his book, The Languages of the World. Katzner believes it represents a fusion of the Semitic language and the Romance languages, which originated in southern Europe.
But as a British colony, most Maltese became expert English speakers. Their English language skills made it easier for them to settle in Australia but resulted in fewer Maltese retaining their original language. This poses big challenges to broadcasters.
Without language, culture fades.
SBS broadcasters see their role as supporting and stimulating community activities that help keep Maltese language and culture alive, for all Australians.
Arrival
The first Maltese in Australia arrived as a convict in 1810. It's believed the first free settler stepped ashore in 1838, but it wasn't until 1883 that organised migration from Malta began.
Settlement
By 1912, large groups of Maltese were arriving in Australia but they met with hostility.
As described in the book, The Australian People, they were a threat to employment.
Supporters of the White Australia policy also opposed their entry.
After the upheaval of the Great War, the Maltese community stabilised and flourished. Community services commenced, including the establishment in 1923 of the first club, the Melita, in Sydney.
The following decade saw Maltese migrants create large and successful businesses in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, northern Queensland and Perth.
From the mid-1940s, Australia also became home to members of the Franco-Maltese population, whose ancestors moved to Tunisia and Algeria in the 1800s and then later to Egypt.
Many settled in Melbourne after Egypt's President Nasser expelled all foreign nationals in 1956.
In 1948, the Australian Government set up an assisted migration scheme with Malta - the first with a country other than Britain.
The peak year of Maltese immigration was 1954-1955. By 1987, an estimated 135,000 Australians had some ethnic link to Malta.
Strong ties between the two countries are recognised through a number of bilateral agreements covering social security, health benefits, taxation and citizenship.
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