Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa, has welcomed a donation of books from the Maltese Consul General in Melbourne, Chirelle Ellul Sciberras.
More than 60 Maltese books will be added to the existing collection of Maltese resources available in Hobsons Bay libraries, including Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Amazing Maltese Women by Kristina Chetcuti. Most of the books are written in Maltese, while others are written in English about Maltese stories.
Hobsons Bay is home to a large and active Maltese community. It is the sixth most common ancestry in the city, making up 4.3 per cent of the population, significantly higher than the 1.4 per cent it makes up of the Greater Melbourne population.
Cr Briffa, who is of Maltese heritage, welcomed the generous donation from Consul General Ellul Sciberras.
"These books are a wonderful gift to the Maltese community in Hobsons Bay. We always encourage everyone who has come here from other parts of the world to remember and celebrate their heritage, culture and language," Cr Briffa said.
"These books will allow our Maltese residents the chance to read some of these wonderful titles in their native language and learn about Maltese stories and experiences written in English. As a member of our Maltese community, I'm particularly honoured that the Consul General has visited us to make this generous donation."
Photo: Maltese Consul General in Melbourne, Chirelle Ellul Sciberras, with Hobsons Bay Mayor, Councillor Tony Briffa.
