Instrumental … George Aquilina is president and founding member of Brimbank’s Maltese Folklore Club. 32597
By Belinda Nolan
GEORGE Aquilina has dedicated his life to keeping the Maltese culture alive in the western suburbs.
But he faces an uphill battle.
The Burnside resident is president of the St Albans Maltese Folklore Club, an association he founded more than a decade ago.
Although the club boasts more than 400 members, its future is clouded with uncertainty.
With the youngest member in his mid-thirties, Mr Aquilina fears the club could die out when the last of its aging member base hangs up the boots.
Offering homage to traditional Maltese folk singing, the club has proven popular with expatriates searching for a slice of their heritage Down Under.
Known as Ghana, folk singing has been practised in Malta for centuries and Mr Aquilina is hoping it will catch on in Australia.
“It’s a very old and beautiful tradition,” the 57-year old said.
“I first became interested in it when I was a small boy.
“In Malta it is a big tradition and everywhere you go people are performing it.”
Since arriving in Australia in 1973, Mr Aquilina has fought to establish the folklore tradition here.
In 1995 he helped to set up the club at a private premises in St Albans.
Although the group has flourished over the past 14 years, it has had trouble attracting young members.
“We have no trouble getting interest from the older people who used to live in Malta because they remember the folklore tradition,” Mr Aquilina said.
“But we’re not getting any younger and I would dearly love to get some younger members who we can pass these traditions onto to keep them alive.”
Mr Aquilina is hoping the Maltese community will encourage their children and grandchildren to join the club.
Anyone wishing to join can call the club on 93674648.
