Nicholas alias Santa Claus had its humble beginning at Plumpton in December 1980. I was asked by the PRO to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future. first approached me to help him organize and celebrate a Maltese traditional feast at his newly appointed Parish Priest of Plumpton in early 1980, the area was constituted mainly of Maltese and Gozitan farmers, the pioneers of the area,
the Paces, Vassallos, Vellas, Psailas Cremonas, Refalos, Apaps, Micallef, the Saids, the Schembris, the Caseys and such. There were only a few residences around mainly acreage farms, no shopping centre, or school, no M2 and extension from where I lived and few other services. The church and presbytery were just old army huts bought and brought in and refurbished by Fr Frank Delia. He then started the Catholic school and built the important Parish Hall, which should be named after him. At one of our Sunday dinners at our previous home in Pennant Hills, Fr Frank asked me to help organize at his new parish a festa in honour of St Paul. After a discussion we decided that the festa should be in honour of our Siggiewi Patron, Saint Nicholas, rather than Malta’s national Saint. With a few helpers from Siggiewi (Buhagiar and Galea come to mind), and other Maltese and Gozitans and Australians we celebrated the first Mass with the Panigirku (sermon on the life of St Nicholas) and the Maltese Kurunella (a short traditional prayer). We showed some home movies of the feast of Siggiewi, taken by the Galea family, followed by a cuppa. The first committee was then formed in 1981. For some of us it was a long journey to attend meetings. That year, we had the O.L. P. Band and a Disco in the newly built Parish Hall. In 1982, we introduced the fireworks and the arrival of Santa Claus. Later the statue was ordered from Ortisei, Italy and blessed by Fr Frank on 4 December 1983. It is a simple linden wood statue akin to the Australian tradition. It is not a replica of the Siggiewi statue. After all, Siggiewi’s statue is not a replica of Bari’s statue. The Apap brothers (whose uncle Vincent Apap built the Triton fountain at Valletta and who had thought me Art at the Lyceum) generously prepared the pedestal the following year. Later on I had the task of a proper Constitution as well as designing the decorative banners which are still hung on festa day. After more than three decades and in spite of the continued huge development and demographic change of the area, the feast has continued. The Saint Nicholas Festa is now part of an established Australian culture. One should not forget the work performed by the members of the Committee, some of whom have been there from early days and are still active members on the Committee. Today, it is good to see so many dedicated committee members, including some new faces, retain the tradition and ensure that devotion to St Nicholas (Santa Claus) and the festa is continued. Their diversified fund raising activities, such as the Imnarja (Feast of St Peter and St Paul) ensure that the aims of the organization are promoted. The Parish Priests have always been of great assistance to the Presidents and Committee. Some of them actually sat on the committee, as time permitted. Over the last 25 years the Committee worked hand in hand with first the Co-founder Fr Frank Delia followed by Fr Erwin, Fr Charles Bugelli, Fr Damian Colbourne, Fr Greg Bowles and the current Parish Priest Fr Gerard O’Dempsey. Over the last 35 years, besides myself from 1980 to1997, (except for 1989 when I was too busy with the building of the Bicentennial Memorial at Pendle Hill) there were a number of Presidents. That year (1989), Mr Guido Baldacchino was the then President and I think Mr Leslie Gatt was the Chairperson during my absence overseas in late 1991, perhaps earlier. Mr Joe Bonello followed in 1998 to 2000, Mr Nicholas Schembri in 2001, Mr Joe Piscopo in 2002 followed by the immediate past Presideent, Mr Bill Schembri. I’d like to thank all the previous committee members and helpers on the day to ensure that this now established Maltese tradition of the feast continues with success. I take the opportunity to welcome the new President Mr Joe Fenech and wish him and the current committee best wishes for continued work to promote the love of the wonderful work of our patron Saint Nicholas and the celebration of his feast day in December each year. This article was by: Oreste L Aquilina JP
