Name
Frank L Scicluna

Birthplace
Vittoriosa, Malta

Lives
Adelaide, Australia

Your organisation/community Maltese Community Council of South Australia

Profile

I was born in Vittoriosa (Birgu) Malta but spent most of my childhood and youth at Santa Venera. I migrated to Australia in 1965 and commenced my teaching career at Simon Stock College, Wentworthville, New South Wales.

In 1973 I moved to South Australia after successfully winning a position with the Department of Education, Employment and Training. For over 25 years I taught Mathematical Sciences, English as a Second Language, Classical History, Italian and Latin in various secondary schools and colleges around the State of South Australia.

I've been headmaster of the Maltese Language School of Adelaide for 16 years and was elected President of the Ethnic Schools Association of South Australia Incorporated for 6 years. In 1993 I was elected the first national president of the Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations (AFESA) – an umbrella body which fosters cohesion and educational consolidation between the 1400 community language schools across the country.

My most challenging position was that of President of the Maltese Community Council of South Australia which I held for over three years. In 1993, during my presidency, the Council of S.A. held the second National Conference of the Federation of Maltese Councils of Australia in Adelaide. It was attended by representatives of several Maltese Councils from other States. I'm the current President of the Maltese Community Council of SA Inc.

I was also appointed Justice of the Peace for the State of South Australia in 1991.

I've read papers and delivered lectures on the teaching of community languages in every State and Territory – including the Australian National University [ACT], Languages and Multicultural Unit (Hectorville – SA), Tasmanian Greek Centre, Perth's Convention Centre, Sydney Convention Centre (Darling Harbour), Ukrainian Community Centre (Richmond – Victoria) and LOTE Centre in Brisbane. I've also published numerous articles and papers on local and interstate papers and magazines including The Maltese Herald, Language Matters (ACT), EBI News, Ethnic Schools In Focus and The Times of Malta.

I'm author of two publications – Professional Development Course for Teachers of Community Languages (SA Educ. Dept – 1994) and the 1997 Maltese Directory and Information Booklet.

I helped create and am maintaining the school website Building Virtual Bridges – a historical and cultural link between Malta and Australia.

Married to Josie, we have three children Marika, Tanya and David.