Question, what’s this sign about? Why does it have Australia, New South Wales written on it? Found by my friend in Gharb, Gozo island.
https://i.redd.it/6mhaxkddqpqf1.png
Posted by cocoscum
Question, what’s this sign about? Why does it have Australia, New South Wales written on it? Found by my friend in Gharb, Gozo island.
https://i.redd.it/6mhaxkddqpqf1.png
Posted by cocoscum
7 Comments
Probably benefactors of whatever that is (maybe church parvis?).
NSW, Australia would be where the couple currently reside or hail from originally, considering how many emigrated to Australia & USA back in the day.
Donations from Maltese Australians to the Ta Pinu basilica
There is a large community in Australia of Gozitans that come to Malta in their later years.
Lots of people from Gharb moved to Australia over the decades (and Canada, but mostly Australia).
Many Gozitans moved to Australia and Canada in the 60s for better work opportunities. They built lives there and there is a big expat opportunity over there.
ChatGPT tells you this:
“CHARLIE + GIOVANNA REFALO
NSW – AWSTRALJA”
• “NSW” stands for New South Wales, a state in Australia.
• “AWSTRALJA” is the Maltese spelling of “Australia.”
What this suggests is that the stone was sponsored or donated by Charlie and Giovanna Refalo, Maltese emigrants (or their descendants) living in New South Wales, Australia.
Many Maltese local councils and community projects fundraise by allowing people (especially those in the Maltese diaspora) to “buy a brick/tile.” Their names and locations are then engraved permanently in walkways, promenades, or squares back in Malta.
So this tile is most likely part of a donor recognition scheme in Malta — a way of honoring contributions from Maltese families abroad while also helping to finance a public project (like a promenade, church restoration, or community space).
Maltese immigrants in Australia made a donation for the Ta’ Pinu Basilica in Gharb