[attach id="511232" size="medium"][/attach]
Joseph Buttigieg writes:
A few days before he died, we were informed that our dear Ziju Victor, as he was affectionately known, had been urgently taken to hospital. His condition was grave and within a few days, on May 7, he was unable to keep up the fight.
We hope this appreciation reaches many of the Maltese friends and visitors to Australia whom he had the opportunity to care for, entertain and be their guide during their stay there.
People from all walks of life, including politicians, professionals and people from the world of sport, have been well attended to during their stay in Sydney and thereabouts due to his personal interest and efforts to make their stay a memorable one.
He was extremely proud of his new country of adoption, and especially of the great city of Sydney, and while showing people around, one could notice the pride in his voice.
However, uncle was not just a tourist guide but first and foremost a pioneer, one of the first Maltese migrants to travel to Australia in the early 1950s. The beginning was difficult, and later, following his own life experiences, he took it upon himself to support those Maltese migrants who had initial difficulties on coming to Australia.
He was also very much involved with the setting up of the Maltese community in the social sphere, sports and entertainment, all aimed at promoting unity among the Maltese of Australia. Like other early migrants, he worked hard and was successful in setting up a family, which is now in its third generation and also benefitted from the fruit of his work.
We cannot not mention his love for his country. Together with dear aunt Adelaide, his wife and supporter throughout life, he made it back to Malta 19 times and was looking forward, even though advanced in age, to return in 2018.
Well, he never made it, but this great gentleman, as he was described in the Voice of the Maltese, an online paper targeting in particular the Maltese community in Australia, will long be remembered by family, relatives and friends. He was an example of a hard-working man of principles and a pillar of the community.