Maltese Association of Western Australia Maltese Association of Western Australia 1 - MALTESE ASSOCIATION OF WA (INC) As Maltese migrants began to arrive in Western Australia in significant numbers in the early 1950?s the need for an organization to promote and protect the interests of the growing community became apparent. 2 - The Association?s inaugural founder was Joseph Calleja who migrated to Perth with his young family in 1947. In 1959 Joseph Calleja formally approached Father Galea a priest from The Missionary Society of St Paul? to assist in the formation of the club. Mrs Molly Asphar, who had been residing in Australia for over 25 years, suggested that the club should provide Maltese migrants with social outlets and official representation to Governments and other institutions. By 1958 the Maltese community in Bassendean and the surrounding districts continued to grow and still did not have an organisation which could act and speak on its behalf. In those early days the Association had a number of different titles. The first attempt was the ?WA Maltese Australian Club?; and this was in existence for twelve months. The club hosted one social function, and to its credit, one reception for a VIP from Malta. The club was disbanded thereafter. By 1958 the Maltese community in Bassendean had reached a substantial number but still didn?t have an organization that could act and speak on its behalf. Again, Joseph Calleja approached the Missionary Society of St Paul?s with the aim of forming a Maltese club. At this time Father Galea had been replaced by Father Cini. He agreed and between them, they recruited Joseph Calleja?s brother Felix and Fred Wright to form an interim Committee. The first meetings were held at Joe?s home in Anzac Terrace Bassendean. Felix Calleja suggested ?Maltese Settlers Association of Western Australia? as a title for the newly formed club which was unanimously adopted. Joseph Calleja was elected President, Fred Wright as Secretary and Father Cini as Treasurer. The first AGM of this new Association was held at the Australian Labor Party?s hall in Broadway Bassendean on Sunday June 7th 1959 which later became their club premises.