SiegeGunner Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 If there's an election in the offing in Australia, perhaps the major political parties would see some advantage in interceding with their respective counterparts in Malta to help resolve any political/legal issues that stand in the way of the restoration of Australia Hall. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Woerlee Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 Re: Elections. Here is the political calculus - "Are there enough votes in Malta to change the government in Australia?" Carefully reflect on this question. When you have thought it through fully, you will see the answer staring you in the face. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 I take it that is one way to say , No? Ah, but the journey, it starts with the first step. Wonder if any pollies have Maltese blood in their veins? Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 On my part, I feel that the lead-up to Anzac Day would be a good time for articles on AUSTRALIA HALL to appear in the Australian (and UK?) press in an attempt to create public awareness about the building. Once this has been accomplished, and possible follow-up letters to editors published by the press, it might be opportune to approach members of various organisations and political parties for their reactions. I can see and appreciate the point Bill has made - to the extent that I would not pin my hopes on any progress related to elections. Kim also has a good point about seeking support from people of Maltese origin for the cause. If my memory serves me correctly, Mr John Aquilina is a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly. Regardless of the approach taken, as the saying goes: "Nothing ventured - nothing gained". Regards Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 Exactly , Wayne. So who is going to draft the letter? Cheers Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 I know that Jeff has advised that he will attempt to get a journalist or two interested in doing an article. When discussing the matter with him last year, I had offered to provide whatever information and photographs are at my command. This offer still stands and is extended to anyone else who would like to draw attention to the plight of AUSTRALIA HALL with the goal of seeing the building restored. As regards letters, I would propose Jeff on the grounds of his enthusiasm and contacts - providing he is willing/able to take it on. Otherwise it would be a case of seeing who will come forward to volunteer for the task. Perhaps Mick might be willing to approach Lord Methuen in an attempt to open another front ? Regards Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 26 February , 2007 Share Posted 26 February , 2007 Perhaps Mick might be willing to approach Lord Methuen in an attempt to open another front ? E-mail sent, describing the issue and asking if he would be interested in being kept informed of the progress of a campaign to save and eventually restore Australia Hall. It's obviously a 'can of worms' at this stage and we couldn't expect him to do any more at the moment than express interest and general support. He's a Liberal Democrat peer, by the way, and lists 'industrial archaeology' as one of his interests, so hopefully he will be sympathetic. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auimfo Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with Bill. Even with an election in the offing, the fate of Australia Hall in Malta is not an issue that will cause a change in government and therefore the chances of either political party being interested is fairly remote. That being said, there's no harm in trying. In the words of Edmund Burke, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" Tim L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pickerd Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Krithia, Could I seek your permission to use your photographs for possible press release or article? Nothing positive as yet, but this is hopefully only the beginning. For any accreditation, please contact me via email. Wayne, Can I pass on your contact details and use your name and material? I appreciate you have already indicated that you are happy for this to happen, but wish to be 100% sure before embarking down this track. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 I have received this reply from Lord Methuen: "Thank you for your email concerning the Australia Hall in Malta together with the photographs of its current state. I was quite unaware of this building, which as you say, was built and opened during my grandfather's time as Governor of Malta during the Great War, presumably sponsored by the Australian contingent at Gallipoli. I should be very pleased to be associated with your efforts to achieve its restoration. I would be obliged if you would keep me informed as to the progress you make on this project. Kind regards Robert Methuen The Lord Methuen" Wayne: May I reply to him and give him your contact details as the person who will keep him informed of progress, as you are clearly best placed to know what is going on? If so, please PM me your e-mail address. Lord Methuen is a 'working peer', although now 75 years old, and had a long career in industry, as a design engineer and IT specialist, with Westinghouse, IBM and Rolls Royce — so I am sure he knows a thing or two about getting projects going, and it is good to start this one with his general support. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 In view of recent developments that have snowballed from this thread, and to avoid any misunderstanding, this is what I would like to see emerge from this discussion : 1: Increase in public awareness about the building - especially in Australia and the United Kingdom. 2: People and organisations interested in its restoration putting pressure on their respective governments to relay an expression of disappointment that such a historic building be left to wreck and ruin, to the Maltese government. 3: That such interest from overseas governments will kick-start the Maltese government into action that results in the restoration of AUSTRALIA HALL. Any assistance that these governments might like to offer (if at all) is up to them and the future use of AUSTRALIA HALL would be up to the Maltese government to decide - perhaps in consultation with any other government that expresses an interest. From an exchange of information, we have progressed to ideas and proposals to action. For the life of me, I never expected this to happen or to find myself in the situation which has resulted. That these efforts could well result in the restoration of AUSTRALIA HALL would be a dream come true. Jeff, No problem at all with your request. However, I would like to be consulted before anything is put into print - just to avoid any misunderstandings. I will email my AUSTRALIA HALL photo folder later. Mick, By all means feel free to pass my contact details to Lord Methuen - as a reference point as to the situation on Malta. To facilitate diffusion of information and provide "national" reference points, may I be bold enough to propose both of you to take care of these matters in your own country of residence ? On my part, I will see what further information, etc, I might be able to come up with from my end. Regards Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krithia Posted 27 February , 2007 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Krithia, Could I seek your permission to use your photographs for possible press release or article? Nothing positive as yet, but this is hopefully only the beginning. For any accreditation, please contact me via email. Jeff Hi Jeff, yes sure, if you want to PM me your email address I'll send you some higher quality pics of Australia Hall as it is today. From all the posts its sounding positive that something good may come of this, let hope. regards, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 I have already posted three photos of AUSTRALIA HALL from 1916 and two recent shots showing the internal damage caused by the fire earlier in the thread. However, for the benefit of those who may be interested, here follows a pictorial tour around the exterior of the building. They start from directly in front of the facade and continue around the left side. Regards Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Facade : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Turning the left corner towards the side : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 The side heading towards the rear : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Turning the corner towards the rear : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 The rear : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Turning the corner towards the other side : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 The other side heading back towards the facade : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Saillard Posted 27 February , 2007 Share Posted 27 February , 2007 Turning the corner back to the facade : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pickerd Posted 28 February , 2007 Share Posted 28 February , 2007 Mick, Congratulations on your initiative in contacting Lord Methuen, well done. Lord Methuen's subsequent endorsement of our goals for the future of Australia Hall will be of enormous influence. Such support from one of the peers of the House of Lords will carry great weight to our efforts to raise the plight of the hall to the government and organizations over here in Australia. You given us a mighty leap forward, thank you. Wayne, Thanks for the photographs and added information on Australia Hall, all of this will greatly enhance the submissions I will be forwarding to our politicians, press and appropriate institutions. I may need to ask you for some added details a little further on, but I think there is enough here at the moment to get the show on the raod. From early indications, this is going to be one hell of an up-hill battle, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I shall keep you all informed of any progress and responses from over here. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 28 February , 2007 Share Posted 28 February , 2007 Wayne/Jeff, I have replied to Lord Methuen, thanking him for his expression of interest and support. I am willing to act as UK liaison person with him until those of you actually conducting the campaign are in a position to talk to him direct, but I do not have the time to take an active part in this project myself. If it comes to an appeal, I will put my hand in my pocket at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, does Wayne have a brief history of Australia Hall and its recent tribulations, in a form that I could forward to Lord Methuen? I have said that I will keep him informed of developments. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedelmar Posted 28 February , 2007 Share Posted 28 February , 2007 First, I would like to thank Wayne publically for the tremendous work he does with Australia's military history in Malta. This is not the only work he does. Second, I can't guarantee any positive result: I have sent this link to a contact seeking his advice as to who in Australia might be interested in this project. Fingers crossed. Bright Blessings Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Woerlee Posted 1 March , 2007 Share Posted 1 March , 2007 Mates From long experience on conducting effective campaigns to obtain public monies to fund public projects, I wll give you the benefit of a few principles required before any campaign gets underway. 1. Know clearly what it is you want to do - this is not just a vague idea that you want something restorred but a clear idea. This is the toughest step. You need to have a group of skilled people to assist in drawing up plans and costing them so that a realistic vision can be presented to the various public officials and their departmental advisors. In relation to a project like this, it will take at bare minimum a year to get it together assuming you have an architect or draftsman and a project builder on hand. Then yu are able to put together a vision and a commercial package with realistic estimates. The reason why you have to do it is because otherwise you are delegating it to "someone else" and unless that "someone else" has the same passion, "no one else" will actually do the job. The principle here is that if you provide a feed bag for a horse, always remember to fill it - that way the horse will work for you. 2. Identify project funds from whence funds can be drawn. Sometimes it can be from one bucket or at other times it needs to be a cocktail. 3. Sell the idea to various pollies in both Malta and Australia. Also various departments who will need to examine the specs will have to be briefed. This would require a group of committed people in both Malta and Australia who have access to pollies and the public service heavies. Get their support to an application. 4. Lob in the funding application - this is the easy part because you already know that you will be funded so long as the documents are lodged. If you go any other path you will find it frustrating, difficult and eventually - unless you are good at winning the Lotto - the project will fail. Most projects fail because there is no vision to pass onto the people assessing it to provide funds. So best of luck. If you need any specific work done which is within my ken then I am ready to assist. Cheers Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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