MACASA was founded in 1994 with the intent of establishing ethno specific aged care services for our Maltese elderly in South Australia.

The development of MACASA over the years has been rewarding, and at times very challenging.

Here is a brief look at our achievements.

History

In 1994, a group of Maltese volunteers recognised the need for some form of residential care for our Maltese elderly. A committee met on a regular basis and incorporated our association under our present name. In 1995, we undertook a survey of 100 Maltese families in South Australia, who were interviewed in their own homes. An extensive list of questions was put to these people regarding their health. This survey presented an opportunity for MACASA members to speak directly to our older people and discuss their needs with them. It also was an opportunity to inform them about the activities of MACASA and to supply them with information about aged care services that were currently available to them and possible future options. The results from the survey were many. We recognised the need for help at home, help with Maltese meals, transport, and Residential Care. MACASA members volunteered their time for this, since no financial assistance was received specifically to conduct this survey.

Present Services

The information from this survey has been extremely useful to establish a Home Care service, with Coordinator Sylvia Bonnici. Sylvia works with a group of trained and dedicated Maltese carers who look after our elderly in their own home. Due to this home support, our older people are now able to remain in the comfort of their home, living independently for as long as they possibly can. The fact that these carers are Maltese, is very important because only then are they able to understand our Maltese culture such as food, customs, religious needs etc.

Clients on Home Care may receive a range of services, which may include transport, assistance with cooking, domestic help etc. Sylvia Bonnici is the person to contact if you have any questions regarding Home Care Packages.

In 1998, funding was made available to provide a culturally appropriate meals service. Thanks to the survey previously conducted, we knew where the majority of the elderly Maltese were located and we were able to plan our kitchen in a central area. In collaboration with the Maltese Guild of SA, we opened our first kitchen in Beverley at the Maltese Cultural Centre, in the western area.

As this was a new venture for us, it was no easy task. It is thanks to the resilience and persistence of our Maltese cook Charles Bezzina and MACASA that we had managed to deliver this service. The demand for Maltese meals grew. In 2003, due to further expansion of the Meals service, it was necessary to look for a bigger kitchen. We located one in Croydon at the RSL in West Croydon. We are proud that MACASA in South Australia is the only Maltese Association providing this Maltese Meals Service in Australia.

To further assist in expansion of our services, In July 2009, MACASA relocated its office and kitchen to the:
Cheltenham Community Centre
62 Stroud Street North
Cheltenham SA 5014

Our Maltese Services Manager – Ellena Bezzina, works with a dedicated group of volunteers who deliver these meals to our clients. The fact that our community owns this service is invaluable – a ‘little Malta’ is created in the busy buzz of our kitchen, as the cook and volunteers happily participate in the preparation and delivery of approximately 50 meals per day. The value of Maltese volunteers delivering the meals lies in the fact that our clients look forward to chatting with them on a regular basis.

Hot meals are delivered fresh each day from Monday – Friday in certain areas. Meals such as Mqarrun, Ross il-forn u Pulpetti. For many people who would like meals but live outside our delivery areas we have developed a Frozen Meals Program. This program is also available Monday – Friday and any number of meals can be picked up from our facility either on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Many clients also collect frozen meals each month when they attend our Monthly Activities Group.The aim of the Monthly Activities Group is for all clients and volunteers of Maltese Meals and Community Services to get together over a three course meal socially.

This program aims to help many families and especially those who live alone to get out and enjoy some company within the community on a regular basis. At these sessions, we play bingo, have guest speakers, listen to music and watch Maltese videos. Musical and comedy entertainment has also been provided that has proved very popular and much fun.

We are currently seeking assistance from the State Government – Home and Community Care Program to expand our services in the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions of Adelaide. This would mean developing meal delivery runs in these regions and hopefully expanding our volunteer base to also provide in-home support services such as light housework and garden maintenance in these regions.

Meanwhile, we had been on the lookout for opportunities regarding Residential Care. Negotiations with one particular home had fallen through, but in 2003 an opportunity arose with Uniting Care Wesley, at Regency Green. Funding was being offered to provide a residential house for ethnic communities. We met and discussions started, the result of which is our present Maltese house, called “Melita House”. We have six Maltese residents at present. MACASA members visit the residents on a weekly basis and monitor the service to make sure it is ethnically appropriate.

MACASA volunteers visit and give Holy Communion to our residents regularly. Father Gabriel also performs Mass for all the residents of Regency Green regularly. The residents find comfort in the fact that they are within their own culture – company and appropriate food. We have also been successful in negotiating the regular delivery of Maltese meals to our residents.
The Role of MACASA

Initiate and develop services for our Maltese elderly.

Refer clients to relevant services.

Ensure that information is appropriately given out through the Maltese media, community clubs etc.

Assist in the ongoing monitoring and assessment of services.

Most of all we ensure that these services are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

As you can see at MACASA, we are constantly planning and monitoring all services to continue improving and expanding, particularly seeking where we can develop new services that meets the needs of our community.

The evolution of MACASA since 1994 has been beyond our expectations. We are proud of our achievements. The foundations have been well laid and we can only look to the future now.