A fond memory was our Sunday’s. We’d go for a long drive, then stop off for a picnic lunch, joined by my many relatives. Even just the drive was fun! And when we got to our destination, the first thing we’d look for was either the playground or the nearest pool/beach for a swim. I honestly have many fond memories of living in Australia and I feel blessed to have experienced it. I really miss large parks, with a lot of green grass and trees ☹
So when did Ms Marlyn come to Malta? It was 1991. My parents waited for me to finish my final year in High School and we packed up and moved over. Why? It’s complicated but in a nutshell my brother came for holidays here and liked it so much, he decided to stay and live here. My parents had always been torn between the two countries and now they felt they were going to be torn by having their children in two different countries, half way around the globe from each other. So after many long talks, it was decided that we’d pack up and migrate back to Malta.
Once again, I was thrown into those familiar, awkward waters, of not feeling I fit in. This time it hit me harder, maybe because I was older and whereas most people my age had friends from school to hang out with, I had left all of mine behind and had to start from scratch again. But this time I had an additional challenge, as I was now joining the workforce. Before leaving Australia, I did a short secretarial course and so when I arrived in Malta, I started looking for jobs in Administration. I’ve worked with many different companies before joining Verdala, but I’d have to say my favourite job was the 7 years I spent working at Inspire, The Foundation for Inclusion. At Inspire I was first employed as a Part-time assistant to the School Programmes Coordinator and over the years, I became the Coordinator. I thoroughly enjoyed my 7 years at Inspire and learnt so much there, not only about individuals with special needs but even about myself and my capabilities.
After leaving Inspire, I changed jobs a couple of times and joined as PA to the Elementary School Principal, I immediately knew this was the job for me! On December 2nd last year, I started working with VIS and I knew I had found my happy place again. Not only was I working with children again but there was an added bonus. I was in an International School. I was surrounded by people from all sorts of different backgrounds, stories, accents. I was automatically transported to my wonderful childhood years. The chapter of my life that moulded me as a child. That gave me a will of acceptance for any person regardless of skin colour, creed, status or culture. The Australian in me could come out again. The Australian which I felt I had to put aside and treasure in safety box but rarely visit. The Australian I felt I had lost with every passing year I stayed in Malta. I so feared to revisit the Australian me, that I literally never visited Australia again, for fear of not wanting to return to Malta and for fear of, if I did return after a holiday, it would be such a heart wrenching experience again. One I know I couldn’t bear to go through a second time. But God (as I am a believer), sent me to Verdala International School Pembroke. Where I could take out my treasure box and bring out the Aussie in me, whilst physically living on this beautiful island, called Malta, which I can and do call home.
Thank you Verdala, not only do I feel I have a great job here, with wonderful colleagues who welcomed me with open arms from day one, but you also helped to find my lost soul and you have no idea how precious that is to me. Oh and the added bonus; I can talk in my Aussie accent as much as I like.
Thanks again Verdala and cheers mate for unlocking my heart, my Australian soul!
My Story- Australian Soul !
Hi everyone, I’m Marlyn Gauci, the new PA in Elementary. Way back in 1972 a cute little blue eyed, curly haired baby girl was born, in Australia……..that was me ☺ My Maltese parents migrated a couple of years earlier, as had many other Maltese families before them, for better work opportunities. We lived in Australia until 1976, when my parents decided to come back to Malta to live, as they missed their large families. 1979 we were on a plane back to Australia as my parents decided Oz had more to offer a growing family and so we moved back again. Now me aged 8, I had to learn how to speak and write in English but with the help of the Maltese nuns that taught at the school.
For the next 6 years of my life, I lived as any other International family living in Australia. Speaking half English half Maltese at home and twangin’ like a pure Aussie whilst at school with my friends ☺ Life was great!