Lace-making in Malta-Morwell

Some reflection on how the lives of Maltese has tangible evidence, compared to the heritage of current generations.
In Morwell, Mary Farrugia was joined by local Maltese lace-makers Mary Zahra and Helen Muscat at Latrobe Regional Gallery. They worked surrounded by an extraordinary display of lace, much of it Mary's, but also some from the local community. Quite stark was the contrast between the baby's lace smock from Malta, with more exquisite detail throughout, with the local smock where lace was restricted to the hem. 'People just don't have the time anymore'. There was much talk about bobbins. Each of their sets of bobbins had quite distinct beads to weigh them down. According to Mary, lace-makers often attach black beads to their bobbins if there has been a death in the family. Burnt into the bobbins are words, such as maxims or family names. The local Maltese community is planning for Malta Day on 15 March, when bus loads are coming down from Melbourne for ceremonies, eating, sport and dancing. They seem very excited to be involved in producing work for the cultural festival and wish there was more of that. They are producing individual pieces of lace to be attached to a men's suit that Mark McDean has designed in conversation with Mary Faruggia. All goes well.