Born Ħ’Attard. Before leaving for Australia with his family, he read the Classics (Latin & Greek) together with Maltese, English & Italian at Floriana Seminary. Aged 16 Bovingdon disembarked at Woolloomooloo, Sydney on 14/01/1959. Having left college prematurely owing to the family’s move, some years after arrival he completed his secondary education to matriculation level through night school. In the total absence of facilities to include Maltese in this itinerary, he pursued his goal to finality through the Oxford Delgacy of Examinations, UK, thus pioneering the way for all other potential candidates in similar circumstances to sit for Maltese in Australia. With no teachers of Maltese anywhere in Australia, he self taught and passed in Advanced Level Maltese by proxy through Oxford. Meanwhile he graduated with his first degree as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), equivalent to B.Sc. in Applied Clinical Psychology & Psychiatry, followed by six other post graduate nursing qualifications. He undertook further advanced tertiary studies obtaining Diplomas in Nursing Administration (DipNAdmin.) from the University of NSW, in Health Counselling (DipHCouns) and in Medical Terminology (DipMT), followed by one year in advanced Italian Literature and the basics of Arabic all through Sydney University. At the University of New England, NSW, he read Philosophy and English Literature for another year. Granted a special scholarship by the Government of Malta he completed 1981-82 reading towards a five year Bachelor of Education course at MU with Maltese as the main subject. These studies were interrupted by the sudden fatal illness of his father back in Sydney, necessitating him to return to Australia prematurely. In 1994 he was again granted a Malta Government scholarship to specialise in Maltese. He graduated (BAHons), cum laudae from UM in 1998. Back in Sydney with his fresh qualifications in Maltese, he procured the NSW Education Minister’s approval to establish the Maltese Language School of NSW with the added backing of the Maltese Community Council of NSW and key individuals hand picked by Bovingdon himself. Fortified by these academic successes he embarked on a series of peer reviewed monographs presented to international conferences on Maltese Linguistics. In the interim he further enriched his grasp of Maltese, again as an autodidact, in the related languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician/Punic and Hieroglyphics whilst further supplanting his time by giving lectures on Maltese Art, Literature, History, Archaeology and Maltese Settlement in Australia at various tertiary institutions. – Through the auspices of the Special Broadcasting Services (SBS), Australia, he also qualified as Broadcaster/Journalist.
Prior to the above named Maltese school Bovingdon had already pioneered the first ever Maltese Language School in Australia (1968), this being the first ever school of Maltese anywhere in the world outside of Malta.
He co-founded a Maltese drama group (1966) and the Society of Maltese Writers (1969) within the same drama association in Sydney (1969). In 1972 he began the first Maltese Literay Journal in Australia, Ix-Xefaq (The Horizon).
He has authored ten academic books and translated some poetry from French, Spanish & Italian into Maltese and minor excerpts from Classical Arabic (Hadiths) and snippets from Classical Greek (Plato and Homer) and his own Australian historical ballad of Truganini from Maltese into English. He as been copiously interviewed on radio, TV and the print media, both in Malta and Australia. He corresponds frequently with Maltese newspapers and journals in both countries. Bovingdon’s opinion is widely sought after on Maltese language and cultural matters as a highly respected Maltese Australian intellectual of substance and as a serious researcher and academic.
His latter day interests include delving into the earlier pre-Arabic strata of Phoenician/Punic remnants in Maltese.
Before embarking on his academic pursuits Bovingdon pioneered the Maltese popular song in Australia “Il-Blata/Bejn il-Ħbieb” (1974) thereby inspiring a renaissance of Maltese culture amongst Maltese settlers throughout Australia. As a singer, songwriter, composer of the Maltese song his professional singing lasted for an uninterrupted stretch of 25 years until his voluntary retirement to devote all his energy to his preferred linguistic, literary and intellectual followings.
He was guest speaker for the Malta Foreign Affairs Department, Convention of Maltese Living Abroad (2010); Karmen Mikallef Buħaġar Foundation of the UM, Dun Karm Memorial Biennial Lecture (2002); Association of Teachers of Maltese in Australia, Malta High Commission, Canberra (2007); Maltese Cultural Association, Sydney (2006); Holroyd City Council Library ‘Meet the author’ (2009); Blacktown City Library (1969); Royal Australian Historical Society (2010); Arabic Society of Sydney University (1976); Goethe Institute and the Australia Council at the Adult Education Week (1985); Earle Page College, University of New England (2007); Fairfield Melita Drama Company, Maltese Literary Evening (1967); St Dominic’s Retirement Village: launch of new book ‘Pavlvs’ (2009); Welcome address to Archbishop Cremona, Maltese Women’s Association (2008); Welcome address to H.E. Dr Fenech Adami, Malta High Commission, Canberra (2009);
Accolades include: Special Citation Maltese Cultural Association, Sydney (1990); winner of the prestigious Francis Ebejer Playwright’s Award (1999); his name is recorded in the Dean’s List, Arts Faculty, UM for Academic Distinction (1995); Special Mention in the Ġużè Ellul Mercer Playright’s Award (1998); Special Mention in Malta Emigrants Commission Literary Competition (1969); appointed a Justice of the Peace, Supreme Court of NSW (1962); Maltese Cultural Award (2000); Ġieħ Ħ’Attard, Attard Local Council (2014).
Organised Maltese books exhibitions: Fairfield Melita Drama Company premises at Horsley Drive, Smithfield, NSW (1967); Arabic Society of Sydney University (1975); Blacktown City Councilo Library (1983); Maltese Cultural Association of NSW (2007); La Valette Social Centre, (2011);
Former literary editor/contributor: The Maltese Herald; The Voice of Malta in Australia; The Times of Malta in Australia; Il-Maltija; Formerly on the Editorial Board of The Maltese Herald; Former Director of NAATI (National Australia Accreditation of Translators and Interpreters);
Philanthropy: Bovingdon has donated books and artefacts to Maltese institutions in both countries (Gozo Library; Melitensia at UM; Malta Emigrants Commission; La Valette Social Centre, NSW; Maltese Literature Group, Melbourne; Maltese Cultural Association, Sydney; Dun Karm Monument, Floriana; Għaqda tal-Malti, Università; Akkademja tal-Malti; and others). Has interviewed a large number of intellectuals, writers, leading citizens and has critiqued several major literary and linguistics works by reputed authors.
Recorded on tape a series of Maltese language lectures for the Sydney University Language Laboratories (1970).
Publications:
1969: ‘L-Ilsien Malti fl-Awstralja’ Il-M, Akkad.M, (xii); ‘L-emigrant Malti u l- Awstralja’;
1970: ‘Ix-Xefaq’, l-ewwel ġurnal letterarju fl-Awstralja;
1975: ‘Xi punti dwar l-għana popolari’, TMHS, (6.viii);
1977: ‘Maltese Language and Literature’, Dept. of Middle Eastern Studies, Melbourne University;
1978: ‘Further comments on Peter Caxaro’s Cantilena’, JMS, N.12, 106-118, UM;
1982: ‘Bejn Ħaltejn’, L-ewwel ġabra versi;
1985: ‘Maltese Language in Australia’, Writing in Multicultural Australia, Adult Education Board, Australia Council & Goethe Institute; ‘Ktieb ġdid Malti fl-Awstralja’, TVOM, (15.viii);
1986: ‘It-Teatrin’, TMHS, (8.iv);
1987: ‘Il-Lingwa Maltija ġo l-Awstralja’, Il-M, Akkad.M;
1988: ‘Xi karatteristiċi tal-Maltraljan’, TMHS, (20.ix);
1989: ‘The Maltese presence in Australia’, Blacktown City Council Library, (25.vi); ‘It-triloġija York, Saliba, Nicholas-Borg’, TMHS, (25.iv);
1989-90: ‘In the mould of a new environment: the Maltese Language in Australia’, JMS, UM; ‘Interess bikri fil-Lingwa Maltija fl-Awstralja, Pt.1 – Sehem Charles Parnis; Pt.2 – Sehem Spiru Sceriha; Pt.3 – L-ewwel Maltraljan bil-miktub’, TVOM, (xi/xii, i); ‘An appraisal of the text’, M. Nicholas-Borg’s poetry; ‘Minn fomm l-emigrant’, TMHS, (6.vi); ‘The myth of 1883’, TMHS, (28.iii); ‘It-Teżawru ta’ Albert Agius’, TMHS, (1.xiii);‘Aspetti ta’ ħidma storika Maltija fl-Awstralja’, TMHS, (v); ‘Maltese-Australian literature in the making’, TMHS, (29.v); “Mid-djarji ta’ Cammilleri’, TMHS, (31.i); ‘Minn fomm l-emigrant’, TMHS, (11.iv);
1990: ‘Valentin Barbara f’L-Istqarrijiet’; ‘Il-ġenju silenti f’Għana tal-Qalb’; ‘L-eku minn bejn il-linji’; ‘Il-bandiera Maltija, TMHS, (26.vi); ‘Il-Bandiera Maltija’, TMHS, (26.vi);
1991: ‘Għażaqt fl-ilma’, TMHS, (9.vii);
1993: ‘Xenqet il-migrant’, TMHS, (23.ii);‘Rivista minn Rigu Bovingdon’, Il-Maltija, (1.i);
1992-93: ‘Serje xandiriet Il-Qawwa tal-Kelma’, SBS; ‘Kitba bil-Malti ġo l-Awstralja’,Wirt Malta, Vol.1, N.4, 5, Toronto, Canada; ‘Il-ktieb Dun Karm ta’ Oliver Friggieri’, M, (5.vii);
1994 :A solution for our language?, TSTM, (17.iv);
1994-96: ‘Ir-Rapport Kulturali minn Malta’, SBS;
1996: ‘Maltese can survive’, TMIS, (21.iv);
1998: ‘Il-Maltraljan: l-Ilsien Malti ta’ l-Awstralja’, Lingwa u Lingwistika, KKM & MATSEC; ‘Maltese: our indigenous language’, ST, (3.i); ‘The Maltese language Down Under’, TST, (23.viii);
1999: Maltese Language School opens in New South Wales, TSTM, (28.ii); ‘Il-ġenituri tagħna ma kinux iħalluna noħorġu’, TMHS, (6.iv); ‘L-iskola tal-Malti’, TMHS, (16.ii); ‘L-iskola tal-Malti tiżgħed’, TMHS, (4.v); 2000: ‘It-Teżawru ta’ Albert Agius’, TMHS, (1.vii); ‘Il-Ballata tat-Truganini’, TMHS, (6.vi); ‘Monument Dun Karm’, TMHS, (3.xii), M, (5.xi); ‘Emigranti flimkien? Sena 2000?’, TMHS, (16.xi);
2000: ‘Xandir ta’ kwalità’, TMHS, (8.ii); ‘Il-Malti: elf sena ta’ storja’, TMHS, (26.ix); ‘Trivialising Konvenzjoni Shortcomings’, TMHS, (22.ii); ‘Kitba responsabbli’, TMHS, (14.iii); ‘L-eqdem dizzjunarju tal-Malti’, (viii); ‘Tiftix fil-Malti antik’, (4.iv);
2001: ‘Traduzzjoni ta’ ktieb sagru’, M, 16 Set; ‘The Maltese Language of Australia: Maltraljan’, Languages of the World 16, Lincom Europa, Munich; ‘Il-Maltin fl-Awstralja’, M, (7.x);
2002: ‘Of Maltese language and literature’, TST, 20 Oct.; ‘Opra ta’ arti kbira!’, Il-Ħabbâr, Sena 3, Nru 6, (2); ‘Dwar ħolm u miti’, TMHS, (5.iii); ‘Bniedem li jħobb il-lingwi Semija’, TMHS, (19.iii); ‘Maltese Language in Australia’;
2003: ‘Statistical analysis of the source origin of Maltese’, Lancaster University, with Dalli, A. (28.31.iii); ‘This human heart’, TMHS, (1.iv); ‘Problems of Maltese’, ST, (22.vi); ‘Il-Malti l-ilsien indiġenu tagħna’, T, (14.x); ‘Il-kultura Maltija fl-Awstralja’, M, (16, 23.ii); “Ħsiebi bħal Agħma’, TMHS, (14.i); ‘Teatru jew Tearin?’, M, (8.vi); ‘A clear slate’, TMHS, (13.v); ‘Il-Ballata tat-Truganini’, TMHS, (6.vi); ‘Maltese dialects in Australia’, Stockholm University, (6.7.vi); ‘Of drama and romance’, TST, (9.ix);
2004: ‘Maltese to Maltraljan: A case study in Cross Continental Lexicography’, 2nd Int. Lexicography Conf., Payap University; ‘Ħsiebi bħal agħma: Tieqa fuq ħsieb Dun Karm’, MUP; ‘From Language to Ethnolect: Maltese to Maltraljan’, Current Issues in Language Planning, Vol. 5: 2; ‘Mill-versi misturin’, TMHS, (24.ii); ‘Il-Heart of Darkness mar jistrieħ’, M, (7.iii), TMHS (2.xii); ‘Mill-versi misturin: niċċelebraw il-mewt’, TMHS, (24.ii); ‘From language to ethnolect’, Current Issues in Language Planning’, University of Queensland;
2005: ‘Il-Kittieb’, TMHS;‘Source languages of the Qur’an’, TST, (17.vii); ‘Documentary Sources of Maltese History’, TST, (17.v); ‘Maltin itturufnati fl-Awstralja’, TMHS, (7.iii); ‘Life is sacred from conception’, TST, (15.v); ‘Meta jmut wieħed minna’, TMHS, (24.v); ‘Stem cell research’, ST, (5.vi, 3.vii); ‘Life is sacred from conception’, ST, (17.v); “Human life begins immediately’, ST, (26.iv); ‘Is Labor a spent force?’, TMHS, (19.vii); ‘Barry Jones and the ALP’, TMHS, (6.xii);
2006: ‘Furbani famużi Maltin’, TMHS, (16.v); ‘Il-George Cross u l-Bandiera Maltija’, T, (9.vii), TMHS, (4.x.2005); ‘Teżisti filosofija Maltija?’, TMHS, (21.iii); ‘Another Maltese convict?’, TMHS, (11.vii); ‘The folksinger who inspired a nation’, TST, (2.vii); ‘Prudery? Censorship? Standards?’, TMHS, (17.i); ‘Cronulla phenomenon? Or collective mindset?’, TMHS, (7.ii); ‘Tama u dubju’, TMHS, (2.v); ‘Bikjet l-imtarraf: Laurent Ropà;, TMHS, (25.iv), T, 30.iv); ‘Għaliex il-mara Maltija ma titkellimx?’, TMHS, (28.xi); ‘Malta’s 8th September’, TMHS, (5.ix); ‘L-għannej li nebbaħ nazzjon’, TMHS, (4.vii); ‘Il-lingwa hi dak li hi’, (TMHS); ‘Għaraftuhom lil dawn in-nisa?’ TMHS, (28.ii); ‘An interview with Arnold Cassola: an idealist politician, TMHS, (27.vi); ‘Malta titlef storiku kbir’, TMHS, (24.x); ‘Human females as meat?’, TMHS, (28.xi); ‘Nifhmu ‘l Islam’, TMHS, (7.xi); ‘Reċensjoni tal-ktieb Salomé, TMHS, (7.xi); ‘Poeżija mhux magħrufa ta’ Dun Karm’, TMHS, (21.xi); ‘A career diplomat looks back’, TMHS, (19.iii); ‘Statistical analysis of the source origin of Maltese’, Corpus Linguistics around the world’, Rodopi; ‘From language to ethnolect’, Language Planning in Local Contexts, Queensland University;
2007: ‘Maltese: the language and literature of an island nation’, New England University; ‘Origins of Maltese: a linguistic overview’, Malta High Commission, Canberra, (6,7.x); ‘L-Għarqa ta’ San Pawl’, MUP; ‘Il-lingwa tal-Maltin barra minn Malta’, T, (8.vii); ‘Our female Maltese readers’, TMHS, (24.iv); ‘It-tgħallim tal-Malti fi NSW’, TMHS, (24.iv); ‘It-tagħlim tal-Malti: Suġġerimenti’, TMHS, (25.ix); ‘L-universalità tal-Malti’, TMHS, (22.v); ‘My body! My embryo!’, TMHS, 22.v); ‘It-teatru Malti’, TMHS, (11.ix); ‘From migrant to State Minister’, TMHS, (20.iii); ‘It-tagħlim tal-Malti’, TMHS, (13.xi); ‘Malti miktub tajjeb’, TMHS, (17.iv); ‘Rispett lejn ilsienna, TMHS, (10.iv); ‘Nisa Maltin fil-komunità’, TMHS, (27.xi); ‘Mastru Karm Debono and the Manoel Theatre’, TMHS, (20.xi); ‘If only man would listen to himself’, TMHS, (8.v); ‘Konferenza nazzjonali skejjel Maltin’, TMHS, (16.x); ‘Il-Lhudi ta’ Kemmuna’, TMHS, (5.vi);
2008: ‘L-ewwel ittra bil-Malti mill-Awstralja’, TMHS, (26.viii); ‘In-Nisġa tal-Ħsieb’, TMHS, (1.iv); ‘Il-Qur’an bil-Malti’, TMHS, (23.viii); ‘L-Istorja ta’ Malta: Il-Perijodu tan-Nofs’; ‘X’inhu l-plural tal-kelma karus?’, M, (5.x), T, (10.viii); ‘Il-femmina fil-Poeta Nazzjonali’, TMHS, (25.iii); ‘Ikona Nazzjonali’, TMHS, (30.ix); ‘Għal għonq it-triq’, TMHS, (15.vii); ‘Profoundly moved by Wounding Song’, TMHS, (24.vi); ‘Il-gazzetta Maltija u aħna’, TMHS, (20.v); ‘L-eku fil-vjaġġ mistiku ta’ Skorba’, TMHS, (6.v); ‘Skorba b’kunċert fid-Diggers Club’, TMHS, (29.iv); ‘Id-Dipressjoni: marda mhux mifhmuha’, TMHS, (29.i); ‘Patri Alfons Sammut: Skular Malti tat-Taljan’, TMHS, (19.iv); ‘Saydon: l-iSkular Malti b’ismu mnaqqax fil-posterità’, TMHS, (9.ix); ‘We live on hope’, TMHS, (5.ii); ‘A leading citizen’, TMHS, (22.i); ‘Lejla Dun Karm Psaila’, allmalta.com, (5.v.2008); ‘Alexander Borg Skular tal-Malti’, TMHS, (8.iv); ‘Mark Montebello: a Dominican philosopher’, TMHS, (11.iii); ‘Dipressjoni jew depressjoni?’, TMHS, (5.ii); ‘Bejn diskors filosofiku u dak politiku’, TMHS, (28.x);
2009: ‘Through our eyes – The Mifsud Journey’,TMHS, (20.x); ‘Kliem Malti Qadim’,T, (7.vi);‘Pavlvs: The Shipwreck 60AD – Find of the Century?’, MIS, (10.xi);‘Il-Ballata tat-Truganini’;‘Tagħrif u attitudnijiet żgwidati dwar il-Malti’,T, (17.v);‘L-istorja tal-Maltin fl-Awstralja’,TMHS, (16.vi); ‘Il-Malti s-suġġett, mhux l-Akkademja jew il-Kunsill’, T, (19.vii); ‘Il-lingwa tagħna tagħmilna verament Maltin’, TMHS, (31.iii); ‘Nisfruttaw il-Malti sa ruħ ommu’, TMHS, (24.iii); ‘L-istudju tal-lingwa Maltija huwa duwa li risqi r-ruħ’, TMHS, (10.xi); ‘Oliver għażiż’, LS, (18.vii); Imniedi l-ktieb Pavlvs …’, TMHS, (5.v); ‘Tgħid sibna l-ankra tal-vapur ta’ San Pawl?’, TMHS, (10.iii); ‘Kif se jirrispettawna l-barranin?’, TMHS, (9.vi); ‘L-Innu Malti’, TMHS, (31.iii)’; ‘Il-kultura tagħna l-Maltin’, TMHS, (17.iii); ‘J’accusé! Pro nepputi jew tfal tat-tfal?’ TMHS, (8.ix.2009); ‘Our Maltese Community Councils’, TMHS, (4.viii.2009); ‘U tissokta l-melodija’, TMHS, (13.i);
2010: ‘Id-Deċiżjonijiet 1: Kemm huma tajbin?’, TMIS, (5.xii); ‘The Maltese of Corfù’, TMHS, (28.ix); ‘Translation for the Maltese bilingual’, MIS, (20.viii); ‘Glossarju Franċiż-Malti-Franċiż’, TMHS, (31.vii); ‘Comparative Glossary of Cypriot Maronite Arabic’, EJ Brill, Leiden, JMS, (xx); ‘Il-Lingwa Maltija mil-lbieraħ sa llum’, Serje SBS; ‘Sant Anton jew San Anton?’, T, (10.i); ‘L-ewwel żewġ ittri bil-Malti mill-Awstralja’, M, (12.viii);‘A monster has been created’, TST, (1.vii); ‘Mużew tal-Istorja tal-Migrazzjoni Maltija’, TMHS, (17.viii); ‘Il-Kemmunin: min huma?’, TMHS, (10.viii); ‘Jitfa’ t-tajn min jgħammar fit-tajn’, TMHS, (23.v); ‘Bogħod mill-għajn bogħod mill-qalb?’, Programm Santa Marija Ħ’Attard’, (2010); ‘Appreciating women’s rights’, (21.ix); ‘The ultimate insult to a nation?’, TMIS, (24.viii); ‘Our indigenous tongue’, TST, (6.vi); ‘Regarding our indigenous Maltese tongue’, TMIS, (23.v), TMHS, (1.vi); ‘A new year in an old age’, TMHS, (12.i); ‘Critique of Maltese language decisions’, TMIS, (4.xii); ‘Ta’ Ħ’Attard is-Saraċini’, TMHS, (14.ix); ‘Horsley Park, il-Maltin u Our Lady of Victories’, TMHS, (22.ii.2010); ‘L-Għarqa ta’ San Pawl f’Malta’, TMHS, (16.xi.2010); ‘The Ballad of Truganini’; ‘Ħ’Attard; mnejn tnissel isem ir-raħal’, Is-Seraċina, (viii);
2011: ‘Il-poeżiji magħżula” ta’ Joe Saliba, TMHS, (6.v); ‘From Humble Beginnings – Mackay Maltese Pioneers 1883-1940’, TST, (24.vii); ‘Ilma, Blat u Ħajja: L-Ambjent Naturali tal-Gżejjer Maltin’, TMHS, (6.ix); ‘Mellieħi bikri fl-Awstralja’, M, (12.vi); ‘Malteseness: an essential ingredient’, TMIS, (13.iii), TMHS, (5.iv); ‘Our celebrated human species’, TMIS, (16.i); ‘Il-Lhudi ta’ Kemmuna’, T, (28.viii); ’50 sena bil-lingwa Maltija’, T, (11.ix), TMHS, (26.vii); ‘Niltaqgħu mal-Professur Emeritu Stanley Fiorini’, TMHS, (18.x); ‘Il-Lingwa Maltija u l-Kotra’, T (13.iii); ‘Il-Kantilena: Ġawhra tal-Ġens Malti’, TMHS, (4.x); ‘The noble concept of Greater Malta’, TST, (16.i); ‘L-użu tal-Malti’, TMHS, (12.iv); ‘Sena ġdida, moħħ ġdid’, TMHS, (19.i.); ‘It-tgħallim tal-Malti fl-Awstralja’, TMHS, (26.iv.2011); ‘Suġġerimenti għal aġġornament aktar eżawrjenti’, M, (13.iii.2011); ‘Divoce in Malta’, TMIS, (17.v); ‘Giovanni Bonello on Castagna’s work’, ST, (14.viii);
2012: ‘Tristia ex Melitogaudo: Lament in Greek Verse of a XIIth century exile in Gozo’,MIS, (5.v); ‘Prospero Grech: Kardinal Letterat’, Santa Rita, Nru 6, (iii/iv), TMHS, (24.i); ‘L-Mnarja: l-eqdem festa tal-poplu Malti’, TMHS, (12.vi), T, (4.vi); ‘I am Austrlian…too!’, TMIS, (5.v); ‘The concept of Greater Malta’, TMIS, (21.xii), TMHS, (10.i); ‘Whither our national tongue?’, TMIS, (7.x); ‘L-Akkademja tal-Malti u jiena’, T, (26.ii); ‘SBS Radio & Maltese Language Programs’, TMHS, (18.xii.2012); ‘Flimkien fid-diversità: lejn l-annu 2013’, TMHS, (18.xii); ‘Fâder Peter quddiem il-Mulej’, TMHS, (27.iii), M, (25.iii);‘Nisogħbu l-mewt u nifirħu l-wirt”, Il-Ġensillum, (28.v.20120); ‘Fejn tħobb il-qalb jimxu r-riġlejn’, TMHS, (8.xi); ‘Kliem ta’ fejda minn fomm Ċensu Tabone’, TMHS, (3.iv); ‘Il-Maltin ta’ Horsley sodi fil-fidi’, TMHS, (14.viii); ‘Kunsill Għall-Maltin li Jgħixu Barra’, TMHS, (7.viii);
2013: ‘Mill-Benniena tal-Lingwa Maltija’, Radju SBS; Lejn Malti aħjar, ‘Xl-aħjar ngħidu: email, ijmejl jew eposta?’, TMHS, (15.i); ‘Ġużè Aquilina:l-aktar pedament sod ta’ Lsienna’, TMHS, (23.vi); ‘Ġużè Aquilina: ħarsa lejh mil-lat uman’, T, (15.xii); ‘Ill-informed SBS discriminates horribly against the Maltese community’, TMHS,; ‘Il-vot għalina l-Maltin ta’ Barra?’, TMHS, (12.ii.);‘Flimkien fid-diversità:lejn l-annu 2013’, TMHS, (18.xii); ‘L-Akkademja tal-Malti u jiena’, T, 26.ii); ‘Il-Milied fl-Awstralja u l-Maltin’, TMHS, (8.xii.2013); ‘Id-dritt għall-vot lill-Maltin ta’ barra’, TMHS, (19.iii);
2014: ‘L-idjoma Maltija’, Sensiela xandiriet Radju SBS; ‘Accuracy in news reporting by Malta’s PBS’, TMIS, (20.iv); ‘Patri Dwardu Fenech, Professur tal-Malti u tal-Għarbi’, Festa Parroċċa Ħ’Attard, (viii);
2015: ‘Laurent Ropà: L-intellettwali Għawdxi-Franċiż bl-ewwel appell għall-għaqda tal-Maltin tad-dinja’, Horizons; ‘Kriżi fil-Malti’, T, (30.viii); ‘Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti u l-poplu Malti’, M, (4.10);
2016: ‘Obstacle to resolving language dilemma’, TST, (17.i); ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, TMIS, N.120, (iv); ‘Maltese Language Pride’, TMIS, (27.iii);
Translations:
1968: From Italian– ‘Il-Maqdes Ta’ San Benedittu’, St Gertrude’s Parish, Smithfield, Vol.1, No.3, (14.vii) & Vol.1, No.2, (15.i); ‘Jum l-Imwiet’ (Il Giorno dei Morti); 2006: ‘L-Għarqa ta’ San Pawl f’Malta’, MUP; 2009: From English – ‘Il-Ballata tat-Truganini’, Priv. Pub.; ‘Id-Dijabete’ (with Joe Barbara); From French – ‘Il-Konflitt’ (Le Combat); From Arabic – ‘Excerpts from the Moslem Hadith’; From Greek – Snippets from Plato, Homer and Acts of the Apostles;
Distinguished persons interviewed:
Alexander Borg; Noam Chomsky; Peter Serracino Inglott; Sir Alfred Cuschieri; Oliver Friggieri; Alfred Palma; Monica Attard (High profile Australian journalist); Trezza Azzopardi (Welsh novelist); Mario Azzopardi; Ġorġ Pisani; Albert Borg; Manwel Mifsud; Victor Aquilina; Josephine Zammit Cordina; Josephine Zammit; Oreste Chircop; Joe Barbara; Charles Camilleri; Guido De Marco; Mark Montebello; Pawlu Cremona; Ugo Mifsud Bonnici; Arnold Cassola; Edward De Bono; Anton Buttigieg, Achille Mizzi; Joe Felice Pace; Edmund Theuma; Caroline Navarro; Lawrenz Cachia; Reinhold Kontzi; Victor Zammit; Pierre Fenech; Victor Chircop-Sullivan; Stephen Gatt; Joseph Brincat; Joe Axiaq; Joe Saliba (Maltese-Australian poet); Maurice Mifsud; Connie Vidal; Carmen Morris; Jeff Fenech; Joe Briffa; Darren Gauci; Maryanne Grima; Eddie Busuttil; Victor Gauci; Jeff Galea; Natasha Stott Despoja (Former Australian Democrats Leader); Carmen Lawrence (Former Premier of W.A.);
Manuscripts:
‘Għaliex il-Malti?’(1966); ‘Arabic-Maltese Word List’(2015-16); ‘Convergence and Divergence in two Australian Ethnolects’(2014); ‘L-Edukazzjoni: Ankra fl-Identità ta’ Poplu’(2010); ‘Alcuni parallelismi e divergenze linguistiche’(2011); ‘Aġġornament aktar eżawrjenti ta’ ħidmet il-Malti għall-Akkademja’(2013); ‘Seba’ drammi: ‘Destin’ (2012); ‘Cry the awakening’ (2011); ‘Cri de coeur’ (2013); ‘Jacqueline’ (2014); ‘Tabù’ (2008); ‘Bejnietna’ (2016); ‘Isqini għax bini l-għatx’ (2016); ‘Ġabra konċiża dwar il-ħidmiet primarji għall-avvanz tal-Malti fl-Awstralja’, Melitensia Library, UM (1998); ‘Terminology in perspective: The Australian ethnolect Maltraljan’ (2000); ‘Pawlu Montebello’ (1982); ‘Manwel Cassar’ (1983); ‘Kitba bil-Malti ġo l-Awstralja’ (1971); ‘Id-dizzjunarju ta’ Mario Serraino Inglott’; ‘How I learnt Maltese’; ‘L-identità Maltija x’nambuha?’; ‘Xlukkajr: djalett ħaj Malti’; ‘Bint iz-zokk il-fergħa’; ‘An introduction to Maltrajan’; ‘Il-poeżija nazzjonali: definizzjoni morali, storika u kulturali tal-poplu Malti! X’tip ta’ poplu tirrappreżenta?’;
Bibliography:
Charles Xuereb, RTK, Barra dak li mhux, (2016); Frank Delia, SydneyOne Radio, Bejnek u bejni, (2015);Frank Delia, SydneyOne Radio, Niltaqgħu ma’ Rigu, (2014); ‘Kif isseħibt fl-Akkademja tal-Malti’, M, (10/17.iii.2013); “Rigu Bovingdon maħtur Membru Onorarju tal-GħPM’, M, (4.xi.2013); ‘Il-Kunsill tal-Maltin li Jgħixu Barra, O, (1.xi.2013); ‘L-Għaqda Poeti Maltin taħtar Membru Onorarju ġdid’, TMHS, (30.x.2013), M, (4.xi); Frank Delia ta’ Radju SydneyOne jintervista lil Rigu Bovingdon, (2013); ‘Imwaqqaf il-Kunsill tal-Maltin li Jgħixu Barra’, TMHS, (31.vii.2012); ‘Wirja ta’ kotba u dokumenti Melitensia fiċ-Ċentru La Valette’, TMHS, (29.xii.2011); ‘Tliet ktejbiet ta’ Rigu Bovingdon’, Il-Pont, (8.2011); ‘Wiċċ imbwiċċ ma’ Rigu Bovingdon’, Bullettin La Valette Social Centre, Vol.1, Nru 2 (2011); ‘Jirtira l-kap tal-libreriji f’Għawdex’, TMHS, (22.xi); ‘Patrick Sammut ma’ Rigu Bovingdon’, Il-Ġens Illum, (19.x.2010); ‘Presentation of books to the Gozo Lending Library’, TMHS, (29.vi.2010); ‘Historical interviews donated to University’,TST, (27.vi.2010) & TMHS, (22.vi.2010); What is Linguistics?, Augustine Borg, TMHS, (17.ii.2009); Michael Schiavone,Dictionary of Maltese Biographies, (2009); ‘Remembering pioneer migrants’, Fairfield Advance, (4.iii.2009); ‘L-Akkademja tal-Malti twieġeb lil Rodrigu Bovingdon dwar ilsienna’, TMHS, (31.v.2009); ‘Sant Anton jew San Anton?’, TMHS, (25.viii.2009); Rita O’Dwyer, SBS interviews Bovingdon on life time commitment to the Maltese language (2009); Maurice Cauchi,A Who’s Who of Maltese Background Persons in Australia and New Zealand, Maltese Historical Ass. (Aust), Melbourne (2008); Traduzzjoni għall-Malti minn Roderick Bovingdon ta’ poeżija bit-Taljan ta’ Dun Karm Psaila, Gerald Bugeja, LS, (23.viii.2008); Oliver Friggieri, Fjuri Li Ma Jinxfux, (2008); ‘Għanjiet Rigu – Kantawtur veteran’, TMHS, (9.xii.2008); Il-Kritiku Medjatur fi “Ħsiebi bħal agħma”, Charles Briffa, TMHS, (27.ii.2008); ‘Dun Karm Psaila: Il-Poeta ta’ Dejjem’, TMHS, (18.xii.2007); ‘Celebrating Malta in Armidale’ TST, (21.ii.2007); Francis Galea, Niltaqgħu ma’ Rigu Bovingdon, T, (20.v.2007); J. Felice Pace, The origins of Maltese, ST (1.x.2006); WWMPANZ; M. Cauchi, Maltese Achievers in Australia (2006); The Maltese Language of Australia, Sprachtypologie und Universaliensforschung, Vol. 59, 3, Thomas Stolz, University of Bremen; Project Line 13, Linguistics & Anthropology, Languages of the World 16 (2006); ‘L-unuri kulturali’, T, (25.ix.2006); ‘George Cross – Cringila’, TMHS (17.x);‘Kittieba li xogħolhom mhux dejjem jiġi magħruf’, TMHS, (9.v.2006); ‘Maltese: serious business indeed!’, TST, (23.iv); Maltese lexicography at international conference, TMHS, (25.v.2004); ‘Diskors fuq Dun Karm fl-Università’, T, (28.xi.2004);‘Aporija: a logical difficulty without a solution’, ST, (22.ii.2003); U. Mifsud Bonnici, Rigu Bovingdon: Malti veru fl-Awstralja, TMHS, (18.xi.2003); Una Storia Linguistica, Il maltese fuori di Malta,Giuseppe Brincat, Centro Internazionale sul Plurilinguismo, Univ. degli studi di Udine, Teonova; Aporija : diffikultà logika mingħajr soluzzjoni, Dr Gerard Bugeja, M (9.iii.2003), TMHS, (25.ii.2013); ‘Another issue of Versi’, TST, (5.xi); S. Spiteri, ‘Il-Kultura Maltija fl-Awstralja’, M (16,23.ii.2003); Riflessjoni, Victor Gauci, TMHS, (7.i.2003); ‘Il-fenomenu tal-Maltin fl-Art tal-Kangarù’, M, (12.i); Dissidenti Maltin fl-Awstralja, M, (15.vi.2003); J. Felice Pace, The Australian variety of Maltese, T (14.vii.2002); Alfred Degabriele, Kittieb li jixraqlu għarfien akbar, T,; The Maltese Language of Australia: Maltraljan,Arnold Cassola,JMedit.S, UM, Vol.12, No. 1, (2002); ‘Il-Maltraljan illonċjat u diskuss fil-Konsolat ta’ Sydney’, TMHS, (2.vii.2002); Rigu Bovingdon – Poeta minn Ħ’Attard u kantawtur ta’ fama fl-Awstralja, Ġorġ Chetcuti, Ħidma fejjieda fil-lingwa Maltija; Study of Maltese Language in Australia published, ST, (5.xi.2002); Roderick Bovingdon dwar ktieb li ppublika fl-Awstralja, In-Nazzjon, (29.xi.2001); ‘Study of Maltese language in Australia published’, TST, (5.xi.2001); ‘Personalitajiet li twieldu bħal-lum’, M, 28.ix.2001); Rigu Bovingdon: poeta minn Ħ’Attard u kantawtur ta’ fama fl-Awstralja, Professur Dwardu Fenech, Radju Bronja, (10.x.2001); ‘Aktar dwar il-mafkar Dun Karm’, M, (14.i); ‘Les tavaux sur la langue – The Maltese Language of Australia’, Bulletin de las Societe de Linguistique de Paris, (2001); MBTC; TMI (1.i.2000); Albert W. Agius, ‘Maltese Australian author’s success at first attempt’, ST (17.i.2000); TVM – Dak, Dik u l-Oħra– Il-Kantant Rigu Bovingdon, Josephine Zammit Cordina, (1999); ‘Il-Premju Francis Ebejer’, TMHS, (26.x.1999); ‘A renaissance of Maltese in Australia’, ST, (25.vii.1999); ‘Skola tal-Malti’,M, (18.iv.1999); ‘Maltese Language School opens in New South Wales’, ST, (28.viii.1999); ‘Ħidma fejjieda fil-Lingwa Maltija’, Ġorġ Chetcuti, TMHS, (27.vii); Rigu Bovingdon ‘A renaissance of Maltese in Australia’, ST (25.vii1999); ‘Skola tal-Malti f’Sydney’, M, (18.iv); ‘A mark of academic excellence’, TMIS, (8.iii.1998); Ed., ST, ‘The Maltese Language Down Under’, 1998; Joe Saliba, ‘Analisi u xi riflessjonijiet fuq il-poeżija ta’ Rigu Bovingdon Mill-ġdid Malti’, Il-Maltija (Melbourne), (1.iii); Michael Schiavone, ‘Maltese Biographies of the Twentieth Century’, (1997); Ġużè Aquilina, ‘Meeting people – Roderick Bovingdon’ ST, (30.i.1994); Ġorġ Chetcuti, ‘Rigu Bovingdon – Suldat Qalbieni tal-Malti’, TMHS, (12.iv.1994); Barry York, ‘Crossing Over: Maltese Poets in Australia’, (1993); Deakin Univ., Ed., ‘A Bibliography of Australian Multicultural Writers’, (1992); Ed., ‘Five Thousand Personalities of the World’, American Biographical Institute (1990); ‘Intervista ma’ Rigu Bovingdon minn Mark Caruana’, (1990); ‘Val Barbara onorat mill-Għaqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ NSW’, TMHS, (10.iv); Ed., Dictionary of International Biography, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge; The Encyclopaedia of Islam, EJ Brill, (1987); Ġużè Aquilina, ‘Minn egħruq is-siġra tal-kultura: jintervista lil Rigu Bovingdon’, Ħaj, (6.x.1986); Taqsima Letterarja’, TVOM, (15.ix); Joe Chetcuti, ‘Intervisti: jitkellmu kittieba Maltin-Awstraljani’; Raymond Mahoney, Roderick Bovingdon – Kittieb, poeta, kantant, (1982); Ed., Il- Ħsieb, Il-kantant li baqa’ jħobb u jgħożż ilsien pajjiżu;Dun Frans Camilleri, Lil Ħutna, Singer aims to teach Maltese in Australia, (1981); ‘Jirtira ħabib tal-Malti fl-Awstralja’, Il-M, (iii.1977); ‘Barrani jieħu l-unuri fil-Malti’, TMHS, (1973); Oliver Friggieri, ‘Il-Qagħda tal-Malti fl-Awstralja’, (1974); ‘Maltese author wins diploma’, The Advance, (21.xii.1972); ‘Ix-Xefaq’, TMHS, (22.iv.1970); ‘L-Ilsien Malti fl-Awstralja’, TMHS, (3.iv.1969); ‘Rebbieħa tal-konors letterarju tal-Konvenzjoni Emigranti’, Lil Ħutna, (ix.1969); ‘Kors fil-lingwa Maltija’, TMHS, (17.iv.1968); ‘Klassijiet tal-Malti’, TMHS, (8.v); ‘Taħdita fuq il-lingwa Maltija’, TMHS, (10.iv,12.vi.1968); ‘Malti fl-iskejjel’, TMHS, (12.vii.1968);
Interviewed on Radio & TV by:
Malta: Josephine Zammit Cordina in ‘Dak, Dik u l-Oħra’, ‘Waltzing Matilda’, ‘Boomerang’, PBS; Piju Dalli, PBS; George Peresso, Radju Bronja; Monica Attard Radio 101; Reuben Gauci, Channel 22; Charles Xuereb Radju tal-Università; Norman Hamilton, SuperOne TV; Ray Azzopardi, SuperOne TV; Radju Hompesch; Radju Calypso; Vincent Xerri, PBS; Enzo Guzman, PBS; Callus, PBS; Charles Coleiro, PBS TV/Radio; et al…
Australia: Special Broadcasting Services – (Melbourne) Joe Axiaq; Victor Aquilina; Vivienne Kost; John Borg; Marlene Galea; Richard Curmi; (Sydney) Rita O’Dwyer; Antoine Said Pullicino; Josephine Zammit; Mike Lanzon; (Brisbane) Reno Galea; (Adelaide) Gejtu Grech; Connie Vidal; (Perth) Carmen Morris; Maltese TV/Radio Services – Charles Curmi; (Radio SydneyOne) Frank Delia; 2SER FM; 2EA; 3ZZZ; et al…
Affiliations: Malta Historical Society & Din L-Art Ħelwa (Life Member); Grupp Arkeoloġiku Malti; Akkademja tal-Malti; Għaqda Poeti Maltin (Membru Onorarju); Għaqda tal-Malti (Università); Arabic Society of Sydney University; Dante Alighieri Society of Sydney University; Fairfield Melita Drama Company; Good Neighbour Council; Għaqda Kulturali Maltija; NAATI (former Director); APRA (Writer Full Member); AMCOS (Life Member); Kunsill għall-Maltin li Jgħixu Barra; Australian Writers’ Guild; Formerly on the Editorial Board of the Maltese Heralds; Fairfield City Council Library Committee; Holroyd City Library Committee;
Honours & Awards: Kummissjoni Emigranti Matija; Francis Ebejer Drama Award; Għaqda Kulturali Maltija ta’ NSW Special Citation & Cultural Award; Dean’s List for Academic Excellence, Malta University; Għaqda Poeti Maltin Honorary Member; Akkademja tal-Malti (Academic Life Member); Justice of the Peace for NSW; Director, National Australian Accreditation of Translators & Interpreters; Consultant, Editorial Board, Maltese Herald; Dante Alighieri Society of Sydney University; Arabic Society of Sydney University; Din L-Art Ħelwa (Life Member); Il-Grupp Arkeoloġiku Malti; Australasian Performing Right (Writer Full Member); American Biographical Institute Research Board of Advisers; International Biographical Centre Advisory Council; Australian Mechanical Copyright Organisation; Australian Writers’ Guild; Għaqda tal-Malti (Università); Malta Philosophical Society; Ġieħ Ħ’Attard, Kunsill Lokali Ħ’Attard;
International Conferences & Publications:
2011: Varati żewġ kotba fuq Dun Karm, Rodrigu Bovingdon, Greystanes, NSW; 2010: International Convention of Maltese Living Abroad, Dept. Foreign Affairs; 2009: Meet author Roderick (Rigu) Bovingdon, Holroyd City Council Central Library; Nat. Conf. for Teachers & Administrators of Maltese in Aust. & NZ,Malta High Commission, Canberra; 2008: Earle Page College, Univ. of New England, NSW; 2007: 9th Int. Conf. on Minority Langs., Stockholm Univ; Corpus Linguistics Conf., Lancaster Univ., UK; 2006: Corpus linguistics around the world, Lancaster Univ.; 2004:Il-Poeżija ta’ Rodrigu Bovingdon, Studju kritiku – Oliver Friggieri (Ms) 2002: 2nd Asia International Lexicography Conference, Payap Univ., Chiang Mai, Thailand;1996: Norman Hamilton, Super One TV – Bla Aġenda;1995: Joseph Brincat, Our language/s: perceptions and projections, ST, (28.iv); 1994: Ġużè Aquilina: Meeting People: Roderick Bovingdon, ST; L-Aħħar Għanja – Il-lirika ta’ Rigu Bovingdon, M, (18.viii); 1985: Council of Adult Educ., Melbourne; Ġabra konċiża dwar il-ħidmiet primarji għall-avvanz tal-Malti fl-Awstralja, Melitensia, UM Library; 1982: PBS – Waltzing Matilda (TVM) & Boomerang (Radju Malta), Josephine Zammit Cordina; 1969:Ix-Xefaq, Vol. 1-4, L-el. ġurnal letterarju Malti fl-Awstralja, Sydney;
Recorded literary programs: Maltese lessons on tape for Sydney University Language Laboratory; SBS Radio – Maltese Australian poets (Il-qawwa tal-kelma); Maltese idiom (L-idjoma Maltija); history of the Maltese language from its earliest beginnings (Il-Malti mill-bidu sa llum); critical mini-biographies of Maltese language enthusiasts and scholars of Maltese (X’għamlu għall-Malti?);
Discography
45rpm’son 7 inch vinyl records; Bejn il-bieb/Il-Blata (Between friends/The Rock) – 1st Maltese sound recording in Australia the release of which caused a cultural awarness amongst Maltese Australians Australia wide – 1974 – EMI Records Sydney; Bejn il-Ħbieb/Il-Blata – 1975 – (Malta) Brizzi Records; Maltin u Għawdxin (Maltese & Gozitans) – 1976 – EMI Records Sydney; Maltin u Għawdxin – (Malta) – Anthony D’Amato; Ħabbejt/Tfuliti f’Malta (I have loved/My childhood in Malta) – 1978 – Kanangra Recording Studios; Bil-mod il-mod/Xalata fuq il-Baħar (Softly softly/Picnic on the sea) – 1979 – “Ejjew Ningħaqdu/Tfajla tal-Widien – 1983 – Sydney – Kanangra;
Cassettes: Suċċessi Maltin No 6 – Featuring Rigu – 1977 (Malta) – Anthony D’Amato; Ma’ Rigu minn Sydney – 1980 – Kanangra Records; L-Aħħar Għanja – 1996 (Malta) – KTA/Phillip Vella; L-Għanja Żaren ta’ Vestru – Sydney – 2002
LP’s: L-Emigrant – 1979; Suċċessi Maltin No 6 – Featuring Rigu – 1977 (Malta) – Anthony D’Amato;
CD’s: Rigu: L-Aħħar Għanja 1996 (Malta) – KTA/Phillip Vella; Rigu:Diski li ma jmutux – 2006 (Sydney); Għanjiet Rigu: 1974-2008 – 2009 (Sydney)
Abbreviations:
JMS – Journal of Maltese Studies
KKM – Klabb Kotba Maltin
LS – Leħen is-Sewwa (Malta)
M – Il-Mument
TOMA – The Times of Malta & Australia, Melbourne
TMIS – The Malta Independent on Sunday
TMN – The Maltese Newsletter
TMHS – The Maltese Herald, Sydney
T – It-Torċa
TST – The Sunday Times of Malta
TVOM – The Voice of Malta in Australia, Melbourne
UM- University of Malta
