The late Lino (Carmelo) Vella AM, affectionately known as ‘Lino’, was a respected community leader and editor of the iconic Maltese Herald for over 40 years — perhaps the longest-servicing editor of any Maltese newspaper.

Under Lino’s leadership, the paper fought for the rights of Maltese migrants on issues such as dual citizenship and promoted many community organisations and activities, including the Maltese Community Council and the Maltese Welfare Group, of which he was a founding member.

Lino was born in Paola, Malta, on 22 September 1936. In 1939, he moved with his family to Birzebuġa and to St. Julians in 1945. He spent his formative years at St. Julians before migrating to Australia in 1954.

Having left school in 1951, Lino’s father, a canteen manager, helped him find work with the NAAFI. His first job in Sydney was as a trench digger for the New South Wales Water Board. He took on various positions, including six years with the Olympic Tyre Company.

A lifelong devotee of football, Lino’s association with Melita Eagles dates back to the year of the team’s formation in Sydney in 1955. Lino was President of the Malta Eagles when the club amalgamated with the Melita Football Club in 1956.

Lino’s commitment to the Eagles was continuous. He served the club at the executive level, as coach, and as goalkeeper. He also played for the NSW X1 and was made a Life Member of the club.

Lino’s love of football led him into the world of journalism, and in 1957, he worked with Lawrence Dimech on the magazine, ‘Soccer Light’.

Lino’s journalism took him a further step in the late 1950s when he became Sports Editor for the Sydney-based Malta News. In 1961, when The Maltese Herald commenced publication, he wrote the column ‘On Target’ in the sports section.

By the mid-1960s, the Maltese Herald had expanded from an eight-paged monthly into a 20-paged weekly. In 1971, when its first full-time editor, Lawrence Dimech, was appointed Consul General for Malta in New South Wales, Lino replaced Lawrence as editor and became the sole owner of the newspaper from 1983 onward.

In 1999, Lino was awarded the Australian Medal AM, for his services to the Maltese community. And in 2011, the Government of Malta awarded Lino with the Gieh ir-Repubblika for his services to the Maltese community.

The Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika is a society of honour that offers membership to those who have demonstrated exceptional merit in the service of Malta or of humanity.

Lino was married to Barbara Platel in 1957 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sydney with whom he raised two children, Paul and Annette, in Australia.

“My parents installed values of money and savings to the family. Annette became his accountant,” said Lino’s son, Paul.

As a Father, Lino coached his son, Paul’s football team, which led to the highlight of his Dad’s life meeting Pele at a coaching clinic in Granville.

Lino also served on the Australia Day Committee with former Australian professional tennis player and national living treasure, John Newcombe AO ABE.

“I had always respected and was proud of my Dad. He was always the peacekeeper where he could be. He celebrated many other people’s lives and captured them with his photography skills,” said Paul.

“Learning from Dad, the art of thankfulness, forgiveness and support of fellow man. Even when sometimes we make mistakes.”