LIFE & STYLE

by Greg Martin

As is my want on writing these articles , I always look to grab our reader in the opening paragraphs .

So , I went in search of the meaning of Sciberras , just to see if there was something in the meaning of the name which could add to my story .

I came across two meanings – the first meaning “ grey hair ” and the second , “ a plot of land ”. Yes , beats me too ! Anyhow , the founders and matriarch and patriarch of the Sciberras clan which operates two Sciberras Produce businesses in Freemans Reach and Kulnura , are nannu Joe and nanna Veronica .

The grandparents are obviously of an age where there ’ s “ snow ” in their hair , but more apt for this story is the business of the plot of land .

Clan Sciberras operate both burgeoning businesses , growing herbs , fruit and vegetables in a 45- acre plot in Kulnura , and 60 acres at Freemans Reach produces a small variety of vegetables , hay and Sir Walter Buffalo grass .

Several days a week , trucks are running hot between both businesses – corn , garlic , hay and Sir Walter grass heading to Kulnura and returning with a huge variety of vegetables , picked that day .

To say the Maltese have contributed to Australian society is to say Miriam Gauci and Joseph Calleja can sing and Jeff Fenech could box !

Joe and Veronica were significant role models to their children and grandchildren – hardworking , honest and determined to make come true their dream of giving their loved ones a better home in Australia .

That dream has come true for Joe and

Veronica ’ s family – sons Richard and Kevin and their children - all of whom contribute to ensuring Sciberras Produce keeps prospering .

Richard ’ s children , Monique , Analise , Marcus and Joseph , all work at the Kulnura enterprise along with nanna Veronica who still lends a hand in the fruit and veg shop .

Out our way , Team Sciberras is headed by Kevin and his wife , Maria , aided by their daughter and son , Mariah and Luke .

Kevin and Maria , a Schofields girl , met through mutual friends and were married in 1996 .

Also chipping in with the hard yakka is

Mariah ’ s husband of two years , Paul Attard , a carpenter who , every afternoon once he finishes with the hammer , nail and a hunka wood , heads over to give his dearly beloved a hand .

Also lending a helping hand at the Freemans Reach business are 15 full-time staff – all locals - plus regular part-timers whose services are called upon on hectic days .

And that happens frequently ! During your writer ’ s time at the Freemans Reach business , I was flat out like a lizard drinking scribbling away details provided at various times by Kevin , Maria , Mariah and office administrator , Debbie Quattromani .

Despite serving a steady flow of customers , and in Debbie ’ s case , doing the bookwork , all found time to provide me with information .

My first and main port of call was the delightful and human Energizer Bunny , Mariah , who gave me a running history on Clan Sciberras .

“ My grandfather was the catalyst for our family making Australia home ,” Mariah said .

Joe first came to Australia in the early 60s , living in Schofields and finding work at James Hardie , where he fortunately didn ’ t get the “ James Hardie Croup ”.

“ Nannu went back to Malta in the early 70s where he met and married our nanna and both of them , and Uncle Richard , who was a one-yearold , returned to Schofields to live in 1975 ,” Mariah explained .

“ Nannu worked making bricks at Norbrik and tending his vegie garden

Photo : Kathryn Johnston until around 2000 when he purchased 45 acres at Kulnura left school as soon as we could to join our and began vegie gardening as a business . grandparents and parents in the business .”

“ Five years previous to that big move , It was as obvious as the orange makeup on Donald trump ’ s face , that Kevin ,

30 acres had been purchased here , but it wasn ’ t until late 2010 that we started Maria , Mariah and Luke truly love what growing vegetables , then setting up the they do . fruit and vegetable shop the following

“ But do you have lives outside of the year .” place ,” I asked .

Over the years , business prospered

“ Of course ,” Mariah laughed . and a further 30 acres was added to the “ Dad goes fishing along the property , most of which is now growing Hawkesbury River right down to Brooklyn , the highly popular Sir Walter Buffalo grass . mum enjoys gardening and shopping ,

Luke is in charge of “ mustering the Luke loves going bush , camping and buffalos ”, Kevin and Maria keep the vegies hunting , and my interests involve breeding coming and going in the shop , and Mariah chickens . oversees the highly patronised feedstocks “ At the moment I ’ m experimenting section with esteemed staff member , Terry with several breeds including Brahma , Xerri .

Poland , Sussex , and Silkies , and once I ’ m I asked Mariah when she and Luke happy with what I ’ m doing , I hope to show started working with their parents . them .”

“ We used to lend a hand after school , Finally , I asked Mariah about her on weekends and during holidays , but it grandparents . was always our ambition to work full-time “ We see a lot of them because they in the business ,” she explained . also have a home in Freemans Reach and

“ Luke and I really loved the they split their time between here and atmosphere , helping out our parents Kulnura .” doing various chores and , well , just serving When Joe Sciberras planted that first our lovely customers . vegie seed at Schofields , little did he “ I went to Bede Polding College and realise what wonderful crops – family and

Luke , to Arndell ( Anglican College ), but we vegies - he was to grow .

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