Dr Gaetan Briffa

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Gaetan Briffa (1928-1990) was a general practitioner in Melbourne, Australia.

Early life

Dr Briffa was born in Sliema on the 31st March, 1928. His primary education was at De La Salle Brothers at Sliema. He graduated with an M.D. from the Royal University of Malta in 1956 and after getting married to Josephine (nee Vassallo) he proceeded to the UK to gain further experience.

He migrated with his family to Australia arriving at Essendon Airport, Melbourne on Boxing Day, 1960. He worked as a locum in Preston, Pascoe Vale, Maidstone, Strathmore and other places for some time, until he decided to join a local doctor in Sunshine. After a few months, Gaetan bought a practice in Droop Street, Footscray, where he had a considerable number of clients from the Maltese community. At Footscray he befriended not only the locals and the local Maltese but also a number of Maltese who lived in the surrounding suburbs. Gaetan worked in Droop Street until 1973 and then joined a partnership in Essendon. A lot of his patients followed him there and later even to Ascot Vale.

He was a very dedicated doctor who sacrificed his time and energy for the welfare of his patients. He was very generous and understanding and often he would write “no charge” on their card if the patient was struggling to make ends meet.

Involvement with the Maltese community

Gaetan was a strong supporter of the Maltese Community Council of Victoria (MCCV). He attended meetings and was also on the committee. His main interest, however, was the social welfare of the community and together with Fr Victor Shields and others, he was among the first group who started the MCCV, at that time in the old house run by the Maltese priests in Parkville. Gaetan was likewise keen to see the start of a Maltese library. In his travels to Malta he worked hard trying to collect books for the Maltese Library at the Maltese Community Centre in Parkville.

Before the present community centre was built, on several occasions the family home welcomed people like Mons. Phillip Calleja, Bishop Nikol Cauchi, the Superior General of the Society of St Paul and the Prime Minister of Malta, Edward Fenech Adami. A few other social functions and gatherings took place when he helped raise money for a kidney machine which was first used on a Maltese patient in Melbourne and was then sent to Malta. Gaetan always came across as a warm and friendly host to all.

Although comparatively young in his late fifties, hard work and responsibility affected his health. He suffered from high blood pressure, heart trouble and leukaemia. Despite these illnesses, he continued to work in his profession with other doctors and on his own.

Gaetan died on the 4th of March 1990 at the age of 61. He is survived by his wife and four children, three boys and a girl.

Sources

  • Interviews with Mrs Josephine Briffa (his wife) and Mr Josie Briffa (his brother)