Independence Day

On 21st September 1964, Malta became an independent state. This is celebrated as Independence Day or Jum l-Indipendza in Maltese. 

Feast of St Katherine - Zurrieq

On Saturday 6th Sept I accompanied some students on a trip to Zurrieq for the Feast of St Katherine:

8th September

Victory Day Regatta in the Grand Harbour

Victory Day is a national holiday in Malta. It is locally known as il-Vitorja (the Victory) and il-Bambina (Baby Mary).

It marks the following events:

• The victory of the Great Siege by the Knights of St. John against the Turks of 1565.

• Italy surrendered during World War II in 1943, and turned against its former German ally.

The day is also connected to the Birth of the Virgin Mary, and in fact feasts are celebrated in Xaghra, Naxxar, Senglea, and Mellieha on the day.

I took some students to see the Victory Day Regatta in the Grand Harbour and to see the 'Saluting Battery' and full gun salute from Upper Barakka Gardens.The Saluting Battery at noon.

Vibrant colours in Upper Barakka Gardens

Regatta shown on Melita Sports.

Rotaract Meeting

On Thursday evening I attended my first Rotaract Malta La Valette meeting. Meetings are held every month at the Intercontinental in St Julians and it was the club's first since their handover.

I was formally introduced to the club and presented the President with a 'Rotary Club of Manchester Breakfast' USB stick which contains a powerpoint presentation about Manchester and some information about my sponsoring club and their projects.

The members of Rotaract Malta La Valette have kindly been invited to become a member of the club - an invitation which I am honoured to accept.

Visit to Mdina

I was invited to join Rotaract Malta La Vallette's President Rtr. Etienne Fenech and other members on a visit to Mdina to meet Rtr. Olga Aliffi a District Committee member from Sicily. 

We enjoyed a tour of both Mdina and Valletta and I learnt a great deal about Rotaract and Rotary clubs in the district.

Visit to St Patrick's

One of the student's bedrooms at St Patrick's

One of Rotaract Malta's projects this year has been to furnish 4 rooms to be used by senior boys (aged 16+) as part of a Semi-Independent Unit in connection with the 'Launch Pad' programme aimed to assist them in acquiring Independent Living Skills as preparation for leaving care.

I was lucky enough to visit the unit with Rotaract members from across the region, to meet staff and see the finished rooms.

Rotary BBQ

Some members of Rotaract La Vallette

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending a BBQ organised by La Vallette Malta Rotary Club. The BBQ is an annual event and was held at Fra Diegu Home Gardens in Hamrun.

The home was established in 1885 and their work now focuses on children who suffer some form of deprivation and who, as a consequence are exposed to the risks of various aspects of poverty and social exclusion.

Rotarians worked very hard to produce a stunning menu which was enjoyed by all. There was also a raffle kindly sponsored by local businesses.

Money raised will also be sent to India to help build an English medium school in an area where the club have already sponsored childrens' homes.