Annual St Luke's Day lecture "The Farnese, patrons of the Arts"

Dr Alfred Bonnici, KM, president of the British Medical Association (Malta branch), was the guest of honour, at the reception held by the BMA in honour of the representatives of overseas branches, and delegates from kindred associations at their annual meeting in Harrogate recently.

Dr Bonnici spoke about the long-standing excellent relationship existing with the BMA ever since the Malta branch was set up in May 1888, when his grandfather's brother, Professor Teodoro Bonnici, Professor of Surgery at the Royal University of Malta, was one of the founding members.

The BMA (Malta) branch commemorates St Luke's Day by holding its annual public lecture, in the Lecture Hall of the Medical School, Guardamangia on Thursday at 7.30 p.m.

This year Dr Bonnici will give an illustrated lecture on "Some highlights of the Farnese, patrons of the arts, Malta Grand Masters' letters to them, and an interesting medical topic afflicting one of the Farnese."

All those interested in this historical lecture are invited to attend.

Dr Bonnici, who is a consultant in aviation medicine, is the first Maltese to be elected academician of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine, and since he was unable to be present last month for the presentation ceremony in Australia, the official diploma and medal were collected on his behalf by Dr Michael Bagshaw, Head of Occupational and Aviation Medicine, of British Airways.