Heard in the Hive

November marked the 25th anniversary of Technoline Ltd, a company specialising in healthcare and scientific products and service and an acknowledged market leader in the field.

A grand reception was held on November 10 at the Hilton Malta attended by over 1,000 distinguished guests from leading medical, health and retail institutions.

The Grandmasters' Suite proved to be a perfect venue for Technoline to thank its friends, partners, customers and foreign heads of leading firms, who all came together in an informal atmosphere to congratulate and share the company's joy upon 25 years of successful operations.

A six-piece jazz band, playing a broad repertoire of classical and Latin numbers, entertained the guests, while the Hilton provided delicious finger food and champagne.

Addressing the guests, director Anthony Guillaumier spoke about the origins of the company and explained that its main resource has always been its staff. All staff were asked to join the directors on stage.

Tom Cusens spoke about the company's operational growth and announced that he was stepping down as managing director after 25 years, with his son Simon appointed as new managing director as from January 1.

In his address, Simon Cusens confirmed his firm intention to strengthen and build on the good work of recent years, outlining present and future company projects. Various gifts were then exchanged between directors and staff.

Technoline Ltd also marked this occasion with the presentation of official donations to the Richmond Foundation, the YMCA and Round Table 3 (Malta), and augured that these three philanthropic entities may take to the community a financial contribution from the company's success.

HSBC sponsors Balzan sacred artefacts exhibition

HSBC's Balzan branch is sponsoring an exhibition of the parish's sacred artefacts which is being organised by Centru Zghazagh Balzan (CZB).

The exhibition, featuring some of Balzan's most important artistic treasures will be held at the Three Churches in Balzan on January 23-25. The sponsorship was presented by Rita Farrugia, HSBC Balzan branch manager, to Reuben André DeGabriele, director of CZB.

"CZB is an important organisation in the Balzan community, providing a focal point for young people to meet, talk and have fun. As part of the community, HSBC is delighted to be able to support this initiative, which will give the people of Balzan and the rest of Malta the opportunity to appreciate the locality's many treasures," said Ms Farrugia.

The HSBC-sponsored Balzan sacred artefacts exhibition is being organised by CZB to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the centre's opening. The centre, which caters both for pre-teens and adolescents, organises a number of sporting, cultural and social activities every year.

Aquilina - Schembri

The marriage took place recently at St Philip's parish church, Zebbug, between Nathalie Aquilina, B.Comm. (Hons), Dip. Computer Studies, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Aquilina of Gharghur, and Ing. Philip Schembri, B.Mech. Eng. Hons), MBA (Dist.), son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Schembri of Zebbug.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Daniel Cardona. The ceremony was witnessed by Hilda Curmi, sister of the groom, and Josef Aquilina, brother of the bride. Joseph Craig Schembri, B.Com., B.Accty (Hons), brother of the groom, carried out the duties of best man.

The bride was attended by Marilena Zammit and Vanessa Aquilina, Miriana Curmi was flower-girl, Abner-George Aquilina page-boy and Joseph Curmi ring-bearer.

A reception was later held at Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Italy and the UK.

For your diary

The Malta Adlerian Psychology Association is organising a talk by Frans Chircop on 'How to Eliminate Criticism' at Despott Hall, Education Division, Floriana, tomorrow at 6.30 pm.

The International Tree Foundation (Malta) is organising a two-hour Woodland Walk on Wednesday at 10, starting from Xemxija Bay (on the bus stop near the Xemxija Bay Hotel).

The walk, led by society chairman Dr Joseph Borg (tel. 7970-2757), will include seeing at close range old carob tree specimens, a Roman road, Punic tombs, old apiaries, cave dwellings and part of the Mizieb woodland.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

Caritas Co-operators are organising a day at the Victoria Hotel, Borg Olivier Street, Sliema, on Wednesday. There will be coffee at 10.30 a.m., a talk by Joe Gaffiero on calligraphy at 11.15, Mass at noon and lunch at 1 p.m.

For more information phone Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Mary Darmanin Demajo on 2131-3486, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016 and Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - January 12-18

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President is presented with a sculpture awarded by Chev. R.O. Schabbach, head of the K.18 Artistic Group, Düsseldorf, by Dame Françoise Tempra, at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President receives a group of Chinese officials from the Zhejiang Working Committee on Aging.

Noon The President receives Mr J.R. Grima, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Tuesday
9.15 a.m. The President receives the Prime Minister at the Palace, Valletta.

10.30 The President receives Mr Louis Apap Bologna, newly appointed president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce.

11.15 The President receives the mayor and councillors of Sannat.

Noon The President receives the president and council members of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

1 p.m. The President receives Mr Michael C. Bonello, governor of the Central Bank of Malta.

6.30 The President and Mrs de Marco preside over a Malta Community Chest Fund board meeting at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
11 a.m. The President receives members of the delegation participating in the state visit to Italy at the Palace, Valletta.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President pays an official visit to Victoria, Gozo.

Friday
10 a.m. The President is interviewed by Ms Ramona Depares for The Circle magazine at the Palace.

11 The President receives the Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Noon The President receives Dr Deborah Farrugia, Secretary of the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

6.30 p.m. The President attends a concert by the Maria Regina Band and Holy Trinity Band organised by the Marsa council and unveils a commemorative plaque.

8.30 The President attends a reception hosted by the president and council members of the Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.