Heard in the Hive

The new Ambassador of the Order to Malta, Dr Silvano Pedrollo, and Signora Olimpia Pedrollo recently hosted a reception to mark the feast of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Order at St John's Cavalier in Valletta, which houses the Embassy of the Sovereign Order.

It provided the perfect opportunity for them to further their acquaintance with many of their guests and to meet distinguished personalities who attended the event against a backdrop of fiakkoli-lined bastions and uplifting notes provided by two classical guitar and harp virtuosi on the terrace of the Cavalier.

Among the guests who celebrated the feast of the patron saint of the Order were the President and Mrs Fenech Adami, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, President Emeritus and Mrs Vincent Tabone, President Emeritus Professor Guido de Marco, Mrs de Marco and their family, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tonio Borg and Mrs Borg, Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano, Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino and their spouses as well as various Members of Parliament and members of the Bench. Mgr Felix del Blanco Prieto, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as various heads of mission and chargés d'affaires accredited to Malta, also attended the event.

Also present were the newly accredited Ambassador of Malta to the Order, Dr George Buttigieg, and the Ambassador of Malta to the Holy See, Tonio Ganado, and their spouses. The ambassadors are both members of the Maltese Association of the Order. Fellow Knights and Dames of Malta led by their president Dr Jaime H. Cremona and Mrs Cremona, as well as Comm. Fra John Critien, Knight Resident at Fort St Angelo, were also present.

The members of the Order also participated in a Solemn Mass celebrated at St John's Co- Cathedral the following morning as well as in the traditional procession which preceded it, where they were joined, for the first time in many years by the Ambassador of the Order and his spouse, who welcomed the opportunity to further immerse themselves in the local events held on the occasion of the feast of St John in Valletta.

Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters celebrates 20th anniversary

The Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters (AMACS) recently organised its 20th anniversary dinner. Most of the 14 founder members were among the numerous members and guests who attended.

AMACS president Stephen A. Petroni, who is also one of the founder members, said that an AMACS team will represent Malta this month in the International Practical Shooting Confederation Euro Championships in the Czech Republic.

The third and last event to mark the 20th anniversary will be an exhibition at the Marquis Scicluna Hall at the Naxxar Fair Grounds between October 26 and 30.

Mr Petroni recalled that in 1992, the precursor of AMACS had proposed that the Arms Ordinance should be repealed and replaced by a modern Arms Act regulating the collection of antique weapons and target-shooting activities while at the same time offering a higher degree of security.

It had been a long and winding road to Parliament. Nevertheless it had been a rewarding experience during which Mr Petroni had the opportunity to work closely with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Tonio Borg.

Meetings were also held with the Opposition to obtain consensus on the Bill. It was most encouraging to note that the Bill had the backing of both sides of the House.

The AMACS president thanked the Armed Forces of Malta Commander, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, who attended the dinner together with Mrs Vassallo, for the AFM's invaluable contribution to the introduction of target-shooting sports in Malta.

The Deputy Prime Minister described the drafting of the Bill as a unique experience in co-operation. The Bill is expected to be enacted by Parliament after the summer recess.

Opposition spokesman Carmelo Abela stressed the need to catch potential top-shooters at a young age.

FIMBank celebrates 10th anniversary

FIMBank recently celebrated its 10 years of operations in Malta with a reception at Villa Bologna in Attard. Among the distinguished guests was Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech who gave a speech and congratulated FIMBank on its recent achievements, including the recent partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.

"What started out 10 years ago as a boutique trade finance bank has steadily grown into a group with a headcount of over 140 and offices spread across four continents, exceeding everyone's expectations," said Margrith Lutschg-Emmenegger, president of FIMBank.

"We are all very proud of our accomplishment and grateful to our shareholders, customers and employees who helped us get here. We very much look forward to the next 10 years."

HSBC helps children understand their rights

Children and young people had the opportunity to learn about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at an HSBC Cares for Children Fund-sponsored course, entitled "Rights, Respect and Responsibilities".

The course, organised by the Commissioner for Children at Mount St Joseph, Targa Gap, gave youngsters the opportunity to learn about the need to protect the rights of all children and young people and helped them to understand their responsibilities and offered a framework for teaching and learning.

HSBC Cares for Children Fund committee member Emanuel Magri presenting the sponsorship to Children's Commissioner Sonia Camilleri, in the presence of HSBC's Public Affairs manager Josef Camilleri.

Chairman of Commonwealth Foundation visits CTO in London

Professor Guido de Marco, chairman of the Commonwealth Foundation and former President of Malta, recently visited the Common-wealth Telecommunication Organis-ation (CTO) in London where he was received by CTO chairman Anthony De Bono.

"There are clear similarities of objectives between our two organisations," Mr De Bono told The Sunday Times on his return to Malta.

"We discussed possibilities for closer collaboration, especially in areas of poverty eradication and sustainable development. I was very pleased with the level of enthusiasm Professor de Marco showed towards future joint efforts."

A former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor de Marco had submitted, 15 years ago yesterday, on behalf of the Maltese government, Malta's application for membership of the European Union, which paved the way for Malta's eventual membership.

During that time, he was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.

However, Professor de Marco's recognition among his peers continues to unfold with rewards. His visit to the CTO occurred some 24 hours before being awarded the gold medal by the Stresemann Society of Germany for his contribution to European Union expansion as well as his reforms at the UN.

The meeting with the CTO was very fruitful, according to Mr De Bono. Professor de Marco was presented with a number of initiatives by the CTO, which are all aimed at helping to bridge the digital divide.

He noticed that, like a number of other partners, the CTO is striving to encourage collaboration among development partners to reduce overlaps or duplication of efforts.

"With the two organisations working together, more can be achieved with less," Mr De Bono added.

St Michael's Training College students reunite

Former student-teachers of St Michael's Training College 1968-1970 were reunited over a buffet dinner at the Crown Plaza Hotel recently to commemorate the 35th anniversary of their graduation to the Faculty of Education in conjunction with the London University Institute of Education. Similar well-attended get-togethers were held in 1995 and 2000.

It was a nostalgic event and another occasion to recollect the unforgettable two-year college experiences while refreshing memories of the occasional pranks and practical jokes in and out of the Ta' Giorni premises.

This function was held on the initiative of Charles Grech and Guido Borg (the latter was unavoidably absent having been hospitalised earlier in the day).

The following 35 gentlemen - all in their late 50s, a few even past retiring age and with well over a thousand years' teaching experience between them - attended this year's reunion:

Victor Agius, Emanuel Attard, Paul Attard, Anthony Blackman, Joseph Boffa, Paul Bonello, Anthony Borg, Carmel Calleja, Albert Catania, Victor Casha, Francis X. Cassar, Albert Catania, Frank Darmanin, Emanuel Debono, Lawrence Galea, Richard Galea, Carmel Grech, Philip Grech, Victor Harmer, Emanuel Lofaro, John Mallia, Louis Micallef, Winston Micallef, Saviour Pisani, Joe Quattromani, Saviour Rizzo, Anthony Said, Joe Said, Carmel Sammut, Leopold Scicluna, Louis Spiteri, Alfred Vella, Joe Vella Camilleri, Carmelo Zammit and George Zammit.

Summer Sensations

Maria Cordina was recently awarded the Professor John Borg Trophy by President Eddie Fenech Adami for the artistic exhibits in this year's Horticultural Society Spring Show held at San Anton Gardens.

As in previous years, Maria Cordina coached her eager students to create artistic and decorative floral designs. The exhibits were the result of the great interest her students take in creating eye-catching flower arrangements. She chose the themes for this year's Spring Show with summer in mind. In the category Sunshades, foliage gave flowers some shade from the scorching summer heat in a pleasantly artistic way. Decorative fans made of dry plant material embellished the scene. The judges for these categories were Carmen George and Agnes Formosa.

Ms Cordina has been giving talks on RTK Radio for the past five years and at the Department of Further Studies and Adult Education. She has also written an article on "Using Floral Foam", published in the show's booklet.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - July 18-24

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President receives members of the Ghaqda Pulizija Pensjonanti at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President receives the winners of the Malta Football Awards.

6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over a Malta Community Chest Fund board meeting at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President accompanied by Mrs Fenech Adami inaugurates the Multi Sensory Rooms at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija, Marsascala.

Noon The President receives the Ambassador of Qatar to Malta, Hamad H. Al-Attiya, at the Palace, Valletta.

7 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a committee meeting of the August Moon Ball at Verdala Castle.

8 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a musico-literary evening at St Venera, to mark the inauguration of the new parish church of St Venera.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President receives European Commission vice-president Franco Frattini at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives the St Aloysius' College Scouts Group at the Palace, Valletta.

7.45 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Egypt on the National Day of Egypt at her residence in Kappara.

8.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami view a representation of Bernstein opera Candide organised by the Malta Council for Youth and Arts at Valletta Waterfront.

Sunday
8.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the president and committee of the King's Own Band Club in Valletta to mark the feast of St Dominic.

Palmier - Gauci

The wedding took place recently at the Cathedral in Mdina between Rachel Palmier, daughter of Charles and Rita Palmier of St Julian's, and Bernard Gauci, son of the late Carmelo Gauci and of Antonia Gauci, of Qawra.

The wedding was officiated by Fr Charles Tabone, assisted by Fr Mario Jaccarini, SJ, and Canon Vincent Demicoli.

The groom's brother Paul and the bride's sister Abigail witnessed the ceremony. David Aquilina carried out the duties of best man.

Sarah Palmier, the bride's sister, Katrina Pecorella, Julia Bugeja, Rachel Gauci Maistre and Claire Gauci, the groom's niece, were bridesmaids. Carla Engerer and Carla Gauci, the groom's nieces, were flower-girls, while Kurt Gatt and Kain Gauci, the groom's nephews, were pageboys.

A reception was later held at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian's. The couple spent their honeymoon cruising the Pacific Islands.

Reunion for former Vatican altar boys

A reunion for former altar boys and their families is being organised to mark the 40 years since the first group of Maltese altar boys went to Rome to perform duties at the Vatican in 1965.

The reunion will be held on Friday. Mass will be said at Burmarrad parish church at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at Tunny Net Complex, Mellieha. Former altar boys should bring group photos taken at the time.

For more information contact Lucio Bonello on 2123-6212.

For your diary

A retro night boat party to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Sliema, in aid of next year's feast, is being held on Friday. The boat will leave the Sliema Ferries at 8 p.m. Tickets cost Lm4. Snacks will be served on board; entertainment will be provided by DJs Joe Cassar and Joe Spiteri.

The Holy Family Home for the Elderly in Naxxar is organising a garden dinner in aid of the home's extension project on Saturday at 7.15 p.m. at the home's gardens. Well-known singers will be attending. For bookings phone 2141-0015 or 2143-8025.

Former De La Salle students' reunion

Clinton Calleja and Niki Grech recently organised a long-awaited reunion for former De La Salle College Fifth Formers who left the college in 1996.

The college was the perfect venue for this event, rekindling so many memories of good times gone by. Br Martin, director of De La Salle College, and Bro Edward attended the reunion. Also present was the popular Physics teacher Willie Cachia.

It was time for the Old Boys to buy him drinks to settle the debt owed to him from an eat out, ten years earlier, where Mr Cachia had ended up paying a substantial amount of the bill! He insisted that he had long struck off the dues as bad debts however he gladly accepted all incoming drinks.

The reunion was attended by over 80 students. The party continued in South Street, Valletta.