Heard in the Hive

The St Andrew Society (Malta) held their annual St Andrew's night celebration on their national day, November 30, at the Dolmen Resort Hotel, Qawra.

Guests were welcomed by the sound of the pipes played by John van Dyke and Mario Farrugia before the latter piped in the top table of society president Helen MacLachlan and her guests.

Mrs MacLachlan gave a brief welcome but in particular congratulated the British High Commissioner, Sir Vincent Fean, on his recent knighthood.

As usual, head chef Derek Abbott and his staff prepared a sumptuous meal including the traditional haggis, piped in by Mr Farrugia and carried by Chef Abbott, and with John van Dyke carrying in the Quaich and the Ballantines Scotch Whisky, supplied for the evening by Wands Ltd.

Back after a long absence, Duncan MacLachlan proceeded to address the Haggis in his own inimitable style and thoroughly deserved the ovation he received.

The meals continued with fine wines, sponsored by Delicata and rounded off with Drambuie, sponsored by Wands.

The toast to the President of Malta was given by Sir Vincent Fean, the reply by the society patron, Chief Justice Emeritus Professor J.J. Cremona, and the toast to Scotland, which included a message from Jack McGonnell, Scotland's First Minister, was again given by Sir Vincent who on a very personal note thanked Mrs MacLachlan and her husband Duncan for their hospitality during his tenure in Malta.

Doug McQueen toasted the guests in a hearty manner and the reply by Australian High Commissioner Richard Palk was the highlight of the evening with a witty, yet sensitive reply, of the genealogy of himself and his wife along with an account of the history of the colonisation of Australia.

Mrs MacLachlan thanked all those who helped to make the evening a success, especially Messrs Wands Ltd and Delicata Wines, and gave the evening over to dancing.

The next event organised by the Society will be the Annual Burns Supper to be held at the Crowne Plaza on January 25.

Patronal service of Order of St Lazarus

The annual patronal service of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of St Lazarus, was recently organised by the Commandery of the Castello at Torri Lanzun in San Gwann.

The ceremony, which took place in the Commandery Chapel, started by the entry of the cross, the sword and the commandery's banner, followed by the officers of the commandery, the deputy commander and the two chaplains, Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross Rev. Colin Westmarland and Senior Chaplain Canon Tom Mendel. Members of the order, wearing their church capes and decorations, attended the service.

Following the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Prayer of the Order, readings from the Old and New Testament, and the homily delivered by Canon Mendel, an investiture was held within the service by permission of the clergy. This was presided over by the Deputy Commander, Chevalier Geoff Fosberry. He was the presiding officer by the authority vested in him by the Grand Master, Prince Don Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, Duke of Seville.

After the blessing of the insignia by the reverend chaplains, postulant Michael Jump was inducted in the rank of Commander of this Hos-pitaller Order. He received the cross as the symbol of charity and the mantle of the order, the symbol of knightly brotherhood.

Chevalier Gerry Maidens was appointed chancellor of the Commandery of the Castello. He was presented with the insignia by the deputy commander of the Castello.

Charles Bonnici and Marc Besancon were presented with the award of the Donat Cross First Class while Victor Caruana and Charles Mangion were awarded the Donat Cross Third Class for the long and faithful service they have given to the commandery over the years. Jacqui Maidens was created a Member of the Companionate of Merit.

After the service, which was also attended by Spanish Ambassador Dona Maria Rosa Boceta as the guest of honour, a reception was held in the beautifully decorated Knights Hall.

Lions Club Sliema 31st charter night

Lions Club Sliema celebrated its 31st charter with a gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. During this celebration, the club's president, Carmelo Azzopardi, inducted a new member.

In his annual speech, the president gave a brief outline of the club's achievements during the past 31 years, which apart from the numerous financial donations given to various organisations, included also a number of important projects of national interest such as the launching of the drug awareness campaign for Caritas, the organ donation campaign and the restoration of the frescoes at St Agatha's Catacombs.

Mr Azzopardi thanked all past and present members for their contributions towards these successful goals, but insisted that it is not enough to look back with pride, but to look forward to the future and work harder towards the Lions' motto - "We Serve".

Sister celebrates 100th birthday

Sister Carmela Muscat is the first Maltese Sister of the Society of the Sacred Heart to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Sr Carmela was born on December 9, 1905 in Birkirkara. The family later moved to Sliema, where for some time Carmela was a pupil at the Rosary School. She followed the call to join the Society of the Sacred Heart and entered the novitiate at St Julian's. She made her first vows on February 10, 1926.

Six months later she left Malta to serve overseas. Her first destination was England, first at Roehampton, where she was finally professed, and then for two years at Brighton.

In 1937 she sailed to the US. She moved to a new community eight times during her 42 years in the US.

In 1979, Sr Carmela returned to Malta, first as part of the newly opened parish-based community in Zejtun, and later to Fgura which had been opened in 1972 specifically to receive Sisters returning from India, Japan, Taiwan, England and the US, who joined the community at Tal-Virtù in 1993.

It was here that last month all the members of the Malta District and five generations of Sr Carmela's family met for Mass celebrating her 100th birthday. The celebrant was Fr Anton Gouder, while vice-rector Fr Hector Scerri, Fr Nicholas Cachia and Mgr Vincent Deguara concelebrated.

The Mass ended with Sr Carmela leading the Magnificat in a strong, clear voice.

People

Nikki Dimech, of Sliema, was recently awarded the Heather Self Medal for achieving the highest marks in Paper I, Principles of International Taxation, one of three modules in the course of Advanced Diploma in International Taxation held by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of London.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is the leading professional body in the UK concerned solely with taxation. It deals with all aspects of direct and indirect taxation. Its primary purpose is to promote education in and the study of the administration and practice of taxation.

Mr Dimech, the only Maltese to undertake the advanced diploma, was awarded the medal by Mrs Heather Self, the founder of the course.

Malcolm Ellul, son of Joseph and Maria Ellul of Tal-Virtù, Rabat, was recently presented with the prestigious Gold Medal for Excellence from the City and Guilds of London, during the annual ITS graduation ceremony at the Corinthia Palace Hotel.

Stephen Baker, marketing and business development manager (Europe) of the City and Guilds, who made the presentation in the presence of Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education Francis Borg, remarked that Mr Ellul was a truly exceptional candidate who has achieved a high standard of performance.

Such an award is a very rare occasion as the overall performance must be among the very best from all the candidates worldwide.

Sandra Borg Agius, ITS registrar, in a letter to Mr Ellul highlighting his achievement, commented: "On behalf of the chairman and the members of the Board of Governors, I would like to congratulate you for this success, which is an honour not only to yourself but also to the Institute of Tourism Studies."

This achievement represents also a great honour for the Hilton Malta - especially for general manager Clement Hassid, CHA, and executive head chef Joe Vella, where Mr Ellul is currently employed.

Rosanne Bellizzi has been awarded the LLCM in pianoforte playing. She has been studying under Sr Beniamina Portelli.

Ms Bellizzi is a B.Psy. graduate presently teaching at San Miguel School, Pembroke. She is also a teacher of piano and theory of music. She is currently furthering her studies with Sr Beniamina and Mro Lawrence Borg.

As a soprano, she is pursuing her studies under the tuition of Claire Massa.

She is studying harp under the tuition of Caroline Muscat.

Exceptional year for Casinò di Venezia

This year was an exceptional year for Casinò di Venezia, general manager Marco Battaggia told members of the media at an annual dinner in their honour at the casino in Vittoriosa.

Mr Battaggia said the number of visitors to the Casinò is on the increase. He spoke of a 35 per cent increase in customers and an exceptional increase of 80-90 per cent in the amount of money played, in the past six months alone.

These numbers add up a good year, and the management is more than confident that this year's performance will be better than it was in 2005.

Mr Battaggia also said the Casinò is embarking on a new project in the coming months, but gave no further details. He reiterated that the press will be called again soon for the announcement of the project that is both beneficial to the casino and the Maltese community.

He then introduced the other members of the senior management team: Luca Amato, research and development manager; Miljan Miljanic, assistant manager - gaming; Anton Magro, assistant manager - food and beverage; Kenneth Mallia, assistant manager - slots; and Edoardo Babato: security and surveillance manager.

American ambassador visits Unesco Club

American Ambassador Molly Bordonaro and her husband Matthew Bordonaro were the guests of the Unesco Club (Malta) during a pizza and wine party held recently in their honour.

In a short speech, Albert V. Rutter, chairman of the club, welcomed Mr and Mrs Bordonaro and said that it was the policy of the club to come to know and appreciate more the work of the various missions in Malta. The ambassador said she was pleased to associate herself with the members of the Unesco Club (Malta). She was very pleased to be here and promised her collaboration in the future.

After signing the club's visitors' book, Mr and Mrs Bordonaro wished all the members a prosperous New Year.

Attard - Cassar

The marriage took place recently at Our Saviour parish church, Lija, between Alexandra M. Attard, daughter of Mr and Mrs Michael Attard of Qormi, and Kevin A. Cassar, BA (Hons) Accty, FIA, CPA, son of Mr and Mrs Victor Cassar of San Gwann.

Fr Charles Cordina celebrated nuptial Mass, assisted by Fr Mario Jaccarini, SJ, Fr John Scicluna, SJ, Fr Benjamin Galea, Fr Claude Portelli and Fr Francois Mifsud, OP.

The marriage vows were witnessed by Alexander Cassar, the groom's brother, and Svetlana Gauci, BA (Hons) Bus. Mngt. Dominic Calleja, BA (Hons) Bus. Mngt, and Luciano Pace Parascandolo, B.Sc. (Hons) Physio. were best men.

Rita Pace Parascandolo, Dip. B.Sc. (Hons) Midwifery, the bride's sister, was matron of honour and Claire Cassar, the groom's sister, was bridesmaid. Tristan Attard, the bride's nephew, was pageboy, and Michaela Calleja was flower-girl. The Worship Team of the Cenacolo Community animated the Mass.

A reception was held later at the Golden Sands Ballroom of the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort, Golden Bay. The couple spent their honeymoon in Switzerland, Tuscany and the French Riviera.

Mallia - Schembri

St Nicholas parish church, Siggiewi, was recently the venue for the wedding of Dorianne Mallia, daughter of Mr and Mrs Patrick Mallia, of Birkirkara, and Nicholas Schembri, son of Mr and Mrs Gaetano Schembri of Siggiewi.

The wedding was officiated by Canon Anthony Mallia Borg, Fr Charles Said, SDB, Fr Paul Gauci and Fr Nicholas Schembri.

David Mallia, the bride's uncle, and M'Lourdes Mifsud, the groom's aunt, witnessed the ceremony. David Schembri and Joseph Calleja were best men.

The bride, who wore an off-the-shoulder ivory wedding dress and carried a bouquet of roses, was assisted by her sister Daniela Mallia and the groom's sister Therese Schembri as bridesmaids. Roberta Mallia, the bride's sister, was flower-girl.

A reception was later held at Palazzo Nobile in Naxxar. The couple spent their honeymoon in Switzerland and Italy.

For your diary

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel on January 11 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

Ward u Zghar is organising a quiz night at the Centru Hidma Socjali, St Venera, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The group will also be meeting for a picnic at Buskett on Sunday at 1 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.

A thinking skills six-week course is being organised by the National Council of Women at the centre on January 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information phone 2124-8881.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - January 1-8

Tuesday
4.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami receives the members of the Malta Osteoporosis Society at San Anton Palace.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Mass on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Rosa Vella at St Vincent de Paul Residence.

Thursday
4.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund at Corradino Centre, Paola.
6.30 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception at the Floriana Senior Citizens Centre in St Publius Street, Floriana.
8.30 The President attends a reception hosted by the president and members of the Federation of Industry in Floriana.

Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a meeting of the Malta Community Chest Fund working committee at the Palace, Valletta.
7 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami host a concert organised by the Russian Embassy and the Russian Cultural Centre on the occasion of the Russian Christmas at the Russian Chapel at San Anton Palace.

Sunday
8.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the annual Epiphany concert organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts at the Palace, Valletta.