Gozo Philatelic Society's first 10 years
The year that is drawing to a close has marked the tenth anniversary of the setting up of the Gozo Philatelic Society (GPS). In fact, the GPS was founded on September 3, 1999, when a small group of philatelists met at Dar il-Lunżjata, in the Lunzjata...
The year that is drawing to a close has marked the tenth anniversary of the setting up of the Gozo Philatelic Society (GPS). In fact, the GPS was founded on September 3, 1999, when a small group of philatelists met at Dar il-Lunżjata, in the Lunzjata Valley, in the limits of Victoria, with the aim of starting up a philatelic group in Gozo.
Today, this group has flourished into one of the most active, organised and innovative societies in the Maltese islands. Even though the GPS is only 10 years old, it can already boast of quite a few milestones in its history. Just one month after its foundation meeting, the GPS statute was approved and the members of the first official committee elected.
In February 2000, the GPS was launched officially, and the first edition of the informative GPS newsletter was issued. In May 2000, the first GPS exhibition was held. In November 2007, the GPS also launched its own website (www.stamps-gozo.org).
The success achieved by the GPS has not come about by chance. It is the fruit of the hard work and dedication shown by the GPS committee members throughout these years of the society's existence.
The GPS committee holds regular monthly meetings for members, issues the quarterly newsletter, produces wonderful philatelic material related to any stamps or events with Gozitan connections (including GPS postal cards), organises stamp collecting sessions in schools and summer clubs, and participates in TV and in community radio programmes to further promote the hobby of philately. The climax of the GPS's activities is reached in November each year, when the Annual GPS Philatelic Exhibition is held. The tenth edition of this exhibition was held last month, with MaltaPost plc participating for the first time and commemorating the event with the issue of an occasion card and the use of a special hand stamp.
The many philatelists and young stamp collectors who participate in the GPS's various activities are grateful to the GPS committee members, both past and present, for the excellent service given by the GPS. With such a dedicated committee, the GPS can look forward to a bright future ahead and continue to grow and flourish as it has done in these first 10 years of its existence.