Changing of the guard at Rotary Club

The 2009-2010 Rotary year came to an end for Rotary Club Malta during the official president's hand-over dinner, held recently at Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar.

Outgoing president John De Giorgio handed over the chain of office and passed the club bell to Rotary Club Malta's new president for 2010-2011, Ian De Cesare.

Mr De Giorgio provided a summary of the year's activities and a self-critique of the objectives he had set himself at the start of the year. Rotary Club Malta raised over €42,000 this year, which funded the undertaking of 13 projects, culminating in the major project for the year involving the implementation of solar heating at Dar il-Kaptan, the respite home in Mtarfa, and San Blas Drug Rehabilitation Centre, run by Caritas.

Rotary Club Malta also ran two Rotary 'Hands-On Days' at Dar il-Kaptan and Dar Jeanne Antide.

During the evening, a number of Rotarians were recognised for their contribution with the presentation of the Paul Harris award. These included Mr De Cesare, Tony Gatt, Francis Naudi, Simon Bonello (in absentia), Frank Salt (in absentia) and Antonella Agius Micallef, a member of the Dar il-Kaptan team.

Mr De Giorgio also thanked the club's members and corporate sponsors for their assistance, financial and otherwise, during fundraising events.

Mr De Cesare thanked the outgoing president for his contribution during the year and set out his plans for the new Rotary year, including continuing the strong service focus of Rotary Club Malta and also making the club's meetings even more relevant to members.