The St John Association (Malta) held its annual general meeting at its headquarters in Valletta, presided over by its chairman, Chief Justice Emeritus Professor J. J. Cremona. Members of the St John Council, officers and members of St John Ambulance and St John Rescue Corps attended.
Colonel (retired) David Mifsud spoke about the highlights of the association during 2013 and the activities and service carried out by the three major components of St John Ambulance – first aid and nursing, Rescue Corps and the training branch.
The Brigade (First Aid and Nursing), commanded by Gemma Sirol, had a busy year in public duties, particularly the Isle of MTV concert and Mass celebrated by Archbishop Paul Cremona at Paola’s parish church.
A lot of work has been and is being done to make the Ambulance Centre in Kordin a reality. The acquisition of a fleet of ambulances funded mainly by the Malta Community Chest Fund and in part donated by the East Midlands Ambulance Service, as well as a blood donation unit donated by the British National Health Services converted into a mobile treatment centre were among the highlights.
The St John Rescue Corps, commanded by Captain (retired) Reuben Lanfranco, were very active, registering a high amount of activities, training and public duties. Restoration works were also carried out at Fort Madliena by the officers and members themselves.
The training branch, under the command of Dr H. J. Cremona, organised 124 first aid courses, as well as others in advanced first aid. The financial reports of the St John Council and the St John Ambulance were then read out by the respective honorary treasurers Charles Psaila and Victoria Mangion Cilia. The council secretary, Marquis Anthony Cremona Barbaro of St George, delivered the report on the work carried out by St John Council.
The chairman said he considered 2013 to have been another successful year for St John Ambulance. He expressed appreciation for the dedicated and voluntary work carried out by the members, adding that they were to look forward to a bright future with courage and determination. He also thanked the outgoing Commander, Colonel (retired) David Mifsud.