Gozo is celebrating 100 years of Scouting. To mark this special occasion the Victoria and the Xagħra Scout Groups organised an anniversary parade last Sunday. They were joined by 18 Maltese Scout Groups, including Scout bands.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech celebrated a thanksgiving Mass at the Gozo Seminary gym. Present for the occasion were Acting President Dolores Cristina, Chief Scout of the Scout Association of Malta George Cassar, Chief Commissioner Leslie Bonnici, former Chief Scouts and Chief Commissioners, Association officials and members of the two Gozitan groups’ councils.

Following Mass, all the groups gathered at St Augustine Square and then marched through the streets of Victoria. At Independence Square the Scouts saluted Mrs Cristina, the Chief Scout and the Chief Commissioner. The parade ended in Cathedral Square where a group photo was taken in the same place where the first Scout Group in Gozo had its headquarters.

Mrs Cristina unveiled a commemorative plaque at the Victoria Scout Group headquarters. It was blessed by Mgr Grech. Following commemorative speeches by Mrs Cristina and Victoria Group Scout leader Lorrie Saliba, Carm Cachia presented a copy of his book on the history of the Victoria Scout Group to Mrs Cristina.