This year is special for the Victoria Scout Group, since it marks its 50th anniversary. It is also just as special for its leader Lorrie Saliba, who celebrates 50 years as a Scout.

To commemorate the occasion, a special meeting was organised by the Victoria group at its headquarters, where speeches were made by distinguished guests, highlighting Mr Saliba’s dedication to scouting while passing on its values to others.

Mr Saliba has been instrumental in putting the Victoria Scout Group at the forefront of scouting in Malta. Various poems were read out by Cub Scout Mark Attard, Scout Leader David Grech and poet Carm Cachia.

Guests present were Chief Scout Kenneth De Martino, Chief Commissioner Leslie Bonnici, association secretary Robert Gonzi, association chaplain Fr Anton Briffa, Victoria mayor Samuel Azzopardi, the group’s patron and former Chief Commissioner, Joseph Grech, former Chief Scout James Rizzo and Xagħra Scout Group Leader Loraine Borg.

Other special guests included those boys who were Wolf Cubs with Mr Saliba in the 1960s. These included GozoMinister Anton Refalo, Nazinu Micallef, Mario Tabone, Louis Agius and Joe Portelli.

After an exchange of gifts and a speech in which Mr Saliba thanked all those present, including his wife Antoinette, his family and his fellow leaders, he cut the anniversary cake.