Two children, a veteran trade union leader and a migrant rescue organisation were among those who received the nation’s highest honours yesterday, Republic Day.

I wasn’t expecting this but I’m very proud. I was so excited this morning that I woke up very early

Twenty-four awards were bestowed by the Government of Malta on those whose contributions and achievements were recognised as having earned them the respect and gratitude of Maltese society.

The awards presented were the Order of Merit, Midalja ghall-Qlubija and Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.

Tony Zarb headed the General Workers Union for 16 years.

Tony Zarb, who was at the helm of the General Workers’ Union for 16 years, was made a member of the National Order of Merit. He said this would not have hap-pened had it not been for his family and friends at the GWU.

A trade unionist for over 30 years, Mr Zarb, 61, stepped down as GWU general secretary last October. He led some of the union’s most vociferous campaigns, including the Issa Daqshekk campaign.

Mr Zarb said he dedicated the award to his family and all workers. While he felt honoured to be recognised for his efforts with workers, yesterday’s ceremony held a special place in his heart as his son, songwriter Elton Zarb, was also honoured.

“I’m very happy because today my family could possibly be going down in history, since both my son and I were honoured,” he said. The younger Mr Zarb formed part of the winning team of the Junior Eurovision 2015, alongside singer Destiny Chukunyere, 12, Maria Abdilla, Roberta Debono and Matthew Mercieca.

Karl Curmi saved a baby from drowning.

Ten-year-old Karl Curmi of Victoria was awarded the Midalja ghall-Qlubija for rescuing a 20-month-old baby who was drowning at Il-Menqa in Marsalform in July.

The young boy had been swimming with his grandmother at the popular Gozitan bay when he realised a woman was calling for help after her foot had got stuck while going down the ladder, as a result dropping the baby into the sea.

Although proud, the young Gozitan said he was surprised when he found out he would be receiving the award.

“I wasn’t expecting this but I’m very proud. I was so excited this morning that I woke up very early,” he told the Times of Malta moments after being given the medal, which he held proudly.

“I’ll never forget this day,” he said.

The Malta-based non-profit foundation Migrant Offshore Aid Station, or Moas, established in 2014, received the Medalja għal-Qadi tar-Repubblika.

Christopher Catrambone received the award on behalf of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (Moas).

Set up by entrepreneurs Christopher and Regina Catrambone in 2014, Moas seeks to avert tragedies at sea.

“The entire concept was conceived here in Malta, this is where the operations began, and most of our staff are based here.

“So this recognition has been very important for us and we’re very proud to have received it today on Republic day,” Mr Catrambone said.

To date, Moas has offered assistance to over 11,500 migrants in the Mediterranean. It provides food, water, lifejackets, emergency medical care and post-rescue care.

A number of other recipients were also honoured. Among them was Lord Jonathan Marland, Kyle Balda and Vitorin Galea.

Lord Marland, a British entrepreneur, serves as chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and has for years contributed to the development of commercial and bilateral relations with Malta. He was in Malta last month, chairing the Commonwealth Business Forum, and was made an honorary officer of the Order of Merit.

Animator Kyle Balda, a member of the Order of Merit who was born in the United States to a Maltese mother and became a Maltese citizen in 2004, was honoured for his work on several animation projects with Hollywood giant Pixar, among others.

Actress Vitorin Galea was honoured posthumously for her acting career with the Medalja għal-Qadi tar-Repubblika. Ms Galea, who started acting at the age of 14, would also sew costumes both for herself and other actors and actresses.

The other award recepients yesterday were as follows:

Order of Merit: Carmel Agius, Joseph Sammut, Frank Baldacchino, Benny Borg Bonello, Roger Ellul-Micallef, Hector Galea, Ray Mahoney, Peter Vassallo, Pierfrancesco Vago.

Medalja ghal-Qadi tar-Repubblika: Charles Coleiro, Bjorn Formosa, Michael Grech, Joyce Guillaumier, Charles Mifsud, Mario Scerri, Alfed A. Zarb, Horst Brandstatter.