To mark 100 years of scouting in Malta, the Scout Association held a special parade in Victoria last Sunday. Twenty scout groups, seven bands and around 1,000 scouts took part in the rally which was jointly organised by the Island Head Quarters and the Victoria Scout Group.

The activity started with a con-celebrated Mass by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, assisted by Mgr Joseph Farrugia, chaplain of the Victoria Scout Group.

Mgr Grech asked how the Scout Movement had managed to survive for such a long time. Most probably, he said, the answer lay in the fact that scouting was based on the Scouting Law and Promise - two pillars that encourage members to abide by rules and to appreciate the values of life.

Mgr Grech thanked past and present leaders who were responsible for the formation of better citizens and who encouraged them to respect rules through scouting.

After Mass, the scouts gathered at St Augustine Square from where they paraded through the streets of Victoria. Chief Scout Vincent Cassar, the Chief Commissioner Godwin D'Anastasi and other dignitaries took the salute at Independence Square.

After the parade Mr Cassar unveiled a commemorative plaque at the Victoria Scout Group headquarters and announced that Victoria Scout Group Leader Lorrie Saliba has been appointed District Commisssioner for Gozo.