Author: John Rush

Round Up For 2011

Awards From Lions Clubs International

In recognition of the achievement by the Club, the International Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International has bestowed upon the Club the:

Club Excellence Awards

2009-2010

2010-2011

Lion President Alfred Micallef Attard was awarded:

• The Club President Excellence Award for 2010/2011,
• The International President’s pin ‘I Believe’ and his personal signed banner.

Awards

On the 11^th November, an Awards Night was held at The Victoria Hotel where a number of members were awarded for their contribution to the Club’s successes.

37^th Anniversary Of Charter:

Our 37^th Anniversary of Charter was celebrated on the 12th November. As is customary it was a successful activity where the majority of members attended. During the Charter the Club confirmed the twinning with L.C. Bosco Marengo by signing a Certificate. Also the Club signed a document of continued friendship with L.C. Sfax Thyna of Tunisia.

At the evening:

• I.P.P. Lion ALPHONSE MACDONALD received the Melvyn Jones Fellow Award
• P.P. Lion Chris H. Borg Cardona received the Melvyn Jones Fellow Award.

Membership:

During this period 9 new members joined the Club. These are:

• Lion Frederick Farrugia,
• Lion Louis Sciberras,
• Lion Dragan Cvetic,
• Lion Anthony Tabone,
• Lion Leo Portelli,
• Lion Dr. Valhmor Zammit,
• Lion Christopher Abela Medici, and
• Lion Ronald Gatt.

Lion Vivienne Zammit joined the Club through a transfer from another local Club.

Twinning:

During May, a Group of members travelled to Alessandria in Italy to attend the signing of the Twinning Documents with Lions Club Bosco Marengo Santa Croce (Alessandria – Italy). It was a well organised activity.

Sponsorships:

The VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL were presented with a cheque of € 900 to hold the Debutantes Evening in Gozo in July 2011.

2 Students namely Ms. Charleen Caruana and Ms. Gabriella Debattista were sponsored with the amounts of € 200 and € 530 respectively to hold two concerts to help them obtain credits for their University degrees.

The National Library Book Restoration Project:

The project is ongoing and through funds received from Bank of Valletta p.l.c. and The Royal Malta Golf Club, the club purchased a Leaf Casting Machine which was presented to the Minister for Education Dolores Cristina who received the machine on behalf of The National Library. This project was featured in the Lion Magazine of February 2011.

Youth:

In association with Agenzija Zghazagh of the Secretariat for Youth and Sport, The Hon Clyde Puli presented 33 youths with the Lions Young Leaders in Service Awards. This programme is organised by Lions Club International, the Club managed to involve 250 youths 33 of whom gave not less that 50 hours of voluntary work in the community.

Activities:

• A very successful weekend in Gozo was organised by Lion Chris. H. Borg Cardona
• The local agents for the Cruise Ship m.v. Solstace invited members for a briefing and lunch on board this extraordinary vessel.
• Recycling of Eye Glasses – The Club collected over 1000 used spectacles and were sent to L.C. Medico France through the support of O’hea Opticians and Express Trailers.
• We participated in a Tree Planting Ceremony at Dar Tal-Providenza.

Fund Raising:

• Golf Tournament raised € 1030 which was matched with the same amount by the Club.
• Easter Lottery netted € 853.
• Bonfire Night raised € 315
• Spare Ribs profited € 853

Honours:

P.Z.C. Lion Tom. A. Restall was appointed:

Malta representative on the Mediterranean Solidarity Observatory and

Secretary Lions Zone – Malta, and Project Administrator – Sightfirst Malta Project

Peace Poster Competition:

Again Jonathan Young the very talented artist who last year managed to reach the last 24 in the Peace Poster Contest has repeated his feat this year. On both occasions he was awarded U.S. $ 500 and a Certificate.

Riyadh – Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia:

The Arts Committee organised youths to participate in this competition. Two local youths presented by the Club placed first in their age group.

Jonathan Young and Sinaed Darmanin received a Gold Medal for being declared winners. The medals were presented by The. Hon. Dr. Tonio Borg, Minister for Foreign Affairs in the presence of H.E. Lion Frank Galea, Ambassador of Malta for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Donations:

• LCIF – Pakistan Floods Relief Fund – U.S. $ 1000
• LCIF – Japan Tsunami and Earthquake Relief Fund – U.S. $ 1000
• Land Group – € 100
• Dar Tal-Providenza – € 250
• Angela House € 500

Guest Speakers:

During this period the Club invited various speakers namely:

• Mr. Guido Lanfranco – Folk Medicine
• Dr. Timothy Gambin – The Discovery & Exploration of Ancient Shipwrecks off Ventotene Island.
• Dr. Stella Borg Barthet – From Fascisism to Liberalism
• Mr. Joe Grima – The Mission Fund – Children in Brazil

Visitors

The Club hosted a great number of visitors as follows:

• 13 Lions from L.C. Chartreuse (France)
• 42 Lions from L.C. Grenoble Doyen (France)
• Past Lion Giuseppe Acquaviva accompanied by his wife
• Soprano Daniela Sigliano and World renowned pianist Laura Beltrametti together with her husband.
• 22 Lions from L.C. Famagusta Salamis (Cyprus)
• 30 Lions from 3 Milanese Clubs, namely Lions Club Milano Host, L.C. Milano alla Scala, L.C. Bramante Sette Giornate accompanied by Lion Governor Carla Torelli Di Stefano.
• 2 Lions from L.C. The Hague Centrum and L.C. The Hague Pleiades (Holland)
• 37 Lions from Twinned Club L.C. Bosco Marengo Santa Croce (Italy) and
• 11 Lions from Twinned Club L.C. Sfax Thyna (Tunisia) joined us for our 37^th Celebrations of Charter
• Lion Livio Elia Maggio headed a group of persons from Citta di Castervetrano (Sicily) for discussions on a youth exchange programme.
• 4 Lions from U.K. including Lion Malcolm Harris from L.C. Kensham.
• A special visitor from Estonia was Candidate for International Director 2012-2014 Lion Kalle Elster.
• 4 Lions from Villacidro (Sardegna)
• The President met a delegation of Governors and Past Governors who accompanied a group of Lions from L.C. Tunis Elminzah led by Club President Lion Samir Mhiri.

 

Special Olympics Malta

Thanks to a sponsorship by Lions Clubs International the Special Olympics Malta organised a series of talks for parents and individuals with intellectual disabilities as part of the Family Health Forum. The subjects treated were athletes’ Sight, Health, Hearing and Motor Activity Training.

Club President Lion Alfred Micallef Attard was invited to make a presentation on the activities of Lions Club International, Lions Zone Malta and Lions Club Sliema both globally and in Malta. The talks, which were well attended, were held at the Guardian Angel School in Hamrun.

Our President’s presentation was well received by an audience of over 400 persons including Minister of Justice and the Family Dr. Chris Said who thanked Lions for their valuable contribution to the community.

 

Sliema Lions at their 37^th Charter Night

 

GOLF TOURNAMENT

March 19th 2011 – The Club held the Annual Golf Tournament together with the Royal Malta Golf Club for the Alex Mangion Memorial Trophy. Participating Golfers make a donation according to the points obtained and funds raised by the golfers are matched by Lions Club Sliema. This year the total raised by the Royal Malta Golf Club was € 1030 and the amount of € 2060 was devoted to The Lions Club Sliema National Library Book Restoration Project for the purchase of a Leaf casting machine.

To mark the occasion the precious volume – Ordinum Equestrium ac Militarium Brevis Narrazio (Venezia 1715) written in honour of Grand Master Perellos was dedicated In memory of Alex Mangion who was a member of both Clubs.

2010 LIONS INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER CONTEST

In March we were informed that the Club’s entry for this contest was chosen as one of the best 24 posters submitted from 350000 participants coming from 63 countries. The poster is the work of Jonathan Young from Gozo and we won a cash prize of US$ 500 together with a Certificate signed by the International President. For Jonathan this was the second time he won this honour having placed again among the best 24 in 2009.

The Club’s congratulations go to this remarkable young talent.

LIONS ZONE MALTA

In April the Election for the post of Zone Chairman was held. Lion Maryanne Abela was elected unopposed and she appointed Lion Tom A. Restall MJF as Lions Zone Malta Secretary. The post is held for one year.

USED GLASSES AND LENSES

The Club collected over 500 uncut lenses, 450 unused frames and 200 used spectacles.

The material was sent to Lions Club Medico in France to be forwarded to countries where these sight corrective items are needed in the worldwide Lions fight against blindness.

LIONS YOUNG LEADERS IN SERVICE PROGRAMME

The Club joined Agenzija Zghazagh, an agency of the Secretariat for Youth and Sport to involve youths in voluntary work in their respective localities. Of the 235 participating youths 35 obtained a Silver Award for giving a minimum of 50 hours voluntary work whilst one youth was presented with a Gold Award for giving over 100 hours.

The certificates were presented by Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Clyde Puli.

 

Ursuline Crèche In Guardamangia Donation

Sister Luciana Mizzi of the Ursuline Crèche in Guardamangia being presented with a donation by Sliema lions President Alfred Micallef Attard and Lion Tony Savona.

 

ROUND UP FOR 2010

At the Christmas party organised by the Club which was held at the residence of Lion Victor and Dr. Stella Borg Barthet, an update on the Club’s achievements during 2010 was given by Lion President Alfred Micallef Attard. The period covers the second half of Lion President Dr. Alphonse Macdonald and the first half of the present incumbent. This round up was compiled by Lion Secretary Joseph Messina.

AWARDS FROM LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL:

• In recognition of the achievement by the Club, the International Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International has bestowed upon the Club the:

2009-2010 Club Excellence Award.

• Lion GEORGE O. ATTARD was awarded 2 Key Medal for introducing 2 new members to the Club.
• Lion VICTOR BORG BARTHET was awarded 5 Key Medal for introducing 5 new members to the Club.
• I.P.P. Lion ALPHONSE MACDONALD was awarded the Club President Membership Growth Challenge 2009/2010 medal.
• I.P.P. Lion ALPHONSE MACDONALD was awarded the Club President Excellence Award for 2009/2010

SPONSORSHIPS:

• Lion JOHN CAMILLERI received € 500 as sponsorship to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya where he planted the Club’s Banner.
• The VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL received € 800 to hold the Debutantes Evening in Gozo.
• The DEPARTMENT of ENGLISH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION received € 324 to hold a conference for students reading for a degree in English at the University of Malta on experiences in writing and publishing their works.
• The cost of the first phase of the NATIONAL LIBRARY BOOK RESTORATION PROJECT which amounts to € 9000, was subscribed by Overseas sponsors.
• The cost of the second phase of this project amounting to € 1200 was fully subscribed by Club members and friends.

HONOURS:

• Lion FRANK P. GALEA a Past President was appointed Maltese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and The Emirates
• Lion TONIO PORTUGHESE was appointed by the President of the Republic of Malta Dr. George Abela, as Member of the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Malta.
• JONATHAN YOUNG a promising 12-year old from Xaghra Gozo was sponsored by the Club to participate in the Lions International Peace Poster Competition. His poster was placed second from among 365000 entrants from 65 countries and received U.S.$ 500 and a certificate.

DONATIONS:

• RAZZETT TAL-HBIBERIJA €500
• THE MALTA HOSPICE MOVEMENT €1600
• SAN FRANGISK CHURCH B’KARA € 250
• DAR PATRI LEOPOLDU €400
• DAR TAL-PROVIDENZA €200
• URSULINE CRECHE G’MANGIA €250
• HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SLIEMA €200
• OTHERS €200

LCIF:

Donated € 200 towards the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund

3rd BIENNIAL LIONS GATHERING AND CHARTER

The 3rd Biennial Lions Gathering was held with the participation of 21 European Lions whilst at the Charter 35 European Lions attended. These came from:

• L.C. Castenaso Villanova Gozzadini of Bologna – Italy
• L.C. Trieste Host – Italy
• L.C. San Remo Matutia – Italy
• L.C. Quatrucciu of Sardegna – Italy
• L.C. Bosco Marengo Santa Croce of Alessandria – Italy
• L.C. Duino Aurisana Trieste – Italy
• L.C. Gameby Overom – Sweden
• L.C. Burnham – U.K.
• L.C. Fishguard & Goodwick – U.K.
• L.C. Keynsham – U.K.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

• Golf Tournament was held in association with the ROYAL MALTA GOLF CLUB in March when € 800 was raised. The Club matched that sum and the amount of € 1600 was donated to The Malta Hospice Movement.
• The annual Spare Ribs Night was held at The Malta Union Club.
• An AWARDS NIGHT was held in July.

VISITORS:

During the year the Club hosted visitors from various Clubs and countries including Mr. Hisashi Nakanishi Managing Director of NGK Spark Plug Europe GMBH the Club’s main sponsor for The National Library Book Restoration Project.

 

Order of Merit being awarded to Sliema Lion Tonio Portugese

Order of Merit being awarded to Sliema Lion Tonio Portugese by the the President of the Republic of Malta, HE Dr George Abela on 13/12/2010.

 

Guests at the International Gathering hosted by Lions club Sliema at the Capua Palace Sliema on the 14th Nov 2010