This year’s Gieh Ghawdex Award went to Lorrie Saliba and Marlon Attard in appreciation for their contribution to the fields of volunteering and sport.

During the commemoration and awards ceremony to mark Gozo Day, President George Vella congratulated Mr Saliba and Mr Attard for the deserved recognition, as well as the President and members of Circolo Gozitano for their noble commitment to keeping Gozo’s culture and history alive.

Lorrie Saliba is active in the community through his voluntary work in various local associations. He is best known through his continuous activism in the Victoria Scouts Group where he helped quite a bit in shaping and forming the character of many young people, many of whom are now adult citizens in our society.

Marlon Attard is a national athlete of the Malta Shooting Sport Federation in skeet shooting. Discipline and continuous training are some of the qualities that make this athlete dedicated to his sport. Throughout his career so far, he honoured the country several times through his skills and his considerable successes over the years.

“Every individual can make a difference. Every individual has the potential to contribute to our society and communities to continue improving their material and living conditions,” said the President.

Also in his speech, the President reflected on the fact that no individual lives are isolated but are a product of the environment around them.

“It is therefore very important to keep in mind the impact of the environment around us on each and every one of us living in it. I am referring to the necessary balance between the natural environment and the built or developed environment. Its impact is not little both on our physical life and especially on our mental health,” said the President.

While recognising the need for development, the President reiterated that this should “never be to the detriment of the natural environment.”

He stated that during the Presidency he had the opportunity to listen to the concerns of Gozitan organisations and individuals due to development in Gozo which is perceived as “excessive.”

“Gozo is beautiful because of its unique environment. We must safeguard it for the good of our children and future generations, and to provide them a better life,” appealed the President.

Gozo Day commemorates the event of 225 years ago when Archpriest Saverio Cassar managed to unite the Gozitans to liberate Gozo from French rule.

The President saluted the memory of Archpriest Saverio Cassar during a wreath-laying ceremony at the foot of his monument at Independence Square in Victoria, Gozo.

Prior to the Gieh Ghawdex awarding ceremony, the President and Mrs Vella attended a solemn pontifical Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Gozo Mgr Anton Teuma at the Gozo Cathedral.

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