On Wednesday 29th October H.E. Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, President of Malta, presented this year’s Gieh Ghawdex awards to Miss Maria Attard, Mr. Joseph M. Attard Tabone, and Chev. John Portelli.

Ms. Attard, Director of the Dar Giuseppe Debono was awarded the Gieh Ghawdex Award in recogniton for her work in the social field, which among other things includes her unstinted support to unwed teenage mothers. Mr Joseph M. Attard Tabone was awarded the honour in recognition for his life-long untiring crusade in favour of the protection of Gozo’s archeolgical heritage. It was through research carried out by Mr. Attard that the site of the Gozo Stone Circle could be located. Chev John Portelli was awarded the Gieh Ghawdex in recogniton work in the Gozo tourism sector. Chev John Portelli’s pioneering work that goes back as far as sixties laid the foundation of the the tourist industry in Gozo.

The ‘Gieh Ghawdex’ award, now in its fourth year, was instituted by the Circolo Gozitano in 2005 as a means to honour personalities or organisation who through their work would have given an outsanding contribution to the socio-cultural and economic development of Gozo. The ‘Gieh Ghawdex’ is also awarded to individuals or organisations have who have contributed to the preservation and promotion of Gozo’s distinct identity.

As in all previous edition the conferrment ceremony took place at Palazzo Palina, ta’ Cenc Hotel.

Besides the President of the Republic the audience included Mrs Fenech Adami, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, H.L. Mons Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo and Mr. Anton Tabone, Ex-Speaker of the the House of Representatives.

The ‘Gieh Ghawdex Conferrment Ceremony formed part of a programme of activities organised yearly by the Circolo Gozitano on the occasion of Gozo Day, which falls on 28th October.

The Gieh Ghawdex Award ceremony is supported by HSBC and the Hotel Ta’ Cenc.

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