Handover

Handover night is the highlight of the year for every Rotary Club. This year’s has been extra special for us!

When Paul Harris, along with a group of four friends, founded Rotary International early in the 20th century, the cogwheel was chosen as a symbol because the organisation was to keep turning year after year, its members handing over the responsibility of their task to the next Rotarian for continuity.

So why has this year’s handover from President Godfrey Swain to President Clare Vassallo been so special?

Firstly, because we transition from one hardworking President to another who promises to bring enthusiasm and fun to her task.

Besides, it was a special handover night because never before had so many new members been ‘pinned’ with the Rotary International pin to join the Rotary Club of La Valette Malta and, hence, become part of the international family of Rotarians during the handover night. This is proof of the hard work put in by many members in encouraging new people to take up this commitment of service above self. Yesterday evening, in the presence of a large number of club members, President Godfrey Pinned seven new members:

Rtn. Julius Nehorai, Rtn. Madeleine Gera, Rtn. Petra Caruana Dingli, Rtn.Christine Dalli, Rtn Bilgi Gökalp Gülen, Rtn. Giuseppe Inserra, Rtn Laura Maciulskaite

This special occasion was once again held in the beautiful gardens of the Marsa Sports Ground, where the Club received excellent service and enjoyed a delicious meal. The event ran smoothly, as organised by Rtn.Sandra La Rosa, who had everything in hand.

A surprise was the Paul Harris Awards presented to several Rotarians who gave excellent service in the last two Rotarian years, under President Anne Marie Bianchi (RY 2023-24) and President Godfrey Swain (RY 2024-25)

These are: Rotarians Bryan Sullivan, Patricia Salomone, Helga Ellul, David Dingli, Edward Fenech, AnneMarie Bianchi and Sandra la Rosa, seen standing with President Godfrey Swain in the middle.

Awards were also presented to three worthy organisations that support people in need in our society and with which we have continued collaboration: Food Bank Lifeline, Sebh and St. Michael’s Hospice

Visiting Rotarian Patrick Hamilton, a world-renowned musician from the Rotary Club of Bruges, exchanged his club’s banner with Godfrey Swain while inviting the Rotary Club of La Valette, Malta, to visit his club in Belgium.

Outgoing President Godfrey provided a brief overview of the work accomplished by the club during his presidency. He was proud to say, “District 2110 Sicily-Malta has much admiration for our club, and we have been told we are the Best!” He further stated that this year’s project supporting Opera Nova, established by Soprano Gillian Zammit to train and support young, talented Opera singers, has taken off beautifully, and we will continue to help whenever possible.

Incoming President Clare Vassallo outlined the main points of the Club Project for the year 2024-25, which will provide funding for research at the University of Malta on ALS, an autoimmune disease with similarities in Malta and Sicily. She also announced a planned visit to Parisot, France, which is the birthplace of Grandmaster Jean De Valette. This seems particularly fitting, as our club bears the name of our capital city, Valletta, which Grand Master Valette built.

A beautiful early summer evening with a splendid sunset saw the closure of an excellent Rotary year and the opening of a new one, which promises to be great. Thank you, President Godfrey and Board members and welcome to President Clare and her new Board.