Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2009 » 25 APR 09 - GIEH IX-XAGHRA
A Red Letter Day for Canon Julian Refalo Rapa. At a ceremony in Victory Square Xaghra, on Saturday 25th April 2009 as part of the celebrations marking Xaghra Day on 28th April, he received the Award Gieh ix-Xaghra. The Xaghra Local Council bestowed this award on Canon Refalo Rapa in recognition for his work and achievement for the benefit of Xaghra. The soiree, organised by the Xaghra Local Council, started on a literary note with various poems read. Dr Aaron Attard Hili LLD, gave an in depth and learned study he made of the history of Xaghra leading to the town being declared a Parish on 28th April 1688. This was followed by Mayor Cordina handing out packets of books to kindergarten students to promote reading. The announcement was then made that Can Julian Refalo Rapa was the 2009 winner of the coveted award, Gieh ix-Xaghra. Mr Joseph Cordina, the mayor of Xaghra presented the shield and the trophy to Canon Refalo Rapa. In his reply, a moved Canon Refalo Rapa thanked the Local Council for choosing him to receive this year's award. He had a message to youth and all to work unceasingly for a better Xaghra. The Hon. Mrs Giovanna Debono MP, Minister for Gozo, addressed the gathering. In her speech, besides congratulating and praising Canon Refalo Rapa, she had a word of great appreciation for the Local Council in its unrelenting work and achievements for the benefit of the locality. She was followed by Mayor Joseph Cordina who gave a report of Council works carried out during the past year. His talk touched on successful achievements but he also had words of complaints among which was the state of the Ta' Kola Windmill. He appealed to Heritage Malta, who is responsible for it, to hasten the repairs on this gem. Among the esteemed guests for the evening was the Parliamentaryt Secretary, the Hon Chris Said MP. The evening was ably compered by the duo Tony and Doris Grech. Hereby, thiswebsite will be expressing the Parish congratulations to Canon Julian Refalo Rapa for the honour bestowed upon him.Not yet rated