Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/762759
3 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2016 Republic Day Honours List Midalja G all-Qadi Tar-Repubblika • Anthony Aquilina (Posthumous) MQR Born in 1906 in Zebbug, Major Anthony Aquilina is renowned for being one of the most important composers of Maltese festive band marches. Known to enthusiasts simply as "il-Maġġur", the Major, he composed more than 50 band marches which are still today among the most popular. • Esther Azzopardi MQR Born in 1981, Esther Azzopardi is renowned for being the first Mal- tese woman to become a FIFA referee. She has been a local elite referee for six seasons having officiated more than 50 Premier League Games. In 2007, she was promoted by FIFA and – earlier this year – was also selected by UEFA to referee important matches during the Women's World Cup U17 in Jordan in October. • Peter Paul Ciantar MQR Born in 1950 in Żebbuġ, Peter Paul Ciantar is a broadcaster, composer and musician, ex-music teacher, lecturer and writer of several articles in Maltese newspapers. He composed a number of tunes for some of his own radio programmes and also won several music competitions organised by the Performing Rights Society of London. • Nicolina Farrugia MQR Nicolina Farrugia served as a nurse for over 36 years, including be- ing appointed Matron at the Isolation Hospital, Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, the Primary Health Care and Community Services, and St Luke's/Karen Grech Hospital. In May 1996, she was appointed as the first Director Nursing Services and currently serves at the Metropolitan Tribunal of Malta. • Karl Izzo MQR Karl Izzo was born in 1969 and started playing waterpolo at the age of 12 years. In 1985 he formed part of the Junior National Team and later joined the Senior National team. In 2015 Izzo was appointed Director of the World Waterpolo Coaches Association. • Christopher Micallef MQR Christopher Micallef was born in 1967 in Attard. His research on the Mnajdra and Tal Qadi temples was published in scientific journals and established that the Mnajdra lower temple was aligned towards the dif- ferent phases of the moon. Micallef is currently the Department Man- ager (People Management) at Jobsplus. • Freddie Portelli MQR Freddie Portelli was born in 1944 and has distinguished himself as a Maltese singer, songwriter and composer through a career of over 55 years. Portelli was also an international waterpolo player and won various championships with Sirens, Neptunes and Valletta. In 1964 he was part of the team that won the International Independence Cup for Malta. • Alison White MQR Born in 1956, Alison White's career in dance spans over 50 years. In 2015 she was the head choreographer for the CHOGM opening cere- mony. For the past 30 years she was the official dance instructor for the Guardian Angel Resource Centre and has pioneered the integration of dancers with special needs into mainstream training and performance through the organisation Opening Doors. • The Malta Hospice Movement MQR Founded in 1989, The Malta Hospice Movement is a non-profit organ- isation providing free palliative care services to hundreds of patients suffering from various diseases and also giving support to families go- ing through their bereavement process. • The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus (London) MQR The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus established a community in London in 1960 for the purpose of welcoming Maltese patients –who travel to London for treatment in London hospitals – and their families. Midalja Ghall-Qadi Tar-Repubblika on an Honorary Basis • Alan Ralph Curry MQR Born in 1959 in the UK, Alan Ralph Curry has played a key role in the setting up of the Lifecycle Challenge and, in 1999, the successive LifeCycle Foundation with the sole objective of helping patients with renal problems. Archbishop emeritus Paul Cremona Judge Philip Sciberras Lord Mandelson Freddie Portelli Esther Azzopardi Alison White Republic Day honoraries with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, flanked by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Cabinet secretary Mario Cutajar, and AFM deputy commander Mark Mallia