The Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA) had the distinct pleasure of attending a memorable ceremony hosted by the Organisational Committee of the Augustinian Oratory in Tarxien. The event celebrated the 90th birthday of Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, a figure revered in the Maltese community for his lifelong dedication to youth, sports, and spiritual mentorship.

Held at the JoeAnn Garden in Tarxien, the ceremony was highlighted by the inauguration of a commemorative bust of Fr Hilary, crafted by renowned Maltese artist Indri Attard. Family, friends, and numerous individuals who had once been involved with the Augustinian Oratory attended, underscoring Fr Hilary’s enduring impact on the community. Among the attendees were prominent figures, including SportMalta's Chairman Matthew Pisani, Youth Football Association President Norman Darmanin Demajo, Malta Football Association President Bjorn Vassallo, and Tarxien Mayor Joseph Abela Galea.

Representing the MSJA were President Clinton Buhagiar, General Secretary Lorraine Cunningham, Sandro Micallef, and Stephen Azzopardi, all of whom were honored to witness this momentous occasion. In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, the MSJA presented Fr Hilary, its first President and one of the founding members, with a framed collage capturing highlights from his remarkable journey and a €100 donation to the Millennium Chapel in Paceville, an establishment Fr Hilary himself founded to support spiritual guidance and community services.

This celebration stands as a tribute to Fr Hilary Tagliaferro’s decades-long contributions to Maltese society and his lasting legacy within the community. The MSJA was privileged to be part of this special day, commemorating a life dedicated to service, compassion, and inspiration.

L-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports (GħĠS) kellha l-pjaċir li tattendi ċerimonja memorabbli mtella’ mill-Kumitat Organizzattiv tal-Oratorju Agostinjan f’Ħal Tarxien. L-attività ċċelebrat id-90 sena ta’ Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, personalità ferm rispettata fil-komunità Maltija għad-dedikazzjoni tul ħajtu għaż-żgħażagħ, l-isport, u d-direzzjoni spiritwali.

Iċ-ċerimonja li saret fil-Ġnien JoeAnn f’Ħal Tarxien, laħqet il-qofol tagħha bl-inawgurazzjoni ta’ bust kommemorattiv tal-istess Fr Hilary, maħdum mill-artist rinomat Malti Indri Attard. Familjari, ħbieb, u bosta individwi li darba kienu involuti fl-Oratorju Agostinjan attendew u saħqu dwar l-impatt dejjiemi ta’ Fr Hilary fil-komunità. Fost dawk li attendew kien hemm mistiednin distinti, fosthom iċ-Chairman ta’ SportMalta Matthew Pisani, il-President tal-Youth Football Association Norman Darmanin Demajo, il-President tal-Malta Football Association Bjorn Vassallo, u s-Sindku ta’ Ħal Tarxien Joseph Abela Galea.

F'isem l-GħĠS kien hemm il-President Clinton Buhagiar, is-Segretarju Ġenerali Lorraine Cunningham, Sandro Micallef, u Stephen Azzopardi, fejn b'ġest ta’ apprezzament mill-qalb, l-GħĠS ippreżentat lil Fr Hilary, l-ewwel President u wieħed mill-membri fundaturi tal-Għaqda, inkwadru b'sensiela ta' ritratti ta' diversi mumenti li ħallew impatt fil-ħajja tiegħu flimkien ma' donazzjoni ta’ €100 b'risq il-Millenium Chapel f’Paceville. Din id-donazzjoni għandha tkompli tgħin il-proġett li waqqaf Fr Hilary sabiex tkompli tingħata gwida spiritwali u għajnuna lill-komunità.

L-GħĠS hija ferm onorata li kienet parti minn din il-ġurnata speċjali f'ġieh Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, li serviet bħala apprezzament għal-legat li huwa ħalla lis-soċjetà Maltija b'ħajja ddedikata għas-servizz, il-kompassjoni, u l-ispirazzjoni.

A video and some photos available through this link:
https://we.tl/t-G9FDeaHOE3