Mr. Tony Vella – Qrendi Group Scout Leader (1995 – 2000)

One might argue that history repeats itself. This was the case when in 1934 a disciplined leader, Luigi Galea volunteered to establish scouting at Qrendi through the formation of the 1st Qrendi Scout Group, Similar events repeating themselves years later in the revival of scouting at Qrendi, when the local community found a seasoned scouter Tony Vella, willing to take on the responsibility of establishing once again, scouting within our local community.

It was during September 1993, on the initiative of the Qrendi Local Council, lead by Mayor Nikol Aquilina, the benefits of scouting within the local community were recognized and contacts were immediately established by the very same Qrendi Mayor, Nikol Aquilina, with the Scout Association of Malta in the hope of seeing this dream materialize.

Organizing a meeting for interested parties the following month at the Qrendi Primary School, the Qrendi Local Council invited Mr. David Dowdall and Mr. Emmanuel Bonnici, South District Commissioner and assistant Commissioner from the Scout Association of Malta, to address those present, explaining what scouting was all about and what was expected from those interested in joining the movement. Amongst those attending the meeting was Tony Vella, a former Scout member that served under the guidance and supervision of the late Group Scout Leader Turu Dimech, formerly of the Zurrieq Scout Group.

Tony Vella joined the scout movement in 1967 at the age of seven years, being invested as Cub Scout with the Zurrieq Scout Group. Within the Zurrieq pack, Tony's early leadership skills were rewarded by being appointed a “Cub Scout Sixer”, or he rather led six other cub scouts from within his Cub pack. Five years later, Tony moved up to Scouts where he was later appointed “Patrol Leader”, and given the equally responsibility of eight fellow scouts. Sadly in 1974, Tony left scouts due to other commitments, only to accept this newly appointed responsibly years later..

 

Without any hesitation Mr. Vella was entrusted with the leadership of the Qrendi Scout Group and immediately set up establishing the Group's Scout Council and recruiting fellow scout leaders to assist in the tasks that lay ahead. Amongst the first to offer their services were Louis Sammut and Steve Aguis, who were handed the responsibility of the Scout and Cub Sections within the same group. Slowly but steadily the Qrendi Scouts were now in a position to start recruiting male scouts within its ranks.

One may reason the initial years were difficult and one would be right in their reasoning but teamwork and group initiatives, allowed the Group to go from strength to strength.

Amongst the first obstacles to be encountered by the group was that of scouting uniforms, this Qrendi Group initially opted to overcome by wearing the primary school uniform and group scarves, during their scout activities.

The second and equally big obstacle was where and when to hold scout meetings. Pinpointing the former vacant ZHN building, church property that was constructed by the Later Rev Raymond Ellul, permission was granted by the Qrendi Parish Priest, the Very Reverend Fr. Karm Attard to allow the Scout group to utilize the premises and establish their group within.
Further Scout recruitment within the newly established group was boosted by the assistance offered by the Zurrieq Scout Group under the leadership of Group Scout Leader Nazzareno (Zaren) Mangion, who was there for the Qrendi Scouts each and every time his help was needed.

Organizing a joint activity in the form of a church parade at the Qrendi Parish, the Zurrieq Scouts and band gave the local community a first hand scouting contacts and “a taster” to join the local group.

Slowly but surely, the Qrendi Scout Group under Tony Vella’s leadership and ably assisted by Scout Leader Louis Sammut and Cub Scout Leader Steve Aguis prospered, and went from strength to strength.

On Thursday 16th February 1995,, a red letter day for the Qrendi Scout Group, the official group’s registration took place within the Scout Association of Malta at Island Headquarters, Floriana in the presence of the Chief Commissioner, Mr. Joseph G. Grech and the Qrendi Scout Leaders Mr. Tony Vella, Mr. Louis Sammut and Mr. Steve Aguis together with the Council chairman Mr. Mario Camilleri accompanied by Secretary, Mr. David Schembri, who were joined by a scout troop from the Qrendi Scouts.

The proud Qrendi Scout Group members saw their dream come true on Sunday 23rd May 1995, when the group celebrated its official opening.

Group Scout Leader Tony Vella led the Qrendi Scout Group between 1995 and the year 2000 when sadly, he had to relinquish his position as Group Scout Leader due to his private business commitments.