The Albatross District Badge (Qrendi, St Andrew’s Sea Scouts of Marsaxlokk, Zurrieq, Birzebbugia, Zejtun)
The South District
In 1951 the Scout Association of Malta was made up of 40 Scout Groups sub divided into nine Scout Districts, Aardwolf, Acorn, Albatross, Bee, Diamond, Griffin, Cottonera, Oak and Gozo. With the times, several of these scout groups within the respective Scout Districts were disbanded or folded up. During 1964, the need was felt to review the organizational structure within the Scout Movement with regards to the number of the Scout district s and their respective responsibilities. The move saw the formation of five new scout districts, North, Central, City, South and Gozo. Within a year, City District was amalgamated with the Central district.
| The South District was thus formed in 1964 absorbing within its ranks the Cottonera District (Cospicua, Kalkara, Senglea and St. Edwards Collage), Albatross District (Qrendi, St Andrew’s Sea Scouts of Marsaxlokk, Zurrieq, Birzebbugia, Zejtun) and the Peacock District (Luqa, Luqa Home, Marsa and Paola). |
The Albatross District Badge (Qrendi, St Andrew’s Sea Scouts of Marsaxlokk, Zurrieq, Birzebbugia, Zejtun) |
The newly formed South district consisted of Birzebbugia, Cospicua, Marsa, Qrendi, St. Lucia, Zejtun and Zurrieq Scout Groups with the first District Commissioner appointed being Mr. James Rizzo whilst his Assistant District Commissioner being George Camilleri.
On its formation, the South District was quick to establish their District badge, amalgamating within its design, symbols representing the Scout Districts from which it was formed, i.e. Albatross, Peacock and Cottonera Districts.
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The original South District Badge consisted of an albatross, flanked by a peacock’s feather and a Cotton plant, symbolizing the Albatross, Peacock and Cottonera Districts. Beneath the bird were the four main stars of the Southern cross, possibly symbolizing the South. |
| In the seventies the South District Badge was modified to consist of a pastel blue badge with a black edging and the words SOUTH DISTRICT – MALTA proudly displayed in black at the upper part of the badge. The district logo that of an albatross, flanked by a peacock’s
feather and a Cotton plant symbolizing the Albatross, Peacock and Cottonera
Districts were retained. Beneath the bird, a Fleur de Lye, that serves
as a reminder of the Scout Law and Promise, replaced the Southern Cross
constellation. |
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Mr. Frank Miggiani |
Mr. Frank Miggiani served at the district’s helm from 1966 to 1993 after Mr. James Rizzo relinquished his post that same year due to work commitments overseas following a two year term as South District Commissioner. Simultaneously Mr. Emmanuel (Lino) Bonnici assumed between the years 1978 and 1983, the responsibility of Assistant District Commissioner (South). In 1993, Mr. David Dowdall, Assistant District Commissioner was handed
over the District’s Leadership on Mr. Frank Miggiani’s resignation
due to age. Mr. Lino Bonnici was again reappointed Assistant District
Commissioner (South). |
| Mr. Dowdall served a term as commissioner (Three years)
only to hand the district’s responsibilities over to his assistant,
Lino Bonnici in November 1995.
Throughout 1995, the South District continued to grow from strength to strength with the addition of the newly affiliated Scout Groups of the Zabbar, Qrendi and Marsaxlokk. The same year saw a revival of the Paola Scout Group with the completion of their new headquarters. Unfortunately the Marsaxlokk Scout Group was rendered inactive in December 2001. |
Mr. David Dowdall |
Mr. E.L. Bonnici D. C. (South) 1995 – to date |
In 1992, under the leadership of Lino Bonnici as Assistant District Commissioner, (later South District Commissioner), the scout district was entrusted with the responsibility and upkeep of the Ex Royal Navy Transmitting Station at Rinella to serve as the South District Camp Center, later the Rinella Scout Center. In the year 2000 the Scout Association appointed the new Rinella Scout Center warden, Mr. Joseph Bonnici as Assistant District Commissioner (Rinella) In 2003, the South District nominated Mr. Martin Bonnici as Assistant South District Commissioner (Administration). |
| The South District currently consists of over
seven hundred and fifty scout leaders and scout members divided into eleven
Scout Groups, mainly:
Birzebbugia Acknowledgements |
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