La Vittoria Band Club

Welcome.......

Same as the name ‘Mellieha’ is synonomous with salt and honey, so is ‘La Vittoria’ linked to the feast of Maria Bambina that is celebrated annually on September 8th. This historic date also commemorates the victory of the Maltese, led by the Knights of St. John, against the Turks during the Great Siege in 1565. It was purpously for this reason that the founders of the Societa’  Filarmonica La Vittoria opted for such a name so that the club will always be attached to Malta’s history and the feast in honour of its patron.

This website should turn out to be a positive step in updating all members and the general public with the society’s work and activities from time to time through today’s modern means. We promise to strive hard to ensure that the site is updated as often as possible so that followers, especially our numerous emigrants around the world, may get a good insight at their own leisure from their own house. The website will be hosted in two languages, namely Maltese and English.

We hope that you find this website interesting and we appreciate any feedback you may wish to send us, including ideas and suggestions. We hereby promise to give them due attention and, if possible, realise them for the benefit of one and all.


Mr Pawlino Mifsud - PresidentMessage by Pawlino Mifsud President – Società Filarmonica La Vittoria


VITORJA 2010

It's on again........
            Happy Feast!

Dear friends,

A year of hard work, courage, relentless efforts, education, the launching of the SOCJU EMIGRANT scheme, a year during which we worked so hard to strengthen the administrative framework of the SOCIETA FILARMONICA LA VITTORIA. I strongly feel that we are gradually reaching the target of our motto ‘Moving ahead in unity’. It is far from easy however it is surely not impossible. UNITY MAKES US STRONGER.

SOĊJU EMIGRANT scheme
I would like to start off this message by informing you about the success achieved through the SOCJU EMIGRANT scheme that I introduced last year. We are proud to note that now our club has members scattered around all four corners of the world ranging from Canada, the USA and Australia. The first applicant to the scheme was Mr. Francis Caruana from Canada. Well done and thanks! I encourage even more supporters to join up the ever growing La Vittoria family.

STATUTE
Following the approval of the Administrative Committee, a committee for the revision of the club’s statute was set up including Messrs Joe Borg, Saviour Fenech, Anthony C. Gauci, Dr. Karl Sammut and myself. I thoroughly felt the need for such an exercise that had not been carried out entirely for the last 25 years. Work was immediately started following last year’s feast and entailed long hours to ensure that this paramount document reflected a new beginning whilst being compliant to modern times and today’s laws. The proposed new statute must now first be approved by the Administrative Committee followed by the Annual General Meeting’s approval. There is no doubt that the new statute should provide us with more constructive methods in the way we administer our club.

PROJECTS
During the past year we were also working hard on two major projects namely the monument in honour of Architect Carm Lino Spiteri and the decoration of the bandstand. We are glad to confirm that the project related to Architect Carm Lino Spiteri is now ready and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Malta, Hon. Dr. Lawrence Gonzi on February 9, 2010, the second anniversary of  Mr. Spiteri’s demise. In this year’s booklet, which is also available in this site, one can recount what went on during the ceremony. With regards to the bandstand project, though progress has been registered, our plans have been withheld slightly since other minor works have to be carried out prior to the completion of the bandstand itself, which one hopes will be accomplished within the next months.

ACTIVITIES
The past year simply rolled by impressively with the number of activities organised by the club. I urge you to follow the club’s functions over the past 12 months in the booklet that includes plenty of interesting articles and photos that may also be downloaded from this site.

RECORDING OF NEW BAND MARCHES
This year we have also decided to record a new set of band marches. After the lapse of so many years, the Band’s Hymn is now sung by the club’s Children Choir. If you would like to receive a copy, you are more than welcome to send us an email on: vittoria@maltanet.net.

BEST WISHES AND REGARDS
I would like to start off by giving my best wishes to the club’s emigrants, who although living far away, are always in our thoughts. One can just imagine the nostalgia they experience during the festive season. Most probably it’s the sound of the bells tolling, the band, the petards, the fireworks, the joyous marches in honour of our patron, the chorus during the religious functions as well as the odd shrill of the hawkers selling the traditional nougat. I am sure these are the thoughts that thread through your minds in relation to the feast of Our Lady of Victories.

As President and on behalf of the Società Filarmonica La Vittoria I wish a happy feast to all emigrants especially that this year we will be celebrating the 2025th anniversary since the birth our patron, Maria Bambina.

I would also like to convey my thoughts to those who have passed away and their families.

Best wishes for a happy feast are also due to the sick and the elderly in our community who will be unable to join during the various activities as well as those who take care of them. Last but not least best wishes to the La Vittoria family, all clubs and organisations within the Mellieha community as well as all those who visit our beloved village during festa time.

Sincere best wishes to our colleagues at the Imperial Band Club upon the 80th anniversary since its foundation.

May Our Lady continue to keep Her grace on us so that in unity, harmony and peace we pay back by organising a civil feast that strongly reflects the solidarity we all share as Mellieha residents.

VIVA MARIA BAMBINA

21st August 2010