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This Is How The Prime Minister’s Wife Became Malta’s National Volunteer Of The Year

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Michelle Muscat, the wife of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, was named National Volunteer of the Year this week for the work she does with the Marigold Foundation

The award is given to people in Maltese society who have dedicated their time to helping others through their voluntary work through an organisation.  

However, with Joseph Muscat announcing his wife’s win via Twitter, many have taken to social media to complain about her victory. But what exactly is the award she won and how did she win it? 

What is the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector?

The Council is a government entity made up of representatives from Voluntary Organisations and one representative from the Government. The members are appointed by the Minister of Education, Employment and the Family every two years. Their goal is to develop a more effective and efficient voluntary and community sector in Malta and Gozo.

What are the National Volunteer Awards?

The NVA is an annual award ceremony organised by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector that aims to give recognition to the exemplary values and services done by the nominees throughout the year. It is split into four sections: 

  • The National Volunteer Award is awarded to an individual volunteer 
  • The Youth Volunteer Award is awarded to a volunteer between the age of 16 and 30 years
  • The Volunteer Organisation Award is awarded to a Voluntary Organisation 
  • The Corporate Volunteering Award is given to a company from the private sector 

How many people and organisations were nominated?

Every year is different, but this year’s nominations ranged from one to nine nominees in the categories. Here are the full list of this year’s nominees:

National Volunteer Award

Ms. Carol Fenech– Marsaxlokk Aquatic Sports Club
Mr. Joseph Gauci Maistre – The Malta Rabbit Club
Mr. John Sammut – Mission Fund
Ms. Michelle Muscat – The Marigold Foundation
Mr. Phillip Michael Chircop – Fondazzjoni Nanniet Malta
Ms. Louise Bajada – Inspire Foundation
Mr. Andrew Pizzuto – St John Rescue Corps
Ms. Erika Mifsud – Tgħanniqa
Ms. Rita Fenech – Malta Red Cross

Volunteer Organisation Award

MOVE
Ċentru Tbexbix
The Marigold Foundation
The Malta Red Cross Society

Youth Volunteer Award

Ms. Rachel Portelli – Għaqda Maltija Kontra d-Dijabete
Mr. Bader Ali – Malta Red Cross
Mr. Daniel Borġ – St. John Rescue Corps
Ms. Hayley Buttiġieġ – Tgħanniqa

Corporate Volunteering Award

HSBC Bank Malta plc – Nature Trust & Wirt Artna 

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How is someone nominated for the awards?

Each person must be nominated by two separate people. One of the nominators needs to be an active administrator of the same Voluntary Organisation with which the nominee volunteers, and needs to give reasons as to why they are nominating the other person. 

This means that someone from the Marigold Foundation itself had to nominate Mrs. Muscat for the award. 

How are the winners chosen?

An evaluative board made up of three external evaluators goes through the list of nominees and chooses the winners. This year’s evaluators were Dr. Noel Camilleri, Ms. Doris Bingley, and Mr. Trevor Fenech. Ms. Doris Bingley and Mr. Trevor Fenech are both members of the Malta Council for Voluntary Services.

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Are there national priorities or criteria for the winners to be chosen?

Mr. Mauro Pace Parascandalo, the Executive Secretary of the Council, told Lovin Malta that while there are no annual themes, there are certain requirements that need to be met. He pointed to the awards ceremony two years ago, when they only had one nominee in a category – much like HSBC this year – yet the organisation failed to reach the minimum requirements, meaning that category’s award was not given that year. 

What was Mrs. Muscat nominated for? 

She was nominated in relation to her work with the Marigold Foundation, however questions sent to the Malta Council about whether she was nominated for a specific initiative have not been answered by the time of publishing.

She also set up the National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support in Malta through the Marigold Foundation, so it could be speculated that it has to do with that work.

How can I nominate someone for the awards?

You can nominate someone that volunteers with you wherever you volunteer. If you do not make up part of a Voluntary Organisation or company, join one, and fill out the forms at the bottom of this page

Tag someone who deserves to win next year’s award!

READ NEXT: Maltese Couple Ditches Honeymoon Plans To Volunteer In Kenya

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

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