Families and friends gathered as 48 people from various backgrounds in Gibraltar received the Gibraltar Medallions of Honour and Medallions of Distinction.

The ceremony held at Grand Battery House yesterday was attended by key figures in the community for the third event of its kind.

Recipients of the awards were recognised for their work and excellence in the fields of arts, education, journalism, politics, sports, military, telecommunications, tourism, law, medicine, economics and charity work.

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia and Mayor Adolfo Canepa, and presented by Clerk of Parliament Paul Martinez.

Speaking at the event, Mr Picardo said that while only a handful are selected for the Queen Birthday Honours, the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour and Distinction allows those who are important to Gibraltar and the community to be recognised.

He adds: “It is incredible to see hoteliers, telecommunications specialists and journalists who are usually rivals all in the same place today.

“Because you make Gibraltar what it is, and your rivalry pushes us further.

“You must not be afraid of running against each other because by running against each other, you make Gibraltar go further, and this is what we are recognising today.”

The recipients of the Medallion of Honour were: James Levy, George Bassadone, John Bassadone, Judge Felix Pizzarello, Chief Justice Anthony Dudley, Joe Garcia and Juan Carlos Perez.

Recipients of the Medallion of Distinction were: Joe Schembri, Lt Col (Retd) Mark Randall, Monsignor Mark Miles, James Felices, Humbert Hernandez, Alfred Cortes, Henry Pinna, Tommy Finlayson, Joe Gingell, Juaquin Bensusan, George Palao (deceased), William Serfaty, Joey Gabay (deceased), Joseph “Pepe” Romero, Mario Arroyo, Robert Balban, Dr Leslie Zammit (deceased), Jenny Montegriffo, Henry Sacramento, Mariola Summerfield, Carmen Gomez, Brian Callaghan, Ernest Francis (Sr), James Bossino, Georgina Cassar, Chris Walker, Arturo Taylor, Joe Santos, Anthony Avellano, John Shepherd Snr, A B Massias, Louis Peralta, Lucio Randall, Charlie Fortunato, James Ferro, Robert Goldwin, Douglas Harrison, Salvador Perez, Dr Rene Beguelin, Olivier Wasnaire, and Solomon Levy.

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