Oct 27 - Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire Gibraltar Association Established
A new association for persons appointed to the Order of the British Empire and holders of the British Empire Medal was established during the course of a general meeting held last week at the John Mackintosh Hall.
The Association’s objects as set out in its constitution are-
(a) to promote loyalty to our Sovereign;
(b) to foster love of and pride in British nationality and to promote good citizenship in Gibraltar by example and encouragement;
(c) to promote and organise social and cultural activities for members;
(d) to undertake social, charitable and general cultural activities in support of the community; and
(e) to conduct commemorative or other activities for the purposes of promoting the above objects;
The Association’s powers include the performance of functions reasonably consistent with its objects; the open expression of the collective opinion of the Association and the nomination of any person in Gibraltar considered meritorious for appointment to any of the classes of the Order of the British Empire or for the award of the British Empire Medal.
Membership of the Association is open to persons appointed to any of the following five classes of the Order of the British Empire-
• Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE).
• Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE).
• Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).
• Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
• Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Membership is also open to persons who have been awarded the British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service (BEM) because the medal is affiliated with the Order.
Any eligible person may on lodging a confirmation of the desire to become a member of the Association will automatically be admitted as a member.
An Executive Committee consisting of the following members has been voted into office-
• Chairman – Mr Richard Labrador, MBE
• Treasurer – Mr John Caetano, OBE
• Secretary – Mr Dennis Figueras, MBE, RD*
• Committee members – Mrs Cecilia Baldachino, MBE and Mr Alexis Almeda, MBE.
His Excellency the Governor, Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton, KCB, CBE, ADC has kindly accepted an invitation to become the Patron of the Association and His Worship the Mayor, The Hon Adolfo Canepa, GMH, OBE, MP has kindly accepted an invitation to become the Honorary President.
The establishment of the Association has been welcomed by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.
