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Loreto Galea
won the 12th edition of the 'Premju Gieh Ghajnsielem'
for his outstanding contribution to the development of
the Ghajnsielem community and in particular for his
dedication and commitment to the St Joseph Band Club.
Loreto Galea, better known with his close friends and
relatives as 'Iz-Zuz', has been an active member of the
St Joseph Band since 1969. Beside his service as a
bandsman, Loreto is also an Archivist and a member of
the St Joseph Band Commission. He was also a member of
the Ghajnsielem F.C. committee for almost 15 years while
many people also remember him taking a leading role in
the annual street decorations before the Ghaqda Armar
was formed. He is currently also a member of the
''Ghajnsielem Ensemble' Orchestra, directed by Mro
Frankie Debono. |
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Loreto Galea was born in Ghajnsielem on the 14th December 1955,
son of the late ex-Police Sergeant Carmel and Gezwalda nee’
Cutajar. He commenced his educational background at the infants’
school of the Augustine Sisters in Hamri Street. He received his
primary education at the old state school in Hamri Street which
was later transferred to the new school at Jacque de Chambrai
Street. He later progressed to secondary education at the
Technical Institute in Victoria during which he achieved
G.C.E.‘O’ Level of Education. During his childhood, he served as
an altar boy at the Parish Church and at the Lourdes Chapel. He
was also a very active member at the Catholic Action Centre ably
led by Rev. Fr Carmel Cassar. During the 70’s he was also a
member of the “Ghaqda Rikrejattiva u Kulturali” of Ghajnsielem.
From since he was of a tender age, he always interested himself
in street decorations related to the village feast and he always
gave a helping hand, especially when the band platform had to be
mounted for band activities. He resembles his grand father
Guzeppi Cutajar who dedicated many time to prepare the street
decorations at Hamri Street for the titular feast.
Loreto entered the soccer scene with Ghajnsielem Football Club
during the less glorious years of the late 70’s and early 80’s,
during which period the ‘A’ team struggled against relegation
and honours were very scarce. His active membership with the
club lasted for about 15 years during which period he did his
utmost to see the club on the up.
From the band’s point of view, Loreto started playing the cornet
in 1969 and is still very active in playing the same instrument
up to date. He is a very exemplary bandsman and very rarely or
rather never absents himself from rehearsals or other band
commitments. This is his 39th anniversary since he first played
for the St. Joseph Band and although his health is not at its
best, he is still going very strong. He is the soloist of the
cornet section. During the most part of these years he served
also as a committee member and very lately he was also appointed
the band’s archivist and member of the Band Commission. Loreto
also plays in the church ensemble ably led by Mro Frank Debono.
At
present Loreto is employed as a Government Service employee and
is deployed as Assistant Storekeeper at the Construction and
Maintenance Unit within the Ministry for Gozo. Prior to this, he
served as a salesman with Bartoli Ltd. Later he opted to work on
his own as a self-employed salesman.
Loreto is married to Josephine nee’ Galea from Fontana and is
father of two boys, namely Neville and Savio and of two girls,
namely Maria and Mikela.
In 2006, Loreto Galea
won the 12th edition of the 'Premju Gieh Ghajnsielem'
for his outstanding contribution to the development of
the Ghajnsielem community and in particular for his
dedication and commitment to the St Joseph Band Club.
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