Gozitan Photographer Retires From The Service

By Anton F. Attard.

On Tuesday, 17th October, 2006, at the Electoral Office, Valletta, Malta, a farewell party was organized on the occasion of the retirement from work of Mr Joe Grech, a Gozitan Photographer, who for the last twenty-six years worked at Gozo Electoral Branch Office in Victoria.

Present for this activity were the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Edward Gatt; the Assistant Director, Mr. George Saliba; the Secretary to the Electoral Commission, Mr. Joe Calleja; and the employees who work at this officc. Mr. Gatt presented Mr. Grech with a gift as a memento bought by contributions from all the employees. Mr. Gatt said that since the few months he had known Mr. Grech, he came to know also what sterling work he had rendered to the Gozo Branch Office. He thanked for all that he had done, and wished him in his name and on behalf of all the employees of the Electoral Office happy retirement and many years of rest and free time.

On his part Mr. Joe Grech gave heartful thanks to the Chief Electoral Commissioner and all his other colleagues for all their help and unstinting cooperation throughout the years, especially whenever difficulties arose. He also thanked those officers who organized this farewell party. He also hinted at the fact that as an employee he was never after his own personal interests but always looked towards performing his duties as directed by his superiors and the Electoral Commission. He wished the employee who was about to fill the vacancy created by his retirement all the best and that he would carry out his duties on same lines as he had always done.

Mr. Joe Grech entered the Government Service as an Auxiliary Worker in 1975 and was a Photographer on loan with the Department of Information. In April 1980 he joined the Electoral Office to help with the renewal of Identity Cards in Gozo which was due to be carried out that year. An Electoral Office employee had suggested to him to open an Identity Card Office in Gozo. Within a few days this suggestion became a reality. Centrally situated premises formerly occupied an MMU Milk Bar became vacant and were soon earmarked for the new office. Mr Grech himself helped with the refurbishment of this new I.D. Card Office premises.

Throughout the years certain difficulties were not lacking, but Mr Grech never looked backwards. This Government Office is of great utility to the public in general and to all the citizens who make use of the services it offers, services not only for Gozitans but for the Maltese and foreigners alike.

After the General Elections of 1981, Mr Joe Grech was the only employee at the Gozo Branch Office. After the period of five or six years the number of employees increased. During the years this Electoral/I.D. Card Office was given a facelift and furnished with modern office equipment as it befits every public office in the present modern days, such as a photocopier, fax, computers, air-conditioner and as lately also a digital camera and printer.

Throughout the years Mr. Joe Grech worked with several Electoral Commissioners, among them Dr. Robert Stains, Mr. Joseph Caruana, Dr. Ina Cremona, Mr. Saviour Brincat, Mr. Francis Spiteri, Mr. Vincent Camilleri and recenty with Mr. Salvu Sant, and performed duties during General Elections, Local Council Elections and others.

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