17/06/2026
We had a very successful Rotary Club Malta Handover Dinner on 15 June at The Royal Malta Golf Club. 51 guests enjoyed an evening of food and celebrations, all in the Spirit of Rotary.
President Jelle Houtsma-Grech, after two years as President, handed over to Rotarian Kate Movergan...
President, Kate Movergan speech.
Dear Rotarians, guests, friends, and family,
Welcome, and thank you for being here tonight.
This evening marks a significant milestone in the history of Rotary Club Malta. As we approach next year's 60th anniversary of service, we celebrate not only our enduring commitment to Service Above Self, but also a new chapter for our Club: for the first time, a woman has the honour of serving as a President.
I am deeply proud to stand before you in this role. This moment reflects the values that define Rotary - service, integrity, inclusion, and the belief that leadership is strengthened by diverse voices. It is both a privilege and a responsibility, and one that I accept with gratitude and optimism for what we can achieve together.
It is also especially meaningful because my six-year-old daughter is here with us tonight. When I look at her, I am reminded why service matters. We are not only working for today. We are helping shape the future for the next generation.
And that brings me to one of the ideas that inspires me most: the idea of Seven Generations.
It is a simple but powerful thought. Before making decisions, we should ask ourselves how they might affect people many generations from now. Not just next year. Not just our lifetime. But generations into the future.
When I think about that, I think about my daughter and the world she will grow up in.
What kind of community will she inherit?
What values will we leave behind?
What example will we set?
I joined Rotary at a time when life was asking me challenging questions.
Rotary reminded me that even during difficult times, we can still make a positive difference.
One thing that helped me greatly during those years was imagination.
I can keep believing it is all about planning and strategy. We often think imagination belongs to children. But I believe adults need it just as much.
Imagination helps us see possibilities when situations seem difficult.
It helps us see light when there appears to be no way forward.
Every change, every solution, every act of progress begins with someone believing things can be better.
Children understand this naturally. A box becomes a castle, a stick becomes a magic wand. As adults, we often forget this ability.
Rotary helps us find it again.
It helps us to use creativity to build stronger communities, find better opportunities, and have a kinder world.
As I mentioned before next year, our club will celebrate its 60th anniversary.
Sixty years.
When I think about that, I am fascinated by how much this club has changed over the decades.
Different members, projects, generations.
And yet the heart of Rotary remains exactly the same: service above self.
The world changes, but our commitment to helping others continues.
As we begin this new year, I am excited about several projects that reflect that spirit.
We are continuing keep traditions and supporting dar il-Kaptan with furniture for children ward.
I am also looking forward to start our Book Cross initiative.
Book Cross is about sharing books in different languages across Malta. As a home to people from more than 150 nationalities, Malta is rich in cultures, languages, and stories. This initiative aims to celebrate that diversity by making books accessible to all and encouraging them to travel through our communities.
Books open doors. Stories cross borders. Ideas bring people together.
A book shared in one locality may inspire someone from a completely different background, showing a new perspective and experience.
While some of our projects focus on strengthening our local community, others look beyond Malta and explore how we can contribute to positive change internationally.
One opportunity currently under consideration is a potential collaboration with Uplift Afghanistan. As this initiative is still in its early stages, any involvement will be carefully assessed to ensure it aligns with Rotary’s values and can make a meaningful impact.
What makes this especially inspiring is that the programme coordinator was once a Rotary scholarship herself.
Rotary invested in her future, and today she is creating opportunities for others.
To me, that reflects the true spirit of Rotary: investing in people so they can make a difference in the lives of others.
This is the kind of impact I hope will define our year together - not projects for publicity, but projects with purpose (cause). Projects that bring people together, create opportunities, and leave a lasting positive impact.
As President, my hope is simple:
To build a club where people belong, ideas become action, and service creates lasting impact.
And finally, let me say something not only to my daughter, but to the child each of us once was.
I hope that as you grow up, you will remember that helping others is never a waste of time.
Be kind. Be curious. Be brave enough to envision a better future.
And when life becomes difficult, never lose your sense of wonder.
Because imagination helps us find hope when hope feels far away.
It helps us find light when things feel dark.
And very often, it helps us discover that there is a way forward.
Thank you all for your trust, your friendship, and your commitment to service.
I look forward to this journey together.
Thank you.
Kate Movergan
