In a week punctuated by dramatic developments with near perfect timing, yet more scandals, and partisan trolling of the highest degree, the news that our Great Leader's wife, Michelle Muscat was named as National Volunteer of the Year perhaps raised the most eyebrows.

The Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector bestowed this accolade on the ever-humble Mrs Muscat although she couldn't make it in person to pick up her award as she was off collecting yet another award for tireless charity work, this time in the Bahamas of all places - much better weather this time of year you see. Anyway, her pipping of many other hardworking local volunteers to the post stirred up a lot of controversy and opposing opinion both in the press and on social media.

Mrs Muscat is known for her work with the Marigold Foundation - a charitable organisation that has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the past few years - as well as for swimming a 10km stretch of the coast to raise money for the same charity. While the work that she does for the bettering of society is impressive, important and by no means something to not be proud of, I cannot help but feel that the award would have been better suited to someone else. Many individuals in this country do not have nannies, chauffeurs, a personal assistant, and the resources of the nation at their disposal to carry out the valuable work that they do. It is these people that could do with the recognition, and the press attention that an award of this type would bestow. 

As Michelle's big win has somewhat overshadowed the good that members of our society do, I thought I would use this space to draw attention to just a couple of them. While I cannot offer them a shiny trophy for them to send one of their minions to collect while they are sunning themselves in the Caribbean, I hope that a few words in a newspaper will highlight the wonderfully selfless things they do.

Patricia Graham is an expat that has called Malta home for many years. She runs the Up in Arms EU Advisory Group and spends enormous amounts of her own time, and money to help individuals that have issues with landlords, tenants, employers, or companies such as Melita and ARMS. Always impartial, unbiased and rational, Patricia tirelessly campaigns and works to help those who are being targeted and abused by people and organisations that think they are above the law. She is a force to be reckoned with and has helped countless people, both local and foreign over the last few years. Patricia and her partner also foster local children, as well as taking care of babies that have been born dependent on drugs or alcohol.

Cami Appelgren-Cami has called Malta home for many years and her and her two children are something of local eco-warriors. The founder of Clean Up Malta, Cami has been responsible for over 30 clean ups all over the island and this is just the beginning. With a passion for the environment, reducing waste, and preserving the country we live in, she is a beacon of inspiration to those who encounter her. With a focus on changing people's attitudes to waste, and educating people on the consequences of our disposable lifestyles, not only is she cleaning up the disgusting rubbish that pollutes every inch of the countryside, but she is also working to make sure that we stop making the same mistakes. She believes in sustainability, accountability, and serious elbow grease when it comes to putting pride aside and getting down and dirty to improve Malta for generations to come.

Sarah Cachia and family. Several years ago, Jacob Cachia suffered a rare infection that left him in a coma with very little chance of surviving. Against all odds, he pulled through and although the journey to recovery has been a long, emotional, and arduous one, Jacob and his family have always tried to be positive. Instead of letting the trauma and stress of such a situation envelop them, they reached out to other families going through traumatic times and set up a network of survivors that meet for coffee and provide support and encouragement to each other. This progressed to the opening of Jacob's Brew coffee shop and the introduction of the Pay It Forward scheme where a stamped receipt can be passed on to someone in need who can redeem it for a free hot drink, as well as help to handle whatever situation life has thrown at them. Sarah and her family have dedicated every moment of their time to help and support others and to show people that no matter how dark the day is, there is always hope.

These are my three local heroes and people that I think should not only be recipients of such an award, but that could do with recognition and public attention for the hard work they do, off their own bat and because they genuinely care.

While we are here, I thought I would give a shout out to some other individuals that offer their time and compassion for the betterment of others - Dr Lara Dimitrijevic, Francesco Fenech Conti, Josette Frendo, Martina Caruana, Liliana Cachia, Rennie and Angele Cuschieri, Joanne Muscat, Victim Support Malta, Doris Zarb at CSAF, and all the volunteers at our hospitals and hospices. These are the people that deserve to be recognised for their volunteer work and these are the people that are true heroes without needing an agenda to carry out their work.

Well done for all your hard work Mrs Muscat, but next year, maybe pass up on signing your own nomination form and give someone else a chance?