Deborah Mallia, 21 years old, facilitator and teacher of English from the locality of H'Attard, was crowned Miss Malta 2008/2009 at the spectacular Grand Final Night of the 45th Annual “Miss Malta Competition” organised by GM Productions at the Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa on 22 November 2008.

Deborah is in the eleventh month of her reigning year, about to crown her successor on Saturday 14 November from among 20 finalists representing their respective localities, supported by the respective mayors of the local councils.

During her reigning year, Deborah visited well-wishers and received cash prize awards amounting to the sum of e1,160 as well as useful gifts and an international award of participation in Belarus, amounting to US $1,000 and e600 in travel expenses. Besides, she was awarded a 17-day stay in the five-star luxurious Victoria Palace Hotel in the Republic of Belarus, covering a memorable itinerary leading to the world finals of the 38th “Miss Intercontinental Pageant 2009”, where not less than 68 girls from different nations participated. Miss Venezuela, who was crowned “Miss International 2009”, was given a crown made of 750 platinum diamonds during the telecast, broadcast by ONI TV Channel from the gigantic football arena in Minsk

Miss Malta shared in the publicity of tourism in Malta, when she presented the “Malta Gift”, given to her by Dr Mario Demarco, to the mayor of Minsk at the Palace of the Republic.

During the participation in Belarus, Miss Malta visited the hospital for children suffering from cancer, where she promoted the Miss Malta image of “Beauty with Solidarity”. This visit was followed by the nations’ parade in the main streets of different locations including Crodo, Best, Gomel, Vitebsk and Mogilev, where Deborah wore a traditional Maltese costume, holding an Mdina Glass crystal knight of armour that was auctioned for fund-raising in aid of the children's hospital.