HE Dr George Bonello DuPuis

Father, notary, minister, sportsman and

High Commissioner of Malta to the United Kingdom

I had the fortune and privilege to serve my country as a diplomat at the Malta High Commission in United Kingdom for four years between 2001 and 2005. For the first three-and-a-half years, I was also fortunate and privileged to have HE Dr George Bonello DuPuis as my superior, being Malta’s High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.

Father, notary, politician and finally a diplomat. High Commissioner Bonello DuPuis was a catalyst in uniting the Maltese and Gozitan communities in the United Kingdom and was the founder of the popular event known as Malta Day UK, held in London. Having just commenced my London posting, he called me into his office and said to me: “You have experience with Maltese and Gozitan migrants in Australia, the United States and Canada, now I expect from you that you make a success story out of organising Malta Day UK.” I vividly recall responding: “I’m at your service, to our country and people in the United Kingdom – your wishes will come true.”

Having never looked back, together with the Organising Committee of Malta Day UK, we created an event attracting thousands of Maltese and Gozitans not only from around the United Kingdom, however, but also from continental Europe. Furthermore, he wanted il-Vittorja to signify the national day of Malta, on which, once a year, Maltese and Gozitans meet to commemorate our country’s glorious history. He suceeded. Maltese and Gozitan migrants in the United Kingdom are forever grateful and still celebrate Malta Day UK each year with pomp in unity. Malta Day UK is the only Maltese festa organised outside Malta on the European continent.

High Commissioner Bonello DuPuis was a true gentlemen: intelligent, humble and down to earth, practical, very energetic, altruistic, honest and integral, of clear and fastset principles, a sociable character, loved by all who knew him, a true patriot, an English language expert, a strong supporter of Arsenal, a team worker and, above all, a source of expertise in diverse subject matters who taught me so much during those three-and-a-half years.

A heartfelt thank you, High Commissioner, as I used to call him – and continued to do so, even after ending our duties and until the end. Although short in height, he was a giant in character and this will be his legacy: a legacy that gave me and our country an example and direction in the spheres of the economy, politics and sport, and united the Maltese and Gozitan migrants in the United Kingdom.

Dr Raymond C. Xerri

QALA