When Carmen Gauci recently became president of the Maltese Association of Hobsons Bay she was filling a very big set of shoes.
Her predecessor Joe Attard had not only held the role for 33 years, but he was the only person who had ever held it.
Mr Attard founded the Maltese Association of Hobsons Bay in 1992 and served as its president right up until 9 November where he stood down aged 91.
Having long served as vice-president Ms Gauci was the obvious choice to take over, but the 71-year-old said it was only her title that had changed.
“I was doing the job more or less for a few years now, so it isn’t anything new for me,” Ms Gauci said, adding that she won’t be changing much.
“I’ll just keep it going like it is.”
A social club with between 300 and 400 members, the Maltese Association of Hobsons Bay meets on Tuesday nights and holds regular trips to places across Victoria and occasionally interstate and overseas.
Like most other members, Ms Gauci was born in Malta and moved to Australia in 1976.
She joined the association when Mr Attard founded it, first serving as president of the ladies auxiliary group, before becoming vice-president when the two incorporated.
One of her first acts since taking over as president was to bestow life membership on Mr Attard who she said would still be an active member.
“He’s still coming around and if we need advice he’s still there for us and I appreciate that.”
Inquiries: malteseassoc@hotmail.com
