political profile
by Elena Scialtiel of the hottest topics in our society which an up-and-coming political party cannot fail to tackle — parents must always keep in mind the youngsters’ ultimate welfare, and remember that if they want their children to be respected they must teach them about respect in the first place. Even closer to Moira’s heart is her policy for ‘Persons with Disabilities’ and their education and training: she feels that in the current system there is little drive to include them in the workplace, and she pledges to do her best to enable them to become active members of their society. Instead of ‘pensioning them off’ with an allowance, which isolates them as burdens with their ‘special’ stigma — just a sorry euphemism for exclusion — Moira believes they ought to be empowered to take on a dignified job so they could be, and feel, independent adults, boosting their self-esteem, perhaps with the introduction of cottage industries and sheltered employment. Moira feels the PDP has a great vibe in the committee make-up, where the input is balanced between male and female members,
each giving their slant on issues and watching the world through different eyes. She’s very pleased with the way they get along not only at their official meetings, but also socially, keeping constantly in touch like close friends do. She’s got nothing but words of praise for their leader Keith Azopardi, a true primus inter pares who knows how to bring out the best of everyone when brainstorming for their ultimate goal: investing in Gibraltar’s growth. Moira will put her name forward as a candidate for the next elections, but what really matters to her is voicing her opinion and actively doing something for what she believes in, because after all this is what democracy is about — not standing by watching idly and whining every time some-
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thing goes wrong, but standing up for one’s rights and acting first-hand to fix the shortcomings, no matter how much elbow grease one has to use in the process! This is exactly what Moira is doing, after a fulfilling life as daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, and most of all counting on her experience with generations of pupils who still greet her as if she was part of the family. “Primary school teachers often become a sort of parental figure to their pupils who look up to them with sheer admiration, and that is a huge responsibility because one can deeply influence them just with one’s mannerism. That’s why I believe teaching is a true vocation and labour of love, and I don’t regret it one minute. I loved the thrill of being in the classroom,
the buzz and excitement at every little adventure of learning. I feel privileged to have laid the foundations for their success in life.” A teacher for almost 30 years, Moira is the epitome of pictureperfect family life: third of seven siblings, she married Martin, now a retired Royal Gibraltar Police officer, 42 years ago, and they have two daughters and a son. An active outdoors lover, Moira enjoys gardening, camping and hiking. Actually, her greatest hope is keeping fit and being able to ski until she can teach her four grandchildren to take the snowy slopes by storm. In the meantime, she encourages them to recycle and protect their environment, because no action is too small in anyone’s bid to do their share to save the planet. n
Primary school teachers often become a sort of parental figure to their pupils who look up to them with sheer admiration, and that is a huge responsibility because one can deeply influence them just with one’s mannerism. That’s why I believe teaching is a true vocation and labour of love
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2011
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