The day also commemorates the arrival of what is historically known as the Santa Marija convoy. Operation Pedestal was a British convoy of 15 merchant ships that barely made it to Malta with food, ammunition and provisions in August 1942 during the World War II.

If the convoy had not arrived Malta and the British garrision would have surrendered to the German and Italian Axis forces. The arrival of the convoy was deemed miraculous after other convoys in previous months which had attempted to reach the island were sunk after they were bombed by the Axis.

A ceremony was held on Tuesday at the Grand Harbour in remembrance of the victims of the historic event of the Santa Marija Convoy. It also praised anyone who in one way or another contributed to the victory of the Allies during the War. Several war veterans attended the ceremony. Poems and short notes were read in remembrance of the event. Wreaths of flowers were cast into the sea while a dramatized salute was performed in traditional costumes of that era. The Great Siege Bell tolled as those present observed a minute of silence in honour of those who had given up their lives in the war effort.

In turn, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Operation Pedestal, last Sunday the Maltese Australian Association held a wreath laying ceremonies at at the Shrine of Remembrance and the Shelter of Peace, in Melbourne. The ceremony started at the Cenotaph, Shrine of Remembrance where President of the Association, Mr Ben Soler laid a wreath. Afterwards, the Association marched to the Shelter of Peace, a Maltese Memorial, only a short walking distance from the Shrine, following the Royal Australian Navy Band. Upon arrival prayers were recited, followed by speeches.

One of the speeches, by Mrs L. Christopherson AM, was dedicated to the women of Malta during the War. The wreath laying ceremony followed soon after and saw the participation of the Consul of Malta in Victoria, Mrs Angele Azzopardi. Finally the Navy Band played the National Anthems of Malta, God Save the Queen, US, and Advance Australia Fair.

In Gozo the traditional agrarian exhibition is held at Villa Rundle Gardens in Victoria. The annual exhibition is organized by the Agrarian, Industrial and Cultural Society of Gozo and hands out prizes for the best fruit and vegetable exhibits.

The feast is also synonymous with a period of rest, with thousands of workers enjoying the annual shut-down and crossing over between Malta and Gozo.

For more information about feasts in Malta and Gozo visit MaltaMedia's special feature: Festa Season 2006.