Bonne année et bienvenue à 2016 !!

I sincerely hope that you all had a wonderful time with family and friends over the break. It can be hectic trying to cram a year’s worth of fun into a few weeks, with those we only see at this time of year; but it’s always well worth it!

The new year, for our Alliance, brings with it a change of positions within our Committee. With some sadness, we farewell Margaret Gaunson as Secretary, while at the same time we are very happy to have her remain as a Committee member for the remainder of the year. As we all know, although the President of any group is the ‘front man’, it is the Secretary who really runs the show! Margaret has been the guiding hand of Alliance Française de la Côte de Saphir for more years than she would have liked, but in consideration of the group, has carried on until a new Secretary could be found.
I want to acknowledge here Margaret’s dedication, efficiency, energy, initiative, drive and rigour in her role over the years. We have been most fortunate to have had her expertise to rely upon when dealing with matters regarding insurance, the bureaucracy in Paris, running the AGM correctly, asset keeping and historical record keeping. There are far too many ‘little’ things that she keeps an eye on to mention here, but please know, Margaret, that all you have done over the years is greatly appreciated by the rest of the Committee and indeed the wider membership. Thank you.

So, on that note, we must now welcome our new Secretary, Mike Warren, who has so graciously taken up the charge, and has some rather impressive credentials to bring to the position as well. We thank you, Mike, for taking on this role and affording Margaret the break she truly deserves.

Well, your Alliance Committee is trying to plan a fun-filled 2016 for you, commencing with the Welcome Party on 13 February at Tura Beach. All the details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter, so please reply ASAP.

This year, we are hoping to have two movie events, as they have been so popular, an Easter Egg Hunt and French picnic, Bastille Day get-together, as well as the regular activities of Pétanque and Saturday Conversation mornings. If any of you have some ideas about what you would like us to be doing for you, please contact any one of the Committee members (details in La Mouette) - we are always open to suggestions and eager to hear from you.

Mike Warren has updated the Blog, so if you want to visit http://www.afsaphir.blogspot.com.au/ you will find lots of interesting information about all things French, as well as the main articles from La Mouette. Membership subscriptions are now due, so please send your cheque or EFT payment immediately, in order to enjoy the many functions to be provided in 2016. Tell your friends too, as they say in the classics, “Plus on est de fous, plus on rit!!”

À bientôt. Gai Jacobs
Mme la Présidente

Je Suis Paris, Nous Sommes Unis

In this time of great tragedy and sadness, we stand in solidarity and support with our French neighbours, against the barbaric assault on humanity which has taken place in Paris recently. And, of course, let us not forget those who have suffered such atrocities all over the globe, including Australia. I know many of our members have visited Paris only this year, and it is difficult to comprehend how something so horrific could happen in this beautiful, exciting and vibrant city which is loved by so many. I have no doubt that “liberté, égalité et fraternité” will prevail over this evil, and peace will be the sweetest revenge.

Vive la France!

On the home front now, and as from this issue, we have a new editor of La Mouette. Clive Roberts has taken over the task from Regine Kasper, who has produced the newsletter for the past 8 years. You can read Regine’s story further on in this issue, but on behalf of all members of the Alliance Française de la Côte de Saphir, I want to sincerely thank Regine for her remarkable contribution to the group by ensuring that La Mouette was issued expeditiously each month for our enjoyment. Anyone who has had to undertake such a task will appreciate what an enormous commitment this is; the deadline looms large every single month and cannot be ignored; I think most of us just take it for granted that La Mouette will appear before the start of each month without giving much thought to how it actually gets there! Well, please know, Regine, that your enduring dedication is greatly appreciated. We also thank Clive for stepping into these very large shoes and wish him well in the task ahead. Clive has already had some experience in producing the newsletter and acquitted himself splendidly!

Gai Jacobs
Mme la Présidente

French influence in Morocco

Did you know.... ... that in 1912, French parfumeurs began to mass cultivate the bush Rosa centifolia in Morocco's Vallée des Roses, and today there are hundreds of kilometers of rose hedges and two factories in the valley distilling rose essence? That the Barbary lion is Morocco's national animal?  That the liver, not the heart, is considered to be the symbol of love in Morocco?  That Morocco is the largest processor and exporter of sardines in the world?

Well, if you came to the Moroccan Lunch at the Wharf Restaurant on Sunday, the 11th of October, you would know all of this and more! The eighteen diners were well entertained with good company, good food and good fun by means of the trivia quiz researched and delivered by our own "Michel Lapin".

If you missed that one, don't despair, as there are more opportunities coming up: the first of which is the Christmas picnic and pétanque day at Mandeni on 29 November. Please mark the day in your diary now!

Touch of Red – Starting the Year in French Style

In lieu of starting 2015 with a ‘bang’, our Alliance Française de la Côte de Saphir, started it with the ‘pop’ of champagne corks! (Seems like this is how we start most of our events!!!!!) 

Thanks to the generous hospitality of our hosts, Margaret and Bruce Gaunson, La Fête de Bienvenue, or Welcome Party, was another wonderful evening, celebrated in French style with friends, fabulous food and fine wine. This year, since the day happened to fall on 14 February, it was themed for Valentine’s Day as “A Touch of Red”. Everyone joined the fun by wearing something red, and those, who had no red to wear, brought it bottled! Once again the quality and variety of the dishes, provided by those attending, was remarkable and there were very few crumbs of anything left over.

AF French Film Festival 2016

For information, please click HERE

Pétanque

Alliance members meet to play pétanque at Mandeni Family Fun Park twice every month - on the 2nd Friday and the last Saturday. No prior experience is needed and newcomers would be most welcome! 

Just come along, bring your morning coffee and have fun playing this challenging game. Bring your own boules or borrow the club’s. Cost is $2 a head for hiring the two pétanque pistes. 

The BBQ afterwards has now become a tradition so why not join us for an enjoyable time. A fee of $2 a head is collected for use of the Mandeni BBQ facilities. If you have any questions please ring Clive Roberts on 6495 9324 (h). 

Location Mandeni Family Fun Park, Sapphire Coast Drive, 1.5 kms north of Tura Beach Drive. Turn left next to “Za’s Stonehouse”.

Current French conversation arrangements:

Informal French language discussion for "students" and "learners" take place on the first Saturday of the month.

Where: Poppy's Cafe, Merimbula 

When: 10am 

Look for Robert McCombie (mobile: 0407294486), who leads the discussion.  All current members of the Alliance Francaise are welcome.