From the President

Chers Amis

For the majority of us I expect that this will be the most memorable Easter of our lives. Over the past month or so we have seen over a million of the world's population diagnosed with Covid 19 and over 95,000 Covid-related deaths. The disease has caused mayhem for national economies and wrought havoc in the lives of millions around the world who must comply with lockdowns and social distancing. It seems in many respects that Australia has fared better than many countries and while this is something for which we must be grateful, only continuing vigilance will see our good fortune continue. I wish you all 'bon courage' and hope that you all stay safe.

The social distancing requirements of both State and Commonwealth Governments have of course made all of our normal social functions impossible. Regrettably, this includes most of the items we had on our exciting list of proposed new activities for 2020. However, a unique exception may well be the holding of French language discussion groups as it seems that these could be conducted on-line via Zoom or some similar video conferencing facility. Sylvie Dubrulle is still accepting expressions of interest about this activity so please contact her or Mike Warren if you would like to participate.

Finally, I would like to congratulate our new Editor-in-Chief for La Mouette. Trish Dive has taken over from Clive Roberts who was our Editor for so many years.  It was with great regret that we learned that Clive is unwell and unable to continue this work for our Alliance.  I would like to thank Clive for all the many hours he has spent harassing contributors, gathering articles, editing drafts and meeting deadlines as Editor of La Mouette over the years and wish him a speedy recovery. I would also like to thank Trish for her generosity in taking on this serious task in our organisation.  Trish's work will be easier if she receives regular contributions and reports from members so please keep her in mind if you think that you have something to offer.
Robert McCombie

From the President

Chers Amis

The big news for our Alliance this month is the co-opting to the committee of two new members, Sylvie Dubrelle and Wal Wolzak which brings the strength of our committee to nine persons being the maximum allowed under our Constitution. I would like to offer my congratulations to both and thank them for joining us. It will make the Committee’s work much easier to have extra hands to help with running our Alliance. However, the main reason Sylvie and Wal offered to join us arises from their generosity in offering to work on so many of the items on the New Program of Activities identified at last month’s Welcome Party. A full list of these appears later in this newsletter together with the names and contact details of the relevant activity co-ordinator. If you would like to participate in any of these you should e-mail the relevant co-ordinator (cc to Secretary Mike Warren) to register your interest. It may be that some don’t attract a sufficient number of members to warrant implementation and these will not be proceeded with; so you should notify us by e-mail as soon as possible if you would really like to participate. There is no limit to the number of activities you can subscribe to. The introduction of new activities to our annual program doesn’t mean that we will lose any of the items which have been so well patronised in the past and this applies especially to our French Film Nights. So make a note in your diaries for the evening of 31 March when we will offer our first French film for 2020.

Meilleurs voeux

Rob McCombie

From the President

Chers Amis

Our big event to make a start to 2020 was the welcome function held at Mike and Lilias’ place on Saturday, 8 February and was attended by over 40 members and guests. This was an outstanding success given the absence of a number of members who were visiting interstate. A highlight of the evening was the generosity and culinary skill of the many who provided us with a tempting array of entrees, mains and desserts from regional France. I would like to thank all of those who brought something along and made the night a success. Another highlight was the attendance of two new members, John and Helen Verhelst who we welcome most warmly to our group.

Always with a sharp eye for an opportunity, Mme la Trésorière took advantage of the captive audience to canvass members about new activities which they would like to see added to our program this year. Many members made suggestions, some new and some which had been tried in the past, but all of which will be discussed at the next Committee meeting. The Committee is anxious to introduce new activities into our annual program and is open to seeking the assistance of ordinary members with special skills to ensure that they are implemented quickly and effectively. Our Editor is providing a list of the activities later in this edition. Please contact me or one of the other committee members if there is a particular activity which attracts your interest and in which you may be able to assist.

Our next event will be a French film night on 31 March so save the date in your diaries. We will advise you as soon as we have selected a film which, as always, will be sub-titled for the benefit of those who don’t speak French.

Meilleurs voeux

Rob McCombie

From the President

Chers Amis,

 We are often reminded in elite sporting competitions how yesterday’s cockerel can turn out to be today’s feather duster and so it was at this year’s running of the Coupe d’Antibes. Last year I was on a team which won the day but this year our team didn’t even get a place. Perhaps if I had spent more Saturday mornings at Mandeni with Clive I would have been more useful to my team mates. Les Trois Graces, skilfully led by Regine Kasper, were winners this year after defeating runners-up, Les Gagnants. And just to keep it in the family, Wolfgang waltzed off with the prize for the player with the most elegant style. As always, we had a fun day and with the weather gods smiling on us for a change and we enjoyed good company and good food after the game.

I would like to offer my congratulations to Emma Collins and Nate Wood, who are studying French at the South Coast Anglican College. Emma (Year 12) and Nate (Year 6) are the recipients of the 2019 Alliance Francaise de la Côte de Saphir Prizes for excellence in French studies. Well done Emma and Nate and also to their teacher, Jean Winterflood (who turns out to be a very handy pétanque player).

2019 has been a busy and successful year for our Alliance and your committee will be working hard to ensure that 2020 will be even better. I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the 2020 welcome party.

Joyeux Noel et bonne année

Rob McCombie  

From the President

Chers Amis,

Last Sunday we enjoyed our last French inspired lunch of the year at Wheelers’ Restaurant, Pambula. Thirty-two of our members enjoyed wonderful food, good wine and great company. Our Maître(sse) d’ got into the French flavour of the occasion wearing a French beret and greeted us all on arrival with a cheery ‘Bonjour’. Even the welcome shower of rain which fell while we were eating didn’t dampen our spirits. The only thing that slowed us down a bit was the trivia quiz which had most of us scratching our heads trying to remember critical names and dates. Not so, however, for Neil Porter and his team who carried off first prize in grand style. 2019 might be drawing to a close but there are still important dates to note in your calendars for the Alliance. The first is the wine tasting which is to be held at Mike Warren’s place on Friday, 29th November from 5pm till 7pm. Brent McKay of Amazing Grapes in Canberra is bringing us an excellent selection of very competitively prices French wines which will be delivered in time for your Christmas Festivities, so come along and discover some great French wines. A full list of what’s on offer appears below. The last event of the year will be the Annual Coupe d’Antibes and Christmas Party to be held at Mandeni Park on Sunday, 8 December at 10.00am. As usual it’s BYO everything except for a complimentary drink of Kir Royale, bubbly or soft drink on arrival. There will be lots of prizes on offer for pétanque players including one for the person with the most elegant style. It will be a lot of fun, so don’t miss out.

Amitiés,

Rob McCombie

From the President

Chers Amis

The big news for this edition of La Mouette is the holding of a very well attended Annual General Meeting on Monday, 2 September, which saw the re-election of six previous committee members as well as the election of our newest committee member, Trish Dive. Big congratulations to Trish who will bring new skills and ideas to the work of the committee. On the night of the AGM we were also treated to a French film, ‘C’est la Vie’ a comedy about a wedding organised by a wedding planner in which everything which could go wrong, actually does, but ends up being successful. It was enjoyed by all as was the dinner afterwards at the Top Pub.

On 29 September a group of members, and a large contingent of non-members, also enjoyed a performance of ancient and modern French music performed by members of the recorder group ‘Lumière’at St Clements Anglican Church. Congratulations to Kate Jorgenson and Lumiere on their fine performance.

Your committee is currently working on our program of activities for the rest of the year, the next of which will be lunch with a regional French food flavour at Wheelers Restaurant, Pambula, details below. Look out for Mike Warren’s email shortly which will give full information on how to book your place.

Amities Rob McCombie

From the President

Chers Amis

A wintry Salut to all of our members who haven’t travelled to warmer parts of Australia or, better still, a summery Europe. For our Alliance, the big event on the very near horizon is our Annual General Meeting which will be held in the CWA hall in Pambula at 5pm on Monday, 2 September. Nominations have already been received for all of the main office bearers so you needn’t fear the prospect of being press-ganged into joining the committee. There is the added inducement of complimentary nibbles and a glass or two of French wine followed by a screening of a French film, ‘C’est la Vie’! All of which will be followed by dinner with your fellow Alliance members at the Top Pub if you are so inclined. More details are in the September edition of La Mouette.

Could I also draw your attention to a performance by the Lumiere Recorder Ensemble which is going to offer a performance of French music from the 14th to the 20th centuries on Sunday, 29 September. This year the performance will be held at St Clements Anglican Church which will be a wonderful venue for the event which will be followed by afternoon tea and nibbles. Further details of the event are provided later in the September edition of La Mouette. Save the date in your diaries and, to help us plan the catering, let us know how many of you will be attending.

Amities Rob McCombie