“The French National Day is a celebration of the values that define France, the values that transcend race and religion, values that are perpetual and noble, the values of liberté, égalité and fraternité.”
It is with these first lines that Mrs Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie, Honorary Consul General of France in Melbourne welcomed on this 14 July 2014 members of our community gathered around noon at the Shrine of Remembrance to celebrate the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day. French nationals,the French veterans (Anciens Combattants) and Australians were joined by young students from the French schools of Camberwell Primary School and Caulfield Junior College.
It is worth noting that this year’s Bastille Day celebrations occurred during the yearly commemoration of the First World War Centenary. It was therefore an occasion to remember further than our 1789 memories, an commemorate the union between France and Australia forged during the wars.
With this spirit, and with thanks to the Association des Anciens Combattants, the Governors of the Shrine and all the volunteers who allowed this commemoration service to be held, wreaths were laid in the memory of those who gave their lives for France by Ms Boisbouvier-Wylie, Mr Poumes of UFE and by the children.
Happy Bastille Day to you all!
