On Thursday 12 May, HE Jean-Pierre Thébault, accompanied by the Consul General of France in Sydney, Ms. Anne Boillon and the Honorary Consul General of France in Melbourne, Ms. Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie awarded the insignia of the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) to three remarkable Victorian women:
- Prof. Véronique Duché,
- Dr. Jane Gilmour and
- Maitre Marie Wilkening-Lebrun.
Each of these three ladies have contributed greatly to the French community in Victoria through their hard work and their voluntary contributions throughout the years. Some examples of their work follows:
Prof. Véronique Duché cofounded the Forum de la Francophonie, and is the head of the French Trust at the University of Melbourne. She is also the current president of the Bastille Day French Festival.
Dr Jane Gilmour wrote a book on the life of Colette, is the co-editor of the French Australian Review published by ISFAR and was the President of the Bastille Day French Festival for three years.
Mrs Marie Wilkening-Lebrun, was the President of the French Australian Lawyers Society for many years, and continues to graciously help many French women in regard to family law in particular. She is also Vice President of the Bastille Day French Festival, a common theme it seems!
Congratulations to the three of them for a well-deserved distinction!