It is the end of an era for the Alliance Française de Melbourne, as at its  2024 Annual General Meeting held on May 27th, Gilbert Ducasse announced his retirement from the board where he had served for many years as a director, including 9 years as President. Gilbert had also been elected as the first representative of the Asia Oceania region at the Board of the Alliances françaises in Paris.

Under his leadership, the AFM navigated the challenges of the COVID crisis,  the sale of the building  and the acquisition of a new one. Gilbert was a federating president who dedicated a great deal of his time, skills, and talent to serving the Francophonie.We are very grateful.

The French Alliance in Melbourne has been promoting the French language and culture in Australia since 1890. In Australia, there are approximately 30 Alliances Françaises, with 6 in the capital cities, in a global network of  829 Alliances Françaises in 135 countries..

The Alliance francaise in Australia  is also very well known for its  French Film Festival, the largest French Film Festival in the world outside France!