2015 was another great year for the ANU French Collective with President Alana Cunningham at the helm.
Semester 1
Semester 1 played host to another fantastic turnout at the first French Conversation Group for the year. Movie nights were enjoyed and a new relationship was founded with the ANU Russian Language Society as they teamed up to show the Franco/Russian production, Le Concert.
While no individual Pétanque Pique-Nique was had by the members, members of the Executive Team helped their friends at the Alliance Française de Canberra to host a Pétanque tournament at their open day. General Representative, Hannah, had a fantastic time playing pétanque with les petits suisses.
The petits déjeuners were well enjoyed – both the delicious crêpes at Breizh Café and the wonderful pastries from Silo Bakery made sure that our mornings were well nourished.
The main event was the annual Wine and Cheese Night, now in its fourth year, the ANU community knows that it is an event not to be missed. There was plenty of cheese from the lovely Mr Cheese at the Kingston Markets and enough French wine to ensure that guests didn’t go thirsty.
The main addition to the French Collective events calendar was the first Dessert Night at the new French restaurant, Les Bistronomes in Braddon. With the help of Vice-President Vivian, a deal was created with head chef Abel Bariller that let the members enjoy a fancy French dessert with a discounted drink. Although still on the pricier side of events, the members still appreciated the care that was put into each dessert and savoured every last mouthful. All while in company of other French Collective members. It was happily repeated in Semester 2.
Semester 2
Semester 2 was much the same. Every second Tuesday was spent at ANU Bar conversing in French and a lovely group of dedicated members was formed. Movie Nights switched venues due to booking difficulties but members enjoyed the comfy couches of the UniLodge common room.
The big event for Semester 2 was our Soirée Cocktail. Having had such a great event in 2014, Alana felt that 2015’s event had to be even better and looking back on it now, she believes she achieved this goal. The ANU French Collective was very humbled and grateful to be welcomed back by the Alliance Française de Canberra to host another Soirée.
The theme for 2015’s event was La Belle Epoque where members could imagine that blissful period between the two world wars and simply enjoy life. Dressing up in theme was welcome, nay; it was encouraged as there was a Best Dressed Competition with prizes! Indeed, what added to the success of 2015’s Soirée Cocktail was the number of sponsors the Collective managed to acquire. Their sponsors included the Embassies of France, Belgium and Switzerland, Homeleigh Grove, Palace Electric Cinemas and Croissant d’Or. The event simply could not have turned out as well as it did without their help. With help from the ANU French Collective’s entire executive team who spent hours preparing and cooking food, organising live music, bartenders and professional photography by Woroni, Alana would definitely call this the highlight of her time as ANU French Collective President.
Other events included another Tour du Lac where funds were raised once again for MS Research Australia. This event was inspired by a group of French cyclists, one whose father has Multiple Sclerosis, who did a world cycling tour raising money and awareness for the disease. In 2014, all the money that the ANU French Collective raised went to the team. Alana was actually fortunate enough to meet the cyclists when they passed through Sydney in March. It was a truly touching experience for her, having herself lived with the disease since 2008. At the Tour du Lac, members also had the opportunity to meet Sammy, who writes a blog, Fully Sick, about his experience as a young person living with MS. It was quite a special event all round, all spent out in the fine weather and allowed members to have a productive study break.
The ANU French Collective was also fortunate enough to be invited to the French Embassy for an afternoon conversation with French ambassador, his excellency, Christophe Lecourtier. It was a very insightful afternoon and members learnt about the daily life in an embassy as well as France's thoughts on a number of touchy subjects. He answered all our questions with poise and grace however and the members appreciated being able to have the experience.
The AGM was great in that the 2016 Executive Team will be made up of entirely new members due to many of the 2015 team graduating or heading on exchange. Nevertheless, Alana has absolute confidence in them and believes that they will be absolutely fine in everything they do.
Semester 1
Semester 1 played host to another fantastic turnout at the first French Conversation Group for the year. Movie nights were enjoyed and a new relationship was founded with the ANU Russian Language Society as they teamed up to show the Franco/Russian production, Le Concert.
While no individual Pétanque Pique-Nique was had by the members, members of the Executive Team helped their friends at the Alliance Française de Canberra to host a Pétanque tournament at their open day. General Representative, Hannah, had a fantastic time playing pétanque with les petits suisses.
The petits déjeuners were well enjoyed – both the delicious crêpes at Breizh Café and the wonderful pastries from Silo Bakery made sure that our mornings were well nourished.
The main event was the annual Wine and Cheese Night, now in its fourth year, the ANU community knows that it is an event not to be missed. There was plenty of cheese from the lovely Mr Cheese at the Kingston Markets and enough French wine to ensure that guests didn’t go thirsty.
The main addition to the French Collective events calendar was the first Dessert Night at the new French restaurant, Les Bistronomes in Braddon. With the help of Vice-President Vivian, a deal was created with head chef Abel Bariller that let the members enjoy a fancy French dessert with a discounted drink. Although still on the pricier side of events, the members still appreciated the care that was put into each dessert and savoured every last mouthful. All while in company of other French Collective members. It was happily repeated in Semester 2.
Semester 2
Semester 2 was much the same. Every second Tuesday was spent at ANU Bar conversing in French and a lovely group of dedicated members was formed. Movie Nights switched venues due to booking difficulties but members enjoyed the comfy couches of the UniLodge common room.
The big event for Semester 2 was our Soirée Cocktail. Having had such a great event in 2014, Alana felt that 2015’s event had to be even better and looking back on it now, she believes she achieved this goal. The ANU French Collective was very humbled and grateful to be welcomed back by the Alliance Française de Canberra to host another Soirée.
The theme for 2015’s event was La Belle Epoque where members could imagine that blissful period between the two world wars and simply enjoy life. Dressing up in theme was welcome, nay; it was encouraged as there was a Best Dressed Competition with prizes! Indeed, what added to the success of 2015’s Soirée Cocktail was the number of sponsors the Collective managed to acquire. Their sponsors included the Embassies of France, Belgium and Switzerland, Homeleigh Grove, Palace Electric Cinemas and Croissant d’Or. The event simply could not have turned out as well as it did without their help. With help from the ANU French Collective’s entire executive team who spent hours preparing and cooking food, organising live music, bartenders and professional photography by Woroni, Alana would definitely call this the highlight of her time as ANU French Collective President.
Other events included another Tour du Lac where funds were raised once again for MS Research Australia. This event was inspired by a group of French cyclists, one whose father has Multiple Sclerosis, who did a world cycling tour raising money and awareness for the disease. In 2014, all the money that the ANU French Collective raised went to the team. Alana was actually fortunate enough to meet the cyclists when they passed through Sydney in March. It was a truly touching experience for her, having herself lived with the disease since 2008. At the Tour du Lac, members also had the opportunity to meet Sammy, who writes a blog, Fully Sick, about his experience as a young person living with MS. It was quite a special event all round, all spent out in the fine weather and allowed members to have a productive study break.
The ANU French Collective was also fortunate enough to be invited to the French Embassy for an afternoon conversation with French ambassador, his excellency, Christophe Lecourtier. It was a very insightful afternoon and members learnt about the daily life in an embassy as well as France's thoughts on a number of touchy subjects. He answered all our questions with poise and grace however and the members appreciated being able to have the experience.
The AGM was great in that the 2016 Executive Team will be made up of entirely new members due to many of the 2015 team graduating or heading on exchange. Nevertheless, Alana has absolute confidence in them and believes that they will be absolutely fine in everything they do.