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Newsletter of the Francophone Association of Southern Sydney
May 2016
Darook Park Galette du Roi picnic in January
Le Chandeleur Day
Our Chandeleur event, better known here as Pancake Day, was held again this year on February 6
at the Scout Hall in Caringbah. Although attendance was down this time, those who were there
enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon, eating delicious crêpes and enjoying cider and soft drinks.
Two of the Playgroup mothers came with their children, who seemed to enjoy running around the hall.
Although our two main cooks, Anne and Françoise, were unable to come, we had help from Anne Marie
Fryziuk, who made the batter, and Amy Mifsud, who cooked the crêpes. Amy is one of our younger
members; her weekend job is making the crêpes for Deli-France at Miranda Fair.
Thanks to them for their help – if you want to enjoy a crêpe, drop by and see Amy at Miranda.
Jan Boldeman
EST-CE QU’IL Y A DES NOUVELLES DE M. DE LA PÉROUSE ?
Lous XVI donnant des instructions à M. de La Pérouse
A painting by Nicolas André Monsiau, now in the Château de Versailles.
Jean François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse (1741 – 17 ?) was a French naval officer and long-term
enemy of the English commissioned by Louis XVI to explore the world in similar fashion to Britain’s Captain
James Cook. In 1785 his ships La Boussole and L’Astrolabe sailed from Brest and criss-crossed the Pacific.
After 12 of his men were killed in Samoa he landed in Botany Bay, where he was surprised to see a British
ship at anchor. Captain Arthur Phillip, veteran of wars against France, had arrived there with his load of
convicts 5 days earlier. Phillip moved his ships to Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) where he planted the
British flag, but Hunter in the Sirius remained in Botany Bay, where the French stayed to recuperate.
Despite earlier enmity, relationships were cordial and help offered. When some convicts escaped and went
to the French, they were immediately handed back to the British.
After six weeks La Pérouse and his ships sailed off into the vast Pacific, never to be seen again. After the
Revolution in 1789, relations were not good between France and Britain, which was often blamed by the
French for the disappearance of their explorer. Despite serious searching, his fate was not known until
1828, when their shipwreck was found off what is now Vanuatu.
Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were imprisoned during the Revolution and executed in 1793. The
last words of Louis XVI on the scaffold as he awaited the guillotine were to ask for news of his explorer: Estce qu’il y a des nouvelles de M. de La Pérouse ?
Jan B.
LA PEROUSE MUSEUM VISIT
On Sunday 29th May Anne has organized an excursion with a French-speaking guide for FASS members and
guests to the Museum at La Perouse, where we will see more of the life and achievements of the adventurous
explorer after whom the suburb is named. He arrived in Botany Bay only days after the British.
Meet at the Museum at 2 pm. The cost is $5.50 or $3.30 concession.
The Museum is located in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Anzac Parade in La Perouse, in the historic
cable station building.
French Extension Classes TERM 1, Taren Point Public School… Beau travail les enfants !
TERM 2 – TIMETABLE
Non-native French speakers
o K~Y3: Tuesdays (3.15->4.30pm)
o Y4~Y6: Mondays (3.30->4.45pm)
Native French speakers
o K~Y2: Tuesdays (4.15->6pm)
o Y3~Y6: Mondays*(4.45->6.15pm)
(* NEW CLASS – contact the teacher)
TERM 2 starts in Wk 2 (26/4)
or Wk 3 (2/5)
Contact
Laurence Maisonhaute
Mobile: 0481 564 571
[email protected]
C’est avec une grande satisfaction que
je viens féliciter tous les enfants qui ont
commencé les cours de français
soutenus à TTPS.
Merci pour leur investissement, bon
travail et enthousiasme. Que de progrès
accomplis au cours de ce terme !
Autour des thématiques de « Je me
présente », « Vive la rentrée », « Formes &
Couleurs », les enfants ont fait
connaissance et développé un véritable
dynamisme de groupe. C’est avec joie
qu’ils se retrouvent aux cours de français,
autour d’activités pédagogiques et
ludiques. Bravo les enfants !
Anna (Anglophone)
Activite “JE ME PRESENTE”
Ellouise (Anglophone)
Cours “Anglophone K-Y3”
Bientôt le TERME 2….
Nous continuerons sur les thématiques de « Ma famille », « La ronde des jours », « Mon
quotidien ».
Venez-nous rejoindre et échangez en francais !
De la part des parents…
Francophones vivant en Australie, nous avons été ravis d’apprendre que la
FASS proposait des cours pour les petits francophones. Laurence a très bien
organisé et structuré ses cours avec un côté ludique qui convient bien aux
jeunes enfants. Notre fils est dans le groupe des 5-6ans et a beaucoup
progressé en français au niveau de la prononciation et de la construction de
ses phrases. Il va aux cours de français avec grand plaisir et aime beaucoup
travailler avec Laurence. Elle est patiente et sait très bien s’adapter aux
différents groupes d’âge. Je recommanderai ce cours à toutes les familles
dont l’un des parents (ou les deux) est francophone et qui souhaiteraient
faire progresser leurs enfants en français tout en suivant une éducation dans
une école australienne.
Hilda (Lucas’s Mum, 5y1/2, Kindy)
Mon fils de 5 ans et demi s'est tout de suite senti à l'aise avec Laurence et
nous sommes très satisfaits des cours de français. Laurence a un très bon sens
du contact avec les enfants et est toujours souriante et chaleureuse. Elle
prend son travail au sérieux et les parents sont toujours tenus au courant du
programme et du progrès des enfants. Les aspects linguistiques couverts par
les cours sont solides et mon fils, n'ayant jamais dit une phrase en
français auparavant, a rapidement commencé à parler et à progresser. Le
programme FASS/Taren Point School est une excellente initiative qui
mérite d'être soutenue et encouragée. Susan (Thomas’s Mum, 5y1/2, Kindy)
Thomas, Ben, Tom
Cours “Francophones K-Y2’
Our son follows the French native
speaker group with Laurence and we're
extremely happy with his progress in the
language but also his confidence to
speak around others has sky rocketed.
Tom is very proud to speak French and
he is always very excited to go to his
French classes. Laurence has definitely
brought Tom to the next level within a
few lessons. Ludi (Tom’s Mum, 5y1/2, K)
French Playgroup
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Well, no need to introduce this one. You probably have
seen it once, twice, or seen the American version
(Birdcage with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane), but
who cares ! I must have seen for the last time 20+ years
ago, and will for sure enjoy its frantic camp humour. It
was until 2014 the most watched movie in the USA not
in the English language ! And it won best film at the
Golden Globes in 1979, and was nominated for three
Oscars the same year. At a time when everybody is
debating about same-sex marriage, the film is perfectly
relevant, but above all, it has to be one of the funniest
movies in French cinema...
Friday3rd June
All sessions start at7pm at the Hazelhurst theatrette
Duration:93 Minutes
The group outside St Phil’s.
French Film Festival
On 19 April some FASS members attended. Here is
a report by Bob Head.
Le Paris des années 20. Marguerite Dumont est
une femme fortunée passionnée de musique et
d’opéra. Depuis des années elle chante
régulièrement devant son cercle d’habitués. Mais
Marguerite chante tragiquement faux et personne
ne le lui a jamais dit. Son mari et ses proches l’ont
toujours entretenue dans ses illusions. Tout se
complique le jour où elle se met en tête de se
produire devant un vrai public à l’Opéra.
Paris in the 1920’s. Marguerite is a rich woman
impassioned by her love of music and especially
opera. For years she would sing in a drawing room
setting in her mansion, to small groups of her
friends and family.
However, Marguerite has a terribly ‘off key’ voice
–but no-one dared tell her, not even her closest
friends and family. The situation comes to a climax
when she is placed in front of a real audience at a
major opera house!
The film is based on the real life of the well- known
American Flora Foster Jenkins –whose records are
still played on ABC FM today—as light relief!
Bushwalking Group
Coordinator: Ludy
The last hike was cancelled due to poor weather, but
another will be scheduled for late May or in June.
Watch out for a relevant email. Typical hikers pictured
below.
[email protected] Mobile 0449 997 802
UPCOMING EVENT
BASTILLE DAY, 14th JULY DINNER
As usual, we will be organizing a dinner to
celebrate this event.
More details later.
Type in:
FASS - Francophone Association of Southern Sydney
or
Go to the website and the Facebook logo is at the bottom
of the page.
FASS film nights
Venue: Hazelhurst Gallery, 782 Kingsway, Gymea
Screening and Discussion: 1st Friday of the month
Time: please arrive between 6.30 and 7.00pm
(projection starts at 7.10)
Contribution: FASS members $10.00
Guests $13.00
Food: own arrangements outside the venue
REGULAR FASS ACTIVITIES
School terms only
Editor’s Addition:
Conversation: Débutante / Beginners
Coordinator: Olivier.
Thursdays 5.00-6.00pm St. Phil’s, Caringbah.
Conversation: Intermédiaire / Intermediate
Coordinator: Jan.
Thursdays 5.00-6.00pm St. Phil’s, Caringbah
FASS Library News
Borrow DVDs for 2 weeks with a returnable deposit
of $20, on Monday and Thursday at Conversation
sessions.
Books, no deposit required, are in our collection.
See Sandra Hesford.
If you have an enquiry or would like to donate
items, please email FASS [email protected] or
FASS mobile 0467 037 920
For more information, go to
http://www.mirandamusicalsociety.com.au/