About Us

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The Alliance franҫaise de Ballarat provides a range of opportunities for French language and culture enthusiasts in the Ballarat region through social and educational activities and events. These include our weekly French language classes during school terms, monthly soirées and annual celebrations, such as La Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) in July. 

The Alliance franҫaise has a rich history. It was founded in Paris in 1883 as a national association to promote the French language around the world. Eminent public figures including Jules Verne, Louis Pasteur and Paul Cambon, were at the forefront of the organisation’s development. Today it is the leading cultural network worldwide with more than 1,000 branches on all five continents. 

Each Alliance franҫaise is a local not-for-profit organisation operating autonomously without political or religious affiliations. All work towards three essential tasks:

• Offering French classes for all;
• Spreading awareness of French and francophone culture;
• Promoting cultural diversity.

The 2023 Committee of the Alliance franҫaise de Ballarat is as follows:

Président: Dr Alastair Hurst

Trésorière: Dinah Toohey

Secrétaire: Dinah Toohey

Membres du Comité Général: Helen Harrison, Brenda Clemens, Karin Miller

Our committee comprises six volunteers, with roles defined as follows:

Président(e) – Chairs meetings, guides the organisation’s direction, acts as spokesperson for the organisation

Trésorier/Trésorière – Manages finances, writes financial reports, generates invoices.

Secrétaire – Manages organisation records, keeps minutes of meetings, co-ordinates external correspondence, receives and files documentation.

Membres du Comité Général – Attend meetings, assist with delivery of events, support goals of the organisation.