Event report • Networking
WA | 2019 Bastille Day Week-end
FACCI WA Chapter was pleased to organise 2 marvelous events for the 2019 Bastille Day weekend in Perth! Members and friends enjoyed the French "art de vivre"!
Bastille Day 2019 - “Vive la Revolution!”
Our FACCI WA Bastille Day Signature Event, celebrating the French National Day was doubly celebrated this year, with a VIP Business Brunch on the morning and a Bastille Day Ball in the evening. Both events served a purpose demonstrating the strong relationship France has with Australia.
Our morning event - VIP Business Brunch - hosted Politicians and Corporates who shared a carefully designed event at The Reveley, on the prime location of Elizabeth Key, prominently offering a fantastic view on the city’s skyline and the Swan river.
The tricolour of our French flag was glaringly displayed, sparkling served, and French pastries from Fantaizicake were set-up on tables to welcome the guests in this marvelous venue. Our 34 exclusive attendees had the pleasure of tasting traditional and contemporary French cuisine with croissants, Croque-Madame, Salmon bruschetta and delicious fresh fruits.
This event highlighting the French motto: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” perpetuated from the French Revolution, marked also the year of the closing of the Centenary of the WW1, with “the return of the Fallen” in March 2019. The Great War where more than 45,000 “Diggers” sacrificed their lives for France to be liberated in order to gain its freedom once more.
Our special guests: Hon. Chris Tallentire – MLA; Parliamentary secretary to the minister for water; fisheries; forestry; innovation and ICT; science, representing the Premier of the State of WA, Mark McGowan and the Hon. Bill Marmion – MLA; Deputy leader of the Opposition; Shadow minister for mine and petroleum; local government; defence issues; science, representing Liza Harvey the Leader of the opposition, gave a speech to highlight the French-Australian friendship and its importance for both countries’ economies and success.
After singing both French and Australian national anthems, our guests were entertained by the famous Nikki Daggostino accordion player, who created a Parisian atmosphere on Elizabeth Quay! They also had the opportunity to test their knowledge about French Culture & History through a Trivia Quizz, concluded with the draw of fantastic prizes including: a book on the Chateau de Gudanes, beauty and wellbeing products from French Elegance, Wine boxes, Maritime Museum of WA tickets…
This event represented the true relationship both Western Australia and France has nurtured for more than 100 years.
We would like to thank: the State Government for supporting our FACCI and especially Mr Chris Tallentire and the Hon Bill Marmion; our French and Australian companies who took part to this celebration; The Reveley for their professionalism; Nikki Daggostino for her fabulous music performance, and all our sponsors that enable us to distribute great prizes to our guests.
The celebration continued during the evening with – Bastille Day Ball - organized by the Team France: l’Alliance Française de Perth, la Maison de France and the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Our 160 guests were welcomed with a glass of sparkling in the marvelous venue of Claremont Yacht Club, especially decorated in blue white and red for the occasion.
Our guests had the pleasure of tasting traditional and contemporary French cuisine: French onion soup, boeuf bourguignon or fresh sea products, pastries & chocolates!
A raffle was organized for the attendees to win great prices: such as individual memberships for FACCI and Alliance Française, cinema memberships, cosmetics, books etc. The French singer Geraldine and French Jazz with the Frenchy’s entertained our guests with live performances of our favourite French songs, and the night ended after dancing on famous hits!
We would like to thank the Claremont Yatch Club for the fabulous food and service. Thank you to the singer Geraldine and French jazz with the Frenchy’s for the great entertainment.
A special thank you for the in-kind sponsors of the evening: Palace Cinema, French-Elegance, Fantaizicake, Chateau de Gudanes, Body Sensations, So Naturel, Arbonne and Serenity Kinesiology Innaloo.
Thank you to our guests who participated to both events during our 2019 Bastille Day Weekend and joined us to celebrate the French-Australian friendship! We hope to see you again next year!
