Head Teacher
Education & Experience
I hold a Master’s degree in Law from Université Paris-Sud and a Master’s in Human Resources from Université de Bretagne Sud. With over 7 years of experience in higher and adult education, I have worked as a university lecturer and academic coordinator for 5 years, and as an adult trainer for 2 years. These roles allowed me to design and deliver engaging and accessible courses, while supporting learners of all levels in achieving their goals.I am passionate about using creative and playful methods in education — from young learners to adults. Drawing from my background in theatre, I enjoy incorporating role-playing and real-life scenarios into lessons to make learning both dynamic and meaningful.
Interests
Originally from New Caledonia, I moved to Canberra to explore its rich cultural life and natural beauty. I enjoy spending time in nature, whether walking or cycling, and I take every opportunity to explore new places. I’m curious and open-minded, and I love discovering new environments and meeting people from different backgrounds — something I get to do every day here in Canberra. These moments of connection and discovery fuel my energy and creativity, both personally and professionally.
Teacher and DELF/ DALF national coordinator
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in economics ; General university Diploma in Economic and Social Administration (DEUG AES) at Paris XII university.
My work experience includes being President of parental private childcare in Nogent-sur-Marne and running a company for 20 years in France while also being active in other continents. I have taught French to children and adults in villages I crossed in both Asia and Africa. Finally since 2017 I have been a professor at the AF de Canberra and have also been engaged in French Telopea School
Interests
My teaching interests include Grammar, Practical vocabulary for daily life, Art, History,
Literature, Theatre, Gastronomy, and I have been a Disciple d’Escoffier Australie since 2020 and a Cheese manager IGA Ainslie
during 2018-2020.
Teacher
Education & Experience
I was born in the North of France. I passed my early teenage years in Ardèche which was a rebirth for me.
After undergraduate studies in ''philosophy and languages'' I started studying history and art history, firstly at
the université de Grenoble and then in Montpellier. In that energetic city I met many wonderful people, mainly the future father
of my daughter, with whom I left France.
I left at the age of 22 initially for Germany, then Italy, where I realised I loved teaching! After that we came to Australia where I
fell in love and I have been in Canberra for 20 years.
I have been an AF teacher since 2003 and this job is a love story for me. I love it because one never gets bored, there is so much to share and exchange, and my students have taught me as much as I have taught them!
Interests
I have always loved languages, our beautiful French culture, literature, poetry, philosophy and film as well as going out with friends,
drinking wine, music, dance, nature, hiking, which I can do so much of in Australia. I feel connected to this country.
It's been two years since I started dedicating time daily to Nietzsche and writing prose poetry. My work at the AF is important to me and I love sharing my interest for literature, philosophy, and French cinema with my advanced students.
Teacher
Education & Experience
In 2006, after a long working life with the French Foreign Affairs, I very happily retired and came back to Canberra, which I had left for at least 16 years... I very fortunately met the then director of the Alliance, Bertrand, who proposed to me to come and work with them. Not being a teacher by trade, I didn't feel not quite alright and but he did insist and proposed to me few hours. In 2007, the teaching post to the Breakfast Club, a conversation class of quite very good level, was available and I was quite nervous to accept but I gave it a try and believe it or not, I am still with them.... getting older together but very graciously.
Interests
I have developed a passion for teaching my language and I do hope to be able to do so... for a
while longer!
Director
Education & Experience
Master's Degree of Education studies and Graduate certificate of education (University of Canberra)
My passion for the French language and culture has driven my professional life for over 25 years. I began teaching French in Algeria and, since 2009, have continued my work in Australia. Success in teaching roles at institutions such as the Australian National University, the Alliance Française de Canberra (where I first joined in 2010), and the Department of Foreign Affairs inspired me to establish my own language school in 2019, the Canberra French Language Institute.
I am thrilled to be back at the Alliance Française de Canberra as its director, a place I hold dear to my heart. The Alliance has always been a cornerstone of my career, and I am deeply committed to furthering its mission of promoting French language and culture in our vibrant community.
Interests
Besides my love of languages, I enjoy cooking traditional Algerian dishes for my family, friends, and colleagues.
Administration Officer
Education & Experience
Born and raised in New Caledonia, I studied and lived most of my childhood in Noumea as well as in the Northern part in a small town named Temala. I studied British Literature, Linguistics and Civilisation at the University of New Caledonia and graduated in 2016.
Soon after, I started working as a French as Foreign Language Teacher and French/English Interpret, in the Alliance Francaise de Suva, in the Fiji Islands where I stayed working for 5 years. After the pandemic, I decided to move to Australia and I stayed in Sydney for a year. After a visit to Canberra, I fell in love with the Bush Capital and chose to stay. I started working for the Alliance Francaise de Canberra in March 2023 as both an Administration Assistant and a Casual French Teacher and I am so glad to be working with such a dynamic team here.
Interests
I am a huge nature lover, I love bush adventures, I binge-watch TV series a lot and I have an obsession for puppy videos on the
internet.
Administration Officer
Education & Experience
From the bustling offices of Mexico to the international corridors of Europe, my career has been a journey fueled by curiosity,
creativity, and a love for learning. With an MBA from the Universidad de Guanajuato, an Advanced Degree in Taxation, and a Bachelor’s in
Accounting, I began by mastering the numbers but quickly realized that strategy, collaboration, and innovation are what make work truly
meaningful.
In Belgium, at the Université libre de Bruxelles, I managed international projects and EU-funded programs, including Horizon Europe,
Erasmus+, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Each initiative challenged me to turn complex ideas into actionable results while fostering
partnerships across cultures. Certifications in SAP (Belgium) and Project Management Analytics (Australia) sharpened my analytical skills,
allowing me to pair precision with creativity in every project.
Today, in Canberra, I am part of the Alliance Française de Canberra, collaborating with a passionate team to build bridges between the
French-speaking world and Australia’s vibrant community.
Interests & Inspirations
Travel fuels my curiosity, letting me immerse myself in new cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Fashion, on the
other hand, is my creative playground, where I bring my ideas to life by designing pieces that reflect my personal style.
Since moving to Canberra, I have been captivated by its ever-changing sky from soft morning blues to radiant golden evenings. The meaning of
Canberra—“the meeting place”—feels like a perfect metaphor for life and work: a space where cultures, ideas, and perspectives converge.
This sense of wonder and connection drives me every day to learn, explore, and transform challenges into opportunities. For me, work is
never just about results; it is about people, culture, and the stories we create together.
Marketing, Communication and Culture Officer
Education & Experience
Master’s degree in Cultural Management and International Relations, bachelor's degree in political sciences
Born and raised in the North-West of France, I studied political sciences and international relations in the beautiful city of
Lyon. As part of my degree, I was lucky enough to spend an exchange year at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where I
studied communication and English literature. This year abroad was a true blast, and made me realise that I wanted to work and
live overseas. Passionate about culture, I decided to specialise in cultural diplomacy. After a wonderful experience in the
cultural department of the French Embassy in New Zealand, I moved to Portugal where I worked for two months at the French Institute in
Lisbon. Now, I'm delighted to be joining Australia and Canberra on a new journey at the Alliance Française, where I'll be working
as a marketing, culture and communication officer.
Interest : My greatest passion in life is travelling: I'm always planning my next adventure! I love
discovering new places, doing new hikes, meeting new people, tasting new food and speaking languages other than my own. I am also very
much into cinema and photography: my camera is never far from me!
AFC COMMITTEE for 2022-24 (following the AGM on 25 May 2024)
Ambassador of France to Australia
Honorary President
President
Education & Experience:
Hugh was born in France and was a professional tour guide until his move to Australia in 1982.
For the last 30 years he worked as a Manager for a leading international airline in Sydney, Paris, Cairns, Adelaide, Christchurch and Canberra. He has been involved for many years at the Alliance Francaise of Adelaide and Canberra.
Some of his goals as President are to grow the reach of the Alliance Francaise de Canberra to new markets, to increase its visibility through existing and new events and promote our location as a place where Francophones and Francophiles meet.
Vice-President
Education & Experience:
BA(Hons) MA(Hons)
Gordon is an art historian and retired academic. He taught art history and theory in Australian universities for over thirty years,
principally at the School of Art and Design at Australian National University where for ten years he was Head of the Art Theory Workshop,
and for seven years the Head of School.
Gordon has been a member of the executive, and treasurer and membership secretary of the Art Association of Australia and New Zealand
(AAANZ), and a member of the executive, secretary and chair of the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACUADS).
Gordon has been a student at the Alliance since 2013. He enjoys learning about all things French.
Vice-President
Education & Experience:
Judith has been part of the AF for several years taking part in lessons & all events.
For the past 5 years she has been on the board as she wanted to give back to the AF & their expertise & friendship has been very important.
She has been part of a work community which developed skills in administration, finance, risk, policy & research.
Her external activities has included dogs for most of her life & she is a judge, breeder & owner of lovely companions.
Secretary
Education & Experience:
BEc (Hons), MEc, PhD
Arthur has a keen interest in French culture, history and language — much of this stimulated and developed while living in Paris for several years and travelling across France. He also participates in cultural and language education activities at the Alliance Française.
Arthur pursued a career as an economic analyst and policy adviser. He was a senior executive in the Australian Department of Finance and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Arthur also worked for several years in a leading international organisation in Paris, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. He previously worked as a Lecturer and Senior Tutor at the Australian National University while undertaking his Ph.D. research in economics.
Member
Education & Experience:
Leslie Barnes is Associate Professor of French Studies at the Australian National University, where she teaches all levels of courses in French language and culture. She is the author of Vietnam and the Colonial Condition of French Literature (Nebraska, 2014) and co-editor of The Cinema of Rithy Panh: Everything Has a Soul (Rutgers, 2021).
Her daughter is enrolled at Telopea Park School and regularly attends camps and classes at the Alliance.
Member
Education & Experience:
BE (Martitime) (Hons), MBA, MDefStud, GAICD
Rupert is a long-term francophone and francophone, driven by an enduring passion: “What I love about French
culture is the value placed on style - anything worth doing must not just be done, it must be done elegantly and with panache.”
His career and personal travels have taken him to France and New Caledonia many times over three decades, as well as to Canada, Niger,
Morocco and Algeria. These opportunities were enabled by French language skills, thanks in part to completion of the DALF at the Alliance
Française de Canberra in 1999. He is therefore delighted to join the Board, in particular to help with strategy and infrastructure.
Rupert was a Brigadier in the Australian Army, whose service included: multiple operational tours (Bosnia, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Iraq
and Kuwait); Defence Attaché in the Australian Embassy Paris; Adviser to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
at the Parliament of Australia; then his final posting was Commandant of the Royal Military College of Australia. Subsequently, he
worked with the Business Council of Australia on community recovery following the 2019-2020 bushfires, then spent three years as a Senior
Expert on culture and leadership with McKinsey & Company. In 2024, he co-founded strategy and leadership consulting firm Balance
Partners.
Rupert has the honour to be a Chevalier
de l’ordre national du mérite (Knight
of the French National Order of Merit), and in 2017 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to international
relations.
Member
Education & Experience:
BE, MEM, MBA, PhD
Rim has been part of the Alliance Francaise de Canberra for more than 5 years. Having attended French schools overseas, she continues to have a keen interest in the French culture and language.
Rim’s professional background is in information technology. She has worked in various management and professional services roles across the higher education and private sectors in Australia and overseas.
She is currently a visiting fellow at the ANU. Her research interests include sustainable development and digital inclusion. Rim is also the AFRAN ACT hub leader.
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