2025 French-Australian Excellence Awards: The finalists

Anne Bentley (NSW) is the General Manager of FANS (French-speaking Association of the North Shore), a cornerstone of French language and culture in Sydney. For over 25 years, FANS has enriched the community through its bilingual program at Killarney Heights Primary School, French language classes, and cultural events. With energy, creativity, and dedication, Anne leads the organisation in strengthening French-Australian cultural ties. After a successful career in communications, marketing, and events in the corporate world, Anne chose to apply her expertise to the non-profit sector, taking leadership roles in charities in Hong Kong and Perth before moving to Sydney. Today, she manages a thriving association of 800 members, 15 French teachers, and a bilingual program recognised within the AAFEBS network and accredited by LabelFrancÉducation. Under her leadership, FANS has launched initiatives that showcase the value of bilingual education. In 2025, the first bilingual school exchange took place between Killarney Heights Public School in Sydney and Camberwell Primary School in Melbourne. For the first time, 20 students travelled without parents, met their French pen pals, attended bilingual classes, and explored cultural life in another city—an initiative celebrated by the NSW Department of Education. That same year, the “Rallye Lecture,” a French reading challenge for primary school students, achieved record participation with nearly 3,000 books read in six weeks. For the first time, Camberwell Primary School students joined the challenge, expanding its reach and reinforcing a shared love of French literature. Admired for her professionalism and vision, Anne fosters an environment where children not only learn French but also live it as a pathway to friendship, curiosity, and belonging.

Solveig Coulon (NSW) is the founder and organiser of Le Marché, Sydney’s and Australia’s only monthly French market. Since launching in September 2020, she has grown it from a small local gathering in Willoughby into a cultural event that now welcomes over 100,000 visitors each year across three locations: the Entertainment Quarter, Woolwich Dock, and Willoughby. Praised for its authenticity and warm atmosphere, Le Marché offers a true taste of France in Australia. Visitors can discover authentic French cuisne, pastries and regional dishesalongside a curated selection of artisans offering handmade and French creations. More than a market, it has become a place of connection where people come together to share food, culture, and community spirit. Le Marché also acts as a platform for new entrepreneurs and small businesses. By giving space to farmers, chefs, and makers, Solveig has helped many launch and grow their ventures in front of a wide and engaged audience. Her focus on quality and curation ensures that every stall contributes to the market’s reputation as a destination for excellence and discovery. As a passionate ambassador for French culture in Australia, Solveig has built more than an event: she has created a cultural bridge. The French community sees Le Marché as a place where they can feel at home, while Sydneysiders embrace it as an authentic and joyful hub of gastronomy, craftsmanship, and creativity. Featured in Gourmet Traveller Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Daily Telegraph, Le Marché is now recognised as one of Sydney’s most distinctive markets and has been listed in the Top 20 best markets in Sydney by Timeout Sydney. Solveig’s vision and determination have turned it into both a celebration of French culture and a meaningful support system for local talents.

Born in France and now based in Australia, Pauline Maudy (QLD) is a singer and songwriter known for her band MZAZA. She is a passionate ambassador for the French language, identity, and storytelling, sharing the richness of French culture with Australian audiences through music, performance, and community engagement. In the last year alone, Pauline has performed over 40 shows across Australia, six in Europe, taught 45 free workshops, undertaken two residencies, and is currently a finalist in the Australian Folk Music Awards. Her innovative sound and artistic excellence have earned her multiple accolades, including the Australian Folk Music Artist of the Year Award (2023), the Lord Mayor’s Fellowship (2023), and three Queensland Music Awards for Best World Song (2015, 2016, and 2021). Notably, she was the first artist to win for songs written entirely in French. MZAZA’s 2020 album The Birth and Death of Stars was a finalist for Best Contemporary Folk Music Album at the Australian Folk Music Awards and received critical acclaim internationally. UK magazine Songlines described it as “a supernova of an album” and the album featured on the internationally recognised Transglobal World Music charts. Pauline regularly collaborates with artists abroad, representing France and Australia at residencies and collaborative projects, including Nufolk in Sicily and recent work with French/Belgian group l’Orchestre International du Vetex and Spanish/French/Belgian band Rumbaristas. She has also collaborated with French lyricist Boris Bergman (known for his work with Bashung and so much more), releasing one of his songs through Universal France. Pauline embodies creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence. She is a trailblazer in cross-cultural connection within the music industry, bringing French culture to audiences across Australia. Most importantly, she creates something new and truly unique: French music made in Australia. Through her artistry, collaborations, and leadership, she has become a cultural ambassador for the French community, enriching the national arts scene, strengthening Francophone identity, and making lasting contributions to French-Australian cultural relationships.

David Bitton (NSW), Owner and Managing Director of The Bitton Group, is a French-born and trained chef whose career spans more than 40 years across acclaimed dining establishments worldwide. Since arriving in Australia, David has become a leader in gastronomy, entrepreneurship, and Franco-Australian cultural exchange. In 2000, with his wife Sohani, David founded Bitton Alexandria, transforming a six-table café into a thriving community hub. Over 25 years, the Bitton Group has grown into a celebrated brand with multiple venues, an award-winning gourmet product line distributed nationwide, and international ventures including Dubai. David sold 60,000 copies of his cookbooks bringing French culinary excellence into homes across Australia and abroad. David’s impact extends well beyond his restaurants. Through Bitton Consulting, he mentors hospitality businesses across Australia, sharing expertise to help operators grow and succeed. He has collaborated with global French companies—including Perrier, Maison Perrier, Brioche Gourmet, and Magimix—bringing authentic French products and expertise into the Australian market. His ties to French schools and language programs have created meaningful opportunities for cultural engagement, including hosting beginner French lessons at Bitton, making the language and culture accessible to everyone. Over the years, the Bitton Group has raised more than $500,000 for charity, partnered with leading brands, and supported countless initiatives. Yet, David considers the human impact his greatest achievement: mentoring young chefs, guiding team members into leadership, and fostering an environment where staff and customers alike become family. In 2025, as Bitton Alexandria entered a new chapter under new custodians, David and Sohani celebrated 25 years of building a business defined by warmth, resilience, and connection. With Rose Bay, the product line, and new ventures ahead, David continues to bridge French heritage in Australia, leaving a lasting imprint on both industries and communities.

Born in Brittany, Yohann Godec (VIC) is quickly becoming one of Melbourne’s most exciting names in patisserie. Since launching Amann Patisserie in Carlton North with his partner Alizée, Yohann’s dedication, skill, and tireless work ethic have made a mark on Australia’s culinary scene. Amann began as a small “hole-in-the-wall” venture, yet it didn’t take long before it captured the attention of food lovers and major media alike. Within its first year, it was featured in Broadsheet, The Age, and numerous other publications, a remarkable achievement that reflects the exceptional quality of Yohann’s creations. The blending of cultures and backgrounds in his team reflects Yohann’s belief in inclusion and excellence. Whether it’s training a young French pastry apprentice or hiring local staff passionate about French patisserie, Yohann ensures that Amann is not just a workplace, but a supportive, high-standard environment where talent can thrive. Yohann and his team work around the clock to uphold the values the project started with: authenticity, precision, and passion. Their pastries, from traditional kouign-amann to inventive, modern creations, are a celebration of French heritage brought to life in Melbourne, a city that embraces cultural fusion.

Agathe Kerr is a French-Australian pastry chef and founder of Agathé Pâtisserie, a Melbourne institution renowned for its authentic yet innovative creations. Since opening at the South Melbourne Market in July 2015, and later expanding with Agathé Pâtisserie Petite in the Royal Arcade, she has been at the forefront of what the media has called Melbourne’s “croissant revolution.” Known for her mastery of both tradition and innovation, Kerr has created a cult following around her specialty viennoiseries, most notably the pandan croissant, which became so popular it led to a complete reorganisation of her kitchen to meet demand. Her professional journey reflects a unique blend of corporate and culinary worlds. After a career as a consultant with Accenture in Paris from 1998 to 2013, she pursued a professional reconversion, training at the École de Boulangerie et Pâtisserie de Paris and completing a stage at Lenôtre. She relocated to Melbourne in 2013, quickly capturing attention with her first public success at the Brighton Primary School Christmas fair, where her pastries sold out in just ten minutes. From a pop-up at Prahran Market to the establishment of her two boutiques, Kerr has built a reputation for combining French tradition with creative flair, offering croissants in flavors such as matcha, laksa, pandan, and striking bi-colour designs. Her work has received widespread acclaim, including the Gault & Millau Australia Award in 2018 and recognition in La Liste 2024, which named Agathé Pâtisserie among the best patisseries in the world. Dedicated to promoting French culinary heritage abroad, she exclusively uses premium French and European ingredients such as Valrhona chocolate, Callebaut, and Boiron fruit purées. She is also active in the French-Australian community, regularly collaborating with the Alliance Française, Bonne Maman, and cultural festivals including Paris to Provence and Bastille Day. Featured across Australian media, from Broadsheet to Good Food and television programs like The Living Room and Postcards, Agathe Kerr has become a celebrated figure in Melbourne’s food scene, embodying both the elegance of French patisserie and the vibrancy of contemporary Australian gastronomy.

Kate Reid (VIC) is the founder and primary driving force behind Lune Croissanterie, a bakery that has become globally famous for its croissants. Before crafting pastries, Kate was an aerospace engineer and worked as an aerodynamicist with the Williams F1 team in the UK. She eventually changed career paths, drawn by her love of baking and pastry technique. Her pursuit of the perfect croissant involves precise technique, experimentation, and often long hours. For example, in preparation for Lune’s early days, she tested and refined recipes obsessively, sought out experiences in Paris to learn from classic French boulangeries, and engineered elements of butter content and folding (lamination) to achieve that signature delicate flake paired with rich buttery flavour. Lune started in 2012 as a wholesale croissant supplier and has since grown into multiple stores across Melbourne, Brisbane, and more recently Sydney. Kate also published Lune: Croissants All Day, All Night and has been recognized with the French Order of Agricultural Merit for her contributions to French-style pastry in Australia. Her French connection comes through her training in Paris, her devotion to croissants—a staple of French cuisine—and being awarded by French institutions.

Germain Briand (Urban Canopee, VIC) is on a mission to reconnect people with nature by bringing it into our cities in innovative and impactful ways. He uses entrepreneurship and business as his vehicle for change. He believes in the following principles: - We must look to nature's workings and its timeless wisdom to resolve the many challenges we collectively face. - We must reconnect with nature to truly understand our unique human role on our beautiful blue spaceship. - Real change will only occur when we engage in this journey with our hearts and emotions, not just our rational minds. - Business is a powerful lever for economic and societal change at scale. Germain's Australian journey began 17 years ago. After 12 years in the petroleum industry, he made a drastic career shift into entrepreneurship. He founded Urban Canopee, which brings the benefits of trees to urban environments where actual trees cannot be planted by installing living shade structures. This venture has led him to spearhead the concept of nature-based tactical urbanism in Australia. More recently, he has embarked on a brand-new adventure in the fascinating world of bioluminescence, adding two new business activities to his portfolio. Aglae creates magical events by turning living plants into luminescent beauties when night falls, while Glowee seeks to re-enchant the world by illuminating our cities with biological light. Germain now lives at the crossroads of environment, art, science, innovation, and business, where cross-disciplinary actions are at the heart of his everyday endeavours. His professional journey is just beginning, and he is excited to see where it leads.

Manea Castet is a visionary entrepreneur and leader who has dedicated his career to building creative teams and launching innovative projects in the video game industry, both in France and in Australia. ;His entrepreneurial journey began right after graduation, when in 2009 he co-founded BYOOK, a pioneering studio of interactive digital books combining images, sound, and animation for mobile and tablet. As Director for seven years, he transformed an idea born in the classroom into a recognised company, growing a team of over 25 collaborators, securing funding, and developing international partnerships. This first venture highlighted his ability to create, unite, and turn bold concepts into reality. <p>In 2016, Manea joined Gameloft Montreal, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become Lead Producer. There, he spearheaded a landmark project in the company’s history: Disney Dreamlight Valley. As Lead Producer, Manea guided the game’s creation from conception to global launch, leading a team of more than 80 people. Under his leadership, the title reached over one million players within just ten days, later amassing millions more. It became one of Gameloft's most emblematic and profitable projects, driving a strategic shift towards PC and console markets, previously dominated by mobile. Building on this achievement, Manea was appointed in 2023 as Studio Manager of Gameloft Brisbane, where he has brought a renewed entrepreneurial drive. Under his leadership, the studio has grown rapidly, attracted international talent, and strengthened its reputation in Australia and beyond. He envisions Brisbane as a global creative hub, capable of standing alongside the world's great games capitals. From BYOOK in France to Gameloft Brisbane in Australia, Manea's journey perfectly reflects the strong ties between the two countries and the value of Franco-Australian collaboration. More than a manager, he embodies an entrepreneur at heart ,  someone who builds bridges between cultures, transforms ideas into success stories, and actively contributes to the visibility and growth of the French-Australian community.

Geoffroy Henry is a French entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Ofload, an innovative Australian logistics company launched in 2019. A graduate of ESSEC Business School, he previously held key operational roles at HelloFresh and managed last-mile logistics at BeCool, gaining extensive expertise in supply chain management and sustainable delivery solutions. Under Geoffroy's leadership, Ofload has developed a technology-driven platform that optimizes supply chains by reducing empty kilometers, increasing visibility of shipments, and supporting decarbonization efforts in the transport sector. His strategic vision has allowed the company to grow rapidly, recently securing AUD 60 million in funding to accelerate expansion. Ofload is now recognized as a leading player in sustainable logistics in Australia, with plans to extend its services across Southeast Asia. Geoffroy brings a strong link to France not only through his heritage and education but also in the way he integrates European best practices in operational efficiency and innovation into the Australian logistics industry. His leadership combines a global perspective with a focus on environmental responsibility, positioning Ofload at the forefront of modern, sustainable supply chain solutions.

Anthony Panel – The French Circus School-Entrepreneur, Educator, Cultural Connector. With over 20 years of experience as a gymnastics and circus teacher, Anthony Panel (The French Circus School, Melbourne) has inspired children through movement, creativity, and language. After moving from Normandy, France to Australia in 2019, Anthony founded The French Circus School in 2020 to share his passion for circus arts while making French language and culture accessible and engaging for young Australians. Anthony and his dedicated team deliver dynamic incursions and workshops across schools, kindergartens, and community events in Melbourne and beyond. His programs combine gymnastics, circus skills, and French immersion in a playful and educational way, engaging hundreds of children each year and helping them develop confidence, creativity, and coordination while discovering French culture. He has built strong collaborations with bilingual and French immersion schools, local educational institutions, and major cultural events including Bastille Day in Melbourne, festivals, and council initiatives, strengthening ties between French and Australian communities. Anthony continues to expand the reach of his school through innovative programs and community initiatives, highlighting the benefits of combining gymnastics, art, and language in education.

Dr. Fanny de Busserolles is a marine biologist and environmental advocate based in Australia. With a PhD from The University of Queensland, she has over 15 years of experience in deep-sea ecology, sensory neurobiology, and visual systems of marine life. Her research has been published in leading journals such as Nature and Science, contributing to our understanding of fish vision in low-light environments. Beyond her scientific work, Dr. de Busserolles is deeply committed to community engagement and environmental education. She co-founded *People For Nature*, a citizen-led charity dedicated to empowering Australians to protect biodiversity and build climate resilience through education, action, and science. In her role as Chief Program Officer at People For Nature, Dr. de Busserolles leads initiatives that make ecological issues accessible and actionable for the public. She develops educational tools and workshops, including collaborations with organizations like La Fresque du Climat, to simplify complex scientific information and inspire positive environmental change. Additionally, Dr. de Busserolles is involved with *Conservation Volunteers Australia*, aligning with their mission to empower all Australians to take simple yet powerful actions for nature. Her work bridges the gap between scientific research and community action, demonstrating how informed and engaged citizens can drive meaningful environmental change.

Jessica Leau is a dedicated renewable energy professional with six years of experience in the sector, specialising in energy market modelling, solar yield analysis, and lightning studies. She currently works with EY in Australia, where she applies her technical knowledge to driving innovation and sustainability in energy solutions. Her work has spanned complex aspects of the energy market, using data-driven modelling to forecast demand, grid behaviour, and renewable penetration. She analyses solar energy output to improve system design and performance, and undertakes lightning studies to ensure infrastructure resilience and safety. These contributions help make renewable energy deployments more efficient, reliable, and suited to Australia’s varied environment. Jessica is also an active voice in Australia’s STEM community. She has shared her insights publicly, speaking on panels about the role of women in clean energy and the need for sustainable practices in technology and infrastructure.([STEM Sisters][2]) Her expertise and leadership offer an example of how technical excellence and sustainability can go hand in hand. Through her work, Jessica Leau contributes significantly to Australia’s transition toward cleaner energy. By integrating technical modelling, renewable systems design, and resilient infrastructure analysis, she helps shape a more sustainable energy future. Her ongoing efforts are helping to bring about tangible progress in renewable energy adoption and innovation.

David is an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Australia, within the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management (SIRM). As co-founder of the World Sufficiency Lab (WSL), Paris, and with expensive experience in government, the UN, and the NFP sector, he is committed to introducing the sufficiency concept within Australia and the Indo-Pacific Region. In essence, sufficiency is about living well with ‘enough’. As defined by the IPCC (2022), ‘sufficiency measures and practices seek to avoid demand for energy, materials and other natural resources, while enabling well-being for all within planetary limits.’ France is successfully pursuing ‘sufficiency first’ approaches in tackling climate change, after becoming the first country to enshrine energy sufficiency in law in 2015. With AFRAN support, David co-organised the First International Sufficiency Summit (hybrid) in 2023, connecting an Adelaide audience with another at Sciences Po Paris and speakers from around the globe, and covering topics such as sufficiency in human settlements, clothing and food. This led to an AFRAN Sufficiency and Sustainable Management of Resources community, the launch of the WSL in 2024, and more recently to a 2025 AFRAN Workshop on Sufficiency and Adaptive Reuse involving leaders from the building and planning sector. David sees sufficiency as a critical element missing from Climate Policy in Australia, able to cut emissions by over 17%. With a passion for social justice and rebalancing resource consumption between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’, he strongly supports the ‘Zero Carbon for All’ tool recently launched by the WSL. This delivers country- specific timelines and trajectories based on a ‘fair-share’ principle.

Jenni Philippe is an Associate at Aurecon, a multinational engineering, design, and consulting company, where she leads initiatives to advance circular economy principles across Australia. Her role focuses on developing circular economy strategies and policies for both government and private sectors, ensuring sustainable infrastructure, design, and business practices. She emphasizes collaboration, leveraging her expertise in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and science to deliver solutions that create meaningful environmental and social impact. In addition to her work at Aurecon, Jenni serves as Co-Chair for the Infrastructure & Precincts Taskforce at Circular Australia, helping to shape national agendas and integrate circular principles into everyday practice. She guides cross-sector dialogue, fosters innovation, and ensures infrastructure projects support a regenerative economy. Her leadership reflects a commitment to excellence, delivering results that benefit clients while contributing to a healthier planet. Jenni’s expertise spans corporate strategy, decarbonisation and circular economy planning, ESG frameworks, stakeholder engagement, organisational change, and program management. She has applied her skills across multiple sectors, including the built environment, government, financial services, telecommunications, infrastructure, and education. Beyond her professional work, Jenni is an Ambassador for People For Nature, a citizen-led charity advocating biodiversity, climate action, and circular economy education. In this role, she runs workshops, supports community initiatives, and helps grow a movement of environmentally conscious citizens. With a career that combines technical expertise, strategic vision, and environmental advocacy, Jenni Philippe continues to influence sustainable practices in Australia, demonstrating how circular economy leadership can drive innovation, resilience, and positive change across industries.

Romain Bertin is a Partner & Director at CYLAD Australia, a management consulting firm, and the President of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), South Australia chapter.

Founded in 2007 in France, CYLAD supports technology-driven companies in shaping growth strategies, enhancing performance, and leading business transformations. From its origins as a boutique firm, CYLAD has evolved into a global consultancy of 150 professionals and nine offices across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Recognised by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Management Consulting Firms for four consecutive years (2022–2025), CYLAD continues to strengthen its global reputation for excellence.

Under Romain’s leadership, CYLAD successfully established sustainable operations in Australia. Romain began his career as an engineer at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands before joining CYLAD in France in 2013, where he worked with clients across Europe. In 2019, he was part of a pioneering team of three consultants deployed to Australia to support a major Defence program. When the program was unexpectedly terminated, Romain played a pivotal role in steering CYLAD through what could have marked the end of its presence in the country. Demonstrating resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial acumen, he rebuilt the practice project by project—delivering exceptional value to clients and laying a strong foundation for the firm’s long-term success in Australia.

CYLAD Australia has played a key role in supporting the international expansion of both French and Australian companies. Romain’s team has helped foreign companies successfully enter the Australian market—establishing bi-national program management teams for a new defence program, conducting market assessments for a rail infrastructure provider, and advising on offer strategies, bid preparation, and project delivery. In parallel, the team has also supported Australian companies in expanding globally. This includes developing APAC market entry strategies for a defence client and creating export plans for small and medium-sized enterprises across sectors such as healthcare, education, agri-tech, construction, and software.

Romain also actively contributes to the French-Australian business, cultural and social ecosystems through his engagement with the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI), French Assist, and HEC Paris alumni network.

Cynthia Dearin is an international business strategist, keynote speaker, author, and the founder of Dearin & Associates and the International Business Accelerator. With over two decades of experience spanning diplomacy, management consulting, and entrepreneurship, she has dedicated her career to helping companies seize global opportunities and scale internationally. She is also the host of the "Business Beyond Borders" podcast and the author of two books: the Amazon best-seller "Camels, Sheikhs and Billionaires" and "Business Beyond Borders: Take Your Company Global". Her work is driven by the conviction that we live in a globally interconnected economy where even small and medium-sized enterprises can reach international markets in ways that were once unimaginable. The rise of new economies has created billions of consumers with increasing buying power, dreams, and ambitions—clients and competitors at the same time. For Cynthia, international expansion is not just an opportunity but a necessity: companies that operate globally earn more, innovate more, and create better workplaces than those confined to a single market. Recognising the hurdles business owners face, Cynthia founded the International Business Accelerator to address three main challenges: creating effective strategies to enter international markets, generating the momentum to implement them, and accessing the capital to scale. Through this program, she empowers companies to amplify their strategy, momentum, and revenue, enabling them to make a lasting impact worldwide. Passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration, Cynthia continues to inspire and support business leaders in navigating the risks and rewards of global markets. Her mission is to equip ambitious companies with the tools and confidence to expand beyond borders, change their industries, and contribute to shaping the future of the global economy.

Charlie Page is the Country Manager for Australia & New Zealand at Pellenc ST, a French company renowned for its intelligent, connected sorting technologies designed for recycling and waste industries. He is responsible for overseeing local market strategy, customer success, and technical support across both countries. Pellenc ST produces its sorting equipment in France, with more than 2,500 machines currently operating in over 40 countries worldwide. This gives Charlie a strong link to French manufacturing heritage and the company’s leadership in sustainable technology. Under his leadership, Pellenc ST Australia has opened a new industrial test centre where customers can trial their own waste streams and benefit from expert advice on sorting strategies—an initiative Charlie has publicly supported. Charlie’s work involves balancing global standards with local needs: adapting solutions to Australian and New Zealand waste streams, navigating regulatory differences, and ensuring commercial viability. His role supports collaboration between French engineering excellence and local environmental concerns. While there’s limited public information about his personal history or French origins, his professional role as Country Manager at a France-headquartered firm anchors him firmly in the French-Australian business ecosystem. Through Charlie’s efforts, Pellenc ST ANZ continues strengthening the adoption of sustainable sorting technology in the region, promoting circular economy principles, and building stronger French-Australian industrial ties.

Renaud Joannes-Boyau is a French-Australian (Fraussie) geochemist and archaeologist whose work has transformed our understanding of early human history. Based at Southern Cross University, he leads the Geoarchaeology and Archaeometry Research Group (GARG) and is internationally recognised for developing advanced geochemical techniques to directly date fossil remains and archaeological materials. Renaud’s pioneering research has played a key role in major scientific discoveries, including the dating of the first of our kind, the oldest Homo sapiens discovered at Jebel Irhoud in Morocco, and the earliest known rock art in Sulawesi, Indonesia. His methods, combining Uranium-series, Electron Spin Resonance, and laser ablation technologies, are now used worldwide to investigate human evolution, symbolic behaviour, and the deep-time interactions between humans and their environments. With over $20 million in research funding and dozens of high-impact publications in Nature, Science, and PNAS, Renaud collaborates across disciplines and continents, from Southeast Asia and Africa to Europe and Australia. His work not only advances science but also contributes to ethical best practices in fossil analysis and cultural heritage, particularly in collaboration with Indigenous communities. Beyond the lab, Renaud is a passionate science communicator. He hosts the weekly ABC radio segment “Science with Frenchie”, has authored a science children’s book, and regularly appears in international newspapers, radio shows and documentaries, including on ARTE, BBC, Netflix, and PBS. His ability to bridge rigorous research and public engagement reflects his belief that science should be accessible, ethical, and inspiring. As a French-born scientist living and working in Australia, Renaud brings a uniquely global perspective to his work. He actively fosters French-Australian scientific exchange and mentorship, supporting early-career researchers and postgraduate students across diverse fields. Currently serving as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at Southern Cross University, Renaud continues to advocate for research excellence, innovation, and integrity at every level. His journey, from Bordeaux to Bundjalung Country, is grounded in a deep respect for the past, a love of discovery, and a commitment to advancing knowledge across borders.

Dr Jean-Philippe Ral is a French-Australian scientist helping to shape the future of food. Based in Canberra, he leads Australia’s national Future Protein Mission at CSIRO—an ambitious program working to develop healthier, more sustainable, and high-quality protein options for Australians and people around the world. Originally from France, Jean-Philippe completed his PhD in plant genetics and glycobiology at the University of Lille before moving to Australia to continue his scientific journey. Over the past 20 years, he has worked on making staple crops like wheat and barley not only more productive for farmers but also better for human health. His research has contributed to innovations like BARLEYmax™, a barley variety with proven benefits for gut health, and high-amylose wheat, which helps reduce blood sugar spikes—important for managing diabetes and improving diets globally. Jean-Philippe has always believed that science is stronger when people work together across borders. He has played a key role in connecting French and Australian scientists, helping to build lasting partnerships between CSIRO and France’s national research institute INRAE. Together, they’ve supported joint research projects and student exchanges, including with the University of Lille and INRAE Nantes, encouraging young researchers to experience science in both countries. Beyond the lab, Jean-Philippe actively contributes to the French–Australian scientific community through AFRAN (Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation) and events hosted by the French Embassy. He’s also passionate about inspiring the next generation, participating in science outreach activities—such as bilingual science programs at Telopea Park School in Canberra—to connect with students and share the excitement of discovery. With a career dedicated to making food better for people and the planet, and a deep commitment to international cooperation, Dr Jean-Philippe Ral is proud to represent the spirit of French–Australian excellence in research and innovation.

Thomas Roccia is a French cybersecurity researcher and entrepreneur based in Australia, known internationally for his work at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. With over fifteen years of experience, he currently serves as a Senior Threat Researcher at Microsoft and drives independent initiatives, creating open-source tools, methods, and training programs used worldwide. He is the creator of the NOVA framework (www>NovaHunting.ai), one of the first open-source projects designed to protect AI systems against adversarial use. His work has shaped how security teams detect and defend against emerging AI threats. His contributions extend to community projects, public research, and accessible technical communication. Thomas is also a trusted voice in the industry, frequently featured in international media and podcasts to share insights on AI security and threat intelligence. He authored the best-selling book Visual Threat Intelligence, which won the Indie Bronze Award in science and technology. The book introduced a visual approach to teaching cyber threat intelligence and is used globally by professionals and students. He regularly speaks and teach at leading events, including Black Hat, DEFCON, and multiple international security conferences. He has built a strong presence in the community, with more than 70,000 followers across social media, where he shares insights, research, and guidance. Known for leading developments in AI Security and Threat Intelligence, Thomas continues to strengthen French and Australian representation in these fields. In Australia, he actively supports the local cybersecurity ecosystem through talks and involvement with BSides Melbourne, BSides Sydney, BSides Gold Coast, Hack Sydney, the Malware Reverse Engineering Conference in Melbourne, and CyberCon, one of the country’s leading cybersecurity event. His French expertise also remains closely tied to Australia’s innovation ecosystem.