Arts, Culture, Entertainment & Events Award: The 2025 nominees

Xavier Barthelemy (NSW) is the artistic director and a founding member of Le Petit Theatre Sydney, a cultural association established in 2015 to promote the French language and Francophone culture through theatre in Australia. In his role, Xavier directs and oversees the selection of themes and plays, ensuring that each production balances intellectual depth with humor, while keeping audiences engaged and entertained. Xavier’s passion for theatre emerged early in his life in Toulouse, where he accompanied his family to numerous travelling stage shows, including operettas. Although he humorously recalls a brief ambition to become an “evil scientist” with a thirst for world domination, his love for the stage ultimately prevailed, guiding his energy toward theatre. Since arriving in Sydney, he has fully immersed himself in performing, directing, and shaping productions at Le Petit Theatre Sydney. Known for bringing creativity, spontaneity, and a touch of “craziness” to the association, Xavier constantly seeks intellectual reflection in play selection while maintaining a strong focus on comedy. His ultimate goal is to create performances that move audiences emotionally, making them laugh and cry, which he considers the greatest reward. Under Xavier’s artistic leadership, Le Petit Theatre Sydney produces French-language plays with English subtitles, making Francophone theatre accessible to a wider audience. The association also organises theatre workshops in French, led by professional tutors, providing opportunities for community members to engage with the French language and culture in a hands-on, immersive way.

Jack Beaumont (NSW) is the pseudonym of a former operative in the clandestine operations branch of the French foreign secret service, the DGSE. After joining the French Air Force in his late teens and training as a fighter pilot on Mirage 2000-5 aircraft, Beaumont transitioned into special operations and intelligence missions. Over the course of seven years, he led clandestine and offensive operations in various countries under false identities. Drawing from his extensive experience, Beaumont began writing espionage thrillers that offer an authentic glimpse into the world of international intelligence. His debut novel, The Frenchman, introduces readers to Alec de Payns, an undercover operative in the DGSE. The narrative delves into the complexities of moral dilemmas and covert operations, reflecting Beaumont's firsthand knowledge of the intelligence community. Currently residing in Sydney, Australia, Beaumont has participated in various literary events, including the Sydney Writers' Festival, where he shares insights from his unique background and discusses the art of crafting compelling spy fiction.

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.

Marie Chretien (NSW) is the Founder and Executive Chair of CulturePlus, an organisation dedicated to fostering cultural ties between Australia and France and promoting their respective artistic traditions. Through a wide range of initiatives—including art talks, conferences, symposiums, cultural evenings, film nights, festivals, and curated cultural travels—CulturePlus provides a vibrant platform where creativity, dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange can thrive. At the heart of CulturePlus’ mission is its commitment to supporting university art students as they transition into professional life. By offering networking, mentoring, and career development opportunities, the organisation helps nurture the next generation of Australian art professionals. Its flagship initiative, the Eloquence Art Prize, exemplifies this vision. Now entering its fourth year in 2025, the prize invites students from universities across Australia to engage with themes that explore Franco-Australian cultural ties. Finalists present their work at a grand event in a prestigious art venue, with awards including a trip to Paris to meet industry leaders, as well as mentorships and internships in Australia. Beyond career pathways for students, CulturePlus also enriches the wider cultural landscape by organising engaging, high-quality art events that bring together audiences from diverse backgrounds. These events aim not only to entertain but to deepen understanding of the arts as a cornerstone of cultural connection. Marie brings to CulturePlus a wealth of leadership experience in both the arts and cultural diplomacy. She was a Council Member of the Power Institute from 1996 to 2004 and served as Vice President and Director at the Alliance Française de Sydney for over 25 years (1997–2023), where she played a key role in shaping Franco-Australian cultural initiatives.

Aurélie is the founder of the podcast You are so French! Success stories à la française. Since arriving in Australia in 2013 on a working holiday visa, Aurélie Costes has been warmly welcomed by Melbourne and the broader Australian community. Proud of her French heritage yet deeply grateful for the generosity and bienveillance received so far from home, she has embraced the opportunity to build a life and career that bridges French and Australian culture. Her first professional chapter in Australia was with The Swatch Group, working across prestigious watchmaking houses and bringing the best of European craftsmanship, elegance, and savoir-faire to the Australian market. Yet her long-standing dream had always been to work in a museum. After becoming a mother, she chose to pursue that passion and joined Museums Victoria. Since 2023, she has been based at the Melbourne Museum, overlooking the magnificent Dome of the Royal Exhibition Building, a daily reminder of her love for heritage and culture. In her marketing role at Museums Victoria, she played a key part in the success of Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition at the Immigration Museum during the 2024–2025 summer. Promoting this extraordinary exhibition, created by the French company Histovery, allowed her to bring a little piece of Paris to Melbourne. The experience was deeply personal, reconnecting her with childhood visits to Parisian monuments and intertwining her past in France with her present life in Australia. Supported by family, friends, colleagues, and her extended network, she was proud to help make the exhibition a cultural highlight for the city. Her passion for sharing French culture also inspired the launch of her podcast You Are So French! Success Stories à la Française in 2021. Through more than 25 interviews with extraordinary guests, she has celebrated stories of French people building meaningful lives in Australia. Several of her guests have been nominated or awarded in previous years, and she now feels honoured to join their ranks as a nominee herself.

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.

Olivier David (WA) is an international executive and cultural entrepreneur whose career spans Paris, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Melbourne, and Perth. Over two decades in leadership positions across luxury goods, lifestyle, and the arts, he has developed a rare combination of expertise in business growth, P\&L management, customer experience, project management, and hands-on operations. His professional journey reflects both a commitment to excellence and an ability to innovate across industries and cultures. In 2024, Olivier brought this vision to life in Perth with the creation of OFFMARKET Gallery, a space that redefines the traditional art experience. Designed to feel more like a Parisian salon than a conventional white cube, the gallery opened with the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA, and has since become a distinctive cultural landmark. OFFMARKET invites audiences into a striking architect-designed home, offering an intimate and personal encounter with art. The gallery has quickly built a reputation for showcasing artists and designers with strong French connections, bridging cultural worlds and expanding the Australian art scene. Exhibitions have included Ortaire de Coupigny’s whimsical sardine-tin sculptures, Nathalie Du Pasquier’s bold Memphis Milano designs, and Jérémie Queyras’s lyrical paintings from Paris. Olivier has also introduced delicate works by Wang Suo Yuan, who has lived in Paris for two decades, alongside those of Christophe Canato, a French-Australian artist based in Perth. In 2025, Olivier expanded OFFMARKET’s reach to Melbourne, presenting Nathalie Du Pasquier’s *Manifesto* series for the opening of the new Alliance Française premises. Looking ahead, OFFMARKET is preparing an exhibition with Christophe Stibio, a French artist now based in Melbourne, furthering Olivier’s mission to foster meaningful artistic exchanges between France and Australia.

Donia Debah (NSW) is the founder and artistic director of Le French Comedy Club Sydney, an all-French stand-up comedy event established in 2024 to entertain Sydney’s Francophone community. Passionate about comedy and French culture, she and her troupe of comedians set out to fill a gap by offering French-language comedy shows in the city. Under her direction, Le French Comedy Club Sydney has become a must-visit venue for Francophone stand-up enthusiasts, offering evenings filled with laughter and camaraderie. The events attract a loyal audience eager to share moments of relaxation and joy in their native language. Donia Debah and her troupe are committed to providing a unique experience that blends humor and Francophone culture, continuing to shine a spotlight on the Francophone comedy scene in Sydney.

François Detaille (QLD) is a French-Australian fine-art aerial photographer based in Brisbane. After moving to Australia in 2014, he was captivated by the vastness, striking colors, and ancient landscapes of the continent, which inspired him to travel extensively across the country capturing its beauty from the air. His work explores the space between photography and painting, inviting viewers to interpret their own stories through the patterns and colors of the natural world.

Sandrine Decronumbourg and Olivier Mesrobian (NSW) are the founders of Mo Resin. Mo was born in Paris in the mid-60’s. He was raised and nourished in the Parisian artist enclaves of Saint-Germain des Prés as he prepared for“Les Beaux Arts”Academy. His early work was strongly influenced by the surrealism of Dali and De Chirrico and later he discovered Picasso and was enlightened by the spontaneous approach to art in Gaudi’s Barcelona. Inspired by such artistic spontaneity Mo establish an interior design consultancy based in Paris, exploring new ways to integrate sculpture and painting, he used light and harmony to bring life to his work. However Mo began to experience a deep desire to concentrate on his art, exploring new techniques combining an eclectic mix of materials with painting and In 2006 he was awarded a 1st place at “Art et Métier” school. On a trip to Sydney in 2005 Mo experienced the annual event Sculptures by the Sea and was heartened by the movement of space and freedom to work in the natural environment compelled him to settle in Sydney where he proudly became an Australian citizen in 2011. His fascination for the female form, curves and lines and the effects of light upon them led him to explore all the curvilinear possibilities offered by resin, furthermore the way that gold and silver leaf can be concealed within it.

Steve Jacques Du Casse (NSW), known on stage as Steve King, is a French-born entertainer now based in Sydney, celebrated for his role as an Elvis tribute artist. Born in France, he moved to Australia as a young teenager and built a life that bridges both cultures through performance, theatre, and music. He first made a name for himself after migrating to Sydney at age 13, completing his schooling in Australia. Before becoming “Steve King,” Steve worked in modelling and acting—he appeared in the Australian TV series *Sons and Daughters* playing a French master chef, and performed with the Sydney Opera Company. His journey into Elvis performance began somewhat by chance: after regularly being told he resembled Elvis, he was encouraged by fellow entertainers to sing, and soon his natural voice and stage presence took him into tribute shows and events. Steve’s *Legend of Elvis* show has become known for its polished production, vibrant costumes (including Las Vegas-style showgirls), and audience interaction—he brings people up on stage, distributes scarves, and creates a classic Elvis atmosphere through classics like *Love Me Tender*, *Can’t Help Falling in Love*, *Jailhouse Rock* and *American Trilogy*. He is certified by the Australian Bridal Service and has earned acclaim as Star City Casino’s “Elvis of Choice.” Media appearances include *The Morning Show* on Channel 7 and participation in high-profile events such as Melbourne Fashion Week. Steve King is known not just for impersonation, but for capturing the spirit of Elvis: voice, style, and charisma. Steve remains true to his roots and proud of his French background, while fully embracing Australian audiences. His performances are a celebration of cultural connection, musical heritage, and entertainment, admired by both Elvis fans and general audiences alike.

Dimitri Douchin (NSW) is a French-Australian astronomer and Co-Founder of Blue Mountains Stargazing and the Blue Mountains Dark Sky Initiative, whose work blends science, storytelling, and cultural connection. He holds a PhD in Astrophysics & Astronomy, and brings over ten years of guiding experience at institutions such as Sydney Observatory and Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley. In addition to sharing the night sky with the public through immersive tours in the Blue Mountains, Jervis Bay and Byron Bay, he is an Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University. ([Blue Mountains Stargazing][1]) His research focuses on Cultural Astronomy, collaborating with Aboriginal communities to recover astronomical heritage and exploring how different cultures across time have made meaning of the sky. Originally from France, Dimitri studied Physics and Fundamental Physics in Paris before relocating to Australia to complete his PhD. Under his leadership, Blue Mountains Stargazing has become known not just for breathtaking stargazing experiences, but for its commitment to dark sky preservation and for making astronomy accessible, engaging, and culturally grounded. When not observing the heavens, Dimitri pursues bushcraft, canoeing, personal development, and exploring ways to blend nature, culture and science in ways that inspire wonder.

Andrée Greenwell (NSW) is a renowned Australian composer, author of over one hundred scores for opera, theatre, dance, and film. She has collaborated with major institutions such as the Sydney Theatre Company and the Australian Dance Theatre. Her connections with France run deep: she has been a composer-in-residence at the Château de La Napoule, participated in the Women Opera Makers Workshop at the Aix-en-Provence Festival, and was also hosted by the Alliance Française de Sydney as part of Philo Bistro, where she shared her work with the Francophone community. Her chamber opera *Three Marys* exemplifies this cultural connection. Inspired by a myth from southern France—the story of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer—it depicts three exiled women adrift at sea. Under her composition, this ancient tale becomes a contemporary parable of migration and hope, linking French heritage with present-day issues. Her impact extends beyond the stage: she actively fosters closer ties between French and Australian cultures, giving voice to universal narratives imbued with a Francophone sensibility.

Marie-Aubeline Hiot (NSW) is a French artist now based in Sydney, whose work explores the sensory, emotional and cultural connections people have with food. Born in Royan, France, in 1998, she moved permanently to Australia in 2017 and has since established herself through painting, sculpture and mixed techniques that evoke nostalgia, joy, and warmth. Marie-Aubeline originally trained as a pastry chef, and her background in pâtisserie deeply informs her artistic style. She later studied design in France and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the National Art School in Sydney. Her work often blends thick, sculptural paint textures—reminiscent of gelato, frosting, butter—with rich, vibrant oil paintings that depict shared meals and intimate food moments. Through her art, she aims to capture fleeting sensations and moments that ground people in memory and shared experience. Marie-Aubeline’s work has been shown in solo exhibitions (for example *Let Me Eat Cake* at Chouchou in Sydney) and group shows, as well as art fairs. She is represented by Bison Art in Sydney. Her pieces are held in private collections both in Australia and internationally. Her connection with France remains strong: she was born and raised there, trained in French design, and draws on French cultural associations with food, memory, and conviviality. In Australia, she builds these into her visual language so that her paintings and sculptures become bridges between the two cultures—celebrating both her heritage and the shared human experience of food, gathering and time.

Go-Jo (WA) is the solo project of Marty Zambotto, one of Australia’s most exciting new pop artists whose blend of songwriting, production, and performance has propelled him onto the global stage. A true all-rounder, Go-Jo writes, produces, records, mixes, and masters his own music, while captivating audiences with his dynamic live shows and authentic connection with fans. His breakout single Mrs. Hollywood became a viral success, amassing more than 15 million streams in its first two months and helping him reach over 120 million total streams to date. Across platforms, he has built an audience of 1.8 million monthly Spotify listeners, 830k TikTok followers, 410k Instagram followers, and 445k YouTube subscribers with 195 million channel views, demonstrating his unique ability to translate music into culture-shaping moments In 2025, Go-Jo was selected to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, a milestone that introduced his artistry to millions of new fans worldwide. Beyond Eurovision, he has sold out national headline tours across Australia, toured Europe and the UK, and shared stages with acts including Tash Sultana and Milky Chance. Later this year, he will support James Blunt on his Australian and New Zealand arena tour, further cementing his status as a fast-rising performer on the international circuit.

Manoah Kenna (VIC) is a French-Australian DJ, electronic music producer, and filmmaker based in Melbourne. Originally from Paris, he brings a distinctive blend of techno, house, and experimental sounds to the Australian music scene. Kenna's work is characterized by its emotive depth and rhythmic complexity, often merging electronic beats with cinematic elements. His music has gained recognition on platforms like SoundCloud, where tracks such as "Gasolina," "Fraude," and "Démons de Minuit" showcase his evolving style. Kenna's live performances have captivated audiences, including his appearance at Melbourne's Dr Morse in October 2024, as noted by Resident Advisor. In addition to his musical endeavors, Kenna is also a filmmaker. His short film "Pleine Vie" exemplifies his ability to blend storytelling with visual artistry, reflecting his multifaceted creative talents. Through his work, Manoah Kenna contributes to the cultural exchange between France and Australia, infusing his projects with influences from both countries.

William Le Brun is a Melbourne-based vocalist and entertainer known for his distinctive blend of classic swing, jazz, and contemporary pop. Inspired by musical icons such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Coldplay, and Dua Lipa, William brings a fresh energy to his performances, aiming to introduce his generation to the timeless appeal of vintage music. In 2025, William gained national recognition as a Top 6 finalist on *Australian Idol*. His journey on the show was marked by standout performances, including a jazzy rendition of Coldplay’s “Something Just Like This,” which earned him a coveted Fast Pass to the Top 12 from judge Marcia Hines. ([Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay][2]) Throughout the competition, he showcased his versatility by infusing contemporary hits with a swing twist, captivating audiences and judges alike. Before his Idol journey, William made his professional recording debut with a smooth cover of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” produced by Phil Turcio. This release highlighted his ability to blend traditional charm with modern sensibilities. Beyond his television appearances, William is dedicated to his craft, performing at various events and venues across Melbourne. He continues to build his presence in the Australian music scene, drawing inspiration from both classic and contemporary influences to create a unique and engaging musical experience.

Guillaume Leprette (NSW) is a French-born artist and entrepreneur based in Sydney, Australia. Born in 1984, he is the founder and owner of Gallery OZ, a contemporary urban art gallery established in 2020 that specialises in authentic, high-end urban and street art including blue chip French Street Artists like Invader, C215 or Blek le Rat. Under his leadership, Gallery OZ has grown from an online presence into a physical gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney, showcasing both international and local artists including well-known names in urban art. Guillaume Leprette has curated exhibitions, built a strong collector network, and emphasised authenticity: all artworks in the gallery are original and maintained in mint condition. Guillaume is also an artist and his work explores the interplay between “Passion and Success” — he aims to capture what it means to be proud of one’s achievements and to belong to something meaningful. His sculpture is infused with pop culture influences and often uses materials such as resin, chrome, and metallic finishes to amplify both aesthetic impact and conceptual depth. Guillaume combines his dual roles as gallery curator and practising artist, often exhibiting his own works alongside those he represents. His creative output and gallery operations both reflect a commitment to originality, bold visual storytelling, and a passion for elevating urban art in the Australian scene.

Noria Letts (VIC) is a French singer with a long career in Australia, Europe and Canada, who now lives in Melbourne. She promotes French music and culture through several popular shows: a tribute to Édith Piaf, a gypsy jazz band, and another band performing classic and modern jazz songs. She has performed at French National Day festivals in Melbourne and Sydney, and has helped promote them in the media, notably on the nationally broadcast programme Sunrise on the Seven Network. She also performed La Marseillaise in front of 50,000 people at Marvel Stadium and a global television audience to support the French women's football team in a match against Australia.Her tribute to Piaf played to sold-out crowds in Melbourne, Sydney and the Central Coast of New South Wales. She is also headlining this year's OzManouche festival in Brisbane Noria is also active in Melbourne's French community, where she sits on the committee of Aide Française, a non-profit organisation operating throughout Australia, run by teams of volunteers who help people in emergency situations.

Born in France and now based in Darwin, NT, Alexandre Maestracci has become a vibrant force shaping the city’s emerging fashion landscape. Blending French elegance with the relaxed spirit of the tropics, Alexandre has built a reputation for helping people feel confident and stylish no matter the heat or humidity of the Top End. As the long-time manager of Tarocash at Casuarina, Alexandre has cultivated a culture of high standards, creativity, and genuine care for customers.

Hélène Magisson (QLD) is a critically acclaimed French-Australian children’s book illustrator whose artistic journey embodies the spirit of French-Australian cultural exchange. Raised in France and trained as a painting restorer in Paris with a specialization in medieval illumination, Hélène’s path took her from France to India before she settled in Brisbane, where she gained dual citizenship and launched her illustration career in 2013. Since then, she has published over 25 books with major publishers including Scholastic, HarperCollins, Walker Books, and New Frontier Publishing, becoming a beloved figure in Australian children’s literature. Hélène’s unique artistic vision blends European poetic traditions with contemporary Australian storytelling, creating enchanting worlds that capture young hearts while fostering cross-cultural understanding. Her exceptional talent has earned multiple prestigious awards from the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), including the 2025 Notable Picture Book Award for Willow’s Gumboots. Other recognized works include Little Puggle’s Song (CBCA Notable 2020), Slowly! Slowly! (CBCA Notable 2018), and her author-illustrator debut Claudette (Australian Book Industry Awards longlist 2021). She has also received Speech Pathology Awards recognition for Willow’s Gumboots (2025) and Before You Were Born (2022), highlighting the educational value of her work. Beyond publishing, Hélène actively promotes French culture throughout Australia. She is a regular exhibitor at Le Festival, participates in Romancing the Stars, and runs medieval illumination workshops that offer Australian audiences unique insights into ancient French artistic traditions. Her SBS French interviews further amplify the importance of cultural diversity in children’s literature. Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Hélène has also emerged as a distinguished French literary artist. She was recognized in the prestigious Concours de la Nouvelle George Sand in 2022 for La plume et l’hirondelle and won the Prix Nouvelle d’ailleurs in 2023 for Prends soin d’elle, competing against 454 participants worldwide. Through her illustrations, writing, and dedication to cultural exchange, Hélène Magisson continues to create lasting bridges between France and Australia, enriching both countries’ literary and artistic landscapes.

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.

Elise Peyronnet (VIC) is a French-born curator and artistic director currently leading Now or Never, the City of Melbourne’s art, technology and ideas festival. She also founded Melbourne Music Week, shaping years of programming in music, audio-visual art, immersive installations and tech-forward public art projects. Elise started her career in Paris—working with avant-garde venues such as Silencio (designed by David Lynch), producing events tied to artists like Beastie Boys, Femi Kuti and Jeff Mills, and developing brand storytelling for DDB Paris. After relocating to Melbourne, she immersed herself in its cultural scene, bringing international scope and ambitious multidisciplinary vision to local festivals. Under her leadership, Now or Never has emerged as a major presence in the arts calendar—blending sound, visual art, performance, immersive installation, technology and public space. The festival embraces both free and ticketed events, site-specific work, major projections and immersive installations, often using Melbourne’s iconic heritage architecture like the Royal Exhibition Building. Elise is focused on creating experiences that are visionary, forward-thinking, and rooted in technology’s potential while also being mindful of sustainability: Now or Never is carbon neutral under Australia’s Climate Active Program. Her curatorial practice shows a deep interest in how art and technology intersect, how public space can be transformed, and how audiences can be moved both intellectually and emotionally. Elise’s connection with France remains strong: she is French by birth, has built early professional experience in Paris, and carries forward a European sensibility into her curatorial approach, shaping Melbourne events that resonate internationally while still rooted in local culture.

Elias Redstone is a visionary curator and arts leader, recognised for his impactful contributions to contemporary photography. He is the Founder and former Artistic Director of PHOTO Australia and the PHOTO International Festival of Photography in Melbourne, a major biennial event that attracted over half a million visitors across three editions. The award-winning festival presented a vibrant program of free exhibitions and large-scale outdoor installations, commissioning new work by Australian artists alongside exclusive presentations by internationally renowned photographers including Nan Goldin, Ryan McGinley, Zanele Muholi, Cindy Sherman, and Malick Sidibé. During his tenure at PHOTO Australia, Elias launched several international initiatives to elevate Australian photography on the global stage. Among them was On Country: Photography from Australia—the first-ever exhibition dedicated to Australian photography at the prestigious Rencontres d’Arles, organised with the support of FACEF (French-Australian Cultural Exchange Foundation). Showcasing the work of 17 Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and collectives, On Country has been widely recognised as one of the most significant international presentations of Australian photography to date.

Christof Schnell (WA) is a distinguished French-Australian educator and arts leader, renowned for his significant contributions to the visual arts and design sectors in Western Australia. As the Director of Art & Design at North Metropolitan TAFE (NMTAFE), he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of creative education in the region. In this capacity, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality vocational training in visual arts, graphic design, and related disciplines. Under Christof's leadership, NMTAFE has become a hub for artistic innovation and excellence, offering state-of-the-art facilities and fostering strong partnerships with prominent art bodies within the artistic community  His commitment to nurturing emerging talent is evident in the institution's reputation for producing outstanding graduates who go on to make significant impacts in the creative industries. In addition to his role at NMTAFE, Christof is actively involved with the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), collaborating on initiatives that bridge the gap between education and the contemporary art scene. His work emphasizes the importance of integrating artistic practice with community engagement, ensuring that students not only develop technical skills but also a deep understanding of the cultural and social contexts of their work.