Vignacourt continues to tell amazing stories !
How many people are actually aware of the Chinese stories of the Great War!
(Courtesy) COURIER PICARD
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The "forgotten" Chinese workers of the Great War brought to light
“The photographic collection of the 14-18 interpretation center in Vignacourt includes 200 photos of Chinese workers. Partnerships with cultural organizations in China are being considered.”
Stéphane Ducrotoy, mayor of Vignacourt, and Valérie Vasseur, head of the 14-18 interpretation center, want to highlight the museum and the Thuillier collection.
Two hundred photos of Chinese workers were taken during the First World War in Vignacourt. Photo Thuillier Collection Vignacourt 14/18
Story reported by
Alexandre Genest
Journalist
[email protected]
There were 140,000 of them who came to the region during the First World War. "The forgotten people of the Great War" were the Chinese workers who worked behind the front, particularly in Vignacourt.
*They were under British command and formed the CLC (Chinese Labor Corps). "They notably enlarged the train station and flattened the town's small airfield," explains Valérie Vasseur, head of the 1914-1918 interpretation center in Vignacourt.
Moments of life immortalized by the Thuilliers from 1914 to 1918, a farming couple who had a plate camera. Mixed in with the locals, the workers posed in front of the lens and a specially designed backdrop.
The result is 200 photo plates.
*Few people are aware of their existence,” she says. The idea then came to promote them, notably through an exhibition in 2019 on the *forgotten of the Great War. At that time, a Franco-Chinese cultural association, Hong-guang, through its president, Xilanhuyang Yang, discovered the exhibition, the center, and wanted to highlight them
"He was very touched," recalls Valérie Vasseur. "Several other Chinese visitors will come to the museum. Then, everything follows, with the presentation of the painter Wen Wenwu. "He will then produce around forty portraits of workers and soldiers (which are located in the Garden of the Celestials, adjacent to the interpretation center)," she relates.
"Few people are aware of their existence."
Valérie Vasseur Head of the 14-18 interpretation center in Vignacourt
This is how the museum will forge ties and a cultural partnership with the Franco-Chinese Hongguang association. This will result in the sending of ten panels from the traveling exhibition and 80 photos to China.
An organized trip to China.
A new milestone has been reached, with the organization of a trip to the Middle Kingdom for Valérie Vasseur, Stéphane Ducrotoy, the mayor of Vignacourt, and Léa Manot, project manager for the Memorial Tourism sector at Somme Tourisme. However, an unforeseen event occurred. "We received an email at the beginning of June informing us of the postponement of our trip, initially scheduled for June 9. We were almost ready," says Valérie Vasseur
Why this turnaround? "When the Chinese received the photographs and the exhibition, they hadn't assessed their scope and didn't feel ready to receive us. They want something bigger.
So I take it as good news, because it will be more significant," she notes.
The museum's media coverage is growing. "A Chinese team from Shandong Television came to the 14-18 interpretation center. There was an article in Le Monde, and a Chinese-American researcher is going to write one on the Thuillier collection. A documentary was also filmed," lists Valérie Vasseur.
The latter hopes to develop a partnership between Vignacourt and specialized organizations (many in China) on the First World War. The mayor, Stéphane Ducrotoy, agrees. "It's a wonderful human adventure that represents an opportunity," he says. "It's been gaining momentum for years."
Another Great Vignacourt event !
A highlight around China will take place on June 28, 2025, starting at 2 p.m. at the interpretation center, with a tea ceremony, a lion dance at 3 p.m., traditional music, and an exhibition by Catherine Costanza. Creative workshops and Chinese cuisine starting at 7 p.m.
Passez un bon événement
有一个伟大的活动
How many people are actually aware of the Chinese stories of the Great War!
(Courtesy) COURIER PICARD
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The "forgotten" Chinese workers of the Great War brought to light
“The photographic collection of the 14-18 interpretation center in Vignacourt includes 200 photos of Chinese workers. Partnerships with cultural organizations in China are being considered.”
Stéphane Ducrotoy, mayor of Vignacourt, and Valérie Vasseur, head of the 14-18 interpretation center, want to highlight the museum and the Thuillier collection.
Two hundred photos of Chinese workers were taken during the First World War in Vignacourt. Photo Thuillier Collection Vignacourt 14/18
Story reported by
Alexandre Genest
Journalist
[email protected]
There were 140,000 of them who came to the region during the First World War. "The forgotten people of the Great War" were the Chinese workers who worked behind the front, particularly in Vignacourt.
*They were under British command and formed the CLC (Chinese Labor Corps). "They notably enlarged the train station and flattened the town's small airfield," explains Valérie Vasseur, head of the 1914-1918 interpretation center in Vignacourt.
Moments of life immortalized by the Thuilliers from 1914 to 1918, a farming couple who had a plate camera. Mixed in with the locals, the workers posed in front of the lens and a specially designed backdrop.
The result is 200 photo plates.
*Few people are aware of their existence,” she says. The idea then came to promote them, notably through an exhibition in 2019 on the *forgotten of the Great War. At that time, a Franco-Chinese cultural association, Hong-guang, through its president, Xilanhuyang Yang, discovered the exhibition, the center, and wanted to highlight them
"He was very touched," recalls Valérie Vasseur. "Several other Chinese visitors will come to the museum. Then, everything follows, with the presentation of the painter Wen Wenwu. "He will then produce around forty portraits of workers and soldiers (which are located in the Garden of the Celestials, adjacent to the interpretation center)," she relates.
"Few people are aware of their existence."
Valérie Vasseur Head of the 14-18 interpretation center in Vignacourt
This is how the museum will forge ties and a cultural partnership with the Franco-Chinese Hongguang association. This will result in the sending of ten panels from the traveling exhibition and 80 photos to China.
An organized trip to China.
A new milestone has been reached, with the organization of a trip to the Middle Kingdom for Valérie Vasseur, Stéphane Ducrotoy, the mayor of Vignacourt, and Léa Manot, project manager for the Memorial Tourism sector at Somme Tourisme. However, an unforeseen event occurred. "We received an email at the beginning of June informing us of the postponement of our trip, initially scheduled for June 9. We were almost ready," says Valérie Vasseur
Why this turnaround? "When the Chinese received the photographs and the exhibition, they hadn't assessed their scope and didn't feel ready to receive us. They want something bigger.
So I take it as good news, because it will be more significant," she notes.
The museum's media coverage is growing. "A Chinese team from Shandong Television came to the 14-18 interpretation center. There was an article in Le Monde, and a Chinese-American researcher is going to write one on the Thuillier collection. A documentary was also filmed," lists Valérie Vasseur.
The latter hopes to develop a partnership between Vignacourt and specialized organizations (many in China) on the First World War. The mayor, Stéphane Ducrotoy, agrees. "It's a wonderful human adventure that represents an opportunity," he says. "It's been gaining momentum for years."
Another Great Vignacourt event !
A highlight around China will take place on June 28, 2025, starting at 2 p.m. at the interpretation center, with a tea ceremony, a lion dance at 3 p.m., traditional music, and an exhibition by Catherine Costanza. Creative workshops and Chinese cuisine starting at 7 p.m.
Passez un bon événement
有一个伟大的活动
The Vignacourt Story.
Vignacourt Soldiers remembered! |
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Some more of those Thuillier glass plates found in the Attic!
By sheer accident a number of extra glass plates were found in the attic of the Thuillier Barn recently ! Quite an exciting find and more good news for visitors able to see the real glass plates up close and personal!
Over 10 years ago we came across the village of Vignacourt in Northern France through a very interesting set of circumstances. The rest is an amazing story…... in fact a puzzle to put together !We are just ordinary people, teachers in fact who have been led on a more than ordinary journey. We never know what will happen next. Our glass is always overflowing with incredible opportunities and we have responded by saying “Why Not! Take a Chance!” We now have a 12 part podcast we have created that takes you on this journey of discovery full of stories and events. Thanks to all those who have followed the journey so far! If you have not yet started , Join us as we tell our story! There are still one or two twists and turns to come…. Stay tuned!
You’ll be amazed. It’s available on Podbean or our YouTube channel “interccg”
https://pbg9745a7jjnx.podbean.com
You’ll be amazed. It’s available on Podbean or our YouTube channel “interccg”
https://pbg9745a7jjnx.podbean.com
Vignacourt -Anzac Week 2024.
Mayor of Vignacourt ,Stephane Ducrotoy and Valerie Vasseur ( Director of the Vignacourt Interpretive Centre) officiate at the opening of the Anzac Week events in Amiens where Vignacourt has been given an entire exhibition to highlight this amazing collection of photos left to us by Louis and Antoinette Thuillier. Mayor of Vignacourt ,Stephane Ducrotoy and Valerie Vasseur ( Director of the Vignacourt Interpretive Centre) officiate at the opening of the Anzac Week events in Amiens where Vignacourt has been given an entire exhibition to highlight this amazing collection of photos left to us by Louis and Antoinette Thuillier.
Mayor of Vignacourt ,Stephane Ducrotoy and Valerie Vasseur ( Director of the Vignacourt Interpretive Centre) officiate at the opening of the Anzac Week events in Amiens where Vignacourt has been given an entire exhibition to highlight this amazing collection of photos left to us by Louis and Antoinette Thuillier. Mayor of Vignacourt ,Stephane Ducrotoy and Valerie Vasseur ( Director of the Vignacourt Interpretive Centre) officiate at the opening of the Anzac Week events in Amiens where Vignacourt has been given an entire exhibition to highlight this amazing collection of photos left to us by Louis and Antoinette Thuillier.
Vignacourt is ready for Anzac Day 2024.
Anzac Commemorations at the Cemetery 2024
Anzac Day 2023
We are back in Vignacourt !
A new Lost Digger of Vignacourt has been identified
As everyone knows our time in Vignacourt was so exciting this year returning for the first time in 5 years! The photos and videos show it all! In fact our last day was extra wonderful as we were able to discover a previously unknown soldier in the Lost Digger collection!
Through an incredible coincidence with Photos in the Attic movie director Franco di Chiera and a personal friend of his, Tobin Saunders we were able to discover that Private Harry Saunders, Tobin’s grandfather had in fact been in Vignacourt at the time of the announcement of the 1918 Armistice and had his photo taken with other soldiers as well as being photographed in the Vignacourt town square on the 11th November.
This is the only photo in the collection that now has an identified digger in full view with hundreds of other soldiers!
He is also pictured in the garage entrance to the Thuillier barn.
Harry was an Observer as identified by Tobin’s dad William Saunders who turned 90 on the day of the discovery.
William and his brother Norman also have rare and unique photos sent home from Vignacourt . There are very few of these that are in existence.
We are going to be speaking with Tobin Saunders from Ballina and his dad William and Uncle Norm very soon to see if we can piece together even more information about this incredibly exciting find.
Our Director Franco di Chiera said, “I’d become familiar with Thuillier’s photographs through Donna and Michael’s amazing research for our movie. Because of that, I was able to recognise the photos Tobin had posted on social media for this year’s ANZAC Day, honouring his grandfather Harry Saunders.” Franco's find gives him real insight and ownership of this incredible story and the film project that has been underway for nearly 10 years. Screenwriter and author Donna Fiechtner believes this latest discovery shows the extraordinary reach of the story and how its a living history.
The Vignacourt Director Valerie Vasseur was also so excited to make the discovery after her painstaking work to identify James Dillion recently and commemorate him at the recent Anzac Commemorations there.
Anzac Day 2024 may be an opportunity to tell the Harry Saunder’s story! The team also paid tribute to the efforts of war artist George Petrou and others in identifying these Lost Diggers from France.
Special Visitors to Vignacourt 2018.
The Hedges family from Bargara visited Vignacourt recently. Bargara State School is a sister school with Vignacourt . Mrs Hedges writes
"The entire experience was amazing!! I have only just been able to get back online...We are in the Swiss Alps now :) Valerie was fantastic, she walked us through the museum and explained both the history of the photos and the town along with the clever way the museum has been designed. Her passion, really brought the story to life! I had many a goose bumps. My two younger children were extremely tired from the travel and school trip, so we didn't stick around for too long at the museum. I Absolutely loved the museum and Valerie! The school visit was a life changing experience for all of us. We all feel so incredibly privalaged to have met the students and teachers of Vignacourt school. Madam Lavillette was so warm and welcoming, and the sea of smiling faces when we walked into the classroom was overwhelming! Ryan And Liam walked around the room giving the students their clip on Koalas, magnets, pens and Tim tams :) The Tim Tams were a big hit, lol. The classroom was a hive of energy as all the children scurried around the room giving each other gifts and showing different things, comparing their world's. The boys made a little slideshow of Bargara State School and a few activities they liked to do back in Australia and translated it into French for them in Google translate. They we're shocked at how big Bargara State School is and how many students go there. One of the girls came and asked Liam and Ryan, in English, "would you like to come and play with me?" So we stayed for their play break too, and the children ran around playing "doosh doosh" and "cache cache" (I probably spelt those wrong) We watched the children play, many of them came up to us and practised their English. It was amazing. They told us they love Australia :) We went to the graves after the museum and Ryan was able to find his cross from Bargara State School on one of the graves of the diggers and we were able to find some of their school friends crosses too. We also visited the Naours caves..LOVED those...WOW! We spent so much time on all of these activities that we unfortunately didnt make it to the Sir John Monash Museum. The day was unbelievable, the children didnt want to leave the School, including the younger two children! We all loved it so much that are children have asked if they can come back! We have made an agreement with them, that if they learn French by 2020 we will be back! That way we can see all the things we missed? Spend a little more time and speak the lingo! We would love to see the farmhouse when it is finished too! They all spoke very highly of you and Donna, the children asked if you were both coming too. Thank you so very much for making this visit possible. I cannot attach the photos, but will send them through mesenger. I will be sending them to Valerie and Madam Lavillette, and Madam Lavillette has some photos and video too.
Thank you again so much"
"The entire experience was amazing!! I have only just been able to get back online...We are in the Swiss Alps now :) Valerie was fantastic, she walked us through the museum and explained both the history of the photos and the town along with the clever way the museum has been designed. Her passion, really brought the story to life! I had many a goose bumps. My two younger children were extremely tired from the travel and school trip, so we didn't stick around for too long at the museum. I Absolutely loved the museum and Valerie! The school visit was a life changing experience for all of us. We all feel so incredibly privalaged to have met the students and teachers of Vignacourt school. Madam Lavillette was so warm and welcoming, and the sea of smiling faces when we walked into the classroom was overwhelming! Ryan And Liam walked around the room giving the students their clip on Koalas, magnets, pens and Tim tams :) The Tim Tams were a big hit, lol. The classroom was a hive of energy as all the children scurried around the room giving each other gifts and showing different things, comparing their world's. The boys made a little slideshow of Bargara State School and a few activities they liked to do back in Australia and translated it into French for them in Google translate. They we're shocked at how big Bargara State School is and how many students go there. One of the girls came and asked Liam and Ryan, in English, "would you like to come and play with me?" So we stayed for their play break too, and the children ran around playing "doosh doosh" and "cache cache" (I probably spelt those wrong) We watched the children play, many of them came up to us and practised their English. It was amazing. They told us they love Australia :) We went to the graves after the museum and Ryan was able to find his cross from Bargara State School on one of the graves of the diggers and we were able to find some of their school friends crosses too. We also visited the Naours caves..LOVED those...WOW! We spent so much time on all of these activities that we unfortunately didnt make it to the Sir John Monash Museum. The day was unbelievable, the children didnt want to leave the School, including the younger two children! We all loved it so much that are children have asked if they can come back! We have made an agreement with them, that if they learn French by 2020 we will be back! That way we can see all the things we missed? Spend a little more time and speak the lingo! We would love to see the farmhouse when it is finished too! They all spoke very highly of you and Donna, the children asked if you were both coming too. Thank you so very much for making this visit possible. I cannot attach the photos, but will send them through mesenger. I will be sending them to Valerie and Madam Lavillette, and Madam Lavillette has some photos and video too.
Thank you again so much"
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Vignacourt Museum officially opens 3rd July 2018.
Veterans Affairs Minister will be in Vignacourt again on July 3rd when he officially opens the Vignacourt Thuillier Museum.
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Fantastic Anzac Day Commemorations 2018
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Our Vignacourt WW1 Travel Mascots still travelling.
Private Billy Court spent time in Vignacourt after being in Childers Australia.
Follow his Journey and also French Soldat Robert Thuillier
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Crosses from Bargara in Australia ( still with Australian soil attached) are placed at the foot of the graves of 426 Australian soldiers buried in the Vignacourt cemetary.
The crosses were commemorated at the Bargara dawn service on the 25th April and then transported to Vignacourt.
100 years ago the then Mayor of Vignacourt promised to always remember the sacrifice of the Australian soldiers and entrusted the task to the French School children. Australian students join those Vignacourt students today in keeping the Promise.
Lost Digger direct Descendant Ray Renner was present also to officiate along with the present Mayor Stephane Ducrotoy and members of the Vignacourt community and of course the Vignacourt students.
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The Thuillier Farm makes way for new museum.
The once home of Louis and Antoinette Thuillier will be transformed into a unique interractive museum over he next year. Recently some of the unsafe structure was removed to make way for building to commence. It was with mixed feelings that the building where 100 years ago Aussie and other soldiers wandered around and had their photos taken by the Thuilliers.
As it was....... |
In the barn 100 years ago.... |
Aussie BBQ in the barn........
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Making way for the new Museum....
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A work in progress......
Inspiring WW1 song written and performed by Vignacourt local Bruno Sauty.
Australian and Vignacourt links forged.
Vignacourt Council meets Liam Dougherty from Childers town in Queensland. The towns will be linked by a Friendship agreement in 2017.
..........the local schools will also be linked.
Horsham in Victoria will also be linked with Vignacourt through their involvement with the Vignacourt Ambassadors visit in 2014.
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Vignacourt school is visited by St Joseph's Liam Dougherty.
Crosses prepared by Bargara School Bundaberg and the Bargara Remembers Committee bound for the Vignacourt Cemetery with a special commemorative ceremony.
Check out the Billy Makes Mates page.......our latest part of the Vignacourt Project.
Say hello to Billy and Robert!
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How did it all begin???
The Vignacourt Project realised.
Intercultural Consulting group (ICG) has become a collaborating partner of the Maison des Australiens project and in 2014 will visit Vignacourt again to enable another group of Australians to remember. An entire day on the 24th April will be celebrated with a range of activities to forge links between Australians and French people sharing the legacy of the past. An Aussie BBQ for the entire village, with Aussie songs, dancing and story telling will make this a very special day. Furthermore, ICG has partnered to assist the young people of Vignacourt to realise their dream of being in Brisbane in July 2014 to coincide with the Lost Diggers exhibition being held at the Queensland Museum and then to develop their project across Australia until the 5th August.
What is The Vignacourt project?
The town has proven by its enthusiastic embracing of ANZAC commemorations and working on ANZAC events that it wants to actively participate in remembering, and reanimate links with Australia. The Maison des Australiens Association uses new forms of communication: visual and performing arts and social media to allow the Vignacourt community to relive their history through the vision of its young people. A creative transmedia project is being developed by videographer David Chour and transmedia producer Emmanual (“Manu”) Louisy-Gabriel.
This is a chance to make history come alive and for many people of all ages to really experience it in a personal, “hands-on” way.
The Vignacourt story is well documented through the Lost Diggers but the village and its people and the role that they played is not well remembered or celebrated.
It will be bought back to life through developing an ongoing relationship between these young villagers and the Australian
community, more broadly by assisting the village itself to remember and keep their heritage alive by engaging with visitors desirous of immersion in unique Vignacourt experiences.
Plans and aims for a group of teens from Vignacourt to visit Australia in 2014
A French transmedia documentary team is also planning to travel with the Vignacourt group to Australia and document the
events, to share with the French community and hopefully glean more support and awareness through a wide range of multi media experiences, daily blogs, interviews with Digger descendants, visits to key locations and uploads of WW1 related resources
The draft itinerary includes the students visiting Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
The students will take part in Digger related activities in each city. In Brisbane these will include attending the AWM
Remember Me- The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt exhibition in association with the Queensland Museum, as well as a “Memories of Vignacourt “exhibition in association with Alliance Française Brisbane. A fundraising event at Redland Performing Arts Centre will feature a program of presentations and performances. It will showcase the teens of Vignacourt who have employed dramatic tableaux, videos, guided interpretive tours of the Thuillier Collection to engage audiences at ANZAC events. Other speakers, including an AWM photographic Curator and Otto Mellar the Director of Oscans Imaging Pty Ltd, will offer family historians, students, teachers and visual and performing artists interesting insights into extracting the full range of information captured in the Thuillier images relating to military insignia, social and cultural history as expressed in the dress and furniture captured in the images.By meeting key Australians in Brisbane and Canberra , including political and diplomatic/cultural/trade representatives including the Premier of Queensland and the French Ambassador to Australia they will gain insights into contemporary Australia and important political , economic and social issues. In addition, by engaging at first hand with Australian families in all cities through Home Stay accommodation they will experience everyday Australian life. The teens will also experience the cultural and recreational attractions in each city from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance,cafe district and fashion precincts, national galleries and theatre, Manly Beach, the Harbour Bridge, the Kerry Stokes Collection etc. Meetings with identified lost diggers descendants in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, will explore the men’s lives pre-war and how their wartime experiences affected the rest of their lives. At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra they will be treated to a special program of presentations on commemorative events, and be given a guided tour “behind the scenes” to appreciate the many AWM professionals and their roles. Welcome ceremonies in various cities will acknowledge the teen’s passion for keeping history alive and engaging with the world. A visit to Kerry Stokes private collection in Perth will allow them to access important primary material relating to military history and the discovery and exploration of the nation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Australian art.
Educational opportunities for information exchange through one-on-one and group interaction with Australian students and teachers at several schools on a number of occasion in various cities will be undertaken in association with the relevant authorities, such as Education Queensland This is an exciting living history project It is just the beginning of a long relationship with Vignacourt and an opportunity for ongoing regular interaction between France and Australia as we celebrate the centenary of World War One.
The Future aims
It is proposed to develop and implement an exchange program whereby students and teachers from Australian schools visit
Vignacourt schools and vice versa, with: face-to-face and online activities to be engaged in both here and in France.
regular representation during Anzac Day and Remembrance Day expanded opportunities to bring more students to Australia
opportunities to work with the schools of Vignacourt and the Somme to enliven history and engage the young people with their past and their future.
The town of Vignacourt supports the venture but realises the limitation of available local opportunities and the need for
commitment of financial assistance from various sources, including corporate sponsorship. ICG will work collaboratively to bring the project to life and maintain the ongoing support through whatever means are available and able to be accessed. Collaborative opportunities will also be investigated and realised where possible.
The legacy of the past will not be forgotten . It will be remembered through the photographic collection and ongoing research
related to the Lost Diggers collection; but more importantly it will continue to live through real human interaction today ....100 years
later!
The young citizens of Vignacourt will be challenged to discover and remember and find the stories which took place in their village......the youth of Australia will be challenged to honour and reconnect with Vignacourt as a significant place featuring in their forebears’ lives
Through regular contact, opportunities for cultural exchanges and exceptional educational experiences
will be afforded . Through the inspiring project “Memories of Vignacourt- living Dgger history from then to now” we will create a living, breathing page in history for young Australians and their French counterparts
Help us REMEMBER, RESEARCH and RETRACE this page in our History and bring it to life for the future French and Australian generations .
Courtesy Alison McCallum Maison des Australiens ( Australia) Intercultural Consulting group ( Australia)
Photos Courtesy Maison des Australiens Vignacourt
Intercultural Consulting group (ICG) has become a collaborating partner of the Maison des Australiens project and in 2014 will visit Vignacourt again to enable another group of Australians to remember. An entire day on the 24th April will be celebrated with a range of activities to forge links between Australians and French people sharing the legacy of the past. An Aussie BBQ for the entire village, with Aussie songs, dancing and story telling will make this a very special day. Furthermore, ICG has partnered to assist the young people of Vignacourt to realise their dream of being in Brisbane in July 2014 to coincide with the Lost Diggers exhibition being held at the Queensland Museum and then to develop their project across Australia until the 5th August.
What is The Vignacourt project?
- an opportunity to link the young Vignacourt students with descendants of identified Lost Diggers
- assist them to learn more about the realities of the Diggers’ lived experiences and about Australia then and now
- reforge links between France and Australia developed so long ago through an important form of communication: postcards.
Postcards were exchanged between the Diggers and the families of Vignacourt after they left the village, and of course
between the Diggers and their families in Australian towns/cities. These postcards were the Thuillier photos.
The town has proven by its enthusiastic embracing of ANZAC commemorations and working on ANZAC events that it wants to actively participate in remembering, and reanimate links with Australia. The Maison des Australiens Association uses new forms of communication: visual and performing arts and social media to allow the Vignacourt community to relive their history through the vision of its young people. A creative transmedia project is being developed by videographer David Chour and transmedia producer Emmanual (“Manu”) Louisy-Gabriel.
This is a chance to make history come alive and for many people of all ages to really experience it in a personal, “hands-on” way.
The Vignacourt story is well documented through the Lost Diggers but the village and its people and the role that they played is not well remembered or celebrated.
It will be bought back to life through developing an ongoing relationship between these young villagers and the Australian
community, more broadly by assisting the village itself to remember and keep their heritage alive by engaging with visitors desirous of immersion in unique Vignacourt experiences.
Plans and aims for a group of teens from Vignacourt to visit Australia in 2014
A French transmedia documentary team is also planning to travel with the Vignacourt group to Australia and document the
events, to share with the French community and hopefully glean more support and awareness through a wide range of multi media experiences, daily blogs, interviews with Digger descendants, visits to key locations and uploads of WW1 related resources
The draft itinerary includes the students visiting Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
The students will take part in Digger related activities in each city. In Brisbane these will include attending the AWM
Remember Me- The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt exhibition in association with the Queensland Museum, as well as a “Memories of Vignacourt “exhibition in association with Alliance Française Brisbane. A fundraising event at Redland Performing Arts Centre will feature a program of presentations and performances. It will showcase the teens of Vignacourt who have employed dramatic tableaux, videos, guided interpretive tours of the Thuillier Collection to engage audiences at ANZAC events. Other speakers, including an AWM photographic Curator and Otto Mellar the Director of Oscans Imaging Pty Ltd, will offer family historians, students, teachers and visual and performing artists interesting insights into extracting the full range of information captured in the Thuillier images relating to military insignia, social and cultural history as expressed in the dress and furniture captured in the images.By meeting key Australians in Brisbane and Canberra , including political and diplomatic/cultural/trade representatives including the Premier of Queensland and the French Ambassador to Australia they will gain insights into contemporary Australia and important political , economic and social issues. In addition, by engaging at first hand with Australian families in all cities through Home Stay accommodation they will experience everyday Australian life. The teens will also experience the cultural and recreational attractions in each city from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance,cafe district and fashion precincts, national galleries and theatre, Manly Beach, the Harbour Bridge, the Kerry Stokes Collection etc. Meetings with identified lost diggers descendants in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, will explore the men’s lives pre-war and how their wartime experiences affected the rest of their lives. At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra they will be treated to a special program of presentations on commemorative events, and be given a guided tour “behind the scenes” to appreciate the many AWM professionals and their roles. Welcome ceremonies in various cities will acknowledge the teen’s passion for keeping history alive and engaging with the world. A visit to Kerry Stokes private collection in Perth will allow them to access important primary material relating to military history and the discovery and exploration of the nation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Australian art.
Educational opportunities for information exchange through one-on-one and group interaction with Australian students and teachers at several schools on a number of occasion in various cities will be undertaken in association with the relevant authorities, such as Education Queensland This is an exciting living history project It is just the beginning of a long relationship with Vignacourt and an opportunity for ongoing regular interaction between France and Australia as we celebrate the centenary of World War One.
The Future aims
It is proposed to develop and implement an exchange program whereby students and teachers from Australian schools visit
Vignacourt schools and vice versa, with: face-to-face and online activities to be engaged in both here and in France.
regular representation during Anzac Day and Remembrance Day expanded opportunities to bring more students to Australia
opportunities to work with the schools of Vignacourt and the Somme to enliven history and engage the young people with their past and their future.
The town of Vignacourt supports the venture but realises the limitation of available local opportunities and the need for
commitment of financial assistance from various sources, including corporate sponsorship. ICG will work collaboratively to bring the project to life and maintain the ongoing support through whatever means are available and able to be accessed. Collaborative opportunities will also be investigated and realised where possible.
The legacy of the past will not be forgotten . It will be remembered through the photographic collection and ongoing research
related to the Lost Diggers collection; but more importantly it will continue to live through real human interaction today ....100 years
later!
The young citizens of Vignacourt will be challenged to discover and remember and find the stories which took place in their village......the youth of Australia will be challenged to honour and reconnect with Vignacourt as a significant place featuring in their forebears’ lives
Through regular contact, opportunities for cultural exchanges and exceptional educational experiences
will be afforded . Through the inspiring project “Memories of Vignacourt- living Dgger history from then to now” we will create a living, breathing page in history for young Australians and their French counterparts
Help us REMEMBER, RESEARCH and RETRACE this page in our History and bring it to life for the future French and Australian generations .
Courtesy Alison McCallum Maison des Australiens ( Australia) Intercultural Consulting group ( Australia)
Photos Courtesy Maison des Australiens Vignacourt
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