Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday, 21 March, I was fortunate to join other community members at the Laperouse Museum in my electorate to celebrate Laperouse Day and for the unveiling of a scale model of Laperouse's ship, which he sailed into Botany Bay many years ago, the Boussole. The event was attended by the French consul-general, Eric Berti, and other representatives, including the member for Maroubra, Michael Daley, and the member for Heffron, Ron Hoenig. It was wonderful celebration of the involvement of the French in our area. The history and the significance of the role the French have played in the development of our community, beginning in 1788, when that ship, the Boussole, sailed into Botany Bay, bringing with it French explorers and of course the influence of the French people is not forgotten.

The Laperouse Museum and Headland Trust do a wonderful job in educating the public about that expedition and the ongoing connection of the French community to our area. I congratulate Bill Land and all of the trustees of the Laperouse Museum on their wonderful work in educating our community and spreading the good word about the involvement of the French community.