The Australian Government has provided over $700,000 (€500,000), for the refurbishment of the Franco Australian Museum in France, in preparation for the Centenary of the First World War.
The First World War museum is housed within the Victoria School in Villers-Bretonneux.
The Australian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said that “the Museum tells of the enduring links between the town and Australia, begun during the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918, where Australian troops displayed great courage and determination in the defence of Villers-Bretonneux”.
Improvements to the museum will be made in time for the Centenary of the First World War in 2014.
Mr Snowdon stated: “The Franco Australian Museum pays tribute to Australian service and the museum expansion will provide greater flexibility in the use of space for both the museum’s collection as well as improve access and amenities for the more than 10,000 people, many of them Australians, that visit each year”.
Date of press release: 02/07/2013
Images courtesy of the Australian Department for Veteran’s Affairs website
Source: Australian Department for Veteran’s Affairs website
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News