Villers-Bretonneux, a town in France, is home to the main Australian World War One memorial, Musée Franco-Australien, Victoria School and Restaurant le Kangourou. The meaning behind its Australian atmosphere and influences are quite remarkable and displays the pure qualities of ‘Anzac Spirit’. These qualities include endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship.
It is believed that, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing” (Edmund Burke, Goodreads.com, 2017). This being said, a country only new to federation, comprising of an estimated population of 4.9 million people between the years 1914 and 1918, sent thousands of men from various ages, to assist the British defend Villers-Bretonneux. This …show more content…
Chesterson said, “The true soldier does not fight because he hates who is in front of him, he fights because he loves who is behind him” (Goodreads, 2017). This is exactly what the 13th and 15th Brigades did, they protected the French, their allies. Even after the towns destruction in 1918, Australians continued to support the town of Villers-Bretonneux. World War One profoundly changed each country which was involved; Australia in particular, suffered economically. Nevertheless, Australians did not hesitate to assist the town. Victorian school students, their teachers and the Victorian Department of Education contributed over £22,000 to repair the town and the Ecole de Garcons (Boys School). Upon the inauguration of the school, it was significantly named ‘Victoria’, and now “N’oublions jamais l’Australie” (never forget Australia) is seen in the school’s classrooms, yard and hall.
In 2009, Victorians were left devastated when over 400,000 hectares of land burnt and 173 lives were lost, during the Black Saturday Bushfires. Influenced by their towns history, the people of Villers-Bretonneux were yearning to repay their ancestors debts. The Villers-Bretonneux Town Council, (who contributed €1 per resident, on behalf of its 4135 population), alongside students of Victoria College and the community, made donations to the repair of Strathwen Primary School. A student attending Victoria College said, “WE have not forgotten the Australians” (Pauline Lefebore, Theaustralian.com.au,
It is believed that, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing” (Edmund Burke, Goodreads.com, 2017). This being said, a country only new to federation, comprising of an estimated population of 4.9 million people between the years 1914 and 1918, sent thousands of men from various ages, to assist the British defend Villers-Bretonneux. This …show more content…
Chesterson said, “The true soldier does not fight because he hates who is in front of him, he fights because he loves who is behind him” (Goodreads, 2017). This is exactly what the 13th and 15th Brigades did, they protected the French, their allies. Even after the towns destruction in 1918, Australians continued to support the town of Villers-Bretonneux. World War One profoundly changed each country which was involved; Australia in particular, suffered economically. Nevertheless, Australians did not hesitate to assist the town. Victorian school students, their teachers and the Victorian Department of Education contributed over £22,000 to repair the town and the Ecole de Garcons (Boys School). Upon the inauguration of the school, it was significantly named ‘Victoria’, and now “N’oublions jamais l’Australie” (never forget Australia) is seen in the school’s classrooms, yard and hall.
In 2009, Victorians were left devastated when over 400,000 hectares of land burnt and 173 lives were lost, during the Black Saturday Bushfires. Influenced by their towns history, the people of Villers-Bretonneux were yearning to repay their ancestors debts. The Villers-Bretonneux Town Council, (who contributed €1 per resident, on behalf of its 4135 population), alongside students of Victoria College and the community, made donations to the repair of Strathwen Primary School. A student attending Victoria College said, “WE have not forgotten the Australians” (Pauline Lefebore, Theaustralian.com.au,