France honours DVA staff member

In recognition of her many years of service to the Defence and veteran communities, Caroline Bartlett, project manager and inaugural Director of the Sir John Monash Centre, has been invested as a Knight of the French National Order of Merit by the Ambassador of France to Australia, His Excellency M Jean-Pierre Thebault

The investiture ceremony took place at the French Embassy in Canberra on 7 December.

‘This recognition is a wonderful testament to the dedicated teams I had the privilege of working with to ensure the memory of the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women on the Western Front is preserved for future generations,’ said Ms Bartlett.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee and the Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Liz Cosson AM CSC attended the ceremony, along with family, friends and colleagues of Ms Bartlett.

‘It was an honour to attend,’ the Minister said. ‘Ms Bartlett was integral in the establishment of the Sir John Monash Centre in France, where people from all over the world can learn more about the Australian experience of war on the Western Front during the First World War.’

His Excellency M Thebault spoke about the strong connection between France and Australia, that began a century ago during the First World War and with the joint commemorations since.  

General de Gaulle, as President of the French Republic, founded the National Order of Merit on 3 December 1963. It is the second French national order, after the Legion of Honour, and is awarded by the French President to French and foreign nationals, both military and civil.

Some of the past and present DVA staff involved in establishing the Sir John Monash Centre

Medal of the Knight of the French National Order of Merit