None
Wednesday, 7 November 2012

A new book that explains how close Australia came to being a French colony instead of British will be launched on Friday at The University of Western Australia by the wife of the Governor of Western Australia, Mrs Tonya McCusker.

Mrs McCusker and the Governor, His Excellency Dr Malcolm McCusker, will attend the launch of Almost a French Australia: French-British Rivalry in the Southern Oceans by UWA academic Noelene Bloomfield.

Mrs Bloomfield, an honorary research fellow in European Languages and Studies at The University of Western Australia, explains why the French - despite having claimed the western side of the continent, drawn detailed charts and made thousands of important scientific discoveries - eventually withdrew, enabling Britain to develop the nation and block France from both Australia and New Zealand.

WHAT: Launch of Almost a French Australia: French-British Rivalry in the Southern Oceans by Noelene Bloomfield.

WHEN: 4.00pm - 5.00pm, Friday 9 November, 2012.

WHERE: Prescott Room, Vice-Chancellery, The University of Western Australia.

Media references

Noelene Bloomfield (UWA School of Humanities)  (+61 8)  6488 2161  /  (+61 4) 39 938 631
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

Tags

Channels
Events — Media Statements — University News
Groups
Arts