France finds a home in Unley

Published on 28 May 2021

The Maison de France initiative will provide services to French businesses located in South Australia, those wanting to locate in SA and domestic businesses looking to establish relationships with French companies and organisations.

The Maison de France agreement will include the office of the Honorary Consul, the French Australian Chamber of Commerce, the French Australian Schools Association, French Benevolent Association and Adelaide Accueil, a not-for-profit body which organises French events, leisure and cultural activities.

City of Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said the co-location scheme offers new opportunities to identify initiatives and form relationships that will contribute to the community in a number of ways.

‘Our city has a proud track record of supporting French initiatives centred around arts, culture and small business. We have a long-standing relationship with Alliance Française, which has been situated in the City of Unley for a century and delivers wonderful events such as the annual French Markets and French Film Festival’ the Mayor said.

Unley is also home to Highgate School, which in 2017 was the first local school to deliver the French Bilingual Binational Program, with its unique harmonisation and integration of both Australian and French curriculums. Highgate School works in collaboration with Unley High School, which runs the Years 7 to 10 component of the program. The location of the Maison de France will strengthen the attraction of Unley to French families.

‘We are delighted to provide access to accommodation for the Maison de France which will enable the consolidation of a range of services in Unley for the French community, including assistance to French businesses wanting to locate here and the provision of a focal point for South Australian businesses wishing to establish relationships with French firms’ he said.

‘We are looking forward to building on this relationship and exploring other opportunities to deliver social and economic benefits for our community, which may include joint cultural initiatives across our city’s annual events calendar, with occasions for Unley residents to experience French culture through different avenues and activities.’