Thursday, 31 July 2025

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:59): I rise this morning to acknowledge the achievement of two extraordinary Victorians. Recently, along with the member for Evelyn, I had the great opportunity to convene the launch event for the Parliamentary Friends of France, which was attended by the magnificent Consul General Paule Ignacio and His Excellency Pierre-André Imbert, the ambassador of France to Australia. At this ceremony, we actually got to honour two extraordinary Victorians and acknowledge their achievement in the space of food and agriculture, with both Kate Reid of Lune Croissanterie in Melbourne and Annie Smithers, chef at Du Fermier in Trentham, being awarded France’s highest agriculture honour, the Ordre du Mérite Agricole. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the many wonderful things that come out of our great state and these two incredible women in particular. It was delightful to be a part of the occasion and acknowledge that some of the world’s best French food actually comes from right here in Victoria. We have much to be proud about.