Sébastien Vallerie was born in Caen and now lives in Sydney, Australia.
Being proud and a conqueror without being arrogant comes second nature to us!
Let me introduce myself…
“I’ve been married to Caroline for years and I’m a dad. We have three children: Mathilde, 13, Augustin, 10 and Jules, 5. We’re French-Australians and we’ve been living in Sydney since 2008. I’m a finance manager at the New South Wales transport department. I’ve been a representative for French people living in Australia since 2014, one of 5 elected to represent French people locally. We work with consulates and embassies: we’re merciless spokespeople when it comes to important subjects among our fellow Frenchmen! It’s a real passion and community spirit. I’m also proud to be an ambassador for Normandy since 2017, when Hervé Morin launched the project during a trip to Australia. Last but not least, I’m a soft power correspondent for NEOMA Business School where I studied for a while: I was in Reims at the time but it’s still a school with deep roots in Normandy.”
Me and Normandy
“I was born in Caen and spent my entire school life there until I went to Reims after my preparatory class: Collège Villey-Desmeserets, Lycée Rostand and preparatory class at Lycée Malherbe. My relationship with the Pacific is because of Normandy, as one of my uncles left to live in New Caledonia: one of my first times flying.
My father and brother still live in Normandy and we get to spend a few days together every year. We look forward to it! Coming home to family reunions You have to learn to live with being far away… but coming back to the place you were born, where you grew up, is always intense and nostalgic. It’s something that’s become very important to me since I became a father: sharing and passing down your roots without falling into stereotypes. A milestone moment in my life as a dad was walking on Omaha Beach with my kids. Plus the great food and drink, one of life’s pleasures!
France and Australia actually have a very strong bond, so there’s a close relationship between my homeland and my new home. The contract for submarines developed and designed in partnership between Cherbourg and Adelaide has been called the “contract of the century”. It’s a major contract and a prime example of Normandy’s worldwide connections in terms of the economy.
Before this year and the pandemic, up to 1.2 million Australians (a country with a population of 25 million) visited France every year. Normandy is a major tourist destination so there’s real potential for growth. I think we should be proud to be Normans and promote Normandy in all its modern, conquering glory. There’s no need for arrogance or false modesty, but we need to do away with the stereotypes.
My role as an ambassador
“Being a Normandy ambassador has strengthened my bond. I see it as flying the flag for Normandy at big events hosted by the Region or Normandie Attractivité – I’m thinking of the Picnics for Peace on June 6th, an event that has the potential to become a milestone event. We need to capitalise on our strengths, historical or symbolic, and use them to showcase what Normandy is today and what it will be tomorrow. For example, there’s a real opportunity to champion Normandy through the relationship between Cherbourg and Adelaide: in terms of society, community… it’s certainly something we’ll explore in 2021. Then there’s the Alliance Française French Film Festival. It’s all over the Australian continent and is the biggest French film festival abroad. It’s a golden opportunity for promotion and an area I’d be more than happy to explore.
NEOMA Business School is another key asset to champion Normandy. I’m proud to build bridges and connect people and stories.
People are sometimes reluctant to say they’re from Normandy: they shouldn’t be embarrassed. Other regions aren’t. People often talk about Lyon, Brittany, Alsace… and Normandy! Out of 22 French regions, there’s nothing to be shy about. I think we should be determined, consistent and humble. Soft power relies on the goodwill of ambassadors and it’s important to keep the fire going. “
Become a Normandy ambassador abroad
At heart, by adoption, by birth… You’re from Normandy.
More than anything else, you love Normandy: its diversity, its lifestyle, its dynamism.
The network of ambassadors brings together all those who, like you, share the values, the spirit and the desire to bring the region to life.
Together, let’s make Normandy shine.
