Singer Tina Arena was announced as the patron of ‘Merci Down Under’ on Friday night at an intimate gathering at Atlas Pearls and Perfume in Claremont.
Merci Down Under is a major centennial event to be launched next year highlighting the role of Australian troops in World War I.
In her role as patron, Arena is now set to return to Western Australia next year to perform a major concert in Albany, the last town Australian troops saw before heading overseas in 1914.
Merci Down Under is an initiative of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chamber’s WA President Christine Caseris said she was honoured to have such a suitable and significant figure as Tina Arena to be the patron for what promises to be a historic moment in the shared history of France and Australia. The project is expected to be officially launched by French President Francois Hollande in the coming months.
Chairman of the Atlas group Steve Birkbeck, who was instrumental in bring about Arena’s involvement in the project surprised the singer with a big gift at the launch on Friday night when he presented her with a spectacular gold and pearl necklace and matching earrings. Arena was also given a gift of 400,000 shares in the company.
Arena, who is also a patron of the Soldier On, organisation that recognises physically and psychologically wounded soldiers who return to Australia, spoke to OUTinPerth about why she’s such a strong supporter of organisations and events that recognise the contribution of our current and past armed forces.
“They are people who do an enormous amount and never really awarded and credited for it,” said Arena, “they’re kind of left out to dry.
“I find that incredibly odd as a concept, I struggle to get my head around it,” said the singer, “Somebody who has taken the time to walk away from their family structure, love and support, to be put out in the middle of ‘cowboysville’, where you don’t know if you’re going to come out dead or alive, I think that’s something that you don’t sneeze at. You don’t ignore and you pay respect to those people.”
The French Ambassador Stephane Romatet sent a message to the event saying that Arena was the perfect patron for an event highlighting the role Australia played in the first world war. The Ambassador described Arena as a great Australia voice who is very close to France.
Since relocating to France Arena has become one of the most well known entertainers in the country. While no other Australian has sold more than a million albums in France, Arena’s sales have clocked over four millions, and continue to rise. Arena has been awarded the nations second highest honour, the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du merite, for her contribution to the arts in France.
Show your support for Merci Down Under by clicking LIKE on their Facebook page and learn more about the project at their website. Look out for our in-depth interview with Tina Arena in the November issue of OUTinPerth.
