Monaco Australia Association’s Beverley Holt with Annette Anderson of Stars’n’Bars and Brian Holt.

The Monaco Australia Association held their National Day bash on Thursday bringing many new faces to StarDeck at Stars’n’Bars, a partner of the organisation.

More than 150 Australians and friends of Australia pre-booked for an Aussie Barbie buffet prepared by Didier Rubiolo – grilled cheeseburger sliders, sausages and chicken drumsticks, with sides of potato salad, coleslaw and grilled potatoes. The homemade mixed trays of mini-sausage rolls, mini-fish’n’chips and bush tucker balls were equally crowd pleasing.

Colgan’s Brewery, the successful microbrewery in Mouans Sartoux founded by Aussie Andy Colgan in 2014, provided beer on tap.

Monaco Australia Association President, Beverley Holt took to the impromptu podium to say a few words, which included a message from HSH Prince Albert, who was attending Sainte Devote festivities elsewhere, saying he was “with you in spirit”. Australian Ambassador to France and Monaco, Stephen Brady, also provided a statement conveying his warmest wishes, and commented briefly on art, a working holiday agreement and ocean protection between the two countries.

As promised, there was a dazzling fireworks display, a prize for the best costume (Jennifer Jacotine’s Dame Edna won hands down) and a tombola, all of which led to an evening of dancing that kicked off with Aussie legends INXS and their classic “Need You Tonight”.

On a more intimate scale, the Club des Résidents Etrangers de Monaco (CREM) held two thought-provoking conferences this past week. On Monday, Agnes Lepaulmier, General Secretary of Monaco’s Commission for the Control of Personal Information (CCIN), led an eye-opening discussion on “Protection of your personal data”.

Ms Lepaulmier, speaking in French, addressed a range of topics, from personal rights in the event of piracy of personal data to the obligations involved in the collection of personal data. She also touched upon the risks associated with the development of video surveillance.

Tuesday, a friendly debate in English – “Where do we go from here? Tensions, contentions and future policies around immigration and refugees” – was moderated by Maria Livanos Cattaui, former Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce.

A dozen members discussed national identity, security, integration and the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis.

Both evenings were held at CREM’s lavish club and were open to non-members. See crem.mc for upcoming events.