About Us

The Goals of FASS are to:

  • Promote francophone culture and language

  • Assist French-speaking people who are new to the Australian way of life

  • Assist Australians to learn about and enjoy French history, culture and language

  • And more generally FASS is an association that offers a variety of activities for anyone with an interest in all things French.

In 2007 a group of mothers started to meet regularly to show their children they were not the only ones speaking French. The Francophone Association of Southern Sydney Inc. (FASS) was later formed as a result of an increasing demand for a local French speaking point of contact. FASS aims to support the language and cultures of all francophone countries and territories represented in southern Sydney.

We are based in the Sutherland Shire but our membership includes a group in the Illawarra Region. We welcome participation from anyone interested in joining us.

FASS is a non-profit organisation and all funds raised are invested to promote French culture and language in southern Sydney.

Benefits To Adults

  • Share a passion, celebrating local francophone and francophile communities

  • Improve your language, communication and interaction skills

  • Invitations to activities and events

  • Making new friends with people who have similar interests

Benefits To Children & Parents

Francophones

  • Francophone playgroup for parents and preschoolers

  • Keep children in touch with their roots

  • Keep children interested in keeping up with French as a mother tongue through meeting with others

  • Meet other bilingual French speakers of the same age so they do not feel different and do not reject the French language

  • Improve knowledge of French as a native language

Non Francophones

  • Open children to a new language and culture

  • Improve learning and thinking

  • Offer long-term opportunities

Testimonials

  • Fass a été pour moi une bouffée d’oxygène, après mon arrivée en Australie . Ma Belle fille m’a trouvé par internet ce groupement d’Australiens parlant Français . Je me suis inscrite à Fass et je ne le regrette absolument pas , bien au contraire, je me suis fait ÉNORMÉMENT d’Amis, le groupement est très sympathique , accueillant et en plus ils donnent pour beaucoup de leur personne pour faire fonctionner cette association . Je recommande la venue de nouveaux membres, car l’on s’y sent très très bien . Merci FASS

    Marie

  • The FASS group is a friendly and informative group to practise your spoken French as well as French comprehension.

    Patient and encouraging for intermediate level and above, and a group for Debutantes!

    We often have a 10 minute presentation that encourages our subsequent discussions in break out groups (3-6 people).

    You will improve your fluency in a calm supportive environment.

    Ruth

  • Taren Point Public School is grateful for the community partnership we have built with FASS. Their support of our French language programs and playgroup is valued and the financial contributions given, help us to continue to provide quality learning and social opportunities for our francophone families.

    Anyes McLean
    Business Manager

  • I have been a member of FASS since 2009. I took my grandchildren to the French play group when they were babies/toddlers and they enjoyed singing French songs, learning poems, reading stories and playing games each week.

    I attend the beginners conversation group on Thursdays and am pleased to have maintained my levels of grammar and vocabulary, among the company of both French and Aussie Francophones.

    I also choose to attend regular FASS activities such as the French film night each month, pétanque, Galette des Rois, crepe night, Bastille dinner and La Belle Vie French Market at Taren Point Public School in May.

    I have made great friends, had two trips to France with FASS friends and love being a member of this community.

    Helen

  • Commencing to learn French in my first year at High School in 1941, I found it very enjoyable. It was a required subject in the A class. We students made up French nicknames for our teachers. The completely bald Latin teacher became 'tête d'oeuf' instead of 'egghead'.

    Leaving school at the end of 1943 I started a long career in accounting. From time to time I tried to return to the study of French without success. In retirement, I have made a determined effort to return to the study of the beautiful language and joined FASS about ? Years ago.

    It has been a most interesting and exciting experience. Talking with French members and other students is very enjoyable, although I cannot claim to be completely fluent. Preparing presentations for the Intermediate Group meetings is, I find, an activity that improves my vocabulary and grasp of the language.

    The audiences are always supportive, without criticism or correction unless requested by the speaker.

    If you want to learn or return to French I suggest you join FASS.

    Ron