Patrick Simon (politician)
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Patrick Simon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux | |
| In office 2008 – 13 May 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Hubert Lelieur |
| Succeeded by | Didier Dinouard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 June 1955 |
| Died | 13 May 2020 (age 64) |
| Spouse | Catherine Simon |
| Profession | Dentist Politician |
Patrick Simon, AO, (12 June 1955 – 13 May 2020) was a French politician, dentist, Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux from 2008 until 2020, and strong proponent of Australia–France relations. Simon served as Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux for two terms from 2008 until his death in 2020 from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in France. In April 1918, during World War I, Villers-Bretonneux was liberated from German occupation by the First Australian Imperial Force at the cost of an estimated 1,300 Australian lives.[1] Following the war, donations from the state of Victoria and Victorians helped to rebuild the village.[1] Simon became a major supporter of relations between France, Villers-Bretonneux, and Australia during his twelve-year tenure as mayor. Mayor Simon oversaw the renovations of the Franco-Australian First World War Museum in Villers-Bretonneux, helped to establish the Sir John Monash Centre in France in 2018, and presided over Villers-Bretonneux's annual Anzac Day commemoration for twelve years.[1][2]
Simon was awarded an honorary Order of Australia (AO) in 2015 for his advocacy on behalf of Australian-Franco relations, while the Australian press dubbed him "Australia's best friend in France."[1][2][3] Most recently, Mayor Simon organized of a fundraiser for victims of the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season which raised approximately $37,000 AUD from Villers-Bretonneux's residents and school students by the end of February 2020.[1][3][4]