The association ’Society of the Members of the Légion d’Honneur and the Ordre National du Mérite’ was inaugurated on July 14 in the presence of General Picard, Administrator of the foreign branches of the Société d’Entraide des Membres de la Légion d’Honneur (SEMLH). By virtue of his position as Ambassador, H.E. Mr Francis Etienne, is President of the SMLH during his term in New Zealand. The following persons were unanimously elected to the positions given below:
Mrs Nadine Plet: Co-President
Mrs Stephanie Richards: Vice-President
Mrs Martine Marshall-Durieux: Secretary
Mrs Nadine Plet: Treasurer
The SMLH is the 64th association of its kind outside France. About 3000 recipients of the Légion d’Honneur live abroad, 1700 of whom are not French. This decoration recognises outstanding merit. Interested parties are invited to submit their suggestions to the members of the Management Committee. Any request or proposal may be made:
On the same day, the Ambassador of France to New Zealand presented the medal of the Chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite to Mrs Stephanie Richards.
Mrs Richards has contributed to the strengthening of ties between France and New Zealand, especially during her time as the head of Thales NZ. She has also worked as an Adviser for Foreign Trade.
