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...supporting intercultural opportunities...
The ICG suite of Projects.....
Check out the amazing range of activities that ICG is involved in.
Our Mission
At ICG our mission is very simple-
"provide the most interesting and amazing opportunities and engage people in a way that they will never forget."
At ICG we offer a diverse range of cultural and educational opportunities. We are all learners and should never stop learning. We aim to provide the most interesting possibilities to travellers, educators, industry and interested groups.
Life is full of opportunities that should be taken when they are presented. Dreams can become realities if we only are prepared step through the doorway and experience a whole new world.
It is all waiting for you at ICG. Don't be limited by your imagination!
If it is a journey to an ICG travel spot, an educational experience for a class or school, or an industry visit to learn by sharing knowledge, ICG can do it all.
We pride ourselves in being open to possibilities. Explore what ICG can offer... you may be surprised !
At ICG our mission is very simple-
"provide the most interesting and amazing opportunities and engage people in a way that they will never forget."
At ICG we offer a diverse range of cultural and educational opportunities. We are all learners and should never stop learning. We aim to provide the most interesting possibilities to travellers, educators, industry and interested groups.
Life is full of opportunities that should be taken when they are presented. Dreams can become realities if we only are prepared step through the doorway and experience a whole new world.
It is all waiting for you at ICG. Don't be limited by your imagination!
If it is a journey to an ICG travel spot, an educational experience for a class or school, or an industry visit to learn by sharing knowledge, ICG can do it all.
We pride ourselves in being open to possibilities. Explore what ICG can offer... you may be surprised !
Look at the suite of projects ICG is involved in........
Memories of Vignacourt
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British Commonwealth Forces
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Hiroshima International College
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Snow Festival Japan Cherry Blossoms Japan WW1 Battlefields France Taste of Nepal
Checkout the 2019 ICG Tour Options and book your place now.
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Soil of the Somme Commemorative keyrings and Medallions.
Limited “Soil of the Somme commemorative collection”
ICG is very proud to be a supporter of Legacy .
ICG is launching and supporting Legacy with a very special project -our Soil of the Somme commemorative keyrings collection. This limited edition keyring contains the soil of one of each of five significant Australian Battlefields of France. The Certificate of authenticity gives the exact GPs co-ordinates where the soil was collected on the Somme.This is a unique collector’s item to commemorate and remember Australia’s participation in the Great War.
The Keyrings will be available from the ICG store.
for details - interccg@bigpond.com
BUY YOUR COMMEMORATIVE KEYRING OR BOXED SET OF 5 BATTLEFIELD SOIL MEDALLIONS NOW
CHECK OUT THE ICG STORE !
Limited “Soil of the Somme commemorative collection”
ICG is very proud to be a supporter of Legacy .
ICG is launching and supporting Legacy with a very special project -our Soil of the Somme commemorative keyrings collection. This limited edition keyring contains the soil of one of each of five significant Australian Battlefields of France. The Certificate of authenticity gives the exact GPs co-ordinates where the soil was collected on the Somme.This is a unique collector’s item to commemorate and remember Australia’s participation in the Great War.
The Keyrings will be available from the ICG store.
for details - interccg@bigpond.com
BUY YOUR COMMEMORATIVE KEYRING OR BOXED SET OF 5 BATTLEFIELD SOIL MEDALLIONS NOW
CHECK OUT THE ICG STORE !
"Behind the Lines" Exhibition Commissariat Store Museum Brisbane
Other stories of the Great war
Queensland Soldiers in Vignacourt and Naours
October 2018-September 2019
A special exhibition to commemorate the Armistice of the Great War. Learn about the towns and villages behind the lines and the soldiers who went there. Discover the incredible stories from Vignacourt and Naours.
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First soldier officially identified at Naours and Vignacourt!
Naours and Vignacourt are not far from each other. WE always have known that the soldiers would have probably visited each place. We have researched hard to try and identify soldiers who were both at Vignacourt and Naours. We now have our first soldier who we know visited both places and left his legacy....a photo and a signature! The only one we know of so far.
We know that he was at both places . His signature and visit to Naours is notated in his diary from January 1917, now held by the Mitchell Library.
The actual glass plate does not exist in the collection...it is lost or somewhere else in Vignacourt !
We truly hope we can find more !
The Story of Joseph Allen Allsop
Wilfred Joseph Allan Allsop lived on Arrabury Briersley Street in Mosman near Sydney. He was a clerk. On July 23rd, 1915 at the age of 22 joined the 8th Field ambulance as a courier and stretcher bearer.
He left Australia 10th November, 1915 aboard the HMAT Ascanius A11.
He spent time in Alexandria and left for Marseille on the 17 June 1916. Arrived in Marseilles 23rd June, 1916. Temporary duty to 15th Field Ambulance, 22nd August, 1916 and rejoined 8th Field ambulance 19th September, 1916. The brigade spent time in Armentieres until October 14th. They then moved through Bailleul, Dernancourt and ended up in Thistle Dump where a front line cemetery was begun in August, 1916. The ambulance brigade was busy and the weather did not help them at all. As quoted within the diary of the 8th Ambulance brigade page 70, “The weather has been very bad and conditions are almost impossible for bearers to sufficiently evacuate wounded from front lines owing to the great length of carriage 6000 yards. Trenches are in very bad condition in places thigh deep in mud, so that bearers carry in the open under shell fire continually. It is almost impossible for bearers to keep their feet in the slippery mud.” The brigade moved to Chateau Olincourt, Vignacourt around the 7th of November doing routine work, construction, giving concerts for the sick in various District rest stations until early February. It would have been during his time in Chateau Olincourt that Allsop had the opportunity to visit Naours.
In January 1917, Allan and his friends visited the underground of Naours, which were already a tourist attraction. On January 2nd, Allan writes:
"... In the afternoon, a group of 10 of us to the famous" caves near Naours, where refugees were accustomed to hide in time of invasion. The caves contain 300 rooms about which one is 1000 meters long. An entire division with horses, men, guns and transportation could come here ... "
He was transferred on the 23 March 1918 to the Australian Corps Signal Company as a sapper. Wilford Allan Allsop wrote about his life as a soldier in a diary he held from 23 July to 31 December 1917. He was stationed in Vignacourt to the North West of Amiens. He returned to Australia on April 19, 1919 on the ship Sardenia disembarked, 13 June 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 5 August 1919.
Wilfred Joseph Allen Allsop was often known as Allan so as not to be confused with his Dad who was also Wilfred.
Allan’s five diaries cover the period 1915-1917 and were bought by the Mitchell Library New South Wales in 1920 for 12 pounds. They were purchased as a part of the European War Collecting project (Soldiers’ Diaries Collection) created by the trustees of the Mitchell Library.
We have Allan in front of the Thuillier background and his Naours' graffiti.
Thanks to Channel 7 for their photo from the Sunday Night original program and the Naours caves.
We know that he was at both places . His signature and visit to Naours is notated in his diary from January 1917, now held by the Mitchell Library.
The actual glass plate does not exist in the collection...it is lost or somewhere else in Vignacourt !
We truly hope we can find more !
The Story of Joseph Allen Allsop
Wilfred Joseph Allan Allsop lived on Arrabury Briersley Street in Mosman near Sydney. He was a clerk. On July 23rd, 1915 at the age of 22 joined the 8th Field ambulance as a courier and stretcher bearer.
He left Australia 10th November, 1915 aboard the HMAT Ascanius A11.
He spent time in Alexandria and left for Marseille on the 17 June 1916. Arrived in Marseilles 23rd June, 1916. Temporary duty to 15th Field Ambulance, 22nd August, 1916 and rejoined 8th Field ambulance 19th September, 1916. The brigade spent time in Armentieres until October 14th. They then moved through Bailleul, Dernancourt and ended up in Thistle Dump where a front line cemetery was begun in August, 1916. The ambulance brigade was busy and the weather did not help them at all. As quoted within the diary of the 8th Ambulance brigade page 70, “The weather has been very bad and conditions are almost impossible for bearers to sufficiently evacuate wounded from front lines owing to the great length of carriage 6000 yards. Trenches are in very bad condition in places thigh deep in mud, so that bearers carry in the open under shell fire continually. It is almost impossible for bearers to keep their feet in the slippery mud.” The brigade moved to Chateau Olincourt, Vignacourt around the 7th of November doing routine work, construction, giving concerts for the sick in various District rest stations until early February. It would have been during his time in Chateau Olincourt that Allsop had the opportunity to visit Naours.
In January 1917, Allan and his friends visited the underground of Naours, which were already a tourist attraction. On January 2nd, Allan writes:
"... In the afternoon, a group of 10 of us to the famous" caves near Naours, where refugees were accustomed to hide in time of invasion. The caves contain 300 rooms about which one is 1000 meters long. An entire division with horses, men, guns and transportation could come here ... "
He was transferred on the 23 March 1918 to the Australian Corps Signal Company as a sapper. Wilford Allan Allsop wrote about his life as a soldier in a diary he held from 23 July to 31 December 1917. He was stationed in Vignacourt to the North West of Amiens. He returned to Australia on April 19, 1919 on the ship Sardenia disembarked, 13 June 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 5 August 1919.
Wilfred Joseph Allen Allsop was often known as Allan so as not to be confused with his Dad who was also Wilfred.
Allan’s five diaries cover the period 1915-1917 and were bought by the Mitchell Library New South Wales in 1920 for 12 pounds. They were purchased as a part of the European War Collecting project (Soldiers’ Diaries Collection) created by the trustees of the Mitchell Library.
We have Allan in front of the Thuillier background and his Naours' graffiti.
Thanks to Channel 7 for their photo from the Sunday Night original program and the Naours caves.
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Vignacourt Thuillier Museum now officially opened.
Check it out...…..
Useful Information
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 2pm to 6pm
November to March -
Tuesday to Saturday: 1.30pm to 5pm
Closed in December & January & 1 May
Vignacourt14-18
196 rue d’Amour
80650 Vignacourt
+33 (0)6 73 69 55 49
www.vignacourt14-18.com
- Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 2pm to 6pm
November to March -
Tuesday to Saturday: 1.30pm to 5pm
Closed in December & January & 1 May
- Tariffs: adults/€5 – reduced price/€3 (job seekers, war veterans)
- Groups from 15 pax & school groups/€2 per person + free accompanying adult (bookings required)
Vignacourt14-18
196 rue d’Amour
80650 Vignacourt
+33 (0)6 73 69 55 49
www.vignacourt14-18.com
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School News in from Vignacourt France... a special visit!
Vignacourt welcomed the Hedges Family from Bargara recently. Bargara is a sister school of the Vignacourt School
From all reports they had a great time. Vignacourt is also preparing for the official opening of the new Thuillier Museum on the 3rd July by Darren Chester MP Minister for Vererans Affairs who will also be in France to commemorate the Australian presence at the Battle of Hamel where the exploits of General Sir John Monash are well remembered.
Mrs Hedges writes...The entire experience was amazing!! I have only just been able to get back online...We are in the Swiss Alps now :) Valerie was fantastic, she walked us through the museum and explained both the history of the photos and the town along with the clever way the museum has been designed. Her passion, really brought the story to life! I had many a goosebumps. My two younger children were extremely tired from the travel and school trip, so we didn't stick around for too long at the museum. I Absolutely loved the museum and Valerie!
The school visit was a life changing experience for all of us. We all feel so incredibly privalaged to have met the students and teachers of Vignacourt school. Madam Lavilette was so warm and welcoming, and the sea of smiling faces when we walked into the classroom was overwhelming! Ryan And Liam walked around the room giving the students their clip on Koalas, magnets, pens and Tim tams :) The Tim Tams were a big hit, lol. The classroom was a hive of energy as all the children scurried around the room giving each other gifts and showing different things, comparing their world's. The boys made a little slideshow of Bargara State School and a few activities they liked to do back in Australia and translated it into French for them in Google translate. They we're shocked at how big Bargara State School is and how many students go there. One of the girls came and asked Liam and Ryan, in English, "would you like to come and play with me?" So we stayed for their play break too, and the children ran around playing "doosh doosh" and "cache cache" (I probably spelt those wrong) We watched the children play, many of them came up to us and practised their English. It was amazing. They told us they love Australia :) We went to the graves after the museum and Ryan was able to find his cross from Bargara State School on one of the graves of the diggers and we were able to find some of their school friends crosses too. We also visited the Naours caves..LOVED those...WOW! We spent so much time on all of these activities that we unfortunately didn't make it to the Sir John Monash Museum. The day was unbelievable, the children didn't want to leave the School, including the younger two children! We all loved it so much that are children have asked if they can come back! We have made an agreement with them, that if they learn French by 2020 we will be back! That way we can see all the things we missed? Spend a little more time and speak the lingo! We would love to see the farmhouse when it is finished too! They all spoke very highly of you and Donna, the children asked if you were both coming too. Thank you so very much for making this visit possible. I cannot attach the photos, but will send them through messenger. I will be sending them to Valerie and Madam Lavillette, and Madam Lavillette has some photos and video too.
Thank you again so much
From all reports they had a great time. Vignacourt is also preparing for the official opening of the new Thuillier Museum on the 3rd July by Darren Chester MP Minister for Vererans Affairs who will also be in France to commemorate the Australian presence at the Battle of Hamel where the exploits of General Sir John Monash are well remembered.
Mrs Hedges writes...The entire experience was amazing!! I have only just been able to get back online...We are in the Swiss Alps now :) Valerie was fantastic, she walked us through the museum and explained both the history of the photos and the town along with the clever way the museum has been designed. Her passion, really brought the story to life! I had many a goosebumps. My two younger children were extremely tired from the travel and school trip, so we didn't stick around for too long at the museum. I Absolutely loved the museum and Valerie!
The school visit was a life changing experience for all of us. We all feel so incredibly privalaged to have met the students and teachers of Vignacourt school. Madam Lavilette was so warm and welcoming, and the sea of smiling faces when we walked into the classroom was overwhelming! Ryan And Liam walked around the room giving the students their clip on Koalas, magnets, pens and Tim tams :) The Tim Tams were a big hit, lol. The classroom was a hive of energy as all the children scurried around the room giving each other gifts and showing different things, comparing their world's. The boys made a little slideshow of Bargara State School and a few activities they liked to do back in Australia and translated it into French for them in Google translate. They we're shocked at how big Bargara State School is and how many students go there. One of the girls came and asked Liam and Ryan, in English, "would you like to come and play with me?" So we stayed for their play break too, and the children ran around playing "doosh doosh" and "cache cache" (I probably spelt those wrong) We watched the children play, many of them came up to us and practised their English. It was amazing. They told us they love Australia :) We went to the graves after the museum and Ryan was able to find his cross from Bargara State School on one of the graves of the diggers and we were able to find some of their school friends crosses too. We also visited the Naours caves..LOVED those...WOW! We spent so much time on all of these activities that we unfortunately didn't make it to the Sir John Monash Museum. The day was unbelievable, the children didn't want to leave the School, including the younger two children! We all loved it so much that are children have asked if they can come back! We have made an agreement with them, that if they learn French by 2020 we will be back! That way we can see all the things we missed? Spend a little more time and speak the lingo! We would love to see the farmhouse when it is finished too! They all spoke very highly of you and Donna, the children asked if you were both coming too. Thank you so very much for making this visit possible. I cannot attach the photos, but will send them through messenger. I will be sending them to Valerie and Madam Lavillette, and Madam Lavillette has some photos and video too.
Thank you again so much
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ICG does many things...…..
Why not try a travel experience with us soon ?
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Join us in February 2019 for our best trip to Japan …
the Sapporo Snow Festival.
January 31st to February 12th 2019.
Check out the great Itinerary.
ICG Nepal Project....an amazing opportunity awaits !
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Lonely Planet says it all.......
For many, stepping off a plane into Kathmandu is a pupil-dilating experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can quickly lead to sensory overload. Whether you’re barrelling through the traffic-jammed alleyways of the old town in a rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district of Thamel, Kathmandu can be an intoxicating, amazing and exhausting place.........
ICG has been communicating for some time now with a small school community in Kathmandu, Nepal and looking to arrange some form of linkage.The school is called Subhakamana School in Gokarneswar ,a central area of Kathmandu. It presently has 62 students enrolled . 22 of the students are from local orphanages near by. They have 5 classes at present of lower primary age with 7 teachers , a cook, nurse and teachers aide. The mandate of this small Montessori styled school is to provide a safe and happy environment for the children enrolled and to give them an opportunity for the future. The school would like to invite a number of visitors during the Australian September School holidays this year to work in the school and share in this wonderful opportunity. The School community will provide a family homestay with private facilities and meals each day along with sightseeing opportunities in and around Kathmandu provided by the local School Board and Community. The Chairman of the School Board of 7 local residents is Mr Prakash Adhikari who is also the Deputy Principal of East Pole High School in Kathmandu, a well respected high school of 1500 students. Prakash is also a member of ADEC-Nepal, a small but effective non governmental not for profit organization whose purpose is to provide food, clothes, a home and education to the most underprivileged children in Nepal. He is also very involved in environmental and health activities in the local community. The cost of this 2 week program is $3900. (the return airfares and a program fee that will also support the school and local community) We would truly like to support Prakash and his projects. If you would like to take part in this very special opportunity, we have just 5 places . Please let us know of any interest . We are also looking for 1 or 2 local school communities here that may be interested in linking with the school in some way. It aims to grow a class each year and become a full primary school from Kindergarten to a year 7 level.
For many, stepping off a plane into Kathmandu is a pupil-dilating experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can quickly lead to sensory overload. Whether you’re barrelling through the traffic-jammed alleyways of the old town in a rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district of Thamel, Kathmandu can be an intoxicating, amazing and exhausting place.........
ICG has been communicating for some time now with a small school community in Kathmandu, Nepal and looking to arrange some form of linkage.The school is called Subhakamana School in Gokarneswar ,a central area of Kathmandu. It presently has 62 students enrolled . 22 of the students are from local orphanages near by. They have 5 classes at present of lower primary age with 7 teachers , a cook, nurse and teachers aide. The mandate of this small Montessori styled school is to provide a safe and happy environment for the children enrolled and to give them an opportunity for the future. The school would like to invite a number of visitors during the Australian September School holidays this year to work in the school and share in this wonderful opportunity. The School community will provide a family homestay with private facilities and meals each day along with sightseeing opportunities in and around Kathmandu provided by the local School Board and Community. The Chairman of the School Board of 7 local residents is Mr Prakash Adhikari who is also the Deputy Principal of East Pole High School in Kathmandu, a well respected high school of 1500 students. Prakash is also a member of ADEC-Nepal, a small but effective non governmental not for profit organization whose purpose is to provide food, clothes, a home and education to the most underprivileged children in Nepal. He is also very involved in environmental and health activities in the local community. The cost of this 2 week program is $3900. (the return airfares and a program fee that will also support the school and local community) We would truly like to support Prakash and his projects. If you would like to take part in this very special opportunity, we have just 5 places . Please let us know of any interest . We are also looking for 1 or 2 local school communities here that may be interested in linking with the school in some way. It aims to grow a class each year and become a full primary school from Kindergarten to a year 7 level.
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More News from Naours.
A great Queensland link to Naours in France.
John Patrick Ramkema visited Naours sometime between the 12th and 16th June 1916 before he was thrown into the horror that was Pozieres and survive. He had survived Gallipoli and Fleurbaix and was to be wounded a total of 4 times. He had even received the Military Cross for his gallantry when he rushed a trench killing German soldiers and returning with prisoners .
On the 6th and 7th May 1916 during actions around Bapaume he would be wounded yet again. This time he would not be lucky though. He would ultimately lose his left arm due to injuries.
He would return home to Australia in 1917.
His legacy lives on through his wall Grafitti at Naours!
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Two Books on Naours now !
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Take a look at the ANZAC DAY Tour 2018 Highlights.
Follow the link to see a great set of photos!
Take part in ANZAC DAY in France and Vignacourt in 2019.
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ICG is also excited to announce that our World Youth Forum will again take place in Hiroshima Japan in March 2019.
Stay tuned for more details.
Great News for the Photos in the Attic movie project.
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Welcome to David Lightfoot- Co Producer and Production Supervisor Australian film producer David Lightfoot is one of the most experienced and regarded production executives in the country. His credits include the highly successful 2005 horror/thriller ‘Wolf Creek’, The Weinstein Company’s action/thriller ‘Rogue’ (2007) both written and directed by Greg McLean and most recently the Screen Australia financed thriller ‘Coffin Rock’, with International Sales being handled by Bankside Films, London. David Lightfoot commenced a traineeship at the South Australian Film Corporation in 1982. Since then, he has held numerous positions in the film industry in roles as varied as Location Manager, Production Manager and 1st Assistant Director before becoming a Producer. He has worked on a number of occasions with internationally renowned directors including Rolf De Heer, Greg McLean and Paul Cox, has line produced an array of Television productions and has frequently acted as consultant to the South Australian Film Corporation, Screenwest, NSW Film and Television Office, NZ Film Commission, leading film study education institutions and completion guarantors. David is the founding director of the Shorts Film Festival, an Adelaide based national festival of short Australian films that awards the winning filmmaker with an all-expenses paid trip to the Cannes Film Festival, offering the second biggest prize pool for a short film festival in Australia. His past credits include ‘Bad Boy Bubby’ (1994) as the Production Supervisor/ Associate Producer, as Producer of the mini-series, ‘Three Forever’ (1996), an Australian-Italian coproduction, and Producer of the feature film ‘Spank!’ (1998). He was also Co- Producer and Line Producer of ‘The Sound of One Hand Clapping’ (1997), Consulting Producer on ‘Innocence’ (1999) and Line Producer on ‘Japanese Story’ (2003).David was recently Executive Producer on Michael Craft’s psychological thriller ‘Storage’ (2009) and Michael Henry’s directorial debut ‘Blame’ (2010), selected as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival’s Production Fund. In 2014 David completed the action thriller ‘Turkey Shoot – Reloaded’ aka ‘The Elimination Game’, for Writer/Director Jon Hewitt and Producer Anthony I Ginnane and Writer/Director, Jim Lounsbury and Producer Behren Shulz’s love story ‘Love Is Now’ which won best Foreign film at Mexico and Arizona Film Festivals in 2015. He finished working on ‘A Few Less Men’ for Larry Malkin, Share Stallings and Tania Chambers in Western Australia in 2016. Recently completed in 2017 is the thriller Bad Blood which David Lightfoot produced with Antony I Ginnane and written and directed by David Pulbrook. Bad Blood just premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival Oct 2017 and is already garnering overseas sales. Also in 2017 he co-produced ‘1%’ produced by Michael Pontin and Jamie Hilton and directed by Steven McCullum. It was selected and premiered at Toronto Film Festival 2017 and also screened at the Adelaide and London Film Festivals in October. He and Ultrafilms are heavily in development in several feature films and long form television/streaming productions, slated for 2018/19 |
Anzac Week 2018 The Western Front and Vignacourt.
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Each Year as part of the ICG Western Front Tour we commemorate relatives and others who served in the Great War.......some who remain somewhere in France or Belgium. WE REMEMBER THEM! LEST WE FORGET.
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Check out the Yuki Matsuri visit 2018 and the ICG highlighted spots !
Sign up now for Yuki Matsuri 2019.....you will be amazed.
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Japan Yuki Matsuri Tour 2018
ICG is excited to announce a new tour to add to our unique boutique touring program.
"Under the Tuscan and Santorini Sun"
September 2019 (TOUR FULLY BOOKED)
....checkout the tentative itinerary now and book your expression of interest.
It promises to be one of the best ICG tours yet !
NOW including an optional and amazing side trip to Egypt to view the Pyramids and the Sphinx !
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Home away from home- September 2019
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Highlights -Telopea Park School Canberra Western Front Band Tour September 2017
Highlights -Telopea Park School Canberra Western Front Band Tour September 2017
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St Firman's Church Vignacourt.
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Remembering Pozieres
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Performance at the Menin Gate.
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At the Thuillier Barn Vignacourt
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London Eye.
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Last Post at Villers Brettoneux
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Vignacourt Remembered.
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St Josephs School Le Havre.
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Great things about ICG......
.......We decided to use ICG this year for our school band’s overseas tour as the formidable logistics of a 72-person team with 1.2 tonnes of musical equipment being transported halfway around the world and back presented a significant challenge to us as school teachers. ICG has a very strong community relationship on the ground in the areas we were visiting and were able to advise on areas unknown to us when mapping out an itinerary. Of particular note was ICG’s ability to accommodate difficult requests when our itinerary had to be significantly rearranged in order to fulfil Departmental requirements on some countries we were visiting which subsequently had stage 2 travel advisories declared. ICG rearranged accommodation and easily solved some significant technical problems in crafting what turned out to be a wonderful and unique itinerary I am sure our students will never forget. At all times on tour ICG were very proactive in logistic planning and execution, making life much safer and easier for all staff on tour. All our touring staff appreciated the extra safety factor with such a large group of high school students by having ICG doing so much effective work on the ground throughout the tour.
ICG’s strong educational background was constantly featured of the tour – from anticipating teacher and student needs, to providing thoroughly educational insights and commentary on the historic places we visited. In particular, ICG were able to co-ordinate very significant community events involving several town mayors and village communities we visited and which we would not have had access to otherwise. This is of course a very important consideration for a musical organisation in need of an audience to play for.
There was much over-and-above work done for our school by ICG which was also highly appreciated by all. From co-ordinating special dietary requirements on airlines, to setting up special deals for considerable excess baggage and even physically revisiting some tour areas after our group had returned to Australia to collect mobile phones that were left behind. ICG even posted the phones to the school at no additional cost to the school – to the great joy of two students!
We thoroughly enjoyed working with ICG staff who are now good friends of Telopea. The ICG report furnished to our school has been received with considerable professional admiration, particularly from our Principal. Our only regret was that we have not used ICG before ! We will very happily work with ICG on future projects and have absolutely nothing but praise for them and the outstanding work they do.
Rob Clements,
Music Teacher,
Telopea Park School,
Canberra.
Thanks Rob for the kind words. It was our pleasure and we have nothing but praise for you, your teachers and the wonderful students.
.......We decided to use ICG this year for our school band’s overseas tour as the formidable logistics of a 72-person team with 1.2 tonnes of musical equipment being transported halfway around the world and back presented a significant challenge to us as school teachers. ICG has a very strong community relationship on the ground in the areas we were visiting and were able to advise on areas unknown to us when mapping out an itinerary. Of particular note was ICG’s ability to accommodate difficult requests when our itinerary had to be significantly rearranged in order to fulfil Departmental requirements on some countries we were visiting which subsequently had stage 2 travel advisories declared. ICG rearranged accommodation and easily solved some significant technical problems in crafting what turned out to be a wonderful and unique itinerary I am sure our students will never forget. At all times on tour ICG were very proactive in logistic planning and execution, making life much safer and easier for all staff on tour. All our touring staff appreciated the extra safety factor with such a large group of high school students by having ICG doing so much effective work on the ground throughout the tour.
ICG’s strong educational background was constantly featured of the tour – from anticipating teacher and student needs, to providing thoroughly educational insights and commentary on the historic places we visited. In particular, ICG were able to co-ordinate very significant community events involving several town mayors and village communities we visited and which we would not have had access to otherwise. This is of course a very important consideration for a musical organisation in need of an audience to play for.
There was much over-and-above work done for our school by ICG which was also highly appreciated by all. From co-ordinating special dietary requirements on airlines, to setting up special deals for considerable excess baggage and even physically revisiting some tour areas after our group had returned to Australia to collect mobile phones that were left behind. ICG even posted the phones to the school at no additional cost to the school – to the great joy of two students!
We thoroughly enjoyed working with ICG staff who are now good friends of Telopea. The ICG report furnished to our school has been received with considerable professional admiration, particularly from our Principal. Our only regret was that we have not used ICG before ! We will very happily work with ICG on future projects and have absolutely nothing but praise for them and the outstanding work they do.
Rob Clements,
Music Teacher,
Telopea Park School,
Canberra.
Thanks Rob for the kind words. It was our pleasure and we have nothing but praise for you, your teachers and the wonderful students.
New book tells story of Secret beneath the Somme.
Recently rediscoverd in hidden chambers in the north of France is an incredible secret of the Battle of the Somme and World War I. The signatures and graffiti of French, English and Australian soldiers tell a story of lives long lost but now found. The Silent Soldiers of Naours is the story of how French and Australian researchers rediscovered the incredible stories of what happened to these men. A large group of French archaeologists have been exploring more than 250 World War I sites since 2001. Having been involved in the Lost Diggers of Vignacourt project, an Australian group of researchers became involved with Gillies Prilaux and his team working in a small village near Vignacourt that was once behind the lines during WW1. Beneath a small village named Naours, over 3000 signatures are recorded on the walls of a network of ancient underground caves. Most of the signatures were done by ‘Aussie’ soldiers while on leave or training for combat in Vignacourt and surrounding areas. Michael and Donna Fiechtner have been involved in the investigation of these signatures (that have all been digitally recorded) and a French archaeological team headed by Gilles Prilaux has been identifying the names to match signatures with the names and biographies of soldiers. A local high schools is also involved .Many went off to WWI battlefields, never to return, after leaving their names etched for history. It is a military book with a heart … images of signatures and graffiti (drawings) matches to names of Australian soldiers with their full biographies and pictures. It is a unique story and offers something new to readers interested in the history of World War I.
Check out the highlights of the 2017 Anzac Tour.
What you will see when you join our 2019 Anzac Day Tour.
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What's happening at ICG now ?
-Anzac Tours 2018 and 2019
-Japan Snow Festival Tour 2019.
-Remembrance Day Tour 2019.
Cherry Blossom Tour Japan 2019
-Silent Soldiers of Naours publication available now.
-Research of Silent Soldiers of Naours part 2.
-Kepnock State High School /Bundaberg Western Front Visit 2018.
-Villers Bocage school twinning with Kepnock State High School.
-Photos in the Attic Feature Film on screen 2019 .
-World Youth Peace Forum 2019.
-Vignacourt Museum and Guest House development.
-Live Bargara Beach Anzac Day Cross to Vignacourt Town.
-Return of Private Billy Court and Soldier Robert Mascots to Vignacourt.
Highlights of the upcoming Japan Yuki Matsuri Tour- February 2018/19
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Great News for our Feature Film Photos in the Attic.
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Rod Hardy is a widely accomplished and talented director who has forged his keen instincts and his trademark visual sense of story through extensive experience. His collaborative efforts are but a gleaning of his problem-solving techniques. He has a great ability to bring the best out in people whether it is an actor’s performance or a DP’s best shot.Having honed his directing and producing skills in Australia, Hardy moved to Los Angeles in 1992 to launch his American career. His first assignment was to direct Lies and Lullabies the traumatic life story of pregnant cocaine addicts, starring Susan Dey and Piper Laurie. The movie was awarded the Scott Newman Award (founded by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in memory of their son) that is presented annually to the production that best illustrates the degradation of and triumph over drug addiction. Since his award winning U.S. directorial debut, he has garnered both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for movies of the week and mini-series. M.O.W.’s range fromGrounds for Murder for CBS, starring John Ritter and Henry Winkler in memorable dramatic roles, to the re-creation of the classic Marjorie Rawlins’ novel, The Yearling, for CBS that featured notable performances by Jean Smart and Peter Strauss. Hardy’s directorial range runs the gamut of contemporary drama and science fiction to portraits of important historic moments, to the re-telling of such adventure classics as Robinson Crusoe with Pierce Brosnan and Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Michael Caine. Rod also directed the successful Turner Network Television adventure-drama Two For Texas, starring Kris Kristofferson, Tom Skerrit and Scott Bairstow garnering the prestigious Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Award. He teamed up for a second time with Tom Skerritt , this time on the critically acclaimed cable movie re make of HIGH NOON for the Superstation TBS. After completing X-Files series 8, and directing JAG series 7 for Belisarius Productions / CBS, Hardy has gone on to direct episodes of Robbery Homicide Division for Producer Michael Mann, The Practice for David E Kelley Productions, Touching Evil for producers Bruce Willis/ Arnold Rifkin and Battlestar Gallactica for the Sci-Fi channel. Also included in his repertoire, The Mentalist starring Simon Baker, DollHouse for producer Joss Whedon and FOX, Covert Affairs with Piper Perabault, Burn Notice with Jeffrey Donovan, and Make It Or Break It for The Family Channel. Mental for FOX, shot in Bogota, Colombia, and Persons Unknown NBC, shot in Mexico City. His theatrical feature DECEMBER BOYS was winner of the Giffoni Film Festival Award 2008. Released by Roadshow/Warner Bros, it starred Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame and Teresa Palmer. www.rodhardy.com |
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Our Best Anzac Tour Yet! Checkout the details for Anzac Day 2018.
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Join us for a magical experience in Japan in 2018/19....The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri .....
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World Youth Peace Forum 2017.
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World Youth Peace Forum Hiroshima 2017
55 students and teachers from 29 countries joined us in Hiroshima during the last week to celebrate Peace and search for ways to address the world's ever increasing problems.
55 students and teachers from 29 countries joined us in Hiroshima during the last week to celebrate Peace and search for ways to address the world's ever increasing problems.
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Vignacourt Mayor visits Australia
French Mayor Stephane Ducrotoy visits Australia to commemorate events of 100 years ago and to sign Friendship agreements.
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Photos in the Attic Feature Film.
''Latest Movie News." Photos in the Attic....a story of forbidden love in time of war.
www.photosintheatticproject.com
Based on the stories of the Lost Diggers glass photographic plates rediscovered in 2010 in the Thuillier barn in Vignacourt, France. Photos in the Attic ( working title) is a sweeping, wartime romance between an Australian soldier and a carefree, sensuous French woman. Time has no boundaries as the story weaves its way from the future back to the past. In the tradition of Titanic, the story begins in the present day, in Paris, where, Marie Bonnaire, retraces the life of her beloved great grandmother, Rose in the village of Vignacourt 100 years ago.
Check out the official movie website www.photosintheatticproject.com
Become a "Friend of" the Photos in the Attic Movie project and see your name in the credits.
Some great items available when you take part. Check them out now.
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Villers Bocage
..............to become part of ICG's School's Program.
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We will shortly welcome a new village on the Somme to our School's Program. Collège Les Coudriers - Villers-Bocage "Soldats Voyageurs" is located not far from Naours where over 3000 signatures of soldiers are located deep beneath the village in ancient caves. The students will link with Kepnock College in Bundaberg continuing the linkages made last year when the Mayor of Vignacourt (nearby)visited Australia and signed Friendship Agreements. Kepncok students will travel to the Somme in 2018 to take part in archeological activities headed up by INRAP lead archeologist Gilles Prilaux in Naours. Students from both schools are already working on a range of activities.
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Register your interest now and find out more.
contact us today..........interccg@bigpond.com
Vignacourt School's Program
Our WW1 Travel buddy program continues.........
Private Billy Court has returned from France and brings with him French Soldat Robert Thuillier to learn about Australia.
Follow their journey as they foster good will and friendship 100 years after the Great War.
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School's Project links France and Australia.
www.memoriesofvignacourt.com
Great work with the Vignacourt Kids as our classroom and school program takes shape.....
Descendant visits Vignacourt.
Lost Digger Descendant Ray Renner visits Vignacourt nearly 100 years after his father was photographed in the Thuilier Barn.
He also had the opportunity to meet " The Bread boy" of Vignacourts Great Grandson .
an incredible moment.
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Crosses from Australia placed in Vignacourt.
Crosses made in Australia and decorated by Bargara students Bundaberg for Anzac Day 2016 were sent to Vignacourt and fulfilling a promise made by the Mayor 100 years ago were placed on the graves of 426 Australians buried in the Vignacourt Cemetery. The Vignacourt students placed the crosses on behalf of the Bargara State School students , 15000 km away in Australia. The students linked by a common promise made in 1918 and now commemorating together.
Crosses made in Australia and decorated by Bargara students Bundaberg for Anzac Day 2016 were sent to Vignacourt and fulfilling a promise made by the Mayor 100 years ago were placed on the graves of 426 Australians buried in the Vignacourt Cemetery. The Vignacourt students placed the crosses on behalf of the Bargara State School students , 15000 km away in Australia. The students linked by a common promise made in 1918 and now commemorating together.
Making way for the New Vignacourt Museum meant that some of the old barn that was not safe had to be removed. If only the walls could have talked.......I wonder what stories could have been told!
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Anzac Day Tour 2016
Take a look at the Anzac Day Western Front highlights for 2016.......just a taste.
We are filling quickly for 2018 trips for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
Do not miss out.........contact us now for details.......you will not be sorry.
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Inspiring World War 1 song written and performed by Vignacourt local Bruno Sauty.
Have a look at the highlights of the World Youth Peace Forum in Hiroshima earlier this year.
We have already locked in March 5th-10th 2017.
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The ICG Western Front ANZAC Tour is just around the corner.
We have identified some more personal WW1 soldier stories in our preparations.
Hansen and Arnold Woodcock |
Lewis McIntyre |
William Outtram |
Have you thought about travelling to the Western Front or Japan with ICG?
Have a look at what you are missing out on !
March 10th 2016 ICG World War 1 Vignacourt Schools Program launched in Bundaberg
Feb 29th 2016 ICG World Youth Peace Forum 2016 begins in Hiroshima Japan.
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Li Po Chun United World College students- Hiroshima Peace Park Japan
www.worldyouthpeaceforum.com
Billy Makes Mates.
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ICG is very proud to launch our "Billy Makes Mates" project. A loveable Aussie Soldier Bear Private Billy Court will provide the opportunity to rekindle friendships made 100 years ago during the Great War in Vignacourt in Northern France. Vignacourt Primary School in Picardy, France will be joined by Childers State School, St Joseph's Childers and Bargara State School from Queensland to take part in a range of educational opportunities to promote, culture and history and our two wonderful countries.The four schools will become ICG partner schools. Both Childers and Vignacourt are closely linked due to events that took place nearly 100 years ago. Childers had the most enlistments in the Great War per head of population in Australia and also had the greatest loss of life per head of population. Both towns are green havens, Childers with sugar cane farms and Vignacourt surrounded by fields that bloom with poppies. Both towns are of a similar size and possess interesting histories. Vignacourt was behind the lines and many families lost their menfolk during horrific campaigns such as Verdun , but offered a place of rest and recuperation for the Aussie diggers , as well as soldiers from other countries. Louis and Antoinette Thuillier took photos of the soldiers as they passed through Vignacourt. These photographs captured on glass photographic plates have become known as the Lost Diggers of Vignacourt and tell an amazing story of relationships between French villagers and Aussie soldiers. Two soldiers from Childers , William and Thomas See were recently identified as being Lost Diggers from Childers.The relevance and opportunity to create these links during the years of commemoration of the Great War are going to provide an ongoing legacy beyond the 100 year events. Bargara State School will remember the 400 plus Australian soldiers that lie in Vignacourt British Cemetery. They will be commemorated with a beach ceremony on ANZAC day this year and crosses prepared by the students. These crosses will be transported to Vignacourt and the Vignacourt students will lay them at the Aussie headstones in the Vignacourt cemetery following on from a promise made by the Vignacourt Mayor in 1919 to never forget. The Bargara students will also research the Aussie Diggers who are buried in the Vignacourt cemetery. St Joseph's Childers will commence the travel buddy program by having Private Billy Court the Anzac Bear, first in their school to take photos and write a diary. Private Billy will then travel to the Vignacourt School. He will be presented to this school by Michael and Donna Fiechtner at the ANZAC Day BBQ in Vignacourt. This experience will open a variety of cultural and historical aspects between the students of both countries as well as creating a bond of mateship. Each school that is working on the project with ICG will have the chance to have Bill attend their class/school and share their way of life and activities undertaken. These will be recorded in Billy's Diary in various ways and shared backwards and forwards between Australia and France. Childers State school will make postcards and exchange them as did Aussie diggers during the Great War. They will highlight the important role played by Louis and Antoinette Thuillier in the soldiers' lives. Photos will become an important part of the Childers State School project. Qld schools will make paper poppies which will be strung together and laid at Vignacourt Cemetery on Anzac Day. All schools will welcome Billy into their community at some stage over the next twelve months between ANZAC day 2016 and ANZAC day 2017. Michael and Donna Fiechtner, both qualified teachers and Directors of Intercultural Consulting Group will launch the project to these Qld schools on the 9th and 10th March with some activities in the lead up to Anzac Day 2016. They will then spend time in Vignacourt in June 2016 working with the French teachers, students and the community there to develop the project further to share and learn. Every School will benefit from the "Billy Makes Mates" project as the schools form bonds and friendships as did the soldiers and villagers in the Great War. |
Reflections Exhibition .......
Lost Diggers by George Petrou ........Ross Coulthart presentation
PITA MovieTeaser launched January 26th 2016
We are excited to finally bring you our completed Photos in the Attic Teaser.
Checkout all the details of this exciting ICG project at www.photosintheatticproject.com
Become a "Friend of the Project"
Reflections of the Lost Diggers of Vignacourt
by George Petrou
An amazing collection of inspiring portraits ! (source George Petrou)
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Become a Member of "Friends of " Photos in the Attic.
Childers and Bundaberg embrace the "Photos in the Attic" Project
-Recently while in Childers doing research we came across the See family...Brothers Thomas and William ended up being Lost Diggers of Vignacourt. We were able to Identify them officially with the Australian War Memorial . The family are very excited. They are also in the Lost Digger's book.
-We also welcome the wonderful artistic work of Ann-Maree Willett to help support our Photos in the Attic Project with her Flanders Poppy and French Bleuet flower pins.
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Take a sneak at the movie development teaser due for release on the 11th November by viewing the Photos in the Attic postcard collection........( click on any of the images)
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We are very excited at ICG to announce our latest project.......
"Photos in the Attic" is an amazing story that will bring to life the events of world war 1 and the tiny French village of Vignacourt and the Thuilliers who with their photographic studio unknowingly created the Lost Diggers. It is a story of lasting friendships that developed between the French people and Australian soldiers nearly 100 years ago.......
"Photos in the Attic" is an amazing story that will bring to life the events of world war 1 and the tiny French village of Vignacourt and the Thuilliers who with their photographic studio unknowingly created the Lost Diggers. It is a story of lasting friendships that developed between the French people and Australian soldiers nearly 100 years ago.......
Checkout the project http://www.photosintheatticproject.com
Out and about with ICG. Brisbane Boys College Rugby SupportersTour Japan 2015
Congratulations to BBC for a highly successful competition.
Congratulations to the great supporters group also who accompanied the team.
Checkout out more on our facebook site.........intercultural consulting group
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Korea Foundation visit February 2015
At ICG we promise you the best time ever ! We even blog every experience
Check out the December 2014 Canada and America trip.
At ICG we promise you the best time ever ! We even blog every experience
Check out the December 2014 Canada and America trip.
Take a look at ICG destinations 2016-2018
ICG is proud to announce in association with ATA Tesol College and SEEK Travel an amazing opportunity to take part in the SCHOOL HOUSE OZ Project in August 2016
Be part of this amazing opportunity to create an Aussie School in Japan for 1 month and also experience all that Japanese Culture has to offer. Check out the latest Project Brochure and register your interest now. Only 20 Language assistants will have the chance to experience Japan at its best with ICG. 6 Take a look at other Japanese tours on offer-
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Something for everyone !
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ICG II
Have a look at what ICG has been doing ? Korea Foundation Youth Ambassador Leaders visit to Brisbane February 2015. |
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ICG Highlight Event 2014 - Vignacourt Visit to OZ August 2014
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ICG Anzac Day 2014 tour April 2014Western Front Tour 2014 10 wonderful people joined us on our latest adventure to the Western front. Check out the gallery of photos. Stand out highlights were again our stay in Singapore ,the Paris sights and the Vignacourt Project day with our wonderful friends in Vignacourt. Lucile , the teens and their parents and friends all joined us for a great day in the Thuillier barn to remember nearly 100 years ago. We look forward to welcoming the teens to Australia in Mid July. Stay tuned for more details. JOIN US IN APRIL 2018 Check out the latest tour details and register now ( sorry 2016/17 is fully booked) |
The future participants of The Vignacourt Project !
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Vignacourt is an old rural village in France, larger than most, 12 kilometres north of the city of Amiens. During the First World War it stood behind the front-line of the Somme fighting, although the action was never far away and soldiers were always present. For much of the time it was a forward rest area where troops arrived to recover from recent battle and prepare for the next. Men were billeted in the houses, lofts, stables and barns, and mixed freely with the villagers.Louis and Antoinette Thuillier, a local farmer and his wife, set up a photographic studio in the town of Vignacourt, France. During the First World War they took thousands of photographs of allied troops as they passed through the village on their way to and from the front line . ( from Wartime Issue 58 AWM Peter Burness)
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Join us on Anzac Day 2018-Tour of Remembrance
Are you interested in having an experience that you will never forget ?
If you are then checkout out our tour programs ........especially our just released 2018 Anzac Tour. Visit Kyoto, stay in Paris, see the Moulin Rouge, Visit the D Day landing sights in the French countryside, Attend Anzac Day ceremonies in France and Belgium, take part in a Vignacourt experience and shop in Paris. You will never forget this experience.......book your place now ! |
Anzac Day 2014 at Viller Bretonneux
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Memories of Hiroshima exhibition.
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Why not join us on this very special visit to Hiroshima to commemorate the events of 1945. Limited places available. Check for all details .
enquire at interccg@bigpond.com Keep an eye out for our 2018 tour programs 
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Who are we ?
InterCultural Consulting Group (ICG) is a Queensland based business with an Australian ABN. Created in 2001. ICG aims to suppport and promote Intercultural opportunities through a diverse range of outstanding and unique activities. The consultancy has a focus on education and culture having operated in the area of International Education for the past 15 years. With an additional associated office in Hiroshima Japan, ICG has a truly international focus. Let ICG provide an unforgettable experience for you today.
Thousand Cranes- Hiroshima by AWGD8 Tribute to Sadako Sasaki... Children Peace Monument in Hiroshima, Japan.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadako_Sasaki Video by Allan (AWGD8) . 
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What we do.
ICG supports InterCultural opportunities and a wide range of diverse activities in many parts of the world. including...........
*student exchanges *educational and specialty group tours ( Japan ,Anzac experiences , Spirit Bear Canada, Las Vegas and Grand Canyon Experience) *group student and adult tours *Volunteer programs *English Language experiences *IELTS and TESOL courses *Primary and High School experiences *university preparation and placements *cultural exchanges *Japanese cultural and language immersions. *english langauge immersions 
What's on at InterCultural Consulting group ! |
Mr Matsushima , a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing tells his incredible story.
Have a look at the latest adventure !( press play) |
Contact Details InterCultural Consulting Group ( Australia) Brisbane Queensland Australia Mob +61 (0)417710120 Email: interccg@bigpond.com Twitter: D__and__M Facebook: Intercultural Consulting Group Web: http://interculturalconsultinggroup.com 
The Unknown soldier- Villers Bretonneux |