I acknowledge the Wiradjuri people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which this blog is produced, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Welcome to King of Dubbo. My name’s Yvette and I became interested in Jean Emile Serisier 17 years ago when my beautiful mother Grace was the first businesswoman to be granted the Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour Award for her contribution to Dubbo’s business sector. (http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/831514/dubbos-most-outstanding-businesses/).
Mum died in 2021 but her business and community achievements remain the inspiration for exploring Jean Emile’s role in establishing Dubbo.
To be honest, I’d grown up in Dubbo all my life and never heard of Jean Emile Serisier so once I started picking at his story I grew fascinated by his achievements and started thinking about how Dubbo’s start had a very French flavour to it.
As a child, if you asked me to sing the Australian national anthem I’d blurt out La Marseillaise (French national anthem) because I’ve been a die-hard Francophile since forever, so the idea my hometown’s foundations had any French connection, was another incentive to keep digging.
Importantly, Dubbo is deep in the heart of the Wiradjuri Nation, where in Jean Emile’s time a civilisation of First Nation people which had thrived for tens of thousands of years was enduring the earliest impacts of European settlement. It may be impossible to ever know but Jean, or perhaps his wife Margaret, named their vineyard Eumalga, after a warrior princess from the Wellington area who had fought and killed on that land, a chief named Eulomogo. They also named their last daughter Eumalga which seems unconventional for the time, but I think an indication of Jean and Margaret’s personal views on equality and their ability to honour those that were here first.
So, please enjoy looking around, and if you have a connection to the Serisier story, please get in touch and be part of this journey with me.
King of Dubbo 
Hi, I’m a descendant of Louis Arnaudon who worked as a valued employee of Serisier.. Louis was in Dubbo, was a winemaker & assisted Serisier in this way.They may have met on board ship or before.Louis is from Niort ( near Bordeaux).Its a shame that his name does not appear in records( or I have not found rhem).
Love to hear from you.
Colleen Barclay
Hello Colleen, apologies for the delay in responding. How interesting! I’ve not come across his name but will keep an eye out for it. Do you have records of Louis’ time with Serisier? I’d love to hear more.
Hi Yvette, unfortunately we don’t have records of Louis Arnaudon’s time in Dubbo. It appeared that he was likely the winemaker for Serisier in Dubbo. Apparently some jewellery was given by rhe Serisier family to Louis in appreciation. I need to contact someone from the Serisier family to get some details. Do you have contact with any members of the Serisier family?I’m overseas at the moment & will be back in mid July. Will contact you again then. Many thanks, Colleen
Yes I do. Can I connect you by email? Please email me at yafcreativ@gmail.com and I’ll put you in touch. Yvette
Thanks Yvette
I’m very keen to hear some history of the Serisier family. You may be able to establish some information. I did look up information about Serisier when I was in Dubbo a long time ago. The records are in the library if you want to look them up again.
I’m back from overseas on 15 July so ill have more contact then
Kind regards
Colleen Barclay
I am in touch with several family members. I’ll get back to you with contacts.