Michèle was an amazingly vibrant, warm-hearted spirit who touched the lives of many who knew her. A widely traveled and very accomplished paraglider pilot, she enjoyed being outdoors pursuing any exciting activity that came her way. Michèle took her own life on the evening of June 9th, her absence will be strongly felt around the world.
Our thoughts are with Michèle's family and those closest to her, particularly her children Elise and Baptiste and her partner Rod.
A memorial gathering, "Michèle's Chocolate Mousse Celebration" was held at noon on June 18th at the Great Alpine Inn, Freeburgh, Victoria, Australia, friends and family of Michèle gathered together from around Australia and from NZ, Belgium and France. Heike Rummens, a long time friend of Michèle's has written about the afternoon for friends in Europe -
A ceremony was also held for Michèle in Belgium on Sunday 28th June. See the message below (in French) from Bèa.
A video of the gathering was made by Glen Thompson and is available by request, please email bennkovco(at)gmail.com.
It would be wonderful for everyone to help in celebrating Michèle's life by sharing any memories and stories of her many adventures and friends around the world here:
These pictures were a collection put together by Michèle
Michèle preparing to launch at
the 2007 Paragliding World
Championships in Manilla Australia.
Photo from Tina Clemens.
Circling over the flatlands of NSW. Photo from Brett Hardin.
Michèle about to take her first flight in the Pilatus (right) at the Mount Beauty Gliding Club and below with Ian Cohn. Photos from Andrew Evans.
Michèle competing and enjoying time with friends in New Zealand. Photos from Kris Ericksen.
Travelling in the Dolomites, Venice and Slovenia. Photos from Joel Young.
This song was written by Heather Mull, in memory of Michèle.
Michèle teaching paragliding in Belgium and France. Photos from Julien Buchem.
Travels and flying in Australia with Amandine de Briey.
If you would like to include any pictures, video or a longer story about Michèle on this page, please email bennkovco(at)gmail.com and francoisverlaine(at)gmail.com. Please send your message to both addresses.
Photos from Kacper Jankowski, Antje Daehler.and friends.
To download a large version of this collage please click here
Video taken by Michèle around Bright, Corryong and Mt Broughton when she took a group of pilots from New Zealand around these sites to fly cross country.
Allo Michèle ? from art vandeley on Vimeo.
Michèle Baptist was a famous belgian pilot who inspired many people to fly
Michèle Baptist flying a circuit, from a winch launch at Mt Beauty, Australia, while learning to fly gliders. She went on to become a skilled sailplane pilot.
