ROBINVALE is mourning the loss of close friend and town supporter Patrick Simon, the long-time mayor of Villers-Bretonneux in France, who has died following a seven-week battle with coronavirus.

Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Bill Moar said for many years Dr Simon had been a dedicated supporter of the relationship between the Somme region of France and Australia, particularly the Robinvale community, through the Robinvale Villers-Bretonneux Association.