I got an email response from Holstar Bicycles today. They confirmed that they are no longer the distributer of Gitane bikes in Australia, and that to the best of their knowledge no other company has taken up the brand. Oh well, the Aussie bikes were nowhere near as nice as the Euro bikes anyway.
That's not good news, but you are right about it all. It wasn't the same company or the same bikes, so it really doesn't matter in the long run I guess. As long as someone is still producing Gitane in Machecoul, that is the important thing!