REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST - PUBLICATION No. VBH 6369
1899 – 2009
SEPTEMBER 2009
THE SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA CELEBRATING 110 YEARS
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Anniversary Gala Dinner
Saturday, 14 November 2009 is indeed a year of celebration! Come to the Club to commemorate the 110th birthday of the Swiss Club of Victoria, together with the 60th anniversary of the Folk Dance Group Alpenrose and the 130th anniversary of the foundation of the Swiss Society of Victoria. Book this date now! Further information will be mailed out soon.
89 Flinders Lane • Melbourne 3000 • Victoria • Australia • w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
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SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA Founded in 1899
89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 T: (03) 9650 1196, F: (03) 9650 3104 E: swissclubvic@swiss.org.au W: www.swiss.org.au/swissclubvic Club Opening Hours Lunch - Monday to Friday from 12noon Dinner - Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 6pm. Friday Happy Hour from 5pm to 6.30pm. Bookings: T: (03) 9650 1196 Swiss Club Catering For Weddings, Corporate, Seminars, Parties, Private Functions contact Chef & Catering Manager Roger Moullet T: (03) 9650 1196, F: (03) 9650 3104 M: 0409 040 249 E: swissclub@hotmail.com
COMMITTEE Barbara Kündig President T/F (H): (03) 9813 8843 M: 0402 018 363 E: barbara@swiss.org.au Rolf Huber Immediate Past President T/F (H): (03) 9807 0282 M (B): 0425 805 854 E: rhuber@swiss.org.au Gerda Probst Secretary M: 0439 936 313 E: gerda@swiss.org.au
Impressum News and Views published by the Swiss Club of Victoria. ‘Edelweiss’ appears quarterly in March, June, September and December. Circulation 500. For all enquiries contact: Roland Isler, Editor T/F: (03) 9558 3877 (H) T: (03) 9524 6335 (B) M: 0412 935 565 E: risler@swiss.org.au 67 St Georges Crescent Heatherton Vic 3202
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Urs Derrick Wildi Treasurer T/F (H): (03) 9824 7930 M: 0403 040 930 E: uwildi@swiss.org.au Sigrid de Castella Membership Relations M: 0416 088 000 E: sigrid@swiss.org.au Oliver Altermatt Building Management M: 0410 684 263 E: oaltermatt@swiss.org.au Patrick Rychner Corporate Communications/ Web Administrator M: 0404 657 886 E: paddy@swiss.org.au Damian Schaller Event Manager M: 0410 461 364 E: damianschaller@swiss.org.au
SWISS CLUB SUB-GROUPS Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose President: Sylvia Hochuli T: (03) 9531 6575 E: hochuli@tpg.com.au Swiss Companion Singers Convenor: Heidy Giger T: (03) 9889 9321 E: gigi45@bigpond.com Ladies Luncheons Convenor: Heidy Giger For bookings T: (03) 9650 1196 For information: T: (03) 9889 9321 E: gigi45@bigpond.com Saturday Morning Swiss School Convenor: Andrea Pinch T: (03) 5331 6762 E: pinch@hotkey.net.au W: www.swiss.org.au/scvschool Swiss Playgroup Ingrid Preston T: (03) 9772 0516 Chantal Imbach T: (03) 8407 3766 W: www.swiss.org.au/playgroup The Young Swiss Group Convenor: Amy Bohren M: 0410 037 095 E: abohren@swiss.org.au
OTHER SWISS ORGANISATIONS Swiss Society of Victoria (Benevolent Society) President: Primo Calabresi T: (03) 9857 7427 W: www.swiss.org.au/swissclubvic Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Australian/Swiss Cultural Society President: Sylvia Hochuli T: (03) 9531 6575 E: hochuli@tpg.com.au Groupe Romand du Victoria President: Marianne Puccinelli 7 Eric Court, Wheelers Hill Vic 3150 T: (03) 9561 9595 W: www.swiss.org.au/chfrvic Pro Ticino President: Claude Rossi 5 Falls Road, Hoddles Creek Vic 3139 T: (03) 5967 4542 E: marclas@dcsi.net.au Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn President: Marco Unternährer 3 Bluegum Court, Upwey Vic 3158 T: (03) 9388 8777, (03) 9752 6996 (H) W: www.swiss.org.au/matterhorn Swiss-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) General Manager: Marcel Svatos Level 5, 23-25 O’Connell Street Sydney NSW 2000 T: (02) 9223 7222, F: (02) 9223 7211 E: support@sacci.com.au W: www.sacci.com.au Swiss-Australian Academic Network (SAAN) E: info@sanm.id.au W: www.saan.id.au Honorary Consul of Switzerland (Victoria) Erika Kimpton 697 Toorak Road, Kooyong Vic 3144 T: (03) 9824 7527, M: 0413 042 728 E: erikakimpton@optusnet.com.au Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (Auslandschweizer-Organisation) Council Delegate: Roland Isler Contact details: see left under Editor W: www.aso.ch W: www.swiss.org.au/csa
Unless otherwise stated, postal address for all is: 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000
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President’s Message Dear members and friends of the Swiss Club, I suggest you have a pencil and your diary handy while reading this message! The committee has planned several special club events for the upcoming quarter and we invite you to be part of as many as possible. 16 September – Half-Yearly General Meeting. Please make an effort to come along. We will finally present to you the proposed plans for our 2nd Floor redevelopment. The committee has been working behind the scenes for quite a while and we are pleased to present to you a concept, we are confident, will turn the 2nd floor into a popular & versatile function space within the CBD for the members and interest groups, as well as businesses and community groups for many years to come. The Half-Yearly Meeting will be your opportunity to support us and actively decide the next direction the club is going to take. 3 October – Swiss Club Trivia Night. The first of several initiatives we are planning to help support our future plans. Bring your thinking cap along and have a happy and fun night with us. 14 October – World Premiere Screening of the Swiss Club Documentary. In 2008, Roman Meyer was filming a documentary about the Swiss Club. We invite you to join the director and the cast for this special Movie night. 14 November – Swiss Club 110th Anniversary Night. Yes, you read correctly, already 110 years…that’s how many years the Swiss Club has been part of the social fabric of Victoria! How wonderful we can share this milestone with the Dance Group, who has accompanied us on this journey for the past 60 years! We plan to celebrate with a great bash and we certainly hope many of you will come along to this special anniversary event. You will find many more happenings in our social calendar such as the Ladies Luncheon, Billiard & Tennis Championships, Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand, Jass etc…broaden your horizon and try out a new event! That’s what I did in my first half year in my new role and it has been a pleasure meeting many of you. One such event was the Jass evening. I should have gone years ago! If you like this great Swiss card game, come along to the next and final Jass for the year on Saturday, 5 September. The committee thanks the members of the Dance Group for organising these evenings for us for so many years. To encourage members, who actually know how to Jass, but haven’t had any practice and don’t feel quite confident
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(anymore/yet), we thought we organise a refresher evening on Friday, 28 August. We will just play; no pressure, no competition, just having a good time playing Jass. Thank you to all the many individuals and members of our interest groups who organise events for us throughout the year. On the committee front, we have to say farewell to Oliver Altermatt, who decided to resign due to work commitments. He has taken care of the Building Management Portfolio for the past 2½ years. Many thanks go to Oliver for his support and commitment during that time. We will miss him and wish Oliver all the best for his future endeavours. When one door closes, another one opens. We are pleased that Tony Anderson, who has been part of the renovation subcommittee, has agreed to nominate for the committee. Spring is just around the corner. I wish you a wonderful spring awakening, may it bring you new found energy, health and happiness, and that the Swiss Club may contribute to these good times. See you next on the 16 September! Barbara Kündig, President
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Dear members, As mentioned in the president’s message, a subcommittee has been working on the proposed plan for the refurbishment of the 2nd floor. The committee would like to offer members working in the relative trades the opportunity to participate in this project. We are therefore seeking an expression of interest from relevant companies. The required work will include: • • • • • •
plastering laying wooden floors installing windows and glass doors tile work electrical work carpentry and joinery work
Please note that we have selected a lead contractor who will be managing the project and they will assess all applications on a competitive commercial basis. Thus members are welcome to apply but will not receive any undue advantage from the committee or the lead contractor. If you wish to express your interest in this project please contact Tony Anderson on antony@andec.biz or Derrick Wildi on uwildi@swiss.org .au. The cut off date for expressions of interest is Friday, 11 September 2009.
Swiss Club of Victoria
Get well Sybille Steiner has not been well for a few weeks and had a stay in hospital. We wish you a speedy recovery.
The last farewell Welcome to our new members We welcome Ann de Castella, Pascale Sudano and Erna Kathriner. We are looking forward to meeting you at one of our forthcoming functions.
Congratulations Marriage: Raymond Mischler married his fiancée Melissa in March. Rosmarie and Bruno Oswald’s eldest daughter Denise married Mallik Mudigonda in a Hindu ceremony in India (pictured). Commemorative Birthdays: Hans Bless, a member and the oldest card player turned 91 on 10 July (pictured)
Max Ammann passed away on 29 July, a few days before his 83rd birthday. Max joined the Swiss Club in 1952 and was involved in our Club in many ways, being President (1979-1980), Honorary Life Member and a member of the Folk Dance Group Alpenrose. After a long illness Max is finally at peace and he will be sadly missed by his many friends. Our thoughts are with Jill, Rosemarie, Markus, and family. At the age of 70, Marcel Seuret passed away peacefully on 16 August after a long and valiant struggle with ill health. Marcel has been a member of the Swiss Club since 1979. We will miss him. Our deepest sympathies are with his wife Edith and family. After suffering ill health, Diane Brunner has left this world on 19 August, aged 72. Diane became a member of the Swiss Club in 1962 and was an Honorary Life Member. Our sincere condolences go to Hans, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Dear members, if your partner, your friends or fellow members have a reason to celebrate, are unwell or have left for a better place, please let us know so that others know too. Please contact Sigrid de Castella (Committee) or the Editor.
Anni Rutishauser turned 90 on 13 July (pictured with members of the Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess). Marianne Waites also celebrated her 90th Birthday on 11 August. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all and wish them good health in many years to come. New Arrivals: Franz & Sue Schnellmann are delighted to announce the arrival of their grand daughter, Monique Renee, born on 5 June at 9.07pm to Peter (son) and Tammy.
‘Edelweiss’ Deadlines 2009 December Issue: Covering Dec 09/Jan/Feb 2010 Editorial Deadline: Monday, 2 November Mailing: Wednesday, 18 November
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Calling All Swiss If you’re a regular to the Swiss Club of Victoria (SCV) then you already know that for the Swiss abroad this is the place where cravings for Swiss culture and food (and language) can all be satisfied. However, without its members, and their involvement the SCV would cease to exist. To maintain the vitality of the Club we need to increase its member base. So, if you’re Swiss but not a member yet, then we ask you to please consider joining. If you are a member and know of others who should be and are not, please encourage them to join. For a limited time special membership rates apply to people that join our club now! Please contact Membership Relations representative Sigrid de Castella for details of this special offer. Email: Sigrid@swiss.org.au Mobile: 0416 088 000 We look forward to welcoming you.
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Swiss National Day – a great celebration for everyone Saturday, 1 August More than 100 people of all ages gathered, not deterred by the unfriendly autumn weather, for the traditional ‘Lampionumzug’ (Lantern Procession). This event is now firmly part of the Swiss Club events calendar and judging by the many smiling faces of the children, it is growing in popularity. There is something magical about walking in the dark in a sea of moving lights of all colours. I remember how I enjoyed it as a child and it seems nothing has changed. We met at Federation Square, were the eight large flagpoles along Flinders Street were once again decorated with huge Swiss flags hoisted by the Melbourne City Council to acknowledge Swiss National Day. The procession then slowly and noisily made its way along the Yarra towards the MCG, led by Gerd Schwärzler (thank you Gerd!) with the drum, plenty of bell ringing and the large Swiss and Australian flags. Leaflets explaining Swiss National Day and its traditions were handed out to curious passers-by. Arriving at the Club, the children and parents headed upstairs to the 2nd floor, where the yummy buffet was awaiting. Meanwhile, everyone else joined the members and guests at the fully booked Club Restaurant, which was invitingly decorated in lots of red and white. It didn’t take long for John Wanner’s ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’ to create a lively atmosphere. The delicious dinner menu created by Roger Moullet and the excellent service by the girls (and boy!) did its part to ensure everyone was having a good time. After the welcome by Club President Barbara Kündig, the 718th birthday of our country was officially celebrated by a toast to Switzerland and all rising to sing the National Anthem accompanied by ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’. How great it was to see so many people – young and old – having a good time! Thanks to everyone that attended and a special thank-you to all the helpers that made this year’s Swiss National Day a truly memorable event! Editor
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For all your first class selected meat, Swiss smallgoods and delicatessen Sepp & Marlies Krummenacher 634 North Road, Ormond, Tel: 9578 5049 Swiss Club of Victoria
National Day Senior Members’ Luncheon Monday, 10 August As it has been tradition for many years, the National birthday of Switzerland is also celebrated at the Club entertaining our Senior Members with a three-course lunch, lots of merrymaking, a sing-a-long to bring the house down and catching up noisily with old friends. And as every year it was the most joyful and happy affair. Thanks go to Walter Purtschert (Maestro), Sylvia Hochuli and all the helpers. Host and sponsor of this lunch is the Swiss Club in recognition of long standing membership, for financing and frequenting the Swiss Club in good times and bad times, Restaurant and functions, and participating hands on when ever necessary by the very people, who join us for this occasion. It is a sign of gratitude and friendship of the younger generation to the people, who have laid the foundation and maintained the beautiful and splendidly functioning Swiss Club of ours. It is hoped that this traditional function can be upheld for many years to come, be it that the eligible participants are still lusty and able to withstand such a party and that the Swiss Club is willing and financially able to support this event. Remembering the happy and content faces for at least to next year’s celebration Rita Schwärzler-Abbt, Convenor The Swiss Club Restaurant. It’s were you meet friends.
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Want a taste of Switzerland? Visit the Swiss Club Restaurant
40th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, 17 October featuring a great program to entertain you! Hungarian Community Centre 760 Boronia Road, Wantirna For information and tickets please contact: Marco Unternährer 9752 6996 (AH) 9388 8777 (BH)
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SPRING SPECIALS: Cakes for all occasions, any size or shape – mixed fresh fruit flans Assortment of savouries, large and small – handmade fresh fruit jellies Traditional Swiss gourmet specialities
We cater for all your individual requirements! Open Tuesday to Sunday 232 Blackburn Road, Syndal 3150
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☎ 9802 7265
Swiss Club of Victoria
SWISS CLUB MOVIE The Swiss Club of Victoria proudly presents:
World Premiere Screening Movie documentary:
The Swiss Club of Victoria Wednesday, 14 October 2009, 8pm Swiss Club, 2nd floor AU 2009. Directed by Roman Meyer. With members of the Swiss Club. Mostly English spoken, some Swiss German with English subtitles. Duration: 60 mins. Join us for the premiere of this documentary about the Swiss Club of Victoria. Followed by a presentation of the ‘making of the movie’. An opportunity to meet the director and cast. Roman Meyer, originally from Switzerland and currently in his 2nd year of studying film at JMC Academy, will be showing his documentary about our Club - where else but at the Swiss Club. The program will include a brief discussion/question time and approximately 60 minutes of screening time. The documentary was produced as part of a university project last year. Some of you may remember the trailer at this year’s AGM meeting. A year later and the film is now finished and ready for the big screen. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the Club’s history, its people and activities. w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
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Swiss Souvenir Cookbooks In the last edition of the Edelweiss (June 2009), under the culinary column ‘A taste of Switzerland’, I mentioned a publisher that sells a range of what they call ‘Swiss Souvenir’ cookbooks, focusing on specific regions/cantons of Switzerland and written in three languages (including English). There is also a book about Swiss cooking in general, one about Swiss chocolate and a great book describing the most common Swiss cheeses and how to use them in interesting recipes. All books contain a section describing regional specialities, followed by four sections of recipes - Soups and Starters, Meat and Fish, Vegetarian Meals and lastly, Desserts. At the end, there are listings of catering establishments that serve regional dishes, prepared with local seasonal products, as well as addresses where you can buy these products yourself. This is great if you are travelling to Switzerland and you want to experience the ‘real thing’. The books below are the ones that contain English as one of the three languages, but there are others in that range that you might be interested in. Check out the publisher’s website where you can also order them: Fona Verlag AG, Aarauerstrasse 25, CH-5600 Lenzburg 1 Tel +41 62 886 91 91, Fax +41 62 886 91 99 Email: info@fona.ch, Website: www.fona.ch
Since this culinary column is right next to the book review where this time the talk is about cookbooks, we might as well feature a recipe from one of the books - ‘Swiss Cheese’. Master Chef Liz (my wife) who tried it out, felt it was a little more challenging than some recipes featured previously. But it’s worth the effort as it is a deliciously tasty vegetarian dish.
Eggplant Pockets with Sbrinz Filling Serves 4 200ml olive oil to fry One large eggplant Filling 150g grated Sbrinz* 2 tbsp Ricotta 1 egg yolk 1 bunch of parsley, chopped 2 crushed garlic cloves 1 tsp paprika powder
Laminated Hardcover, 96 pages, 16 x 22 cm, CHF 19.90
Vegetables 100g red lentils 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp Madras curry powder 4 small zucchini 4 small squash 2 spring onions 2 large carrots 4 tomatoes, blanch & peel 200g firm cooking potatoes 100ml tomato juice 200ml vegetable stock
1. Cut off both ends of the eggplant and cut in half. Cut the two halfs into 1cm thick slices. Into the sides of the slices, make an incision to create a pocket for the filling. Sprinkle with salt. Leave to stand for 1 hour. Dry off with kitchen paper.
Swiss Cooking 978-3-03780-136-9
Graubünden Cooking 978-3-03780-297-7
Swiss Cheese 978-3-03780-171-0
Lake Lucerne Cooking 978-3-03780-245-8
Swiss Chocolate 978-3-03780-387-5
St.Gallen Cooking 978-3-03780-246-5
2. Mix all ingredients for the filling. Stuff filling into the eggplant pockets generously and seal with a toothpick if required. Heat up olive oil in wide frying pan, fry eggplant pockets on medium heat until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper. 3. For the vegetables: bring lentils and cold water to the boil, cook on low until almost soft, drain off water. Cut zucchini, spring onions and carrots into slices and squash into triangles. Cut peeled tomatoes and peeled potatoes into small cubes. Briefly roast curry powder in olive oil. Add remaining vegetables including lentils and steam for a few minutes, then add tomato juice and vegetable stock, cook on low for 2min. Season if required. 4. Spread vegetable mixture into a baking dish. Remove toothpick from eggplant pockets, layer onto mixed vegetables with the opening facing upwards. Bake in preheated oven at 220° for 30min. En Guete!
Berner Oberland Cooking 978-3-03780-249-6
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Valais Cooking 978-3-03780-345-5
Zürich Cooking 978-3-03780-257-1
From the book ’Swiss Cheese‘ by Lucas Rosenblatt & Judith Meyer, FONA Publishing. *Sbrinz is available from Ormond Meat and Smallgoods Swiss Club of Victoria
Test your Swiss Knowledge 1 2
The Bernard Sandoz Cup was held at the Swiss Club on Friday, 19 June.
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With 16 starters Paul Thornton triumphed over Tom Schneider. 5
Next competition: Swiss Club Championship. Friday, 9 October at 7:30pm. Top floor of the Swiss Club.
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Cost: Only $15 per person including dinner.
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Please book with Roger at the Swiss Club or Louis on 9439 7593 or 0418 645 313. If you have any queries or suggestions do not hesitate to contact me.
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Hope to see yours all in October Louis Schneider 10
Across 2. Which Swiss cheese has its name from a town in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia? Across 4. Writer who created HEIDI (1827-1901) Whichname Swiss cheese its name a town in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia? 5.2. Actual of the has cheese withfrom holes, known in Australia 4. Writer who created HEIDI (1827-1901) only as ‘Swiss Cheese’ 5. Actual name of the cheese with holes, known in Australia only as "Swiss Cheese" Swisspainter painter and born in Fribourg (1922-1991) 7.7. Swiss andsculptor, sculptor, born in Fribourg (1922-1991) 9. Famous Swiss sailing team 10. Name of the Italian speaking canton 9. Famous Swiss sailing team 10. Name of the Italian speaking canton
Position vacant: Teacher at the Saturday Morning Swiss School
We require an enthusiastic and Swiss-German-speaking teacher to join us every second Down Saturday at the Swiss Club. We Down teach the children about the 1. Swiss ice hockey team that has always been playing in the A league since 1962 1.3. Swiss icethehockey team that has always been playing in document the traditions, culture, language One of rural communes signing the confederacy's founding in 1291 6. ‘A’Last namesince of the1962 current Swiss Federal President league and history of Switzerland. 8. First name of the Committee members looking after membership relations 3. One of the rural communes signing the confederacy’s We would prefer a qualified founding document in 1291 teacher, but would welcome interest from people who enjoy working with children so 6. Last name of the current Swiss Federal President that we can provide playful and educational activities to 8. First name of the Committee member looking after make the Swiss School fun and exciting for the children. membership relations For answers go to page 17 A modest remuneration is on offer Details: Every other Saturday Morning (except school holidays) from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Swiss Club, 2nd Floor.
Part of German Language program on Melbourne 93.1fm
Tune into news, music and information about everything that is Swiss in Switzerland and downunder. Ursula Schappi presents an entertaining half-hour program every Sunday from 8:30 to 9pm on 93.1fm To listen online visit www.sbs.com.au/radio
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Contact for any information and interest: Visit: www.swiss.org.au/scvschool Andrea Pinch, Convener T: Phone 5331 6762, E: pinch@hotkey.net.au
Contact (02) 9955 7628
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Swiss Club of Victoria
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED CROSS
It began at Solferino 2009 is an extremely important year for the Red Cross. It marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino in northern Italy, which led to its creation. It’s also the 90th anniversary of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. On June 24-28, thousands of young people from more than 120 nations took part in a world youth meeting in Solferino, where they commemorated the history of the movement, and defined their vision for tackling today’s humanitarian challenges. This took place alongside numerous other activities throughout the year, including a major photo exhibition and a global campaign, ‘Our World. Your Move’, to remind people of their individual responsibility to lessen human suffering. The 150 year history of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has seen many advances in human rights. Yet there have also been tragic events where the international community has been powerless to help. Following is a look back over the years: 1859: On June 24, the combined armies of Napoleon III and Piedmont-Sardinia under Victor-Emmanuel II defeated the Austrian army of Franz-Josef I at Solferino in northern Italy in a decisive bloody battle for Italian unity. “On June 25 the sun illuminated one of the most horrific sights imaginable,” wrote the young Swiss businessman Henri Dunant, who witnessed the suffering and death on the battlefield. Dunant was deeply shocked by what he saw. On his return to Geneva he wrote a book about his experiences, entitled ‘A Memory of Solferino’, which would prove a landmark and provide inspiration for the founding of the Red Cross.
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American Civil War, 1861-1865: Following the creation of the International Committee, a conference in Geneva adopts the symbol of the red cross on a white background (reversing the colours of the Swiss flag) as its protective emblem. Twelve states adopt the First Geneva Convention, which protects wounded enemy soldiers and those caring for them. 1876: The Red Crescent is adopted by the Ottoman Empire during its war with Russia. It would later be recognised by the 1929 Geneva Convention. 1901: Henry Dunant receives the first Nobel peace prize. The Geneva citizen dies in 1910 in Heiden (Appenzell Outer Rhodes) where he has lived in poverty for the last 18 years of his life. 1914-1918: During the First World War, the Red Cross steps up its activities counting and protecting prisoners of war. It establishes a distribution service for aid parcels and messages for civilians trapped behind enemy lines. In February 1918 the ICRC appeals to the belligerents to stop using poison gas. This weapon, which is thought to have killed about 100,000 people during the fighting, would be banned by the 1925 Geneva Protocol. 1921: Famine in Russia. The Red Cross mobilises the international community to try to save 32 million starving people in Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. 1939-1945: In the Second World War, the number of civilian victims for the first time exceeds the number of fighting men killed. If the ICRC manages to extend its protection for POWs, its actions on behalf of civilians held in Nazi concentration camps however, are very limited or even nonexistent. Hiroshima 1945: Along with the international media, the Red Cross does not immediately grasp the extent of the suffering inflicted on the population of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, towns wiped out by American atomic bombs. “…the city centre is flattened…a vision of horror”, ICRC delegate Marcel Junod is the first foreign doctor to visit Hiroshima on September 8, 1945, more than a month after its destruction.
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1949: A conference in Geneva adopts four conventions which significantly strengthen international law. The most important advance is the fourth convention, which covers civilians. The four texts contain a shared article dealing with the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts. 1946-1954 & 1959-1975: Conflicts in Indochina: war in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia caused unimaginable civilian suffering. 1960: Start of a decade which sees an upsurge in the number of Red Cross societies in the wake of the independence of former colonies in Africa and Asia. There are currently 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world. 1967-1970: The Biafran civil war (Nigeria) causes a humanitarian catastrophe. The internal nature of the conflict and the refusal of the Nigerian government to accept any help mean that the Red Cross is paralysed. ICRC planes are even fired on. This impasse triggers the creation of the non-
governmental organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders), at the instigation of Frenchman Bernard Kouchner. In the 1980s a number of conflicts in Africa create hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people. 1991-1995: The former Yugoslavia disintegrates in war and ethnic cleansing in which thousands of civilians are killed and displaced. 1994: The international community is unable to prevent the genocide in Rwanda, where between 500,000 and one million people are killed between April and July 1994. The ICRC remains in the country throughout the massacre. 2007: Adoption of the Red Crystal as a third emblem alongside the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Adopted at the instigation of Switzerland, it enables the Israeli and Palestinian first-aid societies to be accepted into the movement.
We have been supplying the Australian and international trade with our locally manufactured jewellery for over 30 years. Our opals are cut and polished and our jewellery is designed and crafted in our own Melbourne workshop. For the first time you can now view our exquisite collection in our own showroom at 55 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE. Buy direct from your Swiss Goldsmith – buy Australian Made From inexpensive gifts to exclusive handmade pieces to your own custom made design. For expert advice and great service ask for Paul Kramer or Hansruedi Gassmann Phone us on (03) 8611 2222 or visit us online on www.artofopal.com Our showroom is open Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm and Sat-Sun 10am-4pm Special discounts to members, families and friends Also in our showroom:
Extensive collection of Aboriginal Fine Art, Paintings, Artifacts, unique Craft-Giftware www.malleeart.com
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Geneva Conventions still going strong at 60 Switzerland, as depositary state and as a contracting state of the Geneva Conventions, has particular legal obligations. Respect for international humanitarian law as well as the promotion and strengthening of this body of law is one of the main objectives of Swiss foreign policy. On 12 August, the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the two Additional Protocols of 1977 and the Additional Protocol of 2005, have turned 60 – an important milestone for the treaties, which place limits on how war is waged and form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. Today, all the states in the world are bound by the four Conventions. The Geneva Conventions protect in particular persons who are not or no longer participating in hostilities: civilians and persons taken captive in military conflict. Persons under the authority of an adverse party to a conflict are entitled to respect for their life and for their physical and mental integrity. The Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols • Under the First and Second Geneva Conventions of 1949 the Contracting States undertake to protect the wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of armed forces and medical personnel, ambulances and hospitals. They must be collected and cared for by the party to the conflict which has them in its power. • The Third Geneva Convention contains detailed rules on the treatment of prisoners of war. • The Fourth Geneva Convention protects civilian persons in the power of an adverse party or in an occupied territory against acts of violence or reprisal. • The First Additional Protocol of 1977 supplemented the rules of the Fourth Geneva Convention on international armed conflicts. In addition, it contains rules governing the conduct of hostilities, such as the prohibition on attacks on civilian persons and civilian objects and limitations on the permissible means and methods governing the conduct of hostilities. • The Second Additional Protocol of 1977 supplements the sole article of the Geneva Conventions also applicable to non-international hostilities (Article 3, which is common to the four Geneva Conventions). In local hostilities, too, a distinction must be made between military targets and protected civilian persons and objects. • In December 2005, a Diplomatic Conference convened by Switzerland adopted a Third Additional Protocol. It adopted the red crystal as an additional emblem of protection. Since 14 January 2007, this emblem can be used alongside the Red Cross and the Red Crescent to identify persons and objects that enjoy special protection. w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
SWISS COMMISSION FOR UNESCO
Switzerland’s World Heritage sites at a glance For the first time a multilingual Internet portal is available (in English, German, French and Italian) that presents all 9 Swiss sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, plus the country’s 2 candidate sites: www.worldheritage.ch It draws attention to the exceptional universal value of each of these sites, and reminds us that it is the duty of mankind in its entirety to protect and preserve them. Switzerland currently has six cultural sites on the World Heritage list: the Convent of St Gallen, the Old City of Bern, the Benedictine Convent of St John in Müstair, the Three Castles, Defensive Wall and Ramparts of Bellinzona, the Vineyard Terraces of Lavaux and the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/ Bernina Landscapes. In addition, three natural regions have been listed as World Heritage sites: the Swiss Alps JungfrauAletsch, Monte San Giorgio and the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona. UNESCO is also currently considering two candidate sites: La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle, Town Planning for ClockMaking and the Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier. Switzerland’s sites have the same universal value as other famous World Heritage sites like the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, our own Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos Islands, Machu Pichu, the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Canyon, Mont Saint-Michel, Timbuktu and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The World Heritage List currently includes 878 sites, of which 679 are cultural, 174 are natural and 25 are mixed. They are located in 145 countries. The revolutionary idea on which the World Heritage List – which was created in the 1960s on the occasion of the relocation of the Abu Simbel temples – is based, is that certain natural and cultural sites are of such immense value that mankind in its entirety has a duty to ensure their protection and preservation. Today, this commitment is increasingly becoming an integral part of sustainable development aimed at reconciling environmental responsibility, economic effectiveness and social solidarity. The new portal was conceived by the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, which is committed to bringing Switzerland’s World Heritage sites to the attention of a wide public. Its intention is to promote Switzerland’s sites and thus make them more widely known, as well as to describe the exact duties of the various bodies that are responsible for them. Switzerland has been sharing its World heritage expertise at the international level for several decades, primarily through fieldwork. In order to more effectively pursue its commitment, Switzerland is running as a candidate for one of the twentyone seats on the World Heritage Committee, which defines the policies relating to the protection of World Heritage and decides which sites are to be added to the list. The election will be held in October 2009 in Paris.
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Swiss Club Tennis Championship Sunday, 22 November Kooyong Lawn & Tennis Club, 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a fun day playing tennis at the centre court of the former venue of the Australian Open. Let’s find out if we have some undiscovered talents able to compete at the next Australian Open. All matches will be played as doubles in ‘Round Robin’ format. Cost: Adults: $20, Non-Members: $25, Juniors (under 14): $15 Time: 12:00 for a 12:30 start RSVP by latest 20 November
Book either with form below or register on our website: http://www.swiss.org.au/event.php?ID=1075 Payment to be made on the day. Tournament organiser: Derrick Wildi Mobile 0403 040 930 or AH 9824 7930 Book early as numbers are limited. After the tournament there is also the opportunity to enjoy the evening at the club house with a BBQ or a light dinner at your own expense. Note: Please be advised that Kooyong Club rules require members and visitors to wear correct tennis attire at all times and that when visiting the club house men are required to wear shirts with collar. Personal insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
Swiss Club Tennis Championship - Registration Form Please indicate the standard of play for each player. Please choose from the following: W = Worldclass R = Regular player S = Social player Contact phone:
Ranking
Category
Name Player 1:
Adult / Junior
Name Player 2:
Adult / Junior
Name Player 3:
Adult / Junior
Name Player 4:
Adult / Junior
Total payment:
$
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Swiss Art If you are lucky enough to be travelling to Switzerland over the next few months, there are some ‘not-to-be-missed’ art exhibitions to inspire you: Two new exhibitions in the Swiss National Museum On 1 August 2009 the Swiss National Museum in Zürich has opened two new permanent exhibitions: ‘The History of Switzerland’ and ‘Collections Gallery’. With these exhibitions the museum offers for the first time a comprehensive view of Swiss history from the earliest times to the present day, and displays its own collections that focus on Swiss handicrafts and their products. The Swiss National Museum holds more than 820,000 objects, the largest collection covering cultural history and Swiss handicraft. These exhibitions are permanent. See: www.landesmuseum.ch Hans Erni Retrospective For the 100th birthday of the artist, as famous as he is ostracised, the Museum of Art in Luzern is showing the most extensive Hans Erni exhibition ever seen. In a selection of around 250 works it presents both familiar and surprising aspects of an extremely rich work produced over a period of eighty years. One of the highlights will be the 90-metre long mural ‘Switzerland – holiday country of the nations’, which Erni produced for the national exhibition in 1939, and which will now be seen in larger interconnecting representative sections for the first time since 1939. The exhibition runs until 4 October 2009. See: www.kunstmuseumluzern.ch The Art of the Celts The Celts are the first people north of the Alps to be known by name. Our Helvetic ancestors were Celts. From its Central European heartland, Celtic culture spread all over the continent between the 5th and 3rd century BC. Celtic art began around 700 BC and developed into an original art form in fruitful exchange with Etruscan and Greek art. How did the typical Celtic style of art develop? What are the historical backgrounds to this first major contribution of the North to the history of European art? For the first time an exhibition is being dedicated to the ‘Art of the Celts’ from its origins in Central Europe to its final flowering in Ireland around AD 700. The exhibition at the Museum of History in Bern (Historisches Museum Bern) is showing an exquisite selection of some 450 Celtic art treasures from all over Europe. Magnificent jewellery and richly decorated utilitarian objects made from bronze, iron, silver and gold, precious grave goods and cult objects with complex patterns or representations of fantastic beings testify to the masterly artistic creation achieved by the Celts. The exhibition runs until 18 October 2009. See: www.bhm.ch w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
2nd Jass Night Results – Swiss Club, 13 June Singles
1. Marcus Helsing ........................................2840 2. Ernie Hugli ...............................................2789 3. Alois Schnider ..........................................2754
Couples
1. Brigitte & Dolf Bohren..............................5248 2. Doris Conrad & Hans Keller ......................5172 3. Ida McDonald & Benny Hurlimann...........5058
3rd Jass Night Results – Swiss Club, 11 July Singles
1. Sylvia Hochuli ..........................................2979 2. Hans Keller ...............................................2932 3. Sepp Goldiger ..........................................2930
Couples
1. Doris Conrad & Hans Keller ......................5346 2. Brigitte & Dolf Bohren..............................5276 3. Brigitte & Sepp Goldiger ..........................5195
Upcoming Jass Nights - 2009 5 September
Swiss Club (Finals)
Information supplied by Paul Eisenegger 9544 4681
Jass Refresher Friday, 28 August from 7.30pm at the club You would know how to Jass… You would like to Jass… You just need a bit of practice. Then this evening is for you: No pressure – no competition – no stress. Just having fun playing Jass. Swiss German and French Cards RSVP Tel 9650 1196. More about Jass: www.pagat.com/jass Practice playing online: www.sf.tv/sendungen/ samschtigjass Test your Swiss Knowledge - Answers Across: 2. TILSIT, 4. JOHANNASPYRI, 5. EMMENTAL, 7. JEANTINGUELY, 9. ALINGHI, 10. TICINO Down: 1. KLOTENFLYERS, 3. UNTERWALDEN, 6. MERZ, 8. SIGRID
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SWISS CLUB MOVIE A Swiss Comedy Thriller:
‘Undercover’ Wednesday, 11 November 2009, 8pm Swiss Club, 2nd floor CH 2005. Comedy. Directed by Sabine Boss. With Viktor Giacobbo, Mike Muller, Nana Kruger, Anna Schinz. Duration: 85 mins. Swiss German/Italian, German Subtitles Boris Ruf is an undercover Swiss police force agent on a highly secretive mission in Italy. His brief is to solve a money laundering case, which Ruf’s boss and secret lover Christa Oberholzer has been racking her brains over. Ruf soon picks up vital clues. Will he manage to expose the money laundering ring around Raoul Furrer without endangering his daughter Anna’s life? Free for members, non-members gold coin donation. Enjoy dinner at the club, before or after the movie. Please book with the restaurant on 9650 1196.
Interested in History and loving your Swiss Club? Then we need YOU! The Swiss Club of Victoria is looking for interested members to become the Club’s historians and archivists The Club wants to make it easier for those people that one day will be working on the Club’s 200 year history book! It is therefore important that history is recorded accurately and on an ongoing basis. This includes tasks such as the collection, labelling/ sorting and storage of photo material, both electronic and in hardcopy, the collection of printed material and memorabilia, researching some ‘mysteries of the past’, or even conducting interviews! It’s not a job for one person, ideally we would like to assemble a team to share the tasks. Anyone with a flair and passion in preserving what makes this Club what it is, should contact the President, Barbara Kündig or the Editor – see contact details on page 3.
Support those that support your Club. Consider our Advertisers
The Companion Singers participate at the Swiss Italian Festa in Hepburn Springs (see: www. swissitalianfesta.com) on 10 & 11 October. Together with the Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose we will perform at the Tabulam Retirement Home and Lutheran Nursing Home on Sunday,
22 November.
The Companion Singers practice on the second and third Thursday of each month and we always look for new people who enjoy singing and relax with a group of funloving people. Come along to the Swiss Club, enjoy good food and company in a great social atmosphere. Phone our Convenor, Heidy Giger on 9889 9321 for more information.
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Swiss Club of Victoria
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this project the Swiss Club has again applied for a grant with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC). The date for next year’s Volksfest will be the 6 April 2008 which will take place at the Austrian Club. I suggest you put it in your agenda now so you will not forget! Also please note that the club restaurant closes for the period Friday, 21 December after lunch and reopens for business on Monday, January 2008 for a well deserved break. Joke7 of the day! in 2007 AsAthis the forth last edition of the ‘Edelweiss’ veryis loud Texanand Engineer was visiting Australia, and talking big about all of the large civil works in the USA that he was oninvolved behalf ofin.the I would like to take this opportunity To committee be polite his Australian counterpart took him on a tour of some of Sydney’s larger constructions. to First thank of our and members support and “What’s that!” In reply the Australian said, “That’s the Gladesville heall took himreaders to Gladesville Bridge.for Thetheir Texan exclaimed, continued involvement with the club! Wishing you all a happy Bridge”. “Hmmph” said the Texan, “How long and how many men did it take to build?” The Australian replied, “About 5 years Festive Season and good health for the“Well New in Year! Seeweyou at with 1000 men.” The Texan replied, Texas would’ve done it in 2 years with 500 men.” the club in 2008! When they went to the Opera House, the Texan said: “What’s that, and how long and how many men did it take to build?” “The Rolf Huber, President Opera House took about 10 years with 200 men”. The Texan replied “Well in Texas we would’ve done it in 4 years with 150 men.” By this stage the Australian was a little put out by the Texan’s attitude so he decided to get some revenge, they walked around the Opera House and as they did the Harbor Bridge came into view. Immediately the Texan exclaimed, “Wow! What’s that?” The Australian Engineer replied, “I don’t know, it wasn’t there yesterday.”
n on om
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Fahrt ins Blaue Mystery Trip
ber age is
Wednesday, 11 November
o o p!
The Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess / Australian Swiss Cultural Society would like to invite the retired Swiss/Australian Community (over sixty) to our mysterious and exciting ‘Fahrt ins Blaue - Mystery Trip’. Swiss Club of Victoria
Cost is $28.00 per person, which includes a three course lunch. If you are interested, please complete the coupon below and mail it with your cheque to: Sylvia Hochuli, 92 Addison Street, Elwood Vic 3184, or call 9531 6575. See you there!
Ladies, mark the two dates below in your diary. Come and join us at 12 noon at the Swiss Club for good food, good company and an interesting guest speaker.
Yes, I would like to attend the ‘Fahrt ins Blaue - Mystery Trip Name(s):
• Wednesday, 2 September • Wednesday, 4 November
Address:
Price $22 pp for members, $25 pp for nonmembers. Includes 2-course meal, wine, soft drinks and coffee.
Telephone:
Non-members are also welcome, bring a friend or two. For information and bookings ring me on 9889 9321or Roger at the Club on 9650 1196. Bookings are essential!
Cheque enclosed for total $:
Heidy Giger
w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
No. of persons @ $28.00:
Please make your cheque payable to the Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess (ASCS)
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A new team of Council Delegates ready to represent you! Noemi Guyer, Marc Godat, Roland Isler and Beat Knoblauch (see profiles below) have been confirmed as the new Australian Delegates to the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) for the term 2009-2013. One of the main priorities of the new team is to raise the profile and promote the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA). Many members of the Swiss community know nothing or very little of what the OSA objectives and services are. We want to see the OSA to be a recoginised part of the Swiss community in Australia. To achieve this goal the following has been put on the agenda: • set-up a ‘CSA Portal’ website on www.swiss.org.au/csa; • publish a regular column in the Swiss Review; • ‘grassroots’ presence, participation and consultation. Our current involvement includes: • ongoing issues concerning the social security agreement (AHV) between Switzerland and Australia; • Switzerland’s rejection to sign a ‘Working Holiday Visa’ for young people with Australia; • the promotion of e-voting. The purpose of this editorial is to introduce ourselves as your new CSA Delegates and provide you with information of what the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad is and what it can offer you (see also: www.aso.ch). “On behalf of the Swiss community we extend our gratitude and acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by the outgoing Delegates Peter Meury and Walter Purtschert.”
The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad represents Swiss expatriates’ interests in Switzerland. The Fifth Switzerland, as the around 700,000 Swiss expatriates are often called, make up 10% of the total Swiss population and is named so as an addition to the four linguistic regions that exist in Switzerland.
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“We are here to support you and represent your interests as a Swiss citizen living abroad. We encourage you to participate and share with us your issues and concerns. Only what we know about can be dealt with and brought to the attention of the OSA.” The OSA is supported by some 750 Swiss expatriates’ associations and Swiss institutions all over the world, forming a worldwide contact network. The organisation is made up of the Executive Board, the Council of the Swiss Abroad, the Parliamentary Group ‘Swiss Abroad’ and the Administration Team. It was founded in 1916 by the New Helvetic Society. In 1918 the first conference for the Swiss abroad was held during the Basel Trade Fair. In 1919 a permanent secretariat was set up in Geneva. In 1923 it moved to Fribourg and then in 1928 to Bern where it is located at 26 Alpenstrasse since 1957. The OSA is recognised by the authorities as the representative organisation of the Fifth Switzerland. The organisation informs Swiss living abroad about what is happening in Switzerland and provides them with a wide selection of services. It provides information and advice on all types of legal, social security insurance and training and a wide variety of activities for young Swiss abroad. The OSA publishes the quarterly magazine ‘Swiss Review’. It is the only medium to reach all Swiss abroad households, providing them with information about Switzerland and keeping them up to date about Swiss current affairs. It reports politically neutral on issues that are of interest to Swiss living abroad. Special emphasis is given to politics and government information and announcements, enabling Swiss citizens living abroad to exercise their voting rights in a responsible and informed manner and strengthens their ties with the home country.
The latest medium of information that the OSA has launched is called ‘Info5’. It is distributed in electronic form to its target audience several times a year. ‘Info5’ deals with topics relating to the Fifth Switzerland. It addresses business representatives, politicians, media representatives and members of the Council of the Swiss Abroad. The publication seeks to strengthen the links between Switzerland itself and its citizens abroad, and to raise awareness of the Fifth Switzerland at cantonal level and among opinion leaders.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) The recognised mouthpiece of the Fifth Switzerland The Council of the Swiss Abroad the legislative body of the OSA. It represents the interests of Swiss expatriates before the authorities and public opinion in Switzerland and is therefore often called the ‘Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland’. The CSA meets twice a year in Switzerland for a daylong meeting to discuss important matters concerning the Swiss abroad and to voice an opinion on current affairs on behalf of the Fifth Switzerland. The Council meets in spring as well as in late summer at the Congress of the Swiss Abroad. Between sessions, routine business is handled by the Executive Board and the Administration Team. There are many achievements were the CSA has played a decisive role in their implementation: • the inclusion of Swiss living abroad in the Federal Constitution in 1966 (Art 40); • maintaining optional old-age and disability insurance (AHV/IV); • several civil rights revisions in favour of Swiss living abroad; • the providing of information to Swiss abroad; • promotion of training for young Swiss abroad; Swiss Club of Victoria
• the introduction of the right to vote by mail; • loss of livelihood protection for political reasons (the Solidarity Fund ‘Soliswiss’); • aid to victims of natural disasters (the Schnyder von Wartensee Foundation).
2005-07), SACCI, Swiss Society of Victoria. I was responsible for the production of the local pages of the Swiss Review (1990-2003) and I am Editor/Producer of the Swiss Club Newsletter ‘Edelweiss’ since 2007.
All these deserve to be highlighted as major achievements. It is also thanks to the activities of the CSA that the presence of the Fifth Switzerland back home over the years has increased significantly.
Job: Head of Print Services, Caulfield Grammar School
Seat allocation The CSA is a world-wide network. The 140-strong Council is comprised of delegates from Swiss expatriates’ associations and communities abroad, 60 seats from within Europe and 60 from the rest of the world, and 20 delegates resident in Switzerland who have connections with the Fifth Switzerland. Australia has four council seats allocated. The number of delegates depends on the size of the Swiss community. They are elected every four years by OSA-recognised Swiss expatriates’ associations or umbrella organisations. Members residing in Switzerland are elected by the Council on recommendation by the Executive Board. They are personalities from the political, business and cultural fields who have the necessary expertise and connections to be able to address the concerns of their compatriots abroad and represent them effectively.
Who is representing you? Roland Isler, Vic I was born in 1959 and grew up in Goldach on the shores of Lake Constance. I arrived in Melbourne in 1982, making me the 3rd generation of my family settling in this country. Over the years, I joined various Swiss community groups and organisations, including: Yodel Club Edelwyss (President for 2 years), the Swiss Club of Victoria (member since 1983, committee 2001-07, President w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
I am proud having been given the opportunity to represent the Swiss community as a CSA Delegate.
Contact details: please see page 3
Noemi Guyer, NSW I am motivated to nurture my connection to Switzerland after having moved to Australia from ‘Züri Oberland’ in 1984. My father was involved with the Swiss Society and with SACCI, which lead me to be interested in connecting with my Swiss roots, and hence I joined the Swiss Club of NSW. Through the club membership, I became the Vice President and later the President. As the President I continued the work of the club, published articles in the ‘Swiss Community News’ and nurtured the relationships between the numerous Swiss clubs and societies (and the Consulate) in Sydney. I feel privileged to haven been nominated and accepted to represent our community. Job: Director, Gustav Käser Training International Phone: (02) 9905 5500 Email: noemiguyer@gustavkaser.com.au
Beat Knoblauch, NSW I migrated to Australia some 32 years ago after having spent 10 years in Mexico, South East Asia and the Far East with Swiss Companies. Advising overseas companies investing in Australasia and Asia and having incorporated numerous subsidiary companies for Multinationals, I became a member of SACCI and was serving as Vice-President and President for more than 10 years. I am currently also a Trustee of the Swiss Community Care Society and participate in other Swiss events . Other interest of mine are Historic Buildings, the Symphony Choir and Politics. I hope to get a feel of what the Swiss in Australia want us to achieve at the Annual OSA congress in Switzerland.
Job: Principal, Beat Knoblauch & Associates Phone: (02) 9232 7100 Email: beatek@ozemail.com.au
Marc Godat, Qld Ariving in Australia in 1999 from Solothurn, I have joined the Swiss Society of Queensland in 2000 and was representing our community as President from 2004 to 2008. In 2002, I setup www.swiss.org.au, our portal for Swiss clubs and organisations living here downunder. In 2005, I have been appointed as Deputy CSA Delegate for Australia and have since visited the CSA meeting and OSA congress twice, in 2006 and 2008. In 2006 I have been appointed as local editor of the Swiss Review. Attending several meetings and the congress (and my passion for mushroom gathering in the autumn forests) is part of my bi-annual visits to Switzerland and I feel very priviledged to be able to represent our community as CSA Delegate. Job: Proprietor, off-ice applications (IT business) International Phone: (07) 3899 8996 Email: mgodat@off-ice.com.au
The Parliamentary Group ‘Swiss Abroad’ In 2004 the OSA formed the Parliamentary Group ‘Swiss Abroad’ specifically to deal with political issues concerning the Fifth Switzerland. The Group is made up of around 100 members of both houses of parliament – National Council and Council of States – and from many political parties. The group meets twice a year to deal with a wide spectrum of issues.
The aim: a powerful ‘lobby’ and a modern service centre The OSA has three main objectives: 1. To efficiently represent the general interests of Swiss citizens living abroad before the Swiss authorities and with the public at home. 2. To promote good relations between Swiss living abroad and strengthen their ties with Switzerland. 3. To provide a wide, up-to-date range of specialised services.
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NOTICE
2009 Half-Yearly General Meeting of the SCV Notice is hereby given that the Half-Yearly General Meeting of the Swiss Club of Victoria will be held at 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, on:
Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 8pm Agenda: 1. Adoption of Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2009 2. President’s Report 3. Consideration and Adoption of Accounts and Financial Statements 4. Election of Office Bearers 5. Second Floor Refurbishment 6. Other Business Please note: Accounts & Financial Statements will be made available to members at the meeting.
Half-Yearly GM Special Start the Half-Yearly General Meeting with a very Swiss
‘Fleischchääs mit Härdöpfelsalat’ Cost: $13.90 per person (for members attending the meeting) Bookings essential on 9650 1196. A la carte menu also available at regular prices.
Minutes of the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the SCV Held Wednesday, 4 March 2009 at 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 1. Opening and Welcome The President of the Swiss Club of Victoria, Mr Rolf Huber opened the annual General Meeting at 8.06pm and welcomed Honorary Life Members, the Honorary Consul and Members of the Swiss Club. He thanked everyone for attending the meeting. A total of 40 voting members were present. It’s your Club. Get involved
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2. One Minute of Silence Rolf invited all members to stand up and observe one minute of silence to remember our friends and members who have left us. Our sympathies go to their families. We will miss and remember them. 3. Apologies Max Ammann, Jill Mueller, Christian Schwärzler, Wolfram Pacher, Theo & Rose Surbeck, Marcel Seurat, Irma & Chris Thalmann, André Becker, Colin Eichenberger, Peter Kronborg, Peter Meury, Beat Altermatt, Sepp & Marlies Krummenacher, Anna & Kurt Langenegger, Doris Marr, Mareli Hein, Pat Calabresi, Heidy Giger, Fritz Hochuli, Eleanor & Sepp Schmidig, Doris Diserens, Trudy & Marcel Theiler, Ernst Hügli, Auditor Bruce Legg. 4. Adoption of Minutes of Half-Yearly General Meeting 2008 The Minutes of the Half-Yearly General Meeting, held Wednesday, 17th September 2008, were published in the March 2008 Newsletter. The minutes had been read and are a true record. Moved: Walter Purtschert. Seconded: Ossi Haering. 5. President’s Report Dear Honorary Consul Ms. Erika Kimpton, Honorary Life Members and Members of the Swiss Club, I am pleased and honoured to report the completion of yet another successful year in line with our objectives of offering members an opportunity to experience and participate in Swiss culture. My committee and I have been able to steer the ship on a steady course and I am very pleased to advise that today I can present a united club that is functioning well, is in a healthy financial state and is well positioned for the future. Today is my last day as the President of the Swiss Club of Victoria. I will step down as president having done the job for the last two years. It is a planned rotation to allow other members to have a crack at it too and it has been widely communicated so it should not come as a surprise. The nomination of experienced Vice-President & Secretary Barbara Kündig to follow in my footsteps as President of the club will be decided later on tonight. My intention is to remain on the committee as the Immediate Past President and help out with functions. In addition I will remain a member of the Swiss Festival committee. I look back with satisfaction; it has been an amazing two years, a great experience not to be missed and much has been achieved. I recall the successful completion and implementation of the Terra Rossa lease contract. Eddie Muto has lived up to his reputation. It is a hard fought but stable relationship, not all that different to a marriage. Two years on, he is still going and paying us rent. We can expect further consultations with regards to an awning on Flinders Lane and a café on Duckboard Lane. Signage, once a concern for the members has been erected in all the right places. You may have also become aware of the new notice board and display stand which now adorn the wall near the entrance. Soon you may also see improved menus. It is all part and parcel of our branding campaign. Swiss Club of Victoria
And finally we have removed the eyesore number one, graffiti on the Duckboard Lane side. It is all orderly now with posters running along the wall and a guy that takes care of it. By now a tradition, the comedy festival will occupy the second floor from the 29th March to the 29th April. The club is to gain a fee and Roger will hopefully have additional patronage in the restaurant. Again we apologise to those regular users and hope that they are able to find alternative arrangements for the one month period. The contract with the magicians has been renegotiated once more and will continue for another year. An important part of our club is our restaurant, which continues to offer good value to members by providing excellent food at reasonable prices in a friendly environment. The current lease with Roger Moullet will expire in May 2011. Our function and events calendar is teeming with activities. An average of four gatherings is held at or outside the club every month of the year. These include and in no particular order John Wanner and ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’, the Swiss Club movie nights, the Jass, billiard and tennis competitions, the ladies luncheons, new members evenings, the Unterhaltungsabend, the mystery trip and Kaffeeklatsch, the lantern procession and Swiss National Day celebrations, the Samichlaus Picnic and finally the Senior Christmas Afternoon. It reads like the charts for the best Swiss songs ever written. The club also continues to offer its facilities to the dancers and singers for their practice evenings, the Swiss School, the Swiss Playgroup, the gathering of the Young Swiss and many others. We are the heartbeat of the Swiss community of Victoria. Speaking about events, the Swiss Festival committee will hold another big celebration of Swiss culture at the Austrian Club, Heidelberg West on 22nd March. The festival will soon become an independent entity and is run separately from the Swiss Club for the first time this year. It has now easily become the largest Swiss meet in Victoria. To make it run smoothly the Swiss Festival committee still needs more volunteers not only on the day but also the day before and the day after. So if you, your family and friends can spare two hours helping out please contact Damian present today who will take your details and give you more information after the meeting. Your efforts will be compensated with free food and drink. I also want to briefly talk about the Committee for Joint Swiss Ventures or short CJSV. The meetings continue on a monthly basis chaired by the Honorary Consul of Switzerland, Ms Erika Kimpton. Its aim is to improve better communication among different Swiss groups, networking and exchanging news about the many groups in Victoria. It is the only platform of that kind in Victoria. As a result of all these measures membership continues to rise which fills me with deep satisfaction. I guess, one task I wanted to complete during my term was the renovation of the second floor. However as it happens I have run out of time. I find consolation in the fact that a serious proposal is now on the table which the committee after careful evaluation will eventually present to the members. The concept is based on a multifunction room and a rooftop restaurant. As always with important projects of such a large scale, the w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
process is slow as it is the committee’s duty to ensure its long term viability for the good of the club. In closing these achievements would not have been possible without the boundless energy and creativity of my friends and fellow committee members. Today’s committee comprises seven hard working and very passionate men and women, all of whom have expressed their wish to remain on the board. Thank you for your time and effort! I am also happy to advise you of the nomination of an additional member to serve on the committee but more on this later under election of office bearers. In addition, our club life is enriched with devoted people who keep the Swiss spirit alive, who engage in preserving our culture and language. I think of the Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose, the Swiss Companion Singers, the Ladies Luncheons, the Swiss School and the Swiss Playgroup. These extraordinary efforts need to be publicly commended and I would therefore like to call the following members to come forward and receive a gift as a gesture of my appreciation. Please remain standing:
Proxy Form for the Half-Yearly General Meeting 2009 of the Swiss Club of Victoria To: the Secretary of the Swiss Club of Victoria (please use block letters) I being a member of the Swiss Club of Victoria, my address being:
hereby appoint:
his/her address being:
being another member of the Swiss Club of Victoria, to vote for me and on my behalf at the Half-Yearly General Meeting of the Swiss Club of Victoria to be held on Wednesday, 16 September 2009 and at every adjournment thereof. Signed by hand this
day of
2009
Signature: Note: Only members who are entitled to vote, having paid their subscription or being Honorary Life Members, may represent other members as proxy. Proxy forms must be handed to the Secretary at least 48 hours before the meeting is to take place.
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• Rita Schwärzler, senior events and former President of the club • Sylvia Hochuli, President of Folk Dance Group Alpenrose • Heidy Giger, Convenor of the Companion Singers and Ladies Luncheons • Claudia Dahinden, Convenor of Playgroup (apologised) • Andrea Pinch, Convenor of Swiss School (apologised) The newsletter ‘Edelweiss’ is our official mouthpiece being read by over 400 people four times a year. It informs us of all that is happening in and around the club in a very professional manner. This important task is superbly mastered by Roland Isler, our editor. Thank you very much Roland. And finally I call on Mr. Swiss Club to come forward, Roger Moullet. I would like to thank you and your staff for your dedicated effort and commitment in taking good care of members and guests alike. By the way Roger Moullet will celebrate 12 years of distinguished service to the club as Chef and Restaurant Manager in April. Remembering who we are and I speak to all of you, volunteers united with a never ending love and passion for Switzerland, with jobs and families and many other, commitments, you have nevertheless joined forces to work for the good of the club and its members. I am here now before you and I feel deep respect and love for you, you make me proud, you make Switzerland proud! Long live the Swiss Club of Victoria. Thank you very much. 6. Treasurer’s Report Derrick Wildi presented the finances for the past financial year. The members were given the signed director’s report audited by Bruce Legg. The profit of the Club for the year amounted to $10,202 (2007 deficit $22,836) after abnormal items. BALANCE SHEET at Year Ending 31/12/08 CURRENT ASSETS .................................................... 58,572 ADD FIXED ASSETS Land at Valuation .................................... 210,000 Buildings at Valuation ............................. 260,409 Plant and Equipment - at cost ................. 218,136 Less Provision for Depreciation ............. (100,295) Furniture and Fittings - at cost ................ 161,915 Less Provision for Depreciation ............... (54,568) Freehold Improvements - at cost ............. 276,397 Less Provision for Depreciation ............... (66,222) 905,772 TOTAL ASSETS ....................................................... 964,344 LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES ..................................... 23,327 941,017 LESS NON CURRENT LIABILITIES Hire Purchase ....................................................................5,357 NET ASSETS............................................................ 935,660 Represented By Members Funds BALANCE AT 1ST JANUARY 2008..................................925,459
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ADD Net Profit (Loss) for the Year ...................................10,201 NET ASSETS............................................................ 935,660 PROFIT & LOSS at Year Ending 31/12/08 INCOME Member Subscriptions ....................................................20,862 Functions ..........................................................................2,094 Advertising/Miscellaneous ................................................5,736 Interest .............................................................................2,149 Rent ................................................................................99,870 130,711 LESS EXPENSES Accountancy and Audit ............................... 2,595 Bank Fees .................................................... 1,684 Depreciation.............................................. 36,000 Electricity .................................................... 4,758 Function Expenses ...................................... 3,336 Insurance .................................................. 11,466 Interest Paid ....................................................... –
Swiss Club of Victoria
Nomination Form for Office Bearers for 2009 We, being Honorary Life Members or Ordinary Members of the Swiss Club of Victoria hereby nominate (please use block letters) Name of person nominated:
for election as a member of the Committee. 1. Name of Member: Signature: 2. Name of Member: Signature: I, (name of candidate) being a member of the Swiss Club of Victoria, hereby, consent to act as a member of the Committee, if elected. Signature: Note: Any two Ordinary Members or Honorary Life Members of the Swiss Club of Victoria may nominate other members for election to the Committee. To be valid, this Nomination form must reach the Secretary of the Swiss Club of Victoria not later than 1 September 2009.
Swiss Club of Victoria
Legal ........................................................... 6,247 Miscellaneous ............................................. 9,189 Newsletter .................................................. 2,829 Postage ....................................................... 1,527 Printing & Stationery ........................................ 73 Rates ......................................................... 16,018 Repairs & Maintenance ............................. 24,244 Subscriptions.................................................. 544 120,510 NET PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR ........................... 10,201 The Treasurer’s report was moved by Roland Isler and Seconded by Marcel Muntwyler, all in favour. 7. Election of Auditor Bruce Legg has offered to stand as auditor for the coming year. Appointment was moved by Ernst Hugli and seconded by Adrian Huber 8. Election of Office Bearers The following committee members stood for re-election: Oliver Altermatt Nominated: Theo Wyrsch. Seconded: Hans Ochsenbein All in favour Gerda Probst Nominated: Roger Moullet. Seconded: Marcel Muntwyler All in favour Patrick Rychner Nominated: Walter Purtschert. Seconded: Robert Medcalf All in favour Sigrid de Castella Nominated: Franz Schnellmann. Seconded: Roland Isler All in favour The following Honorary Officers were elected or reconfirmed: President: Barbara Kündig Nominated: Rita Schwärzler. Seconded: Walter Purtschert All in favour Secretary: Gerda Probst Nominated: Rita Schwärzler. Seconded: Urs Marfurt All in favour Treasurer: Urs Wildi Nominated: Tony Anderson. Seconded: Fred Hofffmann All in favour Rolf Huber will continue on the committee as the Immediate Past President. Barbara Kündig thanked the members for their support and trust in electing her President. She thanked Rolf Huber for all his energy, enthusiasm and work during his two years as President of the Swiss Club. Barbara thanked him for continuing on the committee and presented him with a token of appreciation from all present. 9. General Business Honorary Life Membership: The following members were awarded Honorary Life Membership in recognition of 40 years of membership: Erika Ochsenbein, Wolfram Pacher. Erika was presented with her w w w.s w i s s .o r g.au/s w i s sc lu bv i c
certificate and flowers. Wolfram Packer was unable to attend AGM. Questions / Remarks and Comments: Rita Schwärzler congratulated the committee. Rita commented on the importance of the club remaining true to its purpose, to be a social club for all ages. There is no pressure to generate profits as there is no need to satisfy shareholders by paying out dividends. She urged the committee to stay true to the club’s ideals and while maintaining a good relationship and cooperate with other groups to avoid blurring the lines and to avoid any potential conflict of interest. All the work is done by volunteers and it is important that the club continues to organise itself in a manner that it can be managed on a volunteer basis. Walter Purschert commented that with the demise of the Octoberfest, the Volksfest and now the Swiss Festival is an opportunity for all groups to work together towards a common goal. Since the closure of the Swiss Consulate, the Joint Committee is an opportunity to meet regularly and keep lines of communication open. Roland Isler congratulated the committee on their work. He also thanked Walter Purtschert, who is retiring from this position as Delegate to the Council of the Swiss Abroad for all his effort and initiative during his tenure. Roland also thanked Peter Meury in Sydney who is also retiring from this position. Roland congratulated Sylvia Hochuli, President and the members of the Dance Group Alpenrose on their 60th anniversary. Herbert Schwärzler raised his concern that when the committee presents plans for the 2/F and only few members come to the meeting that this really reflects the opinion of the membership. Ernst Fries responded that there are also the possibility of Proxy votes and thus getting more members involved. Erika Kimpton, Honorary Consul of Switzerland took the floor and thanked everybody for all their help and support. She spoke about Swiss affected by the recent bushfires and if anyone knew of anyone requiring assistance to please let her know. 10. Conclusion Rolf thanked all present and invited the members for a drink. Meeting was closed at 09:30pm. Minutes taken by Barbara Kündig, Secretary
The scales of justice This man holds a 70cm pike (Hecht) caught by Swiss police divers after it terrorised people swimming in Lago Maggiore near Tenero (Ticino). The 8kg fish bit six people, two of whom needed emergency treatment in hospital for 10cm bites.
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Swiss Events & Functions Please note that this calendar also list events other than those organised by the Swiss Club of Victoria and its subgroups. Please book all Swiss Club functions (bold entries) with Roger, phone 9650 1196 or fax 9650 3104 and check website for latest information and details of upcoming events. For all other events please contact the relevant organisation (see page 3 for contact details).
SEPTEMBER
Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday Sunday Wednesday
OCTOBER
Thursday 01 Saturday 03 Friday 09 Sat/Sun 10/11 Wednesday 14 Saturday 17 Monday 19
Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Swiss Club Trivia Night Billiard Competition - Swiss Club Championship Companion Singers performing at Swiss Italian Fiesta Word Premiere: Movie documentary about the Swiss Club Matterhorn - 40th Anniversary Ambassador’s Golf Tournament - SACCI
NOVEMBER
Monday Wednesday Thursday Wednesday Wednesday Saturday Sunday Sunday
02 04 05 11 11 14 22 22
Editorial Deadline - Newsletter December issue Ladies’ Luncheon Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Fahrt ins Blaue (Mystery Trip) - Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Movie Night at the Club – ‘Undercover’ Swiss Club 110th Anniversary Gala Dinner Companion Singers performing at Tabulam & Lutheran Nursing Home Swiss Club Tennis Championship - Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
DECEMBER
Thursday Saturday Saturday Thursday
03 05 13 24
Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea – by invitation Samichlaus Breakfast - Fawkner Park Club Restaurant closes after lunch (reopens on Monday, 11 January 2010 for lunch)
02 03 05 13 13 16
Ladies’ Luncheon Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Jass Night - Swiss Club (Finals) Fondue dans la neige - Groupe Romand Kaffeeklatsch - Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Half-Yearly General Meeting
OTHER REGULAR SWISS CLUB MEETINGS: Committee Meetings: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose: Practice every Tuesday evening at 8.15pm Swiss Companion Singers: Practice and social gathering every 2nd and 3rd Thursday of each month at 8pm Saturday Morning Swiss School: Every second Saturday Morning except school holidays, from 9.30am to 12.30pm Swiss German Playgroup: Meets every 1st Thursday of each month from 11am to 2pm Young Swiss Group: Dates for get-together can be found on www.swiss.org.au or on our Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YoungSwissMelbourne/
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