REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST - PUBLICATION No. VBH 6369
DECEMBER 2010
The Second Floor gets the VIP tick of approval The Second Floor was officially opened on 3 July at the members opening dinner dance. Now it was the VIPs’ turn to make it even more official.
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Around 30 invited guests attended a reception on Wednesday, 20 October, led by the guests of honour HE the Ambassador of Switzerland, Dr Daniel Woker and Mrs Myriam Woker. The purpose of the event was to introduce the newly refurbished Second Floor to the wider public and, after an Alphorn tune by Irma Thalmann, Swiss Club President Barbara Kündig took the opportunity to highlight the many advantages this space offers. ‘A multifunction venue with a difference!’ – this message was certainly not lost on the audience.
Roland Isler provided a synopsis of the Club’s history, followed by Antony Anderson who, as a member of the Redevelopment Sub-Committee, spoke about the refurbishment process. Promoting the floor and fulfilling the vision of creating an additional income stream for the Club, is the challenge the committee now faces. Damian Schaller encouraged all present to take advantage of this fantastic resource, recommend it to others and thereby support the Club. The Ambassador addressing the audience, praised the Committee in achieving such a great result. To conclude the evening, he unveiled a small plaque to commemorate this official opening.
Cancellara enters the record books again
Swiss cyclist Fabian Cancellara has become the first person ever to win four Elite Men’s World Time Trial championships, with a victory on Thursday, 30 September. The race started at Federation Square were a large crowd of people gathered to cheer on their favourite team. It concluded after 103.6km in the road race loop in Geelong.
In second place was British rider David Millar. Third place was taken by German Tony Martin. Australians Richie Porte and Michael Rogers were fourth and fifth. 29-year old Cancellara had won three world titles since 2006 and gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
89 Flinder s Lane • Melbour ne 3000 • Victor ia • Australia • www.s wissclubvic .com
IS SW S
CBD FUNCTION AND MEETING ROOM WITH A DIFFERENCE The Second Floor at the Swiss Club
BUSINESS FUNCTIONS, CONFERENCES, SMALL MEETINGS
• • • • • •
Theatre style seating for up to 90 Work shop seating for up to 55 Cocktail set up for up to 120 Private meeting room for up to 16 Architect designed space Choice of catering from the Swiss Club Restaurant or Terra Rossa • Modern amenities
• Basic coffee making facilities • Parking close by • 5 minutes walk to Flinders Street or Parliament Station • 2 minutes walk to Tram 75/70/48 • Friendly venue with Swiss history • Competitive rates
*O 4FSWVT 0VU Fly with Austrian via Vienna. Europe’s fastest transfer airport.
OR DINNER/ DANCE FUNCTIONS, LAUNCHES, PRIVATE EVENTS
Information & booking at www.austrian.com, 1300 655 727 or at your travel agency. Earn miles with Miles & More.
8F GMZ GPS ZPVS TNJMF
• • • • • • •
Unbeatable location Ample parking close by Train, tram and bus close by Dinner seating for up to 80 Cocktail set up to 120 Dance floor Architect designed modern space with lots of ambience
• Modern amenities • Choice of catering from the Swiss Club Restaurant or Terra Rossa • Choice of BYO caterer • Catering kitchen with 4 ovens, microwave and industrial dishwasher • Friendly venue with Swiss history • Competitive rates
AT THE PERFECT VENUE – THE SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA Contact us on E: info@swissclubvic.com T: 1300 893 968 to check for availability, more information or a quote www.austrian.com
SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 T: 1300 893 968, F: (03) 9650 3104 E: info@swissclubvic.com W: www.swissclubvic.com
Damian Schaller Event Manager M: 0410 461 364 E: damianschaller@swiss.org.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
SWISS CLUB SUB-GROUPS
Club Opening Hours Lunch: Mo - Fri from 12noon Dinner: Wed, Thurs & Fri from 6pm. Bookings T: (03) 9650 1196
Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose President: Sylvia Hochuli T: (03) 9531 6575 E: hochuli@tpg.com.au
Pro Ticino President: Claude Rossi 5 Falls Road, Hoddles Creek Vic 3139 T: (03) 5967 4542 E: marclas@dcsi.net.au
Founded in 1899
Swiss Club Catering For all Functions contact Chef & Catering Manager Roger Moullet T: (03) 9650 1196, F: (03) 9650 3104 M: 0409 040 249 E: swissclub@hotmail.com The Second Floor Function Bookings CBD Function Room with a difference! Meetings and functions up to 120 persons. Info and/or bookings: T: 1300 893 968 E: swissclubvic@swiss.org.au
COMMITTEE Barbara Kündig President T/F (H): (03) 9005 4938 M: 0402 018 363 E: barbara@swiss.org.au
Swiss Companion Singers Convenor: Heidy Giger T: (03) 9889 9321 E: adelheid1@bigpond.com Ladies Luncheons Convenor: Heidy Giger For bookings T: (03) 9650 1196 For information: T: (03) 9889 9321 E: adelheid1@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
Rolf Huber Immediate Past President T/F (H): (03) 9807 0282 M (B): 0425 805 854 E: rhuber@swiss.org.au
The Swiss Diners Club Convenor: Amy Bohren M: 0410 037 095 E: abohren@swiss.org.au
Gerda Probst Secretary M: 0439 936 313 E: gerda@swiss.org.au
Swiss Festival Chairman: Rolf Huber T/F (H): (03) 9807 0282 M (B): 0425 805 854 E: rhuber@swiss.org.au
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 Antony Anderson Building Management M: 0416 069 666 E: antony@swiss.org.au Patrick Rychner Corporate Communications/ Web Administrator M: 0404 657 886 E: paddy@swiss.org.au w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m
SWISS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS Swiss Society of Victoria (Benevolent Society) President: Franz Schnellmann T: (03) 9449 2245, M: 0412 203 893 E: schnellmann@dodo.com.au Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Australian/Swiss Cultural Society President: Sylvia Hochuli T: (03) 9531 6575 E: hochuli@tpg.com.au
Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn President: Marco Unternährer 3 Bluegum Court, Upwey Vic 3158 T: (03) 9729 3338, (03) 9752 6996 (H) W: www.swiss.org.au/matterhorn Swiss-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) General Manager: Marcel Svatos Suite 303, 46 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 T: (02) 9262 1511, F: (02) 9290 1928 E: admin@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 below under Editor W: www.aso.ch / www.swiss.org.au/csa
Impressum ‘Edelweiss’ appears quarterly in March, June, September and December. Circulation 500. For all enquiries contact: Roland Isler, Editor T: (03) 9524 6335 (B) M: 0412 935 565 E: risler@swiss.org.au 67 St Georges Crescent Heatherton Vic 3202
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, Spring is upon us, a bit wet maybe at the moment, but all is blooming, and everything is so lush and green. The year went so quickly. We hope you all had a pleasant 2010, and that the Swiss Club contributed to your year in a positive way. It has been a busy year for the club with the completion of the Second Floor and the various activities related to it, as well as all the regular club activities. By now, many members had an opportunity to experience the new function room either during an event or one of the sub-groups regular activities. You still have an opportunity to actively support the refurbishment by sponsoring one of the coat of arms. Wouldn’t it be a great Christmas present for a loved one or maybe just for yourself? The committee thanks the many members, who already have so generously contributed to the cause (see page 18). With the year coming to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the members, who continue to be actively involved in our club life in any shape and form. Many thanks to all the leaders of the sub-groups for their effort and time. We appreciate you very much. Have you already thought about how you want to make a difference in 2011? Well, how about joining the Swiss Club Committee? We need you! If you have some spare time and want to contribute, please think about it and come forward! The committee and I wish you a happy and peaceful Festive Season, a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
May the Swiss Club play an important part in your social life in 2011. Barbara Kündig, President
Thank you! We have a wonderful Club thanks to your generosity with your time, your effort and enthusiasm! Our thanks also go to the partners and families for giving each of you the time and space to be active in the Swiss Club. • Sylvia Hochuli – Folk Dance Group Alpenrose & Seniors Activities • Paul Eisenegger & Hans Keller – Jass Activities • Heidy Giger – Companion Singers & Ladies Luncheon • Andrea Pinch – Saturday Morning Swiss School & Familienplausch • Chantal Imbach – Swiss Playgroup • Rolf Huber – Swiss Festival Committee • Louis Schneider – Billiard • Rita Schwaerzler-Abbt – Seniors Activities • Roger Moullet & Corinne Moesch – Club Restaurant • Roland Isler – Newsletter Editor • Antony Anderson, Sigrid de Castella, Rolf Huber, Barbara Kündig, Gerda Probst, Patrick Rychner, Damian Schaller, Derrick Wildi – the Swiss Club Committee
Romance blossomed at the Swiss Club Restaurant, when radio personality Hamish Blake (Hamish & Andy Show on Fox FM 101.9) purchased a couple’s membership to the club last month. Hamish bought the membership for his friend Michael’s birthday – and joined up as well on the same membership (normally reserved for those living together!).
Hamish Blake and Michael Wipfli
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Michael and John Wipfli
Hamish was introduced to the club by Jack Wipfli, Jack’s son John, and his grandson Michael. Jack was part of the Swiss Club Committee in the 1930s and 40s and was made an honorary life member in 1955. One of the club’s Stammtisch chairs is dedicated to Jack and bears his name. The party came to celebrate with the tradition and great food of the Swiss Club, and also to take turns on the chair! Swiss Club of Victoria
Welcome to our new members We welcome Philipp Fasnacht, Daniel Moeschinger, Kenneth Hope, David Scott-Young, Simona Wirth, Michael Wipfli and Hamish Blake. We are looking forward to meeting you at one of our forthcoming functions.
Dear Swiss compatriots and friends of the Swiss Festival, We are pleased to announce that the Swiss Festival 2011 will take place on:
Congratulations
Date: Sunday, 3 April 2011
Congratulations to Brigitte & Dolf Bohren as new grandparents of Luke Thomas Archer.
Place: Austrian Club, 76-90 Sheehan Road, Heidelberg West
Rosmarie & Bruno Oswald first time grandparents of Priyanka Mudigonda.
Time: 11am to 4pm
Birthday Celebrations 80 years: Fritz Hochuli has become an octogenarian in October. 90 years & over: In October Hubert Mills and Johanna Markocki celebrated 92 years. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you all and wish you good health in many years to come.
Get well Paul de Castella who recently had very unexpected open heart surgery complicated by post operative pneumonia. We wish him a speedy recovery to full health. Best wished to Marcel Muntwyler for a speedy recovery from surgery.
The last farewell Eric Martin passed away earlier this year on 25 May. We extend our deepest sympathies to Hanni and her family. 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.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members! From the Committee & Editor
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Next year’s Festival will again be under the ‘patronage’ of the Swiss Embassy of Australia and for the first time has a theme: “Four Languages – One Country”. The idea is to highlight the diversity of our country and to present specialties of the various regions and languages. The 2011 Festival promises to be a day full of great Swiss food, presentations and performances from the various Swiss Community Groups such as Swiss Companion Singers, Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose, Swiss Playgroup, Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn, Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess and various other exciting acts. Please mark the date in your agenda and invite your family, friends, work colleagues, school friends and anyone who you think would enjoy spending the day experiencing some Swiss culture, to do the same. This event would not be possible without the help of the Swiss Club members, the support of the various Festival sponsors and the many volunteers that offer their help. Thank you for your ongoing support! If you would like to present your company (should have a link to Switzerland), showcase your talent as part of the entertainment program, actively support the Swiss Festival through sponsorship or volunteer work, or any combination of these; please contact the committee members by Monday, 13 December 2010. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas. Yours sincerely, Swiss Festival Committee: Patrick Albert, Bruno Giger, Chantal Imbach, Damian Schaller, Rolf Huber Email: rhuber@swiss.org.au Mobile: 0425 805 854 www.swissfestival.com.au
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Aussie Rules in Switzerland? Yes, the Swiss are taking on Australia’s National Game with gusto!
The AFL Switzerland National Team finished 11th out of the 15 Nations competing, an amazing effort given their lack of match practice and the fact that only a year ago many of them had never even seen an Aussie Rules footy! For full details of the games, visit the Euro Cup Website at www.eurocup2011.info Now the Swiss have a taste for Australia’s National game they need your support to get the National team to Australia next year to compete in the AFL International Cup in Melbourne! AFL Switzerland are issuing a limited 1,000 Foundation Memberships to help raise funds for the trip. This very special, once off, limited offer includes: • An authentic, numbered, framed photo of the 2010 Euro Cup AFL Switzerland National Team • 2011 Membership to AFL Switzerland giving you:
The history making 2010 Euro Cup held on 2 October saw the AFL Switzerland National Team compete in their first official International Aussie Rules Tournament! 17 of the best Swiss players were chosen from the Aussie Rules Lugano Club (www. aussieruleslugano.ch) who competed in this year’s AFL Italia League. Determined to enter a Swiss National Team in the 2010 Euro Cup Tournament in Parabiago, Milan, the Lugano Aussie Rules Club trained hard and managed to get a team match ready to represent their country playing Australia’s national game of Aussie Rules!! For their first ever Aussie Rules tournament they played extremely well. A tough pool draw saw them beaten by the much more experienced opponents of England and Germany in the first two rounds but they were able to regroup and came back in a fantastic win over the Czech Republic in the 3rd round. This took them into the Semi Finals for their pool against Scotland who proved far too experienced for the young Swiss Team. Scotland went on to finish 4th in the overall tournament.
– Members Only access to the AFL Switzerland website where you can join the forum, read the blogs and find out all you need to know about the National Team players and their reasons why they play Aussie Rules in Switzerland! – Regular e-newsletters written by Eurosport TV Presenter, sports journalist and commentator, Luca Tramontin, SportItalia Anchor and TV Personality Daniela Scalia and Eurosport Commentator and Journalist, Gianluca Veneziano – Special invitation to join the 2011 AFL Switzerland National Supporters Crew at the AFL International Cup games in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in August 2011 – Early bird tickets to the AFL Switzerland Welcome Dinners being planned for Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane during the AFL International Cup Tournament in August 2011 (exact dates & locations to be confirmed). Limited to 1,000 Foundation Memberships!! Join online now at www.aflswitzerland.com
CHRISTMAS SPECIALS: Christmas Stollen & Gâteaux, Gingerbread Santas & Hauses, Fruit Cakes, Chocolate Christmas Trees, Traditional Christmas Bisquits: Brunsli, Mailänderli, Zimtsterne, Chräbeli, Biberli
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers Open Tuesday to Sunday 232 Blackburn Road, Syndal 3150 ☎ 9802 7265 6
Swiss Club of Victoria
Kaffeeklatsch Sunday, 12 September Ladies in their Swiss costumes welcomed our Seniors to the Swiss Club for cakes and coffee. The special buffet laden with savory and sweet cakes was well appreciated by our guests. The group looks forward to spoil you all again next year. On behalf of the Trachtengruppe, I would like to say thank you to the Swiss Club for letting us use the premises for the Kaffeeklatsch. A special thank you to Roger Moullet for the support. On behalf of the Trachtengruppe, I wish you all the very best for the Festive Season and good health for 2011. Sylvia Hochuli
We are saddened by the untimely and unexpected departure of our former member of the Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess, Diane Krauer, who passed away on 27 October. Our sincere condolences go to Bruno and Tim.
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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
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The opening day of the Swiss-Italian Festa was affected by winter deciding to stage an unwelcome comeback in the midst of spring! We saw it all: freezing temperatures, rain, hail and even snow overnight! With most outdoor activities cancelled, we decided to visit Lavandula Farm in Shepherds Flat near Daylesford. www.lavandula.com.au This beautiful homestead was built in the 1860s by Aquilino and Maria Tinetti from Biasca, canton Ticino. We enjoyed Fay Thompson’s family history (she is a descendant of Aquilino and Maria) and her husband’s Boyd’s slide show about mountain walks and beautiful spots in Ticino. Editor
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Swiss Club of Victoria
The weather forecast was not the best. Is it possible that we get snow as we drive towards Hepburn Springs? Would snow chains be required? No it could not happen. Well, it got colder and colder. Snow was on the side of the road. Parked cars were covered with a fine layer of snow. Roofs were white. Just like Switzerland! The Dance group, the Companion Singers and the Matterhorn Yodlers marched in the parade on Saturday morning. Luckily the snow and rain stayed away! All the groups performed at the Palais Theatre in the afternoon. The old Macaroni Factory Restaurant was the venue for our dinner. Everybody enjoyed a relaxing evening with sing alongs, Alphorn tunes, Örgeli and the Singing Saw. Thank you Hepburn Springs for making us welcome and for your hospitality. The Dance group has two more performances this year. A big thank you to all our friends and supporters for their generosity. To the Swiss Club and Roger Moullet, we like to thank you for letting us use the premises for our practice and for the continuous support. On behalf of the Dance Group I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Sylvia Hochuli
As we approach the end of another year, we are going to perform together with the Dance Group Alpenrose at Tabulam (Templer) and Martin Luther Nursing Homes. We always love to sing there and bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to the residents. For the first time the Yodelclub Matterhorn is going to join us on this day. In March we sang at the Swiss Festival which always turns out to be a great day. In Hephurn Springs at the Swiss Italian Festa we joined the Dance Group and the Yodlers in the parade. Because of the inclement weather we sang indoors at the ‘Palais’ and on Sunday we were invited to sing in the church which we all enjoyed. This weekend was very special for us as we could perform alongside other Swiss Groups and have some fun time together . A special thank you to our conductor Toni Hofmann and Pierre and Margrit Muelheim for making our beautiful new Banner. “Wo man singt, da lasst Euch nieder” On behalf of the Companion Singers I wish you all a joyful and peaceful Festive Season. Heidy Giger
Get connected on www.SwissCommunity.org
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The Winnetou trilogy by Karl May, translated by Marlies Bugmann Publisher: Independent Language: English Binding: approx. 360-pages, Paperback Price: $26.95 + postage Which boy (and girl?) that grew up in Switzerland would not know of Karl May’s Winnetou? Relive the adventures of the noble wild west hero and his friends with this trilogy, translated into English by a Swiss in Australia! About the Author/Translator Please see interview with Marlies Bugmann on page 16. Winnetou I Synopsis During his first journey into the Wild West, a young greenhorn – Karl May, the adventurer – meets a young Apache, called Winnetou. The first encounter is not at all amicable and during a violent Indian attack, the young German is near-fatally wounded. He is taken to the Apache pueblo to be nursed back to health, destined to die by torture at the stake… Winnetou II Synopsis Bizarre circumstances lead Winnetou, Old Shatterhand and their friend Old Death on a ride through the Mapimi desert. Later, when Old Shatterhand rescues a young boy from a disastrous oil fire in New Venango his heroic deed has far-reaching implications. The blood brothers cross paths again in Nebraska where they and Old Firehand must face the cruel white Indian chief Parranoh… Winnetou III Synopsis Old Shatterhand meets Sans-Ear. They team up to save a train from being derailed by the treacherous Comanche. Winnetou joins them and, together, they continue their pursuit of the villains into the famous goldfields of California. Later, Winnetou, Old Shatterhand and their new friend, Fat Walker, trap a gang of railtroublers, however, while rescuing the captive settlers on Hancock Mountain, disaster strikes… The Paperback edition is available online at www.bookstore. bookpod.com.au or www.amazon.com The hard covers for collectors are only available online at www. karl-may-friends.net/
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Anise seed crescents (Chräbeli) What would Christmas be without Christmas cookies! The warm feeling you get when the irresistible aroma fills the whole house. In the December 07* issue of the ‘Edelweiss’ I brought to you a recipe for ‘Brunsli’, almond-laden dark chocolate mouthfuls of bliss, and in the December 09* issue it was ‘Cinnamon Stars’, one of the most popular Swiss Christmas cookies. Today I’d like to introduce to you another favourite. ‘Chräbeli’ are a speciality from the canton of Aargau and are usually part of the selection of traditional cookies that are offered during the Festive Season in Switzerland. Owing to its strong and slightly bitter taste, ‘Chräbeli’ are not necessarily to everybody’s liking. They are said to be a man’s rather than a lady’s cookie. The shape resembles a small claw, hence the name ‘Chräbeli’. Ingredients 4 eggs a pinch of salt 450g of sugar 2 tbsp crushed anise seed 1 tbsp Kirsch 550-600g sifted allpurpose flour Makes about 60 cookies, depending on size Directions In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together with an electric mixer until thick and pale, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the Kirsch, salt, and anise seed. Use a sturdy spoon to stir in the flour. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Form rolls of about 1.5cm diameter and cut in pieces of about 5cm length. Slightly grease baking tray and put the rolls onto it to dry. Do not use baking paper sheets. Cut three diagonal slits into one side of each piece. Bend the cookies to open the slits, flaring out the cuts. Cover loosely with a tea towel and allow to dry in a cool area for 24 hours. Preheat oven to 165˚. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. They should not turn brown on top, and be only lightly colored on the bottom. Remove from the oven, and let stand in a cool place for 3 or 4 days. They will be rock hard at first, but will soften over time. Place the cookies in a cookie tin separated by sheets of waxed paper. Age 2 to 3 weeks to allow the flavour to mature. *If you require back issues of the ‘Edelweiss’ contact the Editor.
The Swiss Club Restaurant. It’s where you meet your friends.
Swiss Club of Victoria
Test your Swiss Knowledge Test your Swiss Knowledge
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4th Jass Night Results – Swiss Club, 5 Sept Singles
Teams
1. Beat Zaugg ...............................................2801 2. Paul Leuenberger ......................................2800 3. Louis Bloechlinger .....................................2781
3 4 5 6 7
1. Sylvia & Fritz Hochuli ................................5316 2. Robin Martin & Beat Zaugg ......................5314 3. Lucia Zuber & Doris Kuhne .......................5263
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Swiss Club Jass König & Champion Team 2010 – ERNIE HUGLI TROPHY König
Team
1. Ida McDonald ...........................................8293 2. Fritz Hochuli ..............................................8205 3. Hans Keller ................................................8197 1. Sylvia & Fritz Hochuli ..............................16164 2. Luzia & Louis Bloechlinger ......................15775 3. Doris Conrad & Hans Keller .....................15659
Matterhorn Jass Champions 2010 Men
1. Alex Baehler ..............................................5858 2. Fritz Hochuli ..............................................5707 3. Hans Keller ................................................5600
Ladies
1. Doris Conrad .............................................5547 2. Margrit Schacher.......................................5403 3. Luzia Bloechlinger .....................................5318
Team
1. Alex & Simone Baehler............................11038 2. Doris Conrad & Hans Keller .....................11000 3. Sylvia & Fritz Hochuli ..............................10738
Melbourne Jass König & Champion Team 2010 – GÜNTER BRITSCHGI TROPHY Combined Swiss Club & Matterhorn König
1. Fritz Hochuli ............................................13912 2. Hans Keller ..............................................13797 3. Ida McDonald ........................................13499
Team
1. Sylvia & Fritz Hochuli ..............................26902 2. Doris Conrad & Hans Keller .....................26659 3. Ida McDonald & Benny Hürliman............25920
Matterhorn
1st 2nd 3rd 4th & Final
26 March 4 June 9 July 10 September
1st 2nd 3rd
26 February 7 May 13 August
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Across Across
2. Sweet pieces of bread, often sold at street 2. Sweet pieces of bread, often soldfairs at(Chilbi) street fairs (Chilbi) 7. President of the Swiss Society of Victoria 8. Which was the Swiss ice hockey team that claimed victory against a team from th 7. President of first theever Swiss Society of Victoria (September 2009)? 9. Swiss road that won a record 4th Eliteteam Men'sthat World Time Trial champions 8. Which wasbicycle the firacer rst ever Swiss ice hockey September 2010 (UCI Road World Championships in Melbourne/Geelong) claimed victory against a team from the NHL (Sept 10. Alpine pass between Pontresina GR and Poschiavo GR (2323m) 2009)? 11. Name of the Swiss family, portrayed in a novel first published in 1812, who shipwrecked in th 9. Swiss road that won a record 4th Elite Men’s World Indies en routecyclist to Port Jackson, Australia
Time Trial championship in Melbourne/Geelong this year
Down 10. Alpine pass between Pontresina GR and Poschiavo GR
1. (2323m) In September 2002, Switzerland was declared a full member of which organisation? 3. Official slogan and part of the name of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, founded in 1931 11. the Swiss Swisschocolate family, portrayed in a novel first 4. Name Triangle of shaped 5. Worldwide recognized Swiss architect, born on 1 April 1943 in Mendrisio TI published in 1812, who shipwrecked in the East Indies en 6. Swiss Club event, held on the first Wednesday in March, May, July, September and November route to Port Jackson, Australia
Down 1. In September 2002, Switzerland was declared a full member of which organisation? 3. Official slogan and part of the name of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, founded in 1931 4. Triangle shaped Swiss chocolate 5. Worldwide recognised Swiss architect, born in 1943 in Mendrisio TI 6. Swiss Club event, held on the first Wednesday in March, May, July, September and November For answers go to page 19
Upcoming Jass Nights - 2011 Swiss Club
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Information supplied by Paul Eisenegger 9544 4681 & Marco Unternährer 9752 6996
The Swiss Club is giving away solid wooden boxes that were used for storage of dishes and cutlery. Approximate measures are 50cm x 35cm x 25cm each. Please call 1300 893 968 if you are interested
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Time takes its toll on old Swiss language French is today Switzerland’s second language, but until about 200 years ago most people in western Switzerland spoke something quite different. They used dialects of the language group now known as Franco-Provençal, which today have all but disappeared. Scholars are working against the clock to gather information about them, while enthusiasts are doing their best to keep the flame alive. Traditionally these dialects, commonly referred to as patois, were regarded as ‘bad French’ – a notion which Andres Kristol, director of the dialectology centre at Neuchâtel University, describes as ‘evidently absurd’. “Our old language is as interesting and as well formed as Romansh in Graubünden, for example,’ he said - adding that it is also as different from French as Romansh is. Although, like modern French, Franco-Provençal derives ultimately from Latin, it belongs to a different sub-family. The only French-related dialect spoken in Switzerland is that of canton Jura (see box). Prohibition The first attempts to ban dialect speaking were made in Jura – at that time part of the bishopric of Basel – in the second half of the 18th century, and other cantons forbade its use in schools during the course of the 19th century. But the rate at which it declined varied considerably. “People became ashamed of speaking patois. It was a kind of sub-language,” Jean-François Gottraux, who helps edit the Patois Vaudois website, he adds. In his canton, the language has died out almost completely. Placide Meyer, who lives in the Gruyère region of canton Fribourg, a dialect stronghold, downplays the ban. “Sixty years ago, when I was at school, everyone, without exception, spoke patois,” he said. “People didn’t have complexes about it.” It is no coincidence that the Roman Catholic cantons – Fribourg and Valais – kept their patois for two more generations, he
Part of German Language program on Melbourne 93.1fm
Tune into news, information and entertainment about everything that is Swiss in Switzerland and downunder. Ursula Schappi presents an informative half-hour program in Swiss-German. Every Sunday from 8:30 to 9pm on 93.1fm To listen online visit: www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/german To contact Ursula: leave a message on (02) 9955 7628 or ring 0407 995 578
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says. They remained rural for much longer, with people isolated in the mountains from outside influences. Industrialisation in the Protestant cantons – Vaud, Neuchâtel and Geneva – brought in outsiders. Kristol explained just how the massive influx of Swiss German speakers from about 1815 boosted the French takeover. “The idea was that to assimilate them better, it was desirable to switch to French. And it seems that these Swiss Germans wanted to learn French, because at the time French was an international language.” Another economic factor was at play too, as many young people started going abroad as tutors of French. “Good knowledge of French became an export item,” he said. Dialect today But it was only when the dialects appeared to be in real danger from the end of the 19th century that enthusiasts started to write grammars, record dialect words and write down songs and stories. Now the vast majority of native dialect speakers – those who learned it as children from their parents – are aged at least 60. The only exception is the village of Evolène in canton Valais, where it is the mother tongue of much of the population – although even there people will switch to French out of politeness if a non-dialect speaker wants to join in. Elsewhere, the remaining dialect speakers, and some younger enthusiasts, are keeping patois alive. Meyer presents a weekly dialect programme on Fribourg’s local radio station – usually speakers, aged 60 and over, talking about their memories – and teaches an evening course. Although few people still speak dialect, many understand it, he says, so his programme has a body of potential listeners. Anne-Marie Yerly is helping to compile a dictionary of the Gruyère dialect and writes a weekly column in it in the local paper. She has run into an unexpected difficulty in collecting words. “All the people who started writing in patois in the 1920s were old priests, old men, old peasants. They described rural life, agricultural and craft tools. There’s plenty of stuff in those areas. But when it comes to the family and women, there’s hardly anything.” And in her weekly column she has to find a way of talking about things that didn’t exist in her parents’ day. She tries to turn phrases so as to avoid adapting French words. Rather than talking about emails, she will use mèchôdzo – a message; the dialect equivalent of ‘I called you’ is a way of avoiding a neologism like ‘phoned’.
Swiss Club of Victoria
Gottraux in canton Vaud sees the same trend. Instead of adapting the French ‘voiture’, some people talk of a ‘petrol cart’ – ‘tsè à petrole’ – he said. But although he has seen an upsurge in curiosity, and says people are proud of knowing a few words, for most this is where it stops. “People have a lot of other things to do, and learning patois takes a lot of time.” Heritage Gottraux is unusual in that he learned his dialect as an adult out of interest – but at least there was still a dialect for him to learn. Joël Rilliot is more unusual still: the last dialect speaker in his canton of Neuchâtel died in 1920. But, in a search for his roots, he decided to try to resurrect it. His family has always known he is ‘a bit crazy’, he admitted. “I speak only patois to my children. Never French.” Learning patois has opened his eyes to the history of ordinary people in the canton and helped him understand his cultural heritage, he adds. As academic linguists working on dialects, Kristol and his team can only use the information of people who learned the language naturally as children. “Amateurs who are trying to revive the language have little to teach us, unfortunately.” “It’s very praiseworthy that people should try to preserve their heritage – through plays and songs, for example – but when I speak to them, I find all these people have stopped speaking the language to their own children.” “So it’s no longer being transmitted. And that is the end of a language’s life.”
French and patois Modern French is a development of a so-called ‘oïl’ dialect which was spoken in the Paris area in the mediaeval period. Oïl dialects were spoken in what is now northern France and southern Belgium and in the modern Swiss canton of Jura. The name ‘oïl’ comes from the word for ‘yes’; other descendants of Latin derived ‘yes’ from a different expression. The area stretching from Lyon in central France into what is now French-speaking Switzerland (apart from Jura) and the Val d’Aoste in northern Italy, spoke a different Latinbased language, known to linguists as Franco-Provençal. There is also a small pocket of speakers in the Apulia region of southern Italy, presumed to be the descendants of mercenaries. This language never had a standard written form; it is broken up into numerous different spoken dialects, which are more or less mutually intelligible. Depending on the area and subject, the written language was Latin, standard French – often with Franco-Provençal expressions – or German. The word patois is commonly used in Switzerland for these dialects, although in standard French the word has a pejorative meaning. The 2000 census showed that only 16,000 people in western Switzerland described themselves as patois speakers, down from 22,000 in 1990. Promoting patois Some patois speakers are working to keep the language alive as long as possible. This work includes compiling dictionaries and grammars. A private radio station in canton Fribourg has a weekly patois broadcast. In 2007 one of the Tintin comic books (Lè j’avanturè dè Tintin: l’Afére Tournesol) was published in the patois of Gruyère. The different patois associations have websites, with spoken and written material. Some of them put on plays in patois, often with the participation of children and young people. Many traditional choirs sing in both French and patois. The work of the dialectology centre is not to promote patois, but to record what can be recorded. Its work includes compiling dictionaries and describing the pronunciation and grammar of the dialects in a scholarly way. Francophone summit
Schweizerdeutscher Kulturtreff für Eltern und Kinder Wir treffen uns monatlich am Samstag (für Daten siehe Swiss Klub Kalender) von 1 bis 4 Uhr im 2. Stock des Klubs Gratis für Swiss Club Mitglieder; $5 pro Familie für Nicht-Mitglieder. Auskunft und Anmeldung: Andrea Pinch, 5331 6762, pinch@hotkey.net.au
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Switzerland has hosted a summit of French-speaking and francophile nations in Montreux from October 22 to 24. It has brought together representatives of 56 Frenchspeaking countries and 14 observer nations. In Switzerland just over 20% of the population is French speaking. Most live in the areas which formerly used Franco-Provençal dialects. It’s your Club. Get involved
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Christmas 2010 The Good Deed – Die gute Tat With the financial support of the Swiss Society of Victoria, we are once more able to provide our Seniors with a Christmas Celebration at the Swiss Club on 4 December 2010.
Friede auf Erden Da die ihre Herde The Good Deed – Hirten Die gute Tat Liessen und des Engels Worte
With the financial support ofTrugen the Swissdurch Society of Victoria, we are once more die niedre Pforte able to provide our Seniors with a Christmas Celebration at the Swiss Club Zu der Mutter und dem Kind, on 4. December 2010.
Fuhr das himmlische Gesind Over the years the Senior guests were Fort im Sternenraum singen. presented withzu a bag of homemade Christmas cookies, a most welcome Fuhr der Himmel fort zu klingen: treasured gift.der The ladies of the ‘Friede!and Friede! Auf Erde!’
Over the years the Senior guests were presented with a bag of homemade Christmas cookies, a most welcome and treasured gift. The ladies of the Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess and many silent helpers prepared the sweet bounty.
Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess and many
silent helpers preparedMeyer the sweet bounty. Conrad Ferdinand
But many of those Elves got older and frailer, some passing to a better place (Christkindli’s headquarter), and the Guetsli bags got smaller and smaller.
But many of those Elves got older and frailer, some passing to a better place (Christkindli’s headquarter), and the Guetsli bags got smaller and smaller.
Last year we were looking for kind and talented people, who could spare a bit of time and a few nuts and eggs and help to fill the ‘stockings’. The response was overwhelming, and the Guetsli we received were not just proof of good and willing hearts and hands, they showed culinary excellence too, which also reflected on the bright smiles on our guests’ faces.
Last year we were looking for kind and talented people, who could spare a bit of time and a few nuts and eggs and help to fill the ‘stockings’. The response was overwhelming, and the Guetsli we received were not just proof of good and willing hearts and hands, they showed culinary excellence too, which also reflected on the bright smiles on our guests faces.
We need your help again! Please! The goodies could be picked up in time.
We need your help again! Please! The goodies could be picked up in time.
Please contact Sylvia Hochuli on tel. 9531 6575 or email hochuli@tpg.com.au
Invitation to the Seniors of the Swiss Community Please contact Nationals Sylvia Hochuli on tel. 9531 6575 or email Swiss born 1940 orhochuli@tpg.com.au earlier and Partner
Or Rita Schwaerzler-Abbt on tel. 9561 7811 or email ritaherbert@bipond.com
Or Rita Schwaerzler-Abbt on tel. 9561 7811 or email ritaherbert@bipond.com
Lets keep this wonderful tradition alive!!
Lets keep this wonderful tradition alive!!
De Samichlaus und s Eseli De Samichlaus und s Eseli gönd dur de Winterwald. Es isch scho spot, es dunklet gli, und s Dörfli gseht me bald. Uf allne Tannebäumli lyt silberglänzigs Biecht*. E jedes het sys Träumli, vo Cherzeglanz und Liecht. Es Zwärgli treit’s Laternli dur‘s Wägli ab vora. Am Himmel schyned Sternli, de Kauz stimmt‘s Nachtlied a. Zum Wald us über d Matte springt’s Bächli schnell devo, de Schnee lyt da wie Watte, jetzt isch de Winter cho. De Samichlaus und s’Eseli sind scho bim erschte Huus. Mir gsehnd de heiteri Lampeschyn Zum chlyne Fenschter us. *Biecht, Riifä (Raureif, Frost)
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Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea
Saturday, 4 December 2010 at 2pm The Swiss Club of Victoria with the support of the Swiss Society of Victoria, the Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess, the Folk Dance Group Alpenrose and the Swiss Companion Singers invites Swiss Nationals born 1940 or earlier and Partners to a Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Swiss Club of Victoria, 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. This event is free of charge. RSVP by 26 November 2010. For information please contact: Rita Schwaerzler-Abbt, 9561 7811, ritaherbert@bigpond.com Sylvia Hochuli, 9531 6575, hochuli@tpg.com.au
Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea Reply slip Yes I/we are able to attend the Christmas Afternoon Tea: Name(s):
Telephone: Mail to Rita Schwärzler-Abbt 18 Hertford Crescent, Wheelers Hill Vic 3150
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A German author - translated into English by a Swiss - in Australia I found the profile of Marlies Bugmann on the SwissCommunity. org website. It caught my attention because she lists Karl May (1874-1912) as her main interest. I thought: “How unusual for a girl to be interested in that subject matter”. I remember names such as ‘Winnetou’ and ‘Old Shatterhand’ from my childhood, all definitely ‘boys stories’. I contacted her to find out more: Editor: Marlies, as you are not familiar to Swiss Club members, can you tell us a little about you? Marlies: Before I answer that question, I’d like to make a wee adjustment; Karl May’s adventure stories are not just boys stories; the feminine side of Winnetou is most definitely also for girls; it’s a yin-yang thing. Editor: Fair enough Marlies, I just had the ‘Cowboy and Indian’ theme in my mind. Marlies: To answer your question: during the translation of ‘The Inca’s Legacy’, I found my own roots going back to the mid-1500s. The first Bugmann came to Doettingen from the Black Forest. I have a large family, which is extending into the New World, but mostly to Chile and Argentina. After schooling in Doettingen and an apprenticeship as an architectural draftsperson, I immigrated to New Zealand in 1977, where I attained dual citizenship. Editor: When and why did you move to Australia? Marlies: I met my then husband-to-be, David, in New Zealand and subsequently came to Australia together with him in 1985. I worked in beautiful Sydney for a large architectural firm until we moved to Tasmania in 1988. We have lived on Australia’s island state ever since. Editor: Let me get straight to the point: Where does your fascination with the writings and the person of Karl May come from? Marlies: Happy childhood memories, and the wish to have a long term challenging hobby to keep my grey matter well-oiled. Researching an enigma like Karl May, as well as translating his works – reading the tracks he left behind – is more rewarding to me than the unravelling of SMSs or the workings of Wikipedia. Besides, when Pierre Brice, the French actor who became the silver screen Winnetou in 1963, a role which he retained until this day, signed his autobiography for me in 2004, something, from somewhere, pointed directly towards Karl May and the translation of his works. There are things in life that cannot readily be explained; my fascination with Karl May is one of those things. Editor: Many ‘boys’ of my generation would remember titles like the ones I’ve mentioned above but know little or nothing of Karl May himself. Who was the man? Marlies: My biography ‘Savage To Saint: The Karl May Story’, gives a good insight into Karl May’s life and essence; it is the first English biography of Karl May, and I’ve written it especially
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to answer such questions. The boy Karl May grew up under harsh conditions: poverty, starvation, civil unrest in Germany and the deaths of many infant brothers and sisters – something Karl May carried with him all of his life. He trained to be a teacher, and attained qualification; although the desperate circumstances, with starvation being a constant bed fellow, caused him to make a few mistakes – and he ended up on the wrong side of the law – and in prison, several times. Then, when he was released from prison, a lucky incident gave him the chance of a life time: the printing industry underwent a complete overhaul, and the readers of the weekly serial publications demanded stories from far away lands, adventure, exotic tales, and so forth, a demand fuelled by the mysterious, large, still-blank areas on the map of the globe, and by stories like how Stanley found Livingstone (1871), for example. The second lucky incident was his teaming up with Fehsenfeld, a publisher who saw May’s potential. After the publishing of the Winnetou trilogy, May became wealthy. Encyclopaedia Britannica lists Karl May as one of the most successful fiction novelists of all time. Editor: I always wondered whether Karl May ever visited America to research the American Indians and the ‘Wild West’, or whether he was relying on others to write his stories? Marlies: May travelled to the Orient for the first time in March 1899 for several months, and to America in 1908 for a couple of months. He was a very efficient researcher and as an editor in various positions he had access to the latest publications from overseas as well; he successfully combined current affairs with his own fiction, and found inspiration in the writings of his contemporaries. Editor: Many readers, including myself, only know Karl May’s adventure stories. Was that his genre or does his work include more serious writings? Marlies: May wrote in many different genres. Winnetou, for example, belongs to the travel fiction oeuvre. He began his writing career with short adventure stories set around the world; he was soon contracted into the pulp fiction world for which he wrote his now famous romance novels under pseudonym. Those were his colportage works. Then, of course there were the uniquely placed eight adventure novels, of which ‘The Treasure In Silver Lake’ is the most famous, which he wrote specifically for young readers. Some say they were the most innovative and progressive texts for young readers of his time; after all: he was a teacher at heart. Later in his life, from about the time when he penned ‘Weihnacht!’, or ‘Holy Night!’, he entered what is known as his ‘Spätwerk’, the works of the Swiss Club of Victoria
seasoned writer. He also wrote ‘Heimatromane’, novels set in his home country, music, poetry and even a stage play. Editor: Are you the first person to translate Karl May into English? Marlies: No. A very small number of Karl May’s works were translated into English during his lifetime already, some with his blessings, others were pirated; both ‘Winnetou’ and ‘Waldröschen’ (the most popular pulp fiction work of its time) were published in America, with different titles and under the translators’ names. Since Karl May’s works passed into the public domain in 1963, an increasing number of English translations have become available, some quite drastically censored and/or abridged. However, in 2008 I became the first author/translator to have translated and produced the entire unabridged Winnetou trilogy from Karl May’s last authorised version of 1909; it is the first publishing of the unabridged trilogy as a homogeneous work by a single translator in English. Editor: Karl May is not your only passion I believe. On your profile on SwissCommunity.org it also says that you produced illustrated children’s adventure novels set in the Tasmanian wilderness. Tell us about that please. Marlies: I take a great interest in Mother Nature; both in the environment that is around me and life on the planet in general. I have titled the series of six childrens’ adventure novels ‘The Green Heart Books’, as Tasmania has the shape of a heart. The children from Sassafras Creek Valley are involved
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with Tasmania’s unique furry and feathered creatures on a daily basis and experience some nail-biting adventures. But the real heroes are KD, Tazzie, Lucky, Goldie, the parrots, dragons, and other animals that exist nowhere else on this planet. I’ve seen the disappearance from my backyard of the Tasmanian devil, the quolls, some wallaby species and others. It offends me greatly to see Tasmania being portrayed as the ‘clean green state’ when in effect its natural resources are plundered and exploited. Editor: Any other books that you have produced? Marlies: I continue to research and translate Karl May; I also have a small penchant for fairy stories and am going through the finishing stages of a Tasmanian fairy story book. But my favourite project at the moment is a small book of good-night stories for my youngest nephew in Switzerland. I wrote it in ‘Schwiizerdütsch’. Editor: Are your books available through bookstores or should people be contacting you? Marlies: My books are available in paperback via Amazon.com; the Karl May hard covers are only available from the Karl May Bookstore online; my Tasmanian children’s adventure stories are also available from my Tasmanianartist online facility: www.karl-may-friends.net
www.tasmanianartist.com
Editor: Thank you very much Marlies for this interview. We wish you success with your writings and hope to see you at the Club one day.
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6SRQVRUVKLS &DOO IRU µ7KH 6HFRQG )ORRU¶ We would Dear like toSwiss thank theMember following members for their Club generosity by sponsoring Coat of Arms on the Second Floor. It is fantastic to see how well supported our new venue and the It is with great pleasure that we announce the completion of the refurbishment of ‘The Second club in general is. Floor’. It has been an absolute success!
Switzerland has its recordbreaking tunnel
Marely Hein-Lutz SG panels separating the conference room One main feature of the new room are the frosted glass
from the main function room. To make a link to our common heritage and the Club Restaurant, we
Rena Bueler took up the theme of our cantonal coat of arms, but in SZ a more modern contemporary fashion.
We would like to give the club members the opportunityGL to sponsorOn ‘frosted’ cantonal coat of arms Peter Noser 15 October, miners have bored through the last at a cost of $350 each. A plaque, listing the sponsors and their nominated canton if so desired (i.e.the Gotthard Base Tunnel – 180cm of rock to pierce Damian Schaller & MelindaBE), Varley BL Bruno Schweitzer will be put on view. However, donations of any amount are most welcome to much jubilation and celebration. and will be listed in the Swiss Club Newsletter ‘Edelweiss’. Paul & Ros de Castella NE We need and appreciate your generosity and support. If you have a The query, contact a member railplease tunnel that goes through the Gotthard massif in of the Swiss ClubAnderson Committee. Sigrid de Castella & Tony FR southern Switzerland is now the world’s longest at 57 kilometres. Voser family AG Kind regards
Wildi family
BS
Fred & Monica Hofmann Barbara Kündig
AG, ZH, SG, NW
President Barbara Kündig
ZH
Greig Foletta
TI
Hans Brunner
ZH
Name of Sponsor
Albert Forster
SG
Canton Indication
Wanner family
AG, BE, ZH
Payment EFT**
Cheque
Cash
Credit Card
Cardholder’s Name: Signature:
Amount
Please state your name and ‘2F Sponsoring’ in the Remarks Field!)
Membership enquiries swissclubvic@swiss.org.au
9762 3212 18
Huge blocks of grey stone fell to the ground amid clouds of dust, as the drill head, which totally filled the hole, made its appearance. Afterwards foreman Eduard Baer, clutching a statue of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, climbed through a manhole in the machine from the Faido side and shook hands with a colleague on the Sedrun side. A Swiss flag was then unfurled as were those of the cantons Expiry: of Ticino and Grison. More miners followed, some with flags of their own nations of origin, and there were shouts of joy, as well as fireworks and music.
Card Number:
** (BSB: 013-375, Account: 3536 82406
The massive tunnel boring machine 800 metres deep in the east tunnel started up at 2pm. Approaching from Faido with a great rumble, ‘Sissi’, as the enormous machine is affectionately known, smashed through into the Sedrun side of the tunnel to cheers and applause around 17 minutes later.
“This is the most wonderful moment in my 36 years of tunnel building,” Baer said, echoing the pride felt by the assembled miners.
Dragging a florid cow isn’t exactly child’s play. Hansruedi Hüberli struggles with ‘Gini’ during National Young Breeders’ Day at the Olma agricultural fair in St.Gallen on 10 October. Swiss Club of Victoria
Women rule!
Newsletter Deadlines 2011
Simonetta Sommaruga and Johann SchneiderAmmann (pictured) were elected by parliamentarians to the Swiss cabinet on 22 September.
March Issue: Covering March/April/May Editorial Deadline: Monday, 31 January Mailing: Wednesday, 16 February
Sommaruga from the centre-left Social Democratic Party replaced party colleague Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger. Schneider-Ammann replaced centre-right Radical Party colleague Finance Minister HansRudolf Merz.
June Issue: Covering June/July/August Editorial Deadline: Monday, 2 May Mailing: Wednesday, 18 May
After the ‘extraordinary’ election of a first female majority in the Swiss cabinet, women’s rights campaigners hope it will resonate in areas where inequality remains.
September Issue: Covering Sept/Oct/ Nov Editorial Deadline: Monday, 8 August Mailing: Wednesday, 24 August December Issue: Covering Dec/Jan/Feb 2012 Editorial Deadline: Monday, 7 November Mailing: Wednesday, 23 November
Parliament’s choice of 50-year-old consumer advocate Simonetta Sommaruga as the fourth woman in the seven-seat federal cabinet tipped the gender balance in women’s favour for the first time in Swiss history. The result has been hailed as a symbolic moment for women’s rights in a country that only gave women the vote in 1971 – long after Afghanistan, Syria and Iran had done so. Switzerland now becomes only the fifth country in the world to have a female majority in government, along with Norway, Spain, Finland and Cap Verde. Not only is there now a majority of female federal councillors, but women also occupy the Federal Presidency (Doris Leuthard), the Presidency of the National Council (Pascale Bruderer) as well as the Presidency of the Council of States (Erika Forster).
Swiss Solar powered boat sets global course The first-ever round-the-world voyage by a boat powered only by solar panels has begun. The MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar left the port of Monaco on 27 September. The project founder and crew member, Switzerland’s Raphaël Domjan, hopes the voyage will “motivate engineers and scientists to develop innovative technologies”. PlanetSolar is a multihull vessel topped by a large array of photovoltaic solar panels, constructed in Kiel, Germany. It took 14 months to build the world’s biggest solar vessel. The fourman crew plans to sail at an average speed of 7.5 knots. The expedition is expected to last at least eight months during which time it will visit Australia. The name TÛRANOR is derived from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ Saga and translates into ‘The Power of the Sun’. w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m
Test your Swiss Knowledge - Answers Across: 2.MAGENBROT 7.FRANZSCHNELLMANN 8.ZSCLIONS 9.FABIANCANCELLARA 10.BERNINA 11.ROBINSON Down: 1.UNITEDNATIONS 3.IDEESUISSE 4.TOBLERONE 5.MARIOBOTTA 6.LADIESLUNCHEON
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The spring session of the Council of the Swiss Abroad will be held in Brunnen on 9 April, 2011 and the Congress in Lugano from 26-28 August, 2011.
88th Congress of the Swiss Abroad St.Gallen, 20-22 August The summer session of the Council of the Swiss Abroad took place on Friday, 20 August with 91 delegates participating. It took place ahead of the annual Congress of the Swiss Abroad at the weekend where over 400 Swiss from around the world met. This years Congress dealt mainly with the representation of the Swiss Abroad in the Council and with the proposed new law regarding the Swiss Abroad. Federal Councillor Mrs CalmyRey, who was present at the Congress, emphasised strongly her support for a new law, which is in preparation and under review and she also stated that the current 140 delegates from abroad and from Switzerland must be elected in a more democratic manner to truly represent the electorate. That means, in her words, that in the proposed new law, only those Swiss Abroad who are registered to vote in Switzerland can elect those delegates. How the 20 delegates from Switzerland (now appointed) will be elected and by whom, remains open. There was quite some discussion on the election process and the OSA has asked for a legal opinion from a constitutional lawyer on various questions arising from the proposed reform. Electronic voting (eVoting) for the Swiss Abroad was again an important topic of discussion and good progress was reported (see box). Mrs Calmy-Rey informed that it is the intention of the Federal Council to concentrate all matters concerning the Swiss Abroad in (her) Department of Foreign Affairs. Also, more Honorary Consuls would be appointed in future. Finally, the new internet platform for all Swiss Abroad: SwissCommunity.org was launched to great acclaim by the delegates (see also September issue of the ‘Edelweiss’). The Council strongly supported a motion to reinstate the budget for six issues per year of the Swiss Review, instead of the current four.
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Beat Knoblauch – Delegate, Council of the Swiss Abroad
eVoting now in 12 cantons The OSA has pushed hard for the introduction of eVoting which finally is being rolled out across more and more cantons. The government has issued the following communiqué on its website for the upcoming referendum on 28 November (for the French and Italian version go to www.news.admin.ch/message/index.html?lang=de&msgid=35024): «Der Bundesrat hat an seiner Sitzung vom 8. September 2010 die Gesuche von nicht weniger als zwölf Kantonen genehmigt, im Rahmen der eidgenössischen Volksabstimmung vom 28. November 2010 Versuche zu Vote électronique durchzuführen. Es handelt sich um die Kantone Zürich, Luzern, Freiburg, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuenburg und Genf. Damit kommen gegenüber der Volksabstimmung vom 26. September fünf neue Kantone hinzu, die ihren Auslandschweizer Stimmberechtigten die elektronische Stimmabgabe ermöglichen. Im Weiteren handelt es sich bei der Abstimmung vom 28. November um den ersten Versuch von Vote électronique zu einer Volksinitiative mit Gegenentwurf. Die Kantone Zürich, Neuenburg und Genf werden am 28. November zum zwölften Mal (ZH), zum fünfzehnten Mal (NE) und zum neunten Mal (GE) einen Versuch mit elektronischer Stimmabgabe durchführen. Basel-Stadt und Luzern können einen vierten bzw. ersten Versuch dank einer Beherbergung auf dem Genfer Vote-électroniqueSystem durchführen. Das Genfer System gewährleistet die Beherbergung von etwa 6,000 Auslandschweizer Stimmberechtigten des Kantons Basel-Stadt und 3,400 Auslandschweizer Stimmberechtigten des Kantons Luzern. Die sieben Konsortiumskantone, die eine Kopie des Zürcher E-Voting-Systems verwenden - Freiburg, Solothurn, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau und Thurgau - können einen zweiten (FR, SO, SG) bzw. ersten (SH, GR, AG, TG) Versuch mit ihren Auslandschweizer Stimmberechtigten durchführen. Es handelt sich dabei um rund 22,000 Auslandschweizer Stimmberechtigte. Mit der Genehmigung auf Antrag der Bundeskanzlei ermöglicht es der Bundesrat maximal 190,000 Stimmberechtigten, das entspricht 4,1 Prozent der schweizerischen Stimmbevölkerung, an der Volksabstimmung vom kommenden 28. November elektronisch abzustimmen. Sämtliche Bewilligungen wurden unter dem Vorbehalt der reibungslosen Durchführung der Vote-électronique-Versuche im Rahmen der Abstimmung vom 26. September 2010 erteilt.» Roland Isler – Delegate, Council of the Swiss Abroad
Swiss Club of Victoria
Clash of the alpine titans It was one colossus against another as men of up to 160 kilograms competed against each other at the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festival held in Frauenfeld from 20-22 August. The main event is Schwingen – the traditional Swiss sport of alpine wrestling – and the winner is crowned ‘Schwinger King’, enjoying a hero’s status and huge popularity. “We are expecting 200,000 visitors and there will be a great contest, and a great atmosphere. It’s a huge event in Switzerland,” said Urs Schneider, head of the organising committee of the triennial festival. Although other traditional sports, such as Hornussen, a team event, and stone throwing, will be showcased at the three-day festival, everyone’s eyes will be on the 281 men (including some Swiss Abroad!) lining up for the Schwingen event. Hoping to defend his title for a record fourth time is Jörg Abderhalden from Appenzell.
Tradition and respect For Schneider, alpine wrestling embodies Swiss tradition. “It’s a very dynamic sport and it’s an expression of Swiss identity,” he said. Despite being aggressive, Schwingen obliges competitors to show respect. Men shake hands before the fight, and the winner traditionally cleans his opponent’s back at the end. That being said, the most successful fighters such as Jörg Abderhalden – or Abderhalden Jörg as he is known in the Schwingen tradition of putting last names first – are known as ‘the mean ones’. This is the biggest compliment in the alpine wrestling world. This respectful atmosphere filters down into the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Games Festivals, which despite attracting so many people, are normally very peaceful affairs. Renggli tells the story of how at the last one in Aarau in 2007 the 12 policemen on duty had nothing to do, so ended up helping out in lost property. The king is dead. Long live the king! At the end, Jörg Abderhalden was unable the defend his title. He was de-throned by 20 year-old Kilian Wenger from Diemtigtal in the Bernese Alps. Wenger won all his eight fights.
“Schwingen is a fight, man against man, in a sawdust ring and the combatons have to try to get the opponent down onto his back to win,” Schneider said. The men wear special short overtrousers and the winner has to keep one hand in contact with the opponent’s garment. Schwingen probably started back in the 12th century. Competitions often had to be carried out in secret as it was outlawed by the church. The modern sport dates back 100 years and the tradition, which is mostly carried out in the German-speaking part of the country, has kept on growing. Alpine beginnings “It all comes back to the amateur status of the sport, it was always a simple challenge between two guys up in the mountains and that’s what people want to maintain,” explained Thomas Renggli, a sports journalist who has recently published the book: ‘Schwingen: ein Schweizer Phänomen’ (Schwingen, a Swiss phenomenon). “That’s why they don’t have any prize money and until ten years ago wrestlers were not allowed to do any commercial deals,” he said. The main prize is traditionally a young bull, but competitors are also awarded useful items such as household appliances. At Frauenfeld, the total prizes money is around CHF750,000. Professionalisation has come slowly and rebels are not welcome. When Ruedi Hunsperger wrestled a bear during the Night of Swiss Sports in 1977, it was seen as bringing huge shame on Schwingen. Television coverage, which brought the sport to the masses, only came in 2004. w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m
How quickly we got to this time of year again. I want to wish you all a wonderful Chrismas and the very best of Health for the new year. A big thank you to all the Ladies for your continous support and good company. Because we have now such a very nice new venue, bring a friend or two along next year. Everyone is welcome. Many thanks to Roger and Staff and to my special helpers!! Dates for the forthcoming luncheons in 2011:
• Wednesday, 2 March • Wednesday, 4 May Price $22 pp for members, $25 pp for nonmembers. Includes 2-course meal, wine, soft drinks and coffee. For information and bookings ring me on 9889 9321or Roger at the Club on 9650 1196. Bookings are essential! Heidy Giger
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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 sub-groups. 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).
DECEMBER
Thursday Saturday Sunday Thursday
02 04 12 24
Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea Samichlaus Breakfast in Fawkner Park Club Restaurant closes for Christmas break
JANUARY
Monday Monday
17 31
Club reopens for 2011 Editorial Deadline - Newsletter March issue
FEBRUARY
Thursday Saturday
03 26
Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Jass Night - Matterhorn
MARCH
Wednesday Thursday Wednesday Saturday
02 03 16 26
Ladies’ Luncheon Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Annual General Meeting Jass Night - Swiss Club
APRIL
Sunday
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SWISS FESTIVAL
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
From a 1952 Tourist Map of Switzerland
Swiss Companion Singers: Practice and social gathering every 2nd and 3rd Thursday of each month at 8pm Saturday Morning Swiss School: Every second Saturday except school holidays, from 1pm to 4pm Swiss German Playgroup: Meets every 1st Thursday of each month from 11am to 2pm The Swiss Diners Club: 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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Swiss Club of Victoria
CBD FUNCTION AND MEETING ROOM WITH A DIFFERENCE The Second Floor at the Swiss Club
BUSINESS FUNCTIONS, CONFERENCES, SMALL MEETINGS
• • • • • •
Theatre style seating for up to 90 Work shop seating for up to 55 Cocktail set up for up to 120 Private meeting room for up to 16 Architect designed space Choice of catering from the Swiss Club Restaurant or Terra Rossa • Modern amenities
• Basic coffee making facilities • Parking close by • 5 minutes walk to Flinders Street or Parliament Station • 2 minutes walk to Tram 75/70/48 • Friendly venue with Swiss history • Competitive rates
*O 4FSWVT 0VU Fly with Austrian via Vienna. Europe’s fastest transfer airport.
OR DINNER/ DANCE FUNCTIONS, LAUNCHES, PRIVATE EVENTS
Information & booking at www.austrian.com, 1300 655 727 or at your travel agency. Earn miles with Miles & More.
8F GMZ GPS ZPVS TNJMF
• • • • • • •
Unbeatable location Ample parking close by Train, tram and bus close by Dinner seating for up to 80 Cocktail set up to 120 Dance floor Architect designed modern space with lots of ambience
• Modern amenities • Choice of catering from the Swiss Club Restaurant or Terra Rossa • Choice of BYO caterer • Catering kitchen with 4 ovens, microwave and industrial dishwasher • Friendly venue with Swiss history • Competitive rates
AT THE PERFECT VENUE – THE SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA Contact us on E: info@swissclubvic.com T: 1300 893 968 to check for availability, more information or a quote www.austrian.com
Kaffeeklatsch Half-Yearly General Meeting
The Second Floor gets the VIP tick of approval Cancellara enters the record books again
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SwissItalian Festa
The Second Floor VIP Opening