SEPTEMBER 2014
Swiss Alps to Antarctic Glaciers – a Swiss-Australian Story
Mertz, Ninnis and Murphy, September 1912. State Library of NSW
The Journals of Dr Xavier Mertz. Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911-1914 Thursday,11 September 2014 6pm for 6:30pm start. The Second Floor On 10 November 1912, three men set off on an ill-fated sledging expedition; only the leader Sir Douglas Mawson survived. Lieutenant Belgrave Ninnis died when he fell into a crevasse. Dr Xavier Mertz and Mawson turned back towards the Australian base at Commonwealth Bay but Mertz fell ill and died. Mawson then walked alone back to the base, it was a 160 kilometre trek that took him a month. Anna Lucas set herself the challenge of producing a revised German transcript and an English translation of Mertz’ expedition journals. Through this work, we are able to gain an insight into pioneering exploration and of the man, Dr Xavier Mertz, the 29-year-old mountaineer and ski champion from Basel and the first Swiss to set foot on this fascinating continent. Speaker: Dr Anna Lucas As a researcher with an interest in the history of Antarctic science, Swiss Club member Anna Lucas developed a greater interest in the personalities who contributed so much to the history of that continent. She worked with researchers monitoring the Little Blue Penguin, in postgraduate research administration, and as co-editor of marine publications. Inspired by a trip to Antarctica, her writing has more recently focused on its exploration and what inspired and motivated explorers. Her publications include magazine and journal articles, book reviews, essays and eBooks. She continues to be immersed in Antarctic subjects.
Program 6pm to 6:30pm Welcome & refreshments 6:30pm to 7:15pm Film: A visual introduction to Antarctica 7:15pm to 8pm Presentation by Anna Lucas Autographed copies of Anna Lucas’ new books ‘Mertz & Me by Basilisk’ and ‘The Journals of Dr Xavier Mertz’ will be available for purchase. Rolf Huber of ‘Natural Focus Safaris’ will be available to answer questions about travel to Antarctica. See also page 4. Enjoy dinner at the Swiss Club before or after the event. Please book with the restaurant on T: 9650 1196.
Cost Complimentary for Swiss Club members. $10 for non-members. Includes refreshments.
Bookings are essential! Swiss Club members booking and information: T: 1300 893 968 or E: info@swissclub.com.au Non-members, please book/purchase tickets online: www.trybooking.com/93994 RSVP: by 4 September
89 Flinder s Lane • Melbourne 3000 • Victoria • Australia • www.s wissclubvic .com.au
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SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA Founded in 1899 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 T: 1300 893 968, F: (03) 9650 3104 E: info@swissclubvic.com.au www.swissclubvic.com Club Opening Hours Lunch: Mo - Fri from 12noon Dinner: Tue - Fri from 6pm Club Nights: Wed & Thurs Chef & Manager: Roger Moullet Restaurant and Functions Manager: Renee Moullet Bookings T: (03) 9650 1196 Swiss Club Catering For all functions contact Roger or Renee 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! Info and/or bookings T: 1300 893 968 E: thesecondfloor@swissclubvic.com.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: adelheid1@bigpond.com Ladies Luncheons Convenor: Heidy Giger For bookings T: (03) 9650 1196 For information: T: (03) 9889 9321 E: adelheid1@bigpond.com SwissKids Convenor: Esther Blaser-Tokarev T: (03) 8521 3739 M: 0424 220 523 E: esther.blaser@gmx.ch Les Bavards - ‘The Chatterboxes’ Joint Convenors: Sigrid de Castella & Rémy Favre Contact: see SCV committee and Groupe Romand du Victoria
COMMITTEE
Laughter Yoga Helvetia Convenor: Marianne Bishop M: 0448 697 258 E: laughter.club.helvetia@gmail.com
Sigrid de Castella President M: 0416 088 000 E: president@swissclubvic.com.au
Swiss Festival Chairman: Rolf Huber T/F (H): (03) 9807 0282 M (B): 0425 805 854 E: rolf@swissfestival.com.au
Barbara Kündig Immediate Past President / Secretary M: 0402 018 363 E: info@swissclubvic.com.au
SWISS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Urs Derrick Wildi Treasurer M: 0403 040 930 E: treasurer@swissclubvic.com.au Vreni Welsh Membership M: 0423 513 843 E: membership@swissclubvic.com.au Antony Anderson Building Services Manager M: 0416 069 666 E: building@swissclubvic.com.au Arnold Kramer Assistant Building Manager M: 0419 268 503 E: committeemember@swissclubvic.com.au w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
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 Groupe Romand du Victoria President: Rémy Favre 1 Hughes Street, Malvern East Vic 3145 T: (03) 9571 2835, M: 0412 135 095 E: remy@favrecranage.com www.swiss.org.au/chfrvic
Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn President: Chris Hostettler 19 Lockwood Road Belgrave Heights Vic 3160 T: (03) 9754 7390, M: 0428 427 434 E: helvet@bigpond.com www.swiss.org.au/matterhorn SwissCham Australia General Manager: Marcel Svatos T: (02) 9262 1511, F: (02) 9290 1928 E: office@swisscam.com.au Further details see: www.swisscham.com.au Swiss-Australian Academic Network (SAAN) E: info@saan.id.au Further details see: www.saan.com.au Organisation of the Swiss Abroad Council Member: Roland Isler Further details see: under Editor www.aso.ch & www.swiss.org.au/csa Embassy of Switzerland T: (02) 6162 8400, F: (02) 6273 3428 E: can.vertretung@eda.admin.ch Consulate General of Switzerland T: (02) 8383 4000, F: (02) 9369 1334 E: syd.vertretung@eda.admin.ch Consulate of Switzerland T: (03) 9824 7527, M: 0413 042 728 E: melbourne@honrep.ch Further details of official representations see: www.eda.admin.ch/australia
Impressum ‘Edelweiss’ appears quarterly in March, June, September and December. Circulation 500. For all enquiries contact: Editor: Roland Isler 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, It was a chilly 5 degrees and raining outside but it was toasty warm in the Swiss Club Restaurant where 92 guests enjoyed our Swiss National Day with a delicious menu from chef Roger Moullet and fine entertainment from John Wanner and ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’. Upstairs, following the Lampionparade from Federation Square, hungry children and their parents enjoyed a Swiss family dinner, organised by past president Barbara Kündig and her family. Both events were a huge success. In May the Restaurant hosted their first Good Beer Week event ‘Better Than A Swiss Army Knife’, with a range of fine brews and Swiss fare, which according to Joel Drysdale from Tooborac Beers was a ‘raging success’. We also held our first Saturday Sessions on Sunday 24th which featured an afternoon of sublime Jazz with the Justine Jones Hammond Combo. You can read more about the event on the next page. Sunday 8th June saw a Bakers Dozen of 13 members and committee members get down and dirty with our Club Working Bee. We completely cleaned out the kitchen, store rooms and cupboards; re-arranged the furniture stores and attended to a number of minor outstanding matters including cleaning the front staircase hand rails. Sincere thanks to those who helped – refer to article on page 7. Spring and some warmer weather is just around the corner and we have some exciting events in store for you, so please book your tickets, bring your friends and get involved. The more the merrier and the more vibrant your Club will be!
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On Thursday 11 September we have Dr Anna Lucas presenting ‘Swiss Alps to Antarctic Glaciers’ and her research into the Journals of Dr Xavier Mertz on Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911-1914. It should be a really fascinating evening. See front page for details. We’re planning more Jazz events for the remainder of the year with the next one on Sunday 21st September featuring Melbourne Jazz Trio ‘One, Two, Three’. Refer to the advert on page 7 for more information and booking details. The Half-Yearly Meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th September, so please reserve the date in your diary and come along to find out from the Committee how your Club is performing and what our Members can do to help us. Look out for more events coming your way and get involved with one or more of our wonderful Sub-Groups or Events: Companion Singers, Folkdance Group Alpenrose, Ladies Luncheons; Social Jass; Swiss Kids, Laughter Yoga Helvetia or Les Bavards French Conversations. Thanks to those who have supported the Club’s fundraising efforts with a purchase of the 2014/15 Entertainment Book. If you’ve used this book before you know you can save literally thousands of dollars when you shop, travel and eat out. Offers are valid to 1st June 2015 and it’s available as a hard copy book or there’s a digital membership available for your smart phone. We still have a number of memberships to sell so please see page 2 for details and please also tell your friends! Finally, as the weather warms I hope you manage to take some time out to enjoy the sunshine and witness the miracle of Spring. We look forward to seeing you soon at the Swiss Club. Sigrid de Castella - President
The Antarctica Experts offer comprehensive Antarctica products including cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, fly/ cruise journeys for those with limited time, or longer explorations taking in the Falklands and Shetland islands. For your chance to see amazing wildlife and the starkly beautiful landscape of the White Continent contact Rolf Huber on 1300 363 302. Rolf will be available to answer questions about travel to Antarctica on 11 September at the ‘Swiss Alps to Antarctic Glaciers’ event (see front page). Natural Focus also specializes in Wildlife Safaris to Africa, India, South America, Canada, Alaska, Bhutan and the Arctic.
Swiss Club of Victoria
A jazzy Saturday Session Saturday, 24 May
New Members Evening, June
We had a great time at the Club being entertained by the Justine Jones Hammond Trio. Jazz in the afternoon! Just up my street. Talk about cool jazz! Things got off to a quiet start with a Bossa Nova, but soon got livelier, especially when the audience loosened up a bit and got into the swing of things. The Trio is very good and comes across as very professional. Long time musicians, it was only their 3rd concert together in public. Justine, the lady saxophonist treated us to ‘IPANEMA’, vocals and sax, Memories of Stan Getz! I was in jazz haven. By 6pm everybody was very happy and some of us went on to enjoy dinner ‘chĂŠz Roger’. A perfect ending to a perfect afternoon. Dorina Meda
Welcome to our new members We welcome the following new members at the Club: Margrit & Walter Hasler, Sarah & Tom Merkli, Steven Dinh, Flavia Consiero-Hofmann, Coral & Juerg Stolz. Please make them feel welcome. We hope you will enjoy great times at the club and find many new friends.
Happy birthday The following members will celebrate their 85th birthday in October and November: Beatrice Delacretaz, Margrit Gasinski-Aeppli, Sepp Schmidig, Betty Almond Congratulation to all of you and we wish you good health for many years to come.
Congratulations
With the success of our first Jazz afternoon we’ll be holding more Jazz Sessions on Sunday afternoons later in the year. Dates will be advertised on the Swiss Club website, Facebook page and by email to members, so please ensure we have your correct email address.
The Australian Wildlife Protection Council (AWPC) has awarded Hans Brunner the 2014 Environmentalist/Conservationist of the year award. Congratulations Hans!
Get well Dealing with health issues at the moment are Eleanor Schmidig, Ruth Lambrides, Barbara Dardel-Jessop and Trudi Fanger. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, we hope to see you soon at the club again.
The last farewell Our deepest sympathies go to the families of Elisabeth Knecht and our Honorary Life Member, Fritz Schwab. Our thoughts are with you and we will remember Elisabeth and Fritz fondly. 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 any committee members or the Editor. w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
Jungfrau Travel is an independent travel agency, specialising in destinations in Switzerland. :H DUH SOHDVHG WR RɹHU VNLOOHG UHOLDEOH DQG WKRURXJK WUDYHO VHUYLFHV WR WKH PHPEHUV RI WKH 6ZLVV &OXE RI 9LFWRULD DQG WKHLU IDPLOLHV DQG IULHQGV IRU WKHLU GLYHUVH WUDYHO QHHGV :LWK PRUH WKDQ WZR GHFDGHV RI DFFXPXODWHG LQGXVWU\ NQRZOHGJH ZH SURXGO\ SURYLGH ‡ 7KH EHVW H[SHUWLVH DQG DUUDQJHPHQWV IRU \RXU WULS ‡ $WWUDFWLYH SULFHV IRU à LJKWV DQG KRWHOV ZRUOGZLGH ‡ 6SHFLDOLVHG VHUYLFHV IRU KRQH\PRRQ DQG VNL WULSV :H ZHOFRPH DOO \RXU HQTXLULHV T: 03 9898 2102 E: info@jungfrau.com.au Or visit our website: www.jungfrau.com.au Licence No: 33092
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Upgrade to the building power Now that the Basement Electrical Board Upgrade and Check Meter installation has been completed detailed planning is under way for the upgrade to the electrical feed for the whole building. This is a complex process involving the club, our electrician, City Power, electrical inspector and our tenants. Thanks to the help of our newest committee member Arnold Kramer, we are finalising the upgrade requirements in conjunction with our electrician. We will then have further discussions with City Power and the electrical inspector to come up with the cheapest way to do the mains upgrade that results in the least disruption to the club and it’s tenants.
Maintenance schedule We are close to finalising the first draft of the Building Maintenance schedule to present at the next Committee meeting for comment. The purpose is to have documented regular maintenance for Swiss Club equipment to reduce the number and cost of breakdowns going forward. For example cleaning of the air filters in the air conditioner units every six months should reduce the load on the compressors and extend their service life. The maintenance schedule is based on a recent equipment audit and consulting with Roger and companies that provide service to the equipment. The aim is to provide low cost preventive maintenance to reduce the number of high cost replacements in future.
Other Repairs In June, and in line with the requirements of Melbourne City Council’s Health Inspector’s request the rear staircase has been cleaned and repainted. A number of other repairs were also performed including: picture hung outside Second Floor entry, carpet edging and repairs on both floors; linoleum replaced in restaurant kitchen; billiard table leg reattached; mirror installed in store room; glasses dishwasher repair in second floor kitchen; and castor on the piano reattached. Antony Anderson - Building Services Manager
Newsletter Deadlines 2014 December Issue: Covering Dec /Jan/Feb 2015 Editorial Deadline: Monday, 3 November Mailing: Wednesday, 19 November
We need you…
COMMITTEE VACANCIES Marketing and Social Media Manager This volunteer position (committee or non-committee) would typically involve a couple of hours a week, or more if you are particularly enthusiastic! Your activities would include helping the Committee to: • Market the Club including the Second Floor, the restaurant and its activities • Post on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc.) • Maintain the Web Site (WordPress) • Expand the reach of our current marketing activities • Attract more bookings, patrons, and members Even if you’re not overly experienced the Committee can teach you how. So if you’re interested in learning a new skill and helping please contact Sigrid at president@swissclubvic.com.au or on 0416 088 000.
Grant Sub-Committee There are a number of grants offered each year by the Victorian and Federal Governments, which the Swiss Club has a good chance of receiving. However the current committee is too stretched to apply for these. We require one or more people to help prepare submissions and applications for these grants to help fund the club’s activities. All it would take is a couple of hours a week, a computer with internet connection, and some good writing skills! If you’re interested in helping please contact Sigrid at president@swissclubvic.com.au or on 0416 088 000.
The Swiss Club Restaurant. It’s where you meet your friends.
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Working Bee Sunday, 15 June Over the years, like most people, the Club tends to accumulate a large number of items, some no longer required. And with the Second Floor also needing a jolly good clean the Committee decided it was time for a Club Working Bee. Held on Sunday 15th June, it went from 7am through until 5pm with people staying as long as they were able. It was a long day, but boy did we get a lot done! 13 helpers split into 3 main teams: Kitchen, Storage and General. Whilst the General crew scraped years of grime off the front staircase balustrades and sorted out a myriad of minor jobs, the Kitchen crew got hard at work cleaning out the kitchen and sorting through crockery, cutlery and glassware. The Storage team also had their hands full clearing out and reorganising the furniture storeroom and the storage cupboards. Whilst we were well fed with snacks and drinks throughout the day we did manage to break for lunch and enjoy a lovely meal of gourmet pizzas and salad together which were delicious, all the more for being cooked in out twin ovens! When the day was done we were able to stop and appreciate all of our hard work - the Second Floor looked incredible and almost like brand new again! I’d sincerely like to thank what we ended up calling the Bakers Dirty Dozen for their wonderful efforts: Barbara Kündig, Derrick Wildi, Vreni Welsh, Antony Anderson, Arnold Kramer, Marianne Bishop, Roland Isler, Rita Schwärzler, Heidy Giger, Sylvia Hochuli, Erika Mohoric and Simona Wirth. Sigrid de Castella - President
Sunday s Session Jazz with ‘One, Two, Three’ Sunday, 21 September – 3 to 6pm – The Second Floor Join us for an afternoon of fine wines and delicious snacks at the Second Floor upstairs at the Swiss Club where Jazz Trio ‘One, Two Three’ will serenade us with their soulful renditions of their favourite jazz standards in an improvised context, maintaining the sincerity of jazz while incorporating a modern influence. Tickets $15. 10% off for SCV Members using the Discount Code SCVMEM Booking Link: http://www.trybooking.com/97809
w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
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A cold and wet birthday party for Switzerland On Friday, 1 August, the Swiss Club celebrated the 723rd birthday of Switzerland with its annual lantern parade for our youngest members of the Swiss community. It was a gloomy Melbourne winter day and the weather looked rather doubtful. At sunset, we were asking ourselves what contingency plan we could put in place if the heavens open up with heavy downpours as it did on and off during the day. Approaching Federation Square, it looked like Saint Petrus might be merciful with us. A surprisingly large crowd of mums and dads and their children had assembled despite the cold and wet weather conditions. We were lucky that the stage at Federation Square was covered to provide shelter, because just as we were getting ready for the procession, Petrus turned on the water tap and it was literally bucketing down. This didn’t seem to dampen the children’s enthusiasm one little bit. Everyone lined up with their flags, lampions and bells and on it went walking in circles underneath the large roof of the stage, with the adults looking on from the side. Meanwhile, guests arrived at the fully booked Club Restaurant. As usual it didn’t take long for John Wanner’s ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’ to get everyone into party mood. The delicious dinner and the splendid service by the staff did its part to ensure everyone was having a good time. After a welcome by Club President Sigrid de Castella everyone rose to sing the National Anthem accompanied by ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’. It was great to see so many people – young and old – having a good time! Thank-you to everyone that attended to make Swiss National Day once again a memorable event! Editor
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Swiss National Day Picnic
SWI
SOC I SS
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BLISHED 18
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Erwin Weinmann – Secretary, Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn
We are the Swiss Society of Victoria
OF
The beautiful sunny winter day of Sunday 3rd of August brought out many Swiss compatriots and friends of Switzerland to the Swiss National Day Celebration at the Austrian Club in Heidelberg. The Honorary Consul of Switzerland, Ms Erika Kimpton, opened the official part of the celebrations with some welcoming words. The recorded address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Didier Burkhalter, then reminded us that the Swiss abroad are recognised as an important part of Switzerland. The special introduction to the folkloristic music part of the ‘floorshow’ was by the newly formed Alphorn Duo Irma and Chrigel Thalmann who gave an impressive inaugural performance. This was followed by a kaleidoscope of Swiss folksongs by the Companion Singers and some songs by the Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn, ending with a finale of Schwyzerörgeli tunes with ‘Tschäderabäng’ accompaniment. The Laughter Yoga Club added a lighter note with a session of good healthy laughter. Apart from the broad range of Swiss culinary specialities on offer, visitors to the National Day ‘picnic’ could browse from the many anned’ by interesting items at the White Elephant Stall ‘manned’ the ladies of the Trachtengruppe and from a range of Swiss souvenirs on sale from Walmas. The Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn would like to express warm thanks to all the participants who helped to make this traditional event a success! Upcoming events On Saturday 15 November the Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn will again take part in the Hepburn Springs Swiss Italian Festa. For more information on this event, which remembers and celebrates the contributions made by Swiss Italian immigrants to this region, visit http://www.swissitalianfesta.com (see also page 29).
V IC T O R
We help Swiss citizens living in Victoria who need financial or social support. Because charity begins at home. You can help us in helping them.
For more information about us or if you know any Swiss citizen in Victoria who could benefit from our services contact: Supporting the Swiss Community of Victoria since 1879
w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
Franz Schellmann T: 9449 2245 M: 0412 203 893 schnellmann@dodo.com.au
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Say Cheeeese! Groupe Romand du Victoria Fondue Night Saturday, 9 August
Swiss government is the most trusted worldwide As the global economic crisis has undermined trust in most governments worldwide, more than three out of four Swiss citizens still express confidence in their national authorities, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has found. According to the OECD’s Government at a Glance report for 2013, 77% of Swiss trusted their government in 2012, up from 63% in 2007. That’s the highest level of trust across all 34 member countries. In the other nations, only two out of five citizens on average say they have confidence in their national authorities. Not surprisingly, trust particularly declined in countries that were hit hardest by the crisis, such as Ireland, Greece, Slovenia and Portugal, the report showed. The authorities in countries where trust has eroded over the past years need to put their fiscal houses in order and deliver high-quality services to their citizens, the authors found. Reforms The OECD urged governments to become more inclusive, transparent, receptive and efficient in order to rebuild trust. Trust is crucial to implement the structural and fiscal reforms that are key to restoring growth and promoting well-being, the report stated. Switzerland is one of the countries which, thanks to policies to stabilise its economy, has no problems balancing its budget and meeting the OECD debt targets. Already in the 1990s the Swiss government introduced a debt break, measures to balance its unemployment insurance and domestic market reforms.
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The government debt was 43% of the gross domestic product in Switzerland in 2011, well below the 79% average. It is one of the few countries where no consolidation is needed to achieve the 60% debt-to-GDP ratio the OECD aims for by 2030. With regard to services, Switzerland also scored well in the report. In 2012, for example, 94% of citizens in Switzerland were satisfied with their healthcare system, the highest rate across the OECD. The country also scored above the average when it came to confidence in other services such as the police, the judicial system and education. Transparency Not for the first time, Switzerland failed to get top marks from the OECD when it came to questions of transparency. The country has already come under pressure worldwide for its banking secrecy and lack of information exchange in tax matters. On 15 October 2013, the Swiss authorities signed the OECD’s convention on mutual administrative assistance in tax matters, which allows for the exchange of tax information upon request so it can better safeguard the integrity and reputation of its financial centre. The new report, however, also finds fault with disclosure in the Swiss government. The level of disclosure of private interests and public availability of information is only 20% in Switzerland, less than half of the 51% average, the authors found. For the report, which is published every two years, the international organisation measures the performance of governments in the OECD’s 34 member countries, using more than 50 indicators ranging from hospital waiting times to government spending. swissinfo.ch Swiss Club of Victoria
Es darf gelacht werden Ein Mann spaziert über die Quaibrücke in Zürich. Plötzlich hört er einen Schrei “Aidez-moi! Aidez-moi!” Er lehnt sich über das Geländer und sieht einen Mann im Wasser, der am Ertrinken ist. Ganz schwach ertönt ein weiteres “Aidezmoi”. Der Mann auf der Brücke ruft hinunter: “Anstatt Französisch hättest Du gescheiter schwimmen gelernt”.
De Blick Für wa denn au en Huffe schwätze? Met Stillsee chaa me vil meh nötze. Ond bischt du met deer selb im Blei; Verstohd di jede, wers au sei. D Seel lüuchted, d Auge chönid zönde; tarscht s Allertüüfscht im Ääne fende, s Herz schlood äm une bis zom Hals. Du gspüerschs: En äänzige Blick sääd alls.
Valais, Neuchâtel and Geneva celebrating 200 years of Swissness On 12 September 1814 the Federal Diet (Tagsatzung) in Zürich agreed to the admission of the three cantons to become part of the Swiss Confederation. Soon after that, the 100 day rule of Napoleon began. It was not until 19 Mai 1815 when the Tagsatzung ratified the new constitution according to which the free and sovereign states of Valais, Neuchâtel and Geneva became the 20th, 21st and 22nd cantons of the Swiss Confederation. Apart from the canton of Jura, which seceded from the canton of Bern in 1979, the admission of these three cantons completed the formation of modern day Switzerland that started in 1291. The three cantons have planned various events to commemorate this important anniversary, starting in September and throughout of 2015.
Fahrt ins Blaue Mystery Trip Wednesday, 12 November 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’. Cost is $30.00 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!
Yes, I would like to attend the ‘Fahrt ins Blaue - Mystery Trip Name(s):
Address:
Telephone: No. of persons @ $30.00:
There is no such thing as a little country. The greatness of a people is no more determined by their numbers than the greatness of a man is by his height. Victor Hugo
w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
Cheque enclosed for total $: Please make your cheque payable to the Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess (ASCS)
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For the Love of Art
known then. But in the ensuing years, I realised that there was a whole new movement happening with contemporary indigenous art. Gradually it became more easily available and appreciated. The first Aboriginal artists’ collectives were emerging, starting in Papunya in the Northern Territories. How does one come by an Aboriginal art piece? Art collecting became a passion, and I soon made very valuable contact with dealers and galleries, who would often contact me first, before putting a painting on the market. Do you collect Aboriginal art as an investment?
Beat Knoblauch lives in Sydney. His business activities include assistance to overseas corporations and individual investors interested in the Australian market. He is a very active and involved delegate to the Council of the Swiss Abroad. During the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, he was the local Attaché to the Swiss Paralympic Team. He acted as President of SwissCham Australia for many years and in 2012, was the first recipient of the ‘Swiss Award’, which recognises special achievements in Swiss-Australian links. Today Anne Held talks to Beat about another of his interest, or passion rather: the collection of Aboriginal art and prints of colonial Sydney. Anne: How does one become an art collector? Beat: I arrived in Sydney in 1976, with no money, but lots of ambitions and energy and a good feel for business opportunities. But business is not the only thing that I am interested in. I soon became hooked on pictures of my new adopted city and surroundings, and I started my first collection of antique prints of colonial Sydney views between 1788 and 1850. Over the years this collection has grown significantly. From collecting historical prints of Sydney, how did you get into Aboriginal art? I discovered Aboriginal art in the late 70s. I was impressed with the beauty of the works, their significance, sometimes their spirituality and mysticism. They tell stories of the land, of the people, stories of where the different tribes come from, and where they belong, stories of what happens in their lives. I began buying canvases, bark paintings, lithographs and later also the mysterious and fascinating sculptures, poles and hollow logs with the crosshatched fine lines in natural pigments. Was collecting Aboriginal art a common thing to do in the 70s? No, not at all. It was all so new and exciting, and not very well
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I am above all a collector who enjoys his discoveries, what is beautiful and artistically unique. I am proud of them and my Sydney office looks like a colourful gallery. There are paintings just about everywhere, on the walls, stacked up in a corner and on shelves, with the more fragile ‘Mimi’ sculptures (thin, spiritlike creatures) and small totems protected in a glass cabinet. I keep on adding to the collection and really get pleasure from the fact of owning such fabulous vibrant and interesting pieces. Have you ever had your collections publicly exhibited? Yes. My collection of Sydney prints has been exhibited at the Museum of Sydney and Hyde Park Barracks. I enjoy my collections so much that I want to share it with a larger public. In case of the Aboriginal art collection, instead of showing it in Australia, I felt that I would like to give back something special to my native Switzerland, to show my compatriots a certain aspect of art and culture of my new chosen country. So the idea was born to show the collection in a museum or gallery in Switzerland. Have you been able to turn your idea into reality yet? Yes. A first step in this direction was made in late 2005, when I was asked to make one of my hollow logs available for an exhibition about the leading indigenous artist, John Mawurdnjul. That exhibition was held at the Tinguely Museum in Basel. A few years ago, a new project started. I contacted several museums and collections in Switzerland, among them the Klee Museum in Berne as well as Fondation Gianadda in Martigny. Many showed interest, some had interest but no money, some didn’t respond, some were already fully booked for several years. Finally, an enthusiastic and positive response was received from Lugano in the Italian speaking canton of Ticino. “Si, si, we will show the Knoblauch Collection of contemporary Aboriginal art in the Villa Ciani in Lugano, curated by the Museo delle Culture and opening in May 2014,” I was told. Everybody was excited. That would be quite a task to organise? Indeed! A curator travelled to Sydney to make a selection. Each piece had to be tagged, measured, some of them needed Swiss Club of Victoria
a frame. There was the matter of certified provenance and copyright to be considered. Would a permit be needed to send the collection abroad? Luckily, the answer is ‘no’, as contemporary Aboriginal art is made for the public. There are restrictions for some traditional Aboriginal art or designs, which may only be shown during certain ceremonies or to selected people. A fabulous catalogue was created and designed by Henry Bois de Chesne, who also took all the stunning photographs. Henry is a graphic artist and photographer who used to live for many years in Sydney and is now settled back in Switzerland. The photos of the Knoblauch Collection in this article are by compliments of Henry. So everything went according to plan? Not quite. I suddenly received shock news that due to the latest budget cuts, the municipality of Lugano had to cancel the project, despite all the previous arrangements. I was devastated, of course, but I didn’t give up so easily. Together with many university and business colleagues, friends and family members, we pulled all and any strings we could. Alternatives were suggested, letters were written, legal aspects considered, phone calls made, meetings held, till finally the right person at the right place was convinced that this exhibition had to take place after all and a new venue was arranged. What a relief! I got super busy again and finally a substantial part of the collection left for Switzerland, secured in custom-made crates and very carefully wrapped and packed. I understand you travelled to Switzerland for the vernissage? Of course. I could not have missed that. Finally, on a glorious sunny summer day, the official opening of ‘Dhukarr – Contemporary Aboriginal Art – The Knoblauch Collection’ was held on 5th July 2014 at the Museo delle Culture, an elegant rose-pink villa in the wonderful tropical park of the Heleneum, directly on the shores of Lago di Lugano in Lugano-Castagnola. The Museo specialises in ethnic and primitive art and houses the permanent collection “The Serge e Graziella Brignoni Donation” (A rich collection of ethnic artworks of great historical-artistic interest coming from Oceania, Indonesia and Africa). ‘Dhukarr – Contemporary Aboriginal Art – The Knoblauch Collection’ That is the official title of the exhibition. What does ‘Dhukarr’ mean? The term ‘Dhukarr’ means ‘Paths’ in the language of the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. It refers to the many kinds of itineraries that can be read into the collection of artworks by contemporary Indigenous artists. How was the vernissage? w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
It was a great success! Representatives of the Town Hall of Lugano were present, sponsors, the media, artists and art lovers, visitors who had been in Australia, friends and family, and even the familiar face of Markus Meli, our previous Consul General of Switzerland, and his wife Christa. The guests were astonished, something new and exciting was presented, and many questions were asked. The sounds of a didgeridoo surprised the audience. The instrument was played with much enthusiasm and dedication by one of the best didgeridoo players and teachers in Europe, Andrea Ferroni from nearby Italy. Some 150 works were sent overseas and around 100 have now found a temporary home in the Museo and it all looks fabulous. The vibrant colours of the paintings shine strongly from the stark white walls. Tall, carved, wooden sculptures with black eyes and pale faces are placed dramatically in the hallway. A pair of ‘Mimis’ has been placed on a plinth in front of an open window, and you just feel that they longingly look out to the lake, homesick for the dry desert of their native Arnhem Land. You can walk around poles taller than yourself, some straight, some curved, and you can compare the different styles and materials used. Each work is full of life and has a story to tell, stories brought to the Swiss mountains from a country faraway. They all open the visitors’ eyes to new experiences and new art forms. I believe it was also an occasion for a family gathering? Yes, my brother Andreas who lives in Switzerland was there. He too, is a keen collector and made some of his pieces available for the exhibition, so this project is a brotherly collaboration. My son who lives in Vienna was present and I was delighted to see my cute little granddaughter, who suddenly decided that she needed a cuddle from grandpa and went to grab me, unaware that I was in the middle of my speech. I just continued speaking; the microphone in one hand, the little lady proudly perched on my other arm. How do visitors to Switzerland find the exhibition? The collection can be viewed till 6th January 2015 at the Museo delle Culture, Heleneum, via Cortivo 26, Lugano www.mcl.lugano.ch And finally, if you could invite five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be? My Dad would be on top of the list, as I never got to know him well enough, but I loved him. Then: the film maker and actor Buster Keaton because of his silent movie ‘The General’, Marlene Dietrich for her role in the Blue Angel, Franz Schubert for his piano music, Gabriel García Márquez for his novel ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’. Would they fit together? I do not know! Thank you Beat! Anne Held was the first General Manager of SwissCham Australia in Sydney and is now a multilingual freelance tour director for international visitors. heldanne@yahoo.com
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The fourth Australian Jass Championship was held at the Austrian Club in Adelaide on Sunday 8 June, 2014 The Swiss Club of South Australia organised this all-day event for all those dedicated Jassers who enjoy this great card game. The event was advertised nationally, and it was fantastic to see participation from all States except Tasmania. The largest contingent came from Victoria with 19 players, followed by Queensland with 14, NSW with 8, Western Australia with 2 players and 5 from the host State to make-up the 48 who participated in the Competition. The Venue took place at the Austrian Club in Ovingham, only a few kilometres north of the city with a spacious hall and a cosy restaurant on the lower level. After some brief introduction by the Event Co-ordinators, Bruno Zueger and Ruth Bloch, and summarising the rules and conditions by the Tournament Director, Dieter Loeliger, the competition for the Primo Calabresi Trophy started as planned around 9.15am. Five rounds at 8 games each were played – all with German cards only - before a typical Swiss lunch meal was served Frankfurts (or ‘Knackerli’, as we call them in the ‘Ostschweiz’) with delicious home-made potato salad and various condiments. This was followed by a superb Toblerone chocolate mousse. A special cake prepared for the competition was also on offer during the afternoon together with coffee and tea. The competition resumed by 2pm and some may have found it more difficult to concentrate after this sumptuous lunch and some wine or beer, which probably contributed to the competition finishing late. The tournament was run with an all manual system and hence Dieter had to number crunch many hundreds of entries before arriving at the end results and have the final score list ready, which gave all a bit more time to socialise and enjoy a drink
Winners with the highest day score
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The winners: Fred Portmann, Lorenz Sonderegger & Hans Keller or two. To keep the suspension going and controlling the attention of the ‘crowd’ - which meanwhile grew to around 60 people, as all the non-playing partners and friends arrived as well – the competition results were read in reverse order, which was a clever move. The tension started to grow when places 10 and less were called up. The organisers elected to hand out cash prices to the top 4 scores and the highest score of the day, which reached a respectable 883 points! The winner and runner-up were separated by the slimmest margin possible, namely by a single point, and hence Victoria had to handover the trophy to Lorenz Sonderegger of NSW. Nevertheless, Victoria can be proud, as there were 5 under the top 10 scorer. Details can be seen on the Score List on the right (Victorian players are shown in bold). The SA Swiss Club had managed to secure some generous sponsorship in Zuerich Insurance & Haigh’s Chocolates, which allowed them to reward the top 4 scorer and the players with the highest round with generous cash prices. There were also a number of generous sponsors for the evening raffle prices, namely cheese from B.D. Farm Paris Creek P/L, Wines from Pernod Ricard Australia & Mosquito Hill Wines, Chocolates & Pralines from Chocolate Tree and Haig’s Chocolate, a sumptuous fruit basket from Four Season Fruits and various vouchers from Edible Blooms & Tynte Street Flowers. After the trophy presentation, the group moved to the cosy Kellerstube where a 3-course meal was served, prepared by the Austrian Club; it was plentiful and wholesome. Tombolas were drawn and there were many winners, as there was a wide array of good prices sponsored by abovementioned and other companies. Around 10pm the guests started to dissipate. I am sure I speak on behalf of all participants and visitors in saying, it was a very enjoyable day, and expressing a compliment and thank-you to all the members of the South Australian Swiss Club involved in organising the tournament and associated events. Many of the interstate visitors took the opportunity to add a couple of days to explore and enjoy what Adelaide and surrounding region can offer. The next Australian Championship will take place in NSW and details will be published in due course. Hopefully this great event for Jassers will grow further. Hans Keller – SCV Jass Committee Swiss Club of Victoria
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2nd Jass Night Results: Swiss Club, 31 May Singles
1. Luzia Bloechlinger ....................................2861 2. Beni Huerlimann ......................................2849 3. Ernie Huegli .............................................2817
Doubles
1. Trudi & Marcel Theiler ..............................5444 2. Luzia & Louis Bloechlinger .......................5269 3. Simone & Alex Baehler.............................5262
3rd Jass Night Results: Swiss Club, 5 July Singles
1. Peter Raschle ...........................................3019 2. Fred Portman ...........................................2891 3. Sylvia Hochuli ..........................................2751
Doubles 1. Doris Konrad & Hans Keller ......................5291 2. Brigitte & Sepp Goldiger ..........................5145 3. Sylvia Hochuli & Iris Anthonisz .................5137
The Matterhorn Jass Competition 2014 Singles
1. Markus Villiger .........................................5609 2. Terry Mylvaganam ....................................5507 3. Martin Hornlimann ..................................5506
Doubles 1. Barbara KĂźndig & Terry Mylvaganam.....10707 2. Doris Konrad & Hans Keller ....................10654 3. Sylvia Hochuli & Iris Anthonisz ...............10478
Upcoming Jass Night - 2014 4th & Final 30 August
Swiss Club
Information supplied by Paul Eisenegger & Sepp Goldiger
Reminder – Have you booked?
Senior Members’ Luncheon Tuesday, 26 August, 12 noon For Swiss Club Members born 1944 and earlier Please book not later than 19 August 2014. For Information, please ring Rita Schwärzler-Abbt: 9561 7811 or Sylvia Hochuli: 9531 6575 Cost: Complimentary for members, non-members $45.00
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Swiss that changed the world Konrad Gessner (1516 – 1565), father of modern zoology Gessner was born in Zürich. Recognising his genius early, his father sent him to live with a great-uncle, who grew and collected medicinal herbs for a living. Here Conrad became familiar with many plants and their medicinal purposes, which led to a lifelong interest in the field of natural history. He was well known as a botanist, physician and classical linguist. His five-volume Historiae animalium (1551–1558) is considered the beginning of modern zoology. Gessner was featured on the 50 franc banknote, series 1976 1995.
Social Jass If you enjoy a relaxed and friendly game, please come along to the monthly social Jass on the 4th Wednesday of the month.
Upcoming Social Jass Nights • 27 August • 24 September • 22 October • 26 November Beginners welcome. Just SMS (0402 018 363) or email to info@ swissclubvic.com.au with preferred choice of cards by Tuesday so that we know numbers attending and are able to put together tables.
Auguste-Henri Forel (1848 – 1931), a thinker of many talents
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The Swiss wives prayer: My God, I pray for wisdom to be able to understand my husband, Patience to endure, Kindness to treat him well, and Love to forgive him, I do not ask you for Strength, dear God, cause if you give me Strength, I’ll kill him!
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Born in Morges, Forel had a diverse and mixed career as a thinker on many subjects. He was appointed professor of psychiatry in 1879 at the University of Zurich Medical School. He not only ran the Burghölzli asylum there, but also continued to publish papers on insanity, prison reform, and social morality. He believed in the controversial eugenics philosophy and became an expert in myrmecology, the scientific study of ants. Forel was featured on the 1000 franc banknote, series 1976 1995.
V IC T O R
Advanced Notice:
Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea for Swiss Nationals born 1944 or earlier will take place on
Saturday, 6 December, 2pm Please mark this date in your calendar. For information ring Rita Schwärzler-Abbt on 9561 7811 or email ritaherbert@bigpond.com
Swiss Club of Victoria
Swiss still follow call of yodelers Tens of thousands of people flocked to Davos – not for the gathering of the world’s political and business elite at the annual WEF summit – but for the national yodelling festival. The pageant hasn’t lost its appeal over the decades. The national yodelling festival is held every three years in a different Swiss city. The 2014 edition, in Davos/Klosters from July 3 to 6, was organised by the Swiss Yodelling Association and is the highlight of the year for fans and participants. Throughout the festival, artists from all over the country – and from overseas – descended on Davos. They include yodellers, flag throwers and alphorn players. This year’s festival attracted around 180,000 visitors, fewer than in the previous two years in Lucerne and Interlaken. This may be because for the first time the festival took place in canton Graubünden, where yodelling is less popular than in many other parts of the country.
SWISS CLUB MOVIE ‘Nebelgrind’ (Foggy Head) Wednesday, 17 September 2014, 8pm Swiss Club, 2nd floor Drama 2012, CH/E subtitles 89 minutes Director: Barbara Kulcsar. With Martin Rapold, Peter Freiburghaus, Rebecca Indermaur, Elia Bruelhart Farmer Jürg can’t believe it: His wife Fränzi has had enough and takes off for two weeks, leaving him to look after their farm, the children and his forgetful father Karli all by himself. Jürg has no choice but to take things in hand. He soon realizes that his wife is right, his father isn’t just ‘forgetting on a bit’ - he has Alzheimer. Faced with the challenge of a lifetime Jürg comes up with all sorts of ideas to get his father to do his part.
‘Tandoori Love’ Wednesday, 19 November 2014, 8pm Swiss Club, 2nd floor Comedy 2008 CH/E subtitles 90 min Director: Oliver Paulus. With Vijay Raaz, Lavinia Wilson, Martin Schick
Guest at the Eidg. Jodlerfest 2014 Davos: Federal Councillor Alain Berset
Bollywood makes a beeline for the Alps with unexpected results. Raja is a cook with an Indian catering company that’s been hired to work on a movie being shot in Switzerland, a musical romance that’s typical Bollywood fare except for its setting. While in Switzerland, Raja falls head over heels in love with a local woman, Sonja. Raja decides to follow his dreams and quits his job as the leading lady’s personal chef in hopes of winning Sonja’s heart. He is hired by Markus, the proprietor of a local restaurant who wants to add a more exotic flavor to his menu. Raja takes the job but he’s heartbroken to discover that Markus is engaged to marry Sonja, putting his romantic destiny in doubt. Free for members, non-members gold coin donation.
The Swiss Companion Singers had a great time visiting Urs Marfurt at the Nursing Home. He was in good voice when we sang together for the residents there. Now we are looking forward to be part of the SWISS & ITALIAN FESTA in Hepburn Spring on 15 & 16 November. We always enjoy getting together with the other groups and having a good time together. Why not spend a lovely weekend in this beautiful part of Victoria and join us at the Festa? For information call the Convenor, Heidy Giger on 9889 9321. w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
Enjoy dinner at the club, before or after the movie. Please book with the restaurant on 9650 1196.
Follow the Swiss Club on Social Media! You can find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ Swissclubvic, on Twitter @SwissClubVic or on YouTube http:// www.youtube.com/SwissClubVictoria
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News from Damian and Melinda Dear Roland
Laughter is the fireworks of the soul
How are you doing today? I must apologise for the long delay in getting in contact with you. The first few months here in Switzerland have been busy for Melinda and myself with finding jobs and a place to live. But now things are settling down. Melinda has found a job with ABB in Baden while I’m working for Canon in Switzerland. We are now living in Allschwil in a beautiful old ‘Fachwerkhaus’ which is part of a working farm with cows, rabbits and all sorts of animals as well as crops and vegetables being grown. But the BIG news is that Melinda and I are expecting a baby which should be born in January next year! I trust that you and the club are going well. We love receiving news from the SCV online as well as in the Edelweiss. Wishing you and Liz all the very best. Kind regards, Damian Schaller
Laughter Yoga is joyful, fun and a great stress buster, leaving participants feeling relaxed and able to brighten up their own lives. Medical science has known for decades that laughter can help resolve stress and many related health issues. Laughter yoga is a complete wellbeing workout and the best medicine ever for mind, body and spirit. Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga International and Patch Adams MD founder of the ‘Gesundheit Institute’. Laughter Yoga Helvetia has been invited to present a Switzerland specific laughter yoga session at this year’s Australian Laughter Yoga conference in Brisbane in October. We are the only laughter yoga group in Australia which is supported by a cultural club for the benefit of its members and non-members. Laughter Yoga Helvetia meets every 3rd and 4th Thursday at 6pm at the Swiss Club, 2nd floor. Contact: laughter.club.helvetia@gmail.com Marianne Bishop 9432 2421 or Heidy Giger 9889 9321
Be part of the Swiss Club family
Laughter Yoga Helvetia at the Swiss National Day Picnic
Das wöchentliche Radioprogram über alles Schweizerische in Australien, der Schweiz und der Welt. Eine Viertelstunde Aktuelles, Musik, Reportagen und Interviews auf Schweizerdeutsch mit Adrian Plitzco auf 93.1fm Jeden Sonntag von 19:45 bis 20Uhr SBS HOTLINE: (03) 9949 2192 http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/yourlanguage/german
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Test your Swiss Knowledge 2
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2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 10.
Across What does ‘Dhukarr’ mean? One of three cantons that celebrates a 200-year anniversary this year? What is the French word for ‘Baked Cheese Puffs’? Largest Swiss company by revenue. What animal is the subject at a forthcoming Ladies Luncheon? Surname of the Swiss author that wrote ‘The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair’. Down What is the name of the oldest original bridge in Switzerland? Surname of Swiss jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer born in Lugano. What continent will be featured at a special presentation in September? A famous battle site near Lake Ägeri. The Museum for the Swiss Abroad is near which city? First name of the best Victorian at the Australian Jass Championship?
For answers go to page 25
Parking in the City? Before you visit the Swiss Club, visit www.secureparking. com.au/secure-a-spot Choose ‘114 Flinders Street’ and book to receive parking for as low as $5!
w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
Geschichten von Schweizern, die Glück und Heimat im Ausland suchten by Gabrielle Alioth
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Ausgewandert: Schweizer Auswanderer aus 7 Jahrhunderten Publisher: Faro Verlag, 2014 Language: German Binding: Paperpack, 192 pages ISBN: 978-3037810590 Lange bevor die Schweiz zum Einwandererland wurde, war sie ein Auswandererland. Gabrielle Alioth erzählt die Geschichten von erfolgreichen und gescheiterten Auswanderern aus sieben Jahrhunderten und ermöglicht dem Leser damit einen neuen Blick auf die Heimat, die man eigentlich zu kennen geglaubt hatte. Seit es die Schweiz gibt, gibt es auch jene, die aus ihr auswandern, denn bis vor fünfzig Jahren war sie allzu oft ein Hungerland – oder aber grossen Geistern zu eng. Über Jahrhunderte waren die Schweizer die Wandernden, die um Aufnahme baten und sie auch fanden. Viele von ihnen haben im Ausland Karriere gemacht, sie wurden Erfinder, Erneuerer oder weltberühmte Stars. Andere wurden erst im Ausland wirklich zu Schweizern und pflegen die eidgenössischen Traditionen in einer rührenden Treue über Generationen hinweg bis heute. Sie spiegeln uns eine Heimatidylle, die es so wohl gar nie gegeben hat. Wieder andere wurden krank vor Heimweh und vereinsamten in der Fremde, weil es keinen Weg zurück gab oder die Heimat nicht mehr dieselbe war, die sie verlassen hatten. Ob erfolgreich oder nicht, was die Schweizer Auswanderer bei allen Unterschieden verbindet, ist die Auseinandersetzung mit anderen, nichtschweizerischen Lebensweisen und Kulturen, und dabei lernten sie nicht nur etwas über das Fremde, sondern vor allem auch etwas über das Eigene. Gabrielle Alioth, selbst Ausgewanderte und heute in zwei Welten daheim, forscht in der Geschichte der Schweiz und ihrer eigenen Familie und lässt die Leser an unterschiedlichsten Schicksalen teilhaben.
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Barry the St Bernard: from farm dog to national hero Why, 200 years after his death, is a stuffed Swiss dog still famous around the world? swissinfo.ch sniffs out the truth among the many myths surrounding Barry. Say “Barry” to most non-Swiss and they will probably think of Manilow or White. Say “Barry” to a Swiss, and they will almost certainly think of a barrel-wearing St Bernard who saved 40 lives as a mountain rescue dog (including a half-frozen boy whom he flipped onto his back and carried to safety) before being bayonetted to death by one of Napoleon’s soldiers who mistook him for a wolf. The truth isn’t quite so dramatic, as a new permanent exhibition at Bern Natural History Museum explains. “When you’re a saint or someone very famous, your death has to be something special too – you can’t just die in your bed!” Marc Nussbaumer, an archaeozoologist and scientific advisor at Bern Natural History Museum, told swissinfo.ch. Which, in reality, is what Barry did in Bern in 1814, having been brought down – old and tired – from the Great St Bernard Hospice on the Swiss-Italian border two years earlier. Why a monastery servant brought the then 12-year-old dog to the Swiss capital is a mystery. Nussbaumer, author of ‘Barry of the Great St Bernard’, thinks he was meant to play an educational role “like in fables”, propagating the work of the Augustinian monks up at the hospice. Indeed, when Barry died, it seems he was already well known. In 1816, Friedrich Meisner, a professor of natural history in Bern, wrote: “I find it pleasant and also comforting to think that this faithful dog, who saved the lives of so many people, will not be quickly forgotten after his death!” Good nose The Great St Bernard Hospice is located at nearly 2,500 metres above sea level on the treacherous Great St Bernard Pass, which connects Martigny in canton Valais to Aosta in Italy. It has provided food and shelter for travellers for almost 1,000 years. The hospice and its dogs are estimated to have saved more than 2,000 lives over the years.
Barry on display at Bern Natural History Museum. The fur is real, everything else is a model
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While the monks would spend their days and nights praying and looking after guests, local guides would patrol the paths helping anyone who had been defeated by the challenging environment. In the mid-17th century, these guides started taking strong dogs – mongrels of all breeds – with them. “It’s much easier if you have three or four big dogs in front of you. First of all the dogs know where they’re going. Also they pack the snow so it’s easier to walk. And then they have a good nose – all dogs have good noses – and when they smelled someone somewhere, they would alert their handlers,” Nussbaumer said. New role Rudolf Thomann, head of the Martigny-based Barry Foundation, the organisation now responsible for breeding the St Bernards from the Great St Bernard Pass, explains why they are no longer used as rescue dogs. “They are too heavy to lower down from a helicopter with a guide and to then lift them back up.” Adapting to a changing job market, St Bernards, which can weigh more than 100kg, have had to play to other strengths, such as limitless patience when being patted. “They are very social dogs. We go to care homes with old people and handicapped people and two years ago we started camps for young people with behavioural problems or a handicap. We had two camps in 2012, six camps in 2013 and this year at least 12 – it’s a huge success,” Thomann told swissinfo.ch. “It’s a fact that if you have a dog or a cat, your blood pressure goes down.” The Barry Foundation currently has 34 St Bernards, including about six males (one of whom is always called Barry in honour of his illustrious predecessor). An average of 20 puppies appear a year and most are sold – at CHF2,400 (A$2,860) a pup. Ambassador So although Barry, born in 1800 (the year Napoleon crossed the pass to enter Italy), wasn’t the first rescue dog, he is certainly the most famous. Books have been written and feature films made focusing on the classic ingredients of danger and rescue, heroism and tragedy – not to mention Swiss reliability. “His story is still great – running around the mountains saving people. He’s giving hope to everybody and I think it’s this combination that makes Barry, even today, a good ambassador for Switzerland,” Michael Keller, vice-director of Bern Tourism, told swissinfo.ch. “It’s like chocolate and cheese. I’d say Barry’s in about third position, and he’s great for everybody – children as well as adults.” Keller explains that Barry remains very popular especially in Asia. “A lot of Japanese people come to Bern. They don’t know much about Bern but they know about the bears and Barry – they always ask where they can find Barry.” As to why Barry remains so popular, Nussbaumer reckons it’s purely because he was the one who was lucky enough to end up stuffed in Bern. “He was put on show and all the stories regarding the dogs and all the good deeds were concentrated on him. For me it’s Swiss Club of Victoria
a case of ‘primus inter pares’ (first among equals) – he is just representative of all those dogs over the past 300 years.” Breeding: Why Barry got a bigger head Barry’s story is also a story of dog breeding. Looking at him in his golden shrine-like display in Bern, one can’t help noticing that he looks more like a proud, athletic Labrador than a lugubrious, hulking St Bernard. The dogs at the Great St Bernard Hospice were mongrels – the monks did not care about appearance. The St Bernard breed as we know it only developed after Barry’s death. “Towards the end of the 19th century, when pedigree breeding began in earnest, appearance suddenly became the only thing that mattered,” Thomann said. “The English in particular developed a liking for enormous dogs and were prepared to pay extremely high prices for them.” “The thinking was ‘bigger is better!’” agrees Nussbaumer, who at Bern Natural History Museum is in charge of the largest collection of dog skulls in the world.
“What’s very special about dog breeding in general is that when you have a breed which is characterised by some special morphological aspect – large head, small head, long fur, short fur – you want to accentuate that special characteristic,” he said. “A St Bernard had two main characteristics: size and a heavy head, and that’s why those became exaggerated, to the degree that nowadays we want to breed them a bit smaller again.” In fact, in 1923, Barry’s stuffed body was modified because it no longer conformed to the public’s expectation of the breed. His head was made bigger (the original skull is shown in a separate case) and his legs were stretched by about 10cm (look closely and you can see the difference in fur colour and texture). In addition, his head was raised, to “correct” the previously submissive stance and make him appear more noble and heroic. Barry weighed 40-45 kilograms whereas modern St Bernards can weigh more than 100kg. His current mounted height is 64cm, but he would have been slightly smaller when alive. Modern St Bernards are 70-90cm at the withers (ridge between the shoulder blades). swissinfo.ch
Photo by Peter Brodbeck – see also https://www.flickr.com/photos/shoot-me1/
Meet the Chairman Chairman is the centre of attention wherever he goes with his owner, Swiss Club member Peter Brodbeck. He is the most handsome young St Bernhard, and he knows it too – always getting in the right pose to have his photo taken. Chairman was the star attraction at the Swiss Festival and more recently at the Swiss National Day Picnic. w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
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Gougères Baked Cheese Puffs
WE A LL L OVE M EAT A ND S MALLGOODS
A perfect Swiss appetiser, or lunch with salad Preparation time: approx. 20 min Baking/drying off time: approx. 55 min Makes 10 puffs Ingredients: • 200ml water • 50g butter • ½ tsp salt • 2 pinches Cayenne pepper • a little nutmeg • 120g plain flour • 2 eggs, beat • 75g finely grated Swiss Gruyère
Homesick? We can cure that! • Homemade Smallgoods • Swiss Cheese • Chocolate …and much, much more!
Choux pastry dough: Add together the water, butter, salt, pepper and nutmeg and bring to the boil in a pan, reduce heat. Then add the flour, all at once, beat with spoon for approx. 1½ minutes, until the dough forms a glossy ball and comes away from the base of the pan. Remove pan from heat. Beat eggs gradually into the mixture. The dough should be a soft, but not pouring, consistency. Reserve a little beaten egg for glazing. Add Gruyère (from Walmas, of course!) to the dough. Set 2 tbs of cheese aside for glazing. Shape: divide dough into 10 pieces. Rinse hands in cold water and shape dough into balls. Arrange balls of dough in a ring on an oven tray lined with baking parchment, so that they just touch. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with remainder of the cheese. Bake: approx. 40 min towards the bottom of the oven, preheated to 180°C. Do not open oven door during this time! Switch off oven, wedge the oven door ajar with the handle of a ladle and leave the gougères to dry off for approx. 15 min. Remove from oven and serve while still warm. Bon appetit! From ’The Swiss Cookbook‘ by Betty Bossy. See ’Edelweiss‘ June 2010.
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Come and visit us @ 4-6 High Street Bayswater Ph: 9729 0635 www.walmas.com.au Swiss Club of Victoria
Remembering Switzerland’s forgotten heroines Women who hurl rocks and tree trunks onto unsuspecting attackers, women who make a huge din to alarm and fool the enemy, women who dress up as soldiers – Swiss women have always shown themselves ingenious and brave. Or so the legends have it. There are many such stories in Swiss history. But where such legendary figures as William Tell – who defied the wicked Austrian governor who made him shoot an apple off his son’s head – are well known to all Swiss, the tales of heroic Swiss women are on the whole less familiar outside their own particular regions. The women who drove back the enemy by bombarding them with rocks lived in the Val Lumnezia, a side valley of the Rhine in canton Graubünden. This was in 1352; the men were elsewhere keeping enemy forces at bay, and when the women realised that some of the invaders were trying to sneak in by a back way, they took action themselves. In the Val Lumnezia this story is part of local folklore. It took place at the Porclas, a gate in the wall barring the entrance to the valley. The gate is now also known as the Porta da Femnas, the Women’s Gate.
they don’t actually do so,” Meret Fehlmann of the University of Zurich’s Institute of Popular Culture Studies, told swissinfo.ch. She cited the story of the women of Fahrwangen, and also those of Zurich in 1292 who, in the absence of their menfolk, put on armour and stood among the trees of the Lindenhof hill; the besieging troops, being too far off to see what was really going on, fled in the belief that the town was well defended. Fehlmann thinks the difference in attitude to the two sexes could explain why the women’s stories are relatively little known. “Perhaps people didn’t really want to promote women in this role. William Tell, who shot a tyrant, did what a man is supposed to do: he defended himself and his family and stood up for certain principles. But women didn’t have the same scope for action, so that could be why people were more reticent about telling these stories.” ‘Be wary of women’
Unlike some other stories of heroines, the battle of Porclas has not spawned an annual celebration. However, the action of the women of Fahrwangen and Meisterschwanden in 1712, two villages in modern-day canton Aargau, is celebrated every January – but only since 1912. For three days the women rule the village, and catch men in big nets. It’s a reward for the women who marched through the woods making a racket which tricked the enemy into thinking they were an army of reinforcements. The best known Swiss female heroine, one of the few who is famous outside her immediate region, is probably Mère Royaume of Geneva, who is said to have hurled a pot of boiling soup onto troops trying to sneak into the city at night in December 1602, raising the alarm. That event is commemorated every year too, and although it celebrates the people of Geneva as a whole, a chocolate version of Mère Royaume’s cauldron features prominently. These two festivities figure on the list of 167 Living Traditions issued by the Federal Office of Culture in 2012. So does the Stoss Pilgrimage in Appenzell Inner Rhodes, remembering a battle of 1405 in which women allegedly joined the men and hurled stones at the enemy. But ironically, it was not until 1991 that women were allowed to take part in the pilgrimage.
Elisabeth Joris, a historian who has written extensively about women, pointed out that at the time when the Swiss Confederation was coming into being, from about the end of the 15th century to the 17th century, the system of government was dominated by important families, not by individuals, each with a man - the father - at the head. Men were responsible for the military organisation, which went hand in hand with the political organisation. But women often exercised great influence in this society; one way they did this was by helping their menfolk to high office, often by cunning – a trait associated with women in no small measure thanks to the biblical figure of Eve. That fits in with a story like the Lindenhof, she explained. “The women are not challenging the rule of the men; they act as they do because the men aren’t there. The enemy doesn’t decide not to storm the hill because they are afraid of women, but because they think they are men.” Georg Kreis, professor of the history of Switzerland at the University of Basel, suggested another way of looking at women’s guile. “The meta-message is perhaps that you should be wary of women. They are dangerous because they’re so crafty.” But he agrees about the role of the sexes, citing the example of the women of Appenzell at the Battle on the Stoss. “The message there is: ‘even the women’ took part. The point of the story is in the ‘even’. It makes the women strong, but at the same time reminds us that they are [actually] weak and peace-loving. Men are the yardstick of normality.” “Looking at this from a psychological point of view, I think these stories are probably male fantasies. It wasn’t women who produced them. Women are allegories, they are guardian goddesses, who inspire men,” he said.
Women in a man’s world
Julia Slater, swissnfo.ch
Living traditions
What do these stories show about the way in which women were traditionally regarded in Switzerland, where women did not get the vote at federal level until 1971? “In many of the stories the women are shown outside their traditional roles – they act as if they are ready to fight, but w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
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A Museum for the Swiss Abroad 1292: This Swiss postcode is rather exciting – in 1291, we are told, Switzerland as we know it was founded by representatives from Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, on the Rütli. 1292, however, is the postcode of Pregny-Genève where, on the ‘Chemin de l`Impératrice’ one finds the very impressive looking Château de Penthes, situated in a beautiful park, almost symbolically representing those Swiss which live somewhat outside the ‘real’ Switzerland. This stately manor is the home of the ‘Musée des Suisses dans le Monde’, the ‘Museum of the Swiss around the World’. It is the headquarter of the ‘Friends of the Institute of the Swiss Abroad’, a society the aim of which is mainly to support the Museum but also its archives and its research centre. And if you think that a museum devoted to the Swiss Abroad should be situated somewhere in the centre of the country – well, the Swiss Abroad live all over the world, they are an international ‘society’ and what more international city than Geneva is there in Switzerland? Penthes lies close to Geneva’s many international organisations which fits the concept of a Museum of the Swiss Abroad perfectly. And it has a history quite of its own. It opened more than 45 years ago, initially presenting in great detail the history of Swiss mercenaries, young men who went to fight abroad (mostly to escape poverty at home), often died on foreign soil but in many cases also eventually turned into early Swiss Abroad. Later, the Museum began to highlight the careers of Swiss working abroad in all areas of life, from traders to bankers to missionaries, artists and researchers. The Museum wants, on the one side, to show the internationalisation of Switzerland by way of the Swiss Abroad but at the same also highlight the crucial moments and events which linked and still link the history of Switzerland to the rest of the world, or, as the director of the Museum, Anselm Zurfluh, stated, the Museum should be “a window to the world for the Swiss, and a window to Switzerland for our foreign friends”. To be able to do this, it wants to show in particular where the
modern connections between Switzerland and the rest of the world are – where and how they started and who is creating and maintaining these connections whether that be in politics, science, art, sport, the economy or any other field of human endeavour. Hence, what (often surprising) activities Swiss Abroad get up to anywhere in the world. Whether they leave Switzerland, achieve great things abroad and return or leave, achieve, stay abroad but stay Swiss. Attached to the Museum is the Sandoz Research Centre where anyone interested in the topic of “Switzerland and the World” can do some research – and, typically Swiss, not to forget a fabulous Restaurant where Swiss and Swiss Abroad can indulge – only to later do some research as to the influence Swiss cooks had abroad. And all this only a short bus ride from Geneva main station. An unique Swiss Abroad venture. We encourage the Swiss Abroad to make contact and to visit the museum www.chateau-de-penthes.ch The Director of the museum, Dr. Anselm Zurfluh, who will be visiting Australia to partake in the first meeting of all Swiss Club Presidents in Australia in Canberra on 27 September 2014 shall make on this occasion a presentation of the museum. Dr. Peter Gerdes & Beat Knoblauch, OSA Delegate
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Swiss Club of Victoria
Kaffeeklatsch We would like to extend an invitation to all our Senior Citizens (over sixty) to a wonderful afternoon of Coffee, Cakes and a Chat = Kaffeeklatsch, at the Swiss Club.
Sunday, 14 September, 2pm There is no charge for this cosy afternoon, however our Group is thankful for any donations. Please reserve a place by ringing or leaving a message with Marlies Krummenacher 9503 9921 or Rosmarie Oswald 9583 9048.
For the next Ladies Luncheon I have a treat for you. The guestspeaker is going to talk about ‘ORANGUTANS’ as well as showing us some delightful pictures. Please come along and join us. The date is
• Wednesday, 3 September and the last one of the year will be on
• Wednesday, 5 November Prices are still $22pp for members and $25pp for non-members. Includes 2-course meal, wine, softdrinks and coffee. Everyone is welcome Please book with Roger at the club on 9650 1196 or email info@swissclubvic.com.au. For more information ring Heidy on 9889 9321 Heidy Giger
RSVP no later than Monday, 8 September.
It’s your Club. Get Involved!
The Bernard Sandoz Cup was up for grabs on the 20th of June at the Clubs Second Floor. Daniel Hirschi triumphed over Louis Schneider. Congratulations to the winner and thank-you to all for participating. The next Swiss Club Singles Championship will be held on Friday, 24th October at 7:30pm Bookings are essential, please ring Roger at the Swiss Club or myself on 9439 7593 or 0418 645 313. Cost: Only $20 per person which includes dinner. New players are always welcome! Louis Schneider
Test your Swiss Knowledge - Answers Across: 1. Paths; 5. Neuchatel; 8. Gougeres; 9. Glencore; 11. Orangutan; 12. Dicker Down: 2. Spreuerbrucke; 3. Ambrosetti; 4. Antarctica; 6. Morgarten; 7. Geneva; 10. Hans w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
Ladies Luncheon, 4 June Our Ladies Luncheon brightens the life even on a grey winters day and we must go the city, lucky for me, I receive a lift from my friend. We are always greeted and lovely flowers grace the tables. It is such a friendly place our Swiss Club. Great food was presented and all the plates were empty in a short time. Great sumptuous food. Our speaker was Martin Probst, Managing Director of ‘Profound Coaching’. The Art of Communication was our topic. Communications is not about what you say, it is about the response you get! We are always learning and to be able to easily communicate with one another is quite difficult occasionally. We probably could learn more by reading Martin’s suggestions, available from online bookstores. Thank you. Our lunch sadly ended only too quick. But in two months, we see each other again. In the meantime, uf Wiederluege Jnge Kulmanis
Planning your private or business function? The Second Floor is the perfect venue! Contact 1300 893 968 for information & bookings.
Login and get the latest info: www.swissclubvic.com
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NOTICE
2014 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, 24 September 2014, 8pm Agenda: 1. Opening and Welcome 2. One Minute of Silence 3. Attendance, Apologies, Proxies 4. Adoption of Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2014 5. President’s Report 6. Treasurer’s Report 7. Buildings Report 8. Membership Report 9. General Business 10. Conclusion 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 typical Swiss dish. Roger and his team will have a special treat for you. Bookings essential on 9650 1196. A la carte menu also available at regular prices.
Minutes of the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the SCV Held Friday, 21 March, 2014, 6.30pm, 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 1. Opening and Welcome The President of the Swiss Club of Victoria, Sigrid de Castella, opened the Annual General Meeting at 6.45pm and welcomed the Honorary Life Members and Members of the Swiss Club. She thanked everyone for attending; a total of 68 voting members were present.
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2. One Minute of Silence Sigrid invited all members to stand up and observe a minute of silence to remember our friends and members, who have left us. 3. Apologies Susan & Rémy Favre, Beatrice Delacretaz, Felix Blatt, Barbara & Walter Purschert, Monika & Fred Hofmann, Tony Hyams, Jill Muller, Peter Meury, Felix Blatt, Bill Pollock, Paul Preisig, Claudia Dahinden, Ann Pask, Juerg von Kaenel, Christina Borg-Bono, Marlyse Birmele, Maya Wagner, Rita SchwärzlerAbbt, Ann Elizabeth Brodbeck, Kiyong Tak, Jennifer Altermatt, Anthony Boll, Pat Calabresi, Joe & Marie Schibli, Martin Probst, Beryl Black, Rita & Basil Jenkins, Otto Sedelies, Marlyse Birmele, Betty Almond, Ernst Hugli, Marlies & Sepp Krummenacher, Eleanor Schmidig, Peter Meury. 4. Adoption of Minutes of Half-Yearly Meeting The Minutes of the Half-Yearly Meeting held Wednesday, 25 September, 2013, were published in the March 2014 newsletter. The minutes had been read and are a true record. The minutes were moved by Sepp Schmidig and seconded by Marcel Muntwyler. All in favour. The minutes were adopted. 5. President’s Report Dear Honorary Life Members, dear Members, dear Honorary Consul Thank you for joining us for the AGM. Firstly, I would like to thank you for all your warm wishes since September in welcoming me as your new President. One of the main reasons I joined the committee 5 years ago was to strengthen my connection with my Swiss ancestry through connections with the Swiss community. For a thirdgeneration Australian-born Swiss keeping those connections without the help of a social club is very difficult indeed. And so the Club has become a very integral part of my life, that of my husband, Antony, who also serves on the Committee as Building Manager, and of my parents, Ros and Paul. In the months since the September Half-Yearly meeting we’ve had some exciting events some challenges and some farewells. On the events front we saw Samichlaus and his companion Schmutzli visit the Swiss Kids in December and the 115th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 1st February marked the ‘birthday’ of the Swiss Club of Victoria. It was a very well attended event and it was lovely to see the room looking so formal, beautiful enough for a wedding reception in fact! Thanks to Barbara Kündig, Rita Schwärzler, Roland Isler and Sylvia Hochuli for organising the event. It was fantastic to mark this very auspicious occasion, and toast to our forefathers who had the vision to create our Club! And I’m looking forward to the celebrations once again next year. Not long after we celebrated Stanilas Warwinka’s incredible Grand Slam win at the Australian Open with an interview on Channel 9, prompting us to call ourselves “Swiss-Aussie” rather than “Aussie-Swiss”, at least for the day. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival setup starts on Sunday, and the festival occupies our second floor right through until 20th April. In between we have the annual Swiss Swiss Club of Victoria
Festival which is again being held at Queensbridge Square on Sunday 6th April. Rolf will give us a festival update later tonight. In May we have the Unterhaltungsabend and we’re pleased to announce that we have a couple of new events scheduled. Music events start at the Club with Saturday Sessions in May featuring world-famous Jazz band The Mondlarks Trio. And we’re in the final preparation of some beer tasting and wine events, so stay tuned for those. Whilst these special events give us an opportunity to celebrate in style and fanfare, it’s the regular events that are the backbone of the Club including the Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose, Swiss Companion Singers, Swiss Kids, Laughter Yoga Helvetia, Social Jass and our newest group Les Bavards French Conversation Group. We also cannot forget our regular seasonal events including Swiss Tennis, Billiards and Jass Championships, and our Swiss National Day celebrations on 1st August. I’d like to thank all of the Sub-Groups for their contributions to the Club which help keep our Swiss Traditions and customs alive, keeping the Club vibrant and a place of true Swissness. And I’d like to extend a special thanks you to the groups’ convenors – Sylvia Houchuli, Heidy Giger, Esther Blaser-Tokarev and Marianne Bishop for their continuous efforts in leading the groups so competently. As always it is our Newsletter that provides such valuable information to members and helps connect those who cannot visit as much as they’d like to. The Edelweiss is well known as being one of the best magazine-style newsletters around and this certainly would not be possible without the tremendous efforts of Roland Isler, our editor. On behalf of the Committee I’d like to thank Roland for all of his hard work and dedication to the Club which is truly humbling. You might be interested to hear that recently our Edelweiss magazines have been uploaded to the ISSUU website, one of the biggest publishing networks in the world, making them available to millions of readers globally. Our restaurant provides another vital connection for the Club, a place where members can meet, bring their family and friends, and enjoy a taste of Switzerland, Aussie-style. I’d like to thank Roger and Renee Moullet and the restaurant staff for doing such a great job in providing us with great Australian-Swiss delicacies to enjoy. Over the next few weeks the Restaurant will be incredibly busy with literally hundreds of Comedy Festival Patrons each night. Undaunted by this prospect Renee led the charge which has seen the Restaurant be accepted as a participant in this year’s Good Beer Week festival in May and we hope that participation in this event may introduce some new regular faces to the Club. On the Challenges front there is always a lot of work to do on the building front, including regular maintenance and repairs as well as the annual safety compliance statement which has to be done for the Comedy Festival to take place. We’ve had the sprinkler system overhauled and finally got the roof leak fixed. And the good news is the check meter has finally been installed in the basement which means that we can now meter the tenants and recover some of our costs for the basement power. Going forward there is another major work planned which is to upgrade the electrical feed into the building which is w w w.s w i s sc lu bv i c .co m.au
currently running at 110% of capacity. The income from the basement meter will help fund this as well as a contribution from Terra Rossa. Once done this should last us for many years going forward. On the farewells front sadly we bid ‘Farewell’ to one of our committee members, Damian Schaller, who has returned to Switzerland with his wife, Melinda, in search of new adventures. And tonight we are very sad indeed to farewell one of our long serving committee members, Rolf Huber. It’s time for Rolf to have a break from Committee life, at least for a while. Rolf will remain President of the Swiss Festival Committee so it is probably more appropriate to say “adieu” rather than farewell. The only way the Club can run is with the dedication and commitment from its Committee, and whilst our committee is very small, it is very dedicated indeed. I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank past president Barbara Kündig, Derrick Wildi, Antony Anderson and Vreni Welsh for all their hard work and commitment.
Proxy Form for the Half-Yearly General Meeting 2014 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, 24 September 2014 and at every adjournment thereof. Signed by hand this
day of
2014
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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We are pleased to announce that long-time member Arnold Kramer has offered to join the committee and will be assisting Antony with the management of the building. Arnold is currently overseas and we look forward to him returning to the Committee soon. We still have several vacancies on the Committee, and we are still calling for members to assist us with any time they can spare. If you’d like to get involved please let us know. As they say “many hands make light work”, so if you have any time to spare and would like to help please contact myself or one of the Committee members. We’d love to work with you! 6. Treasurer’s Report Financial details as of 31 December 2013: ASSETS Cash / Bank Account ..............................................$ 104,732 Trade Debtors .........................................................$ 37,776 Land at valuation ...................................................$ 210,000 Building at cost ......................................................$ 1,249,403 Depreciation...........................................................$ (445,085) Total Fixed Assets ...................................................$ 1,014,318 TOTAL ASSETS ..................................................$ 1,156,826 LIABILITIES Trade creditors .......................................................$ Loan 2nd Floor ......................................................$ GST Payable to ATO ................................................$ Prepaid memberships.............................................$
4,661 315,878 1,362 1,630
TOTAL LIABILITIES ...........................................$ 323,531 EQUITY Members Funds .....................................................$ Movie Fund ............................................................$ Current Earnings ....................................................$
874,515 122 (41,342)
TOTAL EQUITY ..................................................$ 833,295 INCOME Membership fee .....................................................$ Rent .......................................................................$ Sponsorship / Donations ........................................$ Various ...................................................................$
21,449 111,365 5,365 4,287
TOTAL INCOME ................................................$ 142,511 EXPENSES Building Operations & Maintenance ......................$ Depreciation...........................................................$ Insurance ...............................................................$ Interest Loan ..........................................................$ Legal & Accounting & Bank Fees............................$ Member Services / Various .....................................$
71,579 48,000 17,837 25,803 3,488 17,146
TOTAL EXPENSES .............................................$ 183,853 OPERATING RESULT .........................................$ (41,342) Despite a higher than normal operating loss the year still finished with a cash flow positive result for 2013. The
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increased loss compared to other years is mainly due to special circumstances and is caused by a delay in processing outgoing costs to our tenants, payment of electricity bill going back to a dispute in 2012 and the loss incurred from the Swiss Festival due to lower sales than anticipated and write off of purchased stock. On a brighter note thanks to diligent cost monitoring and implementation of ongoing building monitoring program the overall expenses for managing the building were held at same levels as in 2012. The aging building still will create some unexpected and unplanned repair works but it appears that these have become fewer since the monitoring program was implemented. An additional benefit is that in most cases we are able to identify any issues in an earlier stage and are able to take corrective actions with better information available. Also our loan with the ANZ will expire in 2014 and we are looking around to secure the best rate possible and also to repay some of the principle to reduce the annual loan costs. The income from revenue from the second floor has increased again compared to previous years but the income generated is still behind target and still does not offset all costs associated with the 2nd floor. It is somewhat disappointing that we are not able to rent out a beautiful space in the middle of the CBD. It would be greatly appreciated if any of our members can assist in promoting the venue. In closing I would like to thank my fellow committee members in managing the financial affairs. A big thank you also goes to our editor of the newsletter, who manages to produce a high quality paper at minimal cost. The Treasurer Report was moved by Greg Bowles and seconded by John Ortner - all in favour. The report as adopted. 7. Election of Office Bearers Rolf Huber (Sep 2002 - Mar 2014) and Damian Schaller (Sep 2008 - Mar 2014) had tendered their resignation from the committee. The Committee thanked Rolf and Damian very much for their time and contributions during their tenures. Derrick Wildi and Barbara Kündig stood for re-election. Arnold Kramer nominated new to the committee. The election of office bearers was conducted by Vreni Welsh. Derrick Wildi was proposed by Marcel Muntwyler and seconded by Gerda Probst. Barbara Kündig was proposed by Barbara Dardel Jessop and seconded by Hans Keller. Arnold Kramer was proposed by Franz Schnellman and seconded by Herbert Schwärzler. All three were elected to the committee for two years. As per the constitution, the Honorary Officers stepped down, but offered themselves for re-election: President: Sigrid de Castella was proposed by Ros de Castella and seconded by Kurt Born. Secretary: Barbara Kündig was proposed by Roland Isler and seconded by Adrian Huber. Treasurer: Derrick Wildi was proposed by Patrick Albert and seconded by Sepp Schmidig. All Honorary Officers were re-elected by the members present. 8. General Business • Honorary Life Members According to the clubs constitution the following members Swiss Club of Victoria
have achieved Honorary Life Membership in 2014 due to 40 years of membership and being over the age of 70: Walter Purtschert (1965), Paul Widmer (1965), Marianne Standfield (1970), Fred Binder (1971), Betty Almond (1973), Carlo Hefti (1973), Paula Preisig (1973), Otto Sedelies (1973), Maya Wagner (1973), Marlyse Birmele (1973). Sigrid congratulated the three new Honorary Life Members attending the AGM; Marianne, Paul, and Fred and presented them with their certificates and a token of appreciation. The following member was proposed for Honorary Life Member due to outstanding contribution to the Swiss Club of Victoria; Barbara Kündig. Her nomination was moved by Barbara Dardel-Jessop and seconded by John Ortner. All in favour. Sigrid congratulated Barbara on her Honorary Life Membership. The following members received a gold pin for 30 years of club membership: Barbara Brodbeck Sue & Franz Schnellmann, Kurt Born, Elisabeth McAlister. Bronze Pin for 10 years of club membership: Hilda Scheiber • Rolf Huber spoke about the upcoming Swiss Festival on Sunday, 6 April at Queensbridge Square and invited the members to spread the word and come along. • Roland Isler informed the members about the upcoming Swiss Clubs Presidents’ Conference in Canberra on 27th September, 2014 organsied by the four delegates of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA). He also encouraged the members to come forward with any concerns or issues that they wish to be included in the conference agenda. • Sigrid then invited the Honorary Consul of Victoria, Erika Kimpton, to address the members. Erika spoke about her appointment to the position of Honorary Consul and her responsibilities and accountability. • Peter Noser as a representative of the Companion Singers voiced that if the restaurant offers specials such as Pot Luck Thursday, the members should be made aware by the restaurant staff of such promotions when taking orders from their guests. 9. Conclusion As there were no further questions from the members, Sigrid de Castella closed the Annual General Meeting by thanking all present for their attendance and interest in the Swiss Club and invited them all to a glass of wine followed by dinner in the club restaurant. Minutes taken as a correct record by Barbara Kündig, Secretary.
The whole bunch of Edelweiss is now online The entire library of newsletters since 2007 is now available online. Just go to the Swiss Club website 4 Our Club 4 Edelweiss Newsletter 4 Archive Edelweiss: http://issuu.com/search?q=edelweiss …and click on the Edelweiss ‘Open Stack’.
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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 Thursday Sunday Wednesday Sunday Wednesday
OCTOBER
Thursday 02 Wednesday 22 Friday 24
Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Social Jass Billiard Competition - Swiss Club Single Championship
NOVEMBER
Wednesday 05 Thursday 06 Sat/Sun 15/16
Ladies’ Luncheon Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Companion Singers and Yodel Choir Matterhorn perform at Swiss & Italian Festa Fahrt ins Blaue (Mystery Trip) – Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Swiss Movie Night: ‘Tandoori Love’ Social Jass
03 04 11 14 17 21 24
Wednesday 12 Wednesday 19 Wednesday 26
DECEMBER
Thursday Saturday Saturday
04 06 20
Ladies’ Luncheon Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Swiss Alps to Antarctic Glaciers presentation on the Second Floor Kaffeeklatsch - Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Swiss Movie Night: ‘Nebelgrind’ ‘Sunday Sessions’ Jazz event on the Second Floor Half-Yearly General Meeting
Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea (by invitation) Club Restaurant closes after dinner (reopens on Monday, 5 January 2015 for lunch)
OTHER REGULAR SWISS CLUB MEETINGS: Committee Meetings: every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month (excluding January & December) 6.30 to 8pm. 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 Laughter Yoga Helvetia: meets every 3rd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6pm SwissKids: meets every 1st Saturday of each month, from 2pm to 4pm Les Bavards - ‘The Chatterboxes’: French Conversation Group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 6.30pm The Swiss Diners Club: dates for get-togethers can be found on www.swissclubvic.com.au or on Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo. com/neo/groups/SwissDinersClub/info
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Swiss Club of Victoria
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