DECEMBER 2014
Successful Swiss Club President’s Conference
Organised by the Australian members of the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA), the first ever conference of leaders of Swiss clubs, groups and organisations in Australia took place on Saturday, 27th of September, at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador to Australia, Mr Marcel Stutz in the nations capital Canberra. The meeting provided a forum for the more than thirty attendees from around Australia and overseas to discuss the many issues that are important to Swiss Abroad and get first hand government information from to hear more about the the Ambassador and the Consul President’s Conference General, Mr Ernst Steinmann. and the issues that were discussed, please come to Mrs Sabine Silberstein, the Swiss Club on: representing the executive board of the Organisation of the Swiss Friday, 5 December Abroad (OSA), arrived from See page 7 for more Singapore to provide information information. about the OSA and the many services that it offers. Other speakers included: Anselm Zurfluh, Director, Musée de Penthes, Geneva; Peter Ehrler, CSA New Zealand; Christian Froelicher, Executive Producer, SBS Radio German Language Program; Heidi Gmuer, Oceania Correspondent of the NZZ. The conference also provided an excellent opportunity for networking and so did the social program: dinner hosted by
OSA Information Evening
the Ambassador at the residence and on Sunday, a visit to the ‘Floriade’ flower show and the magnificent Parliament House. Many thanks go to the Ambassador and to the Canberra Swiss Club for their warm hospitality and to everyone that attended! The CSA delegates are confident that this meeting has opened doors for a closer collaboration and friendship among the many Swiss groups that were represented. It was decided that there should be a repeat of this conference in two years time. The host city will be Melbourne. Roland Isler - Council of the Swiss Abroad
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This lovely hand-painted nativity Christmas set was created by Sylvia Hochuli
89 Flinder s Lane • Melbour ne 3000 • Victor ia • Australia • www.s wissclubvic .com.au