SCV Edelweiss Newsletter June 2009

JUNE 2009REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST - PUBLICATION No. VBH 6369

8 9 F l i n d e r s L a n e • M e l b o u r n e 3 0 0 0 • V i c t o r i a • A u s t r a l i a • w w w . s w i s s . o r g . a u / s w i s s c l u b v i c

Record number of visitors at the Swiss Festival!Record number of visitors at the Swiss Festival!

A sunny day greeted more than 1’500 visitors at this year’s open air Swiss Festival which took place at the Austrian Club on Sunday, 22 March 2009.

It was amazing to see such a large number of visitors, it broke last year’s record by several hundred!

Now in its seventh year the festival is held annually at the Austrian Club in Heidelberg West, a suburb in the north of Melbourne. From a small function at Flagstaff Gardens it has now developed into a major cultural event in Victoria. It

is organised entirely by volunteers of the Swiss Festival Committee and supported by all Swiss community groups in Victoria. The committee has worked hard to put on a fantastic day!

At this point I would like to introduce the organising committee to you: Amy Bohren (Secretary), Bruno Giger (Treasurer), Damian Schaller (Marketing/Volunteers) and Erika Kimpton (Food & Beverage.) We meet regularly and plan the event in all its details.

The Swiss Community of Victoria

presents the Swiss Festival to showcase Switzerland and its culture to all Victorians. The festival has become a meet and greet for Swiss compatriots who hail from across the state and indeed from around the country. The committee regards this as a great incentive to continue down the path of providing Swiss culture or “Swissness” in its many forms and shapes for young and old.

A survey has been conducted to help us

Continued on page 6

Lots of smiles at the Swiss Festival

AGM, the new committeecommittee

Lots of smiles at

AGM, the new committee

AGM, the new

Multicultural Ball, members of the committee with Leader of the Opposition Ted Baillieu

Alpenrose at the Brisbane Dancefest

Unterhaltungsabend R

OU

NDABOUT THE SWISS

CLUB

w w w . s w i s s . o r g . a u / s w i s s c l u b v i c 3

SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIAFounded in 1899

89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000T: (03) 9650 1196, F: (03) 9650 3104E: [email protected]: www.swiss.org.au/swissclubvic

Club Opening HoursLunch - Monday to Friday from 12noonDinner - Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 6pm. Friday Happy Hour from 5pm to 6.30pm.Bookings: T: (03) 9650 1196

Swiss Club CateringFor Weddings, Corporate, Seminars, Parties, Private Functions contact Chef & Catering Manager Roger MoulletT: (03) 9650 1196, F: (03) 9650 3104M: 0409 040 249E: [email protected]

COMMITTEEBarbara KündigPresidentT/F (H): (03) 9813 8843M: 0402 018 363E: [email protected]

Rolf HuberImmediate Past PresidentT/F (H): (03) 9807 0282M (B): 0425 805 854E: [email protected]

Gerda ProbstSecretaryM: 0439 936 313E: [email protected]

Urs Derrick WildiTreasurerT/F (H): (03) 9824 7930M: 0403 040 930E: [email protected]

Sigrid de CastellaMembership RelationsM: 0416 088 000E: [email protected]

Oliver AltermattBuilding ManagementM: 0410 684 263E: [email protected]

Patrick RychnerCorporate Communications/Web AdministratorM: 0404 657 886E: [email protected]

Damian SchallerEvent ManagerM: 0410 461 364E: [email protected]

SWISS CLUB SUB-GROUPSSwiss Folk Dance Group AlpenrosePresident: Sylvia HochuliT: (03) 9531 6575E: [email protected]

Swiss Companion SingersConvenor: Heidy GigerT: (03) 9889 9321E: [email protected]

Ladies LuncheonsConvenor: Heidy GigerFor bookings T: (03) 9650 1196For information: T: (03) 9889 9321E: [email protected]

Saturday Morning Swiss SchoolConvenor: Andrea PinchT: (03) 5331 6762E: [email protected]: www.swiss.org.au/scvschool

Swiss PlaygroupIngrid Preston T: (03) 9772 0516Claudia Dahinden T: (03) 9347 6913W: www.swiss.org.au/playgroup

The Young Swiss GroupConvenor: Amy Bohren2/9 Grandview GroveBayswater Vic 3153M: 0409 041 528E: [email protected]

OTHER SWISS ORGANISATIONSSwiss Society of Victoria(Benevolent Society)President: Primo CalabresiT: (03) 9857 7427W: www.swiss.org.au/swissclubvic

Trachtengruppe SchwyzergruessAustralian/Swiss Cultural Society President: Sylvia HochuliT: (03) 9531 6575E: [email protected]

Groupe Romand du VictoriaPresident: Marianne Puccinelli7 Eric Court, Wheelers Hill Vic 3150T: (03) 9561 9595W: www.swiss.org.au/chfrvic

Pro TicinoPresident: Claude Rossi5 Falls Road, Hoddles Creek Vic 3139T: (03) 5967 4542E: [email protected]

Swiss Yodel Choir MatterhornPresident: Marco Unternährer3 Bluegum Court, Upwey Vic 3158T: (03) 9388 8777, (03) 9752 6996 (H)W: www.swiss.org.au/matterhorn

Swiss-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) General Manager: Marcel SvatosLevel 5, 23-25 O’Connell StreetSydney NSW 2000T: (02) 9223 7222, F: (02) 9223 7211 E: [email protected] W: www.sacci.com.au

Swiss-Australian Academic Network (SAAN)E: [email protected]: www.saan.id.au

Honorary Consul of Switzerland (Victoria)Erika Kimpton697 Toorak Road, Kooyong Vic 3144T: (03) 9824 7527, M: 0413 042 728E: [email protected]

Council of the Swiss AbroadRepresentative: Walter Purtschert11 Hornby Street, Beaumaris Vic 3193T: (03) 9589 6080, M: 0413 444 666E: [email protected]

Unless otherwise stated, postal address for all listings is: 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000

News and Views published by the Swiss Club of Victoria. ‘Edelweiss’ appears quarterly in March, June, September and December.

For all advertising enquiries and editorial contributions please contact:

Roland Isler, EditorT/F: (03) 9558 3877 (H)T: (03) 9524 6335 (B)F: (03) 9528 4792 (B)M: 0412 935 565E: [email protected]

67 St Georges Crescent Heatherton Vic 3202

4 S w i s s C l u b o f V i c t o r i a

Dear member,

I am pleased to inform you that at our recent AGM the entire committee plus one additional member were reconfi rmed ensuring continuity for our club. I thank the members for entrusting

me with the Presidency. Gerda Probst agreed to become the club’s Secretary and Derrick Wildi continues as Treasurer. Sigrid de Castella, our newest recruit, has taken on the membership. Oliver Altermatt will continue to take care of the important building management portfolio. Patrick Rychner supports us on the creative and communication side and Damian Schaller will be our Events Coordinator, a very important position within a Social Club! At the AGM we also farewelled our President of the past two years, Rolf Huber, who steered our club with lots of energy and engagement. In the name of the committee and all the members, I thank him very much and we are all pleased that his experience remains on the committee as he will continue in the role of Immediate Past President.

Now that we have a new but experienced committee in place, we will continue striving to make the Swiss Club a welcoming and friendly place for its members and their families and friends in the heart of Melbourne.

Winter cold has come swiftly this year – time to rug up, get closer and warm the body and soul with some hearty Swiss dishes. There is no better venue than the Swiss Club! A cozy, warm and relaxed place to enjoy a variety of Swiss food thanks to Roger Moullet and his friendly team.

The social calendar is again full with many different functions

for all age groups and tastes. Please come along to as many as you can, bring your family and/or friends. If there isn’t an event that suits you, why not organize a function for the club? Your committee can only do so much and we are always open to member’s ideas and initiatives (yes, you will have to organize it, but we support you!).

Our interest groups are an important part of our club life. They are all active and have been around for many years. However, it is the Dance Group Alpenrose that can look back on the longest continuous existence. Congratulations to the Dance Group on their 60th anniversary this year! Our best wishes and many thanks go to Sylvia Hochuli and her dedicated and talented group of dancers for giving us so much joy for the past 60 years by bringing Swiss culture to Melbourne and for their unwavering support of the Swiss Club. What an achievement!

It was great to see the Swiss Club featured on Coxy’s Break on National Television last month - wonderful promotion for us. Thank you to all who volunteered their time, it looked fantastic. If you missed it, come to the next movie night as we will screen it before the feature fi lm.

As a social club, like a family, we are fortunate to have many members who know a lot what is going on in our community. We appreciate that they are our eyes and ears and inform us of members who have something to celebrate or if they don’t fare well at the moment. Please keep it up.

I wish you all the best over the coming winter months, take care of your selves and we look forward to seeing you at the club. Until then, our warmest regards from all of us on the committee.

Barbara Kündig, President

President’s Message

WINTER SPECIALS:Black Forest Cakes in all Sizes, Assorted Patisseries

Chocolate or Vanilla-Srawberry CakesKirsch Gâteaux, Original Bündner Walnut Cakes

Best Vanilla Slices in Australia!Open Tuesday to Sunday 232 Blackburn Road, Syndal 3150 ☎ 9802 7265

30 years: Alice Callinan, Joyce & Ernst Dornbierer, Ann & Tony Hyams, Marcel Seuret, John Wanner

35 years: Aranka Folino, Anne Rutishauser

Get wellOur best wishes and thoughts go to our dear member Rena Wanner. We send our love to Hans and John and wish them strength and resolve at this diffi cult time.

We also send our thoughts and best wishes to Max Ammann who remains unwell.

Fritz Hochuli has also not been very well and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Chris Erb, grandson of Yvonne and Toni, had a motor bike accident at the beginning of May. He is currently in the Alfred Hospital and we hope he gets well and will soon be home.

To all members and friends who don’t feel too well, we send our love and good wishes.

The last farewellAlbert Cymons passed away on 31 January. Albert arrived in Australia in 1948 and became a member of SCV in 1977. Our deepest sympathies to Claire.

Otto Krumm passed away on 29 May. Otto joined SCV in 1988. Our deepest sympathies to Nelly, Edith, Marcel and their families.

Ansley Kowalik passed away in 23 June 2008. Ansley had been a SCV member since

1981 and enjoyed attending many club events. Her donation of a c.1899 dress was appreciated by the NGV Collection.

Dear members, if your partner, your friends or fellow members have a reason to celebrate, are unwell or have left for a better place, please let us know so that others know too. Please contact Sigrid de Castella (Committe) or the Editor.

Welcome to our new membersWe welcome Rosmarie O’Connell, Reginal Stanfi eld and Ros and Paul de Castella. We are looking forward to meeting you at one of our forthcoming functions.

CongratulationsPat and Primo Calabresi celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversay on 18 March. Congratulations from all of us!

Gwenda Clarke-Seiler, Wilma Dunkel, Joyce Dornbierer and Aida Jenny could all commemorate their 80th birthday. Anne Rutishauser is to celebrate her 90th birthday on 13th July. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them and wish them good health in many years to come.

At the AGM on 4 March, Erika Ochsenbein and Wolfram Pacher received an Honorary Life Membership due to 40 years of membership and at least 70 years of age.

It is offi cial: the Swiss Club is growing! We would like to congratulate Samantha Hinderling and her husband Scott Crosby to the safe arrival of their baby girl Stevey in early February.

We are also happy to inform you that former committee member Simon Ochsenbein and his wife Kylie have become fi rst-time parents. Jackson George arrived safely on 1 May. The members of the Swiss Club are sending their best wishes to sunny Queensland!

We have decided to formally acknowledge the long-standing, not yet Honorary Life, members in this space on a yearly basis. The following membership milestones are reached during 2009; we would like to thank you all for your club loyalty.

20 years: Heidy Giger, Ernst Gilli, Raymond-John Mischler, Rosmarie & Bruno Oswald, Heino Tonisson

25 years: Dee Dee & Anthony Boll, Richard Bowen, Barbara Brodbeck, Barbara & Michael Dardel Jessop, Marlies & Sepp Krummenacher, Andreas Salvotelli, Sue & Franz Schnellmann

5 w w w . s w i s s . o r g . a u / s w i s s c l u b v i c

Dear member,

in the last edition of the Edelweiss, I spoke of the terrible bushfi res, the day that now has been named ‘Black Saturday’.

It is a relief to know that we have not heard of any club member or anyone else within the Swiss community that has come to harm. Some damage to property has been reported but thankfully not to an extend of entire livelihoods having been lost.

Editor

From the Editor’s Pen

Newsletter Deadlines 2009September Issue: Covering Sept/Oct/ NovEditorial Deadline: Monday, 10 AugustPacking: Wednesday, 26 August

December Issue: Covering Dec 09/ Jan/Feb 2010Editorial Deadline: Monday, 2 NovemberPacking: Wednesday, 18 November


The Swiss community of Victoria acknowledges the generous support of sponsors and entertainers (in alphabetical order):

Sponsors:• Austrian• Embassy of Switzerland

in Canberra• Felco• Fromart• Henkell Brothers• Hiestand• Jetset Brandon Park• Koo Koo• Laederach• Lindt• Nestlé• Océ• Panalpina• Peter Lehmann• SBS• Société Générale de

Surveillance• Swiss Club of Victoria• Swiss Import Corporation• Victorian Multicultural

Commission

Entertainers and performers:• Australian Swiss Search Dog

Association• Chris Thalmann

(Schwiizerörgeli)• Houlette (modern Swiss Folk

Music)• Irma Thalmann (Alphorn)• Phillip & Victor (Accordion)• Swiss Companion Singers• Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose• Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn• The Schwörgelis• Tom Webb (Singing Saw)

To view more pictures of the Swiss Festival 2009 please copy and paste the URL below into your browser (pictures courtesy of Damian Schaller):

http://gallery.mac.com/damianschaller#100364

• Swiss Import Corporation

• Embassy of Switzerland

from page 1

make improvements where necessary and to better serve the community.

People attend for many different reasons, whether it is to catch up with long lost friends or sample some delicious Swiss specialities or just to enjoy Swiss music and folklore and soak up the great atmosphere.

The festival kicked off with a speech by the guest of honour and one of two major sponsors, the Ambassador of Switzerland, Dr. Daniel Woker. The Embassy of Switzerland in Canberra donated the “Ehrenwein”. The other major sponsor was the Swiss Club of Victoria providing us with insurance cover and licensing arrangements. For a fl edgling organisation like the SF sponsorship is vital and we thank our generous sponsors for their donations.

A diverse program included modern and traditional music, singing, dancing and yodeling.

Swiss delights and beverages from all four linguistic corners of Switzerland were available. For children a jumping castle and a mini farm with a milking cow were provided, and for adults a “Zopf” and “Chäschüechli” demonstration was on show. A magician with an impressive array of skills presented extraordinary and impressive mini-illusions and special effects. A guessing competition with a large number of prizes and a trash & treasure stall rounded off the great day.

A very special thank you goes to all our fantastic volunteers who worked tirelessly leading up to the festival, on the day and even on the day after. As a small token of appreciation the committee was able to offer free food and drink.

Next year’s Swiss Festival is already in the planning, we hope to see you all in 2010!

Yours sincerely,

Rolf Huber, Chairman Swiss Festival Committee

The Swiss community of Victoria acknowledges the generous The Swiss community of Victoria acknowledges the generous The Swiss community of Victoria acknowledges the generous


The Swiss Club of Victoria congratulates the past and present members of the Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose on their

60th anniversary!

1949 ~ 2009


Unterhaltungsabend Our Unterhaltungsabend on 9 May was a special occasion. The club, packed to the rafters with supporters and friends, we celebrated the 60th Birthday of the Dance Group. Past and present members made sure we celebrated in style.

‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’ under the leadership of John Wanner, once again had their traditional effect on the patrons. Everybody joined in and sang along to the popular tunes with the band’s medley.

Many thanks to John and the band for sharing their enthusiasm and energy. To Roger and his team, thank you for a most delicious meal and excellent service. A very big thank you to everyone who so generously donated prizes towards our Tombola. Not many guests left empty handed! It gave many mum’s a last minute present for mothers day. To everyone, thank you for being part in making the night a big success. I specially would like to thank the committee of the Swiss Club and Roger for their continuous support.

Practice is every Tuesday night at the Swiss Club. Come and join us! We would love to have more members. For information contact Sylvia on 9531 6575 or Nancy on 9890 7530.

Auf geht’s, to Brisbane Over Easter, the group travelled to Brisbane to participate at the National Brücke Dancefest.

Under the motto ”Auf geht’s“, Austrian, German and Swiss groups took to the stage

to celebrate their diverse but common cultures. The Dancefest was another very successful weekend, everyone enjoyed the experience and all too soon we had to leave. On behalf of the group, I extend a big thank you to the organisation committee and the dance group “Alpenrosen“ Brisbane and the Brücke. The next get together will be in 2011 in Sydney.

Sylvia Hochuli

Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand fi nally on CD!It was long awaited but now it’s here: the release of the fi rst CD by our much loved ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’! The offi cial launch was at the Club on 9 May during the Unterhaltungsabend of the Folk Dance Group Alpenrose.

The double-CD by the fabulous John Wanner and his band, aptly called “Swiss Club Fox”, features 23 songs that are well known to members that regularly visit the Club on the fi rst Thursday of every month. As an extra bonus, it also contains a historical narrative which includes 18 musical recordings from John’s

personal archives, recorded between 1978 and 1980 at the Swiss Club!

The CD can be bought at the Club for $20. For mail order, please send a cheque/money order for $25 (including postage/handling), made payable to “JOHN WANNER”, to P.O. Box 26, Box Hill Vic 3128.

To truly make his 50th birthday a memorable occasion, John has also

released a new CD featuring his own Big Band: “The JW Swing Orchestra LIVE!” Purchase details are the same as for “Swiss Club Fox” CD above (please ensure you specify which CD you wish to purchase).

personal archives, recorded personal archives, recorded between 1978 and 1980 at the Swiss Club!

The CD can be bought at the Club for $20. For mail order, please send a cheque/money order for $25 (including postage/handling), made payable to “JOHN WANNER”, to P.O. Box 26, Box Hill Vic 3128.

To truly make his 50th birthday a memorable occasion, John has also

released a new CD featuring

personal archives, recorded

Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand

Over Easter, the group travelled to Brisbane to participate at the National Brücke Dancefest.

Under the motto ”Auf geht’s“, Austrian, German and Swiss groups took to the stage

to celebrate their diverse but common cultures. The Dancefest


Support those that support your Club. Consider our Advertisers

The Companion Singers practice on the second and third Thursday of each month, and we always look for people who like to sing and relax and please their soul and mind in good company.

Come along to the Swiss Club, enjoy the good food and sing with us or phone our Convenor Heidy Giger on 9889 9321 or the Swiss Club at 9650 1196 for more information.

SWISS CLUB MOVIEDon’t miss this Swiss Hit Comedy for young and the young at heart!

Mein Name ist EugenWednesday 22 July 2009, 7.30pm.Swiss Club, 2nd fl oor

2005, PG, 100 min, Swiss GermanDirected by Michael Steiner. With Manuel Häberli, Janic Halioua, Dominic Hänni, Alex Niederhäuser

From the literary classic by Klaus Schädelin, “Mein Name ist Eugen” is a coming of age story set in the 1960s. It tells of 12-year-old Eugen, Wrigley, Bäschteli and Eduard’s summer of adventure. When Wrigley’s parents announce their intention to pack him off to boarding school, the boys run away, searching for the fabulous treasure of Titicaca Lake, discovered by Fritzli Bühler, the “King of Rascals”, who apparently lives in Zürich. But then Eugen and Wrigley bump into their Scouts group on the train to Ticino and feel forced to join them. From there they escape again and attempt to cycle back to Zürich, but the boys’ disappearance is noticed and their parents get on their trail. As the boys continue their precarious journey over the Alps, they begin to doubt whether Fritzli Bühler really lives in Zürich and whether he actually exists at all.

Free for members, non-members gold coin donation.

Enjoy dinner at the club, before or after the movie. Please book with the restaurant on 9650 1196.

Snippet: The best in scriptFew countries can claim so many elegant forms of writing as their own as Switzerland.

‘Helvetica’ by Max Miedinger is arguably the most frequently used font in the world. ‘Univers’ and ‘Frutiger’ by Adrian Frutiger are considered classics. The creators of these beautiful and enduring fonts rank among the most important font designers of the 20th century. These clear and elegant print styles are everywhere to be seen, even if the great masters of typography themselves prefer to remain in the background.

‘OCR-B’ font, designed by Frutiger, has become an internationally-specifi ed standard and is used everywhere on payment slips, cheques and bar codes.

Max Miedinger and Adrian Frutiger, together with Hans Eduard Meier, Cornel Windlin and Ruedi Baur, represent the great Swiss tradition in the world of print and typographical design.

In memory of our dear friend – Hanspeter FreiThe Swiss Club of Victoria has been very fortunate to have many valuable members over a long period, such as the late Hanspeter Frei.

As Treasurer of the Oktoberfest for nearly 20 years, his contribution to the well being of the Swiss Club was outstanding.

To remember his effort over a long time, the Oktoberfest Committee has been able to obtain an engraved Stein (donated by Bernd Patzold).

It is appropriate that this Stein is now in possession of the Swiss Club.

Franz Schnellmann


Want a taste of Switzerland? Visit the Swiss Club Restaurant

Meet the Committee:

Sigrid de CastellaMembership Relations

Unlike the rest of the committee, I was born here in Melbourne, the daughter of a Swiss father and English mother. Despite growing up ‘Aussie’, over the years I have explored my Swiss heritage which dates back to the 1100’s to Gruyère, Neuchâtel and Fribourg.

My great-grandfather, Charles Hubert came out to Australia in the 1860’s with his brother Paul to establish St Hubert’s and Yering Station in the Yarra Valley, originally cattle stations but were soon to become wine growers and producers. Whilst our name is very recognisable within the wine industry to this day it has become particularly well known from the 1980’s when my cousin Robert made his international mark on the marathon circuit.

My fi rst visit to Switzerland in 1982 when I was 12 left me with fond memories of Fribourg and Bern and a strong desire to return. Studying French at school I became more keen to return but it wasn’t until 1990 that I fi nally managed to explore more of the country including Lucerne and Interlaken.

I met my husband, Antony Anderson in 1997 (who emigrated from New Zealand in 1978) and he has since embraced my love of Swiss culture and Swiss cuisine. We both work as Managers at IBM Australia Ltd, which can be very stressful, so we like to come for dinner and drinks at the Swiss Club, particularly on the fi rst Thursday of the month when ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’ is playing. It’s a lot of fun.

Over the last 2 years we have journeyed to Switzerland twice, spending time with family and friends, as well as at the Fribourg Archives researching more of my family history. Joining the Swiss Club was very important to me so that I could keep strong links with the Swiss community and to my heritage. Being Swiss is something I am very proud of, and it has become a big part of my life, and of Antony’s.

I am very pleased to be elected a new committee member and I look forward to meeting all of the Swiss Club members over coming months and years.

1st Jass Night Results – Swiss Club, 29 March

Singles 1. Sepp Goldiger ........................................2967

2. Marta Schnider ......................................2907

3. Beat Zaugg ............................................2871

Doubles 1. Marta & Alois Schnider ..........................5726

2. Doris Conrad & Hans Keller ...................5332

3. Robin Martin & Beat Zaugg ...................5265

Upcoming Jass Nights - 20093rd 13 June Swiss Club4th 11 July Swiss Club5th 8 August Matterhorn6th & Final 5 September Swiss Club

Information supplied by Paul Eisenegger 9544 4681

The Swiss Club Restaurant. It’s were you meet your friends.

Ladies, mark the two dates below in your diary. Come and join us at 12 noon at the Swiss Club for good food, good company and an interesting guest speaker.

• Wednesday, 1 July

• Wednesday, 2 SeptemberPrice $22 pp for members, $25 pp for non-members. Includes 2-course meal, wine, soft drinks and coffee.

Non-members are also welcome, bring a friend or two. For information and bookings ring me on 9889 9321or Roger at the Club on 9650 1196. Bookings are essential!

Heidy Giger


Test your Swiss Knowledge

Across 3. Name of the group organising the Kaffeeklatsch on

13 September 4. Name of Swiss peripheral-device maker (i.e. keyboards,

mice etc) 5. American carmaker, born in Switzerland in 1878 7. Name of Swiss cartoon character (blue parrot with yellow

beak) 8. Swiss educational reformer (1746 - 1827)

Down 1. Swiss actress portraying Honey Ryder in James Bond

“Dr. No” 2. What is Switzerland’s largest city? 3. Editor’s home Canton 6. Commemorating the massacre of Swiss Guards during the

French Revolution is what monument in Lucerne?

For answers go to page 17


© G & M Probst

Across 3. Name of the group organising the Kaffeeklatsch on 13 September 4. Name of Swiss peripheral-device maker (i.e. keyboards, mice etc) 5. American carmaker, born in Switzerland in 1878 7. Name of Swiss cartoon character (blue parrot with yellow beak) 8. Swiss educational reformer (1746 - 1827)

Down 1. Swiss actress portraying Honey Ryder in James Bond "Dr. No" 2. What is Switzerland's largest city? 3. First name of the newest committee member 6. Commemorating the massacre of Swiss Guards during the French Revolution is what monument in

Lucerne?


© G & M Probst

Across 3. Name of the group organising the Kaffeeklatsch on 13 September 4. Name of Swiss peripheral-device maker (i.e. keyboards, mice etc) 5. American carmaker, born in Switzerland in 1878 7. Name of Swiss cartoon character (blue parrot with yellow beak) 8. Swiss educational reformer (1746 - 1827)

Down 1. Swiss actress portraying Honey Ryder in James Bond "Dr. No" 2. What is Switzerland's largest city? 3. First name of the newest committee member 6. Commemorating the massacre of Swiss Guards during the French Revolution is what monument in

Lucerne?

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5

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Dear members and friends of the Swiss Club,

The future looks bright for the Swiss Club, we have an increased number of attendees at our functions, good patronage of the club restaurant, a dedicated committee and rental income

from both Roger Moullet and Terra Rossa, the newly opened restaurant on the ground floor. The secret of our success and the continued existence is based on the combined effort of all the volunteers who work tirelessly for the good of the club. We will basically have a club as long as there are members and volunteers. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you and to those who have built up this club. Long live the Swiss Club of Victoria!

However we cannot rest on our laurels as a standstill equals to regress. As a club we have to go forward and look to the future. The committee is putting steps into place to rejuvenate and prepare a gradual handover from one generation to the next. As part of the process we have introduced a new masthead (see lead story) and a new logo and are progressively working on returning benefits for our members. Another long term project will be the enhancement of the Swiss Club website, drafting of a new constitution and the redevelopment of the second floor. We as a club have the opportunity to create something new and exciting. The upstairs in my view is the playground for members and we need to find the right balance between commercial and social aspects. From a commercial point of view it would make sense to renovate the second floor and turn it into a meeting room with modern

facilities. As a result proper marketing and promotion would be required. Another idea is to modernise the existing area as a multipurpose room i.e. members can use the upstairs and meetings could be held as well. What do members want a place for in the city? Perhaps a place for celebrations (birthday parties, weddings etc.) perhaps a club lounge, a gym, a movie theatre? Dear member, tell us what you have in mind! We would like to hear from you!

On another note the many Swiss groups of Victoria have been regularly meeting at the club for building closer relationships and not to loose sight of each other after the brick and mortar Swiss Consulate in Melbourne closed its doors last year. In the course of these meetings the idea was born of a joint event of Swiss Victorian groups in 2008. It was decided to use the Volksfest as the most promising model for success. To realise this project the Swiss Club has again applied for a grant with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC). The date for next year’s Volksfest will be the 6 April 2008 which will take place at the Austrian Club. I suggest you put it in your agenda now so you will not forget!

Also please note that the club restaurant closes for the period Friday, 21 December after lunch and reopens for business on Monday, 7 January 2008 for a well deserved break.

As this is the forth and last edition of the ‘Edelweiss’ in 2007 on behalf of the committee I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers and members for their support and continued involvement with the club! Wishing you all a happy Festive Season and good health for the New Year! See you at the club in 2008!

Rolf Huber, President

President’s Message

Any Suggestions?The committee would like to introduce a new communication tool – a virtual suggestion box on our website! We love to hear from you, your ideas, suggestions or comments! Rules are very simple,

tell us what you think about the club, functions, the menu etc. just click on suggestions and fire away. Quick and easy!

To give you an example if somebody (member or non-member for this purpose) has plans for holding Swiss German language classes at the club, write us a little note and explain how this could work then post it in the suggestion box.

Generally speaking we encourage people with good ideas to organise the event and see it through from the beginning to the end. If assistance is needed the committee is here to help! Thank you!

Here is the link: www.swiss.org.au/page.php?ID=517

The Swiss Club Doubles Championship was held on the 13 March at the Swiss Club.

Team Adrian Besley - Louis Schneider triumphed over Team Roger Mullet - Chris Laube

I look forward seeing everyone on the 19 June for the battle of the Bernard Sandoz Trophy.

Come along, bring your friends and enjoy a happy Friday evening. Cost $15 per person including dinner. Start is 7.30pm.

Please pencil into your diary – Friday, 9 October: Swiss Club Singles Championship

To book please ring Roger (Swiss Club) or Louis on 9439 7593 or 0418 645 313. If you have any queries or suggestions do not hesitate to contact me.

Hope to see yours all in June

Louis Schneider


July is going to be an exciting month for me when it comes to Internet surfi ng on Swiss subjects. In my column in the December issue last year I introduced

you to the homepage of Swiss Television (Schweizer

Fernsehen www.sf.tv) and i t s its various programs, which are available as podcasts. If you are from the German speaking part of our homeland you certainly remember “Schweiz Aktuell”, screening the latest Swiss news each evening at 7pm just before the Tagesschau. For the last fi ve years the Schweiz aktuell team produced a living science project where everyday people are giving up their summer holidays to relive the lifestyle from a time gone by. Dressed in period clothing, housed in historically accurate accommodation and eating food from recipes no longer in use, the cast spends four weeks away from modern civilisation and comforts and tackles the day to day issues that people from this time would have faced.

Since 2004 various Swiss families have therefore lived like poor farmers during Gotthelf’s time 150 years ago (Leben wie zu Gotthelf’s Zeiten, www.sf.tv/sendungen/schweizaktuell – search the archive from 26.07.2004 onwards for the summer episode and from 13.12.2004 until January 2005 for the winter series). 16 teenagers attended a alpine boarding school which was setup and run as in 1955 (Das Internat – same internet address as before, click on “Frühere Sendungen” on the left hand side, series commenced 25.07.2005). A ‘tribe’ experienced the living conditions of our ancestors 5,700 years ago (Pfahlbauer von Pfyn, 25.07. to 21.08.2007, http://www.sf.tv/sendungen/pfahlbauervonpfyn/archiv.php?month=7&year=2007).

As a viewer you experience in a daily 20-minute show what is happening to these time travellers while scientifi c and historic advisors explain the background to these projects. There is no voting off or prize money to be won, the living science projects give you an unprecedented view of a time that we only know out of history books.

And as you can guess, this July a new project is underway with the title “Alpenfestung – Leben im Réduit” or in English “Alpine fortress – life in the military recluse”. Before and during World War II Switzerland prepared itself for a possible invasion by the axis forces that surrounded our country on all sides (visit www.fort.ch to see an overview and links to some of the defensive fortresses and bunkers in Switzerland). The highly controversial plan of the alpine fortress known as the Réduit was conceived and put into action with the aim to concentrate and hide the entire Swiss Army in the alpine areas to deny any enemy invading all of Switzerland. From 27 July until 14 August 2009 you can see this TV program on the internet (www.sf.tv/sendungen/alpenfestung/) and follow families where the father will live as a WWII soldier in a artillery bunker fortress in the alps while his wife and kids work in the lowlands on a farm on the “Plan Zwahlen”. This plan was also known as the agricultural battle, as Switzerland was cut off from all foreign supplies it had to increase its food production by over 250% to ensure the survival of its population. Already you can watch episodes showing some of the preparations that go into getting such a living science project underway and introduces you to some of the historical advisors and scientifi c staff supporting this tv production.

PS: I have DVDs of “Leben wie zu Gotthelf’s Zeiten”, “Das Internat” and “Die Pfahlbauer von Pfyn” at home, please get in contact if you would like to borrow them for a week.

Damian Schaller

Disclaimer: I’m not associated in any way with the internet sites featured in my column. I’m not endorsing any content on these homepages.

Honour for Patricia CalabresiThe Swiss Club is delighted to learn that longtime member Pat Calabresi has received a ‘Menzies Community Australia Day Award’ for her services to lawn bowls.

Pat was presented with the award by The Hon. Kevin Andrews MP during the City of Manningham’s Australia Day celebrations. Pat has been a member of the Doncaster Lawn Bowls Club for the past 22 years. In addition to her many successes as a lawn bowler and administrator, Pat is also an accredited umpire and coach.

The Menzies Award is to recognise the contribution people make to their local community and to celebrate our Australian identity.

The Swiss Club congratulates Pat on this wonderful achievement. Well done!

Tune into news, music and information about everything that is Swiss in Switzerland and downunder.

Ursula Schappi presents an entertaining half-hour program every Sunday from 8:30 to 9pm on 93.1fm

To listen online visit Contactwww.sbs.com.au/radio (02) 9955 7628

Part of German Language program on Melbourne 93.1fm


BUNDESFEIERTAGBUNDESFEIERTAGBUNDESFEIERTAGBUNDESFEIERTAG

FESTAFESTANAZIONALE NAZIONALE SVIZZERASVIZZERA

FIASTANAZIUNALANAZIUNALANAZIUNALA SVIZRA SVIZRA SVIZRA

FÊTE FÊTENATIONALENATIONALE SUISSE SUISSE

National Day 09Celebrate Swiss National Day with your family at the Swiss Club

Saturday 1st August6.00pm at Federation Square near the big screen, Melway 2F

LampionumzugOur lantern procession will start at Federation Square. Our route will take us along the Yarra River and end at the Swiss Club in Flinders Lane. Back at the club, refreshments will be served for children and a dinner is organised for the parents.

DinnerA traditional and hearty Swiss dinner will be served at the Swiss Club 2nd floor.

Members:Children free Adults $16.00Non-members: Children $ 6.00 Adults $ 20.00

ReservationsPlease RSVP your attendance by 24 July via email [email protected] or via phone 0410 461 364. You can pay on the night or prepay via bank transfer.

Bring your own lanterns and flagsLanterns with candles or batteries only, no flammable liquids please. Parents are responsible for their children at all times.


National DaySenior Members’ LuncheonMonday, 10 August, 12 noonFor Swiss Club Members born 1939 and earlier

The Committee of the Swiss Club of Victoria has much pleasure in inviting you to celebrate Swiss National Day 2009 with a Luncheon at the Swiss Club.

Please fi ll in the form below and mail to:Rita Schwärzler-Abbt, 18 Hertford Cres., Wheelers Hill Vic 3150 no later than 3 August.

For Information, please ring:Rita Schwärzler-Abbt: 9561 7811 or Sylvia Hochuli: 9531 6575

Cost: Complimentary for Members, non Members $32.00Payment to be enclosed with application

Federal Charter Museum, SchwyzEvolution and development of the Swiss Confederation explained

For decades, the Federal Charter of 1291 (Bundesbrief) was considered the birth certifi cate of the Swiss Confederation. Today, the history of the Rütli Oath, freedom and rebellion, of Wilhelm Tell and the expulsion of the Habsburg emperors is familiar to most of us.

However, did the formation of the Swiss Confederation really follow this well-known route? Naturally, things are never quite that simple.

If you have never been to the Federal Charter Museum (Bundesbrief-museum) in Schwyz, and you are planning a journey to Switzerland, I recommend you make it an item on the itinerary, even if you are not ‘the museum goer type’.

A visit to the Federal Charter Museum will provide an amazing insight into the evolution and development of the Swiss Confederation, the history of our homeland. www.bundesbrief.ch

National Day Celebrationat the ClubSaturday, 1 August, 7pmEntertainment: Get into the swing with “Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand”, from 7.30pm to 11pm

3 course menu with Coffee & Tea

Cost: $35.00, drinks at bar prices

Reservations: Book early with Roger on 9650 1196

Yes, I would like to attend the Swiss Club National Day Senior Members’ Luncheon 2009

SCV Membership Card number(s):

Name(s):

Address:

Telephone:

Email:

Payment: _________ x $32.00 = $____________

Complimentary for Swiss Club Members

National Day Family PicnicGembrook Sports Ground - Melway map 312 F9

Sunday, 2 Augustfrom 11.00am to 4.00pmAdmission Free – Plenty of Shelter

Come and enjoy the traditional Swiss family picnic to celebrate this special day!

Grilled Sausages – Nussgipfel – Glühwein

Children’s Games – Bonfi re – Yodelling & Folkloristic Music

Children bring your Lampions!

Organised by the Matterhorn Society

Celebrate Switzerland’s 718th birthday!


After strong acclaim in Germany, this high quality adventure audio book for children is now available in Australia:

“Lancelot – The one-armed Kangaroo”by Adrian Plitzco (known from the SBS Radio German language program). Narrated and read by Australian actors Anne Phelan, David Tredinnick, Matthew Whittet and Alex Menglet

ISBN: 9978-0-646-50399-82 CDs. Total Playing Time: 2 hours 22 minutes. The CDs come in a beautifully designed 6-panel-pack with lots of pictures, lots of music and text excerptsRRP: $24.95

Inspired by true events the author tells a funny, exciting but also heart-warming tale about loneliness, courage - and most of all - true friendship.

Lancelot is a joey. His mother died in an accident, he has no idea who he is and where he comes from. He grows up on a farm with a farmer and his wife. One day Lancelot comes across a kangaroo mob - a truly big moment - because now

he realises that he is not a human but a kangaroo! He desperately wants to join the mob, escapes from home and injures his arm so badly that it has to be amputated. Left alone in the bush he has to overcome dangerous situations. He is lucky that a girl

kangaroo from the mob is curious to fi nd out who Lancelot is and wants to help him.

An Australian icon, the kangaroo, conquers children’s hearts - through their ears!

Available in bookshops or directly from the author on www.plitzco.com

For more information or a review copy please contact: Adrian Plitzco on email: [email protected], tel: 03 54291 607, mobile: 0417 013 138.

he realises that he is not a human but a kangaroo! He desperately wants to join the mob, escapes from home and injures his arm so badly that it has to be amputated. Left alone in the bush he has to overcome dangerous situations. He is lucky that a girl

kangaroo from the mob is curious to fi nd out who Lancelot is

If you like to share your favourite Swiss recipe, don’t hesitate to contact me, I would love to hear from you! Editor

Test your Swiss Knowledge - AnswersAcross: 3. Schwyzergruess; 4. Logitech; 5. Chevrolet; 7. Globi; 8. Pestalozzi. Down: 1. UrsulaAndress; 2. Zurich; 3. StGallen; 6. Lion

I have some great news for you all! On my recent visit to Switzerland I stumbled across a publisher that sells a range of what they call ‘souvenir’ cookbooks, focusing on specifi c regions/cantons of Switzerland and written in three languages (including English). These books are absolute gems and I will tell you more about them in the book review in the next edition of the Edelweiss. For now, I just let you have a little taste of my canton:

Altstätter Carrot StewThis is a hardy, traditional delicacy from Altstätten in the Rhine Valley of the Canton St.Gallen. It’s a perfect winter dish.

Peel the yellow carrots, or red ones if you can’t fi nd yellow ones, and grate them coarsely.

Lightly braise the chopped onions in oil. Add bacon and braise. Mix in carrots and juniper berries, pour over white wine and a little vegetable stock. Place beef breast on top, cover and braise until carrots are soft.

Slice beef breast and serve with carrots on preheated plates.

Serve with steamed potatoes and fresh whipped horseradish cream.

Serves 4

2 tbsp rapeseed oil100g chopped onions200g sliced bacon1kg yellow carrots4 juniper berries100ml white winevegetable stocksalt & pepper400g smoked beef breast

En Guete!

From the book ’St.Gallen Cooking‘ by Kurt Hanselmann, FONA Publishing


A double centuryThis year marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Pro Patria, one of the best known and most important benevolent organisations in Switzerland. It was mainly due to the foresight and driving force of an industrialist from St.Gallen by the name of Albert Schuster, that Pro Patria saw the light of day on 1 August 1909, Swiss National Day.

Ever since then, Pro Patria organised collections on Swiss National Day in support of the poor and underprivileged in Switzerland. This was especially important during the war years. In 1923 the organisation started to sell the famous 1st of August badge as a fundraiser, it continues still to this day. Since 1938 the well known Pro Patria stamps are issued in collaboration with Swiss Post as a further effort to raise funds. Today Pro Patria has shifted its emphasis to the support of the cultural inheritance of Switzerland. The organisation receives no government support, relying entirely on thousands of volunteers, fundraising and public donations.

To celebrate this important milestone, ‘Swissmint’ has released a limited edition commemorative gold coin. It can be purchased from Swiss banks and ‘Swissmint’ (www.swissmint.ch) for the price of CHF 490 and will be available from 4 June.

The coin was designed by Hans Erni, arguablySwitzerland’s most admired contemporary artist, who also turned centenarian on 21 February. The design of the coin features a young couple “looking confi dently into the next morning’, as he describes it.

Known for his exploration of social realism, the 100 year old Erni has achieved renown for his paintings and drawings, as well as for his designs for opera settings, ceramics, tapestry, stamps, book illustrations, medals, murals and posters. A native of Luzern, Erni trained as a draughtsman before studying fi ne art in Paris and Berlin. He describes himself as a ‘critical idealist, possessed by a missionary fervour to believe in the good of mankind’ A painter with a mission, his guiding principals being human dignity and world peace. See also: www.hans-erni.ch

Celebration at the crime sceneWhen a bored author decided to kill off his detective hero, he chose the Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen as the perfect crime scene.

Hotel and tourist offi cials in the Bernese Oberland have been busy this month, especially on 22 May, as Sherlock Holmes fans worldwide pay homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on what would be his 150th birthday.

Visitors from the world’s 200-plus Sherlock Holmes societies have been planning pilgrimages to the crime scene. For it is here, at the top of the thundering Reichenbach Falls, that the fi ctional detective locked arms with his archenemy Professor James Moriarty, in a fatal hand-to-hand duel.

The Scottish physician began writing stories in 1882 after his medical practice failed. He eventually found success when he created Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr John Watson in 1887. Making masterful use of his medical knowledge, Conan Doyle wrote about two Holmes cases a year thereafter and soon earned acclaim and fame from readers everywhere.

But success eventually turned into boredom and he felt driven to produce more serious work. Yet the author could contrive no exit strategy for the character that won him fame – at least not until 1893 when he toured Switzerland with his wife. There, they visited the Bernese Oberland and while staying in Meiringen at the Park-Hotel du Sauvage visited the Reichenbach Falls. He had found the most perfect crime scene.

Hans Erni and the president of Pro Patria Felix Rosenberg (right)

Statue of Sherlock Holmes in Meiringen, in front of the ‘English Chapel’ which today houses the Sherlock Holmes Museum

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author and creator of Sherlock Holmes

The coin was designed by Hans Erni, arguably

murals and posters. A native of Luzern, Erni trained as


Roger Moullet – Mr Swiss ClubEditor: Roger, perhaps we should call you ‘Mr Swiss Club’ because you are the man that represents the club every day to members and guests alike, indulging everyone with delicious Swiss fare. For most of us, all we know about you is that you are running the Swiss Club Restaurant, expertly and with a lot of charm and soul, and that you are hailing from Basel, which of course is unmistakable when you speak Swiss. I wonder though if you could tell us a bit more about yourself.

Do you remember when and why you decided to become a chef?

Roger: Yes I do, when I was 10 years old, helping my mum in the kitchen. I knew then that I wanted to become a cook. After fi nishing school, I started an apprenticeship at the Restaurant Fährimaa, Clara Platz, in Basel.

Editor: How did your career develop in Switzerland after you fi nished your apprenticeship?

Roger: After fi nishing my apprenticeship I left Basel and found a position as Commis Chef at the Grand Hotel Belvedere in Davos. During the off-season I did a short stint at the Bahnhof Buffet Aarau. After that, I returned to Basel and worked for 2 years in the Hotel Drachen.

Editor: When and why did you migrate to Australia?

Roger: It was in 1970 when the opportunity presented itself to fl y to Australia for a mere $50! Only catch was that I had to commit myself to working in Australia for at least 2 years. I found employment with Hermann Schneider at the Two Faces Restaurant in Toorak.

Editor: The culinary standards in Switzerland would have been a lot different from what you experienced when you came to Australia. How did you cope and adapt to it?

Roger: Easy. Listen, look and learn from your customers. That’s what you have to do. When I opened my fi rst Restaurant, the Basilea, I soon learned that too much Swiss food would simply not work. So I listened and experimented and created a cuisine that suited my Swiss and Australian customers.

Editor: How did your career progress once you had settled in Australia?

Roger: I sold the Basilea Restaurant in Camberwell South after 9 years and soon opened a new one, the Schoufl örs in Blackburn South. After that, my involvement with the Swiss Club started by opening the Swiss Rösti Bar on the ground fl oor and eventually taking over the Swiss Club Restaurant up here.

Editor: What do you like best about running the Swiss Club Restaurant?

Roger: Being independent, meeting the Swiss Club members for a Yass and working together with the committee.

Editor: What are your future plans? Is there anything else you would like to do other than running the Swiss Club Restaurant?

Roger: No, the Swiss Club is my last adventure. But I am not thinking of retiring just yet, I’m still enjoying it too much and like to go on for another few years.

Editor: We often hear about celebrity chefs. Have you ever been one yourself?

Roger: Not unless you call being on Coxy’s Big Break a celebrity status! I have cooked for Martina Hingis on one occasion and also for Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Malcolm Fraser. I was offered to cook at the Lodge in Canberra for Malcolm Fraser but I denied, because I did not feel like it, the money was lousy.

Editor: If you had the chance to cook for a celebrity again, who would it be and why?

Roger: I would like to cook for Roger Federer one day, if the occasion would arise because he is a great sportsman. And I would like to cook a nice home cooked meal for Ursula Andress because…

Editor: …ok, no need to explain, just let me know when

you do get to cook for Ursula Andress. I’ll come along to take a few snapshots for the ‘Edelweiss’!

Of course there is more to life than work, even for a chef. So, when you are not working, what is you love doing?

Roger: Looking after myself, do a bit of running, eating out and catching up with friends and family.

Editor: Thank you Roger for this interview and for everything that you have done and still do for the Swiss Club!

Editor:cook for a celebrity again, who would it be and why?

Roger:Roger Federer one day, if the occasion would arise because he is a great sportsman. And I would like to cook a nice home cooked meal for Ursula Andress because…

Editor:explain, just let me know when

Joke of the day!Five Swiss travelling in an Audi Quattro are stopped at the Italian border. The Italian border control offi cer says: ‘This is illegal, fi ve passengers in an Audi Quattro!’ Says the Swiss driver: ‘What is illegal about that?’ ‘Quattro means four’ says the offi cer. ‘But that’s only the name of the car’! insists the Swiss. ‘Here, have a look at the papers, it says: licensed to carry fi ve passengers!’ The offi cer: ‘You can tell me what you like, quattro means four. You are carrying fi ve passengers and therefore you have broken the law!’ ‘You idiot’ screams the Swiss ‘get me your supervising offi cer, I want to talk to someone that has a little more brain than you have!’ ‘Sorry’ says the offi cer ‘he can’t come, he is busy with those two people over there in that Fiat Uno!’


Spring has sprang in CHOn 20 April the City of Zürich has celebrated one of its most traditional festivals: The Sechseläuten.

This festival, held on the third Sunday and Monday in April, marks the offi cial start of Spring. The celebrations include colourful processions and culminate in the burning of an effi gy known as the Böögg.

The festival goes back to 1818, when one of the city’s traditional guilds held a night time parade complete with musicians and horseback-riders. The idea caught on, other guilds followed suit and in 1839 the fi rst coordinated Sechseläuten parade of all the guilds took place.

The name Sechseläuten, meaning “chiming six o’clock,” goes back much further in history than the parades: it derives from the fact that in winter the working day was limited by the lack of light, but once spring had come work could be carried on until 6pm.

The festivities open on the Sunday with a parade of children, mostly dressed in historical costumes. Unlike the adult parade, children from other communes, cantons or even countries are allowed to take part.

This is followed the next day by the parade of the guilds. In mediaeval times the guilds were organisations grouping members of one craft or profession, but today very few of their members are still engaged in the work represented by their guild. However, they must all belong to old Zürich families and have a close connection with the city. Each year the guilds also invite a guest canton and a limited number of other guests of honour to join them in the parade.

The culmination of Monday’s festivities is the burning of the winter effi gy, the Böögg. The Böögg, looking like a snowman and

stuffed with fi recrackers, stands on a huge woodpile which is lit when the cathedral bells ring out 6 o’clock. As the pyre burns, members of the guild gallop round it on horses. The moment when the Böögg’s head explodes marks the offi cial end of winter. And the faster this happens, the longer and hotter the summer is meant to be.

Immigration Bridge AustraliaSimilarly to the pedestrian bridge spanning across the Yarra at Southbank, there is a pedestrian bridge going to be build across Lake Burley Griffi n in the nation’s capital to commemorate the contributions of migrants to this country. In all probability you or your ancestors are among the more than 10 million migrants who have permanently settled here in Australia since 1788. So this project is about you and your families.

The handrails of this 400 metre long bridge have been designed so they can be engraved with the names of over 200,000 immigrants. You may choose to take part in this project by paying ($110 per name) to have your or your ancestors’ names among them. Some 34 Swiss have done this already, including some club members.

To make this truly a people’s bridge, you are invited to tell your family’s stories of migration so they can be recorded on the surfaces of the bridge for future generations, and in the Migration Book for display on the Bridge and published online.

IBA (Immigration Bridge Australia Committee) has invited Architects Bligh Voller Nield, engineers ARUP Australia, composer Ross Edwards and poet Peter Skrzynecki to form with them a unique discussion forum to address the challenges of producing a design that will be world recognised.

The design team is ensuring that the Immigration Bridge will be one of the most signifi cant constructions in Australia, a source of great national focus and pride. The bridge will be imaginative and inspiring, a national monument in conception, design, function and promotion.

This bridge will fulfi l the recreational plans of the original designer of Canberra, Walter Burley Griffi n in joining Acton Peninsula, home of the National Museum of Australia, with the Parliamentary Triangle.

The bridge will incorporate features that highlight Australian research and development – a continuation of the cutting edge technology that was a feature of the Snowy Scheme. The links with the Snowy Scheme, and that new chapter in Australian multi-cultural cooperation, are very strong. The Snowy set the tone for future Australian multi-racial harmony with over 30 nationalities working together on Australia’s greatest public engineering project.

Final design drawings for the bridge will be completed by the end of 2009 and construction will be undertaken from 2010 to 2012. See also: www.immigrationbridge.com.au


Farewell to Consul General Mr Jürg CasseriniOn Tuesday, 12 May the heads of the various Swiss groups/organisations gathered at the Swiss Club to farewell Consul

General Mr Jürg Casserini. After a four year tour of duty, Mr Casserini will be leaving Australia on 7 June to take up a new posting in Manila, Philippines.

His successor, Consul General Mr Markus Meli, will be arriving in August from Amman, Jordan.

The Swiss Club of Victoria thanks Mr Casserini for everything that he has done for the Club and the Swiss community in Victoria, and wishes him and his family bon voyage and all the best for the future.

Position vacant: Teacher at the Saturday Morning Swiss SchoolWe require an enthusiastic and Swiss-German-speaking teacher to join us every second Saturday at the Swiss Club. We teach the children about the traditions, culture, language and history of Switzerland.

We would prefer a qualifi ed teacher, but would welcome interest from people who enjoy working with children so that we can provide playful and educational activities to make the Swiss School fun and exciting for the children.

Details:Every other Saturday Morning (except school holidays) from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Swiss Club, 2nd Floor.

Contact for any information and interest:Visit: http://www.swiss.org.au/home.php?ID=29

Andrea Pinch, Convener Phone 5331 6762, [email protected]

Advance Notice:

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, 13 September, 2pmThere 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 Rita Schwärzler-Abbt (9561 7811) or Rosmarie Oswald (9583 9048).

RSVP no later than Monday, 31 August.Log in and get the latest info on: www.swiss.org.au/swissclubvic

Mr Casserini will be leaving Australia on 7 June to take up a new posting in Manila, Philippines.

His successor, Consul General Mr Markus Meli, will be arriving in August from Amman, Jordan.

The Swiss Club of Victoria thanks Mr Casserini for everything that he


Swiss Events & FunctionsPlease 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).

MAY Saturday 30 SAAN/SANM Trivia Evening - Swiss Club

JUNE Thursday 04 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 13 Jass Night - Swiss Club Sunday 14 Pro Ticino – get together at Cricket Willow Hepburn Springs Friday 19 Billiard Competition - Bernard Sandoz Trophy

JULY Wednesday 01 Ladies’ Luncheon Thursday 02 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 11 Jass Night - Swiss Club Wednesday 22 New Members Evening Wednesday 22 Movie Night at the Swiss Club - ‘Mein Name ist Eugen’

AUGUST Saturday 01 National Day Lampionumzug / Lantern Procession Saturday 01 National Day Celebration at the Club Sunday 02 National Day Family Picnic in Gembrook - Matterhorn Thursday 06 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 08 Jass Night - Matterhorn Monday 10 Editorial Deadline – Newsletter September issue Monday 10 National Day Senior Members Luncheon at the Club

SEPTEMBER Wednesday 02 Ladies’ Luncheon Thursday 03 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 05 Jass Night - Swiss Club (Finals) Sunday 13 Fondue dans la neige - Groupe Romand Sunday 13 Kaffeeklatsch - Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Wednesday 16 Half-Yearly General Meeting

OTHER REGULAR SWISS CLUB MEETINGS:

Committee Meetings: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month

Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose: Practice every Tuesday evening at 8.15pm

Swiss Companion Singers: Practice and social gathering every 2nd and 3rd Thursday of each month at 8pm

Saturday Morning Swiss School: Every second Saturday Morning except school holidays, from 9.30am to 12.30pm

Swiss German Playgroup: Meets every 1st Thursday of each month from 11am to 2pm

Young Swiss Group: Dates for our get-together can be found on www.swiss.org.au or on our Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YoungSwissMelbourne/

JUNE 2009REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST - PUBLICATION No. VBH 6369

8 9 F l i n d e r s L a n e • M e l b o u r n e 3 0 0 0 • V i c t o r i a • A u s t r a l i a • w w w . s w i s s . o r g . a u / s w i s s c l u b v i c

Record number of visitors at the Swiss Festival!Record number of visitors at the Swiss Festival!

A sunny day greeted more than 1’500 visitors at this year’s open air Swiss Festival which took place at the Austrian Club on Sunday, 22 March 2009.

It was amazing to see such a large number of visitors, it broke last year’s record by several hundred!

Now in its seventh year the festival is held annually at the Austrian Club in Heidelberg West, a suburb in the north of Melbourne. From a small function at Flagstaff Gardens it has now developed into a major cultural event in Victoria. It

is organised entirely by volunteers of the Swiss Festival Committee and supported by all Swiss community groups in Victoria. The committee has worked hard to put on a fantastic day!

At this point I would like to introduce the organising committee to you: Amy Bohren (Secretary), Bruno Giger (Treasurer), Damian Schaller (Marketing/Volunteers) and Erika Kimpton (Food & Beverage.) We meet regularly and plan the event in all its details.

The Swiss Community of Victoria

presents the Swiss Festival to showcase Switzerland and its culture to all Victorians. The festival has become a meet and greet for Swiss compatriots who hail from across the state and indeed from around the country. The committee regards this as a great incentive to continue down the path of providing Swiss culture or “Swissness” in its many forms and shapes for young and old.

A survey has been conducted to help us

Continued on page 6

Lots of smiles at the Swiss Festival

AGM, the new committeecommittee

Lots of smiles at

AGM, the new committee

AGM, the new

Multicultural Ball, members of the committee with Leader of the Opposition Ted Baillieu

Alpenrose at the Brisbane Dancefest

Unterhaltungsabend R

OUNDABOUT TH

E SWISS CL

UB

Documents

SCV Edelweiss Newsletter June 2009