REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST - PUBLICATION No. VBH 6369 DECEMBER 2011
The Swiss & Italian Festa, Hepburn Springs
22 & 23 October their common language. They left a very distinct imprint on the culture and landscape of this beautiful part of Victoria. Many descendants sill live in the region and much of it has survived to the present day. The Swiss Club of Victoria was represented once again by the Swiss Companion Singers and the Folkdance Group Alpenrose. Back from its successful participation at the Federal Yodelling Festival in Interlaken, the Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn also made an appearance. There was even some rather unexpected excitement as thick smoke was bellowing Last year, most outdoor activities had to be cancelled due to from the roof of the building the atrocious weather conditions. Naturally everyone was next to where we had dinner hoping that this year’s Swiss & Italian Festa would not see a on Saturday night. Luckily repeat of 2010, but it turned out to be touch and go! Friday the local fire brigade was at the scene within minutes and the night, as we drove up to Daylesford, dark clouds were rolling old weatherboard house could be saved before the flames took in, bringing with them heavy downpours. Fog and rain persisted hold of it. www.swissitalianfesta.com until Saturday morning, but shortly before the procession Editor started at 10.30am the gods showed mercy and the sun started to make an appearance. The Festa recognises the role played by the early Swiss and Italians who migrated to Victoria in search of gold and a better life. The discovery of gold in the 1850s prompted an exodus from the poverty-stricken Valle Maggia, Val Verzasca and other parts of Ticino and southern Grison. Between 1854 and 1856 almost 2000 Ticinesi and Grigioni had left for the famous Jim Crow goldfields, which is today’s Daylesford/Hepburn Springs. Many Italians from regions bordering Switzerland also settled there. Solidarity between Swiss and Italians was strong due to
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Contact us on E: [email protected] T: 1300 893 968 to check for availability, more information or a quote SWISS CLUB OF VICTORIA SWISS CLUB SUB-GROUPS Pro Ticino Founded in 1899 President: Claude Rossi Swiss Folk Dance Group Alpenrose 5 Falls Road, Hoddles Creek Vic 3139 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 President: Sylvia Hochuli T: (03) 5967 4542 T: 1300 893 968, F: (03) 9650 3104 T: (03) 9531 6575 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.swissclubvic.com Swiss Yodel Choir Matterhorn Swiss Companion Singers President: Marco Unternährer Club Opening Hours Convenor: Heidy Giger 3 Bluegum Court, Upwey Vic 3158 Lunch: Mo - Fri from 12noon T: (03) 9889 9321 T: (03) 9729 3338, (03) 9752 6996 (H) Dinner: Wed, Thurs & Fri from 6pm. E: [email protected] W: www.swiss.org.au/matterhorn Bookings T: (03) 9650 1196 Ladies Luncheons Swiss-Australian Chamber of Swiss Club Catering Convenor: Heidy Giger Commerce and Industry (SACCI) For all Functions contact Chef For bookings T: (03) 9650 1196 General Manager: Marcel Svatos & Catering Manager Roger Moullet For information: T: (03) 9889 9321 T: (02) 9262 1511, F: (02) 9290 1928 T: (03) 9650 1196, F: (03) 9650 3104 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] M: 0409 040 249 Postal address see: www.sacci.com.au E: [email protected] SwissKids Convenor: Esther Blaser Swiss-Australian Academic The Second Floor Function Bookings T: (03) 8521 3739 CBD Function Room with a difference! Network (SAAN) M: 0424 220 523 E: [email protected] Info and/or bookings: E: [email protected] T: 1300 893 968 W: www.saan.id.au E: [email protected] The Swiss Diners Club Embassy of Switzerland Convenor: Damian Schaller T: (02) 6162 8400, F: (02) 6273 3428 M: 0410 461 364 E: [email protected] COMMITTEE E: [email protected] Barbara Kündig Consulate General of Switzerland President Swiss Festival T: (02) 8383 4000, F: (02) 9369 1334 T/F (H): (03) 9005 4938 Chairman: Rolf Huber E: [email protected] T/F (H): (03) 9807 0282 M: 0402 018 363 Consulate of Switzerland M (B): 0425 805 854 E: [email protected] T: (03) 9824 7527, M: 0413 042 728 E: [email protected] Rolf Huber E: [email protected] Immediate Past President Postal address and further information T/F (H): (03) 9807 0282 SWISS COMMUNITY for all above see: M (B): 0425 805 854 ORGANISATIONS W: www.eda.admin.ch/australia E: [email protected] Swiss Society of Victoria Organisation of the Swiss Abroad Urs Derrick Wildi (Benevolent Society) Council Member: Roland Isler Treasurer & Membership President: Franz Schnellmann Contact details: see below under Editor Administration T: (03) 9449 2245, M: 0412 203 893 W: www.aso.ch / www.swiss.org.au/csa T/F (H): (03) 9824 7930 E: [email protected] M: 0403 040 930 E: [email protected] Trachtengruppe Schwyzergruess Australian/Swiss Cultural Society Sigrid de Castella President: Sylvia Hochuli Membership Relations & T: (03) 9531 6575 Building Management Support E: [email protected] M: 0416 088 000 Impressum E: [email protected] Groupe Romand du Victoria ‘Edelweiss’ appears quarterly. President: Rémy Favre Circulation 500. Antony Anderson 1 Hughes Street, Malvern East Vic 3145 For all enquiries contact: Building Management T: (03) 9571 2835, M: 0412 135 095 M: 0416 069 666 E: [email protected] Roland Isler, Editor E: [email protected] W: www.swiss.org.au/chfrvic T: (03) 9524 6335 (B) Damian Schaller M: 0412 935 565 E: [email protected] Corporate Communications & Unless otherwise stated, postal Functions Manager address for all is: 89 Flinders Lane, 67 St.Georges Crescent M: 0410 461 364 Melbourne Vic 3000 Heatherton Vic 3202 E: [email protected] www.swissclubvic.com 3 President’s Message Dear members and friends of the Swiss Club, Thank you to all the members who Thank you! submitted their Swiss photos for the picture competition. Great to You have been wonderful see we have so many talented this year! photographers among our members. To select a winner was a Many thanks from all of us hard decision to make and the lucky one will be announced in the for all your energy, goodwill next edition of the Edelweiss. and generosity in making the Swiss Club a great club and 4HE #OMPANION 3INGERS AND THE &OLKDANCE 'ROUP !LPENROSE a Swiss home away from home: participated this year again at the Swiss & Italian Festa in October. Thank you to the groups for representing the Swiss Club and Our thanks also go to the partners showing a wider community Swiss traditions and culture. and families for giving each of you The Committee is still looking for committee members. We are the time and space to be active in the Swiss Club. counting on the support of our members to help us out. We are s 2OGER -OULLET #ORINNE -OESCH #LUB 2ESTAURANT certain there are lots of talented members out there. Please s 2OLAND )SLER .EWSLETTER %DITOR consider getting involved and volunteer your time as so many have done before. s (EIDY 'IGER #OMPANION 3INGERS ,ADIES Luncheon !LLE *AHRE WIEDERxAS THEY SAY IN 'ERMAN THE YEAR IS SLOWLY s 0AUL %ISENEGGER (ANS +ELLER *ASS !CTIVITIES coming to an end and the Festive Season is upon us. I always fi nd it a bit diffi cult to get in the spirit of it. Having grown up in s 3YLVIA (OCHULI &OLK $ANCE 'ROUP !LPENROSE 3WITZERLAND THE -ELBOURNE 3UMMER AND #HRISTMAS JUST DONT SEEM Seniors activities to work for me or at least the things I associate with Christmas. But s 2ITA 3CHWËRZLER 3ENIORS ACTIVITIES I guess we can always come up with our own traditions! s ,OUIS 3CHNEIDER "ILLIARD (OWEVER YOU DECIDE TO CELEBRATE YOUR &ESTIVE 3EASON ) JOIN s 2OLF (UBER 3WISS &ESTIVAL #OMMITTEE the Committee in wishing you a peaceful and relaxing time, a s $AMIAN 3CHALLER 3WISS $INERS #LUB wonderful Christmas and the very best for 2012. We hope the Swiss Club will feature in it a lot! s !NTONY !NDERSON 3IGRID DE #ASTELLA 2OLF (UBER "ARBARA +àNDIG 'ERDA 0ROBST 0ATRICK 2YCHNER Barbara Kündig - President Damian Schaller, Derrick Wildi - present and past members of the Swiss Club Committee Newsletter Deadlines 2012 Customised English Written and Oral March Issue: #OVERING -ARCH!PRIL-AY Communication Skills for Professionals. %DITORIAL $EADLINE -ONDAY *ANUARY s "USINESS 7RITING 3KILLS Mailing: Wednesday, 15 February s 3PEAKING 3KILLS June Issue: #OVERING *UNE*ULY!UGUST s !USTRALIAN 7ORKPLACE )NDUCTIONS %DITORIAL $EADLINE -ONDAY !PRIL s )N #OMPANY #ONSULTANCY Mailing: Wednesday, 16 May s /NLINE 3OLUTIONS September Issue: #OVERING 3EPT/CT .OV %DITORIAL $EADLINE -ONDAY !UGUST 4EL %MAIL INFO SOLUTIONSLINGUACOM -AILING 7EDNESDAY !UGUST www.solutionslingua.com December Issue: #OVERING $EC*AN&EB %DITORIAL $EADLINE -ONDAY .OVEMBER -AILING 7EDNESDAY .OVEMBER Book the Second Floor at the Swiss Club for your next function 4 Swiss Club of Victoria Smile! Swiss-German is turning English. Check out the SWISS )NTERNATIONAL !IRLINES WEBSITE www.swiss.com/web/Documents/dini_swiss.html ,AST -INËT ,AST -INUTE 2EISEMËNËTSCHER 4RAVEL -ANAGER Welcome to our new members 3AITMËP 3ITE -AP We welcome Mark Allaby, Esther Blaser, Jon Stanford, "ISNËSS "USINESS Marc Steimle, Camilla Steimle, Karin Thompson, 4SCHËGG IN #HECK IN Samantha Treyvaud, Ben Treyvaud, Philip Treyvaud, Victoria Treyvaud, Karin Thompson and Scott !ND MY FAVOURITE 7ÚRLDWAID 3PESCHËLSx Thompson. We are looking forward to meeting you at one of !NBELIFABL BAT TRU our forthcoming functions. !ND IT EVEN COMES IN 2OMANSH AS WELL Congratulations www.swiss.com/web/Documents/tia_swiss.html Congratulations and best wishes to Gerda & Martin Probst AND PROUD BIG SISTER .ADJA ON THE BIRTH OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL BOY brother Oliver Matthew, born on 21 September 2011. Franz & Sue Schnellmann are able to celebrate the birth of their fourth grandchild. Peter and Tammy are the proud parents OF #ELINA -ARIE BORN ON THE .OVEMBER Happy birthday to the following members who were celebrating their milestone birthdays recently: Lore Zipsin and Anastasia de Castella could commemorate their 80th, while Kenneth Lamin celebrated his 85th. We congratulate you and wish you good health in 7ITH THE SINGERS AND THE YODLERS WE ENJOYED A WONDERFUL many years to come! weekend at the Swiss & Italian Festa in Hepburn Springs. Get well 7E LOOK FORWARD TO JOIN THOSE GROUPS AGAIN FOR A CONCERT AT the nursing homes. Due to health problems Fritz Hochuli & Pat Doos had to stay in hospital recently. We wish them both the best for a The last performance this year will be at the Seniors speedy recovery and we hope to see you again soon. Christmas afternoon. To all our friends, thank you for the support. To the Swiss The last farewell Club and Roger Moullet thank you for letting us use the We are saddened by the passing of Fred Staehli who died premises for our practice and thank you for your generosity. 22 September 2011. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Margaret and family. Please also see page 6. Our next ‘Unterhaltungsabend’ is on May 12 2012. Keep the date in mind. Our Honorary Life member Hans Ochsenbein passed away ON .OVEMBER /UR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES GO TO HIS WIFE On behalf of the Dance group, I wish you all a peaceful Erika, his son Simon and to all other family members. Festive Season and good health in the New Year. Sylvia Hochuli Dear members, please tell the committee or the editor if your partner, your friends or fellow members have a reason to celebrate, are unwell or have left for a better place. The Swiss Club of Victoria is looking for a keen administrator to manage our new venue The Merry Christmas and Second Floor. a Happy New Year If you are interested or want to know more, to all members! please call 1300 893 968. www.swissclubvic.com 5 became a well known Yoga Teacher, Fred Staehli living and teaching its philosophy. !S -ELBOURNE GREW THE TRAVELLING &RED 3TAEHLI WAS BORN IN "ERN 3WITZERLAND from East Doncaster to Campbellfi eld where he spent his childhood. He was the became more and more diffi cult and FOURTH OF l VE CHILDREN !FTER COMPLETING time consuming. Margaret and Fred primary and secondary school in Bern he both shared a love of nature and BECAME AN APPRENTICE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC !S animals and had always longed to live a young man Fred was always interested in in the countryside. In 1973 they found glider planes. In 1942, right in the middle a new home in Tyaak near Broadford of the Second World War, at the age of 18 where the rolling hills reminded them of year Fred was conscripted into the Swiss 3WITZERLAND 4HEIR PARADISE WAS CREATED !IR &ORCE TO DO COMPULSORY NATIONAL SERVICE through hours of physical labour, hard WORK AND DEDICATION AND WITH &REDS 7HILE STATIONED IN $àBENDORF DEFENDING many skills plus the ability to fi x and 3WITZERLANDS NEUTRAL BORDERS &RED MET make things; their beautiful home and Margaret Ballerini. Margaret was born surroundings took shape. IN #HUR #ANTON 'RISONS HER PARENTS only surviving child but grew up in !T THAT TIME -ARGARET RUN YOGA CLASSES (UMMELWALD 4OGGENBURG !S A SMALL GIRL in many places but also drove countless her mother took her on many hikes in the kilometres every week working as surrounding hills and mountains and Margaret still remembers a volunteer to enrich the lives of the many people with HOLDING ONTO HER MOTHERS HAND BUT BEING SO TIRED THAT SHE disabilities living in large institutions. For this dedicated work would fall asleep while her feet kept walking. Margaret liked Margaret received a community award. the native fl ora and fauna but what she really loved to do Throughout their many years together Fred and Margaret was caring for people and looking after children. She became travelled widely indulging their passion for experiencing and a nurse and worked in a clinic for people suffering from APPRECIATING THE BEAUTY OF THE !USTRALIAN BUSH AND TOOK THE 4UBERCULOSIS ,ATER ON -ARGARET GOT A JOB AS A NANNY IN FAMILY children on many camping holidays when they were younger. WHO OWNED A LARGE CAFÏ BAKERY IN $àBENDORF WHERE THE AIR !FTER RETIRING -ARGARET AND &RED TOURED AROUND !USTRALIA WITH force men would spend some of their free time and that is a caravan for several months. This trip was a real highlight and where Margaret and Fred met. THEY WOULD ALWAYS ENJOY TALKING ABOUT THEIR AMAZING TRAVELLING experiences. In 1950 they married and that same year set out on a trip AROUND THE WORLD 4HEY LEFT BY BOAT FROM .APOLI TO !USTRALIA During 61 years of marriage they made many lifelong friends but when they arrived in Melbourne they decided not to go any including co-workers at Wipfl i and at the Swiss Club. They loved further. They stayed in a guest house in South Yarra for some to go to the Club functions and listen to the music and dance. time where soon their fi rst child Barbara was born. Fred was a proud honorary life member. Fred was passionate about fl ying and was determined to &RED DIED IN 3EPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND -ARGARET LIVES IN +ILMORE PURSUE A CAREER AS A PILOT AND APPLIED TO !USTRALIAN !IRLINES where she continues to be involved in the lives of family as a trainee. Unfortunately the cut off age for the traineeship AND FRIENDS !T THE AGE OF SHE STILL RUNS YOGA CLASSES AT WAS AND &RED HAD JUST CELEBRATED THAT BIRTHDAY 4HIS WAS the retirement village where she lives and cares for her local community. a huge disappointment to him but in September 1950 Fred WAS OFFERED A JOB AT 7IPm I 0LASTICS IN 2OSSLYN 3TREET 7EST Written by Marianne Bishop with the assistance of Fred and Melbourne as a toolmaker and they moved into a rented Margaret’s daughter Barbara property in East Melbourne and later bought their fi rst home in Brunswick. When the owner of Wipfl i Plastics died the company WAS BOUGHT OUT AND &RED DECIDED TO CHANGE JOBS TAKING UP A position with the Ford Motor Company as a plastics designer in the plant at Campbellfi eld. ! FEW YEARS LATER &RED AND -ARGARET NEEDED MORE SPACE for their growing family and moved to the rural outskirts of Part of German Language program on Melbourne 93.1fm Melbourne. East Doncaster in 1966 was full of orchards and dirt roads, a wonderful place for Sylvia, Peter and Linda to grow Tune into news, information and entertainment about up. EVERYTHING THAT IS 3WISS IN 3WITZERLAND AND DOWNUNDER &REDS WORK AT &ORD DURING THIS TIME WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND Ursula Schappi presents an informative half-hour program he rose to a management position in the Plastics plant and in Swiss-German. Every Sunday from 8:30 to 9pm on became a well-respected supervisor who lived by example 93.1fm working long hours and generously sharing his extensive To listen online visit: www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/german KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS WITH HIS COLLEAGUES (E HAD FOUND A JOB To contact Ursula: leave a message on (02) 9955 7628 or ring 0407 995 578 THAT REALLY SUITED HIM -ARGARET ALSO FOUND LIFES PASSION AND 6 Swiss Club of Victoria The following wines were presented: Wine & Cheese Tasting On Arrival Wednesday, 24 August s "AROSSA "LONDE White Wines 7HERE WOULD YOU RATHER BE ON A COLD WINTERS DAY 7ELL AT THE s %DEN 6ALLEY $RY 2IESLING Swiss Club of Victoria, of course, tasting Wine & Cheese. This s 7IGAN 2IESLING is exactly what many members and guests had in mind when s "AROSSA 3EMILLON they took up the offer of the Swiss Club to attend a Wine & s -ARGARET 3EMILLON Cheese Tasting event on the Second Floor. Red Wines 4HE EVENING PROMISED TO BE A HEARTWARMING AND ENJOYABLE s "AROSSA #ABERNET 3AUVIGNON affair at the club. In fact the evening was oversubscribed and s -ENTOR #ABERNET 3AUVIGNON some people without reservation had to be turned away. s "AROSSA 3HIRAZ Hosted by the Swiss Club and in cooperation with Peter s %IGHT 3ONGS 3HIRAZ Lehmann Wines of the Barossa, which is owned by the Hess Dessert/Fortifi ed Wines FAMILY IN "ERN AND +ING )SLAND $AIRY NOW PART OF .ATIONAL s "OTRYTIS 3EMILLON Foods, a formal wine tasting went under way. Malcolm Stopp, s 4HE +ING 6INTAGE 0ORT .ATIONAL 0UBLIC 2ELATIONS -ANAGER FOR 0,7 AND 5ELI "ERGER 4HESE WINES ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY GOOD LIQUOR STORE IN !USTRALIA CHEESE MAKER FROM 3WITZERLAND FOR +)$ PULLED OUT ALL STOPS to match up wines with cheese and to educate all present. And the cheese: Malcolm and Ueli are true professionals in their fi eld and know s +ING )SLAND #APE 7ICKHAM "RIE how to entertain a crowd with knowledge and wit. s +ING )SLAND "LACK ,ABEL "RIE s +ING )SLAND 3URPRISE "AY #HEDDAR For those who wanted to further indulge in the good things of s +ING )SLAND 3TOKES 0OINT 3MOKED life Roger Moullet at the Swiss Club Restaurant had prepared Cheddar A THREE COURSE MEAL WHICH INCLUDED RECIPES USING +ING )SLAND s +ING )SLAND 2OARING &ORTIES "LUE cheese and Peter Lehmann wines. s (EIDI 2ACLETTE The Swiss Club would like to thank our sponsors Malcolm These cheeses are for sale at the deli section in supermarkets. Stopp and Ueli Berger for their generous support and I also encourage our members to buy wines & cheese from these Rolf Huber producers. www.swissclubvic.com 7 www.switzerland-photos.com displays some magnifi cent Switzerland’s fi nest photos shots from our home country which you might fi nd used in ADVERTISING !MONG OTHERS IMAGES DEPICT A RANGE OF PEOPLE IN The winners of our fi rst ever Swiss images photo competition pursuit of outdoor adventures. This page is available in German, will be announced in the next edition of the Edelweiss. French and English. #ONGRATULATIONS TO ALL )M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO see the pictures displayed on the Second Floor. &OR WALLPAPERS FOR YOUR 7INDOWS OR !PPLE OPERATING system visit www.swissphotos4u.com which offers Of course one treasures images taken during a wide range – from famous hotels to great HOLIDAYS TO 3WITZERLAND BUT SOMETIMES YOU vistas and beautiful scenery. Categories include might fi nd that the weather on that particular 3WITZERLAND IN WINTER 3WISS NATURE AND THE DAY WASNT QUITE PERFECT OR PERHAPS THAT TIME 3WISS .ATIONAL 0ARK DIDNT PERMIT TO TAKE A BETTER SHOT OF THE SUBJECT If you are looking for an image from a particular city you might fi nd some photos )N THIS EPISODE OF MY WEBSURF COLUMN )M you like on www.pictures-switzerland.com. focusing on internet destinations featuring some Each city has its own page and next to some OF 3WITZERLANDS l NEST PHOTOS WHICH YOU CAN INTERESTING FACTS YOULL l ND HUNDREDS OF HIGH download to your computer or indeed print out and resolution images for use on your computer. The hang up around your home. section about the “Wrestling Festival” could come in www.swiss-image.ch provides high-resolution images mainly handy if you ever fi nd yourself having to explain Schwinge to for accredited press and for tourism operators. In particular, !USTRALIANS THEY FEATURE PICTURES FROM EVENTS IN 3WITZERLAND SUCH AS THE www.Swiss-History.com offers an array of images in 7%& OR THE !UTOMOBILE 3ALON IN 'ENEVA &OR USE IN PRESS CONNECTION WITH THE HISTORY OF 3WITZERLAND "LACK AND WHITE articles the images are free of charge, for any other use a small photos, paintings and old maps are all listed according to fee applies. timelines and important historical events making it easy to Photos depicting scenery, customs, politics and many more fi nd material for your kids next school assignment about the SUBJECTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE HOMEPAGE OF www.swissworld. Helvetic Confederation. org. These images are ideal if you are looking to create a !N IMAGE SEARCH ON 'OOGLE WILL REVEAL MANY MORE SOURCES PRESENTATION OR SEND AN E CARD TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ! SPECIAL for great Swiss photos, however when using images from the SECTION ABOUT @3WISSNESS FEATURES SOME UNUSUAL SCENES WHICH web for commercial purposes always make sure you ask the ARE UNIQUE TO 3WITZERLAND copyright owner (the person who took the photograph) for Beautiful alpine scenery for your own homepage can be permission to use it. downloaded from www.swissimages.net. Shots taken at If you would like to share some of your own pictures on our sunrise or sunset with perfect lighting conditions and weather new homepage www.swissclubvic.com please send them to me ARE DISPLAYED AGAINST THE STUNNING BACKDROP OF THE 3WISS !LPS via email to [email protected] !NY PICTURES WITHOUT THE COPYRIGHT WATERMARK ARE FREE FOR YOUR own use. Damian Schaller www.swiss-image.ch www.swissphotos4u.com www.Swiss-History.com www.switzerland-photos.com 8 Swiss Club of Victoria Kaffeeklatsch Sunday, 11 September It was the perfect place for the group to showcase Swiss culture by wearing the beautiful costumes. The Seniors received a very warm welcome. The delicious cake buffet had something for everyone. Conversations in the Swiss dialects, supported by lots of laughter were heard throughout the club. On behalf of the group, I like to say a big thank you to the Swiss Club and Roger Moullet for letting us use the premises. 4O OUR SUPPORTIVE MEMBERS TO THE @3CHWING #LUB AND THE 3WISS 3OCIETY THANK you all for the generosity. 4O OUR MEMBER 4ONI %RB HAPPY TH "IRTHDAY #ONGRATULATIONS TO ,UZIA AND ,UIS "LOECHLINGER ON THEIR TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND YEARS IN !USTRALIA On behalf of the group, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. Sylvia Hochuli My friend could not make it. I was on my own but when I arrived lots of friends I saw! I travelled from one table to another, it was fun. The savoury quiches were quite delicious. The cakes a gastronomical delight. My stomach was totally overwhelmed! Thank goodness I got a lift home. The Trachtengruppe and Roger worked very hard TO MAKE THIS ANOTHER MARVELLOUS +AFFEKLATSCH Thank you! Inge Kulmanis www.swissclubvic.com 9 while doing this chore, I wondered why not have a Swiss Ladies Luncheon get-together too. Something in the same format as the Businessmen. My husband thought that it would be great to have a group who would be for the Ladies of the club. Something special for the Swiss ladies only, but when I presented my vision to the members of the Swiss Club How it all began committee, my idea was not at all well received as the club had already a few sub-groups and I am sure that they thought that Béatrice Delacrétaz WE WOULD NOT GET A GREAT FOLLOWINGxHOW WRONG THEY WERE Who would believe that the Swiss Ladies of Melbourne have I mentioned my meeting with the Swiss Club committee to Mrs had the privilege and good fortune to meet four times a year at +ARLI WHO ) KNEW VERY WELL AND SHE IN TURN SPOKE ABOUT IT TO the Swiss Club of Victoria for catching up with friends, having HER HUSBAND -R +ARLI WAS OUR 3WISS #ONSUL 'ENERAL AND BOTH A GREAT LUNCH AT REASONABLE PRICES AND ENJOY LISTENING TO VERY were very enthusiastic about the idea of having a get together INTERESTING AND ENTERTAINING TOPICS FOR THE LAST YEARS for Swiss Ladies at the Swiss Club. I was very grateful to have )T DID NOT HAPPEN JUST OUT OF THE BLUE /NE HAS TO GO BACK THE SUPPORT OF THE #ONSULATE AND SPECIALLY -RS +ARLI WHO WAS to the years 1974-75 and in those days the Swiss Club was a great organiser and had always lots of very good ideas and run very effi ciently by a committee made up entirely of male suggestions especially for our Guest speakers. members of the club. First move was to fi nd three more Ladies who would be The Swiss Club has always been and still is a very friendly PREPARED TO HELP IN ORGANISING THE MEETINGS -RS +ARLI meeting place, well appreciated by all the members and also suggested asking the wives of the past-presidents of the Swiss BY ALL THE COMPATRIOTS ARRIVING FROM 3WITZERLAND )N THOSE EARLY #LUB AND SOON WE HAD 3TEPHANIE !MMAN -ARIE 3CHIBLI AND days the club was open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm Eileen Spieler on board. to midnight and very occasionally for special functions only We decided that we would have four luncheons a year and that at lunch time. In the evenings one could always have a lovely we would not send out invitations for it but would try to have MEAL IN THE 3WISS TRADITION 'ESCHNETZELTES OR #ERVELATS AND OUR GET TOGETHER ADVERTISED IN THE CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR FREEx salad or a Berner Platte and lovely crisp bread!!) and spend and we did. THE REST OF THE EVENING PLAYING CARDS @*ASS BEING THE FAVOURITE The committee also let us have access and the use of the game. Every Saturday night there would be dancing to the tune Restaurant one Wednesday every three month in the year from OF -ARIUS ACCORDION MIDDAY TO OCLOCK FOR OUR LUNCHEON AND ENTERTAINMENT BY OUR There were also a few well attended sub-groups like the own selected guest speakers. The chef in charge of the kitchen -ËNNERCHOR THE 9ODEL #HOIR %DELYSS THE 3WISS WRESTLERS would also be at our disposition for planning and serving us a (Schwinger), the rifl e shooting group, the bowling group, the three course lunch generally consisting of a soup as a starter, 3WISS "USINESSMEN ,UNCHEON 'ROUP 3!##) TO MENTION A meat or chicken with vegetables or salad for the main meal few but there was no such facility for the Ladies who were and a dessert followed by coffee or tea and sometimes we had members of the Swiss Club. some Swiss chocolate as a surprise. The cost of our lunch was ) WAS ASKED BY MY HUSBAND *OHN WHO WAS PRESIDENT OF THE 12 dollars which would also include a glass of red or white club at the time, to send out the monthly invitations to the wine and cover the expense for a meal and fl owers for the members of the Swiss Businessmen Luncheon Group, and Guest speaker. For many years we were under the wing of the Swiss Consulate AS EVEN AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF -R AND -RS +ARLI -RS :ELLWEGER September Ladies Luncheons Rosemary Balmer, Miss Pfi ster and Mrs Roth were very I had a notion that this luncheon was going to be special, supportive of the Ladies Luncheon. They helped mostly in and sure enough it was! fi nding and selecting our guest speakers and sometimes also chaired our get-together. Roger told as a bit about himself, how he learned to cook AT THE WELL KNOWN 2ESTAURANT &ËHRIMAA IN "ASEL (E Since the closure of the Consulate in Melbourne the Ladies showed us his very fi rst cook book and shared with us Luncheon has become a Swiss Club sub-group. some of his experiences as a chef and running his own Here are a few names of our past guest-speakers and their restaurant. topic: The lunch he served was a delicate curry and a mango !UGUST n 5RSULA %RDIN SPOKE ABOUT VEGETARIAN NUTRITION mouse for desert. I drank some white wine, something I .OVEMBER n (EIDY &RICK DEMONSTRATED @"AUERNMALEREI HADNT HAD FOR A LONG TIME 3OON ) FELT LIKE DANCING March 1988 – Olga Eugster spoke about making all sorts of I put two pieces of cake into my handbag for my friend. I Swiss biscuits forgot about them and when I opened the handbag a few -AY n WE WENT TRAVELLING WITH /THMAR *AGGI days later – the crumbs of the cake appeared. Ohh boy! !UGUST n ! POLICEWOMAN SPOKE ABOUT SELF DEFENCE Thank you all for an exciting day! .OVEMBER n -ARGARET 3TAEHLI INITIATED US TO DO 9OGA Inge Kulmanis xAND MANY MORE 10 Swiss Club of Victoria In 1991 I went on an overseas trip for 6 months and Doris Diserens kept the meetings going until around 1995 or 1996 November Ladies Luncheons when Heidy Giger started to organise the get-together of the Ladies Luncheons and is still doing so. With her helpers Heidy Welcome back Heidy and thank you Marianne! has given us so many pleasant hours catching up with friends We started at the Swiss Club. with a most ! BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE LADIES WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE delectable success and continuation of the Ladies Luncheon. LUNCH @! 3WISS FAIR 4HEN AN -RS /LGA %UGSTERS RECIPE FOR @"ASLER ,ECKERLI PRESENTED AT THE insight to the Ladies Luncheon on the 9 March,1988: Trachtengruppe 750g plain fl our by Sylvia 560g honey at room temperature Hochuli. Sylvia 250g sugar gave her best by G ALMOND OR HAZELNUTS CHOPPED telling us how it 185g mixed peels all started and 25g cinnamon when. That they 4g nutmeg wanted a home for the old retired Swiss people (I wish). 4g ground cloves What a wonderful, idealistic dream. But dreams do come 10g carb of soda true sometimes!!! ¼ to ½ cup of water .EVERTHELESS THE 4RACHTENGRUPPE HAVE FOR MANY YEARS Rind of one lemon worked hard and donated money for various institutions. Table spoon of kirsch !ND WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THE -YSTERY 4RIP THE Combine sugar and carb soda in a large bowl. Mix sugar and +AFFEEKLATSCH AND 3ENIORS #HRISTMAS AFTERNOON honey, then add all the other dry ingredients. Then add the The great photo albums were most informative and water to make the dough. Divide in 3 quantities and roll every colourful. one out , one centimetre high. Please keep it alive! It brings the Swiss together. Thank Prick dough with a fork and bake at 200 Celsius for 15 to 20 you Sylvia, Roger and of course Heidy. minutes. The year 2011 was fabulous. Thank you to all the ladies for &OR THE 'LAZE CUP OF WATER AND G SUGAR "OIL UNTIL IT PARTICIPATING +EEP ON COMING TREAD 3PREAD THE GLAZE ON COOL BISCUITS LET SET AGAIN AND CUT Inge Kulmanis up in squares %NJOY I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and the best of good health for the new year. ! BIG THANK YOU TO THE ,ADIES FOR THEIR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT and good company. I want to take this opportunity to thank Roger and his Staff for looking after us so well. Many thanks to Marianne who looked after the Ladies The Swiss Club Singles Championship was held on with a great deal of charm and enthusiasm. I always Friday, 14 October at the Swiss Club. appreciate the support from all my helpers. Dates for the forthcoming luncheons in 2012: Rainer Diehl triumphed over Tony Thumiger. Congratulations to the winner! s 7EDNESDAY -ARCH 2012 dates: s 7EDNESDAY -AY 16 March Swiss Club Doubles Championship Price $22 pp for members, $25 pp for non- *UNE "ERNARD 3ANDOZ #UP members. Includes 2-course meal, wine, soft TBC Swiss Championship drinks and coffee. Bookings are essential, please ring Roger at the Swiss Everyone welcome! For information and bookings ring Club or myself on 9439 7593 or 0418 645 313. Heidy Giger on 9889 9321or Roger at the Club on 9650 (APPY .EW 9EAR ,OOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT TOURNAMENT 1196. Bookings are essential! in 2012. Heidy Giger Louis Schneider www.swissclubvic.com 11 Fahrt ins Blaue - Mystery Trip Wednesday, 9 November Slight rain greeted us, as we alighted the bus. Soon Bolte Bridge was seen from afar and we travelled in a comfortable bus. ! SIGN APPEARED ,ANCEl ELD 4HEN +YNETON ! MYSTERY TRIP FOR SURE )N +YNETON WE STOPPED FOR MORNING TEA )T WAS A DELICIOUS TREAT 4HE LADIES DID A GREAT JOB 7HERE ARE WE GOING -ALMSBURY $AYLESFORD #ASTLEMAINE AM 4HE BUSES SLOWED AND YES -OUNT !LEXANDER 'OLF Club was before us! The sun and blue sky! We had it all! Beautifully set tables and EVERYTHING JUST LOOKED INVITING 4HE m OWERS Sylvia spoke and made us all welcome. Lunch was served hot AND QUICK WITH SO MANY PEOPLE THATS AN ART We purchased our raffl e tickets for the many prices displayed in a grand manner. Our Trachtengruppe worked like little fairies. (OW DO YOU MANAGE THAT Mr Brian McCormick was introduced and had a most INTERESTING TALK (E SPOKE ABOUT -AJOR -ITCHELL AND THE GOLD rush of 1851. Over 30,000 seekers tried their luck. Castlemaine was the richest gold fi eld in the world. The diggers came from over 30 countries. He showed us what the diggers fl ag looks like: a pick and shovel, a bunch of sticks, scales, a kangaroo and an emu. It was fi rst fl own in 1852. 0AST #ONSUL 'ENERAL OF 3WITZERLAND 2OSMARIE AND 7ERNER "ALLMER JOINED US ON THE MYSTERY TRIP 7E LOVED TO SEE THEM I wish the happiest Christmas and New Year to everyone. Inge Kulmanis Get connected on www.SwissCommunity.org 12 Swiss Club of Victoria we employees were The man who made very close to what was developed from his Mövenpick ideas.” Mövenpick founder Ueli Prager who died at the age Red Sea success of 95 on 15 October was one of the most creative and )TS NO COINCIDENCE THAT enterprising Swiss businessman of the post-war period. Egyptian billionaire Samih Sawiris, who is With the exception of fi nding a successor, there was little building a mega resort 0RAGER DIDNT SUCCEED AT in the Swiss alpine 4HE SON OF A HOTELIER 0RAGER LAUNCHED HIS l RST -ÚVENPICK VILLAGE OF !NDERMATT IS RESTAURANT IN :URICH IN trying to repeat what Everything considered de rigueur in the business world today, Prager did 40 years ago the Swiss restaurant owner and hotel pioneer had already in Egypt. applied in the middle of the last century: a label which The Sawiris family ACHIEVED WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION -ÚVENPICK THE ABILITY TO were partners with Prager for many years when the Swiss CONTINUALLY REINVENT THE BRAND AND FURTHER THE COMPANYS SCOPE businessman established his hotel chain in Egyptian (types of food, own-brand foods and hotels), globalisation DESTINATIONS LIKE 'IZEH ,UXOR AND ON THE 2ED 3EA COAST 4HE (import trends, export growth), and using modern fi nancing OWNERS OF THE HOTEL BUILDINGS WERE %GYPTIAN WHILE -ÚVENPICK methods. took over the management. Prager introduced industrial structures to his business empire at "EFORE 0RAGERS TIME THERE WERE FEW %GYPTIANS WHO WOULD a time when a conventional approach and certain snobbishness have thought holidaying on the Red Sea could become reigned in the Swiss hotel and restaurant sector. POPULAR !ND BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF 3AWIRIS !NDERMATT WAS NOT The formula of selling fast but quality food proved to be considered a top ski resort. It was Prager who showed that A SUCCESSFUL ONE !ND FOR THE 3WISS THE CHANCE TO ORDER vacation resorts could be built from scratch in the middle of something to eat outside the usual mealtimes was novel. nowhere. h0RAGERS THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE AND HIS CURIOSITY LED HIM TO However, the company began to stagnate at the end of the discover new recipes while on vacation which he would present 1980s. Prager, already over 70, had six children from three to his specialists back at home and insist on using them,” said wives but was unable to fi nd a worthy successor. It was his 5RS +NEUBàHL )N THE S +NEUBàHL WAS HEAD OF -ÚVENPICKS THIRD WIFE AND FORMER ASSISTANT *UTTA WHO WOULD EVENTUALLY INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMPANYS take over management of the company in 1988. CUSTOMER MAGAZINE !S PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD 0RAGER HAD TO WATCH AS HIS EMPIRE Currying Swiss favour ENTERED TROUBLED TIMES AND TOP EXECUTIVES WORKING UNDER *UTTA One of his most successful adaptations of exotic cuisine was began to leave the fi rm. He decided to dismiss his wife and in 2IZ #ASIMIR n A MILD CURRY AND RICE DISH WITH CANNED FRUIT #URRY SOLD HIS MAJORITY STAKE TO 'ERMAN BUSINESSMAN !UGUST DISHES WERE NOT WELL KNOWN IN 3WITZERLAND AT THE TIME AND von Finck. Shortly after that, the Pragers moved to London. were too spicy for most Swiss palates. !ND THANKS TO THE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES 0RAGER INTRODUCED -ÚVENPICK COULD OFFER l SH AND OTHER SEAFOOD AT AFFORDABLE prices. He also did away with tablecloths and three-course meals and customers could order wine and champagne by the GLASS IF THEY DIDNT WANT THE WHOLE BOTTLE “Prager gave me a free hand – I could talk to him directly,” +NEUBàHL SAID h(E WOULD INFORM ME OF IMPORTANT ISSUES including those concerning management. He was on top of everything. It was wonderful to work with him. h(E DIDNT KEEP HIS GREAT KNOWLEDGE TO HIMSELF AND DIDNT have any secrets but passed on what he knew which created a large body of talent within the company. The result was that The world’s longest stairway The 11,674 steps running alongside the funicular tracks OF THE .IESEN 2AILWAY MAKE THE STAIRWAY THE LONGEST anywhere, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. 9762 3212 www.swissclubvic.com 13 The ancient tradition of the‘Klausjagen’ 3WITZERLAND IS A COUNTRY OF SEVERAL LANGUAGES AND CULTURES SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT 3T.IKOLAUS TRADITIONS )N THE 3WISS 'ERMAN PART 3T.IKOLAUS IS KNOWN AS 3AMICHLAUS /N $ECEMBER THE EVE OF 3T.IKOLAUS $AY villages around Lake Lucerne glow with the light of hundreds OF ENORMOUS HEAVY PAPER CUT BISHOPS MITERHATS CALLED LOCALLY @IFFELE PARADED THROUGH THE STREETS BY MEN AND BOYS in white robes. These headpieces, 1 to 2 metres tall, are artistically designed, intricately cut out of cardboard and lit by a candle within. Each is a unique piece of art with a fi gure of 3T.IKOLAUS ON THE FRONT AND A CROSS AND THE INSIGNIA )(3 FOR *ESUS #HRIST ON the back. When the candle is lit they are transformed into ‘stained GLASS BECAUSE there are many colours of transparent paper applied inside. Each town has its own way to celebrate. ARE FOLLOWED BY +LAUSJËGER MEN IN WHITE FARMERS SHIRTS The well-known swinging huge cow bells from heavy straps. The 700 bells ring parade in as one. The procession ends with 200 men blowing cow horns +àSSNACHT AM 2IGI BEGINS WITH A CANNON SHOT SIGNALLING THE in a repeated rhythm of two short blows and one long one. The START &IRST COME MEN SKILLFULLY CRACKING LONG WHIPS .EXT ARE streets resound with these ear-splitting, eerie sounds of horns, the lighted iffelen, over 200 young men dancing and swaying whips and bells. The parade is repeated and ends in the early as they pass in their glowing headdresses. Surrounded by HOURS OF THE MORNING OF 3T.IKOLAUS $AY TORCHBEARERS THE BISHOP 3T.IKOLAUS HIMSELF COMES WITH HIS This solemn procession with whips, bells and horns is believed TWO 3CHMUTZLIS 4RUMPETERS PLAYING A THREE TONE MELODY to have its roots in pre-Christian traditions involving the chasing of wild spirits. The EARLY FORMS OF THE +LAUSJAGEN involved much unruliness and were frowned upon by Church and authorities. The tradition was offi cially outlawed in 1732, but could not be effectively suppressed. In the late 19th century, the custom was instead @#HRISTIANISED "ISHOPS MITRES appeared in the procession, and the church sanctioned the custom as being in honour of 3T.IKOLAUS )N THE S THE still rather rough procession was tamed by a committee of villagers who created the modern, clearly organised parade. 3INCE THE 3T.IKOLAUS 3OCIETY OF +àSSNACHT HAS BEEN responsible for the continuation of the tradition. 14 Swiss Club of Victoria Christmas 2011. The Good Deed – Die gute Tat With the fi nancial support of the Swiss Society of Victoria, we are once more able to provide our Seniors with a Christmas Celebration at the Swiss Club on Saturday, 3 December 2011. Over the years the Senior guests were presented with a bag of homemade Christmas cookies, a most welcome and treasured GIFT 4HE LADIES OF THE 4RACHTENGRUPPE 3CHWYZERGRUESS AND MANY SILENT HELPERS PREPARED THE SWEET BOUNTY "UT MANY OF THOSE %LVES GOT OLDER AND FRAILER SOME PASSING TO A BETTER PLACE #HRISTKINDLIS HEADQUARTER AND THE 'UETSLI BAGS got smaller and smaller. For the past two years we were looking for kind and talented people, who could spare a bit of time and a few nuts and eggs and HELP TO l LL THE @STOCKINGS 4HE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING AND THE 'UETSLI WE RECEIVED WERE NOT JUST PROOF OF GOOD AND WILLING HEARTS AND HANDS THEY SHOWED CULINARY EXCELLENCE TOO WHICH ALSO REm ECTED ON THE BRIGHT SMILES ON OUR GUESTS FACES We need your help again! Please! The goodies could be picked up in time. Please contact Sylvia Hochuli on tel. 9531 6575 or email [email protected] OR 2ITA 3CHWAERZLER !BBT ON TEL OR EMAIL RITAHERBERT BIGPONDCOM Lets keep this wonderful tradition alive!! Invitation to the Seniors of the Swiss Community Swiss Nationals born 1942 or earlier and Partner Christmas Magic Senior Christmas 4HIS SMALL GREEN TREE )LL TAKE and from it make Afternoon Tea a thing of glistening splendour – for none to see, until it be Saturday, 3 December 2011 at 2pm the Magic Eve of Christmas. The Swiss Club of Victoria with the support of the Swiss Society These fruits and nuts and spices OF 6ICTORIA THE 4RACHTENGRUPPE 3CHWYZERGRUESS THE &OLK $ANCE I shall take and with them bake 'ROUP !LPENROSE AND THE 3WISS #OMPANION 3INGERS INVITES a wondrous cake – 3WISS .ATIONALS BORN OR EARLIER AND 0ARTNERS TO A Senior for none to eat, until we meet Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Swiss Club of Victoria, 89 on the Magic Day of Christmas. Flinders Lane, Melbourne. This event is free of charge. These loving thoughts and hearty wishes RSVP by 25 November 2011. )LL WRAP WITH TENDER CARE FOR EACH OF YOU For information please contact: and place them there, on the small, green tree, 2ITA 3CHWAERZLER !BBT RITAHERBERT BIGPONDCOM in the Magic Hours of Christmas. Sylvia Hochuli, 9531 6575, [email protected] 4HOSE JOYOUS CHIMES THESE GLOWING CANDLES this special fragrance drifting through the house – Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea the sounds, the sights, the smells, Reply slip THE FEELING ROUND US all belong to the Season, 9ES )WE ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE #HRISTMAS !FTERNOON 4EA the Magic Season of Christmas. Name(s): In the quiet times of inward thinking, my mind turns to family and friends, with a prayer or two for all of you – especially for one, my distant son. May we know the true Magic Eve of Christmas! ‘What I think and how I feel’ Telephone: by Stephanie Ammann 1920-1997 Mail to Rita Schwärzler-Abbt 18 Hertford Crescent, Wheelers Hill Vic 3150 www.swissclubvic.com 15 Directions Mix all ingredients in a bowl, add the butter last and knead until a dough forms. Let dough rise for about 35 minutes. Cut dough into 4 pieces and make 4 longish rolls. Then cut in each roll for arms, legs and neck (see photo). Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then brush with beaten egg and Grittibänz (St.Nikolaus Bread) decorate. Bake for about 25 minutes on the lower shelf of a pre-heated 4HE 'RITTIBËNZ OR oven at 180°. Remove and let cool on a cake rack. 'RËTTIMAA IN "ASEL IS /NCE IT HAS COOLED YOU CAN DECORATE YOUR 'RITTIBËNZ FURTHER EG a sweet white bread with course sugar, fl aked almonds, or pieces of cloth, ribbons roughly formed into etc. the shape of a man with currants for eyes &ROM @3WISS #OOKIES n SEE BELOW and coat buttons and sometimes decorated with course sugar. Some children prefer Swiss Cookies TO MAKE 3T.IKOLAUS Biscuits for Christmas breads in all sorts of different forms and and all year round funny fi gures. It is by Andrew Rushton and Katalin Fekete traditionally eaten with photographs and recipes from Betty Bossi in the Swiss-German PART OF 3WITZERLAND Publisher: 2008, Bergli on 6 December, Books 3T.IKOLAUS $AY 4HE ISBN: 978-3-905252-17-0 name comes from the Language: English old Swiss-German Binding: Soft cover, 112 WORDS @'RITTE OR pages @'RITTLE MEANING Price: CHF 29.80 + BOW LEGGED !ND postage @"ËNZ A SHORTENED )N 3WITZERLAND THE &ESTIVE form of the name 3EASON WOULDNT BE Benedikt, was once complete without a wide so common in range of delicious home 3WITZERLAND IT ALSO baked indulgences. Every came to simply mean YEAR WHEN !DVENT BEGINS a man. Therefore, a AND #HRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR THE 3WISS KNOW THAT ITS TIME 'RITTIBËNZ IS A BOW to get baking and soon the wonderful aroma of freshly legged old man. baked cookies wafts from kitchens everywhere. The tradition of handing out bread in strange shapes on 6 Discover the delicious secrets of Swiss cookies and December can be traced back to the middle ages when Swiss surprise your family and friends with your homemade children were given either a horn-shaped bread roll or one treats. This colourful book contains 29 of the most famous made to look like a woman. Over the years the woman became and traditional cookies and baked goods with easy-to- A MAN AND THE NAME 'RITTIBËNZ WAS COINED FOR HIM IN THE TH follow instructions and illustrations to make your baking CENTURY !T THE TIME THEY WERE UP TO CM LONG AND SOMETIMES A SUCCESS EVERY TIME .OW YOU CAN CONJURE UP THE MOST made from a Lebkuchen (gingerbread) dough. wonderful mouth-watering cookies and gifts in no time. Ingredients Swiss Cookies includes background information, 500g / 3¾ cups of fl our photographs, a guide to ingredients and their translations, 1½ tsp of salt measurement conversions, tips for storing and gift- 3 tbsp of sugar wrapping ideas. This book makes a perfect Christmas gift 6g / 1 tsp of dried yeast (or 20g fresh yeast) FOR YOUR 3WISS AND !USTRALIAN FRIENDS 60g / ¹/³ cup butter, cut into pieces and softened !VAILABLE ONLINE FROM 300ml / 1¼ cups of milk, lukewarm Bergli Books, Falknerstrasse 13, 4001 Basel Makes 4 medium-sized Grittibänzen T: +41 61 373 27 77 W: www.bergli.ch E: [email protected] 16 Swiss Club of Victoria Updates and contacts To learn about the latest developments around the Swiss &ESTIVAL PLEASE @,IKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE WHICH YOU CAN l ND BY SEARCHING FOR @3WISS &ESTIVAL !USTRALIA OR FOLLOW OUR Twitter account @SwissFestivalAU. Our homepage www. swissfestival.com.au provides you with an overview of the program, Swiss community groups taking part in the festival as well as a list of our sponsors. s )F YOU RUN OR WORK IN A 3WISS COMPANY AND WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR ANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE *UMPING #ASTLE OR would like to have a stall at the Swiss Festival 2012 please Sunday, 25 March 2012. Austrian Club CONTACT 0ATRICK !LBERT [email protected] from the The Swiss Festival 2012 will take place on Sunday, 25 March committee who looks after sponsorship enquiries. 2012 AT THE !USTRIAN #LUB ON 3HEEHAN 2OAD IN (EIDELBERG s #AN YOU HELP ON THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL AS A VOLUNTEER )F West. yes please get in contact with Chantal Imbach chantal@ You can look forward to a day fi lled with great fun and swissfestival.com.au our Swiss community group liaison and 3WISSNESS TASTY TREATS FROM 3WITZERLAND AND A UNIQUE BLEND OF let her know how you can support us. entertainment for young and old. While the program will follow s $O YOU HAVE IDEAS ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BE SHOWN AT THE 3WISS the tried and tested schedule we have developed over the Festival 2012 or would like to perform yourself or with a years you can expect many new things and attractions on the GROUP /UR CHAIRMAN 2OLF (UBER CAN BE CONTACTED VIA rolf@ DAY OF THE 3WISS &ESTIVAL !MONG THE NEW ADDITIONS IS A STALL swissfestival.com.au. selling Swiss small goods and Swiss sweet treats, a cooking DEMONSTRATION AREA WITH OUR SPONSORS 6 :UG IN WHICH YOU s 9OU CAN HELP US ADVERTISE THE 3WISS &ESTIVAL BY HANGING can learn how to cook Swiss recipes and a book stall with a up a poster at your workplace or handing out fl yers to selection of Swiss, German, French and Italian books on offer. your family and friends. Suggesting the facebook page to 7E CANT WAIT TO HAVE YOU AT THE 3WISS &ESTIVAL AND WE your community and sharing the website address www. would like to request your help as a volunteer or sponsor for swissfestival.com.au also assists in spreading the word about THIS UNIQUE CELEBRATION OF 3WITZERLAND !S A SPONSOR YOU HAVE the festival. Write to our marketing manager Damian Schaller the chance to showcase your product and services to a captive at [email protected] if you would like to receive audience of over 1,200 guests and your logo and message festival collateral. will be displayed on banners, fl yers and the Swiss Festival s 7OULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE A MONETARY VALUE OR RAFm E PRIZE FOR homepage www.swissfestival.com.au. !T THIS STAGE WE WOULD THE LUCKY DRAW AT THE 3WISS &ESTIVAL 4REASURER "RUNO like to extend a big thank you to the following companies and Giger can be reached by writing to [email protected]. organisations for their continued support of the Swiss Festival: au via email. Swiss Embassy Canberra, Victorian Multicultural Commission, /CÏ !USTRALIA ,TD AND 3CHALLER #ONSULTING *OINING US AS A volunteer pays off as well as, you will receive a voucher for a The Swiss Club Restaurant. It’s where you meet your friends. meal and drink in exchange for one hour of your time. www.swissclubvic.com 17 Nicholas Chevalier (1828–1902) .ICHOLAS #HEVALIER ARTIST WAS BORN ON -AY 1828 in St Petersburg, Russia, son of Louis Chevalier and his Russian wife. His father left his home in canton of Vaud to become overseer of the estates of Prince Wittgenstein, aide- DE CAMP TO .ICHOLAS ) AND IN RETURNED TO 3WITZERLAND WITH HIS ARTISTICALLY INCLINED SON &OR THE NEXT SIX YEARS .ICHOLAS studied painting in Lausanne and architecture in Munich, where he helped with plans for the palace of Ludwig I. at Berchtesgaden. He moved to London in 1851 and achieved some success in lithography and water-colour work. In 1852 HE EXHIBITED TWO PAINTINGS AT THE 2OYAL !CADEMY ILLUSTRATED SEVERAL BOOKS INCLUDING ! ( ,AYARD $ISCOVERIES IN THE 2UINS OF .INEVEH ,ONDON DESIGNED THE SETTING FOR THE +OH I noor diamond and planned a fountain at Osborne for Queen Victoria. Chevalier then spent some months studying water-colour painting and drawing in Rome. Meanwhile his father had in February 1855, visited the goldfi elds, attended to his speculated in Victoria, and a son, Louis, who later became FATHERS BUSINESS AND PLANNED HIS RETURN TO %UROPE "UT THE manager of the vineyard at Bontharambo near Wangaratta, newly-established Melbourne Punch and later the Illustrated was on the goldfi elds. When the family fortunes declined, !USTRALIAN .EWS FOUND HIS TALENTS INVALUABLE AND HE DECIDED .ICHOLAS WAS SENT TO JOIN HIS BROTHER (E ARRIVED AT -ELBOURNE TO STAY .O DOUBT THIS DECISION WAS ALSO INm UENCED BY HIS marriage in Melbourne to Caroline Wilkie, daughter of an old friend, herself an artist and relation of Sir David Wilkie (1785-1841). Master of steel #HEVALIERS WOOD ENGRAVED CARTOONS BECAME ONE OF THE most popular features in Punch. He also introduced chromo- !FTER ,UGINBàHL SEE *UNE EDITION OF lithography to Victoria where it became an important and the Edelweiss 3WITZERLAND HAS LOST fl ourishing art. He exhibited some of his delicately painted another of its artistic greats: Silvio water-colours in December 1856 at the exhibition in Melbourne -ATTIOLI HAS PAST AWAY IN !PRIL AT FROM WHICH SPRANG THE 3OCIETY OF &INE !RTS !S AN OIL PAINTER the age of 82. Swiss Club member he was less successful, although his oil, ‘The Buffalo Ranges’, Margrit Gasinski-Äpli went to school was selected as the best painting by a resident Victorian in an with the master sculptor and has exhibition sponsored by the government in 1864. It was bought had a life-long interest in his work. FOR a THE l RST !USTRALIAN PAINTING OBTAINED FOR THE NEW -ATTIOLI TRAINED AS A STONEMASON IN THE S BEFORE .ATIONAL 'ALLERY OF 6ICTORIA (E CONTINUED TO PAINT IN OIL AND STUDYING ART AT THE +UNSTGEWERBESCHULE IN :àRICH (E THEN water-colour, often travelling about the countryside. embarked on an artistic career, fi rst as a painter and then The Chevaliers had no children and their home in Royal Terrace, as a sculptor. Stone .ICHOLSON 3TREET &ITZROY BECAME A CENTRE OF A WITTY AND and wood was his CULTIVATED CIRCLE OF WRITERS ARTISTS MUSICIANS JOURNALISTS AND preferred materials academics, many of them fellow members of the Society of Fine at the beginning but !RTS AND THE 2OYAL 3OCIETY later it was iron and !FTER EXPLORING AND PAINTING IN MANY PARTS OF 6ICTORIA steel. #HEVALIER VISITED .EW :EALAND WHERE HE TRAVELLED WIDELY Some of his most painted landscapes that reminded him of his Swiss home and famous works was paid £200 by the Canterbury legislature to make a pictorial are monumental SURVEY OF THE INTERIOR /N HIS RETURN TO !USTRALIA HE SHOWED sculptures such as several paintings at the International Exhibition in Melbourne @'ROSSER !UFSCHWUNG in 1866-67, and at the Paris Salon in 1868. in front of Confi serie 7HEN THE $UKE OF %DINBURGH WAS TOURING !USTRALIA #HEVALIER 3PRàNGLI 0ARADEPLATZ WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE ROYAL SUITE ON ITS VISIT TO 4ASMANIA AND @6ERSO ,A ,UCE IN *ANUARY 4HE DUKE HAD FAVOURABLY NOTED THE Badener Street in transparencies he had painted for the illuminations for the :àRICH PICTURED royal visit. When the duke briefl y returned to Melbourne in 18 Swiss Club of Victoria THE FOLLOWING YEAR #HEVALIER WAS INVITED TO REJOIN THE PARTY in H.M.S. Galatea and sailed to London via the East and the Test your Swiss Knowledge Pacifi c islands. He produced 120 drawings and many water- COLOURS FOR 1UEEN 6ICTORIA !N ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN HE 4 BECAME SECOND VIOLINIST IN THE 2OYAL !MATEUR /RCHESTRAL 1 6 Society which had been started by offi cers in the Galatea and in which the duke was fi rst violin. 3 5 From 1871 Chevalier was extremely busy. He received 2 numerous royal commissions and painted many scenes of his 7 past travels. For some years he suffered badly from rheumatic gout and had to winter in Madeira. His health revived and his last years were spent happily in England, reading and writing in 9 10 preference to painting, and composing poetry as well as music. 8 He was a brilliant linguist, fl uent in French, English, Russian, German, Italian and Portuguese. Singularly handsome, he made 11 friends readily because of his easy manner, wide interests and good conversation. From 1882 he was London adviser to the .ATIONAL 'ALLERY OF .EW 3OUTH 7ALES (E DIED IN ,ONDON ON 12 March 1902, survived by his widow who left notes for a short MONOGRAPH ON HIS LIFE AND PRESENTED MANY OF HIS .EW :EALAND PAINTINGS TO THE .ATIONAL !RT 'ALLERY AT 7ELLINGTON 13 )N !USTRALIA HIS WORKS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE 3YDNEY -ELBOURNE and Ballarat galleries, the Mitchell and La Trobe Libraries and PRIVATE COLLECTIONS 4HE !RT 'ALLERY OF .EW 3OUTH 7ALES HAS A Across self-portrait (detail pictured). .AME OF THE OLDEST !BBEY NORTH OF THE !LPS FOUNDED IN Marjorie J. Tipping 515, situated in the canton of Valais). 5. Longest glacier in Europe. 7HICH EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE !USTRIAN #LUB IN -ARCH Exhibition: )N WHICH 6ICTORIAN TOWN IS THE 3WISS )TALIAN &ESTA HELD %UROPES HIGHEST RAILWAY STATION NICHOLAS CHEVALIER – Australian 13. Important Celtic archaeological site on the north side of Odyssey ,AKE .EUCHÊTEL Down 25 November 2011 to 12 February 2012 1. In which Swiss city is the oldest book in German language Geelong Gallery HOUSED Little Malop Street, Geelong 7HICH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY OF 3WITZERLAND IS CELEBRATING T: 03 5229 3645 AN IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR Free entry. Open daily 10am - 5pm .AME OF 3AMICHLAUS HELPER #LOSED #HRISTMAS $AY "OXING $AY AND .EW 9EARS $AY www.geelonggallery.org.au 3URNAME OF 3WISS SCULPTOR THAT DIED IN !PRIL THIS YEAR 7HICH HOTEL CHAIN WAS FOUNDED BY 5ELI 0RAGER @!USTRALIAN /DYSSEY IS THE l RST COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY 8. In which Swiss-French city will the 90th Congress of the OF WORK BY 2USSIAN BORN 3WISS ARTIST .ICHOLAS #HEVALIER 3WISS !BROAD BE HELD PRODUCED DURING HIS FOURTEEN YEARS IN !USTRALIA 10. Well-known Swiss author that visited the Swiss Club in 4HE EXHIBITION EXPLORES #HEVALIERS LANDSCAPE 1992. work in depth, spanning Victoria from the Grampians to the Gippsland and Great Dividing Ranges. Throughout For answers go to page 23 his long and illustrious career as an artist and illustrator, Chevalier developed a fresh and lively style that was ENTIRELY HIS OWN 4HE EXHIBITION WILL ASSEMBLE #HEVALIERS most signifi cant works, accompanied by lesser known works, studies, sketches, and a complete set of lithographs. “Swiss Images” Competition Full coverage in the next newsletter Login and get the latest info: www.swissclubvic.com www.swissclubvic.com 19 NEW GROUP! The Swiss that helped build modern Italy Italy is commemorating the 150th anniversary of unifi cation this year. At a time of political upheaval in the SwissKids mid-19th century, many Swiss played an important role The three groups – Saturday Morning Swiss in Italy’s economic development. School, Playgroup and Familienplausch – over .UMEROUS BANKS GRAND HOTELS AND COTTON MILLS WERE IN THE time did not generate enough interest and hands of Swiss who, at the end of the century, represented the unfortunately almost vanished. second largest foreign community in Italy. ! TH CENTURY 2OMAN NOBLE -ARCANTONIO !LTIERI WROTE THAT Thanks to the efforts and engagement of the Swiss were barbarians, men not to be trusted, lacking in a few volunteering individuals/families humanity and were the main enemies of Rome and Italians. the Swiss Club is now able to offer a new !LTIERI WAS ANYTHING BUT KIND TO THE 3WISS SOLDIERS WHO and combined platform to bring together he thought were responsible for the exclusion of “worthy interested families and their children to 2OMANSv FROM THE POPES ARMED GUARD enjoy once a month a couple of fun, play and )TS NOT KNOWN TO WHAT EXTENT THE 2OMAN POPULATION SHARED education fi lled hours. !LTIERIS OPINION OR WHETHER THESE BATTLE HARDENED MERCENARIES were as inhumane as the nobleman made them out to be. We are therefore very excited to announce But one thing is certain: three centuries later the Swiss were that a new group – SwissKids – has been making an important contribution to the building of Italy, in established. particular in the hotel and banking sectors and the textile industry. The program started in September this year Contrary to what would seem obvious, the Swiss presence was and we currently have about 14 children aged strongest in southern Italy during the fi rst decades of the 19th between 3-12 attending with their parents. century. While the younger kids enjoy some handicraft The Bourbons (rulers of what is now southern Italy) put Swiss & drawing, Esther with the help of other at the head of their regiments and this explains in part the ties parents offers the older kids German lessons CREATED WITH SOUTHERN )TALY AND ITS ALSO INTERESTING TO NOTE that focus on learning to speak, read & write that the Swiss community was comprised mostly of Swiss- German Protestants. German. They also incorporate fun games and small science experiments into the lesson. !MONG THE EARLY PIONEERS WERE *EAN *ACQUES %GG WHO ARRIVED IN .APLES IN WITH FAMILIES FROM :URICH TO SET UP THE fi rst cotton mill looms in the then commune of Piedimone All interested members/non-members are D!LIFE invited to join us: Egged on When: 1st Saturday of each month -ANY 3WISS INDUSTRIALISTS FOLLOWED IN %GGS FOOTSTEPS 4HEY Time: 2pm to 4pm went in particular to Salerno where such families as the 7ENNERS :àBLINS 6ONWILLERS AND -EYERS WERE ACTIVE Where: Swiss Club, 89 Flinders Lane, 4HEIR FACTORIES WERE IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR THE SOUTHS ECONOMY Second Floor FOR EXAMPLE THE COTTON MILLS OF :àBLIN AND 6ONWILLER EMPLOYED ABOUT WORKERS BUT WERE MAJOR PLAYERS WORLDWIDE Program: handicraft, experiments, German Salerno was sometimes called the “Manchester of the Two lessons, singing, cooking/baking Sicilies”. and playing games To the north, especially in the industrial triangle formed by Turin, Genoa and Milan, most Swiss entrepreneurs involved in Please contact: the Convenor for more details: the textile industry arrived much later – in the post-unifi cation Esther Blaser-Tokarev period. E: [email protected] The presence of the Swiss textile merchants was very important, T: 8521 3739 M: 0424 220 523 mainly around Bergamo and Turin, referring to people like !UGUST !BEGG FOUNDER OF THE TEXTILE PLANT 6ALLESUSA WHICH WAS a leading company in Italy for many years. By the end of the 19th century, there were 65 textile factories Support those that support your Club. Consider our Advertisers operated by Swiss merchants, including 16 in the province 20 Swiss Club of Victoria of Bergamo and 14 in the province of Turin. Many of these Swiss activities in the country came to an abrupt end with the companies employed between 1,000 and 2,500 workers, outbreak of the First World War. By 1918, all Swiss textile mills according to historian Georges Bonnant, who at the beginning had passed into the hands of Italians. Despite everything, ties of the 1970s studied Swiss emigration to Italy. remained strong. Electric monopoly !LSO WORTH MENTIONING IS THE CENTRAL ROLE PLAYED BY THE fi nancial institution, Société Financière Italo-Suisse, founded in Geneva in 1902, which for a number of years had a near monopoly on the production and distribution of electricity in southern Italy, not including Sicily. The Swiss also had an excellent reputation as hoteliers. “The best hotels are those of the Swiss,” wrote French author Gustave Flaubert. )T MAY BE A CLICHÏ BUT &LAUBERTS VIEW SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT the prestige and the know-how acquired by Swiss hoteliers, who were at the forefront of tourism in Europe, and brought their experience to Italy where they practically created the 4th Jass Night Results – Swiss Club, 10 Sept hotel industry in the second half of the 19th century. Singles 1. Martin Hornlimann ...... 2811 "EFORE THE INVENTION OF WINTER SPORTS HOTELS IN THE 3WISS !LPS 2ENE :ELLER ...... 2780 in the Engadine Valley for example, closed their doors in winter 3. Brigitte Bohren ...... 2767 BECAUSE THE INVESTMENT DIDNT PAY OFF 4HEREFORE THE IDEA WAS born to continue the season in the south, also moving their Teams 1. Brigitte & Dolf Bohren ...... 5086 staff who otherwise would have been unemployed. 2. Ida McDonald & Benny Hurlimann ...... 4989 -ARLISE 3EPP +RUMENACHER ...... 4920 Italian palaces 4HE )TALIAN @PALACES OF THE AGE WERE CREATED THANKS TO 3WISS HOTELIERS LIKE #ÏSAR 2ITZ !LPHONSE 0FYFFER *OSEPH "UCHER $URRER Swiss Club Jass König & Champion Team AND !DOLF !NGST "Y THE END OF THE TH CENTURY NEARLY 2011 – ERNIE HUGLI TROPHY grand hotels were in Swiss hands. König 1. Roger Moullet ...... 8186 This development was also made possible thanks to capital 2. Hans Pecar ...... 8122 from private Swiss banks with branches in Italy. 3. Marcel Theiler ...... 8014 The presence of Swiss banks goes back to the 18th century. Team 1. Trudi & Marcel Theiler ...... 15893 )N .APLES FOR EXAMPLE AN IMMIGRANT FROM CANTON 4HURGAU IN $ORIS #ONRAD (ANS +ELLER ...... 15333 1762 founded the Banca Meuricoffre, taken over in 1905 by the 3. Ida McDonald & Benny Hurlimann ...... 15186 Italian bank, Credito Italiano. !LTHOUGH THE IDEA OF BANKS WAS IN PART BORN IN )TALY n THINKING Melbourne Jass König & Champion Team of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena – the expertise of the Swiss was already well recognised at the time. 2011 – GÜNTER BRITSCHGI TROPHY 4HE 'ENEVANS $E ,A 2àE WERE THE PREFERRED BANKERS OF #AMILLO Combined Swiss Club & Matterhorn #AVOUR ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF UNIl ED )TALY 4HE $E ,A 2àES König (ANS +ELLER ...... 13295 fi nanced a number of important works such as the construction 2. Benny Hurlimann ...... 13025 OF THE 4URIN !LESSANDRIA RAILWAY LINE 3. Sylvia Hochuli ...... 12907 Industrialisation Team $ORIS #ONRAD (ANS +ELLER ...... 26085 Large Swiss fi nancial institutions also entered the game as the 2. Ida McDonald & Benny Hurliman ...... 25498 industrial revolution fi nally took hold in Italy around 1890. 3. Brigitte & Dolf Bohren ...... 24367 "ASELS "ANKVEREIN 'ENEVAS 5NION &INANCIÒRE AND #REDIT Suisse all participated in the founding of the Banca Upcoming Jass Nights - 2012 Commerciale Italiana which, together with Credito Italiano, CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO )TALYS INDUSTRIALISATION Swiss Club 1st 17 March ND *UNE Capital invested in Credito Italiano came in part from institutes RD *ULY WITH 3WISS ORIGINS LIKE "ANCA 6ONWILLER OF -ILAN +USTER OF 4URIN 4th & Final 15 September and the Basler Handelsbank. Credit Suisse, not satisfi ed with playing a role from afar, Matterhorn 1st 25 February designated its own president of the board of governors of the 2nd 5 May Banca Commerciale Italiana as head of a textile empire with RD !UGUST numerous branches across Italy. Information supplied by Paul Eisenegger 9544 4681 www.swissclubvic.com 21 Scratching the surface Switzerland’s Engadine valley may be globally renowned thanks to its most famous town, St. Moritz. For locals and most Swiss however, the valley’s beautiful houses with their distinct etchings known as sgraffi ti, are attractions and cultural gems in themselves. Rhythmic patterns climb the edge of a wall; fl oral decorations frame the eaves of a house; geometric patterns transform a small, sunken window into a spectacular feast for the eyes, while two mountain deer appear to be locked in permanent battle above a main doorway; the decorations adorning some houses in the Engadine come across more as a form of art than simple decoration. Their impact is further increased by the contrast they strike against the dull heaviness of the massive, thick walls, common to the local architecture. Vnà near Ramosch ! WALK ALONG THE SMALL WINDING ROADS THAT WEAVE BETWEEN THE with etchings that give the impression of stone corners – a old villages of the Lower Engadine valley – such as Guarda or sign of a wealthier abode. Lines racing towards inset windows !RDEZ n GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT TIME STOOD STILL 4HIS ANCIENT appear to open up deeply recessed openings. decorative custom was imported from neighbouring Italy in the 16th century. Even though many buildings in the area were 3YMBOLISM IS ALSO PREVALENT ! WAVE LIKE MOTIF KNOWN AS THE destroyed during the Thirty Years War, which ended in 1648 @RUNNING DOG AND ALSO VISIBLE IN ANCIENT CLASSICAL DECORATIONS (see box), sgraffi ti experienced a revival in the 17th and 18th SYMBOLISES LIFE n PAST AND FUTURE HIGHS AND LOWS ! DRAGON IS centuries, when Italian master craftsmen traveled through the meant to ward off evil spirits and acts as a guardian for the Engadine in search of work. house and its inhabitants. The rosette is based on the sun: the giver of life and symbol of fertility, creativity and healing power. Historical etchings More traditional mountain scenes, such as the depiction of Deriving from the Italian word graffi are – which means to local animals like the ibex, can be found too, but interestingly scratch – the technique consists of etching a design into wet they are not as common as one might expect. Houses were plaster, to reveal a different colour underneath. Perhaps one sometimes adorned over a lifetime, with motives slowly added of the most spectacular sgraffi ti IN 3WITZERLAND IS IN 2OVEREDO as thanksgiving for a rich harvest or a year of good luck. n STILL IN 'RAUBàNDEN BUT NEAR THE 4ICINO BORDER )T IS SOME to 12 metres long and portrays a scene from ancient Greek Each is unique MYTHOLOGY %NGADINES sgraffi ti, however, has a more naive One of the charms of this ancient technique is that it not only QUALITY A SIMPLER FEEL IN BOTH SUBJECT MATTER AND TECHNIQUE personalises individual buildings, but also gives each village a rather than being overly elaborate. character all of it own. Traditionally, each village had a slightly Sgraffi ti was also different colour of etchings because it depended on the sand very much used for architectural purposes. The mountain houses were designed to keep out the cold – with heavy walls and small, inset windows – and the sgraffi ti technique provided the local population with a chance to create an optical illusion on a BUILDINGS FA ADE AND On a house in Samedan: Scha la give the impression furtüna voust chatter schi vo l’incunter of a less inset na spetter – If you want to fi nd good window or a more fortune, don’t wait for it to come to elegant wall. The you but take the fi rst step toward it edges of buildings Want a taste of Switzerland? Visit the Swiss Club Restaurant yourself are often decorated 22 Swiss Club of Victoria From Madulain: Dür cun dür nu fo bun mür – Matterhorn Yodel Choir A good wall must be made of looking for new members hard stone and )F YOU ENJOY 3WISS YODELLING SONGS AND WOULD LIKE TO BE soft mortar part of a choir which takes this tradition seriously, this IS YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THE 3WISS 9ODEL #HOIR -ATTERHORN For personal reasons, our fi rst yodeler will not be able to continue his role in the choir next year, and we have also lost another choir member. The choir is therefore in a process of renewal, and we are looking for new choir that had been mixed in the stucco (covering of walls). Each members, and especially someone who can develop into a village used local sand, which varied slightly in colour and LEADING YODELER *ODLER ODER *ODLERIN texture depending on where it was in the valley. While we take our singing seriously, we also value good The sgraffi ti method involves two or three coats of whitewash COMPANIONSHIP AMONG CHOIR MEMBERS AND WE ENJOY being overlaid onto naturally coloured plaster. In order to having a good time. If you would like to give this a try, scratch the ornaments into the wall, the surface has to be PLEASE CONTACT OUR 0RESIDENT -ARCO 5NTERNËHRER ON moist all the way through: what is known as al fresco (fresh). 9752 6996 (H) or 9729 3338 (W). The motives must be scratched in fairly quickly – and out of DIRECT SUNSHINE n OTHERWISE THE MORTAR WILL TRY TOO QUICKLY !ND THE TEMPERATURE HAS TO BE JUST RIGHT TOO OR THE RESULT WILL NOT last for centuries as intended. There is almost no way to correct It’s your Club. Get involved mistakes made during the procedure. Door archways, window recesses, gables and corners are the main areas decorated in THIS WAY ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES WHOLE SECTIONS OF A BUILDINGS FA ADE CAN BE COVERED IN sgraffi ti. The decoration then survives for some 400 to 500 years – leaving a lasting mark. A dying art? Today, newly built holiday fl ats in the Engadine are sometimes decorated with sgraffi ti, but experts turn up their noses at most of recent creations. Most are done by builders, who may !S WE APPROACH THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR AGAIN AND WE ARE ALL have mastered the technique but are lacking the artistic fl air. back again from our travel; we are looking forward to perform Efforts are being made to ensure the survival of this unique art. with the Dance Group and the Yodlers at Tabulam and Martin Courses are now on offer, conducted by experts who teach the ,UTHER .URSING (OMES )TS ALWAYS SUCH A JOY TO BRING A LITTLE BIT history, technique and artistry of sgraffi ti. of Christmas cheer to the residents there. We also had a great day at the Swiss Festival this year. Despite BEING A VERY SMALL GROUP WE ENJOYED THE WEEKEND AT THE 3WISS The Thirty Years War in Graubünden )TALIAN &ESTA 4OGETHER WITH THE $ANCE 'ROUP !LPENROSE AND The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) wreaked havoc across the Yodlers we had a lot of fun. We also sang at the church in Europe, as the Holy Roman Empire and its Catholic allies Daylesford on Sunday which is a Highlight for us. battled against opposing protestant powers over religious ! BIG THANK YOU GOES TO 4ONI OUR #ONDUCTOR FOR HIS AND TERRITORIAL ISSUES 3WITZERLAND ALREADY PARTIALLY FORMED perseverance and good humor. Thank you Marianne for all your as a confederation (although not yet as we know it today), help in my absence. succeeded in avoiding the war, thanks to a complex set of On behalf of the Swiss Companion Singers I wish alliances arranged over the previous century. everyone a wonderful Christmas and a happy and 'RAUBàNDEN HOWEVER WAS NOT AS LUCKY .OT YET A FULL healthy new Year. member of the Swiss Confederation, but merely an associate, it did not benefi t from the alliance. Instead its Heidy Giger geographic location across the strategically important !LPINE PASSES n MEANT IT WASNT SPARED WAR AND DEVASTATION 4HESE PASSES ACROSS THE !LPS WERE THE ONLY LINK BETWEEN !USTRIA AND .ORTHERN )TALY WHICH WERE BOTH Test your Swiss Knowledge - Answers ruled by the Hapsburg and control of the passes were vital Across: 3!).4-!52)#% !,%43#( 37)33&%346!, to ensure the movement of troops from one battlefi eld to (%0"52.302).'3 *5.'&2!5*/#( ,!4%.% another. Down: 34'!,,%. )4!,9 3#(-54:,) -!44)/,) -/%6%.0)#+ ,!53!..% &2!.:(/(,%2 www.swissclubvic.com 23 Expatriates given lessons in direct democracy Leading up to the parliamentary elections on 23 October, @$IRECT $EMOCRACY WAS CHOSEN AS THE KEY TOPIC OF THIS YEARS congress, In her address to 89th Congress of the Swiss delegates, federal councillor Doris Leuthard Abroad stressed that in times of crisis it was crucial Lugano, 26-28 August FOR CITIZENS TO BE ABLE to participate directly in /RGANISED BY THE /RGANISATION OF THE 3WISS ABROAD /3! politics. THE #ONGRESS OF THE 3WISS !BROAD IS THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 3WISS CITIZEN ABROAD $URING THIS MEETING THEY HAVE THE She assured the audience of several hundred delegates in opportunity to receive and exchange current information Lugano that the government was well aware of the important ABOUT 3WITZERLAND TO DISCUSS SPECIAL TOPICS CONCERNING 3WISS role of the expatriate community as ambassadors for the !BROAD AND TO EXCHANGE IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE THEIR OWN country and their role in promoting Swiss values. experiences. !PPEALING FOR COURAGE AND A CLEAR HEAD IN TACKLING THE POLITICAL This Congress takes place each year in a different city of challenges, Leuthard said: “We can only weather the storm 3WITZERLAND AND SOME COMPATRIOTS FROM AROUND WORLD together.” come each year to this event. Visits, entertainments, meeting She said expatriates could benefi t from the use of new with the authorities and local population are also part of the technology and government services, including online offers program. This year the congress was held in Lugano on the AND HELPLINES TO TAKE PART IN THE POLITICAL LIFE IN 3WITZERLAND WEEKEND OF AND !UGUST and keep in touch with their homeland. 4HE SUMMER SESSION OF THE #OUNCIL OF THE 3WISS !BROAD TOOK She said she was pleased to hear that the Council of the place on Friday ahead of the Congress with 78 delegates 3WISS !BROAD ON &RIDAY APPROVED A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE PARTICIPATING AMONG THEM !USTRALIAN DELEGATE "EAT +NOBLAUCH extension of the key labour accord with the European Union. Perhaps surprisingly, Leuthard did not broach the congress theme of direct democracy explicitly but focused on the global economic woes, the impact of the strong Swiss franc on the COUNTRYS EXPORT AND TOURISM INDUSTRY AND THE GOVERNMENTS proposed SFr2 billion ($2.5 billion) economic stimulus package. Stability &ORMER GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN !CHILLE #ASANOVA MADE A PASSIONATE PLEA FOR VOTERS PARTICIPATION IN BALLOTS CONSENSUS AND FEDERALISM AS PILLARS OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM FOR 3WITZERLAND He dismissed claims by critics that direct democratic institutions such as initiatives and referendums were obstacles for an effi cient government. “Direct democracy is a key factor for political stability,” he said. ! PANEL DISCUSSION WITH FOUR EXPERTS ON DEMOCRACY HIGHLIGHTED merits and shortcomings of the system in a historical context and the controversy over the possible reforms. 3OCIAL $EMOCRATIC PARLIAMENTARIAN !NDREAS 'ROSS ARGUED THAT direct democracy was not an exclusive Swiss privilege and that the inspiration came from elsewhere. “The Swiss did not invent direct democracy, but they have probably made the best use of it,” he said. Constitutional court Werner Gartenmann of the group Campaign for an )NDEPENDENT AND .EUTRAL 3WITZERLAND ARGUED THAT DIRECT democracy was incompatible with the European Union. Historian René Roca explained that forms of direct democracy ALSO EXIST IN !SIA !FRICA AND ,ATIN BUT 7ESTERN COUNTRIES LARGELY ignored them. 24 Swiss Club of Victoria &OR LAW PROFESSOR !NDREAS !UER OF :URICH 5NIVERSITY DIRECT PEOPLES INITIATIVES MUST NOT VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS BUT THEY Federer gets votes in Swiss can possibly limit them. He called for the introduction of a constitutional court. election /3! 0RESIDENT *ACQUES 3IMON %GGLY WRAPPED UP THE discussions and speeches, concluding that direct democracy 4ENNIS FANS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE CHEERED 2OGER &EDERERS must respect universal values and must be adapted to face TALENTS BUT HES MOST CELEBRATED IN HIS NATIVE 3WITZERLAND future challenges. where some backed him in the federal election, even though he WASNT ON THE BALLOT !HEAD OF THE ELECTIONS ON /CTOBER HE CALLED FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN POLITICS !BOUT A QUARTER OF ALL 3WISS In his home town of Wollerau the former world tennis number abroad have registered to take part in ballots, representing ONE GOT VOTES TO REPRESENT THE CANTON OF 3CHWYZ IN THE 2.4% of the total potential electorate of about fi ve million Swiss senate. CITIZENS ABOVE THE AGE OF ! &ACEBOOK APPEAL URGED VOTERS TO SCRATCH OUT THE LISTED CANDIDATES AND WRITE IN &EDERERS NAME SwissCommunity.com !N ELECTION OFl CIAL SAID THAT WRITE IN VOTES ARE PERMITTED UNDER !LREADY CLOSE TO 3WISS !BROAD HAVE REGISTERED AS Swiss law and that had the appeal been more successful, members of the internet platform www.swisscommunity.org Federer could have won a senate seat. since its creation in late 2010. This signifi es a resounding “One could be elected here, even if one is not a candidate,” he SUCCESS 4HOSE WHO REGISTERED FROM !USTRALIA MAKE UP OF said. the total, which is a high proportion. In order to give younger 3WISS !BROAD A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE THE #OUNCIL DECIDED TO lower the minimum age to 15 years. Even if the theatre is small, the effect is great. 4HE SPRING SESSION OF THE #OUNCIL OF THE 3WISS !BROAD WILL BE Alexis de Tocqueville held in Bern on 24 March, 2012 and Lausanne will be host the Study of Democracy in Switzerland, 1884 TH #ONGRESS FROM !UGUST WITH THE THEME OF @+NOWLEDGE 4RANSFER Roland Isler - Council of the Swiss Abroad SWISS CLUB MOVIE ‘Wätter Schmöcker’ Wednesday, 15 February 2012, 8pm Swiss Club, Second Floor The Swiss parliamentary Director: Thomas Horat 2010, 98 min, PG Documentary elections Swiss German, English Subtitles On 23 October the Swiss voters decided on the composition of www.mythenfi lm.ch the Swiss parliament. Voter participation was 49%. The federal This fi lm portrays the lives of seven weather prophets elections were the platform for the fi rst successful e-election FROM #ENTRAL 3WITZERLAND WHO PREDICT THE WEATHER SIX TESTS IN THE CANTONS "ASEL #ITY 3T'ALLEN 'RAUBàNDEN AND months in advance. On the basis of mice, bees, ants, !ARGAU !ROUND HALF OF ALL 3WISS !BROAD REGISTERED IN THESE plants, mushrooms, pine cones and winds, they provide cantons voted via e-voting, that is over 3500. The number insight into their methods for predicting the weather and OF 3WISS !BROAD CANDIDATES REACHED A NEW RECORD BUT NOT their knowledge in a sensuous and humorous manner. surprisingly none were elected to offi ce. The fi lm addresses issues concerning global warming !LL POLITICAL PARTIES SHOWED AN EXTRAORDINARY INTEREST IN THE and portrays the Mythen region and Muota Valley with 3WISS !BROAD IN THE LEAD UP TO THE ELECTIONS !S A RESULT A the changing of the seasons, highlighting its inhabitants, record number of candidates from the expatriate community dialects and beauty. Discussions about weather forecasts contested seats – 80 this year compared with only 15 in 2003 between three weather prophets and a meteorologist and 55 in 2007. The largest number of votes went to Helen IN :àRICH DEMONSTRATE THAT THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WITH &REIERMUTH A :àRICH &$0 CANDIDATE LIVING IN #HINA 3HE RECEIVED profound knowledge – beyond the realm of science. 38,000 votes, clearly below the minimum requirement of Free for members, non-members gold coin donation. VOTES !S DISAPPOINTING THESE RESULTS MAY LOOK AT l RST glance, they nevertheless are a success in as much as the 5th Enjoy dinner at the club, before or after the movie. 3WITZERLAND IS NOW l RMLY A FORCE TO RECKON WITH ON THE POLITICAL Please book with the restaurant on 9650 1196. scene. www.swissclubvic.com 25 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). DECEMBER Thursday 01 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 03 Senior Christmas Afternoon Tea (by invitation) Friday 23 Club Restaurant closes after dinner JANUARY Monday 9 Club reopens for 2012 Monday 30 Editorial Deadline - Newsletter March issue FEBRUARY Thursday 02 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 04 SwissKids Sunday 12 .ICHOLAS #HEVALIER Exibition in Geelong ends Wednesday 15 Swiss Movie Night: Wätter Schmöcker 3ATURDAY *ASS .IGHT -ATTERHORN MARCH Thursday 01 Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand entertains at the Club Saturday 03 SwissKids Wednesday 07 Ladies’ Luncheon Wednesday 14 Annual General Meeting Friday 16 Billiard: Swiss Club Doubles Championship Saturday 17 Jass Night - Swiss Club Sunday 25 SWISS FESTIVAL 7EDNESDAY #OMEDY &ESTIVAL STARTS 4HE 3ECOND &LOOR UNAVAILABLE UNTIL !PRIL OTHER REGULAR SWISS CLUB MEETINGS: From a 1952 Tourist Map of Switzerland 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 Familienplausch: monthly on Saturday (check for calendar above for dates), from 1pm to 4pm Swiss German Playgroup: every 1st Thursday of each month from 11am to 2pm The Swiss Diners Club: dates for get-together can be found on www.swiss.org.au or on our Yahoo group http://groups. yahoo.com/group/YoungSwissMelbourne SWISS NEWS, WORLD WIDE 26 Swiss Club of Victoria :PVSIPMJEBZ CFHJOTJO #VTJOFTT$MBTT Relax and enjoy the comforts of Austrian Airlines Business Class. &VSPQFGSPN "6% Earn miles with Miles & More. Information & booking at www.austrian.com, call 1300 655 727 or visit your travel agency. All Austrian fares are now combinable witth Lufthansa and SWISS fares which gives you even more choice to travel to and from Europe. No other airline group connects you in that way. Wine & Cheese Tasting Half-YearlyH General Meeting DABOU N T U O B T H R U L E C S W S I S Swiss & Italian Festival Mystery Trip Kaffeeklatsch