HIGHLIGHTS: a Message from the New President INSIDE

HELVETIA MAGAZINE OF THE SWISS SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 Y E A R 7 8 A message from the new President Grüessech, Bienvenu, Benvenuti, The Wellingtonian’s grin was even bigger HIGHLIGHTS: Allegra and Haere Mai to all members after they received the huge “Chueglogge” - of the Swiss Society of New Zealand. they had also won the Cowbell competition  Welcome from the that day: Well done and congratulations! The AGM in June marked another mile- new Swiss Society The attendees of the AGM had the pleasure stone in the history of the Swiss Society: President to elect a new team – this time from Auck- Wellington handed over their responsibility land. I was the lucky winner of the presiden- to Auckland who will be hosting the Swiss  Introducing the new tial race – not that the queue was very Society for the next 5 years. long… Helvetia Team We would like to thank the outgoing Wel- I’d like to hereby introduce you to our new lington team very much for their tremen-  Canvassing your opin- Swiss Society team: President & Secretary: dous effort and huge commitment: ion Tanja Latham-Zurbrügg, Vice President: Roland Schütz (Society President), Max Marcel Rüedi, Treasurer: Carmen Fitzi-  Swiss National Day Fuhrer (Vice President), Heidi Amelung Gordon, Helvetia Editor: Susie Wood and (Treasurer/Helvetia lay-out), Trudi Rifle Master: Ernst Lanz. Thank you very Brühlmann (Editor/Secretary) and Mark much for your support during the next few Kiser (Rifle Master). years. (cont. p2) INSIDE: Message from the 1-2 new President From the new Hel- 3-4 vetia team

Embassy News 5

Swiss Music and 6 Entertainment

Health Corner 7 Story / Kids’ Corner 8-9

Swiss National Day/ 10-11 Swiss Customs

Swiss Club News 12-17

Chuchichäschtli/ 18 Garden Diary

Swiss News 19

Rhaetian Railway 20

The old and the new Swiss Society team: Front row, from left to right: Ernst Lanz (new riflemaster), Mark Kiser (previous riflemaster), Adrian Blaser (new Helvetia Team), Trudi Brühlmann (previous editor/secretary); standing, from left to right: Tanja Latham-Zurbrügg (new president/secretary), Renate Meyer-Knecht, Nelly Steinemann, Edith Hess, Melissa Lanz (all new Helvetia Team), Heidi Amelung (previous treasurer/Helvetia composer), Susie Wood (new editor), Roland Schütz (old president); behind Melissa: Marcel Rüedi (new vice president).

www.swiss.org.nz P A G E 2 From the new President and Editor

(cont.) The Swiss Society was estab- the Swiss Society I would like to Thank you very much Susie! lished in 1935 by a group of Swiss thank them very much for their tre- Last but not least we would like to immigrants who left their homeland mendous effort. thank everyone that travelled from to begin a new life in a country totally I could hear the champagne corks near and far to attend the Swiss So- unknown to them. pop up in Auckland when they fin- ciety AGM and everyone who helped The objectives of the Society were to ished their last Helvetia issue. Our make the Queens Birthday weekend assist other compatriots requiring new Helvetia team in Auckland has a memorable couple of days. moral or financial support, teaching very large shoes to fill, so we de- “Der krönende Abschluss“ (the fi- immigrants the New Zealand way of cided to get our own boots instead… nale) for me was the Swiss Kiwi Yo- life as well as to promote cultural We are lucky to have a very dedi- del Group’s song about the Niesen traditions by setting up Swiss clubs cated new Helvetia team and I would and the Thunersee – I felt homesick around the country. like to thank each of you very much just listening to them singing about The Helvetia magazine is tradition- for your contributions and commit- “mini Heimat” (my homeland)… ally published by the Swiss Society ment over the next few months and and is currently in it’s 78th year! years.

Trudi Brühlmann and Heidi Amelung You would not be reading this article have done an outstanding job in pro- if it wasn’t for our wonderful new edi- ducing the Helvetia in the last 5 tor Susie Wood who has already years – the commitment they have spent hours and hours producing Tanja Latham-Zurbruegg put in is admirable and on behalf of this “new look” Helvetia for you!

From the Editor Swiss Society of New Zealand Inc. Greetings dear Readers! Patron H. E. Dr Marion Weichelt Krupski As Trudi Brühlmann and Heidi Ame- President/ Tanja Latham-Zurbruegg, 45 Kinross Street, Blockhouse Bay, lung leave their respective roles as Secretary Auckland 0600. Ph 09 627 8777. E-mail: [email protected]) editor and lay-out expert of the Hel- Vice President Marcel Rüedi, 25 Beverley Crescent, RD 1 Whangarei 0179 vetia magazine and tidy up their bits Ph 02 7490 1836. E-mail: [email protected] Editor Susie Wood, PO Box 65206 Mairangi Bay Auckland 0745. and pieces, our desks and minds are Ph 09 4736098. E-mail: [email protected] flooded with the new tasks at hand. Treasurer Carmen Fitzi-Gordon, 2 Coldham Crescent, St. Johns, Auckland 1072. It is only as we take over that we Ph 09 528 0903. E-mail: c and [email protected] truly appreciate the amount of work Riflemaster Ernst Lanz, 23 Hawaiian Parade, Arkles Bay, Whangaparaoa 0932. and organisation that is involved in Ph 09 428 5687. Email: [email protected] creating such a magazine. Delegates to the Swiss Abroad Conference in Switzerland I am delighted to be supported by a Delegate Othmar Hebler, 9 Larlin Heights, RD 15, Hawera. Ph 06 278 6878 very creative Helvetia team which Deputy Delegate Emanuel Zust, 41 Cheltenham Drive, Kapiti Village, Paraparaumu will help with both editorial matters Ph 04 905 0017 and writing articles. This team will Secretaries of the Swiss Clubs be instrumental in shaping the Hel- vetia over coming months and also Auckland Heidi Wilson, 53 Rothesay Bay Road, Rothesay Bay, Auckland. contribute key articles. Ph 094789751. E-mail: [email protected] Hamilton Anita Zuber, PO Box 24061, Hamilton 3253. You will see on page 4 that this Mob 027 498 5170. E-mail: [email protected] change of guard is also an opportu- Taranaki Marianne Drummond, 508 Salisbury Road, RD 24, Stratford. nity to ask you for your opinion about Ph 06 7628 757. E-mail: [email protected] the Helvetia magazine. I hope many Wellington Odile Stotzer, 24 Fitzherbert Street, Alicetown, Lower Hutt 5010. of you will participate in the survey Ph 04 586 3095. E mail: [email protected] (with a good prize to be won!) and Swiss Government Representatives send future letters to the Editor. Embassy of Level 12, Maritime Towers, 10 Custom House Quay, Wellington 6140. Best wishes, Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.eda.admin.ch/wellington Consulate Peter Deutschle, 3 Marine Parade, Herne Bay, Auckland 1011. of Switzerland Ph 09 366 0403. E-mail: [email protected]

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 3 From the new Helvetia Team

Welcome Change is in the air... Finally the big moment has arrived! The new Auckland Even though we know you like the Helvetia just like it is, Helvetia Team bids all our readers across New Zealand a the handover of the Helvetia to a new team also presents warm welcome. We hope you will bear with us over the an opportunity for change. We are very much aware that coming months while we hone our writing and publishing the Helvetia is about you, the reader. Therefore, we are skills, and give you a Helvetia magazine which you will not proposing changes lightly and without careful thought. come to enjoy just as much as the old one. Some of that change is already evident by the modified look of the Helvetia. These changes are not large and A big Thank You to the focused more on updating the Helvetia as a publication. outgoing Helvetia Team We hope you like it. Perhaps the most important issue we have had to grapple No doubt you will all join us in thanking the amazing out- with is the monthly publication of the Helvetia (10 issues/ going Wellington Helvetia team. Past editor Trudi year). Members of the new Helvetia Team are engaged Brühlmann and publisher Heidi Amelung, as well as their already in the Swiss Club, other volunteering jobs, profes- regular and occasional authors, have done a truly out- sionally and with their families. Therefore, the commit- standing job in creating a Helvetia magazine that is pro- ment to a monthly publication, with all the attendant work fessional, creative and engaging. Special thanks also go and deadlines, is difficult to sustain in the long term. to Carolyne Lane, a key contributor. As a result, we have decided on the two-monthly publica- Trudi and Heidi have maintained this large commitment tion of the Helvetia (six issues/year). In this, we are sup- over five years without fail, working their lives around the ported by Trudi Brühlmann and Heidi Amelung who have many tasks and deadlines such a job involves. Their found the commitment, although enjoyable, at times diffi- friendship and plenty of cups of coffee have carried them cult to reconcile with their personal lives. through all the way. We presented our proposal to the AGM of the Swiss Over the years, the Helvetia magazine has been instru- Society in Auckland on 3 June 2012 and it was unani- mental in weaving the New Zealand Swiss people to- mously accepted. gether and sharing what it is to be Swiss in New Zealand. We have all learnt things about Switzerland we never We know that many among you will be disappointed and knew and would have never known even if living in Swit- apologise for this. However, we trust you will understand zerland! And we have been kept up to date with Swiss our decision. We hope to make up with a high quality and current affairs where important. enjoyable two-monthly Helvetia magazine with more col- our and the occasional “bumper” issue. But there has been much more than just information to the Helvetia magazine. The graciousness and insightful- The new Helvetia Team ness of Trudi, Heidi and their contributors have given the Helvetia a unique flavour, and have made us think and Having an active Swiss Club in Auckland has enabled us smile many times over the years. to assemble a lively and diverse team of contributors who We know that Trudi and Heidi look forward very much to have agreed to write on a range of topics. their newly won freedom...although we may need to call The Auckland Helvetia team embraces a range of inter- on them just occasionally for their advice and opinion. ests and ages. These will hopefully reflect the diversity of Already they have done everything they can to promote a interests and ages among our readership across New smooth transition to the new team. Zealand. We wish you all best for the future and many more Over the coming months, we will take the opportunity to friendly cups of coffee... introduce the various members of the team and their respective areas of interest. We also intend to “shoulder tap” other members of the Swiss Society occasionally to see whether they would like to make a contribution to the Helvetia. Further, Carolyne Lane has promised to continue to make an occasional contribution.

P A G E 4 From the new Helvetia Team

Give us your opinion – and win Letters to the Editor a box of wine! Do you have any issues or comments that are central to the Swiss Society and its members in New Zealand, and Your brand new publishers would love to know what you that you would like to see raised and addressed in would like to read in future editions of the Helvetia maga- greater detail? Would you like pass on some important zine. To this end, we have devised a questionnaire. It’s fun news about the Swiss in Switzerland or New Zealand? to complete, and will take you five minutes only, unless We would really like to hear from you, either via e-mail or you have lots to comment on. You can do it either online, letter to the Editor and we will do our best to include your or on paper. message into the Helvetia, time and space permitting. As You find the link on: a general guideline, we would like to encourage you to http://www.swiss.org.nz/event.php?ID=1567 limit your messages to approximately 100-150 words. It is also on the Hamilton, Taranaki and Auckland Swiss Please send your messages to the Editor using the de- Club websites. For the non-computerised, request a paper tails on page 2. We look forward to receiving them! version by writing to or phoning Nelly Steinemann, 8 St. Ives Tce, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, or phone 09 4794038 (message with your address is fine). All entries received by 30 August will go into the draw to win half a dozen bottles of fabulous Renato wine (two Pi- not Gris, two Pinot Noir and two Sauvignon Blanc), deliv- ered to your doorstep. The draw is open to all paid up members of the NZ Swiss Society (your membership in your Swiss club includes the society). Maximum two entries per family. Renat Nussbaumer is a Swiss winemaker, who estab- lished the Renato vineyard on the Kina peninsula near Nelson 12 years ago. He produces exquisite wines, which he sells in New Zealand as well as in Switzerland and other countries. You can find out more about him and his wines at http://www.renatoestate.co.nz/. A visual sample of Renato vine

Are you interested in an electronic version of the Öisen Wäg Helvetia? Leere Iuege, wie der ander Given the age of computers we live in, some people like to zfride blybt und gsund und zwääg. receive their printed matter via ‘cyberspace” and save Leere lose some paper, waste and postage in the process. Of course, we realise that many of you prefer the printed ver- was de Mitmänsch sion and having the ability to read it at a place of your con- öis wott mitgee uf de Wääg venience - and you will be able to continue to do so. Leere lauffe However, those who are interested now have the option of graad und wäidli requesting the Helvetia magazine in electronic form - but hilft äim über mänge Haag. please note that if you chose this options, you will not re- Leere tanke ceive the paper version anymore. tüüf und eerli If you would prefer to receive an electronic version of the für so mänge schöne Taag. Helvetia, please advise the Secretary (Tanja Latham- Zurbruegg) by e-mail ([email protected]), and we Contributed by Edith Hess will make the necessary adjustments to the data base.

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 5 Embassy News -

Ambassador’s Speech in Auckland

Those who attended the formal dinner of the Swiss Society Of note in this context is progress with successful trials for AGM in Auckland on 3 June have heard the speech of our e-voting. An increasing number of cantons are being Ambassador Marion Weichelt Krupski on Swiss Politics dur- granted permission for e-voting, with priority given to Swiss ing 2011-2012. living abroad. The ASO (Auslandschweizer Organisation - If you were not able to attend, you are able to access and Organisation of the Swiss living abroad) plays an active role read the speech on the Swiss Embassy’s website (http:// in the above two matters. www.eda.admin.ch/wellington) and follow the link through to The Ambassador also spoke about Swiss – Kiwi relation- Embassy Wellington/Welcome Message. For those among ships and the close cooperation where common interests are you who do not have access to a computer/internet, the Em- concerned, such as in the areas of the environment, human bassy has kindly agreed to post out printed copies of the rights, disarmament, free trade and rule of law. speech. Please refer to page 2 for relevant contact details. Despite recent talks between the former Ambassador Beat Following is a brief summary of the speech. Nobs (now the head of the Asia/Pacific Division of the De- The Ambassador gave us an update of Swiss elections in partment of Foreign Affairs) during his visit to New Zealand 2011, reiterating the Swiss Governance model and describ- and the New Zealand Government, no further progress has ing the newly elected Federal Council (Bundesrat) and its been made regarding the non-deduction of the AHV (Swiss political composition. Of interest were the voting patterns of pension) from the New Zealand pension, nor are any Swiss living abroad, which are generally more liberal and changes likely to occur in the near future given the current green in comparison to voters living in Switzerland. More budgetary situation in New Zealand. detail on this can be found in the June 2012 issue of the The Ambassador commented that this does not apply to sec- Swiss Review (www.revue.ch/en). ond tier Swiss pensions (Pensionskasse) nor to the voluntary The speech covered the 10th anniversary of Switzerland’s AHV which are not deducted from the New Zealand pension. membership in the United Nations (UN), highlighting the fact The same situation applies to all other European countries that Switzerland has been a strong UN partner, with a clear as well. commitment to many challenges the world faces today. Lastly, the Ambassador noted the fact that no progress has Financial matters were next. Switzerland is currently the 7th been made on reaching a mutual Working Holiday Agree- most important financial centre worldwide and under increas- ment for young New Zealand and Swiss people. ing international pressure to cooperate in the fight against We all appreciated the Ambassador’s effort to attend our tax offences. A Financial Centre Strategy issued by the Fed- dinner on her way back from an official engagement in Sa- eral Council at the end of February 2012 aims for a credible, moa and her update on political matters in Switzerland. tax-compliant and competitive Swiss financial centre. The strategy includes a number of key actions, including fighting money laundering and market abuse, and implementing measures to ensure that Swiss banks only accept taxed money. The speech then centred on Switzerland and the European Union (EU). It discussed existing bilateral agreements, fo- cusing on that for the free movement of persons between Switzerland and any of the partner countries. It highlighted ongoing institutional questions about how to adjust these agreements to new developments in EU law. The Ambassador talked about the 700,000 Swiss Citizen who have chosen to live abroad, mostly in Europe (60%). Some 170,000 live in the USA and 30,000 live in our region of Oceania. Three out of four Swiss living abroad possess dual nationality. The Ambassador also noted the fact that the Swiss government is currently considering a Federal Law for Swiss Citi- The new Federal Council (from left to right): Johann N. Schneider- zens abroad, together with one department with responsibil- Ammann (Department of Economic Affairs), Didier Burkhalter ity for all issues relating to Swiss citizens living abroad. In (Department of Foreign Affairs), Ueli Maurer (Vice-President, Depart- ment of Defence), Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf June, a parliamentary initiative to this end was signed by 31 (Department of Finance), Doris Leuthard (Department of the Environ- out of 46 members of the Council of States (Federal Coun- ment, Transport, Energy and Communications), Simonetta Sommaruga cil). (Department of Justice and Police), Alain Berset (Department of Home Affairs) and Federal Chancellor Corina Casanova. P A G E 6 Swiss Music and Entertainment

They weren't in the least bit bothered that they would 77 Bombay Street have to share a bedroom. A short time later they formed a There are many, many family bands, but very few of them band which they named after their temporary home down have as much in common and yet as many differences as under. From this point, the heart of the band beat in the the members of 77 Bombay Street. The sound created by chalet's cellar, where they rehearsed. Then everything the four brothers from Scharans is reminiscent of The happened very quickly: 77 Bombay Street began to enter Beatles in their early days or the Beach Boys after a night band competitions, winning almost every one of them. on the drink. They were then hired for some gigs and won both the Little Prix Walo and the MyCokemusic Contest in 2009. The combination of this sound, the inspiring mountain air, and influences from the current music scene creates the At this stage, 77 Bombay Street is more than just an in- unmistakeable brand of folk rock that is the "Bombays". sider tip. 77 Bombay Street is all about the joy of making music, musical talent, intensity and authenticity. With the All four brothers write songs, channelling their personal songs '47 Millionaires' and 'Long Way', they have con- preferences into the band's music. This means that in this quered the radio waves and are getting both positive me- case, variety and inventiveness are not just an empty dia reviews and encouraging feedback. phrase, but the defining feature of this band. The band's fan community is growing steadily. 77 Bom- "Our music is a combination of folky lightness, profound bay Street have already played over 100 live shows in song-writing, and a healthy dose of humour," grins Matt. their very short career. Their debut album, Up In The Sky, Matt (28), Joe (26), Esra (24), and Simri-Ramon (20) features 12 characteristic and unmistakeable folk-rock grew up in a family of nine in Basel. Ever since they were gems. There isn't a note too many, the songs are not tiny, they have been making music together. Initially, they overloaded with ideas, every word counts ... in fact, every performed in nursing homes, hospitals and at private one of the songs is straightforward, direct, and goes events. straight to the heart. Then came an event that changed their lives: in 2001, the Piqued your curiosity? Visit their official website Buchli family moved to Australia for two years, setting up www.77bombaystreet.com and listen to ‘47 Millionaires’. home at 77 Bombay Street in Adelaide. On their return to Switzerland, the four decided that they By Alexandra Jung didn't want to live in the city any more. "We were lucky to be able to take over the old chalet that belonged to our grandparents in Scharans," says Esra. "Surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the canton of Graubünden, it was just perfect."

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 7 Health corner

Going to the doctor in New Zealand – what’s different?

It happens to all of us sooner or later: It pays to be ‘enrolled’ at a General Most GPs don’t work 24/7. If you need An accident, a minor or major illness, Practice if you are a permanent NZ to be seen after hours, you are ad- stress that’s a bit overwhelming - and resident. vised to go to an emergency surgery. we need to see a health professional. The enrolment is done through a PHO Usually, the charges are higher there Many of us are very comfortable with (Primary Health Organization, a large than at your local practice. You can try the English language and the way association of up to several 100 GPs). and present at the local hospital’s things function at home and at work, The PHO is funded by the DHB to de- emergency department where you will but feel unsure about how to tackle liver health services. The GP practice be seen for free. health issues. There is often an inbuilt receives a specific amount of money They discourage you to attend with distrust in the healthcare of another (depending on the age and location of trivial issues; the waiting times for non- country. the patient) every three months for emergencies can be so long that you I have worked in New Zealand general each enrolled patient, whether s/he is will get better before you are seen! But practice for longer than I care to re- seen or not and your consultations will if you have a serious medical emer- member and would like to share some be cheaper. In most cases – except gency, you will be attended to quickly of my experiences with our readers. children under 6 – there is still charge at a hospital, and it is better to go there Today, I try to give you an overview of to pay. You are expected to pay at the rather than to your GP. how the system works. In further edi- time of consultation, not like in Switzer- GPs don’t usually keep medications at tions I will cover more practical as- land where you are sent an account. their surgeries. Instead, you will take a pects about your relationship with your Some NZ GPs work alone, but in- prescription to any pharmacy. Most health professionals and deal with spe- creasingly, they work in groups of vari- medications are subsidised; you pay $ cific conditions. I will appreciate your ous sizes. Until recently, most owned 3.00 only (soon it will be 5.00) for each feedback on what you would like to their business. Now larger organisa- item. Laboratory testing is free for al- see in future. tions are buying GP practices and em- most all tests. We have several health practitioners of ploy the doctors. I have particularly Your GP can refer you for an X-Ray or various backgrounds in our club, who liked the small group practices in my a specialist consultation. You have a will take it in turns to populate this working life here. choice of having these done privately, health corner. You are most welcome Patients feel they still know ‘their’ doc- and paying for it – maybe you have to contribute – contact the Editor if you tor and nurses, and vice versa. It has insurance – or be referred to a public feel like writing about YOUR health been rewarding for me to get to know hospital. Hospitals have waiting lists. interest. two, three and even four generations If your condition is potentially danger- Health is a major political issue in most of one family. Because we do most ous – e.g. it could be cancer – you will countries. No wonder – it concerns us referrals to specialists and in turn get be seen within a reasonably short all, costs more than we can afford to their reports, we have a good grasp of time. If it is ‘just’ painful, or otherwise pay and someone has to decide how all the health issues of a patient, which inconvenient, the wait might be any- to share the pie. Successive New Zea- can only be an advantage to her/him. thing between long and endless. Pub- land governments have tinkered with Another thing I like about working here lic hospitals are free for New Zealand the way health is administered and is the use of computers. New Zealand residents, be it as inpatients or outpa- built up large organisations, only to was at the forefront of computerised tients. Private hospitals, where you overthrow these again when the ad- medical notes using very good soft- pay, tend to mainly do non-urgent op- ministration changes. ware. Patients get better care overall erations. At the moment, most of the health if their records are organised in an If you have an acute condition – e.g. a budget is administered by the 20 integrated way. severe infection or injury – you often DHBs (District Health Boards) who We receive most reports online, so the have no other option than going public, either provide health services or con- process is very streamlined. Confiden- even if you have medical insurance or tract others to do so. Overall, I feel tiality can be an issue and is monitored the funds to pay for it in private. You New Zealanders have a good health carefully, as we can log into laboratory can find more on the health system on system and would rather be sick here results and prescriptions issued else- www.health.govt.nz . than in Switzerland! where. I find the advantages of sharing Your first point of contact with the NZ reports outweigh the dangers. I look forward to your feedback. health system is often the GP or Gen- Not only does it save much time and eral Practitioner. This is different from money; I do feel it is safer for patients By Nelly Steinemann Switzerland, where you go directly to a and they get better care. specialist with different complaints.

P A G E 8 The non-Swiss Perspective

“Shoes on, shoes off” A story of what it can be for a New Zealander in a Apparently, it is NEVER appropriate to walk around (even Swiss world. for a distance of no more than 5 meters) in shorts, t-shirt I was 23 years old. It was the first time I had seen snow and bare feet in rural Berner Oberland. Especially in win- and I was excited. Coming from South Africa, I was used ter! to shorts, t-shirt and bare feet. I found myself at the fam- I was promptly dispatched back outside, across the ice, ily home of my future mother-in-law in the middle of Swiss up the metal stair case and to my room to change into winter. About zero degrees out, 24 degrees (exactly) in. winter clothes. I was instructed to wear socks and shoes. Having arrived, I felt I would freshen up and change into At this point I would like to note that the shoes were on something more comfortable. Shorts, T-Shirt and finally, my feet for a period of no more than 30 seconds as I had after a long flight, bare feet. I can't tell you how good it to remove them on re-entry to the main house. It felt like felt to be free of long trousers and socks after a full 16 some kind of bizarre Karate Kid film... “Shoes on, Shoes hours of travel through the world's airports. off...” I emerged from the studio apartment and wondered if my So, after I had dressed up again and returned to the feet would stick to the external metal staircase. I even kitchen, everything was fine and life continued as normal, took a test step just to make sure. I remember feeling the albeit a bit stuffy in my long trousers, socks and jumper. icy chill in the air and knowing that it would only be a few Two years later, in summer, we were visiting again and seconds until I was back inside and protected by the best this time took the local bus service into the mountains. climate control the world has to offer! No big deal. Or so I The bus driver announced in Swiss German as I boarded thought... the bus, “Look everyone, it's that man who was walking A quick hop down the metal stairs and skip over the ice in around in Winter without shoes on.” my bare feet. It wasn't too bad. I had strong feet in those - Aaah how nice to be back and remembered in the days. Inside, brush the snow off my shoulders and arms mountains. and into the kitchen for a cuppa.

Next thing I know, my soon-to-be-mother-in-law is yelling By David Latham at me and pointing at my feet! I had no idea what she was saying (no Swiss German at that time) except that I knew it must be bad. Straight away I knew I was in trou- ble. First impression – not good.

Chuderwaelsch (Swiss Dialect) 1. aatööplä – unnötig betasten – to finger 2. ääli mache - eine zarte Geste of die Wange machen - to stroke another‘s cheek tenderly 3. ambrii und ambrüüf – nach unten und nach oben – down and up 4. äs biräbiräbitzeli – ein klein wenig – a little bit 5. alläwiil – dauernd – continously 6. Ankämödeli – Butter – butter 7. Aaleggi – Kleidung – clothing 8. allpott – immer wieder – again and again 9. aamächälig – angenehm, sympatisch – tasteful 10. abgschnittä – sehr ähnlich – very similar 11. abschtottärä – abzahlen – to pay off (with difficulty)

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 9 Kids’ corner

1st AUGUST CROSS WORD This crossword has something to do with the history of Switzerland. Hint: there are some clues in this issue of the Helvetia magazine!

ACROSS 7. One of the 3 member states 9. Austrian "Vogt" 11. Weapon used in shooting 13. First name of famous shooter DOWN 1. Shooters target 2. Place where original treaty was signed 3. Surname of the famous shooter 4. Place where shooting took place 5. Place where Gessler’s Castle was 6. One of the 3 member states 8. In which month was Switzerland formed? 10. One of the 3 member states 12. Famous shooters son

INTERVIEW WITH TOBIAS BLASER When did you go to Switzer- Making new friends and learning If you have a story to tell, would like land? proper German. to introduce yourself or have any On the first of October 2010 I What did you like the most in other comments or contributions to flew off at Auckland Airport general? the Kids’ page, please email [email protected] or phone How long did you stay there? Being able to see how different 09 832 0366 or 021 232 7998. For three months, I arrived back life is over there and seeing rela- in Auckland on the 20th of De- tives. cember. Did you do any trips? Where did you stay? Yes I went to Austria for three I stayed at my grandparents’ days, there was 30 cm of snow! house in Hasle-Ruegsau, Bern. My other grandparents also took me up to the Chueboden, that’s Did you go to school? above Fiesch, Wallis. Yes I went to school for one term. Would you go again? There were 12 kids in 3 different years in the same class room Yes of course it was an amazing Our interviewee Tobias Blaser (Schule Ruegsau). experience.

What was the best part of Thanks for the interview. school? Thank you for interviewing me. By Adrian Blaser P A G E 10 Swiss National Day 1st of August Celebrations

As many of us are getting ready for The oath took place on the Rütli Swiss National Day celebrations in meadow by Seelisberg high above various places and ways around the Lake Lucerne, which has since be- country, it is again time to reflect on come a symbol of Swiss freedom. what it is all about. Whether in remembrance of this The origin of the Swiss Confedera- event, or just because it is fun, every tion (Alliance) is historically under- Swiss commune now lights its own stood to be the outcome of an oath bonfire and sets off fireworks, and of mutual support sworn between the children parade through the streets three "original cantons" of Uri, with paper lanterns - often decorated Schwyz and Unterwalden in 1291. with the Swiss cross or the symbols This event followed the death of the of the cantons - and people light German Emperor, Rudolf of Habs- candles in their windows. burg. There was concern that his The children love to light their Ben- successor might try to take away gal matches (bengalische Zündhöl- the customary rights and freedoms zli) and draw some fancy figures into previously granted by the Emperor. the air. We wish you all enjoyable celebrations! Sources: www.swissworld.org, www.swiss.org.au The legend of William (Wilhelm) Tell At a time soon after the opening of The boy’s hands were tied. Tell put Determined to see his task through the Gotthard Pass, when the Habs- one arrow in his quiver and another and use the second arrow, Tell hur- burg emperors of Vienna sought to in his crossbow, took aim, and shot ried to Kuessnacht. As Gessler and control Uri and thus control trans- the apple clean off his son’s head. his party walked along on a dark Alpine trade, a new bailiff (Vogt), Gessler was impressed and infuri- lane called Hohlegasse on their way Hermann Gessler, was despatched ated – and then asked what the sec- to the castle, Tell leapt out, shot a to Altdorf. The proud mountain folk ond arrow was for. bolt into the tyrant’s heart and of Uri had already joined with their Tell looked the tyrant in the eye and melted back into the woods to return neighbours from Schwyz and Unter- replied that if the first arrow had to Uri. His comrades were inspired walden at Rütli in pledging to resist struck the child, the second would by Tell’s act of bravery to throw off the Austrians’ cruel oppression. have been for Gessler. For such im- the yoke of Habsburg oppression in When Gessler raised a pole in the pertinence, Tell was arrested and their homeland, and to remain for- central square of Altdorf and sentenced to lifelong imprisonment ever free. perched his hat on the top, com- in the dungeons of Gessler’s castle manding all who passed before it to at Kuessnacht, northeast of Luzern. bow in respect, it was the last straw. During the long boat journey, a vio- William (Wilhelm) Tell, a countryman lent storm arose on the lake, and the from nearby Buerglen, either hadn’t oarsmen – unfamiliar with the lake – heard about Gessler’s command or begged with Gessler to release Tell chose to ignore it; whichever, he so that he could steer them to safety. walked past the hat without bowing. Gessler acceded. Gessler seized Tell, who was well Tell cannily manoeuvred the boat known as a marksman and set him a close to the shore, then leapt to free- challenge. He ordered him to shoot dom, landing on a flat rock (the an apple off his son’s head with his Tellsplatte) and simultaneously crossbow; if Tell was successful, he pushing the boat back into the William Tell and his son Walter would be released, but if he failed or stormy waters. Source: www.swissworld.org refused, both he and his son

(Walter) would die. Contributed by Adrian Blaser

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 11 Swiss Customs William Tell Funfairs in Switzerland

Open-Air Theatre Switzerland is a country of fete days, old city centre of Winterthur is now The tradition of the William Tell Open fairs and festivals, particularly so transformed into a fairground with -Air Theatre in Interlaken began in during the summer seasons. Just as dozens of open air eating places, 1912. Since then, Friedrich Schiller's each canton has its own beautiful more than twenty dance- and light play "William Tell" has been per- traditional costumes which have entertainment orchestras, several formed from 1912 to 1914, from been passed down from father to amusement stands and an enor- 1931 to 1939 and every year since son and from mother to daughter for mous "Chilbi", a fair ground carnival 1947, in the Rugen woods in Matten. many generations, each canton pos- with eateries and stalls. Thus, Win- Performances were only interrupted sesses its own unique festivals. terthur's City Centre is transformed during the two world wars. into one big party location. More The Festival of St. Albans than 100,000 festival fans converge The William Tell Open-Air Theatre (Albanifest) in Winterthur on what "Winterthurers" claim to be today involves about 190 performers, the largest annual city party in from children to old men, all in his- This particular festival is somewhat Europe. torically authentic costumes. The exceptional since it is based on an By Renate Meyer-Knecht fascinatingly realistic backdrop, with historical event but has only recently Sources: http://albanifest.ch, http://www.winterthur- live goats, cows and horses, allows been reinstituted. Up until the eight- tourismus.ch ample room for action-packed riding eenth century, the custom was regu- scenes that raise the hairs on the larly observed but only since 1971 back of your neck. has the "Albanifest" been celebrated In this performance, the splendidly in grand style again. staged scenes of the swearing of the The festival dates back to June 22, Rütli Oath and the shooting of the 1264, when Winterthur received its apple are turned into an exciting his- status as a free town from Rudolf of torical detective story. The curious Habsburg. Political and military mat- can also take a look behind the ters were discussed and settled on scenes, a privilege not granted to St. Albans day. Of interest here is normal theatregoers. In this intensely the parallel development of events exciting show, the fine town of Inter- that took place in Winterthur and laken and the magnificent scenery of later at the Rütli in 1291. the Jungfrau region also play glitter- All the citizens were then invited to ing cameo roles. celebrate with a free meal (bread, cheese and wine) after church service up until 1866, when the town could no longer afford these hand- outs. As it was on St. Alban's Day (one of the town’s four saints), the festival was thus named "Albanimahl". From 1971 each year, during the last weekend in June, the Source: http://www.myswitzerland.com

He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare. And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.

AIi ibn-Abi-Talib(602 AD - 661 AD), A Hundred Sayings

Contributed by Edith Hess P A G E 12 Swiss Club News

Dinner was absolutely delicious … it Well done, guys … that’s a great consisted of potatoes, red cabbage, effort and lots of shooting!!! Con- TARANAKI sauerkraut, peas, pork and frankfurt- gratulations. ers … all cooked by our very own Mark then proceeded to read the SWISS CLUB Master chefs, Marlies, Heidi and days’ scores … the best shooters Margaret … many thanks to you for being Emmi Kiser, Mark Kiser and a tremendous effort. Many thanks to Walter Seifert … well done to you Past Events all the other helpers … the ones who all!!! Participants may ask someone served, cleared the tables and did else to compete for them … and The last two card afternoons have the dishes … we’re so lucky to have somehow I think Mark may have had been fun and Walter hopes for a few a fabulous team!!! a hand in all the shoots!!! more faces for the last two games. Mark soon started with the evenings’ Top scorers in the keglen were Here are the results from the last two proceeds … firstly the cup winners Maria Nolly, Alan Nolly, Mathias afternoons: were awarded their trophies, then Seifert and Zeno von Hospenthal … Jassen the days’ competitors were read and great going guys … we may need then the raffles were sold. Here are your help in the semi-final of the 17 June the trophy winners: st Cowbell competitions, so keep prac- 1 Heidi Seifert Men ticing!!! Raffle tickets were soon 2nd Heidi Werder  President Challenge Cup: Jon sold by some of our young salespeo- 3rd Berta Hughes Phillipps with runner-up Mark ple, with winners taking home some great prizes. Booby Myrtha Seifert Kiser On behalf of the committee and club The lucky raffle winners were Walter  Self-handicap Cup: Mark Kiser members, I would like to thank Mark Seifert, Albi Schuler and Frieda with runner-up Jon Phillipps and his helpers for a great meal and Meier.  Erwin Kiser B Grade Cup: Remigi evening. We really appreciate all the 24 June Zimmermann time you put into our club and its 1st Walter Seifert  Fuglistaller C Grade Cup: Daniel activities, Mark. 2nd Othmar Hebler Fitzgerald Many thanks to everyone for coming, for without your valuable support we 3rd Myrtha Seifert … hey, you Ladies wouldn’t able to create such a vi- did much better than last week!!!  Ashleigh Lodge President Cup: brant and happy atmosphere!!! Well done!!! Helen Freiman with runner-up Booby A four way tie, with Josie Sue Kiser Future Events Gillbanks winning the 50c!!!  Engelberger Memorial Cup (Self- August and September are very The raffle winners were Zeno von handicap shoot): Helen Freiman quiet months at the Taranaki Swiss Hospenthal, Marlies Hebler and Albi with runner-up Sue Kiser Club as many of our members are Schuler.  Walter Seifert Junior Girls Tro- farmers … and this is their busy sea- The Anniversary Shoot was phy: Jacinta Fitzgerald with run- son!!! We all hope for some fine held on 30th June on a sunny but ner-up Emma Fitzgerald. weather, few frosts and a great calv- cold day … it was great to see the Remigi then had the pleasure of ing season … good luck to you all!!! sun after seemingly weeks of wet, awarding two Karabiner Shooting windy weather!!! Participants could medals. These are beautiful medals either shoot or do 9-pin bowling and awarded to participants in the field everyone participating in the sports championship shoots who have eight received a packet of five cervelats … cards in each of two of the big bore a good deal, with $20.00 covering shoots – eight cards in each is a both the meal and sausages!!! Just bronze medal, two lots of eight cards a little reminder – in future would in each is a silver medal and three those wishing to take part in the lots of eight cards in each is a gold “keglen” come a little earlier so eve- medal. Remigi presented Othmar ryone has competed when dinner is Hebler with the silver medal and Er- served … we would really appreci- win Kiser with the gold medal!!! ate your promptness!!!

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 13 Swiss Club News

October Wednesday 11 July: Krabbel- 4 & 18 Keglen recommences from gruppe 8.00pm. Johnny would love WELLINGTON Despite the cold weather and the to see a few more people so fact that some of us are in Switzer- come along and give it a try. SWISS CLUB land, we managed to gather five chil- They enjoy a drink or two, a dren together for this Krabbelgruppe. fine supper, great company The kids had fun dressing up and and in between try their hand Past Events exploring all the toys.Thank you Ra- at the 9-pin bowling!!! hel for hosting it and for the yummy 18 From 6.00pm, Heidi and Mar- 24 June: Jass afternoon baking! OS lies will be holding a baking Eight keen Jassers met at Trudi’s demonstration, so come place – and Trudi was relieved that Future Events along and see what they can she didn’t have to play. At first, it show you … some delectable looked as if the keen Jassers weren’t 4 August: National Day Dinner Swiss cookies and baking!!! all that keen on playing either. at the clubhouse After having enjoyed the bonfire on Yum!!! An evening not to be We spent the first half hour on a the beach on Wednesday August 1st missed!!! Please register good old chat. Actually, there were (call either Sibylle ph. 461 6147, or your interest, by ringing Heidi about three chats going simultane- Peter ph. 236 6921 for more details on 06 273 4286 or Marlies on ously…, lubricated by a first round of on the bonfire), come to the club- 06 278 6878. Then stay and coffee and cake. try the keglen (9-pin bowling) house for dinner on Saturday August … you may have hidden tal- But then we got going, with Trumpf, 4th. The dinner will start at 6:30 with ents!!! Slalom, Undenufe, Obenabe, Wiis, mulled wine and nibbles. Please Stöck, Match and all the rest of the register with Odile (ph. 586 3095). 21 The Trudi Ott Belt and Cham- trimmings! pionship Shoots will be held 8 September: Fondue at the from 1.00pm … come along After a second round of coffee and cake (thank you, Lotti, for your clubhouse and support Mark. He’s more The usual popular event: Fondue than happy to coach you … yummy Oepfelwähe, and Rosina, for your delicious cake!) and friendly accompanied with nibbles, mulled and age is no barrier … young chats we had another round of wine, and dessert. Please call Odile and old are more than wel- (ph. 586 3095) or Murray (ph. 528 come!!! cards. A very pleasant afternoon it was. 6960) before 4 September to register. November As Trudi goes on holiday, the jassers 1 & 15 Keglen, once again, so join will organize themselves until Octo- 13 October: Movie Day this merry bunch!!! ber. TB More details will come in the next 18 The Ted Napflin Memorial Helvetia. Shield and the Championship Shoots will be contested from 1.00pm … so give it a go!!! Have you got a horrible winter cold or flu? Make your own lemon ginger drink 25 The Christmas Shoot / Keglen Winter time is also the season when we catch a yucky cold or flu!!! Here is a simple will be held from 10.00am. recipe which you can use to get rid of them. Further details will be pro- vided in the next issue of the For 1 cup you will need the following ingredients: Helvetia. MD  1 Tsp Vinegar  Pinch of ground fresh or dry Ginger  1 Tsp Honey  1 slice fresh Lemon Pour hot water over and drink as hot as possible! Individually, we are one drop. Inhalation is also a great way to fight against all those bugs. It also can be used as a Together, we are an ocean. prevention, for sinusitis, coughs and other respiratory problems. Heat a bowl of water so it is hot but not boiling. Add 2-3 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil to the bowl. Hold

your head over the bowl and drape with a towel. Breathe deeply, inhaling the steam. By Alexandra Jung, Aroma Therapist, Aroma Young P A G E 14 Swiss Club News

As the card playing got underway, Congratulations to all our prizewin- Anita was busy in the kitchen heat- ners. HAMILTON ing a variety of home-made savour- This year, we presented a total of 73 ies for the evening’s supper. prizes, including 5 booby and 14 SWISS CLUB These were served after the first overall prizes. Grateful thanks to all three rounds of cards, followed by who donated the many extra prizes. baking and coffee, before the final A big thank you to Vreni, Evelyn, Past Events …. three card rounds of the year. Ruth, Anita and Helen for all the bak- At the conclusion of the competition, ing and help in the kitchen to provide Card Evenings Beatrice took a few minutes to add the delicious suppers over the last the evening’s scores to the previous two evenings; and to Herbert for the Our fourth Card Evening took place totals of those players eligible for the smooth running of the evenings. on Friday 22nd June, and despite overall trophy and prizes. quite a few players travelling to Swit- Once this was done, Herbert first zerland, 36 people still came along on an extremely cold winter’s night announced the evening’s 12 prize- for a game of cards. winners, before Beatrice announced the 14 overall places. Congratula- Whilst Vreni Vetsch and Evelyn tions to Oskar Reichmuth, the eve- Reichmuth prepared supper in the ning’s winner, who after the first four kitchen, Herbert had the unenviable evenings came from sixth place back task of cooking the Bratwurst on the to also win the Overall Trophy and barbeque out in the cold!! prize ham with a very high score of After yet another tasty supper, and at 16,281 points. the conclusion of the second three Second place went to Erika Bolli rounds of cards, the room was with16,207points. quickly cleaned and tidied, followed by the presentation of 11 prizes. Pia Russenberger finished in third place (16,164 pts), whilst our young- Just two weeks later, 36 people once est regular card player, Vern again arrived at the Union Parish Forsythe deserves a special mention Church for our fifth and final card with his 7th placing (15,772 pts). evening for the year.

Dr. Veronika Isler PhD, PGDip(Clin)Psych, Member of NZ Psych Soc and NZICP

REGISTERED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Ph: (07) 8238190 (Hamilton) Cell: 021 457 944 Offices in Ohaupo and Hamilton

The proud winner: Oskar Reichmuth

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 15 Swiss Club News

And once again, special thanks to Uli 8) George Russenberger 15,732 and Richard for always coming early 9) Eileen Hickey 15,731 to set up the room, and so allowing 10) Theresa Fitzi 15,723 AUCKLAND us to get started on time. 11) Angus Forsythe 15,684 Finally, thank you to all of our card 12) Heidi Leuenberger 15,461 SWISS CLUB players for your regular attendance - 13) Karl Waldvogel 15,417 we look forward to seeing you all 14) Elisabeth Gaemperle 15,366 again next year. BL Past Events Overall Placings Fourth Card Evening, 22nd 15) Pat Steiner 15,249 Sunday 17 June: Chocolate June 16) Max Schwitzer 15,163 Factory 1) Pia Russenberger 4279 17) Robert Frischknecht 15,153 21 people turned up to our 2) Bruno Rufer 4218 “Chocolate event” at the Swiss Bliss 18) Uli Elmiger 15,139 3) Elisabeth Gaemperle 4203 Chocolate Factory in Waitoki, sepa- 19) Bruno Rufer 15,061 4) Walter Unternahrer 4199 rated into a morning and afternoon 20) Lina Rufer 14,972 5) Erika Bolli 4185 group. 21) Hans Vetsch 14,948 6) Heidi Santner 4149 Edith started the sessions by ex- 22) Fritz Haesli 14,976 7) Bruno Rufer 4007 plaining what happens from the mo- 23) Ruth Waldvogel 14,748 8) Hans Vetsch 3997 ment the cocoa bean is picked until 24) Ruth Baumberger 14,732 the different products such as cocoa 9) George Russenberger 3979 25) Rita Braem 14,688 butter or cocoa solids are processed 10) Vern Forsythe 3943 26) Anna Rufer 14,632 into eatable chocolate or beauty 11) Eileen Hickey 3920 products. 27) Peter Weiss 14,434 Booby Prize 28) Margaret Hayward 14,400 After a short introduction into how to Lina Rufer 3317 temper and work with chocolate, all Future Events …. the participants were excited to dig Fifth Card Evening, 6th July into the work. 1) Oskar Reichmuth 4304 th Family Walk – Sunday 26 Au- In pairs of two, they first prepared 2) Margarethe Poppe 4285 gust – Hamilton. the truffle mass, followed by the 3) Heidi Santner 4109 Please meet at 11am outside Hu- white chocolate and mango center 4) Ruedi Wernli 4014 kanui School (corner Hukanui Road which then was injected into the truf- 5) Max Schwitzer 3993 and Pickering Crescent), opposite fle mass. To finish off, the truffle was 6) Heinz Leuenberger 3985 Westfield Chartwell on the eastern coated and the typical truffle pattern side of Hukanui Rd. 7) Karl Waldvogel 3956 (which gave it the name) applied. 8) Richard Wehrle 3931 We will do some of the gully walks in For the second half, we created Wal- the neighbourhood, probably in two 9) Lina Rufer 3890 nut Marzipan and Cinnamon Choco- groups – one doing a leisurely walk lates. 10) Elisabeth Gaemperle 3886 and one doing a more challenging Everyone had fun and not many 11) Heidi Leuenberger 3874 walk. needed lunch or dinner afterwards… 12) Hanspeter Burch 3871 Bring a picnic lunch or there would A big thank you to Edith and her Booby Prize be the option of having lunch across team, who once again did a great Beatrice Leuenberger 3233 the road at the Foodcourt in West- job! field. Overall Prizewinners Due to the size of the factory we had to limit the amount of people which 1) Oskar Reichmuth 16,281 Fondue Evening – Saturday, nd unfortunately meant we had to turn 2) Erika Bolli 16,207 22 September. away a few more interested parties. 3) Pia Russenberger 16,164 Our annual Fondue Evening will be held at the Matangi Hall, 7.00pm – Sorry guys! 4) Richard Wehrle 16,070 bookings will be required and a By Erika Lanz-Wetli 5) Heidi Santner 15,828 newsletter will be sent to members 6) Heinz Leuenberger 15,800 early September. AZ 7) Vern Forsythe 15,772

P A G E 16 Swiss Club News

Friday 23 June, Pub night and August/September farewell to Marcel It was nice to see a good two dozen and beyond club members turn up to say good- 1st August at the Swiss Farm: bye to Marcel at the Blankenberge The REAL National Day SWISS KONDITOREI BERN Belgian Beer Café – and there was much more than beers to choose You are invited to take yourself, your Bakery & Pastry from. family, your food and drink, and join us for a get-together around a fire We have been so lucky to have had Do you feel like eating real Swiss/German from 6 pm at the Swiss Farm. To find breads, tasty and healthy? Marcel guiding our club for over five out how to get there see our website: years. Fortunately, he is not too far German Sourdough, Butterzopf, www.swiss.org.nz/auckland Walliser Bread, Kibbled Rye, Walnut Bread, away and will join us, plus / minus Tasty White Bread, Basler Bread, grandchildren, at some of our In case of doubtful weather contact or chose from a wide range of rolls, events. Adrian by e-mail: inclusive Laugenrolls.

We look forward to formally thanking [email protected] (or In the sweet range we offer phone him at 09 8320366 or Blackforest Cake, Bienenstich, him at our National Day celebration Chocolate Truffle Cake, Quark Cheesecake, on 28 July, and hope you managed 021 232 7998). Fruit Flans, Patisserie, to be part of it! seasonal specialities and much more. Friday 10 August, 7.30pm: We are using local and often Friday 13 July - Jassen Jassen at the Danish Clubhouse, 6 Rockridge Ave, organic ingredients. Congratulations Marie-Therese on your win for the evening – even if Penrose Retail sale at our bakery Heat up in this cool night, and play you only found out the next day !! Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7am-2pm cards with players from all walks of As usual, we had a noisy evening of 5/448 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland life and all levels of experience. You Tel: (09) 828-5860 Fax: (09) 828-5861 fun and some frustrations – funny can only improve your game! www.swisskonditoreibern.co.nz how you just can have bad cards for a whole night. And reassuring we all Saturday 18 August 7pm: keep moving from top to bottom and International Evening at the back again. Danish Club Results The Danish Clubhouse has been our second home for a few years now. 1st Marie-Theres Melville 4112 Like several other European clubs, 2nd Hans Iten 4055 we are affiliated members of the 3rd Walter Haller 4033 Danish Club. They have invited us 4th Heinz Frei 3961 for an evening of socialising, enter- 5th Andrew Iten 3951 tainment and fabulous food. 6th Hilda Iten 3939 You will be treated to a Danish meal, 7th Hansruedi Wolf 3935 followed by desserts from various 8th Annagret Wolf 3879 countries including Switzerland, and 9th Neil Kaiser 3843 you will meet fellow expatriates from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Ger- 10th Louis Wallimann 3798 many, Austria. 11th Renat Nussbaumer 3762 12th Edith Hess 3653 Bookings are essential, and likely to be very popular. Book now with 13th Nelly Steinemann 3564 Adrian at: 14th Adrian Blaser 3520 [email protected] (or 15th Heidi Wilson 3494 phone him at 09 8320366 or 16th Matthew Kaiser 3476 021 232 7998). 17th Frederick Conquer 3462 For liquor licensing reasons, we 18th Franz Krieger 3387 need to know the names of all the guests. Cost: Members of Swiss Club: $25, non members $35.

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 17 Swiss Club News

Friday 07 September from Preschoolers $10, school children Saturday 15 December: 6.30pm: Fondue and Quiz $15, adults $18, discount 10% if we Sing Swiss Christmas songs with us Night at the Danish Club are more than 10. at the Danish Club. Enjoy a typical Swiss fondue for only Please book with Tanja by phone For the full programme, see our $25 (members), $35 (non-members), 6278777 or email: website. $1 per year of age for youngsters up [email protected] to 18. Nelly Steinemann See website for details: http:// Doors open at 6.30, Fondue at 7, clipnclimb.co.nz/index.php? followed by quiz then dessert. Get page=home your paper dart skills up to scratch – and general NZ or Swiss knowledge October and beyond may come in handy too. Some of the events we have Register with Lukas Lanz by phoning planned for you: 09 4796503 or email Lukas at: Friday 05 October [email protected] Pub night, place to be announced. Friday 14 September 7.30pm: Jassen at the Danish Sunday 04 November: Fingerlicking good Clubhouse, 6 Rockridge Ave, We have planned a family outing, Penrose right now we have not quite decided Meet your fellow Swiss and have fun where we will take you to … watch with our National game! the space. Sunday 23 September: Saturday 01 December: ROCKCLIMBING Working Bee at the Swiss farm. At Clip ‘n Climb, 610 Dominion Rd, Sunday 09 December: Balmoral. Meet at 2.45pm for climb- ing from 3pm to 4.15pm. Suitable for Santa is coming to the farm. Make sure you are there on time, he has all ages, even preschoolers. All been getting up early these last few climbers must wear closed shoes years. such as trainers, enclosed toes.

Concentration is needed

Farewelling our outgoing President Marcel Rüedi

Das isch de Gipfel: Outgoing President Marcel Adrian Blaser, our new President (front left), Erika and Lukas Lanz (our new Vice- Rüedi receives a giant Nussgipfel (nut croissant) Marcel Rüedi, and baker Franz Müller, pro- President) and kindly shares it with all his Swiss mates. ducer of the giant Nussgipfel (front right). P A G E 18 Chuchichäschtli (Kitchen Cupboard) Rösti Rösti (often spelled Röschti) is a come in different sizes, usually Rösti is eaten only in the German- Swiss dish consisting mainly of pota- measuring between 3–12 cm (1 to speaking part of the country. They toes. It was originally a common 5 inches) in diameter and 1–2 cm are portrayed stereotypically as iden- breakfast eaten by farmers in the (0.5 inch) thick. tifiers of Germanic culture, versus canton of Bern, but today is eaten all Often, Rösti is simply shaped inside the Latin one. The line separating over Switzerland and also in many the frying pan. It is most often pan them is called Röstigraben (the Rösti restaurants in the western world. fried, but can also be baked in the -trench). Many Swiss people consider rösti a oven. Although basic Rösti consists By Marcel Rüedi national dish. of nothing but potato, a number of Today, rather than considering it a additional ingredients are sometimes complete breakfast, it is more com- added, such as bacon, onion, monly served to accompany other cheese or fresh herbs. This is often dishes such as bratwurst or fried considered to be a regional touch. eggs. Rösti is made with roughly There are different views on what grated potato, either cooked or raw. makes a perfect Rösti. The greatest En guete! Depending on the frying technique, difference of opinion is whether to butter or another fat may be added use raw or boiled potatoes as the (and usually salt and pepper). main ingredient. The kind of potato The grated potatoes are then which makes the best Rösti dish is shaped into rounds or patties, which widely disputed in Swiss popular What is your favourite New Zealand potato for a great Rösti? consciousness. Garden Diary Spring Gardening Veges may be growing slowly now tuce which don't mind the cooler Plant berries for Christmas such as due to cold or waterlogged soils. You temperatures. Brassicas such as raspberries, boysenberries and may have to cover crops with frost cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli thornless blackberries. They can be cloth and speed up growth with liquid can go in now also to be ready be- trained up a trellis or along wires. It fertiliser. Dig in compost lime and fore the white cabbage butterflies is also not too late to plant strawber- general garden fertiliser and leave are back on the wing in late spring. ries either as they fruit six weeks the garden to settle ahead of spring Sow onions indoors in seed trays after flowering and plants are readily sowing and planting. and wait until the seedlings are 5- available in garden centres. Clean your seed trays stock up on 10cm tall before transplanting. Spray peaches and nectarines with seed raising mix and sort out your If you haven't put any fruit trees in copper or a fungicide, before bud planting plan. Don't forget to rotate yet, get them in quick and stake well burst to prevent leaf curl. your crops to prevent soil borne dis- to prevent windrock and keep well Plant early potatoes and protect with eases. Check your seed packets as watered. frost cloth, as seed potatoes take up well, as some seeds lose their viabil- to one month to show their tops ity after a while but you have nothing which are susceptible to frost dam- to lose by sowing what you have .To age. If you have room, sow Globe check if they are OK, drop a few Artichokes to be ready in late sum- seeds into a bowl of water to see if mer. Wait until September to sow the sprout in a few days. traditional Summer crops such as If your soil is warm and friable Tomatoes Peppers and Aubergine enough, you can start to plant early indoors. spring crops in August like broad Happy Spring planting! beans, snow peas and Cos lettuce, By Melissa Lanz as well as radishes and Lambs let-

HELVETIA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 P A G E 19 Swiss “atomic” news: CERN

CERN in a nutshell Discovery of the Higgs Boson? CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, On 4 July 2012, CERN reported that its experiments have is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres revealed a particle consistent with long-sought Higgs for scientific research. Founded in 1954, the CERN boson, deemed to be a vital piece of the puzzle to explain Laboratory sits astride the Franco–Swiss border near Ge- the working of the Universe. The so-called Standard neva. It was one of Europe’s first joint ventures and now Model of physics successfully describes all of the elemen- has 20 member states. tary particles we know to exist and how they interact with Its business is fundamental physics, finding out what the one another. But our understanding of nature is incom- Universe is made of and how it works. At CERN, the plete. In particular, the Standard Model cannot answer world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments one basic question: Why do most of these elementary are used to study the basic constituents of matter - the particles have masses? fundamental particles. By studying what happens when Without mass, the universe would be a very different these particles collide, physicists learn about the laws of place. For example, if the electron had no mass, there nature. would be no atoms. Hence there would be no ordinary The instruments used at CERN are particle accelerators matter as we know it, no chemistry, no biology and no and detectors. Accelerators boost beams of particles to people. In addition, the sun shines thanks to a delicate high energies before they are made to collide with each interplay among the fundamental forces of nature, which other or with stationary targets. Detectors observe and would be completely upset if some of those force particles record the results of these collisions. did not have large masses. The Higgs boson is thought to provide the necessary clues to the conundrum. A subatomic venture Where the web was born “Imagination is more important than Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN, invented the World knowledge.” Wide Web (WWW) - the Internet - in 1989. The Web was These were the words of the famous physicist Albert Ein- originally conceived and developed to meet the demand stein, who went on to say that "Knowledge is limited. for information sharing between scientists working in dif- Imagination encircles the world." ferent universities and institutes all over the world - and of If you venture into the subatomic world in an attempt to course now many of us are part of it! unveil its inner workings, possession of all the knowledge Sourced from http://press.web.cern.ch in the world is not enough. Instead, invite your imagination to serve as a guide, because many rules as we know them no longer apply. Just like the story of Alice In Won- derland, this new world may look familiar but it is not fully comprehensible. Scales shift and matter transforms. Transitory twins appear and extra dimensions hide. The Large Hadron Collider The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a gigantic scientific instrument near Geneva, where it spans the border between Switzerland and France about 100m underground. It is a particle accelerator used by physicists to study the smallest known particles – the fundamental building blocks of all things. It will revolutionise our understanding, from the minuscule world deep within atoms to the vast- ness of the Universe. Two beams of subatomic particles called "hadrons" – either protons or lead ions – travel in opposite directions inside the circular accelerator, gaining energy with every lap. Physicists use the LHC to recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang, by colliding the two beams head-on at very high energy. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 Unesco Swiss World Heritage Sites

Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes The Rhaetian Railway between Thusis and Poschiavo is UNESCO World Heritage Sites a marvel of railway engineering. Railway enthusiasts as- Over the next months, we will feature the World Heritage sert that the Albula route between Chur and St. Moritz is sites in Switzerland. UNESCO (the United Nations Edu- the most picturesque mountain route in the world and cational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) encourages rave about the boldly curved Landwasser viaduct. the identification, protection and preservation of cultural But that’s only the start: on its route, the Bernina Express and natural heritage around the world considered to be of passes by the gigantic Morteratsch glacier, climbs without outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an the help of cogwheels across Europe’s highest railway international treaty called the Convention concerning the Alpine pass, the 2253-metre-high Bernina, and winds Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, down to Poschiavo along daring loops. The “Kleine adopted in 1972. Rote” (small red one) is the heart of the Albula/Bernina UNESCO World Heritage listing, which also includes the The Rhaetian Railway surrounding cultural landscape with its pristine villages, ruggedly-romantic landscapes and primordial Alps. The Rhaetian Railway or the Rhaetische Bahn, as it is The Rhaetian Railway has been the key to overcoming known to many of us, brings together two historic railway the extreme isolation of settlements in the Central Alps lines that traverse the Albula and Bernina landscapes early in the 20th century, with a major and lasting socio- through picturesque valleys and mountain passes. The economic impact on life in the mountains. Albula line in the north western part of the railway is 67km long and features 42 tunnels and covered galleries, as The lucky among us who have had the opportunity to ex- well as 144 viaducts and bridges. The 61km Bernina pass perience the railway will not fail to remember the beautiful line features 13 tunnels and galleries, as well as 52 via- valleys and mountains, pine forests, flower meadows and ducts and bridges. The Railway is deemed to constitute snowy landscapes. The even luckier ones have had the an outstanding engineering, architectural and environ- chance to walk or take a “gondola” up on the mountains mental achievement in harmony with the landscapes and enjoy both the silence and the views over the vast through which it travels. expanse of the alps. Sources: www.unesco.org, www.myswitzerland.com, www.flickr.com (Rhaetian Railway)