MAY 2026 - JOURNEY BACK IN TIME on THE ZIG ZAG RAILWAY
In May around 40 members took a 120 km coach excursion from Chatswood (Sydney), crossing the Great Dividing Range in the Blue Mountains. The journey’s goal was to experience a ride on the heritage Zig Zag steam train in Lithgow. This steam engine, named 218A, was built in 1943 in the USA and assembled in Ipswich, Queensland. In 1969 it was recommended for condemnation after having run a total of 842,658 km, but survived to be sold to Zig Zag Railway where it famously operates today.
All aboard! And our group’s 90 minute train journey began. It traversed breathtaking mountain bushland and three magnificent 150-year-old sandstone viaducts. These locally quarried viaducts were built between 1866 and 1869 and designed to conquer the steep descent and carry the Main Western Line.
A packed lunch was provided inside the carriages, and having enjoyed the crisp mountain air, our happy group boarded the bus again for the return trip to Sydney.
As advised in my NEWS section, in December 2025 almost one hundred people attended the society's Christmas luncheon. We had changed the venue and received very positive feedback from many participants. The new location was the very stylish Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, built about 100 years ago. It is situated right in the city, very close to Town Hall and even closer to the new metro station called Gadigal. Everyone enjoyed the food and of course the Swiss-style ambience with relevant carols, decorations and Wiehnachtsguetsli. - RS
The main picture shows President Regula Scheidegger (centre) with Community
Function Coordinator Beat Birchmeier and stalwart society members.
President, Regula Scheidegger (standing) opens the 2025 Annual General Meeting and welcomes almost 40 members of the society including volunteers and honorary guests. Five other members of the committee are seated at the same table: Beat Knoblauch, Beat Birchmeier, Martin Scarpino, Sonja Schweizer and Urs Schaller.
Brunch followed by a cruise back in time
On Thursday 15 May 2025, forty members of our Swiss Community Care Society were once again treated to an exciting outing, starting at the Rumilicious Restaurant, Pyrmont, Sydney.
With waterfront views, a generous brunch of Mediterranean food and a stream of never-ending coffee prepared the group for the unique experience to follow.
We then took an easy stroll across the field to Pirrama Park Wharf, in time to observe our vessel, the historic 123 year old steam tugboat Waratah, with a crew of 14 volunteers, advancing towards the wharf.
Once ushered on board by helping hands and seated, the thick mooring rope was lifted, and the tugboat, with its boilers having been heated up the previous night, pulled away. With the heavy chain rattling in the stern commanding the propeller, steam silently drifted past the passengers and evaporated in the sky.
Under the gentle phut phut of the steam engine, we wandered around the boat climbing down the steel ladder to visit the stoker, sneaked a peek into the engine room, and chatted with the knowledgeable volunteers - two of them women.
As the funnel blew black smoke into the dark clouds holding back the rain, a member remarked, ‘the pope has not been selected yet’.
We steamed out into the harbour amongst modern vessels, enjoying the atmosphere aboard one of the oldest working steam tugs in the world. As the Waratah proudly blew its whistle, we thought about how this coal-fired tug was rescued from being scrapped in the 1960s and was lovingly restored by the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
A few raindrops ended a wonderful day.
Enjoy the photos below.
MAY 2024 - FILM AND HIGH TEA, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, sydney
An interesting and enjoyable outing was had at Parliament House in Sydney in May 2024. This comprised of a short film followed by a high tea served in theatrical fashion with billowing ‘smoke’ from three-tiered cake stands and a glass of bubbly.
The film, Tracing a Fatal Journey, recounted the outcome for Swiss national Xavier Mertz from Basle, a polar explorer, mountaineer, and champion skier who joined the 1912 Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Douglas Mawson. Mertz endured unimaginable hardship in the hostile environment, including losing his close companion in a crevasse and being forced to eat his loyal sled dogs in an attempt to survive. Mertz was the first Swiss person to set foot in Antarctica, which also claimed his life at age 30.
march 2024 - lunch at the apprentice restaurant, ultimo
By participating as dining guests, forty two of our members enjoyed the unique experience of observing young hospitality industry students present a first class dining service at the TAFE NSW training school in Ultimo, Sydney.
The March 2024 event was organised by our Community Function Coordinator, Beat Birchmeier and there was no guest age limit.
AGM - september 2023
Ambush on the 'Grand Canal'
Presentation of Honorary Membership
Presentation of Honorary Membership
At the 2023 AGM, president Regula Scheidegger surprises events coordinator Beat Birchmeier, while treasurer Martin Scarpino looks on. Rosso Italian Restaurant, Gladesville.
Presentation of Honorary Membership
Presentation of Honorary Membership
Presentation of Honorary Membership
In acknowledgement of their tireless work for the society, Beat and Esther Birchmeier are awarded Honorary Life Membership to the Society, by Regula Scheidegger.