Dear Compatriots,
60 years ago, on 5 September 1961, Ambassador Friedrich Gygax presented his credentials to Governor-General William Sidney. This was the historic moment when Switzerland and Australia took up diplomatic relations, formalizing a partnership that, of course, dates back much further.
This month, we will therefore reminisce on beautiful stories of our thriving partnership. Sophie la Trobe who brought Swiss wine-makers to Melbourne, the Antarctic pioneer Xavier Mertz, the hidden Swissness in the Sydney Opera House, a joint Nobel Prize in medicine, a fantastic Aboriginal Arts collection in Switzerland, and many more!
In addition, our Honorary Consuls have identified Swiss compatriots throughout the country who contribute each day to Australia’s society and to this partnership which we are celebrating.
Do not miss the inspiring stories that we will be posting each day on our Facebook page. And be the first to follow the brand new Twitter account of the Swiss Embassy: @SwissEmbassyAUS
On behalf of Ambassador Pedro Zwahlen and the entire Team Switzerland in Australia, thank you all for having contributed to this partnership over the past six decades and for continuing to do so.
Team Switzerland in Australia
Are you a Swiss citizen living abroad or want to receive daily updates of what’s going on in Switzerland? The ‘SWI plus’ app is the SWI @swissinfo service for the Swiss abroad and provides the most useful information and interesting stories from the Swiss media world on a daily basis.
From August 9, 2021, Swissinfo will launch its daily “Briefing for the Swiss Abroad” on the app in English and content will then be available in four languages (German, French, Italian and English).
For more information and to download the app, please visit: https://bit.ly/3yftHSL
Well, what can I say which has not already been said in these unusual times? Like everybody else, I am wondering how much longer we will have to bear the implications of that awkward virus. Didn’t we feel happy about the fact that Australia fared so well in handling the crisis? Yes, until quite recently. Compared to the people in Europe we seemed to have an easy life. Apart from travelling overseas our life became almost normal again, at least for us oldies. Unfortunately, that’s all in the past, since ugly Covid stretches its neck again.
Interestingly, despite the lockdown in Sydney, for many people, including myself, the days seem to pass quite quickly. Like others I fill the time with activities I would otherwise not linger over. One of them was sorting hundreds of little Lego pieces and, with help of the old manuals, assembling little cars like the ambulance, police car, the fire engine, a caravan etc. Eventually I put each finished item with manual in a zip lock bag, ready for our grandchildren, once they are old enough to enjoy this activity.
I certainly make many more phone calls again, and it is easy, as most people are at home and equally happy to have a “chin wag” with an old friend or acquaintance.
Should you be short of ideas about what to do all day, here is a selection of ideas which I received today in an email from COTA (Council of the Aging). Hopefully you will find this or that engaging enough so that your spirits are lifted and the time is getting short. I wish you good luck with whatever you undertake.
Stay positive, test negative and get immunised!
Regula Scheidegger
Ideas to make the time pass happily:
Swiss Community Care Society