2. Moving back 'home'? When people tell me that they're thinking of perhaps moving back to Switzerland for their remaining years, I never say no straight away. There might be good reasons for their idea. But when I remind these people that in Switzerland the sunny and warm times of the year are quite short, and that the weather, as shown in Swiss calendars, is very often different, they agree. Therefore, let’s never forget, how wonderful the climate generally is here in Australia, with the sun shining so often, and where long stretches of rainy, cloudy, foggy and really miserable days are rare. After all these years living in Australia, I think, for me, such depressing weather would be the most difficult aspect to get used to if I had to move back 'home'.
3. Lifeblood. Are you donating blood or considering doing so? Join the Lifeblood Team of Swiss Alliance Australia (SAA). www.swissallianceaustralia.org. You can find a registration form on their website under NEWS & EVENTS. When you donate blood, make it known that you are part of that team – or if you have an account with the Australian Red Cross already, login, search for ‘Swiss Community Australia’ and join the team. Every donation you make goes towards the team’s tally. Why did Swiss Alliance Australia create the team? To give back to the Australian community and continue the legacy of Swiss humanitarian Henri Dunant, founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Now to one of my big concerns regarding our society, the SCCS. I would like to attract and convince younger Swiss people to become members. At our information stall at the Yodlers’ National Day celebration at Castle Hill (the ‘Swiss picnic’), I spoke to many young men and women who had no idea of the existence and activities of SCCS. They all seemed interested and quite impressed by what I told them, but of course, I couldn’t expect to recruit many new members there and then. Perhaps a second encounter next year might do the job, who knows? I never tire of emphasising that we’re not just a society for the elderly. SCCS would try to assist any Swiss person, no matter what age, if in real need. As in previous years at the picnic we contributed to the enjoyment of the very young by sponsoring the Kid’s Zoo. Unfortunately, it was washed out due to the extremely wet weather, but let’s hope for sunshine next year.
With the time going by so fast I can reflect on two recent and successful outings: the visit with afternoon tea at the Museum of Sydney and 'Lunch at Eastbank cafe, Circular Quay and Opera Hits’. At the museum we followed a guided tour through the exhibition ‘Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country’. It included many very early etchings from the collection of Beat Knoblauch, a representative of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) and our SCCS vice president.
And now we are well underway planning the AGM /Volunteers night. This will be followed by the Christmas luncheon which will take place at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel in Sydney city. As always, our many volunteers will distribute about 150 presents to Swiss people who are 80 years old or older. If you are in this age group but not on our list, let us know and give us your details. You don’t need to be a member to receive our present, although the more members we have, the better for us all.
I wish you a satisfying last part of the year, a joyful festive season and happiness and good health for 2026.
- Regula Scheidegger
