Calling for a new committee member/secretary
Unfortunately our enthusiastic, young committee member Sophie has moved to Switzerland. Sophie briefly acted as secretary before her planned move, which she'd warned us about some time ago. We thank our past secretaries Miriam and Sophie for their excellent work with the committee. But now we are looking to find a new Swiss person, who would be willing and able to join our committee - please see the advertisement in the Volunteers section.
On a different note ...
I would also like to remind you, that fairly soon you will be sent an email by the Swiss Consulate, asking you to vote in the election of the representatives from Australia at the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA).
With about 26,000 Swiss living in this country, we have been allocated four people to be part of this special Parliament. These representatives try really hard to make our connection to Switzerland more satisfying. Among other things, CSA has accomplished the possibility for Swiss abroad to open new bank accounts in Switzerland.
They also fight to prevent the AHV (Swiss Aged Pension) being curtailed. There are numerous other topics we Swiss abroad normally don’t think about, but the CSA meets twice a year to discuss them and represent our interests. So, please, let your voice be heard and vote for the four representatives of your choice. There will be changes this year, due to a resignation and new nominations. You can read more about these elections on www.swissallianceaustralia.org
My last topic is 'Lifeblood'
Are you donating blood or considering doing so? Join the lifeblood team of the Swiss Alliance Australia (SAA).
To give back something truly special, SAA has set up a team ‘Swiss Community Australia’. When you donate blood, let them know 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 the 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.
Regula Scheidegger, President SCCS
MESSAGE FROM DECEMBER 2024
Over the past year, SCCS members enjoyed a variety of engaging outings, lunches and get-togethers with other Swiss people. It is one of the main aims of our society to bring people together and thus avoid loneliness and boredom. I always hope that through our activities, participants will make new friends and then have the energy to also meet some of these without our input.
There is a retirement village in Lindfield where several of our members live. One by one they have decided to settle near their friends. I think that is a great idea. The Swiss cleverly chose to live close to each other to strengthen their friendship and avoid isolation. So, when someone elderly approaches me in regard to planning their future living arrangements, I always mention this village as a possibility.
On a personal note, my husband and I spent several weeks in Switzerland. We were extremely lucky, as summer over there had just properly started when we arrived in early August. Spring and the month of July had been wet and miserable, everyone assured us. Now however, we experienced a 'calendar time' in our home country: sun, blue sky, warm temperatures. We made the best of it by travelling to many great destinations.
