Swiss Community Care Society

OUR MISSION - What can the society do for you?

Visit the sick in hospital.
Raise awareness of the needs of people in less fortunate circumstances and provide them with support and encouragement.
Keep in touch with the elderly and lonely, and promote contact with other persons in the community and mutual support networks.
Organise outings and luncheons for Swiss seniors and their friends.
Advise those who find themselves in need of support and guidance.
Provide financial assistance in cases of hardship.
Assist with identifying other sources of support.
Contact older members of the community on their birthdays and at Christmas.
Promote good fellowship among the Swiss and Swiss-Australian community.
Draw the attention of senior members of the community to the activities of the society.

What can you do for the society?

Sign up, become a member of the society, and get involved.
Alert the society to cases of hardship of a physical, emotional or financial nature. Your confidentiality will be respected.
Let the committee know if anyone needs contact or assistance.
Join the volunteer group and promote contact with people in need.
Help increase our membership by telling others of the society’s work.
Make a donation, which is tax deductible.

Who can become a member of the society?

A person who is of Swiss nationality, heritage or background or Australian-Swiss heritage or background, who is at least 18 years old and whose application has been approved by the committee. For membership applications, see the MEMBERSHIP page.

After hearing different stories of dual Swiss-Australian citizens falling ill when holidaying in Switzerland, I would like to share some travel advice.

When going on a trip, even if travelling within remote Australia, make sure you have good travel insurance and take a copy of the insurance document with you. Medical costs can skyrocket, especially if you need hospital care.

In Switzerland you have to pay upfront for your treatment. As you're not registered in Switzerland, you will not have compulsory medical insurance which all registered Swiss citizens need to have. Either your compulsory medical insurance number (if you live in Switzerland) will be required, or a means for you to pay.

Having travel insurance will help you to get your money back at a later stage, depending on how you are insured. If you need an operation, it can easily amount to $30,000. This means that you need to think about how you would pay such a bill. Is your credit card limit big enough? Would you have this kind of money in one of your savings accounts? So: ensure that you have a financial safety cushion.

I also believe that it is preferable to enter Switzerland with your Swiss passport or ID card. Although you are accepted with an Australian passport, you could have a problem prolonging your stay, once the 90 days for foreigners are up. It is also pleasant to queue in the Swiss/EU line at passport control rather than the others, as it’s usually much faster.

For returning into Australia you must leave here and re-enter with your Australian passport. If you have Australian residency only, or haven’t bothered to acquire an Australian passport, you will need a re-entry visa.

By the way ...

The vintage poster displayed here has an interesting connection to Australia. Expand the article below to read the surprising story. We hope you enjoy it! - Regula

A famous Aussie swimsuit at the Lucerne Lido

Who'd have thought that an Australian swimming champion had inspired this 1930s poster?

In the 1930s, the Life Reform Movement fostered the construction of public baths throughout Switzerland that allowed women and men to enjoy activities together, both in and around the water. Albert Solbach (dates unknown) immortalised Lucerne’s lakeside baths in his 1932 poster and paid homage to progressive beliefs in his portrayal of a sporty female water-skier.

The public baths of that time represented a new culture of health and leisure that became possible due to the regulated right to vacation time and evolving moral attitudes. Albert Solbach’s androgynous female protagonist with her toned body and hair hidden under a bathing cap is a direct descendant of Australian champion swimmer Annette Kellerman, who was arrested in 1907 for wearing indecent bathing attire. She subsequently won a court case that finally allowed the one-piece with a short leg to become a popular swimsuit for women. (Text from Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich.)

Annette Kellermann (1886-1975) was born in Sydney. In her youth Annette was a puny, sickly child who contracted polio, leaving her with iron braces on her legs. Her mother took her to the famous Cavill Baths at Lavender Bay, North Sydney, to have swimming lessons and by age 15, she swam her way out of steel braces and into good health. Annette starred in motion pictures, performed stunts and set a high diving record of 28 metres. A powerful long-distance swimmer Annette was to become internationally famous, often out-competing male contenders. She conquered most of the rivers of Australia and Europe including a 22 mile Danube River race.

In 1907 on a Boston beach at the height of her popularity, Annette dared to show her legs by wearing a one-piece fitted costume (similar to the poster, but in black) instead of the accepted bathing pantaloons and neck-to-knee attire. This scandal caused her to be arrested. The resulting newspaper headlines and outpouring of public indignation were a death-knell for Victorian attitudes towards women’s swimwear. In later years, Annette travelled across the U.S. and Europe promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Annette was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus (540 to 480 BC) stated that 'There is nothing permanent except change'. Yes, change is inevitable, and often it pays to be prepared for it. Our volunteers in the Swiss Community Care Society sometimes witness how difficult it can become for elderly people who are not prepared for change.

We all know that we get older from the moment we are born and that the day of our final 'departure' will eventually come. To go as quickly as possible is the wish of most of us, but too often the decline is gradual and not easily recognised. It pays to prepare for your own wellbeing while you are alive and also for your affairs after you die, while you are still in good physical and especially mental shape.

The following questions and recommendations will help you to be as organised as possible.

1. Do you have a valid Will? When did you last update it? Who have you appointed as the executor of your Will and does it deal with your estate as you want it to? The people you leave behind will be so grateful if you have made clear arrangements about your wishes regarding the disposal of your assets when you die.

2. Do you have an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA)? Your attorney should be a healthy and preferably younger person who can deal with your financial and legal matters, should you become unable to do so yourself.

3. Have you made an Appointment of Enduring Guardian (AOEG)? This person can decide about your lifestyle and medical treatment, but only if you lose the capacity to do so yourself.

You can choose to appoint one or more Attorneys and Enduring Guardians. The appointees can be the same or different people.

4. It is also very helpful if you have an Advance Care Directive. This document, which only operates if you yourself lose capacity, outlines your wishes for medical treatment and lifestyle matters, so that your treating medical team and Enduring Guardian(s) can act the way you want them to, should it become necessary.

The internet has plenty of information available regarding these matters. Wills and Advance Care Directives require two independent witnesses. EPOAs and AOEGs require a solicitor to complete and witness the forms. Once you have these papers in place, you will have far less to worry about in the future.

New Swissinfo service – the SWIplus app

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 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

60 years of diplomatic relations 1961-2021

From the Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney, by email 2021

Dear Compatriots

Sixty 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

WORTH KNOWING

Travelling?

Have you thought about your future?

New Swissinfo service – the SWIplus app

60 years of diplomatic relations 1961-2021