History of the Swiss Club of Victoria
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Author: Roland Isler
The history of the Swiss Club of Victoria officially starts when it was first founded in 1899. But the foundations for such a club were laid many years before that.
The first wave of Swiss migration to Victoria started only five years after the foundation of the first permanent settlement in Victoria in 1834. It was initiated by the appointment of Charles Joseph La Trobe as superintendent for the Port Phillip District, as Victoria was called before 1850. La Trobe was married to Sophie de Montmollin. The de Montmollin family belonged to Neuchâtel’s aristocratic élite. Through this connection, over 100 winegrowers from Neuchâtel and adjacent districts were encouraged to migrate and establish and work in the colonial wine industry.
The second wave was initiated by the discovery of gold in the 1850s. It prompted an exodus from the poverty-stricken Valle Maggia, Val Verzasca and other parts of Ticino and southern Grison. Between 1854 and 1856 almost 2000 Ticinesi and Poschiavini had left for the famous Jim Crow goldfields, which is today’s Daylesford/Hepurn Springs.
The first wave of Swiss migration to Victoria started only five years after the foundation of the first permanent settlement in Victoria in 1834. It was initiated by the appointment of Charles Joseph La Trobe as superintendent for the Port Phillip District, as Victoria was called before 1850. La Trobe was married to Sophie de Montmollin. The de Montmollin family belonged to Neuchâtel’s aristocratic élite. Through this connection, over 100 winegrowers from Neuchâtel and adjacent districts were encouraged to migrate and establish and work in the colonial wine industry.
The second wave was initiated by the discovery of gold in the 1850s. It prompted an exodus from the poverty-stricken Valle Maggia, Val Verzasca and other parts of Ticino and southern Grison. Between 1854 and 1856 almost 2000 Ticinesi and Poschiavini had left for the famous Jim Crow goldfields, which is today’s Daylesford/Hepurn Springs.
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In 1890, the ‘Swiss Society’ patronised the foundation of the ‘Social Club Helvetia’ to take over the responsibility of organising social events and festivities, such as the Swiss National Day. The closing down of this club only six years later due to financial problems gave way for the formation of a club that was independent of the ‘Swiss Society’ and so, the ‘Swiss Club of Victoria’ was founded in 1899.
In order to raise community interest and increase membership, the club published a monthly newsletter called ‘Edelweiss’. The newsletter we are publishing today is also named ‘Edelweiss’ in recognition of the early days of our club’s history. Despite the best efforts to raise membership to a level that would have secured the financial viability of the club, the first incarnation of ‘Swiss Club of Victoria’ failed and dissolved in 1904.
Another attempt to establish a social club coincided with the third wave of migration following the First World War. This wave consisted predominantly from the German-speaking Cantons of Switzerland. Launched with generous private donations totalling more than £100, the second incarnation of the ‘Swiss Club of Victoria’ held its inaugural meeting in 1924 at the Manchester Unity Hall. The initiative to re-form the club came from a small but passionate group of 48 Swiss residents in Melbourne and from the Swiss Consul at the time.
The bond between the ‘Swiss Club’ and the ‘Consulate General of Switzerland’, including consular staff of all levels, has been a strong one from this very beginning and remained so until the Consulate in Melbourne was closed for good in 2007. The National Day Gala Ball in that year took on a special meaning as it was celebrating 150 years of Victorian statehood as well as saying farewell to the consulate, after exactly 150 years of continued representation.
In order to raise community interest and increase membership, the club published a monthly newsletter called ‘Edelweiss’. The newsletter we are publishing today is also named ‘Edelweiss’ in recognition of the early days of our club’s history. Despite the best efforts to raise membership to a level that would have secured the financial viability of the club, the first incarnation of ‘Swiss Club of Victoria’ failed and dissolved in 1904.
Another attempt to establish a social club coincided with the third wave of migration following the First World War. This wave consisted predominantly from the German-speaking Cantons of Switzerland. Launched with generous private donations totalling more than £100, the second incarnation of the ‘Swiss Club of Victoria’ held its inaugural meeting in 1924 at the Manchester Unity Hall. The initiative to re-form the club came from a small but passionate group of 48 Swiss residents in Melbourne and from the Swiss Consul at the time.
The bond between the ‘Swiss Club’ and the ‘Consulate General of Switzerland’, including consular staff of all levels, has been a strong one from this very beginning and remained so until the Consulate in Melbourne was closed for good in 2007. The National Day Gala Ball in that year took on a special meaning as it was celebrating 150 years of Victorian statehood as well as saying farewell to the consulate, after exactly 150 years of continued representation.
The first club rooms were found at 10 Patrick Lane, off Lonsdale Street. The club relocated several times in its history but never left the city centre. After some years, it briefly moved to 389 Flinders Lane. By 1929, members – and therefore the club itself – were so adversely affected by the looming depression that rented premises could no longer be afforded. Meetings were held at members’ homes and the club’s activities were reduced severely. This changed when, in 1932, the club was offered two rooms at 60 Bourke Street. This would be its home for the next nine years during which the club was gradually revitalised. Then the search begun to find larger premises that would allow functions to be held on home ground. 161 Spring Street, a two-story building came up for lease and was found to be suitable. The new club premises were ceremoniously opened in 1941.
In those early years, it had been a huge step forward for the club to have a home – somewhere to set-up a kitchen, a library, a card room to play Jass, a meeting place for the ladies’ auxiliary. It even had a caretaker, who lived on the ground floor. She cooked simple meals for which she was paid £1 a week and was therefore affectionately called "Mueti" (Mum) by many young Swiss migrants.
Over the next few years the enterprising idea developed to take the next leap and become truly autonomous – to move from leasehold to freehold title. The owner of the building often attended functions such as the Gala Ball and eventually the club let it be known that there was a desire to purchase the building. After much negotiation, a moderate purchase price of £12,500 was agreed upon.
In those early years, it had been a huge step forward for the club to have a home – somewhere to set-up a kitchen, a library, a card room to play Jass, a meeting place for the ladies’ auxiliary. It even had a caretaker, who lived on the ground floor. She cooked simple meals for which she was paid £1 a week and was therefore affectionately called "Mueti" (Mum) by many young Swiss migrants.
Over the next few years the enterprising idea developed to take the next leap and become truly autonomous – to move from leasehold to freehold title. The owner of the building often attended functions such as the Gala Ball and eventually the club let it be known that there was a desire to purchase the building. After much negotiation, a moderate purchase price of £12,500 was agreed upon.
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The acquisition of the building in early 1953 was without a doubt one of the boldest, most important and far reaching actions ever taken by the ‘Swiss Club of Victoria’.
The club remained based at Spring Street until 1968, when the committee received an offer from an interested party to buy the premises. A cash-strapped club saw this as a chance to solving its financial troubles and move ahead once again. Eventually it was agreed to ‘exchange’ its current premises with 22 George Parade, off Collins Street. This was an success as the value of the new facility was substantially higher.
The official opening of the George Parade premises took place in February 1970.
But no sooner had the club settled into its new home, when an offer was received from the mining company CRA, the owners of the adjoining property, to buy the building. The offer was rejected, but instead, it was agreed that CRA would find suitable replacement premises with a proviso that all alterations be of club specifications and at CRA cost.
Several premises were inspected and eventually 87-89 Flinders Lane was found to be most suitable. The transfer from George Parade to Flinders Lane required an enormous amount of negotiation and the committee achieved a great result in obtaining much better premises at no cost to the club. The new club was officially opened by the Swiss Ambassador on the 16th of February 1973. After 50 years the club moved back to Flinders Lane, which remained its home to the present time.
In 1977, although the fit-out was only a few years old, the committee felt that the atmosphere was not suitable for a Swiss restaurant and so, a group of talented members set about to rebuild the first floor themselves. The club remained basically unchanged until 2004 when it was again decided to refurbish the entire first floor. The club’s fortune of around $300,000 was invested in achieving what one can see today. It looks inviting and welcoming and it has a true Swiss character. In 2006, after a long period of troublesome tenants, an experienced restaurateur set-up business on the ground floor and in doing so, not only refitted the basement, but also gave the outer façade a very welcome face-lift. It also provides a very good and stable income for the club ever since. 2010 finally saw the complete renovation of the second floor. Confident of its future, the club borrowed around $300,000 to transform this floor into a modern, multi-function venue that provides space for club and sub-group activities as well as offering additional income for the club as it now can be hired out to individuals and businesses for a multitude of purposes.
Several premises were inspected and eventually 87-89 Flinders Lane was found to be most suitable. The transfer from George Parade to Flinders Lane required an enormous amount of negotiation and the committee achieved a great result in obtaining much better premises at no cost to the club. The new club was officially opened by the Swiss Ambassador on the 16th of February 1973. After 50 years the club moved back to Flinders Lane, which remained its home to the present time.
In 1977, although the fit-out was only a few years old, the committee felt that the atmosphere was not suitable for a Swiss restaurant and so, a group of talented members set about to rebuild the first floor themselves. The club remained basically unchanged until 2004 when it was again decided to refurbish the entire first floor. The club’s fortune of around $300,000 was invested in achieving what one can see today. It looks inviting and welcoming and it has a true Swiss character. In 2006, after a long period of troublesome tenants, an experienced restaurateur set-up business on the ground floor and in doing so, not only refitted the basement, but also gave the outer façade a very welcome face-lift. It also provides a very good and stable income for the club ever since. 2010 finally saw the complete renovation of the second floor. Confident of its future, the club borrowed around $300,000 to transform this floor into a modern, multi-function venue that provides space for club and sub-group activities as well as offering additional income for the club as it now can be hired out to individuals and businesses for a multitude of purposes.
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• Ladies Auxilliary - 1948
• Folk Dance Group Alpenrose - 1949
• Soccer Club Helvetia - 1952
• Yodelclub Edelwyss - 1953
• Rifle Club - 1955
• Fencing Club Cercle d’Escrime - 1956
• Ländlermusik
Apart from the Folk Dance Group Alpenrose all of these groups have disbanded by now. But others have taken their place such as:
• Swiss Companion Singers
• Ladies Luncheon
• Saturday Morning Swiss School
• Swiss Playgroup
• Young Swiss Group
• ‘Familienplausch’ for parents and children
• Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand
• Swiss Companion Singers
• Ladies Luncheon
• Saturday Morning Swiss School
• Swiss Playgroup
• Young Swiss Group
• ‘Familienplausch’ for parents and children
• Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand
The club developed, and still has a busy social calendar. National Day celebrations always were the premier events in the year. Up to recently the highlight was the Gala Ball, of which we are fortunate that photographs taken in the 20s, 30s and 40s have survived. As mentioned previously, the depression years were very lean years as the people simply did not have the money to spend on social activities. But already by 1933, the National Day Ball held at the Melbourne Town Hall attracted 500 people – many times more than the entire club membership. Today we celebrate Swiss National Day just as enthusiastically with a ‘Lampionparade’ for the children and their families in the city centre, followed by a booked-out party at the club. A special luncheon for our senior members also takes place.
In 1941, the 650th anniversary of the Swiss confederation was celebrated at a huge Gala Ball at Earl’s Court on Upper Esplanade in St.Kilda. 50 years later, CH700 as the 700 year anniversary was called, was one of the most important events that the club has been involved in. In collaboration with the consulate, celebrations were planned for the whole of 1991. It involved participation at the Moomba procession with a float that won the most outstanding entry award. A Gala Ball at the Hilton. A Swiss food festival; a dinner dance and a luncheon for the Senior members; festivities at the club; a picnic in Gembrook that attracted over 1,200 guests; a consular reception; an exhibition of Swiss folk art and handicrafts and an exhibition of Swiss artists in Australia.
Participation at ‘World Expo 88’ marked another grand event for the Swiss Club. 50 to 60 members of the various folklore sub-groups took part in an extravagant 3-day Swiss exposé in Brisbane. It was a unique gathering of Swiss communities from all over Australia including some artists that were flown in from Switzerland especially for this event.
In a collaboration with three other German-speaking clubs, the Swiss Club participated in staging the Melbourne ‘Oktoberfest’ from 1983 to 2002. Not only created this event a great deal of camaraderie between members and friends and a special bond between the four clubs, it also generated a total of $600,000 in profit, which was much needed income particularly in the early 80s.
In 1941, the 650th anniversary of the Swiss confederation was celebrated at a huge Gala Ball at Earl’s Court on Upper Esplanade in St.Kilda. 50 years later, CH700 as the 700 year anniversary was called, was one of the most important events that the club has been involved in. In collaboration with the consulate, celebrations were planned for the whole of 1991. It involved participation at the Moomba procession with a float that won the most outstanding entry award. A Gala Ball at the Hilton. A Swiss food festival; a dinner dance and a luncheon for the Senior members; festivities at the club; a picnic in Gembrook that attracted over 1,200 guests; a consular reception; an exhibition of Swiss folk art and handicrafts and an exhibition of Swiss artists in Australia.
Participation at ‘World Expo 88’ marked another grand event for the Swiss Club. 50 to 60 members of the various folklore sub-groups took part in an extravagant 3-day Swiss exposé in Brisbane. It was a unique gathering of Swiss communities from all over Australia including some artists that were flown in from Switzerland especially for this event.
In a collaboration with three other German-speaking clubs, the Swiss Club participated in staging the Melbourne ‘Oktoberfest’ from 1983 to 2002. Not only created this event a great deal of camaraderie between members and friends and a special bond between the four clubs, it also generated a total of $600,000 in profit, which was much needed income particularly in the early 80s.
In 2008, the ‘Swiss Festival’ was staged very successfully for the first time. Rather than continue with the ‘Volksfest’, which essentially was a fundraising event for the subgroups, the club assumed leadership in transforming the ‘Volksfest’ into a Swiss Community event that presents a united multicultural and multifaceted Switzerland to the public. The ‘Swiss Festival’ continues to attract well over 1,000 visitors every year.
Just a few of the most important milestone events in which the Swiss Club took part have been mentioned, but the every day life of the club is much more simple. Playing Jass on a Wednesday night, sharing a meal with friends in a familiar atmosphere, children going to the Saturday morning Swiss School, looking after our seniors and those that are alone or unwell, listening and dancing to the fabulous ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’ once a month, choir and dance practice, the ladies luncheons and young Swiss meetings – in short, solidarity and sharing our common heritage – this is still the primary purpose of this club as it was over one hundred years ago.
New members and visitors are always welcome.
Discover true Swiss ambience and hospitality in the heart of Melbourne!
The Swiss Club of Victoria
89 Flinders Lane
Melbourne Vic 3000
AUSTRALIA
Phone: 130 893 968
Email: info(at)swissclubvic.com
www.swissclubvic.com
Just a few of the most important milestone events in which the Swiss Club took part have been mentioned, but the every day life of the club is much more simple. Playing Jass on a Wednesday night, sharing a meal with friends in a familiar atmosphere, children going to the Saturday morning Swiss School, looking after our seniors and those that are alone or unwell, listening and dancing to the fabulous ‘Kapelle Grüezi Mitenand’ once a month, choir and dance practice, the ladies luncheons and young Swiss meetings – in short, solidarity and sharing our common heritage – this is still the primary purpose of this club as it was over one hundred years ago.
New members and visitors are always welcome.
Discover true Swiss ambience and hospitality in the heart of Melbourne!
The Swiss Club of Victoria
89 Flinders Lane
Melbourne Vic 3000
AUSTRALIA
Phone: 130 893 968
Email: info(at)swissclubvic.com
www.swissclubvic.com
ID: 2780