A Look Back and Ahead with the Swiss Alliance of Australia

It’s hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by! To take a closer look at what’s been happening in 2026, visit the news blog on the SAA website - where we post community news and helpful information for Swiss living Down Under.

Across the country, Swiss clubs in every state have been very active, organising countless events that bring people together and celebrate our shared heritage. A lot of work and love goes into keeping a club running, and we would like to express a heartfelt thank-you to all committee members and helpers of the various Swiss Clubs and Organisations in Australia.

For the SAA, as umbrella organisation, highlights of the year included:

• organising the election of the Australian Delegates to the Council of the Swiss Abroad,

• contributing to the consultation process of the Swiss Government regarding budget cuts affecting services for the Swiss Abroad,

• welcoming SwissCham Australia, the Swiss Club of Western Australia and the Canberra Swiss Club as new members, and

• developing new benefits for individual members of our affiliated clubs.

The SAA Annual General Meeting took place on 26 November. Jessica Gysin-Webster from the Swiss Club of SA was elected new president and the current committee members from the various clubs across Australia were re-elected. Welcome Jessica and a thank you to all committee members for the great collaboration!

The Australian Delegates to the Council of the Swiss Abroad continue on the board as officio members (and Roland remains Vice President) and we look forward to continue connecting our community and supporting our clubs.

Preparations are also well underway for the Oceania Swiss Club Conference on 13.  – 15^th November 2026 in Brisbane. Like in previous years, this major event will bring together ambassadors, consul generals, Council of the Swiss Abroad delegates and club representatives from across the region and Switzerland, and will include a special evening with the local Swiss Brisbane community.

Last but not least, staying connected matters for many of us and two important services that keep the Swiss Abroad informed and in touch with Switzerland are currently facing funding challenges. Here is how you can help:

• Swissinfo is Switzerland’s international public media service. You might receive their newsletter, read the articles online or follow them on social media. Due to planned government budget cuts, Swissinfo is at risk of closure.

       If you value its work, please consider showing your support by signing the petition.

👉 Sign the petition: swissinfo-petition.ch/en

• The Swiss Review is the magazine delivered for free to Swiss Abroad by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. The print edition, arriving in our letterbox five times a year, is cherished by many as a piece of Heimat. However, rising delivery costs now make up a large share of its overall production costs.

If you would like to help, you can support in two ways:

👉 Switch to the email edition by letting the Consulate General in Sydney know, or

👉 Make a donation as a token of appreciation for receiving the print magazine

Every contribution – large or small – helps keep the printed Swiss Review alive.

On behalf of the SAA committee, we wish everyone a joyful festive season and a happy, healthy start to 2026!

Warm regards,

Carmen Trochsler and Roland Isler

Council of the Swiss Abroad Delegates for Australia