SWISS CLUB
OKTOBERFEST RETROSPECTIVE Oh, What a Party!
SEASON’S EATINGS
Festive Food Promotions
HAPPY HAZE-FREE SWIM MEET Swiss Club Championships
YULE BE AMAZED! Christmas Traditions Outside of Europe
RELAX N OV E M B E R / D EC E M B E R
2 015
I S S U E
1
AVIS AD
2
SWISS CLUB
CLUB MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND RESERVATIONS OFFICE
DINING
Carsten Kjeldmann, General Manager E: carsten.kjeldmann@swissclub.org.sg
Yun Kai Wong, F&B Manager E: yunkai.wong@swissclub.org.sg
Eléonore Taillens, Deputy Club Manager-Finance and Administration E: eleonore.taillens@swissclub.org.sg
Adrian Vogt, Executive Chef E: adrian.vogt@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9421
DID: 6591 9434
DID: 6591 9428
DID: 6591 9443
Kumar Samy, F&B Operation Manager E: kumar.samy@swissclub.org.sg
Serene Yee, Membership Manager E: serene.yee@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9434
DID: 6591 9426
Pei Ying Mok, Chief Accountant E: peiying.mok@swissclub.org.sg
EVENTS
DID: 6591 9435
Paulina Halim, Event Sales Manager E: paulina.halim@swissclub.org.sg DID: 6591 9430
HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT
SPORTS
Kumar Samy, Housekeeper (temporary) E: kumar.samy@swissclub.org.sg
Timothy Felix Rajadurai, Sports Manager E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg
DID: 6591 9434
DID: 6591 9438
ADMIN & HR
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Joey Chaw, Office Manager E: joey.chaw@swissclub.org.sg / careers@swissclub.org.sg
Christelle Taillens, Marketing Manager E: christelle.taillens@swissclub.org.sg DID: 6591 9455
DID: 6591 9422
THE GUESTHOUSE ROOM RESERVATIONS E: theguesthouse@swissclub.org.sg T: 6591 9420/9429
DINING RESERVATIONS E: fb@swissclub.org.sg T: 6466 3233 F: 6468 8550
COMMITTEE
Martin Silberstein President
E: president@swissclub.org.sg
MEMBERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Gerda Gehrig (RELAX Magazine) E: gerda.gehrig@swissclub.org.sg
Markus Blattmann Treasurer
E: treasurer@swissclub.org.sg
Daniel Mueller (Sports) E: daniel.mueller@swissclub.org.sg Max Schweizer (Buildings & Infrastructure) E: max.schweizer@swissclub.org.sg Susanna Rueegger Koechli E: susanna.rueegger@swissclub.org.sg
René Cotting Deputy President
E: deputypres@swissclub.org.sg
Patrick Regamey Secretary
E: secretary@swissclub.org.sg
Adrian Jacklowsky (Marketing) E: adrian.jacklowsky@swissclub.org.sg Markus Ritter (IT Infrastructure) E: markus.ritter@swissclub.org.sg
3
SWISS CLUB
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FROM THE EDITOR
GENERAL
3 Club Management, Staff and Reservations 3 Committee 4 From the Editor 5 Your Say 6 A Message from the President 7 A Message from the General Manager 8 Welcomes and Farewells 8 Opening Hours DINING 10 12
Meat Your Match Wine, Dine and Unwind in November & December
EVENTS 16 The Beeriest, Cheerist Party of the Year SPORTS 23 23 24 26 27
German-Swiss Golf Club Competition Schedule Lift Your Padel Performance An Air of Victory for the Swiss Club Championships Haze Messed with Your Fitness Regime? It’s Not All About Running: Endurance Challenge Training
INTERESTS 28 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38
Congress of the Swiss Living Abroad 2015 The First Day of School Meet a Member: Mr Georgie Lee Sportsman, Gentleman, Family Man, Singaporean First Impressions: The Woscheks Feel Right at Home at the Swiss Club Meet A Staffer: Suzaimi Serves from the Heart Unusual Yule Traditions The Know-All: Q&A for the Culturally Confused Kids’ Space Regular Activities: Fitness, Friends, Fun
If you’re heading to your homeland, travel safely and enjoy happy reunions with family and friends.
Dear Members, Hello to all the happy revellers we had the pleasure of meeting at the Swiss Club Oktoberfest. And, to the Swiss Club team who worked tirelessly to make this epic 5-day event a success, congratulations on a job well done. After sixteen years of ‘hard acts to follow’, the pressure to match or even outperform the previous years’ efforts must be enormous. The magnitude of the event demands a feat of organisation that we mere mortals cannot begin to comprehend or imagine. Check out the photographic evidence of the mirth and merriment that prevailed, on Pages 16 to 20. Wow, what a party! By the time this issue reaches your hands, let’s hope the haze has quit our skies, at least for this year, if not forever. We enjoyed something of a pre-Christmas ‘miracle’ on 4 October for the annual Swiss Club Championships, efficiently organised by AquaDucks. Read all about it on Page 24. As the year draws to a close, no doubt many Members will be heading ‘home’ for Christmas. For your holiday reading, we’ve unearthed some fascinating Christmas customs that are practised outside of Europe. From roller-skating to church in Venezuela to exchanging fancy wrapped apples in China, the diversity of the way in which the world celebrates this Christian holiday is truly mind-boggling. Find out more on Page 34. Meanwhile, whet your appetite for Christmas with the festive dining promotions at the Swiss Club. If you’re staying home for Christmas, make the day blissful rather than stressful by ordering your roast meats, veggies and festive desserts from the Club’s take-away menu on Page 15. And if you’re heading to your homeland, travel safely and enjoy happy reunions with family and friends. On behalf of the ‘RELAX’ Editorial team, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year, filled with countless wonderful times at the Swiss Club! Till 2016,
RELAX is written and designed by SPEcial Pte Ltd. Suzanne, Copy E: suzy@spe-cial.com Pam, Liaison E: pam@spe-cial.com Edwin, Art E: edwin@spe-cial.com
T: (65) 9820 9520 T: (65) 9871 0666 T: (65) 8500 2975
Suzanne Lauridsen Editor, RELAX
Photography by Nin9 Photography. MCI (P) No. 056/03/2015
4
SWISS CLUB YOUR SAY
CHEERS TO OKTOBERFEST
BUSINESS IS A PLEASURE AT THE SWISS CLUB
I just wanted to drop a quick note your way to thank you and your teams for a splendid Oktoberfest 2015.
My apologies for this late response. I have been extremely busy with work. Firstly, I want to thank you, Kamil and his fellow colleagues for Everything. The cards were exceptionally presentable and exactly what Mr Ayer and I had expected and wanted.
Dear Christelle and Carsten,
It is hard to really appreciate the complexities of putting on such an event – Adrienne and I struggled on occasions dealing with our 30-odd invites on one evening, let alone thousands on multiple evenings! So on behalf of the E.ON team, thanks for the splendid organisation. As Andrew said, we have every intention to grow on this year’s event in the future and hopefully, over time, shift our logo a little bit closer to the centre of the arena. All the best, David Morris E.ON Global Commodities SE, Singapore Branch P.S. On a personal note, thanks also to both of you for taking the time to say hello again on Saturday.
Dear Paulina,
Kamil and his team were very professional and made our company’s dinner event such a wonderful experience. They were attentive to our needs, they were well versed with their product knowledge and they went above and beyond to make sure all of us were comfortable and attended to promptly. For example: 1) On my table, I was the only lady, as the rest were all men. They made it a point to serve me first (a small gesture, but a little effort goes a long way...) 2) I requested that all the bottles of still water and sparkling water were to be chilled if placed on the tables. All water bottles were placed in ice buckets. 3) With all our name placards on the table, they took the liberty to address every guest by name salutation instead of the usual Sir/Ma’am.
A HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION INDEED
Thank you once again. Please help convey our appreciation to all who were involved and assisted. Thumbs Up for a job well done!
Thank you very much again – also on behalf on my wife – for the fantastic organisation and all your assistance.
Alana Kang Avaloq Sourcing Asia Pacific (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Dear Paulina,
We spent a great evening, and everything went very well. A big compliment goes to you and your team, who did a fantastic job. We had a memorable evening and my wife really enjoyed her birthday. Thanks again to all of you. Best regards, Swen Vetters Regional Manager, Munich Re Singapore CIP
Thanks and best regards,
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Email your feedback about the Swiss Club, Club-related matters, living in Singapore or any topic of interest, to editor@swissclub.org.sg. Please include your name and mobile number. We’d love to hear from you.
5
SWISS CLUB
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Fellow Members, It is with great pleasure that I share some updates with you, regarding our Club. The last weeks were quite busy, during which some important decisions were made. Let me first elaborate a little on the Club’s AGM that was held at the end of September. Unfortunately, less than 40 members attended this event. The President’s message included a review of last year and an outlook for the coming year. In a nutshell, one of the most important developments of last year was the change of the Club Management and the consolidation of the new Management organisation. The major challenge was, and still is, Membership development. We have already experienced quite a drop in new sign-ups, and this is unfortunately likely to continue. It is in line with the clear trend that fewer families are expatriated to Singapore, mainly because Singapore has become substantially more expensive than other nations. The drop in membership also led to lower income and consequently a small loss of about S$50,000 for the business year 2014/15. This year, we will need to review our strategy and to find ways to rise to the challenge. We may also be forced to take cost-saving measures, but want to primarily focus on possible ways to increase revenue. It is always a ‘chicken and egg’ question. The Committee wants to maintain the current
6
high standards, as this will attract new members, but is aware that the Club’s financial situation is a high priority. The AGM was also held to thank all the people involved for their contributions. These include the Management and the Staff, who obviously did a great job, but also all the Members who supported us in sub-committees and committees, and the conveners. They all do that in their free time for you, dear Members, and for our Club. Let me also remind you that soon we will be asking you for your contributions to the Ang Pow drive. We would be happy if you could give your contributions to this year-end collection, that 100% of which goes to our employees. It’s a great opportunity to say ‘Thank you’. At the AGM, the Committee was elected, and respectively re-elected. Olivier Grawehr left the Committee after 10 years of service as our Treasurer. Olivier was always very dedicated and gave many hours to our Club. It is really not easy being the Treasurer, as he has to always be careful and resist many temptations to invest and spend. Thanks to his conservative approach, the Club always did pretty well, allowing most of our projects to be financed and realised. We remember the time when he joined the Committee, at a time when the Club was losing substantial amounts money and hence an immediate turn-around was required. Here, again, Olivier played an important role. I would also take this opportunity to thank Olivier on behalf of all Members for his hard work and achievements. Olivier was not only a good Treasurer who put his heart and soul into his Club, but he also became a good friend. Thanks a lot, Olivier. The new treasurer is Markus Blattmann. We are very happy to welcome Markus to the Committee, and we are sure that we will work together very well. Markus knows the finance business inside out, and will help us all to navigate the ‘ship’ in stormy and calm economic conditions. We will introduce Markus in greater detail in one of the next ‘RELAX’ issues.
Last but not least, there are two points that should be mentioned. Firstly, the Oktoberfest – despite the Friday being the eve of election day, it was a real success. Bearing in mind that we had an almost completely new team organising this major club event, they did a truly great job. Everything was perfectly organised and our customers were very happy. Financially, it resulted in a good outcome, which will definitely help our Treasurer. The second point is to inform you about a possible land sale project that was presented at the AGM. After some discussion, we concluded that we will push the project forward. You will receive more information on this project early next year, and we are planning for an EGM sometime in February to decide on this.
For those of you who are travelling in January, come first enjoy a festive time with us at the Club. Finally, let me wish you all a wonderful festive season and, already, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. There are a lot of activities for this year-end period and I kindly ask you to read all information in this issue of ‘RELAX’ and in our regular e-mail blasts. For those of you who are travelling in January, come first enjoy a festive time with us at the Club. All the very best, your President,
Martin Silberstein President president@swissclub.org.sg
SWISS CLUB
A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER Dear Members, I hope you have had an enjoyable few months with the many activities hosted by the Club. Once again, thank you for your continued support. Yuletide festivities are knocking on the door and it won’t be long before Santa and the countdown to another new year is a reality. As usual, the Club will be offering a vast selection of activities and events, so please stay updated via our ‘RELAX’ magazine, our website and our weekly email notices. I know that Chef Adrian and his team are preparing some great festive dishes, which can be enjoyed from 12 December onwards. If turkey and ham with all the trimmings whets your appetite, you are in for a real treat!
I know that Chef Adrian and his team are preparing some great festive dishes, which can be enjoyed from 12 December onwards. May I kindly remind all Members to update their contact details and email addresses on a regular basis, as the Club will communicate more and more through these media. Over the next couple of months, our Membership and Marketing departments will send out an invitation for requests for specific interests and activities you would like to see addressed within the Club. This will improve and streamline communications while avoiding spamming your inbox, so we can focus on what’s important to you. We can only hope for the haze to improve and ideally disappear so that
our many outdoor activities can continue, undisturbed. The past month saw a lot of cancellations, affecting revenue for the Club not only from sports, but also from the guesthouse and from our restaurants. We are grateful for your support, as the decision to postpone or moving activities indoors is never easy. The priority for us will always be the wellbeing of our Members and their children. As mentioned by Martin Silberstein in his President’s Message, we had a very successful Oktoberfest, despite the general election being announced and offering non-voters the opportunity for an extended weekend away from Singapore. Although I was told that the Friday was slightly quieter than in past years, I have to say that Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday were an amazing ‘fest of happy people’, overflowing with fun and good times. On Sunday, our Oktoberfest family day saw almost 1,400 attendees. Once again, thank you to our Members for the fantastic support throughout, and to our Club staff who did a wonderful job ensuring everything was in place on a daily basis. Last but not least, a note of appreciation must be extended to all our neighbours and corporate sponsors for their support of this annual cultural event. Please take a moment to view the many festive photos in this issue of ‘RELAX’, and mark your calendar for next year’s Swiss Club Oktoberfest on 7 – 11 September, 2016. The next few months are going to be especially exciting, as the Committee and Management and staff are meeting for two days of brainstorming. This will offer all of us an opportunity to share ideas and feedback on the future direction and needs of the Swiss Club. Safeguarding the heritage of this historic Club is a priority, but we must remain current, continue our premium offerings, and realise that the Club consists of some 60 different nationalities and a wide spectrum of age groups. We will keep you duly updated on progress and, as always, would be delighted to receive suggestions from Members
On behalf of the Swiss Club, enjoy a blessed Christmas season and a successful entry into the New Year! regarding improvements or welcome changes. On that note, on behalf of the Swiss Club, may I wish all Members a great two months ahead. Last but not least, enjoy a blessed Christmas season and a successful entry into the New Year! See you at the Club. Warmest regards,
Carsten Kjeldmann General Manager carsten.kjeldmann@swissclub.org.sg
7
SWISS CLUB
Welcomes and Farewells The Swiss Club welcomes: Name
The Swiss Club farewells: Type of Membership
Name
Type of Membership
Sofia Esposito
Ordinary
Hans Goetti
Ordinary
Pascal Gerber & Isabella Di Niso-Gerber
Ordinary
Peter Huber & Karin Ohmann-Huber
Ordinary
Emmanuel & Maria De Fournas
Associate / Ordinary
Ordinary
Tobias Martin Bartz & Silvia Bartz-Monzo
Associate
Friedrich Gustav Mahler & Elena Smirnova-Mahler
Pierre Marie Bouvet & Judith Laluan-Bouvet
Associate
Fridolin Blumer & Alma Gallos-Blumer
Ordinary / Associate
Yana Fray-Chidambaram
Associate
Vincent Dubouis & Dubouis-Wang Li Ching
Associate
Christopher James Clark
Associate
Fabienne D’Anjou
Associate
Evelyn Jewanski
Associate
Paul Stewart Elliott & Ann C Richardson-Elliott
Associate
Sharon Kum & Karsten Scheinemann
Associate
David & Tina Heron
Associate
Olivier & Alexia Malpel
Associate Transferable
Andrea Irrgang
Associate
Stefan & Rebecca Boenders
Swiss Nominee
Lau Shuyi Alexandra
Associate
Oliver Patrick & Petra Ariane Walker
Swiss Nominee
Katherine Anne Elizabeth Massey
Associate
Frank Jurgen & & Daniela Naeve
Non-Swiss Nominee
Birte Muehlena
Associate
Lee Alistair & Iona Katherine Baker
Term
Marco & Steffi Moeller
Associate
Andrew & Kimberly Billing
Term
Stephan & Stephanie Repkow
Associate
Frank Bauer & Floriane Alice Tripolino-Bauer
Visiting
Peter & Rachel Wright
Associate
Marc Urs Landolf
Visiting
Damien & Julie Artru
Associate Transferable
Patricia Jane Phillips
Visiting
Roger Schnueriger & Franziska Willi-Schnueriger
Swiss Nominee
Christian & Karin Hein
Non-Swiss Nominee
Helge & Barbara Krueger-Lorenzen
Non-Swiss Nominee
Niklas & Sigrun Wilmking
Non-Swiss Nominee
The Swiss Club welcomes back: Name
Type of Membership
Alexander Stadelmann
Ordinary
Ravi Chidambaram
Associate
OPENING HOURS OFFICE RECEPTION AT THE GUESTHOUSE
son Festive Sea ours 2015 H n Operatio
T: 6466 3233 Daily: 07:30 – 21:00 (Closed 12:30 – 13.30 and 17:30 – 18:30)
DINING OUTLETS ARBENZ Closed on Mondays and Saturday Lunch T: 6591 9424
TANDOORI CORNER Open Monday to Sunday T: 6591 9431
Lunch: Tue – Fri & Sun, 12:00 – 15:00 Dinner: Tue – Sun, 18:30 – 24:00 (Last orders at 22:00)
Lunch: 11:00 – 14:30 Dinner: 18:00 – 22:00 (Last orders at 21:30)
Dress Code: Smart Casual, except Sundays PERGOLA T: 6591 9432 Daily: 07:00 – 24:00 (Last orders at 22:00)
8
JUNGLE BAR Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays T: 6591 9433 Wed – Fri: 11:30 – 23:30 Sat & Sun: 09:30 – 23:30
ber • 24 Decem all day. ed os cl z en rb A pm es at 18:00 Pergola clos ber • 25 Decem . for lunch only Arbenz open l ua us as Pergola open r be em ec D 1 usual •3 ergola open as P d an z Arben • 1 January all day. Arbenz closed as usual en op la go er P
For restaurant reservations, please call 6466 3233 between 10:00 – 18:00.
After office hours, please call 6591 9430.
SWISS CLUB
Canapés with Tuesday 10th Nov ⋅ 19:00 - 22:00 ⋅ Rifle Lounge
To RSVP, Call 6591 9420 or Scan the code
Bürgerspital wines have been awarded numerous prestigious national and international prizes and have won wine-tasting competitions held by celebrated sommeliers and wine journalists. Join us in a harmonious award-winning delight with Mr. Robert Mcgregor, export director of Bürgerspital estates who will be presenting his wines and the history of the estate. This is an experience not to be missed.
Members
$78
NonMembers
$88
9
MEAT Y O U R M AT C H
According to an actual study undertaken by a chain of carvery restaurants, certain personality types gravy-tate to certain types of roast dinners. Take part in our tongue-in-cheek quiz and learn what your meaty leanings say about you.
If you like...
You are...
organised, conscientious and consistent. Somewhat averse to change, your lack of spontaneity makes you extremely dependable and an immensely useful person to have around the home or office.
Roast Turkey
Roast You are... Chicken
a kind soul who is eager to please and willing to compromise in an argument. Though you may not be a ‘red hot lover’, you are loyal and affectionate. In the romance department, you are what is known as a ‘keeper’ – an ideal partner for the long term.
Roast Pork You are...
sporty, active and disciplined, you treat your body as if it were a temple. You seldom relax your standards or your expectations, and can be harshly judgemental of both yourself and others. You lead by example, and inspire others to be the best they can.
You are...
impulsive, hungry for new experiences and fearful your plate at once of missing out. You want to have it all, right here, right now, and to hell with the consequences. A party animal who is always fun to be around, you relish variety and may well be commitment-phobic.
10
Roast Beef
You are...
lovable, huggable and humorous. Naturally inclined to be lazy, you are a couch potato in the making who would choose spectator sports over participation. A bit of a slacker, your self-effacing ways make others feel comfortable around you and better about themselves.
Roast Lamb You are... Several meats on your plate at once
extroverted, soul-searching and prone to grand gestures. You never shy away from a risky situation and crave both attention and adventure. Ever open to new experiences, you have wanderlust in your heart.
Why not order your Christmas roasts from the Swiss Club? See Page 15 for a menu and price list.
SWISS CLUB
11
DINING
Wine, Dine and Unwind in November & December Enjoy the mouthwatering delicacies and dishes on the menu in November and December at our various dining establishments. Be sure to book tables for your festive gatherings in advance – and end the year in good taste at the Swiss Club, where you are always dining among friends. AT PERGOLA
We’re Flaunting Our Mussels! What:
• Moules Marinieres – White Wine, Shallots, Onions, Parsley • Moules Poulettes – Creamy Sauce, Chives • Moules Thai – Green Curry, Ginger, Lemongrass • Moules Paysannes – Creamy Sauce, Whole Seed Mustard, Tarragon • Moules Tomato – Tomato Sauce, Basil All dishes are served with a basket of French fries.
When:
4 – 30 November, lunch and dinner
Swiss Z’morge
12
What:
• Choices of Fruit Juices • Tropical Fruit Platter • Selection of Cereals • Assorted Fruit Yoghurts • Bakery Basket • Assorted Cold Cuts • Live Station & Hot Food – Swiss Rösti, Fried Egg, Scrambled Egg, Chicken Sausage, Bacon, Ham Cheese Platter, Coffee/Tea
When:
22 November, 9am – 12pm
DINING
Pizza Delizia Promotion What:
• Pizza Provençale – Olives, Fresh Tuna, Rocket Leaves, Goat Cheese, Cherry Tomato • Breakfast Pizza – Bacon, Cooked Ham, Egg, Baby Spinach • Tandoori Pizza – Tandoori Chicken Cubes, Sliced Red Onion, Mint Yogurt, Coriander • Swiss Cheesy Pizza – Raclette Cheese, Gruyere and Emmentaler Cheese • Roasted Duck Pizza – Black Pepper Sauce, Spring Onion, Sour Cream • Flammkuchen – Sour Cream, Onion, Bacon
When:
2 – 31 December
Raclette Nights (every Wednesday) What:
Authentic Swiss raclette (grilled cheese scraped from the wheel) with traditional accompaniments
When:
6 – 10pm
How much:
Portion – $16.50 each Buffet – $46.50 per person
Rösti Nights (every Friday) What:
Golden-brown Rösti with traditional accompaniments
When:
6 – 10pm
How much:
Portion – $16.50 each Buffet – $46.50 per person
AT THE RIFLE LOUNGE
Bürgerspital Wine Dinner What:
Export director of award-winning Bürgerspital estates, Mr Robert McGregor, presents top Bürgerspital wines, harmoniously paired with canapés and a delectable 4-course set dinner
When:
10 November, 7 – 10pm
How much:
Members $78 per person; Guests of Members $88 per person
Wine Fair What:
The ideal opportunity to stock up on fine wines for the festive season, with more than 40 carefully selected varieties for sale to Members and Guests only
When:
21 – 22 November, 12pm – 7pm
How much:
Up to 40% off usual prices 13
DINING AT ARBENZ
Tantalising Tartar What:
• Norwegian Raw Salmon with Kalamata Olives and Avocado • Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Marinated Apple, Fresh Horseradish • Beef Tartar with Quail Egg • Beef Tartar Café de Paris • Tuna with Lemongrass • Choice of Sesame Lavosh, Pumpernickel, Toasted Brown Bread or Naan
When:
3 – 29 November, lunch and dinner
How much:
$22 – $32
Festive Daily Specials What:
Festive Christmas Menu
When:
1 – 15 December
How much:
$12 – $36
New Year’s Eve Dinner What:
A sumptuous 4-course dinner with a glass of prosecco
When:
31 December, 7pm till the New Year!
How much:
Members $95 per person Guests of Members $105 per person
AT THE JUNGLE BAR
New Year’s Day BBQ Lunch
14
What:
BBQ Buffet
When:
1 January 2016, 11am – 3pm
How much
Members $58 per person Children of Members $29 per person Guests of Members $68 per person Children of Guests $39 per person
DINING CLUB-WIDE
Wines of the Month for November and December What:
• Penfolds Koonunga Hill Autumn Riesling • Penfolds Koonunga Hill Seventy-Six Shiraz Cabernet
When:
1 – 30 November
How much:
$60 per bottle $14 per 125ml glass
Tasting Notes Nose – Immediately – intensely perfumed! Additional scrutiny reveals elegant aromas of pink rose petal, Turkish delight and lemony bath salts alongside a faint suggestion of spice arising from the addition of 6% Traminer. Palate – Delightful balance between sweetness and acidity! Soft, mouth-watering talcy acid amid tastes of Turkish delight and lime juice contribute to make this wine an eminently approachable offering with wonderful length of flavour.
Tasting Notes Nose – Aromatic hallmarks of Penfolds yesteryear, befitting a retro release under this label’s masthead! Immediate interest is evoked via wafts of red liquorice, smoked meats, corned beef and pink peppercorn. Oak is present, but always respectful, providing a stable platform for the projection of Black Forest cake and French polish artefact. Palate – Intense. Dark chocolate, blackberry and fresh blue fruits. Beneath the saturated fruit exterior lies a flavour caché of vanilla custard, caraway seeds and steamed pudding. Tight, grainy Cabernet tannins mesh with plush and lively Shiraz fruit – initial markers that all but guarantee a long and enduring future.
Be the Host with the Most Compliments (and the Least Work)
Christmas Take-away Menu
Available from 15 Nov to 15 Dec. Collection available at Arbenz from 22 to 25 Dec, 12pm - 6pm.
Roast Meats
Desserts
Side Orders
Honey Glazed Ham with Apple Sauce 1.2kg – $39
Mince Mini Fruit Pie in Sleeve Box 5pc/box – $9.50 per box
Roasted Potato – $13
Whole Roasted Turkey with Chestnut, Cranberry and Sauce 3kg – $59
Christmas Cupcakes (Lemon, Banana, Blueberry,Double Chocolate, Cranberry) – $3 per piece
Butter Spätzle – $13
Traditional Plum Pudding (500gm) – $21
Oven Roasted Pumpkin – $10
Rich Fruit Cake in Wooden Box (450gm) – $27
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon – $14
Roasted Chicken (800gm) with Roasted Vegetables – $36 Lamb Leg (1.2kg) with Mint Sauce – $65 Slow Roasted Beef Sirloin with Sauce Béarnaise, minimum order 1kg – $69 Crispy Pork Knuckle with Gravy – $29 Pork Belly minimum order 1kg – $36
Christmas Stollen (600gm) – $27
(serves 3 pax)
Assorted Glazed Vegetables – $11
Glazed Chestnuts – $14
Raspberry & Lychee Log Cake 1kg – $49 Black Forest Log Cake 1kg – $49 White Peach & Cantaloupe Log Cake 1kg – $49 Santa Box with Assorted Christmas Cookies (100gm) – $8.90
15
EVENTS
y t r a P
The Beeriest, Cheeriest
of the Year
This year’s long-awaited Oktoberfest at the Swiss Club once again lived up to the sky-high expectations of past revellers. Stretching from Wednesday 9 September till Sunday 13 September, it was one amazing fun-filled, beer-fuelled party.
A PROUD BAVARIAN TRADITION, A HALLOWED SWISS CLUB INSTITUTION Every year since 1999, the Swiss Club has hosted arguably the best Oktoberfest in Singapore. For the sixteenth year in a row, a 10-piece band travelled all the way from Munich to grace this epic 5-day event. As always, Oktoberfest was all about drinking, eating and dancing. Spanning four evenings and one family-oriented day called Fruehschoppen on the 16
EVENTS
Sunday, the entire event attracted over 12,000 guests of all ages and nationalities, consisting of corporate sponsors and their clients, and members and their guests.
AN EVENING RITUAL Each of the four evenings kicked off with a traditional barrel-opening ceremony at 8pm. In Germany, the honour of opening the barrel is usually bestowed upon the town mayor. At the Swiss Club, we invited a different VIP in attendance to do the honours every night – namely Mr Gurdip Singh on Wednesday; His Excellency Ambassador Mr Thomas Kupfer on Thursday; Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, His Excellency Dr Michael Witter, on Friday; and Nikki Mßller, the famous Singaporean actress, on Saturday.
For the sixteenth year in a row, a 10-piece band travelled all the way from Munich.
17
EVENTS
MUSIC FROM MUNICH An integral part of the Swiss Club Oktoberfest tradition is undoubtedly the music, courtesy of the wonderfully talented and incredibly entertaining Partenkirchen Musikkappelle. The leader of the band, Josef Grasegger, a criminal policeman by day, has helmed every Oktoberfest performance at the Swiss Club since the tradition began. Members have of course come and gone, but this blue-eyed, moustachioed maestro in Lederhosen has remained a constant. His music was nothing if not arresting (pun intended).
Each evening’s playlist began with traditional rousing Bavarian numbers, and moved seamlessly into rock anthems from the 70s and 80s.
We spoke to Dr. Andreas Eursch, a mechanical engineer, who was performing at his fourth Oktoberfest in Singapore. “We rehearse only for this event, so this is the highlight of our year. We try our very best to
transport the fun and spirit of Oktoberfest to Singapore.” Surprisingly, one of the two ladies fronting the band, Margit Klose, sings in fluent Cantonese. She wowed the Chinesespeaking members of the crowd with a perfectly enunciated Cantonese pop song or two every evening. Each evening’s playlist began with traditional rousing Bavarian numbers, and moved seamlessly into rock anthems from the 70s and 80s, with a generous
Dirndl Bow-tying Etiquette Decoded While the gents bared hairy legs and all in Lederhosen ranging from hot pants-short to mid-calf, comely fraus and fräuleins of all ages rocked their Dirndls. For the uninitiated, there is a whole code of etiquette that signifies a lady’s relationship status. No doubt some respectable married ladies unwittingly sent out a misleading message to the world. If you tie your bow… Front right Front left Back centre 18
It means… You are spoken for You are available You are a widow – or a waitress!
EVENTS
sprinkling of ABBA. The crowd went wild to the familiar strains of ‘YMCA’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Highway to Hell’, ‘We Are the Champions of the World’ and ‘We Will Rock You’, among other classic dance-worthy tunes too numerous to mention. EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Vast quantities of food and beer were consumed by the energetic crowd. The centrepiece of each day was a roast ox, weighing more than 400kg, which had been slowly cooked on a spit for a minimum of 16 hours, commencing the previous day. The awesome ox was flanked by six buffet lines, replete with three types of sausages, roast pork knuckles, roast chicken,
meatloaf, Steamed Dory Fillet with Herb Butter Sauce, German Beef Stew with Beer, Homemade Butter Spätzli, and all the traditional accompaniments including braised red cabbage with apples, Sauerkraut and the like. Catering to the less carnivorously inclined, the generous line-up of salads included German favourites like Sausage Salad Munich-style with Red Onions and Gherkins, Beetroot Salad and Cabbage Salad. Tantalising desserts, including the obligatory Black Forest cake, topped off the feast. As for the beer, a stupendous 15,870 litres of beer were consumed over the 5-day event. THE BEST PARTY OF THE YEAR It is hard to find the words to describe Oktoberfest. Perhaps Swiss Club Committee Member Adrian Jacklowsky, who was there on Saturday night with four tables of friends, summed it up best when he said with absolute conviction, “It’s the best party of the year.”
19
EVENTS
A stupendous 15,870 litres of beer were consumed over the 5-day event.
The United Nations-worthy gathering of nationalities all decked out in Lederhosen and Dirndls was not just a sight to behold, but an inspiration for all. Couples in the 60s took to the dance floor with 20-somethings. There were no airs and graces, no ugly behaviour, just a whole bunch of people hell-bent on having some good old-fashioned fun. As you can see from this photo spread, a great time was had by all. For those
20
of you who can’t remember (a sure sign of a good time), may this photographic evidence jog your memories!
Oktoberfest by Numbers Total number of guests
12,000
Total number of staff on duty (including 300 part-timers) Size of tent
75m(L) x 30m(W)
Litres of Erdinger beer consumed
15,870L
Kilograms of ox roasted
850kg
Number of sausages consumed
1,380kg
Number of roast pork knuckles consumed
1.500 pcs
Number of meatloaves consumed
240kg
Number of portable toilets hired
30
EVENTS
.. . . .... ... .. .. .. . .. ..... .. .. .... ..
..... .. ..... . .... .. ... . ... . .... . ....
.... .. ... .. .. .. .. . .. . ........... ........... .... .....
21
.. ... .... ... ........ .. ....... . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . ...
Pick up a copy of our Christmas catalogue from our store or download it online.
www.hubers.com.sg
22
SPORTS
TEE FOR TRIVIA Before the invention of tees, golf balls were placed on little piles of sand. Towels and water were provided for golfers to wash their hands. Often caddies would scoop out sand from the bottom of the hole to make the tee, causing the hole to deteriorate and prompting Clubs to issue stern reminders that sand should not be taken from holes. OCTOBER 2015 MEDAL ROUND
German-Swiss Golf Club COMPETITION SCHEDULE
As the year draws to a close, golf is in full swing. Register early and look forward to some happy holiday play! DEEPAVALI GOLF Date:
Tue 10 November (Deepavali)
Tee-off commences:
08:00
Venue:
Jurong Country Club, Singapore
Format: Registration by:
YEAR END TOURNAMENT Date:
Sun 6 December
Tee-off commences:
12:30
Venue:
Palm Villa Golf & Country Club IOI + Putra Courses
Stableford
Format:
Stableford
6 November 2015
Registration by:
30 November 2015
NOVEMBER 2015 MEDAL ROUND
CHRISTMAS MEDAL ROUND
Date:
Sun 1 November
Date:
Sat 14 November
Date:
Sat 26 December
Tee-off commences:
12:30
Tee-off commences:
12:30
Tee-off commences:
08:30
Venue:
Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort Plantation Course
Venue:
The Legends Golf & Country Resort, Johor Jack Nicklaus Course
Venue:
Raffles Country Club, Singapore
Format:
Stableford
Format:
Stableford
Format:
Stableford
Registration by:
26 October 2015
Registration by: 9 November 2015
Registration by:
22 December 2015
INTERESTED IN PLAYING GOLF? If you would like to join our golfing group, or take part in one of the competitions, please contact: Dieter Gumpert, Golf Convenor
M: 9754 1907 T: 6465 5250 F: 6465 5251 E: dieter.gumpert@gmail.com
Lift Your
PADEL Performance
The haze presents a good opportunity to rest your body, reevaluate your goals and set new ones for the final months of the year. 5 QUICK TIPS Here are five simple reminders to keep improving your level of play in both tennis and padel.
The upcoming padel tournament will be hosted on the weekend of 20 to 22 November, for all categories. Register via the newsletter or at Reception, by 13 November. On Sunday
29 November, following the Swiss Club doubles championship, we will host a lucky draw and prize ceremony, followed by dinner. But remember that to be eligible to
3.
1. Don’t hit double faults or miss first 2.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
volleys. It is a good idea to get used to playing with only one serve.
4.
Don’t try to win the point with the return. The function of the return is to make the next shot for the opponent more difficult.
5.
Try to keep the ball in play for a minimum of 6 shots. This will help your concentration and help you play with higher percentages on your shot selection. Get yourself in the right position and move in synergy with your partner.
win, you must be present. We look forward to a fun event for everyone!
Article and photos contributed by John Chun
Always communicate with your partner, keeping a positive attitude and showing good body language. 23
SPORTS
Hooray, No Haze!
An Air of Victory for the
Swiss Club
Championships On Sunday 4 October 2015, at 6am, the Head Coach sent out a mass text to everyone “Good Morning Everyone… The 3-hour PSI is at 64! THE SWISS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE ON! Rise and shine!” Already, we were all winners – if only because we had beaten the odds to wake up to clear blue skies.
AN EARLY START At 8am, families started to arrive, all looking happy that the race could still go on. Everyone seemed eager to jump in the pool and start their warm-up. We had quite a turnout, with about 80 out of 90 registered entrants showing up on the day.
At 9am the race kicked off, with kids 4 years old and under. These adorable little AquaDucks put in a fantastic effort. Everyone cheered from the sidelines, and the atmosphere throughout the whole race was incredible. Next it was the Mothers and Fathers’ turn to
participate – and the children were awesome cheerleaders! After the Mothers and Fathers’ race, we were treated to a marvellous synchronised swimming performance, coached by Denise and Kerstin. Though the
SPORTS
We were treated to a marvellous synchronised swimming performance.
Borens family, and first place going to the Schoppe family.
team had missed out on two weeks of practice due to the haze, they were nonetheless extraordinary. A FAMILY AFFAIR The Championships concluded with the Family Relay, which was indeed a thrilling race to watch from start to finish. Coming in at third place in the Family Relay was the Heusser family, with second place going to the
These adorable little AquaDucks put in a fantastic effort.
Overall it was a great meet with a wonderful atmosphere. Congratulations to all on a great show of sportsmanship, and thanks to the prevailing winds for erasing the haze for our one special day! Article contributed by Chantal Windley, Head Coach of AquaDucks
25
SPORTS
Haze Messed with Your Fitness Regime? It’s time to get back on track – or on court, and burn off all those calories you consumed while you were stuck indoors! JUNIORS TOURNAMENT On the last weekend of August we played the 3rd Junior Tournament of the year, with 40 kids competing over two or three days. We were treated to some great matches. HOORAY FOR THE WINNERS Category 12 & Under: Ben Wiegele vs. Federico Ghersi, Ben won 6/3. Watch out Ben, Federico is closing the gap! Category 10 & Under: Janick Arm vs. Mason Christiansen. Janick won 6/5. It was 5 games all, deuce, sudden death, so match point for both of them… Cruel. Category 8 & Under: Julian Arm vs. Jasper Henrichwark, Julian won 6/3. A beautiful match! Congratulations to all participants, and thanks to their supportive parents. See you in November for the Swiss Club Junior Championship! THE GROWNUPS BATTLE ON… Meanwhile, our Men’s Teams A & B are still battling on the courts for the STA Interclubs Double League. If you came to support them, you may have been fortunate enough to have watched two ex-ATP players, Jan Appel and Rico Jacober, flexing their champions’ muscles. Jan won the Davis Cup for Sweden and was ranked number 8 in the world in Doubles. Special thanks to Captains Rudi and Thierry who put the teams together every weekend – not easy when you have the Oktoberfest, the F1 Night Race and the haze to contend with. Thanks, Captains! Ladies’ Teams WITS and LTS are still playing in their league. The ladies are fighting hard. Keep it up, girls! JUNIORS DO US PROUD We also have four Junior Teams playing in the KLM League. Sadly, many matches had to be postponed. Thank you Laurentz, Stephanie, Rahel and Christian. Look out for the final results in the next magazine. Come on, Swiss Club! All of us at 40XV wish you a very merry Christmas!
SAVE THE DATES 13 (pm), 14 and 15 Nov
Junior Swiss Club Championship
20, 21 and 22 Nov
Swiss Club Padel Championship
22 Nov
Friendly match – Juniors vs. Tanglin Club (at Tanglin Club)
27 (pm), 28 and 29 Nov
Adults’ Doubles Swiss Club Championship
Sunday 6 Dec, from 10am
Friendly Tennis and Padel Family Tournament, followed by lunch and possibly more tennis
NOTE: Regular Junior Classes will stop from 13 December and resume on Monday 4 January.
Article contributed by Pierre Capdeville, Swiss Club 40XV Tennis Director 26
SPORTS
It’s Not All About Running:
Endurance Challenge Training There are many marathons, halfmarathons, endurance races and fun runs popping up in Singapore every year. The participation in these races is at an all-time high, with people happily flying to neighbouring countries to take part in various races.
glutes, quadriceps and calves, and that of your core, will make all the difference in getting you to that next level. Try the following exercises to increase your speed and endurance: Skater Hops
Lunge
Sprints
BEING YOUR BEST From it just being fun, endurance sports can become increasingly competitive for participants. The competition, however, is usually against themselves. Wanting to always better their timings at each race, participants will push their personal limits of how far they run, or how intensively they exert themselves. BEHIND SPEED AND ENDURANCE, STRENGTH While simply running the distance might give you the stamina you need for the run, there are more effective ways to better your timings and your ability to go further and harder. Increasing the strength of your leg muscles, hamstrings,
Good luck in your next race. May you beat your best – and be your best! Article contributed by Timothy Felix Rajadurai, Sports Manager, Swiss Club
We’ve Got Every Event Covered
SebSat Pte Ltd has been supplying tents to discerning customers throughout Asia for more than 20 years. We are immensely proud to have accommodated the Swiss Club Oktoberfest for 16 consecutive years.
For enquiries, please contact Carsten: ceo_sebsat@yahoo.com
27
INTERESTS
Congress of the
Swiss Living Abroad 2015
This year’s congress took place in Geneva, the hometown of our outgoing president J.S. Eggly, with the theme of ‘Civic Education – Guarantee for a Living Democracy’. ENGAGING YOUTH IN POLITICS The chancellery of our host canton gave an excellent presentation on how Geneva aims to interest teenagers in local and federal politics by offering visits to government institutions, workshops, role plays and so on. Geneva also organised a short film-making competition for young citizens (aged 15 to 25 years old) to encourage voting. We watched two very well-made films (www.cinecivic.ch). E-VOTING Just a day prior to our Congress, the Federal Council rejected e-voting for all the cantons who use the ‘Zurich’ system, due to security reasons. Unfortunately, only four cantons (GE, BS, LU and NE) out of 13 can offer e-voting to their citizens abroad, allowing only 34,000 citizens to vote via computer. FEDERAL ELECTIONS The Federal elections were among the main topics on our agenda. A panel discussion of candidates from the six largest political parties focused on the relations between Switzerland and the EU. In these elections, 142,000 votes abroad are cast. In 12 cantons, voters can also elect their representatives for the senate from abroad. Quite a few political parties have candidates who live outside Switzerland. Some parties even created ‘Auslandlisten’. Until now we have never had a member of parliament who lived outside of Switzerland, but this may change in October. Several candidates include the former Swiss ambassador Raymond Loretan, who stands for election to the senate in Geneva. 28
INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS We also listened to presentations by: the director of Amnesty International about its programme on human rights education; the director of swissinfo, the national platform which conveys information on Swiss issues in 10 languages; and Arthur Honegger, the former correspondent for Swiss TV in Washington. In the afternoon, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard spoke about political participation from abroad and informed us that the new law regarding Swiss abroad will be in force by 1 November 2015. SWISS BANKING BULLETIN There was no good news regarding the way Swiss banks and lately even Postfinance treat their overseas customers. ASO published a chart in the latest issue of the ‘Revue’, outlining the results of a survey we conducted among banks on their requirements for accepting foreign customers. Since not all banks replied, the survey remains incomplete. A board member from UBS Geneva talked to us on the council meeting the day before the congress, and stated that if you visit your favourite bank in Switzerland in person there should be no problem opening an account, but from abroad it is hardly ever possible. IMPRESSIVE DEBATING SKILLS One of the highlights of the congress was a debate by young Swiss (aged between 15 and 22) who took part in one of the camps ASO offers on a regular basis. It was impressive to see these youngsters debating in three
languages on their chosen topic ‘Should men and women do compulsory military service in Switzerland?’ COUNCIL MATTERS At the Council meeting, our president for the last eight years stepped down and we elected our current vice president, Remo Gysin from Basel, as our new president. Our new vice president is Filippo Lombardi from Ticino, the initiator of the new law regarding the Swiss living abroad. The evening dinner took place at Chateau de Penthes, a museum showcasing world-famous Swiss. As always, our partner Swisstourism organised a pleasant outing on Sunday with a choice of a boat tour on the Rhone River, a walk through Geneva’s old town or a visit to the museum of the International Red Cross. The three groups gathered for a farewell barbecue in a vineyard above Geneva. NEXT YEAR Next year, as ASO celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Congress will take place in Berne from 5 to 7 August. To coincide with the 25th anniversary of the square of the Swiss abroad, part of the ‘Weg der Schweiz’ in Brunnen, our spring meeting will take place there in April. As the square is in need of funds for upgrading, wshort film-makinge hope to raise the 200,000 Francs among citizens abroad to renovate ‘our square’ in time for the jubilee. Many clubs have already started fundraising programmes. Article and photos contributed by Rashne Athayde and Christian Heusser
INTERESTS
A Profound Belief That All Students Can Learn At A High Academic Standard Highlights:
A pre K-12 international school with boarding facilities 46 acres of hilltop land with forest and mangrove preserve, cycling track, green house and gardens Exceptionally rich co-curricular program with state-of-the-art sports and performance facilities, including the only school planetarium in Asia Safe and secure campus environment Just 8 minutes drive from Singapore
29
NEWS FROM THE
INTERESTS
The First Day of School
On 11 August, the Swiss School in Singapore started its new academic year with 70 new students and 10 new teachers. For most of the new students, it was a very special day indeed. AN EXCITING JOURNEY BEGINS The first day of school is often the most exciting day in the life of a child. Teachers, students and parents may feel a certain apprehension as to what is in store for them. Some are nervous, some are overly excited and some breeze in with a sense of calm and ease as if it is just another day in their life... A new school, a new adventure and a day to remember for the rest of their lives. Some of the 27 students who enthusiastically entered P1 could hardly contain their excitement as they looked forward to starting their journey through school. The children, accompanied by both their parents, gathered in the courtyard where the Principal, Sacha Daehler, gave them a warm welcome to the Swiss School.
CHARMED LIVES In their respective classrooms, the teachers Frau Kneubühler and Frau Truttmann greeted the students. Every one of them was pleasantly surprised to find a little animal sitting on top of their desk – a lucky charm to symbolise a good start to the new school year. The students in the other classes were all given an orientation and tour around the school. They met with their subject teachers and got familiarised with the school grounds and the layout of the campus. In keeping with tradition, the students enjoyed a swimming session at the Swiss Club with AquaDucks. After the break, the children assembled in the multi-purpose hall (MPH) where the new teachers were welcomed to the school by Sacha Dahler, the Principal.
A new school, a new adventure and a day to remember for the rest of their lives. 30
IT’S SHOWTIME… After the Principal’s welcome, the children were entertained by the professional local puppeteer, Frankie Malachi. In the course of the show, the juggling clown lost his trousers and a fluffy dog wrapped up his present and dreamed about the character Jimmy, who flew with his balloon up into the clouds... All in all, it was a wonderful performance. At the end of the show, ‘Elvis Presley’ danced with the Principal, Vice Principal and a group of the teachers on stage. As always, no opening is complete without the School song. After singing it with zest, the children resumed classes as usual. At day’s end, they packed up their bags and happily headed home, full of tales to tell.
INTERESTS MEET A MEMBER
Mr Georgie Lee
Singaporean Sportsman, Gentleman, Family Man,
We talked to one of the Swiss Club’s first Singaporean members about the universality of sport, the beauty of nature, and the pleasure of a cold beer after a game of tennis. SPORT OPENED THE DOORS Georgie Lee, a married 75-year-old, father of one and grandfather of one, is a slight man with bright eyes, a full head of hair, an upright gait and washboard abs. He has a black belt in judo, and still thrashes men half his age on the Swiss Club tennis courts. More than 40 years ago, he joined the Swiss Club at the invitation of two lady members. When we asked him the inevitable – how did he come to join the Club, we were intrigued by the story he shared. Georgie recounted the day when he was teaching children judo at the British School. At the time, he also coached at the American School and Dutch School. Two Swiss ladies came to observe the class, and were so impressed by his technique that they asked if their children could join, despite not attending the school. After checking with the principal, Georgie welcomed them to his class. As a gesture of thanks, they took him to dinner at the Swiss Club.
The bully was put in his place, quite literally, when he tried to “get funny” with the champ one lunchtime. He never bothered Georgie again. Shortly after, Georgie took up judo. After blending boxing with judo for a short while, he soon graduated to pure judo and quickly earned his black belt. He went on to represent Singapore at the World Judo Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, thanks to the generosity of his sponsor, Lufthansa, who also sponsored a trip to visit the judo clubs of Europe. “Judo is a real art. A small guy can lift a big guy – and ‘Boom! Finished!’ There is real technique involved,” said Georgie, praising the sport that is his passion.
Sport is the common ground that overcomes all barriers.
“I remember it distinctly. I saw the pool and said how lovely it was. They immediately asked me, ‘Do you want to become a member?’” recalled Georgie. When Georgie stated the obvious, that he was neither Swiss nor German, the ladies assured him that it was not a problem. One happened to be the wife of the President of the Swiss Club, and the other was married to the General Secretary. Within a day or two, the six requisite nominations were made, and Georgie became one of the earliest Singaporean members of the Swiss Club. A LIFELONG LOVE OF SPORT Chatting with Georgie, we learned that he took up boxing to stave off the taunts of a bully at his school, St Anthony’s.
In the tumultuous year of 1965, a Warrant Officer from the British Royal Air Force invited Georgie to teach his men judo at their Changi base. Georgie accepted, and enjoyed the easy camaraderie he soon shared with the British. He recalled one of his favourite students, a giant of a Brit nicknamed ‘Rocky’, whom he threw to the ground with one slick move. Rocky was hooked – on judo and on Georgie. They remain friends to this day. FOR THE LOVE OF CLUB When we asked Georgie what he has enjoyed most about the Swiss Club over the years, he promptly said the tennis courts. Though there are three courts at his condo at Mt Sinai Rise, he dislikes their hard surfaces, which are jarring on the joints, and favours the Flexi-Pave surface at the Swiss Club.
After the tennis courts, Georgie cited the beautiful natural surroundings of the Club and the ice-cold beer as two strong drawcards. He was in fact enjoying a glass as we chatted, and explained that he regularly partakes of a minimum of one and a maximum of two beers as a post-tennis ritual. “The beer is always cold here. It just tastes better at the Club – 100% better!” insisted Georgie. WORDS OF WISDOM We pressed Georgie to share his ‘secret of happiness’. “Family!” Georgie instantly replied. “If the parents are not loving and close, how can the children grow up to become loving parents themselves? I only have one daughter, but she has grown up to be a great wife and mother.” A MESSAGE FROM GEORGIE Georgie expressed a hope that the Club pretty much stays the same – since as far as he’s concerned, it’s pretty much perfect. He urged new members, and especially traditionally reserved Singaporean members, to make friends and bond through sport. “Sport is the common ground that overcomes all barriers of nationality,” said Georgie. “But always warm up before you play,” he added. We’d certainly warmed up to Georgie.
Georgie plays regularly at the Club, with a United Nations line-up of opponents, including a Belgian ‘youngster’ in his 50s. He is game to take on opponents of any age, and just the day before our interview played a game of doubles. 31
INTERESTS FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Woscheks
Feel Right at Home at the Swiss Club
New members Mr Andreas Woschek and Mrs Annette Woschek sought out the Swiss Club on the strength of a recommendation from a former member, now residing in Hamburg. COPENHAGEN–HAMBURG– SINGAPORE Hailing from Denmark and Germany respectively, Annette and Andreas are parents to four children ranging in age from 18 to 9 years old. Their 18-year-old son Malthe is studying at the German School, while daughters Annika and Laura, aged 11 and 9, are studying at the Primary School campus. Their 17-year-old daughter Emma is finishing her schooling in Denmark. Andreas’s work brought the family to Singapore, after stints in Copenhagen and Hamburg. He is the Director for the Asian headquarter of a global marketing
When you come here, you feel at home. organisation in Chemicals, and is halfway through the first year of a 5-year posting in Singapore. PROXIMITY, GREENERY, FAMILY After enjoying the Swiss Club’s Summer Membership, the Woscheks did not hesitate to join full-time. They loved the Club’s proximity to home and the German School, its excellent facilities, and its lush greenery.
Annette attends the gym twice a week and trains with Timothy or Jason. On weekends, the family can be found enjoying the pool. They also enjoy casual dining at Pergola, where they have a favourite table in the corner that verges on the edge of the jungle. ABOVE ALL, ATMOSPHERE When asked what they love most about the Club, Annette explained, “It’s not the gym, it’s not the pool, it’s the feeling. When you come here, you feel at home.” “It’s the atmosphere,” said Andreas, finishing his lovely wife’s sentence.
Family, Paediatric & Travel Medicine
Our staff make the difference • Caring for the expatriate community since 1999 • A diverse international team of medical professionals • A caring, friendly and familiar environment Camden Clinic | 1 Orchard Boulevard, Camden Medical Centre #14-06 | 6733 4440 Jelita Clinic | 293 Holland Road, Jelita Cold Storage #02-04 | 6465 4440 Paediatric Clinic | 1 Orchard Boulevard, Camden Medical Centre #11-06 | 6887 4440
32
-
www. imc healthcare . com
INTERESTS MEET A STAFFER
from the Heart SUZAIMI SERVES
This regular section aims to acquaint you with the hard workers front of house and behind the scenes at the Swiss Club. Meet Pergola Restaurant Manager, Mr Suzaimi Bin Mohd Salleh.
EIGHT YEARS OF LOVING HIS JOB A loving husband and devoted father of three, Suzaimi joined the Swiss Club in 2007, after working at another Swiss institution, Marche. Suzaimi recalled with pride the day he was recommended by the former F&B Manager to fill the important role of Restaurant Manager at the club’s busiest outlet, The Pergola. The vote of confidence and the trust invested in him inspires him to do his best every day of his working life.
they’re gone tomorrow. Here, you get to see their children grow up.”
When asked what he enjoys most about his Job, Suzaimi replied, “I love the human interaction and the close relationships I form with the members. In hotels, you see the guests today and
Suzaimi singled out the kitchen staff for special praise. He said, “The chefs at the Swiss Club cook with their heart – it’s not just a job for them.”
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK Suzaimi’s work day starts at 1pm and finishes at midnight, five out of seven days a week. Putting him to the test, we asked Suzaimi to recommend some of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Not missing a beat, he recommended the Wiener Schnitzel, the Veal Zurich and the Veal Sausage with Rosti.
The Swiss Club is like a family for members. FAMILY TIME After work, Suzaimi likes to spend time with his family. They often go swimming and enjoy home-cooked meals together. “Even though it’s nothing special, it’s cooked with love,” he said. For Suzaimi, the concept of family is central to his life and work. “The Swiss Club is like a family for members. You get caring, a sense of belonging, fun and laughter – and of course, great service,” he said.
33
Unusual
INTERESTS
Yule Trad In Syria… In Canada… Letters sent to the address of: Santa Claus, North Pole, Canada HOHOHO are officially recognised, opened and replied to, courtesy of Canada Post.
Syrian children leave out shoes filled with hay every New Year’s Eve, in anticipation of the visit of the smallest camel of the Three Wise Men, bearing gifts. Legend has it that gifts the smallest camel was utterly exhausted by the long journey to Bethlehem but refused to give up even after collapsing. The infant Jesus was so moved by its faith and commitment that he blessed it with immortality. The tenacity of the littlest camel sets an example to children to persevere against all odds.
In Oaxaca, Mexico… The evening of 23 December witnesses the Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes) – an event that sees these pink and white salad vegetables carved into nativity figures in an edible tribute to the Christmas story. The finest radish statues are displayed in the city’s main square, with prizes for the carvers of the best.
In Lebanon… In Caracas, Venezuela… On Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning, the streets are closed to traffic as hundreds of people roller-skate en masse to mass!
34
Lebanese Christians build a nativity scene in heir home, which eclipses the importance of the Christmas tree. More often than not, the scene is set in a cave rather than a manger.
INTERESTS
ditions
As Europeans or European-influenced Singaporeans, most of us are familiar with the traditions and customs of the continental kind. However, have you ever wondered how people celebrate Christmas in Africa… India… or China? Read on and discover some curious and quirky Christmas customs in distant climes.
In China…
Fancy, cellophane-wrapped apples are a common gift, because the word ‘apple’ sounds like ‘Christmas Eve’ in Mandarin. Friends and family typically exchange gifts of ‘peace apples’ on Christmas Eve to signify wishes for safety and health during the coming year.
In The Philippines... The tradition of very early masses, known as Simbang Gabi, is a by-product of an agricultural economy where in the past workers had to be in the fields at the first light of dawn. Very early services – as early as 3am – are held to this day between 16 and 2 December. Mass is followed by a hearty breakfast, with chicken porridge always a firm favourite.
In India… Christian Indians decorate a mango or banana tree. In the south, oil lamps in clay pots are placed on rooves and lit to declare that Jesus is the ‘light of the world’.
In Ethiopia, Africa… Late in the afternoon on Christmas Day, Ethiopians play the traditional game of ganna, a kind of hockey. Ethiopian legend has it that the game was being played by the shepherds who were tending their flocks on the night that Jesus was born.
START YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TRADITION
Why not start your own Christmas tradition? Do something special this year, and do it again every year thereafter until it becomes part of your own family culture. It could be as simple as a pre-dinner game of Christmas-themed charades, or making and swapping hand-made gifts and donating the money you would have spent to the family’s favourite charity. Memories are made of this. 35
INTERESTS
Q&A THE KNOW-ALL
Newcomers to Singapore sometimes complain of culture shock. But over time, what may have initially struck you as strange or even horrifying becomes endearing. (Trust us, we’ve been there.) Read on and acquaint yourself with some of the country’s fascinating quirks and customs.
FOR THE CULTURALLY CONFUSED
Q: I suggested a funky wall clock as a housewarming gift for a Chinese colleague who had just moved into a new home. My local colleagues reacted with shock and horror. What’s that all about? A: In Chinese culture, certain items should never be given as gifts because they are thought to bring bad luck upon the recipient or herald the end of the relationship between giver and recipient. These include clocks, scissors and other sharp objects, and shoes. ‘Clock’ is a Mandarin homophone for a funeral ritual, so it is equivalent to wishing death upon the recipient. Scissors and sharp objects represent the ‘cutting’ of the ties that bind a relationship. Similarly, shoes represent one or both parties walking away from the relationship. As there are many other taboo items, if in doubt you should always check with your Chinese colleagues.
Q: When there is a car accident, why do Singaporean motorists slow down and actually stop and stare instead of making room for the police and paramedics to do their job? A: Aha! You’ve encountered a uniquely Singaporean phenomenon. Motorists slow down and gawk because they want to catch the licence plate number of the car or cars involved. They will then go and buy a 4D or Toto ticket with the same sequence of numbers in it. In case you don’t know, 4D and Toto are the local equivalents of the lottery, and one of the few forms of legal gambling available in Singapore. While it may seem perverse that good luck can come of the misfortune of being involved in an accident, it’s a superstition that prevails even among the young and educated. Strange but true.
light, but conservatively. A batik shirt or any proper shirt will suffice for men, and women should cover their knees and shoulders as a mark of respect. What typical Malay weddings may lack in air conditioning and fancy venues, they make up for in sheer heart and hospitality. The bride and groom are considered ‘king’ and ‘queen’ for a day, and guests are invited to step up onto an ornately decorated platform and have their photos taken with the ‘royal’ couple. Expect amazing Malay food, served buffetstyle, throngs of people and a gift that is traditionally a beautifully wrapped hard-boiled egg – a symbolic wish for fertility and offspring.
MY WORD!
paiseh
(pronounced ‘pai-say’) - Derived from the Hokkien word meaning ‘shy’, this word is used to describe a feeling of shyness or embarrassment - Can also be used in place of ‘ashamed’ or ‘humiliated’
Q: What is the dress code for a Malay
wedding, and what should I expect?
A: If you’ve attended a Chinese wedding in a grand ballroom, you may be in for a shock. Malay weddings are generally expansive community affairs where guests may exceed 1,000 people. They are often held under the void decks of HDB flats, not only to contain costs but to accommodate the sheer numbers. Therefore it is imperative that you dress 36
- Sometimes used to convey ‘Excuse me’ when the person saying it is reluctant to interrupt For example: “Everyone is staring at me, so paiseh.” “I feel paiseh – you’re always buying me dinner.” “Paiseh, can you help me?”
INTERESTS While the grownups are yakking away, give your brain a workout with these fun challenges. Ask the Pergola staff for a printout of this page and get busy.
Kids’ Space
A-MAZE AND A–MOO-ZE YOURSELF!
Help the cow come home for Christmas. Find a clear path through the maze to the Swiss Clubhouse. Draw your route with a pencil or pen, taking care not to cross any lines.
S
P
R
E
E
D
N
I
E
R
T
H
A
M
E
R
R
Y
L
W
T
E
O
R
L
I
S
T
A
R
U
I
P
R
T
E
T
R
E
E
R
G
N
O
T
Y
G
H
P
A
K
W
I
S
H
B
L
N
L
T
E
N
W
F
E
A
R
L
A
H
Y
U
L
E
T
I
D
E
O
L
U
E
V
O
D
A
R
R
A
J
Y
B
L
O
R
A
C
A
R
D
CHRISTMAS
WORD SEARCH This issue’s word search is all about Christmas, for obvious reasons. Find the following twenty words and get in the mood of the season! CAROL
TURKEY
PARTY
TREE
HAM
HOPE
GIFT
WREATH STAR
REINDEER YULETIDE
PARTY
SHORTBREAD ELF
PEACE CARD
JOLLY
MERRY DOVE
ANGEL
WANT TO ENTER OUR LUCKY DRAW?
Complete this page, provide your name, membership number, age, phone number and email address, and hand it to the reception at the Guesthouse. You could be the lucky one to win a mystery prize every issue! Name Membership No. Age Daytime Tel No. Email 37
INTERESTS
Fitness, Friends, Fun! PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Join in our regular activities and form binding friendships as you keep fit. We have something for all interests, ages and levels of fitness. SOCCER FAMILY SOCIAL SOCCER Sun 15:00 – 16:30 (Soccer Field) Sun 16:30 – 18:00 (Soccer Field) SOCIAL SOCCER Mon 20:00 – 22:00 (Soccer Field) Please register with Urs Lichtenberger (E: ulichtenberger@bluewin.ch) and Thomas Koechli (E: thomas-za.koechli@ubs.com) to get on the mailing list. An email is sent to Swiss Club members every Friday to get players registered for soccer on Monday. GERMAN TEAM SOCCER PRACTICE Tue 20:15 – 22:00 (Soccer Field) Rino Binder E: info@gas-sg.com (German All Stars) SWISS TEAM SOCCER PRACTICE Wed 20:00 – 22:00 (Soccer Field) League games on Saturdays Coach: Urs Brutsch E: urs.brutsch@hpwm.sg Heinz Braegger E: heinz.braegger@sc.com Captain: Thomas Kaegi E: thomas-za.kaegi@ubs.com SOCCER TRAINING FOR KIDS Training on Saturday 09:00 – 10:30 U5/U6/U8 (Sports Field) Cosmo United Football Academy Olliver E: info@cufa.com.sg W: www.cufa.com.sg M: 9821 3896 PADEL Padel Tennis Director: John Chun E: john@forty-fifteen.com M: 8344 0903 TENNIS Ladies’ Social Fri 09:00 – 11:00 (Court 2) Jennifer Timmermann E: jennifert@singnet.com.sg M: 9619 4651 38
Men’s Social Tue 18:00 – 22:00 (Courts 2 & 3) 21:00 – 22:00 (Court 4) Sat 14:00 – 18:00 (Courts 2 & 4) SATURDAY SOCIAL Social tennis for men and women aged 17 years and above Sat 17:00 – 19:00
SWIMMING AquaDucks E: swiss@aquaducks.com.sg M: 9487 5183 PARENT AND CHILD 30 mins sessions Mon 10:00 – 11:00 (Leisure Pool) Thu 16:30 – 17:00 (Lap Pool) Sat 10:00 – 11:00 (Lap Pool)
Sports Manager: Timothy Felix E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg
LEARN TO SWIM/IMPROVING SWIMMING (ADULTS) Mon 10:00 – 11:00 (Leisure Pool)
LADIES’ CLINICS Mon & Tue 09:00 – 11:00
LEARN TO SWIM (LTS1 & LTS2) 30 mins sessions
Mon: Court 1 – Open to all members Court 4 & 5 – WITS/LTS teams only
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 15:30 – 19:00 (Leisure Pool) Sat 10:00 – 12:00 (Lap Pool)
Tue: Courts 4 & 5 – WITS/LTS teams only
PRE-SCHOOL LEARN TO SWIM (LTS1) Wed 15:30 – 16:00 (Leisure Pool)
Fri 08:00 – 10:00 Courts 4 & 5 – Open to all members, registration with 40XV is required
LEARN TO SWIM (LTS) Wed 16:00 – 17:00 (Leisure Pool)
MEN’S CLINIC Tue 19:00 – 21:00 Court 4 & 5: • Parent/child and tiny tots programme • Junior introductory/development programme • Junior intermediate/advance programme For times and dates, please see the 40XV display at the tennis courts. FORTY-FIFTEEN (40XV) Tennis Director: Pierre Capdeville E: pierre@forty-fifteen.com Please check the tennis noticeboard for courts allocated for coaching.
COMPETITION DEVELOPMENT CD1 Mon – Fri 17:00 – 18:00 (Lap Pool) Sat 09:00 – 10:00 (Lap Pool) CD2 Mon – Fri 18:00 – 19:00 (Lap Pool) Sat 09:00 – 10:00 (Lap Pool) ADULTS’ TRAINING Fri 09:00 – 10:00 (Leisure Pool) LEARN TO SWIM & WATER SAFETY For AMAHS/HELPERS Mon 09:00 – 10:00 (Leisure Pool) SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING Denise Arnold E: denise@aquaducks.com.sg M: 9677 5301 KIDS (LAP POOL) Tue 17:00 – 18:30 (Test 6 & up) Thu 16:30 – 17:30 (Beginners, test 1-5) 17:30 – 19:00 (Test 6 & up)
INTERESTS
AEROBICS STEP AND TONING Tue 08:30 – 09:30 (Aerobics Studio) BODY TONING Fri 08:30 – 09:30 (Aerobics Studio)
KARATE FOR KIDS Aerobics Studio Thu 16:00 – 16:45 (Mini-Ninjas, 4 - 6 years) 17:00 – 18:00 (Little Dragons, over 6 years)
Please contact Andrea Holzmann-Zaouchi at E: holzmann.a@hotmail.com or T: 9835 4674 for more detaills.
Please contact the instructor, Sensei Peter Robertson, at E: zendoka@yahoo.com or T: 9837 8637 for more details.
SQUASH Men’s and Ladies’ Social Wed 20:00 – 22:00 (Squash Court)
BADMINTON Thu 20:00 – 22:00 (Sports Hall)
WEEKEND WONDER WITH LEGO 11:30 – 13:30 (Children’s Playroom)
Junior Development Programme (For children 5 to 12 years) Sat 17:00 – 18:00 (Squash Court)
Please contact Martin Goerg at E: badminton@swissclub.org.sg for more details.
Please contact Front Desk or E: recept@swissclub.org.sg for more details and registration.
Please contact Rhamanan at E: rhamanan51@yahoo.com or T: 9146 6824 for more details.
BIKE RIDES ON SATURDAYS Please contact Heinz Iten at E: heinziten@gmail.com for the date and time of the next bike ride.
MAHJONG Mon 19:00 – 22:00 (Rifle Lounge) Thu 13:00 – 16:00 (Rifle Lounge)
VOLLEYBALL Wed 20:00 – 22:00 (Sports Hall)
BOOT CAMP Mon & Wed 18:00 – 18:45 (Soccer Field) (Note: During Oktoberfest, Boot Camp will be held at the gym.) Please contact the Sports Manager, Timothy Felix at E: timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg GOLF German-Swiss Golf Club Please contact Dieter Gumpert at E: dieter.gumpert@gmail.com for more details or refer to page 22. JASS Six rounds per year, usually a Friday night. Please contact Aileen Aschwanden at E: jass@swissclub.org.sg for more details.
Please contact Jill Boschung at E: jillbos@yahoo.com or T: 9022 4605 for more details. PERSONAL TRAINING Please contact Timothy Felix at E: getactive@activefitness.com.sg, by appointment only. PILATES Please contact the Convenor, Kirstin Rehkopf, at E: kirstin.rehkopf@gmail.com for more details. Tue 18:30 – 19:30 (Yoga Studio) Please contact Martina Rohde at E: pilates@rohde-online.com or T: 9489 6463 for more details. Wed 08:30 – 09:30 (Aerobics Studio) Please contact Christabel Lim at E: christabel_lyh@hotmail.com or T: 9619 5820. Note: Pre-registration is required for this class.
SKAT Wed 20:00 – 23:00 (Jungle Bar) Please contact Hubert Nerlich at E: hubertnerlich@gmail.com or T: 6734 0034 for more details.
Please contact Brigitte Litchtenberger at E: brilicht@hotmail.com for more details. YOGA Hatha Yoga Sat 09:00 – 10:00 (Yoga Studio) Please contact Nadja Pizzo at E: pizzonadja@gmail.com or T: 9145 4408 for more details. Yin Yoga Mon 08:30 – 09:30 (Yoga Studio) Please contact Laurence Chehab-Fabry at E: info.letsyoga@gmail.com or T: 9170 8218 for more details.
GOT A SUGGESTION? If you would like to suggest a new activity, please contact our Sports Manager, Timothy Felix Rajadurai, at timothy.rajadurai@swissclub.org.sg.
39
INTERESTS
40