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This site is no longer updated please visit our new website WWW.SWISSCLUB.ORG.AU Survey of Swiss in Western Australia  Rob Phillips March 2005 Executive Summary: In the second half of 2004, a questionnaire was sent to all Swiss in Western Australia who were registered with the Consulate General of Switzerland for the Southern states of Australia, located in Melbourne. One questionnaire was sent to each registered household. In households containing more than one registered Swiss, only one questionnaire was received. The questionnaire consisted of 60 questions, arranged into eight themes:  Cultural Activities Social Activities Swiss Club Sporting Activities Children’s Activities Consular Activities and Business Services Swiss Club Property Swiss Club HouseThere were 329 responses to the survey, out of approximately 1500 registered Swiss families in Western Australia. Of the respondents, 41 were members of the Swiss Club of WA, 270 were not, and 18 did not specify their membership. In 2004, the Swiss Club had a membership of 183, made up of 112 households. The response rates from Swiss Club members was 36% and from non-members it was approximately 19%. Results: The following points summaries the overall results of this survey: Swiss Club: Swiss Club members were interested in Switzerland and Swiss culture and were clearly more interested than non-members. There was little interest in folkloric activities overall, but 40% of Swiss Club members expressed soe interest in this. There was minimal interest in joining folkloric groups, perhaps because people felt they lacked the performance skills to join them. The Swiss radio was equally popular with both members and non-members. There was strong interest in fitting in with Australian culture. There was strong interest in going to a Swiss restaurant, if there was one. This survey may provide valuable market research for a potential restaurateur. Club members were interested in traditional Swiss activities, but non-members were less interested. Many people responding to the survey were interested in the Swiss Club. Overall, they felt the Club did things they were interested in, did things for their age group, and that language was not a problem. There is a potential for over 130 new members, just from the respondents. Extrapolating to the Swiss population in WA, this could translate to 750 family memberships, if services can be provided which match the needs of people. A relatively small number of French Swiss people responded to the survey. They held strong views that the Swiss Club did not represent them, and was exclusively oriented towards Swiss Germans. To address this issue, perhaps the Swiss Club could facilitate the formation of a cercle romande as an affiliated group. A common theme was that the Swiss Club was too old-fashioned and traditional. Non-members saw it as backward-looking and not ‘up with the times’. Non-members could get this impression from looking at the Club programme of events, which features Metzgete, Fasnacht, 1st August, Jass, yodelling, etc. The events the Club runs do not match the nature of the Club. There was strong demand for Swiss German language lessons, for both adults and children. There is a small market niche for someone here. Interest in sporting activities was low, but bushwalking and camping were more popular than cycling, general sport and golf, in that order. People generally felt that the Swiss Club property at Rolling Green was too far away, but despite this, the consensus was that people liked it and the Club should keep it. If the Swiss Club had its own clubhouse, a majority of respondents felt that this would increase membership numbers. There is a need for a clubhouse holding about 100 people, in any suburb, and people would attend it about once a month. However, there was little interest in contributing to the purchase of a clubhouse. People were happy to share a clubhouse with other (preferably European) clubs, but there was lukewarm interest in volunteering services towards the upkeep and maintenance of the clubhouse. Consular issues: In general, people were very happy with Swiss ambassadorial and consular activities provided in Australia. Most people had interacted with the Consulate General in Melbourne, and were very happy with the service they provided. However, respondents identified a number of areas of improvement in consular services, notably in reducing sexism in official communications and providing more information to Swiss. New ideas: A number of suggestions were made for alternative activities of the Swiss Club: An evening of discussion about politics in CH, perhaps? The SCWA could promote some of its functions to Australian people who want to travel to Switzerland. Visiting/tours of special Oz (unknown) places (goldfields, Kalgoorlie, boat tour on Swan river, guided tour of Fremantle harbour). I would join evening dances with a variety of music styles - also those young people enjoy. Rather than a clubhouse meeting I would prefer outings in nature with bonfires etc. The main concern is for the kids (5 & 18). How about a fondue evening on 1st August. I would also attend a Swiss business owners or commerce function. Can a Swiss cooking group be organised - also include children. More local group activities - Northern suburbs. We meet by chance quite a few Swiss in this area. I would like to see people talking about their experiences here in Perth and give help and advice for newcomers. Nice to find out about other Swiss here and read their story/ journey to Australia. Communicate with migrants that a club exists I would like to read of other Swiss people in Perth. Perhaps a photo and short paragraph about them, their background, why they came to Australia, etc. Maybe included in Swiss Review - for a selection of ages. Have an email list and the opportunity to contact other Swiss around. We need a shop with Swiss speciality foods in WA, and also Swiss chemist meds I.e. Pulmex, Merfen, Vita Merfen etc. It's rather expensive to import from CH. The Rhein Donau Club would accept the Swiss Club as an associate club. They have beautiful rooms and the distance can't be close for everyone. It is not a German club. It is a club for people from hueben & drueber des Rheines & der Donau. What more can we ask for. Conclusion: The results of this survey show clearly that the Swiss Club of WA fulfils its aims of “furthering Swiss culture”, but the general perception in the Swiss community is that it is too traditional. This perception may not be correct, but that is how people feel. The Swiss Club needs to convince the Swiss community in WA that it is relevant to their needs. This may mean that it needs to add a ‘modern’ angle to its activities, to meet the needs of the many recent Swiss migrants to Australia. To read the COMPLETE Swiss Survey Report by Rob Phillips containing 27 pages with GRAPHICS, open it by pressing here >  .BE PATIENT WHILST WAITING FOR THE DOCUMENT TO OPEN...  |
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