The Swiss Club of Victoria boasts a rich and evolving history that embodies the challenges and triumphs of Melbourne’s Swiss community. Established in 1899, the club has played a pivotal role in preserving Swiss culture, traditions, and language while fostering a deep sense of solidarity.

Although the original club dissolved in 1904, its re-establishment in 1924 marked the beginning of a lasting legacy. Through monthly meetings, dances, and Swiss National Day celebrations, the club became a vibrant social hub. Over the decades, it adapted to changing times, enriching Melbourne’s cultural fabric.

The Great Depression of 1929 tested the club’s resilience. Meetings moved to members’ homes, and larger events were scaled back. Strong community bonds, however, ensured its survival. As the economy improved in the 1930s and 1940s, the club revived picnics, dances, and Christmas celebrations. New premises reinvigorated activities, cementing the club’s role as a central gathering place for the Swiss community.

The 1950s ushered in a period of prosperity. The club expanded its offerings with events such as film nights, social gatherings, and the annual National Day Ball. Post-war Swiss immigrants, bringing fresh perspectives, sparked debates about the language used in meetings. A compromise was reached to conduct them in English, maintaining harmony among members. By 1958, six interest groups had formed, including the Folk Dancers, Yodelers, Fencers, and Rifle Club. The card game Jass, a cherished tradition since the club’s founding, continues to unite members on Wednesday nights.

By the 1960s, the club boasted its own premises and a liquor license, with a membership of 216. Operational challenges prompted shifts in management. Bruno and Aida Jenny managed the restaurant and improved its financial performance, but balancing social activities with sustainability remained a challenge. Events like the inaugural Soirée Suisse Romande and the National Day Ball, which drew 520 attendees, offered hope. Despite setbacks, the sale of 161 Spring Street in 1973 enabled the purchase of a new building at 89 Flinders Lane.

The club’s move to Flinders Lane brought fresh opportunities and challenges. Ernst Keller managed the premises with dedication, navigating the challenges of maintaining the club’s operations during a transitional period. In 1974, Tony Erb was appointed manager. During his tenure, he successfully stabilized operations and managed the restaurant until his retirement in 1984. During this period, the Saturday Morning Swiss School, founded in 1973, connected Swiss-Australian children with their heritage. Over the years, this evolved into “SwissKids,” which continues to serve the community.

In 1977, a new committee embraced Frederic Müller's suggestion to renovate the restaurant, with support from Bill Fix and the Yodel Club Edelweiss. Hans Brunner, a talented carpenter and accomplished yodeler, contributed by crafting handrails to improve safety and accessibility. The renovations, coupled with a vibrant schedule of events, led to a resurgence in the club’s activities, and membership grew to 700. The decade concluded on a high note with an oversubscribed 1 August Ball, underscoring the club’s vitality and enduring appeal.

The 1980s brought competition from licensed restaurants, straining the club’s finances despite its 800 members. A suggestion by Ernst Hügli in 1983 led to the formation of the Melbourne Oktoberfest and Exhibition Society, a collaboration with the German Club Tivoli, Austrian Club, and R.K.V. Treue Husaren. The annual Oktoberfest became a major source of income and fostered camaraderie among volunteers.

The Swiss community celebrated the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation in 1991 with several high-profile events, including a vibrant entry in the annual Moomba procession, which won first prize for ‘Most Outstanding Entry.’ In 1992, the Companion Singers, a mixed choir dedicated to traditional Swiss songs, was formed, further enriching the club’s cultural offerings. Despite the strong income generated by Oktoberfest, cash flow issues persisted. By 1995, the club realized it could no longer sustain its losses, prompting the creation of a sub-committee, Vision 2000, to ensure future viability. A survey confirmed the central location's convenience for members. Vision 2000 proposed opening a public restaurant on the ground floor to generate steady income while supporting the first-floor dining room. Members approved the plan, and Roger Moullet took on the challenge, leading to the successful opening of the Rösti Bar in 1997.

The club celebrated its centenary in 1999 with a memorable Gala Dinner. Festivities began with a cocktail party in the Rösti Bar, followed by a four-course dinner in the first-floor clubroom.  Although the Rösti Bar showed promise initially, it was sold in 2000, with Roger Moullet transitioning to full-time management of the first-floor restaurant.

In 2003, Rita Schwärzler-Appt made history as the club's first female president, spearheading the refurbishment of the first-floor restaurant in 2005. The renovation transformed the space into a brighter, more welcoming venue, highlighted by stunning leadlight windows depicting Switzerland’s cantonal flags. Over time, the club's fortunes improved, bolstered by stable income from the ground-floor tenant and the restaurant. The committee continued to enhance community engagement with events like the Swiss Festival, which catered to all age groups. In 2009, the second floor was renovated to become a vibrant, modern function room, further increasing the club’s capacity to host events. Roger Moullet managed the restaurant until his retirement in March 2020, prompted by the COVID-19 lockdowns, marking the end of an era.

The Swiss Club of Victoria proved instrumental in maintaining community spirit during the COVID years. Despite the restaurant’s closure, a dedicated group of members, led by Barbara Kündig, organized various in-person and online events to keep the community connected. Celebrations for National Day and Foundation Day persisted, alongside regular band nights, Raclette nights, and a well-attended art exhibition showcasing Swiss artists in Australia, further enriching the club's cultural scene.

Wednesday club nights featured Jass games and French conversation through Les Bavards, fostering connection and interaction among members. The club also supported the Dance Group Alpenrose in organizing regular Jass competitions. Additionally, collaborations with the Trachtengruppe Schwyzerguress, under the leadership of Sylvia Hochuli, OAM, brought beloved events like Kaffeeklatsch and Seniors Christmas, ensuring that seniors in the Swiss community remained actively engaged. These initiatives maintained camaraderie and support among members, securing the club’s place as a vital hub for the Swiss community in Victoria. 

In 2023, members approved a comprehensive renovation of the first-floor restaurant. Managed by Patrick Rychner, the project tackled regulatory challenges and the building’s age. The renovation added a new bar, commercial kitchen, and opened the space to Flinders Lane. In October 2024, the Edelwyss Bistro & Bar opened, marking a new chapter in the Swiss Club of Victoria’s history.

Thanks to the dedication and passion of countless members, along with the courage and drive of numerous committees volunteering their time, the Swiss Club of Victoria continues to flourish as a vibrant hub, embodying the resilience and unity of Melbourne’s Swiss community and its valuable contribution to multicultural Melbourne.