Society Address:
5/19 Hiropi Street
Newtown
Wellington 6021
Since June 2024 and until May 2028, the Swiss Society is administered by members of the Wellington Swiss Club.
Trudi Fill
Position: President/chairperson
Phone: 021 565617
Email: weidfill (@ gmail.com)
I grew up in Niederwil, a small farming village between Winterthur and Schaffhausen, the second-youngest child of 6. After Primary, secondary and college schooling to the level of university entrance I did a short placing as a hotel receptionist in Luzern, and as a waitress in Morel, VS. I moved to New Zealand in 1980, with my New Zealand husband. Together we raised 3 children in the Auckland region where he built up a series of businesses in the plastic engineering branch, and in 2005 we parted ways. I am a qualified medical herbalist and have worked in that capacity with my own consultancy business and as an employee of health stores since 2009. In 2017 I moved to Wellington to be closer to my two grandchildren and two of my children. Ever since my arrival in New Zealand, I have connected with the Swiss community here, and have played an active role in club committees. I play cards poorly, sometimes am successful in Kegeln and have had a reasonable result in shooting, once. Although I am on good terms and in regular contact with my Swiss family and friends back home, I am focusing on living here in New Zealand, with only dotted but always uplifting returns to my homeland.
Odile Stotzer
Position: Treasurer
I am a French speaker who grew up in Bern and in Fribourg, and also worked 3 years in Zurich. I arrived in Wellington in 2005 where I joined the Swiss Club almost right away. I am very happy to have found a Swiss community here. I tried to teach Jass to my children, but it took a visit to New Zealand from their Swiss cousins to get them into it.
Dominic Heller
Position: Rifle Master
Bernie Napp
Position: Helvetia Editor
Amanda Sherman
Position: Designer / Sub-editor / Advertising
Phone: 06 272 6481
Email: printreadynz@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Amanda and I will be the Designer and Sub-editor of the Helvetia magazine, together with organising the advertisements. I have been a member of the Taranaki Swiss Club for many years, following in the footsteps of my parents, Kelly and Rosanna Sherman (von Hospenthal). We were raised to be keen Jass players and, for many years, we have had a family battle on Sundays. I have three children, with on really enjoying the ‘schwingen’ at the Swiss picnic! Design and publishing have been my passion for many years, and I have my own design and print broking business working from home. I look forward to my role with the Swiss Society and would welcome any comments from our readers.