The 100 x Swissness project was created with a simple ambition: to strengthen the Swiss Club of Victoria by bringing its community together through photography.

Led by artist and photographer Patrick Rychner, the initiative invites members to step in front of the camera, share a little of who they are, and become part of a collective portrait of the club. More than a photographic project, it is a community engagement initiative designed to encourage conversations, celebrate diversity within the Swiss community, and create meaningful connections between generations.

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As with many long-established community organisations, the Swiss Club is evolving. Long-time members carry decades of history and tradition, while newer members and second-generation Swiss Australians are helping shape its future. Yet many have never had the opportunity to meet or learn about one another. The portrait sessions create that opportunity—offering a welcoming space where stories are exchanged, friendships begin, and shared heritage is rediscovered.

 

Each participant is invited to bring an object that represents something meaningful—whether it reflects their Swiss identity, a personal passion, a treasured memory, or simply something that tells their story. These objects become conversation starters, revealing the individuality behind each portrait and highlighting the rich diversity that exists within the community.

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Photographed in a consistent studio style, the collection grows into a visual archive of the people who make up the Swiss Club today. It is at once an exhibition, a historical record, and a celebration of belonging. Together, these portraits preserve not only faces, but the stories, experiences and personalities that give the club its identity.

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100 x Swissness demonstrates how photography can do more than document people—it can bring them together. By creating opportunities for connection, conversation and shared experience, the project strengthens community, celebrates cultural identity, and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations of Swiss Australians.