Bernie's 2 Minute Friday

A Bernard's old Boy from the class of 1998, Ryan went on to study at the University of Melbourne and branched into an expansive career with roles in Australia, the US and the UK. After a four-year stint in San Diego as Managing Director of Stemify Limited, a publicly traded company that markets various educational technologies, he is now Managing Director & Head of Capital at Salter Brothers.

Salter Brothers Capital provides integrated capital and advisory offering for small and mid-market companies (from $10m up to $500m valuation) that amongst other areas includes Principal investments, mergers, acquisitions and divestment advice, private capital raisings, public equity transactions (raisings and IPO's) and corporate restructuring. Ryan in particular provides a steady hand when working with various stakeholders on funds management and capital raising, as well as structuring IPOs and assisting clients with their merger and acquisition activities.

We wish Ryan ongoing success in his corporate career!

Image via Salter Brothers.

On Friday, 23 October, the St Bernard's College Foundation held its second Cox Plate lunch at the Moonee Ponds Club, drawing a crowd of 75 attendees. Guests enjoyed lively banter from our entertaining MC, Andrew Bensley from RSN Racing and Sport, alongside notable guests Denis Pagan, Steve Arnold, Marty Synan, and Moonee Valley Head of Racing, Charlotte Mills.

The event featured an array of impressive raffle and auction items, successfully raising vital funds for the College. All the ladies in attendance were treated to lovely gift bags, and awards were presented for the best-dressed female and male, celebrating their stylish outfits.

A special highlight was Old Collegian Ethan Mills, who made an appearance and showcased his remarkable talent with an impromptu call of the race.

Thank you to all who joined us for a wonderful day filled with camaraderie and support for our College community, and to event partners Golden Brew Club and Designer Eyes.

The annual Chris Lane Golf Day will be held on Friday, 22 November.

A must on the calendar, come and join us for a fantastic day of golfing, food, drink and catching up. With prizes to be won, in particular a rare chance at a trip to the highly prestigious Cathedral Golf Club, this event is not to be missed for any golf enthusiast! Tickets are $100 per person and can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/CWFBA

Now in its 24th year, the 500 Supporters' Group enjoyed their annual Spring Racing Lunch in the MCC member's dining room on Tuesday October 29. The lunch drew over 360 attendees including great support from St Bernard's, with Dr. Michael Davies and students attending. Record breaking jockey Damien Oliver was a big hit and treated the crowd with his recollection of some big Melbourne Cup wins along with other major victories, whilst RSN form analyst and bloodstock consultant Maree McEwan detailed why she loves working in the thoroughbred industry. Much needed funds were raised for the Reuben Centre in Nairobi, Kenya providing primary healthcare, education and social support for those much less fortunate than us. 

On Friday, 18 October 2024, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our graduating class of 2024. The day began with a heartwarming gathering of parents over morning tea, while students participated in a memorable keepsake activity by signing their peers' shirts.

Following this, we all came together for an assembly where awards were presented. Congratulations to the deserving recipients of the various awards—we are proud of your hard work and dedication!

Later that afternoon, the Year 12 students and their parents celebrated a special mass at St Monica’s Church, Moonee Ponds, where students received their graduation certificates, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. The festivities continued at the Victoria Pavilion with a valedictory dinner, featuring speeches and a photo montage that celebrated their time at St Bernard's.

We wish them all the best for their VCE exams and the many future pathways they may follow. These young men will always be a part of the St Bernard's community, and we are excited to see what the future holds for each of them. 

The recent Art and Technology Exhibition showcased the remarkable talents of our Arts and Technology students, offering an interactive and engaging experience for all attendees. The delightful weather set the perfect backdrop as guests enjoyed freshly made pizzas, healthy muffins, and an array of refreshing beverages by the Food Tech students, all while enjoying live music performed by our skilled musicians throughout the evening.

Inside the O’Brien Centre, the atmosphere was vibrant with stunning artwork and impressive technology displays. Guests were treated to an array of incredible art and photography, complemented by breakout rooms featuring film and media study video presentations. 

It was truly a memorable evening that celebrated the creativity and passion of the school community. Congratulations to our talented students for their outstanding work, and to our staff for their unwavering support. Special recognition goes to Ms Fitzpatrick and Ms Cassar for orchestrating such an exceptional showcase.

On Saturday 9th of November, St Bernard's will be holding Mass to honour our Deceased Old Collegians in the College’s Marian Chapel, beginning at 9.30am. Following the Mass, Morning Tea will be supplied in the Peter Hogan Boardroom. We encourage anyone who knows of any recently passed Old Collegians in 2024 to advise us at development@sbc.vic.edu.au so we can ensure they are fondly remembered in the ceremony. 

If you would like to attend Morning Tea afterwards, please RSVP by emailing development@sbc.vic.edu.au with the subject line 'Deceased Old Collegians Mass'.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the St Bernard's College Motorsports Academy in 2025, the first program of its kind in Australia. This innovative initiative has already generated significant interest from both parents and students. We are eager to engage with professionals and enthusiasts in the motorsport industry.

For more information or to explore potential collaborations, please contact Erin Mepham at emepham@sbc.vic.edu.au