Bernie's Bulletin

Event Calendar

Reunion Calendar

Save the Date for your class reunion! Registration will open closer to the date so we can track numbers. Each year level will receive emails with more information closer to the date as well.

We give thanks for the extraordinary life and ministry of Fr Francis Moloney SDB, a cherished Old Collegian and proud member of the St Bernard’s College Hall of Fame, who passed away in Melbourne aged 85. Fr Frank was a devoted presence in our College community, regularly celebrating Mass and, for many years, leading the Deceased Old Collegians Mass with deep reverence and care.

A much-loved and highly respected Salesian priest, Fr Frank’s life was marked by remarkable commitment, fidelity, and scholarship. He instinctively lived out St John Bosco’s wisdom: “It is not enough for young people to be loved; they have to know that they are loved.” His sincerity and generosity earned him deep admiration and lasting friendships.

Renowned as one of Australia’s leading Biblical scholars, Fr Frank dedicated his life to making the Christ of the Gospels known. His academic journey took him from Melbourne to Rome, Oxford, and beyond. He taught across Europe, Israel, the United States, Southeast Asia, and Australia, and his internationally acclaimed research on the Gospels of John and Mark and the Book of Revelation shaped theological understanding worldwide.

Fr Frank’s distinguished service included appointment to the International Theological Commission by Pope John Paul II, recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia, and leadership as Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He also served as Foundation Professor of Theology at Australian Catholic University and later as Senior Professorial Fellow at Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity. Through all these roles, he remained deeply connected to his Salesian family and to St Bernard’s College.

As Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reflected: “Having spent his life making the Christ of the Gospels known, may he now enter into the fullness of eternal life and see the Lord, whom he served so well, face to face.” Fr Frank’s wisdom, humility, and dedication inspired countless lives, and his legacy will continue to guide future generations. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Salesian community, Fr Frank’s family, and all who were blessed to know him. May he rest in peace.

It is with great sadness that we share the recent passing of Shelley Beecham.

A much-loved former teacher, Shelley’s warmth, courage and kindness left a lasting imprint on our community. Many old collegians will remember being taught by her over the years, and they and countless others will remember her gentle spirit and generous heart. She and her legacy will continue to inspire.

Shelley will be deeply missed. We hold her loved ones in our prayers and surround them with care during this time.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

A reminder for our final reunion of the year - the combined 45 & 50 Year Reunion.

We encourage all from the St Bernard’s classes of 1980 and 1975 to come down to the Moonee Ponds Club tonight: your old classmates would love to see you there.

Contact us at development@sbc.vic.edu.au or call Vinnie McGuire on 03 9289 1105 to register for free!

Energetic and driven, Jason Tamplin has made a real difference in the public health and community sectors through both his career and extensive volunteering.

Since graduating from St Bernard’s in 2015, Jason went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health / Global Studies at Australian Catholic University. This gave him the perfect platform for a career with social impact.

Currently, Jason serves as Coordinator of the Victorian Indigenous Statewide Homelessness Network (VISHN), where he leads sector-wide strategic initiatives meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria. Whether it’s empowering communities or advocating to governments, Jason and his team continually push for positive change.

His previous work includes providing support services for people affected by diabetes, and leading public health campaigns on the impact of smoking.

Jason has volunteered for many years, most notably with the State Emergency Service (SES) – being there for his community during natural disasters. He also volunteered at Global Health Youth Connect, a non-profit organisation making health and safety information accessible to youth all over the world.

An old boy making a difference in his community and living out the spirit of Edmund Rice every day – we wish Jason all the best!

If you know any old collegians who have been successful lately, let us know at development@sbc.vic.edu.au - we'd love to celebrate them!

This is your last chance to book a team for the 2025 Chris Lane Golf Day! 

Taking place at Medway Golf Club on Friday, 21 November, this is your chance to be immortalised on the Chris Lane Cup! 

Tickets are $100 per person (inclusive of food and green fees) and can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/DFJOF

 If you're under 25, contact development@sbc.vic.edu.au for tickets at a special young alumni price of $75.

Bookings are open until 11:00am this Monday - don't miss out!

It was wonderful to see a large crowd attend our annual Deceased Old Collegians Mass last Saturday, gathering to honour and remember the lives of our dearly departed Old Collegians. We thank Fr Bernie Lane, Fr. Ray Scanlon and Fr. Joe Giacobbe for an excellent job celebrating the Mass and leading us in prayer and reflection.

We were glad to have many stay on for refreshments afterwards - a good way to keep out of the rain! The Class of 1971 were particularly well represented - a group who began at St Monica's in Moonee Ponds and ended on our Essendon Campus.

From left to right: Dennis Fitzgerald, Steve Waddington, Father Bernie Lane, Steve Devlin, Frank Simone, Paul Abikhair.

St. Monica's Boys School, Moonee Ponds. (Class of 1965) & St. Bernards (Class of 1971).
 

While this is a sad occasion, it is also a powerful reminder of the strength of our school community. Our thanks to all who attended - your presence was greatly appreciated.  For any who'd like to attend next year, please save the date of Saturday, 7 November 2026.

This week we've found a collection of St Bernard's pins from back in the day!

They include original Christian Brothers school pins (before St Bernard's had its own crest), Cadet badges and captain's badges.

Honouring our esteemed old collegians is deeply important to the College. If you wish to submit Vale notices for inclusion in The Strand magazine, please send them via email to development@sbc.vic.edu.au. Your contributions allow us to respectfully remember and celebrate the remarkable individuals who have been part of our community and have sadly passed away since our last publication in mid- 2025.

The December Edition of the Strand has been sent to print, any Vale notices submitted from now on will be acknowledged in the next edition of the Strand in Term 2 of 2026.

We greatly appreciate your support in helping us honour their memories.