Bernie's Bulletin

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.

Event Calendar

A gifted and incredibly driven person, Vincent Fantauzzo overcame a challenging start to life to become one of the country's most celebrated artists..

Supporting himself with a variety of jobs while he went to university and honed his art, he is now known for his beautiful portraits of some of Australia's most famous figures, including Heath Ledger, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Moran, and his wife Asher Keddie. Vincent was also chosen to paint the official portrait of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2017. A recent highlight was the Art Series Hotels naming the new Fantauzzo Hotel in Brisbane after him, and featuring his work all throughout the building.

'Heath' - Vincent's 2008 portrait of actor Heath Ledger, which won People's Choice in the Archibald Prize.

'Love Face' - Vincent's 2013 portrait of actress Asher Keddie, another Archibald Prize People's Choice winner.

He's gained an incredible list of accolades which include:

• 4x Archibald Prize People's Choice Winner
• 2x Doug Moran National Portrait Prize
• Archibald Packing Room Prize 2011
• Metro Art Award 2011

We wish Vincent continued success!

All images via ABC

The College Foundation's premier event of the year is now open for bookings!

The event will take place on Friday 30 May at the Conversation Quarter of the State Library Victoria, commencing at 7:00pm. We invite our community to attend an enjoyable evening of fine dining, celebration and reminiscing, with a 3 course meal and refreshments included.

As part of the evening, we will be inducting two highly accomplished old collegians into the St Bernard's College Hall of Fame, Mr Terry Tobin KC (Class of 1960) and Dr Anthony Slavin (Class of 1985), for their incredible work in the legal and medical fields respectively.

This year the Foundation has introduced the Rising Star Award – recognising exceptional talent and leadership potential in those under 40 in our community. The inaugural recipient of the award will be Dr Jameson Trainor (Class of 2014).

Bookings can be made at this link: https://www.trybooking.com/DALVX or the QR code above. Please book by Friday 23 May to confirm your spot, we look forward to seeing you there!

Some sad news of an old boy doing it tough with illness - Mat De Pretto has been battling a brain tumor since February. His wife Mariane and the De Pretto family now hope to fund a range of treatments for him, so he can have the best chance of survival and gain precious years with his family.

If you're able, any support for Mat and the De Pretto family would be highly appreciated. You can support them at their GoFundMe link here: Fundraiser for Mariane Francis by Brooke Vukelic : Support for Mathew De Pretto and Family. You can also use this page to send a message of support and share Mat's story far and wide.

All the best Mat - the College community is behind you all the way!

The 500 Supporter's Group have opened bookings for their annual AFL Lunch, with all proceeds going towards the Ruben Centre in Kenya - enabling life-changing education, healthcare and social programs for those in need. Come along to the MCG on Friday 16 May, and enjoy Melbourne's finest sporting lunch with a first-class panel of guest speakers.

Book tickets here: Events — The 500 Supporters' Group and see the flyer below for all the details!

Today the College celebrated Edmund Rice Day, holding our traditional Walkathon to raise money for the Edmund Rice Catholic Education Centre (formerly Brother Beausang) in Embulbul, Kenya. This week's segment looks back to 2019, when a small group of students embarked on the Kenya Immersion trip. 

The students reflected on their adventure in the 2019 Clairvaux, describing it as "unforgettable" and "eye-opening". Without exception they all remarked on the welcoming spirit, generosity and joy of the school and its community. We're very proud of the special relationship the two schools have developed despite being halfway across the world from each other!

Anyone wishing to make a further contribution to ERCEC can do so here: Edmund Rice Foundation. 

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 late 2024 and throughout 2025.

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