Bernie's Bulletin

2026 Event Calendar  Bold = updated events

Lots of old boys are booking for the inaugural combined Reunion Night where we will be hosting all 1 to 50 year reunion cohorts in the brand-new Quays facilities at our Essendon campus.

All old collegians from the classes of 2025, 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, and our Golden Years group, are invited to attend one big party! Food and drinks will be served on the night, your ticket includes food and your first beverage.

Guided tours of our newest facilities will be running through the evening, and guests can also enter the draw for a huge raffle prize!

Tickets are free for our 1 and 5 Year reunion groups - check your emails or get in touch with us at development@sbc.vic.edu.au to receive your promo code.

Date: Friday 27 November
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Cost: $25 (includes food and first beverage)  
Beers $6 each/wine $7 a glass

Book Here: https://www.trybooking.com/DQVCU

Old collegian Tobiahs Fakhri (Class of 2016) has come a long way since graduating St Bernard’s, having taken his passion for music to the international stage. Performing as Tobiahs, the Lebanese-Australian DJ and producer blends house, pop and garage into dance music that is endlessly replayable and notably unique.

His story offers a different perspective on creative success: the breakthrough matters, but so does the work that comes before it. Long before his music reached international audiences, Tobiahs was developing his craft as a teenager, teaching himself how to make and mix music from the age of 15 and attracting early attention through remixes shared online.

His debut single, ‘Through To You’, arrived in 2017, and further milestones included ‘Late Night’ in 2019, which achieved ARIA Gold status, and the ARIA Platinum-certified ‘Lifetime’ in 2024, another major breakthrough which earned airtime on BBC Radio 1 and support from international dance-music names including Diplo and Tiësto.

More than the music, Tobiahs uses his creativity to lift up others. He has raised thousands of dollars for disaster relief and charitable organisations in Lebanon, honouring his roots and supporting communities in need.

Years of refining and experimenting with his sound have paid off—Tobiahs has become an international star with sold-out tours across Europe and the US. Well done Tobiahs and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

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!

It's once again time for SBOCA's annual Chris Lane Golf Day!

We have been blown away by all the support for this event in recent years and look forward to another fantastic day on the course. Assemble your mates and compete for the coveted Chris Lane Cup, or test your skill and go for the longest drive and nearest the pin prizes. Enjoy food served before and after the round and refresh with a bevvy throughout the day. 

This event is not to be missed for any golf enthusiast. Tickets are $110 per person (inclusive of food and green fees) and can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/DQSWO. 

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 12:00pm Friday 6 November.

Each year, our community gathers to honour and remember the lives of our dearly departed Old Collegians—men whose presence shaped the spirit and legacy of our school. We invite our community to attend our Annual Deceased Old Collegians Mass. All those recently passed will be acknowledged on the day.

Date: Saturday, 7 November at 9:30am.

Location: St. Bernards College Chapel. (Enter through GATE 6 for parking). 

RSVP: Via the link https://www.trybooking.com/DQNMT or email development@sbc.vic.edu.au

Following the Mass, light refreshments will be served in the Peter Hogan boardroom. 

St Bernard’s College warmly invites our community to an evening of networking, conversation and connection.

We're excited to welcome old collegians Kristian Said, Michael Valastro, Agostino Giramondo, and Kyle Tyrrell, along with former Essendon captain, development coach at Collingwood Football Club and supporter of the College, Dyson Heppell, to the panel for this evening.

Bringing together people working in healthcare, education, government, not-for-profit organisations and community services, the evening offers an opportunity to broaden your professional network, build relationships and hear our panel’s perspectives.

📅 Thursday, 12 November 2026
⏰ 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm
📍 Peter Hogan Boardroom, St Bernard’s College
🎟️ Free, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and canapés included

Register Here! https://www.trybooking.com/DREXZ

We particularly encourage young alumni seeking mentorship, career advice or potential work experience opportunities to attend. We also welcome guests willing to share their knowledge, experience and professional connections to support the next generation.

Open to all in our community - alumni, current and past parents and guardians, incoming Year 7 2027 parents and guardians, and community supporters.

Parking: Available via Gates 6 and 8

RSVP: By no later than 11.00 am on Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Old collegian and talented musician Pete Walsh (Class of 1962) recently wrote in with a lovely reflection on the changing music program at St Bernard’s:

"Arts and culture seems to be doing well at St Bernards in 2026.

As a St Bernard’s boy from Grade 3 to 12 in the mid 1950s’ to early 1960’s, I was most impressed with the music programme at St Bernard’s at one of the last reunions.  It is a far cry from the two terms of recorder lessons  “endured” circa 1957, which was the full extent of the arts and crafts instruction in those days at the Strand. However, it was not without some success—I recall competing at an inter-school eisteddfod where our class won with a sterling rendition of ‘Happy Wanderer.’ I seem to remember Br Stallard was the culprit – sorry, instructor – at the time.  I have excluded the poetry readings that served as culture at the annual Speech Nights in the Brunswick Town Hall."

From those humble beginnings Pete went on to play clarinet in a jazz band, then guitar and keyboards in rock bands during the 1960s. Television appearances and a win in the Victorian heat of Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds in 1969 were among the highlights. Music has since taken him to a number of countries, brought him a songwriting award and continued to connect him with regional theatre as a musical director. Over the past three years, he has also performed solo shows at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, earning a judges’ pick award along the way.

At 81 years of age, Pete’s love of music is as strong as ever. He is currently performing at the 2026 Melbourne Fringe Festival, with a new work of words and music entitled “The Best of Adam Sharp”,  based on a best-selling book. Reflecting on the College’s music programme today, Pete reminds us that even a small introduction to the arts can spark an appreciation and creativity that can last a lifetime. 

And, after all these years, he can still hit A5 on the recorder!

Pete (left) at St Bernard's with his two older brothers, Geoff and Gerald Walsh.

The 500 Supporters' Group held their annual Spring Racing fundraising lunch at the MCG on Tuesday 27 October, and once again it was great to see St Bernard's alumni and our wider community get around this fantastic cause.

With our Year 12s in exam mode, the College's 2027 student leaders have taken the baton, and they represented St Bernard's impeccably at the lunch while assisting with guest sign-in and ticketing.  They were joined by Deputy Principal Ms Therese Wilson, Assistant Principal of Identity Mr Carlos Tinsey, and teachers Mr Ryan Leahy (Dean of Identity) and Ms Yvonne Tran (Student Leadership Coordinator). 

The event successfully raised essential funds for the Ruben Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, which provides primary healthcare, education, and social support to those most in need. Along with ticket sales, a very successful auction conducted by our friends at McDonald Upton raised significant funds that will all go straight to local communities. 

We thank the 500 Supporters' Group for hosting a great event and the vital and ongoing work they do to support the Ruben Centre.

We invite all our old collegians to join Alumnly, our social platform helping our old collegians to connect and grow.

Whether you're browsing through photos from cherished moments, exploring or posting job opportunities, staying updated on upcoming events, or curious to know where your old classmates are now, our platform is here to cater to your needs. You can also share your own achievements and stories, fostering deeper connections within our vibrant community.

It has been great to see lots of sign-ups already and Old Boys have begun networking, updating their profiles and reminiscing with photos from back in the day.

Sign Up Here

The St Bernard's Old Collegians Football Club is looking for players to join their Under 19s squad in 2027. 

With 2 teams in 2027, this is a great opportunity to play at VAFA level.

Sign up and bring your mates - training starts in November!

For any questions contact Ben Hogan on 0402 919 523.

St Bernard's students have always turned up in numbers to support their peers at the ACC Athletics Carnival. This tradition stretches back many years - as demonstrated below by the 'mad hatters' of 1964!

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.

Vale notices submitted will be acknowledged in the next edition of the Strand in Term 4 of 2026.

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