Bernie's Bulletin

2026 Event Calendar

2026 will see most of our alumni reunions occur on the same night.

Lock in Friday, 27 November, where the College will host all 1 to 50 year reunion cohorts in one big extravaganza in the brand-new Tobin Building cafeteria and the adjoining spectacular Piazza. All from the classes of 2025, 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981 & 1976 are invited for one big reunion party! Tours will be available to view our new facilities with complimentary beverages and food supplied. 

We had a great turnout for our Golden Years Reunion earlier this year, and we're pleased to announce we will be holding it again in 2026. All old boys from the classes of 1975 and earlier are welcome to attend this fantastic event on Friday, 21 August.

Invites will be sent directly as we approach the event dates.

Salvatore Trimboli has built an impressive career as a senior executive, leading across a wide range of sectors with a hands‑on, growth‑focused leadership style. Salvatore has become a trusted advisor to global organisations seeking strategic clarity and operational excellence.

Study at RMIT in Melbourne and MIT in Massachusetts was the perfect platform for Salvatore to launch his career, beginning with building digital infrastructure for businesses looking to expand. He has managed logistics and software for companies all over the world, helping them expand their output and improve their technology.

Salvatore is currently part of the executive team at TLC Healthcare as their Chief Information Technology Officer. TLC operate a wide range of healthcare services including aged care, medical centres, early learning centres, gyms and health clubs across Australia.

In 2025 he received a CIO50 Award - a program that celebrates the achievements of the top senior technology and digital executives in Australia. Winners are picked for their ability to drive innovation and lead with purpose.

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!

The SBOCA Bowls Day is back for 2026 and will be held on Sunday 15 March!

Get your team of 3 together or come as a pair or individual, and you'll have the chance to win cash from a huge prize pool! Whether you want to bowl for glory or simply kick back in the autumn sun, this is the day for you. The play will be in 2 Bowls Triples format, with teams of 3.

The event will be held at Aberfeldie Community Bowls Club, and lunch and afternoon tea will be provided with drinks available to purchase.

We invite all from the St Bernard's family - Old Collegians, current students, staff, family members and friends - to participate. Bookings are $50 per person or $150 per team and can be made at this link: https://www.trybooking.com/DHZSV. 

St Bernard's sports champion and proud old collegian Geoffrey Francis Walsh passed away at his home in Baranduda (near Wodonga) in early November, 2025, with Mary Walsh, his wife of almost 50 years, passing just 2 days after.

Geoff was an exceptional and highly decorated athlete, representing the College in athletics, handball, cricket and football. At 15 he was school champion at handball, beating even the sports master at the time, Brother Stewart – allegedly much to the Brother's annoyance! 

He went on to become State and Australian schoolboy handball champion, and after high school became Victorian and Australian singles champion in 1963 and the Australian doubles Champion in 63, 65 and 66.  He was inducted into the Australian handball hall fame in early 2000s.

In Inter Catholic Schools athletics (now ACC) he was a champion sprinter and held the school long jump record for nearly 20 years, while in football he went on to play reserves at Essendon and North Melbourne and play for Ainslie in Canberra's top football league.

Later in life, Geoff had a successful career as a public servant.  As senior manager in Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne, he met a number of famous people – Popes, princes and the future King Charles with Diana on their official tours of Australia. 

Geoff was known as much for his kindness off the field as for his competitiveness on it, and remembered as a great family man who always had time for anyone in his extensive family. He was extremely proud to be an old collegian and was an avid reader of the Bernies Bulletin and Strand.

Geoff and Mary were devoted parents to 7 children, and at the time of their passing the family included 19 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Geoff and Mary, devout Catholics all their lives, were buried together with full rites at a local rural church cemetery near Wodonga.

Thank you to Matt Walsh (Geoff's nephew) and Peter Walsh (Geoff's brother) for providing us a deep dive on Geoff's extraordinary legacy. A more detailed article will feature in our next edition of the Strand.

Luke Mulkearns passed away peacefully at his home in Strathmore on September 20, 2025 surrounded by his family – his wife Cathy Tobin; son Aaron; daughters Jessica and Brydie; his 6 grandchildren and extended family.

Luke was the eldest son of Dr Geoffrey Mulkearns and Myra Mulkearns and a dearly loved brother of John (’76), Mark (’78), Paul (’79), Matthew (’81) and Peter (’84)

Lukes connection to St Bernards and the local community was strong.  He was College Swimming Captain in his graduation year and went on to study business at the University of Melbourne and RMIT. Luke enjoyed a distinguished career in human resources with leading worldwide companies including Uncle Ben's, Honda, Coca Cola, and Cadbury Schweppes. These roles enabled Luke and his family to live and work interstate and overseas, including several years in London as International Director of Human Resources with Cadbury Schweppes.

In addition to his corporate career, Luke served as Board Chair of the Amalgamated Casket Company and the not-for-profit organisation Brunswick Industries.

Like many in his family, Luke maintained close ties and friendships at St Bernards and remained deeply grateful for the opportunities and values the College provided during both his school years and throughout his life beyond St Bernards.

Rest In Peace, Luke.

How's this for a last day celebration – pictured are Year 12s of 1977 riding out of the school on a horse and cart!

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 2 of 2026.

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