Bernie was born in Camden, near Sydney (Australia), on 20 February 1966, the fifth of ten children born to Gregory and Valerie O'Regan.

He grew up in Canberra, and had a happy and carefree childhood. As part of a large and loving family, Bernie had a multitude of siblings to keep him company.

A bright and conscientious student, he completed his years of schooling with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages at the University of Canberra. His aptitude for languages, in particular Japanese, led him to spend a year in Japan teaching English. On his return from Japan, he took a job at the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs.

Bernie was a keen and talented musician, and particularly enjoyed playing the piano. In his early twenties, Bernie played drums in a band with one of his brothers. He played Aussie Rules and cricket, in which he proved himself a formidable bowler.

Bernie was a gentle, friendly and fun-loving person with a wicked sense of humour. He loved children and they loved him. He always had a lot of time for his many nieces and nephews, and could often be found in the backyard swinging them by the arms or giving them wheelbarrow rides.

In his mid-twenties, Bernie became very anxious and depressed, but kept a lot of what he was feeling to himself. Over the next 12 years, he became very withdrawn. He did not open up to anyone, despite numerous attempts to help him from family, friends and health professionals.

On 10 February 2004, Bernie committed suicide. He was 37.

His family and friends are heartbroken. The world has lost a kind and generous soul. He will never be forgotten by those who were lucky enough to know him.

His family has placed this memorial on the Foundation website in the hope that it will raise awareness of mental illness in general, and that it will assist the Foundation in raising funds for research into better treatments and earlier diagnosis for those with mental illness.

Click here to download a donation form in memory of Bernie O'Regan

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