Scotch College

Vale Heinz Bernard Mendel (staff 1941–1977)

Bernard Mendel’s commitment to Scotch will continue through the Bernard Mendel Scholarship

Words: Alec Lyne Photography: Scotch College Archives

Heinz Bernard Mendel was born in Germany in 1912, and was educated there and in Switzerland, where he graduated a Doctor of Law and was employed by an international firm as a law officer.

As Hitler’s power increased, Bernard migrated to Tasmania before war broke out. He was employed as a language teacher at Scots College, Launceston, and was appointed to Scotch in third term 1940, along with Herb Bower. They never forgot the kindness and courage of Mr Gilray in employing two enemy aliens during wartime. Bernard found the Spisakowski brothers already a vital part of the music school; it was a strange coincidence, as the two families had grown up living in the same block of apartments in Hamburg.

Bernard taught French and German at first, but as numbers taking languages increased he was able to concentrate on German, where he had singular success with matriculation students. Year after year, some of them were in the top group in the state (and there was never a failure), a tribute to the meticulous care he took with his language teaching, and to the atmosphere of helpfulness and friendship he created in his classes.

Old Boys speak with gratitude of how the standard they reached in German at School was vital to success in later careers. When he retired, Bernard was Director of Languages, and he was assistant librarian for many years. For years after retirement he swam in the School pool every morning.

Bernard was rather shy and retiring by nature, but for those who were permitted to penetrate beyond this reserve, a rich friendship was the result. He and his beloved wife, Trudi, became loyal companions for life; they shared their home (especially for their select little Christmas parties), and were the perfect hosts, with good food, simple entertainment, presents and fellowship – a touch of ancient European culture. Their loyalty and gratitude to the School were unflagging.

After Trudi’s death Bernard was lost, but he tried to adjust to life alone; however, a fall and other physical problems forced him into a small hostel in Hawthorn, where he found good care and some peace.

Though his memory of some things became faint, when I visited him we would talk for an hour about former staff members and students, with never a lapse. The School and its people were still uppermost in his mind – and he never lost his gentle manner or his winning smile. These were precious times for us both, close friends for 65 years, and he was the last of my colleagues of my age group on the staff. Old Boys will surely remember Bernard with affection and gratitude. GS