Story by Merv Taiaroa

When Bernadette Cheyne wrote to Steve Galatti following her AFS exchange to USA in 1955/56 telling him of her decision to join the Dominican Order he replied very encouragingly and remarked that her AFS experience would enrich her ability in such a career.

Bernie with Steve Galatti (et al)-1957 - With Steve Galatti when he visited NZ on the occasion of the first exchange of US students to NZ in 1957--Bernie was chaperone for the South Island bustrip. Bernie (second from right in front row); other 1955/6 returnees are.. Daphne Roberts(first on right in front row),Tuhi Barclay(first on left in front row) Helps us name the rest of the AFS returnees in this photo

How right he was! Fifty years later, on November 7th, 2009, a special service was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland where Bernie was the guest of honour in celebration of the completion of fifty years service to the Dominican Order. And among those in the cathedral were a number of her fellow AFSers from her year but also her host sister, Nancy Needham, all the way from Syracuse, New York.

A beautiful service was conducted by her Dominican colleagues and a couple of Bernie’s former pupils from her Holy Cross College teaching days. It was followed by an equally lavish luncheon and the inevitable speeches recounting incidents from Bernie’s AFS days, her involvement in teaching, adult education, overseas study (at Fordham University)and service to catholic education; and her work as a hospital chaplain on the North Shore.

It turns out Bernie was lucky to get away on her AFS exchange. The Principal, from her school (St Catherine’s in Invercargill) initially refused to sign the application form because she said to Bernie “If you go to America you will lose your soul!” Bernie’s mother had no such concerns, signed the form and told Bernie to take it back to Sister St James, and tell her “We will just have to take a chance on that!” Sister St James, had a chuckle and duly signed the application.

The contrast between St Catherine’s (single sex, catholic, 100 pupils) and Nottingham High her American school(1400, coeducational); and in family (from nine brothers and sisters to one sister)could not have been greater. But Nancy says Bernie adapted quickly, joining into sorority life, music activities and some studies.

On her return Bernie gave a talk on 4YZ Invercargill radio about “the heart-breaking experience of leaving Syracuse”…and that “the memory of the magical month of the Greyhound bus trip”…and ”the understanding I gained through living with the American families”…”will remain with me forever!”

And how right she was—fifty five years seems pretty close to “forever” to me!

Bernie & Nancy Needham(2009)

3. Bernie arriving in San Francisco(1955)

Footnote: Bernie will continue to provide chaplain services to the North Shore Hospice on a part-time basis.