Meet our Alumni: Vanessa and Gerard Bibile

Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story, especially when it involves two of our residential alumni who met on campus over two decades ago! Vanessa and Gerard both lived in the Student Village at our Burwood campus from 2000 – 2001 and were introduced to each other on their first day at a welcome BBQ. Gerard studied at Master of Commerce and after many years as a Bank Manager is now a Senior Relationship Manager. Vanessa Bibile (Nee Richards) studied Primary Teaching and Arts, and after 10 years running a business as a cake artist, has recently taken up the role of a children’s dance teacher.  

Gerard and Vanessa shared with the DeakinRes team some of their fondest memories of living on campus. For Gerard it was all about watching the Bledisloe Cup and 2000 Olympics in the common room, having massive water fights on hot days and simply hanging out with his unit family on the couch. Vanessa scouted out DeakinRes on Open Day, driving up to Melbourne and taking a tour of the residences. “…I told my parents there was no reason to look elsewhere. I knew it was the place I was meant to live and we cancelled the rest of our planned open day visits to other universities on the spot.” Her fondest memories include meeting people from around Australia and the world, late nights hanging out and chatting, communal cooking, birthday celebrations, special unit events like games nights and themed dinners, a few pranks and lots of laughter. She is quick to add that meeting her husband on day one was also up there in terms of highlights!  

Both Vanessa and Gerard credit their time on residence in shaping the people they have become. Gerard notes “…

Vanessa adds, Each person I lived with helped to shape and teach me in some way. The whole environment taught me so much! Learning to shop and cook for myself, time management and studying tips gained from fellow students, learning to live in Melbourne, and finding my way around. I grew more as a person during my time at BSV then I could ever explain. My friends helped me study and we supported each other through exams, assignments and late nights studying, including the occasional wake-up call so I wouldn’t miss class! They even sat through rehearsals in our kitchen and helped me with choreography as I studied for my dance teaching exams!” 

Vanessa’s advice to current residents: “…take up every opportunity, join in with social events, form study groups, talk to as many people as you can and get to know them. Get everyone’s details so that you can keep in touch in the future! And take lots of photos! This will be the best time of your life and you’ll want to look back on it. ” Gerard agrees, “…meet as many people as you can, and make sure you don’t leave any clothes in the washing machine!”   

By the end of their two years in the Vill, both Vanessa and Gerard moved into the local Burwood neighbourhood, and they’ve never left, still living around the corner from Deakin twenty years later!  

Would you like to share your story? Send us a message or contact us by email – we’d love to feature you in our next Alumni profile.