It’s the year 2000. Deakin University is just shy of turning 26, the Y2K bug has dominated the news and excitement for the Sydney Olympics is building. At an orientation week barbecue on the Burwood Campus, freshly-minted residents – known as ressies – mingle and get to know each other.
It’s here that two students about to start at Deakin first lock eyes.
Only later, when the pair discovered they were neighbours on campus, did their love story truly blossom.
‘We crossed paths a couple of times on-campus, and you know, checked each other out,’ Victorian born and raised Vanessa Bibile reflects.
Sri Lankan alumnus Gerard Bibile poked fun at how they started hanging out.
‘Being an international student, I didn’t have a car and Vanessa did, so she used to drive me to the shops. That worked well for me. That’s how it started for us.’
Destined to meet (on Deakin res)
Gerard (BCom ‘01/MCom’04), originally started his course in his home country of Sri Lanka and moved to Deakin to finish his studies.
‘Straight from the airport I was dropped at Deakin res,’ he recalls.
While Vanessa who lived in the country near Wilson’s Prom always knew she would move to Melbourne for university.
‘Like most year 12 students do, my parents and I planned to hit all the open days to choose a university. Deakin was our first stop, and as soon as I stepped foot on res and looked around, I said “there’s no need to look anywhere else – this is where I’m meant to live”.’
Vanessa went on to study primary teaching and arts at Deakin. She left just prior to completing her degree to follow her passion for dance teaching.
The 2000s vibe on campus
Vanessa and Gerard lived on res when everything was brand new. Their units had only just finished being built and they even remember the gum trees – now several meters tall – being planted.
‘We both remember playing giant games of backyard cricket. We’d have to watch out not to step on the little saplings,’ Gerard says.
‘From how to catch a tram or cook dinner, we had so many learning experiences together in those early years of living out of home and studying.’
The couple were awed by how much the campus has changed from a couple buildings and lots of open space.
‘Campus has a cosier, warm and lived-in vibe to it now. New buildings are everywhere, and all the trees are so tall,’ Vanessa said.
‘It still smells the same, as soon as we walked back on campus, we both noticed that!’
‘You make friends for life’
Twenty-five years on, Vanessa and Gerard are happily together and have been married for 21 years. The couple have four kids and remain close to the University.
‘We live around the corner from the Burwood Campus!’ Vanessa says.
Their eldest son, who is in his final year of studying a Masters of Secondary Teaching at that very Deakin campus, continues their legacy.
They both agree that their best university memories are meeting each other and so many incredible friends.
‘We’re still in touch with so many people we met at Deakin. They’ve become family to us. Many of our fellow ressies were in our wedding party and are now godparents to our children,’ Vanessa adds.
‘They’ve supported us through everything, ups and downs.’
‘You make friends for life (or even meet the love of your life!) when you study at Deakin,’ Gerard says.
Want to learn more about Vanessa and Gerard’s story? Watch their video to celebrate Deakin res’s anniversary.
