VANRENEN, Dr Bertram Sutherland (1920-2014)Medical practitioner, Dr Sutherland served the community as a General Practitioner for over 50 years.
He was born on 6 November, 1920 in Melbourne to Henry Baumgard Vanrenen and Winifred Alexandra nee Sutherland, of Avoca Forest. He attended St Arnaud High School before boarding at Geelong College from 10 February, 1937 to December, 1939. From Geelong, he entered Ormond College to study medicine at Melbourne University. He joined the Melbourne University Rifles after passing his first year.
He enlisted on 24 February, 1943, becoming a corporal (No. VX91552) with the 2/8th Commando Squadron in New Guinea, Bougainville and Rabaul (Sept 1944-Jan 1946). He was discharged on 6 February 1946, then graduated MBBS from the University of Melbourne in 1951 under the World War Two Rehabilitation Graduate Scheme.
He died at 'The Gables' on 6 July 2014.
His brothers, Henry Poleman Vanrenen (1913-1988), Adrian Deneys Vanrenen (1915-1968), and Donald Sutherland Vanrenen (1924-1992), all attended College as did his son, Alan Deneys Vanrenen.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Second World War compiled by James Affleck. p526 ( citing Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives; Vanrenen Family Recollections; Photo J Vanrenen). The Age (Melb) 10 July 2014; Ad Astra January 2015 p52. OGC 1939.