Bernie showed much self discipline from an early age and a determination to do well. He loved any type of sport and took a liking to athletics and rugby league. Bernie remembers that when he was 13 years old that he wanted to condition his mind and body. In one of the activities he would do was to grab one house brick in each hand and run for miles with them. Eventually this sort of discipline, conditioning and

determination showed some rewards.

Attending Saint Gregory's Agricultural College, Campbelltown, he responded well to the competitive culture of a large secondary boys school.
In a very competitive arena in his last year of high school, 1982, Bernie won the Open Athletics Championship.

Also at the early age of 13 he took a liking to Martial Arts and Boxing. He liked the hard training of boxing but he devoted himself to Karate where he enjoyed the self discipline, control, respect and the challenge of improving himself - it gave him more direction and purpose in life.

Bernie loves people and giving them time , much of this moral code he learnt from his father Kevin Haughey. Bernie devotes his life to his family - his wife Sharon and children Karl, Alexandra, James and Luke. As a teacher he also devotes his life to helping others in their development. Bernie obviously enjoys Karate but he also enjoys fishing, going outdoors, camping and appreciating life and sharing time with others.