Information Services Department Principal Information Officer Bernard Long has retired after more than 20 years in Hong Kong.

He was the editor of OffBeat from 1981 to '83 and liked it so much he came back for a second stint in 1985-86.

Beating retreat: Bernard Long (second left) is bid farewell by former OffBeat editors (from left) Brett Free, Philip Bruce and Bill Knight, with a few coldies

It was during his time in the editor's chair that Bernard earned the nickname "The Learned Bong", an obvious play on his name but also, some say, in recognition of his seemingly bottomless font of knowledge, trivial or otherwise. He is to this day still known in Police circles by that moniker.

Bernard also made a name for himself as the writer of emergency response exercises (four to be exact, including the last two) when seconded to Operations Wing to draft scenarios to test emergency readiness in Hong Kong.

Of this job, Bernard said: "I am the only man in Hong Kong to have been responsible for a terrorist attack, a nuclear disaster at Daya Bay, food riots in Kowloon and the worst traffic jam in history!

"One of the best parts about the job was I also got to play a reporter, and because I had written all the exercises, I knew exactly what type of tricky questions to ask all the senior officers and government officials. I knew what the answers should be before I even asked the question!"

Bernard started his Government career in 1977 with Radio Television Hong Kong.

He joined the ISD in 1981, his first posting being as editor of OffBeat.

He served in a variety of other posts including Overseas Public Relations Sub-division and Publishing Sub-division in ISD, the Port Development Board and the Lands and Works press office. Bernard retired on June 9 and is now living in Kuching, Malaysia, with his wife and two sons.

Bidding Bernie farewell at a special get-together in his honour was a veritable dynasty of former OffBeat editors: Philip Bruce (1978-81), Bill Knight (1984, 1986-87) and Brett Free (1993-97).

"I had a great time working with the Police, in fact they were some of the best times ever," Bernard said. "They were and are a great bunch of blokes. It was one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had."

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