John Bourke,third son of John Bourke & Judith Meehan.

John Bourke was the third child and son born to John Bourke and Judith Meehan. He was born at Moonee Ponds on July 30,1845, and was baptised at St. Francis’ Church, Melbourne, in September. His sponsors were Patrick and Margaret Dwyer. Soon after John moved to the Kilmore district with his parents and two brothers.
As a young man, John found himself in South Australia, where he married and started a family. At the age of 31 years, in c. 1876 at Mount Gambier, John Bourke married Mary Jane Cain, the daughter of John CAIN & Annie BARBER who had been born c.1853.

They had eight children together, the last of whom were born at Boosey/Burramine when John moved his family to the area in the late 1880s. John and Mary Bourke’s family were as follows:

1. ANNIE BOURKE: moved from South Australia to the Boosey district when she was about ten years old, and joined her cousins at the Boosey North Catholic School. Annie never married. She worked for some years as a housekeeper for one of the O’Dwyer families of Burramine/Boosey (one of the daughters of this family – Margaret ‘Ciss’ O’Dwyer married Annie’s brother Patrick Bourke).Annie died at Corowa, N.S.W. in 1942 and was buried at Yarrawonga Cemetery.

2. ELLEN ‘NELLIE’ BOURKE: Born in S.A. c. 1879. Married William McGann from Thoona, Victoria, and they lived most of their lives in West Melbourne; No children were born of the marriage. Nellie Bourke McGann died in 1954, aged 74 years, and was buried in the Fawkner Cemetery(R/C Comp. I Grave No. 2424)on 31 May, 1954. Her mother and husband share the same grave.


3. MAUD BOURKE: Born S.A. on December 14,1881. Very little is known of her adult life. She never married, and was killed in 1914 when she was hit by a tram in St.Kilda Rd, Melbourne, aged 33 years. Maud was buried at Coburg Cemetery (R/C Comp. B Grave No. 732) 20 October, 1914.
The Argus reported the accident:
"WOMAN DRAGGED BY BUS. RECEIVES TERRIBLE INJURIES.
While crossing Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, at the intersection of Acland Street, late yesterday afternoon, Miss Maud Bourke, 30 years of age, of Queen's Mansions, Beaconsfield Parade, St. Kilda, was knocked down by a motor bus. She received terrible injuries, and her condition is regarded as extremely critical.
The accident, which occurred at about half-past 5 o'clock, was witnessed by a large number of people. The motor bus was crowded with passengers, even to the box seat, where two girls sat beside the driver.
A tramcar, which probably had something to do indirectly with the mishap, was also full. The tram had been stopped at the intersection to allow more passengers to board it, and there was some delay in restarting. When the tram stopped, the motor bus was some distance behind. Both were travelling in the same direction- to Melbourne.
Apparently Miss Bourke, whose residence is situated near the scene of the accident, thought that she could cross the street after the tram had passed on, and before the bus arrived. She stood for some few seconds on the roadway, waiting for the tram to move on. Then she saw the approaching bus, and, evidently thinking that she would not have time to go round the car, she turned back towards the footpath. The bus, however, was now quite close and the driver, seeing a woman near the tram track, endeavoured to dodge her by swerving in near the gutter.
That a collision was now inevitable was seen by both tram and bus passengers, and a shout of alarm went up. The bus driver made a last attempt to pass safely, but as he turned towards the middle of the road, Miss Bourke hurried back in the same direction. She was knocked down, and the back wheel caught her, dragging her along but not passing over her. The bus was stopped a few yards further on, and a rush was made by many people for the spot where the injured woman lay. She was found fully conscious, but with her clothing badly torn and with fearful injuries. Her legs and one side were lacerated so badly that it seemed as if half the flesh had been torn off. She was carried into the Prince Of Wales Hotel, and Dr. R.L Morton, of Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, was called.
Dr. Morton found that, in addition to the lacerations, Miss Bourke had sustained a compound fracture of one leg and possibly a fracture of the base of the skull. A St. John ambulance was summoned, and Miss Bourke was removed to the Alfred Hospital, where she was admitted still in a state of consciousness. Last night the hospital authorities stated that her condition was precarious."
- Argus, Monday, October 5, 1914.

"KILLED BY BUS.
Miss Maud Bourke, of Queen's Mansions, Beaconsfield Parade, St. Kilda, who was knocked down by a motor bus at the intersection of Fitzroy and Auckland Streets, St. Kilda, on October 3, died on Sunday in the Melbourne Hospital. She received terrible injuries in the accident, and her recovery was regarded as very doubtful. Miss Bourke was 32 years of age. Her death has been reported to the coroner."
-Argus, Monday, October 19, 1914.

" KILLED BY MOTOR BUS.DEATH BY MISADVENTURE.
A waitress named Maud Bourke, 32 years of age, of Queen's mansions, St. Kilda, was knocked over by a motor bus at St. Kilda on October 4. She died at the Alfred Hospital on October 18.
At the inquest held by the Coroner yesterday, evidence was given that the accident occurred in Fitzroy Street. The deceased waited on the kerb for a tram, but moved towards the tram-line shortly afterwards. When she turned again towards the footpath, the bus came towards her. She endeavoured to avoid it, but was knocked down and terribly injured. The motor bus was travelling about 12 miles an hour. Witnesses stated the driver, George Corlett, did all that he could to avoid an accident. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned by the coroner."
-Argus, Friday, October 23, 1914.

4. EDWARD LEO BOURKE: Like his elder sisters, Edward attended the Boosey North Catholic School, and after finishing his education took up farming. Edward was a professional athlete, successfully competing in many championships, particularly hurdling. He died at the age of 45 years, in October 1928. It was noted in the Cobram Cemetery register that Edward Bourke had died of “Hydatid”.

5. MARY VERONICA BOURKE: born c. 1886, S.A. Moved to Victoria when only an infant. I have an old school text book that Mary used at the Boosey North Catholic School, and along with scribblings by her various siblings, Mary has written on the back cover “ Mary Veronica Bourke, Youarang” and “Mary Bourke 26/7/96”
The eleven year old Mary Bourke, or her siblings who shared the reader with her, also had a passion for drawing pipes in the mouths of Britain’s most famous sons…an innocent form of more modern graffiti.
This seemingly outgoing child spent her adult years as a quiet spinster. She ran the Boosey South Post Office for many years, and lived a great part of her life in Tungamah, where she worked for the Haebich family.
Mary Bourke died in the Yarrawonga Hospital on May 28, 1970, at the age of 84 years, and she was buried in the Fawkner Cemetery. Mary’s obituary from the ‘Benalla Ensign’ is as follows:

“ OBITUARY.

The death occurred at Yarrawonga Hospital on Thursday, May 28, 1970, after a short illness, of Mary Veronica Bourke, at the age of 84 years. The deceased was a daughter of the late John and Mary Bourke of Boosey.
Miss Bourke (more affectionately known as ‘Min’) came to Tungamah with her mother and after her demise remained with the Haebich family. She led a very retired life, but was interested in her church and also the Brotherhood of St . Lawrence, and always helped with the functions conducted by the Women’s Auxiliary for the Yarrawonga Hospital. The funeral left for Fawkner Lawn section after requiem mass at Our lady of Good Councel Roman Catholic Church, Tungamah.
The service was conducted by Father Youngberry. Coffin bearers were Michael, David and Tony Haebich, and her nephew Jack Bourke”.
- Benalla Ensign, Tuesday June 9, 1970.”


6. MICHAEL BOURKE: Michael Bourke was born at Boosey in 1888, the second son born to John and Mary Bourke, and their first child to be born after they moved to Victoria.
Michael lived for only five years, passing away in February 1894. He was laid to rest in the Burramine Cemetery.

7. Thomas Bourke: Died in infancy.

8. Patrick John Bourke was born on September 2, 1890, at Boosey, the seventh child and third son born to John and Mary Bourke.
Known as ‘Paddy’, he attended the Boosey North Catholic School with his four big sisters and one brother ( brothers Michael and Thomas died before reaching school age).
After completing his schooling, Paddy served a blacksmiths apprenticeship with ‘Skinners Workshop’ at Tungamah, following which he became an experienced blacksmith, wheelwright and farrier.
Paddy married a local Boosey girl, Margaret Imelda O’Dwyer, who was better known as ‘Ciss’. Like Paddy’s grandparents, Ciss’s grandparents had emigrated from County Tipperary, and eventually members of the family selected land at Boosey that adjoined land belonging to the Bourkes.
Paddy and Ciss Bourke had a family of four sons- Ronald, John Thomas and Patrick Leo, plus a son Thomas who died at a young age.
Paddy and Ciss Bourke remained in the Boosey district for some years, and their sons attended the Katamatite East Primary School.
During his life time, Paddy also worked in timber mills, and during the 1920s he owned a pub at Wattle Hill, a small town in the Otway Mountains. He joined the Army during WW2.
Paddy Bourke died on March 14, 1960, aged 69, and was buried in the Fawkner Cemetery.

John Bourke, son of Judith and John Bourke, died on April 17, 1912, at the Mooroopna Hospital. He was 67 years of age, and died, according to his death certificate, of “ Prostate hypertrophy 1 year; Cystitis 3 weeks; fatty byeneration of heart”.
John’s parents were given as ‘John Bourke, saddler, and Judith Bourke m/n Meehan’. John was buried in the Burramine Cemetery on April 18, 1912, with Father Skilly the priest in attendance. John’s children were given as ‘Annie 34; Ellen 33; Maude 31; Edward 29; Mary 27; Patrick 22; Michael dead; Thomas dead.”

The Kilmore Free Press noted the passing of John Bourke as follows:

" The "Moira Independent of Thursday announces the death of Mr. John Bourke, who spent the early years of his life in the Kilmore district , and visited here only a few months ago. Our contempory states:-
'He was a man of superlative physique and constitution, and in his earlier days was noted for unusual strength and energy. In Kilmore, of which historic town he was a native, his prowess as a reaper was widely known, his feats in the harvest field earning for him the title of Champion, while in later years, in the Riverina shearing sheds, he was looked upon as one of the fastest and best men with the shears. Notwithstanding the strenuous life which he had led from boyhood, he bore his 67 years with all the grace and vigour of youth, and only a few weeks ago, when he was in Tungamah, he looked the picture of health. A widow, grown up son and daughter, survive the deceased, as well as brothers Patrick (Burramine), Edward(Kilmore) and sister Mrs Mannix(Melbourne). The deceased's mother died a few years ago at an age approaching the century. The interment took place on Thursday, the remains being laid alongside his brother Michael in Burramine Cemetery."
- Kilmore Free Press, Thursday 2 May 1912.


John Bourke's wife Mary lived for another 18 years after her husband's death. She died in 1930:

" Death Notice - At a private hospital, Kew, of Mrs. Mary Jane Bourke, of 438 William Street, West Melbourne, on the 1st July 1930. Relicit of the late John Bourke, and mother of Annie, Ellen (Mrs. McGann), Maud (dec'd), Edward (dec'd) Mary and Patrick.

Funeral Notice - The funeral of the late Mrs. Mary Jane Bourke, of 438 William Street, West Melbourne, will be held at the chapel of A. W. Padbury and Co., Gotham Street, Kew, after which the cortege will leave for the New Melbourne Cemetery, Fawkner." -Both notices transcribed from the Argus newspaper by Tony Saunders.

Mary Bourke was buried at Fawkner Cemetery (R/C Comp. I. Grave No. 2424).