Alice Bourke

(Alice Genevieve Harrigan)

Her grit and determination for excellence are unwavering, her kindness to others is immeasurable, her memory for dates is astounding and her musical talents are her signature tune. I am referring to Alice Bourke, a longterm resident of Bongaree, who turns 100 on April 17 this year.

Alice's great-grandfather, Teague Harrigan, was born on the Tank Stream, now Pitt Street, Sydney, around 1803. Teague Harrigan was the son of Mary Wade, well-known as the youngest Australian convict who later became known as the Mother of Australia.

Alice was born in Wollongong on April 17, 1923. She lost her mother in childbirth at the age of five years, and Alice and her four siblings were consequently brought up by her father and her uncle, Jack. She learnt music from her Uncle Jack at an early age, taught piano at the Jurgens School of Music and performed as a flautist with the Illawarra Symphony Orchestra in Wollongong from 1946 to 1949. (Paddy McMahon conductor.)

Alice moved to Brisbane in 1949 with her husband, Leo, where she played the organ and attended the concert group for 29 years at the Kedron Uniting Church.

Alice also taught piano lessons to local students in Stafford, Brisbane, before her move to Bribie in 1992.

1997 saw the commencement of her piano playing for the Bribie Island Uniting Church community, with her playing for weddings, funerals, church celebrations and also the church choir.

Alice displays the same work ethic as her forefathers, being the matriarch of a family of 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Her beloved husband, Leo Bourke, passed away in

2008, but Alice chose to stay on Bribie Island and continue with her craft and musical activities in the Bribie community. It's quite an amazing feat to be playing music for your church choir at the age of 100!

We congratulate Alice on her 100th birthday. The family will be celebrating Alice's 100 years at a Bourke family gettogether at Bongaree.