Spirit of Bourke lives on

Former Bourke residents gathered at South West Rocks for the annual Bourke reunion and the Golden Oldies Rugby Carnival. Front row: Carolyn Halliwell, Craig Moran, Leonie Murray, Ray Murray, Peter Pratten, Nan Long, Susie Long and Ray Long. Middle row: Sharon Swalwell, Colleen Richards (Helm), Sandra Jackson (Adams), Norm Halliwell, Cheryl Woodhouse, Bernice Payton (Walsh), Jim Auld, Maureen Pratten (Hatch), Penny West (Maroulis), Terry Pratten, Julie Long, Raymond Long, and Peter “Daddy” West. Back Row: Kevin “Flute” Swalwell, Bob Richards, Nathan (local), Greg Ward, Ken Payton, Paul Primmer, Gary (Drafty) Neal, Judy Wood (Rudd), Troy De Luca, Bill Jackson, Peter McWhinney, Arthur Kidd and Steve Long. Missing from photo were Pat & Annette Turley, Tony & Judy Hayman, and a couple of strays. Photos supplied

The spirit of Bourke was alive and well in South West Rocks over the weekend, when former Bourke residents gathered for their annual reunion, sharing memories of their time in the Outback and already planning next year’s get together.

Craig Moran is one of the organisers of the event, which sees people travel from across Australia and sometimes overseas to re-connect with their old Bourke friends - and make new ones.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald