Still calling Henty home after 90 years

In fact, the 90-year-old from Henty was playing bowls on the weekend and he also has a keen interest in the Swampies. He will watch their form and progress during the winter season.

From a background at Pleasant Hills which included sowing and harvesting winter crops with teams of horses through to a long-serving career with GrainCorp his involvement has been diverse.

He talks about sowing 144 hectares (350 acres) of winter crops as a 16-year-old with a team of horses. 

Mr Bourke remembers a time when there were grain depots at townships throughout southern NSW, before deregulation was implemented, and before the amalgamation of sites. 

“Times have certainly changed since then,” he said. 

“Rosebank” was the original family farm before the Bourkes moved to “Fairview” near Pleasant Hills and about 20 years ago he retired to the township of Henty.

The people, the sport, and the connection is what keeps him there. 

To celebrate his 90^th birthday the family came home to Henty and gathered. “They are all scattered now,” he says. And he goes on to explain that he has five daughters on the coast and three boys in Henty.

“I call it home,” he said. 

His interest in bowling has been recognised by the township. The bowling green is his namesake. “I still play for the Henty Bowling Club … it keeps me alive,” he said. 

When talking about his longevity Mr Bourke says it was possibly due to being “lucky” and having good genes.

Mr Bourke is a life member of the Henty Bowling Club and Henty Football Club. He celebrated his birthday on March 6 and a couple of days later he celebrated with more than 100 family and friends. 

“They say I don’t look like I am 90, but my eyes and ears are 90,” he laughs.