Career
Bourke had the distinction of topping Richmond"s goal-kicking in their first two VFL seasons, in 1908 and 1909, with 25 and 20 goals respectively. He along with family members was a strong Collingwood supporter and actually first tried to play for Collingwood. Upon being denied a game as a Magpie he decided to play with Richmond who were just entering the VFL. He retired after just two seasons to drive a taxi as it paid more than his wage as a football player.
He later ran a boot factory, which employed many league football players and was the largest in the southern hemisphere at the time.
He died suddenly of a heart attack in 1932 leaving a family of six children behind.
