Vale - Jack Bourke.

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Rimeriter

Vale - Jack Bourke.

Post by Rimeriter » Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:05 pm

“G’day”.
Because I am not a family member, I am very pleased to have been invited to be here today to celebrate Jack Bourke, who is also known to me as ‘Outback Jack the Tall Tale Teller’.

In earlier times those men that wandered the bush were known as –
‘Drifters’.
A writer unknown to me, once described them this way –

‘ This is a portrait of one of those characters you

can still meet when traveling through the Australian outback –

self imposed exiles from the cities who drift from town to town,

never settling in one place for very long, who try

vainly to escape the ghosts of their conscience or their past.

He loves a drink, a fight and a yarn with a mate. ‘
##

But this does not - really describe the man I came to know.
He loved to drink a cuppa. Never heard him mention fighting.
But Mate, a yarn - Yeah, he liked to chew the fat a bit.

Now, I’m goin’ to steal titles and details from some of me -
Jack Bourke Jottings.

Outback Jack and Bitsa -
Jack and I first met in Goolgowi, a small country village in N.S.W., probably in early 2000.
I have recorded many of his ‘adventures’ in rhyme, but Jack would not see them as adventures, he was just getting on with life, as and when he wanted.
Since that meeting Jack and I have met in Coonabarabran and also Bourke a few times to 'ave a bit of a yarn.
However we have regularly written, probably on average once per month during the past few years, Jack always to my home address - me to many and various. He is a tad nomadic and at times difficult to keep track of - Nevertheless, a salt of the earth bloke as bushies can be.

Outback Jack in Louth - From memory this would have been his first move after our initial meeting.
His letter is dated 26/1/03. Replies via Shindy's Inn.
Beers Better at Byrock - Following a period at Fordsbridge Jack moved to Byrock. From him I learned about the beer, the golf and the
Mulga Creek Hotel.
Chew'n the Fat - was in Bourke. I was returning from a trip through Southern Queensland via Cunnamulla and Jack drove up early one morning to 'ave a bit of a yarn.
He decided to camp down there for a short time before returning to Louth.
Flyin' Doctor and Jack's Birthday - happened because they did. During this time Shindy's Inn and the Post Office at Menindee became contact points.

Jack's Mum and Jack's Dream - appeared I think after we met this time in Coonabarabran. We visited Baradine together. Jack recounted many memories because this is his home town. I'm not sure whether the Yowie or the Warumbungles made Jack move on.
Remember, he has become a flat country man.

Lil' Jack also 'van to Menindee and Cold Weather Solution - all seemed to happen during more time in Bourke, a short spell at Tullamore, a big break in Fordsbridge, then back to Bourke where at the time of this writing Jack may have settled ?
Them Crows - well, I said in the beginning he is a
Tall Tale Teller. So six years on - ! ! !
###

Well, that was then. Now to his recent ‘adventure’ –

dancin’ down the Darlin’ - - - 2007.

Did ya see the rain’s been fallin’
out the back o’ Bourke
that’s where Outback Jack is livin’
now ‘e doesn’t work.
He’s retired in a village
somewhere in the town
where the lack of rain’s been makin’
everybody frown.

Now, I saw water,
dancin’ down the Darling
last night on TV,
a lady just near Budda
thought it might reach her knee.
It was still an early trickle,
but flowin’ fairly fast,
she had a paddle in it
as it went wanderin’ past,
makin’ for the Murray
which might allow those Silver Perch
to swim upstream to Jack’s place
so ‘e wont ‘ave to search.

(c). Rimeriter.
1/10/07.

Outback Jack –
in the Big Smoke
- - - 2010.

That very early trickle soon filled
Menindee Lake,
it flooded many rivers, left some problems
in its wake.
The outflow is to open, a creaking will be heard,
music for the animals and every type of bird.
Jack now, will not hear it, he’s come to
Sydney Town,
the Flying Doctor brought him
from Bourke to Camperdown.
They are checkin’ on his ‘ticker’ ‘n other things you know,
makin’ sure his power is not gettin’ far too slow.
Bit like, the Darling River anabranch,
‘e needs a top up too - so that in time for
Christmas
he can go to see the view.

©. Rimeriter. 23/9/10.

Well, I’m sure he can see it now -

“Good onya Jack ‘n ooroo”

Rimeriter

Re: Vale - Jack Bourke.

Post by Rimeriter » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:19 am

Yeah mate, it was somethin' like a ten/twelve year association.
It was Jack introduced me ( shiny city shoes 'n all ) to the wirenettin' waterbag, which I attempted to purchase from R M Williams in George Street sometime later, but they was outta stock !!!

The ol' bugger was one of those salt of the earth people.

This world is at a loss without 'im.
Jim.

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Maureen K Clifford
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Re: Vale - Jack Bourke.

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:54 am

a great tribute to a Mate - you've done him proud.

Cheers

Maureen
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

william williams

Re: Vale - Jack Bourke.

Post by william williams » Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:23 am

STRUTH MATE thems fellas they was the salt of the earth always pulling your leg and you are never to sure if it is the truth they are telling. Had them in camp at times and enjoyable company they were to
Glad you knew him that is all I can say

Bill the Old Battler

Rimeriter

Re: Vale - Jack Bourke.

Post by Rimeriter » Fri Oct 07, 2011 4:07 pm

My "thanks" to you all.
Jim.

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