DEATH – Another old resident of the district has passed away to the great majority and with him is lost one of the pioneers to Twist Creek – one who knew the history of nearly every reef in the locality. Mr James Burke had been a sufferer from consumption for some time and his death, which took place on Wednesday was not unexpected. For several weeks he had been visited regularly by Dr Mueller and Rev F. Vanston, incumbent of Holy Trinity Church. He leaves a widow and large family. The funeral took place on Thursday and was largely attended, deceased having been much respected in the district. Yackandandah Times, 3 December 1892.

DEATH — We regret having to record the death of Mrs Elizabeth Burke, of Twist Creek, which took place on Tuesday last. For months previously Mrs Burke had been a sufferer from liver complaint, but about a fortnight ago she went to Beechworth, and on her return typhoid symptoms developed. It is supposed that the typhoid was contracted through drinking water whilst in Beechworth. A few days ago, Dr Mueller was called in, but the complications connected with the liver gave the case a very serious aspect as after the typhoid symptoms had almost disappeared bilious congestion took place and was followed by biliary diarrhoea producing collapse. Medical attendance was of no avail and Mrs Burke passed away, as above stated, on Tuesday. About six years ago Mrs Burke was left a widow, her husband having been an old Twist Creek identity, and owner of the quartz crushing battery. Mrs Burke continued to reside there with her son, Mr J. Burke, and the younger members of the family, the eldest son and daughters residing in Melbourne and other parts of the colony. The battery was burnt down a couple of years ago but has since been re-erected by Mr J. Burke. At the time of her death deceased was 53 years of age. The funeral took place on Wednesday and was largely attended, the mortuary arrangements being in the hands of Mr. R.M. P. Michelsen, whilst Rev. Father Kennedy impressively read the burial service.

Yackandandah Times, 8 April 1898.

From the ODH House Committee report 21 March 1904 – The Superintendent reported that on account of opening the Typhoid wards it had become necessary to fill up one of the vacancies for probationer nurses and Nurse C. Burke had commenced duty …[1]

From the ODH House Committee report 27 June 1904 – Nurse Burke having completed her three months on trial satisfactorily and been examined by the medical officers and is physically sound, it was decided that her agreement be drawn up, signed and sealed.

From the UNA Journal , August 1904 - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL - Miss Bourke, Miss Nolan, and Miss Bruce have joined our training school …

From the UNA Journal , October 1904 - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL  -   Nurse Beatrice Bourke has been accepted, after a three months’ probation ….

Also see the article entitled A Look in at the Ovens District Hospital.

From the ODH House Committee report 21 August 1905 - … also that the Junior Nurses’ examination was held on August 8th; There were four candidates and Nurses Moore, Williams and Burke passed.

UNA Journal ,  October 1906 - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL - … Nurse Beatrice Burke, having passed the final examination of the R.V.T.N.A. in December, has been appointed staff nurse in the place of Nurse Wickes resigned. She commences her new duties on the 20th inst. On the completion of her training, the nurses and myself presented her with a hypodermic syringe and a pair of dressing forceps. … M. WINNING, Matron.

From the ODH House Committee report 7 January 1907 – Nurse Burke had passed her final examinations. … The resignation of Staff Nurse Wickes was received and it was decided to promote Nurse Burke to the position of staff nurse on the completion of her training in a few weeks’ time …

 Date of qualification, 19 March 1907.

From the ODH House Committee report 17 February 1908 –The resignation of Staff Nurse Burke was received as she was joining the Women’s Hospital staff and …

UNA Journal , June 1909 – Special Register - Burke, Caroline - Cert. Women's Hospital (Midwifery and Gynaecology).

1910 - Nurse at the Eye & Ear Hospital in Melbourne.

BUSH NURSES.

NURSE "BEATRICE BURKE RECEIVES SECOND APPOINTMENT.

AN OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL TRAINEE.

- January- saw a practical development of the bush nursing scheme when, Nurse Mary Thompson was installed at Beech Forest, Nurse Beatrice -Burke, who holds the second is to make Gunbower her headquarters. Nurse Beatrice is a country girl, born at Yackandandah. She received her general nursing experience at the Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth.

For the last twelve months she has been ministering to the needs of that section of poor, hapless humanity who seek the knowledge and skill of the medical staff ab the Eye and Ear Hospital. It is here, in the garden courtyard, that Nurse Burke chats about her new appointment.

SYMPATHETIC AND WOMANLY.

"I have been so happy here," she said, glancing at the central patch of lawn encircled with a wealth of floral beauty, "These plants have been my special care. Matron gave me charge of them." She speaks as lovingly of her plant charges as she might of a helpless patient left in her care to be nursed back to vigorous life and healthy activity. Sheltered in the shadow of the broad verandah are the plant charges, tubs of tree fern, grown over with trailing creeper, clusters of graceful asparagus and small pots, from which peep the waxen petals of pink and white begonia.

Petite in figure, with movements quick and alert, Nurse Beatrice gives an Impression of being intensely strong, practical and resourceful. That may be training and discipline, but a chance remark reveals the woman beneath the nurse's uniform. A white coiffured figure appeared leading a patient with bandaged eyes into the air and sunlight, and the nurse's eyes well with tears as she speaks of the almost hopeless plight of some of the unfortunate inmates in the darkened dormitories whose poor, sightless eyes will never again know the joy and beauty of nature's landscape. This unconscious emotion shows that even with a long experience of medical training, with its long routine of "ists" and "isms," in spite of dally contact with all manner of human misery and suffering, a nurse may retain the sympathetic sensibilities, pity and compassion of the natural woman.

HER TRAINING

"It is so fortunate I have had some, training here," she continued, " for there are so many cases of eye trouble at Gunbower [2]— granulation and all that sort of thing. It is said that it is due to the heat and dust.

"When I came here I had no idea this training was to equip me for this responsible and important post."

After gaining her certificate at the Beechworth Hospital she transferred to the Women's Hospital, where she, gained very valuable experience, supplementing her training with twelve months' practical service. By this it will be seen that Nurse Beatrice has had an all-round training, her varied experience being of special value in the work she is under taking.

THE BUSH BRIGADE

"My original idea was to take up nursing in the East, but when I heard about the bush nursing, I was very keen to be member of the bush brigade. I know the need of it, and I realise the far-reaching possibilities of the movement. I feel I will be of more use here than in China or India and l am very glad that I have been selected for the position." — " Herald."

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 15 April 1911.

BUSH NURSE'S SUDDEN DEATH

ECHUCA, Sunday.

Nurse Caroline Beatrice Burke, of Gunbower, died suddenly yesterday afternoon. She had just returned from attending a case in the district, after an absence of four weeks, and had only alighted from the vehicle when she fell unconscious on the verandah of Treacy's Hotel, and expired in a few minutes. Dr. Hutchinson was summoned, and he motored out, only to pronounce life extinct. Deceased had previously been attended by Dr. Merrillees, of Kerang, for heart trouble, and it is understood that he has given a certificate of death. Deceased arrived at Gunbower about twelve months ago, and was installed in her position by Lady Dudley, who was then president of the Bush Nursing Association of Victoria. Nurse Burke's death has caused widespread regret. The Age, 15 April 1912.

TRAGIC EVENT AT GUNBOWER

On Saturday afternoon [13 April 1912] at Gunbower, Nurse Caroline Beatrice Burke who for the last 12 months had so admirably and capably occupied the position of nurse in charge of the branch of the Bush Nursing Association established there died suddenly. She was apparently in good health and had just returned from visiting a sufferer at Kow Swamp and was talking with a patient, when without any warning she dropped suddenly to the ground and expired immediately. A telephone message to Echuca led to Dr Hutchinson, accompanied by the Rev. Father Laffan, going out by motor car to Gunbower. On arrival, however, the doctor was only able to certify that life was extinct. Needless to say the residents of Gunbower and district were deeply grieved at the sudden death of the young lady, who had used her skill and kindly sympathy for the benefit of the sufferers in that locality.

It is only just a year since Miss Burke was installed by Lady Dudley, the founder of the Bush Nursing scheme and ever since she has been constantly occupied in tending the sick and injured and by her kindliness of heart and manner had won the goodwill and highest respect of all. It is understood that Miss Burke had consulted Dr Merrillees of Kerang for heart trouble which it is believed was the cause of death.

Nurse Burke was qualified for her profession duties and had been employed as a certificated nurse at the Ovens Hospital, Beechworth. She had also been engaged at the Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Her relatives it is understood reside in the vicinity of Yackandandah, to which place the remains will probably be conveyed. Riverine Herald,  15 April 1912.

Despite the suddenness of Beatrice's death, no inquest was held.

Buried 16 April 1912 at Yackandandah, Roman Catholic Section.

BUSH NURSE’S SUDDEN DEATH

Nurse Caroline Beatrice Burk of Gunbower, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon. She had just returned from attending a case in the district after an absence of four weeks had only alighted from the vehicle when she fell unconscious on the verandah of Treacy’s Hotel and expired in a few minutes. Dr. Hutchinson motored out, only to pronounce life extinct. Deceased lady had been treated by Dr Merrillees of Kerang for heart trouble and it is understood that he has given a certificate of death.

Deceased arrived at Gunbower about twelve months ago and was installed in her position by Lady Dudley, who was then president of the Bush Nursing Association of Victoria. Nurse Burke's death has caused widespread regret.

Nurse Burke was a native of Yackandandah and was a former teacher at the local school, a position she resigned to up a position on the staff of the Ovens District Hospital. Mrs. G.F. Beatty of this town is a sister of the deceased. The remains were interred in the local cemetery on Tuesday. The burial service was read by the Rev. Dean Gaffney and Mr. L. Meurant, co-ordinated the mortuary arrangement. The Yackandandah Times, 18 April 1912.

Beatrice died intestate and her personal estate of £341.16s.3p was split up between her surviving siblings.

[1] From the ODH House Committee report 16 November 1903 – It was decided to add to the rules that the premium for probationer nurses be £10 to be paid on signing the agreement, that the first 3 months on trial be served without salary and that a portion of the premium be returned if the nurse left the service of the hospital before the term was finished.

[2] Gunbower a rural township in northern Victoria, 124 miles north of Melbourne and 24 miles north-west of Echuca.  

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