Family and friends will celebrate the life of Lorna Bourchier (nee Dunstan) at a service in Numurkah on Friday, March 26.
Although born in Ballarat in 1925, the eldest child of (John) Jack and Alice Dunstan, Lorna married into the Bourchier family and settled in Strathmerton, where she devoted her time to charitable and community causes.
Lorna attended Pleasant Street State School, and later Ballarat High School, before becoming a typist for the State Electricity Commission. On Sundays she taught Sunday School to the youngest church group.
In 1948 she went with a girlfriend from her work to stay at a guesthouse near the sea at Cowes, Phillip Island. Here she met Edward (Ed) Bourchier from Strathmerton.
Over the next few years Ed made many trips to Ballarat to visit Lorna. Ed often joked he wore out a car travelling to Ballarat.
Ed and Lorna were married in 1950 and had four children – Judith, Yvonne, John and Ian.
Lorna settled at Woodland Park with Ed’s family, and so life on the land on a sheep and wheat farm had begun. Lorna did not expect assistance when catering for workmen and shearer’s meals as it was one of tasks expected of a farmer’s wife.
Lorna became actively involved in the community and country life. Her mother-in-law joined her up with the CWA and took her along to the Methodist Church Guild meetings.
Lorna took on the position of secretary of the CWA for six years and was later awarded with a 60 year membership acknowledgement.
Lorna followed in her mother-in–law’s footsteps and joined the Strathmerton Golf Club, where she was secretary for two years and president for two years. She is also a life member.
It is easy to understand the loyalty and conviction that Lorna has shown to all local Strathmerton organisations; another role was as a member of the Strathmerton Hall Committee.
At home Lorna excelled in cooking and sewing. A highlight of any visitor’s stay at Woodland Park was a culinary delight with a never-ending array of meat recipes and delicious puddings.
Her trademark huge pavlova recipes were sought-after by her grandchildren when catering for Australia Day breakfasts whilst overseas at an American college.
With her young family growing up, Lorna designed and hand-made a range of special outfits for herself and her children. Social occasions on the local calendar saw a new outfit in the making – in particular, the Numurkah Show, dancing concerts and Sunday School anniversaries. She also hand-made beautiful outfits, often in crepe paper, for Strathmerton’s annual fancy dress balls, held in the late 50s and early 60s.
Locally, Lorna was part of a support mother’s group that raised funds in the 1950s for a newly established Guiding Movement.
As well as tireless voluntary work in her local community, Lorna also extended her talents through Red Cross and was a shining light in a wide range of roles, locally and regionally.
Lorna was awarded a Service Medal for her achievements in 1996.
From 1986 to 2009 Lorna presented Red Cross history and information to students at Numurkah Primary School and was made an Honorary Life Member of the organisation in April 2016.
As a keen member of the 4th Light Horse Memorial Association, Lorna attended the 90th Anniversary Commemoration of the Australian Light Horse visiting Israel in 2008. She was the niece-in-law of Brigadier Sir Murray Bourchier who led the charge at Beersheba and post war served as the State Member for Goulburn Valley including as deputy premier.
Lorna believed the Battle of Beersheba victory was the turning point in World War I.
Lorna’s dedication and life of service to her local community is exceptional and is reflected in her many roles. She is remembered as an inspirational community leader.