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Bourke
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".. if you know Bourke, you know Australia" - Australian Poet Henry Lawson
Bourke Multipurpose Service - a great place to work
Bourke Multipurpose Service (MPS) is a modern hospital with a wide range of services including 35 inpatient beds, emergency department, ambulatory care, aged care residential ward, X-ray and pathology departments as well as extensive outpatient services including, dialysis unit, mental health and child and family services.
Bourke MPS is co-located with a Community Health Centre which delivers a number of services including Aboriginal Health, Primary Health Care services, Aged Care services, Diabetes Program and Community Midwifery Service.
There are a number of visiting services including a GP every fortnight, 24 hr VMO on call and VMO specialists visiting monthly ie: Ophthalmologist, Dermatologist, Psychiatrist.
Current vacancies - apply now
Bourke - a great place to live
Bourke is a beautiful historic town set on the banks of the Darling River –one of Australia’s most important rivers. The Bourke Shire (local government area) has an area of approximately 43,000 square kilometres and is home to around 3000 people, with the Shire’s prosperity built around the pastoral, irrigation, tourism and service industries which are strongly supported by a wide range of attractions and activities.
Bourke is considered to represent the western edge of the settled agricultural districts and the gateway to the Outback. This is reflected in a traditional east coast Australian expression "back o' Bourke", referring to the Outback. One of Australia’s most famous poets Henry Lawson wrote "if you know Bourke, you know Australia"
Historically, the town was a vital link for agriculture in the west and larger cities to the east. Traditionally a wool growing area, Bourke was once the biggest wool railhead in the world. The Shire’s main agricultural products now include cotton, cattle production, wild goat, wool and sheep meat. A thriving horticultural industry produces an abundance of grapes, citrus, plums, apricots and melon as well as a variety of vegetable crops. A new small livestock abattoir in the area is providing employment opportunities.
Climate
Bourke’s climate is hot semi-arid with mild amount of rainfall throughout the year. Summer top temperatures average at 34 degrees C and winter 20 degrees C.
Community
The community of Bourke is welcoming and warm, and our hospital staff are considered to be very special. Bourke locals spend their leisure time in sporting pursuits (soccer, rugby, netball, cricket, swimming and golf are available) camping in the remote bush, bushwalking, canoeing, birdwatching and fishing. There is always something to do and people to make new friends.
The Bourke shire is rich in Indigenous cultural history. Traditionally country of the Ngemba/Ngempa people, Bourke is now home to around 24 different recognised Indigenous language groups. Many of Bourke’s Indigenous peoples are Wangkumara people from the Tibooburra region, but also include those from the Murawarri, Barkindji/ Gurnuand Yandruwandha Nations to name a few.
Bourke’s historic town centre has two supermarkets, along with a local banking facility, post office and delivery services. There is a thriving retail sector including white goods, hardware, gift shops and clothing outlets. There are also services supporting the construction industry including steel fabrication, steel yard, concreting, electricians, plumbers and builders.
The tourism sector is well-supported with modern accommodation, caravan parks, cafes and restaurants including an RSL Club.
Hear from others who live and work in Bourke
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Find out more about Bourke
Once a major 19th-century river port and trading post, today Bourke is a historic outback town on the banks of the Darling River, famed for welcoming travellers. Take some time to relax here and discover heritage landmarks and Indigenous culture, as well as thrilling outdoor adventure in the nearby national parks.
For schools, childcare, places of worship and a wide range of services visit: Bourke Community Directory
Partner Employment
There are plenty of opportunities for employment in the Bourke region. Tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of Bourke commerce, and there are opportunities in hospitality, customer service, waitressing, cooking, tourist guides and operators.
Professional opportunities include teachers, nurses, business and retail management, agronomy, National Parks guides and rangers, a paddle boat captain, electricity linemen and team leaders, police officers and Government staff .
Semi-skilled positions include farm workers, tractor divers, mine workers, and seasonal fruit picking.
Remuneration packages are often very competitive and may include extra benefits.
The Bourke Shire is a progressive local Government organisation committed to improving the lifestyles and communities in Bourke. Bourke Shire's forward thinking and innovative approach to making Bourke a great place to live can be found on their website and also in the following community plans
Bourke Community Strategic Plan
Bourke Community Engagement Plan
Contact Us
Contact Western NSW LHD Recruitment
Express your interest in working in Western NSW.
Getting here and getting away
It takes about nine hours to drive to Bourke from Sydney and eight hours from Canberra. You can fly on the daily flight to Cobar from Sydney and it is then a two-hour drive. There is a daily rail service to Dubbo then coach service to Bourke.