Patrick Bourke OAM– Helping Others Find Their Voice
On 26 January 2026, Freeman Patrick Bourke was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the community through public speaking coaching.
Patrick joined Rostrum in the Australian Capital Territory in 1969 by accident. He had previously gained debating skills after joining the Historical Society while studying at Trinity College Dublin and debating against other universities. Now in Australia, Patrick represented his Apex Club in an inter club debate. The adjudicator, a Rostrum critic, gave him some very severe criticism. Patrick enquired about Rostrum and attended a meeting which he enjoyed so much he joined. Some months later, he met the Rostrum critic who informed Patrick that he had meant the criticism for another debater.
Patrick transferred his membership to South Australia when he re-located in 1974. He has been a tireless servant of Rostrum since joining, filling all management roles at club level, passing on his knowledge as a coach, training coaches and starting new clubs. Some of Patrick’s achievements are listed below:
- Secretary SA/NT Coaches’ Council 1988
- Voice of Youth Coordinator (SA & NT)1989-1992 and 1995-1999
- Elevated to the position of Freeman 1991
- Chairman of SA/NT Coaches Council 1995,2002-2005
- Convenor Rostrum State Conventions 1999 & 2002
- Helped start provisional clubs at University of Adelaide and Mawson Lakes 2003
- President Rostrum SA/NT 2005-2007
- Editor SA/NT Zone monthly newsletter 2005-2007
- Convenor of the SA/NT Speakers Panel 2006-2021
- National President Rostrum 2008-2010.
- Awarded Gold Medal for exceptional service to Rostrum at the National level 2011
- Cofounded clubs at Port Adelaide 2012 and Walkerville 2018
In addition to his administrative service, Patrick is an accomplished speaker winning the ACT Speaker of the Year in 1972, the SA/NT Speaker of the Year in 2010 and the Albert Apponyi Trophy for impromptu speaking in 2015, 2016 and 2019. For 10 years, as a retirement pastime, Patrick and his wife Freeman Maureen Bourke toured the world as guest lecturers on international cruise ships! They had the privilege of telling stories while enjoying a relaxing holiday.
But in addition to this, Patrick’s greatest skill lies in coaching, mentoring and encouraging speakers of all ages. He has been the resident coach for 15 different Rostrum clubs, mostly for periods between one and three years. Of particular note is his leadership in developing the state curriculum for training new Rostrum coaches and Voice of Youth adjudicators. He also ran Coaches’ training workshops in his own home for many years.
Voice of Youth
Over a long period, Patrick helped hundreds of South Australian secondary students from over 50 schools to compete in the annual Rostrum Voice of Youth public speaking competition. This was the aspect of Rostrum that Patrick enjoyed most, He was fortunate to win sponsorship from the Commonwealth Bank, allowing him to fly to places like Port Lincoln and Wudinna where teachers and schools came together, and workshops were given to students and teachers. The latter included instruction on how to run a heat for future years.
Patrick, ably assisted by Maureen, also travelled by car to areas such as Broken Hill. Roxby Downs, Ernabella, the Iron Triangle, the Riverland and the Barossa. In the city he frequently gave workshops to Mary Mackillop College, OLSH, St Peter’s Girls’ School, PAC and Seymour. At Seymour College, in conjunction with teacher Jacqueline Jacobs, Patrick wrote a book which became a compulsory text for several years. Patrick’s positive feedback encouraged even the most timid to continue competitive public speaking. Most importantly, he made sure that students enjoyed their experience, even if they found it initially scary.
Patrick says that Rostrum has been a “wonderful happy hobby for over 55 years” and that he has gained much from Rostrum meetings and hearing the information from interesting speakers, as well as making many good friendships. He has had the pleasure to meet with many “incredible” students, some of whom are still in communication.
With his 90th birthday coming up in March this year Patrick is starting to slow down a little, but still regularly attends meetings at Rostrum Clubs 18 & 35. Congratulations Patrick for all that you have done for Rostrum and public speaking in the wider community and receiving this well-deserved award.
Compiled by Freemen Maureen Bourke, Rod Ellis, Richard Geyer and Heather Layton.