Bourke humbled by New Year award

RACHAEL MURPHY rachael.murphy@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007

Former South Taranaki Mayor Mary Bourke, at her Hawera home, says she accepted her Queen's Service Honour out of respect for the people who nominated her.

Former South Taranaki mayor Mary Bourke is "hugely humbled" at being awarded the Queen's Service Order - but feels it's wrong to suggest it recognises only her individual efforts.


"I've accepted the award out of respect for those who have nominated me ... being chosen to accept this award is an affirmation of all those people I've worked with over the years - because nobody is an island," she said. "Sometimes it's tempting to try to be, but it certainly doesn't get the best results.

"I've been pretty fortunate to work with some excellent teams and individuals in my time."

Miss Bourke's 15 years as mayor was a record for a woman before she stood down before the last local body elections in October.

She has since kept herself busy with a few local government contracts, involving the parts of local government that she truly enjoys.

"Making sure meetings are productive, that people stay focused and that local government is recognised as a fulfilling and useful practice rather than the entity that people love to hate - which traditionally it has been."

She has also been keeping up with her work as a marriage celebrant, with which she has commitments until March.

She has been a celebrant since 2000 and officiates at about 10 weddings each year.

But mostly she is focusing on "taking the time to do some breathing and smell the roses and consider my options".

Miss Bourke is still heavily involved in the Bishop's Action Foundation in Taranaki, is South Taranaki Medical Trust chairperson, and is on the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council.

She has done a lot of work facilitating and chairing working parties for issues related to local government, such as rates reviews and ICT (information computer technology).