She was the youngest of three children of Francis Henry Burke, tailor's presser, and his wife Frances Veronica, née Brown, a former tailoress.

[1][2][3] A small inheritance on the early death of her mother enabled Burke to leave her nursing vocation and follow her passion for art.

[4] Her design career started while she was still a student when she showed Pierre Fornari, fashion director of Georges, a prestigious department store in Melbourne, some of her designs..He had expressed his dissatisfaction with the 'lack of fashion textiles produced in Australia with an Australian character'.

It was originally created for author Joan Lindsay, and an example of this design can be viewed in the e-gallery below in the collection of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

In 1949, Burke felt the need to be "refreshed" and headed for a three month research tour of the United States.

[10] Burke, along with fellow artist Margaret Preston, promoted the development and acceptance of Australian themed designs.

Burke was a leader and promoter of objects and fabrics that represented mid-century modern design in Australia.

Works included fabrics by Burke, paintings by Margaret Preston[11] and textile art by Olive Ashworth.

[12] Burke received many important commissions including: 1970:   Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to art and design 1987:  Honorary Doctorate, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in recognition of her seminal and continuing influence on Australian design.

[13][14] The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences also holds a collection of Burke's mid-century modern textiles which includes many designs that draw on the inspiration of Australian nature.