Bourke was born in the Brisbane suburb of Nundah, and was educated at St Patrick's College in Shorncliffe and the University of Queensland.
[1][2] In 1976, Gordon Chalk, the state Liberal leader since 1965, retired from politics mid-term, causing a by-election in his seat of Lockyer.
He had remained an alderman through his time in state politics, and subsequently served as deputy mayor under Clive Berghofer for six years, leaving the council in 1988.
[1][2][4] Bourke returned to local politics in 1997, when he was elected Mayor of Toowoomba, having received a high-profile late endorsement from Berghofer.
He also had a highly publicised falling out with the city's chief executive officer, who subsequently resigned after an extended period on stress leave.