By Aneeka Simonis
THE family that built the original racecourse in Pakenham is set to say goodbye to their home which has come to be known as one of the town’s oldest and most historic landmarks.
The home and racing stables built by Michael Bourke and his wife Molly back in 1929 will go to auction on Saturday 12 November.
The heritage-listed properties were built on land passed down from an earlier generation, and straddle the former racecourse, also constructed by the Bourke family.
The junior Michael Bourke, 80, who now lives in Leongatha, grew up in the home with his six siblings David, John, Brien, Hughie, Gavan and Mary, and said it was “very sad” to relinquish family ties to the home.
“When we were kids, we’d light the fire and sit around and listen to the radio. It was beautiful,” he said.
Michael Bourke senior began building the old Pakenham racecourse in 1926, and his passion for racing was upheld by his children.
“At one stage, Gavan was the secretary, Brien was the president, John was the vet and I was the doctor at the Pakenham Racing Club,” Michael recalled.
The house originally had three bedrooms, but was renovated after the war in 1946.
It still has an original fireplace, combustion stove and horse stables.
“The stables at the back used to be used. Dad had two to three horses that he’d train on the track when we were kids,” Michael said.
“The racecourse closed during the war, but it resumed straight after the war ended.”
Gavan lived in the house until he died in March this year.
Michael and Mary are the only two remaining siblings.
The home will go to auction at noon on Saturday 12 November.
