100th Birthday

On 29 March 2023, Jim Burrowes was 100 years old.

Jim speaking at his 100th birthday celebration.

A few days prior to that, on 25 March 2023, a gathering of family, friends and comrades from throughout Jim’s life attended a celebration hosted by the President and Welfare Staff on the Deck at the Box Hill RSL, and financed by his son Tom.

John Haward, President Box Hill RSL, along with staff Judy Coates & Faye Clark, & bowler John Harrington.

It was a grand event, which Jim and Beryl thoroughly appreciated. It had been organized by members of their family.

Beryl & Jim.

Prior to the celebration, considerable effort had been made to decorate the venue in various ways.

This included a memorabilia table on which photos were displayed, as well as the replica coconut presented to Jim by US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy as a memento for the Coastwatcher role in rescuing the young Lt. John F. Kennedy in 1943, and cards from a variety of prominent individuals. These included His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla; a card from His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley; and a card from the Prime Minister, the Honourable Anthony Albanese, among other items from notable public figures.

Jim at the memorabilia table.

In addition, there was a slide show of photos prepared by Jim’s daughter Jan.

The MC for the day was Jim’s grandson Stephen, who guided the program.

Jim & grandson Stephen.

During the event, Jim spoke a couple of times, starting with a warm welcome to everyone and particularly noting the presence of Betty Lee and Diane Baillie who had travelled from Queensland. Jim went on to outline some of his life, paying tribute to his Mum, Alice, as well as his wife, Beryl, and explaining something unique about his war service when he spent nine months with the US 7th Fleet’s Amphibious Landing Force. Jim also sang ‘Wooden Heart’. Jim concluded his presentation with a recitation of The Ode, in memory of his brothers, Bob and Tom, who were both killed in WWII. Had he lived, Jim’s twin brother Tom would have recently turned 100 as well.

Jim was also privileged to listen to several speakers, starting with his daughter Cath who gave a wonderful outline of his life but also spoke about what her father had meant to her personally. It was very touching.

Jim’s daughter Cath speaking about her father’s life.

Subsequent speakers focused on aspects of Jim’s life with which they were familiar.

Dr Clive Patrickson spoke about Jim’s long involvement and superb contribution to The Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, and particularly the Victoria Branch, where Clive had served as Chief Executive Officer for some years, during Jim’s long tenure as State Treasurer for which he was awarded the OAM in 1990. Clive was also kind enough to mention some ways in which Jim had mentored him personally.

Dr. Clive Patrickson (right) and Jim, with other great RLSS friends Frances Evans and Norm Farmer.

Dennis Arnel, chairman of the Box Hill Bowls Club, spoke about Jim’s lengthy involvement in the Club and announced that the Club had decided to dedicate a new trophy – The Jim Burrowes Perpetual Trophy Rising Star Award – to be awarded to the young Club member each year who shows the most promise as a player. (See Postscript below.)

Dennis Arnel (left) with his wife Heather and Arthur Merryweather.

The fourth speaker at Jim’s 100th birthday celebration was Dr Betty Lee, the grand niece of founder of the Coastwatchers Commander Eric Feldt. Betty spoke of her appreciation of Jim’s role in continuing to raise awareness of the Coastwatchers and the role they played in winning the war in the South Pacific during World War II, a passion she and Jim shared.

Betty with Jim.

While the speakers represented several substantial areas of Jim’s life – his extended family, close friends, Coastwatching (including Di Baillie, daughter of his best coastwatching mate, Tas), lifesaving and lawn bowls – the gathering also included some friends among fellow residents of the Barrina Gardens Retirement Village, the Box Hill RSL and Whitehorse Day Club, as well as good comrades in the Australian Commando Association.

Jim & Beryl with their family.

Di with Jim.

Jim with ACA friends Glenn MacDonald (left) and Dick Pelling (right) together with Sandy Pelling (being hugged) & Pelling friends Pauline & Robin Lovell from the UK.

Jim with Allan Lomer, Barbara Coward, Lesley & Harold Renton of the Barrina Gardens Retirement Village.

Jim with fellow Whitehorse Day Club members Jocelyn & Phil Kinnear, & John Simpson.

Jim’s grandniece Anna and her father Pat.

Jim’s grandniece Erin with her husband Steve (right) and Jim’s grandson Stephen (centre).

We all enjoyed a lovely morning tea including a Cherry Ripe (Jim’s favourite chocolate), as well as a huge birthday cake, organized by Nadia, the wife of Jim’s grandson Stephen. The cake came complete with 100 candles although we all took that on trust because no-one counted them!

Are there 100 candles?

Fortunately, Stephen, an engineer, had organized a contraption to help Jim blow out all of the candles!

After all the formalities were over, photos were organized and taken to record those in attendance on the day: You can see a photo of Jim’s extended family below.

Jim with his extended family.

Subsequent to the day of celebration, Jim received a card and gift from US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

In addition, on the day of his birthday, the ‘Herald Sun’ published an article ‘Century of Service’ about Jim’s life written by Jen Kelly, a prominent journalist at the Melbourne newspaper. You can read that article here: The Last Coastwatcher: Media.

You can see a selection of photos taken on the day throughout this page. These photos were taken by our official photographer Nadia Wu, Jim’s niece Lesleyanne Hawthorne, grandson Stephen and son Bob, who also wrote the commentary above.

Postscript:

One month after Jim’s birthday, on 29 April 2023 the Box Hill Bowls Club hosted the inaugural Jim Burrowes Perpetual Trophy Day. Out of respect for Jim, the largest number of bowlers in some time attended the Club and heard Jim give a wonderful speech and entertain the crowd with a couple of tunes, in recognition of Pam McCormack becoming the foundational winner of the trophy established in Jim’s name: The Jim Burrowes Perpetual Trophy Rising Star Award.

Over the years, Jim has enjoyed 50 years of lawn bowling in the Melbourne Pennant competition. He also won the Box Hill Bowls Club Singles Championship in 1997. For much of the past 25 years, he has played bowls at the Coolangatta Bowls Club while on holiday. Similarly, for most of the past 33 years Jim has competed in the famous Easter Tournaments at Yarrawonga. These latter events have provided the opportunity to enjoy the companionship of locals while away from home.

Jim holding The Jim Burrowes Perpetual Trophy Rising Star Award