Helicopter pilot Captain David Burke (at BGS for the last two years of his schooling, 1977–1978) was hailed as a hero of the Black Hawk Tragedy near Townsville on the night of Wednesday 12 June 1996 — the accident that claimed 18 lives and injured 10 others (members of the 5th Aviation Regiment and SAS personnel). Captain Burke was widely credited with saving the lives of nine soldiers by landing his helicopter on its wheels despite it having lost its tail rotor and two engines. "David's handling of the media so soon after the accident and loss of so many mates was nothing short of magnificent." (The facts were subject to a Military Enquiry.) At the Annual Reunion Dinner of 13 August, Alex Evans (54) made special mention of "the outstanding bravery he showed in tragic circumstances."
David represented Australia in two sports — Rugby and Sailing. He played in the Australian U21 rugby side, having played A-Grade for Queensland University alongside Wallabies and fellow Grammar Old Boys Bill Ross, Andy McIntyre, Cameron Lillicrap, Greg Martin and David Nucifora; as a 19-year-old he packed down against Wallabies Chris "Buddha" Handy and Tony D'Arcy for Brothers Rugby Club. He sailed in the Staminade 18-Footer crew and represented Australia at the World Titles in New Zealand and Australia.
David completed a B.Sc. (UQ), postgraduate studies and a Diploma of Education, was a BGS Boarding House Master, and built a successful rugby-coaching record: he coached the Queensland University U18 1st XV to an undisputed premiership in 1982, and in 1983 was assistant coach (with Dr Chilla Wilson (44) and Ashley Girle) of the University's victorious Colts. He played over 100 games for the University (almost 50 in A-Grade). In 1986/87 he taught Biology and PE at St Edmund's, Ipswich, where his advocacy for rugby union saw the school field nine rugby-union teams by 1996. He married Lynda, "the one and only girlfriend he ever had," whom he met at 15. The tribute also honours David's brother Andrew Burke, "best remembered for the quality and integrity of his leadership of Grammar Rowing… a giant shadow over the Grammar boatshed in his five years in the Club."
Source: Old School Ties 1996 Vol 2 No 1. Read the full edition