TitleMcCabe Family Home - Madge BurkeObject TypeArtworkDate1990DescriptionOil on canvas painting of McCabe family home, Addison Street, Shellharbour, by Madge Burke.CreatorBurke, MadgeProvenance and SignifcanceMadge Burke (nee Brown) returned to the Illawarrra from Goulburn, with her parents, Harry and Alice, and her siblings, when she was ten years old.
The family first lived at Little Lake before moving to Adelaide Street, Shellharbour. Madge met Jack Burke whilst living in Shellharbour and they were married in 1939 at St Paul's Church of England.
Madge and Jack rented a home in Wilson Street and later moved to a house near the old Catholic Presbytery where they raised their family of five.
Jack Burke later built the family a home in Towns Street and had another son while living there.
Madge was active in the Red Cross, especially during the war years. She met a group of ladies who were interested in painting and joined the group. Madge painted many pictures over the years which depict the early years of Shellharbour; Raftery's Store, Ocean Beach Hotel, the McCabe's house and Allen's Store.
Jack Burke came to Shellharbour from Geelong, when he was four, in 1915. His father Andrew had secured a job in the quarry and the family.
Jack, his brother Barney and his father later operated a carrying business. Jack worked at many jobs over the years. He worked at the bakery, helped build the road from Oak Flats to Dunmore, and the Macquarie Pass road. He also worked for Hore Bros Buses - later JJ Hill.DonorMccabe, Edward
CHARACTERISTICS
MaterialOil on Canvas Wood FrameDimensions43cm x 30cm
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Burke, Madge, McCabe Family Home - Madge Burke (1990). Shellharbour City Council, accessed 24/01/2026, https://discover.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12070