Festival of Gwen
Old Grammarian Gwen Bourchier (1941) celebrated an extraordinary milestone on 27 March 2026, marking her 100th birthday surrounded by generations of family and friends at the Lutheran Community Centre, Sunnyside, Horsham.
The occasion brought loved ones from across Australia back to the Wimmera to honour a woman whose life has been shaped by hard work, resilience, community spirit and an enduring kindness towards others. More than 108 family members attended the celebration, alongside 50 friends, reflecting the remarkable legacy Gwen and her late husband, Harry, have built together.
That legacy is impressive with nine children, 33 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren, with the wider Bourchier family now numbering 128 descendants and partners.
Born in St Arnaud and raised on a farm at Wallaloo East, Gwen has witnessed a century of extraordinary change.
Life on the family farm revolved around sheep, cattle and cropping, with much of the work completed by horse power.
"My parents had a mixed farm, sheep, cattle and cropping and, of course, it was all done with horses in those days," she said.
"I wonder where the 100 years have gone, and there have been so many vast changes," she reflected.
Her childhood was one of simplicity and hard work. Gwen remembers attending the local state school, where students wrote on slates framed with wooden borders. "We had this old-fashioned slate, it was a piece of slate with a wooden border around it, and that was what we used to write on," she recalled.
After eight years at the local school, Gwen left Wallaloo East to attend Ballarat Grammar's formally, Queen's C.E.G.G.S., where she boarded for three years and completed a business course.
"Then I came back home. I'd been away for long enough," she said.
"I think perhaps my parents were a little bit disappointed that I didn't take a position or a job in the bank or something or other, but it wasn't for me. I was a farm girl, and I've been a farm girl ever since."
The Second World War also left a lasting impression on her. Gwen served as secretary of the local Red Cross branch, helping make pyjamas, knit socks and raise funds for Australian servicemen. At 21, Gwen married Harry Bourchier, beginning a lifelong partnership built around farming and family. Together they farmed near Maryborough before moving to the Goroke district, where they raised their nine children and expanded their agricultural enterprise.
"That was a very big move, going out there, going from owning about 5,000 acres to more than 17,000 acres," she said.
The couple enjoyed travelling throughout Australia, often combining holidays with cattle purchases from Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Following Harry's passing in 2009, Gwen returned to the Wimmera to be closer to family.
Until recently, Gwen lived independently, moving into assisted living only after deteriorating eyesight made daily tasks more challenging. While she can no longer enjoy writing messages, playing games or keeping up with Scrabble on her laptop, she continues to stay connected with family online and remains keenly interested in community, farming and family news.
Those who know Gwen speak of her remarkable memory, her genuine interest in others and her unwavering positivity. When asked what message she would like to leave for future generations on her 100th birthday, her answer was simple and heartfelt:
"Just be kind, as it would be lovely if the world could be at peace."
It is fitting advice from a woman who has spent a century demonstrating exactly that.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
