 Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Burke akaberekerwa muUlverstone, Tasmania. Pashure pokutanga kutamba netball, akachinja kuita basketball, achitambira Tasmania pa 1956 National Championships. Burke akasarudzwa nokuda kweAustralia yevakadzi yebhasikiti yenyika, achimiririra nyika yake katanhatu mumakwikwi enyika dzakawanda. Akanga ari kaputeni wechikwata chenyika panguva yavo ye1963 Asia rwendo, apo vakakunda 14 yemitambo 15 yakatambwa. Pamitambo yeFIBA yepamutemo, Burke akatamba pa1957 World ChampionshipsmuRio de Janeiro, Brazil. 