Joshua Bourlet, Wayne Dawe and David Bonnette. Josh took part in rally driving after the passing of his father Greg, who loved the sport.
The Binalong community lost one of its young sons on Monday morning in a single vehicle accident on the Lachlan Valley Way. Joshua Bourlet, 23, was driving a white ute when it was struck by a piece of equipment which had fallen off the vehicle in front of his vehicle. The accident occured shortly after 8:15am on Monday morning, April 16th near Lang’s Creek. Mr Bourlet died at the scene. Emergency services were called to the accident, after which a 34-year-old female passenger of the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a 28-year-old man from Bankstown, was taken to Boorowa Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing. He has since been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death/drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death). He is due to appear in Yass Local Court on Thursday, May 12th 2016. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Josh had recently finished his apprenticeship at Corkhill’s Engineering in Boorowa, and was just starting his own engineering firm in Binalong. Binalong Brahman President and Coach Ben Spencer said “It is still sinking in, we are shocked. Josh was such a bubbly young fella, much like his late father Greg. They even had the same laugh. He had a heart of gold. We have lost his father Greg and now him.” Josh began training with the Binalong Brahmans this year and came to the game of Rugby League later in his life. Ben said “He played all of the trials and the first round and played on the wing and in the Second Row.
Approximately 80 Binalong Brahman players, supporteres and community members attended Tuesday night’s training session which commenced with Spencer talking to his players and making sure that everyone was aware of the facts of the tragedy. The Brahmans will be holding a memorial day next Saturday April 30 to remember Josh. A minutes silence will be held and players will be wearing black arm bands Binalong Brahman, Dylan Arabin perhaps captured the sentiments of the team, and indeed all of those in Binalong when he wrote, “RIP Joshua Bourlet forever in our hearts and will never be forgotten. You will be missed by many and there will be a missing piece to the Binalong Town. You will always be a Brahman Brother.”
