^{Date Published: 15 Jul 2009 2:15pm}

Kerry Murphy, CFA Chairman today announced that the Board has approved the appointment of Mr Mick Bourke as the new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Bourke will take up his position with CFA in early September.

For the past seven years Mr Bourke has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA Victoria), where he oversaw that Authoritys modernisation and global positioning as a leading environmental regulator, facilitator and protection agency.

Prior to his appointment to EPA Victoria, Mr Bourke had a seventeen year career with the water industry, culminating in his appointment as CEO of Coliban Water in 1993 and then Managing Director of City West Water in 1998.

Mr Bourkes proven capability in leading complex organisations through challenging times makes him an ideal appointment to the position of Chief Executive Officer, working closely with the Chief Officer.  

Following the Black Saturday fires and matters already raised before the Bushfire Royal Commission, significant change will be required leading up to the next fire season.  Mr Bourkes demonstrated high level change management skills and strong stakeholder relationship capabilities will serve the CFA well in this critical time.

Mr Bourke spent his early years growing up in Quambatook and graduated in 1980 from LaTrobe University (Bendigo Campus) with a Bachelor of Business.  

His upbringing in rural Victoria and leadership of organisations with regional structures, have reinforced to Mr Bourke the importance of building close ties with rural communities and understanding first hand, the views of volunteers and staff.

The longer term challenges arising from climate change, urban and regional growth, tree change, population movements across Victoria and the growing scarcity of water, will require all the strategic planning and leadership skills that Mr Bourke has clearly demonstrated over his impressive career.  

He is the right person to lead CFA in this critical and challenging time.


For further enquiries:

Lachlan Quick    
CFA Media Relations manager    
03 5330 3124        
0437 011 944