Dr Chris Bourke was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly on 2 June 2011. Dr Bourke graduated from Melbourne University in 1982; the first Aborigine to complete a dental degree. He has postgraduate diplomas in public health and clinical dentistry. For 16 years he ran a successful private dental practice in Canberra. He also used his dental skills at the local community level – through pro bono work at the Queanbeyan Public Dental Clinic – and at a national policy level as the President of the Indigenous Dentist’s Association of Australia.
Chris has a 25 year history as an active member of his local community. He was a member of Regional Development Australia (ACT) which advises the ACT and Federal Governments on regional development issues for the ACT; a member of the Campaign for Indigenous Health Equality (Close the Gap); and chairman of the Australian Dental Association (ACT Division). From 1997-2003, Chris was Chairperson of the ACT Indigenous Education Consultative Body and from 1994-1998 Treasurer of the Public Health Association of Australia (ACT). He is a former board member of the Capital Arts Patrons Organisation supporting local Canberra artists.
Chris lives in Aranda with his wife Julie, a textile designer. He has three adult children.