Dr Yehudi Blacher
Yehudi Blacher is the elder of two children born to refugees from Europe who arrived in Australia just prior to the Second World War. He was the first in his family to go to University; attending Monash University from 1969 to 1975 with some breaks for work and overseas travel.
He received a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) with first class honours in 1975 and was a tutor in Monash’s Politics Department in 1976.
In 1977 he and his wife decided to spend the year travelling overland to Europe. What was intended to be a one year absence lasted four years during which time Mr Blacher undertook postgraduate studies at the Hebrew University Jerusalem and Oxford University. In 1987 he received a British Commonwealth and Foreign Office scholarship to study at the London School of Economics.
On returning to Australia in 1979, Mr Blacher joined the Victorian Public Service (VPS) and remained a public servant for over 30 years. During that period, he worked for seven Victorian governments of both political persuasions. He worked directly to three Premiers and with over 20 Ministers, occupying Secretary and Deputy Secretary level roles in numerous Departments for over 20 years of his time in the VPS.
Since leaving Government in 2011 Mr Blacher was appointed to a number of government board and statutory positions including Chair of the Port of Hastings Development Authority (2012- 2016), Deputy Chair Victrak Pty Ltd 2012-2017), Chair Victorian Taxi Authority , (2016-2018), Interim Administrator for the City of Greater Geelong and State Government Monitor for the City of Whittlesea and Yarra City Council.
In 2013 he was National Deputy President of Institute of Public Administration Australia (I.P.A.A)
Mr Blacher was a member of the Council of Monash University from 2008 to 2019 including six years as Deputy Chancellor from 2013. One of the most enjoyable experiences during his time as Deputy Chancellor was officiating at graduation ceremonies, mostly in Melbourne but also at Monash’s campuses in Malaysia, China and India. Many of the graduates particularly at the offshore campuses were, like him, also the first in the family to attend university.
Mr Blacher has been an honorary Professorial Fellow at Melbourne University since 2012. He also delivers professional development programs for the Australian New Zealand School of Government.
Mr Blacher was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2013 Australia Day Honours List and was made a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia in 2014.
Mr Blacher and his wife Mish have been married for 46 years. They have two children, Liat and Simon, daughter-in-law Marni and grandson Arlo.