Dr Chris Bourke grew up in country Victoria where his father was a schoolteacher.  Dr Bourke graduated from Melbourne University in 1982; the first Aborigine to complete a dental degree.  For 16 years he ran a successful private dental practice in Canberra. 

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).  On 2 June 2011 Chris was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly as Member for Ginninderra.  He was sworn in on 21 June 2011 and is the ACT’s first Indigenous MLA.