Yehudi Blacher

Yehudi is a public sector specialist with broad experience in human services, land use-planning regional development, higher education and the not-for-profit sectors.

Project experience

• Established and lead the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development (originally called Department for Victorian Communities) for 9 years
• Developed and implemented reforms to the child and family services system in Victoria
• Oversaw the reform of local government in Victoria
• Introduced whole‑of‑government reforms in the provision of Indigenous services in Victoria
• Introduced major reforms to the provision of grants to community organisations  
• Oversaw implementation of Victorian Government's contribution to 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Education / accreditation / board membership

• B.A. (Hons)  Monash University
• M.A, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
• Fellow Institute of Public Administration (Victoria)
• National Vice-President Institute of Public Administration Australia
• Professorial Fellow, Melbourne University
• Chair, Port of Hastings Development Authority
• Member, Monash University Council
• Member, Centre for Social Impact Advisory Board
• Regional Secretary, Asia-Pacific, World Association of Major Metropolises 2007-11
• Board member, Jewish Care  2002-2005
• Member, national Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse 1997-99.

Past employment

Yehudi has thirty years’ experience in a range of Departments in the Victorian Public Service including:

• Secretary, Department of Planning and Community Development (formerly the Department for Victorian Communities) 2002-2011
• Deputy Secretary Department of Premier and Cabinet 2000-2002
• Director, Child and Family Services, Department of Human Services. 1996-99
• Director, Office of Local Government, Victoria 1991-1996.

Interests

Yehudi is a voracious consumer of books, a mediocre bike rider who tries hard, a reasonable cook, and an aspiring gardener.