Murray Bourchier (diplomat)
Murray Goulburn Madden Bourchier AO (28 March 1925 – 3 July 1981) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.[1]
Murray Bourchier AO | |
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Born | Murray Goulburn Madden Bourchier 8 March 1925 |
Died | 3 July 1981 56) | (aged
Nationality | Australian |
Alma mater | University of Melbourne (LLB) |
Occupation | Public servant, diplomat |
Spouse(s) | Charlotte Ray Francis ( m. 1951–1981) |
Parent(s) | Murray Bourchier |
Life and career
Bourchier joined the Commonwealth Public Service in 1951 as a cadet in the Department of External Affairs.[2]
In August 1971 Bourchier's appointment as Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea was announced.[3] He took up his appointment as head of mission in November 1971.[4]
From 1977 to 1980 Bourchier was Australian Ambassador to the Soviet Union.[1] Relationships between the two countries were tense during the period.[5] In 1979 Bourchier was medically evacuated from Moscow to London where he was diagnosed with a cerebral tumour. He stepped down from his post in August 1980.[1]
In June 1981, Bouchier was appointed an Officer in the general division of the Order of Australia in recognition of his services as a diplomatic representative.[6]
Bourchier died at home in Deakin, Canberra on Friday 3 July 1981.[2]
References
- Woodard, Garry (2007), "Bourchier, Murray Goulburn Madden (1925–1981)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 13 February 2016
- "Obituary: Mr Murray Bourchier, former Ambassador to Moscow". The Canberra Times. ACT. 5 July 1981. p. 3.
- "Envoy to Korea named". The Canberra Times. ACT. 10 August 1971. p. 7.
- CA 6952: Australian Embassy, Republic of Korea [Seoul], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 11 January 2016
- "Russia bugged Australian embassy". The Canberra Times. 1 January 2009. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011.
- "Two new Canberra knights created, 44 other people honoured". The canberra Times. ACT. 13 June 1981. p. 10.
Diplomatic posts | ||
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Preceded by Allan Loomes |
Australian Ambassador to South Korea 1971–1975 |
Succeeded by John Roger Holdich |
Preceded by James Plimsoll |
Australian Ambassador to the Soviet Union Australian Ambassador to Mongolia 1977–1980 |
Succeeded by David Evans |