Murray Bourchier (diplomat)

Murray Bourchier AO
Born Murray Goulburn Madden Bourchier
(1925-03-08)8 March 1925
St Kilda, Victoria
Died 3 July 1981(1981-07-03) (aged 56)
Deakin, Australian Capital Territory
Nationality Australian
Alma mater University of Melbourne (LLB)
Occupation Public servant, diplomat
Spouse(s) Charlotte Ray Francis (m. 195181)
Parent(s) Murray Bourchier

Murray Goulburn Madden Bourchier AO (28 March 1925  3 July 1981) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.[1]

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

  1. 1 2 3 Woodard, Garry (2007), "Bourchier, Murray Goulburn Madden (1925–1981)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 13 February 2016
  2. 1 2 "Obituary: Mr Murray Bourchier, former Ambassador to Moscow". The Canberra Times. ACT. 5 July 1981. p. 3.
  3. "Envoy to Korea named". The Canberra Times. ACT. 10 August 1971. p. 7.
  4. CA 6952: Australian Embassy, Republic of Korea [Seoul], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 11 January 2016
  5. "Russia bugged Australian embassy". The Canberra Times. 1 January 2009. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011.
  6. "Two new Canberra knights created, 44 other people honoured". The canberra Times. ACT. 13 June 1981. p. 10.
Diplomatic posts
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
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