Class of 1966

Christopher John Back was born in 1950 in Perth and commenced his studies at Aquinas College in 1962.

From there, he successfully embarked on a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1971.

His first posting as a veterinary surgeon was with the Department of Agriculture WA, where he was posted to Merredin, followed by Moora. He then moved to Melbourne and joined a private practice specialising in equine medicine.

On his return to WA, Chris commenced a long career in education at Curtin University (Muresk Institute) from 1975 to 1988. During this period he spent time at the University of California, Davis working in the Department of Equine Reproduction. On his return to the Muresk Institute, Chris developed Australia’s first tertiary course in Equine Management. Graduates were in keen demand both in Australia and overseas.

In 2012, Chris was awarded the Kendall Prize by the Australian Veterinary Association for his service to the profession.

In a change of career direction, Chris was appointed the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Rottnest Island Authority where he served for seven years, in the mid 1990s. His next professional position was CEO of the Bushfires Board of WA. He introduced the use of water-bombing aircraft and radically upgraded the equipment used by the Volunteer Brigades. He also received the Prime Minister’s Gold Award for Technological Achievement which recognised the development of the use of satellites in tracking wildfires in remote locations.

Chris’ next role was in Tasmania where he became the Managing Director of the wholesale and retail businesses of the Shell company in that state. This served as his introduction to the oil and gas industries where he worked in Australia, South East Asia, India and the Middle East, servicing oil majors and military clients.

Chris’ final career change was in 2009 when he was appointed to the Australian Senate where he served until 2017. During his service in the Senate, Chris was Deputy Whip of

the Senate, Chair of the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Temporary Chair of Committees, and an active member of committees such as Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, Environment and Communications, and Economics.

Other issues he was involved in whilst in the Senate included gambling reform, the National Capital and Territories, migration, the Parliamentary Library, and Australian treaties.