New VRQA Board Chair

The VRQA is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Yehudi Blacher PSM as the new Chair of its Board.

Dr Yehudi Blacher has over 30 years’ experience in a variety of Victorian Government departments. His work involved major system and program reforms, including reforms to child and family services.

Dr Blacher was Secretary of the former Department for Victorian Communities and Department of Planning and Community Development. Prior to that, he held senior executive roles, including Deputy Secretary (Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Human Services) and Director of the Victorian Office of Local Government.

Dr Blacher is an Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Fellow and has previously served on a wide range of boards and committees, including:

• Deputy Chancellor, Monash University Council

• Chair and Deputy Chair, VicTrak

• Chair, former Victorian Taxi Commission

• Chair, Port of Hastings Development Authority

• Deputy President of IPAA

Dr Blacher served as Municipal Monitor for Yarra City Council in 2021–22 and the City of Whittlesea in 2019–20. He is a member of Victoria’s Local Government Arbiter Panel.

In 2012, Dr Blacher received the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service in the instigation, promotion and implementation of innovative reforms in public administration. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Monash University in 2022 and was also a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne 2012–22.

Recently, Dr Blacher led the State Government’s independent review of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)(opens in a new window).

Dr Blacher commenced as the new Chair of our Board on 3 June 2026. Please join us in welcoming him to the VRQA.