Ged joins La Trobe from TAFE NSW, where he currently leads operations across five campuses in the Border region, with more than 200 staff and 2000 students. His role works closely with government, industry and community partners across southern New South Wales and north-east Victoria.
In his most recent role as TAFE Services Manager – Border Cluster, Ged has overseen campus operations across Albury, Thurgoona, Corowa, Finley and Deniliquin, with responsibility for workforce leadership, stakeholder engagement, financial management, student conduct and emergency response.
La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said Ged's deep experience in multi-campus leadership and regional innovation aligned strongly with the University's ambitions in the region.
“Our regional campuses are central to La Trobe’s mission and Ged will play a critical role in strengthening access to higher education, building regional capability and deepening our partnerships with community and industry,” Professor Farrell said.
“Ged’s experience leading innovation hubs and industry-engaged programs supports our ambition to deliver education and research that responds directly to regional needs, supporting local workforces, industry growth and long-term opportunity across the Albury-Wodonga region.”
Ged has previously held senior leadership roles at Charles Sturt University, where he reported directly to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and led innovation hubs across seven campuses. He worked closely with industry partners, researchers and community organisations to support entrepreneurship, research translation and place-based innovation.
Ged said he was excited to join La Trobe University at a time of strong regional growth and opportunity.
“La Trobe has a deep and longstanding connection to the Albury-Wodonga community and a clear commitment to delivering education and research that matters to regional Australia,” Ged said.
“I’m looking forward to building on that foundation and working with staff, students and partners on both sides of the border to strengthen the campus’ role as a connected, future-focused university embedded in its region.”
Outgoing Albury-Wodonga Head of Campus Dr Guinever Threlkeld will step down from the role on 8 May.
Professor Farrell thanked Dr Threlkeld for her more than 13 years of leadership at the Albury-Wodonga campus and a decades-long contribution to La Trobe University.
“Guin has done far more than lead a campus, she has championed access to higher education and strengthened La Trobe’s deep connection to the Albury-Wodonga community,” Professor Farrell said.
"Guin’s tenure was marked by the success of initiatives such as the Rural Medical Pathway and Regional Pathways Program, strengthening partnerships and regional workforce outcomes. We wish Guin all the best in her next chapter.”
Ged Bourke will commence as Albury-Wodonga Head of Campus on 20 April.
About Ged Bourke
Ged Bourke is an experienced regional education leader with more than 20 years’ experience spanning higher education, vocational training and technology-enabled enterprise.
Ged currently serves as TAFE Services Manager – Border Cluster at TAFE NSW, leading five campuses across southern NSW. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Charles Sturt University, including Manager of Innovation Hubs where he led university-wide innovation programs across seven campuses and worked closely with industry, entrepreneurs and Indigenous communities.
Ged was a founding member of an Australian technology start-up used by hundreds of businesses across every state in Australia, employing 20 staff. He brings a strong focus on innovation, partnership and regional capability-building.
He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Certificate of Commerce.
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