BRACKS, The Hon Dr Stephen
Stephen Phillip Bracks is one of Victoria's longest serving Premiers. Born in Ballarat in 1954 he was educated at St Patrick's College, Ballarat, and the Ballarat College of Advanced Education where he obtained both a Diploma of Business Studies (Accounting) and Graduate Diploma of Education.
After starting as a Secondary Commerce Teacher, Steve Bracks went on to manage a National Community Education centre, the Victorian Printing Industry Training Board, and as State-wide Manager, the Victorian Government's Employment Policy and Program Division.
He was the parliamentary representative on the University of Ballarat Council from 1995 to 1997.
He also acted as a Senior Adviser to two former Victorian Premiers and a Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Communications.
Steve Bracks subsequently entered Parliament as the Member for Williamstown in 1994. After serving as a Shadow Minister in the Employment, Industrial Relations and Treasury portfolios, he became Leader of the State Opposition early in 1999. As Leader of the Opposition he personally drafted and had oversight of the development of a completely new set of policies for the ALP, which was the foundation of their 1999 Election campaign. He went on to win the Election and became Victoria's 44th Premier.
The Hon Steve Bracks became one of Victoria's most successful Premiers winning three consecutive elections and achieving record majorities in the 2002 and 2006 elections.
The Hon Steve Bracks retired as Premier of Victoria on 27 July 2007, after almost eight years as Premier, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Veterans' Affairs.
In recognition of his eminent public service to the State of Victoria generally, and to the Ballarat and district communities in particular, the University of Ballarat honoured The Hon Stephen Phillip Bracks with the degree of Doctor of the University (Honoris Causa) in 2007.