Role of the Office
The Office of the Governor was established under the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic) as an Administrative Office within the portfolio of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The Office provides support to the Governor in all aspects of the Governor’s role as they carry out official duties for the benefit of the Victorian people.
These duties include:
- Constitutional duties
- Ceremonial duties
- Community engagements
- International engagements.
The Office is also in charge of the maintenance of Government House and its collections as a heritage and community asset of national importance.
Structure
The Official Secretary of the Office of the Governor acts as Department Head, managing the Office and its administrative and service staff. All staff report to their respective managers, and through them to the Deputy Official Secretary and Official Secretary.
Official Secretary: Jonathan Burke
Jonathan Burke commenced as Official Secretary in August 2022.
The Official Secretary acts as Department Head, employing the administrative and service staff, and supporting the Governor of Victoria across all aspects of their role.
Jonathan’s experience spans the government, not-for-profit and tertiary education sectors, including working in public affairs for one of the UK’s largest charities and at Monash University for the President and Vice-Chancellor portfolio. His government experience includes several appointments in Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Justice and Community Safety.
He has served four Governors of Victoria, including as an Intern, Aide, Senior Aide, Deputy Official Secretary and latterly, Official Secretary.
Jonathan holds degrees in Arts and Law from Monash University and has an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and the University of Melbourne.
Deputy Official Secretary (Operations): Taara Olorenshaw
Taara Olorenshaw is the Deputy Official Secretary (Operations) to the Governor of Victoria. Taara has extensive budget, strategy, policy and financial management experience gained through various roles at the Department of Treasury and Finance and more recently at Victoria Police.
Deputy Official Secretary (Program): Patrick Rundle
Patrick Rundle is the Deputy Official Secretary (Program) to the Governor of Victoria. Patrick has worked across the creative industries, not-for-profit and government sectors. Prior to joining the Office of the Governor Patrick worked for the Melbourne Theatre Company and Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions.
Aides to the Governor
The Office of the Governor employs three full-time civilian Aides who are responsible for delivering the Governor’s official program.
The Aide's role includes research and writing, attending the Governor at official engagements, managing functions at Government House, and working with communities and organisations to plan events the Governor will attend.
The Aides to the Governor are:
- Justin Sason
- Shelby Rae
- Jessiie Rees Dielenberg
The Governor is also supported at official functions by a number of Honorary Aides representing the Australian Navy, Army, Air Force and Victoria Police Force; and by civilian Honorary Aides.
Teams
The Office is made up of the following teams:
- Program Team - responsible for policy and protocol matters and provides direct support to the Governor, their Spouse and the Official Secretary.
- Corporate Team - responsible for administration, finance and budget, human resources, IT and heritage asset management services.
- Property Team - responsible for the upkeep, security and building maintenance of Government House and other facilities.
- Services Team - responsible for catering, housekeeping, and domestic services.
- Security Team - responsible for managing and coordinating security operations.
Job opportunities
The Office of the Governor advertises vacancies on the Victorian Government Careers website. For more information about working at Government House, visit this page.
More information
To invite the Governor to an event, find Government House or to contact the Governor's office for media enquiries, visit our Contact us webpage.