Christine Nixon APM

Christine Nixon was Australia’s first female police commissioner in the male-dominated field of policing. She was Assistant Commissioner of the NSW Police from 1994 until 2001, when she was appointed the 19th Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, a position she held from 2001 to 2009. She led 14,000 staff operating across more than 500 locations and oversaw an annual budget of $1.7 billion

As a young woman with a policeman father, Christine Nixon had little doubt she’d follow in her father’s footsteps. In October 1972 Christine walked through the doors of New South Wales Police Academy, one of just six women. Thirty years later she was made Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, a landmark achievement.

Amidst death threats and sexist taunts Christine championed anti-corruption within her own ranks, weeding out the bad cops and going to war with the Melbourne underworld and winning.

Christine has had, and continues to have, an extraordinary life. She has pursued and been given many opportunities. She has experienced the best and worst of human behaviour. Along the way she has gained extensive experience in policing, organisational reform, risk management, crisis management, corruption prevention, emergency management and human resource management. She has been highly praised and highly criticised but never ignored.

In February 2009 Christine was appointed chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority following the Black Saturday bushfires and tasked with the oversight and coordination of the largest recovery and rebuilding program Victoria has ever faced.

Under Christine’s leadership, the Authority worked with communities, businesses, charities, local councils and other government departments to help people rebuild their lives and communities. In August 2010 Christine moved into a role as the Victorian Government’s Advisor on Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery, a voluntary role. She continues to support communities, to work with the bereaved community, and remains a member of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund panel.

Now Christine is sought after for her expertise as a business adviser, mentor, lecturer and public speaker. A highly skilled communicator, Christine is well qualified to speak on a wide variety of topics to a wide range of audiences. Her presentations focus on women in business, succeeding in a male dominated profession, and how to build both leadership and teamwork skills.

Her audiences have included Leadership Victoria, Hong Kong Government, European Union, New Zealand and Pacific Island nations and numerous businesses including major banking institutions, retailers, not for profit organisations and major consulting organisations.

Christine is also an advocate for women, disadvantaged youth and multifaith/multicultural communities and has spoken extensively on major social and justice issues. Her strong views on women in the workplace and her steadfast focus on making a difference to poverty,

More about Christine Nixon:

In 2011, her memoir Fair Cop, co-written with Jo Chandler, was published. Fair Cop reflects on the journey of a woman deep into a man’s world, describing the experiences that shaped her commitment to a model of policing as a community service, committed to caring for society’s most vulnerable and candidly shares the public and private stories of Christine Nixon on a journey that encounters tragedy, corruption, ambition and humility.

Since 2011, Christine has been Chair of Good Shepherd Microfinance, which assists people who are financially excluded with access to low interest and no interest loans.

She has been Chair of Monash College Pty Ltd. since 2012 and, in 2013, she was appointed Deputy Chancellor at Monash University.

Christine has appeared on television many times over the years including on Australian Story, One on One, Q&A and Compass.

Christine teaches on leadership, regulation, women in leadership achieving and flourishing, corruption prevention and communications with the Australian and New Zealand School of Government.

She is also a Fellow in various organisations, including the Australian Institute of Police Management, the Australian Institute of Management, and the Institute of Public Administration Australia, and she serves as Patron, member or advisor to a number of organisations including the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Onside Victoria, Operation Newstart Victoria and The Phoenix Club Inc.

Christine firmly believes in the adage that “to whom much is given, much is expected”. Her life and unique experiences reflects this adage and makes her one of the most fascinating, inspiring and memorable speakers around.

Christine Nixon talks about:

• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Women in Business
• Resilience
• Succeeding in a man’s world