Alex Chernov | |
|---|---|
 Chernov at anAnzac Day ceremony in 2013 | |
| 28th Governor of Victoria | |
| In office 8 April 2011 – 30 June 2015 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Premier | Ted Baillieu Denis Napthine Daniel Andrews |
| Lieutenant | Marilyn Warren |
| Preceded by | David de Kretser |
| Succeeded by | Linda Dessau |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1938-05-12)12 May 1938 (age 86) Vilnius,Lithuania |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Hopkins |
| Education | University of Melbourne |
| Profession | Barrister, judge |
Alex ChernovAC KC (born 12 May 1938)[1] is an Australian lawyer, judge and barrister who served as the 28thGovernor of Victoria, from 2011 to 2015.[2] Chernov also served as Vice-President of theAustralian Bar Association, from 1986 to 1987, President of theLaw Council of Australia, from 1990 to 1991, and the 20th Chancellor ofMelbourne University, from 2009 to 2011.
Chernov was born inWilno,Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania) in 1938 to Russian parents, and migrated with his family toSalzburg, Austria, after theSoviet invasion, where he commenced his schooling. In 1949 his family migrated to Australia and he completed his education atMelbourne High School. He graduated as aBachelor of Commerce and aBachelor of Laws (with Honours) from theUniversity of Melbourne in 1961 and 1968 respectively as a resident ofOrmond College.[3]
Chernov was admitted to practise and signed the Roll of Counsel as a barrister in 1968, practising mostly incommercial law andequity. He was appointedQueen's Counsel in 1980 and later in a majority of other states. He was Chairman of theVictorian Bar (1985–86), Vice-President of theAustralian Bar Association (1986–87) and President of theLaw Council of Australia (1990–91). He was Vice President ofLawAsia (1995–97). Chernov was the co-author withRobert Brooking ofTenancy Law and Practice: Victoria (1972) and the editor of its second edition (1980).
In May 1997 Chernov was appointed to the Trial Division of theSupreme Court of Victoria, and in October 1998 to the Court of Appeal of that Court. He retired from the bench in February 2008.
Chernov was elected the 20thChancellor of theUniversity of Melbourne in January 2009, serving in that office until he resigned to take up the office ofGovernor of Victoria.[3]
On 21 February 2011, it was announced that Chernov would become the 28th Governor of Victoria. He assumed that office on 8 April 2011.[4] On the retirement ofDame Marie Bashir asGovernor of New South Wales on 1 October 2014, Chernov became the longest-serving governor of an Australian state and by custom assumed the additional office ofAdministrator of the Commonwealth, which exercises the powers of theGovernor-General of Australia in the governor-general's absence or disability.[5] Chernov's term of office ended in June 2015; former judgeLinda Dessau was appointed as his replacement.
Chernov is married and has three children.
Chernov was appointed Queen's Counsel in and for the State of Victoria in 1980. He was created anOfficer of the Order of Australia in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours list for service to the law and education.[6]
On 26 January 2012, Chernov was named aCompanion of the Order of Australia.[7]
On 14 May 2014, Chernov was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws byMonash University.[8]
| Academic offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Chancellor of theUniversity of Melbourne 2009–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Victoria 2011–2015 | Succeeded by |
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| AfterFederation | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
