The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund is pleased to announce that Country Fire Authority (CFA) chair Kerry Murphy has been appointed to the Fund's advisory panel, replacing Pat McNamara who has now taken on the role of chair following the stepping down of former chair John Landy.

Mr Murphy has been Chairman of the CFA since April 2007 and been a member of the Board since 2006. He is also a member of the Rural Finance Board and on the Board Committees for Remuneration and Appointments and Industrial Relations.

Mr Murphy is a former joint Executive Director of Business Victoria, a retired Chief Executive of Regional Development and a former Chairman of Albury Wodonga (Victoria) Development Corporation. In 2002, he was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service to business in regional Victoria and an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).

Mr Murphy's expertise and experiences will be a valuable asset to the Panel as it moves forward with community rebuilding.