Ms. Gillian BirdDavid Ritchie

Mr Ritchie joined the then Department of Foreign Affairs in 1975.Overseas he has served as Third Secretary in Bonn (1975-1978), First Secretary in Berlin (1981-1983), First Secretary in Nairobi (1986-1988), Acting High Commissioner in Lusaka (August - September 1988) and Ambassador in Jakarta (November 2002 - November 2005).

In Canberra, Mr Ritchie has worked in the South Asia, PNG and South Pacific Section (1978-1981), Commodities and Commercial Relations Section (1983-1984), Head, Ministerial and Cabinet Liaison Section (1984-1985), Executive Assistant to the Secretary (1985-1986), Central and Southern Africa Section (1986), Director, New Zealand Section (1988-1992).

From September 1992 to August 1997, Mr Ritchie worked in the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in the Asia Pacific Section (1992-1993), Foreign Affairs Branch (1993-1995), APEC, Trade and Multilateral Branch (1995-1997).He acted as the First Assistant Secretary, International Division from April 1996 to February 1997.

On return to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Ritchie was First Assistant Secretary, South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division (1997-1999).

From December 1999 to February 2001 Mr Ritchie was Senior Adviser (International Relations) to the Prime Minister.

On return to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in February 2001, Mr Ritchie was the First Assistant Secretary, International Organisations and Legal Division.Mr Ritchie was promoted to Deputy Secretary on 2 July 2001.

Mr Ritchie took up duty in Jakarta in November 2002 and presented credentials to then President Megawati in February 2003.

On return to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in January 2006, Mr Ritchie took up duty as Deputy Secretary.

Educated at the University of Queensland, Mr Ritchie has a BA (Hons).He is married with two children.