Christopher was passionate about giving, and growing generosity. He said “ The biggest gift that my mother and father gave me was my values and my education.
It’s those things that enable me to live my life as a life that I can feel comfortable about. It’s not money, it is values.” His values addressed injustice, and he is remembered fondly as being a proper person – with a revolutionary heart.
Christopher was born in 1957 to Tony and Barbara Baker in Brisbane, Queensland. The family lived on a quarter-acre block in Wavell Heights. Christopher had an older brother Richard and a younger sister Andrea. His parents were both volunteers, and he reflected later in life that “that’s how you contribute to community, that’s just what you do, not something you make a big noise about, not something you pat yourself on the back over, just what you do as a member of your community”
After a Catholic education, he studied at Griffiths University in its first year. Seeking to escape conservative Queensland, he hitchhiked to Melbourne in the early 1980s and studied a Diploma of education at La Trobe University. Education was something important to Christopher, and later in life he would study an MBA at Durham University, UK and complete a PhD at Swinburne University.
After graduating from La Trobe, Christopher sat the Public Service exam, working in a clerical role at the Government Aircraft Factories at Fisherman’s Bend where he met his future partner Kerri Hall. His professional life focussed on training and human resources. Returning to Melbourne after his MBA, he worked in senior HR roles at Yarra Water and ANZ, before starting an academic career at Swinburne University.
Christopher and Kerri bought a house in Rose St Brunswick in 1985. He was dedicated to supporting local community groups, and was a member of CERES, the Sardinian Social Club, La Mama Theatre, and many others. He served as a director of The Salvation Army Employment Plus, including three years as Chair. In 2013, he joined the board of the Inner North Community Foundation, and again served as Chair from 2018 until his death in 2020.
Family was deeply important, and Christopher’s family remembers his passion for the Carton Football Club, and his great satisfaction when the women’s competition was introduced. He loved travel, especially in nature. He is remembered for his sense of wit and humour, and was a man who loved receiving and giving flowers.
Christopher was passionate about giving, and growing generosity. He said “ The biggest gift that my mother and father gave me was my values and my education. It’s those things that enable me to live my life as a life that I can feel comfortable about. It’s not money, it is values.” His values addressed injustice, and he is remembered fondly as being a proper person – with a revolutionary heart.
Contributor – Ben Rodgers