11 Facts About Don Burke

Donald William Burke was born on 16 July 1947 and is an Australian television presenter, television producer, author and horticulturist.

Don Burke is best known as the longtime host of Burke's Backyard, a lifestyle program produced by his wife's company CTC Productions, which ran for 17 years from 1987 to late 2004 on the Nine Network.

Don Burke was responsible for the creation of garden makeover program Backyard Blitz, starring former colleague Jamie Durie.

Don Burke is a professional horticulturist and former board member of Landcare Australia and has been active in a number of other public roles.

Don Burke spent 20 years working on his own home and garden.

Don Burke has been an outspoken critic of numerous environmental advocacy groups.

From July 2005 to late 2008, Don Burke was the Chair of the climate-change-denying Australian Environment Foundation.

Don Burke was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January 2010 for service to conservation and the environment through advisory roles, to the horticultural industry, and to the media as a television presenter.

Don Burke appeared on A Current Affair in July 2015, with his wife Marea, discussing her health battles including arteriovenous malformation and breast cancer.

Don Burke claimed to have self-diagnosed Asperger's syndrome and, in a media interview following revelations about his alleged misconduct, said that these "genetic failings" were to blame for some of his conduct.

Don Burke lost the case on the grounds that Justice David Mossop did not find Burke's denial in the interview was credible, so viewers would not conclude that she was a liar or part of a witch hunt, and thus was not defamed.