Michael O'Rourke was born in 1951 at Gunnedah in north-central New South Wales, and grew up on the family farm near Tambar Springs. After schooling locally and at Armidale, he studied philosophy, politics and literature at the University of Sydney.

His career with the Australian Public Service—in Canberra, Sydney and the Bush—began in 1974. Among many and varying assignments, he served as Keeper of the Great Seal of Australia in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He retired in 2011.

Michael took sabbaticals to teach English (ESL) in Southeast Asia, and for postgraduate studies at UNSW and the University of Cambridge.