He was a Liberal Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1970 to 1985, representing the electorate of Polwarth.
He worked on his family's property at Pimpinio after leaving school, but joined the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.
He trained in Canada and England, attaining the rank of flying officer, and served in India and South East Asia.
[1][2] Burgin was heavily involved in both his local community and the pastoral industry prior to entering politics.
In his industry, he was a delegate for the Australian Wool and Meat Producers Federation from 1966 to 1970, chairman of the Australian Prime Lamb Industry Panel until 1970, and chairman of the Victorian Prime Lamb Committee.