The life and service of the Honourable Keith John Austin Asche AC KC will be marked by a State Funeral in Darwin today.
His Honour Asche, a great Territorian and a great Australian, was the 15th Administrator of the Northern Territory, serving the Territory and its people from 1 March 1993 to 16 February 1997.
He served in the Royal Australian Air Force, based in Darwin, discharging as a Leading Aircraftman. Following the Second World War, he studied law at the University of Melbourne and entered the legal profession to become a Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1986, and later became Chief Justice of the Court.
The current Administrator of the Northern Territory, His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM, noted in a public statement on his passing, that His Honour was also very proud to be an Honorary Colonel in the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE). Austin Asche was made a Knight of the Most Venerable Order Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in 1993 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1994. He received the Centenary Medal in 2003 and in 2007 became a Freeman of the City of Darwin.
‘We thank Austin for his great service to Territorians, and for his extensive patronage of groups, from defence, education, the law and science,’ Professor Heggie said. ‘Our deepest condolences to Austin and Valerie’s (RIP) daughter Wendy, son Harry, extended family and all who knew and loved him.’
The Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling OAM MP and Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia said that Austin Asche lived a remarkable life of service to the people of the Northern Territory.
‘For some 80 years, Austin was engaged with and supported hundreds of organisations dedicated to developing the Northern Territory and helping our community,’ said Mr Gosling.
‘I, like many others, admired him greatly and will miss him. His life stands as an inspiration to all Territorians and Australians.’
Image: The Honourable Keith John Austin Asche AC KC (left) and Luke Gosling OAM MP, Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia