It is with deep sadness that the Administrator, Ms Ruth Jones and the staff of Government House acknowledge the passing of former Administrator the Honourable Keith John Austin Asche AC KC.
His Honour Asche was the 15th Administrator of the Northern Territory, serving the Territory and its people from 1 March 1993 to 16 February 1997. His Honour and Dr Valerie Asche AM were welcomed to Government House by a Royal Guard of Honour, the first occasion on which one had been mounted within the grounds of Government House. Upon assuming office, His Honour maintained a busy commitment to serving the Northern Territory. During his term in office, His Honour served as Patron to over 80 associations and organisations. He participated in more than 3000 engagements, including spending 270 days visiting centres outside of Darwin. His Honour also supported the Territory's friendship with Indonesia, undertaking eight official visits to strengthen ties between the Northern Territory and Indonesia.
His Honour was born in Melbourne and gained his early education at Darwin Primary School. As a child he would climb the hill from his parents' home 'Knight's Folly' on Hughes Avenue up to Government House. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the final years of the Second World War and then began studying law at The University of Melbourne. After first being admitted to the Queensland Bar, His Honour was called to the Victorian Bar in 1954 where he practised for over 20 years. He became a Queen's Counsel (now King's Counsel) in 1972 and, in 1976, His Honour was the first Victorian appointed as a Justice to the newly formed Family Court of Australia. He was then appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1986 and later became Chief Justice of the Court. During this time, he also served as Chairman of the Northern Territory Parole Board.
Highly respected in the academic community, His Honour was Vice-President and then President of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Chancellor of Deakin University and Chancellor of the Northern Territory University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Literature from Deakin and an Honorary Doctor of Law from Northern Territory. As Administrator, he visited many schools throughout the Territory, emphasising his interest in education. His Honour Asche established the Administrator's Medals in 1994 with the creation of the Administrator's Medal for Scholastic Achievement, which have recognised more than 60 young Territorians.
In 1992, His Honour was made a Fellow of the Australian College of Education. He was also an Honorary Colonel in the North West Mobile Force. His Honour 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.
His Honour is preceded by his wife, the prominent microbiologist, Dr Valerie Asche AM.
We thank Austin for his great service to Territorians, to his extensive patronage groups, to defence, education, the law and science. Our deepest condolences to their daughter Wendy, son Harry extended family and all who knew and loved him.
We respect the Asche family's request for privacy at this sad time.
Statement from the Asche Family
"It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful death of The Honourable Austin Asche AC KC on 14 December. Loved by so many, particularly cherished by his children Harry and Wendy, daughter in-law Janette, grandchildren Thomas, Romaan and Zoe, and great grandchildren Austin and Walter."
GPO Box 497, Darwin NT 0801
