Kevin Scarce
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Kevin John Scarce, AC
, CSC
, RANR
(born 4 May 1952) is a retired officer of the Royal Australian Navy
and the Governor of South Australia
. He succeeded Marjorie Jackson-Nelson
as Governor on 8 August 2007. He is also the Chief Scout of South Australia.
As Governor of South Australia he serves as the patron of many organisations including Foundation Daw Park, fundraising arm of the Repatriation General Hospital, the Victoriana Society of South Australia and the Royal Automobile Association
.
on the troop transport HMAS Sydney.
In 1975, he married Elizabeth Anne Taylor while posted at HMAS Watson
. They have two adult children, Kasha (born in 1978) and Kingsley (born in 1980). Kasha works as a social worker in Sydney and Kingsley serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy
.
. Scarce also served as the commander of HMAS Cerberus
between 1995 and 1997.
As head of the South Australian government's
Defence Unit, he was responsible for South Australia's winning bid for a A$
6 billion defence contract to build three air warfare destroyers for the Australian Defence Force
.
. When appointed he was the youngest South Australian-born Governor and the first Royal Australian Navy
officer appointed to the position.
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Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, CSC
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
, RANR
Royal Australian Naval Reserve
The Royal Australian Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Australian Navy in Australia.The current Royal Australian Naval Reserve was formed in June 1973 by merging the former RANR and the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve....
(born 4 May 1952) is a retired officer of the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
and the Governor of South Australia
Governors of South Australia
The Governor of South Australia is the representative in the Australian state of South Australia of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. The Governor performs the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the Governor-General of Australia at the national level.In...
. He succeeded Marjorie Jackson-Nelson
Marjorie Jackson
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE is a former Governor of South Australia and a former Australian athlete...
as Governor on 8 August 2007. He is also the Chief Scout of South Australia.
As Governor of South Australia he serves as the patron of many organisations including Foundation Daw Park, fundraising arm of the Repatriation General Hospital, the Victoriana Society of South Australia and the Royal Automobile Association
Royal Automobile Association
The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia, also known simply as RAA, is a South Australian automobile club providing a range of member services including: 24-hour emergency breakdown, vehicle inspection, motoring advocacy, road safety, legal services, technical advice, travel services,...
.
Early and personal life
Born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1952, Scarce spent his early childhood in Woomera and attended Elizabeth East Primary School and Elizabeth High School. Joining the navy in 1968, Scarce served during the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
on the troop transport HMAS Sydney.
In 1975, he married Elizabeth Anne Taylor while posted at HMAS Watson
HMAS Watson
HMAS Watson is a Royal Australian Navy base located on Sydney Harbour at South Head, near Watsons Bay, New South Wales. Commissioned in 1945 , the base served as the RAN's radar training school...
. They have two adult children, Kasha (born in 1978) and Kingsley (born in 1980). Kasha works as a social worker in Sydney and Kingsley serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
.
Military procurement career
After the war, Scarce's naval career specialised in military logistics and procurement, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral and head of Maritime Systems at the Defence Materiel OrganisationDefence Materiel Organisation
The Defence Materiel Organisation is the Australian Government agency responsible for the acquisition, through-life support and disposal of equipment for the Australian Defence Force...
. Scarce also served as the commander of HMAS Cerberus
HMAS Cerberus, Victoria
HMAS Cerberus is the Royal Australian Navy's primary training establishment, located adjacent to Crib Point on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is also an official bounded locality of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula...
between 1995 and 1997.
As head of the South Australian government's
Government of South Australia
The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
Defence Unit, he was responsible for South Australia's winning bid for a A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
6 billion defence contract to build three air warfare destroyers for the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
.
Service as Governor
On 3 May 2007, it was announced that Rear Admiral Scarce would become Governor of South Australia – the Queen's representative in the state, although after his appointment he broke the tenets of viceregal impartiality by publicly stating that he is an avowed supporter of an Australian republicRepublicanism in Australia
Republicanism in Australia is a movement to change Australia's status as a constitutional monarchy to a republican form of government. Such sentiments have been expressed in Australia from before federation onward to the present...
. When appointed he was the youngest South Australian-born Governor and the first Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
officer appointed to the position.
Honours
- 26 January 1994: Conspicuous Service CrossConspicuous Service Cross (Australia)The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
- 11 June 2001: Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy as Commander Training Command – Navy, and as Support Commander – Navy. - 26 January 2004: Officer of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for distinguished service in logistics management and acquisition as the Head, Maritime Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation. - 9 August 2007: Knight of Grace in the Venerable Order of Saint JohnVenerable Order of Saint JohnThe Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
, awarded by His Excellency the Governor-General of AustraliaGovernor-General of AustraliaThe Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
. - 26 January 2008: Companion of the Order of Australia for contributions to Australia's defence industry through the provision of leadership and strategic advice on the development of naval capabilities, to maritime transport management, and to the people of South Australia.
| Companion of the Order of Australia (General Division) (AC) | (2008) | |
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| Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division) (AO) | (2004) | |
| Member of the Order of Australia (Military Division) (AM) | (2001) | |
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Conspicuous Service Cross Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... (CSC) |
(1994) |
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Knight of the Order of St John Venerable Order of Saint John The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and... (KStJ) |
(2007) |
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Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 | |
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Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal was issued to recognise the service of Australian support personnel during the Vietnam War.-Qualification requirements:The qualifying criteria for the medal include:... |
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Defence Force Service Medal Defence Force Service Medal The Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force... with 4 clasps |
35 years service |
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Australian Defence Medal Australian Defence Medal The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service... |