NEWS
HON DR DAVID KEMP AC (’ 59 ) RETIRES AFTER EIGHT SUCCESSFUL YEARS AS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
Chairman ’ s legacy is a school grounded on strong foundations with a keen eye to the future
The Hon Dr David Kemp AC (’ 59 ) has retired as Chairman of the Scotch College Council , after eight highly successful years in the role . He has been succeeded as Chairman by Mr Alex Sloan (’ 71 ).
David was a member of Council from 2004 until his retirement earlier this year . He was appointed as Chairman in 2012 , and he presided over one of the most significant building programs since the School moved from East Melbourne to Hawthorn in the early twentieth century . The many successful projects completed during David ’ s chairmanship include the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science , the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology , the Tolson Centre , the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall and refurbishments to the Lithgow Centre and the Language and Culture Centre , all of which have transformed the School . David was also a member of many School Council committees .
David attended Scotch from 1949-59 , following in the footsteps of two great-
grandfathers , both grandfathers and his father . David ’ s own sons , William (’ 90 ), Andrew (’ 04 ) and Charles (’ 10 ) were also at Scotch , and Charles was School Captain in 2011 .
In his final Scotch year , David was a School Prefect , Co-Editor of The Scotch Collegian and Co-Dux of the School , gaining Exhibitions in Economics and Latin and a General Exhibition .
After graduating with Law and Arts degrees from the University of Melbourne , David attended Yale University as a Fulbright Scholar , where he completed a PhD ( with distinction ) in Political Science .
David was elected as Member for Goldstein in the Parliament of Australia in 1990 , and retired at the 2004 election . He held many ministerial posts , including Minister for Schools , Vocational Education and Training from 1996 to 1997 and Minister for Employment , Education , Training and Youth Affairs from 1997 to 1998 . He has also had many Liberal Party appointments , and he is an Honorary Life Member of the party .
In addition , David has held numerous board positions in a wide variety of fields .
A member of the Melbourne University Council in 2014-15 , David was a Professor at the university from 2005-10 and a Vice- Chancellor ' s Fellow from 2006-10 . At Monash University , he was a Senior Lecturer in Political Science from 1975-79 and a Professor of Politics from 1979-90 . He has published many papers and authored several books .
In the 2017 Australia Day honours , David received a Companion of the Order of Australia ( AC ) award for his eminent service to the Parliament of Australia , notably in the areas of employment , education , training and youth affairs , to the environment , to institutional reform and public policy development , and to the community .
Scotch is most grateful to David for his selfless and dedicated service to his former School , supported by his wife , Anne Marie . We look forward to their continuing involvement and interest in Scotch ’ s future development .
10 Great Scot Issue 162 – April 2021