Former State Governor to lead city education training precinct

Tuesday May 16, 2023

Former South Australian Governor, Rear Admiral the Hon. Kevin Scarce, AC CSC RAN (Rtd), has been appointed as chair for the Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct.

Rear Admiral Scarce will manage the masterplan that oversees the $59m Malinauskas Labor Government investment to bolster education and training for the Limestone Coast.

The Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct will be located at the existing Mount Gambier TAFE site, with future development to include the Mount Gambier Technical College, the Forestry Centre of Excellence, and a redevelopment of the existing TAFE.

The precinct will service future school, TAFE and UniSA students along with other regional training providers, key regional business entities, associations, and the broader community.

The masterplan will provide the scope for future investment decisions that will drive improvement and enhancement of existing facilities and proposed options for the integration of future projects and investments.

“The significance of this precinct for the future of South Australia is paramount, which is why planning for it appropriately, through this masterplan process, will ensure we get it right,” Rear Admiral Scarce said.

“Appropriate pathways for education and training lead into the skills that we need for the state’s economy but will also leverage the unique industries and sectors of the Limestone Coast.

“I’m excited to be working on such an important project, not just for regional South Australia, but for the future of the state more broadly.”

Rear Admiral Scarce is equipped with a wealth of experience and he is highly regarded, evident with his appointments as a Member of the Order of Australia, an Officer of the Order of Australia, and Commander of the Order of Australia (AC).

Rear Admiral Scarce joined the Royal Australian Navy College in 1968 and continued his career with the Navy after graduating, serving in the Vietnam War, and subsequently joined the staff of the Australian Embassy’s Naval AttacheĢ in Washington D.C.

He rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and ultimately chief executive of the South Australian Government Defence Unit.

Rear Admiral Scarce was the 34th Governor of South Australia from 2007 to 2014 and was appointed the 16th Chancellor of the University of Adelaide in 2014.

Education, Training and Skills Minister Blair Boyer said the calibre and experience of Rear Admiral Scarce will bring a high quality strategic and impartial management approach to the independent chair role, delivering on the region’s future skills, social and economic needs.

“The appointment of Rear Admiral Scarce is a coup for this significant education and training precinct in the southeast that will provide the blueprint for the future growth of the region’s education services,” Minister Boyer said.

“Not only that, but it will also strengthen the ties between education and training providers and industry to ensure a collaborative approach that will ensure the community sees the most benefit.”

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven emphasised the significance of the Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct being established in the region.

“The Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct is not only significant for education and training delivery in the Limestone Coast but is also a very important part of the delivery of the Malinauskas Labor Government’s $15m investment towards the Forestry Centre of Excellence at Mount Gambier,” Minister Scriven said.

“This will see the Green Triangle region become an international leader in forest research, education, product and market development.

“The development of the Master Plan for this site aims to deliver a high-level understanding of how collaboration can occur across the precinct to deliver a skills and innovation hub providing a high-quality education and training experience.”

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell was delighted Rear Admiral Scarce had been appointed to the role.

“The Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct is not only significant for education, but for the region more broadly – and something I have been advocating to ensure the future of our industries,” Mr Bell said.

“The $59m dollar investment is one of the largest investments in education and training in our region of any government in living memory.

“I am excited and pleased that Rear Admiral Scarce has agreed to take on the role as independent chair for the master planning process and watch the vision for the precinct further develop and unfold.”

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