The Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet advises that a State Funeral for the Honourable Keith John Austin Asche AC KC will take place at 10.30am on Monday, 3 February 2025, at the Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory.
In 1976 His Honour was appointed as a Justice to the newly formed Family Court of Australia. In 1986 he was then appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and in 1987 became Chief Justice of the Court. While Chief Justice, His Honour also served as Chairman of the Northern Territory Parole Board, President of the Northern Territory Division of the Red Cross Society and President of the Northern Territory Branch of the Scout Association.
His Honour was appointed as the 15th Administrator of the Northern Territory and served the Territory and its people in this position from 1993 to 1997. A statement is available on the Government House Northern Territory website.
His Honour was made a Knight of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in 1993 and appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1994 for his service to the law, tertiary education and the community, particularly the people of the Northern Territory. In 2001 His Honour received the Centenary Medal and in 2007 became a Freeman of the City of Darwin.
As a mark of mourning and respect, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Monday, 3 February 2025 in the Northern Territory only from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.
- When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
- If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.
- An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
- Information on flag protocol is available on the Department's website.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Commonwealth Flag Officer