Michael Kent (businessman)
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Michael Kent | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council | |
| In office 28 October 2014 – 30 October 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Bertrand Cadart |
| Succeeded by | Debbie Wisby |
| Councillor of Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council | |
| In office 28 October 2014 – 30 October 2018 | |
| Succeeded by | Keith Pyke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 April 1942 Hobart, Tasmania |
| Died | 6 December 2018 |
| Political party | Jacqui Lambie Network |
| Spouse | Judith Anne Kent |
| Children | Chris, Julie, Martin, Matthew, Natasha, Robert, Yolande, Zoe |
| Parents |
|
| Occupation | |
| Awards | Member of the Order of Australia (1998) Australian of the Year (2004) |
Michael John Kent AM, AOTY (1 April 1942–6 December 2018[1]) was an Australian businessman, sports administrator and politician, from Hobart, Tasmania.
He was general manager of Purity Supermarkets (later Woolworths) and spearheaded the campaign to legalise seven day trading hours in Tasmania.[2]
He was chairman of the Tasmanian Football League, and in 1994 led the first serious bid for a Tasmanian team in the Australian Football League.[3]
He owned various businesses throughout his life, however his latest ventures were The Gateway Cafe in Orford, Tasmania, and the Rusty Devil, a clothing and interiors business with stores formerly in Orford and Triabunna.[4] A large rusty devil sculpture is still located outside the original store in Orford, which is now the location of the Wattlebanks Cafe.
Kent also published his detailed autobiography, Open Slather, in 2015.
Political career[edit]
Councillor & Mayoral positions[edit]
He was Mayor of the Glamorgan–Spring Bay Council from 2014 to 2018, being the first to win the position without any prior councillorship.[5] Kent contested the 2018 council election, and as councillor he instantly received the quota to be elected on first preferences.[6]
2018 State Election run[edit]
In 2018, he run in the 2018 Tasmanian state election for the Jacqui Lambie Network in the division of Lyons. He was unsuccessful, gaining about 2,000 votes, which was slightly more than the Greens candidate for the electorate.[1]
Honours and Awards[edit]
Member of the Order of Australia[edit]
In 1998 at the Queen's Birthday Honours Ceremony in Tasmania, Kent received the honour of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his "service to the community through support for charitable organisations and sporting bodies, and to business and retail industry associations."[7]
Australian of the Year[edit]
In 2004, Kent received the Australian of the Year award as the Tasmanian recipient for "contributing significantly to Tasmanian business, economy, community, charity and sport." as well as for his directorship of the following organisations: Tasmania Together, RSPCA, Variety Club, the National Heritage Foundation, Tasplan Superannuation Fund (now SpiritSuper), Labour Union Co-operative Retirement Fund, Calvary Health Care, St Mary's Cathedral Restoration Committee and Hobart Aquatic Centre. They described Kent as "a mentor, leader and achiever who has given unconditionally to the betterment and success of the community."[8]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "KENT, Michael John OAM". Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Michael Kent, Tasmanian business identity and former Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor, dies". ABC News. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Tasmanian AFL team now a reality after deal signed with league boss Gillon McLachlan". ABC News. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Rusty Devil". Kennedy Creative. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Michael Kent elected Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor". The Mercury. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Local government election reports - Tasmanian Electoral Commission". www.tec.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ honours.pmc.gov.au https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/871034. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Michael Kent | Australian of the Year". australianoftheyear.org.au. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
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