Ken Badenoch
25/09/1941 - 7/06/2022
81years
Obituary
Ken was born in Adelaide and educated at Prince Alfred College and Adelaide University, completing an economics degree in 1963. His working life started at Grace Bros. as company secretary and accountant. In 1969 he joined the Trade Commissioner Service and served in Europe over the next few years. He returned to Australia to take up the position of State Manager of Austrade in Victoria and later headed the Victorian government’s Asian Export and Investment initiative. In 1999 Ken became the Victorian manager of the Australian Tourism Board and later had appointments as CEO with the Chiropractors Registration Board and the Dental Practice Board.
Ken Badenoch was inducted into Melbourne Rotary on the 23rd September 1998 with the classification of Industry Associations – Farmers Federation. Ken immediately joined the Welfare of the Young Committee and served as its chairman from 2001 to 2004 during which time he introduced the Peter Mackay Bequest to the committee. At that time, the President encouraged members to go out and seek sustainable funding for Club projects. Ken did just that with an application to the Peter Mackay Bequest which has, since 2005, provided more than $330,000. Ken’s initiative has had momentous and ongoing benefits for disadvantaged youth in Victoria.
Ken was an active member of the Balwyn Group, but in recent years not so active that he attended every meeting. The Balwyn Group membership is spread over a large geographical area and Ken very happily resided in South Yarra. In later years his rule of thumb was never to cross Warragul Road!
Ken was a member of the club for over 20 years and his service was extensive. He was Director responsible for Youth Service, an active member of the Public Issues Committee and the International Committee. The Welfare of the Young committee instigated the Youth Hub project in 1997/1998 in conjunction with the Melbourne City Council and the State Government. In 1999 Ken was appointed full-time co-ordinator to run the Youth Hub program which was held at the Exhibition Centre in April 2000. The Youth Hub was designed to support young people and make them aware of health, education and employment opportunities available to them. Ken was Assistant Secretary and Minute Secretary to the Board for 2001/2002 and was Honorary Secretary for 2008/2009. In January this year, Ken was joined by his daughter Rebecca on the occasion of his Paul Harris Fellow presentation. It was a joyous event.
For Ken, service was important as his impeccable record shows, but just as important was friendship and fellowship and he’ll be remembered as a bon vivant of the club. A most engaging man who will be sadly missed.
In recognition of this, and his extensive service of more than 20 years, Ken was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Award, and the creation a scholarship award in his name for disadvantaged students to commence in 2023.
Children Adam, Sarah, Rebecca, Alexandra, Joshua.
