Michael Kent (businessman)
Michael Kent | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Glamorgan-Spring Bay | |
| 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 – 6 December 2018 | |
| Succeeded by | Keith Pyke |
| Honorary Consul of the Chilean Republic | |
| In office 2001 – 6 December 2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 April 1942 Hobart, Tasmania |
| Died | 6 December 2018 Hobart, Tasmania |
| Political party | Jacqui Lambie Network |
| Spouse |
Judith Anne Kent
(m. 1981; died 2009) |
| Children |
|
| Parent(s) | Cyril Kent (father) Eileen Kent (mother) |
| Occupation | |
| Awards | See § Awards |
Michael John Kent AM, AOTY (1 April 1942–6 December 2018) was an Australian businessman, sports administrator, diplomat and politician, from Hobart, Tasmania. Kent was the Tasmanian recipient of the Australian of the Year in 2004, and also received the Member of the Order of Australia award in 1998.
He was general manager of Purity Supermarkets (later Woolworths) and spearheaded the campaign to legalise seven day trading hours in Tasmania.
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.
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. A large rusty devil sculpture is still located outside the original store in Orford, which is now the location of the Wattlebanks Cafe. The Rusty Devil was operated in collaboration with now-Clarence City independent councillor, Wendy Kennedy.
Kent also published his detailed autobiography, Open Slather, in 2015. Paul Lennon AO, former Premier of Tasmania issued a foreword in Kent's book wherein he described his friendship and conduct with Kent regarding Lennon's role as a unionist and Kent's role as a supermarket executive.