Former General Manager of the Darwin Correctional Centre, Kevin Raby, is the Northern Territory recipient of the Governor-General’s Australian Corrections Medal for 2019.  

The Australian Corrections Medal recognises distinguished service of an operational member of an Australian state or territory civilian correctional service for adults.

Mr Raby retired last year following a career that began in 1983 when he joined the South Australian Correctional Services as a prison officer at the Yatala Labour Prison. He went onto become General Manager at the Cardwell and then Port Augusta Correctional Centres.

Mr Raby came to the Northern Territory in 2006 to take up the role of Superintendent at the old Darwin Correctional Centre in Berrimah.

NT Correctional Services Acting Commissioner Rob Steer says he had the pleasure of working closely with Mr Raby over many years.

‘Kevin proved himself an exceptional leader, mentor and boss during his time in the Territory,’ Mr Steer says.

‘Kevin leaves some enduring legacies including the important work he did to forge closer relations with Aboriginal communities and Elders, particularly in the Arnhem Land and Barkly regions.

‘These consultations resulted in the establishment of the Datjala Work Camp in the township of Nhulunbuy along with the creation of local community consultative committees at Nhulunbuy and Tennant Creek to provide forums for local interests and concerns in the operations of the work camps.

‘Kevin was also a champion of the Sentenced to a Job Program, and a tireless advocate of the power of rehabilitation programs to turn lives around for the better and was instrumental in the further development of the Complex Behaviour Unit at the Darwin Correctional Centre. 

‘He will also be remembered as a campaigner for change to the way we manage women in custody, and he’s been a long-time board member and advocate for the rights of victims of crime’.

Media contact: Christine Bond, 8985 8601, 0447 767 101