Ken Swincer was proud of his service to his country.OBITUARY
THE establishment of the 4RAR Association Victoria will stand as an enduring legacy of Healesville returned serviceman Ken Swincer.
Mr Swincer, a Vietnam veteran and former president of Healesville RSL, died suddenly on 8 December.
He was just 63 years old and his death came as a shock to his family, friends and colleagues in the RSL and veteran communities.
Mr Swincer served in Vietnam with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
He was instrumental in establishing the Victorian association and in his president’s report at the inaugural general meeting, just six weeks before his death, he spoke proudly of the occasion as a significant and historical day in what he said was a proud and unique history of 4RAR.
His family and his military career were the important things in his life.
Born in South Australia on 26 May 1946, Kingsley Arthur Swincer (Ken) was the fourth of Rodger and Alison Swincer’s eight children.
He enlisted in the army in 1964 and was a medic in the Special Air Service (SAS), quickly advancing to the rank of sergeant.
His tour of duty in Vietnam was from May 1968 to May 1969. At just 22, he held the rank of Staff Sergeant, a tribute to his leadership and maturity.
On his return from Vietnam he was posted to Headquarters Northern Command in Brisbane as a member of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. He married Donna Harley in 1969. Numerous postings followed and while moving around Australia they started their family. Sharon was born in 1970 and Wendy in 1972.
Four deployments to New Guinea occurred from 1972 to 1975 before Mr Swincer was posted back to Healesville in 1976. He and Donna had gone their separate ways, but a return posting to the Army School of Health in Healesville (since closed but located on Albert Road) signalled a new beginning.
He met and married Lieutenant Marie Hinz.
Healesville was now home for the Swincers who raised their family – Stephen, Karen and Daniel – in Healesville, and from 1991 in the bushland setting of their Chum Creek home.
Mr Swincer rose to Warrant Officer Class 2 before his discharge from army life in 1984.
Civilian life saw a move to a successful career in the security industry but health concerns forced early retirement and a renewed focus on family life.
In a moving tribute to their father, Daniel and Sharon spoke of his love of ‘tinkering’, spending hours in the shed and of his passion for his ride-on mower.
Grandchildren were a special pre-occupation.
“Dad loved becoming a grandfather and developed a special connection with his grandchildren, building the requisite array of wooden swords, go-karts and cubby houses,” Sharon said.
He was well-known in the local community and it was not unheard of for him to return from his daily trip into town for the newspaper four hours after setting off.
“He loved a chat and made time for anyone,” Daniel said.
Daniel said his father had a strong sense of justice. He was not one to shy away from taking on all levels of bureaucracy if he believed there was a matter to be righted.
It is not surprising, therefore, that he was called on in 2007 to act as interim president to steer Healesville RSL through a difficult period.
He was elected president in 2008 and friend and former RSL secretary Bob Gannaway said Mr Swincer was instrumental in laying the foundations for an RSL which had become an integral part of the community of Healesville.
“When Ken Swincer gave, he gave his all,” Mr Gannaway said.
“His commitment was total.”
That commitment was most profound in his determination to establish a Victorian association for 4RAR members and their families.
As its first president, Mr Swincer had said there was much to be done. The goals he set will now be carried out by others, but will remain his legacy.
Mr Swincer will be sadly missed by his family, friends and the RSL and veteran communities.
