Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle ‘astonished’ by elite award and pays tribute to family

MELBOURNE Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is “astonished” by his Queen’s Birthday elite honour and said it would not have been possible without his wife and late mother.

FAMILY ties matter for Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. The city’s longest-serving mayor said his AC honour would not have been possible without his family, especially his late mother Beverley and his wife Emma.

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“If I have made any sort of contribution worthy of this award, it is because of the person they help me to be,’’ he said.

“I feel humbled and deeply honoured and even astonished by this award in the Order of Australia.’’

Then Prime Minister John Howard and Robert Doyle at Liberal headquarters in 2002.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle with wife Emma Page Campbell. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

First elected lord mayor in 2008, Cr Doyle was recognised for his service to the people of the city through local government as well as his cultural, medical research, charity and health pursuits.

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Cr Doyle, 64, began his working days a house master and teacher at Geelong College, Lauriston Girls’ School and Scotch College before entering public life when elected as Liberal state MP for Malvern.

He served in Parliament for 14 years, the last four as Opposition leader.

Liberal MP Robert Doyle in his electorate of Malvern in 2002.

Cr Doyle has been chairman of Melbourne Health since 2007 and president of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation for nine years.

“As chair of Melbourne Health, I have seen inspirational examples of care, research and learning: from volunteer guides to our wonderful nurses and remarkable clinicians and surgeons.

“I have been most fortunate over my various careers to work with talented, committed people on interesting projects: in education, state politics, the private and government sectors and at Town Hall,’’ he said.

Cr Doyle last week attended the Chicago Forum on Global Cities.

@IanRoyall