King’s Birthday Honours 2025
MHSOBA warmly congratulates members of the MHS Old Boys community who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for their outstanding contributions across their various fields.
A full list of recipients can be found here, and MSHOBA congratulates all who have been recognised this year.
Companion of the Order of Australia
Justice Mark Samuel Weinberg AC, LL.B., B.A., B.C.L., K.C.
MHS 1962-1965
For eminent service to the law, to the judiciary, to legal education, and as a mentor to juristic practitioners and academics.
Born in Sweden to Polish parents, Mark was active in Drama, both the School Play and for Waterloo, and on the Magazine Committee. Brilliant academically, he won the Special Exhibition for English Literature, a General Exhibition, and Senior and Commonwealth Scholarships. Studying Law and Arts, he became a QC in 1986 and was Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Melbourne 1984-1986 and then Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Canberra, 1988-1991. In 1998 he was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia, before being appointed to the Court of Appeals (Victoria) in July 2008. During which time he was involved with a number of high-profile cases.
Retiring in 2018 (though continuing as an acting judge), Mark was appointed in 2020 as Special Investigator into the alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. In 2017 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly through reforms to criminal law and procedure, to legal education in Victoria, and to the administration of justice in Fiji and Norfolk Island.
Only 15 Old Boys’, including Mark, have been awarded the Companion in the Order of Australia, the highest award.
Member of the Order of Australia
Charles Macek AM, B.Ec., M.Admin.
MHS 1961-1964
For significant service to corporate governance and to the financial services industry.
Charles attended Toorak Central before coming to MHS, where he was active in Drama, performing in HMS Pinafore, and for Yarra House in 1961. An excellent student, he received Matric Honours in British History and Economics, the Economics Speech Night Prize, and a Commonwealth Scholarship, which allowed him to study Economics at Monash University. He would complete a Master’s in Administration in 1974, which provided the launchpad for a brilliant business career, with numerous Directorships including Telstra 2001-2009, Wesfarmers 2001-2014, VicSuper 1997-2000. He has also been involved in several industry organisations, such as The CEO Circle 2011-2023, Business Reporting Leaders Forum since 2011, Williamson Community Leadership Program 2004-2007, and Director of the Richmond Football Club 1994-1999.
Member of the Order of Australia
Professor Alistair George Royse AM, B.S., M.D., F.R.A.C.S., F.C.S.A.N.Z.
MHS 1978-1979
For significant service to medicine as a cardiothoracic surgeon, researcher, educator, and trainer.
Alistair transferred from Strathmore High School to undertake Fifth and Sixth Form at MHS. A noted athlete, he was in the School’s Rugby, Water Polo and Swimming teams.
Studying medicine, he has been a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Royal Melbourne Hospital since 1995; as well as at Epworth and the Western Hospital; was deputy 2012-2019 and Head 2019-2021 of the Melbourne University Department of Surgery; Medical Officer in the Australian Army Reserve for over 40 years; Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons.
Alistair has also been active in medical research and business, including as Co-Head, Cardiovascular Research Lab; Director, eLearning Technologies, Mobile Learning Unit since 2017; Co-Director, Ultrasound Education Group, since 2003 as well as a number of other groups and organisations.
Appointed Professor in 2011 (Associate Professor 2001-2011) he has published over 274 peer reviewed papers. In 2021 he was awarded the Sir Louis Barnett Medal by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Member of the Order of Australia
David John Zerman AM
MHS 1965-1969
For eminent service to the law, to the judiciary, to legal education, and as a mentor to juristic practitioners and academics.
David attended Toorak Central School, he was part of the student newspaper, The Sentinel in 1965, and received Matric Honours in Australian History. Studying at Swinburne, where he was active in student politics (resulting in an ASIO file being created), David was Royal Flying Doctor Service Chief Executive Officer, 1995-2004; Royal Melbourne Hospital Executive Director 2007-2011 and President of the Royal Society of Victoria 2017-2021
He has been active with many community groups; Jewish Community President and Board Member, Pathways Melbourne since 2022; General Manager, STEMM and Community Engagement, Technion Australia 2021-2023; Charitable – Health Board Director, The University Blood Initiative, Chicago, since 2022; Independent Director, Climate and Health Alliance, 2019-2024; Director, Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (Grief Australia), 2013-2015; Founding Director and Secretary, Magnet Galleries Melbourne (social enterprise), 2015-2020; Inaugural Philanthropic Fellow, Manning Clark House, Canberra 2012-2013.
From 2003 to 2021 he was Education Principal, Principal for a Day Program, Australian Council for Educational Research; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of international Studies, Hanoi University, 2010-2013; Sessional Lecturer, Macleay College 2012-2013; Sessional Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, 2012-2013; Sessional Lecturer, RMIT University, 2012-2013.
David was a Director of the Melbourne High School Foundation 2011-2015.
Medal of the Order of Australia
John Alexander Hearsch OAM, B.Com.
MHS 1956-1958
For service to the rail industry.
John was a noted third form debater for Yarra House. John and fellow 4E student Weston Langford were already showing their lifelong interest in railways. In 1958 he was Vice-President of the Railway Club, during which year were excursions to Queenscliff and Fyansford Quarry. John also volunteered on the Puffing Billy line, where he was photographed at Clematis by Weston Lanford.
Joining Victorian Railways, John became Group Manager for Country Passenger Services and then Chief General Manager Transport Operations at Vline. In 1990 he moved to Queensland Rail as Group Manager, Freight. Retiring in 1998, he established his own railway consultancy firm, with which he remains active. Other activities include Co-Founder and President of the Rail Futures Institute since 2013; Rail Member of the Board, CRC for Rail Innovation, 2000-2007. Member, Forward Vision Rail Task Force, Railway Technical Society of Australasia, 2002; Former Board Member, Australasian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport, University of Melbourne; Australian representative to the International Union of Railways, 1998; Member, Bicentennial High Speed Rail committee, Engineers Australia, 1981. Co-Establisher, Australasian Railway Association, 1995; Former Member of the Board, Rail Innovation Pty Ltd; Member of the Board, Trans Adelaide, 2008-2010.
John has returned twice to speak to the modern reincarnation of the MHS Railway Club (now the Railway Interest Group).
Our special thanks to Luke Savage, Honorary School Archivist, for his advice regarding these Honours.