Simon McKeon AO

Honours and awards

2011 Australian of the Year.

Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to business and commerce through leadership and advisory roles, and to the community as a supporter of national and international charitable, educational and sporting organisations.

About

Simon McKeon AO is the chancellor of Monash University and record-breaking yachtsman, but it’s his efforts to support multiple Australian and international charities which has earned him great admiration.

While enjoying a successful corporate career, Simon decided he didn’t want to put off serious engagement with the community sector until his most productive years were behind him. So in 1994 he transitioned into a part-time role as executive chairman of Macquarie Group’s Melbourne office, enabling him to support a range of causes and organisations, including joining the board of World Vision Australia.

He is a non-executive director of National Australia Bank and Rio Tinto Group where he also serves as senior director (Australia). Simon previously served as chairman of AMP and CSIRO and was founding president of the federal government’s Australian Takeovers Panel.

Simon has had a long involvement in the not-for-profit sector having chaired a range of organisations including MS Research Australia, Independent Schools Victoria, Summer Housing, In2Science, Business for Development and the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative.