The Old Paradians’ Association would like to heartily congratulate Mr John Vincent Mackey (Class of 1950) on being designated a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division in the King’s Birthday Honours in June this year, in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service to the Law and the Community.

John comes from a distinguished Parade College lineage. He is a third-generation Paradian and father of fourth-generation Paradians, Paul (1983), Simon (1985) and Adam Mackey (1986).

The investiture ceremony for John’s Order of Australia Honour was held at Government House in early September. John was presented with his Honour by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC. John’s guests included his partner Sandra, his younger brother Peter, his son Simon, and family friend Paul Street (1983). John’s daughter Denise was unable to attend as were his sons Paul and Adam.

John was a student at the old ‘Bluestone Pile’ in Victoria Parade, matriculating in 1950. John attended the University of Melbourne and graduated with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Law in 1954. John completed his Articles of Clerkship with Thomas Cleary & Hunt, Solicitors, in Collins Street, and was admitted to practice as a Legal Practitioner on 1 March 1956.

John was a highly regarded and distinguished partner of the well-known Greensborough law firm of Ryan, Mackey & McClelland, Barristers & Solicitors, in Main Street Greensborough. He was a giant of the Diamond Valley legal profession, providing a lifetime of outstanding and tireless legal service for 54 years (1957-2011) before retiring at age 78. When John retired, he had acted for three or four generations from the one family. There are not too many lawyers who can say that!

John made an outstanding lifelong contribution to the law and the community of the Diamond Valley, performing tireless legal service of the utmost integrity.

John always generously offered his time, skill and experience to serve in many leadership positions in the Victorian legal profession:

• in 1977, John served as President of the Northern Suburbs Law Association
• in 1979, John was elected as the first Suburban Representative of the Northern Suburbs on the Law Institute Council where he served for two years (1979-1981). During two years on Council, he served on the Ethics Committee, Conveyancing Committee and the Non-Litigious Costs Committee
• in 1980, John was appointed to the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal for a term of five years (1980-1985)
• in 1980, the Law Institute of Victoria appointed John a Senior Counsellor to members of the Legal Profession.

In 2005, John was presented with a Certificate of Service by the President of the Law Institute of Victoria, in recognition of outstanding service to the Law Institute and the Legal Profession.

John served for many years in senior management roles administering health care services in the Diamond Valley community, where his legal expertise, leadership and wise counsel was invaluable:

• in 1987, John was appointed by the Victorian Governor in Council to the Board of Management of the former Preston & Northcote Community Hospital (PANCH); he served on this board for 10 years (1987-1997), including serving a term as President (1992)
• John was a Member of the Committee of Management of Bundoora Extended Care Centre for 11 years (1985-1996), including two years as Chairman (1993-1994)
• in 1996, John was also appointed a Member of the Ethics & Research Committee of the Bundoora Extended Care Centre
• in 1997, John was appointed to the Committee of the North-Eastern Health Care Network of the Northern Hospital where he served for three years (1997-1999).

John was a Charter (i.e., founding) Member of the Rotary Club of Greensborough (1968) and served as President in 1973-1974. In 1987, John was made a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.

John made a significant contribution to the Old Paradians’ Football Club, firstly as a player and then as a Committee Member for 20 years, including two years as President (1970-71). John’s Presidency in 1971 was particularly memorable as the Old Paradians won the B Grade VAFA premiership with a triumphant victory over North Old Boys. John has been a life member of the Old Paradians’ Football Club since 1976.

John also provided decades of voluntary legal service to the Rosanna Golf Club. He joined the club in 1958 and was Honorary Solicitor for over 40 years. In 1999, John was awarded life membership.

At the investiture ceremony John humbly reflected that he was “very appreciative of the Honour as it serves to recognise the important role that suburban solicitors play in the community.”

John’s OAM follows on from the same Honour given to retired Rosanna solicitor and fellow Old Paradian, Barrie Williams, in last year’s King’s Birthday Honours. The Old Paradians recognise and give thanks to both John and Barrie for their lifetime of service to the legal profession and the local community.

Article submitted by Paul Street (1983)