The Melbourne Cricket Club would like to congratulate the 25 members who were acknowledged in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
Among those recognised were the MCC’s first and second female Committee members, Jane Nathan and Karen Wood.
Jane Nathan was the first female appointed to the Committee in 2004 and steadfastly championed women’s participation in Club life throughout her tenure.
As former mayor of Hawthorn, Jane’s local government experience was highly valued within the Committee. Her community-mindedness and passion for inclusion led her to become a driving force behind the establishment of the Women of the MCC Special Interest Group as well as their Founding Chair. Jane was also instrumental in the establishment of the Women’s Cricket Section and Netball Section.
In addition to her contributions to sport and community, Jane was recognised for her work across numerous foundations and committees including the Mullagh-Wills Foundation, The Woodards Foundation and Cricket Victoria Board.
Karen Wood joined the MCC Committee in 2009 before being elected to Vice President in 2016, a position she held until her retirement from the Committee in 2021.
Karen’s business acumen extends across the resources and mining sector, with a background in legal and governance bringing valued expertise to the MCC Committee.
Together with Jane, Karen was a strong advocate for the creation of a women’s cricket section within the Club, paving the way for teams that have experienced success including twice taking a clean-sweep of the competition across all Victorian Premier Cricket grades.
An additional 23 members were recognised for the contributions to community, sport, public service, education, animal welfare, health, charitable services and more.
Member of the Order of Australia
Michelle Jane CampbellCharles Macek
Maria Catherine McCarthy
Jane Laidley Nathan
Warren Royal Payne
Graeme Bruce Prior
Gregory Werner Ridder
David Anderson Scott
David Ernest Shilbury
Karen Joy Wood
Medal of the Order of Australia
David Scott BlackhallStephen Nicholas Bolsin
John Gerard Dowling
Jennifer Olivia Hunt
David James Iser
John Vincent Mackey
Simon Alan Marks
Peter Marshall
Jason Neil Reid
Barry Julius Solomon
Officer of the Order of Australia
Christopher David TudorConspicuous Service Medal
Nathan Thomas RobinsonJulian James West
Public Service Medal
Natalie CutriVito Mazzone