Little did Melbourne know that Doyle's 14 years as the member for Malvern, including four years as opposition leader, was just the first act in a triumphant political career.

In his first lord mayoral campaign in 2008, the former English teacher promised to do many of the things one might expect from a conservative candidate, famously pledging to overturn the ban on cars on Swanston Street.

But Melbourne's longest-serving lord mayor has emerged as sensible decision-maker, more likely to be driven by the sober research of council officers than the outrage of radio talk-back hosts (though the latter seem to like him too).

Under his watch the council has quietly and confidently pushed more vehicles out of the city in favour of public transport, pedestrians, and even the maligned cyclist.

In fact, in recent years the council has been, quite literally, ripping up road and replacing it with grass and trees, while winning climate and environmental awards in the process.

In accepting his latest gong, a Companion of the Order of Australia, Cr Doyle paid tribute to two women in his life, his wife Emma Page Campbell and his late mother Beverley, who raised him as a single parent from age six.

"If I have made any sort of contribution worthy of this award, it is because of the person they help me to be," the 64-year old said.

The award acknowledges the lord mayor's eminent service to the people of Melbourne through local government, but also his contribution to the community as a supporter of youth, social welfare and medical research foundations.

Cr Doyle has spent the past decade as the chairman of Melbourne Health and the Royal Hospital Foundation.

"In all of these roles and jobs I feel I have gained far more than I have given: hence my astonishment at this award," he said.