FORMER local resident and Galen Catholic College graduate Dan Andrews has been recognised through the 2024 King's Birthday honours for his service as Victorian Premier.

Mr Andrews was named a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division of the honours list, "for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure development".

He served as the state's 48th Premier from 2014 to 2023, and was at the helm during Victoria's strict COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Prior to assuming the role of Premier, Mr Andrews was Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2014, Minister for Health from 2007 to 2010, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Gaming and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs from 2006-'07, and Parliamentary Secretary for Health from 2002-'06.

He was the Member for Mulgrave from 2002 to 2023.

Mr Andrews was leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party from 2010-'23, assistant state secretary in the early 2000s, and has been a member of the party since 1993.

He moved to Melbourne to attend Monash University after completing his secondary studies at Galen in 1990.

Shortly after being appointed Victorian Labor leader in 2010, Mr Andrews visited his old school, and recalled that Galen was not just a place of learning, "it was really a community".

"The teachers… educated and taught and inspired you to seek the next answer," he said.

“That’s where real learning comes from.”