Mac Knowles was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1983 in recognition of his services to the banking industry in Australia.

Mac started with the Rural Bank in Tumut and worked his way up through the organisation, culminating in his role as a General Manager of the State Bank of NSW.

On retiring from banking, he became an investment adviser and established Ethinvest in 1989 with his son, Ross - with a focus on personal portfolio management services.

Mac retired from executive responsibilities at Ethinvest in 2007 but continues to chair the board of directors, and the investment committee.

His interests include gardening, wood-turning and singing in the Ku-ring-gai Male Choir.