TWO local personalities made the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours list last Monday, CFA Wildfire Instructor Anthony (Tony) Scicluna and Marcus Stewart, a Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation.
Australian Fire Service Medal
CAREER CFA: Tony Scicluna was awarded the ASFM medal in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List.
Mr Scicluna’s career in fire services spans more than four decades across volunteer and career roles which have led to him earning an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM).
That career began as one of the founding members of Clonbinane Fire Brigade in the early 1980s. At that time, there was no brigade in the local area, only a community fire truck belonging to the Wandong Fire Brigade.
Mr Scicluna advocated with local residents for a new brigade, one which continues to serve the region today.
Over the years, Mr Scicluna has played a pivotal role in the creation of several major CFA training programs, including CFA’s initial core firefighter training module, the General Firefighter program, the Chainsaw and Tree Hazard programs. He has also taught fire ecology and planned burning at TAFE level, contributed to the development of interagency training packages, all while remaining an active CFA volunteer.
Mr Scicluna is also well known for his signature tree hazard safety message: “look up”, a mantra he developed through years of chainsaw and forest fire training.
Member of the Order of Australia Medal
For First Nation communities, Marcus Stewart has a long history of advancing self-determination, education, and advocacy for indigenous communities around inclusivity.
Mr Stewart is the inaugural co-chair on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (FPAV), alongside Dr Aunty Geraldine Atkinson and each have been recognised on the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.
Mr Stewart has a seat reserved for decision making with the FPAV representing Taungurung Land and Water Council (TLAWC) whose headquarters are in Broadford.
Congratulations from the Review on being recognised as Australian’s who have demonstrated outstanding service or expectations for other Australians.
