Former FIDIC president Tony Barry has received an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for significant services to civil engineering in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2025.
Australian governor-general Sam Mostyn announced the recipients of the honours and awards which recognise the remarkable impact and contributions of Australian citizens. Tony Barry has had an outstanding career in the engineering sector and was a FIDIC board member from 2015-2023, serving as president from 2021-2023. Barry held many senior roles at the global engineering consultancy Aurecon Group from 1985 onwards including managing director, Asia (2012-2016), chief business development officer (2010-2012), chief executive Asia Pacific (2009-2010) and chief operating officer (2007-2009).
He was also president of the FIDIC member association Consult Australia from 2004-2006 and has served on many business, industry and professional boards during a distinguished 40-year-plus career in the engineering, construction and infrastructure sector. He was also listed three times by Engineers Australia among the 100 most influential engineers in the country.
Speaking to FIDIC about his honour, Tony Barry said that there were so many people to thank in FIDIC, Consult Australia and Aurecon. “It is a great honour for me to become a Member of the Order of Australia (AM),” he said. “I join FIDIC past presidents Peter Miller and Dick Kell in receiving an AM, which is very special. I really appreciate the recognition for my 40-plus years of serving the profession in so many voluntary capacities. I have been extraordinarily lucky to have had so many great people to mentor and support me over those years as well as so many wonderful colleagues to work with whose contributions are also reflected in this award,” Barry said.
Commenting on those engineers receiving recognition in the honours list, Engineers Australia national president and board chair Dr Raj Aseervatham said engineering projects had a lasting developmental impact on the communities they are designed to benefit. “I am proud of all our members who undertake this meaningful work. We know our engineers are committed to finding solutions that move us all forward, so congratulations to each engineer recognised for their commitment to engineering innovation and excellence,” Dr Aseervatham said.
Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew said the engineers recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours were not only role models for the profession but for their communities. “It’s wonderful recognition to see these engineers acknowledged for their hard work and dedication. I congratulate all the engineers listed for their significant achievements,” Madew said.
Commenting on the news of Tony Barry’s honour, FIDIC president Catherine Karakatsanis said: “Congratulations to Tony on what is a richly deserved honour which is a testament to the outstanding role that he has played over more than four decades in our industry at many different levels. It’s very pleasing when the leaders of our industry receive recognition in this way and I know that Tony will see his honour as a positive affirmation of not just his service to the industry and the profession of engineering but also of the important work that engineers and our industry undertakes to make the world a better and more sustainable place in which to live.”
