Merv Trease Awarded Order of Australia Medal

Merv Trease (pictured with Vic Sedunary) has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

Merv was recognised for service to rogaining and orienteering, and to bushland search and rescue, reflecting decades of dedication, leadership and volunteer service to the outdoor community.

A member of Bayside Kangaroos Orienteering Club since 1992, Merv has made an enormous contribution to the club, the Victorian Orienteering Association, the Victorian Rogaining Association, the Australian Rogaining Association, and Bush Search and Rescue Victoria. His many roles have included competitor, course setter, organiser, instructor, advisor, mentor and leader.

Among his many achievements, Merv was recognised as an Orienteering VictoriaMillennium Club Legend Member in 2021 after reaching the milestone of 1,000 events, and was a co-recipient of the Tom Andrews Trophy in 2016. He also received the Bushwalking Victoria Distinguished Service Award in 2013.

This honour is a fitting recognition of Merv’s outstanding contribution to orienteering, rogaining, bushwalking and search and rescue over many decades.

On behalf of everyone at Orienteering Victoria, congratulations Merv on this well-deserved honour. It is a richly deserved recognition of a lifetime of service to the orienteering, rogaining, bushwalking and search-and-rescue communities. We are delighted to see your dedication, expertise and generosity recognised at the national level.