Malta’s honorary council in South Australia, Frank Scicluna, was named Citizen of the Year 2013 at Prospect Town Hall during Australia Day celebrations. The award was presented to Mr Scicluna by Mayor David O’Loughlin.

Mr Scicluna said he was honoured to follow in the footsteps of so many distinguished Australians.

"This is one of the proudest moments of my life," he said.

He promised that, as Citizen of the Year, he would seek to promote a more positive approach to volunteering and community commitment by all Australian citizens.

Born in Malta, Mr Scicluna began his career as a schoolteacher in Sydney at Simon Stock College, Wentworthville.

He was appointed honorary consul and Justice of the Peace for the State of South Australia 10 years ago. He was president of the Maltese Community Council for more than nine years and principal of the Maltese Language School of Adelaide for several years.

Mr Scicluna spent 35 years working with the Education Department of South Australia and member of the Ethnic Schools Board. He published four books, Maltese/South Australian Directory in 1997, 2004 and 2009 and a course in Teaching Community Languages.

He also raised awareness on the teaching community languages and multicultural policies of the Australian governments.

Mr Scicluna is married to Josie nee Galdies and they have three children.