On the 22nd of October 2015, the very first Australian OSPAs event took place at the 2015 Australian Security Industry Awards for Excellence at the Westin Hotel in Sydney. The event was set up in collaboration with the Australian Security Industry Association (ASIAL) and the award ceremony, which included dinner and entertainment, was attended by security professionals from all across Australia. The event was attended by over 250 people and gave the opportunity for outstanding security performers to be recognised and their success to be celebrated.
The criteria for OSPAs are based on extensive research on key factors that contribute to and characterise outstanding performance. This inaugural event in Australia attracted some impressive entries and the judges had a difficult decision. After much deliberation they awarded the very first Australian OSPAs to:
OSPA 2015 Winners
OSPA for Outstanding In-House Security Manager: Grant Frankel
Grant is a Security Manager at the Melbourne Racing Club, who is responsible for the security operation for three racecourses which see in excess of 1 million people through its doors every year.
“It is with humility that I accept this award and I am very proud to be the first winner in Australia!” – Grant Frankel
OSPA for Outstanding Security Training Initiative: Chubb Electronic Security
Chubb Electronic Security provides a full range of security products and services to help customers benefit from a safe working environment, secure property and protected assets. Their training initiative enables their field employees to meet the quality and performance expectations of their customers in a safe and efficient manner.
OSPA for Outstanding Guarding Company: Southern Cross Group Services
Stephen Butt and Sam Johnson of Southern Cross Group Services receiving their award.
Southern Cross Group Services is a security services company that has consistently delivered outstanding performance in all areas of their business. With a particular focus on R&D and their employees, they are able to offer a benchmark service to their growing customer base.
“People are our passion. We are ecstatic for our front line staff! We have some great people working for us, we are proud of our leadership programme” – Stephen Butt
“We are so proud of the achievement of the business. We invest in people and technology and all that and the hard work has paid off” – Sam Johnson
OSPA for Outstanding In-House Security Team: Sydney Water Corporation
Group photo of Sydney Water Corporation’s winning In-House Security Team.
Sydney Water is Australia’s largest water utility and a statutory State Owned Corporation. Their physical security group is committed to the maintenance of an effective and efficient Physical Security Strategy to support the organisation.
“It is about the team and recognition of the professionalism of the whole team, the discipline has been fantastic. It will be huge in our organisation and I can’t wait to tell our managing director!”
OSPA for Outstanding Security Consultant: AECOM Australia
David Novak receiving the award for Outstanding Security Consultant for AECOM Australia
AECOM is a premier, fully integrated professional and technical services firm, who provided security consultancy for the Sydney International Convention Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct – SICEEP, the Crown Sydney Hotel Resort and a FIFA World Cup stadium.
“Proud to win this, especially proud that this is something we have never had before. This will certainly be a marketing opportunity for whoever wins the award. Consultants don’t get awards, it is often quite sad that despite good work consultants are not recognised, and so this is important and it’s great to be recognised” – David Novak
OSPA for Outstanding Security Partnership: SNP Security
Group photo of the OSPA winning SNP security team
SNP Security is a security services company that has engaged in an intensive and successful working partnership with Qantas airlines to provide security services for Qantas’ freight business.
You can find more information on the winners if you visit the winners page.
After the event, ASIAL General Manager and Chair of the Awards Judging process, John Fleming, said:
“Scoring companies for the inaugural OSPAs in Australia was challenging due to the quality of entries. The level of innovation in products and services was very impressive and each of the nominees should be applauded. The judges were delighted to have had the opportunity to recognise and score true professionalism in the security industry.”
Here are some photos from the night:
If you want the chance to enter next years Australian OSPAs, make sure to keep an eye on our website for when you can enter. In the meanwhile, you can sign up for our Security Excellence Digest and our social media pages which will contain updates on the OSPAs in Australia and around the world.
