PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This is my last President’s Message. After many years as President, I have decided not to stand for re-election in this role as it is time for the next generation to stand-up and continue the successes that have been achieved.

I have volunteered my time to the Association for over 30-years initially as a member of the NSW and Electronics Sub-committees, then NSW Chairman, Director and finally President. Throughout those years it has been rewarding to see the Association’s growth. Since my early days when the Association operated from cramped rented offices concerned about making ends meet, I have seen ASIAL develop to the point where we own our building and have solid reserves that will take the Association into the future.

This has not happened by chance. The Association is only where it is today because of the effort over the years, of its employees and the Directors I have followed and worked with.

Importantly, it is the passion the Directors have for the Industry and the desire to deliver quality services and representation to the Members that attracted me and others to the Board. It is essential to remember the Association is about its Members. Members are the backbone of the Association and it is the Members that the Association serves.

The Association no longer relies on the receipt of membership fees as the only driver of revenue. ASIAL now has multiple revenue streams such as rental income, sponsorships, advertising, the Conference and Exhibition. This benefits all Members because membership fees remain steady. In fact, there has only been one increase in the past 5-years.

The financial strength of the Association also allows the provision of heavily subsidised member services such as Employee relations advice, eLearning courses, Online Safe Workplace Management Systems and Alarm Monitoring Centre Grading to name a few.

At one point, the thought of governments, regulators and stakeholders outside the Security Industry seeking our input and advice was a “pipe dream”. But after sustained effort over decades, today they are regularly seeking our input and advice. From the outside, it may not be obvious that governments are taking on our advice, but they are. It must be remembered when dealing with government, change can sometimes come at glacial pace unless there are significant votes to be won or lost.

Last year, we were unable to hold the Exhibition & Conference and Awards night due to COVID- two major ASIAL events that brings all Security Industry stakeholders together “to let our hair down” and celebrate all things good about our Industry. However I am delighted to advise that the dates for 2021 are locked in and we will be celebrating this year. So, book your tickets early.

The Security Industry Awards started many years ago with award recipients being acknowledged at the dinner associated with the Exhibition and Conference. This has now grown to be an event in its own right and continues to grow with the inclusion of the internationally recognised Outstanding Security Performance Awards, OSPA’s and the Australian Security Medals Foundation Awards.

The past year has changed the world and it will be many years until we get back to the ways we knew. We have all been forced to be nimble and change to survive but what we do know is the Security Industry was in the forefront of working with Governments and others in delivering vital services. The eyes of many have been opened and our Industry is widely recognised for its professionalism, quality of service and unrivalled speed of deployment.

Finally, I thank all the Secretariat employees, Past Presidents and Directors I have worked with over my tenure in the Association. It has been a wonderful experience.

Kevin McDonald President

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