New Zealand Security Awards delivers a week of winners

Covid lockdown may have curtailed the New Zealand Security Association’s plans for a Christchurch gala awards dinner, but in its stead a week-long daily video drop recognised the country’s finest security professionals.

Kicked off with speeches from Minister Aupito William Sio and NZSA CEO Gary Morrison, the week was amply delivered to our screens mobile devices by MC Doug Kamo, and supported by key sponsors Gallagher, Skills Consulting, and FIRST Security.

Covid-19 had previously played havoc with the awards programme, with the 2020 awards event that had been scheduled to be held in Christchurch ultimately delivered as a live streamed event. This year, Alert Level 4 lockdown hit just three days out from the event and the Association was again forced to change plans.

In quick time the Awards Dinner was transformed into an Awards Week event utilising a range of media platforms that ensured both a timely delivery and wide accessibility. Category award winners were announced each morning between Monday 20 September and Friday the 24th,with the Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year announced on the Friday afternoon – perfect timing for an inbubble awards party!

In this article, we acknowledge the finalists and winners of each award category, and featuring the winners’ testimonials as read by MC Doug Kamo.

Customer Champion of the Year

Sponsored by Hikvision, this award recognises an individual in the role of Business Development Manager, Sales Consultant or Sales Manager who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their role. These roles require a high degree of operational skill and knowledge together with demonstrated empathy towards understanding their customers business needs and meeting the required outcomes.

The recipient is an individual with a history of developing close and long-standing relationships with their customers and is viewed as providing a substantial and quantifiable benefit to the customers business operations. The finalists were:

• Brian Switalla, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

• Dee Wakelin, Red Badge Group

• Jill Priest, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

The winner of the Customer Champion of the Year Category is Brian Switalla.

In his role as General Manager Strategic Accounts, Brian is the “chief customer champion” overseeing all of FIRST Security’s National Accounts across the length and breadth of New Zealand. All of his accounts are longer term with many having been with the organisation for 10+ years.

He is a customer champion in the classic sense, focused on the long game and building around relationships the trust and understanding and sense of shared purpose needed to sustain them over the horizon and into the long term.

As a major customer commented “He is transparent with us and not afraid to ask us questions and we have experienced a real commitment to us as the client. Our relationship is based on trust, fairness and expectation. We communicate our expectations with Brian and he works with his leadership team to meet those expectations”.

Guarding Sector Trainee of the Year

Sponsored by SkillsVR, this award recognises an individual who has made outstanding progress in professional development and training for their role in the guarding sector of the security industry. They will have displayed commitment towards training and achieving results through the NZQA national qualification network.

The recipient is a person who inspires others and always leads by example. The finalists for Guarding Sector Trainee of the Year were:

• Alexandra Kemp, Matrix Security

• Bailey Gaines, Red Badge Group

The winner of the Guarding Sector Trainee of the Year is Bailey Gaines.

Bailey started with Red Badge as a casual event guard in 2016. He worked his way up to event Team Leader and then, having been identified as showing great potential as a leader, was bought into the Red Badge Security team as a full-time permanent employee in 2019. As Bailey rose rapidly through the ranks, it was also apparent that he has a real affinity for training and delivering training to his co-workers.

Bailey has completed his Level 3, the Train the Trainer course and Unit Standard 4098 and is now able to deliver the full gateway training package as well as training internal staff to gain their Certificate of Approval.

Bailey is described as someone who has a real rapport with the trainees and creates a solid team atmosphere which helps to ensure good communication and performance. His progression from Team Leader to a management role has inspired others to upskill and look to follow in his footsteps.

Electronic Trainee of the Year

Sponsored by Etec, this award recognises an individual who has made outstanding progress in professional development and training in their role in the electronic sector of the security industry.

The winner is an individual who has displayed commitment towards training and achieving results through the NZQA national qualification framework. The recipient is a person who inspires others and always leads by example. The finalists were:

• Alena Severinsen, Advanced Security Group

• Soul Lauvi-Johnson, Optic Security Group

The winner of the Electronic Trainee of the Year is Alena Severinsen.

Alena joined Advanced Security in 2019, coming from a background as a chef. She was signed onto the internal apprenticeship programme in late 2019 which required her to complete training, including the NZQA Level 3, over a two-year period.

Alena has excelled in her training, including completing the Level 3 Electrotechnology qualifications well ahead of schedule and achieving 100% passes. This has flowed into her work performance where she has displayed a high degree of competence and is now taking charge of projects. She is a well-rounded technician who builds good customer relations and with an exciting future in the industry.

Outstanding Skills for Industry Employee of the Year

Sponsored by the Ministry of Social Development, this award recognises an individual who has gained fulltime employment through the MSD/ NZSA Skills for Industry initiative and has excelled in their role, be it in protective security or electronic security related.

The recipient is a person who will have displayed those attributes valued by employers and identified themselves as deserving of a longterm and successful career in the security industry. The finalists were:

• Alexandra Kemp, Matrix Security

• Angie Latu, Red Badge Group

• Shyla Aramoana, Armourguard Security

The winner of the Outstanding Skills for Industry Employee of the Year is Alexandra Kemp.

Alexandra commenced her employment with Matrix Security in October 2020. When interviewed she shared her long-term planning to join the NZ Police and was looking for work in a stable industry that has transferrable skills for when she is ready to pursue her desired career path.

She is one of the youngest Patrol Officers on the Matrix team but has proved on numerous occasions that she has a high degree of maturity and capability and is very skilled at diffusing situations that could easily have escalated into serious incidents.

One recent example occurred around midnight when she was doing a foot patrol of a local school and walked around a corner and came face to face with three men dressed in black with hoodies and balaclavas. Alexandra was obviously scared but used her verbal skills to diffuse the situation, including informing the offenders that she had already called the police and backup, and they quickly decamped the scene.

Design and Support Electronic Sector Professional of the Year

Sponsored by Gallagher, this award recognises the excellence, commitment and professionalism of those providing design and support services to the electronic sector of the security industry.

This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated not only technical expertise but also exemplary customer service and continually meets or exceeds best practice. The recipient is a person who provides a valuable role within the business and sets high standards. The finalists were:

• Lee Ashton, Optic Security Group

• Stuart Leith, Platform 4 Group

• Umesh Fernando, Advanced Security Group

The winner of the Design and Support Electronic Sector Security Professional of the Year category is Lee Ashton.

Lee is Optic’s Senior Design Engineer and a crucial member of their team. He is responsible for the design and technical scope of a large number of projects and brings a deep understanding of complicated solution builds and integration requirements.

In the last year Lee has been the design force behind nationally significant projects, including delivery of electronic security enhancements for MBIE in relation to New Zealand’s 32 Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities (MIQ’s) and major works for Amazon Film Studios’ Lord of the Rings site locations.

As his employer notes, Lee’s unassuming nature veils the true extent of his contribution to his customers and his colleagues, however he stands out for his commitment and professionalism and is a rare talent.

Communication Centre Operator of the Year

Sponsored by Rothbury Insurance Brokers, this award recognises excellence, commitment and professionalism within the “Communications Centre Operator” sector of the industry.

The individual(s) will have demonstrated a high degree of technical competence and an outstanding level of service delivery that consistently exceeds customers (be they internal or external) expectations. The recipient is a person(s)who inspires others and sets incredibly high standards. The finalists were:

• Antony Wellington, Watchdog Security Group

• Daniel Walters, Matrix Security Group

• Alexandra Louise Couprie and

• Kelly Waru, Secom Guardall New Zealand

The winner of the Communications Centre Operator of the Year is the team from Secom Guardall New Zealand. Whilst the nomination received commented on the exceptional commitment and professionalism of both Alexandra Louise and Kelly, it also referred specifically to an incident involving a break-in at a high value and high-risk customer who had previously been targeted by organised crime syndicates.

On identifying the activation and observing on-site cameras, the monitoring team worked cohesively in co-ordinating the attendance of patrol officers and police and also liaised with relevant keyholders and internal management to ensure all parties were fully briefed and appraised of developments as they occurred.

As a result of their actions and ability to think outside of the square, the offenders were contained within the site and were apprehended by the police. The customer commented on the outstanding actions by the Secom team.

Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year

Sponsored by the Skills Group Foundation, this award celebrates those who have made a difference to improving security practiced via training and recognises the individual who has consistently promoted outstanding performance and produced quantifiable results that have benefitted the organisation and its workers and customers. The finalists were:

• Senio Stowers, Platform 4 Group

• Vicky Roberts, Red Badge Group

• Yvonne Bruce, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

The winner of the Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year is Yvonne Bruce. As has been the case for businesses across New Zealand, responding to Covid-19 presented new challenges and in the training area, Yvonne worked tirelessly to devise and deliver new supporting programmes that are agile and respond to a rapidly changing environment.

Yvonne’s nomination states “Not only have FIRST employees benefited from Yvonne’s work to raise their professionalism, many have also benefitted in terms of basic life skills, such as literacy and numeracy, that many of us take for granted. She has played a key role in literally transforming lives”.

Yvonne is also an advocate within the broader security industry for best practice training as recognised by her role as Vice Chair for the NZSA Training and Professional Development Special Interest Group.

Install and Service Electronic Sector (SME) Technician of the Year

Sponsored by Gallagher, this award is specific to SME’s with five or less technicians in their employment and recognises excellence, commitment and professionalism of those operating as Security Technicians and providing installation and/or service duties.

The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated not only technical expertise but also exemplary customer service and continually meets or exceeds best practice. The recipient is a person who provides a valuable role within the business and sets incredibly high standards. The finalists were:

• David Morgan, Alarm Watch Limited

• Johannes Jooste, Recon Security Limited

The winner of the Install and Service Electronic Sector (SME) Technician of the Year is David Morgan. David is described by his nominator as a person whose knowledge and experience is invaluable as he always offers sound technical and practical advice together with fully scoped and explained solutions.

David ensures he is up to date with latest developments and provides sound technical information in a way that the lay person can understand. His work ethic and customer centric focus make him the go to person for security. He is always available for help when needed and goes the extra mile to ensure the outcome is as expected. The judges also noted the impressive photographic evidence of David’s workmanship.

Patrol Officer of the Year

Sponsored by Mobilcard, this award recognises excellence, commitment and professionalism within the patrolling sector of the industry, including service to customers and outstanding acts.

The award is presented to the individual that has gone beyond what could have been expected of them in providing a level of service that exceeds the customers and/or managers expectations. The recipient is a person who inspires others within the team and sets incredibly high standards. The finalists were:

• Angela Oldham, Armourguard Security

• Justin Heintz Platform 4 Group

• Marishka Wallace, FIRST Security Guard Services Limited

• Pakau Stephens and Simon Mackerth, Allied Security

The winner of Patrol Officer of the Year is Marishka Wallace. Marishka is a dedicated member of FIRST Security’s Timberlands forestry security team. Her knowledge of the region and the forest coupled with her communication skills and personable nature makes her the “go to person” when it comes to any issues or events within the forest.

Whilst described as the consummate Patrol Officer, the nomination for Marishka also highlighted a number of outstanding acts, one of which saw her presented an award by Timberlands (and supported by the Police Rotorua District Commander) for her outstanding commitment and dedication to protecting others in the forest.

The Timberlands manager states that “in an exceptionally vulnerable and dangerous event (which included her vehicle being repeatedly shot at), she remained calm, collected and in control of the situation. Thankfully neither Marishka or the other officer on duty with her were injured during this encounter. Luckily, she was able to keep her wits about her and with proficient driving skills managed to escape the gunman. The outcome could have been significantly worse if the situation hadn’t been handled so well. A very brave, professional and intuitive individual”.

Outstanding New Product or Service of the Year

Sponsored by Dahua Technology, this award celebrates an organisation that has locally developed and delivered technical innovation and excellence in the security sector. The product or service must have been developed in New Zealand and be recognised as “best in field” and “market leading” and provide clear differentiation over competitor offerings. The finalists were:

• Dion Neill, Protective Services, Guard Hire

• Gallagher, Adaptive Thresholds Feature

• Platform 4 Group, Talent Management System

The winner of Outstanding New Product or Service is Gallagher’s for the Adaptive Thresholds Feature

In November 2020, Gallagher launched a new Monitored Pulse Fence feature, called Adaptive Thresholds. This highly intelligent feature enables sites to adapt dynamically to environmental changes, minimising false alarms whilst maximising the detection capabilities of Monitored Pulse Fences.

Michael Pepper Award for Outstanding Security Training Initiative

Sponsored by the Skills Group Foundation, this award recognises the organisation that has made a difference to improving the uptake and outcomes of industry training through the introduction and support of innovative and effective security training initiatives.

The recipient organisation will have demonstrated a commitment towards enabling staff to use the NZQA national qualification framework as a means towards personal and professional development and growth and in achieving positive outcomes. The finalists were:

• FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd, FIRST Skills Plus

• NZSA and MSD, Skills for Industry Work Broker Programme and VR Training Platform

• Platform 4 Group, Talent Management System

The winner of the Michael Pepper Award for Outstanding Security Training Initiative is FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd for the First Skills Plus training initiative.

The FIRST Skills Plus programme was introduced to Site Supervisors this year as part of the wider Literacy and Numeracy Development Programme.

The aim is to develop the skills of front-line supervisors to help them overcome challenges with literacy and numeracy. Each group also works together to develop their own business improvement projects which they present at their graduations.

This programme goes beyond normal literacy and numeracy training in that it targets the literacy skills that are vital for the role of supervisor, such as decision making, having challenging conversations and goal setting. Initial outcomes and learner feedback has been exceptional and verifies the value obtained at both an individual and corporate level.

Security Consultant of the Year

Sponsored by Gallagher, this award recognises the Security Consultant who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their role. Consultants often play a key role in offering expertise and insight that can transform the quality and effectiveness of service, product or system that is offered.

It recognises the existence of distinct skill sets and crucially, the way they are harnessed and managed, to make a substantial and quantifiable difference to the security strategy and/or practice of their customers. The recipient will be a strong proponent of industry best practice, will be suitably qualified and experienced and be a person who inspires others and sets incredibly high standards. The finalists were:

• Andy Gollings, Red Badge Group

• Ashley Quensell, Platform 4 Group

• Nicholas Gibbs, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

• Peter Jones, Recon Security Ltd

The winner of Security Consultant of the Year is Nicholas Gibbs.

Nick is a commercially focused business leader with extensive experience in managing high performing security contracts. As National Manager, Managed Isolation and Quarantine, Nick has been involved in the end-to-end MIQ security operations, from the security assessments through to putting treatments in place in line to address identified weaknesses.

He has advised on and implemented enhanced practices across various service elements, including hotel external security, floor security, exercise security, bus transportation from airport to MIQ’s, and exemption services.

Security Officer of the Year

Sponsored by Strategic Defence, this award recognises excellence, commitment and professionalism within the guarding and cash-intransit sectors, including service to customers and outstanding acts.

This award is presented to the individual who has gone beyond what can reasonably be expected of them in providing a level of service that exceeds the customers and/or managers expectations. The recipient is a person who inspires others and sets incredibly high standards. The finalists were:

• Adam Barclay, Northern Districts Security

• Maara Porio Maka, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

• Monika Timu, Armourguard Security

The winner of the Security Officer of the Year is Monika Timu.

Monika is a familiar and highly respected face at Queensgate Shopping Centre who, in the past year, helped with 63 separate events ranging from medical events to shoplifting.

In one incident Monika and her team rushed to assist a man who had been assaulted in the car park following a dispute over a parking space. Sadly, little could be done to save the man however Police said that his family was heartened by the knowledge that their loved one died with “good people by his side” and also noted that the statements provided by Monika and others meant the family did not have to suffer through the grief of a trial.

In another incident Monika and a co-worker assisted an elderly lady following a cardiac event. Monika kept the lady calm whilst waiting for the ambulance and health professionals informed the ladies daughter that the event suffered was made worse by stress and that Monika’s calming presence stopped her condition worsening and potentially saved her life.

Security Supervisor/Operations Manager of the Year

Sponsored by Dahua Technology, the Security Supervisor/Operations Manager of the Year recognises those who through security expertise, operational knowledge, customer service and skilful and innovative leadership, ensure the delivery of services that consistently exceed customer expectations.

Security Supervisors and Operations Managers provide a critical function ensuring service delivery and the recipient will be an inspirational leader and innovator, team focused and committed to delivering exceptional service on a 24 x 7 basis. The finalists were:

• Gareth Bacon, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

• Pete Mason, Optic Security Group •

• Stephanie Irwin, Northern Districts Security

• Walter Esau, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

The winner of the Security Supervisor/Operations Manager of the Year is Stephanie Irwin.

Stephanie brings a high-level of experience to managing the daily operations at Northern Districts Security. She is responsible for contract management and client liaison, staff recruitment, training and supervision and stakeholder management.

She demonstrates exceptional customer service and staff leadership and in the last twelve months has been instrumental in implementing new technologies and operating procedures that have increased efficiencies, improved conditions for staff and lifted client outcomes.

Stephanie has created an environment where everybody looks forward to coming to work each day. She makes her team feel valued by providing work/life balance and wellbeing programmes, creating opportunities for improvement, and promoting diversity. As a result, staff turnover is at an all-time low and in a traditionally male dominated industry, in excess of 30% of Northern District Security’s staff are female.

Outstanding Staff Retention/Staff Development Programme

Sponsored by New Zealand Security Magazine, this award celebrates an organisation that has implemented a staff retention or developmentbased programme that has delivered quantifiable and measurable outcomes and placed that organisation as both a preferred employer and provider for customers. The initiative will have become embedded in the culture and operations of the organisation and provides clear differentiation over other providers. The finalists are:

• Advanced Security Group Limited

• Datacom Systems Limited

• Platform 4 Group

The winner of the Outstanding Staff Retention/Staff Development Programme is Advanced Security Group.

Advanced Security Group appreciates that as a business they have a better rate of success with leaders when they come from within the organisation rather than from outside. As part of their succession planning, they have identified the need for intentional focus on raising the skillsets of their future leaders.

The Advanced Security Group Leadership Scholarship is designed to include a Workstyles Profile which allows the scholarship recipient to understand more about their preferred way of working, allows them to better understand how they relate to people around them and to work better as a team.

Letters of reference from previous participants and those currently enrolled in the Scholarship Programme verify the relevancy and worth of the learnings gained, both in their work and personal life.

Security Integrator of the Year

Sponsored by Hikvision, this award recognises an individual or an organisation who has embraced the role of integrators in bringing together security subsystems into a whole and ensuring those subsystems function together effectively.

The recipient will have demonstrated technical expertise, sound knowledge of security risk and needs assessments, exemplary customer service and consistently delivers a physical security programme that is supportive of a healthy enterprise. The finalists were:

• Ben Wilson, Advanced Security Group

• Datacom Systems Limited

• Luke Tuffery, Sector 7 Security

The Security Integrator of the Year is Ben Wilson.

Over the last three years, Ben has been the technical lead around the integration and project delivery for the DIA account. This is a large and demanding account that incorporates

not only corporate government offices but also a number of sites with unusual security requirements, such as the National Library, Archives New Zealand, Film Archives, Passport Offices as well as Ministerial residences, the Royal Commission and even a marina.

As the client comments “Ben brings a proactive, collaborative approach to the table. He is a trusted technical expert that went the extra mile to understand our business and the long-term strategic needs of our organisation. We value his great work”.

Install and Service Electronic Sector (Corporate) Technician of the Year

Sponsored by Alarm Watch, this award is specific to larger corporates who have in excess of five technicians in their employment and recognises excellence, commitment and professionalism of those operating as Security Technicians and providing installation and/or service duties.

This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated not only technical expertise but also exemplary customer service and continually meets or exceeds best practice. The recipient is a person who performs a valuable role with the business and sets incredibly high standards. The finalists were:

• Ravindra Lal, Optic Security Group

• Tom Standen, Advanced Security Group

The winner of the Install and Service Electronic Sector (Corporate) Technician of the Year is Ravindra Lal. Ravi is a quiet achiever who impresses in his actions and in the outcomes that he achieves for his customers. As a leader of the team of technicians that service Counties Manukau District Health Board he makes sure his team not only produce quality work but also delivers projects on time and consistent with customer expectations. He is noted for his coaching and team management skills and for his communication led approach.

As his Managing Director notes, “Ravi continues on a trajectory of professional mastery that is well acknowledged within the organisation and among the customer organisations he serves. He is a senior member of our install and service team”.

Security Administrator of the Year

Sponsored by simPRO, this award recognises excellence, commitment and professionalism for those who provide the vital administrative functions that support every business. The individual will have demonstrated not only excellent technical skills but also outstanding customer service, high levels of innovation and superb time management.

The recipient will be widely respected and valued as a critical cog in the success of the organisation. The finalists were:

• Chris Stewart, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

• Garvin Couch, FIRST Security Guard Services Ltd

• Sabrina Crowe, Red Badge Group

Garvin Couch is the Security Administrator of the Year. Garvin describes his role as MIQ Quality Assurance Manager as keeping on top of what’s going on within the government with the processes and to make sure that the operations are heading in the right direction and maintaining compliance with legislation, the framework and all that the customer requires of its provider.

The customer describes Garvin as a stand-out administrator, one with the special talent and agility to effectively make complex changes at short-notice and a very pleasant person to deal with, even in highly pressured situations”.

Special Recognition Award

When judging the Outstanding Staff Retention/Staff Development Programme category, the judges noted a nomination that did not clearly meet the criteria set for the category but was very meritorious of recognition.

“Hangaia he hapori kaha ake, tiakina nga mea nui ki nga taangata” which translates as Build a stronger community, protect what matters to the people. This is an integral part of Brett Wilson, the owner of Watchdog Security’s attitude.

At the beginning of Covid-19 Watchdog Security lost a lot of work which placed financial strain on the business. CEO Brett Wilson was unable to apply for the government funding as although they lost the required amount of work in Rotorua, the Tauranga branch had increased their workload.

Staff became much stressed; they had mortgages to pay and were afraid of losing their jobs.

Some weeks when there were not enough shifts for staff Brett employed the workers on his farm, so they still had an income and were able to pay their bills.

My husband had a Management position within Watchdog Security and volunteered to take some annual leave when work got cut. Whilst at home we noticed he fell into depression worrying about his workers and the firm. He thought because of his higher pay he would be the first to go and worried about the firm’s survival.

Over several weeks he became very ill and medication did not help. After a phone call to Brett, he was on our doorstep within half an hour putting him on sick-leave and offering us as a family all the support he could. My husband was showing signs of paranoia which is a disturbing sign of severe depression.

Over the next few weeks Brett arranged and paid for my husband to go to a Clinical Physiologist of Te Arawa descent taking into account my husband’s cultural needs. He would ring and collect and return my husband from his appointments.

We had 24-hour care for my husband but even with Brett’s offers of help he ended up being admitted to Rotorua Hospital ICU being ventilated and on dialysis.

Brett was one of the first people we rung and during the next four weeks while he was in hospital, Brett was right beside us attending any medical meeting, being our spokesperson as we were so stressed. He kept our whanau together, being the person who when only one person could stay in with husband during medical procedures Brett was that person relaying back to us everything the medical staff said.

All through this time Brett kept assuring my husband there was always a management job at Watchdog for him. He said it was his mana that helped build the company. This was such reassuring words for both my husband and me. I will always remember those words from Brett. Brett also advised us as a family to receive counselling, there was not one thing he did not think of.

During my husband’s stay in hospital Brett had the night patrol checking our house twice nightly to make us feel secure. He purchased and installed a panic alarm so we could have assistance on our doorstep if needed at any-time of the day.

After many weeks my husband is now back on the front-line working part-time to get his confidence back. Brett rostered him with one of the supervisors he has a rapport with just to be sure he is coping and calls regularly to make sure we are all managing,” [Letter ends]

The gentleman that this story relates to is Rangi Hurihanganui, winner of the Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year in 2016. The judges requested that a Special Recognition Award be awarded to Brett Wilson, CEO of Watchdog Security. This award recognises not only the exceptional response to this situation but also the similar efforts of many employers across the country in these very unusual times.

Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year

The award celebrates the contribution of Ian Dick, a stalwart of the security industry and a significant contributor to improved training and standards across all facets of the security industry. It recognises the individual who has scored highest across all categories and is recognised as the Supreme Award Winner and Security Professional of the Year.

This year saw the unique situation where four different category winners were tied on the same score. They were:

• David Morgan, Alarm Watch

• Marishka Wallace, FIRST Security Guard Services

• Monika Timu, Armourguard Security

• Stephanie Irwin, Northern Districts Security

To determine the winner of the Ian Dick Memorial Award the judges conducted a further round of voting, and even then the total scores were almost identical. However, by the narrowest of margins a winner was identified. Ultimately, Marishka Wallace was awarded the Ian Dick Memorial Security Professional of the Year. Congratulations to Marishka!