UQ security officer wins international award

A security officer at The University of Queensland has won a prestigious international award.

Phil Barnett was this week named the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) Security Officer of the Year.

Mr Barnett has worked at UQ since 2018 after entering the industry in a government security role.  

“I found that I kept calm during stressful situations, and I was able to help people having a really bad day, and I thought that was not a bad way to spend my career,” Mr Barnett said.

The AUCSO judges said Mr Barnett received the award, which security employees from universities around the world are eligible for, because he “continually shows dedication and passion in [his] role supporting staff, students and the wider community”.

UQ’s Security Manager Andrew Barling, who submitted the nomination, said Mr Barnett regularly received positive feedback from the university community.

“He’s been one of those staff members that shines,” Mr Barling said.

“He’s excelled in his customer service and providing services to the University.

“We could go on and on about the things he has achieved in his time with us.”

Mr Barling said the team was “very, very proud” that Mr Barnett’s hard work had been recognised.

Mr Barnett said variety was the highlight of his work at UQ.

“This is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, and each day I get to come here and help it run smoothly,” he said.

He said he also enjoyed walking around campus chatting with students and attending the occasional guest lecture.

“I’ve managed to listen to some of the most respected academics in the world discuss what they’re passionate about,” he said.

“There have been a couple of surreal moments where I’ve realised the kind of people that I get to meet doing this work.”

He said that receiving the award is acknowledgement of not only his own contributions to the University but also the important work the security team performs daily.

Mr Barnett is one of 45 members of UQ’s security team.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 (0)429 056 139.