Latest news with #MartinGill
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Man on tractor coastal tour raises funds for five charities
A man calling himself the Road Rage Cowboy has reached Cornwall as part of his travels around the coast of Britain to raise money for charity Marius Anderson, from Keith in Scotland, worked with his friend Martin Gill to renovate a red Massey Ferguson 35x tractor to raise the charitable said he always thought about going around the coast on a motorcycle and "maybe raise some money", but, "it would've not really had much kudos by comparison with something a wee bit madder".The journey began on 22 July at Highland Tractors on the Black Isle and, on Tuesday, Mr Anderson and the tractor reached Land's End. 'Pretty little town' Mr Anderson said the Devon and Cornwall Coast was "certainly beautiful, very busy but what I didn't really take into account was the steepness of your hills"."That wasn't really expected but the tractor has coped fine with them."He added he particularly enjoyed visiting Mevagissey. "I managed to get into there and got down into the harbour without anyone chasing me for parking in the harbour. I just love it. Pretty little town." He also visited some second cousins in Cornwall and said "that will be a revisit again if I come back". The charities Mr Anderson has chosen to raise money for are close to his heart. He explained the number one charity was Cancer Research as he had lost his "very best friend" to pancreatic cancer. "There was always some seed planted in my a head a little bit about maybe giving something back," he also chose to raise money for Sane, a mental health charity, as a family member had taken their own life."It was a real shock to the family," he said My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which supports those with Motor Neurone Disease, was chosen because Mr Gill's wife had a relative "that she watched slowly passing with motor neurone, and that was very keen to her heart to have that one on the back of the box and support it."The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution and Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution were chosen to support the farming community. He said they had not put a figure on how much they wanted to raise. "Whatever is raised is raised at the end of the day, no matter how much or how little, it all helps."
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Advanced Security Group Recognised At Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OPSA's)
Press Release – Advanced Security Group The fourth annual New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) took place on Friday, 27 June 2025, at Ellerslie Racecourse, forming part of the ASIS New Zealand Certification Dinner. New Zealand owned, Advanced Security Group ( was recognised with the Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Award with the business now to go forward to the Global OSPA Awards. Security professionals from across the country gathered to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry. Awards were presented across 11 categories, with the ceremony hosted by OSPAs founder, Professor Martin Gill. It was commented that 'Advanced Security excels as a national security integrator, leveraging expertise, innovation, and supported by ISO 9001 systems. Judges praised their engagement and comprehensive service base.' The Advanced Security business was founded in 2002 with one branch in Auckland, today the business has 19 offices across New Zealand, the business specialises in government and large corporate physical security. Advanced Security has been recognised through multiple awards over the years including as the Security Integrator of the Year at the New Zealand Security Industry Awards on four occasions. Advanced Security General Manager, Hayden George, commented that, 'this is great recognition for our people and we are immensely proud of what our team does every day to reinvent themselves, the quality they deliver, and the solutions they produce that enhance the safety, security and connection of organisations across Aotearoa. We also congratulate all of the other winners and finalists'. Advanced Security has grown through both organic and inorganic growth; the business has transacted on multiple acquisitions. The acquisitions continue in the wider group as Advanced Group grows out its other technology related businesses to further add to its market offering. Reflecting on the OSPA's event, Professor Gill commented, 'The standard of nominations received this year was again exceptionally high, making it a real challenge for the judging panel. All winners and finalists should be immensely proud of their achievements. All category winners will progress to the Global OSPAs for an opportunity to gain international recognition, while the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be honoured with induction into the Security Hall of Fame.' The complete list of 2025 New Zealand OSPA winners are: Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director Ellie Moriarty – SkyCity Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director Nicholas Dynon – Optic Security Group Outstanding Security Team Freight Screening Team – Secureflight Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) FIRST Security Outstanding Security Training Initiative National Training Programme created by Michelle Macdonald – Secureflight Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Advanced Security Group Outstanding Security Partnership Asset Upgrade Project – Optic Security Group and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University Wellington Outstanding Security Officer Shaun Laifone – Global Security Outstanding Female Security Professional Chelsea Wallis – Optic Security Group Outstanding Young Security Professional Ruth Tongotongo – Beca Applied Technologies Lifetime Achievement Kenneth Eccles About Advanced Security Group Advanced Security Group was founded in 2002 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Group and ultimate parent company, TPT Group ( The business specialises in physical security and is a leading provider of technical services in New Zealand. The wider Advanced Group offers a diverse range of products through its group of companies, namely Advanced Security, ASG Technologies, Cablenet, Everlert, Synergy Technologies, and IT Engine. The business operates in excess of 20 offices across New Zealand. For further information about Advanced Group and its services, please visit
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Advanced Security Group Recognised At Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OPSA's)
Press Release – Advanced Security Group Advanced Security Group was recognised with the Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Award with the business now to go forward to the Global OSPA Awards. Advanced Security has grown through both organic and inorganic growth; the business has transacted … The fourth annual New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) took place on Friday, 27 June 2025, at Ellerslie Racecourse, forming part of the ASIS New Zealand Certification Dinner. New Zealand owned, Advanced Security Group ( was recognised with the Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Award with the business now to go forward to the Global OSPA Awards. Security professionals from across the country gathered to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry. Awards were presented across 11 categories, with the ceremony hosted by OSPAs founder, Professor Martin Gill. It was commented that 'Advanced Security excels as a national security integrator, leveraging expertise, innovation, and supported by ISO 9001 systems. Judges praised their engagement and comprehensive service base.' The Advanced Security business was founded in 2002 with one branch in Auckland, today the business has 19 offices across New Zealand, the business specialises in government and large corporate physical security. Advanced Security has been recognised through multiple awards over the years including as the Security Integrator of the Year at the New Zealand Security Industry Awards on four occasions. Advanced Security General Manager, Hayden George, commented that, 'this is great recognition for our people and we are immensely proud of what our team does every day to reinvent themselves, the quality they deliver, and the solutions they produce that enhance the safety, security and connection of organisations across Aotearoa. We also congratulate all of the other winners and finalists'. Advanced Security has grown through both organic and inorganic growth; the business has transacted on multiple acquisitions. The acquisitions continue in the wider group as Advanced Group grows out its other technology related businesses to further add to its market offering. Reflecting on the OSPA's event, Professor Gill commented, 'The standard of nominations received this year was again exceptionally high, making it a real challenge for the judging panel. All winners and finalists should be immensely proud of their achievements. All category winners will progress to the Global OSPAs for an opportunity to gain international recognition, while the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be honoured with induction into the Security Hall of Fame.' The complete list of 2025 New Zealand OSPA winners are: Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director Ellie Moriarty – SkyCity Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director Nicholas Dynon – Optic Security Group Outstanding Security Team Freight Screening Team – Secureflight Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) FIRST Security Outstanding Security Training Initiative National Training Programme created by Michelle Macdonald – Secureflight Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Advanced Security Group Outstanding Security Partnership Asset Upgrade Project – Optic Security Group and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University Wellington Outstanding Security Officer Shaun Laifone – Global Security Outstanding Female Security Professional Chelsea Wallis – Optic Security Group Outstanding Young Security Professional Ruth Tongotongo – Beca Applied Technologies Lifetime Achievement Kenneth Eccles About Advanced Security Group Advanced Security Group was founded in 2002 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Group and ultimate parent company, TPT Group ( The business specialises in physical security and is a leading provider of technical services in New Zealand. The wider Advanced Group offers a diverse range of products through its group of companies, namely Advanced Security, ASG Technologies, Cablenet, Everlert, Synergy Technologies, and IT Engine. The business operates in excess of 20 offices across New Zealand. For further information about Advanced Group and its services, please visit
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Advanced Security Group Recognised At Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OPSA's)
The fourth annual New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) took place on Friday, 27 June 2025, at Ellerslie Racecourse, forming part of the ASIS New Zealand Certification Dinner. New Zealand owned, Advanced Security Group ( was recognised with the Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Award with the business now to go forward to the Global OSPA Awards. Security professionals from across the country gathered to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry. Awards were presented across 11 categories, with the ceremony hosted by OSPAs founder, Professor Martin Gill. It was commented that "Advanced Security excels as a national security integrator, leveraging expertise, innovation, and supported by ISO 9001 systems. Judges praised their engagement and comprehensive service base." The Advanced Security business was founded in 2002 with one branch in Auckland, today the business has 19 offices across New Zealand, the business specialises in government and large corporate physical security. Advanced Security has been recognised through multiple awards over the years including as the Security Integrator of the Year at the New Zealand Security Industry Awards on four occasions. Advanced Security General Manager, Hayden George, commented that, 'this is great recognition for our people and we are immensely proud of what our team does every day to reinvent themselves, the quality they deliver, and the solutions they produce that enhance the safety, security and connection of organisations across Aotearoa. We also congratulate all of the other winners and finalists'. Advanced Security has grown through both organic and inorganic growth; the business has transacted on multiple acquisitions. The acquisitions continue in the wider group as Advanced Group grows out its other technology related businesses to further add to its market offering. Reflecting on the OSPA's event, Professor Gill commented, 'The standard of nominations received this year was again exceptionally high, making it a real challenge for the judging panel. All winners and finalists should be immensely proud of their achievements. All category winners will progress to the Global OSPAs for an opportunity to gain international recognition, while the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be honoured with induction into the Security Hall of Fame.' The complete list of 2025 New Zealand OSPA winners are: Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director Ellie Moriarty – SkyCity Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director Nicholas Dynon – Optic Security Group Outstanding Security Team Freight Screening Team – Secureflight Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) FIRST Security Outstanding Security Training Initiative National Training Programme created by Michelle Macdonald – Secureflight Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator Advanced Security Group Outstanding Security Partnership Asset Upgrade Project – Optic Security Group and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University Wellington Outstanding Security Officer Shaun Laifone – Global Security Outstanding Female Security Professional Chelsea Wallis – Optic Security Group Outstanding Young Security Professional Ruth Tongotongo – Beca Applied Technologies Lifetime Achievement Kenneth Eccles About Advanced Security Group Advanced Security Group was founded in 2002 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Group and ultimate parent company, TPT Group ( The business specialises in physical security and is a leading provider of technical services in New Zealand. The wider Advanced Group offers a diverse range of products through its group of companies, namely Advanced Security, ASG Technologies, Cablenet, Everlert, Synergy Technologies, and IT Engine. The business operates in excess of 20 offices across New Zealand. For further information about Advanced Group and its services, please visit
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Queenscliffe CEO Martin Gill given formal warning after 'likely' breaching rules over his performance appraisal
The CEO of Victoria's smallest council has escaped prosecution for "likely" breaching the Local Government Act, following an investigation by the state's council watchdog into conflict of interest allegations. Borough of Queenscliffe CEO Martin Gill was this month handed a formal warning by the Local Government Inspectorate, following his handling of a councillor's Notice of Motion (NOM) relating to his own CEO performance appraisal in March of last year. It is understood at least one complaint was lodged with the Inspectorate after Mr Gill directly communicated with councillors about the move to consider how his performance appraisal was approached. A letter from the Inspectorate, seen by the ABC, noted the investigation "found that Mr Gill likely breached the Act by engaging in email communication about the NOM". The document, signed by Inspector of Municipal Administration Aida Rejzovic, noted the Inspectorate had decided against prosecuting the "likely" breach of the act. "Upon considering the seriousness of the offence, any mitigating or aggravating circumstances, the availability and efficacy of any alternatives to prosecution, the use of public funds in seeking prosecution, it was determined that, in this instance, the public interest is not best served by prosecuting this case," Ms Rejzovic noted. "The Inspectorate concluded that, on this occasion, a formal warning is an appropriate course of action." Ms Rejzovic wrote that she expected Mr Gill to "take this decision seriously in carrying out his duties and serving the community". "Any future action of similar nature may be treated differently and may ultimately result in charges being brought against Mr Gill," she said. Responding to questions from the ABC, Mr Gill said he "accepted" the conclusion of the Inspectorate. "I made the mistake of providing some initial advice to a councillor on a proposed Notice of Motion, before recognising the potential conflict," Mr Gill said. Mr Gill also said communication he had received from the Inspectorate noted his "cooperation and proactive measures upon recognising the conflict of interest played a part in this decision". A statement from the Borough of Queenscliffe suggested no further action would be taken against Mr Gill. "The appropriate authority, independent of Council, being the Local Government Inspectorate, has carried out an investigation and made its determination, and Council will respect the independence and authority of that body and regard the formal warning as the appropriate response to the matters considered. "Beyond that, Council will not be commenting." The Inspectorate's formal warning comes after the ABC in January revealed Mr Gill had faced a separate investigation into allegations he had threatened to "take apart" a councillor. It is understood the borough investigated allegations Mr Gill made verbal threats to then-councillor Michael Grout in late 2024, with at least two formal complaints lodged by councillors. "He did say that he 'could take me apart whenever he wanted', in a very aggressive manner," Mr Grout said. "In 50 years of working I've never experienced a direct threat like that before." "I had decided about a month earlier that I wouldn't run again, and I based that decision on the constant frustration with having to work with an underperforming administration in a bad culture … at times it was toxic." The borough has declined to comment on the investigation and any potential outcomes. Mr Grout decided not to recontest election to the council last year due to concerns over a "toxic culture", which followed the resignation of councillor Fleur Hewitt in May 2023. Queenscliffe is Australia's last remaining borough, and the smallest and least populated of Victoria's 79 local government areas — measuring just 8.6 square kilometres and home to 3,238 people. It also barely survived the amalgamation of councils in the early 90s. It includes the suburb of Queenscliff, defence land on Swan Island, and about two thirds of Point Lonsdale — with neighbours on the east side of Fellows Road part of the borough, and those on the west in the City of Greater Geelong.
