Vale Neil McLean
♦ Former ASIAL director Neil McLean passed away last month, a sad loss for his family, colleagues and friends.
McLean was a highly respected member of the security community who had worked to professionalise the industry for many decades, first with the Security Institute of South Australia, then with the Australian Security Industry Association, Ltd.
McLean’s career began at Wormald in Adelaide and over the years he worked with security providers and end users, bringing to these roles a high level of professionalism, the gift of listening, and an effortless ability to build genuine relationships. It was indicative of McLean that his most recent role was training advisor security & telecommunications for Comtech.
Former colleague Brian Foster said he was deeply saddened by Neil’s loss.
“I met Neil at Wormald Security nearly 40 years ago in Adelaide shortly before the city was awarded the Formula One Grand Prix,” Foster said. “Neil was an integral member of the joint Wormald/MSS team providing security to the event and continued as enormous contributor to the security industry and ASIAL over his entire career. I extend my deepest sympathy to Anne and his broader family.”
General manager at Kastle Systems and ASIAL president John Gellel, said he was fortunate to meet Neil many years ago while he was at RAA.
“Neil was always respectful, sincere and courteous to everyone fortunate to be in his company,” Gellel said. “He was a highly respected and well-liked member of the security industry nationally and a great supporter of ASIAL, having been involved as a director and convenor for 12 years – Neil will be greatly missed.”
SEN editor John Adams met McLean in the mid-1990s and spoke with him many times about the importance of a national security industry body at a time the notion was seen as an issue of state rights. At all times McLean remained a voice of reason, never losing sight of what was most important in the debate.
“As well as being thoughtful and considered, Neil was a great bloke with whom it was a pleasure to spend time and from whose company you were always sorry to part,” Adams said.
Cherri Forbes of Seadan Security and Electronics also met McLean at Wormald in South Australia.
“I met Neil straight out of school when I started at Wormald and I’m honoured to say he remained a friend and mentor to me 36 years later,” Forbes said. “I’m grateful to have known such a wonderful gentleman – our industry will not be the same without you, mate – rest peacefully now.”
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