Introduction

We spoke to Les, coincidentally on the very day of his birthday, and almost 10 years to the day since his first day at CPA Group!

What is your professional background?

I used to be a chef so I am a qualified chef but left that career 17 years ago. In the last 13 years I have been working in security. I have been working for CPA Group for almost exactly 10 years.

Where are you working now?

I am currently working at the Port of Brisbane, today I will be working at QBH Coal where QLD Bulk Handling loads coal for export.

Other PoB sites I have worked at include Cement Australia, QBT (QLD Bulk Terminals) Sugar.

In fact my very first interview with CPA Group, 10 years ago, was at QBT where the CPA Group office was originally at Murrarie, (so Pinkenba is the third CPA Group office since Les joined).

My very first shift for PoB for CPA Group was at QBT and on that day I remember well that Harley was accidentally locked out of the office. He came to see me to borrow my phone to contact someone to let him in. I still remember it clearly even though it was 10 years ago.

What other CPA Group sites have you worked?

I have mainly been at Port of Brisbane, I worked at Moranbah briefly but I prefer this role rather than FIFO. I have worked at Toll Larapinta for 3 years and Toll Express at Richlands, both of these were primarily access control and documenting movements into and out of the site,

What are your primary responsibilities?

I am a Maritime Security Guard. My primary responsibility is to protect the customer, their assets and the Port of Brisbane from harm, whether chemical, physical or whatever the threat.

What do you find most challenging or fulfilling in your role?

I enjoy meeting all the different crews, hearing about their times at sea, I have made quite a few friends including US Marines.

I have enjoyed supporting visits of Navy ships from US, France, Philippines and Canada. I remember once the Canadians were talking about how dangerous Australia is with its wildlife – when a carpet python slid out from under the gatehouse and a Canadian Marine jumped 20 feet!!

And what do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy exercise, I spend most of my time with my family. I have 3 kids, 17, 15 and 12 – we do everything as a family, movies, dinner, visiting friends. My family is the most important thing to me.

What do you think your manager would say about you?

I think he would say I am punctual, dedicated, thorough and reliable. I told Harley that when he interviewed me 10 years ago – I would give 110% and he would never be disappointed.

We asked whether Harley would think that today and Les said ‘Well, I’ve never had a complaint!!!’

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We asked Les’s manager Cris Murphy for a comment:

“I have had the fortune of having Les as one of my team members for 3 years. Les at all times conducts himself in a professional, proactive manner. Les is available to assist at all times with short notice deployments to sites.

Les is a respected member of the team by his peers and can be called upon to mentor junior officers in the processes and policies of all sites within the Brisbane metro area. Les also provides a high standard of work ethic and dress at all times.

Over the ten years he has been with CPAG, Les has been outstanding and versatile in his duties.

I look forward to another ten years with Les.”