A day in the life: Security Services

The University of Adelaide never sleeps.

Not only has it become a 24-hour hub for students but the University’s North Terrace campus occupies a unique location in the city.

As the University has undergone many changes in recent years, so too has Security Services – with new technologies, new buildings, more students and a growing city life and culture. Every phone call and every walk up to the front desk of the Security Office presents a new challenge. One thing that remains constant, however, is Security’s dedication to the people on campus.

“It doesn’t just have to be students or staff, we have an open campus so we naturally deal with all sorts of people from the broader community,” says Security Supervisor Bruce Ball.

From managing lost property and rescuing baby ducks, to monitoring alarms and responding to medical emergencies, no day in Security Services is ever quite the same. “We’re everything to everyone. Or if we’re not, at least we know who to go to,” Mr Ball says.

Here’s a sample of a day in the life of our Security team:

5:00am - Raising the Flags

Security maintains and raises the flags on all three campuses. The Australian flag is the first one to go up and the last one to go down at the end of the day.

6:00am - Access

Access to the entire University is controlled by Security Services. Many external doors across campuses can be locked at once, but security officers are also constantly opening buildings and securing them. At North Terrace campus this can mean checking up to 500 doors in a single shift.

7:00am - Shuttle Services

Len Wight has been driving the University’s shuttle bus for 24 years, taking students and staff between campuses. Averaging around 135,000 kms a year, Len could have travelled to the moon and back four times!

9:00am - Bike Safety

A number of secure bike racks exist around campus for people who ride to University. Security Services can lend bike locks to students and staff who have forgotten their own. Security Services has a close relationship with South Australian Police and they hold free bike engraving days on campus.

12:00pm - Emergency Services Planning

Susan Whittington maintains the University’s warden network for all campuses, assisting a contracted service provider to ensure 800 wardens are trained to specific requirements. If an emergency situation does occur, Security Officers are prepared to respond to the situation.

3:00pm - Lost Property

Lost property remains at Security Services for two months before it is donated. Clothes are given to charity while stationary and calculators are donated to the Adelaide University Union to be passed on to disadvantaged students. Unclaimed bikes are given to Containers of Hope, a charity that sends donated items to less fortunate people overseas.

5:00pm - Self-Defence Classes

The Security team runs free self-defence classes, which are popular among staff and students.

8:00pm - Emergency Phones

Across the University’s campuses there are 23 dedicated emergency phones that will put the caller straight through to Security Services. Along with building and lift checks, these phones are tested every weekend.


11:00pm - Safe Steps

The Safe Steps program reminds everyone on campus to look out for their own personal safety and the safety of those around them.