The 2026 FAAA Awards recognise advisers and practices delivering the highest standards of professional advice to Australian consumers. The awards also acknowledge those who go above and beyond, giving back to their communities through pro bono work and volunteering. Additionally, the awards celebrate the next generation of advisers coming through university programs, recognising the emerging talent that will shape the future of the profession.

FAAA general manger membership and strategic initiatives, Tania Milnes, says this year’s finalists reflect the breadth of talent across the profession.

“The FAAA awards acknowledge those who are truly committed to putting their clients first, supporting their communities, and raising standards across financial advice.

“Each finalist embodies the professionalism and care that defines our profession, whether through their exceptional client work, their leadership within their organisations, their contributions to their local community, or their potential as emerging professionals,” Ms Milnes said.

The finalists of theFAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award are:

• Scott Quinlan CFP®, Solace Financial
• Dawn Thomas CFP®, The Wealth Designers
• John Versace CFP®, Apt Wealth Partners

The finalists for the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Awardare:

• Sophie Doyle, Morgans Financial Limited
• Morgan Hayward, Lume Wealth
• Andrea Jenkins CFP®, Jenbury Financial

The finalists for FAAA Risk Adviser of the Year Award are:

• Mark Everingham CFP®, Personal Risk Professionals
• Cameron Peck CFP®, Safeguard Life

The finalists for FAAA Holistic Adviser of the Year Award are:

• Nathan Fradley FChFP, Fradley Advice Pty Ltd
• Charmaine Hall, Unbound Financial

The finalists for the FAAA Professional Practice of the Year Award are:

• Apt Wealth Partners, VIC
• Oxlade Financial, QLD
• Solace Financial, QLD

The finalists for the FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year Award are:

• Eleanor Bagg CFP®, EJM Advice
• Braden King, Everest Wealth
• Lydia Toghill, Collins SBA

The finalists for the FAAA University Student of the Year Award are:

• Kayla Bradfield, Swinburne University of Technology
• Linda Connolly, Deakin University
• Jaxon Goddard, Curtin University

Ms Milnes thanked the award supporters, noting their dedication to recognising excellence across the profession.

“We’re grateful for the support of our award sponsors, who share our commitment to advancing standards in financial advice. Their involvement in the awards program reinforces the importance of recognising and celebrating the achievements of the advisers and practices leading the way in our profession.”

Kieran Forde, head of adviser channel at Zurich Australia, sponsors of the FAAA Adviser of the Year Award and Risk Adviser of the Year Award, said Zurich congratulates the finalists for their achievements and for leading the way in financial advice.

“What stands out about this year’s finalists across both categories is the dedication, professionalism and client focus they bring to their work every day.

“Being named a finalist is a significant achievement and recognition of the high standards being upheld across the advice profession. The strength of this year’s field reflects the important role advisers play in helping Australians make confident financial decisions, and every finalist should be proud of this recognition.”

Andrew Gregory, chief advice officer at UniSuper, sponsor of the FAAA University Student of the Year Award, said the calibre of entrants for this award continues to impress.

“UniSuper is proud to support the next generation of advice professionals through this award for a third year. With more nominations received than ever before, it is inspiring to see so many emerging professionals recognised for their genuine commitment to the future of financial advice.”

Beau Riley, general manager retail at TAL, sponsor of the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award, said the finalists are being recognised not only for the quality of advice they deliver, but for the example they set across the profession.

“These finalists show what’s possible when you combine real expertise with genuine care for your clients. Through their leadership, professionalism and commitment to delivering better client outcomes, they’re inspiring others and helping strengthen the future of advice.

“Congratulations to everyone who made the finals. It’s a privilege to see the impact you’re having on your clients, your communities and the industry. Well deserved.”

Tickets to the FAAA Congress 2026 and FAAA Awards Gala Dinner are now available via the FAAA website.

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Speaking at the AFA’s recent EVOLVE Conference, AFA National President, Michael Nowak said that due to COVID-19 restrictions and being unable to host a face-to-face conference, the AFA’s traditional adviser awards program was postponed, however the AFA still wanted to celebrate its belief in great advice.

“The AFA Great Advice Awards are about acknowledging great stories from financial advisers about the successful outcomes they have delivered to clients,” he said. “Advisers share stories that demonstrate the financial, behavioural and emotional value that their advice has provided.”

Each state had a winner and a finalist.

The NSW winner was Terry Johnson from Keyman Financial Services in Parramatta, NSW.

“Terry has many claim stories of which to be proud,” Mr Nowak said. “Not only has he administered pro bono claims, but he always shows the utmost care to his clients when they need it the most.”

The Victorian winner was Adrienne Rush from iCare Financial Advisory Pty Ltd in Melbourne.

“Adrienne is such an impressive adviser. She has been recognised as a finalist in the AFA’s Female Excellence in Advice Award twice,” Mr Nowak said. “Adrienne’s great advice story demonstrates both the financial and psychological benefits of advice.”

Gayle McKew from Prosperity Planning Partners on the Gold Coast was the Queensland winner. Gayle’s great advice story highlighted many interconnecting elements of holistic client and family financial care. “This included intergenerational wealth advice, estate planning and wealth transfer advice, portfolio management and retirement planning.”

South Australian Simon Capp from Treehouse Financial Planning in Adelaide won the award for a story which demonstrated the great care he exhibited in helping a client in distress after a family loss and empowering the client to continue a journey towards achieving their goals.

AFA Inspire National Chair, Dawn Thomas, from Integro Private Wealth in Perth was the Western Australian winner. “Dawn’s great advice story demonstrated her ability to build trust with a client who had previously received poor advice. She restructured the client’s financial affairs and provided guidance to help the client achieve independence and work/life balance.”

The AFA thanked Sunsuper for supporting the Awards and for their ongoing support of advice.

Sunsuper’s Head of Advice and Retirement, Anne Fuchs said, “We were proud to support the AFA Great Advice awards in 2021 and would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists. Sunsuper has 1.4 million members and close to 4,000 registered advisers, therefore we understand and deeply value the role financial advisers play in helping Australians achieve their retirement dreams.”

A list of state winners and finalists appears below.

Winners:

• Adrienne Rush (VIC)
• Gayle McKew (QLD)
• Dawn Thomas (WA)
• Simon Capp (SA/NT)
• Terry Johnson (NSW/ACT)

State Finalists:

• Tim Hall and Simon Green (QLD )
• Donna Lee Powell (WA)
• Nikola Radoicic and Paul Katranis (SA/NT)
• Craig Phillips (NSW/ACT)
• John Cachia (VIC)

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Dawn Thomas

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) welcomes Dawn Thomas as the new National Chair of AFA Inspire.

Ms Thomas is a senior financial adviser with Perth-based financial advice group, Wealthwise, and the AFA’s 2019 Female Excellence in Advice award winner.

“The 2018 AFA Inspire roadshow was the very first space I discovered in financial advice, where women were earnestly celebrated and supported,” she says. “Ever since then, I have felt the warmth of the AFA Inspire community embrace and lift me. It is where the AFA and AFA Inspire leaders and community have allowed women like me to feel seen and heard. I am honoured to be appointed Chair and look forward to harnessing the power, tenacity, resilience and advocacy demonstrated by women within this industry.”

Ms Thomas also thanked the AFA leaders and members who have made AFA Inspire the inclusive forum it is today. “In particular, I would like to thank Kate McCallum for her awe-inspiring time as National Chair,” she says.

In welcoming Ms Thomas to the role, AFA President, Michael Nowak says, “Dawn is an enthusiastic member of the AFA community and a passionate advocate for financial advice, who will help us deliver on our vision for AFA Inspire which is to empower women to believe in themselves, to be confident with all things money and to grow prosperous financial futures.”

AFA Inspire works to achieve this vision by giving back to women in the community through financial education and encouraging and supporting the growth of females in the advice profession.

“I hope that as National Chair, I can welcome more women into AFA Inspire, those who are already members of the profession and those who aspire to be within it,” Ms Thomas says.

The AFA Inspire network is led by the National Chair and supported by:

Amie Baker – NSW Chair
Cara Williams – QLD Chair
Cara Graham – WA Chair
Hayley Dyson – SA Chair
Cassandra Hall – VIC Chair

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Dawn Thomas

Dawn Thomas from Wealthwise is the winner of the 2019 Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Female Excellence in Advice Award (the Award).

The Award recognises outstanding female leadership in financial advice, celebrating women who are making a significant contribution to their profession, their community and their clients. The Award has been supported by TAL since inception in 2011.

AFA CEO, Philip Kewin said, “Dawn is a dedicated and passionate professional who works energetically to educate and improve the lives of women in her community. She is another worthy winner of the AFA’s Female Excellence in Advice Award.”

Dawn has been in the financial services industry since 2008. She found herself drawn to the industry because of the ability to meaningfully connect with people through their unique life experiences and empower them to capture their financial dreams. Dawn is particularly passionate about superannuation and Centrelink maximisation strategies. She has completed the Master of Applied Finance and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Niall McConville, TAL General Manager, Retail Distribution said, “Congratulations to Dawn on this fantastic achievement. She embodies the spirit of the Award, which is about promoting positive change in the financial advice sector, so that more women are encouraged to enter the industry, to take leadership roles and to seek advice, so that they are adequately resourced for retirement and protected by personal insurance.”

Dawn will receive a $15,000 tailored education package, courtesy of TAL.

The Award was presented at the AFA Conference in Adelaide last week.

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The Award promotes positive change in the financial advice sector by encouraging more women to enter the industry and take on leadership roles. It has been championed by TAL for the past nine years.

AFA CEO Philip Kewin said the Award also promotes the broadening of choices available to Australians when it comes to seeking financial advice. “The aim of the Award is two-fold. The first is to encourage more women to enter the industry and take on senior roles. The other equally important aim, is to encourage more women to seek advice so that they can be adequately resourced for retirement and obtaining insurance. With more women in the industry, we hope this will be a natural progression.”

The 2019 Female Excellence in Advice Award Finalists are:

• Felicity Cooper, Cooper Wealth Management
• Tracey Ferguson, Ferguson Financial Planning
• Dawn Thomas, Wealthwise
• Tabitha Tworek, Insight Wealth Planning

TAL General Manager Retail Distribution, Niall McConville, said this year’s finalists were clear standouts in terms of the successes they have had with their clients and the contributions they have made to the community, particularly in regards to promoting advice to females and encouraging more women to consider financial planning as a potential career.

“The quality of the applications we received again this year was excellent and I would like to thank everyone who submitted an application. The application process takes time and effort but many participants let us know how rewarding the experience is. It is a good opportunity for them to reflect on the great work they do every day for Australians and for some it is a chance to reflect on how they are performing to their business plan.”

The winner, who will receive a $15,000 tailored education package courtesy of TAL, will be announced at the AFA Conference in Adelaide on 29 August.

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