Gerry Porter passed away on Saturday 29 July 2017.

Synchron is mourning the loss of former Queensland State Manager and friend Gerry Porter, who passed away on Saturday 29 July 2017.

Mr Porter was a Synchron adviser for 16 years and managed Synchron’s affairs in Queensland for almost ten years. Synchron Director, Don Trapnell, said that on Mr Porter’s retirement from the State Manager role last year, Mr Porter had built Synchron’s presence in Queensland from a small group of 21 advisers to 119 over that period.

“Always quick with a smile and ready to give an anecdote about the old days, Gerry could readily be described as one of the lovable characters of our industry,” Mr Trapnell said. “With his passing, Synchron has, very sadly, lost one of its own. My co-director John Prossor and I, along with the entire Synchron family, would like to express our deepest sympathies to Gerry’s wife and soulmate Shirley, and their daughters Gail and Leanne.”

Mr Porter was a life member of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and played a significant role in reviving the AFA. He sat on the AFA Board from 2003-08 and was also the AFA’s Queensland State Director for six years in the early 2000s. In 2015, Mr Porter was awarded the AFA’s prestigious Michael Murphy Award, the highest award for services to the industry awarded by the AFA.

Fellow Queenslander and current AFA Vice President, Michael Nowak, said Mr Porter brought the Genxt concept to the AFA. “Gerry was regarded as the godfather of Genxt. His vision has been a game-changer for the AFA and has seen a new wave of advisers and leaders emerge.”

Mr Nowak said Mr Porter was extremely well-liked and respected throughout the advice community in Australia and has left his mark in the hearts of many people. “He was a humble, grassroots leader who embodied the culture and spirit of the AFA. He never sought the limelight, rather rolled up his sleeves and took pride in representing AFA members and building the AFA community. Our thoughts go out to his wife Shirley, who accompanied him to AFA events.”

Mr Porter had a long career in life insurance and was formerly the Agency Developmental Manager for Prudential & Colonial Insurance and the former Queensland State Sales Manager for Friends Provident Insurance.

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The appointment follows on from the announcement of the retirement of current State Manager Gerry Porter, made at yesterday’s Synchron PD Day in Brisbane.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Gee’s calibre and experience joining the Synchron family and look forward to seeing her continue the outstanding work done by Gerry Porter in Queensland,” said Mr Trapnell.

Gerry Porter has been a Synchron adviser for 15 years and Queensland State Manager since January 2009. He is responsible for Queensland now being the licensee’s second largest state; increasing the number of Synchron representatives from 20 to 115. Mr Porter was awarded the prestigious Michael Murphy Award in 2015 from the Association of Financial Advisers.

Formerly a Business Development Manager with Zurich, Ms Vas has a decade of experience in both investments and insurance, and has also previously held roles with TAL and Aviva Australia (since acquired by MLC Limited).

“I’ve worked closely with Synchron over the last six years and so I’m delighted to now be joining their amazing team,” said Ms Vas. “I’m passionate about the financial services industry, especially risk insurance, and look forward to cultivating strong relationships with advisers and sales executives, while continuing the growth of Synchron in Queensland.”

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Kylie George

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) formally recognized a number of outstanding members of the financial advice community at the 2015 AFA National Adviser Conference in Cairns last week.

In partnership with Zurich, the AFA bestowed the professions most significant individual honour – the AFA Adviser of the Year Award – on Sydney’s David Reed of The Retirement Advice Centre. Melbourne-based Kearney Group was awarded the prestigious AFA Practice of the Year Award.

The AFA Adviser of the Year Award pays tribute to advisers who demonstrate outstanding adviser performance, advice strategies, dedication to professional education and achieving informed client consent through building the financial literacy of their clients. The AFA’s Practice of the Year Award is awarded to a financial advice practice that has achieved outstanding levels of client satisfaction, business performance metrics, effective marketing, efficient operations and a proven contribution to the profession.

Mildura-based adviser Kylie George of Harvest Wealth became the 2015 AFA Rising Star. The AFA’s Rising Star Award, supported by ANZ Wealth recognizes emerging talent within the financial advice profession.

The AFA, partnered by TAL, also named Victorian NAB Financial Planning adviser Sharon Walker as the winner of the AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award. This Award recognizes a female adviser with a passion and commitment to professionalism and quality advice, and who actively supports other women in financial services whilst also contributing to the betterment of financial literacy for women.

Charles Badenach received the AFA Excellence in Education Award, supported by Asteron Life, which recognizes an adviser’s commitment to ongoing professional education and self development.

Industry stalwart and Synchron Queensland state manager Gerry Porter was awarded the AFA’s Michael Murphy Award for his contribution to the advice community and the growth of the AFA. The Award is named in honour of AFA legend Michael Murphy who, after leading the resurrection of the AFA, lost his battle with cancer in 2012.

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Gerry Porter

Synchron’s Queensland state manager and industry stalwart Gerry Porter was last week presented with the AFA’s prestigious Michael Murphy Award (the Award) at the AFA 2015 National Adviser Conference in Cairns, for his unwavering service and contribution to the financial advice community.

Synchron Director Don Trapnell said “We are proud of the contribution Gerry Porter has made over the years which is consistent with Synchron’s support of the AFA and the work done by that association.”

The Award is a tribute to an individual who has contributed substantially and consistently to the AFA advice community and is named in honour of the late Michael Murphy who was its inaugural 2009 winner. A distinguished member of the AFA, Michael lost his battle with cancer in 2012.

In presenting the Award AFA CEO Brad Fox described Gerry as the passionate, committed godfather of the AFA’s Genxt initiative and credited him with helping to resurrect the AFA about 10 years ago and shape it into the great association it is today.

In accepting the honour, Gerry acknowledged Michael Murphy as being the leader of that resurrection, saying that nothing would have been possible without Michael’s vision and dedication.

“Murph was the type of bloke who wouldn’t let anybody stand alone in the corner,” he said. “I’m humbled to win an Award named in his honour.”

Gerry was made a life member of the AFA 11 years ago. “The AFA has been going for 65 years and I hope we have at least another 65 in us,” he said.

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