Effective immediately, Mr Brown’s FPA membership and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation have been suspended for two years, including rights and privileges. Mr Brown’s details have been removed from the FPA Find A Planner directory and he has been stood down as Chapter Chair of the Gold Coast FPA Chapter Committee. Mr Brown refunded the affected clients in a manner approved by the FPA when he first became aware of the concerns raised. He is also required to reimburse FPA costs and expenses in relation to the matter.

Following a review of advice provided as part of the Cbus FPA Professional Practice Referral Program, the FPA initiated a complaint and investigation relating to the advice and conduct of Mr Brown in August 2017. In October 2018, the CRC panel determined he breached the FPA Code in seven of the 14 instances of alleged breaches.

The CRC has asked Mr Brown to submit details of the steps he will take to improve advice practices and systems. If the reported improvements are not satisfactory, Mr Brown is to undertake further training and education.

Separately, Ms Dianne Bainbridge has had her FPA membership and Financial Planner AFP® designation suspended for six months by the CRC, including rights and privileges, following a complaint raised by a former client in November 2017. Ms Bainbridge’s details have also been removed from the FPA Find a Planner directory.

The FPA investigated the alleged conduct and the matter was referred to the Chair of the CRC in July 2018. In November 2018, the CRC panel determined that Ms Bainbridge had breached the FPA Code, with sanctions being handed down in December 2018. She will undertake additional training and education in management and risk management.

During the suspension period the FPA will undertake a compliance review of Ms Bainbridge’s client documentation. Ms Bainbridge has already paid the FPA costs and expenses related to the matter.

All members of the FPA agree to be bound by the FPA Code, which includes the Code of Ethics.

In response to the CRC determinations, Dante De Gori CFP®, CEO of the FPA says, “All FPA members regardless of tenure, seniority or profile are required to uphold the highest ethical standards within the financial planning profession, with no exceptions. The FPA is committed to standing with Australians for a better financial future and enforcement of the FPA Code is a critical aspect of that commitment.”

Determinations are always published on the FPA website. FPA members are encouraged to read the FPA CRC determinations to understand how the FPA Code is applied in day-to-day practice.

The CRC panel, which hears FPA disciplinary matters, is made up of experienced members of the financial planning profession. Its chair is former presidential member of the Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Mr Graham McDonald.

Reports of suspected misconduct in financial planning by any individual or organisation can be made via any of the following channels:

• Make an anonymous complaint via the FPA Confidential reporting service (run independently by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu).
• Lodge a written complaint via this form on the FPA website.
• Contact the FPA Professional Standards team on 1300 626 393 or by email at professional.standards@fpa.com.au

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Matthew Brown

More than $1 million has been contributed by the Future2 Foundation, to benefit disadvantaged young people across Australia since its inception 11 years ago.

The Future2 Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), achieved this milestone by awarding $181,000 in new grants to 19 not-for-profit organisations this year.

Every dollar awarded by the Future2 Foundation has been endorsed by a local FPA member. The focus is on projects that give hope to 12 – 25-year olds who may be victims of trauma such as domestic violence, intellectually or physically disabled, drug or alcohol dependent, refugees or otherwise disadvantaged.

As Australia battles its worst drought in history, FPA members also rallied this year to nominate not-for-profit organisations focused on helping young people in affected rural areas. In response, three of the 19 grants awarded are special drought relief grants.

Reflecting the diversity of the FPA membership and the communities they serve, Future2 Make the Difference! 2018 grant recipients also include organisations providing domestic violence and suicide bereavement support through to assistance dogs for special needs children – details below.

Future2 Chair Matthew Brown CFP® said the Make the Difference! grants program helps recognise and support the work of charitable organisations close to the hearts of FPA members right across Australia.

“We are extremely proud and humbled that the Future2 Foundation has been able to donate over $1 million in grants to worthy not-for-profit charities making a positive difference to young people’s lives. Our aim is to help create a better future for each one,” he said.

“I applaud the generosity of FPA members who commit their time and energy to help make a meaningful difference to their communities. We were inundated with grant applications this year and it was inspiring to hear the many and varied ways our members actively help so many worthy not-for-profits with volunteer work, pro bono financial planning services, and other support,” added Mr Brown.

Next year’s grant applications open mid-2019, with information available at www.future2foundation.com.au.

2018 Future2 Make the Difference! Grant Recipients

Byron Youth Services (Youth Education Support), Byron Bay NSW Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Shane Hayes CFP®

Byron Youth Service is a not-for-profit charity with the mission to create, support and lead community action for young people. In 2016, Byron Youth Services conducted interviews with high school students to find out what they would like to learn, if they could learn anything they wanted. Responses repeatedly included ‘how to do taxes’, ‘how to budget’ and other financial literacy subjects missing from school curriculums. This sparked the proposal for $-Smart Youth, a financial literacy course to provide workbooks, receipt holders and calculators to encourage students to maintain student learning well beyond the time of the course. Byron Youth Services was also awarded a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2017.

 The Run Beyond Project, Sydney NSW Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: David Hazlewood CFP®

The Run Beyond Project (TRBP) is a free program where volunteer teachers provide long-distance running (10km or half-marathon) training to high school students who are refugees. Students participate in both physical training, as well as theoretical sessions which focus on how they can apply the skills developed to achieve their running goals in broader contexts throughout their lives. The project provides a gateway for students into the running community. Student achievements are celebrated within their school, rewarding participants and providing positive examples for the broader student body. Run Beyond Project was also awarded a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2017.

Giant Steps, Gladesville NSW Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Luke Priddis CFP®

Giant Steps operates a school and intervention service specifically for children and young people with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program provides opportunities for students to reach their optimal physical, mental and social abilities in a supported environment. ASD is a neurological disorder affecting social communication, including delayed or impaired language development, difficulties developing and maintaining relationships, difficulties understanding and using nonverbal communication and social imagination and play, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviours and/or interests. ASD affects 1 in every 100 children. There is no cure for ASD, it is a lifelong condition. The Giant Steps program offers occupational, speech and music therapies within educational programs that are tailored to each student.

SunnyKids, Sunshine Coast QLD Awarded $5,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Greg Tindall CFP®

SunnyKids is a grassroots children’s charity on the Sunshine Coast. It keeps ‘at risk’ children safe by ensuring they have food, shelter and a good sense of belonging in their community so they can become contributing citizens and reach their full potential. SunnyKids promotes the adage that “it takes a village to raise a child” and as such its model engages schools and communities in partnerships to identify and support vulnerable children. Each school is invited to enrol “the ten kids they are most worried about” into the program. SunnyKids professional support workers then join local and national sporting identities who deliver weekly programs at the schools, working through a series of activity-based programs each with messages and disciplines that support young people to develop a strong sense of belonging.

Zephyr Education, Brisbane QLD Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Brett Cribb AFP®

Children affected by domestic violence are often given refuge in domestic violence shelters and have to change schools. Zephyr’s core purpose is to help these children resume their education as quickly as possible by supplying them with uniforms, shoes, text books, stationery and other school essentials. It also supplies swim packs and pays resource and sports levies. Supplying these children with the same uniform and other school-related items as their new classmates helps them to settle in at their new school, reduces the risk that they will be bullied (because they look different), and maximises their learning opportunities.

Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for special needs children, Sunshine Coast QLD Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Sara Stephens

Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for special needs children is making a positive contribution to the quality of life for children with special needs and their families across Australia. They raise and train Autism Assist, Seizure Response, Mobility Assist and Medical Alert dogs with Full Public Access certification. Smart Pups exists to help children with special needs lead a life of greater independence in safety and without barriers. A Smart Pup uniquely provides 24/7 emotional and physical support to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of the recipient child. The skills of a Smart Pup assist with reducing anxiety and social exclusion in public places, and maximises participation in life, boosting the potential for development, social and educational gains.

Can:Do 4Kids, Welland SA Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Travis Adams AFP®

Can:Do 4Kids (Townsend House Inc.) is South Australia’s oldest charitable service provider, offering vital therapy and support to children and young people who are blind, vision impaired, deaf or hearing impaired. Est.1874, Can: Do 4Kids has provided family-centered support to sensory impaired South Australians for 140+years. Its mission is to empower children to achieve their full potential by providing them with specialised sensory services. Can:Do 4Kids provides therapy, information and support to 1,500+ kids who are sensory-impaired. Families with children with other disabilities are also increasingly turning to Can:Do 4Kids for support and expertise (e.g. Down Syndrome, Communication delays, Autism).

Puddle Jumpers Inc SA Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Timothy Lindsay CFP®

Puddle Jumpers Inc. is committed to responding to the social development needs of society’s most vulnerable children and young people. It provides opportunities and support for children and families at risk, through holidays and recreational activities designed to promote personal, social and cultural growth and development. Programs are designed to empower young people to develop social, communication, team building, conflict management and problem solving skills. Puddle Jumpers’ program for young people aged 13 – 15 years is the MinTies program (Mentors In Training). Through this program, children at risk develop early leadership training until they can graduate at 15 years of age as a volunteer. The program also offers first aid and Bronze Medallion training. These young people then have the opportunity to use their new knowledge and qualifications for first time jobs and are set on a good path for future long term and full time employment.

Teen Challenge Tasmania Inc Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Wayne Fenton AFP®

The ‘#NotEvenOnce’ (NEO) program run by Teen Challenge provides young people (grades 7-12) with the information, social skills, personal resilience, and understanding to avoid the risks of substance abuse. NEO is an effective early intervention approach to reduce the uptake of alcohol and other drugs among young people. The school seminars cater for student learning within the framework of the Australian Curriculum and explain the ‘What’, ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of drugs and alcohol as impacting their minds, bodies, relationships and future. Creative teaching techniques are used including audio-visual, pathos, activities, role play and discussion. NEO steers youth away from addiction by increasing awareness and providing effective strategies. Teen Challenge also received a $10,000 Future2 grant in 2017.

City Mission, Northern Tasmania Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Zach McArthur CFP®

City Mission is a local, grassroots charity serving communities in the north and northwest of Tasmania with a distinct client focus. It provides a range of support services to vulnerable people, including youth services, mentoring programs; children’s trauma, grief and loss support; drug and alcohol rehabilitation; emergency relief and family support; and short and medium-term crisis accommodation. It is currently expanding its mentoring support provided through The Mish, to assist a greater number of vulnerable young people to lead lives of significance and success and become positive contributors within communities.

South West Local Learning and Employment, South West Victoria Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: John Bowman CFP®

South West Local Learning and Employment Network is responsible for the delivery of the Passport to Employment (P2E) program, designed for young people with mild to medium intellectual or physical disabilities (15 to 21 years) in their transition from school to further education, training and subsequent employment. The P2E program provides local secondary school students an external learning environment that helps build selfesteem, foster stronger social interaction and create networks away from their usual place of study. P2E provides a fun and interactive way to learn about ‘the transition from school to community’ while instilling knowledge of healthy diets, exercise, mindfulness as well as practicing job search skills, interview techniques, good dress sense and benefits of maintaining a positive outlook.

Boroondara Cares Foundation, Hawthorn VIC Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Richard Addison AFP®

In 2005, when the farmers of Moira Shire were suffering significant hardship as fires had ravaged their fences, many Boroondara Rotarians, under the banner “Boroondara Cares” headed north to help the farmers rebuild. One of the projects is the CHANCES Scholarship Program. The BCF CHANCES Scholarship program closes the gap on educational inequality and poverty by providing educational scholarships to financially disadvantaged, motivated and talented young people between the ages of 12 and 25 who live and / or study in Boroondara.

Hello Hurricane, Geelong VIC Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Nathan Boseley AFP®

Hello Hurricane aims to step-in at a critical period in young people’s development and offer a pathway for personal growth that will build resilience, knowledge, confidence and leadership amongst teenagers of the Geelong region. While particularly at-risk youth (as identified by school welfare departments) are part of the Foundation’s program, the services offered are mainstreamed so as to avoid creating social stigma attached to program participation. The skills promoted through Hello Hurricane benefit all young people, regardless of their ‘risk profile’ or other social categories. The program offers varied training for mind and body, promoting healthy living and also soft skills such as communication, teamwork, initiative, project management, time management and problem solving.

Leading Youth Forward Inc, Perth WA Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Zachary Leeson CFP®

Leading Youth Forward (LYF) is a completely volunteer-run organisation that exists to support and empower at risk teens aged 12 to 15 in Perth by providing one-on-one mentorships, encouragement, respite and life affirming experiences at a critical stage in their lives. LYF pairs teens with a mentor aged 22+ (usually a young professional or University student) and fosters a beneficial mentoring relationship by facilitating a structured program of events. LYF plans to hold four Big Day Out Development Days in 2019 which will help bring together nearly 200 mentors and teens for a day that is packed full of confidence building, social connectedness, physical activity, and planning and preparation for the future. The Development Days will provide tangible opportunities for at-risk teens to improve their life and job-readiness skills, for example, goal setting and preparing a CV.

Camp Kulin Charities Inc, Kulin WA Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Michael Pyne CFP® Camp Kulin runs camps for children across WA, including those affected by torture and trauma situations such as children bereaved by suicide, those who have been through torture situations in refugee camps overseas, and those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Camp Kulin teaches life skills – leadership, respect, trust, self-confidence, self-esteem, perseverance, persistence, emotional regulation, anger management, problem solving and communication in a fun and meaningful way.

Role Models and Leaders Australia, WA Awarded $10,000 Future2 grant

Endorsed by: Simon Chesson CFP®

The Girls Academy, part of Role Models and Leaders Australia, supports at-risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) girls across Australia throughout high school with one-on-one mentoring to complete Year 12. Aligned with 43 schools with 2,600 enrolments, the Girls Academy is a national leader in school based programs for ATSI girls. The program addresses educational disadvantage for ATSI girls, helping them engage and finish high school, and plan for the next stage of their life, be it further study, an apprenticeship, traineeship or work. The Girls Academy supports ATSI girls to engage in their education, achieve their goals and change their communities. 2018 Future2 drought relief grant recipients

Riding for the Disabled, Wagga Wagga NSW Awarded $10,000 Future2 drought relief grant

Endorsed by: Tom Harris CFP® Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is an international organisation that provides horse related activities to people with disabilities, in order to enhance and develop their abilities. The Wagga Centre is affiliated with Riding for the Disabled (NSW) Association and is a Registered Training Organisation. They offer riding lessons, carriage driving and Equine Facilitated Mental Health programs to those with any type of disability, including children. Their greatest challenge is raising the funds to help purchase enough feed to maintain the horses in a healthy condition, so they can continue to provide services to their clients. The drought has dramatically increased the cost of feed for horses. A horse eats 9-10kg per day. As horses are monogastric (unable to vomit and are subject to colic), the feed range for horses is much more limited than for other animals. The Wagga Centre is competing to buy a small range of feed, often having doubled in price. Based on the current feed prices RDA’s costs have increased by approximately $20,000 per annum.

Ouyen United Football & Netball Club Inc, Ouyen VIC Awarded $6,000 Future2 drought relief grant

Endorsed by: Stephen Wait CFP®

The purpose of Ouyen United Football & Netball Club is to promote the participation of members in AFL, netball and associated sporting activities to encourage social interaction, self-development and cultural awareness. The Club participates in the Sunraysia Football & Netball League, which is situated an hour north of their main home ground in Ouyen, Vic. The Club’s members, players, supporters and sponsors are drawn from the wider Mallee district which encompasses an area covering approximately 455 km of Mallee dry land farming, which has been severely affected by the recent drought. During winter, this is the only major sporting organisation in the region that unites the wider community under one banner. The opportunity for the junior community members to have a safe, stable environment for them to participate in team sports is invaluable. The club is currently seeking to raise funds for an equipment transport trailer to ensure that all equipment can be transported securely.

QLD Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network, rural and remote QLD Awarded $10,000 Future2 drought relief grant

Endorsed by: Susan Bryant

The Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) has 25 years of commitment and passion for building and linking communities of women across Queensland. QRRRWN connects, develops and inspires rural, regional and remote women funded through memberships and partnerships. It contributes by supporting and leading the empowerment of women through the use of services, social connectedness, development tools and programs targeting both personal and professional growth. One important initiative is the QRRRWN’s Youth Programme, which delivers an annual conference including education in leadership training, communication skills, resilience training, mentoring and financial literacy. The programme also includes six months of mentoring. Part of this project is to provide financially assistance to a group of young women from drought affected areas with a bursary to attend the Youth Programme.

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Now in its eighth year, the 2018 Future2 Wheel Classic is taking on a new 993km route.

Future2, the philanthropic arm of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), is calling for cycling and hiking enthusiasts to join them on two different outdoor adventures exploring NSW from country to coast.

The Future2 Wheel Classic and the Future2 Hiking Challenge will raise funds for Future2’s Make the Difference! Grant program that supports community initiatives for young disadvantaged Australians.

Now in its eighth year, the 2018 Future2 Wheel Classic is taking on a new 993km route, where riders will depart from Parliament House on November 14 and cross the finish line at ICC Sydney eight days later, just in time for the 2018 FPA Professionals Congress. Riders will venture through some of NSW’s most environmentally pristine places, including the Snowy Mountains, South Coast and Southern Highlands.

While training is required for those planning to participate in the Future2 Wheel Classic, the average daily distance of 100km and average speed of 20km/h make the challenge quite doable for the moderately fit.

To accommodate those who would prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground, Future2 is taking hikers on the famous Six Foot Track. The group will set off on a two day 45km expedition on November 19, where they will experience the challenging terrain and beauty of the Six Foot Track and Megalong Valley.

Riders will take on the challenge of raising $1,500, while the hikers will aim to raise $1,200 to support Future2’s Make the Difference! Grant program.

Each year Future2 provides several grants to key organisations which provide support to young people. Young Australians who benefit include those outside mainstream education, living with intellectual or physical disability, fighting an addiction, living in dysfunctional families, in juvenile justice, or new migrants seeking a place in their adopted home.

The grants are open to not-for-profits around Australia that provide opportunities for under 25s to develop learning and leadership skills, receive mentoring, participate in remedial programs for drug and alcohol dependence, and take part in independent living projects that help address social exclusion and homelessness.

Future2 Chair Matthew Brown CFP®, said, “There are countless organisations doing great work in every corner of Australia. We encourage those able, to participate in these adventurous fundraising initiatives and help us to support Australians in need.

“Last year, Future2 was able to award $133,000 in grants and through the generous support from FPA members and supporters, we hope to surpass this for 2018.”

Find out more about the Future2 Wheel Classic and the Future2 Blue Mountains Hiking Challenge.

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Grants have been awarded to 14 charity organisations across Australia in regional and metro areas, each endorsed by a local FPA member.

Future2 Chair Matthew Brown CFP® said the grants come as a result of FPA members’ continued efforts to raise funds for grassroots programs that transform the lives of young people who have had a tough start in life.

“I applaud the generosity of those FPA members who commit their time and energy to help make a meaningful difference to their communities. So many of the grant applications received showcase the ways that our members are actively involved in these worthy not-for-profits, through volunteer work and the provision of pro bono services,” said Mr Brown.

The Future2 Make the Difference! grants help fund projects that give hope for a better future to 18-25 year olds who may be financially disadvantaged, homeless, juvenile justice offenders, drug or alcohol dependent, disabled, or disadvantaged in some other respect.

Funded projects have been in the areas of financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service and mentoring. The Future2 Foundation celebrates its 10th year in 2017 and during this time has committed $823,000 in support to disadvantaged young Australians.

Next year’s grant applications open in in mid-2018, with information available at www.future2foundation.com.au.

2017 Future2 Make the Difference! Grant Recipients

Byron Youth Services ($-Smart Youth), Byron Bay, NSW

Endorsed by: Shane Hayes CFP®

Byron Youth Service is a not-for-profit charity with the mission to create, support and lead community action for young people. In 2016, Byron Youth Services conducted face-to-face interviews with high school students to find out what they would like to learn, if they could learn anything they wanted. Responses repeatedly included ‘how to do taxes’, ‘how to budget’ and other financial literacy subjects missing from school curriculums. This sparked the proposal for $-Smart Youth, a financial literacy course to provide workbooks, receipt holders and calculators to encourage students to maintain their learning well beyond the time of the course.

The Run Beyond Project, Sydney, NSW

Endorsed by David Hazlewood CFP

The Run Beyond Project is a free program where volunteer teachers provide long-distance running (10km or half-marathon) training to high school students who are refugees. Students participate in both physical training, as well as theoretical sessions which focus on how they can apply the skills developed to achieve their running goals in broader contexts throughout their lives. The project provides a gateway for students into the running community. Student achievements are celebrated within their school, rewarding participants and providing positive examples for the broader student body.

BestLife, Brisbane, QLD

Endorsed by: David Larman CFP®

BestLife is an early intervention response for families and individuals to provide support for young people with intellectual and/or physical disability who are socially isolated, to enable them to become young adults living in the community with people they like, doing things that matter. A completely unique approach to helping people living with disability, the BestLife vision is to ensure young people (regardless of ability) and their families have the opportunity to enjoy a better and brighter future.

Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, Cape York, QLD

Endorsed by: Ian Byrne CFP®

Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation assists Indigenous individuals and communities to achieve self-determination through their programs. The Youth Empowerment Employment Program targets young Indigenous Australians, particularly those with disadvantaged backgrounds, by giving them encouragement and inspiration to lead productive, secure and happy lives for themselves and their families. The program concentrates on dysfunctional teenagers, who due to issues outside of their control, need much support and motivation in fighting social problems like addictions, abuse, violence, bullying, social-exclusion and depression.

Special Olympics Australia, Mackay, QLD

Endorsed by: Beverley Ferris CFP®

Special Olympics Australia has launched a program for youths aged 18-25 to encourage athletes of all abilities to participate in sport. All athletes in the Special Olympics have an intellectual disability and the competitions are structured so athletes compete with other athletes of similar abilities in equitable divisions. Special Olympics transforms lives through sport and whether it is to win medals, form a social network or achieve their personal best. The funding will go towards travelling jackets for the team which is for safety and security for the athletes and a reassurance for the volunteers and coaches.

EBL Disability Services, Adelaide, SA

Endorsed by: Tracey Edwards CFP®

EBL Disability Services seeks to help those with intellectual disabilities to live meaningful lives. The My Voice Matter project is to assist young people coming through both the respite program and those residing in the supported accommodation service. The funding will be used for the purchase and roll out of the Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) that will allow EBL to further develop, educate and improve the quality of life for these people living with disabilities. The act of giving a non-verbal individual a piece of equipment that allows them to clearly articulate when they are bored, hungry, upset, or happy – the quality of life for these people dramatically improves.

Junction Australia, Adelaide, SA

Endorsed by Natalie Bordun CFP®

Junction Australia offers a service called The Outer Southern Youth Homelessness Service (OSYHS). This service aims to assist young people in their transition to independent living through support and increasing access to other housing options. As part of this service, Junction Australia would like to offer young people who are in this program access to free driving lessons (if they do not already have a drivers licence) as part of the support to independent living.

Beacon Foundation, Hobart, TAS

Endorsed by: Todd Kennedy CFP®

Beacon Foundation supports disadvantaged young people to successfully transition from education to meaningful employment. The Work Readiness for Young Tasmanians program aims to provide young people with meaningful post-school pathways and connect them with potential employers. The program also provides them knowledge, skills and networks they need to successfully transition from school to work. The funding will be used to give selected students the opportunity to undertake subjects related to careers in the financial sector. Business mentors from the finance sector will be engaged in the program to assist and work with participants on relevant work readiness skills and give awareness of pathways into the sector.

Teen Challenge, Launceston, TAS

Endorsed by: Wayne Fenton AFP®

The Connections Mentoring Program, run by Teen Challenge, is a prevention and early intervention program that matches volunteer adult mentors with at-risk young people. The program aims to assist young people and their families who may be struggling with their physical or mental health, socially or educationally. Mentors act as positive role models and provide support during time spent together doing activities of interest to the young person. The program is run in partnership with schools in low socioeconomic communities. The school teachers refer students into the program with their parents’ permission. The benefits to young people include:

• An increase in emotional resilience and a better ability to adapt to stressful situations.
• Higher levels of attendance and engagement with learning
• Improved social and educational outcomes.

Conscious Creative, Melbourne, VIC

Endorsed by: Julian Place CFP®

Conscious Creative has established HoMie, Australia’s first ever retail training and employment program for young homeless Melburnians aged 18-25. HoMie clothes, trains and employs people who are experiencing homelessness. Clothes are distributed to the homeless community during monthly VIP Shopping Days at HoMie, where those affected by homelessness are invited to shop for free. One of the lasting legacies of VIP Shopping Days is the connectedness and confidence it fosters through the bridging of different communities.

Kids off the Kerb, Melbourne, VIC

Endorsed by: Troy Rosenlis CFP®

Kids off the Kerb is a not-for-profit organisation that assists disadvantaged and at-risk young people to help them reach their potential. Kids off the Kerb offers projects using environmental and recycling platforms to create sustainable education, training and employment opportunities for young people. These projects provide young people with work experience and training opportunities, as well a pathway into paid work. Kids off the Kerb is seeking to launch a new project, Flipin-it, that will expand its recycling program by selling refurbished and recycled goods online and at an onsite shop run by young people. This project will open up access to more skills and jobs such as digital marketing, business operations and product photography.

Lamp Inc, West Busselton, WA

Endorsed by: Peter Farrar CFP®

Lamp provides mental health community support to assist in the social well-being, dignity and personal independence of adults and young people experiencing mental illness. The Room 226 Youth Support Program run by Lamp is designed to support young people and their families and carers who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, self-harm, social isolation, family conflict and suicidal ideation. The proposed project “Backyard Blokes” has been designed to further expand opportunities to work with young men at risk of self-harm and social isolation through peer connection, building of individual resilience and personal coping skills to reduce and address suicide in rural youth. The program seeks to deliver one-on-one assistance, regular peer group meetings and information sessions to increase emotional literacy, communication and self-expression, in order to reduce the effects of bullying ond young men.

Short Term Accommodation for Youth (STAY), Geraldton, WA

Endorsed by: Lisa Farnell CFP®

STAY is a supported youth accommodation service for vulnerable young people. The STAY Driving Program is aimed at supporting young people at risk to achieve their drivers licence. Most of the young people targeted are already driving without a licence and pose a risk to themselves and the community. Through the program, they are supported to achieve up to 12 lessons with a professional driving instructor, as well as supported driving hours provided by qualified STAY youth workers.

Riding for the Disabled of the ACT Inc (Pegasus), Canberra, ACT

Endorsed by: Lisa Weissel CFP®

Riding for the Disabled of the ACT (Pegasus) exists to provide horse facilitated programs aimed at developing abilities for people with a disability. For people with disabilities who suffer from low self-esteem, poor self-confidence and issues with interpersonal skills, Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) has shown to be effective in developing these skills and attributes. EFL is a rapidly developing therapy which, through a series of specially designed activities, develops participants’ problem solving skills, improves self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

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Matthew Rowe

Future2, the charitable foundation of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has appointed Matthew Rowe CFP as Chair of the Board and added three new directors/trustees, effective 1 January 2016.

• Matthew Brown CFP, Director & Practice Principal, MiQ Private Wealth, Gold Coast
• Petra Churcher AFP, Chair of the SA Chapter of the FPA and General Manager of ipac South Australia
• Michael Guggenheimer, Managing Director of AMP Financial Planning and Hillross Financial Services

Matthew Brown is one of three FPA directors nominated to the Future2 Board. The others are Mark Rantall CFPâ and Neil Kendall CFPâ. Matthew has been a financial planner for over 26 years and joined the FPA Board in 2011. He has extensive not-for-profit Board experience with Broadbeach Alliance, a community based events business, of which he is Chair.

Petra Churcher was among 14 FPA members to make an expression of interest in joining the Board in 2015. Petra is Chair of the FPA SA Chapter and in that capacity spearheaded the successful Future2 Gala Dinner in 2014, and other fundraising events.

Michael Guggenheimer has encouraged widespread support for Future2 among AMP employees and licensed representatives. His support of the Future2 Wheel Classic over the last four years has been instrumental in raising funds for disadvantaged young Australians.

The Future2 foundation draws its support from financial planning professionals and others linked to the profession in order to make a lasting difference in the lives of young Australians who are living in social and financial disadvantage.

The Board is made up largely of FPA members who are committed to Future2’s vision to be the heart of the financial advice profession.

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