Zacary Leeson

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has announced the winners of the 2020 FPA Awards.

Now in its eighth year, the FPA Awards recognises exceptional financial planners, paraplanners, university students and FPA Professional Practices from across Australia.

The awards also celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding results for clients and give back to the community.

The winner of the coveted FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Zacary Leeson CFP® of HPH Solutions in WA. The award acknowledges Zacary’s positive impact on the lives of his clients, as well as his inspirational work in the community through the charity, Leading Youth Forward.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said: “Zacary exemplifies our FPA membership as a modern professional financial planner who is client dedicated, university educated and an experienced CFP professional.  Zacary’s passion for the value of advice and his confidence shone through his presentation to the FPA Awards judges. He’s an incredible role model for young financial planners.”

The winner of the FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award is WA-based HPH Solutions (WA). The judges commented that the team at HPH Solutions embody the essence of a true FPA Professional Practice and said that the leaders and staff should be congratulated for the valued work they undertake for their new and loyal clients.

Winning the FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award for 2020 is Nat Daley AFP® of Hard Line Wealth (NSW). The judges noted that Nat demonstrated his premise of health, love and wealth in everything that he does – from the advice he provides his clients to the way he has established and developed his business with his partners.

This year, the FPA introduced a new FPA Advice Innovation Award to recognise members who have automated their advice process or used technology in new ways to engage with clients and/or deliver advice. The inaugural winner of this award is Corey Wastle CFP® of Verse Wealth (VIC). Corey and the team at Verse Wealth foster a culture of continual innovation, an incredible focus on attention to detail and a drive to continuously improve their business by removing inefficiencies and pain points in their advice process.

The FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award was given to Emma Zwaan of Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers (WA). The judges commented that Emma’s Statement of Advice (SOA) submission showed an ability to adapt the communication style towards the client’s situation and articulate how the client is put in a better position as a result of the advice.  Emma also demonstrated technical, research and strategic skills in all areas.

The joint winners of the FPA University Student of the Year Award are Miles Kitt of Charles Sturt University and Anthony White of TAFE NSW. Miles showed an outstanding commitment to academic studies and a wide perspective on current issues, as well as a passion for helping people improve their situation. Anthony served as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force for many years, and as a part of his counselling responsibilities, he became aware of the impacts that financial stress can have on individuals. Now a veteran, Anthony is focused on becoming a financial planner and supporting wounded veterans through the Department of Veteran Affairs system, entitlements process, and Military Super program, as they enter civilian life.

The winner of the FPA Community Service Award supported by the Future2 Foundation is Shane Hayes of Family Aged Care Advocates (NSW). The judging panel said that Shane’s dedication to the profession and his support of the Future2 Foundation is inspirational.  Shane displays an amazing amount of humility and passion when he speaks of how our profession can make a difference to everyday Australians.

The FPA gratefully acknowledges the time and expertise provided by the 2020 FPA judging panel:

• Mark Alexander CFP®
• Naomi Alletson AFP®
• Vicky Ampoulos
• David Andrew AFP®
• Jason Andriessen CFP®
• Jason Andriessen AFP®
• Marisa Broome CFP®
• Diana Burgarcic
• Susie Erratt CFP®
• Giles Gunesekera
• Andrew Harris CFP®
• Alison Henderson CFP®
• Fran Hughes CFP®
• Fraser Jack
• William Johns CFP®
• Gary Jones AFP®
• Todd Kennedy CFP®
• Andy Marshall
• Ben Marshan CFP®
• Mark O’Toole CFP®
• Anne Palmer
• David Sharpe CFP®
• Michelle Tate-Lovery CFP®
• Sharon Taylor
• Phillip Win CFP®.

Photographs and a video reel featuring the 2020 FPA Award winners are available on the FPA website visit

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Now in its seventh year, the FPA Awards recognises the achievements of outstanding members who have delivered the highest professional and ethical standards outlined in the FPA Code of Professional Practice, as well as those who have gone above and beyond to support their local community through pro bono and volunteer work.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said finalists had been chosen because they have shown exceptional commitment to professional standards, and made a positive difference to the lives of clients and members of their community.

“I am extremely proud of the work being done by all the finalists and look forward to announcing the winners at Congress in November,” said Mr De Gori.

“Members who contribute to the Future2 Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the FPA, deserve a special mention. Through pro bono work, making donations, getting involved in fundraising activities and by nominating organisations for the annual grant program, these volunteers do so much to support their local community.”

Award winners will be announced at the Future2 Celebration & 2019 FPA Awards presentation held at the iconic St Kilda Sea Baths on Thursday 28 November. Join us at the event to celebrate the winners and support the Future2 Foundation. Tickets cost $150.

More information about the FPA Professionals Congress.

The shortlist for each award is as follows:

FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award
Andrew Dunbar CFP® – Apt Wealth Partners (VIC)
Kearsten James CFP® – Cooper Wealth Management (QLD)

FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award
Crystal Bobir AFP® – Tupicoffs (QLD)
Leonie McKain AFP® – Bridges Financial Services (QLD)
Paul Turner AFP® – Wealthwise (WA)

FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award
Lachlan Haigh – Tupicoffs (QLD)
Andrew Mann CFP® – Tupicoffs (QLD)
Julian Stephenson – Tupicoffs (QLD)

FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award
Capital Partners Private Wealth Advisers (WA)
EJM Financial Services (VIC)
Tupicoffs (QLD)
VISIS Private Wealth (QLD)

FPA University Student of the Year Award
Amanda Barrow-Scott – Griffith University (QLD)
Graeme Morris – Griffith University (QLD)
Porsha Papas – Deakin University (NSW)

FPA Community Service Award supported by the Future2 Foundation
Zacary Leeson CFP® – HPH Solutions (WA)
Kevin McDonald CFP® – Future Focus Financial Planning (NSW)
Michael Stone CFP® – UniSuper Management (SA)
Matthew Torney CFP® – Muirfield Financial Services (VIC)
Louise Wegner-Parker AFP® – Morgans Financial (QLD)

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Taking out the coveted FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award is Michael Carmody CFP® of Viva Wealth in Perth, WA.

The award acknowledges Michael’s passion for helping his clients through financial planning, and going above and beyond to give them the best possible outcomes.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said, “Michael embodies the facets of an exemplary financial planner: outstanding technical knowledge and capability, as well as care and understanding as a financial coach and mentor to his clients, helping them create a vision for their future, and bringing organisation and accountability to their financial lives.

“Michael has recently proven his willingness to take on a new challenge, completing the 2018 Wheel Classic. The gruelling eight-day charity event raises funds for the FPA’s philanthropic arm, the Future2 Foundation.”

The FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award is Wotherspoon Wealth in Adelaide, SA. When the founders of Wotherspoon Wealth established their business eight years ago, they set out with the aim of building a business “that is the very best out there”. Their critical business decisions are actively focused on making the client experience the best it can be and their submission highlighted that they are constantly exploring ways to improve this approach.

Winning the FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award for 2018 is Felicity Cooper AFP® of Cooper Wealth Management in Surfers Paradise, QLD. The judges in this category commented that Felicity put herself in strong contention from the very start of the awards process because the standard of her submitted Statement of Advice was exceptional, and clearly stood out from the pack.

The FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award was given to Kearsten James CFP® of Queensland based Sterling Private Wealth. Commenting on Kearsten’s award application, the judges said that not only was her advice well written and thought out, but the depth of research done on the issues and the notes around it made it an outstanding entry.

The FPA University Student of the Year Award was given to Mary Hadgis of University of South Australia (UniSA) in recognition of her academic excellence and commitment to becoming a future leader within financial planning. Mary is motivated to become a future financial planner because of the opportunity to help people from all walks of life reach their financial goals and achieve their dreams. Mary has also been a driving force behind UniSA becoming an FPEC accredited provider of a financial planning degree.

The Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award recognises the highest performing student in the final unit of the CFP® Certification Program. John Dacker AFP® from Shadforth Financial Group in Sydney, NSW is the 2018 Semester two winner of the honorary award named after the late “first lady of financial planning”, Gwen Fletcher.

Mr De Gori said, “The rigorous CFP® Certification Assessment unit demands students be at the top of their game, so to receive the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award is a significant achievement. John’s outstanding results reflect his commitment and dedication, and I congratulate him on his efforts.”

The winner of the Community Service Award supported by Future2 is Zacary Leeson CFP® of HPH Solutions in Perth, WA. Zacary receives this award in recognition of his dedication as a volunteer at WA based not-for-profit, Leading Youth Forward. The organisation provides mentorship and positive experiences to disadvantaged Perth teenagers to help them foster respect, positive conversations and personal growth. It’s a purely volunteer run group and for the past five years, Zacary has proudly served on the committee, worked as the treasurer and volunteers manager, and had the privilege of seeing his mentee grow from a troubled young boy into a responsible young adult. This award from the FPA’s philanthropic foundation recognises the amazing contribution Zacary has given to the organisation and the young Australians it supports with his time and experience.

Below is a summary list of the 2018 FPA Award winners

• FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year: Michael Carmody CFP®, Viva Wealth, Perth, WA
• FPA Professional Practice of the Year: Wotherspoon Wealth, Adelaide, SA
• FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year: Felicity Cooper AFP®, Cooper Wealth Management, Surfers Paradise, QLD
• FPA Paraplanner of the Year: Kearsten James CFP®, Sterling Private Wealth, Brisbane, QLD
• FPA University Student of the Year: Mary Hadgis, University of South Australia, SA
• Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award: John Dacker AFP®, Shadforth Financial Services, Sydney, NSW
• Community Service Award supported by Future2 Foundation: Zacary Leeson, CFP®, HPH Solutions, Perth, WA

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The FPA Awards recognise the achievements of outstanding financial planners, paraplanners, students and practices, and celebrate the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond for their local community.

FPA CEO Dante De Gori CFP® said finalists had been chosen because they have made a positive difference in the lives of clients, and delivered the highest professional and ethical standards outlined in the FPA Code of Professional Practice.

“Those shortlisted in the financial planner categories have shown exceptional commitment to professional standards and they’ve put their client’s best interest first at all times. I am extremely proud of the work being done by all the finalists and look forward to announcing the winners at Congress in November.”

Mr De Gori also highlighted the Community Service Award supported by Future2 Foundation that honours outstanding pro bono and volunteer work by CFP® professionals and Financial Planner AFP® members.

“With support from the financial planning community, we’re now on track to raise $1 million in grants for Future2 since fundraising started in 2007. As the philanthropic arm of the FPA, Future2 gives members the opportunity to raise funds for grassroots programs that transform the lives of young people who are experiencing social, financial or physical hardship.

“I’m especially proud of our members who contribute to Future2 through donations, getting involved in fundraising activities and by nominating organisations for the annual grant program.”

Depending on the category, prizes include $5,000 for either professional development or a charity of choice, support for media opportunities, and complimentary registration to the FPA Professionals Congress.

Award winners will be announced at the FPA 2018 Professionals Congress, along with the winner of the bi-annual Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award. For more information about the FPA Professionals Congress visit www.fpacongress.com.au.

The shortlist for each award is as follows:

FPA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award

• Michael Carmody CFP® – Viva Wealth (WA)
• James McFall CFP® – Yield Financial Planning (VIC)
• Chris Smith CFP® – VISIS Private Wealth (QLD)

FPA Financial Planner AFP® of the Year Award

• Felicity Cooper AFP® – Cooper Wealth Management (QLD)
• James O’Reilly AFP®– Northeast Wealth (VIC)
• Sandra Slattery AFP® – Commonwealth Financial Planning (NSW)

FPA Paraplanner of the Year Award

• Pierce Hanlen – Hewison and Associates (VIC)
• Kearsten James CFP® – Sterling Private Wealth (QLD)
• Emma Zwaan AFP® – Capital Partners (WA)

Community Service award supported by Future2 Foundation

• Amanda Cassar AFP®– Wealth Planning Partners (QLD)
• Wayne Fenton AFP® – Elders Financial Planning (TAS)
• Zacary Leeson CFP® – HPH Solutions (WA)

FPA Professional Practice of the Year Award

• Eureka Whittaker Macnaught – Sydney (NSW)
• VISIS Private Wealth – Brisbane (QLD)
• Wotherspoon Wealth – Adelaide (SA)

FPA University Student of the Year Award

• Mary Hadgis – University of South Australia (SA)
• Mitchell Harrison – Deakin University (VIC)
• Paul Travis – Griffith University (QLD)

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