2006 National and State Winners

Brigitte Forbes
2006 National Winner and WA State Winner

Before moving into financial services, Brigitte was a registered nurse. I decided to enrol in a Nursing degree and completed a three year degree and five years working as a Registered Nurse. I spent the majority of my time working in an Oncology ward.

The work was extremely rewarding and very demanding but I needed something more. I decided that I wanted to complete further study and came to the conclusion that I could become a highly trained nurse, working the same hours in the same specialty area, or I could take the opportunity to do something different.

After a lot of research I decided to pursue a career in the finance industry and left Nursing and got a job at the Commonwealth Bank as a Customer Service Officer. On the same day that I started I enrolled in the Diploma of Financial Planning with Deakin University and started working towards becoming a Financial Planner.

Four years down the track I am now a Senior Paraplanner, have completed my Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), my Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and am currently working towards achieving Certified Financial Planner status having completed CFP 1 and 2. I am an Affiliate Member of the Financial Planning Association and am a Representative for Patersons Securities Limited, a stock broking firm in Perth WA.

I started down the path of Paraplanning thinking that it would be a stepping-stone, but have recognised along the way the vital role that I play in the Financial Planning industry. I see Paraplanning as a fantastic career that deserves recognition in its own right as a chosen profession rather than as a transition to becoming a Financial Planner.

I believe that I offer an invaluable service to my current employer. The advisers that I work with recognise my ability to provide sound technical strategies and to think "outside the square". Rather than being a typist, I play an integral role in the preparation of all Statements of Advice and Statements of Additional Advice provided for our clients.

After many years and hours and hours of studying I have found the job that makes me get out of bed in the morning. I love what I do and I believe very few people today are able to make such a statement with the same conviction and belief.


Samuel Clark
Victoria State Winner

When Samuel was asked why he wanted to be Paraplanner of the Year he replied, “I would like to raise the recognition of paraplanners. In these times of low financial literacy, paraplanners are the ones generating the financial strategies for the advisers to present to their clients. Paraplanners need to know that their part in the financial advisory process and raising financial literacy awareness is valued.” Samuel started working as a clerk for a company that managed SMSFs but moved into paraplanning to put his very maths orientated brain into use and found the number crunching fun and rewarding. Now with Mercer Wealth Solutions, Samuel has had the opportunity to be involved in the development of a mentoring program to give junior paraplanners a designated career path to become a financial adviser. 

Tanya Oddo
New South Wales State Winner

Tanya has been working in the financial services industry for over five years and enjoys the dynamic nature of the industry. Actively involved in the industry, Tanya recently presented at an IOOF Paraplanning seminar on the ‘role of the paraplanner’ and is currently working with the FPA Sydney Chapter to organise a paraplanning forum. Tanya currently works at PDY Partners and says it is rewarding to work as part of a team where you can assist clients to map out their financial future, and guide them towards meeting their goals.

Chris Kelly
Queensland State Winner

Chris has a particular interest in helping young adults establish solid financial foundations early in life. Working at HN Financial Partners, Chris managed a heavy work load and study, and was awarded the Financial Planning and Investments Medal from Griffith University – an award to the highest achieving graduate. Since then, Chris has redefined his role so that he can add value to his company by simultaneously taking pressure off the senior consultants by providing them with paraplanning services. 

Georgia Mavroidis
South Australia State Winner

After finishing her degree at university (a Bachelor of Applied Finance at the University of South Australia), Georgia made her debut into the fast paced financial services industry, working for financial advisory firm Mercer Wealth Solutions. It was here that Georgia was first exposed to the intricacies of the paraplanning profession and with ongoing education, support and mentoring from her colleagues, her knowledge, confidence and passion for the industry really developed.