Jackie Cook
National winner & Queensland State Winner

While Jackie has only been working in the financial services industry for three years, she has rapidly acquired an vast amount of experience and an impressive level of skill.   
 
She began her career with I.Insure Group in Ballarat in a part-time paraplanning and administrative role while still completing her studies. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Management (Human Resource Management) and Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) in 2007 she took a role as a paraplanner at WHK. In January 2009 she took up her current position with IPS Professional Investment Services on the Gold Coast.

Jackie believes that while paraplanners and financial planners can have a huge impact on the "sufficient money" aspect of their client's wellbeing, they also have the ability to impact on the other factors of a client's welling. She understands the enormous impact financial concerns can have on client’s relationships, health and overall wellbeing.

Jackie is currently completing an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and plans to continue her studies in order to become a Certified Financial Planner.

2009 State Winners

Ben Walvish
Victorian State Winner

Ben has been in the financial planning Industry since 2002. He began his career as a paraplanner at State Trustees, before moving in to financial planning firm Pentad Group in 2005. Ben is currently at Mercer Wealth Solutions where he has been a paraplanner since 2007. 
Ben has completed a Bachelor of Commerce and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), and plans to commence his CFP over the coming year. 

Having worked with a diverse range of employers and clientele, Ben has developed excellent insight into the way that different types of businesses can help their clients to achieve their goals. 

Ben enjoys both the technical aspects of his role in writing plans and reviews, as well as liaising directly with clients and assisting in client meetings. 
 
He believes the most rewarding part of his role is being able to help people achieve happiness and peace of mind by meeting their lifestyle objectives and achieving financial security.

Tim D’Astoli
New South Wales State Winner

Beginning his career in super fund administration, Tim moved to a paraplanning role five years ago and has worked in the paraplanning team at ipac Securities for the past three years.
Tim has completed an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently completing both the Certified Financial Planner program and a Bachelor of Business. He remains up-to-date with industry developments by regularly attending in-house and external professional development events, to ensure his technical capabilities are maintained.
Combining his technical knowledge with over 10 years experience in financial services, Tim works closely with advisers to ensure that client outcomes are reached – both financial and non-financial. Tim says the diversity in the clients he assists, from catastrophic injury clients to self-funded retirees, keeps him continually learning and provides him with a sense of achievement.
Tim describes his approach to paraplanning as ‘Planning for the person’. Besides preparing advice documentation behind the scenes, Tim also has the opportunity to present at client education seminars and plays an active role in client meetings with advisers. He enjoys seeing the tangible results that quality financial advice can bring, and strongly believes that ‘planning for the person’ is extremely important.

Paul Bayly
South Australian State Winner

After completing his Diploma of Financial Planning with the Securities Institute of Australia, Paul commenced working in a bank advisory role, but quickly made the change to paraplanning so that he could increase his knowledge in both financial strategies and products. He has not looked back since and has thrived on the challenges presented to him with Select Wealth Solutions.

Paul currently develops financial plans for four financial planners and also has direct contact with clients both over the phone and in person. Providing clients with a prompt and efficient service helps give Paul a great sense of achievement in his role.

Paul enjoys being involved in all aspects of the financial planning process and strives to exceed expectations and make processes as simple and painless as possible for both clients and the advisers that he works with.

Annette Woodbridge,
Western Australian State Winner

After a career change from working as a legal secretary, Annette began her career in the financial planning industry as a paraplanner with Commonwealth Bank and Colonial. Completing her Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning though Finsia in May 2007, Annette commenced working as an Assistant Financial Adviser at Mercer Wealth Solutions. She is currently completing the SMSF Adviser Education Program through Financial Essentials.
Annette sees herself as a career paraplanner and believes that although moving to an advising position is the right for many paraplanners it is not the only way to make a significant contribution to a client’s wellbeing. In her role as a paraplanner Annette concentrates on honing her highly developed technical skills, allowing her to formulate the most effective strategies for her clients.  Importantly, well crafted strategies not only help clients achieve their financial goals but allow them to concentrate on the most important aspect of life – enjoying it.