Congratulations to Ryan and Nina.

Director Ryan Threlfo and his resplendent bride, Nina Price made a handsome couple when they married recently at St. Peters Church in East Maitland on March 5, 2011.

Ryan, an Accountant based at our East Maitland office and Nina, a Personal Assistant to Management within our Newcastle office, tied the knot on their loving relationship surrounded by friends and loved ones. To quote the bride - "We had a wonderful day. We would have loved to do it all again the next day."

Many Congratulations to you both!

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December 2010

Congratulations to Rick McCosker.

After 27 years of quality advice to his clients, Rick has decided to retire.

Best wishes to Rick and Meryl for a wonderful retirement.

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Keith Compton made a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Keith, a director of Crest and senior accountant at East Maitland, was recently made a 'Fellow' of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Advancement to Fellowship status recognises demonstrated leadership within the Institute, the Community and the Accounting Profession.

Congratulations Keith!

Pictured: Keith Compton (left) congratulated by Bruce Gleeson (FCA) (NSW Chair) at The Institute of Chartered Accountants' presentation ceremony.

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Lynn is an Aussie

On the 13th of March 2010, Lynn Ozard, Client Services Manager at Crest Financial Services had a private ceremony at the Gosford Council Chambers with Chris Holstein, Gosford Mayor and Peter Wilson, General Manager, conducting the naturalisation  ceremony.  Friends, family and co-workers celebrated following the ceremony for Lynn becoming a true Aussie.

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Paul Howden - National Advisor Award Winner 2009

In 2009 Paul was honoured by AXA as the winner of its national annual adviser award, the Gerald Lippman Perpetual Trophy.  AXA Financial Advice Network General Manager Andrew Waddell, said the award considers a number of aspects of the adviser’s contribution to the AXA Financial Advice Network.  

“Each year we assess professional and practice development, feedback from colleagues and the contribution made by the  individual to their local and wider community, as well as the industry. For these reasons, the award is the highest honour AXA Financial Advice Network can bestow on one of its advisers,” he said.  

Mr Waddell said Paul has continually exceeded all of these criteria. 

Paul joined AXA 16 years ago as a paraplanner in one of AXA’s leading businesses in Newcastle, until becoming a salaried planner two years later.

He then branched out into his own business and built a strong referral network with other AXA advisers.  Three years later these advisers joined forces to create Crest Financial Services and Paul has since become a major shareholder and managing director. 

After commencing the new practice, Paul undertook a massive re-engineering program, he implemented a succession planning process and invested in the business to increase resources.  

Crest Financial Services is now AXA’s largest practice in the Hunter Region, providing employment for 23 people in the Newcastle office.

While Paul is extremely busy with the practice, he also speaks at a number of peer sessions and industry seminars. He is an active member of the local Financial Planning Association, is an active participant in events and workshops and contributes heavily to a number of charity events including Ronald McDonald House, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Newcastle’s Hunter Orthopaedic School.