2024 Christmas Wrap Up
As I sat down to write this message, reflecting on this time last year, it seems little has changed. Cost of living, conflict in the middle east and global politics, most notably in the USA, have dominated the headlines. Despite this, stock markets have delivered another double-digit year.
We have a federal election on the horizon and what could be change in government, so you can expect media outlets to be tugging on our emotions. Of course, with change comes uncertainty and with uncertainly comes the risk of emotional decisions about our finances. So, as always, we will continue to do our best work and keep you focused on the plan designed for your ideal life.
2024 has been a year of rising to challenges, building resilience, celebrating milestones and rewarding commitment. I am thrilled to share more on this with you.
Team Update
- Fiona Paganis joined our client services team in early April and brings many years of experience in professional administration, more recently in financial services.
- Will Fraser-Smith joined our client services team in November as a graduate following successful completion of his Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University.
- Zoe Vincent, our operations manager, returned following maternity leave. This is Zoe’s ninth year with the firm and we are looking forward to celebrating her 10th next year!
- Matthew Howley completed his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and has continued to go from strength to strength. Matthew is on a pathway to lead advisor.
- Oliver Cahill passed the rigorous financial adviser exam and is now a Provisional Adviser. He is completing the final stage of his professional year.
Over the year our firm has continued community contribution through our support of:
- Know One Teach One (KOTO), a social enterprise in Vietnam providing positive, permanent change for at-risk and disadvantaged youth. This year we sponsored our 3rd young person through the program.
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) - we had an amazing opportunity for the team to visit WEHI to hear of the work being done by Tracy Putoczki and Belinda Lee to fight Pancreatic Cancer, following a financial contribution supporting their specific research.
Both of these will continue into 2025.
SAM HUNT | Barrons Top 150 | IFA Excellence Awards - Finalist
This year Sam Hunt was recognised in the Barron’s Top 150 Financial Advisers, and named as a finalist in the IFA (independent financial adviser) Holistic Adviser of the Year award.
These recognitions are testament to Sam's commitment to delivering excellence in advice to clients of the firm.
Read more about Sam's recognition here
WARR HUNT | FAAA Professional Practice of The Year - Finalist
In November we were showcased as back-to-back finalists in the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) Professional Practice of the Year award.
We are incredibly proud to be named alongside this year’s winner Capital Partners from Perth - they are great friends and an exceptional firm. Despite the result for us, I know we're doing great things, building an exceptional team and striving every day to deliver a first class advice and service to you.
BIANCA MUSICO | FAAA CFP® Professional of the Year - Winner!
Most significantly, Bianca was named 2024 FAAA Certified Financial Planner® Professional of the Year.
This prestigious award reflects Bianca’s dedication to serving our clients, leading our associate team, and giving back through her podcast Cracking Mum Maths. And all this whilst showing an unwavering commitment to her family.
Earlier this year Bianca became a Principal and Owner in the firm, and I'm incredibly proud of the part WARR HUNT has had in developing and supporting Bianca over the last 10 years,
Read and watch more about Bianca's Award
I am often asked about how these awards are judged, particularly the FAAA Awards, our professional association.
The FAAA Awards require a submission answering questions across client service, community contribution, professionalism, operational excellence, technology and cyber security, governance, culture and more. Submissions are reviewed by a judging panel, different for each award, to shortlist 3 finalists. Finalists are interviewed in person to then select the winner. Having been named as finalists in two awards over two years, with Bianca winning the CFP Professional of the Year this year is a fantastic achievement.
Thank you to our Clients
During the year, we had many stories of client successes including – business sales, home upgrades, weddings, the arrival of children and grandchildren, sabbaticals, and many reaching financial independence.
We have also supported clients and their families though life challenges, and I often say it is during the difficult times we do our best and most rewarding work.
While we are in the business of providing advice, we never lose sight of the fact that our advice is personal and the trust you place in us. Once again, it is a privilege for our team to be able to have helped you this year.
Christmas – New Year Closure
Our office will be closed from 4pm Friday 20 December 2024 and reopen at 830am on Monday 6 January 2025.
Our phone and email will be checked throughout this period and if any urgent matter arises, you can be assured the appropriate team members will be there to help.
On behalf of the WARR HUNT Team, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and/or a joyous break. We look forward to sharing a prosperous 2025 with you.
Anthony Warr | Managing Director
