This edition celebrates our team’s achievements, highlights key takeaways from the Elevate 2025 Conference, and introduces you to the people behind the scenes—like Stephie Mission, our dynamic Operations Manager—who helps us make your experience with Avondale both seamless and impactful.
In This Edition:
1. Elevate 2025 Conference insights: The team attended a national conference focused on empowering Australians to make smarter financial decisions, inspired by keynote speakers including former Australian of the Year (2005) Professor Fiona Wood AO and the current Australian Swimming Team coach Dean Boxall.
2. Awards and recognition: Avondale Wealth was a finalist for Practice of the Year, with Christopher McRae nominated as Rising Star, while Mark Chan and Cheng Shen won top adviser awards, reflecting the team’s dedication and client focus.
3. Operations leadership spotlight: Meet Stephie Mission, Avondale Wealth’s Operations Manager for three years. Stephie plays a key role in keeping Avondale Wealth running smoothly. From managing daily workflows to supporting team efficiency, Stephie ensures our advisers are equipped to deliver the best possible service to you.
4. Retirement & Centrelink Seminar: We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended our Centrelink and Retirement Planning Seminar last week. We hope that you enjoyed all the insights presented by one of our advisers, Chris Mcrae. If you were unable to attend but would like our office to provide a copy of the presentation slides, please reach out to us.
Elevate 2025 Conference Highlights
Elevate 2025 Conference in Perth
Earlier this month, some of our team attended the Elevate 2025 Conference in Perth, a national event for financial advisers focused on helping everyday Australians make smarter, more confident financial decisions.
It was an energising few days filled with fresh ideas, inspiring speakers, and meaningful conversations. The conference gave us a chance to step back, reflect, and refocus on what matters most: helping our clients navigate life’s financial decisions with clarity and confidence.
We were especially moved by two keynote speakers whose stories reminded us of why we do what we do:
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Professor Fiona Wood AO, Australian of Year (2005), pioneering burns surgeon and medical researcher, spoke about the power of resilience, purpose, and innovation. Her message challenged us to think about how we can better support clients through life’s unexpected challenges—whether that’s health, family, or financial setbacks. It reinforced our commitment to building advice that’s not just strategic, but deeply empathetic and responsive to your real-life needs.
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Dean Boxall, Head Coach of the Australian Swimming Team, brought unmatched energy and passion to the stage. His focus on backing people to reach their full potential inspired us to think about how we coach and guide our clients—especially during times of uncertainty. Whether you’re planning for retirement, helping your children get ahead, or navigating aged care, we’re here to help you stay focused, confident, and supported.
Beyond the inspiration, the conference gave us valuable insights into current market trends, including how Australians are adjusting their financial priorities in response to rising living costs, intergenerational wealth transfers, and increasing longevity. We’re using these insights to fine-tune our advice—making it more relevant, more practical, and more aligned with your goals.
We also explored how technology can enhance your experience. From clearer communication to smarter planning tools, we’re embracing innovations that make your financial journey smoother and more transparent—while staying vigilant against cyber threats to protect your data and privacy.
Most importantly, we came away with a renewed commitment to being your trusted partner. Whether you’re planning for the future or adjusting to life’s changes, we’re here to guide you with care, clarity, and confidence.
Avondale Group Awards Celebrations
In Perth earlier this month, our practice and advisers were recognised among the industry’s best, receiving nominations for:
🏆 Practice of the Year – Avondale Wealth (Finalist)
🌟 Rising Star of the Year – Christopher McRae (Finalist)
💼 Fortnum Adviser of the Year – Mark Chan
💼 PFS Adviser of the Year – Cheng Hao Shen
We are thrilled to share that our Principal Financial Adviser, Mark Chan and Avondale Group’s personal risk insurance specialist, Cheng Shen, were awarded the winners of their category!
These nominations and awards reflect the dedication, expertise, and client-first mindset that drives everything we do here at Avondale Wealth.
Congratulations to our incredible team and thank you to our clients for your ongoing trust and support. Without this ongoing support, these awards and recognition by our peers would not be possible
If you’ve enjoyed working with us, we’d love your feedback—please leave us a review on Adviser Ratings to help others find trusted advice.
Click here to give Mark Chan a review on Adviser Ratings.
Click here to give Chris Mcrae a review on Adviser Ratings.
Spotlight on Stephie Mission – Operations Manager at Avondale Wealth
Stephie is our dynamic Operations Manager and has been with our team for almost 4 years. Stephie is responsible for overseeing the team’s daily operations, helping to streamline processes and making sure the Avondale team has everything they need to deliver the best service to our clients.
Outside of work, Stephie brings that same energy to her personal life. She loves traveling with friends, taking the lead in planning itineraries, and belting out her favourite tunes at karaoke. Lately, she’s added kickboxing to her routine, embracing both fun and fitness.
Avondale Wealth Centrelink and Retirement Planning Seminar
On 25 September 2025, Avondale Wealth hosted an insightful Centrelink and Retirement Planning Seminar at our office, led by Chris McRae. The session explored practical strategies to:
· Maximise Centrelink entitlements
· Structure retirement income effectively
· Leverage home equity to generate retirement income
· Build confidence in your financial future
We were thrilled by the strong interest—the event reached full capacity, and we’ve already received requests for similar sessions in the future.
If you couldn’t attend and would like a copy of the presentation slides, please contact our office.
Stay tuned for more educational events in 2026 as we continue to support your retirement planning journey.
