Client Profile: Marion Kelly
Marion has kindly written the article below on her working life, retirement and the relationship she has had with our company since 2004. We greatly appreciate Marion’s contribution to Trade Secrets.
In June of 2004 I became a client of GFM Wealth Advisory. I had started thinking more seriously about retirement and needed to consolidate my finances. Being single was also an important factor in getting a solid plan underway for the future. I knew I was only perhaps 10 or 12 years from retirement, and it was about time to get my finances in order.
When making enquiries as to the best advice I could possibly receive, the subject of Self-Managed Super came into the conversation, followed by a recommendation from a good friend, that I “at least” meet with GFM. Right from the beginning I felt comfortable with all that they covered and their advice as to what should immediately be put into action.
The six monthly review meetings with Patrick and contact in between, continue to impress me with the genuine interest taken to ensure the portfolio continues to provide good results. Whilst not having met all the GFM Wealth Advisory colleagues, I do have reasonably regular contact with quite a few of the team, including Patrick, Witi, Mai and Jacqui, and they are always so helpful and friendly. An important factor when they are members of such a professional team. It is just so comforting to be able to ring and speak to someone who knows me, and attend to any small request that I may have.
Starting my own SMSF in June 2004 was a timely move, and since commencement, my fund balance has more than tripled, a combination of good investment returns, making lots of additional contributions to the fund, and good strategic advice to take advantage of every opportunity available to increase the size of my fund.
I am very comfortable with the long-term relationships I have built with the GFM Wealth Advisory team, and being in the position to pursue my retirement aspirations, without having to get bogged down in superannuation technicalities and paperwork. They do it all for me. A fantastic team, dedicated to a very professional standard of superannuation and retirement advice.
The personalised approach they take when making detailed suggestions in order to maximise my longer term financial security, makes me feel very special. I know that I am just not “a number” in a big financial institution.
On Friday August 14th, 2015, I retired from a fulfilling career in hospitality having commenced at the Wentworth Hotel Melbourne (now Sofitel) in 1981 a month prior to the hotel opening. I was an administration assistant in the sales department and as the opening drew closer all departments were helping each other and the whole environment was exhilarating. I was hooked!
In 1984 I accepted a position with ITT Sheraton Hotels (now Starwood) in their Melbourne sales office and a few years on watched Sheraton Towers Southgate being built from our offices in City Road. The hotel opened in 1992 and I became executive assistant to the first General Manager and went on to work with another five GM’s. In 2005 the hotel became The Langham Melbourne with senior management remaining in place.
After 31 years of continuous employment with Sheraton and Langham, and having enjoyed the pleasure of working with such professional colleagues and meeting so many interesting and inspiring people, retiring has been a difficult decision. But there comes a time for complete freedom and late last year I made the decision that August 2015 was “the time”.
There were more than a few retirement lunches in August and a memorable get-together was with some of the GFM team and a long-time friend Don Stammer who flew down from Sydney for the lunch.
Travel has always been a passion and now not having to wait for leave is certainly a retirement bonus! I am very close to my family and have a fun circle of friends here and overseas. Other keen interests include supporting The Australian Ballet, entertaining, gardening, theatre, movies AND my young great nieces and nephews are a joy. I’m not about to be bored in fact the days seem to be going faster.
From my experience, I have no hesitation suggesting to anyone that they should take the time to contact GFM Wealth Advisory and explore the opportunities available of this well-structured financial organization. The management of my SMSF, meticulous record-keeping, regular quarterly reports (very detailed) and ongoing good advice relating to my portfolio and personal financial position, gives me a lot of comfort that my financial future is in the hands of an expert SMSF organisation.