Client Profile: Paul & Leonilda Dalle Nogare

Paul has kindly written the article on his working life, family, retirement and relationship with GFM Wealth Advisory. We greatly appreciate Paul’s contribution to Trade Secrets.

I studied Architecture at RMIT and graduated in 1972. Leonilda and I were married in March 1973, and we bought our first home in Glen Waverley, Victoria. We live in Mitcham, where we have been for the last 38 years. In March 2023, we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. After 40 years of employment, I retired in May 2009, and in 2010, we went on our first overseas trip to Italy and France. We are both in our 70s.

My employment began at O’Connor and Brophy Architects, Public Works Department, and Building Services Agency. I was a design architect designing, documenting, and supervising schools, hospitals, TAFE Colleges, and Police Stations. Later in my career, I worked at Sinclair Knight Merz as a Project Manager, coordinating and overseeing Consultant Teams on major projects such as Police and Law Courts, multi-use office buildings, and residential apartments.

We have three married children and six grandchildren. We have enjoyed spending time with our grandchildren and going on family holidays. During my retirement over the last 14 years, I have been able to continue my passions for building, photography, creating videos, painting, landscaping, gardening, and bike riding.

We began our journey with GFM in 2007 when a colleague at work recommended that we approach GFM as our advisor. We met with James Malliaros, who instantly gave us a clear understanding of what the firm had to offer and how GFM could guide us and recommend how to set up our Self–Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF). James outlined a recommended structure for the SMSF portfolio following extensive questionnaires to determine our respective risk profiles.

One significant strategy that complemented our SMSF was salary sacrifice, thereby gaining considerable tax benefits to grow our superannuation savings. Once the SMSF was set up, I was impressed by the recording and reporting system GFM makes available to its clients. The reporting system was easy to navigate and provided detailed information on each part of the portfolio and how each investment performed. We also receive quarterly reports that thoroughly analyse each investment in our portfolio.

We meet with James to discuss the portfolio’s performance. We enjoy our meetings with James and are impressed with his knowledge of market conditions, the performance of our investments within the SMSF, and his overall understanding of Australian and overseas markets. James also maintains regular contact by email with any updates or potential changes to the portfolio.

Each year, GFM runs several seminars educating clients on all financial matters. We also enjoy the yearly film and cocktail nights and catching up with James and the GFM staff. We have always found the staff helpful and prompt in any advice or queries we had on our portfolio.

Our relationship with GFM and the advice provided by GFM over the last 17 years have always been positive and well-presented.

We recommend that anyone wishing to seek financial advice meet with GFM.