Spotlight shone on Industry veterans and newcomers at black-tie gala
Australia’s leading mortgage and finance professionals were celebrated in style at the 2025 Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA)’s National Excellence Awards, held at Crown Melbourne on Wednesday.
The black-tie gala dinner brought together the industry’s best, recognising outstanding achievement, innovation, and commitment to best practice across the sector.
Around 600 attendees from all across the country descended on Melbourne for the event, which included the MFAA National Conference earlier in the day.
Hosted in sparkling style by stage actor and singer Tim Campbell, the evening honoured 26 national award winners, selected from 138 finalists – each already a winner at their respective state-based events in Adelaide, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
MFAA chief executive Anja Pannek (pictured) praised the calibre of this year’s entrants.
“The quality of entries for the excellence awards was incredible and the bar keeps getting higher and higher,” said Pannek. “Congratulations to all our winners and finalists on your impressive achievements. The professionalism, expertise, innovation and dedication to meeting your customers’ needs that you display each day is outstanding. It’s a testament to just how far our industry has come and signals a bright future.”
Winners were chosen by an independent panel of expert judges, with results audited by Hall Chadwick to ensure fairness and transparency.
The awards spanned a diverse range of categories, from residential and commercial brokers to community champions, young professionals, loan administrators, and business leaders. Five lender categories were also recognised.
Perth broker Rose De Rossi was inducted as an MFAA Life Member, while Hank Spier, chair of the MFAA Tribunal, and Wendy Robertson, the recently retired state manager for South Australia and Northern Territory, were both awarded Honorary Memberships.
A spotlight was also given to the next generation of brokers.
Michaela Shaw of MoneyQuest Penrith and Blue Mountains, who took home the Newcomer Award.chalked her win up to a strong focus on education for her clients. “In an industry like this that is growing so much, the connection with clients is the thing that sets us apart,” said Shaw.
Nirosh Weerasinghe, director of Finance Circle Group, accepted the Customer Service Award – Business win in rambunctious style. He thanked his “customer-centric” team, including the “awesome” crew at Oceania Outsourcing
Full List of Winners
Aggregator Award: LMG
Business Development Manager Award – Aggregator: Jessie Stefanatos, Mortgage Choice
Business Development Manager Award – Lender/Support Service Provider: Roohi Kumar, St.George
Commercial & Equipment Finance Broker Award: Kevin Wheatley, Bayside Residential and Commercial Mortgages
Community Champion Award: Bernard Desmond, Blank Financial
Customer Service Award – Business: Finance Circle Group
Customer Service Award – Individual: Joseph Daoud, It's Simple Finance
Diversified Business Award: HT Capital
Diversity and Inclusion Award: Trusted Financial Choice
Finance Broker Business Award: Azura Financial
Fintech Lender Award: ubank
Loan Administrator Award: Shelley Tetlaw, Loan Market Propel
Major Lender Award: Macquarie Bank
Mentor of the Year: Peter Mastroianni, Loans Only Pty Ltd
Mentor Program Award: Purple Circle Financial Services
Mortgage Manager Award: Rate Money
Mutual/Credit Union Lender Award: Teachers Mutual Bank Limited
Newcomer Award: Michaela Shaw, MoneyQuest Penrith and Blue Mountains
Non-Major Lender Award: Bankwest
Professional Development Award: LMG
Regional Finance Broker Award: Phil Rogers, Loan Market Edge
Residential Finance Broker Award: Balpreet Singh Bal, Loan Market Bal & Associates
Specialty Lender Award: Pepper Money
Support Service Provider Award - Large Company: Allianz
Support Service Provider Award - Small Company: Clear Credit Solutions
Young Professional Award: Kate Sadler, The Broker Society
Special Honours: MFAA Life Member: Rose De Rossi
Honorary Memberships: Hank Spier, Wendy Robertson
