AFG Hall of Fame

On Friday 5th December 2014, Dan Cuthbert and Judy Chapman from our Leasing & Finance team attended the annual Australian Finance Group (AFG) Professional Development and Awards Evening on the Gold Coast.

Dan proudly accepted an AFG Hall of Fame award on behalf of the firm.

The award is presented to those members who have shown 10 years of loyal support to AFG and is a testament to the great relationship we have shared.

Power Tynan Christmas Party

Staff of Power Tynan took part in a Hollywood Murder Mystery for the 2014 Christmas Party, held on Friday 5th December at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. The night was packed with fun activities, with everyone vying for a win in order to gain clues to assist in uncovering the ‘murderer’.

Christmas Wonderland

On Monday 15th December 2014, members of the Toowoomba office volunteered at the Christmas Wonderland held in Queens Park, an event which raises much needed funds for three major local charities: Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Qld Ltd, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and Toowoomba Hospice.

Power Tynan volunteers each year at Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland to help celebrate Christmas within the Darling Downs community. The staff love the interaction with patrons at this event, and it is yet another way for us to have fun outside the workplace.

The event was a great success, with the weather being a lot kinder than it has in previous years! Our team look forward to participating again this year.

Careflight Visit

On Wednesday 18th February, members of our Toowoomba team had the opportunity to take part in a tour of the RACQ Careflight hangar. It was an ideal way to learn firsthand about the RACQ CareFlight emergency medical and rescue helicopter service operation, which relies heavily on the community’s support, with donations and sponsorship making up almost half of its vital funding.

Wedding Bells

Love is in the air in Toowoomba! Congratulations to Justin Still, who married his partner Elspeth on Friday 2nd January, and Hans Gruenfeld, who married his partner Natalie on Friday 6th March. We wish both Justin & Elspeth and Hans & Natalie all the very best for their future together.

Best wishes also go to Ashley Leighton, who is sporting a lovely new sparkly number after her partner Jake popped the question at the beginning of February!

Congratulations!

Many of our Power Tynan staff members undertake studies while working full time. Well done to all those who have passed their most recent subjects, and a special mention must go to those who are set to graduate:

• Andrew Crestani of our Toowoomba office, who was also our 2010 scholarship recipient, will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance
• Brooke Shatte of our Stanthorpe office will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting
• Kathryn Sainsbury of our Toowoomba office will graduate with a Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting & Administration Management.

Congratulations must also go to our junior administration assistant Zoe Kay, who has been elected as School Captain for 2015 at St Joseph’s School Stanthorpe.

Stanthorpe Australia Day Triathlon

The Stanthorpe Australia Day Triathlon is a community event, organised by volunteers such as our very own Dan Cuthbert. This event has been running for four years, and continues to grow in popularity, focusing on encouraging people to just ‘have a go’. There was also a duathlon option available to juniors, because not everyone wants to ride a bike.

The weather this year was perfect, which is a nice change after two very ordinary years!

Overall the event was quite a success, with only a few minor incidents, including some of the kids taking a wrong turn, and the garbo deciding to drive through the closed course and roads to get to the wheelie bins!

2015 Scholarship Program

As you may be aware, the Power Tynan Scholarship Program has been in place since 2008. The Scholarship is available to Grade 12 graduates, providing an opportunity to study a business degree (part-time) at USQ while working for our company on a full time basis. We pay the individual’s HECS fees for all successfully completed subjects. The obvious advantage to the scholarship winners is that they have their course fees paid and are in a position where they can apply their knowledge practically and receive valuable on-the-job mentoring and training.

Our 2015 scholarship recipients are Caitlin Ruthenberg, Mitchell Jones and Sarah Ray, who commenced their employment with Power Tynan at the beginning of February. We extend a warm welcome to these new faces and hope they enjoy their time working within our firm.

Walker Wayland Auckland Conference

As an Independent member of Walker Wayland Australasia Limited, a network of independent accounting firms, staff members of Power Tynan attended the team conference held in Auckland from 26th to 28th February. The theme of the conference was ‘Brave’, featuring sessions on energy management and motivation, the power of networking, and bringing out your inner super-hero!

The staff also had the chance to let their hair down at networking events such as the WWA Minute to Win It competition, as well as the closing dinner at Marvel Grill on Wynyard Wharf.

Baby News

Our Toowoomba office has welcomed two little pink bundles of joy into the world, and only a day apart!

Congratulations to Liz O’Shea and her partner Rich on the safe arrival of Caitlin Melanie White, born on Thursday 26th February - weighing in at 9 pound 2! - and to Marsha Kronk and her husband Zac, with Ellie Isabella Kronk arriving on Friday 27th February, 8 pound 6 and tonnes of black hair.

Both mums and bubs are doing well, and we can’t wait for these new recruits to pop in for a visit!

Stanthorpe Social Club

Our Stanthorpe staff recently held their first official social club event, being fish and chips in the park on a Saturday afternoon. Partners and children were invited to attend, and a great time was had by all!

Pride of Workmanship Award

Morena Howard of our Stanthorpe office recently received a Pride of Workmanship award from the Stanthorpe Rotary Club.

Our firm nominated Morena for this award as she is a very valued employee of Power Tynan who has been with us since 2000. Morena is conscientious and professional, taking great pride in her work. She is a team player who is always willing to lend a hand.

Our organisation depends on the efforts of our staff to provide the best service to our clients and Morena definitely fulfills this objective.

Congratulations Morena on this fantastic achievement!