The AFA and Synchron have paid tribute to long serving adviser, former AFA Board Member and former Synchron Queensland State Manager, Gerry Porter, after he passed away on 29 July 2017.
Synchron Director, Don Trapnell said the group was in mourning at the passing of their former colleague and friend who had retired in June 2016 (see: Veteran Synchron Adviser and State Manager to Retire).
“Always quick with a smile and ready to give an anecdote about the old days, Gerry could readily be described as one of the lovable characters of our industry,” Trapnell said.
“With his passing, Synchron has, very sadly, lost one of its own. My co-director John Prossor and I, along with the entire Synchron family, would like to express our deepest sympathies to Gerry’s wife and soulmate Shirley, and their daughters Gail and Leanne.”
Porter was a Synchron adviser for 16 years and managed the group’s affairs in Queensland for nearly ten years and built Synchron’s presence in that state from 21 advisers to 119 at the time of his retirement.
He was also a life member of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), sat on the AFA Board from 2003-08, an AFA Queensland State Director for six years in the early 2000s, and the recipient of the AFA’s Michael Murphy Award In 2015.
AFA Vice President, Michael Nowak, said Porter was extremely well-liked and respected throughout the advice community in Australia, describing as “…a humble, grassroots leader who embodied the culture and spirit of the AFA. He never sought the limelight, rather rolled up his sleeves and took pride in representing AFA members and building the AFA community.”
Former AFA Chief Executive, Richard Klipin attributed much of the success of the AFA today to Porter saying he built up the grassroots membership in Queensland and started the Queensland roadshow.
“When I started in 2006, Gerry pretty much said, ‘We’ve got to get the members involved.’ And this translated to the Queensland roadshow- which became the National Forum- and now the Practitioner series.” Klipin said.
“Not only this but Gerry was also the ‘father of Genxt’. During his time on the Board he took responsibility for Genxt, which back in 2007 was revolutionary and became a phenomenon transforming the AFA and the broader profession,” Klipin added.
Yes, Gerry was an industry stalwart, a long time adviser and unflinching advocate of life-risk insurance, including the advice process.
We’re likewise saddened by his passing and feel deeply for his wife, Shirley. Shirley was always there, she was a wonderful support to Gerry and she looked to him for direction in all things business. Shirley will miss Gerry more than we can know. Vale Gerry Porter.
Vale Gerry
With thanks. Gerry was a difficult task master in that he actively challenged us to improve our offer and marketing of LifeRisk Online with his gruff common sense approach. We will miss him greatly.
Our condolences to Shirley and their family.
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