On Friday 18 July, the Matthews Steer team gathered at the RACV Club Melbourne to celebrate one of the most anticipated nights of the year – our annual RER Awards Night.
Standing for Recognise, Encourage, Reward, the RERs are a cornerstone of our culture and a powerful reminder of why Matthews Steer is proudly Great Place to Work® certified. Specifically, it’s our opportunity to honour the exceptional contributions and professional growth of individuals across the firm – and to thank the people who make our business better every day.
Each year, all staff are invited to vote for their peers, helping spotlight those who’ve gone above and beyond. This year’s RER Awards event was a celebration of talent, leadership, community involvement, and future potential across our accounting, business advisory, financial planning, and innovation teams.
Employee of the Year: Grace Wimalasekera
The night’s most prestigious award went to Grace Wimalasekera, whose impact on our business has been nothing short of transformational.
When she joined Matthews Steer as a temp in 2023, Grace quickly proved indispensable, becoming full-time in December 2023. Consequently, taking on responsibilities across HR and executive business support, with focus on special projects as well as the everyday running of these functions. From rolling out Employment Hero as our HR management platform to delivering events like the RER Awards and EOFY celebrations, Grace balances a huge remit with calm, intelligence, and care.
“Grace is a thinker, a problem solver and gets the job done. She is always ahead of the game. She truly cares about people and focuses on the right things,” said Catherine Duncan, COO. “She’s my right hand, the best resource I’ve ever worked with.”
Contribution to Community: Richard Wraith
Recognising how we empower communities outside of our business, this award went to Richard Wraith, Partner and Head of Innovation & Grants, for his ongoing leadership in mental health advocacy.
Through Amber’s White Light, Richard and his partner Tamara are funding game-changing mental health research, advocating for systemic change, and influencing policy at the state and federal levels.
“This is our life’s work,” said Richard. And the impact speaks volumes.
Contribution to Culture: Benjamin Tripicchio
Ben Tripicchio, recently promoted to Senior Accountant, was recognised for his positivity, approachability, and passion for learning. With a reputation for technical strength, willingness to help, and a drive to lead by example, Ben has become a key culture carrier within our team.
“Ben is exactly the kind of team member you want beside you – humble, dedicated, and focused on growth.”
Future Leader: George Madi
The Future Leader Award is not a standard award and therefore not given lightly. George Madi, who has been recently promoted to Manager, took the honours in recognition of his standout performance, strong leadership qualities, and consistent drive to improve how we operate.
George supports our new graduates, leads the Xero project team, and builds deep relationships both internally and externally. Furthermore, he is a go-to team member with unwavering accountability and a clear pathway to senior leadership.
Outstanding Contribution: Maddison O’Nial
Because she is a true pillar of strength behind the scenes, Maddison O’Nial, Senior Client Services Administrator, was awarded for her tireless efforts in keeping everything running smoothly. Whether it’s providing support during leadership transitions, stepping up for Vibe Club, or simply getting it done – Maddison is dependable, dedicated, and deeply valued.
“She just keeps going, without fuss and without fail.”
Most Significant Personal Growth: Daniel Panagiotidis
From Graduate to Senior Accountant in just over 2 years, Daniel Panagiotidis has shown impressive development, both technically and personally. A key player in our onboarding and Xero implementation projects, Daniel is building deep knowledge and confidence in his role – supported by his commitment to CA studies and client service excellence.
Rising Star Award: Sulochana Pitawala & Josef Mackenzie
This year’s dual Rising Star recipients impressed with their intellect, professionalism, and early impact:
Sulochana Pitawala brought her PhD-level research experience into our Innovation and Grants team with clarity and drive. She is already making a measurable difference for clients and team members alike.
Josef Mackenzie joined as an Accountant in early 2025. He quickly stood out for his mature communication style, curiosity, and steady commitment to learning in the business advisory team.
Celebrating Promotions
The RER awards night also gave us the opportunity to celebrate recent promotions across the firm. These are a testament to our strong career development pathways in accounting, financial planning, and business advisory.
Congratulations to:
- Benjamin Tripicchio – Senior Accountant
- Daniel Panagiotidis – Senior Accountant
- Darpan Patel – Senior Accountant
- Emma McKendry – Senior Accountant
- George Madi – Manager
- James Gillett – Senior Accountant
- Jerrick Lay – Senior Paraplanner
- Lewis Kennedy – Senior Accountant
A Culture That Recognises and Rewards
At Matthews Steer, we believe in creating a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and supported to grow. Our team plays a huge role in shaping the future of the business. Therefore, it makes sense that we have a strong focus on career progression, learning and development, and community impact.
If you want to be part of a firm that prioritises people, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about careers at Matthews Steer or check out why we’re a Great Place to Work®.
