End of an Era as Liz Matthews Retires

Among the many celebrations at our recent RER (Recognise Encourage Reward) Awards we marked the retirement of Liz Matthews, our marketing coordinator.

Liz was Matthews Steer’s first employee, serving in a number of roles in the years since the business’ inception as Kenneth B Matthews and Associates Pty Ltd 39 years ago. What began as an administrative role, typing tax return cover letters in triplicate on a second-hand Remington typewriter and debt collections, evolved over the years to accounts, reception and eventually to marketing.

There Liz found her sweet spot, taking the concepts for Matthews Steer’s signature events including the RER Awards and Success Stories Breakfasts, and running with them.

“Liz was a great support to me at events and conferences,” says Ken Matthews, Matthews Steer CEO and Liz’s husband. “She has a wonderful memory for names – which I don’t – so I would constantly ask her to remind me, and she would go out her way to approach people and make them comfortable at events.”

Liz’s creativity was also behind a multitude of Christmas parties, June 30 parties and Kokoda Breakfasts at Moonee Valley Racecourse (some of which raised more than $100K) and her introductions resulted in some of Matthews Steer’s best referrals.

“Most of us take for granted the amount of detail, organisation and stress that goes into each event,” said Ken. “Things quite often go wrong in some way, but the trick is to make the challenges invisible and, in partnership with Trudy Alcoe, she has done an amazing job.”

Given Liz’s instrumental role in the evolution of the RERs, it was apt that the organisation celebrated Liz at the annual event.

“I’m particularly proud of our RER Awards night,” Liz said. “It’s a signature event for our business, recognises our staff’s achievements, and makes everyone in the business aware that if you put that little bit extra in, you will be rewarded.

“I’m also proud of what Matthews Steer is, what it’s become, and the friendships that we’ve made along the way. I’m going to miss the people – the staff and the clients – seeing them day-to-day, catching up, being involved in their lives, and seeing some of our young people, so committed to their careers, growing and evolving through our business.

“Matthews Steer is a living thing, and our staff are the heartbeat. Without them and their effort, we wouldn’t have a business.”

Liz is retiring to support her children and grandchildren, but will continue to attend some of Matthews Steer’s events as a key member of the Matthews Steer family.

Scroll to Top