Well-earned retirement for popular Korumburra financial planner

A LARGE gathering was on hand at Korumburra Bowling Club on Thursday evening to celebrate the career of local financial planner John Murdica and wish him well in retirement.

It’s just short of 36 years since he established his Korumburra business Retire & Wealth, with John retaining some of his original clients throughout that period.

The business was purchased a few years ago by Dean Hutchins, owner of Diversified Financial Planners.

He highlighted how fortunate John’s clients have been to have such a committed, hard-working and honest member of the profession helping them manage their financial affairs.

“He’s immaculate in everything he does and his advice is always of a high standard,” Dean said of John.

Despite the many hours John has dedicated to ensuring his clients get the best service possible, he has still found time for community.

That has included executive roles with the Korumburra Business Association and the Korumburra Basketball Association, with John believing strongly in giving back to the community, and having a love for Korumburra.

He has wound his community involvement back to devote more time to wife Vicki.

While John was good with numbers in his school days, prompting a teacher to encourage him to pursue a related 
career, he originally took on a trade before deciding that wasn’t his scene and began studying to become a financial planner.

He has since added many accreditations and specialist qualifications to his Diploma.

John is proud the business has received lots of peer awards over the years, something that is not easy to do for a regional practice up against city-based businesses throughout the nation.

He outlined the philosophy that has driven his financial planning work.

“I care for the clients and want to make sure they don’t have to worry about things,” he said.

Long-term client Geoff Barber attended the celebration of John’s career.

“He’s been good to me and my wife, and he’s managed our affairs extremely well and saved me a lot of tax, and he’s a very pleasant man,” Geoff said.

Kim Richardson, a financial planner based at Diversified Financial Planners’ Frankston office also works at the Korumburra office and said she has learned a lot from John.

“He’s a good teacher and very thorough,” she said.

She noted the interest John takes in gaining an understanding of clients’ goals and his ability to quickly establish a good relationship with them and build trust.

While John is stepping into a well-earned retirement, he has ensured a smooth handover.

Belinda Slinger, an experienced financial planner who will be responsible for many of John’s clients, appreciates the time he has devoted to introducing her to them and helping her understand their needs since she started with the business last August.

John’s popularity as a financial planner and person was on show at his retirement celebration with everyone keen to chat to him.

There’s little doubt he will find plenty to do in retirement, although Dean thinks it may take John some adjustment given his non-stop approach to work.