Gold dust flew everywhere Wednesday night as Australian Finance Group (AFG) brought its 2026 national conference to a dazzling close with an all-out awards ceremony and gala dinner.
"You never know what AFG is going to throw at you," said Ryan Waddle, co-founder of Perth-based Broker Advisory Services, who arrived dressed in splashes of gold.
Gold was the name of the game at this year's annual gala and awards dinner, which followed the aggregator's three-day national industry conference in Melbourne. And attendees did not disappoint.
From gold sequin blazers and silk button-downs to bedazzled jewellery and gold accessories, conference-goers embraced the theme with gusto. The entertainment was equally extravagant, transforming the Centrepiece Melbourne into a theatrical gold-drenched spectacle, featuring a backdrop of ballet dancers, chandelier entertainers in head-to-toe gold gowns and headpieces, opera singers, harp players and crystal bird dancers in gold-striped bodysuits, complete with elaborate glitter gold wings.
AFG's 2026 national awards gala and dinner.
AFG's 2026 national awards gala and dinner included gold-theme dancers.
Guests also had the chance to get into character — if they weren't already — at a dedicated photo area, stocked with gold-themed props, including masquerade masks, tiaras and plenty more sparkle.
Obu Ramaraj, author and founder and chief executive officer of Melbourne-based brokerage Smart Money Solutions, opted for a gold sari.
"I'm Indian and I've been wanting to wear a sari; so gold is easy for me," she said.
Alex Colefax, founder and director of Brisbane-based Accumulo Lending, showed up in a full-torse gold star wrapped in gold-coloured Christmas lights and tinsel and a cowboy hat.
"I tried to top my inflatable cowboy from last year," he told Australian Broker.
Alex Colefax at AFG's 2026 national awards gala and dinner.
Sarah Willsallen, head of broker distribution at Westpac Group, was clearly taken by Colefax's commitment to the gold theme. And she wasn't shy about letting him know.
"That's hilarious. I've only been here for five minutes, but so far you're my favourite. It's very impressive; I love it," she said to Colefax. "Is this just something you happen to have in the wardrobe? Is this your regular Wednesday night outfit?"
"It's actually a Spotlight deal," Colefax replied.
The broker and executive lender added that they were excited for the evening's festivities to kick off, as they mingled with guests who nippled on quail bites, hummus tarts and gold bubbly before entering the main stage area.
"Judging by history, it's going to be an epic night," Willsallen said.
Colefax agreed.
"This is a great networking opportunity and it's good to kind of figure out what's going on in the world and in our industry more than anything," he said. "It's a good chance to unwind as well with the challenging year, and a couple of days just to enjoy yourself. And I just like the fact that these kinds of events are where you can get loose a little bit, unwind and be a bit of fun or eccentric. I'm so serious with business. So these kinds of events, if it's a theme party, I'll take it to town. It's all just for fun; it's enjoyable."
Darren Little, head of broker investments- originations at AFG, admitted that he was initially a little concerned that the current volatile market might put a dampener on the celebrations.
"But I think the mood is really good," he said.
Marissa Schulze, founder and managing director of South Australia-based brokerage Rise High, rocked up in a floor-length gold sequin ballgown and matching clutch.
"It's a great night to celebrate the industry, celebrate each other and have fun," she said.
"The party is very sparkly," she added. "Wait until the doors open [to the main stage] and you get inside. It's going to be spectacular; over the top but brilliant. AFG does this. They commit to their theme."
Marissa Schulze (right) and Jason Back at AFG's 2026 national awards gala and dinner.
Jason Back, founder and director of brokering business coaching firm Broker Essentials, wore a glitter-gold blazer and pants, complete with gold chains and a matching top hat.
"AFG knows how to do a party; they're always a good time," he said.
"And I think people don't realize how hard, especially solo practitioners, have it," Back added. "This is the time outside of the personal development sort of stuff that they actually get to connect, they get to empathize, sympathize."
Australian actor Shane Jacobson returned as master of ceremony. The evening also included speeches by AFG Chief Executive Officer David Bailey, and a slideshow of AFG Co-founder and former Managing Director Brett McKeon, who retired in October, following the company’s annual general meeting.
"I do love people [who] get out there and take a risk and have a crack at life," McKeon told the crowd, as he reflected on AFG's humble beginnings in a 1994 Perth boardroom.
Later, the festivities served up this year's national award winners as guests enjoyed a three-course meal, before partygoers hit the dancefloor to round out the celebrations.
Janine Wade, founder and director of Sydney-based brokerage Ikaya, was there in a gold sequin mini-dress and matching sneakers.
Janine Wade, winner of the AFG Champion Broker 2026 award.
"They're like $19," she told Australian Broker. "And the dress is 100% polyester; the shoes are plastic. I ordered $590 worth of gold stuff. But the parties are always very extravagant and you're always surprised every year. It's like a massive surprise; you don't know what AFG is going to do for the party."
But Wade's fashion investment all worked out as the broker walked away with the national broker of the year title — the AFG Champion Broker 2026 — for the third year in a row.
"I don't take it for granted," she said. "I mean, there are still other people who did, obviously, an amazing job. I obviously had to work harder than I did the year before; I mean, I just had a baby."
Wade credited her staff with much of her success. "My team, and how supportive my team was, and now that I have the right team. Because before I was still hiring and firing, you know, like every two to three months. Whereas this team has been very stable for the last 16 months, 17 months," she explained. "They've all been with me for a while. Whereas there's been other people who have come and gone, but not really in the last 16 months. There's no way I could do $400 million, or whatever million on my own. It's impossible. And have a family, you know, three children and a baby. But because my team is so committed to our business. There's no way I could do that without them."
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Janine Wade, Ikaya
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