Recap: WA Gala Lunch 2023

On Friday 14 July, the eagerly awaited 2023 WA Gala Lunch took place at the Grand Ballroom in Crown Perth. The event provided an opportunity for members to network with each other and for the WA broking community to come together and celebrate the achievements of the past year.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Peter Curulli. The lunch had speeches from NIBA President Gary Okely and NIBA CEO Philip Kewin before proceeding with the announcement of the WA Young Broker of the Year and Broker of the Year award winners.

The event was also an opportunity to raise money for a charitable cause. More than $11,000 were raised as part of the Gala Lunch, which will be donated to two organisations: Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia (CFWA) and the Child Cancer Research Foundation. 

The QBE-sponsored 2023 WA Broker of the Year award was awarded to Frans du Plessis from Grace Insurance and the Vero-sponsored 2023 WA Young Broker of the Year award was won by Justin Purslowe from Aviso WA Insurance Brokers.

NIBA CEO Philip Kewin offered his congratulations to the WA winners, adding: “We congratulate Frans and Justin for their outstanding achievement and wish them the very best of luck for the upcoming national awards.”

Congratulating Frans, Elliot Hill, Managing Director – Business, QBE Australia Pacific said: “On behalf of QBE, I’d like to congratulate this year’s WA Broker of the Year award winner, Frans du Plessis of Grace Insurance. Frans dedication to providing high quality services to his customers sets an impressive standard, and we’re proud to recognise his efforts.”

Congratulating Justin, Shane Butcher, Vero's State Distribution Manager WA, said: "Justin has forged an impressive career at such a young age, becoming a director in 2020. He is a talented broker and has already built a reputation for high standards. Vero is proud to support the next generation of insurance brokers and its longstanding association with NIBA’s Young Professionals and the Young Broker of the Year award." 

Frans and Justin will now go on to compete in the national awards. The national QBE-sponsored Broker of the Year award and Vero-sponsored Young Broker of the Year award will be chosen from five divisional winners and announced in October at the NIBA Convention.

A big thank you to all our sponsors for the event, in particular our Gold sponsors: Allianz, HDI and CGU.