Hundreds attend ‘inspiring’ Envest PD days
More than 500 authorised representatives and their teams attended Envest Networks’ series of professional development days.
Envest says the events focused on building a culture of continuous learning and “brought together a diverse group of professionals to engage in enriching sessions designed to inspire growth and drive innovation”.
The Envest Networks team will run PD days twice a year in every major regional centre. Events in this first series were held at Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in March and April.
GSA touch footy event raises thousands
GSA Insurance Brokers says the 11th edition of its Touch of Colour charity football event was the “biggest ever”.
A record 26 teams took to the field at Sydney’s Easts Rugby Club on May 2, with more than 400 participants in total. In the grand final, representatives from Kennedys claimed victory against the Steadfast team.
Funds raised go to children’s mental health charity KidsXpress, which worked with GSA to establish the event in 2014.
This year’s program made more than $200,000, bringing the running total to $1.7 million, with funds aiding expressive therapies and education programs for children who have experienced trauma.
In February, last year’s winner Wotton Kearney hosted the inaugural Touch of Colour Launch, where GSA chief executive James Telford, chairman Paul Hines and KidsXpress chief executive Margo Ward explained what the day means to the charity and insurance industry.
Special guests included NRL legend Steve Menzies and ARIA-winning singer Alex Lloyd, and funds were raised at an auction, with Chubb and Zurich securing a sailing experience for their teams, donated by Steadfast chief executive Robert Kelly.
“It was great to see the next generation of insurance professionals join in and bring new energy to the field, along with those who have been supporting the event since 2014,” GSA said. “KidsXpress and GSA send their thanks to everyone who supported the event, and are already planning for Touch of Colour 2026.”
Brokerage bowled over by fundraising efforts
Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers says this year’s charity bowls day raised an “impressive” $30,000 for The Kindness Factory.
The event brought industry partners and suppliers together for “a day of connection and community impact supporting a great cause that reflects WSIB’s core values of resilience, commitment and integrity”.
Keynote speaker was The Kindness Factory founder and 2025 NSW Australian of the Year Kath Koschel.
“A sincere thank you to our insurer partners and suppliers,” a spokesperson for WSIB said.
“Your generous support and enthusiastic involvement played a key role in making the day a tremendous success.
“Together, we bowled for kindness, and everyone came out a winner.”
ACT gala ball brings in more than $20,000
The annual ACT Insurance Gala Ball and Awards was held in May, raising $20,720 for charity.
The funds will support Toora Women Inc, funding up to 50 weeks’ rental subsidies for women in need.
Emcee for the night was Emily-Rose Srbinovska, last year’s National Insurance Brokers Association young broker of the year.
“We take pride in making a meaningful impact in so many ways and it’s an honour to host more than 300 people in our nation’s capital, across the entire insurance sector,” she said.
“Here’s to another year of excellence, community impact, and continued collaboration in the ACT insurance industry. We look forward to seeing what 2026 brings.”
The organising committee, chaired by Ms Srbinovska (AEI Canberra), also included Craig Moorfoot (EML Group), Tim McHutchison (McInnes Wilson Lawyers), Renae Pickering (Procare), Lauren Smith (Moray & Agnew Lawyers), Mikayla Gilbert (QBE), Sam Johnston (Gallagher) and Caro Zubieta (Allianz).
All power to you people: ICA celebrates 50th anniversary at annual dinner
The Insurance Council of Australia marked its 50th anniversary at its annual dinner held at Sydney Town Hall in May.
ICA was established on July 1 1975, succeeding the Fire Accident and Marine Underwriters Association, which traced its origins back to 1867.
At the dinner, attended by 400 people, CEO Andrew Hall gave credit to insurance professionals for the industry’s achievements over five decades. “What unites us as an industry isn’t about policies or premiums,” he said. “It’s about people. It’s about helping someone put their life back together when everything they know has been pulled apart.
“And none of that happens without you. So yes, we’re celebrating 50 years of the ICA. But really, we’re celebrating you. Your commitment. Your expertise. Your purpose.”
ICA chairman and Suncorp group CEO Steve Johnston told Insurance News the peak body has “come into its own” over the past five years. “What you’re seeing now is ICA taking on a far more relevant and proactive role than it might have done 10 or 15 years ago, when it was making a contribution but not to the same level that it is today.”
Despite recent issues with affordability and increased scrutiny, Mr Johnston sees a bright future, with the industry and its peak body still thriving in another 50 years.
“Insurance has been around for a long time. [In another 50 years] it will be different, but it will be no less important than it is today.”
UAC hails ‘electric atmosphere’ at Melbourne exchange
Almost 600 brokers attended the Underwriting Agencies Council CFC Melbourne Market Exchange in May, to engage with 161 exhibitors.
“From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere at this year’s event was electric,” UAC said.
Member exhibitor drinks – sponsored by Gallagher Bassett – were held the previous evening and the exhibition floor on the day was “a hive of activity”.
“This year’s Melbourne Market Exchange truly captured the momentum and spirit of our industry,” UAC CEO Jenny Bax said.
“The scale and energy of the event reflects the value that underwriting agencies, business service members and brokers place on these opportunities to connect
in person.”
