JULY 2026 NO. 025FEATURING THE LATEST WHERE STAFF HAVE GONE AFTER EOFY Dulwich Best local lunch spots revealed EatsTURNSHOODVERTISERTHE NEW LOOKStaff News: Babies, Rings & PromotionsHood SweeneyEVENTSThis year so farTOP50
HOOD SWEENEY TURNS 50 2026...so far EVENTS FLORALS TO CAVIAR: FP VIP DINNER 2026 You only turn 50 once, and it’s safe to say Hood Sweeney celebrated in style. From balloons to cake and candles, and even a DJ with a saxophonist, it was a night to remember. The FP VIP Boardroom Dinner once again delivered a refined and memorable evening, reaffirming its place as a highlight of the calendar. From wine and olive oil tastings to curated travel insights, these evenings continue to be a standout on our events calendar. This year’s caviar tasting proved a particular standout, an indulgence that set the tone for the evening, followed by an engaging conversation with David Prescott. A signature event that continues to evolve, while remaining a firm favourite among guests. A great evening celebrating the hard work of the firm over the past year, with an extra special reason to raise a glass for our milestone birthday.2
3SNAPSHOTS FROM HOOD SWEENEY 50TH
A TASTE OF HENTLEY FARMORLO ONE LEADERS LUNCH As the first of its kind, the Orlo One Leaders Lunch received strong positive feedback from clients. With conversations led by Lorraine Caruso and wine poured by Torbreck, the lunch brought together our Orlo One leadership team and clients in a relaxed setting. A great opportunity to connect in a different way to the usual tech- focused discussions From the first glass to the last, the wines impressed, with the standout undoubtedly Hentley Farm’s flagship Clos Otto, a bold and memorable finish to the evening. A thoughtful, engaging event that left a lasting impression on all who attended. Our wine tasting with Hentley Farm offered clients and the directors an immersive experience, guided by owner Keith Henschke, whose storytelling brought each pour to life. Seven of our staff braved the mid-May rain to take part in the Jodi Lee Foundation Trek, a fundraising event supporting the prevention and early detection of bowel cancer. Not only did the team reach their fundraising target, they went above and beyond, raising more than double their goal and donating an impressive $2,176 to the Jodi Lee Foundation. 7 STAFF TAKE ON THE TREK4
ACCOUNTANTS TO SMOOTHIE MIXOLOGISTS ONE OF THREE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA The HEARTS Team never fails to make sure we’re well taken care of in the office. Whether it’s a coffee van or a morning dedicated to celebrating International Women’s Day, there’s always something on the calendar to look forward to. A standout highlight would have to be the smoothie bikes, where the team swapped their accountant hats for smoothie mixologist roles, and cyclists… Boost Juice, watch out. This milestone reflects the culture we’ve all worked hard to build together and highlights our strength across key people and culture areas, including benefits, recognition, development and the overall employee experience. From the insights shared through feedback to the everyday actions that bring our culture to life, this recognition belongs to everyone who has contributed, supported and championed our P&C initiatives along the way. Most importantly, it reinforces what makes our workplace special, a place where people feel valued, supported and proud to belong. Once again, congratulations to everyone.HRD Award Being one of only three organisations in South Australia to be recognised as a 5‑Star Employer of Choice is a huge achievement for us.5
26 ClientAppreciationWallaroo and Clare Alongside our regular Adelaide-based events, we’ve hosted a number of client appreciation gatherings this year for our rural clients. From lawn bowls in Wallaroo to drinks in Clare, each event provided a relaxed and enjoyable setting to say thank you. These gatherings offered a great opportunity to reconnect, not only with our valued clients, but also with the team members who travelled to be part of the experience. 6
STAFF NEWSCongratulations to Geoff Choy on celebrating 20 years with Hood Sweeney. Since joining in 2006, Geoff’s expertise, dedication and sense of humour have made a lasting impact on both our clients and our team. Congratulations, Geoff, on this incredible milestone. Congratulations to Edmund Chen on his appointment as a full Representative (Financial Planner) of Hood Sweeney Securities. Since joining Hood Sweeney in 2019, Edmund has built strong technical expertise and successfully completed his Professional Year. We wish him every success as he begins this exciting new chapter in financial advice. ANNIVERSARIES & PROMOTIONSGeoff ChoyEdmund ChenManning Bailey Since starting in 2016, Manning has grown from IT Support Specialist to a trusted Associate within Orlo One, building strong client relationships and driving innovation across the business. His work in AI, automation and strategic growth has made a significant impact, and we thank him for his outstanding contribution over the past decade. Congratulations, Manning. We’re proud to recognise several outstanding achievements across the Hood Sweeney team. Congratulations to Keely on her recent promotion to People and Culture Manager, and to Isabella Binnie on her promotion to Manager, a well-deserved recognition of their leadership, dedication and contribution to their teams.Keely Turton and Isabella Binnie Congratulations also to Tahlia Fergusson on her appointment to the Board, an exciting milestone that reflects her ongoing commitment to the business and its future direction.Tahlia Fergusson8 Since starting with Hood Sweeney in 2001 as an Undergraduate Accountant, Merridy has built a successful career defined by expertise, dedication and genuine care for her clients and colleagues. We thank her for her outstanding contribution over the past 25 years. Congratulations, Merridy.Merridy Blue
9STAFF NEWSHOOD SWEENEY MVP special congratulations to the Hood Sweeney MVP forA2025/2026, _________. supporting their colleagues, contributing to our culture and delivering outstanding outcomes for clients and the broader team. _________ has gone above an beyond... USE THE DESCRIPTION FROM THE VOTING FORM Our MVP Award recognises an individual who has consistently demonstrated our values and made a meaningful impact across the business throughout the year. Selected from all HEARTS Award recipients over the past financial year, this award celebrates someone who has gone above and beyond inINSERT NAME
STAFFNEWSB ig milestones are happening across the Hood Sweeney family, with plenty of exciting personal news to celebrate this year. So far, we've welcomed one new arrival, have three more babies on the way, and two engagements to toast. In April, Daniel Rechichi and his wife El welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Rocco Leon Rechichi, to their family. Meanwhile, Rebecca Holzapfel and her husband Orlando, along with Gabriella and Michael Cantelmi, are eagerly awaiting new arrivals in August. Chelsea Keough and her husband Tom are also preparing to welcome their little one later this year. BABY’S & RINGS 10 Adding to the celebrations, Dhruv Handa and his fiancée Divija, along with Copper McRae and his fiancée Jess, have recently become engaged. Congratulations to both couples on this wonderful milestone as they begin an exciting new chapter together.
VRD ROSE PARKA lunchtime gem just around the corner, fresh bánh mìs, only 350m from the office and just $13 each.Dulwich Eats 11DULWICH BAKERYSpotted! We see those Dulwich Bakery bags making their way through the office each day. Just up the road from Hood Sweeney, it's quickly become one of the office's favourite local hotspots.CORNER STORE CAFEJust around the corner, Cornerstore Café offers a great selection of fresh wraps and sandwiches, making it an easy choice for a lunchtime change of scenery.
GUESS THE Baby We've dug through the archives and uncovered baby photos of two Hood Sweeney team members. Think you know who they are? The first person to email Chelsea Cseh with the correct answers will score the ultimate prize: an annual leave day off!B aby No.1B aby No.2 12