Ballooning membership numbers have driven the expansion of the Association of Financial Advisers' (AFA) national footprint.
The AFA, which was established 60 years ago, has opened new chapters in the ACT and Gold Coast, and established a council in Victoria.
"Our membership is growing. With all of the renewal that's happening around the AFA, we're getting a lot of people turning up to national events, but people want stuff locally - and they're prepared to set things up themselves," AFA chief executive officer Richard Klipin said.
ACT chapter president Jim Taggart and its two chairmen Hugh Crawford and Peter Graham welcomed 35 people at its inaugural function in April.
More than 50 people attended the first Gold Coast chapter meeting, which was chaired by John Langley.
The Victorian council, chaired by Pina Sciarrone, will organise events in the state. Esther Althaus, who scooped the inaugural Rising Star of the Year award in 2004, will drive GenXt activities to encourage young talent in the state.
Nominations of shining industry examples, with less than three years' experience, are being sought for the 2007 AFA Rising Star of the Year Award.
"It's a contest to find the best new adviser in Australia," Klipin said.
Matrix Planning Solutions planner Jason Danjoux won in 2006. This year's winner will be announced at the AFA Annual Conference at the Gold Coast, on October 14.
