Our Team

STEVE HALBERT
Managing Director

ANZIIF Associate
Diploma of Insurance Administration
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)

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Steve's insurance career began in 1977 working for a major Australian insurance company where he was involved in underwriting and claims management roles before progressing to senior management. In 1994 Steve was recruited to international insurance broker Aon Risk Services where he managed a hospitality scheme for restaurants and was responsible for corporate and specialised business sectors.

Since 2004 Steve has been a Director/Shareholder of Austral Risk Services with a portfolio of commercial and corporate clients together with responsibility for new business development. Steve became Managing Director in July 2008.

Steve is a MAICD of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is on the Board of the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

RON BROADBENT
Non-Executive Director

QFSR
Advanced Diploma of Financial Services

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Ron joined the Insurance Industry in 1995 following a career in banking and has been in his current role with Austbrokers Holdings Ltd since 2000. The role sees Ron acting as a Non Executive Director on behalf of Austbrokers who hold a shareholding in Austral Risk Services.

Ron has an MBA from Charles Sturt University, has an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services, is a QFSR (Qualified Financial Services Representative) & is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

TRACY JARDINE
General Manager

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance
Accredited Extended DISC Consultant

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Tracy has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years and with Austral since 2007. She worked in a number of senior executive assistant roles in the insurance and broking sectors prior to changing her focus to compliance when the industry became compliant under FSRA.

Tracy was Operations and Compliance Manager prior to becoming General Manager at Austral.

“I get the most reward from my work by helping our staff become the best they can possibly be through training and mentoring. I also love spending time with our huge range of clients and providing them with a wonderful experience.”

She is integral to making our team tick so we can fulfill our promise to our clients of [over] delivering every day. We couldn’t do without her.

GAVIN MCDIARMID
Broking Manager

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Gavin joined Austral in March 2019 as Broking Manager and be an integral part of our Management team. Gavin has worked in both underwriting and broking and he utilises his vast experience to ensure his clients receive the right cover, competitive pricing and exceptional service.

His reputation throughout the industry, especially in respect to his ethics, professionalism and honesty holds him in highest regard, which as you known is extremely important to us here at Austral.

JON STEWARD
Senior Account Executive - Commercial

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Jon has only recently joined the insurance industry after working in the sales and the building industry for over 30 years.  Jon is now running the commercial team which specialises in small to medium enterprise businesses including Trades, Facilities for Taxi’s, Learner Driving Schools and Special Charter vehicles.

He has a wide range of experience in both commercial and residential building and brings this in-depth knowledge and understanding to our clients. He has a sound knowledge of all aspects of the building trades from commercial and domestic builders to fit out specialists and the architects.

Jon is highly committed to our clients and a great asset to the Austral team. He's a huge soccer fan and Manchester United supporter - and the instigator of Austral's very own indoor soccer team!

RON ELLIOTT
Senior Account Executive

Australian Insurance Institute Associate
Qualified Practising Insurance Broker
National Insurance Broking Association - Fellow
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)

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Ron has been employed in the insurance broking industry since 1970 in both Australian and international organisations.

Ron has been involved in servicing Australian and Western Australian based corporate and business accounts for Austral Risk Services for many years. His diverse client base includes property portfolios, auto distributors and motor dealers, community groups, manufacturers, exporters, retailers and wholesalers and parking and security.

Ron has a broad knowledge in most insurance classes with a particular involvement in property and liability.

TIM HARDING
Senior Account Executive

Chartered Insurance Institute - Associate
ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate

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Tim brings extensive experience to all the clients he works with. He has worked across a broad range of industry sectors and is an asset to any team.

Tim’s work ethos is about simplifying the overall insurance process for people – and ensuring that his clients receive quick responses and resolutions for their businesses. The trust and loyalty of his clients is testament to the outstanding work he does – and to the personable guy he is.

LEE LITTLE
Senior Account Executive

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate

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With over 22 years experience, Lee has worked across all areas of insurance, underwriting and risk management.

His work mantra is to find the best solutions for our clients – and does this by offering in-depth market and product knowledge, a global network and proactive advice and support.

Lee’s specialties are workers' compensation, risk management, global placement, insurance contract reviews, insurer negotiations and aligned service standards to suit the individual needs of clients.

The industries he works in include mining, SME’s, vineyards, industrial and commercial cleaning, plantations, clinical trials, jewellery manufacture and distribution and aged care.

Lee works very hard for his clients and gets great satisfaction in aligning insurance portfolios to each client with a thorough understanding of their risk profile and risk management needs, market wins during negotiations with underwriters and finding cover solutions for hard to place risks.

EDDY BRETT
Senior Risk Advisor

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Eddy’s experience covers most aspects of the risk and insurance industry. He has had over 40 years working as a senior manager, underwriter, insurance broker and risk consultant with major corporations in the heavy engineering, tertiary education, energy and government sectors. He has had extended periods as the risk management consultant to Curtin University of Technology and more recently as risk management officer at the University of Western Australia.

Eddy oversees all of Austral’s risk management advisory work and his experience and knowledge is invaluable to every organisation he works with.

ANNETTE HUGHES
Account Broker Retail

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Annette has been in the insurance industry for 20+ years, specialising in Personal and SME insurance in Perth and pastoral regions of WA. Annette joined Austral in 2018 and with her commitment and outstanding customer service to her clients she is a valuable team member at Austral.

CORBIN BADRIAN
Account Broker

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Corbin stated his insurance career with an international broker in 2016, specialising in complex international placements in the Oil & Gas, Mining and Construction sectors. Corbin brings technical skill and understanding to assist in national and global placements with special interest in hard-to-place and complex risks.

PABLO NARVAEZ
Account Broker

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Pablo commenced his insurance career 9 years ago as the Risk and Insurance Manager for an international train manufacturer in Spain.  He relocated to Australia in 2017 and joined an international brokerage where is gained experience working with mining and construction clients.  Pablo is currently studying for a Certificate of Practicing Risk Associate to be able to further assist clients with all aspects of their business.

SARAH PERRY
Assistant Broker

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Sarah started her career in 2012 as a claims specialist with a direct Insurer. Sarah moved across to broking in mid-2018 to further career. Sarah has won several awards from previous employer in respect to excellent customer service. Something is value very highly here at Austral.

STACEY WHITTRED
Assistant Broker

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Stacey is the back bone of the SME Team. She makes sure all the pieces fit together and cogs keep turning. Stacey utilises her skills from running her own business in a past life to make sure the customer experience you receive is second to none.

TANYA YAHIYA
Assistant Broker

Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking) with ANZIIF

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Tanya’s focus in her insurance career has been on personal insurance, SME insurance and claims management. She enjoys the fast pace the broking industry offers and especially enjoys working as part of a team to provide the best possible outcomes for Austral’s clients.

Tanya has received a Steadfast – ANZIIF Young Insurance Professional Outstanding Achievement Award in 2012.

She is committed to applying her knowledge and experience from various roles in the insurance industry for Austral’s clients. With a keen attention to detail, a personable and friendly approach and a passion for her work, Tanya is an asset for our business.

VICKY GLADWELL
Accountant

Bachelor of Business – Accounting

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Vicky is a qualified Accountant with over 25 years experience in her field. She has previously enjoyed roles as an auditor, company accountant and is currently our Senior Bookkeeper for Austral Risk Services.

Vicky's experience, analytical skills and business acumen are key assets for our business.