About us

Andrea has been a financial adviser since 2005 and is a founding director of Garden Wealth Group, along with Simon McDonald. Simon and Andrea were previously directors at Silvan Ridge Financial Services for 10 years prior to going out on their own in early 2021.

Andrea specialises in helping clients set and refine their goals so they can get the most out of life, whatever stage they’re in. She’s known for being a good listener and loves a chat over a coffee. She finds the financial planning process incredibly rewarding and, having walked through the various stages of life with many clients now for over 18 years, feels it a privilege to share in her clients’ lives as they experience its challenges and rewards.

She is currently undertaking further study and will soon finish a Graduation Diploma in Financial Planning to complement her previous studies. Outside of work, Andrea can often be found on the sidelines watching her two boys playing sport. She loves gardening on her five-acre property and spending a Saturday afternoon in the kitchen whipping up a feast for family and friends. She is a keen adventurer and loves bushwalking and bike riding. Andrea also enjoys getting away in the caravan exploring our amazing country as often as possible.

Phone: 03 5229 5966

Email: andrea@gardenwealth.com.au

Simon has been advising clients since 2001. He began his career working with ANZ Financial Planning after finishing his university degree and is now a founding director of Garden Wealth Group. He has undertaken further studies and achieved the status of Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Simon has a long history of advising clients and brings a great deal of experience to his role as trusted adviser. Whilst Simon can advise in most areas of people’s needs, he particularly enjoys helping pre-retirees and retirees maximise their opportunities to live well and retire well.

Outside of work, Simon enjoys an array of activities including ocean sports, hiking and often travels overseas snowboarding with family and friends. In previous times, Simon was an active pilot having achieved his commercial pilot’s licence. He’s recently taken up golf and you can find him most weekends playing at the Point Lonsdale golf club. 

Phone: 03 5229 5966

Email: simon@gardenwealth.com.au

Angela joined the Garden Wealth Group team (previously Silvan Ridge Financial Services) in 2011 as a Paraplanner. During her time in this role Angela was involved in the preparation of financial strategies and used this valuable experience to transition to a Financial Adviser in 2018. Angela enjoys building strong relationships with her clients of all stages of life and helping them achieve their financial goals. Angela specialises in superannuation, personal insurance and investments. She recently completed her Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Angela is married with two young children and in her spare time enjoys catching up with family and friends, bike riding, gardening, hiking and travelling.

Phone: 03 5229 5966

Email: angela@gardenwealth.com.au

Jared has been a valued member of our team since 2016, at which time he graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, Management & Financial Planning. Having supported the practice as a Senior Paraplanner since joining the business, he has recently commenced his Professional Year and is looking forward to progressing into an advice role.

Jared has a passion for finance and financial markets and enjoys working alongside advisers to help teach and position clients for financial success. Outside of work he enjoys traveling, fishing and mountain biking.

Raelene joined Silvan Ridge Financial Services in 2010 in a bookkeeper/payroll and Administration role. She studied Applied Science majoring in Metallurgy, at Ballarat University and then worked for Western Mining in Leinster WA as a Metallurgist. Whilst working remotely she did further study and achieved a Post-Graduate in Business, through Curtin University. Following this Raelene returned to Geelong to take up a position with Cotton On Clothing, working predominantly in IT, HR, accounts/payroll and general admin.

Now as part of the Garden Wealth Group, Raelene continues to support the team through client compliance, accounts, payroll and general administration.

She enjoys sport, in particular playing golf and watching her beloved Cats football club.

Melissa joined the team in 2019 as the Administrative Officer after many years in the retail industry. Melissa has a unique understanding of the client experience and relishes the well organised, client-focused environment that Garden Wealth Group provides. She is an integral part of the administration team and thrives in the team environment at Garden Wealth Group and enjoys going to extra lengths to assist both clients and colleagues.

She earned an Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Architectural Drafting) from Gordon TAFE and a Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) from Deakin University. Whilst working in retail she did further study and completed her Certificate III & IV (Business Administration) hoping to increase her abilities and find a role that could fully utilise her administration and compliance skills.

She enjoys reading, going to the movies and taking her camera around the local area looking for the perfect shot.