Australia’s first lady of financial planning, Gwen Fletcher, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Fletcher received the honour “for service to the development of the financial planning industry through the establishment of a national organisation, and training and education programs, and as a mentor to women in the finance industry”, the award citation states.
On hearing she had received an AM, Fletcher said: “I was absolutely elated, I was so thrilled and very honoured.
“It’s not just an honour to me. I feel that financial planning has arrived and I think the honour is for all the people who have helped it become what it is today.
“It was quite unexpected and I was quite thrilled about it, especially the citation. I’m quite thrilled about that.
“No-one can do it on their own; it’s the wonderful people around who have worked in with me.”
She said she did not know who nominated her, but found out in April she was being considered.
Fletcher’s investiture ceremony will be held at New South Wales Government House later in the year.
Last year, ASIC chairman Jeff Lucy received an AM.
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II on February 14, 1975, “for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service”.
