$280,000 donated to anti-violence charity
Over a seven-year period, the Sydney mortgage brokerage has proved its commitment to Enough is Enough since first reaching out to the organisation in 2017.
“Working with Enough is Enough certainly makes you grateful for the family you have,” said Birdie Wealth’s Nathan Smith.
Charity incentive for hard work
Smith the director of Birdie Wealth, which was awarded the Gateway Bank Best Customer Service From An Individual Office at the Australian Mortgage Awards 2023, and Best Mortgage Companies to Work for in Australia, said brokerage’s partnership with Enough is Enough provides a reason for his team to work hard.
“It pushes us to write more business as it means we can pass more onto the charity,” Smith said. “Working with Enough is Enough certainly makes you grateful for the family you have.”
Smith (pictured below) said the association with the charity is close to his heart following the death of a member of his extended family, Tina Kontozis, who was murdered by her partner at her Bundeena home on 24 April, 2016.
Smith said the Sutherland Shire was rocked to learn of the murder.
“She will always be remembered as a laughing selfless mother who cared for her friends, family and everyone whose path she crossed,” Smith said.
Birdie Wealth trying to make a difference
Smith said Birdie Wealth, which started in January 2017, did not want to give the same old settlement gifts that were commonplace for brokerages and felt working with Enough is Enough was a way to make a real difference.
“We contacted the charity in May 2017 to begin a partnership with them,” Smith said. “We give a portion of our settlement funds to them as a donation, rather than a gift.”
Smith said clients still received a small gift of some branded cookies delivered to their workplace.
“Every loan settled, conveyancing matter completed, and property managed [means] we donate to the organisation,” Smith said. “We also assist by volunteering to cook for those in need, walking at the walk for respectful relationship walk and supporting their annual lunches and golf days.”
Enough is Enough formed out of tragedy
In November the Birdie Wealth team, including Miles Edwards, Emma Edwards, Keely Gregory, Joey Refalo, Carley Van Kleef, Tayler Peters, Anjila Lamichhane, Natalie Denyer, Chloe Tattler, Ash-lee Simpson, Josh Rees, Michelle Grimes, Kate Phillips and Nathan Smith (pictured in top main image left to right) took part in a Walk for Respectful Relationships fund and awareness-raising event, one of many initiatives it’s committed to over the years.
Enough is Enough was formed in 1994 by Ken Marslew following the violent murder of his son, university student Michael, and primarily provides psychology and counselling services. It also develops and delivers educational programs to a range of groups and organisations.
The organisation strives to maintain three factors of change: long-term commitment to change; encouraging personal responsibility and ensuring everyone has access to key education to develop strategies to change society’s views on violence.
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