Queensland financial planner Olivia Maragna has been awarded the Association of Financial Advisers’ (AFA) Adviser of the Year award.

The award was made on the closing night of the AFA conference on the Gold Coast last week.

The Michael Murphy Award was presented to Melbourne financial planner Bernie Toohey, who is a life member of the AFA and has been a financial adviser for 30 years.

Christine Hornery of NSW company Financial Management Solutions took the Female Excellence in Advice award. It includes a scholarship to join an executive leadership course at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

Matt Hale of Financial Design for Life in Melbourne received the AFA Rising Star award.

AFA CEO Richard Klipin says every year sees “continued excellence among candidates for all our awards”.

 “Despite what can only be described as interesting times, advisers are more than rising to meet the challenges,” he said. “They are innovative, professional and an outstanding example to their peers.”