In a business historically dominated by his big city counterparts, John Dunk has scooped his fellow insurance brokers to be crowned National Insurance Brokers Association Broker of the Year for NSW and ACT.
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John is now in the running to be named the national winner which will be announced at the 2016 NIBA Convention in Melbourne this September.
The prestigious award identifies and recognises high performing broker professionals and consists of five individual regional awards culminating in a national award for the Stephen Ball Memorial Award for Insurance Broker of the Year.
Entries were assessed by the state/territory judging panel throughout May and three finalists were announced.
John was named Broker of the Year for NSW and ACT at a function in Sydney last week and said he feels honoured to receive the award.
“It was a great surprise to win and it was very exciting,” John said.
“You often feel forgotten being out in the country as these type of awards usually go to bigger Sydney brokers who work internationally.
“So it is very nice to be recognised.
“What makes the award even more special for me is that as part of the judges decision making process, they required references.
“Half of those were from local people which means it was their endorsement which helped win the award.
“To receive such praise from fellow locals is, I believe, a ringing endorsement for the open and honest way I have conducted my business.
“It means a lot,” he said.
John’s contribution to the community in his 35 years in the business has been immeasurable.
Over the years he has employed more than 65 people, most of whom were just out of school or young people without a trade.
John’s son James said his dad takes great pride in giving people a career.
“Dad has always taken a lot of pride in employing local people and developing their skills internally,” James said.
“Most people would start as a receptionist or in an entry level position and dad would help them develop into skilled professionals.
“He takes a lot of pride in that,” he said.
John started working for Australian Eagle in West Wyalong from 1981 before QBE bought the company out in 1989.
He moved to Young at that time before starting his own business in 1997 and becoming a broker in 2006.
“It has always been my vision to provide the people in the country with the same experience that city brokers can provide,” John said.
“We always try to help people in the bush the best way we can,” he said.