Our Team

Nicola Chaffe is the Managing Director at Venture and a highly experienced Financial Adviser, bringing over a decade of experience with the firm and a background in public practice accounting in Melbourne. When undertaking the CPA program, Nicola achieved the highest result in Australia for Personal Financial Planning and Superannuation. Her broad skill set allows her to look at the full picture, drawing on her accounting foundation to identify practical ways to structure finances and improve outcomes, particularly when it comes to tax and long-term planning.

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She finds the most rewarding part of her work is guiding clients to the point where they can step into retirement with a clear understanding of their position. Those moments, when clients realise they have done enough and can enjoy what comes next, are what drive her.

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Originally from North East Victoria, Nicola moved to Bendigo in 2012 and values working with people who want to make the most of life on their own terms.

 

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring places of historical significance with her husband and son, along with spending time with family at the football, still hopeful that this is Essendon’s year.

Chris Brame is a Director at Venture and a Financial Adviser with a strong foundation in accounting, having transitioned into financial planning. With more than a decade at the firm, he brings a steady and structured approach to helping clients make sense of their financial position, with particular focus on retirement planning and tax strategy.

He is known for his ability to break down complex situations into clear, manageable steps. Chris is motivated by helping clients gain direction and clarity, ensuring they understand their options and feel comfortable moving forward.

After moving to Bendigo for university, he chose to build both his career and family life in the region. He values the opportunity to work closely with locals and build long-term relationships based on trust and consistency.

Outside the office, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, camping, reading and getting out for a ride when he can.

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Ryan Trickey is Venture’s SMSF Manager and a qualified SMSF Specialist, CPA and registered tax agent, with more than 17 years of experience at the firm. He works closely with the advisory team to support clients with self-managed super funds, ensuring they are structured and managed in line with regulatory requirements while working toward strong retirement outcomes.

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Ryan takes pride in the detail. His methodical and reliable approach helps clients feel reassured that their SMSF is being handled with care and precision. He is motivated by seeing well-run funds support his clients in achieving their long-term financial goals.

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A Bendigo local, Ryan grew up in Golden Square and now lives on acreage just outside of town with his wife and children. He appreciates the lifestyle the region offers and the connection that comes with working in a local community.

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When he is not at work, Ryan enjoys travelling and caravanning around Australia with his family, following sport and supporting Essendon.

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Jake van Dalen is a Financial Adviser at Venture who has been part of the team for six years. He works closely with pre-retirees and retirees, helping them navigate the transition into the next stage of life with greater certainty and understanding.

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Jake is focused on helping clients move from uncertainty to clarity. He finds it rewarding to support people through the retirement process, particularly when they reach the point where they can step back, feel secure, and focus on what matters most to them without ongoing financial concern.

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Having lived in Bendigo his entire life, Jake has a strong connection to the local community and values working with people who share that same sense of place.

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Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his partner and two sons and is a dedicated Geelong Cats supporter.

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Nathan Matthew is an experienced SSA ™SMSF Senior Accountant at Venture, bringing a strong background in financial services and self-managed superannuation. With a Bachelor of Business from James Cook University and several years with the firm, he works closely with trustees to support the day-to-day management and ongoing compliance of their SMSFs.

Nathan focuses on keeping things clear and well-organised, assisting with financial statements, annual returns, audit coordination and reporting requirements. He also has experience preparing personal income tax returns and Business Activity Statements, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how SMSFs fit within a broader financial position. His approach is practical and detail-focused, helping clients stay on top of their obligations and understand what is required of them.

He values working with people over the long term and contributing to outcomes that support their future plans.

 

Outside of work, Nathan enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, travelling and camping, and making the most of time away with family and friends.

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Reece Yarwood is a valued member of Venture’s Client Support Team, having joined the firm in 2021. With a background in retail supervision and management, he brings strong organisational skills and a practical, people-focused approach to his role. Reece plays an important part in supporting the implementation of advice, helping ensure each step of the process runs smoothly for clients.

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He enjoys being involved behind the scenes to help turn advice into action, and takes pride in supporting clients as they work towards their goals. Known for his reliability and clear communication, Reece helps provide reassurance throughout the process, making sure clients feel supported and informed along the way.

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Having grown up in Bendigo, Reece values the opportunity to contribute to his local community and work with people from the area.

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Outside of work, he enjoys playing and watching a wide range of sports, and spending time with friends and family at local cafés.