Field Group Timeline
1942
Joe Dobrigh gains his professional qualification with the Federal Institute of Accountants in 1942 and upon leaving army service joins Union Accounting Service of Collins Street, Melbourne as a travelling accountant. Joe travelled far and wide in his bright red 1940 Vauxhall Wyvern canvas-top tourer and in later years, his faithful caravan. Many clients recalled his arrival at any hour, day or night, to collect and collate their records with bloodshot eyes.
1952
Joe acquires the practice in his own right. The practice consists of 50 clients and operated from the Dobrigh family home at Mt Dandenong Road, Kilsyth. Twelve of those original clients were still associated with the firm in October 1988.
1953
The practice expands with a staff of two (Miss G Taylor was the first professional staff member, remaining with the firm until 1967), resulting in a move to a shop premises in Lilydale beside the old produce store, adjacent to what is now the Lilydale Post Office.
1963
Staff increases to 8 and the business moves across the street to the first floor, 331 Main Street, Lilydale.
1965
The Dobrigh & Winterbottom partnership is formed between Joe Dobrigh & Don Winterbottom, who had commenced employment in 1959. Over the next twenty-two years, the practice experiences considerable growth.
1976
D & W Nominees Pty Ltd is registered with founding directors being Joe Dobrigh, Don Winterbottom, Geoff Bree (commenced employment in 1962) & Ian Carswell (commenced employment in 1965).
1981
The firm relocates to 439 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale and remains in that location for almost 30 years.
1985
Joe Dobrigh retires as partner but remains an active senior consultant until 1994.
1987
Chris Allan appointed as director (commenced employment in 1980).
Dennis Botten appointed as director (commenced employment in 1982).
1991
Don Winterbottom retires as director but remains as a consultant until 1994.
1993
The firm installs its first computer system with Solution 6, enabling D&W to “maintain the latest and best services to our clients”(prior to this, typewriters were used to prepare the tax returns).
1993
Geoff Bree retires after 31 years.
1994
Gavin Fraser appointed Director (commenced employment in 1993).
1995
Gerry Schembri appointed as Director (commenced employment in 1988).
1996
Yvonne Clark appointed as Director after merging with her practice, Advantage Accounting Solutions.
2001
Ian Carswell retires after 36 years with the firm.
2002
Firm changes name to D & W Integrated Financial Services Pty Ltd and adjusts branding to D&W rather than Dobrigh & Winterbottom.
2002
Debbie Martin appointed Director (commenced employment in 1990).
2003
1st April – Firm rebrands to The Field Group – Accounting and forms the “One Stop Shop” with The Field Group Financial Planning and The Field Group Legal. The new motto for The Field Group is “Grow, Manage & Protect”.
2007
Accounting and Financial Planning teams move to a brand new office at Suite 10, 1 East Ridge Drive, Chirnside Park.
2007
Dannie McKinnon appointed a director after commencing with the firm in 1997, straight out of university.
2009
Dennis Botton retires as director but remained a consultant until 2012.
2009
The Field Group becomes Melbourne’s first Xero partner.
2012
Gerry Schembri retires as director but remains a consultant until 2022.
2012
Jon Traynor appointed as Managing Director after commencing with the firm in 2005.
2019
Office renovations completed. The office is now open plan with all staff having standing desks. Filing compactus removed having not been needed for some years.
2019
The Field Group Financial Planning merges into Viridian - 29/4/19.
2020
Chris Allan retires, December 2020 after 40.5 years.
2020
Tim Hutchison retires after 12 years.
2021
Jane Pointon becomes an owner in the business.
2023
Firm rebrands to Field Group
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