Principal
📞 0452 448 234
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Experience You Can Rely On
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Roderick (Rick) Thorn is the Principal of Square Peg Mortgage Management and brings more than 35 years of experience across financial services, mortgage lending and business ownership.
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Before moving to Australia in 2006, Rick spent almost twenty-five years working as a qualified Advanced Financial Planner in the United Kingdom. After building a successful financial planning practice in London alongside his wife, Wendy, they sold the business and relocated to Australia to begin the next chapter of their lives.
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Over the years, Rick has advised thousands of clients on some of the most important financial decisions they will ever make, developing a reputation for practical advice, ethical decision-making and long-term client relationships.
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More Than Just Mortgage Advice
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Rick believes arranging a mortgage is only the beginning.
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His passion lies in helping clients understand how their mortgage works, how to reduce unnecessary interest and how small, informed decisions can significantly improve their long-term financial position.
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This philosophy led to the development of Square Peg Mortgage Management's Mortgage Cost Reduction (MCR) Strategy™ and the accompanying Mortgage Cost Reduction Calculator™, providing clients with practical strategies designed to reduce interest and repay their mortgage sooner without relying on unrealistic repayment plans.
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A Broader Financial Perspective
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Rick's background extends well beyond mortgage lending.
His experience includes:
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Residential lending
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Refinancing and debt restructuring
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Investment property finance
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Financial planning
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Retirement planning
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Wealth protection
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Business ownership and management
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Cash-flow planning
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Mortgage repayment strategy
Having owned and managed successful businesses himself, Rick understands the challenges clients face—not only with their mortgages but also in running businesses, managing cash flow and planning for the future.
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Client Reporting and Lending Experience
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One area that particularly interests Rick is the way lenders assess applications.
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He has developed extensive knowledge of Australia's credit reporting system, credit scoring, lender policies and the major credit reporting agencies.
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This allows him to help clients understand:
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how their credit history affects borrowing capacity
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how lenders assess risk
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how to improve their credit profile over time
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how to identify incorrect or fraudulent credit enquiries
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how different lenders interpret credit information
For many clients, understanding these factors can make the difference between an approval and a decline.
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Investment Property Experience
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Rick has also built his own investment property portfolio and understands the opportunities and challenges that come with property investing.
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Rather than focusing solely on obtaining finance, he works with clients to build lending strategies that support their long-term objectives.
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Where appropriate, he collaborates with accountants, financial planners and other trusted professionals to ensure clients receive well-rounded guidance.
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A Different Philosophy
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Rick firmly believes people deserve advice that genuinely serves their best interests.
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His approach is simple:
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Listen first. Understand second. Recommend third.
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Or, as he often says...
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"We have two ears and one mouth—and we try to use them in that order."
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That philosophy sits at the heart of everything Square Peg Mortgage Management does.
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Professional Credentials
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Roderick Thorn is authorised to advise on the following:.
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He is authorised to provide credit assistance for:
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Home Purchases
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Refinancing
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Debt Consolidation
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Investment Property Lending
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Equity Release
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Property Portfolio Expansion
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Mortgage Management Strategies
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Debt Management
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Finance and Operations Manager
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📞 0404 761 014
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Wendy Thorn has built a career spanning international banking, financial planning and business operations, bringing more than three decades of experience in financial services to Square Peg Mortgage Management.
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Her career began with Dolby Laboratories, working alongside the pioneering team led by Ray Dolby. She later moved into international banking with Bank of America, where she was responsible for assessing interbank lending exposures within the wholesale money markets.
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Wendy then joined ABN AMRO Bank, a leading international bank specialising in trade and project finance. Her role involved assessing the risks associated with complex lending transactions across global markets, from humanitarian aid shipments into developing nations through to large-scale commercial developments, including high-rise construction projects throughout Asia. This experience provided her with a detailed understanding of credit assessment, risk management and the commercial realities behind major lending decisions.
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Financial Planning and Business Ownership
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Wendy later qualified as a Financial Planner with the Aviva Group (General Accident), where she advised clients across a broad range of financial areas including mortgages, retirement planning, personal protection and long-term financial security.
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It was during this time that she met Rick.
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Together they established and successfully operated their own Financial Planning practice in London, building the business over almost a decade into a respected firm employing qualified mortgage advisers, financial planners, tax accountants and administration staff while caring for more than 3,500 clients.
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Running the practice gave Wendy extensive experience in client management, business operations, compliance, staff management and delivering exceptional client service.
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The Operational Heart of Square Peg
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Today, Wendy is the operational backbone of Square Peg Mortgage Management.
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She oversees the administration of every application from submission through to settlement, ensuring documentation is accurate, compliance requirements are met and clients are kept informed throughout the entire process.
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Her responsibilities include:
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Managing loan applications from submission to settlement.
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Coordinating lender and client communication.
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Overseeing compliance and quality assurance.
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Managing documentation and supporting information.
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Ensuring every client receives a smooth, organised and professional experience.
Wendy believes great customer service is built on communication, organisation and attention to detail. Her calm, methodical approach ensures clients always know what is happening and can be confident that every aspect of their application is being managed with care.
Behind every successful mortgage is a great team—and Wendy is an integral part of making that happen.
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Mortgage Advisor
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📞 0412 742 471
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Daniel McFarland brings a strong combination of banking experience, lending expertise and genuine client care to Square Peg Mortgage Management.
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Originally from the United Kingdom, Daniel moved to Australia during his school years, where he completed his secondary education at A.B. Paterson College on the Gold Coast before graduating from Griffith University with a degree in Marketing and Corporate Management.
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A Strong Banking Foundation
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Daniel began his career with the National Australia Bank (NAB), where he quickly developed a solid understanding of retail banking, lending policy and customer service.
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Over seven successful years with NAB, he progressed through a variety of lending roles before being appointed Lending Manager at one of the Gold Coast's busiest branches.
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Working within one of Australia's largest banks provided Daniel with extensive knowledge of lender policy, credit assessment, loan structuring and the practical challenges borrowers face throughout the lending process.
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More importantly, it reinforced the importance of taking the time to understand each client's individual circumstances before recommending a solution.
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Experience That Benefits Clients
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Daniel's passion for lending extends well beyond arranging mortgages.
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Alongside his university degree, he completed qualifications in Financial Planning and Finance and Mortgage Broking, providing him with a broad understanding of both lending and personal finance.
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Today, Daniel works closely with clients purchasing their first home, upgrading to their next property, refinancing existing loans and building investment portfolios.
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He enjoys finding practical lending solutions that are tailored to each client's goals while making the entire process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
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Part of The Square Peg Philosophy
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After joining Square Peg Mortgage Management, Daniel embraced the philosophy that arranging a mortgage is only the beginning.
Working alongside Rick and Wendy, he helps deliver the personalised service and ongoing mortgage management that sets Square Peg apart.
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He believes great advice starts with listening, communicating clearly and building long-term relationships based on trust.
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Outside the Office
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Away from work, Daniel enjoys spending time with family and friends, keeping active and making the most of the Gold Coast lifestyle.
He's also well known around the office for never saying no to a good chocolate biscuit—especially if there's a fresh cup of coffee nearby.
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His approachable nature, attention to detail and genuine desire to help people make him a valued member of the Square Peg Mortgage Management team.
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