OUR TEAM IN DUBBO

David Rich

Partner

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
• Chartered Accountant (FCA)
• Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA)
• Registered Company Auditor

David was born and raised in Dubbo, attended the local Catholic School, St John’s College before completing his Higher School Certificate at St Josephs College, Hunters Hill, Sydney. In 1988 he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Degree, majoring in Accounting at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. Working initially with Deloittes Sydney in Corporate Audit he completed his Associate Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. This experience enabled him to become a Registered Company Auditor. In 2014, he was advanced to the status of Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in recognition of his years in practice.

Taking a break from auditing, he backpacked around the world visiting countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. His favourite country was Nepal where he trekked the famous mountain ranges and competed in two mountain triathlons. Whilst abroad he worked as an Accountant in England for United Provincial Newspapers assisting with production of the Yorkshire Post newspaper. He also worked in the UK Midlands in Public Practice producing financial statements for small business.

In 1993, David returned from overseas and joined his father Ron Rich at GJ Christie & Co. In 1995 the firm changed its name to Christies Public Accountants and he became a partner. He now consults in all aspects of taxation and business advice. He has a special interest in primary production as well as business valuations. He was recently accepted as a Chartered Tax Advisor with the Taxation Institute of Australia.

David has retained his passion for travel along with his other passions of Rugby Union and agriculture, having a background on the family farm in his early years. David played Rugby for the Dubbo Kangaroos with his highlight being part of three winning Blowes Cup Premiership teams. He also served as Treasurer during the building of Dubbo Rugby Club’s Victoria Park Clubhouse. David ended his rugby days as Vice President of Geurie Goats Rugby Club, coaching and playing until his retirement in 2006. He now farms a small property near Dubbo with his wife Alison and four children when not in the office.

David Chapman

Partner

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Finance)
• Chartered Accountant (CA)



David is originally from Narromine and was raised on a small rural property. Whilst attending University he worked for a local grain merchant and also a stock & station agent, maintaining a strong connection to the rural sector.

After graduating from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, David began his professional career at KPMG Sydney where he spent five years in Middle Market Advisory, servicing the needs of mainly high net worth individuals. David also obtained his Chartered Accountant designation during this period. David returned to the country and commenced with Christies in 2004, becoming a Partner in 2006.

David services the needs of clients from a wide variety of industries including the trustees of self-managed superannuation funds.

In his spare time, David enjoys a number of activities with his family

Jeremy Dickson

Partner

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
• Chartered Accountant (CA)



Jeremy was Melbourne born and bred. Having moved to Dubbo in 1995, completing all of his high school and university in Dubbo, and marrying a local girl he certainly considers Dubbo to be home. He graduated from Charles Sturt University Dubbo campus and completed his Chartered Accountant qualification whilst working with our firm. Jeremy started work with Christies as a Cadet Accountant in 2002. During this time he gained experience in all areas of tax, business services and auditing.

Becoming a partner in 2014, Jeremy’s workload covers all areas of taxation and business services. He enjoys the challenge of being a partner and the high level work but Jeremy also still likes to keep up to date with his clients and the everyday running of their businesses. Jeremy is often the first point of call for our firm’s new clients, he has a great ability to work out the strategies required to get the most benefit for our clients. He is a big advocate for cloud accounting and enjoys setting up clients on new platforms and streamlining existing arrangements to maximise efficiencies.

Away from the office, Jeremy’s main interests are family and sport. He has two young children with his wife, Emma and both children are already following in his Dad’s footsteps with a love of all of things sport. Golf and basketball are Jeremy’s favourites, but any sport, any time will do.

Jeremy is heavily involved with junior sport in Dubbo. He has previously held numerous committee roles at varying levels of cricket and is currently the Referee Director of the Dubbo Basketball Association, where he enjoys bringing the next crop of talented referees through the system

Michelle Peek

 Manager

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Chartered Accountant (CA)



Michelle was raised in Nyngan where she completed her Higher School Certificate. She then moved to Newcastle, completing her Commerce degree at the University of Newcastle.

After completing her degree Michelle made Dubbo home and began to gain practical experience working in a public practice accounting firm. Since joining Christies in 2007 Michelle has completed her Chartered Accountant qualification and has been promoted to Manager. She has extensive experience in Business Services and Taxation. Michelle works part-time to allow her to spend time with her two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends whenever possible.

Michelle enjoys being involved in the community and holds various committee roles within schools and sporting clubs in town. Her other interests include sewing, gardening, running and water skiing.

Anthony Burrell

Manager

• Bachelor of Business (Tourism)
• Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Banking)
• Certified Practising Accountant (CPA)



Anthony was born in Coonabarabran and moved to Wellington, NSW where he attended school. After graduating from Southern Cross University with a Tourism degree, he then expanded his horizons by studying Accountancy at Charles Sturt University. He joined Christies part way through the degree, completing the accountancy degree whilst working for the firm. Anthony completed his professional training with Christies and qualified as a CPA in 2007.

Since joining the firm, Anthony has gained experience in a broad range of areas including Taxation, Tax Planning, Goods and Services Tax, Business Activity Statements, Capital Gains Tax and Self Managed Superannuation Fund administration and compliance.

Outside of work Anthony enjoys watching rugby union being an avid All Blacks supporter, he also enjoys watching cricket and enjoys reading anything from Wilbur Smith, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, Matthew Reilly, Chris Ryan and Andy McNab.

Wayne Comber

IT Administrator

• Associate Diploma in Accounting
• Certificate IV in Information Technology
• MYOB Certified Consultant
  
• Xero Certified Advisor
• Xero Payroll Certified



Wayne was born and raised in Dubbo. On completion of his secondary schooling, he took a position with a local accountancy firm and studied Accountancy at TAFE. He then worked for the National Australia Bank and a mineral drilling company, where he spent 7 years as assistant accountant, also overseeing the IT needs of the business. Wayne travelled extensively in Australia and overseas during this period, setting up an office in Africa and reviewing operations in Ireland. He then focused more in the IT field, moving to Axxis Technology for a short period where he managed the store and gained further experience with computers and mobile communications.

In 1998, Wayne took on the role of IT administrator with Christies, which allowed him to combine his skills in IT with his accounting knowledge, enabling him to provide a valuable service to the clients of Christies. With the introduction of the GST in 2000, there was a significant shift in the number of clients who needed computerised accounting systems and Wayne assisted and trained Christies clients make the transition. He continues to provide support and training for clients in this area. He also ensures Christies’ internal IT systems are current, secure and reliable, and that the firm can leverage off the latest developments in the IT world, enabling us to provide the best service for our clients.

Wayne has years of experience dealing with a range of software and hardware platforms including Microsoft operating systems, MYOB (MYOB Certified Consultant), Phoenix, Xero (Certified Advisor + Payroll Certified), SQL server, .Net technologies and cloud based services.

Away from the office, Wayne enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He spent many years training in Taekwondo, achieving the rank of 2nd Dan black belt, and starting a Taekwondo school, before injury forced retirement. Wayne enjoys camping, canoeing and bushwalking, and takes every opportunity to unplug and get out and enjoy nature.

Kathy Sumich

 Manager

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Finance)
• Chartered Accountant (CA)



Kathy was born and bred in Narromine and moved to Dubbo with her family in 2003 where she completed her schooling. She started working at Christies in 2009 through our cadetship program and went on to complete her Accounting degree through Charles Sturt University where she graduated in 2013.

After obtaining her degree Kathy began studying the Chartered Accountants Program and has since become a Chartered Accountant.

Kathy has a broad range of experience with taxation and has a keen interest in worker’s compensation, tax planning, GST and payroll tax.

Outside of work Kathy enjoys spending time with her husband and family.

Dan Rich

 Senior Accountant

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

Dan was born and raised in Dubbo, attended St John’s College, only leaving to complete his secondary school education at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Sydney. Once completing the HSC, he began work with Christies as a Cadet Accountant in 2003.

In 2004 the Partners decided to send Dan to a Rotary leadership program (RYLA) and this is where he met his wife, Megan. He graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2014. Dan has broad experience in taxation and auditing, and a keen interest in self-managed superannuation funds of which he is involved in all aspects of their administration.

In his spare time Dan is an avid swimmer. When he is not at the pool he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.

Nicholas Crawford

 Senior Accountant

• Bachelor of Business (Joint Study in Economics)
• Chartered Accountant (CA)

Nicholas was born and raised in Dubbo where he completed his High School Certificate. He then completed his Bachelor of Accounting via distance education with Charles Sturt University whilst employed as a Cadet here at Christies.

After obtaining his degree Nicholas began studying the Chartered Accountants Program and has since become a Chartered Accountant. Since joining the firm Nicholas has gained experience in a broad range of areas including Taxation, Goods and Services Tax, Business Activity Statements and Workers Compensation.

Outside of work Nicholas enjoys playing cricket and basketball and spending time with his family.

Tim Hyde

 Senior Accountant

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

Tim has lived in the Dubbo area for all his life. After spending many years in the hospitality/aged care industry he decided to make a career change to accounting. Tim joined Christies in 2017 and completed the accounting degree with Charles Sturt University in 2019. Tim is now studying the Chartered Accountants program and will become qualified in 2024.

Outside work Tim enjoys spending time with family, friends and travelling to experience new things.