The short answer: Acacia Cooper, broker at Noma Finance, is one of four VIC/TAS finalists for Asset Finance Rising Star at the 2026 Connective Excellence Awards. The category recognises brokers who have been broking for less than two years and have already made a significant impact, through innovative ideas and business practices or community initiatives. Winners are still to be announced.
Noma Finance is an Australian finance and asset brokerage that removes the runaround from borrowing, comparing options across a panel of around 25 lenders so clients see the total cost before they sign. Acacia Cooper, broker at Noma Finance, is a 2026 Connective Excellence Awards finalist for Asset Finance Rising Star in VIC/TAS, a category open only to brokers with less than two years in broking. "We're so proud of Acacia. She's early in her broking career, and she already brings the thorough, straight-talking approach we want every client to get. This one is well deserved," says Ashley.
Key takeaways
The Connective Excellence Awards are Connective's annual awards recognising the performance, dedication and achievements of its broker members and wider community over the previous 12 months. Connective is the aggregator Noma Finance works with. An aggregator gives brokers access to a lender panel, lodgement systems and compliance support.
The 2026 awards cover almost 20 categories, split into Residential awards and Commercial and Asset Finance awards. Most finalists are named by region: NSW/ACT, VIC/TAS, QLD/NT, SA and WA. A small number of categories, such as Compliance Hero, are judged nationally.
The Asset Finance Rising Star award recognises brokers who have been broking for less than two years and have already made a significant impact. Connective's criteria point to two ways of showing that impact: innovative ideas and business practices that drive success, or community initiatives that give back to the local area.
Connective runs three Rising Star categories with the same criteria. The difference between them is the area of lending each one covers.
Asset finance is lending used to buy a specific asset, such as a car, ute or piece of equipment, where the asset itself usually secures the loan. If you are buying a car for yourself, our guide to car finance options in Australia covers how the main loan types compare.
At Noma Finance, asset finance covers consumer car loans and business finance for vehicles and equipment. You can see how each one works on our car loan and business finance services page. If the vehicle is for your business, our explainer on the instant asset write-off for work vehicles covers the tax side, and a registered tax adviser or the ATO can confirm how it applies to you.
Acacia Cooper is a finance broker at Noma Finance, working with clients on asset finance, including car loans and business finance for vehicles and equipment. She has been broking for less than two years, which is what makes her eligible for the Rising Star category.
Based rurally (yes, she has a horse), Acacia brings a grounded, real-world perspective to every client she helps. She is thorough and straight-talking, and she starts by listening to what you actually need before looking at the numbers. For Acacia, good broking is less about spreadsheets and more about understanding the person behind the application.
Like everyone at Noma, Acacia explains the options in plain English, shows you the total cost of the finance rather than only the weekly repayment, and leaves the decision with you.
A finalist nomination does not change how a lender assesses a loan application. Lenders still look at your full financial picture, including what you already pay out each month against what you earn.
What it does reflect is recognition from inside the industry for the way Acacia works. The process for you stays the same: we compare options across a panel of around 25 lenders, explain the total cost before you sign, and give you room to decide without pressure. If you are new to brokers, here is how a finance broker differs from going to your bank.
Connective announces Excellence Awards winners online and celebrates them at events around the country. Commercial and Asset Finance winners are recognised at Connective's Commercial and Asset Finance Lender Showcases, held on the Eastern Seaboard. [Confirm the announcement date for the VIC/TAS Asset Finance results.] We will update this page once the results are out.
Buying a car, ute or piece of equipment and want someone on your side for the numbers? You can start an online application, or send us a question first. No pressure.
For more plain English guides on car, personal, home and business finance, visit the Noma Finance blog.
Acacia Cooper is a finance broker at Noma Finance, an Australian finance and asset brokerage with its head office in Cremorne, Melbourne. She works with clients on asset finance and is a 2026 Connective Excellence Awards finalist for Asset Finance Rising Star in the VIC/TAS region.
Asset Finance Rising Star is a Connective Excellence Awards category for asset finance brokers who have been broking for less than two years. Finalists are recognised for making a significant impact through innovative ideas and business practices, or through community initiatives.
Acacia Cooper is a finalist, and the 2026 winners have not yet been announced. Connective names winners online and at its award events. This page will be updated when the results are published.
Connective runs the Connective Excellence Awards each year. The awards recognise the performance and achievements of Connective's broker members and community over the previous 12 months, across almost 20 categories.
Noma Finance works with Connective as its aggregator, which gives Noma access to its lender panel and supporting systems. Van Rosmalen Group Pty Ltd, trading as Noma Finance, is Credit Representative 544208 under Australian Credit Licence 389328.
Noma Finance is based in Melbourne but works with clients Australia wide, with everything handled digitally. The team is open seven days, and the online application is available around the clock.
Ashley Van Rosmalen is the founder of Noma Finance. Before becoming a finance and asset broker, Ashley worked at car dealerships, so Noma's car finance guidance is written from both sides of the deal. Ashley has personally held every loan type Noma helps with, from car and personal through to business and home.
Written by Ashley, founder of Noma Finance. Before becoming a finance and asset broker, Ashley worked at car dealerships, and has personally held every loan type Noma helps with. Noma compares options across a panel of lenders to help people find finance that fits their situation, explained in plain English.
This article is general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not financial, credit or tax advice. Consider whether it is appropriate for you and seek advice from a licensed professional before making a decision. Tax outcomes for novated leases and chattel mortgages depend on your circumstances, so speak with a licensed tax adviser or accountant. Any figures used are illustrative only.
.png)
.png)
