Sienna Kovic
Lead Program Coordinator
Spent twelve years in community financial counselling before joining velmorianq in 2022. Sienna designs our core curriculum and makes sure every session balances practical skills with genuine support.
We Started with a Simple Question
Why do so many people struggle with monthly budgets when the basic maths is actually pretty straightforward?
Back in 2019, a small group of financial educators in Bunbury noticed something interesting. People weren't failing at budgeting because they couldn't add or subtract. They were struggling because budgeting felt isolating, overwhelming, and frankly—a bit boring.
From Kitchen Table Conversations to Community Learning
velmorianq grew out of those early kitchen table sessions where neighbours would gather to share their financial frustrations over coffee. What started as informal chat became something more structured when we realized people learned better together than alone.
By early 2021, we'd developed our first proper curriculum—nothing fancy, just practical worksheets and group activities that made budgeting feel less like homework and more like solving puzzles with friends. The response surprised us.
Now we're helping hundreds of Australians approach their finances with less stress and more confidence. Not through miracle solutions or complex investment strategies, but through steady, practical habits that actually stick.
How We Actually Do This
Our approach isn't revolutionary. It's just thoughtfully designed around how real people learn when they're not being lectured at.
Small Group Learning
Sessions run with 8-12 participants—enough for diverse perspectives, small enough that no one gets lost in the background. Everyone contributes, no one dominates.
Real Budget Scenarios
We work through actual situations people face—irregular income, unexpected expenses, competing priorities. Not theoretical examples from textbooks written fifteen years ago.
Accountability Partners
Participants pair up to check in between sessions. Simple accountability that makes a surprising difference when you're trying to build new habits.
Practical Tools First
You'll leave each session with something you can actually use that week—whether it's a tracking template, a decision framework, or just clarity about your next step.
Flexible Pacing
Programs run across several weeks, not crammed into a weekend intensive. Because sustainable change happens gradually, not overnight.
No Shame, No Judgement
Financial stress is stressful enough. Our sessions focus on progress and problem-solving, not making anyone feel inadequate about past decisions.
The People Behind the Programs
We're educators and financial practitioners who actually enjoy explaining complex topics in plain language. No fancy titles, just people who care about this work.
Marion Thatcher
Workshop Facilitator
Former high school maths teacher who discovered she preferred teaching adults. Marion runs most of our evening sessions and has a particular talent for breaking down intimidating concepts into manageable steps.
What Guides Our Work
We don't have a fancy mission statement printed on the wall. But these principles show up in every decision we make about program design and delivery.
They're not aspirational—they're how we actually operate when planning sessions or responding to participant feedback.
Accessibility Over Exclusivity
Financial education shouldn't require existing financial stability. We keep pricing reasonable and offer flexible payment options because we know tight budgets are often why people need this learning in the first place.
Progress Over Perfection
Small improvements maintained over time beat dramatic changes that collapse after two weeks. We celebrate progress that might not look impressive on social media but actually improves daily life.
Practical Over Theoretical
Theory has its place, but our participants need tools they can use on Tuesday afternoon when an unexpected bill arrives. Everything we teach passes the "can you actually do this?" test.
Community Over Competition
Your finances aren't a competition with your neighbour. We build learning environments where people support each other rather than comparing who's "winning" at budgeting.
Our Next Program Starts September 2025
We run eight-week budgeting fundamentals programs three times a year. Spaces are limited to maintain the small group environment, and our September cohort typically fills by mid-August.
View Program Details