8 April 2020
Weng Wong (1997) is the President of the Old Scholars Association and a current Pembroke parent. In 2014, Weng established the mortgage broking company Equatorial Finance Solutions and has since won many awards for his work in the finance industry.
What is your favourite memory of your time at Pembroke?
Finishing as top goalscorer with the First XI for the season bagging 11 goals or so, and getting colours for table tennis! But now 20+ years later, I would also say all the friendships I made during my time at school as I still keep in touch with many of those in my year level to this day.
What is your biggest career highlight?
Firstly taking the plunge to leave my banking career and starting my own finance broking business in 2014. And then in 2017, an amazing highlight was at the SA Better Business Awards where I took home Best Newcomer, Best Finance Broker of the Year, and overall Broker of the Year, a truly humbling experience.
The best advice I have ever been given was…
I will always remember this saying that was up in our tute room at Pembroke, “He who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes, but he who does not ask a question is a fool forever”. It is important to overcome your shyness and ask questions, otherwise you will never learn, even to this day.
Who was your favourite teacher at Pembroke and why?
Certainly some memorable staff included Miss Smith when I was in Year 4, the late Trevor Portlock who was my tutor in Senior School, Jim Muir for soccer, Brian Callaghan who was head of the boys’ boarding house, as well as Gary Hayes and Lex Hambour who were always good for a laugh.
My favourite thing to do in Adelaide is…
Varied, from visiting the wineries in Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale, to visiting friends in Port Hughes or Middleton, and dining out at places like Peel St restaurant or Golden Boy. Despite the perception of Adelaide, we have many things going for us here!
What is something you are passionate about?
Football, or soccer as some people call it!
A piece of advice that you would like to pass onto your children?
Find something in life that you enjoy doing, because when you enjoy what you do, it no longer feels like work. You need to be waking up in the morning wanting to go to work. The moment you feel like you no longer enjoy what you do for an extended period of time, it is time for a change.
If I could change careers, I would be…
A football manager in Europe, like in the English Premier League.
What do you enjoy about being a member of the Pembroke Old Scholars Association?
Being able to make a difference in maintaining the interest of former students and staff in Pembroke, and continuing to promote the unity and friendship amongst all old scholars.
Name three places that are on your bucket list.
Spain, UK and Las Vegas.