Building Financial Confidence Since 2017

We started lumaquilex because too many people felt confused and overwhelmed by their finances. Eight years later, we're still here helping Australians make sense of money without the jargon or judgement.

Marcus Kelleher, founder of lumaquilex financial education

Started With a Simple Question

Back in 2017, I was working with a local community group in Perth. Someone asked me to explain superannuation in plain English. Sounds simple, right? But when I tried, I realized how complicated we'd made something that affects everyone.

That conversation stuck with me. I'd spent years in financial services, surrounded by people who spoke in abbreviations and assumed knowledge. Meanwhile, regular folks were making major life decisions without understanding the basics.

So I quit my job and started running free workshops at the local library. Twelve people showed up to the first one. Then twenty. Then we had to book a bigger room. People weren't stupid about money—they'd just never had anyone explain it in a way that made sense.

lumaquilex grew from those library sessions. We've kept the same approach: talk like humans, ditch the jargon, and never assume people know what we're talking about just because we do.

Marcus Kelleher Founder & Financial Educator

How We've Grown

From library workshops to a full education program. Here's how lumaquilex evolved over the years.

2017

Library Beginnings

Started with free Saturday morning workshops at Rockingham Library. Covered budgeting basics and how super actually works. Word spread through community noticeboards and local Facebook groups.

2019

First Structured Program

Launched an eight-week course after people kept asking for more detailed content. Moved to a proper venue and introduced small fees to cover costs. Still kept some free sessions running monthly.

2021

Online Pivot

COVID pushed us online faster than planned. Turned out people loved being able to join from home. Started recording sessions so shift workers could watch them later. Our audience grew beyond Perth for the first time.

2023

Expanded Topics

Added courses on property, investing, and small business finances after consistent requests. Brought in guest educators with specific expertise. Kept everything practical and jargon-free.

2025

Full Program Portfolio

Now running six different course streams with both online and in-person options. Still doing those free monthly sessions though. They remind us why we started this in the first place.

How We Actually Teach

Financial education doesn't need to be boring or intimidating. Here's what makes our approach different.

Plain Language Always

We don't use financial jargon unless we explain it first. And we explain it like we're talking to a mate at a barbecue, not reading from a textbook. If you don't understand something, that's on us to fix.

Real Scenarios Only

Every example comes from actual situations people face. Buying a car. Changing jobs. Dealing with debt. We skip the theoretical stuff and focus on decisions you're probably making right now or will be soon.

No Judgement Zone

Money mistakes are normal. We've all made them. Our sessions are safe spaces to ask questions that might feel basic or admit when you're confused. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

Practical Tools Included

You walk away with spreadsheets, checklists, and templates you can actually use. Not fancy stuff—just simple tools that help you put what you've learned into practice immediately.

Financial planning workshop session in progress

Budget planning discussion with real examples

What Matters to Us

These aren't corporate values we stuck on the wall. They're principles that guide every decision we make and every course we create.

Accessibility

Financial education shouldn't be a luxury. We maintain free programs, offer payment plans, and work with community groups to reach people who need help most.

Honesty

We admit when something's complicated. We acknowledge when we don't know an answer. And we never pretend there's a quick fix to problems that take time to solve.

Independence

We don't sell financial products or take commissions. Our only job is teaching. That means you can trust the information we give you isn't influenced by what makes us money.

Next Course Starts September 2025

Our autumn program runs over ten weeks with both weeknight and weekend options. Places fill up fast, so get in touch early if you're interested. You can also join our mailing list to hear about upcoming sessions and new courses.

Upcoming financial education courses schedule