The White Report | Winter 2026

CHASING HIGH PERFORMANCE

Two decades in the industry couldn’t prepare Thomas McGlynn for what he discovered when he joined Ray White and now he wants to make sure we never stop taking it for granted.

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Welcome to the winter edition of The White Report for 2026

Buckle up, because this winter issue is an absolute blockbuster!

We are crossing borders and breaking records, starting with a front-row seat to the USA and Noosa Business Leaders trips (pages 6–9), followed by a massive celebration of our growing Ray White family.

Looking for major inspiration? We are celebrating some incredible milestones including Haesley Cush’s spectacular 30-year journey (page 15), a golden decade for Helen Yan, and 10 years of Ray White Mt Eden (page 16).

Plus, you won't want to miss the jawdropping “WOW” residential properties showcased on page 32 - get ready for some serious property envy!

In this edition, we’ve dived into the unique and wonderful pulse of our network:

The unforgettable: Meet Yogi, the singing auctioneer (page 18), and Jason Barrel, the former rugby player turned cop who shares his powerful story of resilience (page 19).

The trendsetters: Check out the legendary “Gavel Club” empowering our female auctioneers (pages 20-21).

The wellness masters: From puppy pilates and ice baths to “The Pain Cave”, see how our teams are crushing their fitness and wellness goals (pages 33-35).

Finishing strong, our rural section (pages 36-39) brings the heat with record-breaking working dog sales, performance horses, and wagyu conferences.

Flip the page, dive in, and enjoy the read!

Reshni Ratnam Editor in chief

Easter Egg hunt competition winner is… Eboni!

Even the master problem-solver of Ray White Canning River couldn't resist a good puzzle. Known for keeping auction campaigns flawlessly on track, Cameron Smart’s PA, Eboni Freight, turned her sharp eye for detail toward the “Guess How Many Easter Eggs” competition in the last edition of White Report.

Using the same meticulous focus that earned her the PA of the Half Year

award, she crunched the numbers, submitted her guess, and took home the win.

For someone who loves making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, it turns out counting Easter eggs is just another problem successfully solved!

Email media@raywhite.com.au

The ultimate CEO throwback challenge!

Think you know the faces behind Ray White?

Let’s put that to the test! We’ve intercepted the baby albums of our CEOs and SLG and the results are adorable.

Can you guess who is who?

Matt White

Thomas McGlynn

Nerida Conisbee

Zac Snelling

Carey Smith

Daniel Coulson

Kelly Tatlow

Matt Lindblom

Jason Andrew

James Linacre

Mark Whiteman

Tim Snell

We’re giving away 5,000 Velocity Points to the first person to correctly match the name to the boss babies! Send your answers to media@raywhite.com

Entries close 17 July.

MILESTONE MOMENTS

Seeing Dan and our Chairman's Elite Business Leaders touch down in the United States recently brought back a flood of memories for me, memories of a very different era, when it was American real estate groups making the journey to Australia, not the other way around.

In the early 1980s I knew that we couldn’t exist as a Queensland business for much longer. It was during this time, a property downturn, that threw up one of the more remarkable opportunities of my career. Times were changing rapidly. I was literally walking the streets at night worrying about the future. I knew if we didn’t expand then we would have no future. LJ Hooker had expanded to Queensland and they were telling everyone that they had the ‘southern buyers who always paid more money’. They were winning listing after listing at our expense in the 1980s. So I actually pursued a lot of opportunities at this time and one of them was ERA Realty.

A major New Zealand property developer had taken an international franchise from ERA Realty, based in the United States, with the licence covering Australia. They'd built a network of 100 offices across every state bar Tasmania, all carrying the ERA badge in front of each office's own business name.

But they'd come to a hard realisation: their real estate franchise network was adding no real value to the parent property company. The venture was losing money, and it suddenly came onto the market. Some 60 ERA international offices, predominantly in NSW, then joined 78 Ray White offices in Queensland to provide a strong east coast base and springboard for national expansion of the new company,

We were upfront about our ambitions: a dramatic expansion over the following year, a drive for new business leaders, and a target of 120 agencies in NSW by 1989, 80 of them in Sydney. We made the case that the merger positioned ERA Ray White as the third largest franchise real estate operation in the country and the only residential group with genuine international affiliations.

What we inherited, though, was a network with offices in almost every state but few of them market leaders, and morale was very low, largely because the grand projections of becoming the great Australian network had never materialised under the previous owners. So what to do with it?

The idea that excited us most was simple: ask every existing ERA office to rebrand. All our offices in Queensland become "ERA Ray White". At some tense franchisee meetings, we made the case for why this mattered. For our Queensland members, it meant being part of something nationwide, a growing referral base they could promise clients, right across the country.

And so it began. One of the great pleasant surprises was watching some of the new arrivals flourish, none more so than Andrew and Greg Bell, whose ERA Kensington business in Sydney had such spectacular ambition that they relocated to the Gold Coast and bought our Surfers Paradise business, determined to become the standout performer in the entire Ray White network.

It proved an excellent chapter. But nothing stays the same forever, and by the early 1990s the moment came to drop the ERA badge altogether. I travelled to the United States myself to negotiate that separation, an unusual experience, sitting across the table in America to settle an agreement with such far-reaching implications back home.

Looking back, what strikes me most is how that period, born out of a downturn and an awkward foreign affiliation, ended up strengthening rather than weakening us. Many of the American players who entered Australia so confidently in the 1980s have since exited or scaled back significantly.

For the ERA members outside Queensland, it meant joining a genuine regional market leader, with the full weight of our training systems and the increasingly famous Myf Porter training behind them.

So when I saw our team head off to the US this time, I felt none of the wariness of 40 years ago, only the confidence of a network that has already learned, the hard way, exactly what it takes to build something that lasts on our own terms.

Brian White AO Joint Chairman Ray White Group

No fiddling with the truth

The real estate market is undeniably shifting. Following periods of recordbreaking momentum, we are now navigating a more challenging environment, particularly in certain Australian markets. As days on market stretch and buyer urgency softens, we find ourselves in the uncomfortable position of delivering more news that might disappoint our vendor clients and potential sellers.

In this environment, some unsettling behaviour is being exposed across the broader industry. I have been shocked at hearing a couple of stories - fortunately not of our own members, but I’m not naive - where very successful agents exaggerated the number of open home attendees and artificially inflated buyer interest. Increasingly, these actions are discovered by vendors with cameras and microphones that are now commonplace in private homes.

Recently, one of our own members admitted to me that they were struggling with the new level of transparency that NurtureCloud provides to our vendors throughout a campaign. "I can't fiddle with the numbers," he told me straightfaced!

This begs an important question: Why do some of us struggle to tell our clients the unvarnished truth?

The answer is deeply rooted in human nature and some traditional misconceptions of our industry. Some enter our industry with the belief that charm and spin are core attributes of success, and that we can talk our way out of difficult situations.

When a market is booming, this might work. But when the market turns and enquiry is slow and open homes are quiet,

an agent faces a moment of truth. Some baulk at being direct and honest because they fear that delivering bad news will make them look incompetent.

They exaggerate numbers out of a misplaced desire to appease their clients in the short term, avoiding the difficult but necessary conversations about market realities, price expectations, and potential price adjustments. They hide behind inflated numbers because they lack the confidence to stand by the actual work they have put in.

When someone says “I can’t fiddle with the numbers”, they are exactly right, and this is by design. NurtureCloud is fundamentally challenging us to move toward the opportunities to build trust with our vendors through transparency. By digitally recording our actions and buyer interactions, our clients can now access this information directly in real-time.

For some of our members, this is a very challenging concept because it invites a higher level of scrutiny on our work, and for some requires a significant change of habits. If you haven't made the smart calls, followed up the leads, or driven the buyer engagement, the platform will show it.

You cannot fiddle with the numbers, because the system relies on the reality of the effort put in.

However, we must recognise what an extraordinary opportunity we have to build much stronger relationships with our clients if we make this change. When we are completely transparent about our efforts - showing exactly how many buyers we've contacted and the exact feedback we've received - there will be no question in our clients' minds that we are unquestionably on their side. We prove to them that we are doing everything humanly and technologically possible to find them the best price in the market.

This brings to mind one of my father Brian’s favourite expressions: "Ray White sails best in light winds". When the market gets tough, customers become even more careful when selecting an agent. They look for certainty, trust, and an agent that will leave nothing to chance. We appreciate that advising our vendors on where buyers will see value in their property is very challenging at the moment, but we can show everything we will do for them, and how they will be able to hold us to account using platforms that are unique to us.

This is ultimately all we can promise.

We must overcome the fear of delivering news that our clients might find hard to swallow. Families are at their best when their members are honest with each other, especially when telling someone that something is not working. We must treat our vendors with that same level of honesty. Regulators and consumers alike are rightfully insisting on more transparency in our work. Rather than fighting this or looking for ways to artificially inflate our narratives, we should embrace it like a market leader should.

The formula for navigating a challenging market is surprisingly simple. Do the hard work.

And when it comes time to report back to your vendor, tell the truth. The truth, backed by genuine effort and real-time data, is the biggest gift we can give our vendors and to ensure we are proud of every transaction.

We have always had our best years of market share growth in “light winds”let’s make sure we continue this tradition.

Dan White Managing Director Ray White Group

Looking outward to think bigger Chairman’s Elite Business Leaders tour the USA

BY JASLYN ACKLING

In May, a group of our Chairman’s Elite Business Leaders travelled to the United States for our first Chairman’s Elite Business Leader Study Tour of this scale.

Unlike other Chairman’s Elite experiences, this program was designed not only to recognise performance, but to create space for learning, perspective and challenge.

Across Boulder, Colorado and Silicon Valley, California, 41 business owners stepped out of their day-to-day environments and into conversations with some of the most influential operators, thinkers and technology businesses shaping the future of real estate.

The tour began at the University of Colorado Boulder, where we spent time with global real estate technology strategist and Scholarin-Residence Mike DelPrete. Over two days, Mike facilitated discussions with leaders from across the US real estate industry, exploring brokerage models, agent productivity, technology, market structure, culture, brand and the changing expectations of consumers.

From there, travelling to Silicon Valley, with sessions and tours at Google, Stanford University and Amazon, offering a closer look at how some of the world’s most innovative organisations think about scale, customer experience, technology and change.

While the focus of the tour was learning, it was also important to recognise the achievement that brought the group together. An afternoon at Oracle Park watching the San Francisco Giants take on the San Diego Padres, followed by a celebration dinner at Nobu in Palo Alto, gave the group time to pause, connect and acknowledge what it means to be recognised as a Chairman’s Elite Business Leader.

The purpose of the study tour was simple: to give our leading business owners access to ideas, environments and people they would not ordinarily encounter, and to ask what those lessons might mean for the future of their own businesses.

Throughout the week, a consistent theme emerged. The strongest businesses are not waiting for disruption to arrive. They are asking better questions, moving earlier, and continuing to adapt even when their current model is working.

One of the great privileges of being part of a group like ours is the ability to learn together. This tour was a very practical example of that.

The US real estate market provided a very different lens for the group. With different commission structures, buyer agency models, portal dynamics, brokerage economics and technology platforms, the comparison prompted important discussion about what should not be taken for granted in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

It also reinforced the value of professionalism, productivity and customer service as enduring advantages.

While much of the week focused on technology, including artificial intelligence, Google Workspace and the growing influence of data, the broader lesson was not simply that businesses need to adopt more technology.

It was that technology only becomes valuable when it is connected to a clear strategy, strong leadership and a genuine understanding of the customer.

For many attendees, the value of the tour was not only in the formal sessions, but in the conversations that happened around them.

Ray White New Farm principal Haesley Cush said the experience created a rare opportunity to think deeply about the future of business, away from the pressure of daily operations.

“It’s never lost on me, the specialness of being part of this group,” Haesley said.

“Going to these amazing places is uniquely special, but seeing it with colleagues, whether they’re people we’ve known for decades or new people, everyone seems to bring a new piece to the puzzle.

“I really enjoyed the corner-of-the-bar conversations, the conversations inside the lecture rooms, and just sitting on the bus hearing what other people are doing in their businesses. I just don’t think we get that opportunity, or that silence to do it in any other environment.”

Ray White AKG principal Avi Khan said the tour offered both perspective and urgency.

“It opens your mind to different ideas, different ways of doing things,” Avi said.

“There are always take-outs in every session, but it’s the inspiration it provides. I’m excited to get back home and start executing.”

The study tour marked an important evolution in how we recognise and invest in our Chairman’s Elite Business Leaders.

As the industry continues to evolve, the ability to stay curious, learn quickly and adapt will remain one of the defining advantages of high-performing businesses.

The tour was a reminder that recognition is not only about celebrating what has been achieved.

It is also about challenging our group’s best leaders to keep asking what comes next.

Elite Leaders set the standard in Noosa

BY JASLYN ACKLING

For high-performing business owners, success is not the finish lineit is the standard they have to keep building from.

That idea sat at the heart of our Alan White Elite Business Leaders’ Forum, held in Noosa in late May.

The forum brought together leading business owners from across the network to recognise outstanding performance throughout the 2024/25 year, while creating space for a practical conversation about what it takes to sustain it into the future.

The program opened at First Point, a very special property overlooking one of Australia’s most iconic coastal settings. It was a personal and memorable

way to begin, giving the group time to connect before moving into two days of open and practical discussion.

In conversation with Mark McLeod, Brian reflected on the principles, standards and decisions that have shaped his career and the group over many years.

Across the forum, the conversation kept returning to one idea: the businesses that continue to perform are the ones prepared to look closely at how they operate.

Leadership was a central theme and, for a room of business owners, who better to hear from than Ray White Chairman Brian White AO.

Andrew Crowell, Ray White Queensland’s head of high performance, wellbeing and culture, unpacked the balance between care and performance, drawing on his experience in elite sporting environments. His message was particularly relevant for leaders managing teams through pressure, growth and changing conditions: strong cultures need both support and expectation.

The forum also explored the responsibility that comes with growth. As businesses become larger and more complex, so do the expectations around process, compliance, leadership and customer outcomes. Staying proud of every transaction is not a slogan, but a standard protected through everyday decisions.

Technology was discussed through the same practical lens, with Ray White AKG Group CEO Avi Khan unpacking his learnings from the NurtureCloud Playbook.

Ray White Maroochydore principal Dan Sowden and Avi also joined the group to share learnings and takeaways from the recent Chairman’s Elite Study Tour to the US, bringing practical insights from global businesses and reinforcing the value of sharing learnings across the network.

One evening, attendees gathered at Sails for the recognition dinner, pausing to acknowledge not only the results achieved, but the leadership, consistency and effort behind them.

For many attendees, the value was also in the room itself. These were business owners facing similar decisions - how to grow well, recruit the right people, use technology properly, prepare future leaders and maintain standards in a more demanding environment.

What made the forum so valuable was the way the group approached those conversations. The discussion was open, practical and generous, with leaders willing to share not only what is working, but what they are still working through.

It made for an incredible few days with an incredible group of people - leaders who continue to set the benchmark for performance, but who remain just as committed to learning, improving and supporting each other.

Growth is the lifeblood of our business.

These new offices and leaders have joined or expanded with the Ray White family recently.

BY NINA CLARKE

Ray White Main Beach, QLD

Christian Hamilton and Mitch Peereboom have announced the acquisition of Ray White Main Beach, marking a significant expansion of their growing presence within the Ray White network. The business has been purchased from respected industry figure Michael Willems, who will remain with the office as a sales agent, returning his focus to what he is best known for; high-performance selling. Michael is widely regarded as a standout performer and long-standing member of the Ray White Group.

Ray White Toongabbie, NSW

Toongabbie’s number one real estate business is joining Ray White United Group. Ray White Toongabbie marks the eighth business as part of Ray White United Group, led by Peter Diamantidis. Since opening his first Ray White office in 2021 with just five staff, Peter has grown rapidly across Western Sydney, now with eight offices and more than 125 team members. Peter has bought an established Toongabbie real estate business, which has been successfully operating in the community for 30 years.

Ray White Bathurst, NSW

Ray White Bathurst is redefining real estate in the Central West under the dynamic leadership of newly appointed director Emma Chapman. With a deep understanding of the local market, Emma and her team will work alongside principals Stephen and Kathie Townsend, setting new benchmarks for client service, sales success, and community engagement. Stephen said bringing Emma on as director was a “natural evolution” for this business.

Ray White Dandenong, VIC

Ray White Hastings, VIC

Four years after opening Ray White Chelsea, leading directors James Aldinger and Shane O’Sughrue are expanding their presence along the bay, announcing the opening of Ray White Hastings. The new office has opened through a merger with respected local agency Roberts Partners Real Estate and its founder, Lisa Roberts. For Lisa Roberts, the decision to merge with Ray White marks a strategic move for her clients and a deeply personal milestone. “My real estate career began 20 years ago with Ray White, and I have always loved the brand and everything it represents,” she said.

Ray White Dandenong has announced a significant new chapter for the business, with director Ben Jusufi welcoming rising sales star Mo Zeitouneh as a business partner. The newly formed partnership will see the agency relocate to a new, purpose-fitted premises in Dandenongits core and most beloved suburb - with a full refurbishment underway to create a modern, future-ready environment for clients and the team alike. The evolution of the business comes as the current Ray White Dandenong operation undergoes a partnership transition, with Ben remaining at the helm of the Ray White brand in Dandenong, carrying forward 16 years of local expertise and a reputation as the suburb's number one agency.

Ray White Manly, NSW

Ray White Northern Beaches has officially marked a major milestone in its rapid expansion with the grand opening of its new flagship office in the heart of Manly. Located at the high-exposure corner of Sydney Road and Belgrave Street, the office serves as a powerhouse base for the group’s growing team and a central hub for its winning business strategy. The launch of the Manly office marks the fourth Northern Beaches location for directors David Walker and Charles Caravousanos in just nine months, following the successful integration of offices in Mona Vale, Elanora Heights, and the recent acquisition of Ray White Palm Beach.

Ray White Burwood, VIC

The leadership team behind Ray White Burwood - Henry Lin, Hans Liu, Jichen Quan - is set to double its footprint in Melbourne’s eastern corridor with the launch of Ray White Blackburn. The expansion creates a unified sales force across the Burwood and Blackburn corridor, operating as a single entity with a combined team of more than 30 staff members. Ray White Blackburn director Henry Lin, who has a 10-year history with the group in Melbourne, said the expansion was a natural progression to capture market share in a high end, niche area.

Ray White Rural Murwillumbah, NSW

Craig Taylor, a 20-year real estate professional, joined the Ray White Rural Murwillumbah team in 2017. Eight years on, Craig with his wife Sonya beside him are stepping fully into their own vision for the office as the new business owners of Ray White Rural Murwillumbah. Together with their team, they represent more than 100 years of experience in real estate. This depth of professional experience and local knowledge offer a level of service that few agencies anywhere in regional Australia can match.

Ray White City South, NSW

Experienced sales agent Beryl Fan is stepping into business ownership, joining Mario and Jessica Carbone as a co-owner of Ray White City South, a move that marks the next chapter for one of Sydney's most enduring inner-city agencies. The Carbones, who own Ray White Drummoyne, will operate the two offices as separate businesses while sharing resources and building a group culture across some of Sydney's most tightly held inner-city markets. Together, the offices will service a footprint that stretches from the city south fringe into Sydney's inner west.

Ray White Five Islands Group, NSW

Renowned real estate leaders Daniel and Jennifer Norris - the driving force behind the highly successful Ray White Dapto and Horsley - are expanding their footprint in Illawarra with the launch of their new business Ray White Five Islands Group. In a major coup for the new business, Illawarra’s own radio legend, Marty Haynes, is transitioning from a storied career in media to real estate, joining Ray White Five Islands Group as a key brand ambassador and agent. Marty brings unparalleled community trust to the business, having started as a cameraman for Channel 9 working for the legendary Graham Kennedy before spending 22 years as a fixture of Illawarra breakfast radio.

Thinking like a start-up Thomas McGlynn's vision for Ray White

BY ALEX TILBURY

When Thomas McGlynn joined Ray White Group as CEO, Performance and Value, he came with two decades of industry experience and high expectations. What he found surprised even him.

The tenure inside our network. The connectivity between people. The genuine willingness to see others win. These are the qualities that have stood out most since he stepped into the role and they're not things you can manufacture or import from a competitor playbook.

"This is definitely something I have seen shine from our network," Thomas said.

What strikes him just as much is the mindset that runs through every level of the business, from the newest agents finding their feet to the Chairman's Elite businesses at the pinnacle of the game. There is no version of Ray White where ambition belongs only to the people at the top.

"The entrepreneur spirit is alive here, among all levels," he said. "Everyone has a continuous improvement mindset, and that is the thing that excites me the most."

He's also been confronted by something the network may have stopped noticing about itself.

The depth of experience inside Ray White, the people who have spent years, even decades, building their businesses within the group, represents an extraordinary and largely untapped resource. Knowledge accumulated over long careers. Lessons learned the hard way. A living library of what works, sitting largely uncatalogued.

"There is a massive opportunity to learn from the people with long tenure," Thomas said. "It is absolutely amazing and we have become complacent and possibly desensitised to the great things we do as a collective network."

That includes the events, the tools, the platforms Ray White puts in front of its members, world-class by any measure, and yet not always engaged with as deeply as they could be. Thomas sees closing that gap as one of his most important tasks.

His answer is a shift in mindset, not just a shift in programming. He wants to see people approach their careers the way a start-up founder approaches a new business.

Stay hungry, and curious, never assuming the current way is the best way.

"It's so important to have a continuous development mindset," he said. "You need a start-up mentality and be hungry to improve and always stay curious."

He's also watching a broader trend in the industry with interest and some concern. As competition intensifies and expectations rise, there is a temptation for individuals to pull inward, to go it alone, to benchmark themselves against their own results rather than lift the people around them. Thomas believes that instinct has to be resisted.

"As things get more competitive, I have noticed more people move in a direction where individuals try to go alone."

"We have to resist that. Stronger together, no matter what.”

It's a philosophy he sums up simply: high performance is personal, but great performance is collective.

For a network built on the strength of its people and the depth of its relationships, it's a message that lands close to home.

Thomas has worked across most Australian markets with a range of national groups and independents in both corporate and operating roles. Most recently, he was CEO and Partner of the Bresic Whitney Group, one of Sydney's most successful independent real estate businesses. He is President of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales, a soughtafter property commentator, panellist and guest speaker, and one of the most recognised thought leaders in the industry.

Dan White said Thomas was one of the most respected minds in Australian real estate.

“He thinks deeply about leadership, professional standards and what it takes to build a great business. These things are fundamental to our ambition and value offering to our members,” he said.

‘We are thrilled that Thomas has chosen to join us. He brings a unique set of experiences, unquestionable enthusiasm, and a belief that our best days are well ahead of us.”

High stakes negotiation training returns to Sydney

BY ALEX TILBURY

One of the things our group is famous for is offering its members access to the best in the business from around the world.

And world-leading negotiation expert Dr Victoria Husted Medvec is coming back to Australia, this time for our Every Moment conference in Sydney on 4-5 August.

She said there are five traps that expert negotiators encounter: negotiating the wrong deal, failing to differentiate yourself, focusing on a single issue, failing to establish ambitious goals and using a single offer.

Her biggest tip? Stay calm.

"Emotions are contagious, whatever emotion I want to see on the other side is the emotion I should reveal in myself."

Her last session in 2024 was a sell-out, drawing 250 Ray White members who were blown away by her high energy approach to helping agents differentiate themselves during negotiations.

Ray White Upper North Shore agent Jessica Cao couldn't speak highly enough of the experience.

"The whole day's workshop with Dr Medvec was just outstanding. She taught us practical methods on preparing for high stakes negotiations and the strategies on achieving a favourable outcome by identifying and addressing the real issues. It was such an amazing learning experience and I can't wait for another session with her."

Ryan Bradeley, of Ray White Mooloolaba, called it the "best event Ray White has put on” to date.

EVERY MOMENT

Every Moment - The Sales Conference 2026, is our national sales event taking place at the ICC Sydney on 4 - 5 August 2026.

The Every Moment sales conference is aimed at residential sales agents across Australia and New Zealand, while RWC and Rural also have their own targeted events on the same day in Sydney.

The entire network will come together on 5 August for Dr Medvec’s high stakes negotiation training which has never been more important.

loved Dr Medvec’s jam-packed session in 2024.

“Dr Medvec delivered a systematic approach to negotiation that is immediately useful, and with ongoing practice will hugely improve my ability to win business, close deals, and assist clients. Worth every minute.”

Dr Medvec is a global leader in high stakes negotiation and decision-making who has worked with a significant number of Fortune 100 companies, including Google and Facebook.

Across two days, we will come together to focus on the moments that determine performance, and how we can use the systems around us to make those moments stronger.

Day one will be led by Mark McLeod, alongside some of the strongest operators in our group.

Together, we will unpack the practical disciplines that sit behind consistent results: winning the week, creating opportunity, dominating your market, winning the listing, creating competition and knowing how to reset a campaign when the result has not yet arrived.

Elliott Placks returns from March of the Living with a message Australia needs to hear

BY ALEX TILBURY

Ray White Double Bay principal Elliott Placks recently returned from one of the most profound experiences of his life: walking the March of the Living in Poland alongside his father, Melvyn, and speaking on Yom HaShoah before 2,000 people, including 40 Holocaust survivors.

Elliott joined thousands making the 3km walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau, a deliberate act of remembrance contrasting the Nazi death marches.

“This was one of the most powerful and emotional experiences of my life.”

“To take this journey with my father made it even more meaningful.”

They visited Majdanek, Auschwitz, and Treblinka. "Standing in rooms filled with thousands of shoes, pots, suitcases and broken reading glasses, you could only imagine the lies told to these people before they were taken to the gas chambers," he said.

The experience was deeply personal for the 45-year-old Sydneysider, who previously felt insulated from antisemitism. October 7 changed that. The Bondi Beach attack changed it further; one victim was his close friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

“On Yom HaShoah, I had the privilege of speaking in front of more than 2,000 people, including 40 survivors of the Shoah.

To share our story as Jews in Australia today, and to speak in front of people who lived through those horrors. This was an honour, but one I wish I never needed to have,” he said. He spoke candidly about conversations with his wife regarding safety and exit plans.

Yet Elliott returned not with despair, but resolve. The trip concluded in Israel for Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut, moving from mourning to celebration.

Elliott noted the March reminds us that remembrance is about ensuring history is never repeated.

“Despite the sadness, there were moments of unity and strength. We prayed together. We sang together. We danced together. Because even after everything, the Jewish people continue to live and to stand proud.”

“It was an intense week. A confronting week. But also a week of resilience, remembrance, and hope. To finish the week by hearing from a 95-year-old survivor Nate Leipciger with his message to us all was a very powerful and unique experience. There are not many years left to hear from a survivor to retell their experiences and life lessons.”

Elliott Placks with his dad Melvyn Placks

Thirty years.

Thirty thousand auctions.

BY ALEX TILBURY

When Haesley Cush started working at Ray White Moorooka as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 1996, he wasn't a stranger to the industry. Long before he ever held a contract, he was doing the work in his mum Judith Cush’s business, stamping boxes, letterbox dropping, and getting up early to hammer in directional signs. While he wanted a career on the small screen, real estate chose him.

Thirty years on, that boy from Moorooka is one of the most respected figures in Ray White's history. Haesley's early years were shaped by mentors who set an impossibly high bar.

Phil Parker, then Queensland's chief auctioneer, took young Haesley under his wing. Before holding an auctioneer's licence, Haesley spent years calling charity auctions, building the craft long before he stood in front of a buying public.

Ray White Collective Luxury launched in 2026, the latest chapter in a story showing no sign of slowing.

Through all of it, and more than 30,000 auctions called over a threedecade career, Haesley has remained the constant at the centre.

What separates the great leaders from the merely successful is structure, discipline, and knowing what matters. Haesley is obsessive about the simple things: a weekly walk with his mum, Friday coffee with his dad and brother, Wednesday family dinners, holidays booked 15 months in advance, and showing up in his signature suit and tie.

“If I can create boundaries for the things that matter then anyone can. If exercise matters then do it, if time with your family matters find out how to make that work. Work matters, so put a fence around it and become very disciplined about what matters,” Haesley said.

Along the way, names like Peter Camphin, Dwight Ferguson, Tony Warland, the late David Price, plus Brian and the White family shaped his thoughts on leadership. Carey Smith, Stephen Nell, Angela McNaughton, Mark Guthrie, and Matt Sims all taught him about building sustainable businesses.

By 2017, when the partnership of what is now known as Ray White Collective began to take shape alongside Matt Lancashire, Haesley drew on all of it. What they have built together, and continue to build with eight business partners, is testament to investing in people.

Today, Ray White Collective spans seven locations across Brisbane, with 195 staff and a senior management team of 24.

The awards have come steadily, including Chairman's Elite Business recognition every year from 2018 through 2025.

“This level of scheduling didn’t come naturally to me but I am obsessed with consistency now but keep it simple. I go to training every morning, I take my herbs, I cook a full breakfast with vegetables each day and I put on my suit. I say my affirmations daily. I am lucky, I am in love with my wife. I have three beautiful kids. I am very lucky.”

He said the daily suit matters because it takes him 10 seconds to decide on what to wear each day and he then looks like a leader.

“I feel great in a suit, I never feel overdressed and it sets the standard for our group. And if you drop your standards, everything drops.”

He uses the Richard & Richards tailors on James St, New Farm and has 10-12 suits on rotation.

Haesley started because his mother built something worth showing up for.

Thirty years down, and plenty more still to go.

Here's to you, Haes.

Haesley starts his real estate career at Ray White Moorooka under his mother, Judith Cush, while studying acting at the National Actors Conservatory and reaching the final round to host Saturday Disney on Channel 7.

'The Collective' officially begins. Haesley

Haesley

Helen Yan celebrates a golden decade

BY NINA CLARKE

One of Australia's top real estate leaders, Helen Yan, celebrated a trio of major milestones in May.

The event marked her 10-year anniversary with our group, the opening of a brand new Balwyn office, and the renewal of her long-term partnership with the network.

Surrounded by clients, family, and colleagues, the celebration recognised Helen’s extraordinary impact on Victorian real estate.

Having serviced Balwyn since 2010, she has built a reputation for elite performance.

Helen has been Victoria's number one Ray White principal for eight consecutive years.

She was also ranked REB's number one agent in Victoria (2024 and 2025) and Australia's number one female agent for four consecutive years.

Reflecting on the occasion, Helen said it brought together several defining moments in her journey.

“Celebrating 10 years with Ray White while opening our beautiful new Balwyn office makes this an incredibly special moment for me and my family.”

“Signing another franchise agreement with Ray White reflects how much I value this partnership and the support the group has given me throughout my career.

“This new office represents the next chapter for our business and I’m very proud of what our team has created together.”

Having spent over 15 years with the group, Jared founded the Mt Eden office in 2016 to prove a real estate business could balance high performance with a supportive, people-first culture. Reflecting on the journey, he attributes their longevity to a willingness to evolve and an obsession with client experience.

“When we opened in 2016, we wanted to create an environment where vendors received exceptional outcomes, and where good people could genuinely thrive,” Jared said.

“We’ve invested heavily in people and technology, and over a decade, that commitment compounds.”

Ray White Mt Eden celebrates 10 years of excellence

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Ray White Mt Eden is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of market leadership and client commitment under business owner Jared Cooksley.

Jared focuses on attracting ambitious, high-calibre humans while embracing tech, AI, and marketing innovation. To symbolise this milestone, the agency is highlighting Kaitaki, a sculpture by Chris Bailey representing guidance, guardianship, and leadership.

“For us, Kaitaki symbolises strength, protection, resilience, and the immense responsibility that comes with guiding people through some of the most significant financial decisions of their lives,” Jared explained.

Looking ahead, Jared believes the human element remains irreplaceable: “Our goals for the next 10 years are to focus on combining top-tier talent with even smarter systems.”

Meet the 23-year-old agent breaking language barriers and building trust

BY RESHNI RATNAM

At just 23 years old, Sukhraj Singh Nijjar carries a perspective shaped by a massive leap of faith. In September 2015, while in the seventh grade, Sukhraj’s parents left India for Australia, leaving behind a deeply rooted extended family.

The move was driven by a single goal: security and stability for Sukhraj and his brother. That sacrifice became the foundation of Sukhraj’s fierce drive. Real estate was always in the background of the Nijjar household, but no one had ventured into sales.

Driven by a clear vision, Sukhraj completed his real estate certificate during high school. On his 18th birthday - the first day legally allowed - he registered his licence.

His entry into the industry was earned through persistence. He connected with Ray White Collective principal Haesley Cush, convincing him to let him tag along. For six months, Sukhraj sat in Haesley’s passenger seat, absorbing every phone call and negotiation before receiving a job offer.

Today, Sukhraj is an integral part of the team. As Brisbane's South Asian community grows ahead of the 2032 Olympics, Sukhraj has unlocked a vital

When Eneka Burroughs was tagged in a Facebook casting call for someone “148cm and fat”, she never expected to become the body double for star Miriam Margolyes in the film Holy Days.

What started as a joke turned into a seven-week shoot across New Zealand's South Island.

“When they asked for photos of me in my undies my husband was sure I was getting scammed,” Eneka

“Real estate isn't about property types; it’s about people. I try to remain honest with my clients and I appreciate honesty in return. It is hard for me to think of them as just a vendor, when I give someone advice I just try to think if this is the same advice that I would give to my brother or my parents; if it is then I will give my clients the same advice.”

Rangiora agent’s surprising body double gig

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

joked, but the opportunity was genuine. Because the 84-year-old actress had limited mobility, Eneka stepped in for stunts.

“We had a stunt coordinator who taught me things like how to fall out of bed on my face without hurting myself,” she said. She also learned a surprising party trick for a specific scene.

“I also got taught how to fart out a candle... that’s me!”

The highlight was working with Margolyes.

“What you see on TV is exactly what she’s like, she’s incredibly funny,” Eneka said, recalling how Miriam teased her about her weight while refusing pork sausages.

“She is also very kind and likes to talk to everyone.” Holy Days is now in theatres. “It's a really cool New Zealand movie,” Eneka said.

Yogi Flis and the art of the operatic sale

BY RESHNI RATNAM

auctions, you usually expect rapid-fire numbers and the sharp crack of a gavel.

But if you’re standing on a driveway with Victoria’s Yogi Flis, of Ray White West Realty, you might just get a side of Puccini with your purchase.

Meet the man who is single-handedly turning ‘Sold!’ into a symphony.

Yogi’s journey into the spotlight didn't start with floor plans, but with the Three Tenors back in 1990.

Their legendary performance sparked a fire that led him to the Melba Music Conservatorium in Richmond in 1994.

He later honed his craft under the private tutelage of Steven Zammit (of Young Talent Time fame).

While most agents are practicing their listing presentations, Yogi was practicing his scales.

“We’ve all felt it - that thick, heavy tension when an auction stalls and the bidders are staring at their shoes.”

That then is my cue.

“When I sing a few lines towards the end of auctions, it seems to bring warmth and happiness.”

“It melts the ice. People have a laugh, and most times, I get extra bids.”

Yogi, who appeared on Channel 7’s Sunrise in March, believes his unique talent acts as a pressure valve.

“In those moments of duress, a well-timed tune puts bidders at ease, transforming a cold transaction into a shared human experience,” he said.

The feedback from the public has been nothing short of a standing ovation.

“For many attendees, it’s the first time they’ve seen a property sold with a soundtrack,” he said.

Yogi’s passion for singing isn't just a gimmick; it's the heartbeat of his business.

He said he sings because he loves it, and because he has seen firsthand how a little bit of art can change the energy of a room (or a front yard).

“People tell me my singing is amazing and very unexpected, and they have never attended such an auction,” Yogi said.

“The public finds it very entertaining and says it's certainly a different approach to the auction method.”

Slice of heaven

BY ALEX TILBURY

Many people in our network may not even know that we have a business in Vanuatu selling homes on this island paradise. And Ray White Vanuatu principal Sam Lewis said buyer interest in Vanuatu had never been stronger.

“Over the past few years, I've watched inquiry levels climb steadily and the profile of who's asking has shifted just as dramatically as the volume,” Sam said.

“The buyers coming through my door are affluent, motivated and serious. Many are looking at large estates or private islands. These are people exploring a real move.

“Most of my clients sit in that 40 to 60 age bracket. Some are looking to relocate the whole family and start fresh. Others are pre-retirees, people in their late 50s or early 60s who can step back from their businesses, or run them remotely, and still enjoy a quality of life that Australia simply can't match anymore.

“The conversation almost always comes back to two things: tax and lifestyle. Australia's tax burden has become genuinely punishing, and when you stack that against Vanuatu's cost of living and the freedom that comes with it, the equation tips quickly. The tax-to-lifestyle ratio here is extraordinary.”

Sam said Vanuatu offers what Australia no longer can.

“The dream of waterfront acreage at a reasonable price. We're still selling properties with 40-metre water frontage, three to four bedrooms, built to a high standard for $1 million to $1.5 million. That kind of purchase is a fantasy in any Australian capital city. And we're just two and a half hours from Brisbane, three from Sydney.”

Speaking of Brisbane, he says there are now twice the flights from there compared to Sydney, which is reflected in his buyer base.

“I'm seeing strong numbers from south-east Queensland, but also from Sydney's wealthier suburbs and the NSW Mid-North Coast. I made the move myself for the same reasons my clients cite: lifestyle, freedom, and the chance to actually own something remarkable. The dream of waterfront acreage with real space has all but vanished for most Australians. Here, it's still within reach.”

Yes, Vanuatu has its complexities, infrastructure, government processes, but Sam says the pros far outweigh the cons. For those willing to look beyond Australia's borders, this corner of the South Pacific is quietly becoming one of the most compelling places in the world to call home.

From rugby to real estate, Jason Barrell starts seventh life

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

It’s long been said that cats have nine lives, but so does Jason Barrell.

A household name in Northland, Jason’s journey is one of defying the odds.

From navigating school with undiagnosed dyslexia to forming a formidable frontrow pairing with his brother, Con, Jason reached the heights of professional rugby, representing the Blues, the Chiefs, and Auckland NPC. His trajectory toward an All Blacks jersey was cut short by a freak on-field accident that resulted in a broken neck.

Refusing to be sidelined by life, Jason transitioned into the New Zealand Police. However, his resilience was tested again when a life-threatening brain tumour and subsequent strokes left him semiparalysed at age 32.

After gruelling surgery, Jason had to relearn the most basic human functions, from walking to feeding himself.

“I was no longer the rugby player or the cop; I was the brain-injured guy. It was a moral dilemma,” Jason said.

“But those experiences taught me that ‘getting on with life’ is a choice.”

Despite the challenges, Jason keeps reinventing himself, with his most recent evolution leading him to joining the sales team at Ray White Whangarei, further

progressing his already successful career in real estate.

Jason said the hardships he’d faced had led him to have a unique attitude towards life.

“It has given me a level of empathy and a ‘no-nonsense’ perspective that helps me connect with my real estate clients on a much deeper level during their own big life transitions,” he said.

Jason’s arrival at Ray White Whangarei marks a significant "family affair," as his son, Troy Barrell, also recently joined the agency as a rural salesperson.

Ray White Whangarei director Vanessa McKenzie said Jason’s character is a perfect fit for the firm’s culture.

“Jason is a man of enormous character and warmth. He has faced extraordinary challenges with a 'quiet achiever' attitude that is truly inspiring,” she said.

“In real estate, resilience is everything, and Jason has it in spades. We are thrilled to have both him and Troy on board.”

Rod Parkinson, director of Ray White Whangarei, echoed the sentiment.

“Jason’s deep roots in Whangarei and his broad background means he understands our people.

“He doesn't just sell houses; he builds relationships based on trust and the 'art of grunt work'.”

As the author of Try, Try Again, Jason continues to challenge others to view adversity as a worthy experience.

In his new role, he remains committed to his philosophy that the only true disability is a poor attitude.

For Jason, real estate is simply the next chapter in a life defined by "conquering fear through focus."

Tina Chamberlain returns to lead new auction strategy

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Trailblazing auctioneer Tina Chamberlain is ready to reshape the auction market in Hawke’s Bay.

Tina has returned to Ray White Hawke’s Bay, where she started her real estate career in 2010, this time as auction manager.

A pioneer in the industry, she made history in 2020 as the first female in New Zealand to win a national auctioneering title.

“I’ve always been drawn to the energy and strategy of the auction room.”

“I didn't just want to facilitate sales, I wanted to lead them.

“I chose this path because I’m passionate about the process, I love the challenge of elevating the moment, engaging the people, and exceeding expectations for my clients.”

After a successful period honing her craft in the South Island, Chamberlain is returning home to Hawke’s Bay with a mission to transform the local property landscape.

While Hawke’s Bay has not traditionally been a dominant auction market, Yina said she saw an opportunity to introduce more transparency and urgency into property transactions.

“Hawke’s Bay presents an exciting challenge, and I am genuinely motivated to help normalise auction as a trusted, preferred method of sale,” she said.

Her focus for the next 12 months involves building a strong internal auction rhythm and educating the community on how the process can reduce days on market while delivering premium results.

“My goal is to grow the presence and success of auctions across Hawke’s Bay, increasing adoption, strengthening clearance rates, and positioning Ray White Hawke’s Bay as the leading auction business in the region,” Tina said.

For Ray White Hawke’s Bay managing director Elanor Macdonald, bringing Tina back into the fold marked a significant shift in the agency’s business model.

Elanor admitted that, like many in the region, the agency previously fell for the myth that "auctions don't work here."

However, she said today’s vendors were looking for the certainty of a definite end date.

“We’ve seen how successful auctions are across the Ray White network, particularly in reducing days on market and driving strong competition,” Elanor said.

“In today’s uncertain environment, they offer a clear pathway to a sale.

“For vendors who need to sell and want the best price in the current market, auction can be a real winning choice, often achieving results within a month.”

With the strategy in mind, Elanor said having Tina join the team felt like “the final piece of the puzzle has snapped into place”.

“Having Tina join the team was the real catalyst for us. We knew the strategy was right, but we were waiting for the right person to lead it,” she said.

“Beyond her skills, Tina just fits our values perfectly. She’s all about integrity and actually getting the result, so I’m 100 per cent confident we’re offering our clients the best auction expertise in the Bay today."

Meet Kaylah Guerra, the 25-year-old crushing it on the auction floor

BY RESHNI RATNAM

From her pre-auction car playlists to the adrenaline rush of a done deal, this rising star opens up about breaking boundaries and owning the room.

If we walked past your car 20 minutes before an auction, what weird vocal exercises or hype songs would we catch you blasting?

I definitely have the music pumping in the car on the way, anything that I'm feeling like on the day. Maybe some Chris Brown, Drake. I usually just practice my script in the car to myself.

What is the official breakfast of champions for a massive Saturday order of sale? Are we talking green smoothies or straight espresso and adrenaline?

I skip breakfast and eat after the auction!

Do you notice a difference in how buyers - especially women or families - interact with you on the floor compared to your male counterparts?

I've definitely had a really positive response at my auctions. A lot of the time people aren't expecting it at all and I've had people come up to me afterwards with positive comments and encouragement, which is really nice.

Winning an auction is a rush for the buyer, but what does the immediate post-auction wind-down look like for you?

Excitement for both the buyers and sellers that the property has sold. Then I take a deep breath and feel happy I completed another auction call to add to the list.

When the reserve hasn’t been met and you have to run inside to talk to the anxious sellers, what is your go-to phrase to calm their nerves?

“The bidders are here, they’re just nervous to start”. I encourage them by placing a vendor bid to kick off the bidding.

The superpower of the auctioneer mum

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Master of the gavel by day, champion of family balance by night - navigating the fast-paced world of auctioneering with heart, hustle, and home at the centre.

Meet Tara Burgin, a Queensland auctioneer who shares her profession with her husband, Peter.

Real estate auctioneering has historically been a bit of a boys’ club. What is your absolute favourite superpower that being a woman brings to the auction block?

Auctions are obviously about strategy and negotiation, but they’re also incredibly human moments. Buyers are nervous, sellers are emotional, and being able to connect with people genuinely is a huge advantage. I’ve found that authenticity and warmth can be just as powerful as having a big voice.

After a tough auction, what do the debriefs look like at home with another auctioneer? Do you critique each other’s filler words, or is there a strict “no work talk at the dinner table” rule?

There’s definitely a bit of both. Sometimes we’ll dissect every moment in the car on the way home - what we could’ve done differently, what worked, what didn’t. Other times it’s a hard “no more auction chat tonight”. When you both work in the same industry it’s hard not to talk shop, but we’ve learned pretty quickly that not every dinner needs to turn into an auction debrief. That said, there’s always the occasional “you said ‘absolutely’ 14 times today” comment

If you and your husband were both property, who walks away with

Funnily enough, he would probably

probably why it works. The one thing we’ve both strived to do is make people feel comfortable at the auction and ease any nervous tension that buyers may have. So I think in the interest of world peace, it would be a draw hahaha.

How do you navigate motherhood and being an auctioneer?

A lot of juggling, a lot of support, and honestly just accepting that balance doesn’t always look perfect. Some days I feel incredibly on top of things, and other days it’s complete chaos getting everyone out the door. But becoming a mum has actually made me better at my job. It’s given me more perspective, more patience, and made me far more efficient with my time. At the end of the day, my kids don’t care how

many auctions I called - they just care that I’m present when I’m with them.

How do you think growing up with two auctioneer parents will affect your kids’ negotiation skills? Are you prepared for them to reject bedtime with a counter-offer?

I already feel like it’s started. I’m negotiating with a toddler daily, so honestly auction day feels easier sometimes. I have no doubt our kids will become very strong negotiators - which is slightly terrifying. I can absolutely see future bedtime negotiations involving snacks, extensions, emotional appeals and probably a reserve price.

You’re an auctioneer, a mother, expecting baby number two, and married to a busy professional. If you could “bid” on any superpower to help manage the daily chaos, what would it be?

Definitely the ability to function perfectly on no sleep. That or cloning myself. I feel like mums are already operating with a level of superpower most days, but having a few extra hours in the day would be nice too.

What’s one piece of advice you hope to pass down to your children about standing up in front of a crowd and commanding a room, just like their mum does?

You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to own it. Confidence comes from being comfortable in who you are, knowing your value, and speaking with conviction. People connect with authenticity far more than perfection.

You’re part of Ray White Queensland’s innovative corporate auctioneer panel - a model moving away from a single “head” auctioneer to a collaborative force. What is it like sharing ideas, strategies, and the load with colleagues, especially fellow female trailblazers?

It’s honestly one of the best parts of the role. Auctioneering can be very individual when you’re on the microphone, but behind the scenes there’s so much value in collaboration. Being surrounded by people who are all pushing each other to improve creates a really positive environment. And having more women in those conversations is incredibly important.

Everyone brings different strengths, perspectives and styles, and I think that’s exactly where the industry is heading - less ego, more collaboration, and better results because of it.

Ray White New Zealand redefines real estate with launch of NurtureCloud Buyer Module

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Ray White New Zealand agents are set to have an “unfair advantage” after the official launch of the NurtureCloud Buyer Module, a revolutionary technology suite designed to match each individual listing with the best potential buyers for that particular property.

The rollout follows an intensive series of eight launch events and 48 online training sessions, equipping the Ray White network with a sophisticated playbook for modern real estate operations.

The new buyer module introduces four key features: Pitch Mode, Smart Buyer Match, open home checkin, and a real-time vendor property portal where vendors can see buyer activity on their listing.

“This rollout marks a significant step forward for Ray White New Zealand, reinforcing the strength of our NurtureCloud technology,” Mark McLeod said.

“Our agents are now equipped with tools that place them firmly ahead of the industry.”

“Together, these capabilities give our network deeper visibility into buyer demand, enable more meaningful connections, and deliver a data-driven experience that empowers our members to work smarter and respond faster.”

The buyer module leverages advanced AI to identify high-propensity buyers based on real-time activity across the Ray White network.

Through Smart Buyer Match, NurtureCloud general manager Courtney Martin said agents can provide tangible evidence of buyer demand by matching the top 20 most active buyers to a specific property before the campaign even begins.

“Technology that supported our ambitions didn’t exist, so we built it,” she said.

“While others may claim they ‘have buyers', we now provide tangible evidence through Smart Buyer Match. This is a distinct advantage for our agents and their customers that is simply unavailable elsewhere.

“Furthermore, our vendors are given access to a dedicated portal with live updates on their sale. We live in a world where we expect instant information, so why should selling your greatest asset be any different?”

The launch introduces a new era of transparency for New Zealand homeowners. The Vendor Property Portal offers sellers a 24/7 view of their campaign’s performance, including portal views, enquiries, and detailed inspection breakdowns. This is further supported by a comprehensive weekly campaign report generated directly through the platform.

"We are proud to bring the next phase of NurtureCloud to our New Zealand members.”

"Through the group's and family's investment, our members are not only more efficient, but can also provide sellers a greater depth and quality of buyers.

“An added benefit for the buyer is the high degree of relevance in the listings they receive.

“The addition of the buyer module is unlike anything any other real estate salesperson has access to, anywhere."

Ray White New Zealand chief executive Daniel Coulson said this investment reflected the group’s commitment to market leadership.

Anti-money laundering action

“It

is simply about awareness, observation, and fulfilling our collective responsibility to ensure we can be proud of every single transaction.”

PM gems

own homes, we knew we had to get out there,” Hannah Welburn from Ray White Exmouth said. “Our landlords couldn’t see what was happening - we had to be their eyes.”

Led by Mark Lucas, the Exmouth team stepped into action, navigating blocked roads and patchy communications to begin inspecting properties across the region. At the same time, hundreds of kilometres away, their remote counterparts in Perth became a vital lifeline.

Stories from our property management superheroes

BY NINA CLARKE

“With phones dropping in and out and people understandably stressed, the Perth team helped us stay connected,” Hannah Welburn explained. “They were relaying updates, coordinating communications, and making sure no one felt left in the dark.”

But one of the most remarkable contributions came from someone who hadn’t planned to be part of the

Alexa Natali, a property manager from a totally different office, Ray White Stocker Preston, was on annual leave in Exmouth when the cyclone hit. Like many visitors, she could have simply waited out the disruption. Instead, she

“Alexa contacted us a few days after the cyclone and asked if there was anything she could do,” Hannah said. “Honestly, she was a saving grace.”

Within hours, Alexa had become an extension of the Exmouth team.

“We were able to coordinate her to go out and inspect damaged properties while our local team focused on getting back to owners, tenants, contractors, and insurance companies,” Hannah explained. “That split in workload made a massive difference.”

The timing couldn’t have been more challenging. The office had transitioned to the Ailo property management system just a month earlier, and a new senior property manager had started only three days before the cyclone struck.

Alexa didn’t stop at inspections. “She was calling people back, working through tasks in Ailo, and helping wherever she had knowledge,” Hannah added. “She didn’t hesitate, she just got on with it.”

“This cyclone was the first of its kind since Vance,” Hannah said. “We were all learning as we went. But we’ve come out of it with stronger processes and a better understanding of how to support each other.”

“It didn’t matter that Alexa was from another office, or even the opposite end of Western Australia," Hannah said. “She saw a team that needed help, and she showed up.”

WHY ‘BESPOKE’ IS REPLACING ‘SET AND FORGET’ IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

For Sierra Fulcher, business development manager at Ray White Ascot, the industry’s long-standing playbook - win the listing, move on, repeat - is actively costing agencies clients.

“‘Bespoke’ to me means relationship first and transaction second,” she said. “I’m not just asking what return they want on their investment. I’m asking what drives them, why they’re investing in the first place," Sierra said.

That philosophy is landing at a moment when investor dissatisfaction is becoming harder to ignore. Across agencies, the same complaints surface: poor communication, lack of transparency, and a sense that once the paperwork is signed, the service disappears.

“Everyone says they want ‘good communication,’ but what that actually means is completely different for each client,” she said. “One person’s ‘too much’ is another’s ‘not enough.’ If you don’t ask the right questions upfront, you’re guessing, and that’s where things fall apart.”

Sierra learned that lesson the hard way. Early in her career, she secured a high-value client with multiple properties. Confident in the win, she moved quickly, only to lose the entire portfolio before management even began.

“I didn’t ask enough questions,” she said. “I was focused on securing the business. What I didn’t realise was that he expected daily updates, even if there was nothing to report. I missed that completely.”

“It was a high-pressure environment,” Hannah said. “But Alexa’s knowledge of Ailo was invaluable. She talked us through processes, helped navigate the system, and just jumped into anything she could.”

The experience reshaped her approach. “That was a turning point. I stopped focusing on winning business and started focusing on understanding people. Now, I don’t even send a Form 6 unless I know exactly who’s on the other end of it.”

That shift is most visible in the moments where property stops being purely financial. One client relationship began not with an appraisal, but with grief.

A couple approached Sierra after losing their son. The property they inherited wasn’t just an asset, it was a deeply sentimental space they couldn’t bear to sell.

“I brought them a coffee and sat with them for two hours,” she said. “We didn’t talk about forms or fees. I just listened.”

Other agencies had taken a different approach, pushing contracts, suggesting the removal of furniture that held emotional value. “If they had taken five minutes to understand the client, they would have known that furniture was part of the story,” Sierra said.

Instead, she kept the home intact, found tenants who appreciated its significance, and leased it within days at a record result.

“That wasn’t about maximising rent. It was about respecting what the property meant to them. The result was trust, and that turned into a longterm relationship and referrals.”

In another case, the stakes were more commercial, but the approach was no less personal. A local investor, juggling multiple properties across agencies, had high expectations around presentation and rental return. When one newly purchased property fell short of those standards, even after professional cleaning, Sierra stepped in herself.

“I went back after work and cleaned it,” she said. “It wasn’t perfect yet, and I knew how important presentation was to her.” She documented the process, kept the client updated, and ultimately secured a lease at the target price, bringing the entire portfolio under one agency.

“As a BDM, you weigh risk versus reward,” she said. “A few hours of my time to secure and retain three properties, and build a long-term relationship, was absolutely worth it.”

Sierra’s approach reflects a growing sentiment among high-performing agencies: that the traditional, transactional BDM model is losing relevance in a relationship-driven market.

Particularly in communities like Ascot, where reputation spreads quickly, the margin for error is thin. “It’s a very tight-knit area,” she said. “Word travels when service is good, and even faster when it’s not.”

Her takeaway for others in the industry is simple and is one she learned from Mark McLeod, CEO of strategy at Ray White. “We’re not in the property business,” she said. “We’re in the business of trust.” It’s a mindset shift she said changed her career overnight.

“When you focus on building genuine relationships and actually caring about the people you’re working with, everything else follows. The results, the referrals, the growth - it all comes from that foundation.”

HOW DATA, CULTURE AND A LITTLE COMPETITION ARE DRIVING RESULTS AT RAY WHITE

MAROOCHYDORE

In an industry often defined by relationships and reputation, the idea of running a property management team like a finely tuned data machine can feel, at first glance, at odds with the human side of the business. But for Danielle Antonello, the property management team leader at Ray White Maroochydore, the numbers just make relationships stronger.

At the helm of a highly metricsdriven team, Danielle has built a system where data shapes behaviour, sharpens focus, and ultimately drives growth. For Danielle, not all metrics are created equal. While many agencies track a wide range of KPIs, her focus is deliberately narrow and deeply strategic.

“Growth and lost properties are my key focus,” she said. “We use Monday.com to track upcoming lost managements from the moment a notice is entered, which allows me to forecast what we’re losing and what we need to bring on to maintain net growth. It gives full visibility and removes any surprises.”

It’s a deceptively simple approach, but one that transforms reactive management into proactive leadership. By identifying potential losses early, her team is actively planning to replace business.

Metrics can easily become overwhelming or disengaging or if they’re not handled carefully. Danielle has tackled this head-on by embedding data into the team culture in a way that feels energising rather than intimidating.

“We make it fun and team-driven,” she said. “Monday boards create visibility, but we layer in competition and incentives.” One standout initiative is the team’s “300 Club”, a weekly challenge where hitting 300 outbound calls by Friday earns an early finish.

“It’s about getting team buy-in,” Danielle said. “Everyone understands the goals, believes in them, and feels they’re achievable.” Metrics become less about pressure and more about momentum.

“Lost managements to other agencies was a big one for us,” she said. “We made it a non-negotiable, only one loss to another agent per quarterly review.” That clarity sparked a mindset shift across the team.

“We now focus heavily on the small details, acting quickly on issues and consistently doing the right thing, which has significantly reduced churn.”

450+ unite for SA & NT’s big season kick-off

BY NINA CLARKE

More than 450 members from South Australia and the Northern Territory gathered at the Port Adelaide Football Club headquarters for their first major training event of the year, officially launching their ninth season in partnership with the club.

The day brought together principals, property managers, administrators and sales agents for leadership development, high-performance insights and personal stories from some of Port Adelaide’s most respected figures.

Former captain Tom Jonas opened the event with reflections on leadership and hosted a mindfulness and performance panel with clinical psychologist Jess Paterson and Director of Athletic Performance Tim Parham, focusing on resilience, mindset and sustained success.

Sales agents later heard from current player Sam Powell-Pepper, who shared his journey through career challenges and recovery from double knee injuries.

“Lead by example and do what you say you're going to do,” Sam said. “Setting small goals and reaching the little milestones gives you the drive to keep going.”

Former player Shaun Burgoyne also spoke about the dedication required to achieve long-term success, while Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson shared lessons on leadership, culture and organisational transformation.

“The most important job you’re doing is the one you’re doing right now,” Matthew said.

“People become passionate and care deeply about what they do and why they’re doing it when you show them their contribution to the team.”

QLD rallies network amid evolving market

BY ALEX TILBURY AND RESHNI RATNAM

More than 1,000 members packed The Star in Brisbane for Ray White Queensland’s Ready Set Go training event in June.

CEO Jason Andrew delivered a clear message - business strategies must evolve alongside shifting market conditions.

“We have seen an extraordinary ride over the past six years, with market value increasing by 250 per cent,” Jason said.

“However, volume has plateaued... the days of short-cutting must stop”.

He urged a return to proactive prospecting and a pivot away from “no-price” methods toward auctions and price transparency.

Key insights from the landmark session included:

• Thomas McGlynn on leadership: The Ray White Group executive offered sharp insights on unity and execution. “High performance is personal, but great performance is collective,” Thomas said, pushing the network to resist going it alone. “Do we choose the standards, or do we choose to slip back into mediocrity? ... At some point, your reasons become your results”

He also emphasised the importance of authentic leadership, encouraging attendees to focus on building strong connections and surrounding themselves with talented people.

Attendees described the event as both inspiring and practical.

Ray White Semaphore principal Bianca Denham said the day provided valuable insights for her team.

“It was great to spend time with the club’s leadership team and hear from some of the stars of the game,” she said.

“I took a lot from Shaun Burgoyne’s presentation. He reinforced how hard you need to work to achieve something extraordinary, while remaining humble and relatable. The whole team left feeling motivated and inspired.”

• Mindset and performance: Paraplegic athlete Emma Carey shared a powerful reminder to not wait for perfection. “If you can, you must”, Emma said. Head of high performance, wellbeing and culture, Andrew Crowell stressed focusing on “small controllables”, stating, “We don’t rise to the level of our goals; we fall to the level of our habits”

• Economic outlook: Chief economist Nerida Conisbee highlighted reduced open home attendance and an impending transaction crunch. “The number of transactions is likely to shrink and it will be harder to get deals over the line”

• Strategy and value: Chief strategy officer Mark McLeod introduced the "FAT" (Forget, Adapt, Thrive) directive and said: “The hardest thing we have to do is get the thought of the past out of our heads. For many of us, we sit back and blame the market, but we use that as an excuse”

COO Gavin Croft warned against fee discounting.

“Discounting is a race to the bottom,” Gavin said. “Avoiding the discount trap requires a mix of preparation, confidence, and deep market knowledge.

“Sellers will gravitate to an agent with market knowledge,” he said.

“What insights are we providing that help make good decisions? It’s the ultimate value driver.”

Propel 2026: Elevating the standards of WA property management

BY NINA CLARKE

The south west wasn’t just breathing in the sea breeze in May; it was soaking up the future of real estate. Property managers from our Western Australian network descended on Busselton for Propel 2026, Ray White WA’s premier property management event.

With a jam-packed two-day agenda balancing cutting-edge technology, regulation changes and essential leadership strategies, the energy in the room was electric.

The tone for the conference was set immediately by Joe Shannon, who opened day one with his session, Tech Enabled, Human-Led Property Management. Joe cut through the AI hype, delivering a clear message: technology shouldn't isolate us, it should free us up to be more human.

“By automating repetitive admin, property managers can focus on what truly matters, building trust and solving complex client issues,” Joe said.

Building on that forward-looking momentum, Ben White took the stage to map out the Changing Landscape of Property Management, providing a vital macro view of where the industry is heading and how agencies must adapt to stay ahead.

Attendees also received a crucial national update from Zac Snelling on the Make the Move campaign, highlighting the collective effort to elevate the profession and attract fresh clients to their business.

Closing out a massive first day, Kelly Tatlow brought it back to the core of the business with Intentional Relationship Building.

“In a tech-driven world, deliberate, authentic connection remains our greatest asset,” Kelly said.

stage to take ownership, drive culture, and lead from wherever they stand within their agencies.

The event came full circle for its grand finale, with Joe Shannon returning to the stage to deliver a high-octane goal setting session. Joe equipped attendees with practical, actionable frameworks to take the massive ideas from the conference and turn them into concrete daily habits back at the office.

Beyond the keynote speakers, the event was grounded in practical excellence. Integral to the two days was the essential CPD training provided by REIWA trainer Emma Gilbert, ensuring every attendee walked away not just inspired, but fully compliant and armed with the latest regulatory updates.

Samantha Fisher, property management BDE for Ray White Western Australia said combined with valuable insights and updates from industry sponsors, attendees were fully equipped with the tools and tech supporting the frontline.

“Propel 2026 delivered exactly what it promised, fuel for WA property professionals to streamline their systems, back their value, and elevate the entire profession,” Samantha said.

Between the high-impact sessions and the Surfin’ Safari themed dinner at a local brewery, attendees left with full notebooks and fresh motivation. If the buzz in WA offices this week is anything to go by, the industry is ready to charge ahead.

Day two kicked off with an injection of inspiration from Lauren Macpherson. Her session, Leadership, With or Without the Title, was a crowd favourite, empowering property managers at every career

Our economics team shows how real-time data is shaping tomorrow’s market

BY ANITA VENKATESH

In an era defined by economic shifts and property market evolution, our economics, media, and communication teams are expanding their footprint, equipping agents and brokers with unprecedented clarity while capturing the attention of the media and the public alike.

The well-loved Ray White Now Localised report is gaining traction and expanding its reach in a big way.

What started as a simple but powerful tool for agents to share branded, storyled local market intelligence has become one of the most coveted products in the economics team's stable, with more than 4,500 reports generated across 400 offices since launching. Now, the next chapter is beginning.

A white-labelled version is in the works for Loan Market, giving brokers access to the same data-backed, print-ready local reporting agents rely on.

Furthermore, from early June, Localised is being trialled for a full New Zealand rollout, with early reception showing strong enthusiasm. The strength of Localised has always been its simplicity: price, rental, listings, and sales data translated into clear, confident, client-ready language.

To complement this local insight, the

While clearance rates tell us what buyers have already decided, attendance data captures sentiment in real time, serving as a leading indicator.

This matters especially now. In a postbudget environment where negative gearing and CGT changes are reshaping how investors and buyers think about property, weekly attendance figures will be one of the clearest early signals of whether uncertainty is a momentary pause or something more sustained.

The new Weekly Market Snapshot tracks both outcomes and underlying demand dynamics, and the media team provides this highly sought-after data to journalists nationally every weekend.

Also, the 2026 Federal Budget brought some of the most significant changes to property investment in years.

When it dropped, Ray White moved as one - our economics, communications, media, and social teams coordinated a national response.

Media coverage hit a record, with television outperforming all other channels for the first time. On social media, audiences responded most to practical explainers covering what the changes meant for buyers, renters, investors, and homeowners.

Webinars, in-person sessions, and network tools gave members everything they needed to have confident conversations, providing clarity during a period of genuine uncertainty.

Meanwhile, our group continues to keep a close eye on the premium sector.

Now in its third year, the Luxury Outlook report found a luxury market that is broader, faster-moving, and less predictable than ever.

Coverage landed in the Australian Financial Review, physical copies reached the top 20 offices and every state CEO, and the average read time exceeded 10 minutes - nearly triple the year prior.

The team also turned this complex data into engaging social formats, recognising market ultimately signals where the rest of

What now? Thousands of investors log on for answers

BY NINA CLARKE

More than 3,700 people registered for Ray White's Federal Budget webinar, making it the most attended customer-facing webinar in the group's history.

The session, hosted by Zac Snelling, Nerida Conisbee and Atom Go Tian, attracted significant interest from investors seeking clarity on proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. More than 500 questions were submitted ahead of the event, with many focused on whether investors should buy, sell or hold property under the new rules.

Zac said the unprecedented response reflected the uncertainty created by the proposed reforms.

Despite the policy changes, the webinar reinforced that property remains Australia's preferred investment asset, supported by rental income, long-term capital growth and equity creation.

Nerida and Atom highlighted that Australia's investor market is dominated by small-scale investors, with 72 per cent owning a single investment property. They also noted that private investors provide 83 per cent of the nation's rental housing, meaning any shift in investor behaviour is likely to have flow-on effects for renters.

The proposed reforms would grandfather existing investment properties, while newly built homes

would remain exempt from the negative gearing changes. Atom said investors should plan on the basis that the key measures are likely to proceed, although some details may still change.

On market impacts, Nerida said investor demand for established homes is expected to soften, leading to more moderate price growth rather than a significant correction. Reduced investor participation could also place further pressure on rental supply over time.

Zac encouraged investors to balance rental returns with tenant retention, noting that strong, long-term tenant relationships often deliver the best outcomes.

The webinar concluded that while the market is entering a period of adjustment, Australia's underlying housing shortage remains unresolved. As investors assess the changing landscape, the record response to the webinar demonstrates just how engaged Australians remain with property and the future of residential investment.

Young rent-vestors reassess property strategy

BY NINA CLARKE

For years, Ray White Beenleigh property manager John Bell Jr and his wife Jessica believed they were doing exactly what young Australians were told to do to get ahead: invest early, think long term, and use property to build wealth. After the Federal Government’s sweeping budget changes targeting property investors, the couple are deciding what comes next.

“We wanted to get ahead financially in Australia,” said John, based in Logan. “I’d invested in shares before, but property felt like the best avenue for long-term growth.” Like many younger Australians locked out of buying where they actually wanted to live, the couple took a different route.

While living with family in Sydney, they chose not to buy an owneroccupied home first. Instead, they focused on investment properties in locations where the numbers stacked up. “We looked at property as a vehicle to build wealth first,” John said. “The plan was always that

eventually we’d either move into one, or sell and buy our dream home later.”

Their first purchase was in Pacific Pines on the Gold Coast. Their second came later in Geelong, Victoria. They now live in Logan, but John said they have never physically seen either investment property in person. “I’ve actually never seen my properties,” he said.

That level of confidence came from working in real estate as a property manager at Ray White Beenleigh, where he developed a strong understanding of rental demand, yields and investor behaviour.

“We focused heavily on returns,” he said. “My wife and I only really needed to rent a one or twobedroom place ourselves, so we bought larger properties because they generated better rental income.”

The Albanese Government announced major reforms to negative gearing, capital gains tax

and discretionary trusts, changes aimed at improving housing affordability and helping more first home buyers enter the market. For investors like John, the changes have triggered an immediate rethink.

The changes around new builds being allowed negative gearing would also not help young aspirational ‘rentvestors’ like John. “We looked into buying off the plan on the Gold Coast, but the problem was that we could see so many one bedroom apartments on the market; the asset just wouldn't be growing like an established home. In Sydney it would have been almost impossible for us to buy a new build.”

The budget changes are expected to hit younger hopeful “rentvestors” particularly hard, Australians who rent where they want to live while investing in more affordable markets elsewhere. Economists and property experts say the reforms could significantly alter the viability of that strategy.

“We’re asking ourselves whether our next purchase should actually be a home to live in,” John said. “And whether buying in our personal names rather than through a trust might be a simpler strategy going forward.”

“We’ve always been flexible about where we buy,” he said. “It was never emotional for us, it was about the investment performance.”

That mindset helped them build a portfolio while many of their peers remained priced out. But the latest budget may mark a turning point, not just for them, but for an entire generation of younger Australians trying to use property as a stepping stone rather than a forever home.

The best of broadcast Our members on the small screen

BY NINA CLARKE

We’ve pulled together a handful of recent TV appearances from members across our network. This is just a snapshot of the strong media traction being generated right now by our incredible group.

Our media voice remains one of our most powerful assets, and our media team is continually on the lookout for the next ‘stars’ ready to step into the spotlight and amplify their presence.

Contact us if you have something great to say: media@raywhite.com

Ray White Cottesloe | Mosman Park's Jody Fewster and Ray White Double Bay's Elliott Placks featured on 7 News Sydney in a story about Eileen Bond's waterfront apartment being listed for sale.

Ray White Dandenong agent Mo Zeitouneh featured on ABC The Business in a story about house prices across the country.

Ray White Nundah agent Angela Duncan featured on 9 News Brisbane after a charity auction in Zillmere with proceeds of the sale going to RSPCA and Cancer Council.

Shayla Spiteri of Ray White Craigieburn featured on 7 News Melbourne after listing Kilmore's old police barracks.

Ray White Eastern Beaches director Angus Gorrie featured on 7 News Sydney after selling a Coogee apartment under the hammer for $1.9 million, with all proceeds going to charity.

Ray White Malan & Co agent Paris-Bella White featured on Nine News Gold Coast with a new luxury listing in Nerang.

A Queensland castle listed by Ray White Rochedale's Syed Ali featured on A Current Affair. The four-storey medieval home has sparked a lot of media attention, with the property going to auction in April.

Ray White United Group's Charlie Stoffers and Alex Pattaro appeared on 7 News Sydney with an auction in St Clair and discussed the currently apprehensive buyer pool.

RWC Retail's Rick Silberman had a feature on Seven News Melbourne with his latest listing; a Red Rooster tenanted investment. A great start for Rick who joined the RWC network a few weeks ago.

The Tasmanian advantage

BY NINA CLARKE

For decades, Tasmania was viewed by the mainland as a scenic escape - a "boutique" market defined by tourism and artisanal exports. But according to Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the narrative has shifted. Tasmania is an economic powerhouse in the making.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff sat down with RWC CEO James Linacre and RWC Tasmania partner Tom Balcombe to outline why the island state has suddenly become a primary target for global institutional and private capital.

While other regions scramble to meet net-zero targets, Tasmania has already arrived, currently operating at 100 per cent renewable self-sufficiency.

"Our message to the investment world is simple: Tasmania is open for business," Premier Rockliff said. "We aren't just green by nature; we are green by design. For institutional investors with strict ESG mandates, Tasmania offers a level of certainty that is increasingly rare globally."

The Premier revealed that the state is aiming for 200 per cent renewable energy by 2040. This surplus is expected to anchor new industrial sectors, from green hydrogen to advanced manufacturing, creating a significant ripple effect across the commercial property sector.

Tom Balcombe, who leads RWC Tasmania, has seen this shift play out on the ground. He noted that the days of Tasmania being a "secondary thought" for national funds are over.

"The confidence is palpable," Tom said. "We are moving away from purely private wealth and seeing major institutional inquiries. They aren't looking for lifestyle blocks; they are looking for highyield industrial and commercial assets that offer long-term stability."

For James Linacre, the state’s appeal lies in its partnership-driven approach. The alignment between government vision and commercial reality has created a rare "high-yield, high-stability" environment.

"What we’re hearing is a government that views private enterprise as a partner, not a hurdle," James said.

"That alignment is what creates a high-yield environment. It’s why we’re seeing such aggressive interest in the Tasmanian market right now."

Vale David Price

In very sad news, David Price passed away in June.

David, or Pricey, was a member of our family group from 1997 to 2019, starting as an associate in our corporate team before starting and leading two of our finest businesses in Bulimba and Morningside in Brisbane.

He was a very deserving recipient of the Max White prize in 2009.

He was a huge part of our group and a friend to so many of us.

Energetic, funny, and determined to make the most of every moment, his career developed quickly. His natural ability to build meaningful relationships made him a unifying force, strengthening the bonds across our entire network.

He was part of a very special peer group in the late 90’s in our Brisbane office.

In the early 2000s we faced some big challenges in our Brisbane network - our home town!

Some new competitors were building momentum, and we had just lost an important business in a key market. Without being asked, David put his hand up to open a new Bulimba business.

It's impossible to overstate how important David’s leadership was in reestablishing our momentum in that period.

How special it was when David’s father Garry joined the business. Having previously worked together in their hairdressing salons, David convinced him to make the move into real estate.

Garry would go on to become one of our most successful agents, and David couldn't be prouder when Garry shattered the Brisbane house price record in 2017 in a sale to Gina Rinehart!

To remember Pricey is to remember being in his presence. He had a great strong voice, and a laugh that matched. He was restless and ambitious, but would always slow down for you.

All of our love and thoughts goes to Josipa, Luka, Tomas and Nicolas, Gary and Marilyn, Jodie and Justin.

Properties with the WOW factor

BY ALEX TILBURY

Damon Warat closes two of Brisbane's most talked-about prestige sales in same week

Ray White Ascot principal Damon Warat recently commanded Brisbane's prestige market, finalising two significant sales in just seven days.

First, Damon negotiated the $8.2 million sale of 66 Toorak Road, Hamilton, for its owners of 27 years.

“Thornborough” is a four-bedroom home on a 972sqm holding. “These are the kinds of sales that remind you why this market is so extraordinary. Both properties carry real weight, one emotionally, one legally…” Damon said.

Simultaneously, Damon and young gun agent Nick Roche sold 95 Anthony Street, Ascot, in just eight days.

Known as 'Lorne', the property was central to a high-profile legal battle after owner Cleighton Clark sued Brisbane City Council over a demolition refusal. Judge Nicole Kefford ruled in Cleighton’s favour in December 2025.

“When a property has a complicated history, buyers need confidence, in the asset, in the process and in the agent..." Damon said.

For Damon, it was two streets, two very different stories.

It was simply another week doing what he and his team do best, navigating the nuances of Brisbane's prestige market with the experience and relationships that only come from years at the top of it.

Hamilton Hill showstopper

Perth's most coveted waterfront estate

One of Australia's most extraordinary private estates recently returned to the market for the first time in 16 years, and industry observers are already tipping it to rewrite the state’s residential record books.

The landmark waterfront property at 43 Saunders Street, Mosman Park was purchased by mining magnate Chris Ellison and his wife Tia for $57.5 million in 2009, a figure that stood as Australia's highest residential sale price at the time.

It is now being offered for sale through Vivien Yap, of Ray White Dalkeith Claremont. Vivien, Western Australia's leading prestige property specialist, said properties like this estate rarely appear.

"This is a showstopper. From the serene jetty to open water in

moments, every day is filled with a kind of lifestyle most people only dream of. This is more than a home. It's a place where every view and every moment feels extraordinary," Vivien said.

With its combination of unrivalled scale, irreplaceable river frontage, and blue-chip Mosman Park address, the property is positioned to smash the records again.

The property comprises three separate buildings, a boathouse with direct access to jetty, a fullsize tennis court, and a private cinema, a configuration that is virtually impossible to replicate in today's market.

Perth's prestige market is experiencing a confluence of demand drivers not seen in a generation.

Third-generation publican James Power, the man behind Brisbane's iconic Norman Hotel in Brisbane, has sold his sprawling Hamilton Hill estate at 33 Markwell Street, as he and wife Jennifer downsize after nearly 13 years in the home.

James Power, whose family has been synonymous with Brisbane hospitality for generations, is preparing to open a second venue, The Norman Northside at Enoggera, as the couple's three children have now all grown up.

The property was sold by Ray White Collective Luxury principal Matt Lancashire, who described Hamilton as one of the most coveted addresses in the country.

Matt said Hamilton, perched on the river with its long views and large blocks, was widely regarded as one of Brisbane’s premier, blue-chip suburbs, consistently ranked among the most desirable and expensive areas in the city.

“Known for its elevated position, river views, and luxury homes, Hamilton is a top choice for affluent buyers.”

The c.1930s Spanish Mission estate sits atop a gated 1,376sqm parcel on Hamilton Hill, commanding sweeping panoramas to the Brisbane River, the Gateway Bridge, Port and Moreton Bay.

"We did a lot of entertaining at Markwell Street," James said.

INVESTING IN WELLNESS

How Matthew Micallef built a real estate empire on mental fortitude

BY RESHNI RATNAM

For Matthew Micallef, the owner and selling principal at Ray White TMG, the most important deal of the day doesn't happen at an auction or over a contract - it happens in the pitch-black silence of 4.45am.

As the alarm rings, a mental war begins.

One voice pleads for the warmth of the covers, citing fatigue and a late night at the office, but it is the second voice - what Matt calls ‘God’s work’ - that ultimately wins.

“It is a philosophy built on the belief that if you can control your mind in those first 60 seconds of resistance, you can conquer anything the volatile real estate market throws at you,” Matt said.

At 36, Matt has transitioned from a civil engineer in the gas mines to a top-tier real estate principal by treating personal discipline as his greatest professional asset.

“I was very blessed to have grown up with a strong sporting background through soccer, tennis, rugby league, surf lifesaving and boxing,” Matt said.

“My real journey began in my twenties when I worked in the Surat Basin Gas Mines as a civil engineer.”

“The days and nights were long and I was living away from home, so training became an outlet for me.

“That’s where I really fell in love with weight training, powerlifting and educating myself around positive nutrition and healthy habits.

“I became addicted to the endorphins after a great session and the confidence that came from looking and feeling healthy.”

He believes that in an industry predicated on highstakes performance, an agent’s ability to care for their clients is directly capped by how well they care for themselves.

This ethos of “empowering better” has transformed his Broadbeach Waters home into the spiritual and physical headquarters of his team’s culture.

Every morning at 5.15am sharp, the “Pain Cave” - a meticulously retrofitted garage gym equipped with rowing machines, assault bikes, and sleds - becomes a proving ground for TMG staff, Matt said.

“From the receptionist to the CFO, the team grinds through high-intensity circuits before plunging into a five-degree ice bath,” he said.

This ritual isn't just about physical fitness; it is about building a collective mental toughness Matt insists is contagious.

“Whether it’s the early morning gym sessions or the 5km Saturday Run Club before a day of open homes, the goal is to arrive at the negotiation table with a level of clarity and composure that only comes from having already done the hardest thing of the day,” Matt said.

Ryan Warriner, Cheyenne Hiini, Matthew Micallef

Austin Clarke, Eliot Tasses, Jordie Micallef, Matthew Micallef, Tom Pinkham, Kellee Bridge and Jody Young

Puppy pilates at AKG

BY RESHNI RATNAM

In the fast-paced world of real estate, where the “hustle” is often the default setting, Ray White AKG in Brisbane decided to trade property listings for puppy litters.

To celebrate International Pet Day, held in April, the office traded their usual Saturday routines for yoga mats and a pack of energetic furballs in an event that can only be described as “serotonin overload”.

Ray White AKG content and social media manager Grace Sharkey and Ryley Lavender, office coordinator and executive assistant said the session was not just about fitness; it was a deliberate move to prioritise mental health in an industry known for its intensity.

“With 24 staff members - ranging from agents and property managers to support staff - the room was filled with more laughter than leg lifts,” Grace said.

“While a few ‘little accidents’ occurred on the mats, the chaos was welcomed as part of the charm.”

Ryley said the initiative was about more than just doing some pilates together.

“It’s about building a culture people want to be part of, not just showing up to work,” Ryley said.

“The feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that the social connection was just as revitalising as the puppies themselves.

By creating these small touchpoints - from monthly coffee carts to fitness events - AKG is proving that wellness isn't just a ‘nice to have’ in real estate; it’s a necessity.”

While there was arguably more cuddling than pilates happening, Grace said the goal was achieved.

“We enjoyed a collective reset, a break in the routine, and a reminder that even in a busy environment, there is always time to pause, move, and have a laugh together.”

The Collective prioritises staff wellbeing with wellness sessions

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Ray White Collective has established a quarterly Wellness Morning tradition to support staff wellbeing and foster team connection.

Held either at New Farm Park or the New Farm office car park, the sessions offer a healthy, refreshing start to the workday.

Organised by events co-ordinator Athena Messer, the mornings provide a structured environment for relaxation and mental clarity.

Athena said the the program typically includes:

Yoga and breathwork: Sessions designed to reduce stress, improve focus, and promote a clear mindset.

Ice baths: A highly popular challenge that encourages resilience and mental grit.

Nutrition: A selection of fresh fruit and juices for a healthy post-session breakfast.

The initiative has drawn strong engagement from the team, balancing physical wellness with professional camaraderie, Athena said.

“Following the success of these events, Ray White Collective has extended its commitment to staff health by installing a permanent wellness centre at the office,” she said.

“Equipped with an ice bath, sauna, stretch rack and walking pad, the facility is accessible to staff at any time, allowing the team to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing as part of their daily routine.

“The purpose of these events is to support the wellbeing of our staff by providing a relaxing and healthy start to the day, helping everyone feel refreshed, focused and clear-minded.

“The response from the team has been fantastic and the ice baths are always a big hit.”

“I love the wellness mornings because it helps me reconnect with my health, recharges my friendships with my work family and helps me to refocus on my goals.”

Northern Beaches steps up for STRYDE4 Day

BY ISABELLE WALKER

Ray White Northern Beaches sponsored STRYDE4 Day, supporting an incredible initiative that brought the community together to move, connect, and make a difference.

STRYDE4 has built a strong reputation for delivering energetic, inclusive events that promote health, wellbeing and community spirit. As a business deeply embedded in the community, Ray White Northern Beaches is committed to backing initiatives that align with these values and create meaningful local impact.

Ray White Northern Beaches believes in showing up for our community in ways that go beyond property. Partnering with STRYDE4 was a natural fit, allowing the team to support an event that encouraged people of all ages and fitness levels to get involved.

The team and community brought plenty of energy to the event, which had over 500 participants supporting 31 charities.

Starting at Keirle Park, Manly and finishing at the Harbord Diggers - the event was just a walk, but an experience, with 15 activation zones and an unforgettable

finish line. With ice baths, a silent disco, and sporting, photo and trivia challenges along the way - the day was immersive and impactful.

At the finish line, Ray White Northern Beaches handed out icy poles to every finisher - the perfect way to cool down and celebrate their achievement.

Alongside this, Ray White New South Wales | ACT partners, the Sydney Swans, created a fun, nostalgic fan activation called ‘Swan Lake’. Inspired by the classic fairground game where you ‘fish’ for a duck, participants instead ‘fished’ for a swan. Each swan revealed a prize, making it a fun and interactive experience for all ages.

John Flahey, Ray White Collective agent

Liam Kirkwood appointed national livestock manager

BY ANDRI PARLETT

Liam Kirkwood’s appointment as national livestock manager reflected both his outstanding track record and the immediate impact he made across the corporate network. Liam’s journey with Ray White began at just 23, working alongside Kevin Currie, a founding member of Ray White Livestock. From the outset, Liam demonstrated a drive to learn, quickly setting himself apart in the auctioneering arena.

In 2019, Liam won the Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition, followed by the national title at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2021. That same year, he became one of the youngest principals in the Ray White network by taking the lead at the Townsville Rural and Livestock business. Under his direction, the business saw strong growth,

“I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of National Livestock Manager and grateful for the opportunity to give back to a brand that has given me so much throughout my career. I look forward to working closely with our existing members, while also welcoming new members to the network as we continue to strengthen our position and influence within the livestock industry.”

eventually leading to a strategic partnership with the long-established Charters Towers agency, Geaneys. The resulting business, Geaney Kirkwood, achieved significant success, including the highest-priced rural property sale at auction across the network in 2025.

In 2024, Liam joined the corporate team as a Livestock Associate, where his focus on supporting members was widely recognised. Ray White Rural and Livestock CEO Matt White said the promotion was absolutely deserved. “Liam is exactly the kind of person who makes this industry exciting. He’s got the hunger, the skill, and the genuine care for our members that this role demands,” Mr White said. He added that Liam didn’t just grow a business; he elevated everyone around him.

Celebrating 25 years of real estate excellence

BY SOPHIE MURPHY

Ron and Jen Berkley, principals of Ray White Inverell, have celebrated an extraordinary milestone: 25 years of leadership, innovation, and community commitment in the real estate industry.

Ron’s journey began with an unconventional childhood, moving 16 times by age 17.

His upbringing instilled an adaptability and love for people that prepared him perfectly for property.

After early success in retail management, Ron and Jen acquired an independent firm before strategically joining the Ray White Rural network.

“We realised that to grow and compete nationally, a franchise model was the right step," Ron said.

The move paid off, with the firm securing 70 residential sales in its first year alone.

“Our philosophy is simple: work hard, value people, and focus on long-term relationships," Ron said.

“We’ve worn yellow proudly for 25 years.”

Throughout their career, the Berkleys have focused on building a strong team and nurturing talent, with property managers serving as the backbone of the business.

Jen’s dedication has been equally vital, balancing family life with operations.

Ron fondly recalled Jen going into labour with their son Tyler, yet stopping by the office to pay accounts and wages before heading to the hospital.

Today, that same son, Tyler Berkley, works alongside them in the family business.

“I am incredibly proud of my parents,” Tyler said.

“While raising four children, they built a thriving business with unwavering dedication.”

Record-breaking rural results

Ray White Livestock Rockhampton Working Dog Sale

The 2026 Ray White Livestock Rockhampton Working Dog Sale and Trial, held from 30 April to 3 May, delivered one of its strongest results to date. The four-day event recorded a 93.8 per cent clearance rate and a total gross of $664,500 at CQLX in Gracemere. Attracting breeders and buyers from across the country, the event reinforced its reputation as a premier fixture on the national working dog calendar.

Of the 97 lots offered, 91 sold, with working dogs averaging $10,547. A major highlight was

Gracemere's CQ Performance Horse Sale

the record-breaking sale of Cabra Glebe Barra, which sold for $41,000 to buyers from Nebo, Queensland. Offered by respected breeder Joe Leven, the result marked the third consecutive year he topped the Rockhampton sale. The top-priced pup, S1E Sky, also drew significant attention, selling for $31,000 via Stocklive.

The event’s reach was global, with more than 1,300 online views and one dog secured by an international buyer in Vanuatu. Beyond the sale ring, the community spirit was evident

through the sale of Koolwai Dollar, a donated pup that raised $8,500 for the Joel Weeks Legacy Fund.

Principal Gary Wendt said the results reflected an event evolving alongside the industry.

“We are very pleased with the excellent clearance rate,” Gary said. He noted that as the sale continued to grow, it was meeting the rapidly changing expectations of the broader working dog community regarding performance and breeding quality.

Ray White Rural Gracemere delivered a record-breaking result at the 2026 CQ Performance Horse Sale & Campdraft, with combined gross sales reaching $976,000. Held at Paradise Lagoons in Rockhampton, the March event cemented its position as one of Australia’s premier performance horse showcases, attracting leading breeders and buyers from across the country.

The Gala Yearling Sale was headlined by the filly Make it Reyn, offered by Loomberah Lodge Performance Horses.

The standout lot achieved $115,000 via AuctionsPlus, more than doubling the previous year’s top price and setting a new benchmark for the event.

Across 31 yearlings, the sale achieved a strong average of $25,400, with fillies proving particularly popular. Momentum continued into the Ridden Performance Horse Sale, where Iscotta Little Sugar led the results, selling for $68,000 to buyers in New South Wales.

In total, 74 horses were offered across the weekend, with 43 sold at an average of $23,238.

Principal Gary Wendt said the result reflected both the strength of the market and the growing reputation of the event. He noted that the success of both sales was a real statement about the quality of the horses presented.

“Vendors who trusted us with their horses, buyers who backed their judgement- the market is strong, the horses were quality, and we’re already looking forward to what next year brings,” Gary said.

Australian Wagyu Association Conference

A record-breaking crowd of nearly 1,000 delegates gathered for this year’s Australian Wagyu Association Conference, with Ray White Rural Livestock Dalby playing a central role in the event's success.

The three-day conference brought together producers and industry leaders, highlighting the rapid growth of the premium Wagyu sector and the strength of the network behind it.

Special recognition was given to Amy and Davis Felsch of Ray White Rural Livestock Dalby, who worked alongside the Australian Wagyu Association and represented our network throughout the conference.

As the selling agents for the highly anticipated Elite Wagyu Sale, the team helped deliver exceptional results, including the sale of the top-priced heifer for an impressive $160,000.

The conference also featured a charity auction dinner, auctioned by Sam Greenup, which raised $185,000 for RFDS Queensland and the Wagyu Fellowship.

The event showcased the role the network plays in both highend livestock sales and vital community initiatives.

Growing a legacy Like mother, like daughter

BY ANDRI PARLETT

At Ray White Rural Bungendore, real estate has never just been about property - it has always been about people, community, and family.

For Ellie Merriman, her journey with Ray White Rural spans nearly two decades, building a business alongside her husband Doug while raising their family in the same community they serve. Over time, that business has grown - not only in scale, but in meaning.

“Ray White is a family-owned and run company, and we’ve become a micro version of that here.”

“It started with just us in the office - and now, it feels like our family is growing in so many ways.”

That sense of family extends beyond their own.

From clients who have become colleagues, to long-standing relationships built over years, the business has become deeply embedded in the fabric of the Bungendore community.

“We’ve raised our children here while growing the business alongside them. It’s a welcoming, familiar place - even if it means it takes a while to get in and out of the supermarket with all the conversations along the way,” Ellie said.

For Ava Merriman, following in her mother’s footsteps wasn’t always part of the plan - but perhaps it was always inevitable.

“Growing up, mum always worked hard, and people in our town really respected her for it,” Ava said.

“My brother and I would groan waiting for her at the supermarket - everyone wanted to stop and talk to Ellie Merriman.”

After university, Ava had initially considered a career in banking. But when COVID shifted plans and she stepped into the family business, what began as a short-term move quickly became something more.

“I couldn’t imagine things going any other way,” she said.

For Ellie, the moment Ava chose to join the business was a quiet but meaningful one.

“I was secretly thrilled,” she said. “I never wanted her to feel pressured, but I always hoped she would. She’s a natural leader.”

Much of Ava’s approach to her career has been shaped not by formal training, but by years of observing, absorbing, and learningoften without even realising it.

“She’s been in subliminal training since she was five,” Ellie said.

“Listening to conversations, watching how we worked - and now I hear her speaking to clients, using words I know I’ve said.”

For Ava, that influence runs deep.

“My career and approach to my job have all come from my mum,” she said.

“Her genuineness and drive are second to none - and they inspire me every day.”

While grounded in her family’s values, Ava is firmly focused on building her own path within the business.

Since joining, she has worked across multiple areas - from administration through to management and sales - taking a hands-on, mission-driven approach to growth.

Her recent achievement of Premier status marks a significant milestone - but for Ava, it’s only the beginning.

Her genuineness and drive are second to none - and they inspire me every day.

The regional journey of Macy Everingham

BY ANDRI PARLETT

For Macy Everingham, being named the 2026 Wellington Show Young Woman represented far more than a title; it was an opportunity to advocate for the regional communities she called home.

Currently a property manager at Ray White Richardson & Sinclair, Macy entered the competition to champion regional housing and vocational education, believing both were essential for keeping the next generation living in their hometowns.

The competition celebrated young women dedicated to local agricultural societies and the future of regional New South Wales.

When Macy was announced as the winner, she admitted the moment came as a genuine surprise.

“Standing beside two incredibly deserving young women, I was genuinely shocked and overwhelmed when my name was called,” Macy said.

Growing up in Wellington shaped Macy’s perspective on community responsibility.

She said living in a regional town taught her the value of hard work, where neighbours were also clients and leaders.

This connection drew her to real estate at just 16 years old.

Starting as a school-based trainee, Macy credited her career with building the resilience needed for the competition.

She said property management taught her to navigate complex situations, giving her the confidence to pursue such a public role.

Now a licensed agent and local homeowner, Macy looked forward to the zone finals, where she planned to use her platform to advocate for the future of regional Australia.

Redefining A Little Ray of Giving

BY ANDRI PARLETT

For Ray White Goulburn and Rural Crookwell, the Little Ray of Giving initiative has evolved from a December tradition into a year-round lifeline.

Selling principal Justin Gay and campaign manager Jess Grashorn launched the Little Ray of Giving Fund after realising that local families faced challenges far beyond the festive season.

The fund was designed to provide immediate, practical support for foster children and vulnerable families.

In one instance, the fund allowed foster carers to quickly purchase nappies and clothing for a baby girl who was removed from her home just days before Christmas.

Beyond emergency placements, the team also partnered with organisations like Wildflowers to provide pamper packs for teenage girls attending confidence-building camps.

Jess said the shift was driven by the reality they saw daily in the community.

“We started to see that the need didn’t stop after Christmas. Families and carers are facing these situations all year round, and sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference,” she said.

The initiative also received praise from Marymead CatholicCare for its ability to remove layers of stress from families in crisis.

For Justin, the project reflected a responsibility that extended well beyond property.

He said the team wanted to show up when people needed it most.

“This fund is about being able to respond in real time - not just once a year, but whenever the need is there,” he said.

Fashion, focus and florals (for spring? Groundbreaking)

BY ISABELLE WALKER

Leading Ladies of Real Estate gathered in Auckland for the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, introduced by designer Karen Walker.

The Leading Ladies of Real Estate community gathered in force at Event Cinemas on Thursday 30 April, for a sold-out celebration centred around the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Larissa Tuhaka, chair of Leading Ladies of Real Estate New Zealand, opened the evening by welcoming both longtime members and first-time attendees to the capacity event.

“The continued expansion of the community is a direct result of the high calibre of women involved; those who consistently show up to support one another and raise the professional standards across the industry,” Larissa said.

LEADING LADIES OF REAL ESTATE IGNITES NEW WAVE OF FEMALE AUCTIONEERS AT LANDMARK BRISBANE EVENT

On Tuesday 21 April, the Emporium Hotel at South Bank served as the backdrop for a transformative gathering of the Leading Ladies of Real Estate, focused exclusively on empowering women within the auctioneering profession.

The event was established to bring together likeminded female auctioneers and aspiring professionals from various states to

connect, learn, and build a robust network for mutual growth.

“I wanted to create something that not only brings women together, but actively encourages growth, confidence and a pathway into the industry,” said Georgia Turner, head of recruitment for Ray White Queensland and a Leading Ladies ambassador.

“More than anything, I want to show that auctions are not just about property. They build confidence, presence, and the ability to back yourself, which carries into every area of life and career.”

BRISBANE REAL ESTATE LEADERS RAISE RECORD FUNDS FOR HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT THE PINK TIE GALA

On Saturday 30 May, many from Brisbane’s real estate sector, the Queensland business community, government officials, and community leaders joined forces at The Star Brisbane for the annual Pink Tie Gala Fundraiser. Hosted by the Leading Ladies of Real Estate and Ray White Queensland, the glamorous evening saw 640 glamour-clad attendees come together to raise vital funds for The Lady Musgrave Trust, Queensland’s oldest charity dedicated to supporting homeless women and children.

Sally Patch, Queensland chair of Leading Ladies of Real Estate and Chief Agency Officer (Ray White Queensland) noted

“Tonight is about community. It’s about compassion and a commitment to lasting change. Domestic and family violence, homelessness, and housing insecurity are not issues for one organisation to solve alone,” Sally said.

“They are community issues. Real change happens when communities come together to support each other.”

A moving address by Michaela, who shared her lived experience, was the emotional pinnacle of the night, as she represented the thousands of vulnerable women the Trust has successfully assisted in breaking the cycle of homelessness.

“Prior to engaging with The Lady Musgrave Trust I had no confidence, self-esteem or faith in myself. I believed what the perpetrators in my life manipulated me to believe about my worth,” she said.

The driving force of the evening was the highly anticipated charity auction and raffle, led by experienced auctioneers Haesley Cush (CEO, Ray White Collective) and Tiera Butkus (head of growth and performance, Ray White Mooloolaba | Kawana Waters).

Bidding wars ignited over luxury packages, including the Gold Coast Luxe Weekend, the Ultimate Skin Transformation package (sponsored by Silver Partner Ascension), and the Tropical North Escape (sponsored by Silver Partner HopgoodGanim).

breaking funds raised, incredible community engagement, and a blueprint for how businesses can drive meaningful change.

"I've worked in the community sector for years, but Saturday night took my breath away. More than 640 people came together at The Pink Tie Gala; not out of obligation, but because they genuinely care about creating safer futures for young women and their children.

"Thanks to our incredible partnerships, we raised record funds that will change lives. But beyond the money, we've built something even more valuable: a community of people committed to

Sally Patch

The Lady Musgrave Trust CEO Victoria Parker

A Home for All Foundation and Ray White join forces to support local initiatives tackling homelessness

BY FALLON MAYNE

As experts in real estate, we at Ray White can acknowledge what a luxury and privilege it is to have a safe place to call home.

It’s for exactly this reason that we’re a proud founding partner of the A Home for All Foundation.

A Home for All Foundation is a property industry movement driving awareness and funding to help create lasting change for Australians experiencing homelessness.

The foundation has recently announced how the first $1 million raised will deliver urgent support throughout 2026-27 for those experiencing homelessness due to domestic and family violence.

Doing what Ray White does best - we hosted a live auction during the Connect 2025 conference to a crowd of 3,000 people, with an incredible bespoke line-up of unique experiences and prizes.

Alongside this, participating offices Ray White Nundah and Concierge hosted sleep-ins to raise awareness and donations for the vital cause. The team spent the night in the shoes of someone experiencing homelessness - a reality for more than 122,000 Australians face on any given night. Most homelessness exists out of public view, with 94 per cent considered “hidden”, meaning many are couch surfing, sleeping in cars or in unstable, temporary housing. Overall the Ray White network raised $50,000 during the Connect conference and A Night Without Home initiative in 2025.

“Our industry is powerful and we’re in a position to help drive this change and to start important conversations that help make a real difference in local communities.”

“It was a great reminder of the power of teamwork and community, and how fortunate we are.”

NATALIE HORTZ, A HOME FOR ALL FOUNDATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER AND RAY WHITE GROUP’S HEAD OF ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MICHELLE WILSON, RAY WHITE NUNDAH HEAD OF OPERATIONS

$1 million grant distribution

A HOME FOR ALL FOUNDATION

The recipients of the grants were chosen for their dedication to making the biggest impact for women and children facing homelessness. After 30 grant applications, and then a shortlist of 10, the final recipients of the first $1 million from A Home For All Foundation was narrowed down to four organisations: Women’s Community Shelters,

WOMEN’S COMMUNITY SHELTERS

Based in Ashfield, New South Wales, Women’s Community Shelters works with local councils and the property sector to transform an underused Inner West site into supported temporary accommodation, transitional housing and a community hub for women and children.

FRIENDS WITH DIGNITY

Friends with Dignity, a national, volunteer-powered charity, partners with local services to turn empty properties into fully furnished homes within days and provide essential items and scholarships, delivering rapid, practical support at scale.

JUSTICE CONNECT

A women’s homelessness prevention program operating out of Victoria but with a national digital reach, facilitates early-intervention legal and social work, helping victim survivors avoid homelessness. They assist survivors by supporting tenancies, negotiating with landlords and housing providers, and implementing the self-help digital tool, Home of Your Own.

WOMEN’S SAFETY SERVICES OF CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

A specialist service providing 24/7 crisis accommodation and outreach across Central Australia, including many Aboriginal communities in remote and very remote locations, helping women and children move from crisis beds into safe, longer-term homes.

Learn more about our charitable and community initiatives

GET INVOLVED

Our next A Night Without Home initiative kicks off in October 2026, with other opportunities to get involved with A Home For All Foundation’s fundraising efforts throughout the year. Stay tuned for details in The Insider on how your office can get involved and make a difference.

“It’s also about women empowering women in my village.”

Esther's side hustle is changing lives across borders

BY NINA CLARKE

When Esther Nneoma heads home after a day working as a property investment assistant at Ray White Northern Coast WA, her work is far from over.

For the past decade, Esther has also been quietly building One Planet Bags from her home in Perth, a purpose-driven business creating handmade bags from recycled plastic bottles while providing sustainable income for women in her village in Indonesia.

What started in 2015 as a way to support her sister and extended family during difficult financial times has since grown into a small but meaningful enterprise employing 20 women.

“I started One Planet Bags because my sister and family in our village were struggling to provide food every day and were finding it hard to send their children to school,” Esther said.

The bags are crafted using an innovative process where discarded plastic bottles are melted down into strips before being handwoven into durable bags by local women working from home.

Before joining the business, many of the women relied on seasonal farm work, often earning as little as $10 a day.

“Now they are able to earn enough income while still taking care of their children at home,” Esther said.

“At the moment we have 20 ladies crafting bags for One Planet Bags, which is such a blessing for me to see.”

The photo to the right is Esther’s sister and the youngest of her four children.

“This is exactly why I am so committed to One Planet Bags; my family and many others

in the village depend on this business for their livelihood," she said.

“To give you a better idea of our operations, our crafters produce approximately 500 bags every month. We currently supply two distributors in Australia and one in New Zealand.

“We have actually produced personalised bags for real estate networks including Ray White New Zealand and Harcourts New Zealand for their client gift hampers.”

For Esther, the business has always represented something much bigger than fashion or sustainability.

“This is not only about helping my family and people in my village, but also about empowering women to become more independent while still being present for their families,” she said.

“That is one of the main reasons why I will never stop making these bags.”

Esther said balancing motherhood, a real estate career and a growing side business would not have been possible without the support of her workplace.

“Working with Ray White has also been such a blessing for me.”

“Ray White is very family-oriented, understanding, flexible and supportive. As a single mum from a different country, the support from my team has meant so much to me.”

“The flexibility allows me to still do school drop-offs and pick-ups for my children while continuing to work on my side hustle after work hours.”

Today, One Planet Bags continues to grow through a simple but powerful mission, creating opportunities for women while helping reduce environmental waste.

“For me, One Planet Bags is not only about creating something better for our environment and for our children’s future,” Esther said.

Ray White Sutherland Shire advocates for mental health through powerful documentary

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Passionate about mental health and raising awareness about its importance, Ray White Sutherland Shire is a major sponsor of the documentary In Pieces Together, a project run by world record holding surfer and mental health advocate Blakey Johnston.

The film is designed to challenge how people think, talk, and show up for each other. The documentary explores the ripple effects of suicide, showing how a single moment can impact families, friends and entire communities, and how courage, connection and conversation can help spark change in the other direction.

In Pieces Together stars NRL legend and sports broadcaster Braith Anasta, cultural influencers and comedians Matt Ford and Jack Steele of The Inspired Unemployed, NRL Sydney Roosters Connor Watson, sports presenter and podcaster Marlee Silva, rapper Kobie Dee, tattoo artist

Gummy Johnston, and Australian of the Year and psychiatrist Professor Patrick (Pat) McGorry AO, who share their own personal struggles with mental health, grief and the impact of suicide and how it has shaped their lives.

Ray White Sutherland Shire principals Matt Debreczeni and Gavin Ottaway said sponsoring the documentary was a no-brainer.

“We’re really proud to be the major sponsor of the documentary In Pieces Together having supported Blakey’s project since its early days through initiatives like the 40 Hour Surf and the world’s biggest paddle out,”

Matt said.

“Watching Blakey and the organisation grow over the years has been something pretty special, and getting behind this next chapter was an easy decision for us.

“With Gavin having been close mates with Blakey since they were five, this

is a story that hits close to home. It’s something we genuinely care about, and we’re passionate about helping share this important message with our community.

“In Pieces Together brings an honest and much-needed focus to mental health, encouraging people to have open conversations and support one another.

“It highlights just how powerful connection can be, and the real impact Blakey’s work and events are having in raising awareness.

“On behalf of the Ray White Sutherland Shire Group, we’re proud to be involved and excited to continue supporting this incredible journey.”

In Pieces Together is out now on Foxtel, Binge and Kayo Sports!

Bubbles in the Bay event pops for charity

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

The Bay of Plenty community has shown its immense heart at the inaugural Bubbles in the Bay fundraiser, raising a staggering $46,536 for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) New Zealand.

Hosted at the sleek Ingham Sears MercedesBenz showroom, the evening saw local businesses and residents come together to ensure families across New Zealand can stay together while their children undergo essential hospital treatment.

The event was the brainchild of Wayne Olver, auctioneer for Ray White Papamoa and Mount Maunganui, who enlisted the support of the Ray White SODA team and local McDonald’s franchisees to bring the vision to life.

Cat Davey, SODA Manager at Ray White Papamoa, said the result exceeded all expectations for an inaugural event.

“We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of our community. To net over $46,000 in our first year is a testament to the incredible spirit of the Bay of Plenty,” Cat said.

“Every cent of that profit goes directly to RMHC New Zealand, ensuring that families facing the toughest times of their lives have a place to call home near the hospital.”

The evening was a blend of high-end hospitality and high-stakes giving. Guests were treated to canapés and fine drinks, followed by a surprise late-night delivery of McDonald’s cheeseburgers and nuggets. Entertainment was provided by local favourites Cora and Left Hand Break, keeping the energy high throughout the night.

The centrepiece of the evening was a live charity auction, where fierce bidding on items donated by local sponsors drove the fundraising total to its record-breaking height.

“The atmosphere in the showroom was electric,” Cat said.

“Watching local businesses step up through our gold, silver, and bronze sponsorships, and then seeing the guests bid so passionately during the auction, showed just how much people care about supporting RMHC. It wasn’t just a great party; it was a community coming together for a vital cause.”

The undercover agent behind the ultimate sold sign surprise

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Most couples celebrate a property settlement with a bottle of champagne. But for Joseph McPhillips and Jevarna Young, the ‘sold’ sticker came with a side of ‘will you marry me?’

In a property play months in the making, Joseph (32) turned the purchase of their first home at 25 Mewing Court, Windaroo, into the ultimate surprise proposal - with the help of Ray White Jimboomba principal Brooke Colledge. The secret was so well-guarded that Joseph had to resort to some creative corporate espionage to keep Jevarna (29) off the scent.

The Queensland couple had started searching for their first home back in April last year, but the stars aligned on Christmas Eve when their offer was finally accepted for the three-bedroom,

two-bathroom Logan property. To pull off the surprise, Joseph enlisted the help of his “secret soldier”, Brooke.

“I couldn’t have done it without Brooke”, Joseph admitted. “There were so many emails and phone calls that I had to change her contact name in my phone to an inconspicuous air conditioning company.”

On February 21, the plan moved to the forever phase. As they stood in front of the home, the ‘For Sale’ overlay was pulled back to reveal not just a ‘Sold’ sticker, but a custom message: WILL YOU MARRY ME? Joseph said his fiancee was shocked and had no idea.

“We’ve been through the thick of it looking for a house, and to have this happen right here was just perfect,” he said.

The couple may have secured their dream home, but the luxury living part is still a work in progress. With a full-scale renovation currently tearing through the property, the newly engaged pair is celebrating their milestone in true Aussie DIY fashion: currently sleeping in a swag in the master bedroom.

“She is just my one. We’re joining forces to make this place ours, one room at a time,” he said.

For Brooke, who has overseen more than 300 home sales, this was a career highlight.

“Behind every property is a story, but this was a first for me,” Brooke said.

Luke and Jess’s big surprise

BY RESHNI RATNAM

When 170 guests arrived at the iconic Johnny’s Green Room rooftop in Carlton, they thought they were raising a glass to celebrate the engagement of Luke Banitsiotis and his partner, Jess.

Instead, the Ray White Victoria & Tasmania chief auctioneer pulled off the ultimate closing strategy: a surprise wedding!

“We’re often focused on the logistics, but this reminded me of the human side of what we do. We aren’t just selling houses; we’re helping people start their most important chapters.

“In real estate, we often say no two days are ever the same, and it’s true,” she said. “Behind every property is a story, a family, a fresh start or a long-awaited next chapter. But along the way, Joseph shared a vision that he wanted this home to be the place he proposed to his partner. From that point on, it became more than just a sale. Together, we quietly planned how to bring it to life.”

On the day, everything came together perfectly.

“Standing in front of their new home, a place that already symbolised their future, we prepared to place the sold sticker, removing the planned sale overlay to reveal a very simple message,” she said.

“He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She said yes, of course. There was something incredibly powerful about witnessing that moment. As agents, we’re often focused on the logistics, the campaigns, the negotiations, the results. But experiences like this are a reminder of the human side of what we do. To be trusted with that is something I’ll never take for granted.”

The vibe shifted from a standard celebration to absolute euphoria the moment the couple revealed their true plans.

To say the Ray White contingent was caught off guard would be an understatement, Luke said.

“Everyone was completely shocked!”, he said.

For Luke, having his work family there to witness their nuptials made the night even more unforgettable.

“It was such a special evening, and they really added to the overall vibe of the night,” Luke said.

“It wouldn't have been the same without them!”