White Report: Connect edition 2025

Life in the fast lane

Welcome

We just wrapped up our most incredible Connect 2025 conference and I couldn’t be more proud of the entire group. For those who were able to attend, we hope you had a memorable experience! For those who missed out, here’s a gentle reminder to secure your tickets early next time.

Some highlights included:

Daniel Ricciardo - The F1 superstar shared raw insights about developing his “killer instinct” while staying true to his easy-going nature. His message about being underestimated for “laughing and joking” but putting the helmet on when it counted was gold. We also learned that champagne shoeys taste like “SUCCESS!”

Joe Brumm - What started as an “itch that needed scratching” became the most-streamed show in the US! The man who gave us Bluey reminded us that sometimes a “silly dog show” can change the world.

Nedd Brockmann - This absolute legend brought raw inspiration with his incredible 4,000km run across Australia. From “choccie milks and meat pies” during COVID to raising over $2.5m for homelessness.

Dr Richard Harris SC, OAM - The Thai cave rescue hero took us inside one of the most incredible rescue missions in history. This session had us all in tears.

Dr Jessica Gallagher - Australia’s only dualseason Paralympic medallist showed us what courage really means: “not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it.”

John Bertrand AO - America’s Cup winning skipper shared what it takes to win against impossible odds on sailing’s biggest stage.

Shelley Sullivan - Beauty industry pioneer reflected on building and selling her billiondollar success story MCoBeauty.

Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM - shared shocking insights about what’s coming next, noting AI creators are losing jobs to AI most quickly.

A trip to the Shed - We kicked things off with a trip to The Shed, which set the perfect tone for everything that followed. Starting at the iconic tin shed in Crows Nest, hundreds of members came together for a fun-filled day that honoured our Life Members while celebrating our humble beginnings from 123 years ago.

The “Out of This World” closing partyOur closing celebration was truly something special - the perfect way to wrap up an incredible conference. It’s safe to say our group knows how to celebrate in style!

International Awards - One of the most inspiring moments was watching our winners take the stage across all categoriesNew Zealand, Rural & Livestock, International, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Commercial. Seeing the talent and dedication within our group is always amazing, and congratulations to all our finalists and winners who made the moment so special.

Were you paying attention at Connect 2025?

Match the quote with the Connect keynote speaker for your chance to win a Ray White Cooler from the Ray White Shop. Just in time for summer! The first one to email the media team at media@raywhite.com with all the correct answers wins the cooler!

1. “We have our best days ahead. Remember, we remain the hunter, not the hunted.”

2. “Be patient with results, but incredibly impatient with action.”

3. “AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI might.”

4. “Honey badgers are cuddly and cute, super good looking.”

5. “To this day, I still think - why me? But looking back, everything I had done in my life led to that moment.”

6. “Only one in 1,000 CEOs lead a business for more than 50 years.”

7. “Harness the power of trust in yourself, create a healthy relationship with fear, and use a dose of courage when you need it the most.”

8. “I was living in a shark tank with two crazy kids playing bizarre games.”

Nina Clarke Contributor and Editor Isabelle Walker Contributor and Editor

Felicia Willeam Designer

Alex Tilbury Head of Media & External Relations

Cassandra Glover Contributor and Editor

Liam O’Byrne Contributor Jaslyn Ackling Contributor

Sophie Murphy Contributor

Reshni Ratnam Contributor

Francesca Selsby Editor

Milestone Moments

One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to witness the extraordinary journey of the Ray White Group and the people who give it life.

In the past month, I had the honour of standing alongside so many of you at our International Awards and recent Connect conference. I was once again reminded of the remarkable strength, ambition and spirit that define our network.

Our awards evening was not only a celebration of achievement but a reflection of the relentless commitment that our offices and individuals bring to their communities every day.

Each award recognised more than just numbers; it recognised perseverance, care for clients, and a dedication to upholding the values of integrity and excellence that have been at the heart of our family business for over 123 years.

At the conference, I was deeply moved by the energy in the room. To see thousands of our people gather, eager to learn, to share, and to inspire one another, filled me with immense pride. It is this willingness to grow together that makes Ray White so unique. The strength of our family lies not only in our scale but in the passion and character of the individuals and offices that make up our group.

I want to thank every one of you who continues to strive for excellence, to innovate, and to serve your clients with unwavering commitment. You embody what makes Ray White more than just a business, you make it a community, a family, and a source of enduring pride.

Together, we are building something extraordinary. And together, we will continue to lead.

Brian White AO Chairman Ray White Group

Bringing more curiosity to compliance

We’ve certainly had a lot to be proud of over the past 12 months. We continue to grow our market position and embrace new ways to better serve our customers and communities. The spirit shown by our members at Connect gives us great confidence for the year ahead.

But we have had our share of disappointments over the past 12 months. Whilst the vast majority of our members strived to be proud of every transaction, a small number did not. We have had instances of alleged false and misleading behaviour in relation to negotiating incentive fees, dummy bidding, systematic underquoting, and trust account fraud.

Whilst this behaviour relates to a fraction of the nearly 100,000 sales we undertake each year, we must ask ourselves: can we be more curious and proactive to ensure that all of us are acting like a market leader? And, how do we better support our business owners with their compliance framework, given many of them were unaware of such bad behaviour?

As we respond to these important questions, there are a few things to note:

» The continued advancement of our technology platforms gives us an opportunity to automate programs and identify early any high-risk areas. For example, we can automatically report on high commissions (%) and flag them to the business owner to make sure that they are in line with our incentive fee policies. The digital recording of our actions across our technology platforms as well as in our personal devices and apps, makes it easier to identify both good and poor behaviour.

» Regulators, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, continue to increase their supervision of our industry and we hope to be able to do more with them to ensure our programs are recognised as being market leading. The housing market in Australia and New Zealand continues to get larger and housing affordability being an ever-increasing challenge, so it is no wonder that our regulators are empowered to ensure it operates fairly and efficiently. A better relationship with regulators will support all our members, including the ability for us to be able to contribute to the discussions on industry reform.

» There are new compliance areas too. New AntiMoney Laundering laws are being introduced next year, and that will bring a significant expansion to the compliance obligations for all our Australian members. There is a considerable amount of work being done to prepare for these new laws, including doing due diligence to select the best service providers for our members.

We have made some changes to our corporate team to bring more focus and curiosity to our compliance, and support our members to continue developing their compliance culture.

Shaun Doyle is our new Agency Compliance Manager for Australia. He leads a team of three, dedicated to exceeding the expectations of regulators and the community by continuously raising the professional standards of our members to protect our customers, members, and our brand, which we have all worked so hard to grow.

One of the team’s initial initiatives is to rebuild Stockboard to provide our businesses with a realtime compliance framework for their listings. This system automatically collates all our record-keeping in Vault and NurtureCloud to flag whether there are any high risk properties with respect to price guides and potential underquoting in NSW and Victoria. We invited the NSW Office of Fair Trading (NSW OFT) to participate in a trial of the new stockboards. We appreciate NSW OFT’s engagement with the build out of Stockboard.

This work with Stockboard is the first example of our technology and compliance teams collaborating with the ambition of identifying risk areas, flagging concerns, and providing comprehensive reporting.

The role of Shaun’s team is both network and industry-wide. Some of the early work his team is performing includes:

• Further development of Stockboard as a riskmanagement tool and increased engagement with state regulators in NSW and Victoria as per above

• Combining all customer feedback into one Monday.com board for our business owners to monitor

• Driving understanding of our policy on incentive fees, and monitoring any high fees

• Monitoring the completion and lodgement of Trust account audits

• Information sessions with our members on topical compliance issues and upcoming Anti-Money Laundering (AML) reforms. The regularity of these meetings will vary market to market. Establishing a national compliance knowledge hub to begin providing the necessary resources and tools for compliance decision-making

It is important to note that our compliance framework is predicated on our Business Owners and Licensees taking personal responsibility to understand their obligations and what is and is not permitted in their markets. You are responsible for having foundational knowledge of the rules in

your market. You may wish to engage an external agency compliance consultant to assist you in understanding your obligations. We have a list of recommended consultants.

We acknowledge that not all rules are clear and therefore you will want our thoughts on particular areas of uncertainty. We will discuss some of these “grey” issues in our information sessions, and will seek clarification from regulators on them.

It is important that you advise us of any significant matters in your business concerning customer experience or regulatory breaches. This includes, but is not limited to, a material customer complaint, the issuance of a notice or the commencement of a file audit by the regulator. The earlier we learn of these matters, the better we can assist you.

We know that the experience we are expected to provide to our customers continues to rise. That is the case for all industries. And it always has been. And this is a good thing for us - we have always benefitted when we and the industry has taken positive steps to be more professional. Rather than fight it, we should always embrace it.

We hope that you identify the opportunity we have before us - the advent of increased scrutiny and regulation can be a strategic advantage for us. Leading the industry in responding to rising community expectations and regulatory change is as crucial as leading in market share.

Dan White Managing Director Ray White Group

Our biggest Connect ever

Our Connect conference is held every three years. Everyone in the Ray White Group is invited.

Holding it more frequently would risk its uniqueness and make it less special. The three year cycle enables us to invest in a spectacular event.

This year’s Connect conference was exceptional. We were delighted with its success. The only disappointment was not being able to cater to everyone who wanted to come; despite hosting over 3,000 members at maximum capacity, we still had many hundreds more members on the wait list.

Connect comprises many parts. Its core includes two days of plenary sessions, featuring internal and external speakers discussing a wide range of topics relevant to all of us. This extends beyond specific real estate skills to encompass leadership, personal development, teamwork, and broader technology trends. It also includes an afternoon of breakout sessions, largely featuring our own

members talking about areas in which they are market leading.

A Connect conference would not be the same without a trip to The Shed in Crows Nest. This year it also included a Leading Ladies’ lunch which was a very popular addition to the program.

Recognition is also central to Connect. Our international awards night is always a special event - a black tie dinner followed by world-class music performers. Our annual awards for RWC and Ray White Rural were also held.

The following pages summarise all the events of Connect 2025. It showcases the depth of talent presented to our members and the opportunities we all had to learn and develop together.

However, what the following pages do not highlight is the most important element of Connect: the way our members connected with each other to learn, inspire, congratulate, and challenge. Many friendships were started, and many more continued to develop. It fosters a sense of belonging to something that started

over 123 years ago and continues to get stronger. The energy at the event evidenced the pride that our members have to be on this journey together. The awards night and the closing party seemed more like a festival than a conference.

We were thrilled to see how our members seized the opportunity to connect, be inspired and realise the potential that we all have to keep moving forward.

Connect also serves as a great opportunity for us to talk about the current position of the group including its recent learnings, as well as future challenges and opportunities. As they say, to look through a microscope as well as the telescope.

The key themes that the family sought to explain in relation to its current position were:

» The continued growth in Ray White’s market share across Australia and New Zealand confirms our strategy and gives us the confidence to continue to reinvest. Likewise, Loan

Market also continues to grow market share, RW Capital has expanded its investor base to include off shore institutions and Ailo continues to attract new customers.

» We continue to look ahead at what we will need to be doing in the future to continue to be valuable to our business owners, their teams and the community, and to ensure we evolve and respond to changing customer needs and the competitor landscape. We continue to invest in new businesses and ideas in line with our Horizons concept. This includes areas like NurtureCloud, Neoval, Deposit Holder, VPA Connect and UpList.

» AI continues to be integrated into our technology platforms, while other features are in testing and some are still on whiteboards. Take NurtureCloud’s Smart Call List, which prioritises your prospecting so that you’re focusing on the calls that are most likely to result in appraisals. Smart Call Lists are built on

propensity, a backbone of AI. We don’t brag about it as being AImaybe we should, because under the hood, that’s what the tech is - it’s a predictive AI model.

Some key areas of focus in the years ahead include:

» Ensuring we do all that we can to be proud of every transaction and every relationship, and respecting the incredible privilege we are given by our customers to act for them. We will continue to strengthen our own internal compliance frameworks, engage with and build stronger relationships with regulators, and signal to our teams the importance of customer service. NurtureCloud’s Property Portal enables us to show transparency with our customers and demonstrate the work we are delivering to achieve the best possible result.

» Supercharging our three unique attributes combine

(i) our market presence and (ii) our connection with each other through relationships and tech, and (iii) the breadth of our servicesto give our customers a uniquely Ray White experience. And importantly, to market this differentiated experience to our prospective and existing customers to drive a competitive advantage through our “We bring the whole team” messaging.

While these two areas are relatively simple concepts, that are both promises that are hard to deliver. They will take a lot of energy, leadership and communication - it is much easier to go solo than to go as a team. But when we do come together, our service is deeper, more consistent and enduring. It’s also unique.

We know it will take many years of work, like chapters of the past, for us to achieve them. We relate to the adage: ‘if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far then go together’.

While the group is in its strongest ever position, we know that we have a lot we can improve, a lot we can do better. It has been this way for over four generations, a family obsession to keep finding a better environment for our members to thrive.

“OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU IS THAT IT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THIS WAY, AND TO ALWAYS BE THE HUNTER AND NOT THE HUNTED.”

“BE GOOD LEADERS. ”

BY NINA CLARKE

At the Connect 2025 conference, attendees experienced an inspiring leadership masterclass delivered by Professor Boris Groysberg of Harvard Business School and Ray White Chairman Brian White AO.

The session combined academic insights with real-world business experience, creating what Brian White described as a “springboard” for attendees to achieve greater heights.

Professor Groysberg, a long-time advisor to the White family and author of a Harvard Business School case study on Ray White Group, brought a global perspective to the discussion.

He emphasised the remarkable achievement of Ray White, noting that only one in 200 companies survives beyond 100 years, and ‘only one in 1,000 CEOs lead a business for more than 50 years’.

Ray White has accomplished both milestones, making it an exceptional case study in sustained leadership.

To illustrate leadership under pressure, Professor Groysberg referenced the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, where 50 of America’s “best and brightest” made a catastrophic decision that resulted in hundreds of deaths and captures. Rather than dismissing this as stupidity, he reframed it as a lesson in human fallibility, asking “how could they be so human?” This historical example served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of flawed decision-making processes.

Brian then shared a pivotal moment in Ray White’s history when his father, Alan White, received a lucrative offer from LJ Hooker to purchase the business and rebrand it as LJ Hooker Queensland. After weeks of intense deliberation and soul-searching, Alan made the defining decision not to sell, declaring to his team: “I have an announcement to make, and I have decided not to sell.” Shortly after, following the passing of Brian’s mother, Alan appointed Brian to lead the company with the simple yet profound directive: “Be a good leader.”

This decision became the catalyst for Ray White’s national expansion and continued success. Brian reflected that his deep desire to “run the best group in Australia” gave him the potential to become an effective leader, emphasising that knowing what you want is essential for leadership success.

Professor Groysberg outlined crucial elements of wise leadership, including the importance of framing problems broadly, applying appropriate time pressure to sharpen decision-making, and avoiding psychological traps such as escalation of commitment - continuing down a failing path despite clear warning signs. He particularly warned against destructive decision-making patterns: intimidation, detachment, role confusion, and most critically, groupthink.

“Groupthink is probably the biggest destroyer of effective leadership decisions,” Professor Groysberg emphasised, using the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as a contrasting example where proper decisionmaking frameworks prevented potential nuclear catastrophe.

The session concluded with Brian’s reflection on leadership succession and legacy.

He expressed pride in enabling his sons to build successful careers within the group, continuing the family tradition that began with his grandfather. The generational transition represents the natural evolution of leadership within the organisation.

The masterclass ended with Brian echoing his father’s timeless advice to the audience, delivering the same charge that had guided his own leadership journey: “Be good leaders.” This simple yet powerful message encapsulated the session’s core theme - that effective leadership combines wisdom, courage, and the humility to learn from both successes and failures.

“Groupthink is probably the biggest destroyer of effective leadership decisions.”

F1 SUPERSTAR REFLECTS ON LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Beloved Formula 1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo headlined Connect 2025, wowing the attendees in a rare sit-down interview with renowned sports presenter Mel McLaughlin.

With eight wins, 32 podiums, and a legendary reputation that extends far beyond racing, the “Honey Badger” brought his infectious energy and down-to-earth Australian charm to Connect’s stage.

Daniel, who was rocking long curly hair and a beard, spoke to the Connect audience about high performance, pressure and life after F1.

Mel asked Daniel what he’s been up to during his time off the track.

‘Well I haven’t been shaving my face,” Daniel joked. “The beard is my comfort right now.

“This year has been a bit of self exploration. I lived this crazy high-speed life for so long and this year I’ve sat into a little bit of stillness.

“I’ve had a lot of time, I’ve done some hiking. I was in Alaska a few weeks ago and didn’t get mauled by a grizzly which was a bonus.

“I’ve been trying to figure out who I am other than this race car driver.

“I’ve come to appreciate the little things more and the meaning of the importance of family and friends.

“I’ve always been driven and that sometimes leads you to being selfish, so I’m trying to learn to be a bit more selfless and become a better listener.”

Daniel said he still remembered his first little go-kart really well.

“Childhood was great, I was always driven to do something that scared me a bit,” he said.

“The reason I got into racing was because no one was really doing it. It was my chance to do something a little bit cooler than everyone else.

“I was just showing off, but showing off has got me to a really good place in life.”

Despite all his racing success, Daniel said still has ‘pinch me’ moments.

“Sometimes I think about things like winning Monaco and think ‘did that actually happen?!’. I always loved racing but I never thought I’d have the career I had and make it to F1,” he said.

“You just have to take everything one step at a time. If you look too far ahead everything looks a bit daunting.

“So you just have to take it one step at a time, and I said ‘If I still enjoy doing it I’ll keep going’.”

Known for being easy going, Daniel said his killer instinct didn’t come naturally.

“I have had a competitor in me since when I was a kid. I was always competitive in everything I did,” he said.

“But the killer instinct I needed to develop and work on extracting it out of myself. I’m naturally more easy going.

“I think people would see me laughing and joking and they would see that as weakness and underestimate me. But I would put the helmet on and think ‘okay now it’s time to be tough like the others’.”

It was Daniel’s laidback nature, along with his killer instinct on the track, that gave him the nickname “the honey badger”.

“Honey badgers are cuddly and cute, super good looking,” he laughed.

“But when something takes what’s theirs, they fight back. And I think that was sort of like my alter ego when I got behind the wheel.”

Part of Daniel’s killer instinct manifested in his unique skill as an “overtaker”.

“Overtaking is a really big part of racing. There’s a lot of drivers who could go on the track by themselves and be fast, but go on the track with 20 others and it’s about race craft, and overtaking is a big part of that,” he said.

“It becomes quite scary because there’s some unpredictability and risk involved. You might be in third place and think ‘well I’ve got a podium, do I need to risk crashing’. But it’s the most fun and I always thought it was better to crash than not try.

“It got to a point to me it was just instinct. You accept that if it doesn’t work you can be proud that you gave it a crack.

“I loved it, and I felt like the competitors would see me coming and knew I’d have a go, so I was already one step ahead.”

Famous for his celebratory “shoeys”, Mel asked Daniel what a shoey actually tasted like.

“SUCCESS!” Daniel said.

NOTHING MORE DIFFICULT, NOTHING MORE PRECIOUS

BY NINA CLARKE

There was barely a dry eye on day two of Connect as attendees listened in awe to the breathtaking story of Dr Richard “Harry” Harris. The South Australian anaesthetist, cave diver and national hero captivated the audience with his courage and composure in one of the most daring rescue missions in modern history.

The humble doctor and 2019 Australian of the Year is best known for his central role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, a mission that captivated the world and pushed the limits of courage, teamwork, and medical ingenuity.

He took the audience inside that moment with a personal retelling.

“To this day, I still think - why me? But looking back, everything I had done in my life led to that moment,” Harry told the audience. “I had a very specific set of skills, medicine, diving, remote trauma

care, it felt like I was made for this one terrible, unbelievable challenge.”

“I started scuba diving at 12. I wasn’t sporty. I wasn’t particularly gifted,” he said. “But I was determined, and that gets you 95 per cent of the way. Diving gave me a sense of purpose and wonder. I was exploring another world.”

He described his early dives through the Nullarbor and Mount Gambier, and his travels to exotic underwater caves around the world. His role as a doctor also brought him to working in remote areas with minimal tools.

When news broke of a Thai soccer team trapped deep inside a flooded cave, Harry, watching from Adelaide, felt an overwhelming pull.

“By day two, I was glued to the story. By day five, I couldn’t ignore the feeling anymore,” he said. “I called friends in the diving community. Everyone said the same thing, it was a lost cause.”

He reached out to the two British cave diving legends Rick Stanton and John Volanthen who were over there helping, two men he calls “absolute rockstars in our world.”

“If anyone could pull this off, it was Rick and John,” Harry said. “They’d found the boys by day ten, huddled together on a rocky shelf, five kilometres into the cave.”

“The boys couldn’t swim. The passage was pitch black. Three hours underwater. Jagged rock, zero visibility. You couldn’t even turn your head in some sections.”

The idea that would ultimately save them was unthinkable; sedate the boys with ketamine, strap on dive masks, and guide them out, unconscious, one by one.

“It had never been done before. If anything went wrong underwater, we’d lose them. We practised on local kids in a pool, just to see if the masks could seal on their faces.”

“I had to push a child’s face into the water to test the mask once they were sedated. Every instinct told me not to. But we had no choice. If we didn’t try this, they’d all die.”

“I’ll never forget surfacing after the first day, asking, ‘How did we go?’ someone said ‘four for four’, and I thought they meant four dead. When I realised they were alive, I couldn’t believe it.”

Despite the success of the first mission, the pressure only increased. “That night, I could hardly sleep. The weight of what was ahead, three more days, more boys, rising water, unpredictable conditions.”

But one by one, they made it. All twelve boys and their coach were brought out alive.

“The last kid out, Titan, had this huge grin on his face the whole time. After everything, he still smiled.”

Harry reflected on what allowed those boys to survive ten days in darkness and floodwater.

“We wondered, was it their Buddhist faith? Their Thai culture? Was it the fact they were country kids who had faced some adversity? I believe that was the reason. They were tough and mentally resilient.”

The session ended with Dr Harris sharing a quote from Napoleon Bonaparte that he uses as a guide:

STORY OF COURAGE AND TRUST

BY ALEX TILBURY

Dr Jess Gallagher stands as Australia’s most remarkable Paralympic athlete, holding the unique distinction of being the only Australian-Olympic or Paralympic-to win medals at both Summer and Winter Games.

Opening day two of Connect, Jess shared her extraordinary journey through four different sports that has redefined elite competition possibilities.

At age 17, Jess received a life-changing diagnosis, losing over 90 per cent of her eyesight to an incurable, rare degenerative eye disease. This “seemingly invisible disability” affects her central vision, creating a five metre bubble of clarity while retaining peripheral vision. Rather than limiting her ambitions, this challenge became the catalyst for an unprecedented Paralympic career.

Alpine skiing presented her greatest challenge and most profound lessons. Racing at 100 kilometers per hour with her guide Eric navigating 7-10 metres ahead, she learned the ultimate meaning of trust and surrender. “The moment when you have no ability to see, and no ability to hear him either, you literally have two choices: ski off and the day is over, or listen to what Eric said and surrender control,” she recalls of a pivotal race where trust led to seventh place.

Throughout 18 years of competition, she has worked with 10 different guides and tandem pilots, emphasising that “connection and communication have consequences.” Her philosophy centres on fear management:

“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”

Her athletic achievements are unparalleled: Paralympic medals spanning three disciplines, Commonwealth Games gold, 11 World Championship podiums, and competition across six Paralympic Games. Most recently, at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she claimed silver in track cycling after strategically prioritising cycling over rowing despite qualifying for both sports.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, it is acting in spite of it.”

Beyond sport, Jess holds qualifications in osteopathy and an Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences from RMIT. Her message to others facing change is clear: “Harness the power of trust in yourself, create a healthy relationship with fear, and use a dose of courage when you need it the most.”

BLUEY CREATOR JOE BRUMM’S SUCCESS STORY

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Joe Brumm’s journey from Brisbane animator to creator of the global phenomenon Bluey demonstrates how authentic storytelling and exceptional leadership can transform a simple idea into a cultural touchstone.

Joe revealed to Connect attendees how a story about a six-year-old Blue Heeler revolutionised children’s television and reminded the world “what childhood should feel like.”

Joe’s inspiration originated during his work on Charlie and Lola in London, where he experienced the “peak of his career as an animator.”

The studio succeeded through three key elements: people, place, and project. The collaborative environment fostered a spirit where “everyone loved the show and believed in it,” with team members helping each other achieve excellence.

After Charlie and Lola ended and the Global Financial Crisis scattered the team, Brumm found subsequent jobs felt “hollow.”

Returning to Brisbane with his wife and newborn baby, he carried what he described as “an itch that needed to be scratched” - a burning creative desire.

Unlike other children’s shows based on nostalgic childhood memories, Brumm drew inspiration from his immediate reality: “I was living in a shark tank with two crazy kids playing bizarre games.”

One night, he created the first Bluey pilot about a trip to the park. When commissioned with a $6 million budget for 50-plus episodes, Brumm contacted seven industry veterans who “dropped everything to come and help.”

He established a studio in West End, Brisbane, prioritising team bonding over cost savings, maintaining the entire original crew from seasons one through three.

Joe’s leadership philosophy centred on appreciation and decisive decision-making, ensuring team members could “do their best work, not expected but encouraged.” Today, Bluey is America’s most-streamed children’s show, inspiring theme park attractions, bestselling books, and an upcoming movie.

Most meaningfully, the show provides “respite for families from chaos,” with touching letters from viewers like a Tasmanian mother whose grieving household found laughter again through Bluey.

FUTURIST SHARES SHOCKING INSIGHTS

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Melissa Clark-Reynolds, a trailblazing futurist with 25 years as a tech entrepreneur and CEO, delivered eye-opening insights about AI’s current and future impact at Connect 2025.

Currently serving on boards including Wētā Workshop and Alpine Energy, Melissa is recognised as one of New Zealand’s most respected business thinkers.

Addressing the pace of technological change, Melissa provided perspective on AI’s evolution: “Change happens really really slowly. The first lines of code were written over 50 years ago. There’s probably another 50 years to go before we get to real artificial intelligence.”

However, she emphasised that paying attention allows people to “pick up on hints of the future” before others recognise emerging trends.

SPARKY, ATHLETE, PHILANTHROPIST AND INSPIRATION

BY NINA CLARKE

Nedd Brockmann is a 26-yearold electrician from central west NSW who has captured Australia’s heart through extraordinary feats of endurance and unwavering commitment to helping the homeless.

Living by the motto “Live large, do tough stuff, and give back,” Nedd has redefined what’s possible when determination meets purpose.

Within weeks, he was running full marathons, and by July, just four months after starting he completed his first 100km run. His philosophy centres on total commitment: “When I say I’m going to do something, I do it.”

Referencing Scott Galloway’s observation that “AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI might,” Melissa revealed surprising statistics about employment displacement.

While 92 million jobs have been lost to AI, 170 million new positions have been created. Ironically, “the people who created AI are losing jobs to AI the most quickly.”

The jobs most vulnerable to AI replacement include rule-based positions like postal clerks, bank tellers, and engineers. Conversely, people-focused roles in education and healthcare remain resilient because “deep empathy is not something AI is very good at.” She predicted the legal industry would face significant AI disruption in the future.

Perhaps most concerning was Melissa’s insight into Generation Z’s relationship with AI. As “the loneliest generation in history,” Gen Z increasingly turns to AI therapy. She shared a striking example of someone creating a digital twin from teenage diaries for AI therapy sessions, which later fooled a real therapist when used in human therapy.

The rise of AI coaching presents additional challenges, exemplified by unauthorised Tony Robbins AI coaches created without his endorsement, raising critical questions about copyright and intellectual property ownership.

Melissa concluded that while it’s “too soon to tell” whether these AI applications are beneficial or harmful, their rapid adoption demands careful consideration.

His breakthrough moment came when he became the fastest Australian ever to run across the country, completing the 4,000-kilometre journey from Perth to Bondi Beach in just over 46 days-averaging an astonishing 80+ kms daily. What began as a goal to raise $1 million for homeless charity We Are Mobilise exploded into a viral sensation, culminating in 10,000 Sydneysiders welcoming him at Bondi Beach and a final total of $2.5 million raised.

Nedd’s running journey started during COVID lockdowns when he needed to lose weight from “too many choccie milks and meat pies.”

Recently, Nedd tackled the “Uncomfortable Challenge,” attempting to run 1,000 miles in 10 days around a track. Despite severe injuries, infected blisters, and extreme fatigue, he completed the distance in 12 days, averaging over three marathons daily. This gruelling effort raised over $3.7 million for homelessness initiatives.

The impact extends beyond fundraising. Through We Are Mobilise, 480 people have been housed directly, with 3,500 expected to find housing by 2027. Appearing at Connect 2025 in a moon boot after breaking a marathon record, Nedd’s approach combines authentic vulnerability with relentless action. His guiding principle resonates with audiences nationwide:

“Be patient with results, but incredibly impatient with action.” This sparky from rural NSW proves that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary impact through unwavering commitment.

FASHION POLICE REPORT

BY SPECIAL GUEST FASHION EDITOR LIAM O’BYRNE

Lord of the Rings (Smart Calls)

Mark “Macca” McLeod

Ray White Group - Chief Strategy Officer (Real Estate)

What isn’t to love about this look?

Macca has committed to the bit with full facial hair and fabulous grey extensions that frame his face perfectly. No one was saying “You shall not pass” to him.

Space Glam

Charles Caravousanos and husband Chris Parker

Ray White Upper North Shore, NSW

This look was out of this world in so many ways. The space camp glam showed iconic style that shattered all atmospheric dimensions that put a lot of other attempts to shame.

Anna Wintour would approve and Charles, I will be borrowing this.

Defying Gravity

Jacinta Harrup and Andrea Lever

Ray White Albury North, NSW

Wicked was the biggest blockbuster of the season and a personal favourite musical of mine so obviously I died at this look. Extra points goes to Elphaba who did green body make up (which is no small feat). I am sure the wine helped!

Mad Hatters

Neil Stokes (Fiona’s partner), Rebecca Toone - Ray White Metro Central, NZ and Fiona Senton - Ray White Karaka, NZ

It’s giving Les Miserables meets Moulin Rouge yet it’s Alice in Wonderland. I am obsessed with the gaudy makeup, the red perms and the quirky head pieces. Who doesn’t love sky blue eye shadow and concentrated blush to highlight one’s cheekbones.

Alien boys

Nick Griguol, Reece Pilgrim, Brandon Pilgrim, Damien Fong, Todd Fromme

Ray White Burnside, SA

What can you get from minimal effort but maximum effect you ask? Blow up aliens with fake leg arms. I hope these boys enjoyed shuffling around the party debuting this day to night look which is giving party on the bottom and Casual Pub Fridays on the top. May the force be with you fellas.

Liam O’Byrne (on left), Sam Sasson, Ben Thomas and Matt Morris from Ray White Ferntree Gully

Confused in the Capital

Oliver Austin, Ben Jones, Anthony Alvaro and Daniel McGrath

RWC Canberra, ACT

Two astronauts, an alien print mobster and Lady Gaga walk into a bar. So refreshing to see a different astronaut suit (the other guy stole my look). I appreciate the themed suit which I am sure he will definitely wear again!

The Three Musketeers

Christian Hamilton, Perry EdmondsonClark and Mitch Peereboom

Ray White Surfers Paradise | Wilston, QLD

What is better than one David Bowie - THREE DAVID BOWIES. I will always give props to men who don lycra for a great cause - to party it up with their colleagues and corporate teams. Mad props to the party city wigs and the red glossy boots. Ziggy Stardust eat your heart out.

My Sleep Paralysis Demon

Andrew Freeman

Ray White Corporate Victoria

It’s giving psychedelic Bee Gees member coupled with an alien head that would haunt children’s nightmares. I am particularly fond of the asymmetrical eyes and the terrifying second pair of hands sprouting from the hips. I wish I had danced with this extra terrestrial on the night!

Your Local Rays

Kathryn Perin and Cristina Spinella

Ray White South Perth, WA

Who does not love some shameless self promotion. Kudos to Kathryn and Cristina who not only have put an absolute smile on everyone’s faces with this, but also for the fact that it represents their actual team name which has been promoted to their local market. Such a fantastic idea and so wholesome.

90% of the party (Shein Astronaut costume) AUS and NZ

Amber Wright, Grace Olsson, Cassie Sparks, Ella Bartlem with Jacinta Swart, Melinda Kirby, Nadene Lawrie and Helena Ashurst

Ray White Rockhampton, SA

Who knew that $25 and highly flammable material, could dominate an entire event. The amount of glossy, unbreathable fabric that was swanning around the event was borderline criminal. Honourable mentions go to those who accessorised well.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BY ISABELLE WALKER

Our breakout sessions at Connect 2025 were our biggest yet. We wanted to give every attendee a chance to feel inspired or enlightened, and to hear from experts and fellow high-performers. From tech, to luxury, to recruitment and everywhere in betweenour breakouts had something for everyone. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of our most popular breakout sessions. A full rundown of our breakout sessions will be coming soon with the complete Connect 2025 wrap book.

OUR TECH ODYSSEY: WHAT IS ON OUR HORIZON?

PRESENTED BY

Michal Kot - CEO, NurtureCloud

Mark McLeod - Chief Strategy Officer (Real Estate)

As we stand on the cusp of AI integration, geographical data remains the most important goal for our company. Today, NurtureCloud is at the forefront of Ray White’s journey.

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Data is the foundation: clean, exclusive, large-scale data is Ray White’s competitive edge and will fuel AI progress

• AI amplifies, not replaces: the goal is to enhance agent effectiveness, not eliminate human expertise

• Human presence matters most: data and AI free up time so agents can focus on in-person client interactions, where trust and relationships are built

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Agents who adopt AI early, explore every feature, and feed back into the system will gain the most competitive advantage. But success still hinges on human connection, with AI as the invisible engine powering smarter, faster, and more personalised customer experiences.

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Embrace AI tools now

a. Experiment early, build confidence, and reduce hesitation

b. Use Smart Call insights, AI assistants, and automation features

Explore underutilised NurtureCloud features

a. Many capabilities are not fully tapped - review what’s available

b. Propensity scoring, automated alerts, and customer journey tracking are especially powerful

Give feedback actively

a. Your usage and input shape NurtureCloud’s evolution

b. Feedback loops ensure AI tools fit real-world workflows

Lean into the data advantage

a. Recognise that every action (calls, notes, inspections, offers) strengthens the system

b. The more agents contribute, the smarter and more personalised the tools become

Stay human-first

a. Use AI to reclaim time for face-to-face customer engagement

b. Build deeper trust and relationships - AI can’t replicate that

THE BOTTOM LINE?

In luxury real estate, success comes from curating aspiration and trust, not chasing transactions. Agents who combine creativity, meticulous preparation, discretion, and personalisation will consistently stand out, build credibility, and leave lasting impressions that drive longterm growth.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A LUXURY AGENT?

PRESENTED BY

Vivien Yap - Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont, WA

Ashley Bierman and Elliott Placks - Ray White Double Bay, NSW Matt Lancashire - Ray White New Farm, QLD

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Luxury real estate is about emotion, not transactions. Clients buy lifestyle, aspiration, and trust, not just property

• Personalisation is essential. Every interaction should feel bespoke and memorable

• Attention to detail and preparation separate good agents from great ones

• Success is built on relationships. Long-term trust, credibility, and referrals fuel growth in this market

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Market experiences, not properties: focus on emotion, storytelling, and lifestyle

Build brand alignment: collaborate with prestige brands your clients already admire

Invest in detail: worldclass submissions, flawless presentations, and refined execution

Be selective: quality listings elevate reputation more than chasing volume

Step into discomfort: bold moves (like direct outreach) create breakthrough opportunities

Perfect your preparation: deep product knowledge, rehearsed delivery, and strong research

Human touches drive trust: handwritten notes, direct calls, and genuine follow-ups stand out

Network in high-net-worth circles: embed yourself where your clients live, work, and play

Consistency in refinement: every interaction must reflect professionalism and care

IRRESISTIBLE GROWTH: BE THE ONE INVESTORS CHOOSE AND THE ONE THEY STAY WITH

PRESENTED BY

Emily Richardson - Ray White Rockhampton, QLD

Danielle Antonello and Dan Sowden - Ray White Maroochydore, QLD

Lisa Polsek - Ray White Elevate Group, NSW

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Growth and retention go hand in hand: winning new clients is only valuable if you can retain them long-term

• Compete on value, not fees: success comes from demonstrating expertise, asking the right questions, and building trust

• Consistency and structure matter: clear processes, proactive communication, and early intervention prevent churn

• Momentum compounds: early effort and persistence create long-term, natural growth

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Make 15 proactive landlord calls daily: focus on conversations that build trust and loyalty

Follow consistent processes: clarity and structure prevent mistakes and ensure quality

Spot dissatisfaction early: don’t let small issues escalate into lost clients

Create a value-first mindset: demonstrate expertise instead of reducing fees

Step outside your comfort zone: growth requires discomfort before momentum builds

Ensure role clarity and support systems: from onboarding through day-to-day operations

Build a team safety net: foster a culture where no one feels overwhelmed or unsupported

HOW TO LOSE YOUR BUSINESS IN 10 DAYS

PRESENTED BY Alex Heidenreich - Executive Director, CyberCX

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Cyberattacks are inevitable: it’s not if, it’s when. Preparedness and resilience determine survival

• Real estate is a high-value target: personal, contractual, and financial data is highly attractive to attackers

• Cyber security is not just IT’s job: it’s an infinite, organisation-wide responsibility

• AI is a double-edged sword: attackers are already leveraging it, so businesses must adopt it cautiously and responsibly

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Treat credentials like gold: they’re the number one entry point

Assume compromise is possible: build systems for quick recovery

Test yourself regularly: simulate phishing, penetration tests, and vendor audits

Document playbooks: response plans for when (not if) an incident occurs

Leadership must engage: cyber risk is a business survival issue, not a technical one

THE BOTTOM LINE?

In real estate, cyber security is as critical as financial management. Protecting credentials, staying vigilant with vendors, and adopting AI responsibly are non-negotiable. The businesses that train their people, lock down their systems, and prepare for inevitable attacks will be the ones that withstand and outlast cyber threats.

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Irresistible growth comes from deliberate actions that prioritise value, consistency, and relationships. Property managers who proactively communicate, maintain strong structures, and build supportive cultures will not only win new business but keep it for the long haul.

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Agents and brands who simplify

STAY RELEVANT, STAY AHEAD: BECOME THE TRUSTED VOICE IN YOUR MARKET

PRESENTED BY

Nerida Conisbee - Chief Economist, Ray White Group

Chris Kohler - Finance Editor, 9News Network

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Data + media + personality = competitive advantage The blend of insightful data, consistent communication, and authentic personal style builds trust and long-term engagement

• The media landscape has flipped:

» Then: traditional gatekeepers (editors, producers)

» Now: open channels via social media. Anyone can build an audience directly

• Trust is built over time: social media allows early engagement (with renters/first-home buyers) before they become sellers

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Start now with social media: don’t wait for perfection. Use it as your own “media channel”

Keep it simple: explain industry concepts in plain language with clear takeaways

Show up consistently: same tone, style, and posting rhythm builds trust

Lean into personality: small quirks, familiar settings, or casual tone make content more relatable

Use data smartly: package insights into bite-sized, visual, easy-to-share formats

Diversify channels: combine social, newsletters, and events for multi-touch engagement

Play the long game: engage audiences early in their property journey; be front of mind when selling time comes

CREATING A CULTURE THAT CULTIVATES TALENT: FROM ONBOARDING TO LONG-TERM RETENTION

PRESENTED BY

Richie Lewis and Billy Scarfe - Ray White AT Realty, NZ

Mitch Peereboom, Tameika McEvoy and Christian Hamilton - Ray White Wilston and Surfers Paradise, QLD

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Culture is the true growth engine – systems and processes matter, but long-term success comes from values, belonging, and people-first leadership

• Onboarding is critical – the way agents are welcomed and supported sets the tone for retention and performance

• Recognition + wellbeing = retention – celebrating milestones, supporting lifestyle balance, and showing genuine care keeps top talent engaged

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Embed values early and often: make culture visible from day one

Design onboarding deliberately: detailed checklists, personal touches, and consistent followup ensure new hires feel valued

Model humility at the top: leaders stepping in on simple tasks signals collaboration over ego

Celebrate tenure and milestones: small rituals (five and 10 year clubs) drive loyalty and pride

Invest in wellbeing and environment: spaces that make work-life balance easier help attract and retain talent

Train continuously: keep teams engaged with regular events, learning sessions, and skills sharpening

Recognise authentically and often: not just performance, but effort, contribution, and alignment with values

Think hospitality, not hierarchy: agents are partners; support them with the service mindset of a five-star experience

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Attracting talent is just the start. Businesses that intentionally design onboarding, live their values, and invest in recognition, wellbeing, and culture not only retain top performers but also create workplaces where people want to stay, grow, and thrive long term.

THE PURSUIT OF TALENT: LEADERS DON’T WAIT – THEY CHASE

PRESENTED BY

Bridgette Collis - Head of People, Ray White New South Wales | ACT

Jason Andrew - CEO, Ray White Queensland

Kim Olsen - Ray White Kim Olsen Property, QLD

Haesley Cush - Ray White Collective, QLD

Daniel Coulson - CEO, Ray White New Zealand, Shane Coote and Kris Cunningham - Ray White Mairangi Bay | Milford, NZ

Matt Lindblom - CEO, Ray White South Australia | NT

Jason Spagnuolo and Flavia Ingegneri - Ray White Norwood, SA

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAYS

• Recruitment is growth’s engine: it can’t be an afterthought. If you wait, you’re already behind

• Relationships drive recruitment: genuine care, trust, and shared values unlock conversations that lead to movement

• Culture beats contracts: when people feel supported, inspired, and aligned, recruitment and retention happen more naturally

• Structure and consistency matter: a disciplined recruitment process keeps momentum long term

PRACTICAL TIPS, TRICKS AND ACTIONS

Recruitment starts now: don’t wait for perfect timing; it’s a long game

Show care before opportunity: check in during tough times, offer help, build goodwill

Leave ego aside: focus on shared ambition, not control

Prioritise long-term alignment: even partial agreement works if vision is shared

Be patient with prospects: trust takes time, especially with candidates carrying past baggage

Invest in culture: supportive, inspiring workplaces attract and keep talent.

Create a talent pipeline: build structured systems to track, nurture, and convert prospects

Use multiple touchpoints: coffees, calls, inspections, social recognition keep you front-of-mind

Standardise the recruitment process: clear steps from first contact through to final interview

Think decade, not year: recruitment is a strategic play for long-term growth, not shortterm fixes

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Recruitment is a leadership responsibility, not an HR function. Businesses that show care, build trust, invest in culture, and follow structured recruitment systems will consistently attract, secure, and retain top talent - fuelling transformational growth for the long term.

WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE SHED OPEN DAY

BY RESHNI RATNAM

The Shed Open Day at Crows Nest, a group tradition which unofficially opens the Connect Conference, drew close to 400 members from across Australia and New Zealand, many of whom stepped inside the Shed for the very first time.

The festivities featured whip cracking demonstrations, a food fair, and traditional billy tea and damper, creating smiles all around.

Adding to the day’s impact, a charity auction conducted by Ross Whiston of Ray White Gawler East raised approximately $4,000 for The Crows Nest Museum and Historical Village volunteers who maintain The Shed.

Auction highlights included a morning tea experience with Ray White Group Chairman Brian White, along with signed AFL memorabilia and local goods.

Among the attendees was Paul Butler, Director of RWC Noosa and Sunshine Coast, who noted his nearly 20 years of experience with Ray White while enjoying the day’s celebrations.

“I remember coming here as a kid with my parents who used to own Ray White Caloundra,” Paul said.

“It’s nice to go back to the roots of the company.

“I just found my mum and dad’s name at the bottom of the Life Member’s list, as well as Tracey Ryan from my office - it’s pretty special.”

Paul Butler, director of RWC Noosa and Sunshine Coast

said it felt amazing to come back to where it all started.

“We’re proud to be a part of the history of Ray White,” Mike said.

“We’re a regional business ourselves, so it really resonates with us being here in Crows Nest.”

Ray White New Plymouth business owner Jane Simonson said: “It’s quite emotional and surreal. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be here. To walk the floorboard where Ray once walked, is really amazing”.

Ray White Stocker Preston director Mike Tucker

New scroll honours Life Members at Ray White’s Shed

BY RESHNI RATNAM

In a historic moment for the Ray White Group, in August 55 Life Members were honoured with their names displayed on a new scroll, which now sits proudly on the original desk of Ray White at the Shed in Crows Nest, Queensland.

This year, almost 400 members, including 12 Life Members, made the trip up the Darling Downs to the historical village in Crows Nest, to visit the iconic tin shed - which hasn’t changed much since Ray opened his business 123 years ago.

Ahead of Connect 2025 on the Gold Coast, the White family welcomed some of these important Life Members to The Shed Open Day for the momentous occasion.

Dan White said: “Becoming a Life Member of the Ray White Group is a recognition of a member’s very significant contribution to our family group over a long period of time”.

“It is reserved for members who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, and without them our group would be in a very different position,” Dan said.

“The criteria to become a Life Member is brief, simply being retired and that our group would not be in the position it is today if not for them.

“I love being at the Shed. We are reminded that we had the humblest of beginnings! It teaches us what ambition can achieve and what can come from generations of hard work and commitment to creating a business of which we can all be proud.

“We hope that our members genuinely feel that they are part of a family group. Where their ambition is supported, where their effort is properly recognised and appreciated, and where they can reach their potential. We hope that they will be proud of every transaction and every relationship.”

Some Life Members who attended the Shed Open Day included:

• Greg and Jan Burbidge were awarded Ray White Life Membership in 2016 in recognition of their long-standing dedication, leadership, and service to the Ray White group and the Narooma community. Together, they owned and led Ray White Narooma for many years, building a trusted local business grounded in professionalism, integrity, and client care

• Jim and Maureen Doigg. Jim was the Principal of Ray White Wagga Wagga and zone chairman for many years. He was instrumental in growing the south west country region. He had a great rent roll and grew a fabulous team. He was awarded Life Membership in 2016

• In 2024, Julie Robb was awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of her exceptional service, leadership, and long-standing contribution to the Ray White network, particularly in North Canterbury

• In 2016, Les and Carole Robins were awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of their decades of dedication, leadership, and outstanding contribution to the Ray White group and their Deception Bay community

• In 2021, Angela Capitanio was honoured with Ray White Life Membership after an extraordinary 34-year career marked by resilience, record-breaking success, and deep community impact in Cairns

• In 2022, Paul Stirling was recognised for 33 years of outstanding service, leadership and contribution to the group

• In 2011, John Berno was awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of over 30 years of unwavering loyalty, leadership, and service to the Ray White group and the Adelaide community

• In 2024, Narelle Robinson was awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of her exceptional service, dedication, and leadership within the network, particularly as the driving force behind Ray White Wodonga

• In 2018, Helen and Mark Boman received the Life Membership. The couple owned Ray White Mt Gravatt from 2002-2018

“TO BE RECOGNISED 10 YEARS AFTER BEING RETIRED IS AMAZING, AND TO STILL BE PART OF THE RAY WHITE FAMILY.”

The occasion for these outstanding and inspiring leaders within the Ray White group was acknowledged as “momentous”.

Life members Helen and Mark Boman, now retired, said they felt honoured finding their names on the new scroll.

“We feel so honoured, especially looking back on a time that was so good,” Helen said.

“It’s been a really melancholic feeling.”

Jim and Maureen Doig said it was a privilege to be recognised for “doing a normal job”.

“It has always been great to work with the people of Ray White and the family of Ray White,” Jim said.

“Today has been a special day - we have enjoyed the trip up from Wagga Wagga.”

Jan and Greg Burbidge described seeing their names on the scroll as an “honour”.

“To be recognised 10 years after being retired is amazing, and to still be part of the Ray White family,” Greg said.Crows Nest resident Dell Christensen, 82, attended the open day and said she remembered her mother (Bertha Welke) telling her she worked as a housekeeper at Ray White’s house.

“Mum worked as a housekeeper and she cared for Ray’s son Alan when he was a baby,” Dell said.

The youngest of 12 siblings, Dell said it was an honour to attend the event.

“My mum loved working here,” she said.

“Ray used to send my mum a little diary every year and she kept them, they were special to her.

“Mum said Ray was a lovely man. My family and my husband’s family have bought property from Ray, and even today the property is still owned by the Christensen family.”

Dell said stepping inside the Shed for the first time was amazing.

MEDIA MENTIONS

Coverage money can’t buy

From the UK to the US, Ray White’s Connect conference made headlines across the globe, with a total of 217 mentions worth a whopping $2,360,701 in free advertising.

The36-year-oldwillsitdown

frontofmorethan3000people attendingRayWhite’ssold-out

ofthefan-favouriteracerbeing droppedbyRedBull’sjuniorteam RacingBulls,afterthe2024 SingaporeGP.Hehasremainedrelatively quietaboutlifeawayfromF1ever since.TheAussiestarwhohelped transformFormula1intoaglobal phenomenonthroughNetflix’s

andVisaCashApp. internationalwinebusiness,DR3 Wines,andaglobalmotorsportsinspiredlifestyleapparelbusiness,

includeOtherspeakersattheevent NeddBrockmann,the

acrossthecountry,andsecond fastestintheworldhaving completedtherunfromPerthto

2025

RayWhiteConnect2025willbe heldonAugust11and12,withREA Groupamajorsponsor.

worldwideJoeBrumm,creatorofthesensationBluey,will unpackhowasimplestoryabout

six-year-oldBlueHeelergrewinto

Ray White raises

over $50,000

for homelessness during Connect 2025

BY ISABELLE WALKER

The Connect 2025 Charity Auction wrapped up with an incredible lineup of experiences and prizes that money can’t usually buy. The conference’s auction attracted bidders from all over the network, with a focus on helping Australians facing housing insecurity.

“The visible homelessness within the Australian community is just the tip of the iceberg. Only six per cent of the 122,000 people experiencing homelessness are actually sleeping rough,” said Natalie Hortz, Ray White’s head of organisational development and committee member of REA’s recently announced foundation created to combat homelessness, A Home for All.

“As an industry, we’re privileged to play a part in creating homes,

workplaces and opportunities for Australians, so how can we be there to support those who need help?” Nat said.

“Our industry is powerful and we’re in a position to help drive this change.

“At Ready25 on 21 August, it was announced that an industry-led foundation would be launching in September to channel the property sector’s influence and reach, to drive awareness, raise funds and build longterm change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.”

BACK TO OUR ROOTS

It all started at The Shed on Sunday, 10 August, when our first charity auction - to raise money for the Crows Nest Historical Society - was called by Ross Whiston of Ray White Gawler East. With prizes such as Swans and Collingwood jerseys, a Gin pack, Ray White Shop golf pack, and a priceless morning tea with our Chairman, Brian White, it’s no surprise the team was able to raise over $4,000.*

START YOUR ENGINES

In the lead-up to Connect 2025, agents-cum-Formula 1 fans bid in an exclusive online auction for a oncein-a-lifetime meet-and-greet with

racing favourite Daniel Ricciardo. This special experience, offered before the conference officially began, generated strong interest and competitive bidding.

Two lucky groups came out on top and over $11,000 was raised from the online auction alone.

SILENT AUCTION - BIDDING THROUGHOUT CONNECT

During Connect 2025, attendees took part in the highly anticipated silent auction, which ran throughout the conference. Prizes included AFL guernseys, tickets to READY25 with a Simone Biles meet and greet, and a mentoring session with Shelley Sullivan.

LIVE AUCTION - A 3,000 PERSON SPECTACLE ON THE FINAL DAY

The conference closed with an exhilarating live auction on its final day, where bidding wars broke out

over two standout prizes: Oasis box tickets and VIP experience, and a run with Nedd Brockmann.

Haesley Cush, Ray White veteran and auctioneer extraordinaire, moderated the 3,000 attendees in his classic auction style and trill, with the live auction raising $14,500.

GIVE TO WIN - BIG PRIZES FOR A SMALL DONATION

For just $25 per entry, the Give to Win challenge gave participants the chance to raise vital funds for homelessness and go in the running to win some incredible prizes, including a signed Daniel Ricciardo Enchanté cap, luxury hotel stays, 100,000 Virgin Velocity points, and more.

To enter, participants paid the entry fee and shared a photo of their favourite Connect memory.

OVER $50,000

RAISED

The Connect Charity Auction raised over $50,000 for homelessness across three days, with money going to the A Home For All Foundation, as well as Nedd Brockmann’s partner charity, Mobilise.

Ray White is proud to be a launch partner for A Home for All Foundation and is looking forward to sharing more about the Foundation in September.

RECORD-BREAKING

Leading Ladies of Real Estate luncheon celebrates empowerment and excellence with a side of croissants on the Gold Coast

BY ISABELLE WALKER

The Gold Coast glittered with inspiration as 240 guests gathered at The Star pre-Connect for the largest Leading Ladies of Real Estate luncheon since its launch in 2021. The sold-out event was a celebration of connection, empowerment, and the remarkable women shaping the property industry.

The highlight was an intimate keynote with Kate Reid, the Formula 1 engineer who swapped aerodynamics for artisan pastry to found Melbourne’s famed Lune Croissanterie. In conversation with Leading Ladies chairperson Natalie

Hortz, Kate shared her journey of persistence, reinvention, and self-belief.

“I was just like a dog with a bone — everything I did, every second of my day, had to be working towards Formula One,” she said, recalling how she set her sights at 14 on joining Williams F1 and achieved it by 23.

“That kind of clarity and stubborn persistence is what got me in the door.”

But behind the dream job came a personal cost. Exhausted and unwell, she returned home to Melbourne. “It just reached a point where my health

was so critical that my parents said, ‘You have to come home.’

It was like something pushed me over the edge — this is not going to make you happy.”

What began as a small bakery became a global phenomenon. “I was laminating pastry by hand, starting at 3 a.m., and selling out before midday. There was no plan for an empire, just making the best croissant possible,” Kate said. “People would queue around the block. That was when I realised — this wasn’t just a bakery, it was something people would travel for.”

The afternoon also featured Q&A sessions with leading women across real estate, from New Zealand’s Monika Maynard to South Australia’s Tahlia Gabrielli and NSW ambassador Cindy Cash. Each spoke to the power of connection and collective growth.

As Natalie reflected, “This event was more than just a luncheon, it was a celebration of leadership, vulnerability, and the unshakeable belief that women belong at the top of their game.”

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE ACROSS OUR NETWORK

BY JASLYN ACKLING

This year, the Ray White recognition program celebrated the achievements of thousands of individuals and businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Recognition is more than an award - it reflects ambition, consistency, and the culture of excellence that defines our group.

PERFORMERS

Our performers continue to set new benchmarks. In FY24/25, we recognised:

935 Premier Performers

573 Alan White Elite Performers

210 Chairman’s Elite Performers

Among them were 48 first-time Chairman’s Elite qualifiers, 149 firsttime Elite Performers, and 292 firsttime Premiers, remarkable milestones at every stage of the recognition journey. From career-best years to decade long streaks, our performers continue to set the standard for the industry.

BUSINESS LEADERS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Strong leadership is at the heart of every high-performing office. This year we celebrated:

134 Premier Business Leaders

71 Alan White Elite Business Leaders

72 Chairman’s Elite Business Leaders

These leaders embody the values of Ray White, driving growth, culture, and client outcomes. Their impact has been central to our leadership gatherings, and we look forward to sharing our recognition leadership events for this cohort scheduled for mid-2026.

Recognition of our PM businesses continued to grow, with:

117 Premier PM Businesses

38 Alan White Elite PM Businesses

29 Chairman’s Elite PM Businesses

Celebrated across market events, their achievements highlight the essential role PM plays in our group. In FY26, recognition has expanded furthernow also including our New Zealand network - with celebrations to come at PMC 2026.

The Tony Fountain Award has quickly become one of our most prestigious accolades. This year, 108 qualifiers demonstrated their expertise in the auction method, delivering outstanding results for their clients and ensuring auctions remain at the core of Ray White’s identity. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the upcoming Elite Retreat in Queenstown.

The recognition program is more than just an award - it’s about creating moments to connect, reflect, and celebrate. From our Alan White Elite Performers Retreat in Queenstown this October to the Chairman’s Elite Retreat in Bangkok in March 2026, and with more events still to be announced, we look forward to recognising these achievements in person.

With revised criteria in place, we know the year ahead will ask even more. But FY24/25 has already shown what’s possible - a year of milestones, firsts, and streaks. Congratulations to everyone recognised. The strength of our program lies in the people it celebrates, and we are excited for all that the next financial year will bring.

TONY FOUNTAIN AUCTION AWARD LOOKING AHEAD

INTERNATIONAL

BY RESHNI RATNAM AND ALEX TILBURY

More than 3,000 members came together and celebrated the 2025 financial year at the International Awards at Connect 2025.

Ray White Upper North Shore claimed the number one International Group - Settled Commission award for the fourth consecutive year.

Principal David Walker credited the achievement to their team of over 150 people across 10 offices, emphasising their focus on client service over personal recognition.

Ray White Remuera won the top International Individual OfficeSettled Commission for the tenth time. Co-owner Thomas Famer thanked staff back in New Zealand for their continued success at the blue ribbon Auckland business.

Ray White Collective in Brisbane took home the top International MultiPartner Group - Settled Commission award for 2025.

After selling more than $164 billion in property across Australia and New Zealand in 2024/25, Ray White revealed its top performers. Gavin Rubinstein of TRG was named number one International Principal for Settled Commission and overall Top Residential Performer Internationally. Oliver Lavers of TRG won International SalespersonSettled Commission.

Holly Jones of Ray White New Brighton was again named top International Salesperson by Number of Sales.

Other notable winners included Andrew Jolliffe of HTL Property as Top International Commercial and Projects Performer, Mark Muldrew of Ray White Emerald as top Rural Performer, and Eloise Sweatman of Ray White Frankston as International Property Manager.

Managing director Dan White praised the remarkable performance across

the network, emphasising Ray White’s commitment to continuous improvement and providing the best environment for members to serve their communities.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS AND FINALISTS ON AN INCREDIBLE YEAR

INTERNATIONAL GROUPSETTLED COMMISSION

No. 1 Upper North Shore, NSW No. 2 Leaders Group, NZ No. 3 AT Realty, NZ No. 4 Five AM Realty, NZ No. 5 Rockhampton | Yeppoon, QLD

INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUAL OFFICESETTLED COMMISSION

No. 1 Remuera, NZ No. 2 Double Bay, NSW No. 3 TRG, NSW No. 4 New Farm, QLD No. 5 Manukau, NZ

INTERNATIONAL MULTI-PARTNER GROUP - SETTLED COMMISSION

No. 1 Collective, QLD No. 2 One Group, QLD No. 3 Lower North Shore Group, NSW No. 4 Macarthur & Nepean Group, NSW No. 5 Rochedale | Logan City | Sunnybank | Eight Mile Plains, QLD

INTERNATIONAL OFFICESNUMBER OF SALES

No. 1 Rockhampton, QLD No. 2 Werribee, VIC No. 3 Coomera, QLD

INTERNATIONAL GROUPSNUMBER OF SALES

No. 1 Leaders Group, NZ No. 2 United Group, NSW No. 3 Canberra Group, ACT

INTERNATIONAL MULTI-PARTNER GROUPS - NUMBER OF SALES

No. 1 Macarthur & Nepean Group, NSW No. 2 One Group, QLD No. 3 Norwood | Grange | Campbelltown | Hectorville | Burnside, SA

INTERNATIONAL SALESPERSONSETTLED COMMISSION

No. 1 Oliver Lavers, TRG, NSW No. 2 Richard Thode, Epsom, NZ No. 3 Holly Jones, New Brighton, NZ No. 4 Rochelle Adgo, Mitchelton, QLD No. 5 Jason Song, Rochedale, QLD No. 6 Ryan Suhle, North Lakes, QLD No. 7 Brendan Lappan, Macarthur Group, NSW No. 8 Rachel Berry, Mt Eden, NZ No. 9 Sonya Treloar, Bridgeman Downs, QLD No. 10 Alistair Macmillan, Wilston, QLD

INTERNATIONAL SALESPEOPLENUMBER OF SALES

No. 1 Holly Jones, New Brighton, NZ No. 2 Tim Aaron, Ingleburn, NSW No. 3 Ryan Suhle, North Lakes, QLD No. 4 Brendan Lappan, Macarthur Group, NSW No. 5 Jiby Thomas, Metro City, NZ

TOP RESIDENTIAL PERFORMER

Gavin Rubinstein, TRG, NSW

INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPALSETTLED COMMISSION

No. 1 Gavin Rubinstein, TRG, NSW No. 2 Peter Diamantidis, United Group, NSW No. 3 Geoff Smith, Shore Group, NSW No. 4 Vivien Yap, Dalkeith | Claremont, WA No. 5 Jason Atkinson, Coomera, QLD No. 6 Elliott Placks, Double Bay, NSW No. 7 Brad Wilson, Coomera, QLD No. 8 Cindy Cash, North Richmond, NSW No. 9 Nader Hotait, Eastern Beaches, NSW No. 10 Matt Gates, Sanctuary Cove, QLD

INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPALNUMBER OF SALES

No. 1 Peter Diamantidis, United Group, NSW No. 2 Jason Atkinson, Coomera, QLD No. 3. Charles Pei, Everest Group - Green Square, NSW No. 4 Peter Kiritsis, Woodville, SA No. 5 Brad Wilson, Coomera, QLD

TOP COMMERCIAL & PROJECTS PERFORMER

Andrew Jolliffe - HTL Property

TOP RURAL PERFORMER

Mark Muldrew, Emerald, QLD

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION CREATOR - OFFICES

No. 1 Ferntree Gully, VIC No. 2 Craigieburn, VIC No. 3 West End, QLD No. 4 Mill Park, VIC No. 5 Prospect and Norwood, SA (tied)

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION CREATOR - INDIVIDUALS

No. 1 Trish Orrico, Craigieburn, VIC No. 2 Ben Thomas, Ferntree Gully No. 3 Kevin Chokshi, Cheltenham, VIC No. 4 Ethan Petrie, West End, QLD No. 5 Justin Irving, Salisbury, SA

TOP 5 INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS’ CHOICE - OFFICE

Whangarei, NZ TKG, NSW Rangiora, NZ Howick, NZ Ferntree Gully, VIC

INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS’ CHOICEINDIVIDUALS

Scott Bockmann, Yorke Peninsula, SA

Justin Hartley, Pegasus, NZ

Jake Kroehnert, TKG, NSW Habeeb Urrahman, Auckland Central, NZ

Kelly Weller, Bundaberg, QLD

INTERNATIONAL AGENT/ BROKER PARTNERSHIPS - LOAN MARKET REFERRALS

Rochelle Adgo, Mitchelton, QLD

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS

No. 1. Canberra, ACT No. 2 360 Property Management, NZ No. 3 Bell Asset Management, QLD

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROWTH BUSINESSES

No. 1 United Group, NSW No. 2 Double Bay, NSW No. 3 Rockhampton, QLD

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS

No. 1 Emily Richardson, Rockhampton, QLD No. 2 Kayla Fenech, United Group, NSW No. 3 Savi Sarain, Tarneit, VIC

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGER AWARD

No. 1 Eloise Sweatman, Frankston, VIC No. 2 Cory Fallon, TKG, NSW No. 3 Alysha Kinnaird, New Era Property Management, NZ

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS/ ADMINISTRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR AT Realty, NZ

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS/ ADMINISTRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR Mt Gambier | Robe | Penola, SA

NEW SOUTH WALES | ACT

BY RESHNI RATNAM AND ALEX TILBURY

The 2024/25 financial year saw personal bests, continued growth and consistent excellence across the Ray White New South Wales | ACT network.

More than 1,200 members gathered at Sydney’s International Convention Centre in September to celebrate outstanding achievements across the Ray White New South Wales | ACT network for the 2024/25 financial year.

Ray White Upper North Shore and Northern Beaches claimed the Top Business - Settled Commission award for the fourth consecutive year, following its expansion into four new Northern Beaches offices.

“When you win it for the first time, you feel ecstatic, but this was something special,” said Charles Caravousanos, director and general manager.

“We lead by culture - we are less about the sales and more about the culture within our team.”

Ray White Double Bay secured the Top Office - Settled Commission award in New South Wales | ACT, with its operations team also were awarded Administration Team of the

Year. Principal and managing director Elliott Placks described being recognised as Australia’s number one office as “a remarkable achievement.”

“We said at the beginning of the year that we wanted to be the number one office - that was our goal.”

The Macarthur and Nepean Group won Top Business - Number of Sales, while Ray White Shellharbour City earned Top Regional Office awards for both settled commission and number of sales.

Dennis Nutt of Ray White Epping received the prestigious CEO’s Cup, the network’s highest honour.

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE - NET GROWTH

United Group

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE - REVENUE

Canberra

TOP OFFICE - LOAN MARKET REFERRALS

Canberra

TOP COMPETITION CREATOR

Wetherill Park

TOP CLIENTS’ CHOICE OFFICES

Carlingford

TKG

Yamba | Maclean

TOP OFFICE - NUMBER OF SALES

Shellharbour City

TOP REGIONAL OFFICESETTLED COMMISION

Bankstown

TOP BUSINESS - NUMBER OF SALES

Macarthur & Nepean Group

TOP REGIONAL OFFICESETTLED COMMISSION

Shellharbour City

TOP OFFICE - SETTLED COMMISSION & #1 AUSTRALIA OFFICE - SETTLED COMMISSION

Double Bay

TOP BUSINESS - SETTLED COMMISSION

Upper North Shore & Northern Beaches

TOP SALES ASSOCIATENUMBER OF SALES

Amber Boumelhem, United Group

TOP SALES ASSOCIATESETTLED COMMISSION

Evan Cheung, TRG

TOP SALESPERSON - GROWTH

Joshua Cassells, United Group

TOP REGIONAL SALESPERSONNUMBER OF SALES

Dale Cummins, Goulburn

TOP CITY SALESPERSONNUMBER OF SALES

Tim Aaron, Ingleburn

TOP REGIONAL SALESPERSONSETTLED COMMISSION

Teresa Heighington, Newcastle Group

TOP CITY SALESPERSONSETTLED COMMISSION

Oliver Lavers, TRG

TOP REGIONAL PRINCIPALNUMBER OF SALES

Jake Kroehnert, TKG

TOP CITY PRINCIPAL - NUMBER OF SALES

Peter Diamantidis, United Group

TOP REGIONAL PRINCIPALSETTLED COMMISSION

Daniel Kelly, Yamba | Maclean

TOP CITY PRINCIPALSETTLED COMMISSION

Gavin Rubinstein, TRG

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Charmaine Melosi, Wetherill Park | Cecil Hills

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Ashley Van Deyk, Upper North Shore & Northern Beaches

LEAD GENERATOR OF THE YEAR

Anukorn Chounlamountry, Dapto & Horsley

TOP PROPERTY MANAGER

Cory Fallon, TKG

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Kayla Fenech, United Group

TOP AGENT/BROKER PARTNERSHIPLOAN MARKET REFERRAL

Mark Johnstone, Canberra

CLIENTS’ CHOICE INDIVIDUALS

Dave Dart, TKG

Daniel Kelly, Yamba | Maclean

Jake Kroehnert, TKG

TOP REGIONAL COMPETITION CREATOR

Andrea Lever, Albury North

TOP CITY COMPETITION CREATOR

Marcus Biasetto, Wetherill Park | Cecil Hills

RISING STAR

Addison Gann, Goulburn

CEO’S CUP

Dennis Nutt, Epping

LIFE MEMBER

Brian Fairweather Greg Windel

ADMINISTRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR

Double Bay

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Manning Valley

VICTORIA AND TASMANIA

BY ALEX TILBURY

Ray White Victoria | Tasmania celebrated its network’s achievements at the annual awards ceremony at MCEC, recognising excellence across the real estate industry for 2024/25.

CEO Domenic Belfiore addressed the group: “This is a celebration of your effort, talent, and resilience. This evening belongs to everyone who gives their best, who pushes through the tough days, and who continues to show up for their customers, their teams, and their communities.”

Patrick McConnachie of Ray White Ferntree Gully celebrated winning the prestigious top office award for nine consecutive years. “We just celebrated 20 years in business and we have won this award 10 times over that 20 years,” he said. “The people we surround ourselves with are all first class and this award is won by everyone in our business. We adhere to a principle that the standards we walk past are the standards we accept, so we have high standards. We are 85-strong now but we are ready to level up again.”

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

TOP SALESPERSON - SETTLED COMMISSION

Vivian Li, Wantirna

TOP OFFICE - SETTLED COMMISSION

Ferntree Gully

TOP PRINCIPAL - SETTLED COMMISSION

Helen Yan, Balwyn

TOP OFFICE - NUMBER OF SALES

Werribee

TOP REGIONAL/TASMANIA OFFICESSETTLED COMMISSION

Ballarat

TOP REGIONAL/TASMANIA SALESPEOPLE - SETTLED COMMISSION

Darcy Quinn, Bendigo

TOP SALESPERSON - NUMBER OF SALES

Ian Dempsey, Preston

TOP PRINCIPAL - NUMBER OF SALES

Cameron Smits, Swan Hill

TOP 3 OFFICES - GROWTH

No. 1 Tarneit

No. 2 Ballarat No. 3 Albury Central

TOP SALESPERSON - GROWTH

Kunal Singh, Tarneit

TOP COMPETITION CREATORS - OFFICES

No. 1 Ferntree Gully No. 2 Craigieburn No. 3 Mill Park

TOP COMPETITION

Andrew Salvo from Ray White Southbank | Melbourne City was awarded the CEO’s Cup for remarkable impact to the Ray White Group. The Business Achievement Award went to Anil Malik and Mark Srivastava from Ray White Tarneit.

Michael Teague was inducted as a Life Member, the highest honour within Ray White. Sixteen individuals achieved Chairman’s Elite status across the network.

Domenic concluded: “I’m incredibly proud of our achievements throughout the last year. In every metric, we grew. More property transactions than ever before and more auctions too. This network is built on your shoulders.”

CREATORS - INDIVIDUALS

No. 1 Trish Orrico, Craigieburn No. 2 Ben Thomas, Ferntree Gully No. 3 Kevin Chokshi, The Bayside Group | Cheltenham

SENIOR AUCTIONEERING CHAMPION

Daniel Galea, Judd White Group | Glen Waverley

NOVICE AUCTIONEERING CHAMPION

Tim Annett, Bendigo

SALES RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Hamza Ali, Coburg

SALES ASSOCIATE/PA OF THE YEAR

Rose Martin, Preston

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE YEAR

Warrnambool

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR

Alex Mees, Southbank | Melbourne City

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Eloise Sweatman, Frankston

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Savi Sarain, Tarneit

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LEASING CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR

Maya Hunak, Werribee

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Luke Laforgia, Pakenham

PROPERTY MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR - PLATINUM

Toby Kent, Colac - 1090 & 1088 Barham River Road, Apollo Bay

PROPERTY MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR - GOLD

Nazih Abbouchi, Coburg - 24a Princess Street Fawkner

OPERATIONS/ADMINISTRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR

Ballarat

OFFICE/OPERATIONS MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Remi Harrison, Langwarrin

LEAD GENERATOR OF THE YEAR

Braedan Sells, Carnegie | Bentleigh

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Shelby Mihalj, Coburg COMMUNITY SERVICE

Warrnambool

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICEREVENUE

Cranbourne

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICENET GROWTH

Tarneit

TOP CLIENTS’ CHOICE - OFFICES Ferntree Gully

Lara

Warrnambool

TOP CLIENTS’ CHOICE - INDIVIDUALS

Tessa Stephens, Warrnambool Fergus Torpy, Warrnambool

Matthew Wade-Taylor, Lara

TOP OFFICES - LOAN MARKET REFERRALS

No. 1 Oakleigh No. 2 Warrnambool No. 3 Ferntree Gully

TOP AGENT/BROKER PARTNERSHIPSLOAN MARKET REFERRALS

No. 1 Brent Mason, Bendigo No. 2 Toby Kent, Colac No. 3 Jamil Allouche, Brunswick

QUEENSLAND

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Some 1,500 members from across Ray White Queensland attended the 2024-25 annual awards held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre recently.

From Cairns to Coolangatta, Ray White Queensland CEO Jason Andrew said it was incredible to have so many members gather to celebrate the year that was.

“The architecture of our awards recognises your performances over the financial year, but equally, tonight we get the chance to reset; to fill our ambition cups and steadfastly commit to what is required to ensure that the year ahead will be our best yet,” Jason said.

In its 45th year, the prestigious Max White Award went to Larry Malan of Ray White Malan + Co.

“With the support of this unique, fantastic family, with them as your backbone and guiding light, every single person in this room can achieve their dreams,” Larry said.

Ray White New Farm once again took out the top spot as the number one Ray White office in the state by settled commission. The powerhouse agency, headed up by Matt Lancashire and Haesley Cush comes under the Ray White Collective banner, which was named the Top BusinessSettled Commission again. Ray White Collective includes offices across New Farm, Bulimba, Toowong, Clayfield and Kim Olsen Property.

The unstoppable Rochelle Adgo of Ray White Mitchelton was named the Number One Salesperson in the Queensland network by settled commission, while Ray White Coomera’s Jason Atkinson was named Number One Principal by settled commission and number of sales.

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

MAX WHITE AWARD

Larry Malan, Broadbeach

TOP OFFICE - SETTLED COMMISSION

New Farm

TOP BUSINESS - SETTLED COMMISSION

Collective

TOP OFFICE - NUMBER OF SALES

Rockhampton

TOP SALESPERSONSETTLED COMMISSION

Rochelle Adgo, Mitchelton

TOP SALESPERSON - NUMBER OF SALES

Ryan Suhle, North Lakes

TOP PRINCIPAL - SETTLED COMMISSION

Jason Atkinson, Coomera

TOP PRINCIPAL - NUMBER OF SALES

Jason Atkinson, Coomera

AUCTION EXCELLENCE - OFFICE

Coomera

AUCTION EXCELLENCE - INDIVIDUAL

Ethan Petrie, West End

COMPETITION CREATORS - OFFICE

West End

COMPETITION CREATORS - INDIVIDUAL

Ethan Petrie, West End

BEST IN MARKET

Rochedale

CLIENTS’ CHOICE

Toowoomba

Hervey Bay

Caloundra

TOP OFFICE - LOAN MARKET REFERRALS

Mitchelton

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE - REVENUE

Bell Asset Management

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICENET GROWTH

Rockhampton

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESSNET GROWTH

Rochedale | Logan City | Sunnybank

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Emily Richardson, Rockhampton

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Elly McCullock, West End

NURTURECLOUD AWARD - OFFICE

Coomera

NURTURECLOUD AWARD - INDIVIDUAL

Corey and Stephanie Banks, Coomera

PROPERTY CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

Damon Warat and Alexander Shean, Ascot

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Cairns

OPERATIONS/ADMINISTRATION

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Maroochydore | Buderim

ADMINISTRATOR/PERSONAL ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR

Riannen Webber, Broadbeach

LIFE MEMBERS

Brett and Jenny Graham, Buderim

John Tymon, Tugun

SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

A record 810 guests attended the annual Ray White South Australia and Northern Territory annual awards at the Adelaide Convention Centre this year to celebrate the achievements of the top offices and individuals throughout the network.

Ray White South Australia and Northern Territory CEO

Matthew Lindblom congratulated everyone in the room for all of their hard work throughout the 2024-25 recognition year.

“It is great to have you all here together as one collective talented team, with continued curiosity and ambition,” he said.

“We have strength in numbers, and momentum on our side as we are one united group.”

The coveted CEO’s Cup is awarded to those outstanding individuals who have made a significant contribution to the group. This year the CEO’s Cup went to Ray White Darwin principal Andrew Harding.

“This award goes to a principal who has achieved remarkable feats in a relatively short amount of time. He understands what is important, doesn’t over complicate things and

has built an incredible business and team as a result,” Matt said.

Ray White Glenelg | Brighton, led by Justin Kurenda and Adam Keane, was awarded the Top Overall Office, and the Top Metro Office - Settled Commission.

It was a big night for Ray White Glenelg | Brighton with sales agent Jed Redden also taking out the award for Top Salesperson - Number of Sales.

The award for Top SalespersonSettled Commission went to Ray White Mount Barker | Woodside | Stirling agent Nicole Walker.

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

TOP OVERALL OFFICE

Glenelg | Brighton

TOP METRO OFFICESETTLED COMMISSION

Glenelg | Brighton

TOP REGIONAL OFFICESETTLED COMMISSION

Barossa Valley | Two Wells

TOP SALESPERSONSETTLED COMMISSION

Nicole Walker, Mount Barker | Woodside | Stirling

TOP SALESPERSON - NUMBER OF SALES

Jed Redden, Glenelg | Brighton

TOP PRINCIPAL - SETTLED COMMISSION

Jamie Wood, Barossa | Two Wells

TOP PRINCIPAL - NUMBER OF SALES

Peter Kiritsis, Woodville

TOP OFFICE - GROWTH

Darwin

CEO’S CUP

Andrew Harding, Darwin

TOP RAY WHITE BROKER

Tony Nguyen, Loan Market Glenelg | Brighton

TOP OFFICE - LOAN MARKET REFERRALS

Norwood

TOP AGENT/BROKER PARTNERSHIPLOAN MARKET REFERRALS

Chelsea Casey, Glenelg | Brighton

2025 AUCTIONEER OF THE YEAR

Robbie Smith, Unley | Colonel Light Gardens

2025 RISING STAR

AUCTIONEER OF THE YEAR

Rhys Escritt, Barossa Valley

TOP COMPETITION CREATOR OFFICE

Norwood

Prospect

TOP COMPETITION CREATOR INDIVIDUAL

Justin Irving, Salisbury

TOP CLIENTS’ CHOICE OFFICES

Yorke Peninsula

Woodcroft

Gawler

Flagstaff Hill

Black Forest

TOP CLIENTS’ CHOICE INDIVIDUALS

Shaun Miller, Yorke Peninsula

Adam Keane, Glenelg | Brighton

Matt Bunder, Gawler

Charmaine Budd, Port Augusta | Whyalla

Scott Bockmann, Yorke Peninsula

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Andrew Geppa, Norwood | Grange | Campbelltown | Burnside

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Mt Gambier | Robe | Penola

BEST PRESENTED OFFICE

Prospect

TOP OFFICE DATABASE

Barossa Valley | Two Wells

TOP INDIVIDUAL DATABASE

Jamie Wood, Barossa Valley | Two Wells

SALES ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

Zane Bielby-Spooner, Mount Barker | Woodside | Stirling

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Kiara Sacca, Norwood | Grange | Campbelltown | Burnside

OPERATIONS MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Kylie Van Duin, Yorke Peninsula

TOP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Andrew Geppa, Norwood | Grange | Campbelltown | Burnside

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Maddie Blackwell, Norwood | Grange

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESSREVENUE

St Peters

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESSNET GROWTH

Gawler

RISING STAR

Bailey Truscott, Gawler East

NEW ZEALAND

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

More than 1,300 people gathered for Ray White New Zealand’s annual awards at Spark Arena to celebrate and recognise the top offices and individual achievers from throughout the leading network.

The night opened with a live performance by musical powerhouse Synthony, providing a collision of the biggest electronic dance anthems with a live orchestra, DJs, vocalists, and immersive visuals.

Ray White New Zealand CEO Daniel Coulson congratulated the network on their incredible achievements over the last 12 months.

For the eleventh year in a row, the award for Office of the Year went to Ray White Remuera, with Ray White Manukau in second place, followed by Ray White Howick.

Ray White Remuera sales director and business owner Thomas Farmer said he and principal Megan Jaffe couldn’t have done it without their team.

The award for Number one Residential Salesperson went to Ray White Epsom agent Richard Thode.

“Wow, it’s pretty amazing to be up here for the second time, I have to say,” Richard said.

“Winning number one is a wonderful honour, and winning it for the second time is an absolute highlight.

This year’s CEO Cup was awarded to Ray White Kingsland and Grey Lynn business owners Tim Hawes and Rachel Hawes, who represent Ray White’s values at the highest level.

“This year’s recipients have a longstanding history within our group, and their business has been a cornerstone of our growth in one of our key markets for decades,” he said.

“Their actions, judgement, and decision-making consistently reflect the best interests of Ray White.”

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

CEO CUP

Tim Hawes and Rachel Hawes, Kingsland and Grey Lynn

OFFICE OF THE YEAR

Remuera

GROUP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Leaders Group

NUMBER ONE RESIDENTIAL SALESPERSON

Richard Thode, Epsom

COMMERCIAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

Paula Raine, Christchurch

RURAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

Alan Thorpe, Gisborne AUCTIONEER OF THE YEAR

Aaron Ward, Remuera

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Alysha Kinnaird, New Era Property Management

EMERGING PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Maree Reeve, Opotiki

EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Paul Zellman, Austar Property Management

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Best Property Management

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INDIVIDUAL

Brynja Bell, Papamoa

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF THE YEAR - LARGE

360 Property Management

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF THE YEAR - SMALL

Co-Lab Property Management

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Abbey Lucas, Mairangi Bay

ADMIN TEAM OF THE YEAR

Manukau

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SALESPERSON

Fiona McDonald, Amberley

Habeeb Urrahman, Auckland Central

Justin Hartley, Pegasus

May Ma, Mt Roskill

Shaan Joshi, Māngere Bridge

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OFFICE

Howick

Napier

Pegasus

Rangiora

Whangārei

BEST PRESENTED OFFICE

Ponsonby

COMMUNITY AWARD - INDIVIDUAL

Anne Duncan, Mt Albert

COMMUNITY AWARD - OFFICE

Blenheim

SUPREME GROWTH

Vish Arora, Howick

BUSINESS GROWTH

Tauranga

MARKET SHARE - REGIONAL

Kaitaia

Pukehina

Tutukaka

MARKET SHARE - METRO

Beach Haven

Patumahoe

Pegasus

EXCELLENCE IN AUCTION - INDIVIDUAL

Ben Stevens, Wellington City

EXCELLENCE IN AUCTION - OFFICE

Manukau

DIGITAL MARKETER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY TRADE ME)

Lynn Lacy-Hauck, Ponsonby

MARKETING EXCELLENCE - SALESPERSON

Rachel Johnson, Karaka

MARKETING EXCELLENCE - OFFICE

Rachel Johnson, Manukau

EMERGING MEMBER

Josh Wrightson, Pukekohe

NEW START OFFICE

Ponsonby

LOAN MARKET AWARDS - LEADING REFERRING OFFICE

Manukau

LOAN MARKET AWARDS - LEADING REFERRING INDIVIDUAL

Alyshia Marshall, Swanson

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

BY NINA CLARKE

The Ray White Western Australia network came together for a glittering evening of celebration at its annual awards night, honouring the outstanding achievements of its top-performing offices and individuals across the state.

“Our company’s matra is to be proud of every transaction and tonight I can say I’m proud of everyone of you and grateful for the way you have represented our family group,”

Ray White WA CEO

Mark Whiteman said.

“Leadership is at the core of everything we do. Organisations reflect the leader or leaders and Ray White Western Australia has by far the very best leaders in the form of our business owners, general managers and department heads. Thank you for setting such a high standard and for leading your teams so well.”

A major highlight of the night was the presentation of the inaugural Ross Whiteman Award. The prestigious award was presented to Mike Tucker of Ray White Stocker Preston, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, service, and long-standing commitment to excellence.

Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont once again proved its dominance, taking home the award for Top Office for Settled Commission, marking their seventh consecutive year of holding this prestigious title. Its principal, Vivien Yap, also took out Top Principal for Settled Commission

Vivien said that the entire team is so grateful to continue the winning streak, which is only made possible by true dedication and teamwork.

“We have always believed that anything is possible when we have the relentless and unwavering support of our work family, the extended Ray White family and our wonderful clients. I am so humbled and so grateful.”

A touching moment during the evening was the presentation of Life Membership to Michael Smart and Karen Smart, recognising their 32 years of service to the Ray White family and the wider real estate community.

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

FRONT DESK OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

Ashlyn Trouchet, South Perth

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/SALES ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

Kate Maccora, Dalkeith I Claremont OPERATIONS/ADMINISTRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR

Nurture Team, Stocker Preston

OFFICE MANAGER/GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Nicole Gibbs, Dalkeith I Claremont

RISING STAR - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Sukhbaj Brar, BPG

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Adriana Bilicich, Carnarvon

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Doug Corby, Rockingham | Baldivis

MARKETING EXCELLENCE - OFFICE

Dalkeith | Claremont

THE JOHN SEDDON RISING STAR

Matthew Nugent, Geraldton I Dongara

TONY FOUNTAIN AWARD FOR AUCTION LISTINGS - INDIVIDUAL

Vivien Yap, Dalkeith | Claremont

TONY FOUNTAIN AWARD FOR AUCTION LISTINGS - OFFICE

Dalkeith I Claremont

TOP 5 CLIENTS’ CHOICE - INDIVIDUALS

Helen Michael, Northern Coast

Emma Milner, Dalkeith I Claremont

Dan Murphy, North Quays

Tom Voyce, North Quays

Simon Woodall Team, Northern Coast

TOP 5 CLIENTS’ CHOICE - OFFICES

Aldridge and Associates

North Quays

Northern Coast

Stocker Preston

The Ialacci Group

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE - NET GROWTH

Rockingham | Baldivis

TOP SALESPERSON - GROWTH

Rockingham | Baldivis

TOP SALESPERSON - GROWTH

Hannah Diblasi, Stocker Preston I Busselton

TOP OFFICE - GROWTH

Ialacci Group

DAMIEN MILLS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Jody Fewster, Cottesloe Mosman Park

LIFE MEMBER

Michael and Karen Smart

ROSS WHITEMAN AWARD

Mike Tucker, Stocker Preston

PRINCIPAL - NUMBER OF SALES

Shahbaj Brar, BPG

PRINCIPAL - SETTLED COMMISSION

Vivien Yap, Dalkeith I Claremont

SALESPERSON - NUMBER OF SALES

Stephen Cole, Broome

SALESPERSON - SETTLED COMMISSION

Stephen Cole, Broome

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE OFFICE

Karratha

OFFICE GROUP - SETTLED COMMISSION

Stocker Preston

OFFICE - NUMBER OF SALES

Geraldton | Dongara

OFFICE - SETTLED COMMISSION

Dalkeith | Claremont

RURAL AND LIVESTOCK

BY RESHNI RATNAM

More than 250 guests attended the annual Ray White Rural and Livestock awards at the Gold Coast to celebrate the achievements of the top offices and individuals throughout the network.

Ray White Rural and Livestock

CEO Matt White said the awards celebrated “a small but intrinsic part of the group” who continually bat above their weight.

“In terms of property promotion, we lead the way,” Matt said. “We were the first to do property videos which were largely adopted by our rural competitors and the broader real estate industry. We bat well above our weight in terms of promoting our vendors’ properties through print media.”

Matt congratulated attendees for another stellar year and provided wisdom for ahead. “It is a Connect year, and for that reason we are reminded that we are part of a larger group,” he said. “Our scale is our point of difference and this is no better highlighted by the success of this year’s Connect Conference.”

He expressed appreciation to outgoing CEO Stephen Nell, who led the division for eight years. “He has led the growth of Ray White Rural to

what it is today,” Matt said. “He has established a first rate corporate team who are passionate about delivering value to the network and this is his greatest legacy.”

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

TOP BUSINESS - SETTLED COMMISSION

Rural Parkes | Forbes | Condobolin | West Wyalong

TOP OFFICE - SETTLED COMMISSION

Emerald

TOP LIVESTOCK OFFICENUMBER SHEEP SOLD

Richardson & Sinclair

TOP LIVESTOCK OFFICENUMBER CATTLE SOLD

Rural Albury

TOP LIVESTOCK OFFICESETTLED COMMISSION

Richardson & Sinclair

TOP SALESPERSONSETTLED COMMISSION

Matt Cleary, Rural Toowoomba

TOP PRINCIPAL - SETTLED COMMISSION

Mark Muldrew, Emerald

TOP COMPETITION CREATOR (OFFICE)

Rural Parkes | Forbes | Condobolin | West Wyalong

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD

Bruce Douglas, Rural Queensland

CHARLIE MAHER AWARD

Keegan de Roo, Livestock Dalby

TOP COMPETITION CREATOR (INDIVIDUAL)

Jim O’Donoghue, Rural Parkes | Forbes | Condobolin | West Wyalong

BRAND TERRITORY LIVESTOCK MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Livestock Dalby

BRAND TERRITORY PROPERTY MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Rural Queensland

BRAND TERRITORY PROPERTY CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

Gateway Farms - Rob Chapman and Gabby Wyse, Rural Manning Valley

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Rural Kilcoy

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - REVENUE

Rural Parkes | Forbes | Condobolin | West Wyalong

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - NET GROWTH

Rural Oakey

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Ashlee Croft, Betty Cox and Susie Campbell, Rural Crows Nest

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Claire Vidler, Rural Atherton

OFFICE/OPERATIONS

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Rebecca Poulter, Rural Guyra | Armidale

Kelle Nicholas, Rural Albury | Wodonga

SALES ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR

Josiah Jensen, Rural Esk | Toogoolawah

Wanda Robertson, Biloela

ADMINISTRATION TEAM OF THE YEAR

Lucy Hill and Makenzie Schoenberg, Rural South Australia

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Clare Southwell, Rural Canberra | Yass

CLIENTS’ CHOICE (OFFICE)

Bungendore

Rural Dorrigo | Bellingen

Rural Lifestyle Sydney

CLIENTS’ CHOICE (INDIVIDUAL)

Netty Wendt, Rural Gracemere

Kaitlyn Smart and Shaun Ryan, Tumut | Gundagai

Kristy Markham, Rural Lifestyle Sydney

NUMBER 1 ADVERTISERS

Stock Journal : Rural South Australia

Stock & Land : Rural Toowoomba

North Queensland Register: Geaney | Kirkwood

Queensland Country Life: Rural Queensland

The Land: Rural Canberra | Yass

LIFE MEMBERS

John O’Leary, Rural Dorrigo | Bellingen Mal Gollan, Goondiwindi

RWC

BY NINA CLARKE

Head of commercial James Linacre took the stage to reflect on the group’s record-breaking achievements, praising both the numbers and the mindset behind them.

“This has been our most successful year yet - and not just by the numbers,” James said. “It’s about the mindset, the consistency, the clarity and the culture that’s taken root across our network. We’ve seen strong growth in every area - sales, leasing, property management, valuations, projects - and from every corner of the country. With four new offices opening, RWC Tasmania, RWC MC, RWC Industrial City South and RWC The Collective, the entire network is moving forward with momentum.”

“We’re not just a group of offices anymore - we’re becoming a true national commercial force.

A destination for top talent.”

Dan White acknowledged the renewed energy across the commercial group in recent years.

“The identity and commitment we’re seeing in this room is extraordinary.

This is a group of business owners and leaders driving their own success every single day. We should be proud and take the time to truly celebrate it.”

The highest honour of the night, the Directors Cup, was awarded to Michael Shadforth, Chris Massie, and Ashley Rees from RWC Northern Corridor Group.

Michael Shadforth spoke on behalf of the team, saying, “We’re incredibly proud of our team and the energy they bring every day. Being part of the Ray White family and this network is a privilege. RWC is absolutely the next big thing in commercial real estate, and we’re just getting started.”

THE 2025 WINNERS’ LIST

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROWTHGROSS NEW MANAGEMENTS

Tasmania

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROWTH - REVENUE

Southwest

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

WA

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE YEAR

Canberra

PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Dylan Penny, Northern Corridor Group

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT RISING STAR

Adrian Harb, Western Sydney

PROJECTS RISING STAR

Chelsea Casey, Projects SA

PROJECTS PERFORMERTRANSACTION NUMBERS

Jed Redden, Projects SA

PROJECTS PERFORMER

Eddie Mansour, Projects NSW

PROJECTS OFFICETRANSACTION NUMBERS

Projects NSW

PROJECTS OFFICE

Hong Kong

SALES AND LEASING RISING STAR

Alex Sinclair, Bayside

TOP SALES AND LEASING PERFORMER

Andrew Jolliffe, HTL Property

TOP SALES & LEASING OFFICE

HTL Property

TOP AUCTION PERFORMER

Jackson Rameau, Gold Coast

TOP AUCTION OFFICE

Western Sydney

TOP PERFORMER - GROWTH

Emily Pendleton, Northern Corridor Group

TOP OFFICE - GROWTH

SC

TOP PERFORMERTRANSACTION NUMBERS

Scott Stephens, Sydney North

TOP OFFICE - TRANSACTION NUMBERS

Northern Corridor Group

TOP LEASING PERFORMER

Jeremy Piggin, Sydney Office Leasing

TOP LEASING OFFICE

Sydney Office Leasing

CLIENTS’ CHOICE - INDIVIDUAL

James Garnett, Northern Corridor Group

Theo Karkanis, Oakleigh

Troy Sturgess, Northern Corridor Group

CLIENTS’ CHOICE - OFFICE

Central Coast

Gateway

Northern Corridor Group

MARKETING EXCELLENCEBRAND AMBASSADOR

Peter Vines, Western Sydney

MARKETING EXCELLENCE - OFFICE

SC

ADMINISTRATION INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR

Monh Monh Ly, RWC Western Sydney

TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR

3 Figtree Drive and 6 Herb Elliot Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park

Peter Vines, Victor Sheu and Ian Hetherington, Western Sydney and Capital Transactions

DIRECTOR’S CUP

Chris Massie, Michael Shadforth and Ashley Rees, Northern Corridor Group

Chairman’s Elite lounge unveiled at Connect

BY JASLYN ACKLING

At Connect 2025, we proudly unveiled the Chairman’s Elite Lounge, a dedicated space to celebrate the top one per cent of our network.

From exclusive merchandise and barista-made coffee to a live DJ, Concierge support and snacks, the lounge was designed as a premium retreat within the exhibition hall. It quickly became a focal point of the event - the place for our Chairman’s Elite Performers and Business Leaders to recharge, connect with peers and celebrate their achievements in comfort.

At its centre was an arrivals board, featuring every Chairman’s Elite performer for FY24/25 - a visual celebration of first-time qualifiers, long-standing streaks and the legacy of excellence this cohort represents.

“This wall honours those who set the bar, and then quietly raise it” - Brian White AO, Chairman, Ray White Group

The Lounge stood as a symbol of our Chairman’s Elite success. A space to honour not just the results of the year, but the ambition, consistency, and legacy that define this group.

WOMEN AT THE HELM

How RWC Tasmania is redefining the industry

BY NINA CLARKE

In the traditionally male-dominated world of commercial real estate, a quiet revolution is underway, and it’s happening in Hobart. At RWC Tasmania, women are not only occupying key positions; they’re driving strategy, delivering major deals, and reshaping the very culture of the industry.

With an impressive 57 per cent of the team made up of women, well above industry averages, the agency is setting a new benchmark for what inclusivity, innovation, and leadership can look like in the commercial space. These are the stories of four women whose backgrounds are as diverse as their roles, but who are united by one thing: a clear vision for the future of commercial real estate for their state.

HEATHER MASON Director | Asset Strategist

When Heather Mason moved from the UK to the Southern Hemisphere, she didn’t know her journey would eventually lead to becoming a strategic leader in Tasmania’s commercial real estate market. After earning her real estate licence in New Zealand, she landed in Hobart in 2005 and joined the industry as a business systems operator.

But Heather wasn’t one to stay in the background for long. With sharp analytical skills and a knack for big-picture thinking, she quickly transitioned into asset management, overseeing a portfolio of commercial and industrial properties. From there, she stepped into a rare hybrid role that has since become her signature - combining asset strategy, management, sales, and leasing into a dynamic approach to client service.

“Research company values, assess leadership teams, and find environments that support equity and mentorship. The right culture will elevate your growth - and don’t hesitate to reach out to others. Networking can open doors you didn’t know existed.”

MIA LILLEY

Commercial Sales and Leasing

Coming from a background in hospitality, Mia joined a real estate agency in 2021 as a receptionist. It was there, observing the inner workings of the agency across departments, that her interest was piqued.

She quickly began assisting with admin in the commercial department, obtained her property representative licence, and started shadowing agents to deepen her understanding. It was a hands-on education that highlighted both her passion and a clear gap in the team, one she was more than ready to fill.

Since then, Mia has gone from strength to strength, building a robust client base and helping drive commercial growth in the region. Her work has been recognised not just for the deals she delivers but for the strong, lasting relationships she forges along the way.

“Confidence is everything. Ask questions, seek out mentors, and be curious. Authenticity, openness to growth, and genuine connections will get you far.”

DAISY TWAITS

Commercial Property Representative

For Daisy Twaits, the spark for real estate was lit early, standing in the streets of Hobart, looking up at the city’s tallest buildings and imagining what it would be like to work in them. Now, years later, that vision has become her reality.

Daisy began her career in 2010 in sales administration, later transitioning to residential property management and business development in both Hobart and Melbourne. With a deep understanding of client needs and a proven track record, including achieving multimillion-dollar status, Daisy eventually found her way into commercial property.

Today, Daisy manages leasing and property strategy for key commercial clients, building strong professional relationships grounded in trust and long-term thinking.

“There’s no one way to build a successful career in this industry. Your path might not be traditional, and that’s okay. What matters most is showing up, being consistent, and trusting in your unique strengths.”

MELANIE RADFORD

Commercial Property Representative

Melanie Radford’s journey into real estate began with a simple act, helping her mother understand a rental lease. That moment of communication caught the attention of the property representative, who saw potential and offered her a job.

From there, Melanie spent five years in residential property management, gaining the kind of real-world experience that would later prove invaluable. Her approach was always people-first; building trust with landlords and tenants, managing complexities with ease, and learning how to thrive in a fast-paced environment. But when the opportunity to move into commercial property came, Melanie took the leap. Now a trusted commercial property representative, Melanie thrives in the ever-changing landscape of commercial management.

“You don’t need to have all the answers from the start. What matters is your willingness to learn and your confidence to step into new spaces. Be bold, stay curious, and never doubt that you belong here.”

RAY WHITE NOW

Transforming market intelligence

BY ANITA VENKATESH

Ray White Now is our economics team’s market intelligence ecosystem, delivering data insights for network members and consumers. We provide reliable economic intelligence that cuts through market noise.

Following a 2024 strategic review, conducted by an external agency, we transformed from a traditional research team into a multi-channel intelligence engine. This revealed our reliance on third-party distribution limited our ability to build direct relationships with diverse audiences, particularly younger demographics on digital platforms.

Ray White Now aims to make Ray White the most trusted voice in real estate intelligence by 2030.

THE INTELLIGENCE ENGINE

We transformed Ray White Now into a comprehensive multi-channel ecosystem:

• The Ray White Now Weekly Wrap - A weekly newsletter featuring market insights across residential, commercial, and rural sectors

• Ray White Now Instagram - Launched June 2025, targeting younger demographics entering property markets through micro-learning

• Ray White Now Localised - Automated hyperlocal reports for any Australian city or suburb for agents to customise and distribute

• Monthly flagship report - Comprehensive national market analysis

• Quarterly reportsEnhanced Luxury, Regional, and Property Outlook reports with advanced data visualisation

• Weekly articles and media presence - Ongoing market commentary

THE TEAM

Nerida Conisbee, Chief Economist, leads our strategic direction.

Vanessa Rader, Head of Research with a key focus on commercial property analysis.

Atom Go Tian, Senior Data Analyst, transforms complex property data into narratives for Australia and New Zealand markets.

Paolo Sumulong, Data Analyst, leads our localised reporting capabilities and data portal development.

Jordan Tormey, Strategy Analyst, provides internal strategy support and competitive intelligence while developing the Ray White Data Academy.

Anita Venkatesh, Content Strategy and Production Lead, coordinates our content across all platforms and optimises distribution channels.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS

Ray White Now provides members comprehensive tools: weekly intelligence updates, shareable social content, automated local market reports, quarterly flagship publications, and ongoing access to our team’s analysis across multiple platforms.

Ray White Now represents our competitive advantage through superior market intelligence, positioning Ray White as the definitive source for property insights across Australia and New Zealand.

Scan for more information

THE NAMES TELL THE STORY: Real estate’s quiet revolution

BY JORDAN TORMEY

The real estate industry is undergoing one of its most significant demographic transformations in years. Analysing online listing portal data from the last five years across Australia and New Zealand, the numbers reveal a fundamental shift in who’s building careers in property sales.

THE EXODUS AND THE INFLUX

This year alone, agents named Tim (-27), Paul (-20), and Gary (-19) led the industry’s biggest declines. Meanwhile, Thomas (+21), Jordan (+20), and Emma (+17) topped the growth charts. This isn’t statistical noise - it’s the signature of an industry in transition.

The pattern becomes undeniable when you zoom out. Since 2020, the 100 most common agent names have seen their share of total industry headcount drop from over 40 per cent to just under 35 per cent. The top 50 names lost 4.6 percentage points of agent share, while the top 200 shed 6.6 percentage points. Every tier of name concentration is retreating, indicating systematic fragmentation rather than isolated shifts.

WHERE THE GROWTH REALLY LIVES

The real story isn’t in the names that dominate the headlines. Over 1,400 first names that had zero representation in 2024 now have active agents working under them. This represents nearly 1,500 new professionals from demographic pools that likely weren’t previously part of the industry.

This “long tail” of diverse talent now accounts for the majority of net growth. While established names in the declining category fall about 1,700 agents year-over-year, emerging and brand-new name categories added over 2,700 agents. This more than compensated for traditional name losses and drove overall industry expansion.

THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF CHANGE

The decline is concentrated among traditional Anglo names: Steve, Simon, Karen, and even Ray, ironic given Ray White’s founder, but perhaps symbolic of an industry moving beyond its origins. The growth reveals three clear patterns: surging female representation (Sarah,

Laura, Samantha), expanding cultural diversity (Vikram, Ahmad, Rahul), and generational renewal.

THE TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES

From 2020’s 46,113 active agents to 2025’s 48,551, the industry added over 2,400 professionals. But here’s the key insight: those additions came with unprecedented diversification.

The industry now spans 8,179 unique first names, up 25.3 per cent from 6,527 in 2020. This represents 1,652 new unique names entering the workforce in just five years. While

total agent numbers grew 5.3 per cent, name diversity grew at five times that rate.

This five-to-one ratio reveals the true nature of change: the industry isn’t just growing, it’s fundamentally diversifying. The talent driving growth represents different communities, networks, and backgrounds than the traditional agent base, creating both opportunity and urgency for agencies ready to embrace this demographic shift.

Welcome to the family.

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 Hobart, TAS

Ray White is growing its presence in Tasmania with the launch of Ray White Hobart, a new residential and property management business, backed by the strength and momentum of locally owned and operated RWC (Ray White Commercial) Tasmania. Led by experienced local real estate professional Brad Stephens, the opening of Ray White Hobart marks a significant expansion for the international real estate group in the state’s capital. This follows the successful launch of RWC Tasmania in February this year, when a partnership of six prominent Tasmanians opened the first Ray White Commercial office in the state, becoming the 60th RWC office in the network.

Ray White On Point Realty Group, NZ

Ray White New Zealand is proud to welcome Ray White On Point Realty Group to its evergrowing network, servicing the picturesque coastal communities of Omaha, Matakana and Point Wells. The newly launched business is led by well-known local real estate professionals Debbie Jones, Paul Prouse, and Victoria Turner, who bring a deep connection to the community and a shared passion for property. “We’ve lived and worked in this area for many years, and we’re incredibly proud to launch a local business that reflects our values of trust, integrity, and high-quality customer service,” Victoria said.

Ray White St Peters, SA

Ray White Walkerville, a prominent name in South Australia’s real estate industry, has announced a significant milestone in its amalgamation with Ray White St Peters. Former director of Ray White Walkerville, Liam McDevitt, has stepped into the role as a sales partner at Ray White St Peters and is excited about the business’s future growth. Ray White St Peters director Sam Brincat said he and Liam have had a professional relationship for years, which developed into a strong friendship.

Ray White Everest Group, NSW Ray White Palm Beach, NSW

Ray White Everest Group is a powerful new formation run by experienced Sydney operator Allen Yan, combining the teams from his Norwest, Green Square and Mascot offices into a single powerhouse group. The move is a clear demonstration of Ray White supporting the development of big business, and the focus on growth via strategic mergers and acquisitions. With more than 50 agents already working across these key Sydney markets, Allen Yan said the decision to rebrand under the new name reflects both the business’s evolution and ambition.

Ray White Northern Beaches has acquired Ray White Palm Beach, marking a significant strategic milestone and the group’s fourth office opening in just nine months since launching. This deal effectively book-ends the Northern Beaches region, giving Ray White Northern Beaches an impressive geographic footprint spanning from Palm Beach to Manly, including thriving offices in Manly, Mona Vale, and Elanora Heights. Ray White Northern Beaches is led by David Walker and Charles Caravousanos, accomplished directors who also head up the highly successful Ray White Upper North Shore; a powerhouse network of six offices and the top performing business in the Ray White group nationwide.

Ray White Clare Valley | Barossa Valley, SA

South Australia’s two major wine regions have united under the Ray White banner. Longstanding Ray White Barossa Valley business owners Darren Pratt and Jamie Wood have taken over ownership of Ray White Clare Valley, alongside Connor Young, after Ray White Clare Valley’s Mark O’Meagher decided to take a step back and focus on listing and selling property. Mark, who has been part of the Clare Valley office for 13 years and owned it for the past five and a half years, said the change marks an exciting new chapter for the business.

Ray White Moorooka, QLD

Ray White Annerley business owners Geoff Sellars and Michele Cresswell have taken over ownership of Ray White Moorooka, while former Ray White Moorooka business owners Liz Cruze, Mark Kearns, and Michelle Huston will stay on in the business as salespeople in order to better focus on servicing their clients. Geoff, who has owned Ray White Annerley alongside Michele since 2011, said they are excited to grow their business into the neighbouring suburb and merge the two offices, while continuing to deliver outstanding service to the local community.

The group is thrilled to announce the re-launch of Ray White Forest Hill, marking the triumphant return of industry icons Marc Lum, Darryl Wickham and Ryan Zhu to the Ray White family. Dexter Prack continues to expands his dominant operations from Ray White Judd White. This strategic expansion brings together three powerhouses who have dominated the City of Monash and Glen Waverley markets, creating an 80-strong team that solidifies Ray White’s position as the market leader in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Ray White Arndell Park, NSW Ray White Gladstone, QLD

Ray White United Group has marked another major milestone officially opening the network’s newest office, Ray White Arndell Park. Led by Ray White United Group principal Peter Diamantidis, this latest addition is the seventh office as part of the group, cementing his team as one of the most dynamic forces in Sydney’s west. Since opening his first Ray White office in 2021 with just five staff, Peter has grown rapidly across Western Sydney, now with seven offices and more than 100 team members. With the opening of Ray White Arndell Park, he hopes to establish a strong reputation in the broader region.

Two of Gladstone’s most respected and highperforming real estate agencies, Ray White Gladstone and LOCATIONS estate agents, have officially merged, bringing together nearly 60 professionals in the biggest team the region has ever seen. This powerful union marks a new era for real estate in Gladstone, built on shared values, local pride, and a commitment to delivering even greater outcomes for the community. Known for its legacy of trust and strong customer service, the agency has been a pillar of the local market through every market cycle, under the leadership of Andrew Allen.

Ray White Shoalhaven Central Group, NSW

Ray White Shoalhaven Central Group is a strategic unification of five offices designed to significantly enhance their real estate presence across the entire Shoalhaven municipality. This powerful new group combines 30 highly skilled professionals and extends its reach from Bomaderry to Sussex Inlet, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the region. In a significant move, Julie Gauci has joined Craig Hadfield as a partner in the entire Shoalhaven Central Group, strengthening the leadership team and solidifying the business as one unit.

Ray White Forest Hill, VIC

Stories from our Ray White customer service superheroes

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

AGENT MAKES LIFE CHANGING PHONE CALL TO CEMENT CLIENT’S FUTURE

When Ray White Manukau agent Ash Singh listed the Papatoetoe unit of his client Alison, he knew this was an important sale for her, as she planned to make a move into a retirement village. When the sale price was not quite stacking up, Ash did all he could to make sure Alison’s move was as smooth as possible.

“My client, Alison, is an older woman who was selling her unit to move into a retirement village,” Ash said.

“The property went up for auction, but paused for negotiation for around three hours at a price that wasn’t quite enough to meet the price of the property she’d purchased at the retirement village.

“I jumped on the phone to the village she’d bought in and managed to renegotiate her purchase price.

“That gave her the flexibility to accept the offer on her Papatoetoe unit, which meant she could go ahead with the sale and make her final move.”

Alison’s words:

“Ash went above and beyond. Without him my house would not have sold. He explained everything at my speed, he didn’t push, and he settled all my doubts. I could not have asked for a better or nicer agent than Ash.”

AGENT ORGANISES ENTIRE MOVE FOR CLIENT

Ray White Christchurch City agent Rebecca Toone prides herself on her customer service, taking the best possible care of her clients, consistently receiving the most 10/10 reviews out of any Ray White agent.

In just one example of Rebecca’s outstanding customer service, she helped her client Beverley sell her Avonhead home ahead of a move to Blenheim, going above and beyond to assist her with the move.

“Beverley was relocating to Blenheim to live with her daughter, who unfortunately couldn’t be present for the move due to work commitments,” Rebecca said.

“I arranged for a moving company to meet her at the property and coordinated the packing, storage, and transport of the client’s belongings to Blenheim.

“I also organised cleaning, garden work, various repairs/maintenance and staging to get the home ready.

“Our client was able to make the move to Blenheim to be with her daughter without any stress or worry, knowing everything was being taken care of.”

Beverley’s words:

“Very friendly. Kept us up to date with how things were going. We were able to leave everything in her capable hands.”

AGENT SUPPORTS CLIENT’S GRANDPARENTS THROUGH 30-YEAR MOVE

Mitchell Klein of Ray White Callala Bay helped his client Fiona to organise her grandparents’ move, including helping to clean their house, earning a 10/10 review after selling their home of more than 30 years.

“I met Fiona last year around the middle of the year, she was looking after the estate of her grandparents Valerie and Ken, and I could quite clearly see she was under some pressure,” Mitchell said.

“She told me she’d be back down in November, which she was, I called to check-in and we met up again.

“The house needed some serious cleaning up and furniture removed, so I organised for my dad to handle the clean up as cheaply as possible as money was tight, and we both cleaned the property in preparation for sale.

“Each time Fiona was there, Valerie wanted to come over, so I’d make sure I was available to help her up the stairs and help walk her around.

“I met and helped Valerie on three occasions so she could spend time with her beloved home of 30+ years.”

Fiona’s words

“Mitchell has been amazing, from the first time we met for an appraisal, up to and after selling my grandparents property.

“This was hard for me, packing up the last 45 years of my grandparents’ life, and Mitchell just made everything so easy.

“I’m interstate and Mitch has gone above and beyond, to make things run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

“He helped me with cleaning up, gave me mountains of support, and went out of his way to help through the whole process.

“So incredibly thankful to have met, and worked with such an amazing young man. I highly recommend Mitchell to sell your property, you will not be disappointed.

“THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, I couldn’t have done it without your unconditional support.”

UNIQUE GIFT PROVIDES SELLER WITH CHERISHED KEEPSAKE OF 30-YEAR HOME

Ray White Holland Park principal Piers Crawford went above and beyond to create a beautiful settlement gift for his vendor, Anne. After selling her home of 30 years at auction, Piers knew she needed a sentimental reminder of her home, using his passion for architecture to organise a beautiful artwork.

“Many homes in our part of Brisbane are beautiful Queenslanders, which tend to draw a lot of admiration. In contrast, post-war homes often get a bit of a bad reputation. They’re seen as less desirable, with more value placed on the land than the dwelling itself, but this particular property was a great reminder that there’s real charm and potential in these homes,” Piers said.

“Anne, the owner, has lovingly maintained it for over 30 years, and her care and personal touches have kept it in immaculate condition.

“I’ve often thought about capturing some of the beautiful older homes we sell through drawings. My wife is an architect, and through her, I’ve come to appreciate the uniqueness of Queensland’s vernacular architecture.

“It’s also how I met Peter Richards, whose urban sketches I’ve followed for years. His hand-drawn work has a timeless, slightly imperfect, but deeply personal quality - much like this home. That’s what inspired the idea to capture this particular property in a sketch.

“From the moment I first met Anne, it was clear just how much this home meant to her. The pride she took in caring for it over the years was truly inspiring.

“These days, many people are quick to only ask, “Is it a knockdown?” or “Is it a Queenslander?”, but this home had soul. It reflected years of love, care, and a genuine connection to the place, showing off a side of Brisbane that’s often overlooked.

“Throughout the process, Anne placed her trust in my advice, and she was an absolute pleasure to work with. I’m so glad we were able to achieve a great outcome for her, helping her move on to the next chapter in the place she wanted to be.

“As a small gesture, I wanted to capture some of the energy and character she brought to the home over her 30 years in Holland Park, something she could take with her as a lasting reminder and keepsake.

“Receiving the sketch was an emotional moment when her tears welled up as the surprise sank in. It was truly special to witness, knowing we were able to genuinely move her with such a meaningful gift.”

Anne’s words:

“From my initial phone call to Piers to the finale on auction day, Piers was an absolute anchor for me as I embarked on the sale of my much loved home. Piers listened to my initial goals and was knowledgeable, honest, and reassuring in answering my many questions throughout the process. I very much appreciated Piers’ integrity and high standards.”

ACT OF KINDNESS MAKES BUYERS’ EXPERIENCE A PLEASANT ONE

Ray White Unley business owner Jason Mills wanted to make sure the property was perfect for his buyers when they moved into their new home, so when water started overflowing from the gutters during a huge downpour, he knew something had to be done.

“On the day of settlement, our sellers had vacated the property and there was still some junk left in the garage, and the gutters were full of leaves,” Jason said.

“It started raining so heavily that water was flooding everywhere after it overflowed from the gutters.

“We wanted to make sure our buyers had a nice experience and weren’t disappointed when they moved in that weekend, so it was just a matter of dipping into our pockets and organising someone to come out and clean up.

“A tradesperson we use regularly, Jeaninne, offered to come and help us, and brought her son in-law to climb up onto the roof. It was no easy task but they did a great job and everything was ready for our buyers to move in.”

After immigrating from Afghanistan, Ahmad Sultani is taking Christchurch by storm, becoming one of the city’s top performing real estate agents after just three years in the industry.

Ahmad and his family immigrated to Christchurch in 2009, after his aunt was already living in the area. From there, he had the challenging task of learning English, and settling into a new country.

But Ahmad has never shied away from a challenge. While he struggled at school due to English being his second language, and being diagnosed with dyslexia, he always had the gift of the gab when it came to sales.

“I used to import products from overseas and sell them online and at school,” Ahmad said.

“One really popular one was these little keychains. Everyone had them on their keys and valuable items.

“It became a bit of a trend!”

From there Ahmad moved onto selling cars which gave him his first real taste of sales and negotiation.

After he finished school, Ahmad knew university wasn’t for him, so he tried his hands at a few things before he found real estate.

“I tried a few jobs and lasted a week at plumbing and a week at building. None of it stuck,” he said.

“We had a family friend in real estate who offered me a chance to do a trial week with her.

“I didn’t have anything else to do, so I went along. I got halfway through the week and I was hooked.”

Once Ahmad finished up with his family friend, he reached out to Ray White Ferrymead, just a few days before Christmas.

“They asked me when I’d like to start, and I said ‘today’,” Ahmad said.

At 19 years old, Ahmad started his career in real estate, and just three years later he is the youngest Elite agent at Ray White in New Zealand, making him in the top three per cent of agents in Australasia.

But Ahmad didn’t downplay the hard work and perseverance involved to get to where he is today.

“If you’re going to do something, you’ve got to be the best at it.”

From keychains to house keys

Christchurch agent has a gift for sales

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

“I was young and didn’t have the network to get going. It was really tough,” he said.

“In the first six months I didn’t sell anything at all, but then one came from a DL, one came from a cold call, one came from a door knock.

“I sold 16 homes in the first year.”

Now, three years and two months later, Ahmad has just sold his 100th home.

“If you’re going to do something, you’ve got to be the best at it,” Ahmad said.

“I’ve always loved sports, but I stopped playing cricket because I was never going to be a professional. But with real estate I’ve really got a crack at being the best, and I’m willing to put in the work for it.”

Despite his competitive nature, Ahmad’s number one concern is providing the best results for his clients, driven by a real passion for helping people.

“You’re selling someone’s biggest asset so they’re giving you their trust, and I take serious responsibility for that,” he said.

“I treat everyone’s assets the same, whether it sells for $300,000 or

$2 million, I give everyone the same high level of service.”

In just three short years, Ahmad has achieved a level of success that many agents strive for.

“My priorities are always to do the basics. From 9-12 every day I focus on making my phone calls,” Ahmad said.

“We can get distracted really easily, but it’s important to follow up and look after your clients. It’s about being consistent.

“Having the Ray White brand behind me has really helped as well, especially when I was just starting out.

“People hear Ahmad Sultani from Ray White, and they immediately know Ray White is a reputable brand.”

This year, Ahmad hired an assistant to help support him, and he hopes to continue to grow his team, and his business, over the next 12 months.

“I am hoping to become a Chairman’s Elite this financial year and reach the top one per cent of Ray White agents nationally.

“When someone thinks about real estate, great results, and best-inclass service, they think to sell it with Sultani.”

Auction shakes the Queensland Firebirds home game

BY ISABELLE WALKER

At a packed Queensland Firebirds home game, the energy on court wasn’t the only thing grabbing attention. During half time, the spotlight shifted to Tiera Butkus, head of growth for Ray White Queensland, who brought her signature flair for engagement to the stadium. Known for her dynamic presence and ability to connect with people, Tiera took to the stands with a challenge for the fans in attendance: an impromptu live auction.

Rather than selling a house, though, she flipped the concept on its head. Tiera announced she would be auctioning off $500 to one lucky member of the crowd. Entire sections of fans leapt to their feet, waving their arms and cheering to catch her attention as she worked the crowd with the energy of a seasoned entertainer.

It wasn’t just a giveaway; it was an activation designed to spark excitement, build brand visibility, and create a shared memory that fans would talk about long after the final whistle. Tiera’s auction brought strangers together, filling the arena with laughter, chants, and good-natured competition. When the winner was finally announced, the roar rivalled that of a Firebirds goal.

BY SOPHIE MURPHY

Ray White Queensland recently partnered with Netball Queensland to run a competition at state carnivals, giving entrants the chance to win a set of post pads for their local association.

One of our lucky winners nominated the Biloela Netball Association, and the Ray White Biloela team was proud to present the new post pads to the club. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community spirit and support the growth of grassroots sport in the region.

Pictured; Kaydi-Lee Chessells, Tracey Goltz-Kidd, Alyssa Maher (winner) and Gaye Fraser (Vice President Biloela Netball Association).

Biloela Netball

gems PM

Stories from our Ray White property management superheroes

BY NINA CLARKE

THE STEP-IN PLANT PARENT

SUE FISHER - RAY WHITE MAROOCHYDORE, QLD

Sue Fisher, who manages a fully furnished property in Birtinya, consistently goes above and beyond in her role, demonstrating exceptional care for both her tenants and investors. Recently, her thoughtful and considerate nature was evident when her tenants, preparing for a sixweek vacation, were concerned about the well-being of their beloved plants.

A STORY BEHIND EVERY DOOR

RILEY COX - RAY WHITE SOUTH WOLLONGONG, NSW

“I recently attended a routine property inspection for one of my tenants, a lovely woman in her 70s who lives on her own.

I always make a point to take my time during these visits, not just to check the property, but to have a chat with her about what she’s been up to or watching lately.

KINDNESS, GRIT AND TIP RUNS

EBONIE KEMP - RAY WHITE BURPENGARY EAST, QLD

“Ebonie Kemp, a property manager in our office at Ray White Burpengary East, very frequently gets five star reviews for ‘going above and beyond’ for tenants and landlords.

Understanding the importance of these plants to the tenants, Sue didn’t hesitate to offer her assistance. She kindly took the plants home with her, ensuring they were properly cared for during the tenants’ absence. In addition to her compassion for the tenants, Sue’s commitment to safeguarding the investor’s property was also highlighted when Cyclone Alfred was forecast to approach.

Recognising the potential threat to the property, Sue proactively took the necessary steps to protect it. She carefully ensured that all outdoor items were securely brought inside,

I know that living alone can sometimes feel isolating, and a friendly conversation can mean a lot. As I was wrapping up the inspection and getting ready to leave, she kindly asked if I’d stay and talk for a bit. Since it was my last appointment for the day, I was more than happy to sit with her for a while.

We settled on the couch, and she shared stories about moving to Australia from Lebanon in the 1970s with her late husband, and how they built a life and raised a family here.

One example of this is when a tenant had a sudden death in the immediate family, Ebonie sent them flowers. She did this on her own accord and with her own money, we wouldn’t have even known if she didn’t get a review after.

There was also a situation where a tenant left the gardens of the home ridiculously overgrown and left

preventing them from being damaged or causing any harm during the storm. She also thoroughly checked that all windows were tightly closed to minimise the risk of water damage and ensure the property would remain intact in the face of the storm’s harsh conditions.

Sue’s dedication to her role is truly remarkable. Her proactive and thoughtful approach not only reflects her deep care for her tenants’ needs but also her unwavering commitment to the protection and maintenance of the investor’s property.

She’s lived in the area ever since, though most of her family now lives closer to Sydney, and she doesn’t get to see them as often as she’d like. It was such a heartfelt and meaningful conversation.

Moments like these remind me how important it is to take the time to connect with people - not just as tenants, but as individuals with rich lives and stories to share.”

furniture on the lawn when they vacated and refused to go back.

Ebonie and her kids went to the home that weekend and cleared it all themselves and did multiple tip runs to help the landlord that lived interstate to ensure it was ready to run open homes for, rather than the landlord having to pay for junk clearing companies that were expensive.”

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PM AND SALES

ALAIN L’HOMME - RAY WHITE MAROOCHYDORE, QLD

“As someone who has been in the property management industry for over 26 years, I’ve always taken pride in building strong, trusting relationships with investors.

This week, I had a moment that truly reminded me why I love what I do. Hayden, one of our rising stars in the sales team, surprised me with a bottle of whiskey, a thoughtful gesture that left me both humbled and proud.

WHEN LIFE CHANGED OVERNIGHT, THIS PM MADE SURE HOME DID TOO

AVA HINDSLIVING HERE CUSH PARTNERS, QLD

“We had a wonderful, long term tenant who had some unfortunate health complications, and became an amputee. She needed to vacate her current rental as it was no longer accessible for her.

One of our PM’s navigated a mutual termination with the current landlord. We

Hayden recently secured a listing after going up against agents from other agencies. What made the difference?

The investor chose to list with Hayden because of their experience working with me as their property manager.

To know that my commitment to providing the best service helped influence such a significant decision is incredibly rewarding. It also highlights the incredible synergy we have as a team at Ray White.

When property management and sales work hand in hand, it creates a seamless experience for our clients, and this is a perfect example of that

8 FLOORS, 15 HOMES, 3 INCREDIBLE PROPERTY MANAGERS

RAY WHITE 360 PROPERTY MANAGEMENTMANUKAU, NZ

Earlier this year, an eight-storey apartment building experienced a catastrophic flood. Water poured from the top floor, affecting every apartment below and rendering the entire building uninhabitable.

While all units were impacted, we managed 15 of the affected apartments - looked after by our incredible team members: Jacqui Kendall, Gabrielle Dally, and Viv Lum. Despite already carrying full portfolios, these three rose to the occasion.

also found the tenant another and more accessfriendly property in New Farm, a few minutes away.

We found it through our agency and it was leased to her off market, saving that landlord marketing costs and the current tenants the disruption of open inspections etc.

It was a good, wholesome, feel-good arrangement that offered wins all round and we were able to really help a tenant through a challenging time.”

in action. As a business, we sell over 70 per cent of our listings internally, which speaks volumes about the relationships we build and the pride we take in our work.

It’s moments like this that reinforce why I love being part of this team. This success is a team effort, and I’m so proud to be part of it!”

They were onsite helping tenants who had just minutes to gather what they could. With strict body corporate access rules in place, Jacqui, Gabby, and Viv climbed up and down eight floors to assist tenants with salvaging belongings, arranging emergency accommodation, and providing calm support in the chaos.

Thanks to their quick thinking and empathy, several tenants were successfully rehoused into other rentals with us. They also worked closely with affected owners, helping them navigate complex insurance and body corporate claims, while ensuring clear and compassionate communication throughout.

This is property management at its best - not just solving problems, but truly looking after people when it matters most. We’re incredibly proud to have them on our team.

Ray White Victoria puts property managers centre stage

BY NINA CLARKE

More than 170 Ray White property professionals from across Victoria and Tasmania gathered to celebrate National Property Managers Day, recognising the contribution, grit and leadership of the people who keep the rental market running.

Opening the event, Lauren Macpherson, head of property management for Ray White Victoria, set the tone with a powerful and humorous keynote that struck a chord with everyone in the room.

“It’s fantastic to see so many amazing and dedicated property managers. The backbone of our industry, our unsung heroes,” she said.

“Let’s be real, our wins aren’t always loud. We’re not popping champagne every time someone signs a lease. But we still show up. We lead. We support each other. We problem-solve. And that is true leadership.”

From the Collingwood Football Club, Kate Frazer, head of wellbeing and player development for the AFLW program, and Charlie Gardiner, executive general manager of football, shared their philosophies on culture, pressure, and performance.

“Everyone is a leader, whether you have a title or not,” Charlie said. “You don’t need to feel 100 per cent to perform. You just need to show up with what you’ve got.”

He emphasised the importance of support systems: “We don’t want players thinking about payroll. They need to focus on performance.”

Kate Frazer, known for her candid and passionate approach to athlete wellbeing, offered reflections that resonated deeply with the room. “Connect before content,” she said. “Those little moments of connection help you get through the day to day.” With a strong focus on energy and boundaries, she added, “I don’t believe in sacrifice, I believe in choice. That’s how I show up with balance and energy.”

“I don’t believe in sacrifice, I believe in choice. That’s how I show up with balance and energy.”

Another standout voice was Sophie Anapliotis, a property manager since 2010 who launched her own agency - Element Property Network - in 2021. Now leading a growing team in Geelong, Sophie is also a passionate mental health advocate. She encouraged attendees to be intentional in how they show up to their work and life. “Happiness is a choice. It’s something we create,” she said. “We attract the energy we put out - both positive and negative.” Sophie challenged the room to reflect on their mindset: “Is this just a job or is it a career for you? That’s the question.”

The leadership panel, moderated by Alana Bess from Ray White Victoria, brought together two of the network’s most respected leaders, Lauren Macpherson and Alex Mees, department head at Ray White Southbank.

“Culture isn’t just what’s written on the wall. It’s living the example you set.”

“Culture isn’t just what’s written on the wall. It’s living the example you set,” Alex Mees said.

With over 61,000 rental properties under Ray White Victoria and Tasmania’s management, the team tackles an enormous volume of work - including, as Lauren Macpherson playfully noted, “59,000 maintenance requests this week alone, 12,000 blocked toilets and 3,000 pet applications, including the occasional pony. I mean, really, where would the world be without us?”

“You don’t just ‘manage property’. You manage expectations, timelines, personalities, and occasionally, the odd possum in the roof.”

‘Code Red’ session equips PMs for high-stakes scenarios

BY NINA CLARKE

Over 70 top-performing property management professionals from across Queensland came together for a powerful and practical professional development day, designed specifically for leaders in the industry.

The “Code Red” training session was hosted by Brittany Krebs and Felicity Ervin from Ray White Queensland’s property management leadership team, along with head of client relations Angus Mead, focusing on managing high-conflict scenarios, complaints, and compliance under pressure.

The name “Code Red” was no accident, the event tackled real-world, high-stakes situations that property managers face all too often. With the room full of business leaders, heads of departments and experienced PMs, it was a day of deep learning, open sharing and solution-focused conversation.

Angus Mead kicked off the session with a candid look into his journey through the network - and how his role now centres on helping offices deliver a high level of customer experiences, especially during moments of tension or conflict.

“Good communication is the biggest tool we have.” Angus Mead

“Good communication is the biggest tool we have,” Angus said. “If you can pick up the phone early, and be open and honest, you can diffuse most issues before they snowball. Nipping a problem in the bud is key.”

Smoke alarm compliance was another hot topic, with Marco Di Benedetto from DC Smoke Services delivering an expert session on best practice and common compliance blind spots.

“Every property must be reviewed on its own merits - never assume it’s up to standard,” Marco said. “When a red flag comes up, address it immediately. Communicate with your landlords and tenants, and never be afraid to seek help or escalate.”

He also spoke about managing landlords who resist professional compliance services: “Push back. Give them the facts, the forms, and a clear picture of their obligations. Don’t compromise on safety - even if it means losing a listing.”

Attendees of the day reflected on the power of connection over lunch. “Everyone has been through different experiences, but the themes are the same.

I’ve had my eyes opened today learning how others handle situations,” said Elly McCullock from Ray White West End.

“Today gave me such a sense of self-confidence. It validated that I’m on the right track and ready to tackle the tough stuff,” said her colleague Samira Dowlati. “I’ve worked across three states, and I truly believe we’re lucky to be part of the Ray White network here in Queensland.”

Ava Hinds from Living Here Cush Partners also reflected on the powerful female leadership on display. “It was amazing to see how many incredible women are leading the charge in property management. Our organisation, our ability to multitask - it’s a superpower. And today really reminded me: you get out what you put in.”

Projects celebrate strong national momentum

BY NINA CLARKE

We shine a spotlight on a series of recent achievements from Ray White Projects across Australia, as their teams continue to deliver standout results for developers and buyers.

Ray White Projects Canberra recently marked a milestone with the successful launch of The Grande, a premium development by Geocon. The unveiling of the stunning new display suite drew a strong crowd of prospective buyers and stakeholders, reflecting significant interest in this landmark project.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and excitement surrounding The Grande,” said Ray White Projects Canberra director Scott Jackson. “Buyers are responding to the unique blend of location, quality, and lifestyle on offer.”

In South Australia, Ray White Projects has celebrated the sell-out success of two signature developments.

Mariso, an exclusive esplanade development featuring four luxurious townhouses (pictured below), achieved a total sales value of $8,232,500, with 796 inquiries recorded throughout the campaign.

“Mariso’s success is a true testament to the calibre of the development and the exceptional work of our team. It highlights the strong appetite for premium, coastal living in South Australia,” said Jed Redden from the Ray White Projects SA team.

In Sturt, the team achieved an extraordinary result at Bradman Street, selling out all seven brand-new, singlestorey homes in just 2.5 weeks. 4–4F Bradman Street, attracted 38 offers from 77 interested groups, underscoring the strong market demand for quality new builds.

SYDNEY

In Sydney, Ray White Projects has reached major sales milestones at the Centennial Collection having officially sold out all three-bedroom apartments and Sky Homes, with just four two-bedroom apartments and subpenthouses remaining.

“We’ve seen incredible demand, especially for the larger residences. Buyers are looking for spacious, high-end living close to the city, and Centennial delivers exactly that,” said Marcello Bo, Ray White Projects NSW.

Excitement is also building in Cremorne, with the launch of the boutique Adorn development. This exclusive collection of 13 residences was unveiled during a high-energy opening event that marked the first public showcase of the display suite.

“Adorn represents a new level of elegance and design in Cremorne,” said Eddie Mansour, managing partner of Ray White Projects. “We’ve already seen strong early interest, and the display suite launch has only added to the momentum.”

INSIDE THE ENGINE ROOM

Culture as a competitive advantage at Ray White Double Bay

BY ISABELLE WALKER

Sydney’s eastern suburbs are synonymous with prestige, competition, and property excellence. Elliott Placks and the team at Ray White Double Bay were recently behind a $110m double deal in the blue-ribbon seat of Vaucluse, representing two of the highest sales in the country this year.

But behind every headline sale and recordbreaking result is a culture built on discipline, care, and strategy.

At the helm of one of Ray White’s most successful businesses, Ray White Double Bay, Elliott Placks and Warren Ginsberg offer insight into what it takes to thrive in one of the country’s most competitive markets. This is the team’s blueprint for success, delving into both market performance tactics and the cultural foundation that powers their 80-person strong team.

Driving performance in Australia’s most competitive market

With a clear goal to be “the number one business across the Ray White network,” Elliott and Warren take a process-driven approach to performance. Weekly sales meetings track not only revenue, but granular daily activities, tracking calls made, appraisals booked, and check-ins.

The team relies heavily on NurtureCloud, Ray White’s agent operating system, for their culture of accountability.

“We’re doing the calls and seeing the logs. If someone isn’t on track, we call it out in meetings,” Elliott explained.

“Plus, as principals who still list and sell, we have to lead from the front. When agents see us present every day, making calls and listing properties, they take their own performance more seriously.”

Elliott and Warren understand the importance of balancing individual and team goals as a signpost to drive performance. Underpinning this approach are regular one-to-one check-ins and KPIs to ensure performance and development. They also gamify associate development, with call competitions and performance-based bonuses to boost morale and encourage focus.

Building a high-performance culture: systems, values, and people

Performance doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the byproduct of a well-structured, deeply aligned team.

“We have a strong philosophy of being a team. There’s a no ‘dickhead’ policy,” Warren said.

“Everyone helps each other,” he continued. “Sales, marketing, leasing, property management, finance. Our approach is holistic. It’s not separate little businesses, it’s one family. Cross-departmental referrals and support systems are the standard, not the exception.”

Elliott knows that the pathway to being a successful agent varies and you don’t have to have a bumper resume.

“I’m less focused on degrees and more on energy and work ethic,” he said.

“We focus on clear career progression. Associates can become agents, then senior agents, associate directors, directors and then principals. Nurturing talent is as important as nurturing our customers, so we can continue to deliver great service.”

Warren agreed. “We implement weekly training sessions, external coaches (like Mark McLeod, Ray White Head of Strategy - Real Estate), and principal-led mentorship, reinforcing our standards and offering constant growth,” he said.

Creating energy is one thing. Sustaining it is another. From EOFY parties to awards, to wellbeing days and sporting events, celebrations are essential. All team members benefit from a culture of recognition.

In addition to training and events, the team implements quarterly feedback surveys to assess wellbeing and performance - and whether the two are aligned. The forms also ask questions about leadership, enabling structured cultural audits. Underperformance, Elliott and Warren iterated, was addressed collaboratively and not punitively.

Like any high-growth business, they’ve had to make hard decisions.

“There were times we had to choose culture over performance, and let some staff members go,” Elliott admits, referring to previous culture-damaging team members.

“Now we’ve got 80 staff who love where we’re headed.”

Culture as the competitive advantage

In the Double Bay real estate market, performance is expected. For top businesses, culture is a competitive advantage. For Elliott and Warren, high performance isn’t a happy accident; it’s a deliberate result of leadership, structure, and care. From mentoring associates to making tough culture calls, their success proves one thing: when a business is aligned in vision, values, and activity, the results follow.

Ray White Double Bay embarks on a new chapter with landmark new office

BY ISABELLE WALKER

Ray White Double Bay has officially entered a new era, unveiling its upgraded office space that brings together all facets of the business under one roof. Years in the making, the move represents both a response to past uncertainty and a bold step toward the future.

“This move has been in the making for years. Initially prompted by the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, it evolved into a strategic decision to futureproof our operations and elevate our presence. While the timing wasn’t initially deliberate, the result has been a timely, considered investment in the next chapter of our business,” the team explained.

The relocation unites five divisions - sales, property management, projects, commercial, and loan market - into a single, purpose-designed environment.

“Bringing all five businesses under one roof fosters greater synergy, communication, and alignment. It’s more than just a shared workspace, it’s a unified environment that enhances collaboration, allowing us to work smarter and faster for our clients.”

The impact on culture has been immediate.

“It’s a game-changer,” the team said. “Being physically connected fosters a stronger team culture, more dynamic energy, and a shared sense of purpose. There’s real excitement around the opportunities this environment creates for learning, innovation, and shared success.”

Clients will also see the difference. “It will elevate customer service by streamlining our operations and enhancing communication between departments; we can deliver a more seamless, responsive, and sophisticated client experience. Clients benefit from having all facets of their property journey supported in one place.”

The business partnered with renowned architect Bruce Stafford to design the building’s exterior, and Mosh Projects brought the interior to life, focusing on warmth, elegance, and intelligent functionality. The vision was inspired by the sails of Sydney Harbour, symbolising movement, ambition, and iconic design.

“The new space not only reflects who we are today, but it also sets the tone for where we’re heading. It embodies our commitment to leadership, innovation, and delivering an unmatched experience in Sydney’s real estate market. It’s a proud moment for our team and a strong signal to the market that Ray White Double Bay is here to lead.”

Samuel’s gruelling 85km mental health trek to help others

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Melbourne real estate agent Samuel Paton raised more than $11,000 for charity by lacing up his running shoes for a gruelling 85km trek across South Australia to help others facing mental health issues.

Samuel, a director at Ray White Marion in Adelaide, has struggled with mental health issues including low moods, stress and anxiety since he was in his 20s and said running helped him cope.

On 13 July, Samuel embarked on a 85km run from Middleton to Glenelg, which was set to be his “biggest ever physical challenge”.

As part of his trek, he raised more than $11,600 thanks to the generosity of colleagues within the Ray White Group, as well as close friends and family.

He completed the run to promote mental health awareness and to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute, a mental health organisation.

“I had my first bout of depression in my mid-20s and it was around this time that I really dove into running, using it as a regular tool to remain positive and stay on top of my challenges,” Samuel said.

With the busy life he leads with work and four children under the age of five, including a set of twins born last year, Samuel said most of his training was done at night or very early in the morning.

“This run represents the long road that so many walk everyday, often quietly and often alone,” Samuel said. “It’s tough, it’s isolating, and it takes everything you’ve got.

“By donating you will be supporting the Black Dog Institute’s incredible work in research, early intervention, education and support services, helping to improve the lives of people living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and suicide risk.”

“When I first started in real estate, I worked 80 hours per week,” Samuel said.

“I was hungry and worked as much as I could. This ensured I had a reasonable level of success quite quickly, but it also meant that I danced with burnout.

“When my daughter Poppy was born, we were doing between 95-110 deals per year and this provided a really comfortable level of income for us.

“I decided at that point in time that I didn’t really need to earn more money but I did need more time to spend helping out at home, and spending time with my kids.”

He said: “Over the past five to six years, all the tweaks and improvements I have made in my business have allowed me to sell the same number of homes each year, provide the same level of excellent service, and have more time to spend with my family”.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with some extremely caring people during my time at Ray White,” said Samuel, who has become one of South Australia’s top agents.

After a high achieving eight-year career in the Royal Australian Navy, Samuel has worked at Ray White since 2016, and felt proud to open his own business (Ray White Marion) last year.

“The navy was challenging because of the time away from home, the management style of supervisors, the lack of freedom and control I had,” Samuel said.

“But there was a lot of good stuff as well. The friendships I formed, the life experience, the travel, the discipline and structure I learned.”

Samuel encouraged others to be vulnerable and open about what they are going through in life.

“Trying to cope by yourself is far more difficult than if you have support around you,” he said.

Samuel said it wasn’t just running that made him feel positive.

This run represents the long road that so many walk everyday, often quietly and often alone.

“My wife Kate and kids Poppy, Max, Fred and Darcy, give me the greatest purpose and motivation in life and running,” he said.

“I talk to friends and family, I eat sweet treats, I do online shopping, lego, colouring in and journalling too.”

He said he was excited for his upcoming run, having already clocked more than 1,500km this year, thanks to his running coach Ben Groth from Run The North and nutritionist Kate Feeley from Fitness With Food.

Samuel said the most challenging part of the run was the heavy headwind that he ran into almost all day.

“I also had to detour a few times due to road/path closures which added another 350m of elevation,” he said.

“Now that the run is done I’m itching a little bit to set another goal.

“At the same time though, I feel like having a bit of time to rest wouldn’t be the worst thing.

“I have the Queenstown Marathon booked for November but am also contemplating whether to try a 100km run in the meantime.”

NurtureCloud real-time data gets the thumbs up from sellers

BY RESHNI RATNAM AND ALEX TILBURY

NurtureCloud’s client portal provides our sellers with real-time information of all aspects of their sales campaign which ensures total transparency with detailed buyer feedback after open homes to activity on the portals.

Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont principal Vivien Yap said it was important for the seller to be able to see the reach of our network for themselves, and secure the knowledge that their words are backed by tangible data.

She said in the past, agents have not been equipped with the technology to provide the answer to these questions with the immediacy and completeness that their clients would like.

Seller Damian, who purchased a home at Wembley in Western Australia before subdividing and developing the site, said property development had become a passion project alongside his fulltime work.

Although he was away for work during the July auction, Damian was thrilled to be part of the action over the phone, while his proud mum and dad attended in person.

His house sold under the hammer for $2.53 million and had five registered bidders, and three active.

“The online client portal is a great addition which I found useful. For me as a seller, aside from what I was getting from the agent, I would receive regular updates post open homes and was able to read potential buyer comments,” Damian said.

“Not only was Vivien up front and honest throughout the whole process, but also her access to leading interior designers and staging, truly lifted the appeal of my home to a bespoke level.”

“The online client portal is a great addition which I found useful. For me as a seller, aside from what I was getting from the agent, I would receive regular updates post open homes and was able to read potential buyer comments.”

After living at 2/470 Pacific Highway Lindfield for around 25 years, Merridee and Michael, decided to sell their home with Ray White Upper North Shore agent Jessica Cao.

Merridee described taking the leap to sell after such a long time as “traumatic” but said having access to an online portal via NurtureCloud provided real-time updates on how their campaign was progressing, and enabled them to view your weekly reports.

“It was so great to see the individual feedback from buyers,” Merridee said.

“Jessica and her team supported us very well with the advice she gave us but having that buyer feedback meant we were ready to change things if we needed to.

“The data gave us indepth details and a report every week plus we had the verbal report from Jess too.”

Merridee said it was “reassuring” to see how many people had walked through their doors during the open home inspections.

After 12 years, Mark and Petrina Weatherstone sold their investment property at 1/17 Great George Street, Paddington in August with the help of Ray White Paddington’s Judi O’Dea.

“Today’s result really exceeded our expectations,” Petrina said.

“When we bought this property, we thought the character and lifestyle would be great, and it would be easy to rent - and it was.

Petrina said the client portal, NurtureCloud, gave them realtime updates about the property which stopped them “hounding” their agent Judi.

“It was great to see the numbers, who was coming through inspections and I liked the report which was actual verbatim or what people had to say about the property,” she said.

The couple said they enjoyed some champagne together shortly after their auction success.

Meanwhile in South Australia, vendor Leah said although the sale of 5A Birdwood Avenue in Frewville was a short campaign, the NurtureCloud tool was a huge selling point.

Ray White Burnside sales executive Damien Fong sold Leah’s house for $1.425 million in June via auction.

Leah said although she was time poor during the campaign, Damien sent her regular updates regarding open home attendance rates and information regarding buyer interest.

“When I was shown what NutureCloud could produce in terms of reporting, that was a big deal,” she said.

“I had been looking to buy a house before selling and no one ever followed up, until I signed with Ray White.

“I could tell the service was exceptional. Damien kept me up-to-date verbally, kept in touch regularly and we formed a great relationship.”

“It was great to see the numbers, who was coming through inspections and I liked the report which was actual verbatim or what people had to say about the property.”

After owning 27 George Street, Parkside since 1969, 90-year-old Pasquale Parente watched his villa sell under the hammer for $1.41 million in August.

Deborah Parente was by her uncle’s side at the auction which attracted a crowd of around 20 people.

Pasquale sold his original four-bedroom one-bathroom sandstone-fronted property after moving to a nursing home just three months ago and said he was happy with today’s result.

Deborah also raved about the NurtureCloud portal, describing it as “fantastic”.

“I used it to see how many views we had on the property and any comments that people who attended the open homes had left - it was very helpful,” she said.

“When I was shown what NurtureCloud could produce in terms of reporting, that was a big deal.”

Seller Barry Bolton, 74, said his mother immigrated to Australia from a small town called County Cavan in Ireland back in 1927, arriving by boat with her family.

Ray White Aspley’s Dwight Colbert recently sold 16 Childs Street, Bracken Ridge for Barry who described him as a “true professional”.

“He called us every single day and we had texts from him daily. He is upfront and honest and very realistic, and so proficient at what he does,” Barry said.

Ray White Burnside agent Nick Griguol knew he had to deliver a good result for his brother James and sister-in-law Emma.

“Talk about pressure. I had my parents there and Emma’s parents were there too,” he said.

The home 27 Cedar Avenue, Campbelltown sold under the hammer for $1.185 million, with a whopping 12 registered bidders and eight active bidders competing for the keys.

Seller James Griguol and his wife Emma said they couldn’t be happier with the service they received from Ray White.

“You can see that the team at Ray White Burnside knew exactly what they were doing as they priced the house perfectly, which got a lot of people through the home and that then created competition at auction,” he said.

“This was our first time selling a home and while it was a stressful experience, we received a lot of confidence and assurances from Nick and Brandon.

“The technology on offer at Ray White was amazing,” James said.

“We loved the client portal where we could track the number of online views our house had and it was well into the thousands, plus we could read all the buyer feedback that had been entered after each open home.

“What a cool piece of tech.

“We loved these insights which put us into the best position to sell today.

“People often don’t like talking but it was great to see all the stats and metrics live on the screen anytime we wanted.”

“We loved the client portal where we could track the number of online views our house had and it was well into the thousands, plus we could read all the buyer feedback that had been entered after each open home.”

Sellers Brooke and Alex and their three children sold their home at 33 Monica Avenue, Hassall Grove after having close to 80 people attend the inspections during a 3.5 week campaign.

They described Ray White United Group’s Meshel Bahnam as a “great agent”.

“We had so much feedback from Mesh too. We could call him and no question was too big or too small,” they said.

“We kept checking how many people viewed our home on the portals. The data available was amazing.

“He never ghosted us or dismissed any questions. We had never sold before so for us it was a big deal and now we are broadening our search for our new home. We are looking as far as Lake Macquarie and now we have a bigger budget to spend.”

AUCTION TRUE BELIEVERS 2024/25

Auctioneering is at the heart of Ray White and we have an extra special recognition for its most dedicated auction professionals.

Ray White booked almost 19,000 auctions across Australia and New Zealand and cleared 62 per cent in the year to 30 June 2025, and the volume was some 3.5 per cent lower than the year before as listings eased.

In 2024/25, some 108 members were named in Ray White’s prestigious Tony Fountain Auction Excellence Recognition program in honour of a great man who was known as a fearless and relentless auctioneer.

There have only been 154 recipients of the Tony Fountain award since its inception on 1 July 2022.

Ray White Chairman Brian White AO described Tony Fountain as a “legend”.

Over his 52 year career, Tony conducted more than 35,000 auctions across Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. He passed away in 2018, aged 72.

Tony was one of the greatest auctioneers in Australia and Ray White members were fortunate to have had his services Australia-wide.

The commitment to auctions has been one of the most important reasons why Ray White has become market leaders throughout Australia and New Zealand.

This award is open to auction agents, not auctioneers.

The criteria to qualify for the Tony Fountain Auction Excellence Recognition program was they must conduct 40 auctions a year; and maintain a minimum 50 per cent internal auction share. A separate criteria applies for Western

BY ALEX TILBURY

Australia where agents must conduct 20 auctions in this developing auction market.

We hope that Tony’s fervour and commitment to the auction process will continue to inspire further auction excellence among our group.

Ray White South Australia Chief Auctioneer John Morris said he was extremely proud of having played a part in the inception of the award and auctions in his state.

We are so proud of all of our auction squad.

Hats off to Ethan Petrie of Ray White West End who conducted 152 auctions in 2024/25, capping his career top date at now 293 and counting. His personal clearance rate in 2024/25 was 72 per cent.

When asked what one auction stood out the most to him was the campaign for 2607/66 Hope Street, South Brisbane.

His seller approached him after having an extremely poor experience with another property.

“With another property already purchased, they were under pressure to sell within a specific timeframe and achieve a premium price that had been promised - but ultimately not delivered - by earlier agents. They were hesitant about going to auction,” Ethan said.

“After a few weeks on the market with a fixed price and several low offers, we pivoted to a two-week auction campaign which resulted in a successful sale under the hammer for $1,500,000 for the two bedroom apartment.”

The buyers were local and already owned an apartment nearby. They had been attending Ray White West

Trish Orrico Ray White Craigieburn 104 auctions

End open homes for over six months in search of the right upgrade.

“The moment they stepped into this apartment, they knew it was the onenot just for the property itself, but for the lifestyle it offered,” he said.

“This campaign was a great reminder of the power of a well-executed auction strategy, and the trust that can be built by guiding clients through a challenging process with clarity and confidence.”

The amazing Trish Orrico from Ray White Craigieburn conducted 104 auctions in the 2024/25 year (in her signature yellow heels) and cleared a whopping 89.7 per cent.

The unstoppable Melbourne agent has run 950 auctions in total in her career. Her favourite auction of the year was 29 Paroo Ave, Roxburgh Park which sold for $675,000 and Trish almost put her body on the line to get the deal done!

“The owner was an elderly lady who needed to downsize and it took her kids a long time to convince her to sell. We had multiple bidders on the day, and at one point the underbidder jumped in his car to leave and so I kept calling the auction in the middle of the road! He ended up bidding again but another bidder bid above him and then I had to move out of the way!”

Ethan Petrie Ray White West End 152 auctions

In Brisbane, Alistair Macmillan of Ray White Wilston completed 51 auctions in 2024/25 with an impressive 94 per cent personal clearance rate with an average of seven registered bidders. He’s booked more than 750 auction campaigns in his stellar career to date.

Alistair loves the structure of the process and the confidence that owners receive knowing that they have the best chance of achieving the price they want within the next few weeks.

“I like auctions for the certainty of the sale proceeding without the chance of it falling through with conditions, and owners having every opportunity to secure the best possible price in the market,” he said.

“My favourite auction of the year took place at 15 Armentieres St, Kedron. “I had sold this home three times before, but my daughters mentioned they couldn’t recall me calling an auction.

“Knowing that this one would attract significant interest, I decided to take the reins myself. It had been over a year since I last called an auction, so I was understandably nervous.

“Fortunately, the weather was perfect for an on-site auction, and we had a large crowd of around 70 people, including two new business owners who had never seen me in action, my three daughters, and 15 registered bidders.

“The auction was lively and competitive, culminating in a fantastic sale price.

“What made this auction particularly memorable wasn’t just the success of having my kids there, but the fact that, in my nervousness, I had mismatched my suit - wearing a jacket and pants that didn’t go together.

“Both Mitch and Christian, the new business owners, noticed this, as did my family, but none of them said anything beforehand, thinking it might distract me. We all shared a good laugh about it after the auction!”

Ray White Mt Gravatt principal Grant Boman personally had booked 47 auctions last financial year, and sold 45 of them for a 96 per cent clearance rate.

“I would say I have sold more than 700 homes at auction personally and called thousands since 2004,”

His favourite auction sale of the year was at 68 Marawah St, Burbank.

“This was the first time I had sold an acreage as Marawah Farm was 26 acres. The client was an existing one of mine, a retired judge and it had been their family home for more than 30 years. They were downsizing to an apartment.” he said.

Grant reached out to Rhondda Arnetz from Ray White Rural to work with him and it was a wonderful partnership.

“It certainly got the vendors an outstanding result and something no other agent could offer them.

The property was sold at auction at my office at Mt Gravatt, with 14 registered bidders for $3.185 million. The buyers were a local couple from Mt Gravatt in the medical field and wanted something to get away from the business of the city but still close enough for work etc. They are currently working on an extensive renovation.”

To Jessica Cao of the Upper North Shore, the recognition meant more to her than anything.

Jess, who booked 42 in the financial year, has sold 120 in her career to date with a 91 per cent clearance and 4.4 average bidders at her auctions.

Her favourite auction of the year was 21 Karoo Ave, Lindfield which sold for $3.796 million last December with five registered bidders and three active bidders.

Tightly held for 40 years, the five bedroom property was designed by Michael Dysart whose notable works include Urambi Village and Wybalena Grove. Michael Dysart is a leading practitioner of the late twentieth century Sydney regional style of architecture.

“The bidding started at $2.5 million and was slow to start, but once it got underway, the bids started coming and it flew past the reserve,” Jess said.

“There were three active bidders, one was a developer but once bidding hit the $3.5 million mark, they dropped out and it was just the two bidders left going up in $1,000 bids.

“The winning bidders were owner occupiers, a young couple with children who loved the design of the house and wanted to totally restore it which made the seller (pictured above with Jess) very happy.” Jess said the unique modernist house was untouched. “It was in the Sunday Herald back when it was new as it was such a great build. The vendor wanted to sell it for $3.2 million off market so we set the reserve at $3.2 million and ran an auction campaign. Needless to say the owners were extremely happy with the result. It shows auctions create competition and work well to get the best prices for vendors.”

The buyers are a young family who love modernist architecture and who will do a full renovation.

Alistair Macmillan Ray White Wilston 51 auctions

Grant Boman

Ray White Mt Gravatt 47 auctions

Jessica Cao

Ray White Upper North Shore 42 auctions

Holly Bowden

Ray White Wilston 41 auctions

Brisbane auction agent Holly Bowden of Ray White Wilston conducted 41 auctions in the last year, with a 98 per cent personal clearance.

Her standout auction of 2024/25 was 20 Khartoum Street, Gordon Park.

“I had auctioned the seller’s last property which I sold under the hammer during COVID so it was lovely to work with the family again. There is a certain confidence with sellers when you’ve sold for them previously, as well as a warmth and familiarity.

“It turned out that the successful buyer just happened to be a lady who I had gone to high school with and I hadn’t seen her for over 20 years,” Holly said.

“It was a special win-win situation for both parties but to also achieve such a tremendous price on that sale. It’s opened the doors for me with other opportunities in the area.”

In Adelaide, Ray White Para Hills principal Brijesh Mishra conducted 91 auctions in 2024/25, off the back of 96 auctions in the year prior. He’s conducted approximately 340 auctions over the course of his career.

“His personal auction clearance rate for last financial year (24/25) was 88 per cent and 95 per cent in the previous financial year,” he said.

His standout auction for the 24/25 year was 8 Winulta Court, Munno Para, which he called a truly memorable campaign, full of emotion and surprises.

“The seller had bought this home as his very first property and had always been hesitant about auctions, never having participated in one before. Initially, I recommended auction as the best way to create competition and achieve a premium price,” Brijesh said.

Although he was convinced at first, in the middle of the auction campaign, he became anxious, withdrawing from the auction due to concerns

about the property’s condition and the uncertainty of auction outcomes. After some reassurance, he decided to go ahead with the auction the following week.”

In Perth, top agent Vivien Yap of Ray White Dalkeith Claremont conducted an impressive 34 auctions in the luxury market in 2024/25. She has booked 138 properties at auction so far in her incredible career. Her favourite auction of the year was 45 View Terrace, East Fremantle.

“The majority of offers were around $3.5 - 4.5 million, and emotions ran high on auction day. The two sellers had differing views and were initially sceptical about the auction process. As viewings for the property were limited, marketing the property required a more tailored and strategic approach. Midway through the auction, a new bidder entered the competition, adding to the intensity of the event, and the property sold for $5,337,000,” Vivien said.

Brijesh Mishra

Ray White Para Hills 91 auctions

In Adelaide, Justin Irving of Ray White Salisbury conducted a whopping 117 auctions in the year, and a career to date of 260 auctions.

His auction day clearance rate is an enviable 89 per cent and his favourite auction of the year was the home at 35 The Walk Mawson Lakes.

“The home was a deceased estate. One executor was a local lady that was a close friend of the deceased and the sister that resided in Ireland. We appraised the home at 1.8 million and The vendors set a reserve at 2 million. We ran a three-week campaign and had over 110 groups attend the open homes leading up to the auction day. On the day of the auction we had 21 registered bidders, stormy weather was forecast and we had a heavy downpour of rain during the auction call. We had a crowd of over 300 standing in the rain observing and the opening bid was $1.8 million and the final result was $2.3 million, $300,000 above reserve.

Justin Irving

Ray White Salisbury 117 auctions

BY ALEX TILBURY

Ray White has taken a groundbreaking step toward gender equality in real estate by launching its inaugural Auction Academy for Women, designed to empower female professionals to enter the traditionally male-dominated field of auctioneering.

The auction academy was initiated by Valentina Parra, a successful corporate auctioneer for Ray White Victoria, and featured inspiring presentations from industry veterans who shared their journeys of overcoming significant challenges.

Trish Orrico of Ray White Craigieburn, who began auctioneering a decade ago, emphasised the importance of embracing discomfort, recalling how her mentors taught her to auction in grass fields while cars honked past.

Her journey began after witnessing a captivating auctioneer at her grandparents’ Northcote home, igniting her passion for the profession.

“I started auctioneering 10 years ago, my leaders were super supportive, they would teach me how to auction in a grass field as cars drove past beeping, they taught me how to be uncomfortable. The first auction I ever witnessed was my grandparents house in Northcote, the auctioneer was amazing, his presence was captivating - I left that auction knowing I wanted to auctioneering,” Trish said.

“I remember my first auction, it was around the corner from my house and the vendor didn’t know I had never called an auction before. My family came, all the kids, our neighbours, it was a mammoth crowd, called it from start to finish and it was an amazing auction. When I admitted to the vendors it was my first auction, the vendors were in utter disbelief!”

There is no better

business out there driving auction business like Ray White

Emma Brown Garrett, with 23 years in real estate and a background in acting, delivered a powerful message about persistence in the face of rejection.

Despite experiencing a lack of support from male colleagues and leadership throughout her career, she persevered through relentless practice, even auctioning household items to her family. Her dedication led her to compete in every available auction competition across Australia and New Zealand, making her a formidable competitor as often the only female participant.

“Prior to real estate I studied acting and thought one day I’d win an Oscar, however it wasn’t for me but my experience in acting has helped with the fear of rejection, and overcoming auctioneering. Real estate is a great sector if you’d like to learn and move around, from marketing, leasing and sales, it’s a great opportunity.

“Once I moved back from India, I knew I wanted to get straight back into real estate. Not one man, not one office, not one CEO I worked for supported me to do auctioneering. It broke my heart. Nobody gave me a shot, but I knew I’d be really good, so I had to back myself.”

She highlighted the career benefits for working mothers, explaining how auctioneering offers superior work-life balance compared to traditional sales roles. “As an external person, I can honestly say there is no better business out there driving auction business like Ray White,” she noted, praising the company’s top-down commitment to auction excellence.

The academy incorporated practical elements, pushing participants beyond their comfort zones through public speaking exercises and storytelling challenges. Participants were randomly assigned topics and required to entertain the room for 90 seconds, building confidence and presentation skills essential for successful auctioneering.

Adding inspiration from the sporting world, AFL Collingwood player Brianna Davey and AFLW Head of Development Tom Wilson shared insights about leadership and supporting women in male-dominated environments. Brianna Davey emphasised the importance of women backing each other and building strong connections throughout their professional journeys.

“When I started in football it was very male dominated, I was captaining the boys football team. For the women in the room, always back each other up, build that connection and support each other with the journey.

“Leadership is all about relationships, you have to know everyone on an individual level; this is the foundation of being able to provide feedback. Show you care and that you care about the outcome.”

This initiative represents Ray White’s commitment to diversifying the auction industry and creating opportunities for talented women to excel in this dynamic field.

Father’s Day was extra special for doting dad Scott after ‘shock’ surgery

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Brisbane real estate principal Scott Darwon said this Father’s Day was “extra special” after undergoing lifesaving surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his brain.

The Ray White Bulimba selling principal and 40-year-old father-oftwo has a 15cm scar across his head - a constant reminder of how quickly life can change.

“I literally felt my life had been flipped upside down,” Scott said.

Scott said as he approached his 40th birthday earlier this year, he decided to get some health tests and blood work done at Bespoke Medical Clinic on the Gold Coast.

“I felt a bit low on energy and was looking for a quick fix,” Scott said.

Scott said an MRI identified the tumour in his brain.

“I was so shocked when I got the call,” he said.

“I had thrown in a brain health scan for good measure, and a couple of weeks later I got a phone call I will never forget.

“For about 18 months I had some minor memory issues and I had fobbed it off - I was waiting for it to get better.

“I thought it could be related to stress or lack of sleep.”

Scott’s tears flowed when he realised how soon he required brain surgery.

“It was only three weeks from when I was diagnosed - it was a tough few days, and it was right before Cyclone Alfred hit,” he said.

“I kept a brave face, but I was terrified.

“I did a 48-hour self-imposed lock down to get the house prepped, and to keep my mind busy.”

Scott described his wife Holly as “stoic and really strong” during his health battle.

“Holly was the rudder of the family,” he said.

His children Walter (4) and Dottie (2) call their dad’s battlescar an “ouchie”.

“I had 20 stitches and the tumour was 2.5cm by 1.5cm in the left top part of my brain,” Scott said.

“I still remember seeing the kids after getting the news and I had just thought the worst - those moments will stay with me forever.

“You love your kids regardless, but this just gives you a strong reason to know you are not here forever and to do the best with the time you’ve got.

“I’m a lucky man.”

For now, the cancer is gone, but doctors have warned Scott it could return in around 10 years, and he needs regular check ups.

Just one week after having surgery at Mater Private Hospital in South Brisbane, Scott was back in his Bulimba office working alongside his much-loved and dedicated team.

“I am no different to any other real estate dad,” he said.

“It’s a hard job to juggle with kids and there’s no right or wrong answer. We have agents who want to give more time to their kids, and others who want to work really hard now and spend time with them later.

“Real estate and fatherhood can be a challenging thing, but there’s some really beautiful things about it - I can pop home for lunch and see the family!”

Scott enjoyed Father’s Day with his family, and is looking forward to a Christmas holiday in Caloundra at the end of the year, and is reminding anyone and everyone to get an MRI for early detection.

From British ferry boat driver to Whangarei’s operations super star

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

Ray White Whangarei operations manager Janet Watters has dedicated more than 20 years of her life to the business, but not before having some incredible overseas adventures, including a stint in Scotland where she met her husband, Ross.

Janet started at Ray White Whangarei as a receptionist in 2003, before the business had joined Ray White.

“Before joining the business I spent almost 10 years travelling and doing a wide variety of jobs including hospitality work, working at backpacker hostels and tour companies, painting and decorating, and cooking in a typical British ‘greasy spoon’ cafe,” Janet said.

“I had a job ferry boat driving, and was the first ever female pilot of a historic North Devon ferry dating back to the doomsday book.

“I also spent four years running the remotest pub in mainland Britain, see the Guiness Book of Records 1996, in the highlands of Scotland.

monumental impact on the administration side of the business.

“In 2015 I was tasked by the directors to set in place a PA service providing administrative support to the sales agents when they needed it without having to commit to paying someone during the lean times,” she said.

“I established the role from scratch, setting up procedures and protocols and successfully implementing a service that now provides a very high level of support to our agents.

“Originally it was myself and two agents. As the role was established, more agents wanted to come onboard and utilise the service, requiring a second PA to be employed alongside me.

“The consistency and quality of marketing being produced, alongside removing a fair bit of admin from the agents, freed them up to do what they do best out in the field - generating a more professional image for them and giving them capacity to take on more listings.

“It was so successful, the directors moved it from an optional service to mandatory, incorporated the cost into the commission structure, employed two more PAs and labelled us the ‘Value Team’.

“Scotland is where I met my husband, he’s from Glasgow and I’m a Kiwi, which eventually led to us settling in Whangarei in 2002.”

During her time at Ray White Whangarei, Janet has had a

In 2021, Janet was promoted to Value Team Leader, in charge of four dedicated PAs looking after more than 30 agents.

“The same year I was also awarded Administrator of the Year at the national Ray White awards,” Janet said.

“I was only slightly salty that the awards were virtual because of COVID lockdowns and I was home alone and not watching them!

“2022 made up for missing my 15 minutes of fame when the Value Team was awarded Admin Team of the Year at the national awards and we got our turn on stage.

“At the beginning of 2025 I was promoted to Operations Manager, and am now responsible for pretty much everything office and admin.”

While Janet loves her job and is fiercely loyal to the Ray White Whangarei team, her other passion lies with her two children, who are now 19 and 20.

“My spare time is usually spent pottering in the veggie garden and around the home, op-shopping, bumbling with my sewing machine, and playing minecraft with my kids,” she said.

“Yes, they’re adults now, but it’s something we can do together no matter where they’re living.

“At the end of the day I love sitting with a glass of wine while my amazingly patient husband, Ross, cooks me dinner! I’m very aware that I am spoiled in that department.”

Aidan Oke ready to spring into action

BY RESHNI RATNAM

Ray White Cheltenham senior sales consultant and auctioneer Aidan Oke is gearing up for a stellar spring selling season.

Having joined Ray White in July, Aidan said there was “huge energy” in the market already.

“The secret is out, spring looks like it is set to get to new heights,” Aidan said.

An auctioneer for seven years, Aidan remembers calling his first auction with the group at 40b Silver Street in Cheltenham.

The property sold for $1.606 million in front of a huge crowd.

“I have called over 1,000 auctions, but this was the longest auction I have ever had,” Aidan said.

“There were 104 bids placed and a mix of bidders.

“It was a drawn out auction with $1,000 increments and the clients were just delighted.”

He said he enjoyed calling auctions because the process was fun and exciting.

“I love the theatre component of it, and being front and centre of attention is great,” he said.

Aidan revealed he was keen to join the group because of its large market share, great team and business environment.

When he’s not in campaign mode, Aidan is a keen golfer who recently hung up his boots from marathon running.

Ladies Day in Jurien Bay

BY NINA CLARKE

The Ray White Jurien Bay PM team recently supported a Ladies Day with the Jurien Bay Football Club that became known as the “Ray White Ladies Day: A Community Celebration”

“The local football club hosts an annual Ladies Day, welcoming all the women from the community and nearby areas. This year, they invited Ray White to participate, and the event was proudly named the Ray White Ladies Day, taking place on Saturday 3 May.

The occasion was a remarkable success, with the property management team present to assist with wristbands, setup, and ensuring the evening ran smoothly overall,” Ashlee Fowler from Ray White Jurien Bay said.

One of the organisers, Rebecca said:

“We live in a town where everyone is familiar. But that doesn’t mean we are all friends. We see faces around town, at the beach, schools, shops, food outlets, sporting and community events but we don’t get to socialise with each other unless someone puts together an event like this, where we can mingle (without also running around after children or waiting in line to make a purchase) and have time to have meaningful conversations facilitated by a few bevvies. The activities made us laugh and no longer be strangers but people who now share the same stories.

It’s easy to learn a little about each other without the social commitment but harder to create an opportunity to invest in new friendships. This event resulted in more shared experiences and good vibes amongst the women who attended.

I know this ended up being quite stressful but it was an amazing outcome, thanks to the Ray White Jurien Bay property management team!”

The event resulted in more shared experiences and good vibes.

Ray White Warrnambool raises more than $74k for Neil Porter Legacy

BY CASSANDRA GLOVER

On 26 July, Ray White Warrnambool, in partnership with Neil Porter Legacy, conducted their fourth annual charity ball.

Ray White Warrnambool has previously partnered with The Lookout Foundation, Standing Tall and Let’s Talk to raise a combined total in excess of $100,000.

The night was a huge success with over 270 attendees and the community supporting the event like never before. Held at the Matilda Room at the Warrnambool Race Course, the night saw live music, a three course meal, silent

auctions, a major raffle and a live auction extravaganza.

Neil Porter Legacy is a not-for-profit organisation which focuses on helping students enter careers that match their interests. It’s run by Neil’s son Matt Porter.

“The Ray White Charity Ball has been enormous for our not-for-profit. The funds raised will enable the NPL to continue helping young people in the Corangamite, Moyne and Warrnambool Shires make informed career-based decisions and assist us to continue embedding careers at the heart of secondary education,” Matt said.

Overall the night raised an impressive $74,500 - a record for the event.

“We have had such great feedback and are extremely thrilled with the funds raised, it was so unexpected,” Matt said.

Ray White Warrnambool director Fergus Torpy said the night was a huge success.

“You can see how much our community supports each other. The donations we received, the sponsorships, the dedication from the community to go above and beyond. It continues to grow year on year for amazing charities and what a great partnership it was to support NPL,” Fergus said.

“It’s important we partner with local charities that benefit our community where it matters most. We’ve had some great alignments over the previous years and look forward to the 2026 Charity Ball.”

Farm angels

BY SOPHIE MURPHY

Ongoing partners Ray White Rural and Livestock proudly teamed up once again with Farm Angels as their Matched Giving Partner, ensuring every donation made on the day went twice as far to support Aussie farmers doing it tough.

As part of the annual “Flanno for a Farmer” campaign, our network put on their flannos and opened their hearts, matching every dollar raised on 11 August. Thanks to the generosity of our people and communities, together we contributed an incredible $15,000 to Farm Angels - helping to provide vital support to farming families across the country.

Ray White Chairman Paul White said the initiative is one that holds deep personal meaning.

“Farm Angels is a charity very close to my heart. Having grown up in regional Australia, I know firsthand the resilience of our farming communities, but also the immense challenges they face. It’s a privilege for Ray White Rural and Livestock to play a part in supporting the people who put food on all our tables.” Paul said.

‘Speciallycrafted’ castle for sale with enchanted forest and maze

BY RESHNI RATNAM

A “specially-crafted” castle in Gleniffer on the mid north coast of New South Wales hit the market with an enchanted forest and spectacular maze.

It’s something you might see in the scenes of a fantasy movie, but the nine-bedroom five bathroom property at 50 John Locke Place is a real-life magical masterpiece.

The property features a dumbwaiter in the castle with a pulley attached to take food up to the second floor, as well as a wishing well on site, and a resident platypus in the Never Never River.

Ray White Rural Dorrigo Bellingen agent Geneva Isenbert marketed the one-of-a-kind property, which had a price tag of $3.75 million.

“This is the first castle I have taken to market - it’s such a rare and exquisite piece of real estate and you can

really see and feel all the hard work that Barbara Moore put into it,” Geneva said.

“There is so much to look at and take in, not only from the castle, but the homestead, the beautiful clean river, and the grounds that have a spectacular view of the mountains.”

Owner Rachael Moore and her husband Andre Meyer have lived on site at the family property with their Border Collie, Chai since 2021.

The couple moved from Sydney to Gleniffer to care for Rachael’s aunt Barbara Moore, who was a renowned Bellingen pharmacist for 15 years.

Rachael said her aunt’s last wish was for her to continue her legacy at Evermoore and open the property up for boutique accommodation.

Rachael said she remembers coming to the property as a child when her aunt first bought it.

“It was just a big grassy hill before she planted 10,000 trees and native plants to create biodiversity and to attract an abundance of wildlife,” Rachael said.

“My aunt spent the last 25 years of her life building the castle, which was finished about 10 years ago.

This is the first castle that I have taken to market - it’s such a rare and exquisite piece of real estate.

“As kids, the castle was always out of bounds, she was worried my three siblings and I would break things!”

Rachael said she was now the custodian of the “treasure trove”.

The five hectare estate is just as beautiful inside as it is outside, Rachael said.

“My aunt went to Paris to buy the fabric for the curtains, and bought the front doors from Spain. There are artworks and antiques on every wall; it’s like stepping into another world.

“The windows came from a church in Scotland after she spotted them in an antique catalogue - which was what inspired her to build the castle.

“When the windows arrived, they were cracked, so she learnt new skills to restore them.”

Ray White Toowong invests in West Rugby Club Supporter’s Day

BY RESHNI RATNAM

“This is our dream life - it’s a vision that has become a reality,” Rachael said.

“We live, work, and play on the property, and now it’s time for someone else to build their dreams here.

“We have enjoyed so many family events, including big Christmas parties, we got married here, and we also have a great connection with the local elders, holding smoking ceremonies which are sacred to the Gumbaynggirr people, and to us as well.”

Ray White Toowong’s annual charity auction held at Western Districts Rugby Football Club’s Supporter’s Day raised a mighty $42,500.

At half-time Ray White Collective CEO and auctioneer Haesley Cush auctioned off a sales commission and marketing package with all proceeds being donated to the club.

Last year, the highest bidder saved over $30,000 in property marketing and transaction fees.

In previous years, the highest bidder saved more than $60,000.

The auction, held in August, has run for four consecutive years in partnership with Wests, and raised more than $130,000 to support the club and its community.

Ray White Toowong principal Reuben Packer-Hill said: “It’s something we’re incredibly proud of, and it wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our local community, sponsors, and supporters who rally behind this event each year”.

Rachael and Andre, both yoga teachers, run a wellness retreat business on site, and said the property was also used for small weddings and as an Airbnb.