Top real estate performers honoured

“This year, real estate has been much in the news,” said Mrs Castle. “Housing affordability, lack of rental property, shortage of stock – all have made the headlines.”

“But although we may be highlighted in the media, behind the scenes we are also an industry about achieving and about giving back.

“In country towns and regional centres much of the good work that agents carry out, the work that no-one hears about, also happens.

“In Dubbo, for example, a charity auction is held each year that earns thousands for local charities.”

Mrs Castle said that real estate agents, like the police, and like politicians, are high profile. People need them.

“For all of us, our basic instinct is for shelter and our aspiration is for a home to call our own,” she said. “If they are buying or selling an apartment or a house, we are there. We have an impact on everybody’s lives.”

The finalists and winners of the 2007 REINSW Awards for Excellence are: 
 
Award for Excellence – Auctioneers

Winner
David Giezekamp – Callagher Estate Agents

Finalists
Damien Cooley – Cooley Auction Services
Michael McCaffery – First National Real Estate
Charlie Powell – Cooley Auction Services

David Giezekamp has over 20 years’ experience selling in the inner west. His auctioneering prowess is well-known in the area due to his regular spots on television. 

Award for Excellence – Auction Marketing

Winner
Priscilla Ouvrier – McGrath Neutral Bay/Mosman

Finalists
Danny Grant – McGrath Neutral Bay/Mosman
Mathew Steinwede – McGrath Central Coast
Zoran Veleski – Crown Property Group Australia 

In real estate for five years, Priscilla Ouvrier was previously a sales executive at IBM. She has achieved an average sale price of $2,000,000 and currently ranks within the top 20 agents at McGrath. Priscilla speaks three languages and has a keen interest in modern art and all things French. 

Award for Excellence – Buyers’ Agent

Winner
Richard Harvey – propertybuyer

Finalist
Lisa Bradley – Finders Keepers 

Richard Harvey and his team specialise in sourcing properties for home buyers, investors and developers. He has a Masters in Economics and a passion for property investment.

This is the third year in a row that Richard has won this award. 

Award for Excellence – Commercial Agency

Winner
Colliers International (NSW)

Finalists
Jones Lang LaSalle
Knight Frank
m2 Office Leasing
Martin Morris & Jones 

A key to Colliers International’s success is the company’s commitment to a culture of knowledge – of the industry, of the market and of client’s needs. Colliers is a global partnership of independently owned real estate firms.

This is the second year running that Colliers have won this award. 

Award for Excellence – Commercial Property Management

Winner
Ferdinand Lengyel – Colliers International

Finalists
Anthony Gothard – Chatswood Central
Brendan O’Brien – Laing+Simmons Commercial 

Ferdinand Lengyel is an associate director of real estate management for Colliers International, managing a portfolio of industrial and commercial property. He enjoys fishing, reading and spending quality time with his daughters. 

Award for Excellence – Commercial Sales/Leasing

Winner
Stephen Bowrey – Colliers International

Finalists
Kymbal Dunne – m2 Office Leasing
John Paek & Cameron Williams – Colliers International
Rick Sombroek – Shead First National 

Stephen Bowrey is a specialised retail leasing agent with over 10 years’ experience in the property industry. Colliers International’s cutting edge philosophy fits well with his own progressive attitude. 

Award for Excellence – Copywriting

Winner
Jacqueline Parrish – PRDnationwide Dapto

Finalists
Kymbal Dunne – m2 Office Leasing
Fiona Middleton – Morton & Morton
Anna Town – Jones Lang LaSalle

Jacqui Parrish is the licensee in charge at PRDnationwide Dapto and oversees all marketing and advertising campaigns. She comes from a strong marketing background and has Diploma in Real Estate, a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing and Human Resource Management. 

Award for Excellence – Corporate Support

Winner
Bridget Gardner – Morton & Morton

Finalists
Belinda Bollinger – Jones Lang LaSalle
Stephanie Campbell – Doyle Spillane Real Estate
Joanne Coughlan – Cunninghams Property
Katie Miller – Martin Morris & Jones
Meropi Tserdanis – Crown Property Group Australia 

Bridget Gardner provides sales administration support to a team of eight, bringing an enthusiastic and intelligent approach to her role. Applying strong organisational skills she ensures that the agents are supported for success while quietly managing to keep them all REI-compliant – a great achievement. 

Award for Excellence – Innovation

Winner
Ray White Double Bay Group

Finalists
Colliers International
Griffith Real Estate
Jones Lang LaSalle

Ray White Double Bay Group recognised the need to set itself apart from the competition by rolling out an impressive communications initiative over the last 12 months. Jeremy Gold, who was responsible for this keeps constantly keeping up to date with the latest technology, ensuring that Ray White Double Bay Group stays one step ahead. 

Award for Excellence – John Greig OAM Community Service

Winner
James Dack – McGrath Estate Agents

Finalists
Charles Garcia – Alliance Real Estate
Ian McNamee – Ian McNamee & Partners

James Dack is the life governor, a committee member and a patron of the Woolloomooloo Police and Community Youth Club. He served as President for 10 years and believes in doing all that he can to help local kids.

James also supports the Plunkett Street School on an ongoing basis and recently donated $4000 which was spent on purchasing new computers. He is also involved with many other community events such as the Woolloomooloo Community Festival. 

Award for Excellence – Project Marketing

Winner
Kymbal Dunne & Sara Pratt – m2 Office Leasing & Knight Frank

Finalists
Jon Chomley – Colliers International
Jock Gilchrist, Tim Molchanoff & Alex Wong – Colliers International & Jones Lang LaSalle
Derek Zillman – m2 Office Leasing 

Kymbal Dunne and Sara Pratt won this joint award for the third year in a row. Kymbal is the director and co-founder of m2 and Sara has worked in real estate for over 25 years. At Knight Frank she is the director of office leasing, North Sydney.

Kymbal and Sara’s combined submission presented a marketing campaign to promote Sydney’s stunning new premium office facility, Innovation Place. 

Award for Excellence – Residential Agency

Winner
Morton & Morton

Finalists
Christine Norris Signature Properties
Cobden & Hayson
Cunninghams Property
goodyerDonnelley Real Estate
No Bull Real Estate

Morton & Morton is an independent real estate firm, established by father and son team, Mark and Ewan Morton. They sell and manage property on the lower North Shore, inner east, CBD and inner west from their three offices.

They offer a new breed of real estate agency, combining discipline and focus with family values and personalised service.

Award for Excellence – Residential Property Management
(proudly sponsored by AON/REI Insurance Brokers)

Winner
Michelle Galletti – Let’s Rent

Finalists
Edith Byrne – No Bull Real Estate
Sinead Szerenga – Callagher Estate Agents 

Michelle Galletti is a licensed real estate agent and co-director of Let’s Rent. Specialising in property management in the inner west, Michelle believes that this is one area of real estate that requires meticulous attention. 

Award for Excellence – Residential Property Management – Achievement
(proudly sponsored by Direct Connect)

Winner
Trent Docherty – Cunninghams Property

Finalist
Danielle Bates – Leah Jay Property Management 

Trent Docherty is a residential property manager who has been in the real estate industry for just over 12 months. He enjoys his challenging and varied job role and looks forward to his future in real estate. Trent likes getting out to spend time with his family in north west NSW and action sports. 

Award for Excellence – Residential Sales

Winner
Simon Kersten – Colliers PRD

Finalists
Paul Diks – Northlink First National
Troy Nicholson – Starr Partners Narellan

Simon Kersten is managing director of Colliers PRD in Wollongong. Beginning his real estate career when he was only 18, Simon has specialised in commercial, industrial and prestige residential property. To relax, Simon enjoys cycling, running and spending time with his wife Jacqui and their son Hugo. 

Award for Excellence – Residential Sales – Achievement

Winner
Jacqueline Dwyer – McGrath Neutral Bay/Mosman

Finalists
Michael Clarke – McGrath Manly
Kait Davis – Morton & Morton
Chris Hawker – Port Macquarie First National

Success is about two things – results and reputation. You either get them or you don’t. Jacqueline Dwyer does, servicing the needs of her clients with limitless energy.

Jacqueline specialises in the Cammeray/lower North Shore area. She enjoys all this area has to offer as well as keeping fit, dining out, renovating, reading and entertaining friends at home. 

Award for Excellence – Rural Marketing

Winner
Robert Johnston – Landmark Tamworth

Finalists
Sally Brown – Landmark Copeland Medway
Kim Watts – Elders Real Estate

Robert Johnston is a real estate specialist with Landmark Tamworth, principally concentrating on rural sales. Licensed for 37 years, Bob and his family live on 500 acres, fattening steers, breeding, training and competing cutting horses. Bob is also an experienced rural, urban and livestock auctioneer. 

Award for Excellence – Website

Winner
Morton & Morton

Finalists
Cobden & Hayson
Creer Property
Cunninghams Property
First National Real Estate
Ray White Double Bay Group

Morton & Morton wins this award for the third year running. Their website is used as a complete business tool, enabling each team member to view, maintain and measure current, accurate data on all property listings.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.