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MEDIA RELEASE: ACT’S REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS AMID DIFFICULT YEAR FOR INDUSTRY

MEDIA RELEASE: 16 September 2023

Whilst 2023 could be described as a challenging year for the industry, over 350 real estate professionals in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) gathered on 15 September to celebrate individual and agencies outstanding achievements at the Real Estate Institute of the ACT’s (REIACT) annual Awards for Excellence held at Hotel Realm.

“Factors affecting the market such as increasing interest rates, falling rents and imposition of restrictions affecting our investors and property owners were just some of the challenges faced by our professionals since last year,” REIACT Chief Executive Officer Maria Edwards said.

“Agents have been working extra hard to be able to support their clients through the uncertainties, and this year’s Awards for Excellence aims to recognise their professionalism and excellence and to remind them that they have a reliable support system in the industry,” she added.

REIACT President Hannah Gill reflected on the past year’s achievements and outlined an exciting 12 months coming up for the Institute with 2024 being the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s (REIA) centenary year and celebrations being planned for REIACT’s 50th year. “The longevity of the associations supporting the industry is something we are really proud of,” Gill said.

There were 90 submissions for 33 categories for this year’s Awards for Excellence. Winners for this year include Sarah Smyth (Colliers) for the Achievement Award; Linda Vella (Community Housing Canberra) for the Community Housing Property Manager of the Year; Murphstone Media as Service Provider of the Year; Jodie Cross (LJ Hooker Kippax) for Residential Property Manager of the Year; Ash Costello (Home.byHolly) for the Property Marketer of the Year; Debbie Daly (Colliers) for Commercial Property Manager of the Year; Brianna Williams (LJ Hooker Gungahlin) for the Novice Auctioneer of the Year; Aaron Bruce (Colliers) for the Leasing Consultant of the Year; VERV Property for the Marketing & Communications Award and Innovation Award; The Property Collective for the Project Property Marketer of the Year, Community Service Award and the Residential Property Management Team of the Year; Katie Goodall (Colliers) for the Operational Leadership Person of the Year; Jesse Mason (Convey) for the Conveyancer of the Year; Kane Smith (Barton Commercial Property) for the Rookie of the Year, Jarryd Kirchner (The Property Collective) for the Business Development Manager of the Year; Liz Thornton (Colliers) for the Operational Support Person of the Year; LJ Hooker for the Auctioneer Franchise of the Year; Michael Ceacis (Canberra Commercial) for the Commercial Salesperson of the Year; Jane Macken (LJ Hooker Woden Weston) for the Residential Salesperson of the Year; Eoin White (Chamberlains) for the Solicitor of the Year; Colliers Canberra for the Commercial Agency of the Year; James Scott (VERV Property) for the Allhomes People’s Choice Auctioneer Award; Blackshaw Queanbeyan & Jerrabomberra for the Small Residential Agency of the Year; Team Bunday (LJ Hooker Dickson) for the Residential Sales Team of the Year; and LJ Hooker Canberra City for the Large Residential Agency of the Year.

Capital Buyers Agency’s Claire Corby won Buyers’ Agent of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and was inducted into the REIACT Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Alex AhKey from Blackshaw Queanbeyan & Jerrabombera received the President’s Award which is given to an individual for their commitment and contribution to the Institute and industry over an extended period.

The event also introduced new additions to the award categories this year—the Sustainability Awards for Agency and Practitioner which seek to recognise agencies and agents who demonstrate excellence in furthering sustainable outcomes and contribute to Australia’s Net Zero 2050 target. Winners of the Sustainability Leadership Award for Agency and Practitioner were HomeGround Real Estate Canberra and Claire Corby, respectively.

The winner of this year’s 2023 Auctioneering Championships Alec Brown from Ray White Canberra’ will join runner up Sandra Masters representing the ACT and the Institute at the Australasian Auctioneering Championships (AUSTROS) to be held in Auckland from 17 to 19 September 2023. The AUSTROS will see the 14 best auctioneers from Australia and New Zealand compete for the crown of Australasia’s best auctioneer.

Winners from this year’s REIACT Awards will now go on to represent the ACT at the REIA National Awards for Excellence to be held in Tasmania on the 16th May 2024.

REIACT expresses its sincerest gratitude to its corporate partner Allhomes and sponsors for making the 2023 Awards for Excellence a success: BAL Lawyers, REI Super, Alexander Watson, My Connect, Realty Assist Australia, REEF, Terri Scheer, ACT Property Inspections, Chamberlains, Macquarie Bank, and Detector Inspector. ###

Contact:

MARIA EDWARDS

Chief Executive Officer

0499 881 168