John Garland AM of Garland International has been inducted into the REIWA Rural Hall of Fame, recognising his outstanding contribution to rural real estate in Western Australia over more than 60 years.
The prestigious award was presented at REIWA’s Rural Seminar and Awards on 25 July, celebrating Mr Garland’s remarkable career that includes selling millions of dollars of property and conducting over 3,000 auctions.
REIWA President Suzanne Brown highlighted Mr Garland’s involvement in significant sales that have shaped the WA rural industry.
“John has been involved in some significant sales that have shaped the WA rural industry,” Ms Brown said.
“This includes the sale of Yathroo in Dandaragan in 1972, which at $18 million was a record price in the area.”
Ms Brown noted that Mr Garland demonstrated the value of specialised rural expertise when he sold a 6,000-acre property in Muchea for $21.5 million, nearly $6 million above original expectations after it was initially listed with a commercial agency.
His achievements extend beyond record prices to creating lasting outcomes for rural communities. Mr Garland brokered the sale of Pardoo Station in the Pilbara, which now produces hay to drought-proof the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
In 2004, he played a key role in bringing AFGRI equipment from South Africa to WA through the sale of machinery dealerships in Geraldton, Carnamah, and Moora. AFGRI remains one of the world’s largest machinery dealerships.
Mr Garland also pioneered the development of hobby farms in WA during an economic downturn in the 1970s. When faced with selling a 2,000-acre Toodyay farm during difficult market conditions, he discovered the property consisted of individually titled 10-acre blocks originally created for WWI veterans.
“John contacted the Shire, got planning approval to sell the individual blocks, along with the Shire’s agreement to install roads and power, and successfully sold the blocks to people seeking a rural lifestyle,” Ms Brown said.
Mr Garland’s service to the real estate industry includes bringing a rural perspective to REIWA, forming the Rural Network Committee, serving on the Council, and being REIWA President from 1986 to 1988. His contributions were recognised with the Kevin Sullivan Award in 1992 and Life Membership in 1993.
His leadership extends internationally as the Deputy World President of the Paris-based FIABCI (International Real Estate Federation), and he is a Life Member of the Settlement Association of Western Australia.
Mr Garland has also served on numerous boards and committees, including the Perth Regional Development Authority, Small Business Development Corporation, Celebrate WA, Australian British Chamber of Commerce, and the Australian Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
In 2007, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the real estate industry and the community.
Mr Garland began his career as a teenager working as a stock agent for Elders in the Midland saleyards. After more than a decade with Elders, he became the owner and Principal for the General Motors and Chamberlain dealership in Kondinin in 1961, quickly making it one of the most successful in the state.
Simultaneously, he opened his own real estate agency, John Garland & Co, specialising in rural-related property and business sales.
“This award recognises the very specialised role of a rural agent, the knowledge we have and our connections to our communities,” Mr Garland said.
“We are not just property salespeople, we need to be able to offer advice on various aspects of agriculture, from soil type to the best utilisation of the land.”
Mr Garland noted the significant changes in farming over his career, with WA’s farming entities decreasing from 40,000 in the 1960s to about 2,000 today due to property amalgamation and corporate farming.
“While traditional farms have become larger and the number of farmers smaller, there has been a strong growth in hobby farms,” he said.
“Since those first sales in Toodyay, there are now about 160,000 lifestyle farms in WA. These people aren’t seeking to make an income, but to have the association with the country and enjoy a rural lifestyle.”
