Ray White Victoria and Tasmania has kicked off the new year with its largest launch event yet, bringing together 1,200 members in Melbourne for a day focused on ambition, values and growth.
CEO Domenic Belfiore used the event to set out the network’s direction for 2026, emphasising both performance targets and the importance of community engagement.
“The aim is to be proud of every transaction for sellers, buyers, and renters,” Domenic said.
“This is our home, our house, and I want you all to be proud of your communities and the businesses you represent.”
The network enters 2026 with momentum behind it. Ray White Victoria and Tasmania recorded 18,000 settled sales in 2025 – up from 14,000 in 2022 – including three consecutive personal bests in September, October and November.
The network now manages 61,000 properties across the region.
More than half of the network’s businesses currently hold first or second position in their local markets, but Domenic made clear the ambition extends further.
“Our ambition is to be number one in every core market,” he said.
“We do know that success breeds success. My challenge to you all is to present this company with pride.”
The message wasn’t just about market share. Domenic called on agents to lift their presentation standards and rethink their approach to social media, suggesting many make it too much about themselves rather than their clients and communities.
He also acknowledged that some members had departed the network in 2025.
“Last year there were some members whose values didn’t align with ours. Tough decisions were made for the greater good of the group,” he said.
“If we want to be around for the next 124 years we have to always do right by our customers.”
Group chairman Brian White AO appeared alongside Domenic to reflect on the fourth-generation family business.
“I love this company. We are a family owned business,” Brian said.
“There is confidence we’ll always be there for our franchisees. People respect our commitment to them.”
Ray White CEO – Strategy Mark McLeod told attendees that waiting for market improvement was not a viable growth strategy.
“This industry rewards effort and focus,” Mark said.
“2026 won’t be better than 2025 if you don’t make decisions. Make a decision to do this craft the way you know it should be done.”
Mark emphasised that top performers focus on consistent execution of fundamental activities rather than searching for breakthrough strategies.
“The great agents I work with make incremental tiny decisions that add up over the course of the year,” he said.
“If you make decisions on the basics, you will see success.”
Those basics, he noted, remain unchanged: more connections, more appraisals and more listings.
Agency Compliance Manager Shaun Doyle delivered a pointed reminder about regulatory scrutiny.
“The vast majority of our members are doing the right thing. We know you can be a high performing agent and highly compliant agent at the same time,” Shaun said.
He noted that regulators now have access to more sophisticated tools for detecting underquoting.
“They have more data, more AI and better ways of detecting underquoting than ever before.”
The event featured motivational speaker Emma Carey, who shared her story of resilience following a 2013 skydiving accident in the Swiss Alps that left her with a broken pelvis, teeth and spine.
Initially told she would never walk again, Emma has since defied that prognosis.
“Don’t wait until you nearly die to start living,” Emma told attendees.
Former Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell, who led the club to its 2010 premiership and now heads members-only workspace Eclat, spoke about leadership and continuous improvement.
“Always try to find that one per cent, think about your own leadership,” Nick said.
“If someone challenges you, don’t knock them back. We need the people around us to challenge us and improve us as leaders.”
The event included a property management breakout session where panellists discussed compliance, technology changes and growth strategies.
Ray White Bundoora business owner Andrew Mizzi, who brought 12 team members to the event, summed up the mood.
“Emma Carey’s story was powerful. She said her whole life changed in two minutes, so always make the most of every moment.”
