Winners in the Annual REA Excellence Awards (AREAs) have been announced with Ouwens Casserly Real Estate taking out the coveted Residential Agency of the Year Award.
REA Group announced the 2022 winners at an in-person celebration last night with more than 500 finalists and guests in attendance to see almost 50 awards handed out to the real estate industry’s high-performers.
South Australia’s Ouwens Casserly took out the Residential Agency of the Year award ahead of finalists LongView and TOOP + TOOP.
When announced as a finalist in March, director Nathan Casserly said the nomination was recognition for the way the entire Ouwens Casserly team pulled together while directors Alex Ouwens and Luke Holden were taking time away from the business while their children battled cancer.
“As an agency we stepped up because our directors, sadly, were away from the business because both of their children were diagnosed with cancer within a couple of months of each other,” he said at the time.
“So as an organisation, and as a leadership team, we had to step up.
“We had a challenge around leadership with key personnel being out but we still had a very good, successful year.
“Awards can recognise when your business is in full flight and has maximum momentum in a really strong market, we’ve all experienced recognition in those times, but it’s a testament to your business, your people and your culture when you have challenging times like that and in a turning market as well.”
In other awards, GJ Gardner took out the Contribution to Community accolade for a project which saw the construction and auction of a house, with all proceeds donated to the Illawarra Community Foundation.
Many local trades, suppliers and businesses donated their time, products and skills to bring the project to life.
One of the Contribution to Community award judges, and Chief Executive Officer of The Big Issue and Homes for Homes, Steven Persson lauded the high-quality of submissions in the category.
“We really had our work cut out for us as judges,” he said.
“I’d like to congratulate the Contribution to Community Award winner and all the amazing entrants this year who truly make a difference in their local communities.”
In the Top Residential Agent categories, eight state-based winners were announced with Josh Tesolin taking out the award for NSW, while Michelle Stephens took the honours for Victoria.
Jarrah Burns won Top Residential Agent in Tasmania, Brett Hayman won for the ACT and Kate Smith claimed the honour for South Australia.
Linton Allen took out Top Residential Agent for Western Australia, while Alex Jordan won in Queensland and Daniel Harris won in Northern Territory.
REA Group Chief Customer Officer, Kul Singh, was delighted to attend last night’s event to congratulate all winners and finalists.
“It was wonderful to see our finalists come together in person for our first national event since the pandemic,” he said.
“With the number of submissions up 60 per cent compared to last year, it’s been another standout year for the industry.
“At our very first AREAs event in 2016, we had just 16 awards. This has grown to nearly 50, demonstrating the high value REA places on recognising and celebrating the success of our customers and the incredible contribution they make to the property industry.”
For a full list of winners see below or visit theareas.com.au:
Residential Agency of the Year
Ouwens Casserly
Commercial Agency of the Year
Colliers
Property Management Team of the Year
Wiseberry Heritage
Most Influential Woman in the Property Market
Sarah Hackett, Place Estate Agents
Top Residential Agent – NSW
Josh Tesolin, Ray White Quakers Hill – The Tesolin Group
Top Residential Agent – VIC
Michelle Stephens, OBrien Real Estate – Carrum Downs
Top Residential Agent – TAS
Jeremy Wilkinson, Harcourts – Launceston
Top Residential Agent – ACT
Brett Hayman, Hayman Partners – Canberra
Top Residential Agent – SA
Kate Smith, Harcourts Smith – Semaphore
Top Residential Agent – WA
Linton Allen, Empire Property Solutions – Fremantle
Top Residential Agent – QLD
Alex Jordan, McGrath Estate Agents – Paddington
Top Residential Agent – NT
Daniel Harris, Real Estate Central – Darwin City
Game Changer of the Year
LEAP Real Estate, Resimax Group
Marketer of the Year
Emily Wood, Frasers Property
Integrated Brand Campaign of the Year
NAB Home Loans, Mindshare
Wellbeing Initiative of the Year
Equality Time, Equality Media + Marketing
Contribution to Community
The House that Convoy Built, G.J. Gardner Homes – Wollongong & Shoalhaven
Top Commercial Sales Agent
Victoria
Chris Kombi, Fitzroys – Melbourne
NSW
Yosh Mendis, Burgess Rawson – Sydney
QLD
Trent Bruce, Raine & Horne Commercial – Brisbane North
SA
Andrew Turner, Commercial S.A Property Group – Adelaide
WA
Miguel De Freitas, DFR Commercial – Cockburn Central
Top Commercial Leasing Agent
VIC
Tino Parisi, Compton Green
NSW
Colemon Xu Hui Su, Colemon Property Group – Canterbury
QLD
Manoli Nicolas, LJ Hooker Commercial – Brisbane
SA
Evan Florinis, Commercial S.A Property Group – Adelaide
WA
Paul Scarfone, Ross Scarfone Real Estate – Belmont
Top Commercial Sales & Leasing Agent
ACT
Guy Randell, Burgess Rawson Canberra Commercial – Dickson
NT
Ryan Doyle, North Commercial
TAS
Tom Balcombe, Knight Frank – Tasmania
Land Campaign of the Year
Victoria and Tasmania
Eliston, National Pacific Properties
NSW and ACT finalists
Carmel View, McDonald/Multi Media Buying & Planning
QLD and NT
Flagstone, Peet
SA
Tonsley Village, Peet
WA
Kennedy Bay, Parcel Property
Builder Campaign of the Year
Victoria and Tasmania
Boutique Homes, ABN Group
NSW and ACT
Burbank, Burbank
QLD & NT
Metricon Homes, Metricon Homes
SA
Metricon Homes, Metricon Homes
WA
Homebuyers Centre, ABN Group
Apartment Campaign of the Year
Victoria and Tasmania
Cowper Residences, Avic Developments
NSW & ACT
Lumia, Sekisui House/Enigma Communication
QLD & NT
Royale, The Today Business
SA
Glenside, Cedar Woods Properties
WA
Riviere Residences, Edge Visionary Living
Support Superstar of the Year
Jessi Hyland, JLL Australia
Rising Star of the Year
Vedant Agrawal, Ray White St Mary’s – Diamantidis Group
