Tristan Rowland of Bright Real Estate has been named Residential Salesperson of the Year, while Samantha Ellis of Property Zest took out Residential Property Manager of the Year at the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s 2026 National Awards for Excellence in Melbourne.
TOOP+TOOP claimed Large Residential Agency of the Year, and Harris Real Estate won the Marketing and Communications Award, with both representing South Australia.
TAARNBY Real Estate took out Small Residential Agency of the Year, with principal John Taarnby also recognised for Individual Sustainability Leadership.
Leanne Pilkington of Laing+Simmons received the REIA President’s Award, recognising her contribution to the industry nationally.
Gypsea Youngsmith of Kollosche took home the Achievement Award.
Tristan Rowland of Bright Real Estate, who won the REIA’s Residential Salesperson of the Year, said the recognition goes beyond the award itself.
“I’m the first Queenslander to ever win the national salesperson award, which is pretty cool,” he said.
“To be recognised for what we have done is pretty special.”
He said his team, and in particular his wife, played a big part in his success.
“Behind every great man is a great woman and a very surprised mother-in-law,” he said.
“She runs the back end of my team. I’ve won REIQ salesperson of the year the last two years, and I’ve won worst admin person in Queensland for the last twenty years running. I’m a salesperson.”
Tasmania’s 4one4 Property Co. were awarded the Innovation Award, and the Northern Territory’s Shyam Thapa of Wealthmax Real Estate received the Community Service Award.
In the ACT, Blackshaw Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra were named Medium Residential Agency of the Year, while Little Bird Properties won Residential Property Management Team of the Year.
Honours were spread across all 22 categories at the Melbourne gala, with South Australia claiming four national titles and Queensland taking home five individual awards.
Western Australia, the ACT and New South Wales also featured prominently.
REIA President Jacob Caine said the awards reflected the depth of talent across the industry.
“These awards celebrate the very best in our profession – those setting the benchmark nationally,” he said.
“The calibre of finalists and winners this year reflects the resilience and professionalism that continues to strengthen the real estate industry across Australia.”
Full list of winners
- Achievement Award: Gypsea Youngsmith, Kollosche Pty Ltd (QLD)
- Agency Sustainability Leadership Award: Community Housing Canberra Ltd (ACT)
- Business Broker of the Year: Dustin Slypen, LINK Business Brisbane (QLD)
- Business Development Manager of the Year: Kimberly Castle, AM Property Agency (ACT)
- Buyers’ Agent of the Year: Amanda Gould, High Spec (NSW)
- Commercial Agency of the Year: LJ Hooker Commercial Adelaide (SA)
- Commercial Property Manager of the Year: Vaughan Copping, Perth Property Management (WA)
- Commercial Salesperson of the Year: Michael Ceacis, Select Property Group (ACT)
- Community Service Award: Shyam Thapa, Wealthmax Real Estate (NT)
- Individual Sustainability Leadership Award: John Taarnby, TAARNBY Real Estate (SA)
- Innovation Award: 4one4 Property Co. (TAS)
- Large Residential Agency of the Year: TOOP+TOOP (SA)
- Marketer of the Year Award: Hayley Patrick, Jones Realty & Projects (WA)
- Marketing and Communications Award: Harris Real Estate (SA)
- Medium Residential Agency of the Year: Blackshaw Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra (ACT)
- Operational Leadership Award: Ashleigh Goodchild, SOCO Realty (WA)
- Operational Support Award: Tamika Kent, McGrath Aspley (QLD)
- Residential Property Management Team of the Year: Little Bird Properties (ACT)
- Residential Property Manager of the Year: Samantha Ellis, Property Zest (QLD)
- Residential Sales Team of the Year: Jones Realty & Projects (WA)
- Residential Salesperson of the Year: Tristan Rowland, Bright Real Estate (QLD)
- Small Residential Agency of the Year: TAARNBY Real Estate (SA)
- REIA President’s Award: Leanne Pilkington, laing+simmons (NSW)