The Real Estate Institute of NSW has named the winners of its 2026 Awards for Excellence, handing out 11 agency and 16 individual awards at a gala dinner at Hilton Sydney.
Peter Matthews took out the night’s highest individual honour, the Woodrow Weight Award, which recognises sustained contribution to real estate agency practice, leadership within the profession and service to the industry.
Peter’s career spans more than three decades across sales, agency leadership, auctioneering, technology and senior industry roles. A former REINSW President, he has conducted more than 30,000 auctions and is now Group CEO and International Director for Century 21 Middle East Group, Australia and New Zealand.
REINSW President Thomas McGlynn said Peter’s contribution extended beyond his own career achievements.
“Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for higher professional standards, innovation and greater trust and transparency within our profession. Just as importantly, he has consistently given his time, experience and leadership back to the industry,” Thomas said.
“It was a privilege to recognise Peter with the Woodrow Weight Award and celebrate everything he has contributed – and continues to contribute – to our profession.”
The 2026 program also introduced two new categories: Commercial Agency – Medium, won by Shead Property, and the inaugural Wellbeing Award, which went to Cunninghams Real Estate. REINSW said the new Wellbeing category recognises agencies that make mental health and wellbeing a genuine part of their culture, leadership and business strategy, creating healthier, more supportive and sustainable workplaces.
Thomas said this year’s finalists and winners had been tested by a year of substantial change, including ongoing housing affordability and supply challenges, rental and strata reforms, and new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing obligations, alongside the rapid uptake of technology and artificial intelligence across the profession.
“Excellence in real estate isn’t defined by one transaction, one result or one successful year,” Thomas said.
“It is built over time – through the trust you earn from clients, the standards you set within your business, the way you support your team and the contribution you make to your community. That is what the Awards for Excellence program recognises.”
2026 REINSW Awards for Excellence winners
- Woodrow Weight Award: Peter Matthews, Century 21 – UAE & India
- Achievement: Alexandra Wills, MMJ Real Estate Wollongong
- Auctioneer: Emanuel Comino, McGrath Leichhardt
- Business Development Manager: Jacinta Cally, Belle Property North Shore
- Buyers’ Agent: Amanda Gould, HighSpec Properties
- Buyers’ Agency: Propertybuyer
- Commercial Property Manager: Tahlia Talevski, One Commercial
- Commercial Salesperson or Leasing Agent: Tim Jones, MMJ Real Estate Wollongong
- Commercial Agency – Small: Bradfield International Real Estate
- Commercial Agency – Medium: Shead Property
- Commercial Agency – Large: Coutts Commercial Real Estate
- Communication: Propertybuyer
- John Greig OAM Community Service: Chana Levy, Levy Property Group
- Operational Leadership: Kon Stathopoulos, McGrath Parramatta
- Operational Support: Emily Noronha, MMJ Real Estate Wollongong
- Property Marketer: Fiona Yang, Plus Agency
- Tim Anderson OAM Residential Property Manager: Simone Shirvington, Élever Realty
- Residential Property Management Team: Partner Now Property
- Residential Salesperson: Nick Clarke, Clarke & Co Estate Agents
- Residential Sales Team: Warburton Estate Agents
- Residential Real Estate Agency – Small: Levy Property Group
- Residential Real Estate Agency – Medium: TAG RE
- Residential Real Estate Agency – Large: Lifestyle Group
- Rural Marketer: Martin Newell, Percival Property
- School-Based Apprentice/Trainee (SBAT): Anabelle Hampton, Hartley Realty & Lifestyle Properties
- Strata Manager: Ben Cabello, Strata Embassy
- Wellbeing: Cunninghams Real Estate