More than 1200 Ray White Queensland members gathered at the Royal International Convention Centre on Thursday, as the real estate network celebrated the achievements of the top offices and individuals over 2020-21.
Ray White Queensland Chief Executive Officer Jason Andrew said their state had a lot to be grateful for considering it is open for business with no restrictions currently in place.
“We send our thoughts and well wishes, particularly to those in the Ray White Group, stuck in their homes or possibly without work, unable to enjoy the camaraderie, friendships and enjoyment that come from nights like these,” he said.
“We celebrate with humility and with an enormous amount of gratitude. We live in a part of the world, we work in an industry and for a family company and for that we can all believe in and can be enormously proud of.”
After a statewide surge in prices, the Queensland property market was now worth $75 billion, up from $50 billion the year before, the Ray White Group noted.
Ray White Queensland transacted more than 18,600 properties in 2020-21, and helped 37,000 families find their dream home, worth a whopping $11.5 billion in sales value. They also manage over 45,000 properties for landlords.
Sydney-based Ray White Managing Director Dan White, who joined the celebrations digitally via Zoom, said Queensland was and always would be, the group’s home state.
“Queensland’s success has created the opportunities for our group to grow to new places, and we never question the undeniable fact that the ongoing performance of our home state is absolutely pivotal to our future everywhere,” Mr White said.
“It’s been a remarkable year. Market conditions were excellent but the development of our network and our teams by so many fine leaders, set us up to seize the opportunities that came our way. You deserved the amazing results that followed.”Â
The group conducted 4392 auctions, cleared 67 per cent on the day with 5.3 registered bidders per auction in 2020-21.
For the first time in 28 years, the Ray White New Farm team beat the dominant Surfers Paradise Group to be awarded the number one office in Queensland for settled commission and total number of sales.
The office was also honoured as the sixth highest ranked office on Ray White’s international leader board.
Ray White New Farm focused on providing the top marketing avenues for their clients to generate the maximum number of buyers and the methods necessary to extract the highest possible sales price.
Once again Ray White New Farm Principal Matt Lancashire won the Top Selling Principal in terms of settled commission award for 2020-21.
Accepting their awards, Ray White New Farm Principals Haesley Cush and Matt Lancashire, acknowledged the resilience, performance and character of Andrew and Greg Bell and the entire Surfers Paradise Group.Â
“You have taken the headwind of our group for decades. You have been the unbeatable group with offices all around the world. You have led us with innovation in property, in auction events and in marketing. Thank you for your leadership,” Mr Cush said.
The Lancashire and Cush empire was born out of a singular ambition in 2017 to pursue happiness in business.
“As individuals we were fast but together we knew we could go further,” Mr Lancashire said.Â
“The top office award, however, has nothing to do with Haes and I. This award is an acknowledgment of the hard work and sacrifice each and everyone of our team puts in day to day.
“The business would not succeed without the hard work from each and every member of our team.
“From our callers, letterbox droppers, property managers, administrators, our value team right through to our agents, we are a collective force and we are family.
“Both Haesley and I know one hot day doesn’t make a summer and we will hold the baton and hold you all off for as long as we can.
“What a thrill but the hard work starts now. For all of the principals and offices that are on the verge of great things, believe in what you want to achieve and go for it.
“We are both high school flunks, if we can do it, you definitely can. Keen hunting, because we will continue to chase.”
One of the most exciting awards of the night was presented to Matt Gates of Ray White Sanctuary Cove when he was named the Top Sales Agent for Queensland in terms of settled commission, while Sonya Treloar of Ray White Bridgeman Downs won for number of sales.
Roxanne Patterson of Ray White Bracken Ridge won the Top Selling Principal award for total number of sales.
The marketing gurus at Ray White Surfers Paradise team took home the Marketing Excellence – Office award, while ever popular leader Matt Lancashire won the Business Growth – Individual award again.
Ray White New Farm was named as the top Business Growth – Office.
Blue ribbon office Ray White Sherwood was named for its Excellence in Auction – Office while the unstoppable Michael Nolan of Ray White West End won the Excellence in Auction – Individual award for his results.
The final award of the night is perhaps the most special and so it was with great pride that Matt Lancashire, Principal of Ray White New Farm, was named as the prestigious Max White Award winner for 2020-21.
For the last 40 years the Max White prize has been awarded to a member of the Ray White Group in Queensland who embodies the values of the group. This year’s Max White winner epitomises the power of partnerships.
“Matt purchased a good business, made it a brilliant one – yet through partnership has now made it extraordinary. Each and every single weekend, Matt highlights his vendor’s properties to the highest of standards – through partnerships,” Mr Andrew said.
