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Real estate industry professionals recognised in Australia Day 2019 Honours

Several members of the real estate industry have been recognised in the 2019 Australian Day Honours, receiving recognition for the work they’ve done both for the industry and for their communities.

2019 saw 1,127 Australians recognised on the Australia Day list – the largest number in the history of the Order of Australia.

Among those recognised were several members of the real estate industry. Brian Bloxsom of Bloxsom Family Group in Queensland was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the real estate industry and to the community.

Mr Bloxsom has been the director of Bloxsom Family Group since 1960. The commercial and industrial property group has property all over the North Brisbane region and works closely with their tenants to ensure the needs of their businesses are met.

Mr Bloxsom is also a member of the Rotary Group of Chermside and donated the original helicopter for the Queensland Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service in 1976.

John Shore was also awarded an OAM in the General Division, recognised for his service to the community through charitable organisations. Mr Shore has been the director of Ray White Chelsea in Victoria since 2009, also sitting as CEO for Victoria for the brand from 1996 to 2006. He’s been a member of REIV since 2007 and is also an auctioneer.

Mr Shore has used his auctioneering skills to help raise money for a range of charities and volunteer organisations, including Rotary, Variety Club, Les Twentyman Foundation, Finnan’s Gift Op Shop Ball, Reach Foundation, CanTeen Australia, Helping Hand Helping Hearts, Children First Foundation and Monash Children’s Hospital.

Mr Shore is also the co-founder of the Melbourne Op-Shop Ball and an Ambassador for Canteen Australia, as well as a Patron for the Les Twentyman Foundation.

Anastacia Whittaker, principal/director of Bathurst Real Estate, was awarded an OAM in the General Division for her service to the local community of Bathurst.

Ms Whittaker is a sixth-generation Bathurst resident who married into real estate in 2002. She’s built her career in the industry alongside her husband Michael, tackling all the challenges faced as a sales agent, auctioneer and property valuer.

Alongside her real estate work, Ms Whittaker is passionate about giving back to her local community. She’s a Board Member for Bathurst Meals on Wheels, a founding member of Bathurst Women’s Business Network and a former consortium member of Headspace Bathurst.

Ms Whittaker is a recipient of the Women Out West Award for ‘outstanding integrated family and business’, has been named New South Wales Central West Most Outstanding Woman and won the John Grigg OAM Community Service Award from REINSW in 2014.

Ms Whittaker is also currently the Chairperson for the Defence Reserves Support Council – Central West Region and has been a board member of Bathurst Business Chamber for the last nine years, three of those as President.

The oldest recipient in the Australia Day 2019 list was 99 years old and the youngest was 26. Almost 46 per cent of the awards were for outstanding service or achievement in the community.

Those recognised on the list will  receive their awards in ceremonies held around the country.

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Hannah Blackiston

Hannah Blackiston was an in-house journalist with Elite Agent. She worked with the company from January 2018 to January 2019.