Among those honoured are Adrian Kelly, former REIA President and Tasmanian agency leader; Monika Tu, renowned founder of luxury agency Black Diamondz in Sydney; Geoff Baldwin, a long-standing Western Australian agency principal; and Felix Reitano, a regional stalwart from Ingham, Queensland, whose service spans decades.
Their recognition reflects the significant impact real estate professionals can have both locally and nationally.
Adrian Sean Kelly, AM
For significant service to the real estate sector in leadership and board roles
Adrian Kelly says not much usually gets past him. But when an email from the Governor-General’s office appeared in his inbox, he nearly dismissed it as spam.
“I was shocked,” he says. “Not much gets past me, but this one did.”
The former REIA President and industry veteran from Tasmania has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, recognised for “significant service to the real estate industry.”
Adrian, who served as national president during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the honour reflects critical, largely unseen work that helped keep real estate functioning, and real estate professionals supported, at a time of deep uncertainty.
“There was an awful lot of work that got done behind the scenes that a lot of industry people didn’t know about or didn’t see,” he says. “In the beginning, estate agents were not going to be able to access JobKeeper… but because of the work the Real Estate Institute did at the time, we were able to access it.”
He says the award feels especially meaningful because it wasn’t something he applied for himself.
“We love our awards, don’t we?” he says. “But most of the awards, they’re all ones where you write your own submission. Whereas this, these ones, other people do all the work.
“And I think it takes about a year and a half to go from start to finish.”
When asked whether this ranks as a personal or career highlight, he doesn’t hesitate. “It’s a personal highlight in the sense that they don’t give many of them out. I think there were only four AMs given out in Tassie and around 120 nationally.”
Although he jokes he had to Google what “AM” actually meant – “It’s like the Australian Open, isn’t it?”, Adrian says he’s proud to see more real estate professionals being recognised at higher levels.
“A few of us from the real estate industry have been recognised, and that doesn’t happen all that often. Especially at the AM level too, that’s a real step up.”
The formal investiture ceremony will take place later this year, but Adrian is already thinking ahead.
“I’ll let you know when I get the selfie,” he laughs. “Charlie and I are best friends now.”
Monika Tu, OAM
For service to the community through charitable organisations
Luxury real estate entrepreneur Monika Tu has been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for her extraordinary contribution to charity and community service, an accolade she describes as “a great honour” and “a huge recognition” of her work not only in property, but also as a proud migrant Australian.
“These things, people nominate you without you knowing. We don’t do what we do for awards or anything, right? We do this from our heart… But at the end of the day, it is acknowledged. It’s a great feeling.”
Monika, founder of Black Diamondz, is known for her signature style and leadership in Sydney’s prestige property sector, but her influence stretches well beyond luxury homes. A tireless fundraiser and committee member for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, Monika has played a pivotal role in helping raise millions.
“Last year we raised $33.4 million,” she said. “And this year, we try to reach $80 million.”
She’s also chaired Lunar New Year charity events, hosted high-end fundraisers, and contributed to arts organisations like the Museum of Contemporary Art. In February alone, one of her events raised $2.15 million for children’s health causes.
Real estate, she says, goes hand-in-hand with philanthropy.
“This is good for your soul and it’s also good for network, right? Most vendors and buyers, they’re either philanthropists or art lovers.”
Even with a packed real estate schedule, Monika devotes her time almost exclusively to property and giving back.
“I don’t play golf. I don’t play mahjong. I do two things: real estate and charity,” she laughs.
She hopes her recognition inspires others in the industry. “For real estate agents, normally we have very low social status. So something like this… hopefully we can inspire other agents to do something, to give back.”
Of her Chinese heritage, Monika says the award meant a great deal to her family, especially her mother. “Growing up, she never said, ‘Oh, well done. It was always, ‘you can do better’ But this time she was really excited. She said, ‘Wow, it’s like you’re honoured by the King!’ And she’s telling everybody.
”It’s absolutely a great honour, and especially as a migrant. You can finally say, ‘oh my God, so you actually belong here’. It’s a huge recognition.”
Felix John Reitano, OAM
For service to business, and to the community of Hinchinbrook
For Felix Reitano, being named on the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List was as unexpected as it was humbling.
The long-serving Ingham, Queensland, real estate agent and community leader described the experience as “a bit surreal,” after learning he would be awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
“You do these things because you like helping others,” he said. “Then the next minute, you get a call from the Governor-General’s office and it all becomes real.”
That initial contact came via email, which Felix thought might be spam. “But it had all the right logos,” he said with a laugh.
Felix’s contribution spans decades. He has served as president of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce for more than five years, and vice-president for ten.
He’s been on the committee for over 30 years. He also served over 20 years in the Army Reserve, is a Justice of the Peace with nearly 50 years’ experience, and currently serves as president of the 31st Battalion Association in Ingham.
“Some people hadn’t spoken to me in 20 years rang me up,” he said. “My best mate from New South Wales said, ‘Mate, I’ve got goosebumps.’”
Despite all of this, Felix is quick to share the credit. “I couldn’t have done any of it without my wife, Judy,” he said. “She handles property management, which is a tougher job than selling farms and houses.”
At 77, Felix still works in real estate and is an active part of the Ingham community.
Geoff William Baldwin, OAM
For service to veterans
Geoff Baldwin OAM is no stranger to service — whether in real estate boardrooms or back with his SAS mates. But the Western Australian agency leader and former SAS soldier was still caught off guard when he was named on the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List.
The recognition came not for his prolific property career, but for decades of work supporting veterans and leading charitable efforts in his home state.
He first learned of the nomination via letter from the Governor-General’s office several months ago, asking whether he would accept the honour if awarded.
Geoff wrestled with the decision: “I spent two weeks on that,” he says. “I was going to decline because I just think there are so many people in this country who deserve it more than me.”
In the end, friends who had nominated him convinced him otherwise.
“They said they wouldn’t talk to me again if I didn’t accept.”
Regardless, he remains modest about the accolade: “I’m proud, really proud,” he admits, “but I don’t want to make it all about me.”
Obviously, Geoff’s contributions extend well beyond real estate as a REMAX licensee owner. A former chair of the Red Cross Red Shield Appeal in WA and a founding figure in a transition centre for veterans in Dale, he has long used his leadership skills to back causes close to his heart.
Now 71, Baldwin is still working in real estate, despite a series of health challenges, including two heart operations, two strokes and a serious head injury.
“When I had my first stroke, the doctors and physios lined up to tell me what I couldn’t do — walk properly, drive, work,” he recalls. “I decided I would.”
That defiant optimism still drives him. He’s considering a new advocacy mission in response to what he sees as unfair media treatment of Australian veterans.
“These guys went away, risked their lives, did their jobs. The press hasn’t been there — they have no right to judge or make negative aspersions.”
Finally, he jokes that while King’s Birthday Honours tend to arrive near one’s retirement, Geoff isn’t slowing down.
“Retirement’s the second-last stop on a train journey,” he says. “I’m not ready for the last stop just yet.”
Clive John Berghofer, AO
Citation: “For distinguished service to the community of Queensland through philanthropic support of health and emergency services, sporting and educational organisations.”
Clive is a property developer and one of Queensland’s most generous philanthropists and a major backer of the Brisbane Broncos rugby league club. His name adorns the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute after a record $50 million gift, reflecting a career that intertwined real estate success with community benefit.
Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, AM
Citation: “For significant service to the property sector through executive roles.”
Susan is a prominent property industry leader, best known as the former CEO and managing director of Mirvac Group. She has also contributed to public service and policy as a member of the NSW Public Service Commission (2015–2023) and chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council. Her AM honour highlights both her executive leadership in real estate and her service on national bodies addressing housing and gender equity.
Rebecca Joy McGrath, AM
Citation: “For significant service to business through leadership roles in compliance, audit and finance.”
Rebecca is an accomplished company director and business leader known for her governance and finance expertise. She has held senior roles such as Chair of Investa Property Group and non-executive director of Macquarie Group, among other board positions.
Arlene May Tansey, OAM
Citation: “For service to business through a range of board roles.”
Arlene has an extensive corporate governance portfolio, having served on the boards of numerous companies across different sectors. Notably, she has been Chair of the Serco Asia-Pacific advisory board and a director of Aristocrat Leisure, TPG Telecom, McMillan Shakespeare, Lendlease Investment Management and several others.
Kenneth John McCracken, OAM
Citation: “For service to the building and construction industry.”
With a career spanning the late 1950s to the present, John has managed major building projects and led industry bodies. He served as National President of the Australian Institution of Construction Supervisors and is a long-time fellow of the Australian Institute of Building. His OAM recognises these contributions to professional standards, training and leadership in the building and construction industry.
Lynette Mary Grocke, OAM
Citation: “For service to sustainable housing, and to the environment.”
Lynette is a passionate advocate for sustainable housing and community-based housing models.
She has played a pivotal role in promoting the Homeshare model in Victoria, an innovative program that pairs older homeowners or people with disabilities with younger individuals to create mutually supportive living arrangements.
She has also contributed significantly to environmental sustainability as President of TreeProject, a community-based reforestation organisation.
Robert Allan McGauran, AM
Citation: “For significant service to urban architectural design, planning and development, and to tertiary education.”
Robert is an architect, urban planner, and educator with a career dedicated to shaping sustainable and inclusive urban environments.
He is a co-founder of MGS Architects, a Melbourne-based firm renowned for its work in urban regeneration, mixed-use developments, and affordable housing.
He has also contributed to the advancement of housing policy through advisory roles with the City of Melbourne and other government bodies.
In academia, Robert has served as an adjunct professor and mentor to architecture students, fostering innovation in urban design.
This list has been compiled based on information published in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List. We have endeavoured to highlight individuals with notable links to the real estate industry. If you are aware of any recipients from our sector who were inadvertently omitted or have further relevant contributions to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us newsroom@eliteagent.com.au.
