The black-tie event brought together property people from across the ACT. Photo: REIACT.
The Real Estate Institute of the ACT has hosted its 31st annual Awards for Excellence at the National Convention Centre, celebrating with a black-tie gala that brought together more than 400 professionals in the field.
Putting local property professionals in the spotlight, the awards celebrate talent across the entire property sector, including residential, commercial, property management, sales, and strata.
More than 30 outstanding members of the ACT property community were recognised throughout the gala night, which was Wicked themed.
The night had a particular focus on innovative ideas, community involvement and dynamism in an evolving industry.
“As we continue to face downward pressure on fees and rising expectations from clients, collaboration and innovation in this industry become not only desirable but critical,” REIACT President Hannah Gill said.
“All our finalists and winners were able to demonstrate extraordinary achievement,” REIACT CEO Maria Edwards said of the winners.
Among the winners was Property Collective, which took home the Project Property Marketer of the Year Award.
“This is the culmination of years of hard work,” Mr Honey said.
“We built the company from scratch five years ago, and we found that success is about hiring the right people, implementing robust training and creating an innovative model that works across Canberra. That’s how we’ve built trust throughout the capital.
“The new off-plan segment of the market has been a tough market in recent years, but we’ve developed a system that works. We’ve grinded through the hard days and come out the other side. That hard work has now borne fruit. It’s about doing the little things right consistently.”
Auctioneer of the Year award went to Nic Salter-Harding from LJ Hooker Dickson, while LJ Hooker Woden/Weston’s Jane Macken was awarded Residential Sales Person of the Year Award.
“This is the third year running that I have won, so it’s an incredible honour. I couldn’t stop shaking,” LJ Hooker Woden/Weston franchise owner Jane Macken said.
“Communication and client care are the secrets to my success. When you make things easy for the client, everything just works from there.
“It’s nice to know that in a tough market you get results by working the right way, with the clients’ interests coming first, doing the best work for them.”
Jane said she couldn’t win the award on her own.
“I am grateful to my clients, staff and the team at REI. But most of all to my husband, David. He is such a wonderful man; he never complains, even when I’m on the phone late at night. He is my rock, and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
MV Law Property Development Manager Christina Berlis says she was honoured to be named Conveyancer of the Year.
“This recognition reflects my commitment to delivering elite client service and a smooth, stress-free journey through the conveyance process, whether it be for a single home or an 800-unit project.
“The conveyance process is a team effort for all involved, clients, conveyancers and agents all working together for a great outcome, so to be recognised as a leader in the industry by the Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT) is amazing.”
2025 REIACT winners:
- Community Housing Sector Property Manager – Carol Manga, Community Housing Canberra
- Business Development Manager of the Year – Kimberly Castle, AM Property Agency
- Commercial Property Manager of the Year – Andrew Brient, Sentia Real Estate
- Marketer of the Year – Bianca Emery, home.by holly
- Residential Property Manager of the Year – Ben McDowell, Hayman Partners
- Novice Auctioneer of the Year – Campbell Jones, Blackshaw Manuka
- Marketing and Communication Award – Blackshaw Real Estate
- Leasing Consultant of the Year – Danielle Coady, Element Property Services
- Operational Leadership Award – Zoe Wheelhouse, Luton Properties
- Sustainability Leadership Award – Community Housing Canberra
- Strata Manager of the Year – Ysabella Gills, Grady Strata & Facilities
- Small Residential Agency of the Year – Capital Buyers Agency
- Conveyancer of the Year – Christina Berlis, MV Law
- Auctioneer Franchise of the Year – LJ Hooker
- Operational Support Person of the Year – Lauren Tye, Carter and Co Agents
- Rookie of the Year – Ian Burchell, Hyde Burchell Buyers Agents
- Service Provider of the Year – Aperture Media House
- Project Property Marketer of the Year – The Property Collective Projects
- Innovation Award – Hayman Partners
- Buyers’ Agent of the Year – Penny Hyde, Hyde Burchell Buyers Agent
- Community Service Award – Blackshaw Gungahlin
- Sustainability Leadership Award for an individual – Sasha Trpkovski, Archer Projects
- Achievement Award – Gabby Woods, LJ Hooker Woden Weston
- Commercial Salesperson of the Year – Michael Caecis, Canberra Commercial
- Solicitor of the Year – Georgia Fitzsimmons, Antos Legal
- Residential Salesperson of the Year Jane Macken, LJ Hooker Woden Weston
- Commercial Agency of the Year, Canberra Commercial
- Allhomes People’s Choice Auctioneer of the Year – Brianna Williams, LJ Hooker Gungahlin
- Residential Property Management Team of the Year – Little Bird Properties
- Residential Sales Team of the Year – Team Stanton, The Property Collective
- Strata Management Agency of the Year – LMM Solutions
- Medium Residential Agency of the Year – Blackshaw Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra
- Auctioneer of the Year – Nic Salter-Harding, LJ Hooker Dickson
- Large Residential Agency of the Year – Blackshaw Manuka.
