A Sunshine Coast auctioneer has claimed a landmark state title, while several other local agents and agencies also secured honours.
Tiera Butkus of Ray White Mooloolaba was crowned joint winner of the Auctioneer of the Year at the annual Real Estate Institute of Queensland Awards for Excellence, becoming the first woman to win the award.
Among other local winners were Bronwen Stacey and Home Scouts, Heather Fleming of Hinternoosa, Krause Property Group and Town.
More than 1000 people converged for the awards at The Star Brisbane on October 31, to celebrate outstanding achievement, professional excellence and best practice standards championed by the REIQ. There were 31 awards presented.
In a first for the awards, which have been held since 1991, the Auctioneer of the Year title could not be split, with Ms Butkus and Jordan Curd of Gold Coast-based Ray White Malan and Co, jointly claiming the honour.
Bronwen Stacey was named Buyers’ Agent of the Year, before Home Scouts went on to secure Buyers’ Agency of the Year.
Heather Fleming of Hinternoosa was recognised as Agency Support Person of the Year.
Innovation and creativity were also firmly in the spotlight, with Krause Property Group claiming the Multimedia Award.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the winners reflected the quality, breadth and professionalism of the REIQ membership.
“The calibre of professionals recognised has been exceptional, and every winner should be immensely proud to have distinguished themselves within such a strong field,” she said.
“Excellence in real estate takes many forms, and our awards are designed to reflect that. Some categories recognise outstanding commercial performance, while others celebrate professional practice, customer service, innovation, emerging talent, leadership and contribution to the community.
“Across those diverse categories is a common thread of commitment to quality, professionalism and the high standards the REIQ seeks to champion.
“Perhaps nothing demonstrated the depth of quality in this year’s field better than our Auctioneer of the Year judges being unable to separate two exceptional performances, resulting in the first joint winners of the title.
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“It was also a history-making moment, with Tiera becoming the first female auctioneer winner of the category: a traditionally male dominated sector.
“The joint auctioneer winners will be given the opportunity to participate in the Plantation Homes’ House for Life charity auction at Burleigh next year with every dollar from the sale going to Mater Little Miracles.”
Commercial achievement was also recognised across a range of performance-based categories
In the agency performance categories, Town claimed the South-East Queensland Sales Agency title for settled commissions.
Ms Mercorella said the gala was an opportunity to shine a light on the professionalism and dedication that often happens without fanfare across the state.
“Real estate professionals support Queenslanders through some of the biggest financial and personal decisions of their lives, and there is an enormous amount of skill, care and hard work behind delivering that service well,” she said.
The winners will also have the opportunity to progress to national recognition through the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s National Awards for Excellence.
