New scroll honours Life Members at Ray White’s Shed

This year, almost 400 members, including 14 Life Members, made the trip up the Darling Downs to the historical village in Crows Nest, to visit the iconic tin shed - which hasn’t changed much since Ray opened his business 123 years ago.

Ahead of Connect 2025 on the Gold Coast, the White family welcomed some of these important Life Members to The Shed Open Day for the momentous occasion.

Ray White Group Managing Director Dan White said: “Becoming a Life Member of the Ray White Group is a recognition of a member’s very significant contribution to our family group over a long period of time”.

“It is reserved for members who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, and without them our group would be in a very different position,” Mr White said.

“The criteria to become a Life Member is brief, simply being retired and that our group would not be in the position it is today if not for them.”

“I love being at the Shed. We are reminded that we had the humblest of beginnings! It teaches us what ambition can achieve and what can come from generations of hard work and commitment to creating a business of which we can all be proud.

“We hope that our members genuinely feel that they are part of a family group. Where their ambition is supported, where their effort is properly recognised and appreciated, and where they can reach their potential. We hope that they will be proud of every transaction and every relationship.”

Some Life Members who attended the Shed Open Day included:

• Greg and Jan Burbidge were awarded Ray White Life Membership in 2016 in recognition of their long-standing dedication, leadership, and service to the Ray White Group and the Narooma community. Together, they owned and led Ray White Narooma for many years, building a trusted local business grounded in professionalism, integrity, and client care.

• Jim and Maureen Doig. Jim was the Principal of Ray White Wagga Wagga and zone chairman for many years. He was instrumental in growing the south west country region. He had a great rent roll and grew a fabulous team. He was awarded Life Membership in 2016.

• In 2024, Julie Robb was awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of her exceptional service, leadership, and long-standing contribution to the Ray White network, particularly in North Canterbury.

• In 2016, Les and Carole Robins were awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of their decades of dedication, leadership, and outstanding contribution to the Ray White Group and their Deception Bay community.

• In 2021, Angela Capitanio was honoured with Ray White Life Membership after an extraordinary 34-year career marked by resilience, record-breaking success, and deep community impact in Cairns.

• In 2022, Paul Stirling was recognised for 33 years of outstanding service, leadership and contribution to the group.

• In 2011, John Berno was awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of over 30 years of unwavering loyalty, leadership, and service to the Ray White Group and the Adelaide community.

• In 2024, Narelle Robinson was awarded Ray White Life Membership in recognition of her exceptional service, dedication, and leadership within the network, particularly as the driving force behind Ray White Wodonga.

• In 2018, Helen and Mark Boman received the Life Membership. The couple owned Ray White Mt Gravatt from 2002-2018.

The occasion for these outstanding and inspiring leaders within the Ray White Group was acknowledged as “momentous”.

Life members Helen and Mark Boman, now retired, said they felt honoured finding their names on the new scroll.

“We feel so honoured, especially looking back on a time that was so good,” Mrs Boman said.

“It’s been a really melancholic feeling.”

Jim and Maureen Doig said it was a privilege to be recognised for “doing a normal job”.

“It has always been great to work with the people of Ray White and the family of Ray White,” Mr Doig said.

“Today has been a special day - we have enjoyed the trip up from Wagga.”

Jan and Greg Burbidge described seeing their names on the scroll as an “honour”.

“To be recognised 10 years after being retired is amazing, and to still be part of the Ray White family,” Mr Burbridge said.

Crows Nest resident Dell Christensen, 82, attended the open day and said she remembered her mother (Bertha Welke) telling her she worked as a house keeper at Ray White’s house.

“Mum worked as a house keeper and she cared for Ray’s son Alan when he was a baby,” Ms Christensen said.

The youngest of 12 siblings, Ms Christensen said it was an honour to attend today’s event.

“My mum loved working here,” she said.

“Ray used to send my mum a little diary every year and she kept them, they were special to her.

“Mum said Ray was a lovely man. My family and my husband’s family have bought property from Ray, and even today the property is still owned by the Christensen family.”

Ms Christensen said stepping inside the shed for the first time was amazing.

Also, on the day around $4000 was raised as part of a charity auction, held by Ross Whiston, who owns Ray White Gawler East in Adelaide.

Items up for auction included a morning tea with Ray White Group Chairman Brian White, with proceeds going to volunteers at Crows Nest Historical who look after the Shed.

There were smiles all round at the Shed Open Day, with whip cracking, a food fair, billy tea and damper to enjoy.

The day was enjoyed by hundreds of members, including Director of RWC Noosa and Sunshine Coast Paul Butler who has worked with Ray White for nearly 20 years.

“I vaguely remember coming here as a kid with my parents who used to own Ray White Caloundra,” Mr Butler said.

“It’s nice to go back to the roots of the company.

“I just found my mum and dad’s name at the bottom of the Life Member’s List, as well as Tracey Ryan from my office - it’s pretty special.”

Ray White Stocker Preston director Mike Tucker who said it felt amazing to come back to where it all started.

“We’re proud to be a part of the history of Ray White,” Mr Tucker said.

“We’re a regional business ourselves, so it really resonates with us being here in Crows Nest.”