Ray White celebrate its 2021 winners in WA

Some 400 Ray White and Loan Market members last night celebrated their best performers of 2020-21 at the annual awards held at Crown Perth.

Ray White Group Chairman Brian White sent a message from Sydney to let the members know how proud he was of everyone in the west.

“Watching the Western Australian network become such a great business and get stronger, has been one of our great joys,” said Mr White AO.

“I love seeing so many agents in the west using the concept of auctions as it’s the best way to seek people's interest, attract new buyers and create competition. I believe the reason we as a company have achieved the results we have is an unswerving belief in bringing value to our vendors.”

Dan White, Ray White Managing Director, said 2020-21 was a year for the true believers in the West Australian real estate industry. “They've been many tough years over the last decade or so but last year was for those who made the most of the opportunities that finally came your way and you deserved every bit of it,” Mr White said.

“It's so wonderful to see double the number of Chairman's Elites and triple the number of Elites and Premier salespeople in the Western Australian recognition program. We had a record year across all our key metrics, everything that is important to us improved over the last 12 months with new talent joining the group and reaching personal bests.

“We have the leading market share where we now sell one in eight properties across Australia and New Zealand. We are investing in new technology and systems like never before. We're chasing our potential and we're as restless as we have ever been.”

Ray White Western Australia CEO Mark Whiteman said the network had come through a trying time with flying colours and he could not be prouder.

“It’s so great to see all the hard work from previous years start to reap some rewards for our wonderful members. It’s so easy to forget because of Covid that we were already in a tough market but all our members should be commended for their resilience and were now seeing the just rewards,” Mr Whiteman said.

“The past year’s results are a reflection of the hard work of our members but also the huge personal commitment made by the White family too.”

The coveted awards saw powerhouse agency Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont in the blue chip western suburbs once again took home the prize for top sales office based on the highest settled commission, and dynamo principal Vivien Yap was again named as the top principal in 2021 - for the fourth year in a row since joining the leading group.

The #1 Principal across Ray White’s Australian network Vivien Yap of Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont with Ray White Western Australia founding director Ross Whiteman at Crown Perth.

Viven Yap was also crowned the Top Principal in Australia, and number two across all of Ray White internationally. It’s a stunning achievement for the hard-working agent who is known for her relentless work ethic.

“For me, this was a dream come true to be number one in Australia. It’s always good to be recognised when you put in the hard work and what we have here at the Dalkeith | Claremont office is a culture that you just can’t replicate anywhere else," Ms Yap said.

"Within our office we are very close and I’m just so glad to have a job that I actually enjoy so much. All of us actually truly enjoy each other’s company and that just makes work so much more fun.

“I am very proud of my team. We have an extremely cohesive team and we communicate extremely well all the time. I couldn’t be where I am today without them. They are part of my family.

“I am looking forward to developing more great people within the Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont and Vivien Yap Exclusive Projects environment.”

Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont also won the coveted Business Growth - office award, while Vivien Yap also won the Business Growth - individual award, calculated on percentage increase of commission growth. The office also won the Marketing Excellence award, and Ms Yap was also awarded the Tony Fountain Top Auction Listing Award.

Elsie Corby of Ray White Rockingham | Baldivis was named the Top Principal by number of sales, and number three in the international rankings. Living in the Rockingham | Baldivis area for more than 30 years, Ms Corby’s passion for her community and genuine appreciation of all this exciting region helps her business to shine.

Sales operator Jackie Cowley of Rural Albany was named as the top sales agent of 2020-21 based on settled commission, while Vicktor Sutrisno of Ray White Applecross was the top sales agent by number of sales.

Once again the long established business Ray White Karratha was named top property management office for 2021. This business is in the heart of WA’s mining centre and is famous for having a huge focus on its loyal property investors to achieve maximum financial results.

Mathew Durham of Whiteman & Associates was named the John Seddon Rising Star, while Richard and Narelle Naulis of Ray White Karratha were awarded the coveted perpetual Ross Whiteman Cup.

“Richard and Narelle have run the top property management business in Western Australia for six years in succession. They have a fantastic leadership position in the Pilbara. In addition to being great performers, they are committed to their colleagues and they've been great supporters in tough times for the whole group,” Mr Whiteman said.

“Their commitment to their community and the enormous generosity they’ve shown in supporting some fantastic causes in particular the Mother’s Day Classic, raising money for cancer research is to be commended.

“Still in the prime of their careers, they are having a deep impact on the broader group which makes them wonderful recipients of the Ross Whiteman Award.”

Working alongside Loan Market brokers and a network of Ray White offices across the state, the awards also recognised the top referrers throughout the network.

The office with the highest amount of referrals was once again Ray White Whiteman & Associates. While Kyle Todd was named as Loan Market WA’s best referring individual based on the number of loans, Sue Vuong was named as the top broker in Western Australia.

The Damien Mills Community Contribution award for an office went to Ray White Rockingham | Baldivis for their outstanding contribution to the local community.

Mr Whiteman said despite the challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 situation this team continued to be extremely active in their community.

“Not just through the number of local schools, clubs and event sponsorships but also their fundraising efforts to support Breast Cancer Care in WA - a cause close to many of the team with their own personal stories that they draw inspiration from - as well as many other local charity organisations that support children’s organisations and other vulnerable members of the community.

The night also saw a number of gongs handed out for property management achievements. Courtney Stubber of Platinum South was named Property Manager of the Year, and Deborah Horder of Ray White Urban Springs once again won the Property Management Business Development Business of the Year award.

Kirsty Battison, Kyra Walker and Brenda Lindberg of Ray White Albany were also named as Administration Team of the Year, while Candice Hannaford of Ray White North Quays was named Office Manager / General Manager of the Year.