Ray White kicks off 2026 with a record launch event in Melbourne

Domenic Belfiore emphasised the ambition of the number one agency to aim for #1 in every market, moving beyond just having "yellow boards and sold stickers" to focusing on community engagement and conducting business with pride.

He stressed the importance of aligning with company values and being "humble, honest and getting the job done," while calling for agents to improve their presentation and make social media less about themselves.

The network manages 61,000 properties and cracked a record 18,000 settled sales in 2025, up from 14,000 in 2022, with three personal bests in a row in September, October, and November.

“The aim is to be proud of every transaction for sellers, buyers, and renters. This is our home, our house and I want you all to be proud of your communities and the businesses you represent. Best in market? What does it mean? Lots of yellow boards and sold stickers or is it how we engage with our communities. Everyone who wears the yellow square or business card, you are part of a bigger group of 12000 members.

“So many people are committed to being better and growing in 2026.

“Our ambition is to be #1 in every market in every core market and more than 50 per cent of our businesses are #1 or #2 in their markets. So our ambition to be #1 moving forward as we are the market leader overall.

“We do know that success breeds success. Success attracts success. My challenge to you all is to present this company with pride and aim to be #1 in every market.

“Last year there were some members whose values didn’t align with ours. Tough decisions were made for the greater good of the group.

‘If we want to be around for the next 124 years we have to always do right by our customers. I don’t sugar coat my words and I will call a spade a shovel.”

Ray White Group chairman Brian White AO, together with Domenic Belfiore, reflected on the history of the fourth generation owned and led group.

“I love this company. We are a family owned business. There is confidence we’ll always be there for our franchisees. People do respect our commitment to them.”

Truly inspirational keynote speaker Emma Carey described the moment in 2013 when her life changed in a single moment when she fell from the sky during a skydiving accident in the Swiss Alps.

She is recognised for sharing her story of resilience.

Her Euro trip, at age 20, had been a massive dream of hers for, she felt nothing but pure excitement and elation that it was finally happening.

“We were flying high above the alps, looking down at the tiny mountains which looked so big from below just five minutes earlier and as we were getting higher and higher, I remember thinking to myself 'remember this moment',” Ms Carey said.

“The feeling of free-falling was something I will never forget.

“I had always expected it to be a lot scarier but I can honestly say it was one of the best moments of my life.

“An overwhelming sense of calmness washed over me and I remember feeling like at that moment, I was exactly where I was meant to be.

“My daydream soon turned into my worst nightmare when the free-fall didn't seem to stop. I felt the parachute come out and slow us down a little bit but we were still going straight down and even though I didn't know anything about skydiving, I knew it was way too fast. The next minute, I'm lying face down on the ground with an unconscious man strapped to my back. “When I went to roll him off me, I had the most brutal and heartbreaking realisation of my entire life. I couldn't move my legs. At all.

“​Until that day, I had never faced a situation that was irreversible.

“Normally when you come across a problem in life, there is some kind of solution, some way to erase the damage or some way to move forward.

“There, laying on the ground, face in the dirt and an unconscious man on my back, there was nothing like that. I couldn’t move my legs, I couldn’t go back in time five minutes and I couldn’t deny the damage. The permanency of the situation broke my heart. I wondered how it would feel to live the rest of my life unhappy.”

“As I was falling, I wondered what death would feel like. I felt that for 10 seconds.

“But you all have time and you still have time. Who would run to? What would you choose to change? Don't wait until you nearly die to start living. At age 20 I had no passion and I was paralysingly shy. I didn't know what I wanted to do, I just wanted to travel.

“But I wanted to sky dive. And even through my fall, I was conscious of it all.I remember it all. I have the crystal clear knowledge that I was certain I was going to die. And at that moment I thought I had wasted my life. I realised quickly that my legs wouldn't move. I couldn't even wiggle my toes. I just wanted to go back in time. I broke my pelvis, my teeth and my spine. “Doctors later told me I was a paraplegic and that I would never walk again.

“I was terrified, I was paralysed. All I wanted was the ability to walk again! My life was perfect two minutes before and I didn’t even know.

“But I am now extremely great at walking again.

“I have defied the odds. And my doctors are shocked too. I put it down to the special way my special cord was damaged, and luck.

“Don’t wait for things to be perfect.

“If you can, you must. If there is something you desire to do, you must. We all think we have forever, but what if it doesn't."

Former Australian rules football player and former captain of the Collingwood Football Club Nick Maxwell talked about having a great work ethic and how to get the best out of yourself.

In 2010, Maxwell captained Collingwood to its first AFL premiership in 20 years; the first since the 1990 premiership victory.

Maxwell is now the chief executive of Eclat, a members-only workspace and hospitality venue designed with luxury in mind.

His leadership role allows him to build on lessons learned across 20 years in the AFL.

Reflecting on his transition from elite sport, Maxwell acknowledged the challenges but emphasised the importance of continuous growth.

His core leadership philosophy centers on finding marginal gains and remaining open to challenge.

“Always try to find that one per cent, think about your own leadership," Maxwell said.

“If someone challenges you, don't knock them back. We need the people around us to challenge us and improve us as leaders. We don't have all the answers.”

When discussing how to develop emerging leaders, Maxwell talked about the importance of creating structured pathways to build confidence.

He encouraged current and aspiring leaders to reflect on their own journeys: “Take yourself back to what helped you, what hindered you. How did you become a leader? Create the steps to build the confidence required to lead.”

Throughout his presentation, Maxwell stressed maintaining a strong work ethic and staying humble in the face of success were crucial elements in getting the best out of yourself and those around you.

His story served as a powerful reminder that leadership is earned through perseverance, openness to feedback, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Speaking to industry professionals, Ray White CEO - Strategy Mark McLeod said the quality and frequency of decisions separated good agents from great ones, and that waiting for market conditions to improve was not a strategy for growth.

“This industry rewards effort and focus,” Mr McLeod said.

“2026 won't be better than 2025 if you don't make decisions. Make a decision to do this craft the way you know it should be done.”

Mr McLeod highlighted that top-performing agents don't rely on dramatic changes or revolutionary strategies. Instead, they focus on making small, consistent decisions that compound over time.

“The great agents I work with make incremental tiny decisions that add up over the course of the year,” he said. “If you make decisions on the basics, you will see success.”

He said the ‘basics’ remain unchanged: making more connections through calls and open inspections, conducting more appraisals, and securing more listings to create opportunities and momentum.

He also emphasised the importance of incorporating systematic NurtureCloud processes into daily practice.

Mr McLeod's comments serve as a reminder that success is built through consistent execution of fundamental activities rather than waiting for perfect market conditions.

Ray White Agency Compliance Manager Shaun Doyle warned all the members that regulations exist in every industry and the ones who monitor our industry were changing their behaviour and they have “more data, more AI and better ways of detecting underquoting” than ever before.

“The vast majority of our members are doing the right thing. We know you can be a high performing agent and highly compliant agent at the same time,” Mr Doyle said.

“Incentive based commissions can be acceptable when they are transparent and fully lawfully set up, up front and not introduced later on.”

Ray White Victoria and Tasmania development business executive Lauren Macpherson facilitated a panel with Alex Mees (Southbank | Melbourne City), Jessica Davidson (Frankston), Emmah Sutton (Cranbourne) and Bridget Daly (Cranbourne).

In the property management specialist breakout room, the panel discussed what is coming in 2026, changes to Pulse and recognition and how to stay compliant.

“It is such a privilege to be part of this network. Our business is focused on apartments and fully furnished properties which represents 90-95 per cent of our properties. We are aiming to reach 2000 properties under management this year. Our plan is ‘list, retain and develop our team and set up the structure for growth’,” Ms Mees said.

“Utilise this network. You are lucky to be a part of Ray White. And if you don’t turn up to events, don’t expect to be celebrated.’

“When you are new, do your dues and have a few mentors. Come to training, put your hand up, share and get involved. Don’t be in a rush to master this industry, it will come.”

Experienced sales agent Cristine Jones of Ray White Ferntree Gully (pictured above with Domenic Belfiore and Brian White) said she loved hearing Emma Carey’s keynote speech.

“I tried not to get too absorbed in her pain but to lean into her courage and take inspiration. It was a bit of a trigger for me too as I was hurt in an accident by my dog and I could drive for 6 months. It wasn't the end of the world but it definitely affected me. I rescue Rottweilers and my dog knocked me over and I broke my wrist.”

Business owner Andrew Mizzi of Ray White Bundoora (pictured above), who brought 12 members of his team to Launch, said he always loved hearing from Brian White.

“I have so much respect for Brian and all that the family has achieved. Emma Carey’s story was powerful. She said her whole life changed in two minutes, so always make the most of every moment.”