Ray White Victoria and Tasmania celebrates its 2019 winners

The winning team of Ray White Ferntree Gully.

MORE than 1,100 guests descended on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the annual Ray White Victoria and Tasmania state awards on Thursday August 22 to celebrate the top offices and individual achievers throughout the leading network.

Ray White Victorian and Tasmanian CEO Stephen Dullens welcomed everyone and reminded them all that the leading real estate business helped more families achieve their great Australian dream than any other brand.

“Together, we represent the most successful real estate brand within the country. Our collective strength is worth so much more than the individual parts, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to support each and every one of you. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” Mr Dullens said.

“The best thing that each of us can do for each other - is to grow. The best thing that each of us can do for each other - is to provide exceptional customer service. The best thing that each of us can do for each other - is to engage with our communities.

“As a group we were focused on fantastic customer outcomes well before it became trendy, dating all the way back to 1902.”

The top performer in terms of settled commission for 2018-19 in Victoria and Tasmania was Ben Thomas of Ray White Ferntree Gully, who took out the top individual spot for the third year in a row.

Mr Thomas had a stellar career as an accomplished Melbourne chef before he followed his heart into real estate and quickly became a dominant sales force.

The powerhouse Ray White Ferntree Gully business has once again taken out the top overall office spot in Victoria for the third year in a row.

From left to right: Ray White Group Managing Director Dan White, Ray White Ferntree Gully Sales Consultant Jack Rickard, Ray White Ferntree Gully Director - Sales Consultant Ben Thomas, Ray White Ferntree Gully Executive Assistant Maryanne Nicolson, Ray White Ferntree Gully Sales Assistant Jimmy Shan and Ray White Victoria and Tasmania CEO Stephen Dullens.

Leading agent, Ray White Balwyn principal Helen Yan was named as the number one top principal of the 2018-19 year, for the second year in a row. She is also the #4 Top International Principal in the Ray White Group.

Helen Yan was recently crowned as the top female agent in the country in the REB Top 50 Women in Real Estate ranking for 2019, the softly spoken Ms Yan was almost speechless when she heard the news.

Damian Portaro of Ray White Mildura was again named as the Top Regional Performer based on settled commission at the state awards for the second year in a row, while Ray White Ballarat was named as the Top Regional Office in Victoria and Tasmania for 2018-19, also for the second year.

Once again star agent Rebecca Owens of Ray White Hobart dominated the sales awards and took home the plaque for the Top Performer in Tasmania, while her office Ray White Hobart won the top accolade as an office, once again. Paul Ringeri of Ray White Cranbourne won the award for the Top Exclusive Performer in terms of settled sales for 2018-19.

This year, the CEO’s Cup award, recognising the recipient for having an extraordinary year of growth and commitment to their business, while also celebrating their contribution to the company, was awarded to Mete Karan and Ziya Koksal of Ray White Glenroy.

The Sales Rising Star award which recognises the youngest talent in the network was won by Austen Kosasih from Ray White Southbank who was named the top sales rising star while Juanita Bryant of Ray White Swan Hill was named as the property management rookie of the year. Cameron Knoll of Ray White Mt Evelyn won the award for PA of the Year.

Ray White Ballarat took home a lot of gongs including - Property Management Team of the year plus Top Exclusive Sales Office, while Joshua Caligiuri of Ray White Bundoora took out Property Manager of the Year. Ray White Oakleigh was named the Property Management Business of the Year.

From left to right: Ray White Group Managing Director Dan White, Ray White Balwyn Principal Helen Yan and Ray White Victoria and Tasmania CEO Stephen Dullens.

Danijela Pekic of Ray White Epping was named Property Management Business Development Manager of the Year while Chloe Holt of Ray White Ferntree Gully was named Property Management Team Leader of the Year.

The individual award for Marketing Excellence went to Erhan Kalistu of Ray White Glenroy, while Ray White Ferntree Gully took out the award for sales office with the best marketing. Ray White Warrnambool took home the gong for its community service.

Powerhouse office Glen Waverley also won the award for the top auction office in terms of settled sales, as well the award for administration team of the year while Ray White Ballarat won Top Exclusive Sales Office - Settled Sales.

Steven Yuen of Ray White Forest Hill won Novice Auctioneer of the Year, while the Senior Auctioneer of the Year award went to Tom Grieve of Ray White Carnegie.

Arjun Chandaka of Ray White Glenroy was named Lead Generator of the Year, while Zac Boothroyd of Ray White Lara was the winner of the Office/Operations Manager of the Year award. Bronwyn Shiel of Ray White Croydon won the award for Front of House Manager of the Year.

Property Management Customer Satisfaction Office of the Year went to Ray White Wodonga, while Cassy Prouse of Ray White Ferntree Gully won the Customer Care Individual of the Year award.

Ray White Frankston won the award for best presented office in 2018-19. Andrew Bellino and Carlo Gargano of Ray White Craigburn were honoured with the Business Achievement award.