Real estate titans set to help Christchurch rise

A POWERFUL collective of Australasian real estate industry titans have rallied together to stage a conference called RISE2019, with all proceeds going to the victims of the families of the recent violence in Christchurch.

Industry veteran of 35 years, Chris Hanley OAM, who owns First National Byron Bay, was so deeply affected by the recent violence that he mobilised many of the top real estate agents and coaches from across the Tasman to volunteer their time to host a fundraising event.

Of the 20 speakers, five of them are from the leading property group in Australasia, Ray White, and its network along with many others are fully supportive of the initiative and worthy cause.

“What people don’t realise is one person, or a couple of people can do amazing things. I am not a Kiwi, in fact I actually only know one person in Christchurch but I have spent my adult life organising events to get people together and effect change,” Mr Hanley said, who founded the Byron Bay Writers Festival 22 years ago and many other local initiatives in his community.

“I have never had the thought that I can’t. So I always think, I can!

“There’s a lot of good people in real estate, so what I did on the Saturday after the tragedy, I texted a few of my friends to ask them if they wanted to put on a fundraiser. They all said: ‘brilliant, I am in’.

“The single main operating principle that I run my life and my business on is - ‘we give people, free information that makes them smarter with no strings attached’.

Ray White Head of Growth Mark McLeod said there had never been a more worthy cause to support in the real estate industry.

“It’s unheard of to live stream a real estate event but the organisers have developed a conference that is all about inclusion with a quality line up of speakers," Mr McLeod said.

“I cannot urge people enough to attend or make a donation as now is the time to come together and have love and compassion in the wake of this tragedy."

Ray White Double Bay founder Craig Pontey could not be more happy or proud to support the RISE2019 movement.

“I’d like us all to do something for the families of the victims in Christchurch. If you can’t get to Christchurch on May 2, then I would really like everyone to go online and make a donation - anything - and then you will get access to live stream the event from wherever you are in the world,” Mr Pontey said.

Top agent Gavin Rubinstein of The Rubinstein Group at Ray White Double Bay said he was humbled to be asked to speak at RISE2019.

“I hate any sort of form of negativity and I have an optimistic and positive approach to my life and my business and I am a big advocate of helping people in need. This is a conference not to miss and a worthy charity to support.”

While Mr Hanley has led the charge, he’s been supported by Ray White Remuera director Megan Jaffe and Ray White Head of Growth Mark McLeod, along with Dane Atherton from Harcourts Coastal on the Gold Coast.

All volunteers and speakers are self-funded to share and rise together to support the goal of raising funds. All cost for the conference are covered by donations and volunteers so that every dollar raised will go directly to the families of the victims.

Other speakers include Phil Harris, Shannan Whitney, John Cunningham, Antonia Mercorella and Kelly Tatlow, who heads up Ray White Concierge.

The keynote address will be delivered by author Peter FitzSimons, journalist and former Australian rugby player who will speak to the special bond between our two nations that exists across the Tasman sea.

Mr Hanley said tickets were $NZ250 and airfares into Christchurch have never been more affordable.

“If you can’t make the conference in person there will also be a live stream available to anyone who makes a donation.”

More information https://riseconference.com.au/