Network & Industry
In This Edition…
✨ Future network plans revealed at Port Douglas Convention
📍 Convention 2026 destination revealed
🏆 Winners celebrate National Awards
📝 Marketing, communications and network rebrand plans
🧩 Learning and development breakthroughs coming your way
📈 How the network plans to grow
💻 5 things your competition isn’t doing with AI
💭 Don’t miss our property management think tanks
🙌 New FN Foundation sponsorship - RizeUp
Future plans revealed at Port Douglas Convention
👓 1 minute read
Your network’s National Convention attracted more than 40% of network offices, with some 300-plus delegates enjoying keynotes, business breakouts, and a National Awards spectacular.
Throughout the three-day agenda, the CEO outlined the network’s progress against its three-year strategy, and senior management revealed details concerning:
Marketing and Communications
Learning and Development
Membership and Growth
It’s important that all members and staff are across these exciting developments, so if you weren’t able to be at Convention, please watch the presentations now.
Marketing and Communications
📺 20 minute video
Learning and Development
📺 25 minute video
Membership and Growth
📺 18 minute video
A popular new component of the convention agenda was our ‘Town Hall’ gathering, which was attended by hundreds. This open forum enabled not just members but also staff to ask any questions they may have about the network’s primary functions and strategies, and also the information revealed in the business sessions that had preceded the event. It’s a fitting example of your administration’s openness and transparency.
Marketing & Communications Director, Mark Jansen
Learning & Development Consultant, Trevor Maher
Business Session
Member Services Manager, Suzi Cowperthwaite
Town Hall
Membership Director, Darren Pearce
Town Hall
Marketing & Communications Director, Mark Jansen
Learning & Development Consultant, Trevor Maher
Business Session
Member Services Manager, Suzi Cowperthwaite
Town Hall
Membership Director, Darren Pearce
Town Hall
Convention 2026 revealed
Do you know where next year’s convention will be? It's one of Asia’s most popular destinations!
We’ll have registration details out to you soon.
Tell us what you thought of National Convention
🗳️ 5 minute survey
Flames of the Forrest, Port Douglas
Flames of the Forrest, Port Douglas
Help shape the future of our National Conventions by sharing your thoughts on this year’s event at Port Douglas. All we need is five minutes of your time.
Which industry publications do you read?
👓 30 second survey
Do you read Elite Agent or Real Estate Business? Take this 30 second survey to tell us a little more about your reading habits. Start here...
Honouring the network’s founding aspirations and values
📺 4.45 minute video
At National Convention, CEO David Edwards revealed the foundational aspirations of First National Real Estate in an interview conducted last year with network co-founder, Bill Wood.
Within, Bill describes what motivated him to contact his friend Chas Heath in the early 1980s - to discuss ways in which independent real estate agents could counter the rise of franchise real estate groups.
2025/26 Board and Regional Councillors announced
👓 1 minute read
Annual General Meeting, Thursday 8 May, 2025
L to R: Alan Read, Rob Westwood, CEO David Edwards, Jennifer Nitschke, David Doherty, Neil Coupland
Annual General Meeting, Thursday 8 May, 2025
L to R: Alan Read, Rob Westwood, CEO David Edwards, Jennifer Nitschke, David Doherty, Neil Coupland
Winner on the way to Vietnam
Elisa Mayberry, First National Bundaberg
Elisa Mayberry, First National Bundaberg
We offer a warm congratulations top Elisa Mayberry of FN Bundaberg (QLD) who won our National Convention app competition. Elisa has won herself a delegate ticket to Convention 2026 in Vietnam. Congratulations Elisa.
National Award winners celebrate under rainforest canopy
👓 1 minute read
National Awards, Flames of the Forrest, Port Douglas
National Awards, Flames of the Forrest, Port Douglas
Some outstanding achievements were celebrated at our unique and spectacular candlelit rainforest event in Port Douglas.
FN Cleveland (Qld) was announced Sales Office of the Year
FN Hedland (Port Hedland, WA), was announced Property Management Office of the Year
Melissa Starkey of FN Surfers Paradise (Qld) took home Property Manager of the Year
Suzy Candappa of FN Candappa (Drouin, Vic) who won Business Development Manager of the Year
Bianca Stubbs of FN Cleveland achieved Salesperson of the Year
Specialist awards provided recognition for individuals who went the extra mile in 2024:
David Nitschke Scholarship – Harrison Turner, FN Cleveland (Qld)
Kaye Heath Memorial Award – David Lovell, FN Yamba (NSW)
New Salesperson of the Year – Jason Gray, FN Surat Basin Chinchilla (Qld)
New Property Manager of the Year – Demee Spargo, FN Rayner (Bacchus Marsh, Vic)
Pillar Award – Karen Allen, FN Hedland (Port Hedland, WA)
Rising Star – Karen Hall, FN Property Solutions (Palm Beach, Qld)
Community Spirit Award – FN Charles L. King & Co. (Echuca, Vic)
Digital Award – Andrew Sherwood, FN Karratha (WA)
Best Marketing Campaign – Matt Hutchison, FN Coastside (Shellharbour, NSW)
Reputation Management Award – Sharryn Noonan, FN Peoples’ Choice (Gawler, SA)
Major award winner details can be found on the National Website, and a complete awards spreadsheet here.
Two new State Membership Managers appointed
👓 40 second read
Craig Cram, SA/NT State Membership Mgr.
Peter Mitrovitch, NSW State Membership Mgr.
Craig Cram, SA/NT State Membership Mgr.
Peter Mitrovitch, NSW State Membership Mgr.
First National is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Cram as our new SA/NT State Membership Manager. Craig starts with us on 29 May. Many members will already know him from his years in the utility-connections sector, where he forged strong relationships with agencies throughout the region. That background, coupled with a genuine commitment to member success, will assure seamless continuity of support and guidance as well as opportunities for network growth.
We’re also pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Mitrovich as our additional State Membership Manager for New South Wales. Peter will commence on Tuesday, 5th June and brings with him over 30 years of real estate experience, including time as a business owner and as the former NSW General Manager for the Harcourts Real Estate Group. His depth of industry knowledge and leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our team and to each of you as valued members of the First National network.
Upcoming professional development opportunities
👓 20 second read
NSW
What: Principals' Think Tank
When: 5 June 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Novotel Newcastle
Register: Click here
What: Principals' Think Tank
When: 12 June 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Quest Nowra
Register: Click here
What: Rental Reforms Webinar for Sales Agents
When: 17 June 10:00 am to 10:30 am AEST
Where: Zoom Webinar
Register: Click here
What: Property Management Training with Julie Collins
When: 24 June 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Novotel Newcastle
Register: Click here
What: Digital Training with Josh Phegan
When: 22 July 8:00 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Club Parramatta, Sydney
Register: Click here
VIC/TAS
What: Gippsland Property Management Think Tank
When: 24 June 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Warragul Country Club
Register: Click here
What: Sales Training with Aaron Shiner
When: 26 June 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Crown Promenade Melbourne
Register: Click here
QLD
What: Principals' Think Tank
When: 4 June 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Where: The Glen Hotel, Brisbane
Register: Click here
SA/NT
What: Property Management Think Tank
When: 17 June 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Arkaba Hotel, Adelaide
Register: Click here
ONLINE
What: Commercial Property Management Webinar with Wendy Thomson & Joel Rauer
When: 23 June 10:00 am to 12:00 pm AEST
Where: Zoom Webinar
Register: Click here