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. 

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

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

Your 2025/26 Board of Directors was announced at the recent Annual General Meeting, as well as state and territory Regional Councillors. The Board also announced a 3 per cent increase to the National Membership Levy, effective 1 July 2025.

2025/26 Board of Directors:

Rob Westwood – Chair (Vic/Tas)

Joe Bryant – Vice Chair (WA)

Jannifer Nitschke – Director (SA/NT)

David Doherty – Director (NSW)

Neil Coupland – Director (Qld)

2025/26 Regional Councillors:

Following a surge in engagement with the network’s Regional Council’s, new Regional Councillors have been appointed. Find out who your elected representatives are here.

Appointees will now undergo an induction process whereby the structure and purpose of Regional Councils is explained, their responsibilities outlined, and meeting protocols as well as key decision-making processes detailed. Councillors will also undergo two three-hour training sessions with the Australian Institute of Management. This is aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills to chair effective meetings, design effective agendas, manage difficult behaviours and group decision-making strategies.

Winner on the way to Vietnam

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

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

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