Network & Industry News
Everything you need to know
MEMBERSHIP: Celebrating a 40-Year Legacy of Dedication
First National recently honoured the enduring commitment of multiple New South Wales and Queensland member agencies by marking their 40th anniversary.
In an elegant black-tie affair at Petersons Armidale Winery, National Chairman Rob Westwood extended his heartfelt congratulations to the owners of legacy offices for their unwavering dedication to enhancing the reputation and reach of the First National Real Estate brand.
Recognising them as pillars who have steadfastly placed the customer's interests at the forefront of their operations, he said, ‘In any environment, not just the real estate industry, marking such a significant milestone is an event that stands unique in any industry.’
The agencies acknowledged on the evening were First National Shultz\Taree (NSW), FN Robyn Willis (Glen Innes, NSW), FN Armidale (NSW), FN Bundaberg (QLD), FN Action Realty Ipswich (QLD), FN Wal Murray & Co (Ballina & Lismore, NSW), and FN Childers (QLD), which recently toasted its 30th anniversary.
In a gesture of warmth and recognition, all guests were announced upon their arrival, receiving a grand welcome from Board representatives Rob Westwood and David Doherty. Joining them in welcoming the evening's special guests was Chief Executive Ray Ellis, who also expressed his admiration for the agencies and their commitment over the decades.
The evening served as a testament to the strong foundations on which the First National Real Estate brand has been built, celebrating not just years, but decades of trust, commitment, and exceptional service.
‘Thanks for a great day yesterday. We are so grateful for the efforts made by yourselves and the team, and those that travelled. Such a positive impression made on our Armidale team.’
Paul Campbell
FN Armidale (NSW)
‘I just wanted to thank you for inviting Meg and I to last night’s dinner. We enjoyed the night immensely and are so happy to to be part of the First National group.’
Rebecca Dean
FN Port Stephens (Salamander Bay, NSW)
‘Thank you, Ray, Aly, Rob and Matt, for coming up and hosting such a terrific event in our town. We really enjoyed the night.’
Brad Dunham
FN Armidale (NSW)
‘Many thanks Ray, and thanks for a great day.’
Neil Mortimer
FN Armidale (NSW)
UP-SKILLING: Unlock Next-Level Profits to Thrive in This Dynamic Marketplace
In a changing market, don’t leave it too late to make sure your business is operating at peak profitability.
At First National, we want your business to grow as much as you do. To make sure you achieve your goals, we have a dedicated National Performance Manager to help you every step of the way.
With a respected background in accountancy, banking and real estate practice, Ted Piteo provides professional and confidential development support, business mentoring and contributes to the overall enhancement of agencies throughout the network. The quiet background support he provides to many members has transformed businesses, including one office who added $17,500 to their bottom line in the first month after acting on Ted’s advice.
Some business owners even report that the financial efficiencies they achieve after working with Ted more than outweigh their monthly membership fee.
Ask your Business Growth Manager to arrange an appointment or email to Ted directly at ted.piteo@firstnational.com.au
MEMBERSHIP: Chairman & CEO Luncheon
The network’s Chairman and CEO Luncheons provide opportunities for our principals, sales agents, property managers and administrators to get to know each other, the network’s leadership, and discuss everything related to real estate.
In Armidale, our most recent event brought people together from far and wide, and FN Armidale (NSW) closed its office completely so its whole team could participate.
Thank you to everybody who participated. You make us who we are. What a fantastic event.
MEMBERSHIP: FN Selfie Day, 1 September
Our annual FN Selfie Day is when we all share something of importance to us; something that makes us who we are.
Don’t forget to upload your photograph to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #fnselfie before 5:00 pm on 1 September.
POLICY: Fighting Rent Controls
Your network continues to engage with the industry peak body, state institutes and the media in support of efforts to resist rent controls.
A Special Edition Information Express was recently sent to all offices wrapping up some examples of the network’s recent capital city radio interviews and content for your websites.
AWARDS: Don’t Forget to Submit Your Figures
Don’t forget to keep up with submitting your figures for our General Excellence & Marketing Awards. They’re designed to bring recognition to your rookies, hardworking teams and star performers.
BGMS: Welcome New Business Growth Managers
Please join us in welcoming our two new Business Growth Managers in New South Wales, Sarah Barton and Amy Bruce.
They both been out in the field, getting acquainted with our offices and their staff, attending professional development sessions and getting across everybody’s needs.
POLICY: REIV Launches Campaign Fighting Rent Controls
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has launched its own communications campaign fighting the possibility of rent controls being introduced. The campaign is titled ‘Rent Freeze, Frozen out.’
COMPLIANCE: NSW Fair Trading Targeting Regions
New South Wales members be warned. Fair Trading inspectors have been targeting regional NSW offices and checking for compliance related to:
- Required notices on your front door
- Supervision guidelines – do you have them and are they up-to-date?
- Evidence of CPD compliance and Professional Indemnity insurance
- Sales files – agency agreements, CMAs, estimated selling prices/revisions/weekly reviews
- Offer communication
- Price representations
- Dates contracts were received
- Tenancy and landlord files – ID fraud prevention, ingoing reports, ledgers, bond lodgements and agreements
UP-SKILLING: Get Registered for Your IR Day
Investor Relations Managers, your IR Days are coming up fast! Have you registered yourself and your colleagues yet?
We have great speaker line-ups locked in for SA/NT and WA. VIC/TAS, NSW and QLD, we'll reveal your speakers soon but you can already register using the links below.
Make sure you don’t miss out because we have a fantastic day of support planned for you, designed to support your wellness, skill set and growth plans.
Register here:
UP-SKILLING: QLD Power Up 2, 21 September
Registrations are now open for our second Power Up session for 2023 in Queensland.
Don’t miss out because the first Power Up was a powerhouse of ideas, techniques, methods and industry updates. Get registered here…
UP-SKILLING: Jonathan Creek in Adelaide
Jonathan Creek’s social media training always receives rave reviews and it was no different in Adelaide, where he recently shared his pearls of wisdom.
UP-SKILLING: Fiona Blayney Investor Relations
Fiona Blayney has been working her magic with our investor relations managers, yet again.
She has been helping them to uncover how they can grow their property management business through solving client and customer challenges, while keeping their teams together along the way. At her recent sessions in New South Wales, she discussed:
- Methods to minimise legislation disruption
- WHHSS – Work Health, Happiness, Safety, Simplified
- What your role is when client and customer are at odds
- Service standards for client and team retention
- 5 quick roads to growth
- The Real Care App
UP-SKILLING: Queensland Principals’ Retreat
Queensland’s principals got together in Brisbane for our most recent Principals’ Retreat where they heard from Tanja Lee, Dr Matt Tredgetsmith and Eythan Barraclough – who discussed succession planning, key personnel and retention strategies, optimising business value, mergers and acquisitions plus systems, processes and people.
‘Excellent day. Quality speakers and content. Great location.’
George Koukides
FN Metro (West End, Qld)
UP-SKILLING: New South Wales CPD Training
Continued Professional Development is not only compulsory, it’s vital to making sure you’re 100% across all of the latest changes to legislation and factors that can substantially affect a customer’s experience. Our New South Wales and Victoria/Queensland border offices have recently been undertaking the network’s CPD webinar training sessions, with great feedback received.
‘Thank you very much for your time this morning with the training. It was run very smoothly and I came out having learnt lots, taking away very important facts.’
Zoey Tye
FN Charles L. King & Co (Echuca, Vic)
‘Just want to say that course this morning was awesome. She didn’t muck around, just smashed out the relevant info and got it done. High praises from me.’
Liam Russell
FN Charles L. King & Co (Echuca, Vic)
UP-SKILLING: Leah Calnan and Tribunal Case Studies
Leah Calnan's recent training day at Crown in March was a huge success. In this session, Leah discussed the basics of preparing a notice to vacate, making applications, timeframes, and went over case study examples.
By popular demand, Leah will host a 75-minute webinar and give you a list of case study slides that will be addressed according. Towards the end of the webinar, there was a Q&A period where participants asked questions about the experiences encountered in their offices.
‘I thought the training was great; such grey areas that just need to run through VCAT to get precedents. Leah was great, as usual. Such an incredibly intelligent woman regarding the Residential Tenancies Act.’
Jeni Capaldo
FN Treeby (Ringwood, Vic)
‘I found the webinar informative and, as usual, well presented by Leah. The timeframe was convenient and the Q & A interaction was great.’
Nicole Tomkins
FN Charles L. King & Co (Echuca, Vic)