Network and marketplace

Australians name First National most trusted property management brand 

Priority: High,Australian members 

👓 1 minute read

Australian consumers have named First National the Most Trusted Property Management Brand in the 2026 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards. 

Finder surveyed more than 50,000 Australians across its awards programme. First National won the ‘Most Trusted’ award for Real Estate Property Management and received a further 11 highly commended results across property management, real estate sales and seller experience categories. 

The commendations cover measures including value, customer recommendations, trust, brand appeal and highly rated agents. 

For members, the results provide independent consumer recognition that can support conversations with landlords, sellers and prospective clients. Finder does not charge winners to enter the awards or use its badges, and the supplied material confirms the badges do not expire. 

This recognition belongs to our members and teams whose service shapes how Australians experience the First National brand every day. 

Download the approved Finder assets 

Read Finder’s guidance for using award assets

Rebrand shortlisted for two major awards 

Priority: Medium,All members 

👓 1 minute read

First National’s rebrand has been named a finalist in two awards, bringing external recognition to a project shaped to strengthen the network’s national identity while supporting each office’s local position. 

The Marketing and Communications team is a finalist in the 2026 REIV Awards for Excellence for the ‘Marketing and Communications Award’. Winners will be announced on Thursday 22 October. 

The rebrand has also been shortlisted for the Transform Awards ANZ in the ‘Best Brand Evolution – Corporate’category. Winners will be announced on 25 November. 

The two finalist positions recognise the scale and ambition of the rebrand, along with the work completed across the NSO Marketing and Communications team, the wider NSO team and Whippet Agency. 

They also recognise the contribution members have made to shaping and supporting the project as the national rollout continues. 

We look forward to sharing the results with the network.

First National Townsville opens its doors 

Priority: High,national network 

👓 1 minute read

Members once again have a First National colleague in one of regional Queensland’s most important property markets, and that’s something to celebrate! 

Helen Munro Property  has officially become First National Townsville. Led by Director Tracy Crome, the family-owned agency brings 30 years of local history and a 24-person residential sales and property management team to the network. 

Tracy chose First National to retain the agency’s local ownership and decision-making while giving her team access to broader marketing, training, compliance and technology support. 

The agency also brings strong community connections, including support for the Townsville Mendi Blackhawks and the annual Stable community Christmas event. Even Tracy’s local community sent flowers and gifts as a token of their support. 

Please join us in welcoming Tracy and the First National Townsville team. 

Read the announcement in Elite Agent 

Read the announcement in The Real Estate Conversation

Read the announcement inReal Estate Business

Read the announcement in Real Estate Today

Principals share strategies for a changing market  

Priority: Medium,Australian principals 

👓 1 minute read

Strong attendance at the recent Victorian and NSW Principals’ Retreats gave members time to compare experiences and discuss how to run their agencies in a changing marketplace. 

In NSW, Chris Hanley OAM shared his expertise with principals, while  Michael Sleiman, Jason Partridge and Rebecca Dean also contributed their perspectives. Victorian principals took part in a dedicated business session. 

The retreat programme continues in Western Australia on 21 October, with Rebecca Clow, Tim Lawless and Shannon Wiseman scheduled to speak. SA and NT principals will gather in Broken Hill on 6 November, with Kylie Lange providing the keynote. (See registration links in the Action Required chapter) 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the retreats so far. The upcoming events give more principals an opportunity to step away from daily operations, learn from one another and return with ideas for their businesses. 

First National’s advice reaches buyers nationwide 

Priority: Medium,all Members 

👓 1 minute read

First National has helped buyers and sellers make sense of property questions through three radio interviews and a substantial national news.com.au (3.8 million daily readers) feature in recent weeks – achieving an estimated advertising media equivalency of $36,000.  

On 2CC Breakfast, Stewart Bunn (NSO) discussed property boundaries and the value of surveys and legal advice. On Perth's 6AW, Rob Druitt (FN Druitt Saunders, WA) explained what buyers should ask about Crown land adjoining a property, including its purpose and possible future use. 

Stewart also spoke with Renee and Cam on Canberra’s Mix 106.3 about recording devices left active during open homes. The Saturday morning slot put that advice before local listeners as many were heading to inspections. 

A major news.com.au feature  took the open-home privacy issue to a national audience. First National’s experience informed the story throughout, with Stewart quoted extensively and pictured in the article. It is valuable recognition of the practical advice our network can bring to issues affecting buyers, vendors and agents.

2CC Radio 

6AW Radio 

Mix 106.3 Radio 

News.com.au - Spying open house cams: The hidden surveillance buyers need to know about 

Chris Hanley’s advice for difficult PM conversations 

Priority: Medium,property managers, team leaders, principals 

👓 1 minute read

When a landlord’s rent expectations are unrealistic or a team member needs help, a clear conversation can prevent the problem from growing. 

First National's Chris Hanley OAM brought that message to 400 property managers at PM/ONE 2026. In coverage by Elite Agent, Chris encouraged property managers to ask colleagues for help, speak honestly with landlords and address poor behaviour early. 

His one-word principle was care. For Chris, that means listening patiently and telling people what they need to know, even when the conversation is difficult. He also encouraged teams to use ‘we’ rather than ‘I’ when speaking with clients and each other. 

Read Chris’s advice in Elite Agent.

Victorian PMs put shared experience to work 

Priority: Medium,Victorianproperty managers & principals 

👓 1 minute read

Property managers in Sale and Williamstown recently came together to compare daily challenges, exchange practical solutions and learn from colleagues facing similar pressures. 

Convened by State Membership Managers (SMs) Debbie Fletcher and James Bateman, the roundtables confirmed how much members value opportunities to meet in person. Debbie said there was plenty of laughter, open conversation and genuine appreciation that the network had taken the meetings to members in their local areas. 

Legislative change dominated both discussions. Members spoke about the volume and pace of new requirements, lengthy VCAT delays and the difficulty of resolving possession matters. 

There was also strong concern about the industry’s influence on government policy. Some participants questioned whether the REIV was taking a sufficiently visible role in representing agencies and property managers as rental legislation continued to change. 

The meetings gave members practical peer support while helping the network better understand the issues affecting Victorian property management teams. 

Kelly Isaacs commences as Property Management Advisor 1st October

Priority: For information, National

👓 1 minute read

Kelly Isaacs will join the National Support Office (NSO) on 1 October as First National’s new Property Management Advisor.

The national role has been re-established in response to member feedback seeking dedicated property management support.

Kelly brings a decade-long association with First National. Until recently, she was Principal of First National Wynnum Manly(QLD), before selling her rent roll to Ryan McCann at First National Cleveland(QLD).

Debbie Fletcher, who has balanced her role as State Membership Manager (SMM) for Western Australia with the former National Property Manager role, will continue to assist members and Kelly as required. 

We warmly thank Debbie for her long-term commitment to the support of the network’s property managers, round table expertise sharing events, complaint resolution and property management conference management.

Kelly’s appointment brings an experienced member perspective to the NSO and strengthens the support available to principals and their property management teams

First National comments on ‘AI-doctored’ imagery

Priority: Medium – national

👓 1 minute read

The Guardian sought First National’s view on the use of AI in property advertising after the NSW Government identified a rental listing as digitally altered. 

The agency involved said the photograph was genuine: the apparent Bondi beach view was a mural on a courtyard wall. 

First National’s Stewart Bunn told the publication that images showing renovations, landscaping or finishes that do not exist can erode trust. The practical test for agents is whether someone inspecting the property would be surprised by what they find. Read the article.