Network & Industry

In This Edition… 

🌱 Spring campaign - millions of impressions and hundreds of leads across Australia

⌛ PMC25 is nearly here - see why every serious property manager should be there

🏢 Offboarding from REA Connect begins – what you need to know

🤖 NotebookLM levels up – helping agents research, brief and learn faster 

💪🏻 NSO leads the way for RizeUp – volunteers to fit-out a home in Melbourne 

🏡 After 25 years of membership, there’s a new chapter in Biloela

👶 First Home Buyer Guarantee ready-to-use marketing kit helps your clients this spring

🥇 The AI Internet – why local is the new gold

Spring campaign delivers strong early results

👓 1.5 minute read

First National’s national spring campaign is tracking well ahead of expectations, delivering strong brand visibility and genuine enquiry for offices across the country. Designed to lift exposure, traffic and lead flow on a budget, the campaign has already proven its value.

In the first month alone, hundreds of high-quality leads have been distributed to offices. Early member feedback highlights the strength of the creative, strategy and media mix.

• Digital activity has reached more than 3 million people through social, search and display advertising
• REA placements have achieved 1.4 million impressions across social and native formats
• Radio has reached 6.2 million listeners through geo-targeted 15 and 30 second spots and sponsorships covering every First National office region
• The campaign landing page has attracted over 14,000 visitors, with strong engagement from people exploring content and office profiles

The creative and messaging are now being refreshed to maintain momentum and ensure continued performance through the remainder of spring.

The results demonstrate that consistent, data-driven national promotion continues to strengthen brand recognition, generate qualified enquiry and support every office’s local marketing efforts. 

CEO Update: October

👓 4.5 minute video

• National Convention Da Nang, Vietnam - 18 - 22 May - hotel and pricing reveal

• Rebrand

• AML alliance partner announcement imminent

• Regrowing the network

Why you can’t afford to miss PMC25 in Melbourne

👓 1.6 minute read

The 2025 Property Management Conference in Melbourne is shaping up as the year’s unmissable professional event. Designed for growth-minded property managers, it promises two days of powerful learning, practical insight and industry connection.

If you’ve been asking, ‘Why should I be registering?’, the real question is, ‘Can you afford not to be there?’. This conference is built to equip you with the knowledge, tools and inspiration to lead confidently in a fast-changing sector.

The speaker line-up reads like a who’s who of property management excellence, featuring:

Dr Jessica Gallagher, Stacy Currie, Dot Hamilton, Sarah Cincotta, Andrew Sherwood, Nicole Edwards, Tony Parsons and Lisa Grey.

Each will share proven strategies, fresh thinking and personal experience that you can apply directly in your business.

Places are filling quickly, so now is the time to confirm your attendance. The 2025 Property Management Conference isn’t just another event — it’s an investment in your capability, your career and your office’s success.

End of the road for REA Connect 

👓 1.7 minute read

In December 2022, First National negotiated an industry-leading agreement with REA Group that provided our members with exclusive access to the Connect and Pro products. This unprecedented arrangement has now run for three full years – far longer than the access available to any other brand.

As you may be aware, REA removed the Connect product from non-First National agents in July 2025. Through our ongoing advocacy, First National offices have enjoyed a generous roll-off period that extends until 15 December 2025. After this date, access to Connect and Pro (at no cost) will end permanently.

We have explored every possible option with REA to extend or renew this arrangement. However, with the product being phased out, no further continuation is available.

REA representatives will contact each First National office before the end of October to discuss future product and subscription options that best suit your business.

This arrangement has delivered significant value to our members over the past three years, and we thank REA for their partnership throughout this period.

NSO leads the way for RizeUp fit-out

👓 0.9 minute read

As part of First National’s upcoming partnership with RizeUp Australia, NSO volunteers will soon complete the first home fit-out in Melbourne – showing how our network can help families rebuild their lives.

The pilot project precedes the formal member rollout and highlights the real difference we’ll be able to make together.

Read more about what's happening and how you can soon get involved in the Community chapter.

Darren Pearce re-elected to REIV Board

👓 1.2 minute read

First National Real Estate congratulates Membership Director Darren Pearce on his re-election to the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).

Voting for the 2025 Board concluded on Monday 6 October, with Darren and Wendy Steel re-elected as metropolitan representatives. Hayley Mitchell will continue as the regional zone Director following an uncontested nomination.

Darren’s re-election reflects his ongoing contribution to the profession and his commitment to advancing the interests of members across Victoria. His presence on the REIV Board ensures First National continues to play an active role in shaping policy, professional standards and advocacy for agents and property managers.

The network extends its congratulations to Darren and all returning Directors, and thanks every candidate who nominated for their service to the industry.

FN Biloela’s next chapter under new ownership

👓 1.4 minute read

Kathleen and Jake McGuigan have completed their purchase of First National Biloela (Qld) from long-time members Ross and Annette Munroe, marking a new chapter for the well-established Queensland agency.

After 25 years of membership, Ross and Annette’s dedication to the First National network and the Biloela community has set a strong foundation for the future. Their careful succession planning, in collaboration with the network, ensured that the office remained proudly within First National rather than transitioning to a competitor brand.

Kathleen and Jake bring fresh energy and a strong commitment to maintaining the office’s reputation for professionalism and local expertise. Their purchase reflects the cooperative spirit of First National’s succession support, designed to preserve brand presence and continuity in local markets.

We extend our sincere thanks to Ross and Annette for their outstanding contribution over the past quarter-century and congratulate Kathleen and Jake as they continue the First National legacy in Biloela.

Training, teamwork, and a $4,000 contribution

👓 1 minute read

In South Australia, Hermione Gardiner and Aaron Shiner delivered an engaging and high-energy training day that drew strong attendance and excellent feedback from members.

The event not only strengthened sales and business performance skills across the state but $4,000 raised earlier this year at SA’s Annual Awards was donated to the Cancer Council of South Australia, demonstrating the power of our network’s community focus.

First National extends sincere thanks to the alliance partners whose support made the day possible and helped turn a professional development opportunity into a meaningful contribution to a vital cause: Marsh (formerly Honan), BMT Tax Depreciation, Cotality, Direct Connect, Printforce, REI Super and REA Group. and Tapi.

Vale Warren Daniells

👓 1 minute read

First National members were saddened to learn of the passing of Warren Daniells, former owner of FN Surat Basin Chinchilla (Qld). We express our condolences to Warren's family, colleagues and friends.

Warren Daniells was a cornerstone of the Chinchilla real estate community from 2004. Starting his real estate career in Gympie in 2001, Warren moved to Chinchilla and partnered his business with First National Real Estate in 2005. In 2010, he co-founded Surat Basin Real Estate, focusing on property development and later expanding into residential, commercial, and industrial sales. Under his leadership, the agency rebranded to FN Surat Basin Chinchilla in 2022, becoming a market leader in residential and commercial sales.

In February this year, Warren announced the sale of his business to esteemed local professionals Jason Gray, Rob Fraser, Juliann Frame, and Becky Gwin.

A celebration of Warren's life will be held at Chinchilla Clay Target Club on Monday 20 October at 2:00 pm.