Around the network

NSO hits the road with FN King & Heath 

Priority: VIC

👓 1 minute read

Members of our National Support Office (NSO) management team recently headed east for two days with King & Heath Directors Paul Miles, James Counihan and Mark Howlett, as well as the First National King & Heath team. 

CEO David Edwards, Marketing & Communications Director Mark Jansen and State Membership Manager James Bateman made the trip, visiting King & Heath's offices in Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Metung and Lakes Entrance before sitting down with the leadership team for a longer working session.  

The discussion covered a broad range of issues important to King & Heath and the wider network, including the new brand, member consultation, commercial support, recognition of business performance and awards.  

Visits like this give NSO a valuable opportunity to see our members' businesses firsthand, hear directly from their teams and better understand where support can make a difference. 

Thanks to Paul, James, Mark and the King & Heath team for the welcome, the candour and the conversation. 

Craig Tweed marks 50 years in real estate 

Priority: VIC

👓 1 minute read

Congratulations to Craig Tweed, who has reached an extraordinary milestone – 50 years in real estate. 

Craig marked half a century in the industry on 2 October, with the First National Tweed Sutherland team coming together to celebrate the achievement. 

Much of those five decades has been spent building Tweed Sutherland First National in Bendigo and contributing to the wider First National network.  

The milestone is particularly significant because Craig will officially retire on 29 October, bringing an exceptional 50-year real estate career to a close.  

Few people can claim five decades in any profession, let alone one that has changed as dramatically as real estate has since 1976. 

Congratulations Craig, from all of us at First National – and thank you for everything you've contributed to our network. 

Bacchus Marsh Grammar is SOLD

Priority: VIC

👓 1 minute read

It's Year 12 Muck-Up-Day season again. 

Students at Bacchus Marsh Grammar have revived that time-honoured tradition of liberating SOLD stickers from First National Rayner signboards and putting them to arguably their most ambitious use yet – selling their school. 

The enterprising students plastered Rayner's stickers across the Bacchus Marsh Grammar sign, prompting a rather good response from the FN Rayner  team: 

‘WANTED names and phone numbers of the students responsible… our sales and marketing team want to offer you a job!’  

The Facebook post quickly attracted hundreds of reactions and plenty of appreciation for the students' ingenuity – not to mention some excellent free exposure for First National Rayner. 

Frankly, if you're going to steal our SOLD stickers, this is probably how you do it. 

Well played, Year 12. 

Townsville’s new colours hit the streets

Priority: QLD

👓 1 minute read

There’s really no missing First National Townsville now.

The office’s new branding has hit the streets, with Principal Tracy Crome taking the opportunity to pose beneath one of the new billboards – and make absolutely certain nobody missed the connection.

The campaign introduces First National Townsville while retaining the recognition of the agency’s former Helen Munro Property identity, with the rather neat message: ‘Still local, now with national reach.’

It’s another visible step in the team’s transition to First National following its September launch, putting our new brand – and a very familiar local face – prominently in front of the Townsville community.

Looking good, Tracy. Subtle it isn’t – and we rather like it.

FN Bonnici & Associates celebrates 13 years

Priority: VIC/NSW

👓 1 minute read

Congratulations to First National Bonnici & Associates (Wodonga, Beechworth, Thurgoona), celebrating 13 years with First National and quite a journey from its beginnings in a small office at 57 High Street. 

Today, the business operates from Beechworth, Wodonga and Thurgoona, having worked with nearly 6,000 clients across buying, selling, leasing and property management in Albury Wodonga and surrounding communities.  

Along the way, the team has sold more than $1 billion worth of real estate and contributed more than $200,000 to local charities, events and sporting clubs, as well as supporting community fundraising through charity auctions and MC duties.  

The team credits its continued growth to the trust of its clients and the people who have worked within the business over those 13 years.  

Congratulations to the entire Bonnici & Associates team – 13 years, three offices and plenty to be proud of. 

David Doherty gets some serious air

Priority: NSW

👓 1 minute read

If anyone needed proof that David Doherty is throwing himself wholeheartedly into the 2026 Variety NSW Postie Bike Dash, here it is. 

David shared this spectacular shot of himself and his trusty Postie bike temporarily parting company with the ground, explaining: 

‘It took me 200kms with a downhill run up to get that much air, but I did manage to get the V pose right on the 12th attempt.’  

We're not entirely convinced about the 200 km run-up, but the photographic evidence confirms the landing was going to be interesting. 

David is taking part in the Dash and raising funds along the way, on top of the personal costs of participating. Let’s all help make it worth his while by donating here. 

Great stuff, David. Safe travels – and perhaps keep at least one wheel on the ground occasionally. 

Five years later, Irene knew who to call

Priority: QLD, Low

👓 1 minute read

Nearly five years ago, Ryan McCann from First National Cleveland sold Irene’s home in Victoria Point before she moved back to Ireland.

This week, Irene unexpectedly walked back into the Cleveland office. She had just arrived in Brisbane with a suitcase, her accommodation had fallen through and she had nowhere to stay.

Ryan started ringing and visiting local motels – all full. Then colleague Lisa Turner found a solution: a semi-furnished property whose owners were prepared to help with affordable short-term accommodation. There was just one problem – no bed.

Enter Ryan’s stepmother Deb, herself a former real estate agent, who offered Irene somewhere to stay, a warm bed and dinner until the property was ready.

As Ryan put it, 'perhaps not all real estate agents are a***holes’ after all.

Behind the laugh is something rather good: five years after the sale was over, Irene still regarded her First National agent as someone she could turn to when she needed help.

Nice work Ryan, Lisa and Deb -  but don't expect a call from A Current Affair anytime soon. 

Melton celebrates 10 years with First National

Priority: VIC, Low

👓 1 minute read

Congratulations to Jade and Justin Carberry and the First National Melton team, who are celebrating 10 years with our network.

Over the past decade, Jade and Justin have built a strong connection with Melton and its surrounding communities, becoming enthusiastic advocates for the area and the people who call it home.

Jade also contributes her experience beyond the office as a member of First National's VIC/TAS Regional Council, helping represent members and contribute to the direction of our network.

Ten years is a terrific milestone for any business relationship, and we're very pleased to have Jade, Justin and their team as part of First National.

Congratulations on your first decade – here's to the next one.

Five years of First National Copper Coast 

Priority: SA

👓 1 minute read

Congratulations to Megan Hill and the First National Copper Coast team, celebrating five years with our network. 

Megan's path to agency ownership wasn't exactly conventional. Coming from the travel industry with little real estate experience, she initially joined the previous business owner in an administration role before completing her agency studies with plans to move into sales. 

Then came a considerably bigger move – she bought the business. 

Five years later, Megan leads a dedicated team across First National Copper Coast's Wallaroo and Moonta offices, having built on that leap of faith and established a strong business on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. 

Megan was recently presented with her five-year First National membership award in Wallaroo. 

Congratulations Megan and the Copper Coast team – a great five-year milestone, and an even better story of backing yourself.