Steven Cross
A forty-year industry veteran has been awarded the Sir Robert Torrens title, an award that recognises commitment and service to the South Australian real estate sector.
Robin Turner, managing director of Turner Real Estate, was presented with the award at the Real Estate Institute of South Australia’s (REISA) Awards of Excellence earlier this week.
Speaking with Real Estate Business, Mr Turner said that the industry still fascinates him today.
“I started out in the government in their valuer section, and as a consequence of working in valuations I became associated with a commercial real estate agency. I became involved with people on the sales side and before I knew it, I was a valuer and a salesman.
“I guess having those two strings to my bow has given me a lot of interest to my professional life.
“And may I say it’s gone quickly. Sometimes it feels like it was only yesterday I was a fresh-faced kid hardly even shaving!”
Mr Turner served as the longest running president for REISA, and is currently on the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) board.
“I suggest that people study as much as they can, there’s a lot to be learnt," he said of what's made him successful. "You can learn it in the field, but there's no doubt that qualifications give people a leg up.
“If you can combine good qualifications with a good work ethic, it will definitely expedite their careers.”
Mr Turner's comments come as the industry debates the merits of draft national licensing guidelines for the property industry, which could see the removal of continuing professional development (CPD) requirements - which is necessary in some states - and a downgrading of entry criteria to Cert IV level qualifications for licensees. In some jurisdictions a Diploma is currently required to become a licensee.
Announcing the winners at the awards gala, president of the REISA, Mr Greg Troughton, said that it was a tight contest to determine the winners.
“The Awards program acknowledges the hard work that real estate professionals do, day in and day out, and the commitment they have to their clients,” he said.
Other winners on the night included:
Residential agency of the year, small - Toop&Toop Real Estate - Stirling
Residential agency of the year, medium - Refined Real Estatel
Residential agency of the year, large - Harris Real Estate
South Australian salesperson, residential - Andrew Adcock, Adcock Real Estate
South Australian salesperson, regional - Robert Stephens, Elders Real Estate
Property management agency, small residential - Harcourts Mile End
Property management agency, large residential - Harcourts AMPM
Property manager, residential - Debbie Copley, Toop&Toop Real Estate
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