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Local heroes

Many REINSW members are active in their local communities - fundraising for local charities, volunteering their time for schools and sporting groups, involving their agencies in raising awareness for good causes, and much more. Read on to find out about some of our local heroes and how they are making a difference.

On the trail

Mervyn Hunter fought on the Kokoda Trail and left behind detailed diaries.

Brett Hunter follows in the footsteps of his grandfather on the Kokoda Trail.

In April 2013, seven real estate agents took on the gruelling 96km Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea to raise money for the Kokoda Angels and The Salvation Army.

The agents started from Popondetta, the capital of Oro Province, on 14 April and trekked on foot across the mountainous terrain to Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, where they arrived on 25 April for the Anzac Day dawn service.

The challenge was the brainchild of Chris Hasson, Principal at Raine & Horne Nelson Bay, who has completed a series of extreme charity events over the years.

However, the trek has particular relevance for Brett Hunter, General Manager of Raine & Horne Terrigal – Avoca Beach. Brett’s grandfather Mervyn Hunter was on the ship Aquitania with the 53rd and then 39th Australian Infantry Battalions, when they arrived in Port Moresby in 1942.

Mervyn survived defending 7 Mile Drome airfield and transporting supplies to Owen’s Corner at the end of the Kokoda Track to return to NSW and start his own real estate business on the Central Coast.

Interestingly, Mervyn was in charge of censoring reports and documentation for his regiment, but he left his family a legacy of his own uncensored diaries from the war, which grandson Brett read in preparation for the challenge.

Before he set off, Brett said: “I’m not taking the diaries with me, but I might take a few excerpts to read at certain points along the way.

“Kokoda has always been on my bucket list so when I was given the opportunity to share the experience with industry colleagues and share stories around the campfire with other Principals, I was on board.”

The agents raised money through sponsorship for the event and encouraged those who were not able to sponsor them in advance to go online and make a donation to their chosen causes: the Kokoda Angels (the charity that supports medical and ambulance services that serve remote villages located between Kokoda in Southern Papua New Guinea and Popondetta) and The Salvation Army’s Investa Treks initiative

Read about more local heroes

Don’t ask, don’t get
Smyth Estate Agents’ James Smyth lives by the philosophy that there’s always someone that needs help, so all agents need to do is ask.

Givers gain
Independent real estate agency Unrealestate Coffs Coast from the North Coast of NSW keeps its community spirit alive by active involvement in local affairs.

Giving back is truly a social event
Social media has helped LJ Hooker Cessnock boost community participation in the agency’s charity event calendar.

Good sports give their all every season
From a festive spread to cheering on a special local rugby team, brothers Terry and Shane Torpy believe in the spirit of giving all year ‘round.

A healthy injection of funds
Keith Soames Real Estate has given their community a health ‘cheque’ by concentrating their annual fundraising efforts on their local hospital.

Agents’ show of support
Members from LJ Hooker Castle Hill get creative in aid of breast cancer research and treatment.

Stop and smell the dafodils
Agents use their selling skills to help cancer patients and their families across Australia.

Daring to light the way
CBRE’s commitment to sustainability is having some fun side effects, with a number of staff taking on some interesting challenges.

Global effort to give for good
Colliers International led a groundbreaking giving event to use the power of personal networks for the benefit of hundreds of charities in Australia and overseas

Agents help out with a Big Issue
He thought it would be an easy few hours to help out a good cause, but selling copies of The Big Issue turned into something much more for Peter Matthews.

Repeating history to revitalise charity auction
The challenge of engaging a new generation and keeping the interest of an established audience inspired charity auctioneer Craig Marshall to get creative.

Small price to make a big difference
It could have bought her a new lipstick, but instead Kathryn Hall used a spare $50 to give an African village a new school building.

Supporting arts leads to a new opportunity
Thanks to its sponsorship of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Ray White Commercial has the opportunity to lease a special commercial space.

Angels raise funds for Leukaemia Foundation
Wollongong real estate agent Lou Niceski was one of several local business people to donate to the Leukaemia Foundation on ‘Angels at Work’ day.

Tour de kids
Agents from Colliers International endured a gruelling six-day, 1000km bike ride from Bundaberg to Byron Bay to raise money for sick kids.

Bidwill Blitz
Christmas came early for the Ansell family, thanks to the efforts of a team of volunteers who built their house in just 12 days.

Day of difference
REINSW member agent Wayne Blackley made a day of difference to the Delezio family by providing free services for the sale of their home.

Striving for autism awareness
Since discovering that their son has autism, Maxine and Heath Baird have actively promoted awareness of the disorder by starting a local support group and raising funds through their Hunter Valley agency.