REIQ 2020 Board Elections – General Member Director Nominees

With only one week to go until the polls close for the REIQ’s 2020 Board Elections, we asked all General Member Director nominees to answer the following question: why should eligible REIQ Members vote for you in the Board Director election? 

It’s important for eligible voters to familiarise themselves with the candidates and their positions on topical issues within the real estate profession.

Voters can access the candidates’ full statements here.

Darren Grimwade

The real-estate industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in Queensland. Government policy setting, the creating and amendment of legislation and the knowledge of how ‘political’ cycles influence government decision making are just a few skill sets that I feel would be ideal for a board member to hold.

I have previously been a Member of the Queensland Parliament and was appointed to the Local Government, Housing and Transport Committee which was responsible for the oversight of housing legislation and regulations.

This role provided me extensive experience in policy and legislation development and assisted me in establishing extensive networks with key government advisors and political leaders from both major parties.

Additionally, I have previously been a Franchise Director for one of the largest taxation firms in the world, Chairman/Director of my own award-winning business and am a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jason Bond

I believe the REIQ needs to be modernised, and I believe we need to change a few things to make agents want to be members again. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella did an amazing job during COVID and the entire industry religiously watched her videos, we need to get to that stage again! I think the REIQ awards and sales person of the year needs to be reworked and actually have an award for the number one sales person who sold the most volume of properties in their REIQ zones e.g. northern suburbs of Brisbane. I think we need to offer more credibility so people know what they are getting when they are a member of REIQ.

Zoran Solano

As one of the longest serving members of the REIQ as an Exclusive buyer’s agent, I bring a unique perspective to the Institute. As a buyer’s agent I interface with Agents from all geographical areas and different segments of the market, from Sales, to Property Management, Commercial and Buyers Agents.

And overall I feel this diversity provides a unique platform for me to represent a broad base of our membership on the Board of Directors to ensure the REIQ is reflective of the current and changing needs of its Members.

Peter Camphin

In over 40 years in the property industry I’ve worked in a full range of property management and sales roles. I’ve been a multiple business owner, held positions in governance and advisory, and directed state and national franchising operations across Australia and New Zealand.

I’m a firm believer in the REIQ and its purpose, which is to support every one of our members by removing barriers to success and allowing them to focus on building valuable, profitable businesses. I believe there has never been a more critical time to collectively back the industry body that backs us.

As a member of the REIQ board I’ll not only bring a depth of past experience but an appetite to embrace the future; to seek ways to protect and diversify our income streams and help our members evolve and innovate, sustainably and steadily. Every business owner matters — and together, we are stronger.

Gail Miller

I have worked in the property industry for 20 years and believe it is one of the most rewarding career pathways.  In this time, I have held the following roles:

• National Project sales and marketing director
• Residential sales executive
• Property research analyst
• Acquisitions manager
• Director and business owner

I would like to see REIQ lobby to government for the following:

• Unification of licensing nationally. This would allow for transition of staff and business across state borders, for example it would allow QLD agents to trade in Northern NSW.
• Increased entry requirement levels for new agents entering the industry or, alternatively, increased course requirements to obtain registration and/or license to raise the professional competence and credibility of the industry.

Unique facts:

• I am an Olympic Gold Medalist (Sydney 2000 Water polo)
• I have an Order of Australia Medal
• I have a Property Economics degree from QUT
• I am a business owner – Goldstone Property Group

John Newlands

I’ve been privileged to be on the REIQ Board for the past three years and worked with management where we have been successful in developing more streamlined systems for members such as OTE, redesigned training platforms and Government advocacy. Additionally, I possess strong knowledge of our industry having commenced my career at 20 years of age and being a Principal of my own agency in Surfers Paradise for the past 18 years, where I’ve built a reputation for honesty and fairness in my dealings. In conclusion, I would appreciate your support in voting for me as I feel our industry is changing at a fast pace and as we hopefully move out of COVID-19, I believe I have the experience, skills and expertise to make a valuable contribution to the REIQ Board and our industry. Please feel free to contact me at anytime on 0418 753 255 if I can address any issues you may have.

Matthew Holloway*

For many years I have felt that the real estate industry in Queensland requires improvement. I am an advocate for further training and development to enter and remain in the industry and I believe advances in technology can further improve and benefit the industry as a whole. I have experience and I am young and I can be a voice for youth and the future direction of the industry. I am passionate about the industry, my company and innovation and I believe I have something to contribute to the industry and what better way to do that than with the REIQ.

*Answer was not provided by the nominee. This text has instead been taken from the nominee’s candidate statement. 

How to vote in the 2020 reiq board election:

Eligible members will have received communication via Link Market Services on how to vote, either via email or post.

For the Director elections, each member is required to lodge only one vote for each of the vacant Member Director positions.

Voting for the Director Elections will close by 12pm on Friday, 23 October 2020.

Any votes cast but not received by the Returning Officer by this time will not be included in the counting and scrutiny of votes.

If you have any problems accessing the proxy voting screen(s), please contact Link Market Services Limited on 1300 306 276 or email registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au

The election and voting process will be conducted by Link Market Services Limited (LMS) which is a leading share registry and financial services provider in Australia, managing over 10 million account records and over 1000 ASX listed securities. LMS has been engaged to ensure complete independence of the election process from the REIQ Board and its’ control framework has been assessed by KPMG and found to be appropriate for the provision of registry services.