Winning standard on show at REIQ Awards

The shining stars in Queensland real estate have been recognised at the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s (REIQ) 2026 Awards for Excellence, with a record 1,000+ professionals coming together to crown 31 individual and agency award winners.

Held at The Star Brisbane last night (Saturday, 31 October), the real estate profession’s night of nights celebrated those demonstrating outstanding achievement, professional excellence and the best practice standards championed by the REIQ.

One of the night’s most anticipated titles, Residential Salesperson of the Year, went to Leanne Druery of REMAX SELECT, who also claimed Residential Salesperson of the Year – Regional (Settled Commissions).

Cheryl Head of REMAX Success was named Residential Property Manager of the Year.

In a first for the Awards, the Auctioneer of the Year title could not be split, with Tiera Butkus of Ray White Mooloolaba and Jordan Curd of Ray White Malan + Co jointly claiming the honour, while Ben O’Brien of Strud Property was named Novice Auctioneer of the Year.

Bronwen Stacey was named Buyers’ Agent of the Year, before Home Scouts went on to secure Buyers’ Agency of the Year.

Gareth Closter of JLL was named Commercial Salesperson of the Year. It was also a double celebration for Cornerstone Commercial, with Kristy McMillan named Commercial Property Manager of the Year before the business claimed Commercial & Industrial Agency of the Year.

Similarly, in business broking, Rob Honeycombe was named Business Broker of the Year, and Honeycombe Agency Services claimed Business Brokerage of the Year.

Heather Fleming of Hinternoosa was recognised as Agency Support Person of the Year and Cavell Cooper of Wombat Real Estate as Business Development Manager of the Year.

The awards also showcased the profession’s emerging talent, with Maisie Healy of REMAX Aspire named Rising Star Salesperson of the Year and Rochelle Bauze of McGrath North Lakes taking out Rising Star Property Manager of the Year.

It was a particularly memorable night for McGrath North Lakes, which also claimed the Contribution to the Community Award, for championing a range of housing programs.

Innovation and creativity were also firmly in the spotlight, with the Tenancy Skills Institute winning the Industry Innovation Award and Krause Property Group claiming the Multimedia Award.

The 2026 awards also marked the introduction of the Multi-Office Network of the Year, a new category created in response to member feedback and won for the first time by Place One Group.

Kingsberry Harcourts had two reasons to celebrate, being named both Regional Residential Agency of the Year and Large Residential Agency of the Year. Elevate Residential was named Small Residential Agency of the Year, while PMC Property Management claimed Medium Residential Agency of the Year.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said this year’s winners reflected the quality, breadth and professionalism of the REIQ membership and the many different ways excellence was demonstrated across the profession.

“The calibre of professionals recognised this year has been exceptional, and every winner should be immensely proud to have distinguished themselves within such a strong field,” Ms Mercorella said.

“Excellence in real estate takes many forms, and our awards are designed to reflect that. Some categories recognise outstanding commercial performance, while others celebrate professional practice, customer service, innovation, emerging talent, leadership and contribution to the community.

“Across those diverse categories is a common thread of commitment to quality, professionalism and the high standards the REIQ seeks to champion.

“Perhaps nothing demonstrated the depth of quality in this year’s field better than our Auctioneer of the Year judges being unable to separate two exceptional performances, resulting in the first joint winners of the title.

“It was also a history-making moment, with Tiera becoming the first female auctioneer winner of the category – a traditionally male dominated sector.

“The joint auctioneer winners will be given the opportunity to participate in the Plantation Homes’ House for Life charity auction at Burleigh next year with every dollar from the sale going to Mater Little Miracles.

“With more than 100 additional nominations this year, we had an extraordinarily strong field, which makes being named a 2026 winner a particularly significant achievement.

“These professionals and businesses have put themselves forward, backed their achievements and demonstrated the calibre of work that deserves to be recognised and celebrated.”

Commercial achievement was also recognised across a range of performance-based categories, with Amir Mian of Amir Prestige taking out the South-East Queensland Residential Salesperson titles for settled commissions and settled transactions. Sonia Hancock of HPG Hancock Property Group claimed the corresponding Regional Residential Salesperson title for settled transactions.

In the agency performance categories, Ray White Townsville led the Regional results for both settled commissions and settled transactions. TOWN claimed the South-East Queensland Sales Agency title for settled commissions, while LJ Hooker Property Centre took out the corresponding settled transactions category.

Ms Mercorella said the gala was an opportunity to shine a light on the professionalism and dedication that often happens without fanfare across the state.

“Real estate professionals support Queenslanders through some of the biggest financial and personal decisions of their lives, and there is an enormous amount of skill, care and hard work behind delivering that service well,” she said.

“Tonight is our opportunity to put those achievements firmly in the spotlight and celebrate professionals who take pride in what they do and continually strive for high standards.

“While there may be fierce competition for the titles, there’s also tremendous camaraderie and genuine support in the room. It’s what makes the REIQ Awards for Excellence such a special night for our profession.”

This year’s eligible winners will also have the opportunity to progress to national recognition through the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s National Awards for Excellence, after Queensland secured five national wins in 2026.

Presented by Queensland’s peak professional body for real estate, the REIQ Awards for Excellence encourage, recognise and promote professional excellence and high standards across Queensland real estate.

Hall of Fame honour for Kollosche

Adding to the celebrations, Kollosche earned a place in the REIQ Awards for Excellence Hall of Fame for the Multimedia Award, following three consecutive wins in this category in 2023, 2024, 2025.

Ms Mercorella congratulated Kollosche noting Hall of Fame recognition represented a particularly special achievement.

“Winning an REIQ Award is an achievement in itself, but to demonstrate that standard consistently enough to earn a place in our Hall of Fame is something very special,” she said.

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Claire Ryan, Media and Stakeholder Relations Manager, The Real Estate Institute of Queensland

M: 0417 623 723 E: media@reiq.com.au

See the full list of finalists here.

Read more media releases from the REIQ here.