The property market may look very different to 12 months ago but that didn’t stop the Queensland real estate sector getting together to honour the top performers across the state. More than 1000 real ...
The property market may look very different to 12 months ago but that didn’t stop the Queensland real estate sector getting together to honour the top performers across the state.
More than 1000 real estate professionals attened the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s (REIQ) 2026 Awards for Excellence at The Star Brisbane last night, with 31 individual and agency award winners revealed.
One of the night’s most anticipated titles, Residential Salesperson of the Year, went to Mackay-based Leanne Druery of REMAX SELECT, who also claimed Residential Salesperson of the Year – Regional (Settled Commissions).
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Leanne Druery of RE/MAX Select Mackay
Cheryl Head of REMAX Success in Toowoomba 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 on the Gold Coast, with the duo jointly claiming the honour, while Ben O’Brien of Strud Property was named Novice Auctioneer of the Year.
Tiera Butkus of Ray White Mooloolaba was the joint winner of the Auctioneer of the Year category, the first woman to take out the category.
Bronwen Stacey was named Buyers’ Agent of the Year, before Home Scouts went on to also secure Buyers’ Agency of the Year.
Gareth Closter of JLL was named Commercial Salesperson 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.
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.
Townsville’s Kingsberry Harcourts had two reasons to celebrate, being named both Regional Residential Agency of the Year and Large Residential Agency of the Year.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said this year’s winners reflected the many different ways excellence was demonstrated across the profession.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella. Picture: Liam Kidston
“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.
“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.
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Amir Prestige owner Amir Mian. Photo: Supplied
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.
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.
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.
Michael Kollosche – managing director of luxury Gold Coast real estate agency Kollosche. Pic: Supplied.
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.
THE WINNERS
Agency Support Person of the YearHeather Fleming – Hinternoosa
Rising Star Salesperson of the YearMaisie Healy – REMAX Aspire
Rising Star Property Manager of the YearRochelle Bauze – McGrath North Lakes
Business Development Manager of the YearCavell Cooper – Wombat Real Estate
Multimedia Award – Krause Property Group
Buyer’s Agent of the Year – Bronwen Stacey Home Scouts
Business Broker of the Year – Rob Honeycombe Honeycombe Agency Services
Contribution to the Community Award – McGrath North Lakes
Auctioneer of the Year TIE: Jordan Curd – Ray White Malan + Co, & Tiera Butkus – Ray White Mooloolaba
Novice Auctioneer of the Year- Ben O’Brien Strud Property
Commercial Property Manager of the Year – Kristy McMillanCornerstone Commercial Pty Ltd
Commercial Salesperson of the YearGareth Closter – JLL
Residential Salesperson of the YearLeanne Druery – REMAX SELECT
Residential Property Manager of the YearCheryl Head – REMAX Success
Industry Innovation – Tenancy Skills Institute
Residential Salesperson Regional – Settled Commissions Leanne Druery – REMAX
Residential Salesperson Regional – Settled Transactions Sonia Hancock – HPG Hancock Property Group
Residential Salesperson SEQ – Settled Commissions Amir Mian – Amir Prestige
Residential Salesperson SEQ – Settled Transactions Amir Mian – Amir Prestige
Sales Agency Regional – Settled Commissions Ray White Townsville
Sales Agency Regional – Settled Transactions Ray White Townsville
Sales Agency SEQ – Settled Commissions TOWN
Sales Agency SEQ – Settled Transactions LJ Hooker Property Centre
Buyers’ Agency of the Year – Home Scouts
Business Brokerage of the Year – Honeycombe Agency Services
Commercial and Industrial Agency of the Year – Cornerstone Commercial
Regional Residential Agency of the Year – Kingsberry Harcourts
Multi-office Network of the Year – Place One Group
Small Residential Agency of the Year – Elevate Residential
Medium Residential Agency of the Year – PMC Property Management
Large Residential Agency of the Year – Kingsberry Harcourts
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