Celebrating the MLR sector & the resident accommodation managers whose hard work creates $55 billion yearly for the Australian economy

Last night Australia’s management and letting rights (MLR) industry celebrated its night of nights, holding the annual ARAMA TOP Awards at Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre, handing out several prestigious accolades to outstanding achievers in the field.

ARAMA CEO Trevor Rawnsley said the magnificent evening was a perfect chance to “celebrate great success borne from determination and diligence”.

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The MLR sector is built on a foundation of hospitable and well-organised resident accommodation managers whose hard work creates a $55 billion yearly economic benefit for Australia.

Queensland’s shadow Attorney General Tim Nicholls, and the Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works, Tim Mander were special guests on the night and Chris Parsons from Channel 7’s Weekender program was the MC.

The four major award categories were each judged by an ARAMA life member.

The award for Building Manager of the Year, sponsored by building management software MYBOS, went to Chris Puplett, a building manager with Oaks Hotels and Resorts in Brisbane. The TOP Award judge said Chris’s work stood out, particularly for his 19 years of experience “and the wide range of buildings he has managed and is currently responsible for”.

The award for Resident Manager Of The Year – Short-Stay Accommodation was sponsored by Programmed Property Services. The winners were Marion and Chris Simon from the Boulevard North Holiday Apartments, on the Gold Coast.

The judge of the award pointed out that Marion and Chris had notched impressive results in increasing their turnover, and that of the owners, since starting in Management Rights four years ago despite coping with the effects of the COVID pandemic on accommodation during that time.

Maree and Ian Smith, who manage more than 150 units at the Hidden Grove and Vista on Brays complexes at Griffin, north of Brisbane, won the Resident Manager of the Year – Long Stay – category for the second year in a row. The award was sponsored by the Brokerage firm, Property Bridge.

With many worthy nominees in this category, it was a tough decision but the judge said: “While every applicant shines in some way or other and makes a magnificent contribution to their body corporate, the overall scheme, and their tenants, this year’s winner was particularly noteworthy.”

Bruce and Jill Christie, from the Surfers Hawaiian apartments on the Gold Coast, took out the Resident Manager of the Year (Mixed) award which was sponsored by EBM Insurance.

The judge noted that Bruce and Jill had compiled a record of achievements and references which were extremely impressive.

Paul Shih, the CEO of PRET (Professional Real Estate Training Pty Ltd), whose business has provided nationally accredited courses for the real estate industry since 2006, took out the Service Provider of the Year award.

Paul is a mover and shaker In the Taiwanese/Australian community and is the founder of Knowledge Bank. This was a fitting reward for the time and effort Paul puts Into educating the Industry and supporting ARAMA.

Alex Cook, one of Australia’s most experienced and successful management rights specialists, won the Sales Broker of the Year award also for the second time.

This award was sponsored by Flood Legal.

Alex is a director of ResortBrokers and has sold more than $250 million in Management Rights with some of the biggest sales in Australia. He has also been appointed to the ARAMA board.

Mr Rawnsley added: “The 2023 TOP Awards were a wonderful showcase for the management rights industry, reflecting and rewarding the work we do and the success we enjoy.