The best in the management rights industry were recognised by their peers at the Australian Resident Accommodation Managers Association’s (ARAMA) inaugural TOP Awards 2019 held recently in Brisbane.
Husband and wife duo Geoff and Tamara Hussin from Ivory Palms Resort in Noosaville, Sunshine Coast took out the first of the two top gongs, Resident Manager of the Year Award for Short Stay accommodation, while Michael Mitchell from Moda Melton in Nundah, Brisbane won the Long Stay category.
With more than 150 industry participants in attendance, the awards, sponsored by AccomProperties and EBM Insurance, recognised the variety of stakeholders instrumental to the strength and success of the management rights industry which generates $55.5 billion to the Australian economy annually.
Managing a resort with a short-stay letting pool of 93 apartments in Noosa, Geoff and Tamara Hussin have increased occupancy by 95 percent since taking over the management rights business seven years ago.
“We had a successful building before this and thought Ivory Palms, which was underperforming when we bought it, would be a great challenge for us,” says Geoff.
“With owners trusting us to manage their units, we have had the confidence to invest our hard-earned money back into promoting Ivory Palms Resort to visitors and subsequently increasing occupancy and returns by a big margin.”
Geoff says boosting the performance of the resort has meant embracing new marketing strategies, and that none of it would be possible without their dedicated staff.”
Long-stay award recipient Michael Mitchell, who operates a 78-unit complex in Brisbane’s north-east and manages an additional 30 external rental properties for investors, said he hoped to use the award to highlight the diverse opportunities on offer in the management rights industry.
“I often tell people that management rights is the best kept secret because there isn’t too much out there that matches the lifestyle and income that it affords,” he says.
“There are a lot of young people in good careers who can access finance and buy these types of businesses and build a lifestyle where they get to look after their own home and have some flexibility.”
With experience as an assistant property manager as well as a landscaper, Michael said he had strong foundation skills before buying into the business just three years ago.
Alex Cook from Resort Brokers and Tony Johnson from MR Sales were also named Sales Brokers of the Year and John Mahoney from legal firm Mahoneys was named Service Provider of the Year.
ARAMA CEO Trevor Rawnsley said the awards initiative highlighted the professional skills, experience and opportunities within the management rights industry as well as its economic significance.
“The inaugural Resident Managers of the Year have demonstrated the highest professional standards of management rights operators and we hope more people are encouraged by their success to participate in the industry.”
