The real estate industry in South Australia celebrated its finest at the Real Estate Institute of South Australia’s (REISA) annual Awards for Excellence held on March 15, 2025. The event, hosted at the Adelaide Oval, drew more than 500 attendees who gathered to honour outstanding contributions within the sector. The evening was lively, guided by the hosting duo of Stacey Lee from FIVEaa and Terry Rogers from Channel 9’s Building Ideas.
Among the prestigious recognitions, Emma Slape, chief executive officer of Turner Real Estate, received the Sir Robert Torrens Award, the highest accolade for real estate professionals in South Australia. This recognition underscored her significant impact on the industry.
The competition was intense, with Brad Allan of Allan Real Estate being named the South Australian residential salesperson of the year. He outperformed notable contenders such as Matt Smith from Klemich Real Estate and Tayla Taarnby of TAARNBY Real Estate, both of whom secured silver awards in the same category.
Key Award Winners and Categories
The evening celebrated numerous awardees across diverse categories. Notably, Amity Dry of OC won the gold award for metropolitan local salesperson, while Grant Schubert from Elders Real Estate Robe was recognised as the regional/rural salesperson of the year. Simon Noakes from Noakes Nickolas Real Estate and Thanasi Mantopoulos from LJ Hooker Mile End/Woodville received bronze awards in the same category.
LJ Hooker Commercial Adelaide also had a remarkable evening, securing gold awards in both the future leader – property manager and commercial and industrial agency categories. Additionally, the agency was inducted into the Hall of Fame, further solidifying its reputation in commercial real estate.
TAARNBY Real Estate continued its impressive performance from previous years, winning five gold awards, highlighting its sustained excellence in the industry.
Industry Resilience and Growth
Reflecting on the awards, Andrea Heading, CEO of REISA, commended the talent displayed throughout the evening. She noted the challenging conditions faced by agents and consumers alike, yet the industry thrived. “This year, REISA has been especially proud to see so many new entrants take part — and a particularly strong showing from regional South Australia,” she remarked.
Heading emphasised the importance of resilience in the real estate profession. “Real estate is not for the faint-hearted – it demands adaptability, trust, and teamwork,” she stated. She acknowledged the collective effort behind individual achievements, reinforcing that success is built on teamwork and collaboration.
The awards ceremony not only celebrated established professionals but also highlighted emerging talent. “To our new winners and emerging stars – you are the future of our profession. Your energy, creativity, and drive remind us that the best is yet to come,” Heading concluded.
As the evening wrapped up, the sense of pride and passion within South Australia’s real estate community was palpable, cementing the industry’s commitment to excellence and innovation. The 2025 REISA Awards for Excellence showcased remarkable achievements, setting a high standard for the future of real estate in the region.
