The 2023 REIV Awards for Excellence, which recognises, rewards, and celebrates excellence within the Victorian real estate sector, was held on Thursday, 19 October, at Crown Palladium.

REIV CEO Quentin Kilian was enthused by the talent and achievements of all finalists and congratulated award winners. "It's inspiring to see such a high standard of professionalism in our sector, and the winners of our sought-after awards have demonstrated sustained excellence and achievement.

Colliers regional teams secured the two wins during the ceremony, as the Colliers Geelong office won Commercial Agency of the Year, and Chris Frith from Colliers Ballarat took home the Marketer of the Year award.

Director of Colliers Regional Victoria, David Wright, said, "In the past 12 months, Colliers Geelong has experienced remarkable growth and some notable achievements. We relocated to a new office on Brougham Street to accommodate our expanding team, enhancing our capabilities and cultivating a thriving work culture.

"We have established ourselves as industry leaders, earning the trust of clients who appreciate our specialised knowledge, strategic advice, and business support,” Mr Wright continued.

"Notably, we set a benchmark sale rate for Geelong with the sale of the Civic Car Park at 21 Gheringhap Street, solidifying our reputation and showcasing our ability to achieve extraordinary results for our clients."

"This is an exciting time for Geelong. Despite current headwinds, the market has no signs of slowing down in the fastest growing city in Victoria," noted Travis Hurst, Director of Colliers Regional Victoria.

A recent market update released by the Colliers Geelong team stated, "The market is showing outstanding resilience, and the investment appeal of Geelong is strong despite underlying economic threats. Fundamentals for growth are positive and include a strong labour market, high levels of population growth and a rebound in tourism.

"The industrial and A-grade office sectors are expected to remain standout performers, while the retail and residential sectors have stabilised over the past six months. However, we do not anticipate that global conditions will significantly impact the Australian market, and the country will return to its growth track by 2024."

Colliers General Manager Hugh Thomas added, "We are humbled by this award and recognition, which is a testament to our hard-working and talented experts and the trust our clients place in us to maximise the potential of a property to accelerate their success."

A full list of winners and finalists across the 35 awards can be found at www.reiv.com.au/awards 

The market update report from Colliers Geelong can be found at https://www.colliers.com.au/en-au/research/western-victoria-market-update-report-h2-2023