A Millicent-based real estate firm is the toast of the town as it has won two prestigious awards at the annual Real Estate Institute of South Australia awards of excellence.
South East Property Sales and Management proprietor Fiona Telfer, pictured below, has come away with “REISA Local Residential Salesperson – Regional” and the entire team won the “Community Service” award.
The awards were announced at a gala dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday night.
“As they are state awards, they are the highlight of my career in real estate which began in 2008,” Ms Telfer said.
In the past financial year, her company donated thousands of dollars to various community groups, causes and charities including the Millicent Cancer Support Group and the Millicent Combined Christmas Appeal.
Much of this comes from the “Community Funnel” which receives $100 from every sale.
“The overall objective of our ‘Community Funnel’ is to honour our commitment to giving back to the local community that has supported South East Property Sales and Management,” Ms Telfer said.
“The initiative aims to assist in improving and supporting local sporting clubs, community groups/organisations and any causes which focus on increasing tourist activity and prosperity in our area as well as making Millicent a better place to live.
“Since its inception, we have been dedicated to bettering our community in any way we can through the Community Funnel, as both individual members of the community and as a local business.
“We believe that all of the donations made from our Community Funnel have been made with the community’s and its members best interests in mind.”
Among the other initiatives have been an outdoor movie night and being a Foodbank collection point.
Given her managerial responsibilities, Ms Telfer is pleased the REISA also recognised her abilities as a salesperson.
“I am actively involved in volunteering my time with the local sporting clubs at Hatherleigh and the Millicent Business Community Association and believe that giving my time to the community not only gains respect from my peers but in turn brings in business with a ‘Support those who support us’ attitude,” she said.
Under her leadership, South East Property Sales and Management purchased a Beachport agency in 2020.
It put special arrangements in place for both vendors and buyers when COVID protocols meant state borders could not be crossed.
Ms Telfer has arranged number of innovative professional development opportunities for her staff and published a local guide with details of trades personnel.
Her sales figures were worthy of note and provided to the REISA judges.
The company has purchased a larger nearby property and it is being renovated to become the new base for South East Property Sales and Management.
