Homegrown Heroes - The Agency Community Involvement Wrap Up 2023
From small local initiatives to big name events, members of The Agency actively contribute to the well-being and growth of the neighbourhoods they operate in. We uncover the stories of compassion, collaboration, and community-building that define The Agency’s distinctive approach to real estate with a purpose in 2023.
Ben Olofsen – The Agency Southern Highlands
For over a decade, Ben Olofsen has been an advocate for children's mental health and wellbeing services in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
Ben's ten-year tenure as a committee member of the Bowral District Children's Foundation (BDCF) has allowed him to effect meaningful change and bring attention to the pressing issue of children's mental health in the region.
"Southern Highlands has one of the greatest representations of mental health and youth suicide,” says Ben.
“We push to work on prevention rather than picking up the pieces at the end. What can we do to get in front of this rather than at the end when it's too late?”
One of the Children's Foundation local initiatives is aimed at improving mental health services in the area's schools. Each year, Ben and The Agency Southern Highlands donates approximately $25,000 to fund mental health programs in local schools. Working alongside organisations Raise, Batyr and The Butterfly Foundation, these programs provide mentorship for young people to support their wellbeing and mental health. The BDCF also partners with Pop In, an organisation which provides a safe place to support women who have been threatened or impacted by domestic voilence and abuse. Since opening their doors in 2021, the service has helped over 400 women and families.
Another important initiative of the Children's Foundation is the annual Long Lunch, which The Agency Southern Highland are a proud sponsor for. The Long Lunch brings the community together, creating a platform for discussions, awareness, and financial contributions that directly impact the wellbeing of children in the Southern Highlands.
Alongside these efforts, Ben and his team fund the Still Life Art Prize worth $5000 at the Bowral Art Gallery.
Ben Olofsen of The Agency Southern Highlands pictured with artists at Bowral Art Gallery's Still Life Prize.
Chris Williams – The Agency Inner West
Along with his work as a real estate agent in Sydney’s inner west but Chris Williams is president of the Australian Herpetological Society for the past 10 years and is editor of books including Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea.
Chris runs Ryde District Reptile Removal which stands as an authority on reptile management and removal in the Sydney area. Dedicated to community safety and the preservation of the local ecosystem, RDRR boasts a team of experienced herpetologists and trained professionals ready to assist.
“Ultimately, our mission is to strike a balance where residents can safely coexist with our rich biodiversity,” Chris says.
Chris is also a passionate advocate for child protection and supports the Barnados Find-A-Family programme.
Dan Smith – The Agency Sunshine Coast
Dan and his team at The Agency Sunshine Coast hosted an annual community movie night in October to raise funds for Play Matters Sunshine Coast Playgroup. This year the event included an auction of prizes from local businesses, raising more than $1500 for the cause.
Janey Pagels – The Agency Canning Vale
For the last 30 years, Janey and her family have been decorating their home with elaborate and festive Christmas lights to raise money for The Starlight Foundation. In the last eight years, over $9000 has been raised for the cause.
“We start putting the lights up at the end of October and it takes just over a month to have everything connected,” says Janey.
“We just love the looks on the kids’ faces, it’s so precious and makes it so worthwhile. It’s my way of giving back to the community spreading as much joy as we can.”
Tommy McNeil – The Agency South West WA
An avid sports enthusiast, Tommy McNeil is actively involved in the sporting community in the picturesque town of Dunsborough on the Margaret River region of WA. Tommy is an Auskick Dunsborough Coach, Junior Basketball Coach, Senior Men’s Football Coach and Surf Club Junior Age Group Manager.
Imelda Pankhurst - The Agency WA
Imelda has always been heavily involved in the Mandurah community, particularly with sport, and has played hockey in Mandurah for 28 years. In 2023, Imelda played hockey at the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games for the Victorian Gold Hockey team and came fourth in the tournament. In the Australian Masters games for 2023, Imelda was part of the WA team and came home with a bronze medal.
Imelda is a committee member for the Irwinians Hockey Club and makes yearly donations, as well as donations to the Mandurah Golf Club and WWF fund for nature every month.
The Agency Tasmania – Team Bushby
The Agency Tasmania office in Launceston hosts Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and raised $1427 in 2023. They are also sponsors of Encore Theatre in Launceston, raising $720 for charity.
Steve Carroll – The Agency Queensland
Each year Steve Carroll takes a group of real estate professionals on a charity bike ride across Thailand.
“2023 was our 5th ride and so far, we have raised 1.2 million for the children’s charity Hands Across The Water. Since its inception in 2019 we have had over 100 riders from our industry,” said Steve.
The Agency Eastern Suburbs
30 staff from The Agency Bondi Beach office attend the Cohen Handler Charity Gala which raised over $360,000 for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.
Cristian Carvana – The Agency Wollongong
Cristian was a Silver sponsor for the ‘Pink Fight for Breast Cancer’ fundraiser event in Wollongong.
Sandro and Claudia Petrini – The Agency Northern Beaches
Sandro and Claudia sponsor the Warringah Triathlon Club in Manly. Every season The Agency gets naming rights for one of the races held at North Head, the next one being in March 2024.
“They’re a strong club and do very well in all events right across the country, so it’s great to have our branding involved in something we believe is a great thing we all take for granted in our busy lifestyle, our health!” said Sandro.
Richard Bailey – The Agency Tasmania
Richard has sponsored the Mowbray Vets Gold Tournament for the last 10 years, and is also a major sponsor of the Invermay Bowls Club.
Catherine Murphy – The Agency Epping
This year Catherine and her team at The Agency Epping sponsored the North Epping Bowling Club and The North Epping Rangers. Although they are two different sports, both are integral to the local community. The Bowling Club launched in 1965 and the North Epping Rangers was established in 1963 and commenced with only a few netballers. It now has over 1000 members and 500 families in netball, football and tennis.
At the end of the season the club holds a North Epping Rangers Parade Day, marking the end of the season with a march that starts at the main intersection of North Epping. Children make banners and march with their team. When they arrive at the oval, team presentations are held, then the night is filled with food trucks, rides, and ends with a firework extravaganza. This year Catherine and her team sponsored the club and on Rangers Day had a marquee with balloon twisting and face painting and water bottles on what turned out to be a very hot day.
Jason Hapeta – The Agency Perth
As a service member of the Cockburn Return Service League, Cockburn Bush Fire Brigade, Westcoast Masters Cycling Club, and Lifecycle for Canteen, Jason's involvement in the community reflects his dedication to giving back.
Jason is volunteer firefighter currently with South Coogee bush fire brigade, who are active during the fire season from October to May but maintain training throughout the year.
“This is my 23rd year as volunteer and my goal is to make 25yrs and Retire on Anzac Day which is the day I started,” said Jason.
Jason is also a committee member for Life Cycle for Canteen, who are Australia’s biggest fundraising team for Canteen running two major events every year. The first being a bike ride from Bassendean to Busselton over three days which involves about 180 cyclists, and the second event being a three-day mountain biking event hosted in different locations each year. An avid cyclist, he spends an average of six days a week on his bike, indulging in his love for the outdoors and embracing the thrill of road trips.
Along with his year-round work organising the cycling events, Jason in recent years has been an active campaigner and ambassador for a small charity through cycling for domestic violence against women.
Karen Taylor – The Agency Victoria
Karen is an active member of the Hastings community in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula region and is part of a number of initiatives to assist the public with real estate advice and advocacy.
Karen is part of the local primary school council in Hastings, a member of the Local Good Shepherd Community Centre Advisory Committee, Secretary for the Hastings Western Port Historical Society
and is on the Triple A Housing Committee for the Mornington Peninsula Shire which focuses on the topic of affordable housing.
Karen also works with local community groups, health services and housing officers to offer advice and support on how they can support their customers who may be experiencing housing stress or disputes with rental providers. She offers free advocacy service in the community, helping families and individuals navigate the private housing market and referring them to support networks as required. Alongside this, Karen is part of the Mornington Peninsula Energy Heroes program which helps to provide information to property owners and renters, on how to make their homes more energy efficient.
Chris Skarlatos – The Agency Rosebery
Chris Skarlatos and The Agency Rosebery is a supporter of the Windgap Foundation, a disability services and support organisation and is one of the main sponsors at their annual fundraising Gala Ball. They are also supporters of the Gardeners Road Public School Spring Fling Fair as well as throughout the year.
Anna McPherson – The Agency Central Queensland
In August, Anna ran a charity event called Soiree En Blanc Yeppoon raise money for cancer related causes. The annual, all-white dinner party hosted 180 people this year and raised money for Cancer Council Queensland.