St George's Stuart Ritchie of McGrath Estate Agents has been named Auctioneer of the Year in the 2021 Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) Awards for Excellence.
The REINSW awards are reportedly the most respected real estate industry awards in NSW, recognising the best of the best.
Mr Ritchie was born and bred in the St George area and lives in Connells Point with his wife and two children.
He has become a finalist in the REINSW Awards for Excellence six times, but this was his first win.
He has previously represented NSW in the Australasian Auctioneering Competition, and has won the McGrath Auctioneer of the Year Award twice.
Mr Ritchie has been an auctioneer for 12 years and has been an exclusive McGrath Auctioneer for over 10 years, working primarily in the St George and Sutherland Shire markets.
"Auctioning in my own area gives me a great advantage when it comes to local knowledge."
- Stuart Ritchie
"Auctioning in my own area gives me a great advantage when it comes to local knowledge and the passion needed to sell the benefits of the area to other families," Mr Ritchie said.
Matthew King, Principal, McGrath Estate Agents St George, Brighton Le Sands, Revesby and Sans Souci, said he and his team were "so proud of Stu's achievement".
"We realise that many of our clients chose our brand based on Stu's unbelievable ability as an auctioneer but Stu is an even better person, working tirelessly in supporting many charities and there's not a better liked or more supportive person in our team," Mr King said.
"He's a living example of 'good guys' coming first."
REINSW President Leanne Pilkington said the awards achieved its highest number of entrants, following on from "one of the most challenging years in the history of the industry due to the pandemic as well as the strong market which until now shows no signs of slowing down."
"This year the entrants set the bar even higher, showing us such a huge amount of talent and strength reflected in our great industry," Ms Pilkington said.