Initially created to celebrate our 50-year anniversary, our timeline highlights the Prperty Council of Australia’s key milestones and rich history.
“We originally thought of BOMA as being an educational or professional body. Once we got started it became very obvious that people were looking to us to represent the owners of big commercial properties in dealings with government” - Ray Powys AM, inaugural National President and CEO (1969-1985)
NSW Division established with founding state president Bill Gately
Victorian Division established with founding state president Cyril Gates
Ray Powys AM, AMP, National President 1969-1974
QLD Division established with founding state president Trevor Davies
WA Division established with founding state president John Baker
ACT Division established with founding state president Doug Mackie
SA Division established with founding state president Graham Fenwick
Bill Gately, Hillier Parker, National President 1974-1977
“When I joined BOMA in 1975 the office was a very large space in the ANZ Bank Building in Walker Street, North Sydney. In this large space we had two desks with typewriters and a couple of trestle tables, one of which held the Roneo copier – no computers or photocopiers in those days.” Jill Mason
The first Congress was held in Sydney in 1977 and attracted 250 delegates. Since 1977 The Property Congress has become the industry’s premier national event. It addresses the big issues driving property development and investment in Australia and globally, and brings together established and emerging leaders in the property industry.
Peter Barrington, Hammersons, National President 1977-1979
Ray Powys AM appointed first full-time National Director (CEO)
Trevor Davies, Hooker Projects, National President 1979-1980
Doug Mackie, DR Mackie, National President 1980 - 1982
Tasmanian Division established with founding state president Jim Sharley
The annual awards program recognises excellence in the built environment. Since its inception in 1982 as state-based awards it has been supported by Rider Levett Bucknall (formerly Rider Hunt) as principal sponsor.
Bill Cairns, AMP, National President 1982-1984
Northern Territory Division established
BOMA undertook a strategic review of the organisation, which led to major expansion in all states
Frank Charnock, Jones Lang Wootton, National President 1984-1986
With the appointment of Peter Verwer AO as head of Research in 1981, research capacity grew rapidly with the first Property Index and Office Vacancy Report published, the precursor to today’s Office Market Report.
Peter Barda appointed as the new CEO (1986 – 1992)
While courses were available for valuers and real estate licensing, there was no practical training for commercial property managers. A BOMA committee including Peter Barrington, Ray Powys AM and Lyn Shaddock began work on devising a course and in 1986 a week-long residential course for 30 participants was held.
Don Cunnington, CM Group, National President 1986-1988
Brian Ellerbeck, National Mutual, National President 1988-1989
Lawrie Willett, SFIT, National President 1989-1990
The Hunter Chapter opens in Newcastle
Jack Ritch, AMP, National President 1990-1992
Gold Coast Chapter established in the 1990s
The previous state-based awards were augmented by the addition of a national award to recognise excellence in the efficient use of capital in a new or refurbished development.
Peter Verwer AO appointed Chief Executive Officer (1992 – 2014)
Brian Pollock, National Mutual, National President 1992-1994
Jim Service, JG Service Pty Ltd, National President 1994-1996
Future Directions was established as a forum for young property professionals and held its first event.
As the industry matured and its importance to the nation increased, the organisation relaunched as the Property Council of Australia in 1996, reflecting a new energy and new ambitions.
In 1996, leaders in the property and construction industry formed the Property Industry Foundation with the mission to make a tangible difference to the serious and persistent problem of youth homelessness.
John McCarthy, P&O Services, National President 1996-1998
Carol Schwartz AM, was elected the Property Council’s first female National President 1998-2000
Greg Paramor AO, James Fielding Group, National President, 2000-2002
The Property Council expanded with the formation of the Residential Development Council and International and Capital Markets Division. The First Powerhouse corporate strategy was also launched.
The Property Council was a driver and founding member for the establishment of the Green Building Council of Australia.
Matthew Quinn, Stockland, National President 2003-2005
Sunshine Coast Chapter established
The Property Council national office moved to Barrack Street.
Regional footprint expanded with Chapters established in the Illawarra and South West WA.
Victor Hoog Antink, Dexus, National President 2005-2007
Hosted jointly with the Green Building Council of Australia to promote sustainability in the built environment.
Nic Lyons, The GPT Group, National President, 2007-2008
Held in Canberra and connecting property investment decision makers from around the globe with Australia’s political leaders.
Daniel Grollo, Grocon, National President 2009-2011
Property Council Academy established to offer expert professional development courses to suit all aspects of the ever-growing property industry.
The ANZ/Property Council Survey gauges the property industry’s sentiments about the outlook for Australia’s national and state/territory economies; views on property asset class performance; employment intentions; expected work flows and critical industry drivers.
Darren Steinberg, Colonial First State/Dexus, National President 2011-2015
Townsville Chapter established
The Australian Property Hall of Fame honours individuals who have provided sustained leadership, made a major pioneering contribution, and left an outstanding legacy to the property industry and the Australian community.
Founded as a specialist division of the Property Council of Australia. Representing a large number of retirement community owners, operators and developers, as well as associate members with a direct interest in the retirement living sector it works to proactively generate greater understanding about the exceptional lifestyle opportunities retirement villages provide for older Australians and the positive impacts they have on our communities.
Ken Morrison appointed Chief Executive Officer
The Property Council established the Property Male Champions of Change in 2015 to drive greater gender equality in the property industry and increase the number of women in leadership roles.
Let Property Grow the Economy was the Property Council’s first major foray into telling the industry’s proud story at a national scale. This was followed in 2018 by the Creating for Generations and A Wise Move campaigns.
Mark Steinert, Stockland, National President 2015-2017
Launched in 2016 and going on to expand to 500 Women in Property in 2018 following its success, the sponsor-led program is working to achieve a significant and sustainable increase in the number of women in senior leadership positions in the property industry, a pipeline of future leaders
Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, Mirvac, National President 2017-2019
The Property Council releases ground-breaking new research, Creating Great Australian Cities, to stimulate debate about the future of our cities, improve public understanding of the issues at stake, and help governments make good decisions for the future.
Industry and thought leaders gather to explore creating great places and thriving cities for people and examine innovation, disruption and the progress we are making to leave a legacy for the next generation and beyond.
Stephen Conry AM, JLL, National President 2019 - 2021
David Harrison, Charter Hall, National President 2021 - 2023
The Property Council formed the Student Accommodation Council to help guide policy and investment in the bourgeoning sector that underpins Australia's third largest export.
Mike Zorbas appointed CEO following resignation of Ken Morrison.
Michael O'Brien, Managing Director of QIC Real Estate, announced as new National President