2023 Inductees
JOAN CORDELL AM
Joan Cordell AM, the brains behind the Cordell group of companies, was already a skilled statistician and an astute businesswoman when she recognised an opportunity to transform information sharing across an entire industry.
Dux of her primary school year, Joan asked to study art at the Julian Ashton School after Intermediate. At the same time realising the value of having Matriculation which she completed at Pyrmont Tech of an evening – giving her options for teaching or university. However, trading her canvas for a calculator, Joan finally chose to complete an honours degree in Statistics at the University of Sydney.
She studied at night while holding down various secretarial and research positions during the day.
After graduating in 1954 and a stint as Statistician with Australian Paper Manufacturers, Joan’s creative side was calling.
She took up courses in acting and modelling and was chosen as one of only three Australian models to show UK couturier Norman Hartnell’s 1958 collection.
In 1959 Joan opted to return to statistics, joining logistics company Brambles while completing her Masters’ thesis at Sydney University.
A six-year period followed in Wollongong, developing a Stocks & Holdings project, before Joan returned to Sydney, and decided the time was opportune to launch Cordell Research in 1969.
The first decade was crucial in establishing the areas in which researched information was vital to the building and construction industry and how it was to be collected and communicated.
A range of industry publications were developed, each with specialised applications for both trades and professionals, suppliers to the industry, insurance and finance interests – all of whom valued Cordell’s reliable project activity data.
When Building Costs and Pricing publications, updated quarterly for each eastern state, were introduced, they soon became known as the ‘Builder’s Bible’ for both private and government reference.
In 1979, Joan sold Cordell to Thomson Publications, giving Cordell the financial edge to computerise.
She returned to her other love, art, while staying in touch with Cordell’s progress.
In 2015 Cordell joined forces with CoreLogic and maintains its position as a market-leading source of construction data.
NIGEL SATTERLEY AM
With unwavering integrity and unrelenting energy, Nigel Satterley AM has created the communities that 250,000 Australians call home.
As the Founder and Chief Executive of Satterley Property Group, the nation’s largest private residential land developer, Nigel has built a formidable reputation.
Nigel spent his childhood in Cunderdin, a picturesque town in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, before moving to Perth in his late teens to ‘make it’ in the big city.
His first break came when, aged just 20, he was appointed state distributor for legendary brand Levi Jeans.
Nigel was soon selling “truckloads” of denim and, at 21, was toying with the idea of opening a series of stores.
But Nigel’s deals and sizeable deposits soon attracted the attention of his building society, the Town & Country Bank – and its founder Sir James McCusker was to give Nigel some career and life-changing advice.
Using the profits from one of his first property sales as capital, Nigel founded Statesman Homes, with Sir James as his mentor.
Within a few years, Statesman Homes was one of Western Australia’s largest home builders.
Nigel steered Statesman to become Western Australia’s biggest building group before selling in 1980.
In 1980 he launched his namesake company, pivoting to land development.
Satterley Property Group has created more than 180 individual estates across Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland, collected more than 100 industry awards, and turns over around $850 million in project land sales each year.
Among his many achievements, Nigel spearheaded reforms to the GST, championed the Keystart program to support first home buyers and is one of the founding fathers of the West Coast Eagles.
Nigel’s service to the Property Council and its members began in 2009, when he was appointed to the Western Australian Divisional Council.
As Chair of the Residential Development Council from 2009 to 2017, Nigel drove the development of a formidable bank of research that continues to have far-reaching impacts today.
His tireless contribution to the Property Council’s governance and leadership, culminated with his appointment to the national board in 2010.
During the past 50 years Nigel has donated land for more than 50 charity homes auctioned to raise funds for both Telethon and the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.
Since 1990, Nigel and his wife Denise have donated an average of five per cent of their annual pre-tax income to charitable causes as diverse as medical research, women’s refuges, youth education and guide dog training.
In 2006, Nigel’s business achievements and charitable efforts were recognised at the highest level when he was made a Member of the Order of Australia – an honour consolidated in 2015 with a Doctorate of Business from Edith Cowan University.
2022 Inductees
DR SEEK NGEE HUAT
1950-
Having completed his PhD at the Australian National University, he professionalised property research in Australia during the 1980s and provided the growing property industry a transparency and research base which continues to define it today.
These achievements laid the groundwork for the integration of property into capital markets and in so doing, made Australian property a consistently attractive destination for global capital for the first time.
At the request of his government, Dr Seek returned to Singapore to help run the Government Investment Corporation, the first non-commodity based sovereign wealth fund which Dr Seek anchored in real estate. During his tenure, GIC created a global real estate portfolio with substantial investments in many iconic Australian assets.
Dr Seek was also Chairman of Global Logistic Properties from June 2014 until January 2018, when GLP was privatised in the largest private equity buyout in Asia.
Dr Seek is Chairman of GLP’s Fund Management Advisory Board and Chairman of the Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies at the National University of Singapore where he is also Practice Professor of Real Estate.
Dr Seek sits on the Boards of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Canada, VCredit Holdings Limited, Hong Kong and the Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore. He is also a Senior Advisor to Frasers Property Limited and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
JIM SERVICE AO
1933-2021
Few leaders in our sector have been such influential mentors, so admired in the community or left such deep legacies of service and city-shaping as Jim Service AO.
As National President of BOMA, Jim led the national modernisation of our industry and our organisation by creating the broad and ambitious Property Council of Australia we recognise today.
Jim reshaped the Nation’s capital in a lasting physical sense and laid the groundwork for a growing private sector to flourish through five decades of exemplary industry leadership.
With Len Goodwin and Arthur Kenyon, Jim formed GKS Constructions. One of their first projects was the Jamison Centre in Belconnen.
By 1981, Jim had established his own national property business – JG Service Pty Ltd. It was to become a success story far beyond Canberra and responsible for billions of dollars in property development and investment. A chair of banks, national institutions and utilities, Jim was also nationally recognised as a role model for business leaders in the community at local, Australian and international levels.
He achieved all this while running his own successful private property company. In the words of former Prime Minister John Howard AC, 30 September 2021, “Jim Service gave remarkable commitment to the life of Canberra. It is hard to think of any aspect of the life of our national capital which did not benefit from his energy.”
In 2001 Jim was named Canberran of the Year. That year he also received the Centenary Medal for service to Australia’s construction industry.
In 2004 he was elevated from Member of the Order of Australia to Officer of the Order of Australia for service to business and to the community.
Jim passed away in 2021 and is survived by his wife Dorothy and his loving family who have continued to build on their father’s legacy.
2019 Inductees
GREG PARAMOR AO
1950-
Greg has more than 45 years’ experience in the real estate and the funds management industry and is a Non-Executive Director of the Charter Hall Group. Greg is the former Managing Director of Folkestone Limited which was acquired by Charter Hall Group in November 2018. Greg was the co-founder of Growth Equities Mutual, Paladin Australia and the James Fielding Group and CEO of Mirvac Group between 2004 and 2008 following their acquisition of the James Fielding Group. He is a past president of both the Property Council of Australia and Investment Funds Association. Greg’s current involvements include being the Chair of BackTrack, an organisation assisting vulnerable young people, a trustee of The Nature Conservancy Australia, and a board member of the Sydney Swans and Sydney Swans Foundation.
HARRY SEIDLER ACOBE
1923 – 2006
Harry Seidler’s introduction of authentic Modernism changed the course of architecture in Australia. Arriving in Australia in 1948 aged 25, he captured the attention of the property and architectural community, first with his modern house designs and then in 1967 with the completion of Australia Square (Sydney), setting the standard for future office towers. Harry’s office towers which were designed to be constructed quickly became landmarks, many with his trademark public plazas. He was an early champion of the need for well-planned modern apartment living without sacrificing the design aesthetic: he thought it was his job to build a better world. He brought modern architecture to Australia and took it overseas with the Australian Embassy in Paris, the Hong Kong Club and in his native Vienna, with the sweeping riverside affordable housing complex, Wohnpark Neue Donau. His legacy is timeless, enduring, beautiful and commercially successful architecture. He was awarded the prestigious Royal Gold Medal by the RIBA in 1996.
PENELOPE SEIDLER AM
1938 –
Penelope Seidler is person of extraordinary artistic vision and sensibility who helped bring a creative edge to her husband Harry’ Seidler’s work for over 50 years as well as co-designing many projects. Penelope had a background in the Arts, becoming an architect after marrying Harry in 1958. She and Harry designed their own award winning, and now heritage listed home in Killara (Sydney) in 1967. As leader of the Seidler practice she also had a significant role in co-curating the selection of significant artworks for its projects. Penelope has endowed an Architecture Chair at the University of NSW and a visiting professorship in the History of Architecture at the University of Sydney. She is involved with Arts organisations including the Biennale of Sydney, the Australian Pavilion in Venice, Sydney Living Museums, National Gallery of Australia (where she is still on the foundation) and was one of first members of the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art (New York).
2018 Inductees
FRANK CHARNOCK
1934 –
Frank Charnock FRICS emigrated to Sydney in 1961 to join Jones Lang Wootton in its founding years. Initially focused on overseas clients, he played an increasing role in the leadership and growth of JLW into the largest agency and consultancy firm in Australia. Active in BOMA (now the Property Council) from its inception he served as NSW President and later National President. His particular interest lay in the development of the institutional investment market, education for the industry, and was closely involved with Ray Powys AM in the establishment of the first degree courses in Land Economics. Retiring as CEO of Australia in 1989, Frank moved to London to lead the further global development of JLW which culminated in the merger to create Jones Lang LaSalle and lead its involvement in the management of the first international institutional property fund. Amongst other roles, he also spent 9 years on the Board of the Hammerson Group.
SIR ALBERT JENNINGS
1896 – 1993
In 1932, the young Albert Victor Jennings pioneered the Great Australian Dream – producing a high and affordable standard of housing in Australia thus laying the foundations of AVJennings. To fund his first development, he mortgaged his own home in the midst of the Great Depression. It was his belief that people would buy a quality home at a reasonable price and he was proved correct, with AVJennings building tens of thousands of homes across the country. He was knighted in 1969 for his services to Australian housing and jokingly told his staff they would be fined ‘two bob’ if they called him ‘Sir Albert’. In 2009 he was nominated by Good Weekend magazine as one of 25 people who changed the Nation.
2017 Inductees
STUART HORNERY AO
1939 – 2012
The former managing director and chairman of Lendlease, Stuart Hornery AO was a bold and visionary leader admired for his unconventional solutions and egalitarian values. Cultivating a strong team of “rebels who deliver” Hornery turned Lendlease into a corporation that frequently topped ‘most admired’ lists. During his time at the helm, Lendlease’s market capitalisation rose from $100 million to $10 billion. Hornery also created a network of leading edge, not-for-profits. Among these were the ACTU-Lend Lease Foundation, which trained more than 100,000 workers, and The Hornery Institute, which is doing world-class work on the building of better communities.
LANG WALKER AO
1945 – 2024
Living and breathing property for more than five decades, Lang Walker AO has delivered 1,000-plus projects, from national landmarks to homes for thousands of families. In the 50 years since Walker joined his father’s earthmoving business, he has created three successful property development empires, each one bigger and more successful than the last. Today, Walker oversees a project pipeline of $25 billion, including 25,000 dwellings in Malaysia and 8,000 apartments, 25,000 dwellings, 11 multi-story office towers and large industrial estates throughout Australia. Known for his philanthropy, Walker personally supports a range of charities through the Walker Family Foundation.
2016 Inductees
SIR KEITH CAMPBELL
1928 – 1983
Sir Keith Campbell was a long-serving Chief Executive and Chairman of Hooker Corporation Ltd (Hooker). Sir Keith Campbell revived the fortunes of Hooker to again become an icon in Australian real estate. As one of Australia’s most highly regarded businessmen, Sir Keith was appointed by the Fraser Government to Chair a Committee of Inquiry into the Australian Financial System in 1979. ‘The Campbell Inquiry’ became synonymous with economic reform. A passionate humanitarian, Sir Keith was on the boards of many institutions including the Shepherd Centre for deaf children.
ROBERT HAMILTON AM
1939 –
Robert Hamilton AM was the joint founder of property developer, Mirvac Group, and was Mirvac’s Managing Director for over 30 years until 2005. With a focus on design and quality, Mirvac developed around 30,000 homes under Hamilton’s leadership including Sydney’s Olympic Village, Walsh Bay and Melbourne’s Beacon Cove. Mirvac also diversified into hotels and office towers controlling $5.5 billion in real estate in 2005 when Hamilton stepped down. As a respected advisor, Hamilton has since served as a Director of Urban Growth NSW and on the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
CAROL SCHWARTZ AO
1955 –
Carol Schwartz AO is one of Australia’s most dynamic business leaders with a career now spanning over two decades. Having been nominated an “eminent business leader” by the Australian government, Carol has conducted significant inquiries on behalf of government, chaired major government boards as well as chairing and participating in high level private company and listed company boards.
Carol’s current roles include Chair; Creative Partnerships Australia, Chair; Our Community, Chair; Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, Director; Stockland, Director; Bank of Melbourne, Director; Scale Angel Network amongst many others.
The Property Male Champions of Change is convened by Carol, who is also a former Property Council National President.
2015 Inductees
JOHN C ROBERTS AO
1933 – 2006
Multiplex began as a small construction company in Perth, established by John C Roberts AO in 1962. Multiplex quickly gained a reputation for delivering major landmarks on time and on budget, before expanding into the leading international contractor, Brookfield Multiplex, as it is known today. Notable projects built by Multiplex include 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth (formally Bankwest Tower), Southern Cross Towers in Melbourne, Chifley Tower in Sydney, Riparian Tower in Brisbane, Emirates Tower in Dubai, and major projects in the UK. John Roberts became an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 1988 for his contribution to the construction and horse racing industries.
HARRY TRIGUBOFF AO
1933 –
Harry Triguboff AO is the founder and managing director of Meriton Apartments, which spearheaded the Australian apartment revolution in 1963. Since then, Meriton has built more than 65,000 apartments across Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and has become Australia’s largest apartment developer. Harry Triguboff became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1990 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1999 for his service to the community as a philanthropist and to the residential construction industry.
2014 Inductees
ERVIN GRAF OAM
1924 – 2002
The founder of Stockland, Ervin Graf, graduated in architecture before leaving his native Hungary shortly after World War II. He came to Sydney as a bricklayer and, with a small loan, started in business in 1952. Mr Graf went public six years later by taking over the smallest company on the stock market, Stocks and Holdings. Today, Stockland is Australia’s largest diversified property group. In June 2000, Mr Graf was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the building and property industries. Mr Graf retired as Stockland’s chairman in October 2000, and sadly passed away in 2002.
BRUNO GROLLO AO
1942 –
Bruno Grollo and brother Rino built their father’s small concreting and paving business, started by Luigi Grollo in the 1940s after emigrating from Italy, into one of Australia’s biggest private builders. Over five decades, Bruno made a lasting contribution to the property industry. Through the family businesses, he helped shape the skylines of our biggest cities with landmark structures including Melbourne’s 101 Collins Street, Shell House and the Rialto as well as Governor Macquarie & Philip Towers in Sydney. He is now retired but his children are continuing the family’s long and successful association with the industry.
RINO GROLLO
1947 –
Rino Grollo continues his family’s longstanding tradition of property development in Australia. In 2000, Rino and brother Bruno divided their shares in Grocon to pursue new opportunities. Since 2000, Rino and his wife Diana have consolidated their companies and focused on the sport, education, tourism and community sectors. Rino’s son Lorenz is now managing director of the family’s construction company Equiset, while another son, Mark, manages the family’s aviation and aerospace interests. Their tourism concerns include the Mount Buller ski resort in Victoria, the Great Barrier Reef Undersea Explorer and the Ross River Resort, near Alice Springs. The couple’s biggest asset is their half-stake in Melbourne’s landmark Rialto building.
2013 Inductees
JOHN GANDEL AC
1935 –
John Gandel’s outstanding contribution to business and the wider community over more than 50 years has been most significant in the retail, property and philanthropic sectors. A specialist in retail developments, John’s jewel in the crown, Chadstone Shopping Centre, has transformed Australia’s shopping landscape. Extensive funding has contributed to vital medical breakthroughs. First and foremost however is John’s devotion to family which forms the backbone of all his commercial and public interest endeavours.
STAN PERRON AC
1922 – 2018
Following a successful career in earth moving and mining, Stan’s first commercial property venture was completed in 1970. This was followed by residential land developments and small Shopping Centres in 1972 and 1973. He soon recognised the resilience of shopping centres through careful selection, development and expansion and now owns a portfolio in eleven major Shopping Centres throughout Australia. Mr Perron was also chairman of The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation supporting charitable organisations with a bias towards children’s charities and medical research.
SIR JOHN PIDGEON
1926 – 2016
Sir John Pidgeon, Managing Director of FA Pidgeon & Son Pty Ltd, built the construction business founded by his father in 1927 into one of Australia’s largest privately owned Building and Development companies, responsible for many iconic projects throughout Queensland. He served as chairman of the Master Builders Association, Builder’s Registration Board and the Building Services Authority. His significant contribution to the industry and the community (including causes such as Surf Lifesaving and the Salvation Army) was recognised with a Knighthood in 1989.
2012 Inductees
DICK DUSSELDORP AO
1918 – 2000
Dick Dusseldorp came to Australia in 1951 founding Civil and Civic and then in 1958 launched Lendlease Corporation. Through these organisations he developed new iconic buildings around Australia, created the world’s first listed property trust, pioneered the ‘triple bottom line’ and built Lendlease Corporation into one of Australia’s most successful construction, real estate and financial services companies.
- Acceptance Speech by Marta Dusseldorp
- Testimonial from Sir David Higgins, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive, Lendlease 1995-2002
- Testimonial from John Morschel, Managing Director, Lendlease 1988 - 1995
- Testimonial from Bill Webster, Investment Director Lendlease Corporation Ltd 1987 - 1999
- Testimonial from Michael Cameron, CEO and Managing Director, The GPT Group
SIR FRANK LOWY AC
1930 –
Sir Frank Lowy AC is the Chairman and co-founder of the Westfield Group. Having served as Westfield’s Chief Executive Officer for over 50 years, Mr Lowy assumed a non-executive role in May 2011. He is the founder and Chairman of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Chairman of Football Federation Australia Limited, a former director of the Reserve Bank of Australia and a renowned philanthropist.
RAY POWYS AM
1916 – 1993
Ray Powys worked at AMP for over 45 years including a decade as Property Investment Manager. He helped pioneer property as an asset class in Australia and developed many iconic buildings that transformed the nation’s urban landscape. Mr Powys was the founding President and then CEO of the forerunner to the Property Council of Australia. He advised a wide range of public institutions, helped establish several community organisations and was a benefactor to the disadvantaged.
- Acceptance Speech by Jack Ritch
- Testimonial from Peter Verwer, Former Chief Executive, Property Council of Australia
- Testimonial from Bill Cairns, Former General Manager, AMP Investments
- Testimonial from Frank Charnock, Former Chairman, Jones Lang Asia Pacific
- Testimonial from David Wright, Vice President, International Strategy, Macquarie University