Thank you!
Actually when I got the email from the Property Council informing me that I had been nominated for the Hall of Fame my first thought was, “Boy, I am really getting old!”
I have to share with you though how much I’ve enjoyed working in the property industry over the last three decades.
The creativity and dynamism that are integral to the industry have made my professional life incredibly diverse and exciting.
The breadth of my experience from retail property through my family business, to my exposure to urban development through the Docklands Authority, as well as building communities through the Victorian Growth Areas Authority provided me with a fantastic exposure to the diverse asset classes that form the basis of the industry. And my Chairmanship of ISPT was the absolute highpoint of my career at that time, allowing me to bring together all of my skills and experience up to that point.
More recently my involvement with Qualitas Property partners, which focuses on debt and equity investment in property and of course my role as a non executive director of the outstanding Stockland, have given me the opportunity to fully round out this experience.
And along the way, I have met with and worked with fabulous people – people who have mentored me, and collaborated and partnered with me in a wonderfully impactful way. And I’d like to make mention here particularly of my partnership with Peter Verwer when I was National President of the Property Council. Peter did what every great CEO should do – he made me look really good! Thank you Peter – it was one of the most successful working relationships of my business life.
And most of you would know that I’m now working with the property industry leaders who, as the Property Male Champions of Change, are absolutely committed to making sure that even though I’m the first woman to be inducted into the Property Hall of Fame, I will definitely not be the last!
And within that context, I would particularly like to acknowledge my husband, Alan Schwartz, with me here tonight and the absolute original male champion of change!
Alan has stood shoulder to shoulder with me for the last 40 years, supporting me, encouraging me and sharing power and decision-making in our business lives as well as our family lives, in an absolutely equal way. Alan, you are a pioneer and a superb role model for other men.
And once again thank you Property Council for this great honour.
Carol Schwartz AM
