2017 Property Council Award Recipients
Last Friday night, the Property Council of Australia rekindled a treasure from the past and hosted the sector’s night of nights with the 2017 Gala Ball and Awards event at the Adelaide Oval.
The awards focused on people and teams of people rather than projects, and celebrated the achievements of South Australia’s pre-eminent and innovative property professionals.
On behalf of the sector, the Property Council extends its thanks and appreciation to all award nominees and finalists, and congratulates the 2017 award recipients.
This program acknowledges and recognises city-shapers and influencers both past and present, and celebrates the contributions and vision they have and had for this great state.
As we all know, great things in business are achieved by great teams of people – and that is a sentiment shared by our major sponsor, Renewal SA, and award sponsor, KPMG. Events such as the Gala Ball and Awards night could not take place without the support of our sponsors.
With three categories in which members could nominate, the panel of judges were inundated with high-quality candidates vying for:
- 2017 Young Property Professional of the Year
- 2017 Property Professional of the Year
- 2017 Property Business of the Year
Nathan Foulis, Mott MacDonald
Nathan Foulis was crowned the 2017 Young Property Professional of the Year.
Nathan’s ability to manage complex projects, build strong relationships across industry, manage resources and strike a healthy work-life balance set him apart as South Australia’s most outstanding young property professional. A young gun now and a rising star of the future.
He has shown maturity in mapping out his career and confronting and over-coming challenges beyond that associated with a professional under the age of 35, and represents the type of trend that needs to continue in South Australia – that is, someone who strategically moved abroad and returned home with increased expertise.
Judges agreed that Nathan displays a passion and commitment for his industry, volunteers his time and wisdom in forums and on industry committees, and delivers exceptional services to his local community and client base alike.
Upon receiving the award Nathan was honoured to be recognised amongst his industry peers.
“It was an honour to receive this award and to receive such public recognition for my contribution to the industry, Mott MacDonald, and our clients, in particular the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the Adelaide Oval SMA,” said Nathan.
“Receiving the award in front of legends of the industry was a real thrill and I’m humbled by the accolades I’ve received since winning the award. It was an extremely enjoyable night made all the more memorable by sharing the occasion with my wife, colleagues and friends.”
James Levinson, Botten Levinson Lawyers
James Levinson was crowned 2017 Property Professional of the Year.
As a top-ranked and pre-eminent lawyer, James displays an exemplary level of commitment to bettering the property industry.
Judges agreed that James strives for the highest quality of work and superior levels of service, which was put to the test during the planning reform process where he devoted much time, energy and personal resources to industry – outside of running his own business – and was instrumental in helping shape this vital legislative framework.
Judges agreed that James walks the talk with his beliefs about his profession and local community – through his involvement in community housing and local sporting clubs – and strongly believe that he embodies the types of qualities that should be celebrated across industry.
“The feeling of actually winning the award was a mixture of humility and pride; I was very proud of the team at Botten Levinson whose talent and energy are a big part of this. Winning the award doesn’t change what I do, but it never hurts to get a pat on the back along the way,” said James.
“The awards dinner was a fantastic event. It was inspiring to see the late Andrew Emmett and Richard Cohen inducted as Property Icons. It was an important reminder of the enormous contribution so many of our predecessors have made to the industry and to the State over the years.
“It was a personal motivation for those of us active in the industry today to strive to do more.”
Woods Bagot
Woods Bagot was crowned 2017 Property Business of the Year.
This is no ordinary architectural firm, but an organisation that helps define client stories and has shaped and delivered some of Adelaide’s most exportable icons. They bring global relevance to a local context.
Judges agreed that Woods Bagot, in its pursuit of exceptional outcomes, has built a culture of client excellence, and demonstrated that it can leverage expertise locally and globally.
A quintessential example of a successful global company founded in Adelaide in 1869, Judges agreed that Woods Bagot is harnessing its people talent and helping influence built environment landscapes the world over.
An exceptional company worthy of exceptional praise and recognition, and upon receiving the award, Rosina Di Maria said it was an honour for the Adelaide studio to be awarded this prestigious award.
“Our commitment to working together cohesively paves the way for this success,” she said. “Our global business model, which started in Adelaide in 1862 , has continually grown with Woods Bagot now working across 17 studios in Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. We are proud to be part of a team that has positively impacted the property industry and continues to serve our clients with exceptional product.”
President’s award
The inaugural 2017 President’s Award was posthumously awarded to Rocco Caruso for demonstrating commitment to his clients, profession and industry.
Rocco Caruso started his legal career at Cowell Clarke in 2001, rising to Senior Associate in a few short years. Three years later he moved to Piper Alderman, where he became a partner in the property team.
He was a highly respected and revered legal practitioner, having looked after and represented a broad range of clients over several years, including many of South Australia’s largest private-family property groups.
Rocco went about his business in a professional, no-fuss manner, always looking to deliver the best outcomes for his clients. He was meticulous in his preparation, comprehensive in his advice and always commercial in his approach. He was widely considered one of South Australia’s esteemed property lawyers and respected by all who came across him.
Rocco served as a Division Councillor on the Property Council’s state advisory board from March 2013 to September 2016 and was a valued contributor along the journey. He was very passionate about improving the property industry and being part of a close-knit team intent on making a real difference in this state.
President of the Property Council Steve Maras presented the inaugural Award to Rocco’s wife Maria and sister Frances.
“Rocco was the consummate professional and was considered one of the best specialist property lawyers in South Australia,” said Steve.
“He worked tirelessly for his clients throughout his career working mainly for many of Adelaide’s large private family property concerns.”
“He gave his time and expertise to the Property Council as he cared about the health of our industry and was always committed to making sure that we made every effort to constantly improve conditions and policy for the industry. Tragically, his life was cut way too short at the age of 40 – I could not go past Rocco in presenting my inaugural President’s Award.
“Rocco’s wife Maria was enormously grateful for the Property Council honouring her husband in this way.”