Steve Maras and Matthew Quinn have been honored with the prestigious title of “Life Members” in recognition of their remarkable contributions and enduring commitment to their respective fields.
This distinguished accolade serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication and the indelible impact they have made in the property industry and the Property Council.
Mr Maras was a Property Council SA Division Councillor between 2011 and 2023, and the SA Division’s longest serving President (2015-2020), during which time he sat on the Property Council’s National Board.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said during his time on Division Council, there was great change across government, industry and the economy, including four Premiers, four Opposition Leaders, six Planning Ministers, four State Treasurers and three Lord Mayors.
“Consequently, the Property Council’s role in providing thought leadership and leaning into public policy was elevated,” he said.
“His leadership on a simplified state Planning system, suburban regeneration, CBD placemaking, property and investment is impressive and yet his hallmark would be the significant land tax reforms achieved despite the previous SA Government trying to force industry into accepting a punitive and retrospective aggregation through its 2019 State Budget.
“In my personal view this was the most significant state based campaign in recent memory, requiring difficult professional and personal choices over many months for both management and division council.
“When combined with the Property Council’s successful advocacy to abolish commercial stamp duty in 2015, the list of ‘bread and butter’ business achievements during his tenure is formidable.”
Mr Maras serves on numerous boards, advisory groups and committees, and gives back mightily to the community through his charity, Living Without Limits. He is currently the Group Managing Director and CEO for the Maras Group.
Mr Maras said he felt honored to bestowed a life membership.
“I’m honored to have this bestowed on me and I want to thank Michael O’Brien and the entire Board.”
In 1999 Matthew Quinn joined Stockland and was appointed Managing Director in October 2000.
He’s also a fellow of both the Australian Property Institute and Ross Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He has variously been a director of companies such as CSR, Elders, Regis Aged Care among a number of others.
QIC Managing Director Real Estate Michael O’Brien said Mr Quinn’s work on sustainability put Stockland on its path as an ESG leader.
“Matthew also made an enduring contribution to the Property Council and our industry during the six years as a director of the National Board for 2001 to 2007, and his term as national president from 2003 to 2005,” he said.
“Under his leadership, the Property Council mobilized resources to shine a positive light on the property industry’s contribution to the economy and to our society overall.
“And this included formally expanding the Property Council’s remit into the arena of residential investment and development. And so doing wisely expanded Property Council’s relevance into what is today’s political barbecue stopper.”
Mr Quinn said it was an honour to receive the award.
“What an honor this is, and it’s a pleasure to be here at the Property Congress and to reacquaint myself with so many old friends that I established many, many years ago.”