Announcements

Awards nights are naturally about recognising individual achievement, but their broader value comes from bringing the industry together.

The 2026 Gala Dinner was an opportunity for agents, auctioneers, agency leaders and industry partners to step away from the day to day demands of property and acknowledge the work being done across the profession.

REINSW continues to play an important role in creating that forum for recognition. The Awards for Excellence celebrate both established industry leaders and professionals who are building the next stage of their careers, helping place attention on the standards, discipline and professionalism behind strong real estate practice.

Recognising Auctioneering Excellence

Auctioneering remains one of the most visible disciplines within real estate. When the auction begins, preparation, market knowledge, communication and judgement all come together in real time.

A strong auctioneer must be able to read the room, understand buyer behaviour, maintain momentum, communicate clearly and work closely with the agent and vendor, often while making important decisions within seconds.

That makes industry recognition in auctioneering particularly meaningful. It acknowledges not simply the performance seen on the day, but also the preparation, repetition, professional development and experience behind it.

Senior Auctioneer Winner: Emanuel Comino

Emanuel Comino of McGrath was named the Senior Auctioneer Winner at the 2026 REINSW Awards for Excellence.

The recognition acknowledges Emanuel's skill, professionalism and contribution to the auction profession, qualities that remain central to delivering confidence for buyers, vendors and agents throughout an auction campaign.

Experienced auctioneers play an important role well beyond calling the numbers. Their ability to interpret buyer behaviour, create momentum, communicate clearly and manage competition can have a significant influence on the atmosphere and confidence surrounding an auction.

Emanuel's recognition reflects the level of discipline and professionalism required to perform consistently at a senior level within the auction profession.

Novice Auctioneer Winner: Panal Boustani

Panal Boustani of Manor Real Estate was named the Novice Auctioneer Winner, marking an important milestone in his developing auctioneering career.

Recognition at this stage of an auctioneer's career is significant because auctioneering is a profession developed through repetition, feedback, observation and experience.

Emerging auctioneers must learn not only the mechanics of calling an auction, but also how to remain composed, respond to changing buyer behaviour, maintain control of the auction and communicate confidently under pressure.

Panal's recognition highlights the importance of creating pathways for the next generation of auctioneers to develop their skills, gain experience and contribute to the future strength of the profession.

Recognised on the Night by RE Software

The Senior Auctioneer and Novice Auctioneer awards were announced on the evening by Maurie Mazzeo, Director of RE Software; Auctions Live.

For the RE Software team, it was a privilege to participate in an evening that recognised the people behind the profession and, in particular, individuals continuing to strengthen the standard of auctioneering across New South Wales.

Auctioneering demands preparation, judgement, composure and the ability to connect with buyers in the moment. Emanuel and Panal should both be extremely proud of what this recognition represents.

Anthony Nounnis, Director of RE Software - Auctions Live

While technology continues to influence how buyers register, watch, participate and bid at property auctions, the role of the auctioneer remains fundamentally human.

Digital registration, livestreaming and online bidding can improve access and visibility, but it is still the auctioneer who reads the moment, communicates with the crowd and creates the environment in which genuine competition can unfold.

That balance between traditional auction craft and modern auction technology is something Auctions Live continues to support across in-room, onsite and virtual auction environments.