Thursday 13 Oct 2011
Leading residential agency McGrath Estate Agents have once again been recognised for their commitment to community service and fundraising, with the franchise team that operates in Sydney’s Lower North Shore taking the honours.
The Franchise Council of Australia honoured the best of the best in the 73,000 franchise sector at the 2011 Westpac FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards Gala dinner held in Melbourne on Tuesday attended by more than 500 people.
McGrath Neutral Bay/Mosman/Northbridge has won the Franchise Council of Australia’s national “Community Service Award”, after winning the NSW gong in July.
The award is for excellence in community service by a franchisee and includes such things as the community groups and initiatives that their business has contributed to over the past 12 months as well as the outcomes and benefits to others from their involvement and contributions. The awards held at state and national level each year represent the pinnacle of franchise achievement and a celebration of the hard working teams and individuals in the industry.
Chair of the independent judging panel Professor Andrew Terry from New South Wales University said Mr. Mackie thoroughly deserved his award for his dedication to community service.
“Mr. Mackie’s philosophy of doing random acts of kindness to set the world in the right direction is a great example of why he was chosen as this year’s community Service winner. He has also dedicated a huge amount of time to fundraising for very worthy causes,” Professor Terry said.
John McGrath, CEO of McGrath Estate Agents said: “We are very proud that our franchisees have embraced our company’s spirit of community giving. It is a great achievement for this team who have been pro-active and committed to having an impact on community initiatives within their reach.
“This McGrath franchise was the only real estate finalist in these awards and was judged alongside all franchise brands in Australia. I am particularly proud as this demonstrates great leadership within our franchise network as well as acknowledgement of their spirit of making a difference in their community.”
Dean Mackie, Principal of McGrath’s Neutral Bay/Mosman/Northbridge said there were several of his company’s initiatives that were integral to his team’s community spirit and giving: Random Acts of McGrath, Sponsorships and Donations, and Fundraising.
“Through this award, we hope that we might also inspire others to something for their community and as a result, make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Mr. Mackie said that his agency has been involved with or supported at least 14 community groups during the last 12 months: including Cruise for a Cure, Make a Wish Foundation, Middle Harbour Public School, Beat the Blues Concert for the Black Dog Institute, the Australian Cancer Council and the McGrath Foundation, to name a few.
Mr. Mackie explained that community groups were chosen by certain parameters. “It is not just making a difference to the foundations, charities and the communities that benefit from our involvement, but to also make a difference with our team.
“I am committed to providing opportunities to our team to challenge themselves and support them in our own community activities. To this end, our team are given an additional 2-paid annual leave days per year to volunteer with a charity of their choice.”
