“A life of service - REI NSW Honours Industry Veteran with Life Fellowship"
In a testament to over four decades of unwavering dedication to the real estate profession, the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales has bestowed its prestigious Life Fellowship upon Kymbal Dunne, marking an extraordinary career that has helped shape the industry's professional landscape.
The recognition acknowledges Dunne's remarkable journey, which began in residential property management and evolved to encompass funds management, commercial property management, and acquisitions. However, it was in commercial property sales and office leasing where he truly distinguished himself, earning multiple REI NSW Excellence awards for his exceptional achievements in Sales, Leasing, and Project Marketing.
This Life Fellowship builds upon Dunne's previous recognition with the Institute's highest honour - the Woodrow Weight Award for Outstanding Service to the Industry in 2012. His commitment to professional excellence is reflected in his extensive academic pursuits, including qualifications as a licensed real estate agent (Class 1), registered valuer, and auctioneer, demonstrating his belief in the importance of formal education in elevating industry standards.
What sets Dunne's career apart is its unique balance - spending half his professional life as an employee with prestigious firms like Jones Lang Wootton, Raine and Horne Commercial and Knight Frank, and half as a successful business owner, including establishing and selling both Pact and m2 Office Leasing. This dual perspective has given him invaluable insights into the industry's challenges and opportunities from both sides of the employment spectrum.
His service to the REI NSW, particularly as past chair and committee member of the Commercial Chapter, has been instrumental in advancing the Institute's mission. Through his roles, he has consistently advocated for maintaining and enhancing real estate's standing as a respected profession, working tirelessly to improve industry standards and practices.
More recently, as Partner and National Head of Private Office at Knight Frank Australia, Dunne continued to innovate, developing new approaches to client service and international property solutions. His work with The Wealth Report, recognized as the world's leading property research publication on private investor trends, further exemplifies his commitment to advancing industry knowledge and professional standards.
Most recently with his new business, Broken Arrow Property Advisory he takes his vast expertise and experience and provides it as a property advisor to the private client sector and many Not for profit organisations.
The Life Fellowship acknowledges not just Dunne's professional achievements, but his enduring commitment to elevating the real estate industry's professional status and his significant contributions to the REI NSW's mission of industry excellence. It stands as a testament to a career dedicated to not just participating in the real estate profession, but actively working to enhance its relevance and reputation for future generations. The award was presented to Dunne by new REI President, Thomas McGlynn at the AGM on 21st November 2024.
Nicholas Crampton and Kymbal Dunne
Dunne said “I do miss my original City of Sydney committee mates the late Kevin Breheny and the late John Mackenzie, Jock Dunn and Greg McManus. I also miss REI's in-house lawyer, the Late Sam Kremer. All these people volunteered or worked for REI NSW to make a difference by making things better and more professional.”
He recalled that it was Tony Brasier and Chris Nicholl of Colliers who really garnered the major agencies to get behind REI NSW and create the Commercial Chapter with me in 2003. I was then joined by my old friend, Sara Pratt and we were supported by good people like CEO, Tim McKibbin and chapter coordinators, Tracey Lucas and Chris Carey. I've been lucky to work with Barry Johnston, Bobby Suminoski and so many other energetic, unselfish and inspiring professionals. Today we are well supported by Jeannine Araghi, Kristen Trolove, Nicole Unger, Louise Moule and Aaron Barber. “I even encouraged colleague and friend, Linda Rudd to join the Board”.
“I now serve with REI NSW Deputy President, Nicholas Crampton and Charles Raine on the commercial chapter, who are both sons of my old friends, Dick Crampton and Angus Raine. It's great to see the Institute attracting new energy and dedicated Sydney property families like these important ones. Now we just need to attract many more great women and even up the gender representation”. Dunne said.