The REIV Awards for Excellence is the Victorian real estate industry’s night to recognise the leaders in their profession. A little like the real estate Brownlows, if you will. Ruby Assembly Consultants’ Director Iolanthe was most excited to attend the sumptuous ball at Crown Palladium Ballroom, happy to see many of our clients in their finery – looking back on the year of real estate that was.

The REIV Awards for Excellence is a chance for the local real estate industry to hop out of their suits and into their black tie regalia – an opportunity to let their hair down for the night. Nominations for the awards are announced earlier in the year, and the awards cover multiple categories including marketing, residential and commercial agencies of the year and novice/senior auctioneer of the year. It was a truly glamorous affair this year, with the fellas looking dapper in bow ties and tuxedos and the ladies in an array of beautiful gowns. We were delighted to have the support of  South Yarra’s vintage jewellers Parisian Street Society, and enjoyed wearing a 1970’s vintage runway piece by Donald Stannard. It really set off the rich purple Leona Edmiston gown, and Django & Juliet shoes we found at the last minute!

When I saw this amazing neckpiece at Parisian Street Society, I immediately thought of Elizabeth Taylor in Antony and Cleopatra. This Donald Stannard piece from the peak of the 1970’s also has a touch of ‘blaxploitation’ chic to it.

See what I mean? The amazing necklace would certainly go down a treat with this royal get-up.

Violet purple suede Django & Juliet shoes with a cuban heel – a lucky find at Zomp!

The night started with aperitivi outside the Palladium ballroom – it was a bustling crowd of just over 1200 attendees. L-R: Anthony Gattuso of AG Property (Mr Ruby Assembly) and Iolanthe Gabrie.

We attended with our very glamorous colleagues Carly Eva-Benci and Alex Benci of Axiom Photography fame.

We were chuffed to see lots of our clients celebrating their nominations in various categories of excellence. Here we are with beautiful Caitlin, administrator extraordinaire at Chisholm & Gamon.

My favorite ‘win’ of the night was Mark Verrocchi of Nelson Alexander Carlton North, who won the Novice Auctioneer of the Year category. This is an amazing achievement from a very charismatic young fellow who has a bright future in the real estate industry. L-R: Anthony Gattuso, Mark Verrocchi, Iolanthe Gabrie.

The night was a terrific opportunity to catch up with clients and friends from the Victorian real estate industry, and a chance to enjoy beautiful food and wine whilst honoring outstanding achievement in  the property profession. There was also a mildly wacky magic-come-ballroom dancing floor show which added a touch of Liberace which we appreciated, and then a floor-filling 1980’s cover band with impressive Prince/Cyndi Lauper costumes. Before you  knew it, the dance floor was heaving as Victoria’s estate agents let their hair down.

This photo of Iolanthe was taken post-dancing to the fitting ‘We Built This City’ on the pumping dance floor full of funky estate agent chickens! We’re so proud to work with many leaders of the Victorian real estate community, and enjoyed our night at the REIV Awards for Excellence. See you at the REIV Awards for Excellence 2012!