Tony Fountain – one of the key establishment figures for the Ray White Group in its Australian expansion – passed away yesterday at the age of 72.
In a statement to the Ray White group yesterday, Joint Chairman Brian White paid tribute to Fountain noting his key role in establishing ‘an auction culture’ in the group back in 1988.
“He was relentless,” said Mr White, “Not only was he inspirational in the development of an auction culture but his skills as an auctioneer gave our business owners and team members wonderful confidence that their clients would be looked after to perfection.”
Mr White also paid homage to Fountain’s love of a good competition.
“I remember well a magic moment at the NSW Awards evening in 1992 when Tony came racing up with a sheet of paper showing that Ray White had now performed more auctions than any of our competitors. It was an astonishing achievement so early in our NSW and national expansion.”
Fountain passed away suddenly yesterday, after a massive stroke on the weekend. Fountain is survived by his long-term partner Sam Hudson and his step-daughter Emily, plus his daughter Kylie Fountain and husband Kevin Hall, son Jason Fountain and wife Paula and son Kurt Fountain and his wife Josie and grand-daughters Charlotte and Sybella.
Mr White has also announced that the Ray White NSW Awards program will now include the Tony Fountain Auction Award.
“It will be a fitting reminder to all our members of the crucial role Tony played in the continuing development of our national expansion.
“He created a success point that gave a credibility to the Group that propelled us to the wonderful position we now enjoy,” said Mr White.
