Almost 300 Ray White members and their families have attended the Ray White Group’s The Shed Open Day to celebrate 120 years of the leading brand on the site where the agency started.
Ray White began his business in a disused shed on the Crows Nest railway siding in 1902.
Back then, The Shed had no direct road access and no retail visibility.
But Ray White opened the doors, determined to engage in any business where he could bring value to the community.
Armed with a ‘do anything’ mentality, Ray was prepared to sell farm machinery, arrange insurance or be a produce agent.
Eventually he began to sell new motor cars, farm equipment and, of course, property.
And Ray White was born.
Today, The Shed is part of the Crows Nest Museum and Historical Village and has been restored to its former glory.
Visitors can take a walk through the historic town and visit the birthplace of the Ray White Group.
Managing Director Dan White opened the day and said as the Ray White Group grew and changed, anniversaries became more special.
“How lucky are we to have this hub here, reminding ourselves of where we’ve come from,” he said.
“Our humble beginnings were just a tin shed on the edge of civilisation and it shows what can be achieved with very little.
“What can be achieved with ambition, hard work, sacrifice and certainly community – all the different things Ray did to keep his business moving forward.
“It is that sense of custodianship that I feel being here. The Shed does connect me with the history and that sense of custodianship and our responsibility to keep taking this group forward.”
Third generation chairman Brian White was humbled to see so many people attend and pay homage to the agency’s beginnings.
“I have a sacred duty to fulfil, under the instruction from the man whose name is at the top of the shed there,” he said.
“I’ve been instructed by him to announce to all of you here that you are members of his family.”
Beginning with Ray White himself, auctions are in the DNA of the group.
Ray White Cheltenham agent and auctioneer Angela Limanis conducted a charity auction with all proceeds going to the Crows Nest Museum and Historical Village.
Up for auction were eight lots including a morning tea with Brian White, a $500 voucher for any Ray White event, a hamper of local gin from Pechey Distillery and soft drinks from Crows Nest Soft Drinks, a signed copy of Rupert McCall’s “The Shed That Dreamed” and then four jerseys signed by the ACT Brumbies men’s and women’s teams.
The auction raised more than $40,000 for the Museum and Historical Village.
Ray White Commercial Christchurch agent Paula Raine came to The Shed to see her name written in the Elite Performers book.
“We were here 20 years ago and came with our business partner who passed away in 2007,” she said.
“It just reiterates how close the White family are and how much history they hold.
“It was really amazing to see my name in the Elite Performers book in the shed where it all started.”
Ray White Commercial Canberra’s Frank Giorgi said he was thrilled to be part of the group.
“This is my first year since we rebranded to Ray White and I am so happy to be part of the group,” Mr Giorgi said.
“Being here at the birthplace of the Ray White Group – it’s great to be part of something so historic.”
