This grand occasion, hosted on September 7 at the prestigious Crown Palladium, etched an indelible memory as it brought together over 750 distinguished guests.

For more than four decades, Barry Plant has left an enduring imprint on Melbourne's real estate landscape, and this year's gala was a testament to the legacy that the company continues to build upon.

The Barry Plant Awards of Excellence not only commemorated exceptional achievements within the network but also embodied the company's steadfast commitment to giving back to the community through its support of Make-A-Wish through the annual Wishtober event.

Among the evening's highlights, the Manningham office emerged as the company's top performer, boasting the highest number of sales, closely followed by the Essendon-Keilor East and Highton offices.

High profile managing director of Barry Plant Manningham Spiro Drossos said the award was a testimony to the hard work and dedication of his entire team.

“Our business has grown rapidly in recent years and our customer-focused team has continued to build on our strong reputation in the local market, setting new standards as we evolve,” Drossos said.

“I feel strongly that this is only the beginning and we are incredibly excited for our future, as well as the future for the entire Barry Plant Group.”

James Goulopoulos of Doncaster East, was crowned as the number one top performer, a reflection of his extraordinary dedication and expertise in the realm of real estate sales.

Starting his career at just 18 years, Mr Goulopoulos said he wasn’t expecting to take out top sales agent of the year, and the award came as a complete surprise.

“We are very proud of our achievements, and our hard work is paying off,” he said.

“All the sacrifices we make are all definitely worth it in the end.”

Mr Goulopoulos said he and his team offered a different formula and worked hard with their clients to get the best results.

“We are really enjoying the journey, and it shows,” he added.

Another great delight of the evening was the Franchisee office of the year award, which was awarded to Barry Plant Mildura. This award goes to the office that exemplifies the ideals of the Barry Plant group and achieves a high level of excellence through performance in sales, property management, staff and customer reviews.

Currently in a growth phase and looking forward to some big opportunities, the Mildura office has had a new lease on life according to Director Martin Scott.

“We are very proud to be a part of the network and to be recognised amongst our peers and other very high-achieving offices is extremely rewarding,” he said.

“We had a strong year in sales, and we are headed for more success as we grow our team, recently welcoming a new Director in Brenton Love who is paving the way for future success.”

The Barry Plant Awards of Excellence also took a moment to pay tribute to team members for their unwavering dedication. Noteworthy recognitions included Grace Stonard of Narre Warren, honoured as Property Manager of The Year, and Jay Moxon of Mill Park & Doreen - Mernda, celebrated as Senior Auctioneer of the Year.

The awards were co-hosted by Barry Plant Group CEO, Lisa Pennell, and Franchise Manager, Chris Hill. They were accompanied on stage by Directors Barry Plant, Vic Care, and Mike McCarthy, who presented awards to the vast array of winners.

“I’ve been to many awards nights across my career, but on stage for my first Barry Plant awards night, I was again taken aback by the tangible spirit of the Barry Plant Group,” Pennell said.