Barry Plant Puts Property Managers First this National Property Managers' Day

This National Property Managers' Day, Barry Plant took the opportunity to recognise those professionals by putting the focus squarely where it belongs: on the people who spend every day caring for everyone else.

On Friday, 24 July, property managers from across the Barry Plant network came together at Leonda by the Yarra for a special National Property Managers' Day Morning Tea, dedicated to celebrating their contribution, supporting their wellbeing and reminding them just how valued they are.

For Barry Plant Group Head of Property Management Emma Gordon, the event couldn't have come at a more important time.

"I don't think there's ever been a more stressful time to work in property management," Emma said.

"The amount of change happening across the industry is unlike anything I've seen since the introduction of the Residential Tenancies Act. Property managers are dealing with changes to legislation, bonds, VCAT processes, minimum standards and so much more, while also helping educate rental providers through every new obligation."

"All of that pressure ultimately lands on the property manager."

Rather than making the event another day of technical training or industry updates, Barry Plant deliberately chose a different approach.

"We wanted to make sure this wasn't another learning event," Emma said.

"Our property managers spend every day thinking about how they can look after their clients. This day was about looking after them."

Held in the Garden Room at Leonda by the Yarra, the morning featured wellness education, mini massage stations, networking opportunities, gift bags, door prizes and morning tea, creating an environment focused entirely on wellbeing and appreciation.

The keynote address was delivered by one of Australia's only dual-qualified health professionals in pharmacy and nutrition, Sarah Gray.

A respected health expert, author and certified MyMT® Menopause Lifestyle Practitioner, Sarah shared practical, science-backed strategies to help attendees improve their health, manage stress and better care for themselves in demanding careers.

The morning also featured a panel discussion with Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell, Bupa Wellness Senior Health and Wellbeing Lead Claire Mac and Barry Plant's number one Property Manager for 2025, Ashleigh Rhodes.

Together, they discussed maintaining wellbeing while managing demanding careers, building resilience and supporting others without neglecting their own health.

For Emma, the event reflected something much bigger than a single morning.

"The main thing our property managers do is care," she said.

"They care for renters, they care for rental providers, and they care for the properties they manage. This is a day about caring for them."

"We wanted everyone to leave with practical strategies they can use to look after themselves because that's something they're often too busy to prioritise."

That culture of care is one of the reasons Barry Plant continues to attract and retain some of Victoria's best property management professionals.

Emma believes what sets the network apart is the genuine sense of community shared across its 66 offices.

"The collaboration between our property managers is incredible," she said.

"They're constantly sharing ideas, supporting each other, visiting other offices to learn what's working and helping each other solve challenges. I don't think any other network collaborates across the whole state the way we do."

"It's the support, the training, the education and, above all, the care that people have for each other."

With more regulatory changes still to come over the next 12 months, Emma knows the pressures facing property managers won't disappear overnight. But she believes the strength of the Barry Plant network, combined with its commitment to supporting its people, will ensure they continue to thrive.

National Property Managers' Day is ultimately about recognising a profession that too often works quietly behind the scenes.

By bringing the network together for a morning dedicated to connection, wellbeing and appreciation, Barry Plant reinforced a simple message to every property manager across the business: the people who spend every day looking after others deserve to be looked after too.