Sam joins Elders team

He joins the Elders Real Estate partnership with more than 20 years’ experience in communications, sales and marketing, including eight years spent as the managing editor of the Deniliquin Pastoral Times.

Sam said he always had an ambition to become a licensed real estate agent in his hometown of Deniliquin.

‘‘This started with a casual conversation with Lester around six years ago now, but it’s been an ambition of mine for a lot longer,’’ Sam said.

‘‘These conversations continued with Hamish and Jane when they purchased the business, and it was just a matter of timing.

‘‘To be joining such a professional team is very exciting; I’ve been building my knowledge of the real estate industry and the local housing market over many years and I know the local area and industry very well, and my professional and personal life has given me an excellent grounding to transition to real estate. 

‘‘And I’m very thankful to be learning from the best in the business, in Lester and Hamish, and all the team — Sue, Jane, Christine, Tanya and Catherine.’’

Sam has spent the past three years working with Intereach, joining the local community and human services organisation as senior manager of communications in 2018 and then being elevated to a general manager role. 

Prior to that he served as the managing editor of this newspaper for about eight years.

‘‘Like Elders Residential Real Estate, both the Pastoral Times and Intereach are local success stories in a business sense and integral to Deni’s business and services landscape,’’ Sam said.

‘‘They’re both very good workplaces and I feel privileged to have worked alongside such wonderful people — I’ve learnt so much and hopefully I’ve had a positive impact in my respective roles. 

‘‘We’re extremely lucky to have community services such as these with staff and respective boards who genuinely care about their communities.

‘‘My passion for the local area is well known and my drive to play a part in fostering vibrant, positive and prosperous rural and regional communities hasn’t wavered.’’

Elders Residential Real Estate principal Hamish Thomson said the team is rapt to have Sam join the partnership. 

The business was first established in 1977 by leading local real estate agent Lester Wheatley, who still plays a key role in the business today.

‘‘We’re extremely thankful to have Lester continuing on with the business and offering his unrivalled knowledge and expertise, which has provided a great mentorship to myself, and now Sam,’’ Hamish said.

‘‘Sam joins the team as part of our strategy to grow and develop the business and maintain our high level of service.

‘‘Sam’s a born and bred local who’s been a community leader in many respects for close to 20 years, so we’re extremely excited to have him as part of our team.

‘‘Our business prides itself on being professional and personable, and Sam certainly has these qualities.’’