GUESTS travelled from across Australia to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of a family-owned Moree real-estate business that has stood the test of time.
Raine and Horne Moree opened its doors in March, 1975, under the banner of John S Atkins and Co in the old Pastures Protection Board building on Balo Street.
Moree’s newest stock and property agency, established by John and June Atkins, survived droughts, floods and a bomb blast, and is still going strong under the leadership of daughter, Kelly Atkins.
Guests on Thursday night at Moree Town and Country Club included former Moree residents, Roger and Gail Fletcher, Raine and Horne property group executive chairman Angus Raine, Raine and Horne New South Wales and ACT network manager, Travis Wentriro, Moree Plains Shire Council mayor, Susannah Pearse, deputy mayor, Wayne Tighe and Raine and Horne team members from Tamworth and Inverell franchises.
Kelly Atkins said guests travelled from far and wide to celebrate the golden anniversary milestone.
“There were current and old clients, as well as former staff members from as far away as Melbourne, Sydney, Bowral, Dubbo, Tamworth and Toowoomba,” Kelly said.
“In 1975, my parents started a stock and station agency in Moree. They made a great team –
Dad wore the pants, and mum told him which ones to wear,” she laughed.
“I’m extremely proud to carry on their legacy, and deeply grateful for their mentorship, which shaped me into the person I am today.”
The Moree agency on Albert Street – just around the corner from John and June’s original office – edged closer to real-estate in the 1980s and joined the Raine and Horne family in 1988.
“We partnered with a family firm that shares our values, and we’re honoured to have Angus Raine, a fourth generation member of one the families that started it all, with us,” Kelly said.
“This milestone is testament to the relationships we’ve built over the years.
“The trust and support from clients, collaboration with colleagues, and strong community ties have made all the difference.
“From the day mum and dad started the business to the present day, we’ve always prided ourselves on treating people with respect and integrity,” Kelly said.
Kelly and her team – Brittany Madden, Karen Biggs, Brianna Harborne and Loren Burgmann – continue the legacy.
“I’m very lucky to have such a great team,” Kelly said.
“We are excited for the future, and we will continue to adapt, evolve and grow while staying true to our commitment to the community, our clients and each other,” Kelly said.
Kelly said she felt a profound sense of gratitude.
“Looking back on 50 years, it has been an incredibly rewarding journey,” she said.
“My parents’ resilience laid the foundation, and their legacy inspires me every day.”
Angus Raine, who initially started in real-estate as his own entity before returning to the family fold as a director of Raine and Horne Holdings in 1998, congratulated the Moree team.
“Kelly has actually been with Raine and Horne about 10 years longer than me,” he smiled.
“A lot of people have come from far and wide. Tonight is about Kelly, and celebrating the Atkins family serving the Moree community for 50 years – that’s an amazing achievement.
“Loyalty in this day and age is rare, but still very much alive with Kelly and her team.
“It’s a massive achievement for Kelly to have these people come from north, south, east and west, and is testament to how much she is regarded in the Raine and Horne team.
“John and June Atkins would be very, very proud,” Angus said.
Congratulations Kelly, Worked with John way back in the early 70s at Bruce Purcell and Co.