They were a long way from Queensland, but when Australia's real estate industry gathered last night in Perth to celebrate the profession's most prestigious awards, the REIA National Awards for Excellence, it seemed like everyone was talking about the Sunshine state. Earlier that day, news broke that the Real Estate Institute of Queensland might break away from the national association, a move that would see Queenslanders excluded from participating in another national awards night.

Propertyology's Simon Pressley, a buyer's agent from Queensland who was entered into the REIA Hall of Fame, said he believed the industry needed a national voice representing its interests, not one that simply accounts for a percentage of its members. "I discovered the news via Twitter, I had no idea and I was shocked when I heard it," Pressley told The Real Estate Conversation after his induction into the Hall of Fame. "My message to both the REIQ and REIA is to do whatever you've got to do and sort it out, they must sort it out. We've got to stay in. We already don't have NSW [as part of the national association] which is unacceptable. It's like the NRL without the Brisbane Broncos or Manly."

Brett Andreassen, a sales consultant from Doug Disher Real Estate in Brisbane won Queensland's Residential Salesperson of the Year award and was a finalist in the national category, said he didn't want to see the REIQ go it alone. "I personally don't see why they would leave," Andreassen said. "NSW went into the wilderness when they left [REIA]. It'd be disappointing to see Queensland not be a part of big events like this. The idea is one industry, not separate organizations, and I feel like Queensland could be left out of the discussion table [on issues that affect the entire industry]."

Loretta Morgan from Jam Property on the Sunshine Coast, who won the REIQ's Residential Property Manager of the Year award this year and was a finalist in the national category last night, said she also wanted to see her state's industry association remain in the national body. "I think it's good to be uniform with legislative changes as a whole industry, and it's a good thing that we're in [the REIA]," said Morgan. "There has been some shake-ups at REIQ and they've been good," said Morgan, who praised the leadership of new REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella.

Being excluded from participating in the national awards would cause distress for Queensland's best real estate practitioners, said Morgan. "For me, the awards are about credibility in the industry. As soon as someone comes into my office and sees the awards, whether it be another agent or a client, they go, 'Right, she's credible.' The awards generate more leads and more clients. It helps to build my brand," said Morgan.

In his address, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett said he thought it was important that the real estate industry has national awards.

Drawn from a highly competitive pool of 116 finalists, there were 16 winners. On home soil in Perth, Rob Druitt from First National in WA took out the highly prestigious President’s Award. "It's the ultimate honor to be recognised by your peers," said Druitt. "I'm flabbergasted, it's the culmination of 25 years of my career."

REIA President Neville Sanders said it was great to see such a strong list of finalists with NSW back in the race after not participating in the awards for four years. "The night provides an excellent opportunity to showcase not only the professionalism of the sector but the innovation and community spirit showcased by real estate agencies across the country," said Sanders.

The 2015 winners are:

Achievement Award ACT Renee Bink Independent Property Management

Business Broker of the Year SA Simon Winter Raine & Horne Corporate Business Sales

Buyers Agent of the Year WA Kent Cliffe Momentum Wealth

Commercial agency of the Year Vic CBRE

Commercial property manager of the Year SA Ian Lambert Ray White Commercial - Adelaide Asset Management

Commercial Salesperson of the Year WA Ryan McGinnity CBRE

Communications Award SA Toop & Toop

Community Service Award Vic Nelson Alexander

Corporate Support Person of the Year Qlq Amy Wolter Place Estate Agents

Innovation Award ACT Distinct Property Management

Large Residential Agency of the Year Vic Nelson Alexander

Medium Residential Agency of the Year Qld Explore Property

President's Award WA Rob Druitt First National Real Estate Druitt & Shead

Residential property manager of the Year Vic Dylan Emmett Lucas Real Estate

Residential Salesperson of the Year Vic Mark Di Giulio Barry Plant Manningham

Small Residential Agency of the Year NT East Arnhem Real Estate