Christopher won the REIV Industry Inspiration Award on Thursday!

On Thursday 23 October 2025, something quite magical happened for one, committed young man’s early career.

But something more magical happened for an industry association that has spanned 89 years, (founded as the Real Estate and Stock Institute in 1936).

Christopher Sybenga is an enthusiastic nineteen year old who is no stranger to many real estate agents around Melbourne.

Christopher’s adventure in the real estate industry began many years ago. The sale of his Grandmother’s home spurred his interest initially, and since 2017, his Mum has been driving him around Melbourne’s suburbs every Saturday to watch auctions. In 2019, his career aspirations became a reality when Jayson Watts at Nelson Alexander welcomed him into the team for work experience. I met Christopher at an auction in Ascot Vale when he rang the auction bell and held the gavel for an auction property I secured for a client.

Fast-forward, Christopher’s adventure has been captured by journalists and Christopher has created his own instagram account, @it’s_me_chris_realestate. His followers are growing rapidly as he touches the hearts of real estate agents all around the city.

Christopher joined our team for work placement in 2024 as part of his university education requirements, and in 2025 we formalised Friday morning ongoing work placement. We inspect and assess properties on busy Friday mornings, and on Saturday’s Christopher enjoys seeing our work unfold, watching, photographing and noting the auction outcomes for our clients. He always enjoys plastering a sold sticker across the board too, (who doesn’t?!) Christopher’s recent engagement in our client’s auction outcomes includes a briefing on his instagram account, noting the attributes of the neighbourhood or the intricacies of the auction.

Christopher’s passion and work in the industry caught the attention of the REIV board directors. Last Thursday night at one of the best attended Victorian awards events in recent years, Christopher was awarded the Industry Inspiration Awards in front of his industry peers, family and selected ‘superhero’ agents. His parents booked a table and invited the agents who have taken Christopher under their wing over the past eight years, giving him opportunities to work with them on work placement opportunities.

What Christopher may not realise is how the significance of his award impacts those around him who have had the pleasure of working with him. Every agent who sat on table #9 last Thursday said this awards night was the best one they’d ever attended. Watching Christopher win meant more than any other awards night they could remember.

Me included.

Christopher had agents popping over to congratulate him all evening. Table #9 was buzzing with messages of congratulations, high fives, hugs and smiles for hours. Christopher is now walking on cloud nine and most likely will be for months.

Our industry association supports diversity, inclusion, encouragement and relationships. This is something to be celebrated.

Heartiest congratulations to Christopher. In the face of some tough challenges, he works hard and shines. His hard work, persistence, and utter commitment to a career in this industry is obvious to us all, and it’s joyous to be a part of this journey alongside so many others who are on Team-Christopher.

Photo credit: REIV awards

Special thank you to Ana and John, (Christopher’s parents) for inviting us all to sit on the winning table and be a part of this magical night. Our table was a mix of opposition agents, all sitting together and celebrating the things that really matter.