John Garland AM inducted into REIWA Rural Hall of Fame

John Garland AM of Garland International has been inducted into the REIWA Rural Hall of Fame.

The award was presented at REIWA’s Rural Seminar and Awards on 25 July and recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to rural real estate in WA.

REIWA President Suzanne Brown said Mr Garland had an incredible career, selling millions of dollars of property and conducting over 3,000 auctions over more than 60 years.

“John has been involved in some significant sales that have shaped the WA rural industry,” she said.

“This includes the sale of Yathroo in Dandaragan in 1972, which at $18 million was a record price in the area. 

“And he demonstrated the value of using a specialised rural agent with the sale of a 6,000-acre property in Muchea. It was initially listed with a commercial agency, and John sold the property for $21.5 million, nearly $6 million above original expectations.

“But his achievements go beyond record prices and into bringing the right people and properties together to achieve lasting outcomes for the rural community. For example, he brokered the sale of Pardoo Station in the Pilbara, which is now a hay-producing site aiming to drought-proof the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.

“In 2004, he played a key role in bringing AFGRI equipment from South Africa – where they were the largest John Deere dealership in the world – to WA through the sale of machinery dealerships in Geraldton, Carnamah, and Moora. AFGRI remains one of the world’s largest machinery dealerships.”

Ms Brown said Mr Garland also paved the way for the development of hobby farms, showing initiative to achieve the successful sale of a Toodyay farm in the 1970s.

“WA was in the midst of an economic downturn, it was a bad year and commodity prices were down, and there were no takers for the 2,000-acre property,” she said.

“John discovered the farm was made up of individually titled 10-acre blocks, which were originally created for returning WWI veterans. He contacted the Shire, got planning approval to sell the individual blocks, along with the Shire’s agreement to install roads and power, and successfully sold the blocks to people seeking a rural lifestyle.”

Ms Brown said Mr Garland also had an extensive history of service to the real estate industry, broader WA industry and the community in general.

“John brought a rural perspective to REIWA. He was instrumental in forming our Rural Network Committee, served on our Council and was President of REIWA from 1986 to 1988,” she said.

“We recognised his contribution with the Kevin Sullivan Award in 1992 and Life Membership of REIWA in 1993. 

“John has also served as the Deputy World President of the Paris-based FIABCI (International Real Estate Federation), and is a Life Member of the Settlement Association of Western Australia.

“Outside our industry he has been a member of the Perth Regional Development Authority board, Chairman of the Small Business Development Corporation in WA, Deputy Chairman of Celebrate WA, committee member of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, and an inaugural member of the Australian Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

“John is also a long-serving and passionate Rotarian.

“In 2007, he was deservedly appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the real estate industry and the community.”

Mr Garland started his sales career as teenager, working as a stock agent for Elders in the Midland saleyards. He spent over a decade with Elders, auctioning livestock and land.

He expanded his sales skills after being appointed the owner and Principal for the General Motors and Chamberlian dealership in Kondinin in 1961, quickly making it one of the most successful dealerships in the state. In the first year of operation, he was recognised as the Chamberlain dealer of the year for WA.

At the same time, he opened his own real estate agency John Garland & Co, specialising in rural-related property and business sales.

Mr Garland said he was deeply honoured to be inducted into REIWA’s Rural Hall of Fame.

“This award recognises the very specialised role of a rural agent, the knowledge we have and our connections to our communities,” he said. 

“We are not just property salespeople, we need to be able to offer advice on various aspects of agriculture, from soil type to the best utilisation of the land. 

“Agents now also need to be aware of emerging trends like the rise of cropping over livestock, carbon farming and diversification to include additional income streams, such as from wind turbines. We also deal in the intricacies of succession planning.” 

Mr Garland has seen many changes in the industry since he opened his agency. 

“Farming has changed significantly over the years,” he said. 

“In the 1960s there were 40,000 farmers in WA. Now, due to amalgamation of properties and a growing corporate presence, there are about 2,000 farming entities. 

“While traditional farms have become larger and the number of farmers smaller, there has been a strong growth in hobby farms. Since those first sales in Toodyay, there are now about 160,000 lifestyle farms in WA. These people aren’t seeking to make an income, but to have the association with the country and enjoy a rural lifestyle.” 

Pictured above: REIWA President Suzanne Brown, John Garland AM and REIWA Rural Network Committee Chair Mark Murray.