PRDnationwide Wagga Wagga

Times have changed significantly since Simon Freemantle first joined PRDnationwide Wagga Wagga.

That was way back in 1989 when Simon was at the university of Western Sydney and was keen to make a career as a real estate agent.

It’s 33 years later and a different era but what has not changed is Simon’s passion to succeed with the PRDnationwide team.

“The business has grown significantly and there is scope for more to come,” the 53-year-old said.

Apart from a couple of stints away at university and four years working at WIN TV, Simon has been a PRDnationwide stalwart.

He took a calculated punt in 2000 when he purchased in to the PRD Nationwide Wagga Wagga office and he never looked back.

“There were about 10 or 12 employees at that time and we have more than 30 now,” Simon said.

“You look back on the 1980s and 90s and there was not the professionalism, standards or technology that we have today. Going from the old polaroids on cardboard window cards to the level of digital videography we have today is an example of how much has changed. 

“We were lucky enough to grow up with computers and this helped us adapt with the changing times.

“We took a different approach with our training, coaching and business structures. We applied a train from within structure … this reduced our need to try and poach staff from other offices and helped to breed a very good culture. 

Simon said PRD Wagga – a relatively new member of Committee 4 Wagga – has a large number of “born and bred” staff.

“Our staff not only comes from Wagga but also towns in the district such as Junee, Coolamon and Cootamundra,” he said.

“The beauty is their career progression can be as extensive as they want it to be … whether it’s in sales or marketing in commercial and residential, strata management or administration.

“Ryan Smith is a perfect example. He started out as my personal assistant and progressed through the ranks to become widely recognised as Wagga’s number 1 salesperson.”

Simon said the decision to continue investing in the city is simple.

“There is not much that Wagga does not have to offer,” he said.

Simon feels that even more can be achieved with a united approach.

“We have joined Committee 4 Wagga as we believe the work they do is extremely important to the future growth of Wagga,” he said.

 “The need for a louder voice is always important.”