LOCAL LIVING New chapter for Sally J
Born and raised on a cropping and dairy farm in Tasmania and now a ‘true-blue’ West Gippslander, Sally Jones has made a significant contribution to the region through her professional and voluntary pursuits.
After 29 years living and working in the Warragul area, Sally now says “this feels like home”.
Sally will soon look to semi-retire from the business she and her late partner Peter Carrothers established – Sally J Real Estate.
Sally had gained experience working in sales with Roberts Real Estate in Burnie, Tasmania. On arrival in Warragul, Sally first applied for a job at Keith Williams Real Estate in Warragul, and on being asked to attend a second interview she thought “what a nuisance”.
Local real estate icon Mick Fleming, who was the Warragul branch manager with Keith Williams Real Estate at that time, arrived at Sally’s house and offered her the job.
Sally fondly recalls the days of real estate where names such as John Pilgrim, Bill Skewes, David Pearce, Rex Marriott, Mick Daniels, Barry Baker, Jack Hallett, Judy McLennan and Mick Fleming were in town.
She recalls the days before the internet, when the paper was the only comparison tool and also when vendor paid advertising didn’t exist. Sally said “It’s a tough industry these days time pressure and social pressure”.
After gaining her full licence, Sally started working for Brian and Pauline Soutar, trading as Brian Soutar Real Estate Warragul until she decided to ‘go it alone’, opening Sally J Real Estate in 2002.
Sally has been a dedicated Rotary Club of Warragul member for 16 years - president in 2008/09, assistant governor in 2011/12 and a Paul Harris Fellow. “Rotary has opened up many opportunities for me” said Sally.
Sally has also travelled widely with Rotary and senior’s cricket. After cyclone Pam struck the Pacific Islands in 2015, she started supporting the Sama Sama Rainbow School in Port Vila, Vanuatu through the donation of goods and also financial assistance.
She also supports the children’s ward at a Port Vila hospital and is very keen to return to Vanuatu regularly to help the people of that nation.
Dream Cricket, a Rotary program for primary school children with disabilities, is another of Sally’s passions and she sees this modified game of cricket played across Australia in specialist schools as a great way for children with disabilities to participate in sport.
Sally is also an elder at the Uniting Church, Warragul and is involved with the Fairview Village knitting group which has sent much needed goods to Nepal, Vanuatu and Ethiopia.
Recently Sally sold the management of her Sally J Real Estate rent roll to Evan Broadbent at Harcourts Warragul.
Sally said “I look at Evan, and I have children his age, he’s taken a risk, gone out on a limb and is employing a good number of people.
“He’s committed to the town, his staff and his family. He has a big future in the town. I am really excited for Evan” said Sally.
Evan said “I have known Sally for almost 20 years now and I feel very appreciative and proud that she has trusted my experienced property management team and I with her clientele.
“Sally has been a trailblazer for women in real estate locally, and her contribution to the community in many areas has been significant to say the least.
“As we continue our strong growth at Harcourts Warragul we will also continue our commitment to both the local community and servicing our new and current clients” said Evan.
Sally said “I also wish Carmen (Christie) well, she always treated the business (Sally J Real Estate) as her own. I am also excited for Carmen”.
Young adults were always given opportunities to work on Saturday mornings at Sally J Real Estate and Sally encourages other business people to do the same saying “it gives young people confidence”.
Sally praised the efforts of the Warragul Business Group saying “the business group is doing lots of great things in the town”, adding “Warragul is a rock solid town”.
Sally looks forward to doing further work in real estate in the near future, after a well earned break.