A WINNING EVENT ALL ROUND!

TWO surprises involving wonderful women, both long valuable to the Dormehl Phalane Group (DPG), were among highlights of the fast-growing real estate company's 14th annual awards ceremony this weekend (April 1 and 2).

The first surprise opened the weekend's events and left DPG's hard-working Gauteng PA, Annalize Janse van Rensburg, gobsmacked and R25 000 richer. The other surprise, towards the close of the weekend, saw Upper Highway branch manager Jean Liversedge cover her mouth and say, "I can't believe it!".

But more about those special moments later...

This year's awards marked a return to the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands with weather including sun, rain, mist and some chill. This followed Gauteng's Kievits Kroon Wine Estate having played host to last year's national awards of the company, headed by Owen Dormehl and Daniel (Tau) Phalane.

The 14th national annual awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievements in 2022, was held at Halliwell Country Inn, halfway between Curry's Post and Howick. DPG representatives from all over the country started arriving there from Thursday afternoon.

The function was last held at Halliwell on March 14, 2018, at a casual and memorable breakfast-into-lunch event. This year, however, there was a welcome change in proceedings - half the awards were presented at a smart-casual Friday breakfast which was followed by a fun braai lunch, and the remainder of the DPG prizes were handed out at a Saturday evening, black tie affair at the venue.

The Friday afternoon braai was around the pool at Halliwell Country Inn, close to the venue's charming, fortified homestead with metre-thick stone walls. Built in the mid-19th century, this homestead, which became a hotel in 1991, overlooks the swimming pool and a valley of meandering meadows where horses frolic and, in the distance, the sky embraces sweeping views of forest and mountains. Picture-postcard perfect!

There was much fun around the pool on Friday afternoon, when grey clouds finally cleared to usher in a beaut of a sunny day and everyone drank in the views and liquid delights of an open bar.

Saxist-guitarist and vocalist Chris Jenson mingled with the crowd which enjoyed beef or chicken burgers off a braai, assorted salads, custard slices and malva pudding with custard.

The awards presentations, hosted once again by television personality Marius Roberts, took place in Halliwell's large reception hall, close to the homestead and alongside a quaint chapel - and the event proved yet another roaring success!

At the smart-casual breakfast event, the first of the two great surprises took place after host Marius called all DPG principals to the front of the hall. It was then announced that all of them had secretly clubbed in to recognise the mountain of work Annalize Janse van Rensburg does for all - and this tireless DPG superhero was presented with a giant R25 000 cheque. A flabbergasted and highly appreciative Annalize heartily hugged each principal.

The Friday breakfast event included an informative talk by Ooba's Careen McKinon and, later, guest speaker Graham Barratt, of Currencies Direct, lightened the mood and drew whoops of approval when he ended his talk with an animated rap to Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby".

The breakfast event saw various awards from Goldman Schultz and Standard Bank Easysell, and Christy du Preez of The A-Team in Westville received a special CEO award, from Owen Dormehl, for the DPG agent receiving the most special recognition from the public.

The Wooden Spoon, for 'stirrer of the year', went this year to Derick Moor of Managing Services Coastal/Inland, who was also named as Body Corporate Agent of the year. Duan Janse van Rensburg, Annalize's son, took the prize for Training Agent of the Year.

The fun Peacock Award, for the agent 'whose feathers need to be stroked constantly', went to a proud and jovial Maxine Strydom of Upper Highway Letting/Prestige.

To further emphasise her appreciation of her Peacock Award, and for an added bit of fun, a bubbly Maxine arrived in the drizzle at Saturday evening's formal awards wearing an elegant black and white gown - and a 'feathered peacock headress' created from ferns from the garden. It brought smiles to the faces of all who saw her sashay and give royal waves as she made her entrance.

Guest speakers at the Saturday evening event were Paul and Billy Janse van Rensburg, of DPG Bridging. Both were later encouraged to take solo turns on the dancefloor after the awards were done and the DJ got the party started. Much merriment was had by all - the dancefloor often packed to capacity and highlights including group choreography for "Jerusalema" and "Cha-Cha Slide".

Saturday evening's awards meal included impressive cheese and cracker platters, a starter of poached pear and camembert salad with blueberry vinaigrette and, for mains, a choice of roast fillet, chicken and prawn curry, or ossobuco, served with mash, rice and some veg. Guests helped themselves to puds on a table, including custard slices and cream-topped chocolate mousse in a flute glass, while tea and coffee were also available.

Jean Liversedge and her Upper Highway team had a great weekend - Jean's accolades including Training Principal of the Year and the Remarkable Leadership Award.

And so on to the biggie surprise that made a blue-gowned Jean Liversedge very, very happy indeed. This came at the Saturday awards climax when she took the spotlight as Upper Highway was named Franchise of the Year, relegating a longtime holder of this award, Kevin Delport's Pinetown franchise, to second place.

Brendon Bosch of Pinetown wrested back his long-held title of Agent of the Year, which was won by Owen Dormehl last year, and in second position this year was an excited Leigh Phillips of Platinum Rentals.

All in all, another winning weekend from a winning team!