Ash Bateman

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige / high end residential valuations
• Commercial property valuations
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Englobo/townhouse development valuations
• Valuations for rating purposes
• Valuations for financial reporting purposes

Industry Experience

Ashley has over 10 years’ experience as an accredited Certified Practising Valuer after two-years as a Statutory Valuer along the Surf Coast of Victoria. In 2014, Ashley acquired the extra duties as the Bendigo offices Managing Valuer. Since then, he has undertaken the extra responsibility as Regional Director for the Western region of Victoria, which includes Opteon’s major regional offices of Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. He continues to provide expert tutorage to junior valuers and completes valuations of a wide range of asset types, in a professional and timely manner.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Business (Property) – University of South Australia

Nello Noto

Areas of Expertise

• Residential Property Valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice purposes
• Prestige residential property valuations sub $15,000,000
• Multi lot Subdivisions and Development valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains)

Industry Experience

A Certified Practicing Valuer since 2007, Nello has over 17 years’ experience in the property valuation industry. Nello has vast valuation expertise across the general and specialised residential property sector throughout Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania for mortgage and non-mortgage purposes.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 62943)
• Bachelor of Property (Property) – RMIT University

Ryan Sargant

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Valuations for family court
• Valuations for expert witness
• Valuations for government agencies
• Mass valuation modelling
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Ryan commenced employment with Christie Whyte Moore, now Opteon (Western Australia), in September 2002. He assumed the role of Senior Valuer, Perth office in 2008. In 2014 Ryan became a Director and Equity Partner of Opteon Western Australia prior to the integration of the business.

Ryan’s experience includes the preparation of valuations and consultancy for a range of residential property types. He conducts residential valuations, specializing in prestige residential and regional valuations. He maintains client relationships based on mutual ethics and integrity.

Ryan currently leads the Western Australia and Northern Territory residential valuation teams. Ryan is responsible for the regions operational performance, financial performance and stakeholder engagement.

In 2023, Ryan was nominated for Opteon’s - Mark Christie Leadership Award.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 65057)
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia (Licence No. 44165)
• Bachelor of Commerce (Property) - Curtin University of Technology (Nov 2000)

Henry Pinto

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige Residential Properties
• Residential development sites

Industry Experience

As the Regional Director, Henry manages the Residential operations within NSW and QLD.

He is familiar with all residential property types and specialises in Prestige Rural Residential Valuations and Residential Development sites.

Henry has been in the industry since 2004 and has worked at Opteon for over eight years. During this time, he has worked in multiple geographical areas within NSW and has extensive knowledge of the Sydney Metro Market.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute. Advanced Diploma of Property Valuation (Property Economics)

Belinda Botzolis

Areas of Expertise

• Property Valuation
• Tax Depreciation
• Property Tax
• Property Investment Strategy
• Renovation Advisory
• Wholistic property advisory

Industry Experience

As a Certified Practicing Valuer with more than 17 years of experience, Belinda’s expertise extends beyond property valuation, as she is also a Registered Tax Agent and has extensive experience in the QS Division and has also worked as a Senior Property Investment Strategist.

Belinda is used to working in blended roles. She is passionate about helping everyday Australians make smart decisions and grow their property knowledge. She provides proper advice and guidance so people can make informed decisions and take control of their property journey.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Registered Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Registered Tax Agent (No:24716105)
• Bachelor of Business, Property Economics – WSU

Anthony Salce

Areas of Expertise

• Residential development
• Prestige Residential
• Expert Witness
• Retrospective Tax Valuations

Industry Experience

Anthony has worked at Opteon since 2006, in that time he has been Associate Director for Metro division, International Product Manager for Cubetec and business development manager for Tax Depreciation Schedules.

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business (Property)
• Associate of the Australian Property Institute
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Accredited Panel Examiner for API

Bret Taylor

Areas of Expertise

• Asset Valuations for Financial Reporting
• Central Business District – Office/Retail
• Commercial Office/Retail, Industrial
• Compensation Assessments
• Depreciation Schedules
• Lessor/Lessee’s interests
• Rental Valuations
• Residential/Prestige Residential
• Rural Land
• Rural Lifestyle/Agribusiness
• Broad acre Farming & Irrigated Land
• Sub Divisional Land
• Hotels, Motels & Caravan Parks
• Multi-Unit Development and Feasibility Studies

Industry Experience

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Certified Practising Valuer QLD 1404

George Garagounis

Areas of Expertise

• Residential Property Valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice purposes
• Prestige residential property valuations sub $15,000,000
• Unit Entitlement Reports
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains)

Industry Experience

George is a results-oriented professional with a proven track record in the Property Industry. Joining Opteon in 2008, he has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a dynamic, energetic approach to his responsibilities. George's 15 years of hands-on experience in the field have made him an integral and valued member of Opteon Business. Currently serving as the State Director, he brings extensive valuation expertise to the table, specialising in both general and specialised residential properties across NSW for mortgage and non-mortgage purposes. George's leadership extends to the effective management of the Defence Housing Australia (DHA) portfolio for NSW, showcasing his ability to handle diverse and complex responsibilities in the property sector.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 69649)
• Advanced Diploma of Property Valuations – Ultimo Tafe

Marion Simonds

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Prestige residential property valuations
• Pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Rental valuations
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Depreciation schedules
• Valuations for Family Law purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for mortgagee in possession purposes

Industry Experience

Marion has 18 years of experience as a valuer and has been employed by Opteon (Victoria) for over 15 years. In her role as Regional Director (Residential) Marion overseas the residential team in regional Victoria. In addition, Marion herself provides a high volume of residential mortgage valuations in urban and rural areas in the south west region. She provides skilled valuation advice on a range of property types including farmlets, rural lifestyle properties and prestige coastal properties in Port Fairy and the surrounding townships. Marion is aware of the intricacies of providing property advice in an expansive and diverse region of Victoria including regional residential and rural properties.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API No. 63016)
• Bachelor of Business (Property) 2003

Matthew Jobson

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Prestige residential property valuations
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Valuations for capital gains tax and stamp duty purposes
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Matt has 12 years’ experience in the residential sector of the valuation industry and joined Opteon in August 2021. Matt has held positions as Senior Valuer, Managing Valuer, QLD Operations Manager, Regional Director and State Director with Acumentis, WBP Group and Opteon Solutions. Matt has a particular interest in the valuation of prestige residential properties.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 77665)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Registered Valuer – QLD Valuers Registration Board - 3625MR
• B. Property and Sustainable Development (Valuation)
• Grad. Cert. Business Administration

Nicholas Matts

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige Valuations
• Banking and Finance Valuations
• Matrimonial and Family Court Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & GST)
• Acquisition & Disposal Advice

Industry Experience

Nicholas Matts is a respected individual in the valuation industry with 8 years’ experience.

Nick has a Bachelor of Property Economics Degree from the University of Technology Sydney and has attained API Associate Membership (AAPI CPV). He is a committed, energetic and results driven individual with high standards and an excellent understanding of the Illawarra and South Coast property market and prestige high-end valuations.

Nick has developed through his management roles in the property valuation industry a range of technical skills with an employment history spanning various senior managing positions and is involved in the prestige property valuation market.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate of the Australian Property Institute API Member No. 84082
• Bachelor of Property Economics

Tom Kennedy

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice
• Rating and land tax objections
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Tom has eight years of experience in the property valuation industry with a broad knowledge of the entire valuation process. Tom has valuation expertise across residential and rural lifestyle properties throughout multiple municipalities of Melbourne.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 86061)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Master of Business Administration – Australian Institute of Business
• Graduate Diploma of Property – Deakin University
• Bachelor of Business – Swinburne University of Technology

Heath Eggins

Adam Hughes

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Inner north Prestige residential Valuation.
• Valuations of Melbourne’s Apartment market
• Valuations of Rural Lifestyle properties
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Expert Witness Valuations
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice purposes

Industry Experience

Adam has been with Opteon since 2012, working across several different departments providing a broad knowledge of the entire valuation process. Adam is considered a residential property expert and provides a large number of valuations of residential properties within Melbourne’s Metro Areas. Adam manages a team of 15 residential valuers operating in Melbourne’s CBD, Inner North, South East and Outer North East.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 74191)
• Graduate Diploma of Property, University of South Australia
• Bachelor of Commerce, Deakin University

Andrew Glasson

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Valuations for Family Court
• Valuations for expert witness
• Valuations for government agencies
• Mass valuation modelling
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations
• Luxury residences
• Small development sites

Industry Experience

Andrew started with Opteon (formerly Christie Whyte Moore) in 2005 and became a Certified Practicing Valuer in January 2008. Andrew has conducted residential valuations throughout metropolitan Perth and regional locations of Esperance, Geraldton & Carnarvon with an extensive understanding of all types of residential property. Since 2014 Andrew has had the performance and management responsibilities for a team of residential valuers. Andrew now specialises in the prestigious western suburbs of Perth.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 65261)
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia, License No. 44365
• Bachelor of Commerce (Property & Accounting) completed at Curtin University of Technology in 2005
• Graduate Certificate in Property Valuation completed with Distinction at Curtin University of Technology in 2005

Alyza Doulis

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Matrimonial and Family Court Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & Tax Dep)
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations
• Rating and Taxing valuations

Industry Experience

Alyza has been working with Opteon for over 9 years across both Rating and Taxing and the Residential Mortgage Valuation departments, learning many aspects across the valuation industry. Alyza’s experience and qualifications have enabled her to deliver high quality valuation reports across a diverse range of properties, primarily in the residential and agribusiness market currently. As an Associate Director at Opteon, Alyza leads a team of Valuers providing management, training and mentorship in a range of valuation disciplines. Alyza is based in regional NSW, and prides herself on excellent client relationships and always trying to create an excellent customer experience.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 104289)
• Bachelor of Business (Property) – Western Sydney University

Ben Giesecke

Areas of Expertise

• Residential and commercial valuations and property advisory
• Valuations for mortgage security
• Valuations for stamp duty, capital gains tax and statutory requirements
• Valuations for acquisition and disposal
• Valuations for family law
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations and determinations

Industry Experience

Ben joined the team at Opteon as Associate Director in Darwin. He brings with him over 17 years of valuation and advisory experience spanning over three capital cities including Darwin, Melbourne and Adelaide. Ben has extensive experience in residential and commercial valuations for mortgage security, stamp duty, acquisition, disposal, rental assessment and family law purposes.

Ben is a current local government elected Councilor of the City of Palmerston, a position he has held since early 2018. In that time, has served as an Alderman, Deputy Mayor and Acting Mayor. He is currently a sitting member of the Palmerston division of the Development Consent Authority and Council’s delegate to the Palmerston Regional Business Association. Ben has nominated for re-election at the upcoming local government elections in August 2021.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API No. 64591)
• Bachelor of Business (Property) – University of South Australia
• Currently studying a Master of Business Administration – Charles Darwin University
• Member Australian Institute of Company Directors

Brian Walsh

Areas of Expertise

• Agricultural properties
• Valuations for taxation and legislation purposes
• Valuations in remote towns throughout Cape York
• Valuations of industrial, retail and commercial assets
• Prestigious residential valuations and rental assessments
• Advanced construction (TBE) properties
• Serviced apartments with limited use restrictions
• Managers units/associated management rights

Industry Experience

Brian Walsh has been a Registered Valuer since 2007 and has worked in the property industry since 2001. Brian is an experienced Valuer who has significant experience in regional and isolated regions of Far North Queensland.

Brian has a broad range of valuation experience in the private sector having expertise in agribusiness, industrial, commercial, property settlement, prestige residential and family law matters. Brian has a strong focus on quality and customer service.

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Property Economics) with High Distinctions – Queensland University of Technology
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate of Australian Property Institute (AAPI) – Certified Practising Valuer (CPV)
• Queensland Valuers Registration Board Registration No. 3097
• Certificate IV in Finance

Cindy Burgess

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice
• Valuations for family law / expert witness
• Valuations for mortgagee in possession
• Valuations for rating and taxation
• Rating and Land Tax Objections

Industry Experience

Cindy leads approximately 20 valuers servicing the west of Melbourne. She has been in the real estate industry for over 19 years, 14 of which have been in the valuation industry specialising in residential including mortgage valuations, developments, mortgagee in possession and family law matters within the inner northern and western suburbs of Melbourne. Cindy also possesses knowledge of rating and taxations of all asset classes and statutory regulations across Australia.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 63362)
• Masters of Business Property, University of South Australia

Darrelle Manery

Areas of Expertise

• Specialised residential property valuations
• Rural and lifestyle property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation, and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations
• Unit entitlement assessments
• Small residential multi housing development

Industry Experience

Darrelle commenced her Valuation Career in 2003, working in the Newcastle/Central Coast and Hunter Valley area. Prior to joining Opteon in 2017, she had worked for several renowned local companies: Mark Skelton Valuers, and Property Valuations NSW (formally McMonigal Valuers). Darrelle is currently employed as Associate Director/Senior Valuer in the Newcastle Office. She is able to call from vast experience across varied property types when completing assignments. Having primarily focused on being a rural and residential property Valuer in the NSW Newcastle and Hunter Valley, she is an expert in her field. Darrelle specialises in residential mortgage valuations, rural lifestyle assessments, waterfront property, prestige property, and other rural and residential work comprising of family law assessments, strata assessment, stamp duty and capital gains assessments. Darrelle is a highly skilled practitioner, qualifies as Elite Valuer for the Banking industry, specialising in unique residential, prestige and rural residential property in the Newcastle, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley & Upper Hunter Valley locations.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 69409)
• Advanced Diploma of Property Valuation (Distinction Level) (2000-2003)
• Occupational Health and Safety Induction Training Construction Certificate (March 2003)
• Hunter Institute TAFE – Newcastle, NSW (2001 – 2002)
• Diploma of Business (Real Estate Management) – Distinction Level
• Certificate IV Business (Property Management)
• Certificate IV Business (Real Estate Sales)
• Strata Management Certificate
• Commercial and Business Leasing Certificate
• Stock and Station Agent Certificate

Fiona Castle

Areas of Expertise

• Mortgage Security
• Family Law
• Mortgagee in Possession
• Stamp Duty Assessment
• Capital Gains Tax Assessment
• Tax Depreciation Allowance Valuations
• Pre-sale/Pre-purchase Advice
• Elite Panel valuer for Commonwealth Bank

Industry Experience

Qualified property practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in the property industry in the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Australia including 20 years specialising in valuations (commercial and residential) in Melbourne.

Provision of independent advice and valuation services delivered primarily in City of Bayside but also in City of Kingston, City of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 63191)
• Qualified member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (1992)
• RICS Oceania Assessor (2000 – present)

Gabriel Carreno

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige Residential
• Market Value Assessments
• Banking and Finance Valuations
• Matrimonial and Family Court Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & Tax Dep)
• Replacement Insurance Value Assessments

Industry Experience

Gabriel is an associate member of the API and has a successful track record as a Senior Valuer, Associate Director and Director with 17 years’ experience in the residential valuation industry. He has formal qualifications in the Property and Real Estate sectors. This has enabled Gabriel to deliver high quality valuation reports across a diverse range of properties primarily in the Prestige Market. As an Associate Director at Opteon, Gabriel leads a team of Valuers providing management, training and mentorship in a range of valuation disciplines.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 69422)
• Advanced Diploma Property Valuation
• Diploma Business Real Estate Management

Hassan Jomaa

Areas of Expertise

• Market Value Assessments
• Banking and Finance Valuations
• Matrimonial and Family Court Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & Tax Dep)
• Replacement Insurance Value Assessments

Industry Experience

Hassan is an associate member of the Australian Property Institute (API) and has been a part of the residential valuation space for over 5 years. He has formal qualifications in Business & Commerce while having completed a major in Property. This has enabled Hassan to deliver high quality valuation reports across a diverse range of residential properties including experience in the Prestige Residential Market. Hassan now leads a team of valuers as an Associate Director providing training and mentorship within a range of residential valuation purposes.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 104482)
• Bachelor of Business & Commerce - Major in Property

Jason Du Plessis

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & GST), legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Valuations for Federal, State and Family Courts
• Valuations for expert witness
• Valuations for government agencies
• Mass valuation modelling
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations
• Market valuations
• Prestige Residential Valuations
• Residential Development Valuations
• Advisory and Consultancy
• Management

Industry Experience

Jason is an enthusiastic property professional with 16 years of full-time valuation experience in predominately residential based roles, having been in a senior position within Opteon since 2012 (Senior Valuer, Managing Valuer and Associate Director roles).

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practicing Valuer
• Associate of the Australian Property Institute – API Member No. 65365
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia – Licence No. 44449
• Masters of Property
• Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & E-Commerce)

John Nicolopoulos

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Prestige residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Family Law / Estate Planning
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Rating and taxing valuations
• Rating and Land Tax Objections
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

John has spent over a decade in the property industry with predominant focus on residential valuations. John has specialised within the municipalities of Stonnington, Boroondara, Port Phillip and Glen Eira, whilst managing Opteon’s Mornington and Gippsland teams. He is considered a residential property expert and provides valuations for an array of purposes, including but not limited to mortgage, taxation, family law, pre-purchase and financial reporting.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 75048)
• Bachelor of Property and Real Estate – Deakin University

Kimberly Rosenberg

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Matrimonial and Family Court valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & Tax Dep)
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Kimberly is an Associate Member of the API and has a successful track record as a Senior Valuer and Associate Director with 10 years’ experience in the residential valuation industry. She has formal qualifications in the Property and Real Estate sectors. This has enabled Kimberly to deliver high quality valuation reports across a diverse range of properties, primarily in the Prestige Market. As an Associate Director at Opteon, Kimberly leads a team of Valuers providing management, training and mentorship in a range of valuation disciplines.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 83829)
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No: 5265MR)
• Bachelor of Property and Real Estate – Deakin University

Nathan Cullen

Areas of Expertise

• Market Value assessments
• Banking and Finance valuations
• Matrimonial and Family Court valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & Tax Dep)
• Replacement Insurance Value assessments

Industry Experience

Nathan is an associate member of the API and has a successful track record as a Valuer, Associate Director and Director with 11 years’ experience in the residential valuation industry. He has formal qualifications in the Property and Real Estate sectors. This has enabled Nathan to deliver high quality valuation reports across a diverse range of properties primarily in the Residential market. As an Associate Director at Opteon, Nathan leads a team of Valuers providing management, training and mentorship in a range of valuation disciplines.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 75701)
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No: 5117MR)
• Bachelor Applied Science (Property Economics)

Nathan May

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice
• Expert witness
• Acreage properties

Industry Experience

Nathan is a Certified Practicing Valuer and Associate Member of the API who holds a Bachelor of Property and Real Estate. In his role as Regional Director for Western Sydney, he offers a comprehensive expertise in a range of valuation areas including residential mortgage security, stamp duty, pre-sale and pre-purchase advice and expert witness services. Nathan has a solid understanding of rural acreage and small-scale development sites ensuring precise and insightful valuations.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 102982)
• Bachelor of Property and Real Estate – Deakin University (2017)

Nicole Bevilacqua

Areas of Expertise

• Residential valuations
• Agricultural and Rural Lifestyle Properties
• Advisory Development Reports
• Valuations for Mortgage and Non-Mortgage purposes

Industry Experience

A Certified Practising Valuer since 2017, Nicole has been working in the property valuation industry for 14 years. She has been employed with Opteon for 4 years in her current role as Associate Director for Ballarat, Bendigo, and Mildura. Nicole has valuation expertise across residential, agricultural, and rural lifestyle properties throughout regional Victoria for mortgage and non-mortgage purposes.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 87061)
• Real Estate License

Rodney Iskandar

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige / high end residential valuations
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Townhouse development valuations

Industry Experience

Rod has more than four years of experience as an accredited Certified Practising Valuer. After spending three years along the NSW Central Coast, Rod and his family made the move to Hobart, where his passion for residential valuations was realised and continues to this day. Rod, who has recently taken on the Associate Director role for the Tasmanian residential team, has a high customer centric focus and professional approach. He continues to provide expert tutorage to junior valuers and completes valuations for a wide.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Property Valuation – Ultimo TAFE

Simon Pascoe

Areas of Expertise

• Residential valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuation of prestige residential properties
• Adelaide CBD apartment valuations
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Small scale residential development

Industry Experience

Simon has 18 years of experience in the valuation property industry and has been with Opteon since 2011.

Simon is one of two associate directors for the South Australian residential valuations department in which he is involved in managing and training staff.

Simon’s specialist area of expertise is in residential valuations,, having vast experience in all residential property types including but not limited to prestige residential, Adelaide CBD apartments, residential development sites and general residential properties across the State.

Simon has been involved with the API for nine years as an examiner for Graduate Valuers transitioning into a Provisional Membership with Residential Property Valuer (PMRPV) accreditation.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute with Certified Practising Valuer (CPV) status
• Bachelor of Business (Property)

Stephen Joseph Dick

Areas of Expertise

• Market Value Assessments
• Banking and Finance Valuations
• Matrimonial and Family Court Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty and Capital Gains)
• Replacement Insurance Value Assessments
• NSW Southern Highlands and Wollondilly Regional Specialist

Industry Experience

Steve is an associate member of the API and has experience in undertaking residential valuations in NSW. This includes specialised residential developments; acreage properties; prestige residential; rental and general property advice; asset valuation; matrimonial and Family Court valuations and residential valuations for private clients and major lenders. Steve valued throughout Sydney for 11 years, then moved to the NSW Southern Highlands and became a Regional Valuer. Typically undertaking a range of valuations of residential, rural lifestyle and prestige properties, his area of expertise lies mainly in the NSW Southern Highlands and the Wollondilly, but has also practiced in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan and Canberra.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer (1999)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 68958)
• Bachelor of Commerce (Property Economics) UWS Hawkesbury

Adam Bray

Areas of Expertise

• Residential
• Prestige Residential
• Rural Residential
• Commercial/Industrial
• Family Law
• Government Services
• Local Consulting & Advisory
• Tax Depreciation

Industry Experience

Adam commenced his career in Rockhampton in 2008 as an Assistant Valuer; he trained in both the residential and commercial fields of valuation. Adam joined the Opteon Team in February 2015 to manage and develop the Rockhampton office, after spending many years working in Gladstone and Brisbane. Adam practices in the Residential and Commercial field, and has presented at numerous local Investor and First Home Buyer events.

In May 2016, Adam was appointed as an Executive Committee Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and in November 2016 was appointed as Co-Chair of the Rockhampton Australian Property Institute (API) Discussion Group. Adam was a member of the Opteon Youth Leadership Team for 2016/2017 where he had the opportunity to further develop his leadership skills and gain knowledge from the Senior Management Team.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Property
• Executive Committee Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia
• Co-Chair of the Rockhampton Australian Property Institute Discussion Group

Allen Milner

Areas of Expertise

• Construction cost consulting
• Financiers reports
• Depreciation Schedules
• Capital allowance reports
• Outgoings assessments
• Sinking fund calculations
• Life cycle cost assessments
• Property inspection reports

Industry Experience

Allen Milner has been in professional practice for over 25 years and has provided high value Quantity Surveying services on projects ranging from around $1million to over $250million. Allen provides services with a strong commitment to service excellence, meeting and exceeding client expectations and providing maximum value. With a strong background in construction cost consulting, Allen has been actively involved in improving software systems in the areas of Feasibility Studies and Depreciation Reports.

Formal Qualifications

• Master of Science (Project Management)
• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• Bachelor of Science (Quantity Surveying)
• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Grant Roberts

Areas of Expertise

• Commercial & Residential Tax Depreciation
• Asset Registers
• Initial Quantity Surveying Reports and Progress Claims
• Insurance Valuations
• Investment Analysis
• Allocation of Costs
• Contribution of Unit Entitlements
• Re-Assessment of Unit Entitlements
• Sinking Fund Forecasts - Capital Works Funds

Industry Experience

Experienced Quantity Surveyor with a demonstrated history of working in the specialist areas of Building Replacement Insurance, Capital Works Forecasting & Tax Depreciation.

Formal Qualifications

• Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (MAIQS)
• Bachelor of Applied Science – Quantity Surveying (Queensland University of Technology, 2003)
• Tax Practitioners Board – Tax Agent – ID 260278855

Hayden Mcleod

Areas of Expertise

• Residential Valuations
• Commercial, Retail & Industrial Valuations
• Rural Valuations
• Developments Valuations & Consultancy
• Going Concern Valuations
• Depreciations Assessments
• Insurance Valuations
• Holiday Apartments
• Rental Valuations
• Port and other infrastructure ground leases

Industry Experience

Hayden has extensive property valuation and consultancy experience having started within the industry in late 2005. Hayden relocated to Broome in the latter part of 2012 to take up a senior valuation role with Opteon (North West WA), having previously worked in Perth specialising in a range of commercial, retail and industrial property valuation fields. Hayden has an intimate knowledge of the Kimberley and the various property markets this region encompasses. Hayden was a director of Opteon (North West WA) prior to integration in March 2017.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer (CPV)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Commerce (Property & Commercial Law)

Ian Clayton

Areas of Expertise

• Valuations for family Law purposes
• Expert witness purposes
• Prestige residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Strategic property investment advice
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Resumption of freehold land valuations
• Advocacy (sale and purchase)

Industry Experience

Ian has 28 years of experience in the property industry and is a partner and Senior Valuer with Opteon. He has worked for notable organisations such as Westpac Banking Corporation and the Tasmanian Valuer General Office as well as contributing to the founding of Elite Valuation Services Pty Ltd. As a Senior Valuer, Ian’s knowledge and experience is utilised to provide specialised services including valuations of high value and extraordinary properties as well as providing expert advice in Family Law valuations.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 62743)
• Senior Associate Member of The Australian Institute Bankers and Finance
• Associate Member of The Royal Institute of Charted Surveyors
• Bachelor of Business (Valuation) - RMIT 1994

Max Stephanides

Areas of Expertise

• Valuation of General Commercial Property (Office,
• Industrial & Retail)
• Valuation of Medical Clinic and Funeral Home Assets
• Valuation for Mortgage and Loan Security Purposes
• Valuation of Commercial property for Self Managed
• Superannuation Funds
• Commercial Rental Assessments
• Assessment of Compensation for Compulsory Acquisition
• Advisory valuation including Pre-Purchase / Pre-Sale Advice
• Valuation for Family Law Purposes
• Replacement Insurance Assessments

Industry Experience

Max commenced employment with Opteon in 2012 and has developed extensive residential and commercial valuation experience throughout metropolitan Adelaide and Regional South Australia. Max provides valuation advice to government clients for rental, acquisition and disposal purposes. He also works with private clients ranging from small businesses to listed companies and the mortgage security sector, as part of Opteon’s advisory services offering. Max has a depth of experience in valuations across multiple asset classes including commercial, industrial, retail and residential development projects. With experience in the in-use valuation of Medical Clinics and Funeral Home Assets.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
  (API Member No. 64557)
• Bachelor of Business (Property) - University of South
  Australia

Michael Smyth

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Rural lifestyle properties
• Prestige properties
• Strata units
• Small-medium scale residential developments
• Family Law and expert witness
• Pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes

Industry Experience

As a valuer, Michael has been involved in a wide variety of property valuations throughout the Coffs Harbour region for mortgage security, family law, stamp duty and other purposes.

Michael regularly provides reports to major lenders for first mortgage lending purposes, solicitors for family law purposes, and accountants for taxation purposes as well as advice reports for Government Clients. Previous to his valuation career, Michael gained experience working in commercial property management and development in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

He has held a number of Commercial Property Management roles with major banking institutions, property services providers and large corporate organisations. Michael has gained valuable experience in the commercial and retail sectors, becoming skilled in lease negotiation, project management, lease renewals, rent reviews, lease interpretation, relationship management, budget forecasting and financial analysis.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute

• Certified Practising Valuer

• Continuing Professional Development Compliance

• Bachelor of Property – University of Auckland

Phillip Humphreys

Scott Gibson

Areas of Expertise

• Rural / Agribusiness valuations
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Residential property valuations
• Residential development valuations
• Commercial valuations

Industry Experience

Scott has over 12 years experience in Agribusiness valuations, and has been with Opteon Property Group since 2014. Primarily working within the agribusiness and rural team, Scott has undertaken a broad spectrum of regional valuations throughout Gippsland, the Yarra Ranges, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne’s urban fringe. He is a Certified Practicing Valuer (CPV), and has developed a specialisation within intensive agricultural assets including poultry, horticulture, dairy, kennels and other mixed commercial infrastructure. Scott also has broad experience dealing with rural lifestyle, residential, development, commercial and industrial properties. 

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Property and Valuations) with Honours 1st Class

Tim Adams

Areas of Expertise

• Mortgage valuations for lending institutions
• Rural Valuations including coastal grazing and sugar cane properties
• Commercial/ Industrial Valuations
• Residential Valuations
• Asset Valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Compulsory acquisition valuations
• Rental valuations
• Strata Replacement Insurance valuations
• Valuations for tax implications
• Tax Depreciation

Industry Experience

Tim Adams was Registered as a Valuer in 1991 and has worked in both private valuation practice and Government valuations services in South East Queensland and Central Queensland. He commenced work with Opteon in Mackay in 2002. Since 2006 he has been based full time in the Airlie Beach office. Tim has gained extensive valuation experience in a wide range of regional property types and markets in the Whitsunday, Mackay and Burdekin regions of Central Queensland. Work completed includes residential, rural residential, Island property, agribusiness (coastal grazing and sugar cane), commercial and industrial properties and compulsory acquisition. Tim provides reports for mortgage purposes, Government Departments, Local Authorities and Private users. Tim has completed courses in Asset Valuation for Financial Reporting and Specialist Water Valuer assessment through the A.P.I.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Certified Practicing Valuer (API No. 66172)
• Registered Qld Valuer No. 1870
• Associate Diploma of Business (Real Estate Valuation) Qld University 1991

Bryce Rout

Areas of Expertise

• Residential/Commercial/Agribusiness property valuations
• Broadacre cropping and grazing properties
• Commercial/Industrial rental valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Self-managed super fund property valuations
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice
• Stamp duty valuations for taxation purposes
• Valuations for settlement and property dispute resolutions
• Estate planning and administration purposes

Industry Experience

Bryce has been working with Opteon since 2021, commencing as a Graduate Valuer in the Albany office where he has established knowledge across a broad range of asset types including residential, commercial, industrial and agribusiness valuations. During his time in the Albany and Great Southern Region, Bryce has developed experience in the field of agribusiness valuations assisting in the valuation of a variety of rural enterprises including vineyards, forestry, livestock grazing properties and broadacre cropping aggregations. Bryce now resides in the coastal town of Esperance as a Certified Practicing Valuer where he regularly provides valuation reports within Esperance and the surrounding region for mortgage, financial reporting, taxation, legal and property management purposes.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 112163)
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia (Licence No. 45298)
• Post Graduate Diploma of Property – Deakin University
• Bachelor of Commerce Majoring in Management and Accounting – University of Western Australia

Eva Schmidt

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Commercial Property valuations
• Industrial Property valuations
• Rural valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for compulsory acquisition
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice purposes
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Eva has worked with Opteon for over 18 years based in the Maryborough office whilst working throughout the Wide Bay region. Eva has a broad knowledge base and works in residential, commercial, industrial and rural property valuations. Eva regularly provides reports to property portfolio owners for commercial property, including mortgage security, acquisition and disposal requirements, compulsory acquisition and rental assessment amongst others.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 66563)
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No. 2771)
• Bachelor of Business (Property Studies) 2003 University of Queensland

Jason Bowen

Areas of Expertise

• Residential and rural lifestyle valuations
• Commercial, retail and industrial valuations
• Commercial rental valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes

Industry Experience

Jason has been working with Opteon since 2020 following a 9-year career in Commercial Property Management and Leasing. Jason carries out valuations of a broad range of properties within the Mid North Coast region including residential, rural lifestyle, commercial, retail and industrial assets.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 111187)
• Graduate Diploma of Property – Deakin University

Jennifer-Lee Sinclair

Areas of Expertise

• Property Advisory
• Project Management
• Statutory Valuation Reviews (including objections & appeals)
• Concessional provisions for rates, land tax and statutory valuations
• Land Tax & Rates Reviews (including objections & appeals)
• Compensation / Acquisition Valuations
• Tax Depreciation Schedules
• Valuations
• Submissions

Industry Experience

Jennifer-Lee has worked with Opteon as a valuer since January 2010, specialising in property advisory services.

Jennifer is highly regarded in the field of statutory valuations, rates and land tax and each year undertakes reviews, objections and appeals for a large number of clients across Queensland.

Jennifer’s clients include international mining companies, primary producers, property developers and other significant landowners across Queensland particularly in North and Far North Qld.

Jennifer is a past Chair of the Australian Property Institute’s Townsville Discussion Group, serving in this role for three terms and in 2016 completed Townsville Enterprise’s Emerging Leader Program.

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts – Monash University 2001
• Graduate Diploma (Property Valuation) – Melbourne University 2007
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Certified Practising Valuer (API No.67059)
• Registered Valuer Qld (QVRB No: 3188)

Josh Stanton

Areas of Expertise

• Residential
• Rural Residential
• Prestige Residential
• Family Law
• Insurance Replacement Valuations
• Mass Market Appraisal

Industry Experience

Josh has been working at Opteon for over 5 years acquiring in-depth knowledge on the residential valuation process. He is considered a residential property expert and provides large volume valuations of residential property within the Gladstone Regional Council area, as well as having significant experience working in the broader Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 101688)
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No: 4087)
• Bachelor of Property

Julian Nelthorpe

Areas of Expertise

• Commercial property
• Residential property
• Banking and finance valuations
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Rental valuations and leasing advice

Industry Experience

Julian is a Certified Practising Valuer with the Australian Property Institute and Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and has been working with Opteon for four years encompassing a breadth of knowledge across a number of different departments. Julian is currently part of the commercial team in Western Australia, conducting valuations and providing advice primarily on industrial, office and retail assets for a range of purposes within the Perth Metropolitan Area. Julian also travels regionally within the state, completing residential and commercial valuations in the Pilbara, Mid-West and Gascoyne regions.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API No. 102521)
• Bachelor of Property Development and Valuation– Curtin University

Julie Owbridge

Areas of Expertise

• Commercial property valuations
• Rural property valuations
• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre-sale advice purposes
• Mass valuation/portfolio assessments
• Rating and taxing valuations
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Retrospective valuations assessments
• Rental assessments
• Professional mediator/independent chair

Industry Experience

Julie has worked in Central and Regional Queensland for most of her career and is a highly skilled commercial, rural and residential valuer. She is a professional mediator and independent chair for rating and taxation valuations. During her career she has undertaken specialist valuations including compensation assessments, going concern, aged care/retirement facilities, heritage listed property, contaminated lands, mining lands, aviation assets, communication assets, leasehold, waterfront assets including seabed land, port infrastructure and road closures. Her work has encompassed all tiers of government over a range of property types, departments and purposes.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API No. 66039)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No. 1782)

Oliver Evans

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Rural valuations
• Valuations for family law purposes
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for mortgagee in possession purposes
• Pre-purchase / Pre-sale advice

Industry Experience

Oliver has over 7 years of experience as a valuer and has been employed by Opteon since January 2014. Prior to Opteon, Oliver spent 12 months as a graduate valuer at the Brimbank City Council.

Oliver has a strong working knowledge of the local area completing a large number of valuations of Residential and Rural properties across multiple municipalities mainly specialising in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Property and Valuation)

Wendy Walsh

Areas of Expertise

• Agribusiness, Rural Lifestyle, Biodiversity, Heritage, Conservation
• Banking and Finance
• Matrimonial, Probate and Family Law
• Advisory Services (Prepurchase and Presale)
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains & GST)
• Replacement Insurance Value Assessments
• Tax Depreciation Schedules

Industry Experience

Wendy joined the Opteon team in 2015 leading business development, strategy and planning, marketing, communications, and client services for the Opteon franchise at Batemans Bay. Now employed by the National Group she undertakes valuations for the Specialised & Advisory team, and also the Commercial and Residential sectors. Wendy leads Agribusiness, Rural Lifestyle and Government valuation work in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Bega Valley & Snowy Monaro regions.

Wendy has more than 25 years corporate experience and prior to joining the property industry Wendy held various roles in the environment sector. She worked for government environmental compliance, as a technical advisor for waste law and policy, and led community behaviour change programs. Wendy has worked for the Environment Minister and Executive Director as the departmental liaison officer.

Her professional interests are providing expert quality valuation reports and building strong client relationships. She has lived on the NSW South Coast for more than 15 years. Special interests include rural land management, natural resource conservation, pasture improvement and livestock production in the Snowy Monaro and Bega Valley.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 102767)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Diploma of Property, Deakin University
• Editing & Proofreading, Thompson Education
• Environmental Auditor ISO 14001, RABQSA Int.
• Post Grad Cert in Environmental Management, Macquarie University
• Bachelor of Environmental Science Degree (Honours), Monash University

Ben Murphy

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Commercial property valuations
• Asset valuations for financial reporting
• Valuations for Pre-sale and Pre-purchase
• Rural lifestyle property valuations
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Ben commenced with Opteon in 2018 after a 15-year career in Business banking. He currently conducts residential and commercial valuations along the South Coast of Western Australia, specifically in and around the Albany region.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 108336)
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia (License No. 45086)
• Bachelor of Property

Peter Old

Areas of Expertise

• Agribusiness
• Broadacre Farming & Irrigated Land
• Organic Agribusiness
• Grazing (Beef and Sheep)
• Grazing (Wool production)
• Equine – Horse Studs and Facilities.
• Poultry Industry – Broiler, Egg and Pulp Operations
• Horticulture – Small Cropping and Orchards
• Intensive Horticulture
• Asset Valuations for Financial Reporting
• Commercial Office/Retail, Industrial
• Compensation Assessments
• Residential

Industry Experience

• 20 years’ experience as a property owner in Broadacre Farming (both dryland and irrigation), Animal husbandry (New South Wales).
• International agricultural experience in broadacre cropping and animal husbandry-Montana USA.
• Certified Organic Grower (NASAA) 1991-2002, both grain and lamb production.
• Guest speaker at NSW Agriculture Conference (2001- Organic lamb production).
• Past member of Merino Breeders Association.
• Registered Woolclasser – 30 years.
• Certified Artificial Insemination in Cattle.
• Employed as a Registered Valuer by Opteon (Central and Southern QLD) Pty Ltd, Toowoomba (2007 to present)
• Relevant valuation experience includes residential, multi-unit, rural residential, rural valuations (Dryland and Irrigation, Horticultural, Grazing, Water Transfer and Broiler Farms) for an extensive group of clients across the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs, South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Western and Southern Downs Regions and Maranoa Regional Council.

Formal Qualifications

• Attended Agricultural High School (YAHS-NSW)
• Graduate Farm Technology (Albury Technical College)
• Bachelor of Property (Central Queensland University)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 67025)
• Certified Practising Valuer (Registration No 3378) - Since 25/01/2010

Matt Munro

Industry Experience

Matthew has over 21 years’ experience as a valuer and has been employed by Opteon since 2021, as a Senior Property Valuer and Officer Manager. He has provided expert advice in this time across varying asset types and locations across New South Wales.

Matthew is appointed manager of Opteon Coffs Coast office, managing a team specialising in residential, rural lifestyle, medium residential development, expert witness/family law, pre-purchase advice, prestige residential, commercial, retail, industrial and agribusiness and many more. Matthew regularly provides reports to major lenders for first mortgage lending purposes, solicitors for family law purposes, and accountants for taxation purposes as well as advice reports for Government Clients.

Samuel Palmer

Areas of Expertise

• Market Value Assessments
• Rural, Office, Industrial, Retail and Residential valuations for acquisition, disposal, stamp duty, family law, rental advice, and mortgage purposes
• Valuation work carried out on behalf of the RMS, State Property Authority, Land and Property Information, Defence Housing Australia, Housing NSW, Wagga Wagga City Council, ANZ, NAB, Westpac, St George, CBA, Property Fund Managers and private owners and developers
• Development feasibility studies
• Tax depreciation
• Rental determinations

Industry Experience

Sam has been working within property valuations since completing his degree at the University of Western Sydney in 2012. He worked throughout Sydney for 2 years valuing high end industrial property before moving back home to Wagga Wagga where he has worked across all property valuation fields throughout the Riverina and Southern NSW.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 78311)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – 6905399
• Bachelor of Business & Commerce (Property)

Brent Lawrie

Kate Benecke

Areas of Expertise

• Residential valuations

Industry Experience

Valuation of a range of property classes specialising in residential, rural residential and residential flat buildings in Wagga Wagga and surrounds.  

Consultancy for both sale and purchase purposes.  

Consultancy for stamp duty and financial reporting purposes.  

Rent reviews and valuations.  

Defence Housing Australia bulk portfolio valuations and individual feasibility valuations.  

Statutory land valuations.  

Formal Qualifications

• Associate of the Australian Property Institute (2007)
• Registered Valuer in New South Wales No.69158
• Bachelor of Commerce (Property Economics) 2001
• Certified Practising Valuer No. 69158

Tim Dean

Areas of Expertise

• Residential
• Rural/Residential

Industry Experience

• Rural and Residential valuations for disposal, stamp duty, rental advice and mortgage purposes.
• Residential including dwellings and vacant land, rural-residential, investment flats, strata titled and prestige property valuations.
• Defence Housing Australia bulk portfolio valuations and individual feasibility valuations.
• Statutory Land valuations.  

Formal Qualifications

• Associate of Australia Property Institute.
•  Bachelor of Business and Commerce/Property.  
•  Certified Practising Valuer (76507).

Riley Smith

Fran Moore

Industry Experience

Fran has been working at Opteon for approximately 2 years. She is based in regional North – West Queensland and has been a certified practising valuer in this area since 2007. She specialises in residential valuations and large valuation tenders. She also has experience in commercial and industrial property valuations.

Lucas Merchant

Industry Experience

Lucas joined Opteon in 2018, initially within the Government Services team where he gained exposure to a broad range of property classes, providing valuations for objection purposes, supplementary valuations, and mass valuation modelling throughout Victoria. Lucas transitioned into the residential team and returned to South Australia where he now provides residential and rural lifestyle valuations predominantly in the Murraylands and South East regions.

Reid Mathieson

Industry Experience

Reid has been registered and practicing as a residential valuer for approximately 9 years, with 7 years working with Opteon. He spent approximately 6 years working in the Sydney office completing large volumes of residential valuations before moving home to Townsville where he has continued to complete predominantly residential and rural residential valuations for varying purposes. Reid also completes residential valuations in surrounding regional townships and is considered an expert in residential property within the North Queensland region. He has a broad knowledge of the entire valuation process due to his wealth of experience as a Certified Practising Valuer.

Whitney Obrien Powell

Industry Experience

Whitney has approximately 15 years of experience in the property industry. She has been working with Opteon in several different roles since 2011 and at present is in a full time Residential Valuer position. Whitney has extensive experience valuing residential properties for a variety of purpose and locations in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Kim Lewis

Kim has approximately 31 years of experience in the property industry. She has been with Opteon Property Group since 2013. Kim has extensive experience valuing residential properties for a variety of purposes.

Andrew Davies

Industry Experience

Andrew has been working with Opteon and its predecessor for thirteen years in several roles, providing a broad knowledge of the entire valuation process. The first three years were as a valuation office manager, progressing to a valuer upon graduation. Andrew is considered a residential property expert and provides a large number of valuations of residential property in regional South Australia, covering an area of approximately 37,000 square kilometres. Andrew has experience with the full range of residential market segments, including prestige coastal, rural residential, dwellings, flats and units. Andrew regularly provides reports to councils, state and federal government departments, solicitors, accountants, real estate agents, and private individuals.

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice purposes
• Valuations for estate settlement purposes
• Valuations for marriage settlement purposes
• Valuations for capital gains tax purposes
• Valuations for disposal purposes
• Valuations for Commissioner’s Exemption purposes
• Inspections for quantity surveying purposes

Matt Dyer

Mark Cooper

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Rural/residential property valuations
• Agricultural property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase/pre- sale advice purposes
• Matrimonial and Family Court Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty, Capital Gains)

Industry Experience

Mark has worked with Opteon for over five years. In that time, he has worked around the South Coast of NSW and North Island New Zealand, valuing residential, rural residential, agribusiness, industrial, commercial, plant and equipment, and rating and taxing property types. The variation in roles has provided Mark with a holistic grounding in the Australian and New Zealand property industry.

Over the past three years, Mark has refined his professional focus to residential, rural residential and agricultural property types, working around the Far South Coast of NSW and within the Monaro region of NSW.

Originally hailing from Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Mark is now in a new stage of life, and returning to his island home with his family in tow.
Mark brings with him a wealth of experience gained in the ever-changing East Coast market that will be utilised to bring value to Opteon’s clients within the Kangaroo Island and Fleurieu Peninsula region.

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business (Property) University of South Australia completed 2011
• API Certified Practicing Valuer

Melanie Woodland

Industry Experience

2018- Melanie joined Opteon, covering the North West Coast to the West Coast of Tasmania, providing residential and rural residential valuations for mortgage reporting and non-mortgage reporting including residential expert witness, stamp duty, retrospective, land acquisition, pre-sale, pre-purchase and market valuations; and more recently rural valuations.

2011-2018 - NabValuations providing residential and rural residential for mortgage purposes in the North and North West of Tasmania.

2010-2011- Cradle Coast Valuers providing residential mortgage valuations on the North West Coast of Tasmania.

2003-2008 - State Valuation Office in South Australia conducting mass valuation work, rental values, land amalgamations and sub-divisions for Local Government Areas; and valuation reports for various Government bodies in the South East of South Australia.

Shayne Amos

2007 – 2010 Brothers and Newton - Residential Valuer

2010 – 2016 Opteon Property Group - Residential Valuer

2016 – 2020 Associate Director – Residential

2020 – Present Senior Residential Valuer

Craig Wood

Industry Experience

Craig has more than 26 years of experience as a valuer and is Senior Valuer with Opteon Property Group. He is considered a property expert throughout the regional city of Bendigo and undertakes a large number of valuations of both residential and commercial properties throughout central and northern Victoria. Craig regularly provides valuation advice to major lenders for first mortgage security purposes and solicitors for family law purposes.

Before joining Opteon Property Group, Craig ran his own valuation practice for 15 years, and preceding this, was the City Valuer for the Greater Bendigo City Council.

Gary Theodore

Industry Experience

Gary has 18 years of experience as a valuer and has been employed by Opteon (Victoria) for 18 years. He undertakes all residential and rural valuations in the Colac, Winchelsea and Apollo Bay areas and has extensive knowledge in the rural sector. Gary has provided advice for significant properties such as rural grazing properties valued in excess of $5 million and coastal lifestyle properties valued in excess of $2 million.

Gary is a fixture of the Colac region’s property sector and is widely regarded as a local expert. He is intricately aware of the requirements of property advice for regional residential and rural properties having operated his own dairy farm, prior to transferring to real estate and selling a wide range of rural and residential properties.

Rob Durno

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige rural lifestyle property
• Dairy and mixed farming holdings
• Vineyards and boutique wineries
• Valuations for Family Law, Compensation and Financial Reporting purposes
• Pre-Purchase / Pre-Sale advice
• Rental and Statutory valuations

Industry Experience

Robert has worked with Opteon since 2003 and has over 17 years’ experience as a Certified Practising Valuer. A specialist in rural property valuations together with agribusiness, commercial and residential valuations in the south west region of Victoria, he oversees rural valuations in the Geelong and Colac districts. Robert regularly undertakes valuations for rural lifestyle, dairy, boutique vineyards and broadacre farming operations for financial reporting. He is also an experienced valuer in valuations for mortgage security, family law, estate management and pre-purchase advice purposes.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Bachelor of Business Studies (Agribusiness)
• Graduate Diploma of Property (Valuation)
• API Certified Practising Water Valuer
• API Expert Witness Certificate

Jane Jennings

Formal Qualifications

• Residential Property Valuer
• Provisional RPV Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 63270)
• Master of Business (Property) - University of South Australia
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Integrated Catchment Management) - Deakin University

David Pascale

Brad Hunt

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Valuations for Family Court
• Valuations for expert witness
• Valuations for government agencies
• Mass valuation modelling
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations
• High end Residential property valuations
• Small development sites
• Small Hobby farm/farmland property valuations

Industry Experience

In March 2020 Brad joined the Opteon Residential valuations team in the South West, completing residential and small hobby farm properties for mortgage security, family law and various other private instructions.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer (Nov 2011)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 65459)
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia, License No. 44591
• Bachelor of Commerce (Property) with Distinction - Curtin University of Technology (2010)
• Property Education Foundation Scholarship 2009
• Vice Chancellors list - 2008 & 2010 (Curtin University

Nathan Carter

• Areas of Expertise

  Residential property valuations
  Valuations for mortgage security purposes
  Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
  Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
  Valuations for Family Court
  Valuations for expert witness
  Valuations for government agencies
  Mass valuation modelling
  Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
  Rental valuations
  Asset realization valuations
  Rural lifestyle valuations

Industry Experience

Nathan started with Opteon in May 2021 and has been a licenced valuer since 2013. Experience has predominantly been in the residential sector along with the rural lifestyle sector of the Western Australia market. Located south of the Perth Metropolitan area, experience has been based predominantly through the Cities of Mandurah, Rockingham and Melville plus Shires of Murray, Waroona, and Harvey. Nathan has extensive experience with the high-end canal market of Mandurah.

Martin Hingston

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for property taxation, legislation and policy purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Valuations for Family Court
• Valuations for expert witness
• Rental valuations
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes

Industry Experience

Martin started with Opteon in July 2011 and has conducted primarily residential valuations throughout the Kalgoorlie-Boulder and wider Goldfields region of Western Australia since 2011. His expertise has also included the residential and the rural lifestyle sector in the regional location of Esperance since July 2021.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 74982)
• Licensed Valuer in the State of Western Australia (Licence No. 44709)
• Bachelor of Science in Urban Estate Management (May 1980) – Polytechnic of Wales, UK
• Associate Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (1980 -2011) (RICS Member No. 60683)

Richard Szczurowski

Codie Medway

Areas of Expertise

• Residential Valuations
• Rural Valuations
• Rural/Residential Valuation
• Rental Assessments

Industry Experience

Codie undertakes residential valuations in the ACT and NSW as well as specialising in rural and rural/residential valuations in the surrounding areas of NSW. A key focus is servicing the Goulburn Mulwaree Shire and surrounding districts by providing property advice and valuations to major lenders and private clients. Codie is active in expanding the Opteon brand in the Goulburn district and delivering results for clients in these regional areas.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practicing Valuer (NSW Registration number 20967)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute
• Advanced Diploma of Property (Valuation) (Sydney Institute of TAFE)

Luke Fysh

Area of Expertise

• Residential

Industry Experience

Residential, rural lifestyle, tax depreciation, stamp duty

Formal Qualifications

• RPV, Bachelor of Property and Real Estate

Tom Caskey

Areas of Expertise

• Agribusiness – Horticultural, Broiler Farms, Grazing Properties, Orchards, Equine Facilities, Broad Acre Cropping and Market Gardens
• Residential
• Prestige Residential
• Rural Lifestyle
• Valuation for Property Taxation, Legislation & Policy
• Depreciation Schedules
• Statutory Valuations
• Property Condition Reporting & Asset Management Planning

Industry Experience

Tom was employed as a Cadet Valuer by Opteon (Central and Southern Queensland) in January 2011, now known as Opteon (Toowoomba) Pty Ltd.

Relevant valuation experience includes Residential, Rural residential, Lifestyle, Rural and Agribusiness, Defence Housing Authority, Qld Government Valuations and Property Condition Reporting for an extensive group of clients across the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs, South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Maranoa, Balonne, Western and Southern Downs Regions.

Originally from the Maranora Region (Dunkeld, South of Mitchell), Tom is still involved with his family property, and local community activities.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 87055)
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No: 3945)

David Hutchison

Areas of Expertise

• Asset Valuations for Financial Reporting
• Depreciation Schedules
• Rental Valuations
• Residential
• Prestige Residential
• Rural Land
• Rural Lifestyle
• Agribusiness
• Valuation for Property Taxation, Legislation & Policy

Industry Experience

• Employed as a Registered Valuer by Opteon (Toowoomba) Pty Ltd, Toowoomba (2003 to present). 
• Employed as a Registered Valuer by David Swan & Associates, Toowoomba (2001-2003). 
• Self-employed Valuer/Farmer, inner Darling Downs (1980-2000). 
• Employed as an Assistant and Registered Valuer by the Department of Lands, Roma (1977-1979) undertaking valuation work across the Maranoa and broader Southwest Queensland Region.
• Relevant valuation experience includes residential, Rural residential & Lifestyle, Rural Land, for an extensive group of clients across the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs, South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Western and Southern Downs Regions, and the Maranoa Regional Council.
• Relevant experience includes predominantly residential, multi-unit, rural residential and rural valuations for an extensive group of clients across the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs, South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Western and Southern Downs Regions.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 66592)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Registered Queensland Property Valuer QVRB No: 1228 (since 13/02/1979)
• Certificate of Compliance with Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Diploma of Business (Real Estate Valuation)

Kellie Mossop

Areas of Expertise

• Residential Valuations
• Rural/Residential Valuations
• Government Advisory
• Rental Assessments

Industry Experience

Kellie has over 15 years’ experience in providing property valuations in the ACT and surrounding areas of NSW. Prior to Opteon, Kellie owned Regional Valuers and managed industrial, rural, and rural/residential valuations in Yass and surrounding regions of Hall, Murrumbateman, Gunning, Sutton, and Boorowa.
As a Senior Valuer at Opteon, Kellie has played an integral role in expanding Opteon’s advisory and valuation services in Yass and the surrounding areas in addition to maintaining a strong focus on residential and rural residential valuations.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Member of the Australian Property Institute (23rd February 2000)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (21st May 2003)
• Graduate Diploma in Business, Stock and Station Agent, Real Estate Management (University of Western Sydney 2000)
• Bachelor of Commerce, Property and Economics (University of Western Sydney, 2000)

Mark Trew

Areas of Expertise

Commercial, industrial, rural and residential valuations in Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding region including Bungendore, Captains Flat and Braidwood. Specialising in real estate valuations throughout the Palerang Shire.

Industry Experience

• 2017 – Present – Senior valuer, Opteon
• 2004 – 2017 – Director / Valuer, Regional Valuers Queanbeyan
• 1997-2004 – Valuer, McCann Property & Planning, Canberra and Queanbeyan 
• 1981-1996 – Valuer, State Bank of NSW specialising in residential, rural and commercial valuations throughout NSW and Sydney metropolitan area

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practicing Valuer
• Member of The Australian Property Institute (1980)
• Diploma of Business (Valuations), Hawkesbury Agricultural College, 1980

Joe Stinnear

Areas of Expertise

• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Financial Reporting and Audit
• Expert Evidence (including for Family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Victoria and VCAT)
• Transactional advice
• Rental Valuations
• Rating and Land Tax objections

Industry Experience

• Significant experience of close to twenty years in Melbourne residential markets, including prestige and ultra prestige assessments with valuation appointments in excess of $80 million.
• Previous member of the Property Institute (VIC) Membership Admissions Committee
• Broad experience across a range of valuation types, including expert evidence, residential redevelopment, NDIS/SDA Housing, Statutory valuations.

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce (Monash University)
• Postgraduate Diploma, Property Valuations (University of Melbourne)
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (AAPI 63144)
• Certificate IV (Real Estate Practice)
• Licensed Estate Agent 091575L (Victoria)

Tom Blake

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Residential Development valuations
• Valuations for mortgage, non-mortgage and advisory purposes
• Hypothetical Development modelling

Industry Experience

Tom joined Opteon in 2015 as a Graduate valuer before being qualified as a Residential Property Valuer in 2016, and Certified Practising Valuer in late 2017. Working predominantly in the southeastern growth corridor and the Bayside and Mornington Peninsula region, completing work for mortgage, non-mortgage and expert witness purposes. 

In 2020 Tom joined another valuation firm within their Residential Development team and worked on sites with potential for three or four townhouses, to multi-level apartment projects and up to circa 50-hectare residential subdivisions projects. In late 2023 Tom returned to Opteon as an Associate Director within the Residential Development team focusing on the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Formal Qualifications

• Certified Practising Valuer
• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 75010)
• Bachelor of Property & Real Estate
• Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate), (REIV) Victoria
• Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking Management  

Kenny Ng

Areas of Expertise

• Prestige Residential
• Rural lifestyle Valuations
• Banking and Finance Valuations
• Taxation (Stamp Duty & Capital Gains)
• Pre-Purchase and Pre-Sale Advisory
• Rental Assessments

Industry Experience

Kenny is an experienced Certified Practising Valuer known for efficiently delivering exceptional service and swift turn-around times to clients since 2015.

Kenny is dedicated in providing accurate and reliable valuations while maintaining a strong focus on client satisfaction. With a deep understanding of valuation principles and extensive experience in a variety of valuation scenarios, Kenny is committed to helping clients make informed decisions based on sound valuation expertise. 

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 73070)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Master’s Degree - Property Development
• Advanced Diploma - Property Valuation  

Quentin Rataj

Areas of Expertise

• Residential property valuations
• Rural lifestyle/hobby farm valuations
• Valuations for mortgage security purposes
• Valuations for pre-purchase / pre-sale advice
• Asset valuations for financial reporting purposes
• Rental valuations

Industry Experience

Quentin has been working as a Residential Property Valuer since 2010 and has worked across a number of different departments providing a broad knowledge of the entire valuation process. He is considered a residential property expert and currently provides large volume valuations of residential property along the Sunshine Coast of Queensland and up to and including the Gympie region. Quentin is the local Prestige/High End valuer for residential properties in this region as well.

Formal Qualifications

• Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute (API Member No. 72902)
• Certified Practising Valuer
• Bachelor of Property – CQU University
• QLD Registered Valuer (QVRB No: 4064MR)