28 Jan 2026
Words Sarah Hutchins Informer

Farewell to a Legend

Not many people know this, but Russ and I go way back.

My mum is from Taralga, a small country town about 40 minutes from Goulburn where Russ’ family made a name for themselves. Russ’ grandfather, Charles Rogers, built an empire there. Goulburn was one of the first towns in Australia to have electricity thanks to Charles Rogers. But that’s a whole other story.

Anyway, when my mum was little, Russ’ mum and dad lived on the property directly across from hers. My mum grew up calling Russ’ mum Aunty Sherry. I’ve still got a teddy bear Russ’ mum gave my mum when they left Taralga to move to the South Coast.

So, when I moved down from Goulburn to the South Coast, I knew of Russ though we’d never met. I did eventually meet him when I was doing open houses in residential real estate. Russ came to an auction we were doing and we got chatting.

I was ready to hang up my boots in residential real estate by then after 20 years. One day, I was on LinkedIn looking for jobs, and one popped up to work for Russ. So, I called him, and the rest is history. Small world indeed!

Six years later here I am, ready to step into Russ’ shoes. And big shoes they are.

I’ve learned so much from him. In sales, he’s a great innovator. With Russ, there’s always a way to do a deal. And he always puts clients first. It’s not just about dollars and cents. It’s about doing the right thing by his clients and getting them to where they want to go.

This win-win approach explains why Russ has been so successful and why he’s so well regarded by his clients. I’ve been happy to support him on some cracking sales: Black Dolphin Resort Motel, which sold to Aspen Group to create Tween Waters Merimbula; Motel Molly; The Whale Inn, which sold to Justin Hemmes’ Merivale Group; and Alpha Canberra Hotel and Apartments, which sold to Geocon.

In my second year with Russ, he cracked the $1.8 million mark in commission. It was one of those years that just kept rolling and rolling. Russ and I kept looking at each other in disbelief like two kids. I can barely believe that over my six years with Russ, transactions topped $100 million in total asset worth — what a ride!

Life at ResortBrokers without Russ simply won’t be the same. But I’m excited for what’s next for him. Russ is a man of reinvention. He’s had so many careers over his working life: abalone farmer, motor mechanic, motel owner and accommodation property broker. For my part, I’m looking forward to building on the incredible platform he’s give me on the South Coast. Thank you, Russ, you’re an absolute legend. END