- Joan Cordell was a pioneering leader who created a comprehensive information system for the property industry
- Nigel Satterley has grown Satterely into the largest independent land developer in Australia
Joan Cordell and Nigel Satterley AM, will tonight be inducted into the Australian Property Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame, administered by the Property Council of Australia, was established in 2012 and honours individuals who have provided sustained leadership, made a major pioneering contribution and left an outstanding legacy to the property industry and the Australian community.
Other inductees have included Frank Lowy AC, Carol Schwartz AO, Sir John Pidgeon, Sir Keith Campbell, and Sir Albert Jennings.
The inductees
The pioneers of property were praised for creating positive and lasting legacies across the nation.
“Nigel Satterley and Joan Cordell can rightfully take their place alongside esteemed Hall of Fame members who have made enduring contributions to our industry and the community,” said Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas.
“Nigel’s unwavering vision, dynamism and dedication have been driving forces behind the creation of great communities across the country. From humble beginnings, Nigel has grown Satterley into the largest independent land developer in the country, with hundreds of thousands of Australians now calling a Satterley community home.
“Joan’s foresight, determination and resolve made her the pioneering leader of Australia’s foremost project activity and building cost information system. Joan helped create a smarter, more transparent and professional industry while blazing a trail for other leaders,” he said.
Satterley also garnered the ovation of Property Council WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer, who said:
“Congratulations to Nigel Satterley on his well-deserved induction into the Australian Property Hall of Fame.
“Throughout his 40 years plus experience in building, real estate and property development, Nigel has made a pioneering contribution to the Western Australian community and to the state’s economic development.”
Property Council WA Division President and COO of Hawaiian, Richard Kilbane, added:
“Nigel has a clear dedication and passion for creating exceptional communities. His relentless pursuit of excellence has set the benchmark for the industry, and we are proud to see his remarkable achievements recognised.”
It’s an honour
Cordell said she is deeply appreciative of the recognition.
“Being acknowledged in this manner is of immense significance to me as it salutes the proven sustainability of a comprehensive information system for our property industry after more than half a century,” Cordell said.
“It brings me joy to know the foundations we laid in the 1970s continue to be appreciated and are beneficial to a new generation of property leaders.”
Satterley said it was an honour to be inducted into the Australian Property Hall of Fame.
“Being included in such a prestigious group of industry dignitaries is an enormous privilege and a great honour,” Satterley said.
“Creating communities for Australians to build their homes and their lives is a unique pleasure in our industry – one that I am very proud of. Being recognised for creating these communities is a great privilege,” he said.
Joan Cordell
The brains behind the Cordell group of companies, Cordell is a polymath who commanded respect across property and art spheres.
Dux of her primary school year, Joan asked to study art at the Julian Ashton School after Intermediate. At the same time realising the value of having Matriculation which she completed at Pyrmont Tech in an evening – giving her options for teaching or university. However, trading her canvas for a calculator, Joan finally chose to complete an honours degree in Statistics at the University of Sydney.
After graduation, Cordell took up acting and modelling courses, subsequently chosen as one of only three e Australian models to show UK couturier Norman Hartnell’s 1958 collection.
In 1959 Joan opted to return to statistics, joining logistics company Brambles while completing her Masters’ thesis at Sydney University.
Cordell Research was launched in 1969.
The first decade was crucial in establishing the areas in which researched information was vital to the building and construction industry and how it was to be collected and communicated.
A range of industry publications were developed, each with specialised applications for both trades and professionals, suppliers to the industry, insurance and finance interests – all of whom valued Cordell’s reliable project activity data.
When Building Costs and Pricing publications, updated quarterly for each eastern state, were introduced, they soon became known as the ‘Builder’s Bible’ for both private and government reference.
Joan sold Cordell to Thomson Publications in 1979, and in 2015, Cordell joined forces with CoreLogic.
Nigel Satterley AM
The founder and chief executive of Satterley Property Group began life in Cunderdin, a town in Western Australia’s wheatbelt.
His first break came when, aged just 20, he was appointed state distributor for legendary brand Levi Jeans. His success was soon noticed by Town & Country Bank and its founder Sir James McCusker, who provided Satterley with career and life-changing advice.
Using the profits from one of his first property sales as capital, Satterely made his first foray into the real estate industry when he founded Statesman Homes.
The business became one of Western Australia’s largest home builders, and was sold in 1980. The same year, Sattereley launched his namesake land development company.
A highly decorated business, Satterley Property Group has collected more than 100 industry awards, and has created over 180 individual estates across Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland.
Among his many achievements, Nigel spearheaded reforms to the GST, championed the Keystart program to support first home buyers and is one of the founding fathers of the West Coast Eagles.
In 2006, Nigel’s business achievements and charitable efforts were recognised at the highest level when he was made a Member of the Order of Australia – an honour consolidated in 2015 with a Doctorate of Business from Edith Cowan University.
