A night that could be described as nothing short of spectacular, over 650 guests gathered at the glamorous Crown Palladium for an evening of celebration, reflection, and unforgettable entertainment.

While the awards night featured all the familiar, exceptional trappings of a Barry Plant event, this wasn’t your typical awards function. When the clock struck 9:30pm and the formalities concluded, the band began jamming, toes started tapping, and a familiar problem arose for many women in attendance: high heels and dance floors simply don’t mix.

This is where CEO Lisa Pennell’s brilliant idea came into play. Inspired by the fairy tale, Lisa approached one of Barry Plant’s exceptional sponsors, Detector Inspector, to collaborate on ‘Project Cinderella’. The idea was simple—provide all the women in attendance with a pair of silver ballet flats, allowing them to dance the night away without the fear of a rolled ankle or snapped heel.

The project was a hit with attendees, and the dancefloor was livelier than ever. CEO Lisa Pennell was thrilled with how the project turned out.

“As a woman who has attended countless formal functions in my career, I always feel compelled to wear heels and that makes dance floors a nightmare,” said Pennell. “As CEO of Barry Plant, I have the unique opportunity to bring a feminine perspective to these kinds of matters.”

“The silver flats were a small gesture to show the women in our network that we see them, appreciate them, and want them to feel celebrated and valued at Barry Plant. It seems the flats were well received too—I saw many Cinderellas tearing up the dancefloor!” Pennell laughed.

Slippers aside, this year’s event was especially significant as it marked the 25th anniversary of the iconic merger between Barry Plant and EJ Doherty. The energy in the room was electric, as Directors, Sales Agents, Property Management teams, sponsors, and Head Office staff came together for a night to remember. With founders Barry Plant and Vic Care in attendance, the evening was a proud reflection of the company’s remarkable journey and continued success.

The evening was effortlessly MC’d by comedian and TV personality Dave Thornton, whose quick wit and humour had the audience in stitches throughout the night. Guests were treated to an unforgettable evening, starting with pre-dinner drinks accompanied by the soulful music of Velvet Harmony, followed by a solo saxophonist who set the perfect mood as attendees entered the ballroom.

The evening kicked off with a breathtaking performance by Mariko Fire Twirler, captivating the crowd and setting the tone for a lively, celebratory night. The entertainment continued with the popular band Sam + Sam, whose 7-piece ensemble brought incredible energy to the main event, powering a Cinderella-populated dancefloor that remained packed all night.

Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell said it was truly a night of reflection and acknowledgement.

“Seeing how far we’ve come in 25 years since the merger between EJ Doherty and Barry Plant is incredibly inspiring,” she said.

“It’s not just about where we started but where we’re headed, and tonight was a celebration of that journey."

One of the highlights of the evening was recognising the achievements of some of the network's top performers. Over 20 awards were given to outstanding offices and individuals from across the network. Offices and individuals from the Barry Plant Group shone brightly, with standout mentions going to Barry Plant Mildura, the Franchisee of the Year, and Barry Plant Manningham, which took home Top Sales Office of the Year in both the number of sales and GCI categories. Barry Plant Eltham was celebrated for achieving the highest percentage growth among all offices, while individual accolades were awarded to Jarrod Couch of Barry Plant Coburg for his incredible growth as a Sales Agent, Caleb Venneri from Barry Plant Essendon-Keilor East, who took out Sales Agent of the Year for listings, and Kylah Fruend from Barry Plant Narre Warren, who was named Sales Agent Rising Star of the Year.

"Every business goes through different stages, and we’re now in the midst of another exciting transformation. It’s fantastic to see new names and emerging offices shining bright this year,” Ms Pennell said.

“These awards represent the passion and dedication that each individual and office brings to the Barry Plant family, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

The night was not just a celebration of individual achievements but a reflection of the collective strength, resilience, and innovation that has propelled Barry Plant to the forefront of the industry. As the company looks ahead to the next 25 years, it is clear that the values of teamwork, excellence, and community will continue to guide its path to success.