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“Australia, my adopted country, has given me so much.We can together continue to give back and create a great place for people to call home.” – SARKIS NASSIF

SARKIS NASSIF The Urban Taskforce’s Property Person of the Year




SARKIS NASSIF The Urban Taskforce’s Property Person of the Year

“Australia, my adopted country, has given me so much. I only hope that through the relationships I have established we can together continue to give back to the community and create a great place for people to call home.” SARKIS NASSIF

15/11/2017

(Translation of the news appears in Arabic section)

Sydney: From very humble origins 40 years ago, Sydney developer Sarkis Nassif’s career has soared. His latest milestone is being named Property Person of the Year, an award previously given to industry heavyweights including Harry Triguboff, Lang Walker, Joe Khattar, Tony Perich and Iwan Sunito. The hard-working Lebanese-born builder joined this illustrious list at a dinner held in Sydney in November. The event also raises money for charity with funds going to Warrah- Living, Learning, Growing and for St. Vincent's Prostate Cancer Centre at St.Vincent's Hospital.

Urban Taskforce Australia, the property development rating organization, held a ceremony in Sydney in which the Lebanese property developer Sarkis Nassif, Owner of Holdmark, was named Person of the Year 2017.

The ceremony was attended by John Mangus the famous television presenter who was the MC, Bishop Dr. Antoine Charbel Tarbay the patron of the Maronite diocese, Dr. Salim Sfeir the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Beirut and a large number of businessmen from the Lebanese community and the Australian wider community of about 800 people.

Chris Johnson

Among the speakers were Chris Johnson, Peter Daly from Urban Taskforce Australia, Georgina Mekales CEO of Warrah Living, Philip Stricker Professor at St. Vincent's Prostate Cancer Centre at St. Vincent Hospital.

At the dinner ceremony honoring Mr Nassif, Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson applauded his contribution to the broader community.

“Sarkis established the John-Paul Foundation in memory of John Paul Nassif to assist families facing hardships due to illness, tragedy and adversity,” Mr Johnson said. “This year the foundation has heavily supported Westmead Children’s Hospital, as well as several local charities and community groups".

“Sarkis is a strong family man ably supported by his wife Bernadette and three of his five children, Kevin, Kristy and Ivana, are closely involved in the Holdmark business.” 

Sarkis with Bishop Tarabay and members of the family

IN accepting the prestigious title, Mr Nassif acknowledged his indebtedness to his family.

He said: “I have been very blessed by the people that God has put me in my life,” he said. “Early on my journey, I learned the value of hard work and sacrifice through my parents.  They taught me not to take anything for granted and they taught me to lead by example.”

“Starting Holdmark was a challenge, however, it taught me to never do anything you are not a passionate about ... and I am very passionate about Holdmark.

“Australia, my adopted country has given me so much.

I only hope that, through the relationships I have established, we can together continue to ‘give back’ to the community, and create great places, for people to call home. ”

Peter Daly announces the victory of Sarkis Personality of the Year

“I am privileged to work in this industry and do something I love every day. To all the contractors and workers, thank you for creating homes and providing shelter to our community.  To the construction team onsite from foremen to apprentices, allow me to also say thank you.” 

Sarkis Nassif, the Urban Taskforce’s Property Person of the Year, has come a long way since arriving in Australia from Lebanon in 1987.

At that time, he was in his early 20s with no ability to speak English but a strong will to succeed.

He worked extremely hard to put a deposit on his first home within a year of working in Sydney.

From those early struggling days, Mr Nassif created his own building company about 30 years ago. Holdmark has since grown to become a major developer in Sydney.

Mr Nassif’s first development project was in Victoria Ave, Concord West, not far from where he lived and close to local shops and a train station. He saw the “For Sale” sign one morning and purchased the site that same afternoon. In his true style of rolling up his sleeves, he was the form-worker, steel fixer and civil contractor on the job.

Sarkis with family members and friends 

The early days for Holdmark’s development were focused in the inner west suburbs including Strathfield, Burwood, Concord and Parramatta. Sarkis grew from strength to strength, building and developing sites which ranged from 20 to 200 units.  In addition, location of sites which are in key strategic areas became a key plank to the success of the business.

Apart from the long hours and dedication, as well as an eye for detail and his strong understanding of construction, he developed a real passion and skill in design and understanding of the Australian banking system. He forged strong relationships with not only professionals in the construction industry and consultants, but also with legal experts and financiers. Mr Nassif notes that “integrity and honesty” when dealing with bankers particularly is a key factor to success.

Sarkis and wife Bernadette with Bishop Fisher and Bishop Tarabay

In 2011, the GFC came and this was a period of real concern with many major developers facing crisis. For Mr Nassif this period of risk became a period of opportunity. With strong relationships already forged with bankers, he was able to capitalise and seize on several key projects. This was undoubtedly a major turning point for Holdmark.

Holdmark, under Sarkis’s leadership have now moved into much larger projects including the urban development at Shepherds Bay with 3,000 apartments over 13 stages and 90% sold. At Majors Bay a project that is half completed will have 500 apartments when finished.

Sarkis and wife Bernadette with Mr Sfeir, Harb and J. Nassif

Other notable projects include, Burwood Plaza, which has recently been granted in principle approval proceed with five mixed use towers containing commercial, residential, retail and hotel development.

Other projects in the pipeline include a mixed-use development in Macquarie Park and in the heart of Parramatta.

Daly

Urban Taskforce Chair Peter Daly said “Sarkis Nassif is the classic example of an immigrant arriving in Australia with nothing and working his way through hard work to becoming one of the major property developers in Sydney”. Holdmark today is a development compnay of large mixed use precincts that include thousands of apartments. “Our congratulations to Sarkis for all that he has achieved and for the example he sets for the property industry” notes Mr Daly.

Joe, Maureene Rizk, Joe, Shaid Khattar and Malouf

Sarkis receives an appreciation award with former NSW Governor Mary Bachir

Sarkis and Justin Wang

John Mangos

Sarkis is supporting Westmead Hospital

Justin Wang and family members

John Nassif and George Ghossayn

Amanda Weeks and member of Wang's family

Sarkis with Members of Bank of Sydney and A. Harb 

George Elisa with wife and friends

Deiri, Hasham, O'Beid and Semaan


 














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