Guided By Many Hands
A Snapshot Through Time
1965
After 22 years of marriage and numerous business ventures, Jack and Milly McCathie founded McCathies Real Estate at 132 Queen Street, Ayr. Although the building needed some TLC and essential renovations, the pair were far too busy to notice its flaws!
1966
Jack and Milly invited their daughter Janice and son-in-law Garry Jones to join the growing family business. As McCathies expanded, they relocated across the road to 131 Queen Street, Ayr.
Late 1960s – 1970s
McCathies diversified beyond real estate - taking on the TAA travel agency, becoming Elna sewing machine agents, and importing cane furniture. During this period, Jack and Milly’s son John and his wife Lyndy joined the family business. John managed Ayr Secondhand Dealers, while Lyndy supported the growing rental and property management side alongside Janice.
1978
Jack and Milly purchased the prominent corner building at 262 Queen Street, seeing its potential for expansion.
1979
McCathies Real Estate and Ayr Secondhand Dealers moved to 262 Queen Street, Ayr. The business also launched Jan & Lyndy’s Sewing World, adding a fabric and haberdashery shop to the thriving premises.
1980s
With no computers, all admin and bookkeeping were done manually including long nights writing cheques at the dining table. Despite retiring, Jack and Milly remained close by to lend a hand when needed.
1987
Jack and Milly officially retired, leaving the business in the capable hands of Janice, Garry, John, and Lyndy.
1991
McCathies purchased the rent roll from Burdekin Real Estate. With the rent roll growing rapidly, the business entered the computer age - marking a significant (and challenging) step forward in administration.
2002–2009
The Burdekin experienced a property boom. Out-of-town buyers started snapping up multiple properties, and the demand for rentals surged. McCathies launched its first website - mccathiesrealestate.com.au - leading to a flood of enquiries. The rent roll expanded rapidly, and prices began to rise after years of stagnation.
2014
John and Paula Mottin became partners with John and Lyndy McCathie. The business began trading as Landmark Harcourts McCathies, and Janice officially retired.
2015
Janice sold her shares to Paula and Johnnie and officially retired from the business.
2017
The company acquired the rental portfolio from Sugar Realty, expanding the rent roll significantly.
2018
Further growth came with the acquisition of Brandons Real Estate’s rental portfolio.
2019
The Landmark franchise rebranded as Nutrien, and the business adopted the name Nutrien Harcourts McCathies.
2021
John and Lyndy McCathie retired and sold their shares to Paula and Johnnie Mottin, officially passing the baton to the next generation of leadership.
Today
McCathies has grown from a small family-run real estate office to a full-service property agency, offering: residential, farm, and commercial sales, residential and commercial property management, storage unit management, body corporate management, property and chattel auctions and Airbnb management.
