Go Gecko property sales group has just suffered a fresh setback 10 years after another drama

It’s hard to believe in the midst of a booming residential market that a Brisbane property sales group has had a winding up order against one of its companies, but this one has. Here’s why.

A Federal Court has ordered the wind up of Go Gecko (Franchise) Pty Ltd.

BUST DURING A BOOM

It’s hard to believe a property sales group could face much strife in the midst of a booming residential market.

But that’s the case with the Go Gecko group, which first launched in Brisbane in 2004 with the promise of fixed-price commissions as a point of difference from competitors.

The group encountered a ton of grief 10 years ago (more on that below) and has just been hit with a fresh setback.

A Federal Court ordered the wind up late last week of one its entities, Go Gecko (Franchise) Pty Ltd, and tapped Gold Coast-based operative Michael Caspaney to act as liquidator.

Michael Caspaney

Seeking the court action was Brisbane couple Ron and Denise Howarth, along with their daughter, Gemeah Howarth.

Ron, a retired pest controller who is currently seeking offers of more than $1.8m for his waterfront home at Brighton, declined to comment when City Beat rang for a chat on Monday.

But it’s understood that their lawsuit is related to a dispute over a shareholding that Gemeah has in one or more still-intact company in the Go Gecko group.

Corporate records show she has a stake, both individually and in tandem with an ex-husband, in Go Gecko Group Pty Ltd and Go Gecko Corporation Pty Ltd.

She did not return a call and Caspaney told us he was still not across the details of the case.

Go Gecko boss Noel Scully, who oversees a dozen franchisees in south east Queensland, also did not respond to a request for comment.

Go Gecko founder and former CEO Geoff Doyle

At its peak there were about 50 corporate and franchise outlets across the country, with plans for 150. But that lofty goal was never realised.

The latest drama comes a decade after the then-main trading entity for the group fell into administration and founder Geoff Doyle stepped down as CEO. It was wound up in 2013, with 83 creditors owed $2.61m.

WE’VE SEEN THIS MOVIE

Here we go again.

The emails notifying us about cancelled and postponed events started landing in our in-tray just minutes after the latest Covid update.

Among those caught up in the quickly-evolving mess is Brisbane legal eagle Kelli Martin, who just so happened to throw open the doors of her first CBD office on Monday.

No surprise that the launch party for her new Adelaide Street outpost scheduled for Thursday has now been axed.

Kelli Martin

But Martin’s practice, KLM Solicitors, seems to be on a roll regardless.

It’s grown substantially since she launched the business in 2015 with just one other staffer.

She now oversees a team of nearly 30 and has four offices in south east Queensland.

The firm also snared a top gong last month at the Australasian Law Awards.

Martin, who actively supports multiple groups addressing domestic violence, provided legal advice to Hannah Clarke before her horrific murder early last year.

She has remained close with Hannah’s parents and, with the blessing of the couple, just named a meeting room in the new offices after her late client.

It will be made available to community groups at no charge.