Real estate success grounded in mother’s powerful legacy

Australia’s top-performing Ray White business may dominate auctions, but its roots lie in family.

Real estate gurus Ray White Collective’s Haesley Cush with his mother Judith. Pictures: Peter Wallis

Ray White Collective may be the group’s top international business, but its success is grounded in a family story that began with after-school visits, stamped contracts, and a mother’s lasting influence.

Ray White Collective’s rise began with a mother’s example, after-school office runs, and a box of contracts to stamp.

Today, Haesley Cush leads Ray White Collective, Australia’s top-performing Ray White business, with offices across Brisbane.

But his earliest lessons in leadership came from his mum, Judith Cush, who launched her real estate career while juggling the school run and open homes.

“My earliest memory of mum in real estate is her ‘hiring’ Charlie (my brother) and me to stamp contracts,” Haesley said.

“We’d race into the office after school, bags still slung over our shoulders, earning five dollars a box.”

Ray White's Haesley Cush. Picture: Supplied

Ms Cush didn’t plan to become a real estate trailblazer. But after returning from Papua New Guinea and buying a colonial home in Tarragindi, she felt drawn to the industry.

She joined Ray White Moorooka, negotiating flexible hours so she could still pick up her kids and the office quickly became an extension of home life.

“Sometimes we’d tag along to inspections late into the evening,” Haesley recalled. “I had fun trying to guess what the houses would sell for.”

Haesley didn’t expect to follow in his mum’s footsteps.

“Comments about agents being smarmy completely shocked me, because all I’d seen growing up was how hard Mum worked and how respected she was,” he said.

Haesley Cush with wife Aleesha and children Louie, Vivienne and Teddy. Picture: Supplied

Their professional paths aligned again when Haesley joined his mum at Ray White Moorooka for six years.

She saw the spark early. “He loved pointing out my signboards when we drove past. Once he discovered real estate for himself, he was ready to run with it,” she said.

Haesley bought Ray White New Farm in 2005 and has since led the business to national and international accolades.

Ms Cush continues to lead the Living Here Cush Partners sales team, known as one of Brisbane’s most determined agents.

Today, the third generation is getting involved with Haesley’s daughter, Vivienne, often joining him at auctions.

“If I have Vivien with me for ten auctions on a Saturday, it doesn’t feel like work anymore.”

And the word they each use to describe one another?

“Tenacious.”

Originally published as Real estate success grounded in mother’s powerful legacy