Tim Baker is a REAL ITO Star.

Tim is from David Lawrence Real Estate in Aranui Christchurch. Tim was born and has lived and worked in this community for the past 42 years and when the earthquake struck on February 22nd he saw his fellow residents and work colleagues in need and stepped up to help them out.

Now we didn't discover Tim, national TV did, as he appeared on Close Up on Tuesday 1st March when they spied his sign for free laundry services, (use of a washing machine) outside of his house. However we thought his story was such an uplifting one, during this terrible time in Christchurch, we needed to recognise one of our own and acknowledge his noble spirit in some small way.

Through Tim's efforts Aranui has gained a community laundry service based at the local school, and also his good old kiwi ingenuity saw him make use of the schools Well to provide clean water for the community and beyond.

As Close Up put it "He's just a good bloke". We acknowledge there are countless people in the Christchurch region going out of their way to help others in this time of need, but we would like to recognise our own industry star with a star dedicated to him to remember this time.

When I spoke to Tim recently I suggested we have Tim's star so that it is visible on the 22nd February from the Canterbury region, so that even though this is a date that most may want to forget, Tim can look back and remember his community and how they pulled together during a time when it was needed.

If you would like to view Tim's story as it appeared on Close Up click here and I am sure you are all behind REAL ITO in wishing our REAL ITO Star Tim Baker all the best for the future.

Murray Hight is a REAL ITO Star.

REAL ITO's Star for November is Murray Hight from Canterbury Real Estate in Christchurch. Murray has just completed his National Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) He already had his salespersons license but decided to up skill to the new qualification.

Murray was in touch regularly from as he put it "Earthquake central"… He stayed extremely positive throughout his on job training and says that he made two sales that he contributes to the knowledge he had gained in doing his training. Murray will receive his adopted star from Stardome Observatory as an acknowledgement for gaining his qualification with such a positive attitude under very trying circumstances.

Why did you choose a career in real estate?
I chose my career for the following reasons; I like selling and helping people and I am from a rural background hence the rural lifestyle position.

How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in this position for just over six months and thoroughly enjoying the position despite the down turn and the odd shake[ 1500 is an odd number.

Highlights of your role?
Highlights are working with my manger Ron skews gaining useful info and helping clients to obtain their goals in real estate.

What do you enjoy most about you career?
What I enjoy most about this position is getting out and talking to people in my area West Melton about 20kms west of Christchurch.

What previous roles have you held?
My last major role was with a transport company, 18 years my roles there included territory manager and sales executive.

Why did you choose to study with REAL ITO?
I chose to study with ITO because Ito made it easy to enrol, they are very through, and Patricia was very helpful.

What do you see as the advantages of on job training?
The main advantage of on the job training is that I can earn a living while studying and really it is like hitting the ground running. (Challenging but rewarding)

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I see myself running one of my current employer's rural real estate branches, which is a major goal for me.

Ross Shaw - Buller Real Estate
is this month's REAL ITO star.

Why you have chosen a career in real estate
It was going to be a career in Accounting,  but after a couple of years study a friend on the West Coast offered me the opportunity to open a new real estate office in Westport plus run a second hand furniture/auctioneer business at the same time. He encouraged me to sit my associate exams immediately.

How long you have been in the industry
I moved to Westport in 1969 (aged 25) and started my licensee exams, graduating in 1971. So all my 41 years in real estate have been spent in Westport. Highlights of your role.

In 1992 I sold the other arms of the business; namely second hand furniture, new furniture, paint, wallpaper and tiles to concentrate solely on real estate. The business has grown from a one-man band to a staff of 15 which includes 3 rental managers who look after over 300 properties. It is a very busy office with a strategic corner site.

What do you enjoy most about your career
I actively sold real estate for 38 years, so have enjoyed the day to day contact with a substantial number of clients helping them achieve their goals. Being involved in children's athletics, rugby, squash, tennis, harriers and the Buller Gorge Marathon committee is part of living in a small community.

What previous roles you have held
It's been pretty much a one path career.

Why you chose to study with REAL ITO
Real ITO seemed to be the obvious choice. Having not studied for many years trying to work out initially how much to write was a bit of a problem, however, I found the staff and assessors to be extremely helpful and obliging. At age 66 it was a bit of a challenge completing all the assignments in under 3 months. In the early stages I was completing 5 assignments per week which included 20 hours study some weekends.

What do they see as the advantages of on job training
We have two new salespeople who have recently joined the company and a PA just starting her course, so continuing education is important to our business. Staff can gain experience and knowledge and earn an income at the same time.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years
Hopefully spending plenty of time with grandchildren and the occasional trip overseas.