Julie Bishop, Natasha Elford and Governor-General Sam Mostyn at The King’s Trust 2024 Beyond Service Awards. Picture: Bruno Stefani
Townsville buyer’s agent and army veteran Natasha Elford has been in business less than a year but she has already attracted the attention of King Charles’s charity, The King’s Trust Australia.
Ms Elford was a finalist in the Rising Star category of The King’s Trust Australia 2024 Beyond Service Awards, which celebrate entrepreneurial achievements of Australian Defence Force veterans and their partners.
The 30-year-old attended the awards ceremony at Admiralty House in Sydney earlier this month alongside the Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, The King’s Trust Australia Chair, Julie Bishop and media personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley.
Ms Elford didn’t come home with the award – it went to former Townsville-based Army officer, Dylan Conway for his charity Brothers and Books – but she said the experience was surreal and amazing.
Natasha Elford, of Investor Support, Dylan Conway, of Brothers and Books, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, James Koens, of Sentinel Aviation, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, and Julie Bishop at The King’s Trust 2024 Beyond Service Awards. Picture: Bruno Stefani
“The highlight was to be recognised, and to be in the presence of Her Excellency, the Governor-General, Julia Bishop and all the other finalists,” Ms Elford said.
“It was great to be able to network to the point of building relationships with the other finalists and helping each other out.”
Ms Elford, a former Australian Army transport specialist, found a passion for real estate after struggling post-service.
She began as a property manager but a redundancy prompted her to found Investor Support, a buyer’s agency and property management business.
“The first three months were very difficult,” she said.
“It got to the point where I was about to pull the pin.
“I got in my own head about maybe it’s not going to work out, but I just kept going.
“Then, sure enough, the following month, it all began happening.”
Natasha Elford served as a transport specialist in the Australian Army. Picture: Supplied
Within 11 months of launching Investor Support Ms Elford has helped buy 21 homes for clients, either solo or in conjunction with other buyer’s agents, which equates to more than $11m in property.
And she lists being a finalist in the Beyond Service Awards as a career highlight.
“(The awards) made me reflect and realise my story and my past has lead me to this,” she said.
“I’ve gone through hardship and now I’ve been recognised by The King’s Trust.
“I hope anyone who is down on themselves realises, even though they’re in a dark spot or it’s the hardest thing they’ve gone through, it’s really the beginning of their success story.”
Ms Elford has also been working as an advocate helping veterans find affordable housing and plans to launch a not-for-profit in the future to continue her work.
“I’ve been there emotionally, so I know how it feels and those members, it’s easier for them to talk to someone who’s been in their shoes,” she said.
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