What’ s in a name?
BY CASSANDRA GLOVER
There are just some names that stand out and catch the eye. These Ray White offices all have names that could be associated with something else, whether that be a mythical creature or a country in Europe. Is there a connection between these businesses and the words they ' re associated with?
RAY WHITE PEGASUS, NZ
Ray White Pegasus is located in the town of Pegasus in New Zealand’ s Canterbury region, and is part of Ray White Morris and Co, run by Stuart and Claire Morris. We checked in with Stuart to find out more about the area.
Tell us a bit about the area?
New Zealand has so much to offer and Pegasus is no exception. With a beautiful 14 hectare feature lake, over four kilometres of shoreline and 11 sandy beaches, a championship golf course, 100 hectares of natural wetlands and a fabulous beach stretching as far as the eye can see, you’ ll enjoy endless opportunities for recreation and entertainment. It’ s a vibrant, thriving community with a real sense of safety, freedom and belonging, with everything right on your doorstep. What Pegasus has to offer is truly unique but don’ t take our word for it- come and visit and decide for yourself. It’ s our belief that once you have visited Pegasus you won’ t want to leave and Ray White Pegasus will be there to help you make it happen, every step of the way.
Do you know how the area got its name?
It was the brainchild of developer Bob Robertson- he studied all of the towns and cities he considered successful around the world and brought the key elements together at Pegasus- I believe he named it after Pegasus Bay which is off the coast of Canterbury. The major groundwork started midway through 2006. The first home titles were issued at the start of 2008 and later that year, in September, the first residents moved in. By 2010 the majority of facilities were up and running such as the general store, Pegasus Lake and the 18-hole Pegasus Golf Course and Sports Club. In 2014 the Waikuku
Primary School shut and relocated to Pegasus under the name Pegasus Bay School which caters for students through years 1-8. Originally the community began construction under Bob Robertson of Infinity Group. Todd Property Group purchased the town in December 2012. In 2020, Templeton Group purchased the Pegasus development from Todd Property.
Does Pegasus have any pegasi?
None seen as of yet but it is home to a massive variety of wild life- who knows, there could be a flock / herd out there somewhere!
RAY WHITE SUNSHINE, VIC
The name Ray White Sunshine really rings close to“ a little ray of sunshine”, but we chatted to Ray White Sunshine business owner Marcus Fregonese to find out whether the sun really is always shining in Sunshine.
Tell us a bit about the area?
Sunshine is a rapidly developing suburb located in Melbourne ' s inner west, about 15 km from the CBD. It’ s a diverse and culturally rich area with a unique blend of communities that have called it home for decades. The suburb is particularly known for its strong Vietnamese community, centred around the town ' s vibrant shopping precinct. Over the years, many European migrants have settled in the area, creating a multicultural melting pot that’ s reflected in the local food, festivals, and everyday life. The housing mix in Sunshine is diverse, with a combination of grand period homes, modern townhouses, apartments, and more traditional 80s and 90s-era homes. As the suburb gentrifies, it’ s attracting new residents and investors, drawn by its affordability compared to other inner west suburbs.
Do you know how the area got its name?
Industrialist H. V. McKay purchased the Braybrook Implement Works in 1904, in the area we now know as Sunshine, which at the time was known as Braybrook Junction. The purchase proved to be a fruitful investment with McKay relocating his entire business to the area in 1906. He established housing for workers to live in the area and provided amenities and public infrastructure that attracted significant praise. The area quickly became viewed as a model working-class community. In 1907, workers petitioned to have its name changed to Sunshine in honour of McKay’ s Sunshine Harvester Works.
Does Sunshine have a lot of sunshine?
Unfortunately, living in Melbourne means the " Sunshine " doesn’ t quite live up to its name— it’ s more like a cruel joke the weather plays on us. But hey, we’ re used to it— like we are with trains and trams running late, and the idea of four seasons in a day!
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