What’s happening?
Elders has expanded its Central Queensland network by acquiring Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate and Knight Frank Rockhampton.
The move also launches Elders Commercial Rockhampton. The Pat O’Driscoll brand will stay as is, while the Knight Frank commercial arm will shift to Elders Commercial Rockhampton.
Why it matters?
This step builds a connected commercial hub across Central Queensland. It also grows Elders’ presence in one of the country’s strongest regional economies.
The expansion follows a commercial acquisition in Gladstone last year. It sets up a multi-office presence that can service the region’s busy economic corridor.
By the numbers
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Elders secured two recognised Rockhampton businesses, strengthening its service reach across Central Queensland.
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The Gladstone commercial acquisition last year formed the base for this expanding network across the region.
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Staff with ten, twenty and even thirty years of experience will now work within a national network with wider buyer pools.
Zoom In
What this really means is that the respected teams led by Pat O’Driscoll and Neale Crow are now part of a larger platform. Their long ties to Rockhampton will continue, including sponsorships and charity work. Senior staff have worked with the business for decades, and the move gives them a wider path for growth.
Tom Russo, Divisional CEO of Elders Real Estate, said the new commercial arm is a major step.
“Central Queensland is one of Australia’s most dynamic regional economies, and establishing a strong commercial platform here has been a priority,” he said. “Elders Commercial Rockhampton adds depth, capability and a team with genuinely unmatched local knowledge. This move strengthens our presence across the region, positioning Elders to support more clients across the full breadth of the property market.”
Pat O’Driscoll and Neale Crow said the partnership aligns with their values.
“Elders are an Australian company with a reputation that resonates strongly in metropolitan and regional markets,” they said. “In the beef capital of Australia, that connection to regional Australia matters. Our team saw alignment in culture, philosophy and the way we do business, particularly around people, and fostering long term client relationships. This partnership gives us the engine to grow, while staying true to who we are.”
Mr O’Driscoll said the change helps staff and clients.
“Many of our senior people have been with us for ten, twenty and even thirty years. Joining Elders opens new pathways for our team and expands the reach we can offer our clients. We now have access to a national network, wider buyer pools and a partner who believes in regional markets the way we do.”
Elders Head of Commercial Real Estate, John Talbot, said the acquisition builds capability.
“Rockhampton has long been one of Queensland’s strongest commercial markets, and the team joining us has delivered exceptional results for many years,” Mr Talbot said. “This partnership enhances our capability in Central Queensland and supports the broader national strategy to grow Elders Commercial. It ensures our clients benefit from deep local expertise, supported by a connected national network and unified database of active buyers and sellers. Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue targeted acquisitions and partnerships in priority regional and metropolitan markets aligned to our strategy.”
Zoom Out
Across Central Queensland, Elders is building a wide commercial footprint. Rockhampton now links with the growing Gladstone office. The approach aims to form a connected commercial hub that supports property activity across the region.
It also feeds into the wider national strategy to expand Elders Commercial in key areas.
Local Impact
Rockhampton gains a stronger commercial real estate hub. Local staff keep their long ties to community groups. Sponsorships and charity support stay in place and may grow through national Elders programs like the Elders Community Giving Program.
The shift gives local clients more reach, more buyers and stronger connections to national markets.
What to look for next?
Elders said it will keep targeting acquisitions and partnerships in regional and metro markets that fit its growth plan. The new Rockhampton base sets the stage for more steps across Central Queensland.
