80 Years Strong

The History Of Hugh Reilly Real Estate

In 1945, a young Air Force bomber named Hugh Reilly returned from World War II determined to build something meaningful. With a vision for service, honesty, and community, he opened a real estate agency in Mackay – one that would grow to become one of the region’s longest-standing businesses.

From its earliest days, Hugh Reilly Real Estate stood apart for its integrity. So trusted was its name that when the United States Forces relinquished Post Office Box 1 in 1945, it was handed to the agency as a symbolic gesture marking its prominence in the heart of Mackay.

Through the 1950s and 60s, the office became a hive of activity. Locals still recall the weekend auctions held at its Victoria Street premises, bustling community events where everything from chooks to furniture went under the hammer. Real estate was personal then, and Hugh Reilly’s team built their reputation one handshake at a time.

In 1986, the agency moved to the corner of Wood and Gordon Streets, a site it still calls home. With only two office moves in 80 years, Hugh Reilly Real Estate has remained a steady landmark amid Mackay’s ever-changing skyline.

Over the decades, the business has weathered challenges that tested even the strongest of operators, from economic ups and downs to natural disasters. In 2008, when floods swept through the city, the office was inundated. Staff worked tirelessly to save files, equipment, and client records, embodying the same grit and commitment that has defined the agency since day one.

While technology has transformed the industry, from typewriters and carbon paper to smartphones and digital platforms, the agency’s ethos has never changed. It remains fiercely independent, having briefly trialled a franchise model in the 1990s before proudly reclaiming its original name.

“People trust Hugh Reilly because it’s local,” says Managing Director Josey Comerford.

“We’ve been here 80 years, and we’re here to stay.”

Today, the business is a full-service agency specialising in residential, commercial, and property management. But beyond property, its true legacy lies in the people it’s served with generations of families who bought, sold, and rented their first homes through Hugh Reilly.

This October, the agency will celebrate 80 years of service, inviting past staff to reunite and share stories from across the decades. The community is also encouraged to join in by sharing their own experiences online, ensuring every memory becomes part of this living history.

From wartime beginnings to a modern, family-driven enterprise, Hugh Reilly Real Estate remains built on integrity and guided by the values instilled by its founder, Hugh Reilly.

Here’s to 80 years of Hugh Reilly Real Estate!