Well, if you were to try and pen a summary of the year that was, you could just use one word: bizarre. Personally, I prefer that term to the word most often used during 2020 – “unprecedented”.
As we all know, since March 2020 the world has been turned upside down, and I don’t want to provide any further oxygen to what has occurred during the year. We are all fully aware of how it has impacted on us, both individually and collectively.
However, it is worth reflecting on the fact that even though 2020 has been a difficult year, it has been a year in which we have all been forced to be “settled in” (I prefer this to “locked down”) and consider the many aspects of life, most of us having our work life significantly impacted.
Conveyancing, for the most part, had already been well-positioned to adapt to remote working, what with being digitally prepared with mandated electronic conveyancing and many of the recent changes such as VOI, and government initiatives around document witnessing etc, allowing conveyancing practitioners to adapt to the changed working environment.
Despite a bleak outlook at the commencement of the pandemic, since May/June the property market has become hectic, and many of the property trends that have developed (including increasing demand for property in regional areas and first home buyer demand being stimulated by incentives) mean that despite all the predictions back at the beginning of the year, we are closing out 2020 with most conveyancers being extremely busy.
Being positive and assuming there will be no COVID setbacks in 2021, we are looking forward to a more normal year ahead. Given that regional and interstate tourism demand is going to be strong, I would encourage any members who would like to attend the Education Days to get in early and book accommodation and make a weekend of it. Book here
Finally, I would like to thank the team at AICNSW, Margaret Colyer and Vicki Aird for their conscientious and dedicated commitment to serving our members during the year. I would also like to acknowledge the time, commitment, and work of the AICNSW Board.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank our valued business partners/sponsors who have continued to support our members with products and services during the year.
We wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to working with you all again in 2021.
Best wishes
Chris, Margaret & Vicki
