The Real Estate Institute of Australia’s National Awards for Excellence ceremony was was held in Sydney on Thursday, with the 11-person agency winning the Community Service Award.

Key2 Property’s Tameka Smith was also nominated for Residential Property Manager of the Year.

The agency won the award for raising more than $30,000 for Launceston charities and helping fund homeless shelters.

“It’s part of our mission statement to participate in a fulfilling way in our local communities, and to give back to people who support our business and create opportunities for people in our community,” Key2 Property co-founder Kate Woods said.

“Our community emphasis is a combination between providing mentoring and support for young people and wider financial support.”

Hobart-based real estate agent Liam Coyle, from Knight Frank Tasmania, was also recognised at the ceremony as Commercial Property Manager of the Year.

Real Estate Institute of Tasmania chief executive Mark Berry said the two local winners demonstrated the strength of the sector.

“It shows how strong and committed our members are to the real estate profession,” he said.

“Often real estate agents are seen as people not to be trusted, but in 2017 they need to be seen as professionals within the industry, as opposed to how they’ve been rated in previous times.”

Key2 Property was founded by Ms Woods, Ms Smith and Ananda Cairns in 2015.

Ms Woods and Ms Cairns are joint heads of sales, while Ms Smith is the agency’s property manager.