Ray White has launched the Tony Fountain Auction Award in memory of Fountain's invaluable contribution to the company.
Over the weekend, the real estate industry lost a leading pioneer and much-admired character.
Tony Fountain, who passed away suddenly after suffering a stroke, worked for Ray White his entire 25-year real estate career.
Before joining Ray White, Fountain worked for 50 years in his family's stock and station business, Fountain & Co.
John Tye, agent with Luton and long-time colleague of Fountain's, told SCHWARTZWILLIAMS that Fountain was "one of the nicest blokes in our industry.
"He was a much revered auctioneer who performed all over the world."
Fountain auctioned horses and cattle in the US, the UK, New Zealand, and Indonesia, said Tye.
"He knew so many people in the industry, and he affected so many people positively," he said.
Fountain began working with Ray White in 1988, and held various roles with the company, including national chief auctioneer, franchisee, principal, and he was on the board of Ray White NSW. In his time with Ray White, he conducted more than 35,000 auctions, and founded the Fountain Auction Academy, training agents and auctioneers from all over the world.
Most recently, Fountain was working for Ray White in the Southern Highlands.
When first appointed at Ray White, Fountain was given the challenging role of establishing an auction culture in the then fledgling NSW business.
"He was relentless," said Brian White, joint chairman, Ray White Real Estate.
"Not only was he inspirational in the development of an auction culture but his skills as an auctioneer gave our business owners and team members wonderful confidence that their clients would be looked after to perfection.
"He was a ferocious competitor," said White.
"I remember well a magic moment at the NSW Awards evening in 1992 when Tony came racing up with a sheet of paper showing that Ray White had now performed more auctions than any of our competitors. It was an astonishing achievement so early in our NSW and national expansion."
White said news of Fountain's untimely passing was "the greatest shock".
Ray White has established the Tony Fountain Auction Award, which will be part of the group's NSW Awards program.
"It will be a fitting reminder to all our members of the crucial role Tony played in the continuing development of our national expansion," said White.
Fountain is survived by his long-term partner Sam Hudson and his step-daughter Emily, plus his daughter Kylie Fountain and husband Kevin Hall, son Jason Fountain and wife Paula and son Kurt Fountain and his wife Josie and grand-daughters Charlotte and Sybella.