YSP Live:
An Evening with Amanda Farmer
& Special Guests

Amanda is the host of the Your Strata Property podcast. A strata lawyer with over 15 years’ experience in the sector, Amanda’s unique approach to the marketing and delivery of legal services ensures she stands out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. An increasingly “in demand” speaker and educator, Amanda’s podcast is downloaded thousands of times each month and has expanded to include an online membership community for strata owners and property managers seeking reliable information and resources for community living.

Amanda is the director of Lawyers Chambers on Riley, a boutique strata law practice in Sydney’s Darlinghurst, as well as the founder of “Women in Strata”, a networking group for women working in strata management. Amanda sits on the Council of the Australian College of Community Association Lawyers and on the organising committee for the International Research Forum on Multi Owned Properties.

The name Gary Bugden has been associated with strata titles since 1973. Gary was a long-time partner of the National law firm, Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) and former Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney lecturing on strata titles. For over 10 years Gary was the chairman of MyStrata, a company providing the strata management industry with state-of-the-art technology, on the international stage. Mystrata was recently taken over by the ASX listed technology company, Urbanise.com Limited, and Gary now serves on Urbanise’s Advisory Board. Gary now describes himself as a consultant lawyer, who continues to consult on all matters relating to strata and community title, including the development of laws for governments in various international jurisdictions. Gary is the author of numerous books and loose leaf-services educating strata lawyers, strata managers and the strata sector generally. His most recent title is: “Strata Management in NSW”, which provides practical analysis and comprehensive guidance on the management of owners corporations in NSW.

Reena Van Aalst is an award winning strata manager and the founder of Strata Central. She has been involved in the strata sector for over 16 years. Her attention to detail and genuine love for the industry has made her a well-respected leader in strata management. She enjoys representing the industry in various official capacities and takes these responsibilities in her stride. Reena’s management experience began during her early days as a pharmacist in retail pharmacy prior to working her way up in the strata industry. Until September 2016, Reena was the General Manager and Licensee-in-Charge of Dynamic Property Services (DPS) a multi award winning strata company. She worked with DPS for over 13 years. In 2013 the Prudential Investment Company of Australia (PICA) acquired DPS. In 2016 PICA appointed her an Associate Director. Always evolving, Reena has commenced her own strata management practice in 2017. As managing director of Strata Central, Reena is driven by a desire to offer another level of excellence in strata management service. Her expertise and problem solving skills is already raising the bar in strata management. Reena is also an active member of the Women in Strata steering committee and a regular co-presenter on the Your Strata Property podcast.

With over 30 years’ experience in insurance and financial services, Paul has overseen business in both board and executive positions. He co-founded Strata Community Insurance in March 2014 and is the company’s Managing Director. Prior to this Paul spent 8 years as Managing Director at CHU and BCB, and 13 years at Zurich Financial Services. Paul has worked within the insurance markets of the USA, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and United Arab Emirates.
Paul holds an executive MBA from the University of NSW and is a Senior Associate of the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance (ANZIIF). Paul is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Cathy Sherry is a leading Australian expert on strata and community title. She provides advice to government and the private sector on the complexities of collectively-owned property, both nationally and internationally.

She has published on strata management rights, termination of strata schemes and the effect of by-laws on property rights. Cathy has an interest in the impact of urban form on children’s well-being and was member of the “Kids Can’t Fly” Working Party for the Prevention of Children Falling from Residential Buildings at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead. Cathy’s research has been cited by law reform commissions and urban planning researchers, and she is regularly invited to address conferences in the strata, urban planning and legal sectors. Cathy’s latest publication is Strata Title Property Rights: Private Governance of Multi-Owned Properties, which, despite its publication in only 2017, has already been cited in numerous judicial decisions, including that of the Privy Council.

Cathy is an academic member of the Australian College of Community Association Lawyers (ACCAL) and her postgraduate course, Strata and Community Title Law, LAWS8115, is the approved accreditation for membership of ACCAL. Cathy was a founding General Editor of the international property journal, Property Law Review.

Natalie is a strata manager and partner at Strata Sense in Sydney’s Surry Hills. Natalie started her career as an office junior in one of Sydney’s most respected strata management firms, where she formed a love and passion for strata which remains today.

Taking opportunities to be mentored by some of the founding directors of modern strata management, Natalie has gained a technical knowledge and understanding of the complexities of strata management that has made her a leading expert within the industry.

With experience managing some of Sydney’s best known and complex strata buildings, Natalie is recognised for her expertise in defect management and conflict resolution. With a belief that actively growing strata communities results in better liveability and increased property values. Natalie balances her strata management style to deliver adept technical advice, guidance and support.

Natalie is an active member of the steering committee for Women in Strata, a networking and support group for women working in strata management.