KSS October Edition eKourier 2025
Kennards Koouurier EDITION: October 2025
2025 CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS
SSA CONFERENCE
CULTURE WINS
THE JOURNEY SO FAR
PAINT THE TOWN BLUE ROUND 3
IN THIS ISSUE
Message From Sam
3
Team Member Profiles
4
10 Questions With
5
SSA Conference 2025
6
Culture Wins
7
The Journey So Far...
8
Paint The Town Blue Round 3
9
Store With People Who Care
10
2025 Celebrating Achievements
11 - 16
NET & National Mini Storage 17 Exciting Progress At Chatswood Smith St 18 Projects Underway in Auckland 19 Spotlight On... 20 Help End Youth Homelessness 21 Nev's Notes 22 Kennards Community 23
NEXT ISSUE
Deadline: December 12th, 2025 Editor: Sharon Munro Email: sharon@kss.com.au Distribution: January 23rd, 2026
Front cover: 2025 NSW/ACT Achievement Dinner: Sam Kennard (CEO), Michael Macheledt (THQ - 20 Years Service), Steve Jansen (Pymble Centre Manager - 25 Years Service), Fiona Harding (THQ - 20 Years Service) and Darryl Hodgson (THQ - 20 Years Service).
Inside cover: Kennards Self Storage Springvale, Victoria
FEATURE
MESSAGE FROM SAM
evolving based on what our customers and our teams tell us. This iterative process ensures that we’re not just meeting needs—we’re anticipating them. Consistency is also critical. Raving fans are created when customers know they can rely on a brand to deliver excellence every time. That’s why we invest heavily in training, technology, and upkeep of our properties. From our clean, well-lit storage properties to our intuitive digital platforms, every detail is thoughtfully considered to reinforce trust. But perhaps the most important lesson from Raving Fans is that customer service starts from within. A happy, engaged team creates happy customers. At Kennards, we’ve built a culture where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to make decisions. This autonomy fosters a sense of pride and ownership that translates directly into better service. We also celebrate success. When a Team Member goes above and beyond, we recognise it. These moments of excellence are shared across the company, reinforcing our commitment to creating Raving Fans— not just customers. Ultimately, Raving Fans isn’t just a book—it’s a mindset. It challenges businesses to be bold, to care deeply, and to never stop improving. At Kennards Self Storage, we’ve embraced this challenge wholeheart- edly. Our goal is not just to provide storage solutions, but to deliver an experience that customers remember, recommend, and return to. Because when you create Raving Fans, you don’t just grow a business— what really matters is to build a brand that people believe. Congratulations to those recognised with Raving Fans Awards, and all the other stand-out achievers of 2025. Sam Kennard Chief Executive Officer
CREATING RAVING FANS
A customer service philosophy that drives KSS.
Darren Marshall (COO) far left and Anthony Tropiano (SA Ops Mgr) far right presenting a Raving Fans Award to Warren Evans (left) and Andrew Burgess (right) from Adelaide CBD, at this years South Australian Achievement Dinner.
T he 2025 Achievement Dinners were an absolute delight again. It is enormously gratifying to be able to celebrate and commemorate the milestones and achievements of the teams. It is obvious how much energy, passion and dedication comes into KSS from so many people. Indeed many bring so much of it, it becomes contagious. One of our awards that deserves elaboration is the Raving Fans Award. In today’s competitive business landscape, delivering good customer service is no longer enough. To truly stand out, companies must create “Raving Fans”—customers so delighted by their experience that they become passionate advocates. This concept, introduced by Ken Blanchard in his book Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service, has profoundly influenced how we operate at Kennards Self Storage. Blanchard’s message is simple yet powerful: Don’t settle for satisfied customers—aim for enthusiastic
ones. At Kennards, this philosophy is embedded in our culture. We believe that every customer interaction is an opportunity to exceed expectations and build lasting loyalty. One of the key principles in Raving Fans is deciding what you want your customer experience to look like. For us, that means creating a service environment that is friendly, transparent, and empowering. Our Team Members are encouraged not just to assist according to procedure, but to genuinely care. We encourage initiative, empathy, and ownership— qualities that turn routine service into memorable experiences. At Kennards, we actively seek feedback and use it to refine our offerings. With every new project we reflect and learn from the past, to improve the offer. Whether it’s improving our digital and in-store customer flow, enhancing security features, or simplifying the overall service experience, we’re constantly Listening to customers is another cornerstone of Blanchard’s approach.
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WHO’S WHO
TEAM MEMBER PROFILES
Kooper Benstead Assistant Manager - Warana & Baringa QLD Tell us about your career background: I worked in hospitality at Dominos for seven years. When I first started at Dominos, I was an e-bike Delivery Rider then promoted to luxury and got to drive instead! After one year of delivering pizza’s, I was promoted to Shift Supervisor and because I was so fantastic at my job, I was promoted again to Manager in Training, then two years later was promoted to Assistant Manager. I was assistant Manager for almost two years before joining the KSS Family. What do you enjoy doing when not at KSS? (Hobbies/ Interests)? Playing cards – Crown Royal, Gin Rummy and Frustration. Going to the gym, and hanging out with family. What are you reading now? Nothing at the moment. What are you watching now? Law and order SVU. What favourite foods or restaurant would you recommend? My favourite dish is my grandmothers Seafood Mornay – it is HEAVEN! My most favourite restaurant is Amici in Caloundra. Fantastic Italian cuisine. Where did you grow up and what was it like? I grew up on the Sunshine Coast, it was great being surrounded by my large family, made all weekends and school holidays fun. Favourite hangout people when not at work? My Most favourite human is my partner, Brieanna. Then when I can’t annoy her it's other family members and my pets, three dogs and one cat. Favourite holiday destination or interesting place you’ve been to? I travelled to Fiji in 2012 and 2023 which honestly were amazing trips, especially in 2023 as I was then an adult!
Sandra Lynch Centre Manager - Browns Plains QLD
Tell us about your career background: My first job was with Land Transport in Palmerston North, New Zealand. I then moved on to catering until I moved to Australia with my young family in 2001 and concentrated on them and their education for a year or two, before joining the workforce again. I then worked in Affiliate Marketing and went on to be a Personal Assistant for the CEO at Rural Aid/Buy A Bale. I have been with KSS since November 2022. What do you enjoy doing when not at KSS? (Hobbies/ Interests)? I enjoy doing a wide variety of crafts including candle making and scrapbooking, gardening and spending time at the beach. What are you reading now? Jimmy Barnes – Highways and Byways. What are you watching now? Nothing in particular at the moment, but I love a good comedy or horror movie. What favourite foods or restaurant would you recommend? I don’t have a favourite restaurant, but a couple of favourite foods are pasta dishes and chicken. Where did you grow up and what was it like? I grew up in a small rural town called Feilding in the Manawatu North Island, New Zealand. Feilding has won the annual New Zealand's Most Beautiful Town Award 16 times. Favourite hangout people when not at work? Love family time with my three children, their partners and my five grandchildren. Favourite holiday destination or interesting place you’ve been to? Going back home to New Zealand to spend time with family and friends.
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WHO’S WHO
10 QUESTIONS... With Amy Ferguson - Warana Manager, QLD
England, America, France, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
What/who are you thankful for whilst working for KSS? When I first started with Kennards I had gone through a major life event. It wasn’t until I started at KSS that I really started to grow. This amazing company has helped me grow professionally and personally. PEP was a massive eye opener for me and that was the final line that I needed to cross to continue to grow. So, these are the people in my time of working for KSS that I am truly thankful for: me under his wing and gave me so much support through the years. THQ – My goodness the work they do and what they fix is incredible. I honestly take my hat off to everyone at THQ for everything they do! Geoff Turner – Manager at Kunda Park who I worked with at Warana for a few years and who really helped me grow professionally within KSS. John Colman – Manager at Baringa who started at Warana, who came in and even though no storage experience behind him helped me see different paths and again allowed me to continue to achieve. Kellie Robley – Having my back and seeing how much I had grown, giving me the confidence, and finally, a promotion to Manager after nine years with the company. Nicole Bergan – Keeping me on track and being a great support when needed. Lastly, I’m thankful for Sam Kennard. Without his dedication to continuing his father’s legacy, KSS wouldn’t be what it is today. His vision and values shape what KSS stands for, and being part of that legacy is a big reason why I am so grateful to work for such a well-respected, household name. No, I am not brown-nosing. Glen Bayley – for giving me the chance. Glen D’Souza – Trainer who really took
L to R: Amy with her Fiancé Ricky and Daughters eldest, Miella and baby Molly.
How long have you been with KSS and what year did you start your journey with us? I have been with KSS for 11 years. My very first day was February 4th, 2014. What centres have you worked at? I have worked at Kunda Park, Warana, Maroochydore, Baringa and Northlakes. We have such a broad range of people, and every day is different. I love meeting new people and learning about peoples walks of life. And honestly how can we not love the people we work with. Over your 11 years with KSS what would be the biggest changes you have seen? I love that KSS has been pretty stream- line through-out the 11 years. The biggest change during that time that has really stuck with me is losing that control of pricing where we adjust the rates ourselves. Name a person in your life who has inspired you both professionally and personally? What do you enjoy most about working at KSS?
Honestly, and so cliché to say, but my parents. I saw how hard they have worked in their lives to ensure a great upbringing for myself and my siblings. They showed me what you can achieve with hard work and dedication. What does Kennards mean to you? To me, Kennards means opportu- nity, growth and belonging. It’s more than just a workplace. It’s a place where I’ve been able to develop both professionally and personally. I genuinely care about the work we do, the people I work with and the values the company stands for. Being part of the Kennards team gives me a real sense of purpose and pride. What activities do you enjoy outside of work? I love going out and exploring and looking from behind the lens of a camera. Where have you travelled to outside of Australia? I have been to many countries, mostly while I was young. Bali, Thailand, Japan, Ireland,
To sum up KSS in one word? Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Or FREEDOM!
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FEATURE
UNITED STATES - SSA CONFERENCE 2025
Each September, the US Self Storage Association (SSA) Conference is held in Las Vegas, drawing operators and industry leaders from around the world. Kennards Self Storage has attended for many years to discover what’s new, learn about emerging trends, and gain insights from the largest self storage market globally. ‘ A major theme of the conference was the Top left, L to R: Darren Marshall (COO, KSS), Kim Wetzel (District Mgr, ES) Andrew Kirkham (NZ Ops Mgr, KSS) and Sam Kennard (CEO, KSS). Top right, L to R: The StorQuest Team with Andrew Kirkham (NZ Ops Mgr, KSS) and Darren Marshall (COO, KSS).
T his year, Sam Kennard, Andrew Kirkham, and I attended the event, which celebrated a signifi- cant milestone: the SSA’s 50th anniver- sary since its founding in 1975. The occasion brought thoughtful reflec- tions from industry pioneers—many of whom built some of the world’s largest storage operators. They shared how the sector has evolved over five decades, from its humble beginnings to the sophisticated, technology-driven industry it is today. gence (AI). Many US operators are integrating AI into their operations— starting with simple tasks like handling service calls about opening hours or processing payments. Some are even experimenting with AI-driven enquiry management. However, the consensus was clear: AI won’t replace people but will enable teams to do more with less. Another highlight was the release of the latest US Self Storage Demand Study. Conducted every two years, it provides A major theme of the conference was the growing influence of Artificial Intelli-
valuable insights into customer behaviour and awareness. Utilisa- tion of storage among the population has grown from 9% in 2005 to 12% in 2025, with customers renting larger units and storing for longer periods. Younger demographics are increas- ingly turning to storage, possibly reflecting rising housing costs. Key decision factors for storage remain consistent: 24/7 access, secure gate entry, and convenient payment options. Interestingly, most customers still prefer facilities with an on-site manager over fully remote operations. The US market overall has softened, with occupancy and rates down year-on-year, impacting revenue growth. However, the sentiment was optimistic—industry leaders view this as a cyclical adjustment rather than a long-term decline. Beyond the conference, we had time with Extra Space Storage. In Salt Lake City, the largest US operator with over 4,000 facilities across 43 states, discussing markets and all facets of
operations. We also spent valuable time with the team at StorQuest, operated by the William Warren Group, which manages more than 200 locations nationwide, touring their properties in the Los Angeles market. ‘ growing influence of Artificial Intelli- gence (AI). Many US operators are integrating AI into their operations We remain grateful for the generosity and openness of our US counterparts. These experiences and shared insights continue to inspire us and help Kennards grow as a stronger and better business. Darren Marshall Chief Operating Officer
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FEATURE
CULTURE WINS!
"I wanted to take a moment to share my recent experience with Owen, Nigel and Ashley at Blaxland Road Kennards Campbelltown. Their service was exceptional, and I was particularly impressed with their dedication. They went out of their way, taking the time to answer all my questions and providing valuable advice. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of storage solutions." "Excellent service at Warrawong, Maria was very helpful considerate and professional in all matters. We came down to see the storage and signed up straight away, so easy, thanks Maria" "After looking into storage options on the coast - KSS in Kunda Park were excellent for location, price, accessibility, products and customer service. The whole process was simple and Darryl had me moving in no time. Highly recommend KSS Kunda Park - Darryl & Geoff providing a compre- hensive solution for your storage needs." "Lily was very friendly and accommodating when we wanted to come and inspect some storage at Maribyrnong. Would highly recommend dealing with Lily. A joy to deal with." "Every part of the process was easy and simple. Everyone was friendly and helpful and the prices were excellent. I can only say good things about my experience and would happily recommend Kennards Hastings to anyone. Cheers."
L to R: Phil Rayner (NSW/ACT Ops Mgr), Jelena Stricevic ((NSW Ops Mgr), Antone Boustani (NSW Ops Mgr), Fiona Harding (Head of Business Development), Darryl Hodgson (Head of People and Engagement) and Jared Mobbs (NSW Ops Mgr).
S ome of the team recently had the pleasure of attending the 27th Human Synergistics Culture and Leadership Conference at the ICC in Sydney. Kennards Self Storage was honoured to receive the 2025 Human Synergistics Sustaina - bility Culture Award, a recognition that belongs to every single member of our team. For more than 27 years, we’ve been measuring and nurturing our culture with Human Synergistics, knowing that lasting success depends on building something sustainable. Our construc- tive mindset shapes every decision, fuels innovation and encourages open, healthy conversations. At Kennards Self Storage, we hold each other accountable and deliberately choose constructive paths: Achievement over Competi- tion, Self-Actualizing over Approval,
Humanistic-Encouraging over Power and Perfectionism, and Affiliative over Avoidance. The result is a workplace that is positive, healthy and inspiring. A place to build a career, contribute to shared success, and thrive with balance and wellbeing. Importantly, we believe great work shouldn’t come at the cost of personal time. Our culture supports true work– life balance, enabling our people to succeed at work without taking work home, enjoying life outside the business just as much as within it. This award reflects the passion and commitment of our people. Working in a business that empowers its teams, values their voices and fosters growth. Culture can be managed, and at Kennards, it’s what makes us who we are. Darryl Hodgson Head of People & Engagement
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FEATURE
THE JOURNEY SO FAR – FROM NMS TO KSS
July 1st, 2025, was a big day when National Mini Storage officially became part of the Kennards Self Storage family. Having been with National Mini as Operations Manager looking after 13 centres, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. Change can feel a bit unsettling at the best of times, and with new people, new systems, and new ways of doing things, I thought it might take a while to find our feet.
The focus so far has really been on introductions, training and alignment, all at a steady pace that’s allowed us to learn and adapt without feeling rushed. One of the first changes we noticed was the introduction of the Kennards merchandise range. Suddenly our offices were filled with colour, and our customers now have more variety and choice. It’s been a small but fun change that’s made a big difference. What I’ve really appreciated is the message from Kennards leadership: don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s okay to make mistakes, and always back yourself to do what’s right for the customer and the business. That encouragement has gone a long way in building confidence through the change. As I write this, 10 of our 13 centres are now running on Kennards systems, with the last three about to follow. We’re already seeing the benefits, especially with the Atlas platform and the speed at which information and reporting is available. On a personal level, this journey has been energising. I’ve learned new systems, connected with new people and gained fresh perspective on how a larger organisation works, all while still doing what I love, supporting our teams and helping them deliver the best outcomes for our customers. It feels like the start of an exciting new chapter, and I’m genuinely looking forward to what’s ahead as part of the Kennards family.
L to R: Ammynah Kezo (Parnell), Alisha Keoghan (Site Manager Newmarket, Parnell, New Lynn) and Saia Pahulu (Parnell) at the 2025 NZ Achievement Dinner.
W hat I’ve found instead is that the Kennards team has been nothing but welcoming from day one. I’ve had what feels like a never-ending stream of questions, who looks after what, how does this system work, what’s the process for that… and not once has it felt like too much to ask. Every interaction has been met with patience and support, which has made the transition far easier than I imagined. We’ve already had a few great opportunities to meet people across the Kennards team, from a welcome dinner through to being part of the annual Achievement Dinner. Those events weren’t just nice to have, they really made us feel included and part of the bigger picture.
Of course, there are some differences in how things are done, but for the most part the two companies feel very similar.
Matthew Garelli NZ Operations Manager
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FEATURE
PAINT THE TOWN BLUE ROUND 3
showcase the dedication, ownership, and genuine care that set Kennards apart. More than that, they highlight the FREEDOM we have to make each centre our own: to lead with pride, add our personality, and turn everyday moments into something truly special for our customers.
Growth and Resilience – Adam Snowdon Adam shared the transformation of his centre, turning it from a performance- challenged site into a high-performing one in just months. With persistence, teamwork, and a lot of passion (and paint!), His story showed how grit and focus can turn challenges into real wins. success isn’t always about numbers or upgrades, it’s about people. The friendships built with customers, the conversations shared, and the trust earned are the heart of what makes Kennards different. These relationships turn storage into something more: community. What Round 3 Taught Us This round showed us that little wins stack up into big ones, and that teamwork, care, and innovation shine through in every centre, every day. Thanks to everyone who shared, and to those creating wins even if you didn’t post. Paint the Town Blue isn’t just about celebrating, it’s about inspiring each other to keep going and growing. Kev Ward, our 73-year-old Goulburn customer said it best: “Be honest to yourself, care for others AND yourself. Please and thank you go a long way.” Connection that Lasts – Madi Williams Madi’s story reminded us that
A few of the stories we loved this round:
Compassion in Action – Dana Pinkerton Dana reminded us that storage isn’t just about units and locks, it can be about something much bigger. Her story of supporting a customer escaping Domestic Violence highlighted the deep compassion that lives within our culture. In moments where safety and dignity mean everything, Dana showed that listening, caring, and providing solutions can be life changing. Handy Skills, Big Impact – Charles Shepherd Charles demonstrated the value of rolling up your sleeves and tackling challenges head-on. From fixing doors to laying carpet, his “have-a-go” approach keeps our centres running smoothly and lifts team spirit. It’s a great example of how the extra mile, no matter how small it seems, creates better experiences for our customers and our people alike, keeping presen- tation forefront and not having any down time in waiting for tradesman. Thinking Outside the Box – Maria Loo When a customer accidentally locked his phone, car keys, and padlock keys inside his unit, Maria could have reached for the bolt cutters, but instead, she got creative. Using a couple of long metal rods managed to fish the keys out through the door. The customer was amazed, joking it was like a magic trick. Maria’s quick thinking saved him money and turned a potential headache into a moment of delight.
Our Winner of Round 3 - Charles Shepherd TSM for Victoria I f Round 2 was all about our customers sharing their stories, Round 3 put the spotlight back on you, our teams, and the incredible wins that happen every single day at Kennards. This round reminded us that success comes in many forms, and that behind every story is a team member making a real impact. We asked you to share the moments that made you proud, whether it was going above and beyond for a customer, smashing a milestone, introducing an idea or innovation that made life easier, or simply celebrating the small wins that brightened your week. To help spark inspiration, we encour- aged stories of innovation and improvements, progress in sales and occupancy, personal or team growth, problem-solving wins, and customer moments that created Raving Fans. Customers often tell us that our teams manage their centres as if they were their own businesses, and these #PTTB stories prove it. They
And the winner of Round 3?
Congratulations to Charles Shepherd, your story stood out for its impact and authenticity. Keeping the KSS centres you visit sparkling and efficient. Enjoy your $200 gift card, you’ve earned it!
Here’s to more wins in Round 4, we can’t wait!
Nicole Bergan QLD Operations Manager
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FEATURE
STORE WITH PEOPLE WHO CARE “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Sustainable Culture Award - Human Synergistics
These are independent reviews, real voices of customers and industry experts confirming what we already know, that our people are what make Kennards special. Behind every award is a person who cared enough to listen, to solve a problem, to notice a detail that others might miss. These recognitions are proof that our teams across Australia and New Zealand consistently go beyond storage and deliver something bigger, peace of mind. We saw this through a number of posts through our recent #PTTB round. This is just the first step in our Dream 'To Be the Favourite Name in Space'. It’s our job to create a trusted place in people’s lives. • Store With People Who Care : This value lives in every conversation, every welcome at the counter, every late-night support call. • Empowered Teams : When teams can make decisions, customers feel the difference immediately. It’s not about passing the buck; it’s about taking ownership. • Every Detail Counts : From how clean a unit is, to how clearly a solution is explained, the little things add up to big trust. Looking ahead don’t get too comfort- able, these achievements are not the finish line, they are milestones along the way. They show us that our culture of care, teamwork, and attention to detail works. And they remind us that when we live our values, our customers feel it. Keep the love alive!
"The Kennards Three Kings team is fantastic. My first experience with them was when I stored my personal belongings for a couple of months. The full process was a lot easier than I ever expected it to be. Signing up was a simple online process and they had a portal I could log in to and manage my space. I was particularly impressed by how easy it was to close my locker at the end—a single call and it was all done. I cancelled in the middle of my payment cycle and they refunded the money for the remaining days. That was a pleasant surprise and such a customer-friendly policy. And because I had a great experience personally, I’ve now signed my employer up for a bigger storage space with Kennards Three Kings. Their pricing is extremely reasonable, the communication is fantastic, and the space itself is really well maintained. Would absolutely recommend this place." "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding service provided by Russell at Moorebank. From the moment we arrived, he went above and beyond to assist us with professionalism, patience, and genuine care. His attention to detail, clear communi- cation, and friendly attitude made the entire process smooth and stress-free. It’s rare to come across someone who truly enjoys helping customers and takes such pride in their work — Russell is one of those people. His customer service is simply exceptional, and I genuinely believe he should be in a leader- ship role. Kennards Storage is very fortunate to have him on their team. Highly recommended — thank you Russell."
A t Kennards Self Storage, this timeless truth about customer service is at the heart of everything we do. It’s not the locks, gates, the price, or even the orange doors that customers remember most, it’s how our people make them feel: valued, respected, and cared for, and this year, that commitment has been recognised in a big way. In 2025, Kennards Self Storage has proudly achieved an outstanding number of independent awards! Team Member Chris Sanson outside Kennards Self Storage Cleveland, QLD
Canstar Most Satisfied Customer - Australia
Canstar Most Satisfied Customer - New Zealand
Canstar Most Satisfied Small Business Customers - Australia
Quality Service Award - Readers Digest Gold
Fiona harding Head of Business Development & Partnerships
Finder Top Brands - Most Trusted Brand
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FEATURE
2025 CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS
Another great year of Achievement Dinner celebrations across New Zealand, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales/ACT. T his was a special year with the addition of the National Mini Storage (NMS) centres in to the
T he NSW venue was superb, overlooking Darling Harbour on a beautiful clear night, made even more special by the celebration of achieve- ments by Team Members. A huge congratulations to all the award winners across NSW/ACT! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence truly shone through, and we’re proud to celebrate your achievements. Well done to our incredible Southern NSW/ACT Team Members and thank you for making the journey up to attend the night. In true Achievement Dinner style every host did a great job in presenting their segments. I just never knew we had so many talented comedians and actors in the business. Not to mention being treated to two Hollywood A listers during the night! Phil Rayner NSW/ACT Operations Manager Length of Service 5 years Aaron Petty - Newcastle Lorena Yepes Rojas - Artarmon2 Alison Wait - Castle Hill Craig Maguire - TSM NSW The awards nights are such a great event to recognise all the teams efforts over the year. We look forward to celebrating more achievements and milestones in 2026. NSW/ACT Kennards Self Storage portfolio. Even more special was having the NMS team join in the achievement celebra- tions in New Zealand. We saw an outstanding 27 team members receive Service Awards; 5,10,15,20 and 25 Years of Service.
NSW Gold SCOTY Award recipients NSW: L to R: Presenters Jared Mobbs and Jelena Stricevic (Ops Mgrs), Dennis Flack (Petersham), Ellis Cooper-Frater (Petersham), Amber Xiao (Gladesville), Phillip Gallop (Wetherill Park), Varsha Samji (Pymble), Lesley Fitzpatrick (Box Hill) Leanne Nassif ( Artarmon2), Emily Kavvalos (Hoxton Park), Steve Janson (Pymble), Aaron Petty (Newcastle West), Michael Pandel (Newcastle West), Jyoti Sengupta (Hoxton Park) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
Length of Service 10 years Ophelia Keshishian - CCC Craig Henery - THQ Scott Findlay - Mittagong Diana Moore - Cardiff Leng Tang - THQ Length of Service 15 years Gary Stephenson - Gladesville Neil Pardoe - Penrith
SCOTY Overall Commitment to Operational
Excellence Wollongong
Commitment to Occupancy Growth Box Hill
Commitment to Sustainable Business Performance Nowra Nowra2 Warrawong
Length of Service 20 years Michael Micheledt - THQ
Fiona Harding - THQ Darryl Hodgson - THQ
Special Distinction Cardiff
Length of Service 25 years Steve Jansen - Pymble
SCOTY GOLD Wollongong Artarmon2 Penrith Pymble Moorebank Box Hill Hoxton Park Thornleigh Gladesville Guildford Newcastle Mayfield Wetherill Park Petersham
FREEDOM Certificates Kylie Mercer - Sandgate Kathleen Crawford - Warriewood
Rookie Of The Year Alberto Lavenuta - TSM/NSW
FREEDOM Awards Bronwyn Maugavao - Minto Chris Hangan - Rozelle
Raving Fans Award Box Hill
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FEATURE
2025 Celebrating Achievements
New Zealand
Antone Boustani (NSW Ops Mgr) congratulating Lorena Yepes Rojas for 5 Years of Service
New Zealand Award recipients: L to R: Presenter Darren Marshall (THQ), Maree Sullivan (Napier), Gary Stone (TSM AKL) - FREEDOM Certificate, Daniel Bray (Wairau Valley) - SCOTY Certificate, Alisha Keoghan (Newmarket) - SCOTY Certificate, Michael Logue (Hobsonville), Tracy Singer (Hobsonville), Shane Taylor (Hobsonville), Jasmine Karsten (Hobsonville) - SCOTY Certificate, Mary Whilttaker (Wairau Valley) - SCOTY Certificate, Katie Jones (Three Kings) - SCOTY Gold, Beena Rani (Three Kings), Presenter Andrew Kirkham (THQ), Raewyn Hawkins (Wellington) - FREEDOM Award and Presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
Left: Darren Marshall (COO) and second from right: Sam Kennard (CEO) congratulating Craig Henery (THQ), Ophelia Keshishian (CCC) and Scott Findlay (Mittagong) for 10 Years of Service
T he NZ Achievement Dinner was a wonderful event hosted at the Sky City Hotel in Auckland. It provided a great opportunity to show a combined recognition of both the KSS and NMS teams that evening. It was also a pleasure to have Sam, Darren, and Tony from THQ in attendance. We honored Years of Service, celebrated Rookie and Freedom Awards and Certificates, and SCOTY Awards, acknowledging the teams outstanding achievements. A heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients, it was pleasing to witness the applause and admiration from everyone present. With the integration of the NMS sites into KSS systems and Best Practices this year, I am very optimistic that next year's NZ Achievement Dinner will feature even more recognition. Andrew Kirkham NZ Operations Manager Length of Service 5 years Olivia Clough - Albany 1 & 2 & Auckland CBD Maanaima Uati - Ormiston & East Tamaki
Ayesha Kuraia - Penrose
Length of Service 10 years Mike Logue - Henderson & Hobsonville
Raving Fans Awards Napier
Sam Kennard (CEO) congratulating Darryl Hodgson (THQ), Fiona Harding (THQ) and Michael Micheledt (THQ) for 20 Years of Service
FREEDOM Certificates Garry Stone - TSM/NZ
FREEDOM Awards Raewyn Hawkins - Wellington
SCOTY Overall Commitment to Operational
Excellence Three Kings
Special Distinction Operational Performance Based on the NMS BSC
Sam Kennard (CEO) congratulating Steve Jansen (Pymble) for 25 Years of Service
Newmarket Henderson
Commitment to Occupancy Growth Wairau Valley
SCOTY GOLD Three Kings Napier
Left: Darryl Hodgson (THQ) and far right, Sam Kennard (CEO) presenting The FREEDOM Award in NSW/ACT to Chris Hangan (Rozelle) and Bronwyn Maugavao (Minto)
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FEATURE
2025 Celebrating Achievements
Victoria
L to R: Presenter Darren Marshall (COO), Sasha Veselinovic (Vermont), Zack Grimley (Pakenham), Matthew Harder (Pakenham), Nathan Nice (Port Melbourne), Wayne Abdilla (Port Melbourne), David Collins (Port Melbourne), Michael Cimoli (Vermont) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO) with the SCOTY Gold Award recipients.
2025 KSS Victorian Team - Top Row L to R: Matthew Harder (Pakenham), Michael Cimoli (Vermont), Luke Thyer (TSM), Jay Subramaniam (Huntingdale), Azam Muhammad (Truganina), Nikki De Iacovo (Huntingdale), Lily Newport (Maribyrnong), Sasha Veselinovic (Vermont), Cristin Tunnicliffe (TSM), Keenan Mowat (Ops Mgr), Michael Burnett (North Melbourne), Suzanne Schuback (North Melbourne), Shane Vallence (Truganina), Sam Soma (Springvale), Andrew Nelson (Roxburgh Park), Wayne Abdilla (Port Melbourne), Nathan Nice (Port Melbourne), Darren Marshall (COO), David Collins (Port Melbourne), Sean Keenan (Hawthorn), Adam Kniese (Hawthorn), Rebecca Hammon (Preston), Daniel Huntington (Ivanhoe), Dan La (Abottsford1), Kylie Snell (TSM), Bruce More (TSM). Bottom Row L to R: James Ofsia (Cranbourne), Muhammed Ali (Flemington), Charles Shepherd (TSM), Zack Grimley (Pakenham), Tim Brew (Springvale), Sam Kennard (CEO), Sam Grant (Roxburgh Park), Joe Simeone (Cranbourne) and Beth Mafrici (Ops Mgr).
O n Tuesday, August 19th, our Victorian team gathered for our second state-based Achievement Dinner at the Glass Pavilion in the Docklands. The evening was a wonderful celebra- tion of the dedication, hard work, and accomplishments of our team. We were thrilled to award three Gold SCOTYs this year, along with two Commitment to Operational Excellence Awards and one Special Distinction. We also recognised 5 and 10 Years of Service and celebrated Freedom Certif- icates and Awards. The night was filled with laughter, recognition, and many shared stories, showcasing the great culture we continue to foster together. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening so enjoyable. Congratulations once again to all our award recipients, your hard work and achievements set a high standard for us all. Beth Mafrici Vic Operations Manager
Length of Service 5 years Adam Kniese - Hawthorn
FREEDOM Certificate recipient Tim Brew (Springvale).
Length of Service 10 years David Collins - Port Melbourne
Raving Fans Award Port Melbourne
FREEDOM Certificates David Collins - Port Melbourne Tim Brew - Springvale
FREEDOM Awards Wayne Abdilla - Port Melbourne
Wayne Abdilla (Port Melbourne) - FREEDOM Award, David Collins (Port Melbourne) - SCOTY Gold Award and FREEDOM Certificate, and Nathan Nice (Port Melbourne) - Raving Fans Award.
SCOTY Overall Commitment to Operational Excellenc e Vermont Commitment to Sustainable Income Growth Ivanhoe
Special Distinction Pakenham
Michael Cimoli (Vermont) - Special Distinction Certificate and Sasha Veselinovic (Vermont) - SCOTY Gold Award.
SCOTY GOLD Pakenham Port Melbourne Vermont
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FEATURE
2025 Celebrating Achievements
Queensland
Presenters Nicole Bergan (Ops Mgr), Kellie Robley (Ops Mgr) and Sam Kennard (CEO), celebrating 5 Years of Service with Shaun Young (Coorparoo) and presenter Darren Marshall (COO).
L to R: Presenters Kellie Robley (Ops Mgr) and Nicole Bergan (Ops Mgr), with QLD SCOTY Gold recipients Nilesh Rawal (Milton), presenter Sam Kennard (CEO), Shruti Raval (Yeerongpilly), Daniel Ellis (Yeerongpilly) and presenter Darren Marshall (COO).
A wonderful evening was had at our QLD Achievement Dinner held at The Point Brisbane on Tuesday, August 26th. It is always a pleasure to gather and celebrate the success stories from our State, as well as to hear the enthusiasm from our teams as they aim to reach the podium with their accomplishments. We welcomed our guest MCs from THQ; Thank you Sam, Darren, and Tony for making the night enjoyable and fun. Congratulations to all the award recipi- ents from the evening; it was heartening to see the Freedom Certificate and Freedom Award winners, chosen by their peers, accepted with such humility, recognising that we achieve as a team and support one another. Every team is dedicated to achieving through profit, cleanliness and service, and we value the efforts of all centres throughout the year. We look forward to this event each year and feel privileged to spend the evening with such an incred- ible group of humans.
Shaun Young - Coorparoo
Raving Fans Award West end
Presenters Nicole Bergan (Ops Mgr) and Kellie Robley (Ops Mgr) with Raving Fans recipients Howard Polar (West End), Gordon Lyere (West End) and presenter Tony Vuong (Head of Ops).
FREEDOM Certificates Ray Adams - Yarrabilba Dana Pinkerton - Maroochydore Nilesh Rawal - Milton
FREEDOM Awards Reanna Moore - North Lakes
SCOTY Commitment to Sustainable Income Growth Fortitude Valley Overall Commitment to Operational Excellence North Lakes
Sam Kennard (CEO) with SCOTY Certificate recipients Lisa Dorman and Chris Bellikoff (Southport) and presenter Darren Marshall (COO).
Commitment to Sustainable Business Performance Southport
Special Distinction Murrarie
SCOTY GOLD Cleveland
Nicole Bergan & Kellie Robley QLD Operations Managers
Yeerongpilly North Lakes Virginia
Sam Kennard (CEO) and Dana Pinkerton (Maroochydore), FREEDOM Certificate recipient and presenter Nicole Bergan (Ops Mgr).
Length of Service 10 years Nerissa Rankin - Virginia
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FEATURE
2025 Celebrating Achievements
South Australia
A huge thank you to the South Australian team for attending our 2025 Achievement Dinner. It was a fantastic night with lots of food, laughs, great times and beautiful people. Firstly, I would like to thank our South Australian team on a great year, the award recognition shows huge improvements and lots of success stories. I'm very proud of all of you and I'm sure the F26 year will be even bigger. Big Congratulations to the 5 and 10 Years of Service recipients, SCOTY Award recipients, Freedom Certificates and Raving Fans Awards.
L to R: Presenter Darren Marshall (COO) with SA SCOTY Gold recipients - Andrew Burgess and Warren Evans (Adelaide CBD), Alison Mitchell and Adam Scott (Seaford Meadows), Boris Hoth and Alan Burvill (Adelaide Airport), Melanie Lee (Klemzig), presenter Sam Kennard (CEO) and Owen Grasby (TSM).
We push on team, enjoy!
Anthony Tropiano SA Operations Manager
Length of Service 5 years Darryl Smith - Panorama
Presenter Anthony Tropiano (Ops Mgr) with FREEDOM Certificate recipient Wendy Welton (TSM) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
Congratulating Darryl Smith for 5 Years of Service with presenters Darren Marshall (COO) and Sam Kennard (CEO).
Length of Service 10 years Boris Hoth - Adelaide Airport
Freedom Certificate Wendy Welton - TSM/SA
Raving Fans Award Adelaide CBD
SCOTY Most Improved Adelaide CBD
Presenter Darren Marshall (COO) with SCOTY Certificate recipients Warren Evans and Andrew Burgess (Adelaide CBD) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
Presenter Darren Marshall (COO) acknowledging 10 Years of Service with Boris Hoth (Adelaide Airport) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
Overall Commitment to Operational Excellence Seaford Meadows Commitment to Sustainable Income Growth Croydon Park
SCOTY GOLD Adelaide CBD Seaford Meadows Adelaide Airport Klemzig
Presenter Darren Marshall (COO) with SCOTY Certificate recipients Mansi Mansi and Joshua Bendall (Croydon Park, SA) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
Presenter Darren Marshall (COO) with SCOTY Certificate recipients Alison Mitchell and Adam Scott (Seaford Meadows) and presenter Sam Kennard (CEO).
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FEATURE
2025 Celebrating Achievements
Antone Boustani (Ops Mgr) acknowledging Neil Pardoe for 15 Years of Service (Penrith NSW).
NZ Achievement Dinner Attendees, front to back, L to R: Troy Kuraia (Maintenance), John Bautista (Papakura), Beena Rani (Three Kings), Sam Kennard (CEO), Jasmine Karsten (Henderson), Caroline Plowman (NZ Projects), Emma Fraser (Mt Eden ), Andrew Kirkham (Ops Mgr), Ziare Pomare (Auckland CBD), Kiran Rehal (Auckland CBD), Sonia Kishore (Takanini), Leiola Prescott (Penrose), Maria Loo (Mt Eden), Raewyn Hawkins (Wellington), Darren Marshall (COO), Mark Joynt (Albany), Cath Marshall ( Hastings ), Clare Senior (Albany), Tracy Singer (Hobsonville), Logan Kingsbeer (Hastings), Aletia Berkland (Newmarket), Michael Logue (Henderson), Paul Buckby (Palmerston North), Tony Vuong (Head of Ops), Maree Sullivan (Napier), Ammynah Kezo (Parnell), Conor Kennedy (THQ), Gary Stone (TSM), Matt Garelli (Ops Mgr), Saia Pahulu (Parnell), Shane Taylor (Henderson), Mary Whittaker (Wairau Valley), Daniel Bray (Wairau Valley), Wayne Brown (THQ), Steve Button (Wellington), Katie Jones (Three Kings), Simon Spring (TSM).
Boris Hoth (Adelaide Airport, SA) - 10 Years Hands in Concrete.
Ophelia Keshishian (CCC), Leng Tang (THQ), Diana Moore (Cardiff), Craig Henery (THQ) and Scott Findlay (Mittagong, NSW) - 10 years Hands in Concrete.
Nerissa Rankin (Virginia, QLD) - 10 Years Hands in Concrete.
David Collins (Port Melbourne, VIC) - 10 years Hands in Concrete.
Mike Logue (Henderson and Hobsonville, NZ) 10 years - Hands in Concrete.
Shaun Young (Coorparoo, QLD) - 10 Years Hands in Concrete.
Raving Fans recipient Maree Sullivan (Napier, NZ) and Tony Vuong (Head of Ops).
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TRAINING
NET AND NATIONAL MINI STORAGE
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to head over to Auckland for two weeks to deliver our New Employee Training (NET) program with the team at National Mini Storage (NMS). It was an exciting opportunity, not just to introduce Kennards’ ways of working, but to meet the NMS team and strengthen the connection post-acquisition.
L to R: Matthew Garelli – (NZ Ops Mgr), Jasmine Karsten (Henderson), Alisha Keoghan (Centre Manager – Parnell, New Lynn and Newmarket), Naima Uati (Ormiston), Leiola Prescott (Penrose), Janice Gwilliam (Albany Titoki), Clare Senior (Albany Titoki), Tracy Singer (Hobsonville), Sonia Kishore (Centre Manager – Takanini, Papakura and Ormiston), Moveen Hussein (Takanini), Troy Kuraia (Maintenance Manager), Josie Kuraia (Newmarket), Nisha Chand (New Lynn), Zaire Pomare (Auckland CBD), Musie Pahulu (Penrose). N ET is much more than a “how-to” course. It’s about setting people up for success by lot of useful discussion. DISC gives us a shared language to recognise different styles, which makes working together Best Practice.
I was genuinely pleased to see so much passion and curiosity come through during the sessions. The level of experience and industry knowledge in the room was energising, and it was inspiring to witness firsthand just how much alignment already existed. By the end of the program, it was clear we had taken an important step forward in the broader change journey. NET provided the National Mini team with more than just an introduction to Kennards, it gave them the chance to ask questions, express opinions and really understand the “why” behind the way we do things. With shared values, a strong customer focus, and a willingness to embrace change, we’re well on our way to building something even stronger in Auckland! Wayne Brown Learning & Development Manager
helping them understand who we are, how we work, and most importantly why we do what we do. We started by exploring the history of Kennards and our Mission Statements: - Create the Space for Change - Store with People who Care - Becoming the Favourite Name in Space These aren’t just words on a wall; they’re the guiding principles that shape the way we interact with customers, support each other, and grow the business. A big part of the program also focused on helping Team Members understand themselves and others better through the DISC framework. For some of the National Mini Team Members, this was completely new and for others, it was a refresher. Either way, it sparked a
smoother and more effective. It also helps us serve our customers better by tailoring our approach.
Of course, NET also covers the nuts and bolts of how we operate at Kennards. We worked through Best Practice standards, shared tools for improving sales conver- sations with the introduction of the Plan To Close (PTC) card. We also touched on important business drivers like financial performance and introduced the Organisational Culture Inventory (OCI), which helps us measure and strengthen the culture we want to build. What stood out most was how much common ground already existed between National Mini Storage and KSS. Their approach to customer sales, operational standards, and teamwork was very familiar. In many cases, it wasn’t about learning something brand new, but rather aligning on language, frameworks, and
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PROPERTY
EXCITING PROGRESS AT CHATSWOOD SMITH ST
Main picture: Photo Montage of the future Stage 2 at Smith Street, Chatswood. A brand-new multi-storey building adjacent to the existing centre.
T here is a buzz in the air on the Lower North Shore in Sydney, as KSS is making strong headway on its latest development in Chatswood. The second Kennards Self Storage in Chatswood, the Smith Street site is on track to open February 2026. The previous Disaster Recovery Centre for Westpac, purchased by KSS in mid-July 2024, is well on its way to being converted into the North Shore’s newest place to store. Its key location, adjacent to Bunnings and a small shopping precinct, offers excellent visibility and accessibility. Importantly, it sits just a few hundred metres from the existing KSS Chatswood, Mann Street centre, a site that has historically performed well. Stage 1 at Smith Street is underway and involves the conversion of the existing five-storey building into a fully functional self-storage centre. The building’s structure lends itself well to
adaptive reuse, allowing a conver- sion that maximises the rentable floor space, while maintaining high standards of safety and design. The centre’s showroom will be separate from the storage spaces, located with high visibility on the Smith St entrance. With 400+ units and 4,000 square metres of space to begin, the site looks to eventually grow to over 10,000 square metres. The future Stage 2 will see the construction of a brand-new multi- storey building adjacent to the existing centre. This addition will signifi- cantly increase capacity and provide enhanced features tailored to both residential and commercial storage needs. The dual-phase approach not only allows for a quicker initial launch but also ensures long-term scalability. By opening Stage 1 in February, we will be able to begin serving customers while continuing to build out the full vision for the site.
The team has been appointed and are waiting in the wings with antici - pation. A veteran of over 15 years with KSS, Leanne Nassif will be our Centre Manager. Leanne is the current Artarmon, Frederick Street Manager. A returning familiar face rounds out the team in Ammara Tabussum, who previously worked at Brookvale and Artarmon, Pacific Highway. Ammara will spend some time re acclima- tising to Kennards as the Balgowlah Assistant Manager before moving over to Chatswood, Smith Street. With construction progressing steadily and a strong team in place, the Chatswood Smith Street site is shaping up to be a standout addition to the KSS portfolio. KSS is well-positioned to deliver another high-performing centre that meets the evolving storage needs of Sydney’s Lower North Shore!
Jared Mobbs NSW Operations Manager
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