What’s in a name?

RAY WHITE PEGASUS, NZ

Ray White Pegasus is located in the town of Pegasus in New Zealand’s Canterbury Region, and is part of Ray White Morris and Co, run by Stuart and Claire Morris. We checked in with Stuart to find out a bit about the area.

Tell us a bit about the area? New Zealand has so much to offer and Pegasus is no exception. With a beautiful 14 hectare feature lake, over four kilometres of shoreline and 11 sandy beaches, a championship golf course, 100 hectares of natural wetlands and a fabulous beach stretching as far as the eye can see, you’ll enjoy endless opportunities for recreation and entertainment. It’s a vibrant, thriving community with a real sense of safety, freedom and belonging, with everything right on your doorstep”. What Pegasus has to offer is truly unique but don’t take our word for it - come and visit and decide for yourself. It’s our belief that once you have visited Pegasus you won’t want to leave and Ray White Pegasus will be there to help you make it happen, every step of the way.

Do you know how the area got its name? It was the brainchild of developer Bob Robertson - he studied all of the towns and cities he considered successful around the world and brought the key elements together at Pegasus - I believe he named it after Pegasus Bay which is off the coast of Canterbury. The major groundwork started midway through 2006. The first home titles were issued at the start of 2008 and later that year, in September, the first residents moved in. By 2010 the majority of facilities were up and running such as, the general store, Pegasus Lake and the 18-hole Pegasus Golf Course and Sports Club. In 2014 the Waikuku Primary School shut and relocated to Pegasus under the name Pegasus Bay School which caters for students through years 1-8. Originally the community began construction under Bob Robertson of Infinity Group. Todd Property Group purchased the town in December 2012. In 2020, Templeton Group purchased the Pegasus development from Todd Property.

Does Pegasus have any pegasi? None seen as of yet but it is home to a massive variety of wild life - who knows, there could be a flock/herd out there somewhere!

RAY WHITE SUNSHINE, VIC

The name Ray White Sunshine really rings close to “a little ray of sunshine”, but we chatted to Ray White Sunshine business owner Marcus Fregonese to find out whether the sun really is always shining in Sunshine.

Tell me a bit about the area? Sunshine is a rapidly developing suburb located in Melbourne's inner west, about 15 km from the CBD. It’s a diverse and culturally rich area with a unique blend of communities that have called it home for decades. The suburb is particularly known for its strong Vietnamese community, centred around the town's vibrant shopping precinct. Over the years, many European migrants have settled in the area, creating a multicultural melting pot that’s reflected in the local food, festivals, and everyday life. The housing mix in Sunshine is diverse, with a combination of grand period homes, modern townhouses, apartments, and more traditional 80s and 90s-era homes. As the suburb gentrifies, it’s attracting new residents and investors, drawn by its affordability compared to other inner west suburbs.

Do you know how the suburb got its name? Industrialist H.V. McKay purchased the Braybrook Implement Works in 1904, in the area we now know as Sunshine, which at the time was known as Braybrook Junction. The purchase proved to be a fruitful investment with McKay relocating his entire business to the area in 1906. He established housing for workers to live in the area and provided amenities and public infrastructure that attracted significant praise. The area quickly became viewed as a model working-class community. In 1907, workers petitioned to have its name changed to Sunshine in honour of McKay’s Sunshine Harvester Works.

Does Sunshine have a lot of sunshine? Unfortunately, living in Melbourne means the "Sunshine" doesn’t quite live up to its name — it’s more like a cruel joke the weather plays on us. But hey, we’re used to it—like we are with trains and trams running late, and the idea of four seasons in a day!

RAY WHITE DENMARK, WA

While you might have heard of Denmark the country, you can also visit Denmark in Western Australia, a town about 4.5 hours drive south of Perth. We chat to Ray White Denmark director Andrew Barrow to discover if there are any similarities between the two.

Tell us a bit about the area? With a population of more than 6000, Denmark's residents are very diverse and have come from a wide range of areas. Drawn by the mild climate, stunning coastline, and beautiful forests, many people see Denmark as the ideal location to live. A lot of our recent clients have moved from cities and bigger towns, looking for a quieter lifestyle. We had a big influx of interest during Covid, and really haven't looked back since. Greens Pool is one of the most stunning beaches in Australia and is a must when visiting Denmark, the Tree Top Walk is also high on the to do list. There are a heap of great wineries also, with Singlefile, The Lake House and Paul Nelson Wines our top 3. Ducketts Mill is a great spot for a cheese platter and glass of wine, while we're patiently waiting for Mrs Jones cafe to reopen again after major renovations for the best coffee and breakfast in town.

Do you know how the town got its name? Denmark was named after Dr Alexander Denmark in 1829 by Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson, a surgeon with the Royal Navy who, while his ship was laid up in King George III Sound at Albany, decided to explore the coast to the west. The town still has a connection with the descendants of Dr Denmark - with the local historical society keeping in touch with the Denmark family in the US.

Does Denmark WA bear any resemblance to Denmark in Europe? Although a lot of buyers from Europe see similarities to home here in Denmark with our picturesque green hills and cool climate, that's about as close to Denmark in Europe as we get. The recent Women's World Cup last year saw a heap of support from our town for the Denmark national team. Some junior members of our soccer teams were lucky enough to be invited to meet and train with the team in Perth.

RAY WHITE PUNCHBOWL, NSW

The name Punchbowl certainly catches the eye, and Ray White Punchbowl director John Yatman said, like any good punch, Punchbowl had lots to offer.

Tell me a bit about the area? The area boasts a vibrant multicultural community, with strong Lebanese, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Chinese influences amongst many others. This diversity brings an array of fantastic dining options, including local favourites like Jasmines, 2 Smoking Arabs, El-Jannah, 1822 Cafe and Eatery, and Cafe on the Boulevarde.

Do you know how the area got its name? Punchbowl gets its name from a circular valley known as 'The Punchbowl,' located nearby in Belfield, at the intersection of Coronation Parade, Georges River Road, and Punchbowl Road. This unique landmark eventually inspired the name 'Punchbowl’.

Is there a punchbowl in Punchbowl? Or perhaps an abundance of punchbowls? Yep, there's an actual Punchbowl shaped intersection that gave Punchbowl its name—no mystery there! But don't worry, we’ve got plenty of actual punch bowls here, too! I’d bet there’s at least one in every house, just waiting for a party!

RAY WHITE CASHMERE, NZ

Ray White Cashmere is located in the suburb of Cashmere in Christchurch’s south, and is owned by Adam Rogers and Jeff Poulter. We spoke to Adam to find out what makes Cashmere so special, and how the area got its name.

Tell us a bit about the area? Cashmere is one of Christchurch's most sought-after suburbs, located at the base of the Port Hills, offering scenic views and an upscale residential environment. The local Cashmere office was formerly a post office, but has been a real estate office for more than 30 years, and was recently modernised with a refit.

Do you know how the town got its name? The suburb of Cashmere in Christchurch was named after the region of Kashmir (also spelled Cashmere) in India. The name reflects a historical trend where places in Christchurch were given British or colonial names, sometimes inspired by exotic locales. The naming of the suburb coincided with the development of the area on the Port Hills, where it became known for large estates, including homes of prominent families like the Rhodes family, who were influential in the suburb's early days. The name "Cashmere" was likely chosen to evoke the beauty and prestige associated with the Kashmir region, known for its landscapes and luxury textiles.

Is Cashmere known for its cashmere? Like cashmere the textile, Cashmere in Christchurch offers an air of prestige. The area's scenic location on the hills, overlooking the city and Canterbury Plains, has contributed to Cashmere's reputation as a sought-after residential area. As we like to say: “invest in Cashmere, it gives a cosy return".

Other offices with fun names include:

• Ray White Rural Orange, NSW

• Ray White Berry, NSW

• Ray White Colonel Light Gardens, SA

• Ray White Tea Gardens, NSW

• Ray White Casino, NSW

• Ray White Mermaid Waters, QLD

• Ray White Rural Yass, NSW