Crowders - Where it all began

Back in 1922, a young man by the name of John G. Crowder got his first job in real estate in Suffolk, England. At 17 years old, he was often seen riding his bike through the snow and collecting rent until all hours of the night.

After a few years working in London and completing his exams, John G. Crowder opened his own office in Ipswich, specialising in country houses and holding weekly antique auctions. In 1948 he moved his wife and six children to Australia.

Arriving in Australia and settling into a 50-acre farming property in Baxter. John G. Crowder quickly discovered there was no money to made from farming dairy on such a small plot of land and revisited his early career in real estate. 

After travelling to and from Melbourne for three years, John G. Crowder decided to open his real estate agency with his son, Ian. Feeling threatened, local real estate agents denied his requests in securing some office space, but he then convinced Victoria Railways to allow him a ground lease in Frankston. John G Crowder rove his tractor from Baxter to Frankston each day, clearing the site and helping to build the office.

And so, in 1952, John G. Crowder & Sons Real Estate was born. 

“Right is right and wrong is wrong. There is a right way and a wrong way – and if you don’t mind, I prefer the right way.”

In 1958 Geoffrey Crowder joined, then went on to open the Mount Eliza office in 1965. Crowders soon became the largest and most successful real estate agencies of its time.

Representing the third generation, Geoffrey’s sons Michael, Sam and Tom joined the business along with Ian’s sons, James and Phillip. John G. Crowder continued working in the business well into his eighties.

John G. Crowder & Sons was eventually sold to a private company in 2006. After the sale, all of the Crowders went on to enjoy successful independent careers in their capacity. 

“Stand up for your principles and always be prepared to say what you think, whether it is good for business or not, and whether it makes you popular or not”

Finally, the generational focus of this story – Sam Crowder has gone on to live and work on the Southern Peninsula forging his path and building on his considerable family network. He is proud to pay homage to his family’s legacy by establishing a new generation of Crowders Real Estate on the Southern Peninsula.