Conversation Piece, with Catherine Dixon.

Catherine Dixon is a name synonymous with Sydney real estate, and one of the country’s top-performing agents for years counting. 

Yet for Catherine, meaning is not found in accolades or an elevator pitch. It’s in life’s anchoring moments: time with her daughter, the pull of the ocean and perspective-expanding experiences.

Get to know the colours, character, moments, and mementos that have shaped Catherine, in the inaugural edition of Conversation Piece. Photographed on location in her Potts Point home.

What originally drew you real estate?
I’ve always been fascinated by where people live. Life is a collection of experiences and possessions, and our homes reflect that. From my earliest recollection I wanted to be an interior designer, but when time came to pick a university course I went with the ‘sensible choice’ – a double degree in Arts Law. After graduating I worked in industrial law but soon decided to go back to university and study Architecture. 

What I discovered through this process was that where and how people live determine how they feel about the world, and that often the smallest change in an environment can profoundly affect the happiness of a person. Real estate presented an opportunity to bring all of this together and be in a position to not only meet interesting, new, and exciting people, but also help them find houses and spaces that helped them be happier.  

How does your experience in architecture and law, shape your role as an agent?
It changes the conversation in a few ways. I can see opportunities that others might miss. How to draw in light, how to rethink space, how to improve flow. It’s also given me a deep understanding of what constitutes ‘liveability’ and what a nuanced concept it is. I feel fortunate to understand how the spaces we exist in impact our lives, how we connect, where we spend time, and how we feel. On a practical level, law has given me a pragmatic approach which is essential in real estate and is also beneficial in client conversations and when working with developers, builders, or lawyers.

Paddington is your focus. What do you love about the suburb?
Paddington is layered. The terraces, the history, the way the buildings connect with the streets. There’s a sense of ‘old meets new’ but sometimes, only if you look for it. There’s a lovely sense of community too. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve focused in Paddington for so many years. People know one another and really want to get to know you. 

You lived in Paddington for a number of years. Where do you live now?
After living and working in Paddington for decades I felt like a change. A few years ago, I moved to my apartment in Potts Point. I love being close to everything and knowing that no matter what time of day it is, I can walk outside and there are lots of people around. 

We’re here today in your home. Does it reflect who you are?
While I didn’t plan the design of my home like I have on other properties I have renovated to sell, I did renovate it after purchasing it brand-new off the plan. It’s a collision of who I am and what I love. I often change things around, particularly art. I collect art and my favourite pieces get names, and get sent to have their own holidays on the walls at my home in Bundeena [Sutherland Shire]. There’s always a piece or two on the road! 

Do you have a favourite piece in your home?
I’m not a material person in the sense that I don’t aspire to own a lot of things or covet brands. I don’t shop very often but when I do, I always buy what I like and what I can see lasting for the rest of my life. Besides my art, my favourite things at home would be two blue velvet 1960s armchairs by Carl Erik Klote, that I purchased just after graduating. Besides being amazing to sit in and look at, they remind that when you buy good design and look after it, you don’t need to keep buying replacements every few years.  

Your work is demanding. How do you recharge?
My Instagram bio states that my two favourite things are “leaving Australia and returning” [laughs]. But it should include a third, spending time at my home in Bundeena. After Saturday opens, I travel most weekends there and work in the garden, or just read on the deck overlooking the ocean. Two or three times a year, I go overseas with my daughter and most of the time that involves surfing which is something both of us love. Likewise, I’m at Bondi most mornings waiting on first light for a quick surf. 

Any passion projects?
I surfed when I was younger, but like a lot of women let it go because of the demands of work, family, and life. However, I’m lucky enough to have a daughter (and ex-husband who owns homes in great surf spots around the world) who is a big fan of surfing, so it was easy to be lured back into the water once life became less hectic. 

Getting back on the board hasn’t been easy because my mind still believes it can do what I used to do, but my body refuses. However, it’s far more enjoyable than when I was young because now, I have nothing to prove. I’m happy to trim across a three-foot baby wave on a softie, while my daughter is stepping and doing cutbacks. I enjoy the fact that we are together, doing what we love. I also play tennis with the team, but we are all happy to admit we’re a bit hopeless.

How do you define success?
Success for me is having the freedom and means to do what I love to do – whether that’s at work or during downtime. It means being able to spend as much time with my daughter and family and have as many experiences with them as I can. I don’t count material possessions, lavish houses, or expensive cars as a measure of success. The people I admire the most are those that carry themselves the same way before and after their success. 

Real estate has many ups and downs. How do you keep an even keel? 
This is a skill I’ve had to work at, and I don’t think I’ve mastered it just yet. But what I have learnt is that it can be quite unsettling to move through the industry without any form of emotional anchor. Boundaries as to what you will or won’t invest a great deal of  time and energy into can be helpful. I try to focus on what I know I’m good at; and supporting and building a skilled team who enjoy their work and operate from the same values as I do. My team is very important to me and we’ve worked in the same one for seven years - in real estate that is almost unheard of.

What’s one piece of advice that resonates with you?
Stay in your own lane. Just do what you are good at and keep doing that until something else or a chance for more growth unfurls. Many people in real estate get caught up in what others are doing. I find that distracting and counterproductive.

What does 2026 have in store?
I’d love to tell you if I knew! 2025 has been a huge year for the team and I [with the return to BresicWhitney]. My focus will most likely centre on what underpins my current mindset. Making sure we’re clear on what we’re doing, why it matters, and delivering it to the highest standard.

A book you’re reading, song you’re listening to or place you’re visiting?
I’m reading a funny book called Accomplice to the Villian at the moment. I’ve also rediscovered the genius of Madonna. She’s on repeat, real loud.