General News
22 June, 2026
Business a lifelong dream for Courtney Wilken
For Courtney Wilken, her business, CPW Realty, has been close to a lifelong dream. The business, which opened recently in Warracknabeal, is directed and owned by Mrs Wilken and provides appraisals, property marketing, and residential sales to customers across the Wimmera.
But it has come to fruition from an early seed, planted when Mrs Wilken was a child.
"When I was in primary school, my parents had a rental unit," Mrs Wilken began to explain.
"One day I was with them at the property when they met the property manager on site.
"I remember thinking 'what a glamorous job!' getting to look at houses all day, and dress fancy.
"My Year Six magazine at school has a record of me saying I want to be a real estate agent when I grow up.
"So this has been a long-term thing for me."
Mrs Wilkens grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Horsham and completed all her schooling locally, first at Lutheran P-6 and then at Horsham College, where she completed her VCE.
Being born and raised in the country has shaped her business and career, and her morals and values have always been the same.
"Relationships over transactions," explained Mrs Wilkens.
"When dealing with me, people can expect no fluff, honesty and a person who gives 100 per cent and isn't in it for numbers.
"I genuinely love what I do."
Mrs Wilkens is local through and through, having grown up in the region and now raising her own family in the Wimmera.
She and her husband have a son, three, and operate a farm based at Tarranyurk.
But it's not all business on the farm; the family also raises some chooks and a couple of mini goats, Bambi and Oreo.
"This time of the year is busy for us with spraying crops and lambing," explains Mrs Wilkens.
"I enjoy spending time here as it reminds me of my childhood, and I feel like I can allow my son to have the same experiences I did as a child.
"I thoroughly enjoy cooking, going for walks, reformer pilates and boxing.
"My family and I do a lot of fishing at Jeparit, Dimboola or Taylors Lake."
Mrs Wilkens' actual career in the sector began after completing Year 10 school work experience at a real estate agency in Horsham.
When she finished her studies in 2015, Mrs Wilkens was offered a full-time position with the agency.
"I had been working at the agency a couple of nights during the week after school in the lead-up to finishing school and starting my full-time position," Mrs Wilkens said.
"I also worked at a local bakery from the age of 15 until leaving school and starting in real estate full-time.
"In 2016, I completed my Agents Representative certificate and worked my way up from receptionist into a property management role.
"In 2021, I moved to a different agency in a property management and sales position."
Mrs Wilkens said this move kick-started her career in sales.
But little did she know her love for the profession wouldn't be the only thing to blossom with change.
"I had not long been with this agency when I met my now husband, Anthony, and then made the move to Warracknabeal, where I started with a different agency and took on a sole sales role," explained Mrs Wilkens.
"In my first year, I had listed and sold over 50 properties, all sourced organically by myself."
But it was always Mrs Wilken's goal to start her own business, and in 2021 the opportunity came up to obtain her full real estate license at no cost.
"This is the ticket you need to run your own agency," Mrs Wilkens said.
"It was a no-brainer for me to do this study."
She might be a business owner now, but Mrs Wilken has not forgotten her humble start, and said the agency she first worked for has shaped her into the agent she is today.
"I started here when I was only 17, very fresh," Mrs Wilkens revealed.
"I made a lot of mistakes in my work and personal life, being young and naive, but they didn't give up on me.
"I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was given."
Like Mrs Wilken's being grateful for that first opportunity, she is also appreciative of Warracknabeal and said that because of that, her entire business model is based around supporting the community locally.
"We need to keep money in Warracknabeal to ensure there is still something here for the next generation, which includes my son," Mrs Wilkens said.
"We have a lovely town where most things are available, and they need to be utilised to ensure doors stay open.
Loud Signs Warracknabeal has created all my logos, and has done and will continue to supply all my product needs.
"Grace Dovaston, another local Mum and business owner, is my photographer.
"Her business is G Dovaston photography.
"All my vendor and seller gifts will be sourced locally.
"I am in the process of speaking with other local business owners to have this arranged and look forward to sharing what we come up with with the public."
Sure, life might be busy for Mrs Wilkens, with a business about to blossom and a family and farm to help manage as well, but in chatting with her, it’s clear she wouldn’t have it any other way.