A ONCE in a lifetime opportunity to sell in the Main Arena at the Ekka became a career-defining moment for ten of Queensland’s best young auctioneers who competed today in the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association’s 2023 Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition.

It has been four years due to COVID, but it was worth the wait as the competition finally returned to its spiritual home at the Ekka.

2023 ALPA Qld Young Auctioneers competition winner Dustyn Fitzgerald, Queensland Rural, Charters Towers, left, and runner up Simon Kinbacher, GDL Rockhampton

Dustyn Fitzgerald from Queensland Rural, Charters Towers was declared the 2023 ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers champion, earning himself a place in the 2024 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition in Sydney.

Runner up was Simon Kinbacher from GDL Rockhampton who will also represent Queensland in the 2024 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition.

This year’s other finalists were:

• Samuel Clarke, GDL Roma
• Charles Gleeson, Watkins & Co, Roma
• William Hall, Elders, Roma
• Jack Hannah, GDL Miles
• Matt Pearce, GDL Emerald
• Ashley Steel, TopX Roma
• Creeden Weir, Elders Emerald
• Wyatt Wrigley, Eastern Rural Dalby, Dalby

Outside their familiar saleyard environments the competitors were undaunted by the big city lights, a different style of selling and rose to the occasion with an exceptional demonstration of sharp auctioneering talent.

The enthusiastic support from the RNA in collaborating with ALPA in the selling of the led steers ensured this was a great spectacle through the unbridled enthusiasm of the young auctioneers and a commercially successful outcome for the vendors of the cattle in the competition.

Each auctioneer showed great flair, personality and determination in selling three lots of cattle to a strong professional buyers’ ring, in front of a large industry audience and special attendees.

They were judged by three well known industry experts with widespread industry experience and accomplished selling backgrounds.

The judges evaluated their presentation, delivery, diction, voice, manner, knowledge of values as well as their unique command and style in keeping with ALPA’s well documented judging criteria.

ALPA chief executive Peter Baldwin said he knew from the record attendance of 40 auctioneers at the ALPA Auctioneers School at CQLX Gracemere that this year’s was a very good group of young auctioneers.

“At the auctioneer school we reinforced the principles of being an individual, being tenacious, adding polish to the delivery, adapting to the changing market.

“I can proudly say that all ten competitors fulfilled this. We all know nothing beats the sheer electric atmosphere of a livestock auction and these young auctioneers added great value to the whole event by inspiring the next generation and industry peers and significantly attaining highest and best price outcomes for their vendor.”

“This fantastic competition epitomises the skill of the auctioneer and the importance of selling livestock in saleyards together with our unstinting commitment to professional development and education of our up and coming young women and men in this great industry.”

Source: ALPA