The 2023 ALPA National Young Auctioneers finalists with, from left in the front, runner-up Justin Rohde and winner Harry Waters. Image – ACM.

NEW South Wales stock agent Harry Waters with Elders at Gundagai has won the 2023 Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association’s National Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Runner-up in the national competition last Thursday was Justin Rohde from Nutrien Ag Solutions at Emerald in Queensland.

The winner of the 2023 ALPA New South Wales Young Auctioneers Competition was Michael Purtle from Purtle Plevey Agencies, Manilla, ahead of runner-up Justin Oakenfull from Elders at Inverell. The Max Bailey Encouragement Award was won by Ryan Browne, Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon & Co. at Forbes.

The 2023 ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition finalists with, from lewft in the front row, winner Michael Purtle, runner-up Justin Oakenfull and encouragement award winner Ryan Browne. Image – ACM.

In winning the NSW competition and the John Weekes Memorial Shield, Michael Purtle will now compete in the 2024 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition with Justin Oakenfull.

The NAB Agribusiness Team Shield was hotly contested and was taken by the New South Wales team of Harry Waters, Elders Rural Services, Gundagai and Jake Smith, Ray White Rural, Tenterfield.

ALPA chief executive officer Peter Baldwin said livestock auctioneering is a time honoured and specialised skill. He said ALPA takes great pride in the fact that not only did the young auctioneers deliver highest and best price outcomes for their vendor, they provided inspiration for the next generation.

“This is living testament of the importance of selling livestock in saleyards and our unstinting commitment to professional development and education of our up-and-coming young women and men in this great industry.”

The other NSW-based finalist for the national competition was Jake Smith, Ray White Rural, Tenterfield. The other Queensland finalist was Jake Robinson, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Dalby.

The South Australia finalists were Jack Guy, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Bordertown, and Nathan McCarthy, Elders Rural Services, Lucindale.

Victoria’s finalists for the national competition were Harrison Cozens, Elders Rural Services, Albury, and Jack Ginnane, Nutrien South Gippsland Livestock, Leongatha. The Western Australia finalist was Pearce Watling, Elders Rural Services, Bunbury.

The other 2023 ALPA New South Wales Young Auctioneers Competition finalists included Ryan Browne, Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon & Co., Forbes; Jaiden Burke, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Narrandera; Hamish Fauchon, Davidson Cameron & Co, Coonabarabran; Jesse Gauci, Elders Rural Services, Bathurst; Jack Maloney, T & W McCormack, Casino; Jack Mann, Delta Livestock & Property Young, Young; Justin Oakenfull, Elders Rural Services, Inverell; Henry Pitman, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Bathurst; Michael Purtle, Purtle Plevey Agencies, Manilla, and; Matthew Savins, Elders Rural Services, Scone.

The night before the competitions, a record crowd of more than 370 ALPA members, industry professionals, competitors’ families and friends gathered at the annual ALPA NSW and National Young Auctioneers Dinner to celebrate the talent and achievements of the young auctioneers. A highlight of the night was the charity auction that raised close to $42,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities.