TEN young stock and station agents from across Queensland showcased their auctioneering talent at the 2017 Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition at the Royal Queensland Show last Friday.

Each competitor was selected at an ALPA auctioneers school held in Rockhampton earlier in the year.

The two-day auctioneers school provided young auctioneers with an opportunity to develop and improve their auctioneering skills. Attendees received constructive feedback from both experienced auctioneers and speech pathologists and were presented with important industry information.

“This year marked 28 years of the ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition,” said Andy Madigan, ALPA CEO.

“It is also the first year we have had a female auctioneer compete in Queensland.”

Each competitor sold three lots in front of an anxious crowd.

The competitors were judged on their diction, values, voice and manner, as well as their presence and unique style, by a panel of respected and experienced auctioneers.

Nick Shorten of GDL in Roma was declared the 2017 ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition winner, ahead of second-placed Andrew Carcary of GDL in Blackall.

Nick and Andrew will represent Queensland at the 2018 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The night before the competition, a record 225 competitor’s friends, family and industry members attended the annual ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition Dinner.

The dinner is a celebration of the young auctioneers and the agency industry.

A highlight of the night was the charity auction, conducted by last year’s ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition winner Jake Smith of Landmark in Roma.

$15,330 was raised at the auction. The funds will be donated to the John Logan Foundation, a not-for-profit charity that offers financial support to people diagnosed with cancer. The Foundation assists by contributing to the cost of prescribed treatments and procedures that are not available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Source: ALPA