ROMA livestock agent Jake Smith has earned Queensland’s 2016 Young Auctioneer title, after a strong competition involving nine young agents at Brisbane Show on Friday.
This year’s title was fiercely contested but in the end Jake, representing Landmark Roma earned the 2016 title, taking home the Queensland Country Life Shield and earning the right to represent his state at the national titles at Sydney Show next Easter.
Also earning the right compete in Sydney was runner-up, Lincoln McKinlay, from TopX Roma.
Nine young stock agents from across Queensland showcased their auctioneering skills at the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association’s annual competition held at the Ekka.
A capacity crowd attended the competition, held as part of the show’s prime cattle competition sale, with each competitor stepping up to the rail to sell their three lots. All entrants were well-supported by buyers.
Three experienced auctioneers acted as judges, evaluating contestants on their diction, value-knowledge, voice and manner as well as their ability to establish their own presence and deliver in a unique style.
Brisbane’s Young Auctioneers’ competition has been running for 27 years and this year provided another fantastic display of young agency talent.
Each of this year’s competitors were selected at an auctioneer’s school held in Rockhampton earlier in the year. Over two days, attendees learned and improved upon their auctioneering techniques, skill and knowledge of the agency industry. Each school is attended by experienced auctioneers and speech pathologists who instruct the attendees on improving their skills.
“ALPA is passionate about the training of young stock agents,” said Andy Madigan, ALPA’s chief executive. “These competitions are a way of investing in the future of our industry and promoting the integral role that stock agents play in the supply chain.”
“The hard work and training that all the competitors put towards their profession was evident in the high quality auctioneering that was on display at this year’s competition,” said Paul Pratt, chair of ALPA’s Northern regional committee.
The evening before the competition, 200 of the competitor’s friends, colleagues, family and industry stakeholders attended the annual ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers competition dinner. This is a premier event for the agency industry, bringing members together to celebrate the up and coming auctioneering talent that Queensland has to offer.
A charity auction was held during the night, conducted by last year’s Queensland Young Auctioneer Competition winner Jake Passfield, from Hoch & Wilkinson Clermont. The night raised funds to support the work of the Black Dog Institute, a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders including depression. The auction was a tremendous success with over $14,500 being raised.
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