Vic double-act win at Sydney

It was the second year running the Rodwells Shepparton agent competed against the nation’s best at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, but the first time he was judged first place.

Mr Howard was joined on the winner’s podium by fellow Victorian competitor Ryan Sargeant, who has been calling auctions for just over a year for Elders Yea.

The one-two result continued the double-act the pair had been doing in recent times, which included winning first and second at the Victorian Young Auctioneer Competition last September.

“Last year was a good stepping stone, so I had a good understanding of what to expect this time around,” Mr Howard said.

“Last year I was nervous, whereas this year I had the speech in my mind and I just stood up and did the best I could.”

The 24-year-old said his former Rodwells and Elders bosses Tony Pianto and Bernie O’Dea had played important mentoring roles early in his career, along with counsel from dairy agent Brian Leslie, who he described as “the best auctioneer in the world”.

Mr Howard’s open-cry career was given a kick start about five years ago when he was thrown in the deep end as a young agent.

“When I first started I just went to work one day at a sale and the boss came over and said ‘you’re up next’, and so I just had to get up and have a go,” he said.

“And then it all comes down to more practice – and a lot of it.”

Mr Howard will pack his bags in June for Canada, where he will compete at the International Auctioneers Competition, held during the iconic Calgary Stampede.

More Sydney Show results in next week's Stock & Land.