FOR the second year running, a Victorian competitor has taken out the Australian Livestock and Property Agent Association's National Young Auctioneers Competition held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Nick Gray from Elders Ararat sold his way to victory and picked up a trip to Calgary in Canada in the process. He will represent Australia in the international auctioneers competition at the world famous Calgary Stampede in July, which attracts more than one million visitors every year.
It is sure to be the career highlight for Mr Gray, who at 21 years-of-age, has been selling for three years.
He grew up on a mixed sheep and beef farm at Malmsbury and his interest in selling livestock was sparked by trips to the nearby Kyneton saleyards, where he was immediately "intrigued".
Mr Gray did an 18-month traineeship at Elders Kyneton, with Wendy and Brendan Coxon at the helm and is now a territory sales manager for Elders, based at Ararat.
He sells sheep at Ballarat's weekly sheep sales and in the lead up to the national competition, called prime cattle sales at Warrnambool.
Usually his toughest critic, Mr Gray was pleased with his performance when he stepped down from the helm at Sydney showground's big top arena, where hundreds of people crowded in to watch the competition.
"I was super excited when the results were announced because it felt like a very close competition," Mr Gray said.
"It (the win) took a day to sink in. It was very surreal."
Fortunately, Mr Gray's parents, twin sister and partner had travelled up from Victoria to see him compete for the first time in Sydney.
He said he gets an adrenaline hit when he's competing and when he strives to get the best result for his clients'' livestock week to week.
Persistence is key to develop auctioneering skills, and Mr Gray encouraged any other young person with an interest in it to be on the front foot and ask for opportunities to have a go at selling.
"And practice, practice, practice, even when you're driving."
He is excited to continue building his client base in and around Ararat and would, one day, like to become a livestock manager or lead auctioneer.
Reserve National winner was Chris Gooch, Ray White Garvin and Cousens, Tamworth, NSW.
