The distinctive sale style of young auctioneers was celebrated and enhanced at last week’s Australian Livestock and Property Association (ALPA)’s school and state finalist selection at Bendigo.
The competition was tightly contested and the 10 young auctioneers who will compete in the 2015 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition in September are: Murray Bennett (Landmark Wangaratta), Zeb Broadbent (McKean McGregor
Bendigo), Evan Fernandez (Elders Mildura), Bo Helwig (Corcoran Parker Wodonga), Ben McVean (SKB Rodwells Warrnambool), Blair O'Toole (SKB Rodwells Warrnambool), Tim Pattison (Elders Wycheproof), Dylan Praolini (Southern Grampians Livestock and Real Estate Hamilton), Jamie Quinlan (Elders Pakenham) and Ryan Sargeant (Elders Yea).
Experienced auctioneers Glenn Rea, McKean McGregor & Co Bendigo, Dean Coxon, Elders Kyneton, and Richard Leitch, Landmark Bendigo, made up the judging panel.
An additional 12 young men participated in the auctioneers school, which was up on previous years’ numbers.
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Experienced agents Tom Madden, TB White & Sons Ballarat, and Adam Mountjoy, Rodwells Yea, were on hand to teach the boys and were impressed by their enthusiasm for the industry and commitment to learn.
Mr Mountjoy said increased participation, and their high quality of the group, reflected positivity in the industry.
He said the two-day session set out to train and develop young talent, and they would take the skills back to their home selling centres.
Two speech pathologists Eliza Galvin and Lou Philpott taught the young agents from throughout the state how their voice worked, how professional voice users could support it with breathing and how they can look after their voice to avoid damaging it.
“We definitely see during a two-day school, an enormous change in their techniques and it is very rewarding to see the auctioneers take on our suggestions,” Ms Philpott said.
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Lockington’s Luke McMahon, 19, has worked as an agent with Maddison Livestock and Property for 2.5 years and was excited to participate in the school as a means to branching out to auctioneering.
Mr McMahon grew up on an Echuca mixed farm and is passionate to continue his career in the livestock industry.
“The school and selection has been really good; tips from the experienced boys are invaluable, and we’ve all had some practice,” he said.
“It’s a good way to get started and the main thing I’m taking away from the speech pathologists is how important breathing correctly is when you’re doing it (selling).”
ALPA’s chief executive Andy Madigan said training young auctioneers was vital because they were the future of the industry and the profession.
“There will always be a need for auctioneers because there will always be physical auctioneers, some might have online bidders as well, but they’ll still need people to call the sale.”
