From left – SA winner, Ben Paues, Elders Rural Services, Roseworthy, and runner-up, Nathan McCarthy, Elders Rural Services, Lucindale; Victorian winner, Austin Gerhardy, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Yea and runner-up James Robbins, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Sale, and; Brian Rodwell Encouragement Award winner Trent Severino, TB White & Sons, Ballarat.

WINNERS of the Victorian and South Australian young auctioneers competitions were decided at the Western Victorian Livestock Exchange at Mortlake in Victoria recently.

The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association said the 2026 ALPA Southern Young Auctioneers Competitions showcased the skill, professionalism and confidence of emerging talent from the two states.

The competition finalists sold commercial cattle in front of experienced buyers and an industry crowd to test their skills in a genuine selling environment where every bid mattered and competitors were challenged to deliver the best possible result for the vendor, ALPA said.

After a highly competitive South Australian final, Ben Paues, Elders Rural Services, Roseworthy was crowned the 2026 ALPA South Australian Young Auctioneer, with Nathan McCarthy, Elders Rural Services, Lucindale taking runner-up honours.

In the Victorian competition, ALPA said Austin Gerhardy, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Yea, delivered an outstanding performance to claim the prestigious Graeme KD Lanyon Shield and the title of 2026 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneer. James Robbins, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Sale was named runner-up following an equally impressive performance.

ALPA chief executive officer Peter Baldwin congratulated all finalists on the standard of auctioneering displayed throughout the competition.

“The quality of auctioneering we saw at Mortlake is a tremendous reflection of the young people coming through our profession.

“These competitors are selling under genuine commercial conditions,” Mr Baldwin said.

“They need to read the buyers, maintain momentum, communicate clearly and work for every last bid for the vendor, all while being judged on their technique, presence and professionalism.

“Every finalist should be extremely proud of the way they represented themselves, their agencies and their states.”

The winners and runners-up will now represent Victoria and South Australia at the 2027 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, where they will compete against the best emerging auctioneers from across Australia.

The competition was the culmination of an important development pathway that began at the combined Victorian and South Australian ALPA Auctioneers School at WVLX in June. Thirty participants attended the two-day school, receiving practical training and mentoring from experienced industry professionals before finalists were selected to progress to the Southern competitions.

The weekend also celebrated the people behind the competitors, with ALPA members, families, mentors and industry supporters coming together for the ALPA Southern Young Auctioneers Dinner at Warrnambool Racing Club. A highlight of the evening was the annual charity auction, which raised $28,025 for ALPA’s charity partner, Rural Aid.

Source – ALPA.