ALPA 2018 VIC YAC winner Joe Allen, Elders Euroa, left, with runner-up Joshua McDonald, SKB Rodwells Warrnambool.

ELDERS Euroa stock agent Joe Allen has won the 2018 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition at Pakenham.

Warrnambool agent Joshua McDonald from SKB Rodwells was runner-up at the competition, held recently at the Victorian Livestock Exchnage at Pakenham.

Both Joe and Joshua will represent Victoria at the 2019 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The winner of the 2019 ALPA National Competition will have the opportunity to represent Australia at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championships held at the Calgary Stampede in Canada.

Ten stock agents from across the state showcased their auctioneering talent in the 2018 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition. This is the sixth year VLE’s Pakenham exchange has hosted the event.

The competitors were selected at an ALPA auctioneers school held in June at Bendigo. Over two days, the attendees improved their auctioneering skills through voice conservation and care from industry renowned speech pathologists and coaching and training from experienced auctioneers.

ALPA chief executive officer Andy Madigan said training young stock agents is an important part of what ALPA does.

“We are investing in the future of our profession and industry.”

The competitors took their place at the rostrum and sold commercial cattle that were sourced locally by the Pakenham Stock Agents Association. The cattle were judged by Steve Rennie from Coles prior to the competition as part of The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s Prime Stock Competition. A large and excited crowd watched on as each competitor sold their three lots.

The determined competitors were judged by three livestock agents who were selected based on their industry experience and strong selling backgrounds. They evaluated the competitor’s diction, values, voice and manner, as well as unique presence and style.

The night before the competition, competitor’s friends, family and industry members attended the annual ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition Dinner. The dinner is a celebration of the agency industry and the young auctioneer’s achievements. A highlight of the night was the charity auction, conducted by last year’s ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition winner Murray Bennett of Landmark, Wangaratta. The auction and competition raised $20,000, which will be donated to support the work of Legacy Australia, a charity dedicated to caring for the families of our incapacitated and deceased veterans.

Source: ALPA.