2017 ALPA National YAC winner, Lincoln McKinlay, TopX, left, with runner-up, Jack Hickey, JM Ellis and Co. Picture – ALPA.

TOP young auctioneers competing in the New South Wales and national competitions in Sydney next month have been named.

The young auctioneers from around the country will travel to Sydney to compete in the 2018 Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) NSW & national Young Auctioneers Competitions on Friday March 23.

Ten young auctioneers will compete for the John Weekes Memorial Shield in the the ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition. It is the 30^th year of the state event. The winner of the state title will represent NSW in the 2019 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition.

The NSW finalists are: Ryan Burden, Landmark, Narrandera; Cooper Byrnes, Langlands Hanlon, Parkes; Baden Chaffey, Landmark Townsend, Scone; Scott Hall, Delta Livestock & Property, Wagga Wagga; Jake Lebrocque, Elders, Forbes; Ben McMahon, Lehman Stock & Property, Inverell; Jack Pippin, Spencer & Bennett, Griffith; Tommy Pollard, Elders, Dubbo; Sam Smith, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon & Co, Forbes, and; Brendon White, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon & Co, Forbes.

In the 28^th year of the ALPA national competition, eight national finalists will compete for the Prosser Cup. The winner will go on to represent Australia for an opportunity of a lifetime in the International Livestock Auctioneers Competition at the Calgary Stampede, Canada. Reigning champions Queensland will also have to defend their title for the NAB Agribusiness Team Shield. The shield is awarded to the state with the highest combined point score.

National competitors include Hamish McGeoch, Landmark, Wagga Wagga, NSW; Sam Gemmell, Elders, Cootamundra, NSW; Nick Shorten, GDL, Roma, QLD; Andrew Carcary, GDL, Blackall, QLD; Murray Bennett, Landmark, Wangaratta, VIC; Joe Allen, Elders, Euroa, VIC; Jack Coleman, Elders, Jamestown, SA, and; Conor Lamond, Elders, Burra, SA.

The day will begin at midday in the Big Top Amphitheatre at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Regional Water, and Minister for Trade and Industry, Niall Blair, will open the event.

ALPA said the auctioneers competitions are a culmination of the hard work put in by Australia’s young auctioneers, including enrolling in ALPA’s auctioneering schools and practicing at their local saleyards.

ALPA chief executive officer, Andy Madigan, said the knowledge and skills the young auctioneers bring to the competitions is outstanding.

“Their professionalism reflects the training and education that ALPA provides across Australia.”

The competitors are assessed on their diction, values, voice and manner by three experienced auctioneers.

On the night before the competitions, ALPA members, industry members and the competitor’s friends and family will gather for the annual ALPA NSW & National Young Auctioneers Competitions dinner. A highlight of the night will be the charity auction, conducted by the 2017 National Young Auctioneers Competition winner, Lincoln McKinlay. This year ALPA will be raising funds to support the work of Legacy Australia, a charity dedicated to caring for the families of our incapacitated and deceased veterans.

The competitions will be livestreamed, with links advertised shortly.

Source: ALPA.