SKB Rodwells auctioneer Ben McVean will compete at the ALPA Victorian competition.

VICTORIA’S top young sheep and cattle auctioneers will have their performances streamed live online for the first time in the 2016 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition.

The competition run by the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association will start at 10:30am on Monday September 19 at the Victorian Livestock Exchange, Pakenham.

Contestants include: Murray Bennett, Landmark Wangaratta; Sam Broomby, Elders, Casterton; Lachlan Collins, Landmark, Echuca; Levi Cornish, Rodwells & Co, Shepparton; Jack Hickey, Elders, Camperdown; Lachlan McAllister, Elders, Bendigo; Ben McVean, SKB Rodwells, Warrnambool; Toby Newnham, Elders, Swan Hill; Dylan Praolini, Southern Grampians Livestock & Real Estate, Hamilton, and; Jamie Quinlan, Elders Pakenham.

The ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition has been running for 27 years. It will be video streamed live following televising of the New South Wales and Queensland competitions.

ALPA chief executive officer Andy Madigan said the beauty of the competition lies in its focus on the future of the industry.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate the passion these competitors have for their industry and to encourage them to continue in their efforts.”

The ten finalists will be competing for the title of 2016 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneer as well as the Graham Lanyon Shield. The winner and runner up will also have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the 2017 ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition national final, held at the 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

A panel of three judges has been selected to identify this year’s winning auctioneer, evaluating each competitor’s diction, values, voice, manner and ability to establish their own presence and a unique style.

The competition is held in partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) and competitors will auction commercial cattle that have been assessed earlier as part of judging at the Royal Melbourne Show Prime Stock Competition.

Each of the competitors attended an auctioneer’s school held in Bendigo earlier this year where several experienced auctioneers gave them feedback on how to improve their auctioneering skills and speech pathologists provided auction specific tips related to voice conservation and care.

The night before the competition, industry members and the competitor’s friends and family will gather for the ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Dinner. This night is a celebration of the young auctioneering talent and a premier event for the agency industry. A highlight will be the charity auction hosted by last year’s ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneer Winner and this year ALPA will be raising funds to support the work of the Black Dog Institute, a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression.

The link for the competition video stream will be advertised here.

Source: ALPA.