The 2020 ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneers Competition finalists at Shepparton.

VICTORIA’S latest cohort of top up-and-coming livestock sellers will battle it out in the 2021 ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneers Competition final at Pakenham next week.

From 11:30am on 7 February at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham, nine finalists will have their skills judged live by experienced auctioneers in the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association.

The finalists are Ryan Bajada, Elders Rural Services, Bairnsdale; Ned Balharrie, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ballarat; Jacob Brennan, Mulcahy Nelson Livestock, Tatura; Alister Bright, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ararat; Ryan Carpenter, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ballarat; Joshua Chiavaroli, Elders Rural Services, Korumburra; Harry Cozens, Elders Rural Services, Wodonga; Jack Ginnane, Nutrien Leongatha SGL, Leongatha, and Joshua McDonald, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Warrnambool.

The competition is in its 32nd year after facing a postponement of the competition in September last year due to COVID-19.

ALPA said the longevity of the ALPA Young Auctioneers Competitions is testament to the quality of training and education that the association provides as well as the focus it shines on the future leaders of the industry.

Competitors attended an auctioneer’s school in Echuca where several experienced auctioneers provided feedback on how to improve their auctioneering skills and speech pathologists imparted invaluable advice related to voice conservation and care. he auctioneer school was also the selection grounds for the competition.

The nine finalists will compete for the title of 2021 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 2022 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition, to be held in Sydney at the Royal Easter Show on 8 April.

On the night before the competition, ALPA members, industry members and the competitor’s friends and family will gather for the annual ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneers Dinner to celebrate the talents and hard work of young auctioneers and participate in a charity auction. This year ALPA will be raising funds for Aarons Wish and the Brain Cancer Foundation, in the hope of finding better treatments for brain cancer and hopefully one day a cure.

ALPA CEO Peter Baldwin said the young auctioneer competitions are milestones in the careers of these young rural men and women and the schools bring together young agents into a learning environment with the added bonus that lifelong friendships and strong business contacts are forged.

“The very thesis of the competition is recognition for the young members of our profession who underpin the future of the industry.

“It provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the pride and passion these agents have for their industry, themselves, their employers and families,” he said.

“Historically a launching pad for bigger and better things, participation in the competition nourishes their enthusiasm and dedication towards developing their rare talent, in an ethical and businesslike way.”

Click here to access the competition livestream on Monday.