The 2019 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneer Competition finalists line up at VLE Pakenham.

2019 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneer Competition winner Joshua McDonald, right and runner-up Thomas Davies.

WARRNAMBOOL stock agent Joshua McDonald has won the ALPA 2019 Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition on his second attempt.

The 22 year-old auctioneer from Rodwells & Co at Warrnambool won the prestigious earlier this week after a selling contest at the Victorian Livestock Exchange.

Wangaratta auctioneer Thomas Davies from Rodwells & Co was named runner up. Joshua was runner-up in the event last year and said he less nervous this year and had been able to get more selling experience in the past year.

The other finalists were Ryan Bajada, Elders, Pakenham; Jacob Brennan, Mulcahy Nelson Livestock,Tatura; Hamish Falla, Landmark Wangaratta; Reiley Murtagh, Corcoran Parker, Wodonga; Michael Robertson, Elders, Pakenham; Will Schilling, DMD, Horsham; Billy Trinder, Landmark East Gippsland Livestock P/L, Bairnsdale, and James Wilson, Rodwells, East Bendigo.

Competition organiser, the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association said Joshua and Thomas will now continue working on their selling styles before representing Victoria at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the 2020 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition.

The winner of the 2020 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition will have the opportunity to represent Australia at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championships held at the Calgary Stampede in Canada.

Ten young stock and station agents from across Victoria showcased their abilities at the ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham on Monday 9 September. The competition is held in partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) and the competitors sold cattle that had been judged in the RASV Prime Stock Competition.

Each of the competitors were selected at an auctioneer’s school held in Echuca earlier this year. Over two days, attendees improved their auctioneering techniques and knowledge of the agency industry. The school is facilitated by experienced auctioneers and industry renowned speech pathologists who instruct the attendees on improving their skills through voice conservation and care.

Retiring ALPA CEO Andy Madigan said the association is passionate about training young stock agents.

“These competitions are a way of investing in the future of our industry and promoting the integral role that stock agents play in the supply chain.”

The competitors were evaluated on their diction, values, voice and manner as well as their ability to establish their own presence and unique style.

The evening before the competition, 90 of the competitor’s family, friends and industry members attended the annual Young Auctioneers Competition Dinner. This premier event celebrates the agency industry and Victoria’s future auctioneering talent. The night’s festivities included a charity auction conducted by 2018 Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition winner and 2019 National Young Auctioneers Competition runner-up, Joe Allen from Elders at Euroa.

Just over $26,000 was raised during the two days and the money will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a not- for- profit charity that offers excellence in aeromedical and primary health care across Australia.