IF YOU can find an empty seat in the Big Top Amphitheater at the Sydney Royal Show at noon on April 6 then you are fortunate.
For many spectators who arrive right on start time it’s generally standing room only at the back.
The ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition is a showcase of the best young agents (25 years or younger) from right across the country and it attracts a monster sized crowd every year.
It’s also an opportunity for stock and station agencies to show off their best young talent and promote the professionalism of the industry.
For the individual competitors there’s a big prize up for grabs and the industry recognition which can help fast-track a career.
ALPA chief executive Andy Madigan said from learning at auctioneers’ schools, to competing at a state or national level, auctioneers are provided with the training needed to progress careers.
“The quality of this year’s competitors speaks volumes for the experience and training that ALPA provides to auctioneers,” he said.
“All competitors have attended ALPA auctioneers’ schools to develop their skills and learn from experienced professionals.”
Competitors are judged by a panel of three judges who take into account their diction, values of the stock they sell, voice and manner, as well as their presence and unique style.
The national competition consists of eight competitors (from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia) while 10 young agents battle it out for top place in the state competition.
Up for grabs for the winner of the national competition is a two-week trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with compliments from Quadrant Ag Tours, to represent Australia at the International Auctioneers Competition.
The national winner will also take home the Prosser Cup, a leather product from Tenterfield Saddler, $1000 in prize money and an auctioneer’s gavel.
National competitors also have the chance to win the National Shield sponsored by National Australia Bank Agribusiness, awarded to the state with the highest score.
The winners receive $250 each from ALPA.
In NSW an agent can’t compete in the state competition at the Sydney Royal Show unless they have participated in the auctioneers school held at Randwick, Sydney, in 2016.
This is a two-day intensive training workshop.
The NSW agents for the state competition battle it out for the coveted John Weekes Memorial trophy, $1000 in prize money, a leather product from Tenterfield Saddler and an auctioneer’s gavel.
The runner-up takes home the Ron Jones Memorial Trophy, $500 in prize money and a leather product from Tenterfield Saddler.
Both the NSW winner and runner-up also earn the right to compete in the 2017 national competition.
All the action kicks off on Wednesday evening, April 5, with a gala dinner at Darling Harbour followed by the main event at midday, April 6, for the competition at the Sydney Royal Show.