AGENTS from across NSW took time out to hone their skills this week at the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association Auctioneers School in Wagga Wagga.
All up 23 agents were put through their paces during two days of intensive training.
The school was also a chance for agents under the age of 25 to be selected as a finalists for the 2018 ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Show on Friday, March 23.
The selected finalists are:
- Ryan Burden, Landmark Narrandera;
- Cooper Byrnes, Langlands Hanlon, Parkes;
- Baden Chaffey, Landmark Townsend, Scone;
- Scott Hall, Delta Livestock and Property, Wagga Wagga;
- Jake Lebrocque, Elders Forbes;
- Ben McMahon, Lehman Stock and Property, Inverell;
- Jack Pippin, Spencer and Bennett, Griffith;
- Tommy Pollard, Elders Dubbo;
- Sam Smith, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon and Company, Forbes;
- Brendon White, Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon and Company, Forbes.
The NSW finalists will compete at Sydney Royal for the coveted John Weekes Memorial trophy and a host of other prizes.
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.
Both the NSW winner and runner-up also earn the right to compete in the 2019 national competition where the prize includes a two-week trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to represent Australia at the International Auctioneers Competition.