FROM the dusty saleyards of Cootamundra, its a long way to the slick selling arena at the Sydney Royal Show, but Elders agent Sam Gemmell impressed the crowd and judges to take home the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association National Young Auctioneers Competition title on Friday.
Sam has been working as an auctioneer for the past four years with Elders after accepting a traineeship.
Hes passionate about being an agent having grown up around the industry and with his father Richard being an agent its in his blood too.
Sam also credits mentor Peter Cox, Elders Wagga Wagga, for guiding him in his early career.
In preparation for the Sydney final, Sam said he spent countless hours practicing his selling in the car.
I take bids off the guidepost," he said. "If you want quicker bids drive a bit faster. I record myself and play it back otherwise you dont know how silly you can sound.
The National runner-up went to Nick Shorten, GDL Roma, Queensland.
This was Nicks first time competing in Sydney for the national final, having been an agent for seven years.
I grew up at Scone on a cattle property and attended sales with my father, he said.
I liked it. I wanted to be an agent when I grew up.
Nick said drafting cattle was what lured him into the business and as he grew older he developed an interest in selling and meeting clients.
The NAB team shield for the highest scoring state team in the National competition went to the NSW combination of Sam Gemmell and Hamish McGeoch from Landmark Wagga
The NSW state competition provided plenty of entertainment for the Sydney Royal crowd and was a solid showcase of the auctioneering talent that abounds right across rural Australia.
Tom Pollard from Elders Dubbo proved he was the cream of the crop taking home the NSW State Young Auctioneers Competition.
Im lost for words at the moment as I certainly didnt expect to do so well, he said.
All the boys sold really well today and as a result the competition was really strong.
This was Toms first time competing in the NSW State competition.
Tom has been a livestock agent for about three years.
He said some of the most important aspects when auctioneering was setting the values correctly and having a great rapport with the buyers on the sale rail.
Knowing the buyers name and who they work for can really help keep an auction flowing, he said.
It was third time lucky for the NSW State runner-up Baden Chaffey, Landmark Townsend, Scone.
After having two attempts at the finals before, the win will give Baden the opportunity to compete in next years National final.
Before the competition Baden said he had been getting plenty of practice at the weekly prime sales and had been paying particular attention to the fluency of his auctioneering technique.
This practice certainly paid off for the 22 year old.
Jack Pippin, Spencer and Bennett, Griffith, picked up the Max Bailey Encouragement Award in the NSW State competition.
