HE GAVE a lifetime’s generous contribution to the stock and station agency industry, so it seems only fitting that retired Victorian agent Rob Bolton was honoured with life membership to the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association last Friday.
The honour was bestowed to Mr Bolton during ALPA’s annual general meeting dinner in Sydney.
Mr Bolton started his career in the stock and station agency industry in Ballarat, Victoria, with Dalgety and NZL in 1969.
He was involved in the initial discussions to form a national stock and station agents organisation to represent the interests of livestock and property agents which was to become ALPA.
A long-term serving ALPA committee member on the Victorian/Tasmanian State Management Committee, Mr Bolton was also a member of the Southern Regional Advisory Committee.
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He was also the chairman of the Victorian Auctioneers Education committee and assisted in other auctioneer’s schools across Australia.
Mr Bolton sat on the ALPA Board representing Landmark and later Ruralco from 2007-2009.
When it came to engaging, encouraging and mentoring young agents, Mr Bolton was second to none.
ALPA chief executive Andy Madigan said Mr Bolton mentored many young agents over the years and he had no bias on shirt colour.
“Everything Rob did was done for the betterment of the agency industry,” Mr Madigan said.
“His passion and positivity for our industry rang true at every school he conducted, and this enthusiasm was contagious for those in attendance.”
Mr Bolton said he was genuinely proud of the successes afforded to the young agents he had mentored.
“I enjoyed every minute of it – and it’s true, the shirt colour didn’t matter to me,” Mr Bolton said.
“I’m humbled beyond what I can express for ALPA giving me life membership.
“There’s been some wonderful friendships made over the years and I’ve worked with a bunch of great people, both at ALPA and across the agency industry.”
Mr Bolton was instrumental in driving the location change of the Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition to the Victorian Livestock Exchange (VLE), Pakenham, five years ago.
Mr Madigan said this competition, with the assistance of the local agents, continues to grow and gain momentum.
He said ALPA and the Southern Regional Advisory Committee have been very grateful to have somebody such as Mr Bolton sit on the ALPA Board and Committees.
“Rob has given freely of his work and personal time for which we are very thankful, and we hope Rob, and his wife Di, continue to be a good friend to all in the ALPA community,” Mr Madigan said.
