Pakenham hosted the best of the state’s future livestock auctioneers this week, as the town held the Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition.
Organised by the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA), this year celebrated 34 years of the competition.
The event saw young auctioneers gathered from all over the state at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham on Monday 9 October.
All ten finalists for the competition were selected at the ALPA Victorian auctioneers school at Inglis Complex at Oaklands where they took time to hone their skills for the big day.
Each auctioneer was tasked with selling three lots of cattle to a strong buyers’ ring at the exchange.
ALPA said they all showed great flair, personality and determination in front of a worldwide audience and special attendees.
Three industry experts were picked to judge the strong competition.
The winner, taking the spot of 2023’s best young auctioneer, was Harry Cozens who works for Elders out of Albury.
Runner-up went to Ned Balharrie from Nutrien Ag Solutions in Ballarat, while Jacob Brennan from AWN Nelson Livestock in Tatura was awarded the inaugural Brian Rodwell Encouragement Award.
ALPA CEO Peter Baldwin said the strong competition represents the high skill within the industry.
“From what we observed at the ALPA auctioneers school through their progression up to today we always envisaged a tight competition,” Mr Baldwin said.
“The qualities and skills displayed by the auctioneers today are a great reflection of industry. “These young professionals whose ultimate aim is to be a great all round agent with a strong client base have showcased the hard work they have put in to develop their auctioneering skills and have been boosted by the investment and encouragement provided by their employers across Victoria.”
The night prior, competitors, ALPA members and industry members gathered for the Victoria Young Auctioneers Dinner where attendees conducted an auction of their own which raised $23,500 for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
