VOICES bellowed out of the Dublin Saleyard last Wednesday for South Australia’s Annual Young Auctioneers Competition last Wednesday.
The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association held the competition in conjunction with a two-day training and education school for aspiring auctioneers.
ALPA chairman Wayne Hall said 21 young agents attended the training course, including three nominees for the state competition.
The two winners of the competition will go on to battle it out at the national competition at The Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2009.
“We are trying to give them voice training and put them in real situations to develop their skills,” Mr Hall said.
“We hope that the school will breed more talent and get more agents into the competition next year,” he said.
But there is bank of talent in this year’s SA nominees.
Southern Australia Livestock Naracoorte’s Josh Manser, Elders Keith’s Luke Schreiber and Elders Lucindale’s Rhys Hebberman were in top form during the competition.
“It is an important job because you are trying to maximise returns for clients and I love the razzle, the rush and the fast paced-nature of it,” Luke Schreiber said.
Josh Manser agreed.
“ It is a pretty big buzz when you get top price for quality stock,” Mr Manser said.
Agents from Broken Hill to Mount Gambier travelled to Dublin for the event and were given golden tips from individual agents across SA.
“For the survival of the industry we need young people who are enthused and get people with lots of experience behind them to pass on advice,” Mr Hall said.
“Hopefully programs like this will keep them in the industry for longer.”
A panel of experts and agents from SA judged the state nominees and said they were looking for loud, clear voices and an extensive knowledge of stock values.
Expert tuition from Elders’ Laryn Gogel, Landmark’s Leo Redden and Don Cullen and Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen’s Glen Hamlyn helped the accomplished performers achieve the perfect patter.
Voice and communication specialist Marilyn Bodycoat said the auctioneers had to learn to preserve their voice whilst speaking loudly and quickly.
“ The guys have been really open to constructive feedback but a lot of them need to realise that it is easy to get voice fatigue,” Ms Bodycoat said.
“The main thing I wanted them to realise is that their voice is an asset and they need to look after it wisely.”
Mr Hall said it is a great career for people that enjoy being outdoors and networking.
“Younger people enjoy working outside and enjoy marketing products for other people,” he said.
“A big part of the job is networking possibilities and they really get a chance to get involved in the community.”
ALPA will host the competition and school next year and hopes to boost the careers of more aspiring auctioneers in the future.