Australasian Auctioneering Championship
NSW auctioneer Clarence White finished runner-up to Queenslander Justin Nickerson in the Australasian Auctioneering Championship, after a valiant effort in the finals.
Justin won the title for the second year in a row, and Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) President Malcolm Gunning said it is the third time in the history of the event an auctioneer has gone back to back.
“Justin was announced as the title holder at a gala dinner at the Museum of South Australia last night after a tight contest between five outstanding auctioneers,” Mr Gunning said.
The other finalists were Mark McGoldrick, NZ, Ned Allison, NZ, and Bronte Manuel, SA.
“The finalists exemplify the young professional auctioneer of today. Justin and Clarence were very clean, slick and professional. They are moving the whole industry to another level,” Mr Gunning said.
The Australasian Auctioneering Championships, this year hosted by the Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA), test an auctioneer’s skill and ability to command a crowd, manage any issues at the auction and call complex bidding offers.
“Judges decided on a winner after the five finalists were briefed and auctioned a prestigious historic Adelaide home to mock-sell under the hammer. The bidding was fast and furious and the competition was exciting and highly entertaining,” Mr Gunning said.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella congratulated Mr Nickerson on his historic win.
“Justin has worked so hard for this win and it’s a testament to his attention to detail, to his determination and to his amazing skill,” she said.
“He started planning for this day the very next day after last year’s Australasian win. He’s fast becoming a once-in-a-generation auctioneer,” she said.
Open to the public, the annual Australasian Auctioneering Championships staged 23 auctions over two days. The quality was truly exceptional with participants creating momentum in the bidding, while building rapport with the crowd.
The Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships provide a significant opportunity for REIA and the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) to show off their very best Auctioneers.
“The standard of the competition is always very high and the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand play host to the Championships in 2018,” concluded Mr Gunning.
