Young Auctioneers
The RAS is committed to engaging, educating and mentoring young people in agriculture through competitions and events with the aim to reinforce their passion for the industry and long-term association with the RAS.
The sale of livestock through auction is an historic rural tradition that continues today. The Sydney Royal Easter Show celebrates and champions the next generation of rural leaders, providing a platform for them to hone their craft and exhibit their skill—including the next generation of Young Auctioneers.
In 1989, the NSW Stock and Station Agents Association held its first Young Auctioneers Competition, where the winner received the John Weekes Memorial Trophy.
Today, to determine who has the gift of the gavel, finalists conduct live auctions of prize-winning Sydney Royal Purebred Steer Competition stock to high-profile buyers, all while aiming to get the best prices possible for Exhibitors.
Prominent industry representatives judge the competitors on clarity, diction, manner and livestock-value knowledge.
Qualification for entry is governed by the Australian Livestock & Property Agents (ALPA).
- Key Dates
- Results
- Supporters
- Enter Competition
2024 Young Auctioneers Competition State & National Finals
Sydney Royal Easter Show
2024 ALPA Young Auctioneers NSW State Final
Winner, The John Weekes Memorial Annual Trophy
Darcy Howard, MCC Chudleigh Dobell, Forbes
Runner Up
Jaiden Burke, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Wagga Wagga
2024 ALPA Young Auctioneers National Final
Winner, The Prosser Annual Cup
Justin Oakenfull, Elders Rural Services, Inverell
Runner Up
Michael Purtle, Purtle Plevey Agencies, Manilla
2024 Max Bailey Encouragement Award
Ryan Browne, Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon & Co, Forbes
ALPA would like to acknowledge the following Sponsors & Supporters for the 2023 Young Auctioneers Competition:
ACM Agriculture
AgriNous
AWN Livestock & Property Pty Ltd
Elders Rural Services
Gallagher
Martins Stock Haulage
Meat & Livestock Australia
NAB Agribusiness
NTI Limited
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Ray White Rural & Livestock
RLX Operating Company Pty Ltd
RMA Network
Stockinsure
Santa Gertrudis Breeders (Australia) Association
Akubra Hats Pty Ltd
Allflex Australia
Quadrant Australia
RM Williams
Coverforce Insurance Broking Pty Ltd
Dubbo Stock & Station Agents Pty Ltd
Inglis Est 1867
Wagga Selling Agents Association
The Land
Nominations for competitors are open to all young aspiring auctioneers employed full time by an Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) member in the agency industry. To compete in any of the ALPA Young Auctioneer Competitions you must comply with the eligibility criteria that identifies specific age and qualification parameters. You are to be 25 years of age or under, as of 31 December in the year that you compete in a state competition.
If you qualify with these terms you are then eligible to be nominated. You can be nominated by any third party, who would in most cases be your employer. The nominating person will need to fill out a nomination form and submit it to ALPA.
The NSW Selection School is conducted by ALPA every December to decide on the NSW State Finalists. A maximum of 10 entrants are chosen from the field and are given the chance to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The Winner and Runner Up from the previous year’s ALPA State Finals in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria & Western Australia come to the Sydney Royal Easter Show to compete in the ALPA National Final.
For more information, please phone or skype ALPA on (02) 9262 6633.