Life-changing win for Young Auctioneer

Life-changing win for Young Auctioneer

With entries now open for the 2015 Heartland Bank Young Auctioneer of the Year Competition, the 2014 winner is urging other young auctioneers to enter the “life-changing competition.”

Cam Bray of PGG Wrightson won the 2014 Competition after entering all three years of the competition. The win enabled him to travel to the 2015 Sydney Royal Show to attend the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) Young Auctioneers National Final.

Mr Bray said that the trip to Australia resulted in some life-changing experiences.

“The trip to Australia was great - not only for the fact that I was representing New Zealand but to be able to rub shoulders with Australia’s best was an invaluable experience.”

Mr Bray had the opportunity to meet with many icons in the Australian industry and was able to show off his auctioneering skills during a charity auction.

“Who would have thought I’d go from selling bent nails and rusty tractor parts a few years ago to selling charity items to a crowd of 800 people in the middle of Darling Harbour, Sydney.”

Mr Bray urged other young auctioneers to enter the competition, saying that it has boosted his career.

“This is such a valuable competition to the industry and gives young auctioneers the chance to stand up and be counted amongst their peers.

“Since entering the competition in the first year, it has opened doors for me within the company I work for, which I thank them for. I’ve had the pleasure of selling at bull sales, ram sales, cattle sales and just recently a bloodstock sale which was a childhood dream come true! The competition has truly changed my life and has been a very worthwhile experience.

“It might have taken three years to win the competition but I have achieved a lot because of it.”

The competition will take place on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November at the 2015 Canterbury A&P Show. During the final judging on Friday, each entrant will be required to sell three lots of heifers/bulls in a mock auction. They will be judged on overall performance including voice, diction, manner and values. The interview component will see entrants evaluated on their communication skills and knowledge of the terms and conditions relating to livestock auctioneering.

Entrants will be competing for the New Zealand Stock & Station Agents’ Association (NZSSAA) Young Auctioneers Trophy, $2000 in travel from Heartland Bank to enable the winner to attend the Young Auctioneers Competition in Australia, a $500 Swanndri clothing voucher and the Denis Hazlett Memorial Medal.

Entries are open to employees of members or affiliate members of the NZSSAA; competitors must be under 30 years of age as at 1 November 2015. Entries close Tuesday 27 October 2015. For entry information, see www.theshow.co.nz or contact the Canterbury A&P Association on 03 343 3033 or info@theshow.co.nz.

ENDS

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