Auctioneer Mark Sumich writes about the Australasian Real Estate Institute's Auctioneering Championships which are being held in Alice Springs this year.
This article first appeared as a blog by Mark Sumich. Mark has been New Zealand’s auctioneering champion four times, and was Australasian champion in 2007.
Who will be our 18th champion? How close is Uluru? Can he defend his title? Is Queensland’s renaissance complete? Can NSW break their decade-long duck? Is it time for a bolter? How difficult is it to get to Alice? Can ACT, Tassie or NT provide their 1st finalist? Is our competition still relevant? Will the Kiwis regain their mantle? Will the locals come out in support? Do I take a tie to wear?
As participants get set to head to Adelaide for their one and only Ghan experience, it is timely to ponder a few of those posers. After a series of renditions without our full quota, we are back to 18 representatives, only one of whom hasn’t had a turn before now. Young Gordon McDonald joins the tightly-held ranks of competitors, out of his native Noosa. Let’s hope he brings his cheer squad with him, because Queensland has been a notoriously poor supporter of the event (personnel-wise) and we have all worked hard to get their best back on the stage to show their wares. Good luck to Gordy particularly, and all qualifiers.
A casual glance through the list sees a compelling collection of callers. The Kiwis reckon this is their most-credentialled duo to front, given two-time winner Dan Coulson, along with 6-time attendee Northy, who must hand over the Huon pine box to Mr Li on Tuesday evening. Harry is the defending champ from Melbourne, and Victorian hopes are shared with returning Tom Roberts. Old friends Frank Torre and Tom Esze are revitalised veterans, yet again, from the West, while Josh Hart and Sam Woolcock are fronting once more out of the Apple Isle. Hopefully 2015 finalist Ed Riley and his Sydneysider Crofty have found their razors, as they attempt to bring the silverware back to the big smoke for the 1st time since SKG some 10 years back. Peter Walker and Mark Larmer bring two wise and enthusiastic heads from the Ozzy capital – let’s hope they are screwed on. Multiple finalist Justin Nickerson adds real grunt to the Queensland attack… his beloved Lions could do with some of it. Bronte Manuel and our old friend Michael Fenn bring some youthful exuberance and no little talent to the fray, out of Loxton and Adelaide – they should both be very competitive, especially noting Fenny’s past feats. The locals really are my favourites and Andrew South will do the reverse Ghan and no doubt keep us enthralled, while uncle Karl Secondis is back for his 12th visit.
The murmurings of the relevance of our annual competition, continue to bubble. The ever-evolving nature of our craft ensures the need to be on top of the latest trends, to be relevant and in the “now”, without deflecting from that trio of rigid requirements, being proper prose, holistic humour and arrogant arithmetic.
I reckon the locals will literally come out of holes in the ground to attend, sans a tie and The Rock is just under 500kms SW. Apparently several clowns are contemplating an early plane trip one morning. I’ll believe that when I see it!
Davis & Co bookmakers have enlisted founder John Davis to negotiate the voracious punting appetites of auctioneering comrades. To that end, the calling of the card will take place at the Adelaide railway station at high noon on Sunday the 4th of September, prior to the Ghan’s departure. Early pre-post indications suggest a willingness to bet against the defending champ and that the title might be crossing the Tasman once again. However all will be revealed in due course.
Good on you Morgie for taking it to the centre of your great country. See you all in the desert.
See also:
Justin Nickerson is Australasian Auctioneer of 2016
Auctioneering Competition kicks off in The Alice
Australasia's best auctioneers come to the Red Centre
Are Auctioneer Competitions a true reflection of the qualities needed?
Harry Li named Victorian Auctioneer of the Year
Bronte Manuel wins SA Auctioneering Championship - again