Registrations are now open for the 2019 Novice Auctioneers Competition, REINSW’s annual charity event, with the proceeds going towards Domestic Violence NSW.
The 2019 NAC comprises eight heats held across New South Wales, led by REINSW board members and notable industry professionals. The state final event will be held in June at Sydney’s Customs House.
REINSW president Leanne Pilkington said that the competition gives up-and-coming auctioneers the opportunity to try their hand at auctioneering, without the pressure of selling a property.
She said that entrants auction off an item of their choice and sourced themselves and that previous items included a fine-dining package and a remote-controlled toy Ferrari.
“The REINSW Novice Auctioneers Competition is a great way for young real estate professionals to try their hand at auctioneering, and even launch their career,” Ms Pilkington said.
“The competition also allows the industry to see some of NSW’s up-and-coming talent, and helps raise money for an important cause.”
Ms Pilkington said that a panel of judges will score each entrant on their ability to auction with confidence and poise, on how well the item is described and their control of bidding and using the gavel.
She said that NAC has helped to launch the career of many professionals, including this year’s winner, Oliver Burton.
Mr Burton is now an auctioneer at Cooley Auctions.
“My background is as a trained actor and, having completed my real estate licence, I was determined to find a way to break into auctioneering,” Mr Burton said.
“I knew the experience of the Novice Comp would prove invaluable regardless of the outcome. I’m thrilled and very grateful to have won NAC 2018, which has landed me a role as a full-time auctioneer with the brilliant team at Cooley Auctions. Win, lose or draw, the chance to be seen by that many industry leaders at once is worth grabbing with both hands.”
The winner will receive $1,000 in prize money, two tickets to the REINSW a night and an opportunity to conduct the 2020 Women in Real Estate charity auction.
Last year, NAC raised more than $25,000 for suicide prevention organisation R U OK?.