Following a tight race, Greg Brydon takes home the top prize at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s 2023 Senior Auctioneering Competition.
The sales consultant and auctioneer from Ray White Cheltenham beat out the runner up, Luke Banitsiotis of Woodards Blackburn, himself a three-time champion that held the title in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
With his first win in the statewide auction tilt, Mr Brydon expressed his gratitude for the chance to compete alongside what he described as “Victoria’s best agents” at a time of high auction attendance and strong buyer demand in the market.
“It’s an exciting time to be an auctioneer in Victoria, with auctions attracting high attendee numbers, fierce bidding and excellent outcomes for vendors,” he stated.
Mr Brydon bested the competition for his “outstanding auctioneering display” before an independent panel of judges, according to REIV.
“As an auctioneer, I’m proud to have my approach and style recognised,” he commented.
He credited his strong performance to his mentors and colleagues as well as his fellow competitors, stating they “pushed me to be the best version of myself and challenged my skills”.
In addition to the accolade, the Senior Auctioneer of the Year title also gives Mr Brydon the opportunity to call the annual Good Friday Appeal Charity House Auction in 2024.
The next iteration of the charity auction event – which raised an impressive $1 million in its latest run – will showcase a four-bedroom property with a seven-star energy efficient home rating situated in the Victorian suburb of Tarneit. Proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to The Royal Children’s Hospital.
Notably, both Mr Brydon and Mr Banitsiotis will also go on to represent Victoria at the Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships later this year.
REIV president Andrew Meehan lauded the high calibre of talent at this year’s competition, stating it reflected “the excellent standard of auctioneering we have in Victoria that is on display each weekend”.
He also praised the participant auctioneers for their “remarkable display of skills, unwavering passion for their profession and dedication to achieving exceptional outcomes for both vendors and buyers”.
“I congratulate Greg and Luke, and look forward to them proudly representing the REIV community at the Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships,” he said.