Staff Reporter
A leading Sydney auctioneering company has hired its first female auctioneer.
Joining Cooley Auctions is Jacqui Lion-Cachet, who has worked as an auctioneer for more than 17 years.
The new recruit sold her first property under the Cooley brand on Saturday in what Cooley Auctions' director Damien Cooley described as a “standout performance”.
“In a male-dominated profession, Jacqui brings a refreshing new dimension to our team and a wealth of experience that includes working at Goodmans Auctioneers and Valuers selling up to as many as 700 lots per day, along with many high-profile charity auction events,” Mr Cooley said.
“Jacqui has a unique ability to influence the result at auction by actively managing the audience and building relationships with bidders, and we saw this from her on the weekend.
“Jacqui also has the Cooley Auctions trademark enthusiasm and energy that make her a perfect fit with our team.”
Ms Lion-Cachet’s first auction for the company was a four-bedroom, freestanding, double-fronted residence at 8 Victoria Road, Glebe and brought to market through Charles and Stuart Real Estate. The property attracted three registered bidders and 16 bids from an opening bid of $1.6 million.
“The auction was contested with steady bidding between two buyers,” Ms Lion-Cachet said. “Once all the bids appeared to be exhausted, my opening bidder shook her head to indicate she was out.
“I then took the time to remind the buyers what a unique home this was, including that it had been in the same family for 30 years and it was rare to find a house presenting so much possibility. With this encouragement and extra time to make a decision, my opening bidder jumped back in, pushing the bids up to $1.68 million and allowing me to sell the house.”
Ms Lion-Cachet's appointment brings the Cooley Auctions team to a total of 10 auctioneers.