Staff Reporter
Two major auctioneering competitions took place in Sydney earlier this week.
On Tuesday 11 auctioneers fought for a place as a finalist for the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) Auctioneer’s Award for Excellence while just across town, 15 hopefuls competed at the NSW heat of the Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships.
The three finalists at REINSW Auctioneer’s Award for Excellence were Andrew Cooley and Paul Millett, both from Cooley Auctions, and Angus Macleod from Ray White Rural Wagga Wagga.
The overall winner will be announced at the 2013 REINSW Awards for Excellence gala dinner in October.
“Auctioneering is a wonderful craft which the three finalists demonstrated today, showcasing their flair and great talent,” REINSW president Christian Payne said.
“The auctioneers were judged against a range of criteria, including their description of the property, ability to handle bidding, correctly answering bidders' questions and their overall presentation.
“Auctioneers play a vital role in the property industry, with their skills a critical factor in the end sale result. And the finalists represent the best of the best in the market today.”
Cooley Auctions director Damien Cooley said he was proud of his team.
“Since 2003 Cooley Auctions auctioneers have been consecutive finalists in these awards and this year is no exception,” he said. “Our clients know that when they book an auction with Cooley Auctions they are getting the highest level of skill and expertise our industry has to offer, and these awards reinforce this understanding.”
The NSW heat of the Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships took place at the Novotel Hotel in Sydney Olympic Park.
The event’s winner was Gavin Croft from Bresic Whitney Estate Agent.
He, along with runner-up Edward Riley, also from Bresic Whitney Estate Agents, will join contestants from Australia and New Zealand at the final event in Perth in September.
“It is about time that NSW took the title again and we look forward to our winner and runner-up taking it up to New Zealand, which has won the title four times in the last five years,” said Estate Agents Co-operative Ltd vice chairman Peter Carmont.