Four newcomers to auctioneering grabbed their gavels this week to compete in REINSW’s Novice Auctioneer Competition after completing professional training with Chief Judge, REINSW member, Ricky Briggs of Advantage Group.
Two standout rookie auctioneers, Scott Menck of Menck White Auctioneers and Daniel Carter of Cooley Auctions, earned their place as the first REINSW NAC finalists to compete at the inaugural REIA Novice Australasian Auctioneering Championships (Novice AUSTROS) to be held in Adelaide this May. Their selection followed strong performances auctioning off a five-bedroom home in Warrawee.
The NAC winner will be officially announced at this year’s Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner later in the year.
Dan Carter launches into a new career
With 14 years’ property experience under his career belt, Dan knows what it takes to sell a good property. Although he’s yet to call an auction 'in the field’, his genuine enthusiasm for auctioneering earned him his place in the AUSTROs final.
“I followed around Damien Cooley and his team on and off over the past few months at the weekends and that was great; I learned so much,” he said.
Dan added that the competition was a balance of nerves and excitement, but overall, an educational experience.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking and fairly intense, but it was also a lot of fun at the same time. It's nice to get a dynamic crowd calling bids however the nerves come on when you know that every single person in that room is either an auctioneer or a judge.”
The competition was fast and furious, but Dan explained it was a professional learning curve like no other.
“I’ve already called a few of the judges to get feedback and I know that there are definitely things I could do to improve on my call and how I position myself. Overall, though, it’s just a really nice way to kickstart this part of my career and get a new sense of confidence.”
Scott Menck builds on his law background
A lawyer by trade, Scott knows the business of negotiating. He has harnessed 11 years in the legal profession and translated many of the same skills into calling auctions over the past year.
Although a novice, Scott is no stranger to the auction process, as his cousin Paul is a founding member at Menck White Auctioneers.
“I'm quite close with Paul, and he's been in real estate for a while. I came up with the idea of taking the challenge to become an auctioneer too. We’d always speak about property, and he just inspired me to give it a crack,” he said.
“Paul and his business partner Clarence White, both told me an auction competition can be actually harder than calling a real property. At an event like this you're standing up in front of people who really know the profession. It made me train to compete; these sorts of competitions are really good exposure.”
His advice for up-and-coming auctioneers is to throw themselves in the deep end, using industry competitions like the AUSTROs as a chance to gain experience amongst talented peers.
“Having now done this I’ve realised just how friendly everyone is. They want you to do well, and they’re there to give advice. I’m finding it’s a very collegiate atmosphere and that just makes you want to keep practicing.”
Seniors to take on Adelaide in their own event
Seasoned auctioneers also took part in the REINSW Awards for Excellence Seniors Competition this week, with Paul Hancock of McGrath, Clarence White of Menck White Auctioneers and Leon Axford of Axford Auctions all heading to South Australia as well to compete in the senior auctioneer category.
The illustrious competition was judged by Thomas McGlynn, president of REINSW and CEO of BresicWhitney, Amanda Gould, deputy president of REINSW and director and of Highspec Properties, as well as members and auctioneers, Ricky Briggs of Advantage Group and Brianna Davis of Cooleys Auctions.
Tickets to the AUSTROs are available for anyone interested in watching both the novices and seniors compete for the ultimate title in auctioneering. The event will take place between May 13 and 15 in Adelaide.
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