Cooper Byrnes from Langlands Hanlon in Parkes has just become the 2019 ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition runner-up.
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The 22-year-old headed to the Sydney Royal Easter Show today for just his second competition, with high hopes of placing first or second.
The annual competition was off to a great start on Friday as young stock and station agents from across the country showcased their auctioneering skills at the 2019 Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) NSW and National Young Auctioneers Competitions.
The events marked 29 years of the national competition and 31 years of the NSW competition.
Cooper joined nine other NSW competitors - including Jake Lebrocque and Sam Smith from Forbes - before a full house of spectators to sell three lots each.
The competitors were judged on their diction, values, voice and manner, as well as their presence and unique style, by a panel of respected and experienced auctioneers.
Angus MacTavish of Elders in Walcha was declared the 2019 ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition winner, earning himself the John Weekes Memorial Shield and a place in the 2020 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition.
Runner-up Cooper will also represent NSW in the 2020 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition.
ALPA CEO, Andy Madigan, said "the national competition brings together the best young auctioneers from across the country; the competition is always exciting to watch." The competitors in the national competition attended one or more ALPA auctioneer schools in 2018 and made their way through their state competitions.
The night before the competitions more than 270 ALPA members, industry professionals and the competitor's friends and families gathered at the annual ALPA NSW and National Young Auctioneers competitions dinner to celebrate the talent and achievements of the young auctioneers.
A highlight of the night was the charity auction, which raised more than $22,000 and will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the not-for-profit charity that offers excellence in aeromedical and primary health care across Australia.