Kiwi Mark Sumich—the top auctioneer in his home country in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 and the Australasian champion in 2007, 2008 and 2011—on next week's auctioneering competition.
The Melbourne running of the Australasian auctioneering championships next week will see a winner crowned and 15 others mooch away with a headache and probably a determination to come back stronger the following year in Alice Springs.
Success will create a profound effect on the career of the winner. Not only will their email trailers change, but they can be categorically acknowledged as the best at their craft this year. Dare I mention it, they could increase their fee!
Australian winners have been few and far between over the last decade (and only one of the last 8), which is incredible, given that they outnumber us Kiwis 16-2 at each event. Sadly this year is slightly different, as the REIA have determined that Queensland will not be represented. While that may mean that the Auctioneering Bledisloe may have an asterisk for 2015 (as for 2012 when NSW vanished), the understanding is that the powers that be, are instigating changes for 2016. That will be music to the ears of our Queensland orators, who, in many people’s opinions, lead the Australian ranks of recent times. Surely auctioneering can be separated from the internal issues which surface in our wider industry – all power to those involved in rectifying it.
So who wins it? The 2015 event sees the return of defending champion Andrew North from Auckland. Whereas previous Aussie winners have hardly ever ventured back (for fear of failure in my opinion), the Kiwis have looked to raise the bar even higher. Northy is a clear favourite – his endearing nature and clever words hide a resolute desire to succeed and an utter knowledge of auctioneering process – all power to him. His Kiwi colleague this year is ex-Sydney boy John Bowring. His effort to get through the Pool of Death (which is the NZ auctioneering comp) means he is clearly not without hope at the Crowne. Come and watch him – he will bring a smile to your face.
The hometown record over the years in this competition is very poor, but despite this, Victoria will again be strong contenders. If Tom Roberts can harness his obvious potential and replicate his success over compatriot Harry Li in the Vic final, he is palpably a hope. History says you probably need to have been in one of these before you can win one, but Tom will have the local tongues wagging. Harry is a superb caller and as a 2-time Austro finalist, he will be dismissed at the punter’s peril. His has been a 5 year journey to get here out of Springvale.
NSW proffer Ed Riley and Damien Cooley. Riley was noticed at Austro 16 in Auckland last year, paying close attention to all the requirements of success and his form is clearly on an upward curve. Cooley struts his stuff in excess of 2000 times each year in Sydney’s upper echelons and after a 5 year hiatus, as a 3-time finalist in this environment, his determination should not be underestimated.
South Australia regularly provide a finalist in this event, but boast only inaugural winner Michael Brock as a champion. Bronte Manuel has big wraps and may well be a future champion (certainly his employers are talking him up). I love his passion, but urge him to bring his “Bronteisms” to the stage, while Golden Gavel winner AJ Colman gets in under the radar with his faultless numbers and completes an excellent team for SA – they may well provide another finalist.
The remaining 4 states/territories have started to rejuvenate themselves. They, along with SA, battle the constant challenge of auction not necessarily being the preferred sales’ method in their towns. Nevertheless the reinvigoration of ACT under their CEO Michelle Tynan and their wordsmith/comedian/auction lover Peter Walker, means that they are a work in progress. Young Luke Evans is as nervous as Jimmy Saville’s paperboy, but Mark Larmer is poised to announce himself on Australasian auctioneering.
Sam Woolcock out of Launceston earned high praise for his efforts in Auckland last year and if Josh Hart was able to head him off in the recent Tassie final, things are far from bleak on the Apple Isle. The tutelage of auction addict Michael Walsh may well be starting to bear some fruit.
Darwin’s finest are represented via Andrew South and Brad Morgan. For both of them to have headed off long-time state rep Karl Secondis was a feather in their respective caps – maybe it is the year of the bolter, with Southy endearing himself to plenty at Auckland 2014. NT’s mentor Morgan Shearer reckons he is making steady progress up north. Whatever you do, don’t ask him where next years’ event is being held.
West Australia boast two seasoned campaigners as their representatives. Tom Esze and Frank Torre are definitely hoping to make two journeys to Melbourne in September. We get them first and they are back to collect some flag later in the month. Do not dismiss either of them next week. Frank has been an excellent competition caller in the past and Tom is leading the charge to boost WA’s auction numbers and is no mean caller himself. Fair play to them both.
It really is compulsory viewing for any budding auctioneer and probably more so for those who are resting on past laurels. Get along and see where this ancient craft has moved to, over recent times. There is no “cheap” winner of this event and to that winner will go all the accolades and a permanent change in how their auctioneering will be analysed.
This article was written by Mark Sumich of Sumich Estate Agents and Auctioneers in New Zealand.
See also:
Justin Nickerson is Australasian Auctioneer of 2016