Justin Nickerson, the REIA's reigning Australasian auctioneering champion, has won the Queensland heats for the fourth time, putting him in the running to defend his national title.
Justin Nickerson has been named Queensland's best auctioneer for a record fourth time, having previously won the competition in 2013, 2016, and 2017.
Last Friday, Nickerson won the Real Estate Institute of Queensland's 2018 Auctioneer of the Year competition at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
In September last year, Nickerson was crowned Australasian Auctioneer of the Year, and the recent Queensland win now means he will go into the Australasian finals in September to defend his title, hoping to become the first person to win twice.
"It's a relief more than anything else," Justin Nickerson told SCHWARTZWILLIAMS of his win in the Queensland competition for the fourth time.
"You put a lot of work into it," he said, adding, "it's still sinking in."
Auctioneering competitions require competitors to take part in an intentionally difficult simulated auction. Competitors are given a deliberately challenging bidding sequences, and are asked complex legal questions along the way. Despite the demanding circumstances, competitors must retain their charm and confidence, and must stick within a strict time limit. All agree the competitions are far more challenging than real-life auctions, as every element is designed to test the knowledge, skill and composure of the competitor.
Nickerson said the prizes are important to his reputation and stature in the industry.
"It's a recognition, too, that agents and vendors can have confidence that they're working with someone that does treat the profession seriously and works hard to always give them the very best representation," he said.
Nickerson established Apollo Auctions in Brisbane in 2013, and calls auctions in both Australia and New Zealand.
Nickerson said, "as a team, we practise once a week," and that regime will continue in the lead up to the Australasian finals.
"There are two key attributes you have to have to be a really good auctioneer," Nickerson said.
"One is you have to be good with numbers, and the second one is you have to have the ability to react quickly to what's going on around you and produce that in a way that's not offensive to buyers."
"I'm pretty proficient with numbers and I work hard on numbers. I do tend to be pretty quick-witted so I can react to things that happen and I like to think that I'm likeable," he said.
So, does Nickerson think he can win again?
"I'm cautiously optimistic," he said, but admitted when he sees the high standard of those he will be competing against, such as Bronte Manuel who has won the South Australian competition three times and Tom Esze who has won the WA comp three times, he does acknowledge there are a lot of good contenders.
"But I think I'll give it a pretty good shake," he said.
The Australasian Auctioneering Championship will be held this year in Adelaide, hosted by the Real Estate Institute of South Australia. Click here for more information.
Read about the REI's auctioneering competitions, including the finalists for the 2017 Australasian competition:
Justin Nickerson is Australasian Auctioneer of 2016
Bronte Manuel: South Australia's three-time auctioneering winner
Tom Esze takes home the main prize, again: REIWA 2017 Auctioneering Championship
Twenty-six-year-old Ned Allison is New Zealand's top auctioneer