The mystery man lifted his gavel above a sealed box – nobody knew what was inside it, but they kept bidding and bidding.
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You have to think laterally to succeed at the Novice Auctioneer Competition (NAC), and this contestant tried his own style of blind auction.
The NAC will be in Yanco this Wednesday, hosted by Griffith Real Estate and Glenn Preston Real Estate Leeton. Anyone who fancies themselves as an auctioneer is urged to throw their hand in the ring.
Talia Macri, the sassy receptionist at Griffith Real Estate, will be seeing if she can match it with her seasoned colleagues.
“I normally get stage fright, but it’s for such a good cause that I’ll give it a try,” she said.
The Real Estate Institute NSW runs the NAC every year – with would-be and up-and-coming auctioneers battling it out on stage.
Anyone over 16 who has completed six auctions or less can register to participate in the Heat 4 Leeton/Yanco event to be held at Yanco’s All Serviceman Club this Wednesday. You must source an item worth more than $100 to auction.
A panel of judges will score each entrant by assessing their ability to auction with confidence and poise, as well as how well the item is described, control of bidding and use of the gavel. The entrant with the highest overall score is awarded the winner and will have the opportunity to compete in the NAC State Final in Sydney.
Tony Santolin, Griffith Real Estate, said “it’s really a chance to get creative – like the guy with the sealed box. We’ve had two people from the MIA go all the way to the finals. I think anyone who loves the show The Block would enjoy taking part”.
“If you can get people to hit the thousand mark, it’s real special. What you don’t want when you get on stage is silence.”
Previous winners and finalists have gone on to have successful careers as auctioneers including Damien Cooley (Cooley Auctions) and Jesse Davidson (auctionWORKS).
The event has run for eight years, with proceeds going to a charity. This year the takings will be donated to the McGrath Foundation – the organisation created by former Australian test cricketer Glenn McGrath, which funds the placement of breast cancer nurses in communities.
“We raised $5,000 last year and hope to beat that this time,” Mr Santolin said.
Those who don’t want to participate are urged to come along, support a great cause, have fun and bid.
5.30pm - 8.00pm, Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Yanco All Servicemen's Club; 11 Main Ave, Yanco
$35 members/ $45 non-members