FORGET THE GAVEL, FOCUS ON THE GRAVEL

Based on the recent Australasian annual event held by the Australasian Property Auctioneers to select the best auctioneer I was astonished to see that New Zealanders have won the last three year’s top prize. It is about time the Australian auctioneers reinstated their position as the self confident, quick witted, with a strong gravely voice which was the envy of auctioneers world-wide. Perhaps its time they went back to public speaking classes to improve their articulation and communication to restore Australia to the top position and forget about the gavel.



One suggestion to prevent the New Zealanders continuing to win this top prize is for the Australasian Association to change the rules where every auctioneer has to start their auction demonstration by introducing an opening vendors bid of $666,666.66. This should cause a stutter or two.

The New Zealanders place their auctioneers in high esteem. In the 1980’s they awarded one of their self-made stock and station agents a knighthood to Sir Roderick Weir who was Chairman of Crown Corporation Limited, a public listed New Zealand company.