A dozen aspiring young auctioneers jumped at the chance to step up to the rail at the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association Auctioneers School at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange on Monday.
ALPA chief executive officer Peter Baldwin said the organisation recognised the schools which were held in each state were vitally important, offering great networking opportunities, professional development and awareness of the broader industry.
"They get this opportunity to see where they are at in their career, be inspired by people at different stages of theirs and have some fun in learning," he said.
"You can't make an auctioneer, you can only mould one but we are here to put some polish.
"For the fellas who are selling tomorrow (in the Young Auctioneers competition) we want to take them to the next level- as we know in this game you are only as good as your last sale."
Mr Baldwin said the open cry system was the tried and true method of selling livestock so it was critical auctioneers remained relevant and could perform well in different market environments.
"Whilst it is a very good climate we want these guys to understand that they are not order takers they need to dig down and get those orders for when times are tougher," he said.
Mr Baldwin was one of the presenters along with Elders Naracoorte branch manager Tom Dennis, Nutrien's Leo Redden, Nutrien Mount Gambier's Sam O'Connor and Green Triangle Livestock & Real Estate's Chris Manser.
For Nutrien Hill Livestock agent Sophie Burt, Crystal Brook, it was a big confidence booster getting up for the first time and selling sheep and cattle.
"It really helped me break out of my shell and get my confidence up, I could really feel myself improve from the morning to the afternoon," she said.
Ms Burt said it was clear a successful auctioneer needed to have many attributes from presence on the rail to understanding the value of the stock they were selling.
"You have your clients' livelihoods in your hands and you have five to 10 seconds to make their life savings sometimes, it all comes down to you and what you do on the rail," she said.
PPHS Naracoorte agent Tom Moyle-Read said he had been considering attending a school for a few years and was glad he did.
"You didn't feel self conscious all and could just give it a go, everyone was in the same boat," he said.
"A lot of it (auctioneering) is how you use your voice so I got a lot out of the speech pathologist too."
Mr Moyle-Read -who has been with PPHS for three years - hopes to continue honing his voice projection and manner and compete in the state Young Auctioneer competition next year.
"I feel like I could get up and sell at a few clearing sales and start selling the bulls," he said.
