OUR next generation of livestock auctioneers have battled it out in Gracemere this week to earn their place to compete at the Ekka in August.
Coming from all over Queensland, and one from Alice Springs, the young guns were put through a two-day intensive training and competing regime before scores were tallied and the successful 10 announced.
This year saw 17 hopefuls compete for the final ten places.
The finalists are:
- Corey Evans, Aussie Land & Livestock, Kingaroy
- Jack Henshaw, Landmark, Mareeba
- Brady Jackson, Elders, Roma
- William Loudon, GDL, Miles
- Anthony O'Dwyer, GDL, Dalby
- Sarah Packer, TopX , Roma
- Alexander Riley, Ray White Rural, Roma
- Jake Robinson, Landmark, Roma
- Brent Williams, Elders, Charters Towers
- Wyatt Wrigley, Ray White Eastern Rural, Dalby
Of the 10 heading to the Ekka, it will be the final shot for familiar faces Anthony O’Dwyer, Sarah Packer, and Brent Williams who all turn 25 this year and will be ineligible to compete next year.
This year’s youngest competitor is Wyatt Wrigley, 19.
Queensland has proven successful in the previous years on the national and international stage, with 2016 winner Lincoln McKinlay, TopX, Roma, going on to take out the Sydney title and then the Calgary Stampede Rookie Auctioneer title.