Golden Gavel their holy grail

THE “holy grail’’ of the real estate industry, the Messenger Community News – Mortgage Choice Golden Gavel competition, is being launched on March 10.

Golden Gavel trustee Lindsay Warner says it recognises those auctioneers who strive to be “the best in the business’’.

“The ultimate prize of the Golden Gavel is the holy grail of our industry and every auctioneer who competes comes away a far better professional,’’ he says.

Started in 1994, the contest was created to provide property auctioneers with advanced training to help increase the professionalism of the real estate industry.

There are several categories in the competition including the Auction Idol competition (secondary school students), the Rising Star (novice auctioneers) and the Golden Gavel (experienced auctioneers).

“In the Auction Idol, now in its fourth year, students learn real life skills which cover professional presentation, negotiating, public speaking, debating and a very broad legal knowledge of what is associated with the sale and purchase of real estate,’’ Mr Warner said.

Students are mentored and coached by practising auctioneers.

“Obviously the students gain a deeper understanding of the real estate industry but, more importantly, the real estate consultants and auctioneers get the opportunity to pass on their extensive real-life knowledge to the next generation of real estate professionals,’’ Mr Warner said.

Past Auction Idol competitors who have gone on to successful careers in the industry include Tom Ratcliffe, who now works for Brock Harcourts, and Tom Hector, an agent for Harris Real Estate.

Last year’s Auction Idol winner Edward Gainer is also about to enter the profession after signing up to work for 2009 Golden Gavel winner Josh Biggs at LJ Hooker Stirling.

Mr Gainer, who also plans to study law/economics at Adelaide university this year, said one of the best skills he learnt from Auction Idol was “thinking on my feet’’.

Mr Biggs said wining the Golden Gavel lifted his business profile, which had led to more work.

This year’s Golden Gavel theme, a spin-off from the Melbourne Cup, has been dubbed The Event That Stops The Nation.

The awards night will be held at the Alan Scott Park Morphettville Racecourse on May 21.