Central Queensland agent Lachlan Spry, 22, of RBV Rural Pty Ltd, Emerald, has taken out the 2026 ALPA Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition, held at the Ekka on Wednesday afternoon.
Beau White, of Elders Rural Services, Charters Towers, finished runner-up.
AuctionsPlus General Manager – Network Paul Holm along with Business Development Managers Hugh Courts, Oliver Hoare, Zoë Macfarlan and Carly Gaukroger were in Brisbane for the event.
“The young auctioneers was incredibly well attended with the crowd well and truly overflowing from the seats,” Mr Courts said.
“Tom Hukins set the tone early and it was on right through until Beau White at the end who ultimately came runner up from the tenth selling spot.
"Lachlan Spry demanded attention when he stood up and took home the trophy in a deserving manner, with a field of agents who all sold out of their skin.”
The Young Auctioneers Competition is a highlight of the ALPA calendar each year, giving up-and-coming agents a chance to test their selling skills in front of an industry crowd, and giving buyers and vendors a look at the next generation coming through the saleyards.
Mr Courts was also impressed that 70% of the competitors held AuctionsPlus assessor accreditation.
The finalists were:
Kade Buntine, Kennedy Livestock & Property Pty Ltd, Clermont, Level 3 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor
Jack Dougherty, Elders Rural Services, Dalby, Level 3 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor
Logan Evans, Elders Rural Services, Roma
Daniel Ford, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Rockhampton, Level 3 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor
Tom Hukins, GDL Rural, Chinchilla, Level 2 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor, Level 3 AuctionsPlus Sheep Assessor
Lachlan Mann, Ray White Rural Roma, Roma,, Level 2 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor, Level 2 AuctionsPlus Sheep Assessor
Zac Robinson, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Roma
Lachlan Spry, RBV Rural Pty Ltd, Emerald, Level 3 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor
Billy Swain, TopX Roma, Roma, Level 3 AuctionsPlus Cattle Assessor
Beau White, Elders Rural Services, Charters Towers
ALPA Chief Executive Officer Peter Baldwin congratulated all finalists on the exceptional standard of competition.
"Every one of these young auctioneers should be immensely proud of what they achieved today," Mr Baldwin said.
"Auctioneering is about far more than calling bids. It requires professionalism, market knowledge, confidence, integrity and the ability to earn the trust of buyers and vendors alike. The standard we witnessed today demonstrates that the future of our profession is exceptionally bright."
Mr Baldwin said the competition continued to produce future leaders for the livestock industry.
"Many past finalists and winners have gone on to become some of Australia's most respected auctioneers, business leaders and mentors. More recently, Queensland competitors have progressed to the national stage and represented Australia internationally, highlighting the strength of the pathway that begins right here at the Ekka."
Mr Spry and Mr White will represent Queensland at the National Young Auctioneer Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2027.