South Australia and Victoria’s top young livestock and property auctioneers have been crowned after a hard-fought contest at the Western Victorian Livestock Exchange (WVLX) in Mortlake.This year, Elders agents claimed both titles, with James Gadd (Ballarat, Vic) and Nathan McCarthy (Lucindale, SA) taking top honours in a field that saw Elders represented by four competitors across the two states.
Both winners and runners-up will now advance to the national stage, competing at the 2026 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The 2025 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition saw Level 3 AuctionsPlus cattle and sheep assessor, James Gadd, from Elders Rural Services, Ballarat, claim the prestigious title after years of persistence. It was Mr Gadd’s third attempt at the title, making the win a fitting finale as he reached his final year of eligibility.
Runner-up honours went to Will Holt, McKean McGregor, Bendigo, whose strong performance also secured him a place at the nationals.
The Brian Rodwell Encouragement Award was presented to Trent Severino, TB White & Sons, Ballarat, recognising his promising skill and potential in the auctioneering field.
This year’s Victorian contest was one of the most competitive to date, with 10 young agents stepping up to the rostrum to demonstrate their selling ability in front of industry leaders and peers.
Jake Anthony, Phelan & Henderson & Co, Leongatha
Henry Bensch, JM Ellis & Co, Hamilton
Carley Einsiedel, Alex Scott and Staff, Sale
James Gadd, Elders Rural Services, Ballarat
Declan Haines, Elders Rural Services, Ballarat
Will Holt, McKean McGregor, Bendigo
Will Phillips, Victorian Livestock & Property, Yea
Jack Richards, Elders Rural Services, Kyneton
James Robbins, Nutrien South Gippsland Livestock, Leongatha
Trent Severino, TB White & Sons, Ballarat
The 2025 ALPA South Australian Young Auctioneers Competition was another showcase of emerging talent, with Nathan McCarthy, Elders Rural Services, Lucindale, crowned as winner.
Mr McCarthy, who last competed in 2022, took a two-year break to sharpen his craft before returning to claim the title. The runner-up position went to Cody Benson, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Mount Gambier, a Level 3 AuctionsPlus cattle and sheep assessor. Mr Benson has also secured a place at the national showdown in Sydney.
Cody Benson, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Mount Gambier
Jack Guy, Spence Dix & Co, Keith
Mitch McAnaney, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Kingston SE
Nathan McCarthy, Elders Rural Services, Lucindale
Both state winners and runners-up, Mr Gadd and Mr Holt from Victoria, alongside Mr McCarthy and Mr Benson from South Australia, will now prepare for the 2026 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition.
The event, held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, will see them go head-to-head with the best young auctioneers from across the country.
You can catch a recap of the event here:
