SHELDON auctioneer Gavin Croft has cemented his status as Queensland's best auctioneer at the Real Estate Institute of Queensland Awards for Excellence on Sunday night.
The event saw more than 500 real estate professionals gather at the Brisbane Showgrounds on March 17 to celebrate the best of the business in Queensland.
Mr Croft, who has 18 years of real estate experience, took out the title of REIQ Auctioneer of the Year after winning a hard-fought auctioneering competition in August 2018.
The competition's final saw him battling four of Australasia's most experienced auctioneers in a realistic auction scenario, designed to test competitor's legal and technical knowledge.
The scripted auction involved a long bidding sequence of more than 100 bids, with a number of other challenges thrown in.
Mr Croft took out the competition and the REIQ title, breaking the three-year winning streak of Justin Nickerson.
He was presented with his trophy on Sunday night.
Mr Croft, who is only the second auctioneer to win Auctioneer of the Year for both Queensland and New South Wales, said winning the award was a huge thrill.
"This win puts me in the company of some of the best auctioneers in the world and that's a humbling honour," he said.
Mr Croft works with clients in Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland, conducting weekly in-room and on-site auctions.
"The opportunity to travel and work in two of Australasia's most sophisticated auction markets is particularly satisfying as well as being part of the growth of these exceptional businesses," he said.
Mr Croft said the secret to a successful auctioneer was a thorough understanding of communication strategies.
"Auctioneering has moved well past the concept of an entertainer and spruiker of types," he said.
"Understanding sophisticated auction strategy, delivering balanced rhythm and flow during the auction call as well as a synergy between agent and auctioneer are what many of the top real estate businesses are looking for."
REIQ chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella said the Awards for Excellence showcased those real estate professionals who had achieved outstanding results to rise to a level above their peers.
"To achieve at this level requires enormous commitment, tireless work and incredible motivation and the finalists and winners here tonight have successfully demonstrated their ability to do that," she said.
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