Luke Banitsiotis of Woodards Blackburn has won the title of 2019 REIV Senior Auctioneer of the Year for the second year in a row.
Organised by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), the Senior Auctioneer of the Year Competition is a two-day event, testing auctioneers on their knowledge of best practice and legislation.
It also tests their performance in a simulated auction situation. The competition took place at REIV Headquarters in Camberwell on 21 and 22 May.
Paul Tzamalis of The Auction Company followed closely in second place, and the two were declared the top performers from a field of nine contenders.
Mr Banitsiotis and Mr Tzamalis will go on to represent Victoria at the Australasian Auctioneering Championships in Melbourne.
The event will take place in Melbourne in October in association with the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.
Mr Banitsiotis said his secret weapon was his mathematical abilities, which help him to call bids quickly and accurately.
“I felt a bit of pressure going in after winning it last year, so it’s good to come out with a win and I’m looking forward to October, and going into the Australasians in my home state,” Mr Banitsiotis said.
“The Australasian Competition is a great experience. It’s one level up, so it’s all about learning and developing, and hopefully this year we go one better and make the final.”
REIV Vice President, Auction Chapter Chair and Chief Judge Adam Docking said the competition was strong.
“Luke was technically superior, heads and shoulders above everybody else, while Paul’s calling had a lot of life in it,” Mr Docking said.
“They were outstanding. In competition, just like in today’s market, it is all about being technically correct while putting on a performance and engaging with the crowd.
“Paul’s calling was the longest out of all of the entrants, but looking at the crowd, everyone was watching, no one switched off and that just goes to show that he was able to hold the crowd’s attention.”
For the first time in the event’s history, the REIV live-streamed the competition via auction partner GAVL, with links for each competitor updated on the REIV’s Facebook page throughout the competition.
A recap of the final five battling it out for honours is available now, and features:
- Michael Richardson Fletchers Glen Iris
- Luke Banitsiotis Woodards Blackburn
- Joshua Kalender Nelson Alexander
- James Doherty Vision Real Estate
- Paul Tzamalis The Auction Company
