Justin Nickerson of Queensland was announced winner of the Real Estate Institute's Australasian Auctioneering Competition 2016 last night at a gala event held in Alice Springs.

Yesterday afternoon, the five finalists - Gavin Croft (NSW), Justin Nickerson (QLD), Harry Li (VIC), Andrew North (NZ) and Daniel Coulson (NZ) - competed for the prestigious prize at the spectacular two-day event hosted by The Real Estate Institute of the Northern Territory.

Commenting on Nickerson's win, Real Estate Institute of South Australia CEO, Greg Troughton, said, “It would be remiss of me not to remember the very famous one liner coined by the newest auction champion from Australia of the new definition of a miracle - the lobster in the kitchen on the Titanic. Who knew Justin Nickerson was both an able seaman and a philosopher?"

John Abbott, well-known New Zealand auctioneering icon and judge, said, "It was a great pleasure to again be a Judge at the Australasian Auctioneering Championhips here in Alice Springs over the last two days. The 18 best auctioneers in Australasia strutted their stuff on the biggest stage of their careers and wowed the large crowd with their wit, Mensa-like mathematical skills and entertaining abilities. The final was won by Justin Nickerson of Queensland. I heartily congratulate all contestants."

Mark Sumich, blogger and three-time winner of the event, said "the magnificent Justin Nickerson" had reached "auctioneering Everest" in a "monumental win".

Sumich said Nickerson was "concentrating on his own meticulous structures, impetuous addition skills and unique blend of Aussie humour, to trounce one of the best fields in memory. This win will be especially sweet on the streets of Lilliput, where the outstanding orator has honed his holistic hollerings to the extent that no task was too big, nor too small. His attention to detail is a mirror image of Harry's, and these two are now the leading practitioners across our two countries."

The Australasian Auctioneering Championship will be held in Adelaide next year, hosted by the REISA. 

A statement from the REISA said, "South Australia looks forward to hosting both Championships next year and putting on a show that - just like the competitors – is simply the best of the best."

Jonathon Moore of Moore Auctions said, "Adelaide will host this event next year, no doubt bigger and better."

The event was held every two years until 2005, when it became an annual event. Previous winners were:

1993 Michael Brock

1995 Peter Batrouney

1997 Peter Hawkins

1999 John McGrath

2001 Michael McCarthy

2003 Peter Kakos

2005 Justin Long

2006 Scott Kennedy-Green

2007 Mark Sumich

2008 Mark Sumich

2009 Phil McGoldrick

2010 Jason Andrew

2011 Mark Sumich

2012 Daniel Coulson

2013 Daniel Coulson

2014 Andrew North

2015 Harry Li

2016 Justin Nickerson

This article was first published on The Real Estate Conversation. The Real Estate Conversation is the official media partner and sponsor of the Real Estate Institute's 2016 Australasian Auctioneering Competition.

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