Luke has the gift of the gavel

Luke Banitsiotis has taken out REIV's Senior Auctioneer of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. 

Luke Banitsiotis of Woodards Blackburn has been crowned Real Estate Institute of Victoria Senior Auctioneer of the Year in a repeat of the 2018 result.

Mr Banitsiotis and runner-up Paul Tzamalis were declared the top performers from a field of nine contenders, which was narrowed to five finalists over a two-day competition on 21 and 22 May at REIV Headquarters in Camberwell. 

Mr Banitsiotis told WILLIAMS MEDIA the competition presented a different challenge this year.

"You've got a bit of a target on your back once you've won it, so there is definitely that pressure there," he said.

"It was good that at all fell into place."

Entrants in the competition were tested on their knowledge of best practice and legislation, as well as their performance in a simulated auction situation, which includes complex bidding sequences and challenging questions.

Mr Banitsios said his mathematical abilities played a significant role in getting him over the line.

"Numbers are my strength and that's where the bulk of the points are," he said.

Related Reading: Two finalists announced in Senior Auctioneering Competition

"It's something that I've really worked hard on throughout the past couple of years and now I feel I'm in a pretty strong position when it comes to that part of the auctioneering."

REIV Vice President, Auction Chapter Chair and Chief Judge Adam Docking said the top two had been "outstanding".

“Luke was technically superior, heads and shoulders above everybody else, while Paul’s calling had a lot of life in it,” he said. 

“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.” 

Mr Tzamalis and Mr Banitsiotis will go on to represent Victoria at the Australasian Auctioneering Championships in Melbourne which will be held from 22 to 24 October 2019 in association with the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania.

The latter said he was looking forward to showcasing his skills "on another level".

"All of the states are producing quality auctioneers, and New Zealand is probably the benchmark," he said.

"It's a step up, but it's a good challenge."

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