The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) and the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) have announced the postponement of the Australasian Auctioneering Championships (AUSTROS) until 2022.
The AUSTROS were postponed due to the current COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns in Australia, as many auctioneering competitors would not be able to travel interstate or from New Zealand with the travel bubble suspended.
The AUSTROS were scheduled for 17-19 October 2021 in Sydney.
REIA President, Adrian Kelly said the current public health orders and travel restrictions had made it impossible to deliver this event in person, and the REIA and REINZ had no alternative other than to postpone the event in order to maintain the integrity of the AUSTROS competition.
“This is a decision reached with great disappointment by all involved and we are working hard to finalise a date for a new competition in 2022,” Mr Kelly said.Â
Mr Kelly said the REIA wished to especially acknowledge the hard work and collaboration of the AUSTROS Steering Group this year, in particular Chair Thomas McGlynn.
He explained the upcoming show was shaping up to be a sensational competition.
“We hope to bring it back better than ever next year,” Mr Kelly said.
REINZ Chief Executive Jen Baird agreed with the decision, noting health and safety was the priority.
“Whilst we know that the decision to cancel this year’s Australasian Championships is disappointing news for the auctioneering community, the health and wellbeing of all involved is our top priority.
“We look forward to confirming a new date in 2022 when we can all come together to compete safely.”
The AUSTROS is an inaugural event, first held between the Real Estate Institutes of Tasmania and Victoria. It was adopted by the Real Estate Institute of South Australia two years later.
It has grown to become one of the biggest events for auctioneers in Australia and New Zealand, with the championships occurring in a different city each year.
The last championships were jointly hosted by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania in Melbourne in October 2019.
After a tight competition, Justin Nickerson of Queensland was awarded Australasia’s best auctioneer for 2019.
