It was an easy choice this year: ‘Growling’ Jack Bongiorno has been the standout auctioneer in our patch in 2011. And while it is true an auctioneer is only as good as the selling agents who support him (in this case Heather and Rae in particular), you still have to go out there and perform.

In the past we have been critical of Growling Jack’s opening waffle (it was too long) and while that has improved, there are still auctioneers with a better opening patter. So why is he our auctioneer of the year in 2011?

Simple – in the guts of the auction and at the business end he is the strongest, most effective performer out there right now. In a tough market place – and many auctions are tough right now – Growling Jack takes the audience and the bidders on. He challenges them, makes them laugh, makes them cry and most of all he keeps things going – rarely missing a beat in terms of numbers or momentum. In 2011 if you wanted to see the best, then you needed to watch a full-on Growling Jack auction – it was on many occasions a masterpiece of theatre and business combined. Hat off to you Jack!

Review: James Market News