Harcourts Holds the 'Bledisloe Cup' of Auction Competitions

Friday, 25^th February 2011

Harcourts Holds the 'Bledisloe Cup' of Auction Competitions

Earlier this month at Harcourts' annual Business Leaders Conference in Melbourne, two of the company's top auctioneers from Australia and New Zealand competed in the "Bledisloe Cup" of auction competitions.

Battling for New Zealand was Robert Tulp of Cooper and Co Real Estate, while Lindsay Warner of Brock Harcourts Adelaide fought for Australia.

The auction challenge was judged by three judges including Ken Chappell, Director of Hocking Stuart Mooroolbark, Michel Choi, Director of McDonald Real Estate Aspendale Gardens and Sophie Houston, Estate Agent and Auctioneer for Philip Webb.

After a fierce and close competition, the judges declared Mr Tulp the winner with New Zealand claiming the "Bledisloe Cup" title and glory, much to the disappointment of the Australian's in attendance.

"It was great to be part of this new trans-Tasman Harcourts challenge. Anything which sees Australia compete against New Zealand is exciting and competitive," Mr Tulp said.

"Having only two competitors in the event meant that the stakes were higher than normal which saw me forgo the normal conference festivities and lock myself in my hotel room for hours of preparation and practice."

"It is an honor to have won the inaugural Cup on behalf of Harcourts New Zealand and it's given me a head start on my preparation for the Harcourts NZ national competition in May," Mr Tulp continued.

As part of his win, Mr Tulp later lead a charity auction at the Business Leaders Conference networking function which raised $7,200 in funds for Harcourts' charitable arm, The Harcourts Foundation.

The items auctioned at the charity event included a 2007 bottle of Craggy Range wine which sold for $600, an iPad which fetched $1,100, a bottle of Penfolds Shiraz which sold under the hammer for $500, and a Queenstown holiday experience which sold for $5,000.

"This was the first time Harcourts have held an event like this at the Business Leaders Conference and it was a great success, both from a fundraising perspective, and to encourage a bit of healthy competition," said Harcourts International Managing Director, Mike Green.

*ENDS*

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