Auctioneer calls it quits after 40-years
LAST TIME: Gatton Sale Yard auctioneer Bill Hallas will step back from the sale yards as auctioneer. Ali Kuchel
by Ali Kuchel
Ali Kuchel Journalist
Ali Kuchel is the editor at the Gatton Star, having worked through the ranks as a journalist. Ali's career has taken her from South Australia to Charleville's Western Times in outback Queensland, to Gatton, back to South Australia for the Stock Journal and finally returning to Gatton. Her interests include agricultural, rural and equine journalism along with photography.
6th Jul 2016 9:00 AM
GATES will remain latched and stalls empty after auctioneer Bill Hallas slams his hammer for the final time at the Gatton Saleyards.
The auction on Monday will be Mr Hallas' final time at the Gatton Saleyards with nearly four decades at the helm.
According to Mr Hallas, it's likely no other agent has operated from the yards as long as he has.
"It's not the first time someone has left the sale yards," he said.
But it's the first time someone who has sold calves and pigs every fortnight for the past 37.5 years has moved on.
Mr Hallas' first encounter with the sale yards was in 1961 when he was in Grade 7 - his family sold two calves that day.
Eighteen years later, he started as an auctioneer at that same sale yard.
Unfortunately, the numbers are "just not there any more" to make the Gatton sales viable.
"About 12 months ago when the market was nothing there was a point when nobody wanted the cattle," Mr Hallas said.
"When it turned around people had to sell the cattle because there was no water.
"The dollar value that is left in it is not worth it."
While Mr Hallas is stepping away from his role at the saleyards, he won't let go of his cattle, or auctioneering.
"I'll always have cattle till the day I can't," he said.
"I have treasured being an auctioneer and having my licence ... that's the hardest part."
Although Mr Hallas won't be bellowing at the sale yards, he'll still be available to help locals with their livestock.
"I'll still be able to help people, I just won't be able to sell their stock," he said.
The final sale commences at 11am on Monday, July 11.
auctioneering retirement
Opinion As much as Biden may pledge to be a "president for all Americans", his own foreshadowed policies will make that task all the more difficult, writes James Morrow.
Crime A HIGH-PROFILE NT police officer facing a rape allegation has had '11 volumes of material' filed against him, a court has heard.
Music From writing a book to recording an album, Barnesy is set to have a prolific year.
News A vegan protester who showed videos of animal mutilations, slaughters and experimentations on TV screens in front of families has been punished in court.
Premium Content Man sentenced after sending 'graphic' emails to police woman
Premium Content BOM hits back over claims of letting down community
Debate rages over 'sleepy' Bill Clinton