Simon Henderson

"After completing my VCE in 1988, I landed my first job in the industry with VOP Mercantile as a clerk/trainee at the Dandenong Saleyards in early 1989.After settling into the role,which was 3 days a week, I applied for,and was successful in getting a traineeship with Elders Pastoral in October 1989. I was based at Leongatha, and was sent from branch to branch in relieving roles,and to gain experience. I worked in Sale,Bairnsdale,Yarram and Swan Hill. It was whilst working at Yarram I first met David Phelan on early 1990. In 1992 I was transferred to Finley, NSW,as a Livestock Salesman.I had started auctioneering whilst in Gippsland and it was at Finley where I improved my auctioneering skills and looked after a diverse client base. In August 1993 I moved to Kilmore, Vic, as livestock salesman with Brian Rodwell and co. With the endorsement of Brian Rodwell and significant help and opportunity provided by Colin Jones, I was auctioneering back at Dandenong, which to me was like a mini Newmarket,with 2 auctioneers selling at the same time.

I entered the national young auctioneers competition, and won the Naional Title in 1994. I represented Australia at the Calgary Stampede in July 1994.Mid 1995,I was offered a job by Elders to be the branch Auctioneer in Warrnambool. I was reluctant to Leave Brian Rodwell & Co as the firm was fantastic, but I did want to work in the Western District to broarden my horizon. So I took on the role for 12 months. it didn't work out as I had planned and I was lucky to get my job back at Kilmore. In 1996 I married Christine and things were going well in Kilmore. Brian Rodwell had opened a branch in Ballarat and they needed an auctioneer to be stationed there, so Christine and I moved there in January 1998. It was a 2 year posting, and being mainly a sheep selling centre,i wanted to get back into a cattle area, and I was transferred to Rodwells Pakenham in March 2000. That was fantastic, however,an opportunity arose to move to South Gippsland in November 2000. We decided to move to Inverloch,and I started work in Leongatha with Rodwells in November 2000. I have enjoyed living working in the South Gippsland area since that time. I left Rodwells in January 2006 and opened a branch for Everitt and Seeley. In Early 2009 I accepted a role as Senior Auctioneer with Alex Scott & staff, a role that I had until July 2105 when I went into this partnership with David Phelan. It is a great setup and I am looking forward to the future, providing a high level of service to our loyal client base. Phew..Typing Cramp. That's all Folks."