Mr McGoldrick edged out fellow finalists Jake McIntyre (Tasmania), Sam Steele (New Zealand), Robert Tulp (New Zealand), and Greg Brydon (Victoria) in a fiercely contested final round that showcased exceptional skill and precision.
The victory was particularly meaningful for Mr McGoldrick who had made several previous attempts at the title without success.
His win came after qualifying with the lowest score in the preliminary heats, making his final performance even more impressive.
“It’s a really good feeling,” Mr McGoldrick said.
Mr McGoldrick put his success down to a more balanced approach this year.
Time penalties affected some favourites in the early rounds, creating an unexpected path to the finals.
“It’s funny, but I don’t know how I got through the heats,” he said.
“I was certainly the lowest qualifier and a lot of people were like, ‘How the hell did that get through?’”
The competition, jointly hosted by the Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA) and convened by the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) and Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), remains the most prestigious event on the Australasian auctioneering calendar.
Finalists from across Australia and New Zealand earned their places after winning their respective state and national titles.
The judging panel praised this year’s field as one of the strongest in the competition’s history.
“There were some way superior calls from Tuesday that got bundled out because they were too long,” Mr McGoldrick said.
In the final round, Mr McGoldrick found his rhythm and delivered a strong performance.
“It all came together pretty well,” he said.
“I think what got me there was that in the final I was just in it.”
The event also featured the Australasian Novice Auctioneering Championship, where 14 promising competitors showcased their skills. Tama Emery from New Zealand emerged victorious, claiming the 2025 Novice Champion title.
REIA President Leanne Pilkington congratulated all participants and emphasised the significance of the competition in promoting excellence in auctioneering.
“This competition continues to attract the best of the best across Australasia,” Ms Pilkington said.
“Each competitor brought a unique style, and this year’s finalists demonstrated why this event remains the benchmark for excellence in auctioneering.”
The novice competition particularly impressed observers, with many noting the high standard of emerging talent. REISA CEO Andrea Heading praised the next generation of auctioneers, while Pilkington noted the growing popularity of the novice category.
“The novice competition is set to become a favourite — it’s a glimpse into the future of auctioneering,” Ms Pilkington said.
“We were blown away by the standard.”