You could say Lockie Miller was born into the livestock industry.
He was riding alongside his Pop Kevin Miller from a young age, and from the time he did work experience with his business - Kevin Miller Whitty Lennon and Co - there was no looking back.
"I did work experience at 15, then started working one or two days a work," Lockie said. "When I turned 17 I started full time."
Lockie's now 21 years old and preparing for his first bid at the NSW Young Auctioneers final at Sydney Royal Show.
It's an experience he's looking forward to - mixing with some of the best young auctioneers in the State in the competitive atmosphere he's heard about from his colleagues.
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The 10 NSW finalists were chosen last December following a two-day workshop at Warwick Farm.
After a day-and-a-half of training and learning, each of the contenders had their chance to sell three steers for the opportunity to go to Sydney.
The increasingly popular competition attracted about 40 young auctioneers from around the State and in itself opened up great opportunities - because the industry is as much about connections as much as it is cattle.
The opportunity to meet and work with people is a huge part of what attracted Lockie to the business and what he hopes to gain from Sydney.
It's what he loves about his work.
"I love that I can do my job where my Pop is, one of my best friends, it's really good having someone like that as well," Lockie said.
"He's a very good mentor and I'm very lucky to be under his wing."
Matthew Lennon is another in the business who's showing the next generation the way.
"They've taught me a lot - and obviously there's still plenty to learn," Lockie said.
"They're steering me in the right direction anyway."
KMWL today is based in Forbes with a vast reach and Lockie's work most frequently takes him to the north and west - between Parkes and Dubbo, to Nyngan and Cumnock.
While he's had plenty of selling experience at Forbes' Central West Livestock Exchange, Lockie's been preparing himself for Sydney by working with mentors with competition experience and watching videos of previous winners.
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