Central and southern NSW communities to host Rabobank business transition and succession planning information sessions - Rabobank

3 Jul 2025 8:39 AM

Primary producers in central and southern NSW have the opportunity to develop skills to assist with family farm succession and business transition at complimentary information sessions.

 

Hosted by the NSW Rabo Client Council, the practical Business Transition and Succession Planning information sessions will be held in Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Gunning and Forbes in late July and early August.

 

The initiative has been led and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Councils, a group of innovative, forward-thinking clients who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and support a range of activities designed to make a meaningful impact on the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.

 

The interactive sessions – which are free of charge – offer practical information, such as why family and business communication can be difficult and how to improve it, what makes a meeting work and how to take account of differing family goals.

 

The information sessions – which will be limited to 30 participants each and are not restricted to the bank’s clients – will be presented by content and facilitator partner, Transition Partners director Jim Benson.

 

Rabobank’s NSW Client Council member and Coleambally-based cotton and cereals producer Annabel Burge said the sessions encouraged active planning for farming families as they prepare for generational transitions within their farming enterprises.

 

Ms Burge said the Rabobank sessions focused on “developing skills for effective, ongoing communication to assist farming families manage the intricacies and challenges of business change and succession”.

 

“With knowledge, and open communication,” Ms Burge said, “families can create plans and strategies that preserve the core values of the family farm and ensure the business's long-term success. Effective farm business transition goes beyond simply addressing legal and financial matters.”

 

Ms Burge said the topic of business transition and succession planning was particularly relevant to central and southern New South Wales farming communities, as significant numbers of younger farmers are returning to family businesses and need skills and knowledge to chart a course for their futures.

 

The session content includes how to start the conversation about business succession, Ms Burge said. “During these sessions, participants will delve into key aspects of organising their initial meeting to discuss next steps in management, business, property and wealth transition. Additionally, practical tools will be offered to aid in the planning process, resolve family and business conflicts, and address family-related issues,” she said.

 

The information sessions create a supportive environment for couples and family members to attend together. These sessions present farmers with an opportunity to briefly step away from their farming activities and participate in a group learning experience.

 

Ms Burge said initiating pre-emptive planning is important for ensuring a seamless business transition. “Starting succession planning early is important, as delaying the process and essential conversations can lead to conflicts due to differing individual expectations.”

 

Rabobank state manager for New South Wales Toby Mendl said the Rabo Client Council network is focussed on developing meaningful grassroots initiatives to support key themes focusing on building industry capacity, championing rural wellbeing, sustainability and strengthening the rural-urban connection.

 

Mr Mendl said the information sessions are intended to empower farmers and help provide them with useful tools to “help achieve success”.

 

“The sessions offer farmers helpful tools to create transition plans, aiming for long-term stability of family farming enterprises,” he said. “Additionally, the positive impact extends beyond individual farms, bolstering rural and regional communities and enhancing the resilience of the local agricultural sector.”

 

Since launching the program in 2024 – the Rabo Client Councils have delivered 13 sessions across the country – to date providing family farm succession and business transition skills and tools to over 325 participants.

 

“If you’re interested in attending a session, keen to meet other progressive farming families and develop new skills, confirm your place before the sessions are fully allocated,” Mr Mendl said.

 

Information session details:

• Tuesday, 29 July 2025 – 8.30am – 2.00pm (Griffith)
• Wednesday, 30 July 2025 – 8.30am – 2.00pm (Wagga Wagga)
• Thursday, 31 July 2025 – 9.30am – 3.00pm (Gunning)
• Friday, 1 August 2025 – 9.30am – 3.00pm (Forbes)

 

To register to participate, visit the Rabobank website or click Succession Sessions: Business Transition & Succession Planning 

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

 

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*Disclaimer: These information sessions are for information purposes only. Its contents will be general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Rabobank Australia Limited ABN 50 001 621 129 AFSL 234700 and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (Australia Branch) ABN 70003917655 AFSL 238446 (collectively referred to as, ‘Rabobank Australia’) recommends attendees seek independent professional advice, consider relevant disclosure documents and terms and conditions for our financial products (all available at www.rabobank.com.au, Rabobank branches or by calling 1300 30 30 33) before making any decisions related in any way to the contents of this information session.

 

 

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About us:

 

Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 125 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of more than nine million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 87 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.

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