Putting clients and their communities first

Our Rabo Client Council members are forward-thinking clients passionate about making a difference in their communities. Together, we listen and learn about the local and industry issues that matter most to support initiatives delivering long-term, positive impact on the ground.

Learn more about how our Rabo Client Council initiatives are brought to life with support of the Rabo Community Fund.

LATEST COMMUNITY INSIGHTS

Working hand-in-hand with our clients

As a global cooperative we are not answerable to shareholders and instead can actively engage in the communities in which our clients live.

The Rabo Client Councils are a direct way for our clients to advance the initiatives and ideas that are important to their community.

Together we develop and implement these meaningful national and grassroots initiatives across six key themes: long-term industry capacity and agricultural education, environmental sustainability, rural/urban connection, natural disaster resilience, rural wellbeing and adaptation/disruption.

6,260 George the farmer books donated to schools across Australia

5,280 People upskilled through Financial Skills Workshop

580 individuals across rural areas supported through the Succession Information Sessions

465 Health Checks Provided by the Heart Truck Australia

Meet our Rabo Client Council Chairs & Deputy Chairs

New South Wales Rabo Client Council Chair

Kate Waldren

My husband Ant and I live on the Monaro, where we run a self-replacing beef herd and trade sheep when the seasons allow. Our main block is at Nimmitabel, and we have a small block at Araluen, which we use to finish cattle over winter.

South Australia Rabo Client Council Chair

Nikki Kirkland

We are on the Limestone Coast in the lower south east of South Australia. Together with my husband, Richard and our two adult children, we run a prime lamb operation with some cropping – broad beans, wheat, canola and barley – as well as trade cattle when the season allows.

Southern Queensland Rabo Client Council Chair

Angus McGilvray

We breed, grow and fatten cattle at “Womblebank,” west of Injune on the Great Dividing Range, with two other blocks at Hannaford and Moonie to grow out and fatten stock and produce some forage crops.

Southern Queensland Rabo Client Council Deputy Chair

Suzanne Marshall

Steve and I are beef, hay and peanut producers at Coalstoun Lakes in the North Burnett region. As part of the Southern Queensland Rabo Client Council, we join members from all different areas and backgrounds – from beef producers, to cotton growers, to farmers growing cane, lychees and macadamias.

Northern Queensland and Northern Territory Rabo Client Council Chair

Sonia Spurdle

We are very much a family-orientated business. My husband Graham and I, along with our four daughters – Tamieka, Jaimee-Lee, Montana and Bonnie – run a beef cattle operation in the Charters Towers shire, two hours south-west of Townsville.

Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Council Chair

Monique Bryant

Mark and I are third-generation dairy farmers based in northern Victoria near Kaarimba, milking around 800 cows across two platforms. With a long-held passion for the industry, I am on the Australian Dairy Conference board as well as, their programming committee for 2026.

Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Council Deputy Chair

Caitlin Radford

I am a fifth-generation farmer from Moriarty on the north-west coast of Tasmania. My husband, Owen and I farm together with my parents, growing peas, beans, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes and poppies. We also produce wheat, grass and lucerne for hay and silage and run sheep and cattle.

Western Australia Rabo Client Council Deputy Chair

Glen Quartermaine

Together with my wife Kim and our adult son, Charlie we run a mixed grain and sheep feedlotting enterprise near Dowerin in the Central Wheatbelt where we produce mainly wheat, lupins and barley.

Making a Difference in our Communities

“I thoroughly enjoy being involved in the Rabo Client Council, it perfectly fulfills my desire to contribute to our industry and our communities and aligns well with my business delivering on really meaningful initiatives making a difference to the community”

Claire Catford, Grain producer and Rabo Client Council Member

“Until I joined the Rabo Client Council I had no idea of the extent Rabobank supports our communities – regardless of whether you’re a client or not, which I think is amazing.”

Sue Marshall, Cattle and peanut producer and Rabo Client Council member

“From succession planning to business management, Rabobank takes a lead on ensuring farmers remain up-to-date on the latest knowledge and insights, and there are so many opportunities the bank presents to help farm businesses grow.”

Annabel Burge, Cotton and grain producer and Rabo Client Council member

“It’s the people and communities that give the bush its unique spirit, there are many people making our region a better place – it’s rewarding to be a part of.”

Sally McGilvray, Beef producer and Rabo Client Council member

“It’s great that Rabobank gives clients an opportunity like this to maintain accountability and a voice of the client. It’s heartening that, as a client, I can be part of conversations that impact the bank, and its communities.”

Stewart Hamilton, Grains producer and Rabo Client Council member

Inverleigh’s Hamilton family, Philippa, Stewart, John, and Hilary

“I don’t know of another organisation that has built teams purely to contribute to the community, and client upskilling.”

Clarke Grogan, Rabobank Rural Manager, Ayr

Claire Catford
Sue Marshall, Cattle and peanut producer and Client Council member
Annabel Burge, cotton and grain producer and Client Council member
Sally McGilvray, beef producer and Client Council member
Stewart Hamilton, grains producer and Client Council member
Clarke Grogan, Rabobank Rural Manager, Ayr

Rabo Client Council Themes

Long-term Industry Capacity and Agricultural Education

With access to quality labour a key challenge across Australia, it is critical that we attract and retain young people in agriculture and support the upskilling of primary producers. We're focused on building the industry's reputation and future workforce through education and development of leadership skills.

Rural Wellbeing

The tyranny of distance compounds the ability to access high quality health and wellbeing services. Our goal is to support health and wellbeing initiatives to enable thriving rural communities.

Rural/Urban Connection

Strengthening the rural-urban connection is key to Australia’s future – linking our farms to our cities drives economic growth, innovation and national resilience. It’s about building a united Australia, where rural and urban communities support each other through shared challenges and opportunities.

Natural Disaster Resilience

Working together we share knowledge and learnings that help to contribute to disaster-resilient communities. We contribute to helping upscale organisations that make a difference to impacted rural communities. And, when needed, support great organisations that help communities rebuild effectively and efficiently.

Environmental Sustainability

Our goal is to contribute to the sustainability conversation with stakeholders across the community. Helping facilitate education and knowledge while sharing sustainability stories about the progress being made in the sector, and the value delivered.

Adaption/Disruption

Proactively we seek to increase the knowledge and understanding of global, industry, and regional change in the agricultural sector. Our goal is to help education on disruptive changes and showcase actions that can make a positive impact.