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17/07/2025
Rabobank’s Claire Gray
Managing young children and a cross generational family farming business is always a juggle – add an off-farm career and it could easily prove a tipping point.
Yet for Western Australia’s Claire Gray, her role at Rabobank has emerged as an unlikely source of balance.
The opportunity she has to retain a purpose, supporting her clients and working in the close-knit Lake Grace team, provides the mother of two with a welcome sense of self.
Claire is a senior rural manager in the Lake Grace team, and having grown up on a grain and pig operation in the Quairading district, she has lived and breathed agriculture for much of her life.
An early career in agri machinery finance and mortgage broking in Perth provided her with a four year taste of city life, and a fated introduction to her now husband, Kael.
Today, the couple live on farm at Tarin Rock, and help run the family’s grain and merino property, in partnership with Kael’s brother and sister.
Claire, with husband Kael and children Anna and Bridie
And Claire, who embarked on a banking career upon moving to the region in 2014, believes the first-hand insights gained from their own farm business helps make her a better manager to her clients.
“My husband is one of six children, with three on farm,” she explains. “We’ve been managing a period of expansion, which can be stressful, and with six siblings in the mix there are many succession conversations.”
“I know that these are the same challenges that my clients are facing – be it expansion, succession, market risks, seasonal conditions or live export uncertainty – I share these experiences with them, I know the emotions they’re feeling first-hand, and as a result I have an empathy for their business that’s quite unique.”
Whether it’s a farm acquisition or succession planning, Claire loves being a part of her clients’ story – knowing what their aspirations are and helping achieve them.
“Trust is crucial for a meaningful relationship, and I like to think that my agricultural background and experience helps me build a strong rapport with my clients,” she explains, “My role is to know their business inside out, and support their business vision into a reality.”
There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from such dynamic and exciting business transactions, and it’s a welcome reprieve from episodes of Bluey on repeat.
Mother to five-year-old Bridie and Anna, two and a half, Claire believes that her role at Rabobank makes her a better mum, and a better employee.
“It’s a juggle I don’t always get right, but I’m so grateful that Rabobank has allowed me to have a big career in a small town, all whilst raising a young family and contributing to the farm.”
Claire can empathise with her farming clients, as she too juggles the challenges and opportunities of a farming business.
“The relationships I’ve built with my clients and my role in helping them succeed allows me a sense of purpose and a really fulfilling career.”
Claire has also gained a number of unexpected skills post children which she believes makes her a better rural manager.
“Motherhood has taught me to become more resilient, and I’m very conscious of prioritising my day – I feel like I have laser focus on whatever I’m tasked with, I need to be organised to get the job done, and it’s a really great feeling working so efficiently.”
And while she laughs that the real work begins once she gets home, she acknowledges that her children help her switch between work and home.
“I need to be mindful of the energy I bring home from work, which keeps me in check and makes me more mindful to really enjoy the time we spend as a family.”
An extrovert who loves people, Claire thrives in the company of others, and considers the Lake Grace team like family.
In the case of colleague Vynka De Vree, it’s a friendship verging on sisterhood.
“Vynka and I have been close friends since boarding school, we married neighbouring farmers, and now we’re both working for Rabobank in the same position within the same branch, and it’s quite amazing how our lives have come full circle together.”
Claire with friend and colleague, Vynka De Vree
“We have very similar backgrounds yet very different strengths, and I think we complement each other well,” Claire smiles. “It’s certainly easier for me to do what I do knowing that I have someone to share the journey with.”
Despite her busy schedule, Claire will always find time to contribute to community and industry, and is currently President of the Lakes Women in Farming branch.
“Given I work in banking, and am married to a farmer, it’s a combination which hopefully enables me to offer some valuable insights to the table.”
“Whether we’re knowledge sharing, or inviting guest speakers, I can apply the things I learn across the industry and raise it in our meetings, from farm safety to labour shortages.”
“As an agri banker it makes me really satisfied to be able to add value not just to clients, but to community groups also.”
Whether it’s work, community, preparing children’s lunchboxes, or harvest and seeding meals for her husband, Claire admits that it’s easy to become everything for everyone, and as such she’s learnt to prioritised time for herself.
While some may be content with a massage or facial, Claire’s self-care entails training for half marathons.
“I was recently part of a Rabobank Client Council sponsored charity run in a marathon duo with Fraser Stewart from the Perth branch. I knew if I didn’t commit I wouldn’t prioritise myself or exercise, and I’m so glad I said yes.”
“I’ve learnt very quickly that I’m at a stage in my life where I’m in the trenches, yet despite our family’s busy life, saying ‘yes’ to opportunities – be it at home, work or socially – is always worthwhile and helps create a more fun and fulfilling daily life.”
Claire and colleague Fraser Stewart post a recent half marathon